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Tuesday 27 December 2011

Beautiful Attractions in India

Beautiful  Attractions in India


                 India is seventh largest country of world by area, and, naturally such a large area contains huge amount of exciting attractions.







                 The variety of this country will make you enthralled; it can be the camel ride in the desert, splendor of Rajasthan of the Macloedgang mint tea. India vacations in the north, the south, the east, west and the central belts of the country will really be a magnificent experience.






                            India is bestowed with numerous places of tourists attraction. An excellent blend of past and present makes India one of the most visited tourists destinations in the world. The ancient sculptures, historical monuments, pilgrimage sites, exotic beaches and a diverse society leave you spell bounded with amazement and excitation. The world famous Indian food has the ability to get you addicted. The zeal of celebrating festivals and occasions marks the flamboyant and diverse Indian society.






















   According to World Travel and Tourism Council, India will be a tourism hotspot from 2009–2018, having the highest 10-year growth potential. The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2007 ranked tourism in India 6th in terms of price competitiveness and 39th in terms of safety and security. Despite short- and medium-term setbacks, such as shortage of hotel rooms,tourism revenues are expected to surge by 42% from 2007 to 2017.India's 5,000 years of history, its length, breadth and the variety of geographic features make its tourism basket large and varied. It presents heritage and cultural tourism along with medical, business and sports tourism. India has a growing medical tourism sector. The 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi were expected to significantly boost tourism in India.

Monday 26 December 2011

Places to visit in Agasthyakoodam

Places to visit in Agasthyakoodam


Thamirabarani River 




Tirunelveli




Papanasam


Anamudi

Agasthyakoodam

Information about Agasthyakoodam


           Agastyakoodam also known as Agastyarkoodam or  Agastya Mala is a 1,868 metres (6,129 ft) peak within Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala in the Western Ghats of South India. The mountain lies on the border between the Indian states of Kerala (in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram District) and Tamil Nadu (in Tirunelveli). The perennial Thamirabarani River originates from the eastern side of this hill and flows into the Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu.






                      Agastya Mala is located 32 km from Neyyar Dam. The major city and airport nearest to Agastya Mala is Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum) and its Trivandrum International Airport, around 61 km away. The nearest railway station isAmbasamudramTirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. There is a trekking path, nearly 32 km, from Bonacaud.




            The peak of Agasthiyamala can be reached only by trekking up to it. While the Kerala government has been favourable to the pilgrims wanting to visit the peak, the Tamil Nadu government allows certain number of applications even though they have strict rules within the wildlife sanctuary. Every year in the month of May, Sundarampillai (late) from Papanasam used to organise a big group of pilgrims to go on a devotional trek.



Places to visit in Vagamon

Places to visit in Vagamon


Elaveezha Poonchira



           Ilaveezha Poonchira is a tourist destination located in Kottayam district near Kanjar. Ilaveezha Poonchira is surrounded by three enchanting hillocks - Mankunnu, Kodayathoormala and Thonippara. This makes the place ideal for trekking.








                   Ilavvezha Poonchira is located 55 km from Kottayam, and is 20 km from Thodupuzha. From Ilaveezha Poonchira, it is possible to see large parts of IdukkiKottayamErnakulamAlappuzhaPathanamthitta and Thrissur districts. It is one of the places in Kerala where you can watch sunrise and sunset.





"Ila-veezhaa-poonchira", means 'the pond of flowers where the leaves do not fall'. During the monsoons, the valley between a complex of mountains fills up to form a large pond.
According to a legend, the Pandava had a sojourn here during their life incognito. Their wife, Draupadi, came to take a bath at a lake, which was present at that time. Some devas, bewitched by her beauty, tried to satisfy their voyeuristic itch. King of devas, Lord Indra, came to know about what was going on, and built screens or hills heaping flowers and prevented them from indulging in such a practice. And the pond thus became a dam isolated by floral hills. Since there were no trees around the bund, it was always free of leaves and so it was called Ila-veezha-poonchira. Some say that the name comes from the fact that it is always windy at the place and hence the leaves are carried away.

Pattumalai Church

              Pattumalai Church is located on the Pattumala Hill, which lies in the Peermade region of the Idukki District. The name Pattumala means, ‘the hill with silk’. The Pattumalai Church is dedicated to St. Mary, who is also known as Velankanni Matha. It is a replica of the church located at Velankanni in Kerala.

Kuttikanam Palaces 




                 These were the holiday homes of the Maharaja of Travancore. During the summer seasons, the Kings who once ruled Travancore resided in these summer palaces.

Kurisumala Ashram

                  Kurisumala Ashram is at the heart of the Sahya Mountains, which run parallel to India's south west coast. It is a place sanctified by the breeze which blows softly across the valleys and by the overwhelming beauty of the creation, and the mediative thoughts which arise from the depth of silence. Even today people move to the mountains in search of peace of mind and of God-experience.

Murinjupuzha Water Falls


       Valanjenganam waterfalls in the Monsoon season, some snaps of a scenic water falls on the way to Kuttikkanam, the small plantation town in the Idukki district of Kerala, sometimes called as OOTY of Kerala. The waterfalls is about 75 feet high, ie about 23 meters. The waterfalls is situated on the way to Kuttikanom beside Kottayam- Kumily route.  This white fresh milky river stream of nature which is untouched is said to be originating from somewhere in the mountains of Kuttikanom.  This waterfalls is also known in the names of Valavukayam waterfalls, Murinjapuzha falls, Ninnumullippara waterfalls (peeing rocks waterfalls), Keasari waterfalls etc. The most renowned name of the waterfalls is "Ninnu Mulli Para", meaning rocks that stands and pee, weired huh!..

Idukki Arch Dam

               Idukki arch dam is the world's second and Asia's first Arch Dam constructed across the Kuravan & Kurathi hills. It is 650 ft in breadth and 550 ft in height and lies close to the much smaller Cheruthoni barrage. To the west is the Kulamavu Dam. The underground Power House at Moolamattam is another attraction.
         All spots offer unforgettable scenes of deep blue waters bounded miles around by vegetation. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is adjacent to this world famous Arch Dam.  Without this dam, Kerala would be in complete darkness!


Peermade



         At an altitude of 950 m above sea level, Peermede hill station is a planter's paradise, an ideal location for a retreat in the Western Ghats.The town takes its name from Peer Mohammed, a Sufi Saint who is believed to have been the first trader of spices in the region and close associate of the royal family of Travancore. This famous plantation town once served as the summer retreat for the Rajas of the erstwhile Travancore and the palace is an important monument, given its historical and cultural significance.The whole region is covered by sprawling estates of coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom and rubber owing to this area being the most fertile part of the Western Ghats. The cloud covered hilltops and lush greenery for miles make this an ideal place for a weekend retreat. Honeymooners, families and adventure seekers alike can all have unforgettable experiences in this cosy town in the hills.

Mangla devi temple



     This ancient temple is hidden in the dense forest at the top of a peak 1337 meters above sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on Chithra Pournami festival day.

Thangal Para

 This is a center of Muslim pilgrimage.There is an ancient cave though which you can walk kilometers and experience the thrill of cave life,where our forefathers once lived before the dawn of civilizations. 

Vagamon

Information about  Vagamon


                  Vagamon  is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Idukki district of KeralaIndia. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10 and 23 °C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metre above sea level.










           Vagamon is located 39 km from Thodupuzha, 33 km away from Palai, 45 km from Kumily, 22 km from Kuttikanam and about 65 km from Kottayam. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport while the closest railway station is Kottayam. There are many fine resorts available in the surrounding areas with affordable cost for trekkers. This beautiful hill area is located in Idukki district.








                   Vagamon is surrounded by three hills namely, 'Thangal hill', 'Murugan hill' and 'Kurisumala'. Other attractions include Tea estates, pine forests, grass lands, meadows, mist and shola forests, the famous suicide point of ‘Thangal hill’, a peculiar rock formation at Thangal Para, a dairy farm in Kurisumala and the Live Stock Board. Vagamon is at the fringe of the Western Ghats and the foot hills on its lower side reach up to Teekoy with a gradual descent. Traveling by the hill highway in this section is an exhilarating experience with deep valleys and magnificent views all around. Vagamon presents very spectacular views with an ethereal touch.












            Vagamon's charm is worth experiencing and is indeed one of the must see places for tourists. One speciality of Vagamon is that you will never get tired of Vagamon as each day or visit will display the varied moods of nature and climatic differences; the mist you can touch, the rain drops, the gentle breeze or the golden hue in December-January which will be greatly rewarding and soothing for you and that can romanticize your mind and thoughts. You can easily be humbled by nature and its a not -so- completely -lost pristine condition here. The trees and shrubs in Vagamon give it an added attraction .


                          






            Wagamon provides you unlimited holidaying fantasies all the year, except the monsoons when rains are very heavy here. A perfect place for tourists if you ever desired to rejuvenate yourself and you would always cherish the memories of this enchantingly beautiful land. You can enjoy activities like boating and walking in and along the banks of numerous beautiful lakes around Wagamon. The area abounds in with numerous exotic and beautiful waterfalls hanging from the steep and sloppy hills. There are many eco-friendly projects being developed in the region. Green Meadows is one such project which aims to develop and construct cottages, Ayurvedic massage centers, Cultivation of medicinal plants, fishing and boating lakes etc.






A lovely place, Vagamon Hill in Kerala is surrounded by lush green tea gardens, deep puzzling valleys and dales, sloppy mountains with waterfalls and beautiful lakes all along the coastline. Reaching here is not a problem, but a pleasing experience. Kerala Vagamon Hill is well connected by roads, railways and air. This hill station in Kerala is 2-3 hours drive from Kottayam, Palai and Idukki, and scenic beauty of the place can also be enjoyed while driving.

Kochi tourism


Places to visit in Kochi

Kochi  straddles the backwaters, encompassing the northern end of a peninsula, several islands and a portion of  the mainland. To the west lies the Arabian Sea, and to the east is the urbanized region in the rest of the mainland area. Much of Kochi lies at sea level, with a coastline of 48 km.

Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi


             Chinese traders from the court of Kublai Khan are believed to have introduced these huge cantilevered fishing nets in the late14th century. The nets are built of teak wood and bamboo poles. They can best be seen at sunset, on the north end of the promontory, a few metres from Fort Kochi, or from a boat tour of the harbour. Vasco da Gama square just behind the nets is an idle place to sit and savour the delicious seafood freshly caught in the nets, catered by the stalls here.


Fort Kochi beach

                 Fort KochiA historic beach where 1st Portuguese-Dutch war broke out in the 17th century. Once a very large beach, it has reduced to a quarter in size after the Tsunami. A beautiful, small walkway is constructed recently, making ideal for evening strolls. One can find remnants of Old Portuguese Immanuel Fort along with parts of Dutch Stormberg Fort with some canons still kept intact. An obsolete boiler that once used for powering cranes of old port and a very large anchor of an old Portuguese ship are displayed on the walkway. Works for creating a new artificial beach is undergoing near to this old beach with help of Tsunami development funds


St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi


It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3rd visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to Portugal. In spite of that, his burial spot inside the church has been clearly marked out.


Vasco House, Fort Kochi

        Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars, this is India’s oldest European church. It was initially built of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry. It was restored in 1779 by the Protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican church by the British in 1795 and is at present governed by the Church of South India. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal. The tombstone still remains.

Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi



        The original church, situated in Fort Kochi, was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and named as a cathedral in 1558. The British colonists destroyed the cathedral in 1795. The current structure was built in 1905 and raised to the status of a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.


Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town, Mattancherry


Also known as Pardesi Synagogue, the synagogue was built in 1568. Although it was demolished in a Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. It has stood the test of time, and is now handled and taken care of by Jewish families in Jew Town, Mattancherry. This Jewish temple houses many artifacts. The floor tiles are hand-painted Chinese ones from the 18th century. You can see scrolls, and there’s a 4th-century copper plate that bears the inscriptions of the Kochi  Maharaja in ‘kannadiyezhuthu’ script in Malayalam. Its specialty is that it can be read only with the help of a mirror. The 19th-century glass chandeliers are from Belgium.

Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), Mattancherry

       The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace,  stands overlooking Kochi backwaters, is situated at Palace Road, Mattancherry, 10km away from Kochi city. The unique importance of this monument is due to its mural paintings from the 16th century and dating up to 19th century.

Bolghatty Palace, Bolghatty Island


Bolgatty Palace is owned by KTDC, Kerala government’s tourism wing. It is a luxury heritage hotel located on the Bolghatty Island, off Kochi’s waters. The mansion was originally built by Dutch traders in 1744, and was leased to the British in 1909. It is the oldest of its kind that exists outside Holland. It served as the British residency till 1949.


Hill Palace, Tripunithura



     Built in the 19th century by the Raja of Kochi, this palace served as the seat of the Raja of the Kochi province. The palace has been converted into a museum displaying a fine collection of articles showing the wealth and splendor of the Rajas of Kochi, including the thone and the crown. The museum also houses a large collection of archaeological findings. Hill Palace is located 16km east of Cochin in Tripunithura, a satellite town of Cochin.

Palliport (Pallipuram) Fort

   One of the oldest existing European monuments in India, the Pallipuram Fort at Vypeen, an island near Cochin, was built by the Portuguese in 1503 and is the oldest surviving European fort in India. The Catholic Church at Pallipuram is an important pilgrim centre and attracts a lot tourist, too.
To reach the Pallipuram Fort, one can take a ferry service operating from Ernakulam boat jetty and Fort Kochi to Vypeen. There are buses also plying from Ernakulam to Vypeen and Vypeen to Pallipuram.

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary


Mangalavanam is a protected bird sanctuary situated right in the heart of Kochi city. It is the home of many exotic and rare varieties of migratory and resident birds. Mangalavanam is located right next to the High Court of Kerala.
Museum of Kerala History, Kalamassery

The museum has on display spectacular audio-visual exhibits depicting the history and culture of Kerala along with many life size statues of many famous personalities and several paintings depicting Kerala history.

Parikshith Thampuran Museum

          Parikshith Thampuran Museum is an interesting place in the midst of hustle and bustle of city, is situated adjacent to Siva Temple at the Durbar Hall. This architectural museum will fascinate any visitor who is curious to know what the heritage of Kerala is all about. Parikshith Thampuran Museum exhibits objects that date back  to the 19th century. It features old coins in a numismatic gallery, copies of mural paintings , copper and  bronze sculptures, pre-historic monuments like megalithic relics, Kerala oil paintings, ancient monuments and scriptures made in stone and Plaster of Paris. Several memorabilia like arms and ammunition’s,  personal possessions and antiques of the Kochi Royal Family are also kept in this museum.

Cherai Beach

     The Cherai beach is the one-only in its kind that give an experience of Sea and the lagoon artfully separated by a narrow ground that landscaped by coconut palm. The 10 Km golden beach is fresh and ideal for swimming and sunbathing. 
There are hundreds of accommodation facilities available in Cherai beach ranging from four star hotels and resorts to economy home stays. The local sea food restaurants, scattered all around are rich with verities of the Arabian Sea and outstanding fish delicacies of its own lagoon. 

Best season to be there is November to May but one would like to experience the rainy monsoon the ideal period is June to October.

Veega Land


Veega Land is South India's largest amusement park situated 14kms from Cochin. The park includes a range of attractions including mini castles, water theme park, ferris wheel, rides, slides, shows and fountains. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the fun and activities.

Marine Drive


   Walk by the breezy Marine Drive on summer nights and you will see the joy of visiting Cochin. Also called the Shanmugham Road, Marine Drive is indeed the heart of Cochin. Besides being the recreational area of the city, Marine Drive is also a significant economic center of Cochin. With bustling activities and increasing tourist interest the Marine Drive has become a major attraction in Cochin. This long winding road, facing the backwaters and lying by the seacoast of Cochin is a sight you shall remember all your life.Enjoy the sunrise that light up your existence and sunset that marks a new beginning with its brilliant splash of colors at the Marine Drive in Cochin. Your trip to Cochin will be incomplete without a visit to the Marine Drive.

Willingdon Island

      Willingdon Island is a man-made island located in Kochi, Kerala, South India. The Island was created during construction of modern Kochi Port in 1936 with the soil dredged out while deepening the Vembanad Lake to accommodate the new Kochi Port. The idea of a new Island in Kochi, was first felt by Sir Robert Bristow, who was appointed by Lord Willingdon, then-the Governor of Madras Presidency for commissioning a new modern port in West coast of India at Kochi.It is an artificial island created from It's named after Lord Willingdon Robert Bristow, the chief protagonist and engineer for the project owned the first building on the island. Today the entire land belongs to Cochin Port Trust and Indian Navy. It is Now one of the Island which has access by Air,Road,Rail and Sea.

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor

   The Nehru stadium in Kaloor, has a seating capacity of 60,000 in multiple tiers. It is the fourth largest stadium in India and the largest in Kerala. The ground is lit by a set of unique convex pylon floodlights that arch over the ground. The stadium is home to both the Kerala Ranji cricket team as well as FC Kochi football team.

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