Incredible South India
What do you think is the most common way of exploring India? Well, foreign tourists either choose the Golden Triangle circuit, Goa or to some degree, Rajasthan in their itineraries.
But do you too want to follow the same road – redundant and meaningless?
Well, I did something different. Certainly because India was just not any destination for me, it was the destination.
Following my gut, I chose South India Tour Packages, with my travel starting from Chennai. The sunny side of life, teeming with sun-kissed tourist destinations like Marina Beach, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Pulicat Lake, Kapaleeswarar Temple and National Art Gallery were definitely enthralling.
To continue with our journey of sensory overload in Incredible South India, we headed towards Mahabalipuram, famous for being one of the oldest cities in India. Ancient temples and stone carved monuments add to its value. The top tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram included Arjuna’s Penance, Thirukadalmallai, Cave Temples, Shore Temple and the Pancha Rathas.
Turning to Kerala, it seemed as if every little detail of this ‘God’s Own Country’ was beauty personified. Periyar tourism was one of the rare chances to explore wild indigenous animals, when on a cruise. Even the spice plantation tour added to its panache, bringing us closer to the adventurous zeal in us.
Interestingly, I also got a chance to explore the magic of Ayurveda at Kovalam, situated south of Trivandrum. Drenching myself with the holistic healing of mind, soul and body in the typical ambiance of Kerala, I don’t think so I ever felt this fulfilled, ever before in my life.
But perhaps, the best part of Kerala Tourism was waiting for us to be explored at Kanyakumari. Located at the confluence of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, Kanyakumari is also embellished with several mythologies that make it even more special. We visited the famous Kumari Amman Temple and were enthralled by the majestic architecture of it.
Ayurveda in Kovalam
After covering indigenous destinations like Thottapalli, Cochin, Alleppey, Mysore, Hassan and Hospet, we headed towards Karnataka, with Bengaluru the capital being our tempting destination.
Personally, I could feel a certain kind of calling with Bengaluru. An exotic mixture of urban and cultural Karnataka, the capital is known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India.’ You will find a colourful, artistic, designer crowd here, filled with out of the box ideas and audacious endeavors.
The food was different, the weather was very pleasant and perhaps, what touched my heart was the embrace and warmth of the people. We visited the Lal Bagh Garden, Tipu Sultan’s Palace and Museum, along with the ISCKON Temple. Each destination had its own power and effect.
That is how South Indian Tours left an indelible mark in my life. Even today, I can feel the craving, the yearning for going back to feel its presence, enveloping my travel journeys.
So, do make a difference in your life by exploring India in a different way. And if you do so, South India must be in your must-do list.
]]>
Onam Festival Kerala
Kerala, God’s own country is noted for its communal concord, rich culture and heritage. The diverse culture of the state has resulted in a colorful mishmash of festivals and fairs. The festivities that continue throughout the year make Kerala more vivacious than any other tourist destination around the world. The spirit of gaiety and jubilation always pervades the ambience of Kerala. Thus Kerala is also known as the land of fairs and festivities. The major religions of Kerala are Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. However there is a minority population which belongs to Jainism, Buddhism and Judaism. While on my tour to Kerala, I was very delighted to know more on the Kerala Festivals and the rituals behind them.
Onam – the Hindu festival is considered as the state festival of Kerala. This biggest festival falls during Aug – Sep and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. The celebration of Onam lasts for over ten days which brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Ambrosial Onasadya, intricately decorated Pookalam, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam. It is called as the harvest festival in Kerala.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Thrissur Pooram – The most spectacular festival of Kerala is aptly called Pooram of all Poorams where Pooram means ‘the meeting point of all the arts’. The 36 hours festival combines the rich art and culture of Kerala. This festival is celebrated in the asterism Pooram. Pooram was first introduced by the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi, Rama Varma. The entire celebrations are held at Thekkinkadu ground encircling the Vadakunnathan temple. Large number of spectators and devotees assemble in this ground to witness the meeting of deities of ten different temples.
Thiruvathira – is a religious festival of Kerala celebrated in the fifth month of Malayalam calendar Thiruvathira is essentially the festival for women. Ladies worship Lord Shiva and pray for conjugal harmony and marital bliss on this day. Thiruvathirakkali dance is the other very interesting facet of the festival enchantingly performed by women on this day.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race – The race is held from the Punnamada Lake and special pavilions are set up for the audience to watch this race. This boat race was first inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952; hence it got its name. Separate boat races are conducted for the women participants.
]]>
Anglican Church Chennai
Chennai, the metropolis is often called the cultural capital of India for its deep rooted tradition and long heritage. It is the true reflection of the country’s diversity. I surmised for a trip to Chennai and witness the charming city which is famous for its blend of the old and the new. As soon as I landed in the city, I could see its vivaciousness and liveliness coming along in between the roads, parks, monuments and sculptures.
Thinking about Chennai, the first place that comes to the mind is Marina Beach whose long expansion of sandy beaches with its long alluring charms enthralls the visitors. It is indeed the 2nd longest beach in the world. Apart from enjoying various activities on the beach, there are many historical monuments built at the junction of pathways. Some of them are Annaduari and Ramachandra memorials, Indo Saracenic buildings, monuments of Tamil scholars, patriots and famous personalities. One can start the Chennai sightseeing from St. George’s Fort, which is considered to be the 1st establishment of British in India.
It is divided into 2 sections: St. Mary’s church and Fort museum. St. Mary is the oldest Anglican Church in Asia. The thick walls of the church are explosion proof. Here you can see some price worthy ancient materials. Fort St. George is the most striking building and houses the relics of British personnel. The fort museum showcases a variety of artifacts such as coins, medals, paintings, letters etc. Then the Clive House stands as a true testimonial to the British legacy.
Parthasarathy Temple Chennai
Next Chennai attraction is Vivekananda House or Ice House is a shrine and target of pilgrimage for followers of Swami Vivekananda. This Victorian architecture masterpiece has characteristics of sunburst and gabled roofs. The physical reminders of his life revive the great principles he preached. An intrinsic network of so many industrial, software and automobile sector shows the progressiveness of an enduring society. The metro rail here has established a good name as a new entrant in the field of technological arena. Those looking for a pious experience in Chennai travel, Parthasarthy temple is a must visit. It is an ancient temple built in the Dravidian style of architecture. The principal deity here is Lord Krishna and a main shrine is dedicated to him. The colored Gopuram is one of the exquisite features of this temple.
With this, my fascinating trip to the cultural cosmopolitan nature city Chennai had come to an end. With its charismatic monuments, temples, mosques and churches coupled with deep sense of ethnicity and tradition offers exciting activities and destinations to the visitors. Chennai tourism is a great way to know the city and unveil its facts and stories.
]]>
Kerala Tourism
Alappuzha beach Kerala was the destination we chose to explore on our Kerala tour. Reason behind was that I was fascinated about the facts I got to know about Alappuzha beach. This wonderful location offers you unlimited opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty as well as indulge in entertainment options.
We reached Kerala by air and made ourselves comfy in a good hotel that we already booked. Being in Kerala is a wonderful feeling itself and visiting the desired location further add colours to your Kerala trip. Alappuzha Beach Kerala has always enjoyed an important position in the maritime history of the Greenland. This famous beach in Kerala also offers recreation opportunities for honeymoon couples, kids and visitors. It has all the arrangements to entertain you.
We were delighted to see the spectacular views of the Arabian Sea that it offers. A lighthouse on the Alappuzha beach, counted among the popular Kerala Beaches further enhances the appeal of the site. Seasides at the famous Alappuzha are also loaded with various amazing sightseeing opportunities.
The Vijaya Seashore Park lies nearby is another Alappuzha tourist place that has almost everything to delight you. We enjoyed boating out of a variety of entertainment sports that it offered. We came across many tourists who were indulged in water diving and some of them were playing seaside beach ball.
Alappuzha Beach
The park is a favourite place of kids too as it offers a range of entertainment options for them. The amenities included toy train and bicycle ride. We enjoyed south Indian food nearby that included rice, sambar, Karimeen fish fry, kakka meat fry, curd, salad and pickle.
After relishing our food, we moved on to see the lighthouse, another Alappuzha beach attraction lying on beach. It was equally fascinating to view the beach that is loved by tourists on their Kerala beach tours.
The time we spent on our tour to Alappuzha Beach was simply memorable. The experience left us with delightful moments that we would cherish forever.
]]>
Rameshwaram Temple
We planned our tour to Tamil Nadu in which we wanted to visit most of the famous temples of Tamil Nadu. It was my second visit to India and we reached Delhi early morning. Our tour operator took all the charge to take care of our stay, arrival and trip planning.
After making ourselves comfortable in the hotel, we were excited to start our tour. We headed for Madurai and the reason was to visit the Rameshwaram Temple. Having a spiritual bend of mind, I had been reading a lot about the religious places. According to Hindu mythology, the temple was the place in Madurai where Lord Rama established the Lingam.
Originally in the form of a thatched hut, the temple was taken care by a Sage and with passing years, many structures had been added to it. This temple houses three prakarams and has long corridors that immediately grab attention of visitors. We had a great darshan of God, which filled our mind with tranquillity and then we left for Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple in Madurai.
The architecture of the temples of Tamil Nadu has always impressed me. The Meenakashi temple is among the finest temples that follows Dravidian architectural style. Dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi, the consort of Lord Shiva, this temple had all the charm to leave you surprised.
Kanyakumari Amman Temple
After relishing our dinner, we went off to sleep in the hotel. Next day, we left for Kanyakumari. The city houses another world-famous temple, Kanyakumari Amman Temple. With its spectacular architecture, the temple is worth to visit. As we were moving through the temple, we came across many pillars, mandaps and Vimanam. Shreyan was too impressed with the architecture of the temple that he clicked some pictures as well.
Srirangam Temple near Trichy became next part of our exploration. I found it among the most imposing temples of the state. Also known as Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, this holy site is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha Perumal. With its huge rampart walls, running round the sanctum and majestic towers in all prakaras, it provides a fascinating sight to any onlooker.
My tour was concluding but I was willing to visit several other temples of Tamil Nadu. The temples that were on my list were The Natarajah of Chidambaram, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Navagraha Temple and the Swamimalai Temple. With a wish to visit Tamil Nadu for these temples, we left happily to our destination.
]]>
Alleppey Backwaters
This is a little busy tourist centre with many places to stay and take houseboats from. As soon as we entered the land, it seemed like we were transported to haven. With a network of lagoons, lakes and freshwater rivers, backwaters in Alleppey were really mesmerizing. The backwaters were really tranquil that eased us off. Visiting backwaters without a houseboat cruising is almost next to impossible. So, there we were on an exciting houseboat cruising. Passing through rice paddy fields, soothing scenery and natural waterways make you feel really rejuvenating.
We had our food on the houseboat itself. The traditional Kerala food with an aroma of coconut dishes was delicious to have. However, Joseph was happy with seafood. After filling our stomach, we were all set to explore Alleppey. The rustic view of villages of Kerala left us with surprise and we were thinking how hard is to manage a life without luxury! Still the locals were looking contended; actually they were well aware of the art of living happily.
On our tour to Alleppey, we came across the gorgeous site of Punnamada. The spot serves as the venue of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which is an annual event of Kerala. The next attraction of Kerala, which became a part of our exploration, was the famous Ambalapuzha Temple. Like other temples in India, the temple was also dedicated to Hindu God Krishna. Being among the ancient temples of Kerala, it holds great significance. A unique dish “Paalppayasam” is prepared here every day and is distributed among devotees. The temple was built by the king of Ambalapuzha, Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan.
Ambalappuzha Temple
Joseph was really eager to visit the St. Andrew’s Church. Reason being he wanted to make out the difference between the churches in India and the churches we have. The guide shared his knowledge about the church that it was constructed by the Portuguese missionaries. The construction of the church started in 1864 and it took two years to complete. Originally built for the use of Scottish officers and their families, the church got fame with its distinguishing feature of the quality of music that is played using a pipe organ and a clock tower. The architectural charms hold out attention.
There was another temple The Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, which we could not visit as we were too tired and wanted to relax. To shed our fatigue, we headed towards a famous Ayurveda resort in Kerala, known as Keraleeyam Ayurvedic Resort.
After consulting for some rejuvenating massage, I was ready to undergo an Ayurveda massage. I was asked to be comfortable and was given the massage using lots of oil and herbs. At the end of my massage session, I could feel a revitalizing effect on my body. Enjoying such a blissful experience amidst the land of greenery left me contended.
]]>
Nandi Bull
Soon, my wish came true when a friend of mine from Bangalore came up with Mysore travel plan. So, I tagged along myself with her and headed for one-day Mysore trip. We took a flight from New Delhi and boarded off at Bangalore airport. We hired a cab from the airport to reach our hotel in Mysore, the land of coffee plantations.
The city is about 146 km from Bangalore. With tall buildings and big companies all around, the IT city, Bangalore looks appealing.
On reaching the hotel, the staff welcomed us warmly and offered us welcome drinks. We made ourselves comfortable in the hotel and decided that we would go for sightseeing the next day.
We woke up to a fine morning in Mysore. After having our breakfast, we started our Mysore sightseeing programme. We hired a local taxi and it took us first to Chamundi Hills. The astonishing hill has a temple devoted to goddess Chamundeshwari, the symbol of power. Mysore looked stunning from the hill. Chamundi Hills completely awestrucked us. We also came across a lively statue of Nandi Bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. At the top point of the hill, there is a massive statute of Mahishasuram demon.
Mysore Zoo became our next part of exploration. Officially known as Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, it provides safe home to a plethora of species. I had seen Anaconda only in TV but when I saw green Anaconda in the zoo, right in front of my eyes, I got goosebumps. We captured elephants, tigers, zebras, lions, giraffes, white rhinoceroses and baboons in our camera.
Mysore Maharaja Palace
Located near Krishnarajasagara Dam, the Brindavan Gardens was the next destination we visited on our Mysore Tour. Spreading over an area of 60 acres, the garden stands out with 3 terraces and musical fountain. There is a variety of colourful flowers and tall trees in the garden. We went for boating in the beautiful lake of the garden.
We ended our one-day Mysore trip with the Maharaja’s Palace. The royal Palace appeared majestically bright. Glittered with golden lights, it looked even more beautiful at night. Designed by architect Henry Irwin, the Maharaja’s Palace reflects a perfect blend of the Indo-Saracenic and Dravadian style. Pink marble domes, verandahs, minarets and arches add to the beauty of the Palace. There is an amazing sculpture of goddess Gajalakshmi and her elephants above the central arch. The public hall Diwan-e-Khas, Gombe Thotti Doll’s Pavilion and Kalyana Mantapa are enticing.
Though our Mysore travel was just for a day, we had a great time. We wished to comeback and explored what we left out.
]]>
Kumarakom Vembanad Lake
My long working hours and fast-paced schedule made me too exhausted that I planned to calm my weary senses in the serene destination of Kerala. I shared the idea with my husband, Paul who at once agreed. After spending couple of days in researching on internet, I came across with a travel package that seemed to go with our requirements. Without wasting a minute, I contacted that tour operator and got a Kumarakom tour package booked.
Reason behind choosing the destination was that Kumarakom travel offers almost everything you want to enjoy on your vacations; beauty, serenity and rejuvenation. With a desire to make friends with nature, we left from Delhi by air. The day passed too soon and we reached Kumarakom.
We made ourselves comfortable in a resort near Vembanad Lake and had delicious food of South India. The very presence of coconut in almost every cuisine reminds you of being Kumarakom in Kerala every time you taste it.
As we had ample time in hand, we left for Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Having heard a lot about the sanctuary, I was too delighted to enter. Paul was briefing me about the flora and fauna, we came across. Being a die-hard wildlife enthusiast, he could not help himself clicking some pictures. We could spot Siberian Stork, Teal, Egret and Cuckoo as well.
As we were staying near Vembanad Lake, we could capture the breathtaking glimpses of the lake, which is among the largest freshwater lakes of Asia. Waking up and watching the first sight opulent serenity and natural beauty just gives your day a fabulous start. The village of Kumarakom represents the finest cluster of tiny islands on the Vembanad Lake.
Kumarakom Backwaters
Then, it was the time to enjoy the beauty of Kumarakom backwaters, the most spectacular tourist attraction in Kerala. We started our one day Kumarakom backwater cruise. The time we were going through the backwaters, the thrill was increased and so was our joy.
The serenity of the waters and the greenness of the surroundings left us with a mesmerising feel. Other activities that can be enjoyed are boat races, fishing and canoeing. But we were more inclined towards Kerala Ayurveda. After this hectic schedule of Kumarakom sightseeing, we moved towards an Ayurveda resort in Kumarakom. Undergoing a rejuvenating Ayurveda massage is truly blissful. It shed off all our fatigue and refreshed us.
That was our Kumarakom trip that became the most cherishable experience of our India holidays.
]]>
Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry
It feels nostalgic to share an interesting travelogue about my travel to Pondicherry. The city is among the most preferred destination, I want to visit. Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram was always on my list of must visit places in India. Fortunately after planning for a year, I could succeed to manage a weekend trip to Pondicherry along with my sister, Edina.
Pondicherry was once the capital of the French colony in India. The alarm went off at specified time and we started off from Delhi in early morning. We went via Chennai by air and reached Pondicherry at late night.
Pondicherry tourism is all about experiencing the spirituality that the place offers. Rather than staying anywhere else, we preferred to accommodate ourselves at Pondicherry Ashram. It was my dream to stay and experience the tranquil ambience of the Ashram. My like-minded sister also gave her consent to it. After a quick nap and we were all set to explore the city. But at first we decided to explore the Pondicherry Ashram.
As we thought, the atmosphere of the Ashram was totally tranquil. The members of the Ashram were engaged in meditation and the visitors had to maintain silence. We also came across a small bookshop, which had in store books in different languages like English, Hindi, German, Marathi, Hindi, French and Spanish. We bought few photographs of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
We also visited the internationally famed Auroville. It is an unique township near Pondicherry. The place is a perfect example of the harmony among people of different religions, practising the same aim. After spending an entire day in Ashram, we experienced the silence, meditation and spirituality that purified us. Next day, as we wanted to go on a Pondicherry sightseeing, so we had to leave the Ashram.
Auroville Beach Pondicherry
First, we went to relish the serenity of the famous Chunnambar Backwaters. Lying on the Cuddalore road, it is just 8 kms away from Pondicherry. We enjoyed boating on the backwaters and it was an absolute fun. After relishing the simple food at Aurobindo Ashram during our stay on first day, we could also relish a variety of food, provided by our hotel in Pondicherry.
How could we miss out Auroville Beach on our Pondicherry tour! The beach positions itself at around 12 km from the centre of the city where you can enjoy swimming as well. The large expanse of sand, palm trees and breathtaking ambience altogether refreshed our senses.
Our trip to Pondicherry came to an end but our hearts were filled with rewarding memories.
]]>
Temple of Mahabalipuram
South India is all answers to sundry kinds of tourists, be it relevant to historian or holidaymakers. At my trip to add some pages to my next editorial, this has fascinated me after a visit to tourist destinations of Tamilnadu such as Ooty, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, Madurai and many more.
In the last month, I (Paras Baghel) as a pen-friend from the capital city inscribed in my mind a must-visit to a place, which is abundant of rich & spiritual culture of South India. So I moved on to Tamilnadu by Train that was none other than a unique experience to me as a Writer to glean different regions’ culture via train-travelling.
After stepping in this region, I checked in a hotel that experienced me to be in South India through its spicy dishes e.g., Masala Dosa, Uttapam and the fried fish. Truly this state in the country became great hospitable, which welcomed me with it’s culturally nature.
On the next day, I approached to the hotel for a guide to travel me real of the state. As a result I accelerated to my trip to Tamilnadu sightseeing that I would explain you all. First, I visited to Mahabalipuram that stands famous worldwide for its ancient temples built in rock-cut and Dravidian style of architecture. I captured to their architectures as an elite part of Mahabalipuram Tourism. Hereby, I would say that this town added some steps to the state to call a hub of Hindu temples.
On second day, I proceeded to another sightseeing, Kanyakumari beach. This was most entrancing site to me to view Sun-rise and Sun-set. This came surrounded by the beauteous hills, thus is appearing an enthralling beach. In truth this is why people call to South India their first preference to holiday vacations.
Ooty Hill Station
Wholly cities of Tamilnadu are a journey to Godly artworks that featured me incredible of tourist attractions. People from far and the wide places turn themselves to tourist places Tamilnadu, in searching to picturesque beauty of nature.
As, Ooty hill stations fulfilled a blank space insisting you click it to reminisce golden of your journey. Constantly tourists through different reasons to enjoy introduced me to Ooty “Queen of Hill Stations” all over the country. The mesmerizing sounds of nature indigenous-animals, birds and the cold breezing blowing into the hills dazzled me for a while like in a 3D movie where nature tempts you wish to come in, while watching it.
]]>