VALPARAI - TAMIL NADU

Valparai is located above the 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain rangeValparai does not mean only a single town. There are 40 hairpin bends on the way to Valparai from Azhiyar. While major portions of the land is owned by private tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds. It stands majestically with Green Spread Mountains and forest all around. It is a pollution free land. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karainshola, Anaikunthi shola, grass hills, water falls, groves, teak forests, estates, dams and reservoirs.

64-km drive from Pollachi to Valparai is itself an exotic experience. En route is the Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary where lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri and the common langur, Malabar giant squirrel, elephant, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer and wild boar reside. From Valparai you can visit the Aliyar, Sholaiyar and Nirar dams. Tunnels bored into the mountains and canals to harness the water from Parambikulam, Aliyar, Nirar, Sholaiyar Dam, and several tourist spots.

Chinnakallar

It is the second highest  rain fall area inIndia. Always found wet and misty. A greenish dense forest with tall majestic trees all along the road to Chinnakalar a pleasure to enjoy. There is a falls in Chinnakallar which sounds like a roaring lion. Situated  at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.

The other places of interest near valparai are:

• Karamalai Annai Vellankanni Church
• Balaji temple
• Grass Hills

Situated  at a distance of 15 kms. from Valparai.  Grass hills is a picturesque  spot located in the Valparai hills range, at a height  of approx: 2400m msl, with cool climate getting cooler at night, a  part of  Anamalai Tiger Reserve. Right now all efforts are being undertaken by the government to preserve the flora and fauna of this location. Nilgiri Thar is native of this place apart from Elephants, Bison, Indian Gaur, Bear, Nilgiri Langurs etc.. and a wide variety of birds including Hornbills.

• Sholayar dam

It is the second deepest dam of Asia. Situated  at a distance of 20 Kms., from Valparai.  An active tourist spot found always busy. A beautiful place to visit.

• Nirar dam

This dam is built for multipurpose project such as irrigation, Hydro electricity production. Dam is situated in a wonderful location covered by a dense forest. There is a waterfalls near by the dam which resembles the Cascade. Situated  at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.

• Chitti Vinayagar Temple
• Aliyar Park

Aliyar park is a leisure place to enjoy the natural scenery  of Aliyar dam and chain mountains of western Ghats. Kids can have a pleasant time in the park.

• Monkey Falls
• Loams View point

This is a beautiful view point to view Aliar Dam & surrounding mountains of western Ghats. This is situated in 9 th hairpin bend.

• Nallamudi Poonjolai
• Top Slip

Top slip is a national park and a medicinal plant conservation area in the Anamalai hills. It is about 37 kms. from Pollachi (about 90 kms from Coimbatore). It is famous for its elephant camp at Kollikamuthi and its wildlife. There are bungalows available within the sanctuary. For thrill seekers, accommodation is also available in a tree house. It got its name during the British era, as lots of timber slipped down to the plains below.

• Athirapilly Falls

It is near to the entrance of the Sholayar range is a place of great scenic beauty. Here, the water plunges from a height of nearly 80 feet before joining the Chalakudi river.  this picturesque spot is adjacent to dense green forest, and is a part of Chalakudi River, 50 Kms. from Valparai towards Chalakudi, Kerala.

KANYAKUMARI - TAMILNADU

Kanyakumari  is a town in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It was also referred to as Cape Comorin earlier. Located at the southernmost tip of India.
Kanyakumari, being the geographical end of the peninsular country, is famous for the meeting point of Indian Ocean with Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. This even helps in experiencing a spectacular view of sunrise and sunset.

Kanyakumari takes its name from the Hindu Goddess Kanyakumari. The Kanniyakumari amman temple is situated in the town of its, on the sea-shore, the very confluence of the three water-bodies – the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.  Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. This place is also a popular pilgrimage. The tourists who visit this southern most tip of India would certainly enjoy the exuberant scenes of the sunsets, the sunrises especially on full moon days. The nature of the sand in the beaches of Kanyakumari is unique as it is multicolored.

           

 Amidst the sea there are two rocks known as ‘twin rocks’ both contributing to the rich Indian heritage with the monuments of swamy Vivekananda and Saint Thiruvalluvar.

The places of visit in kanyakumari are:-

• Vivekanda rock
• Thiruvalluvar rock
• Pathmanabhapuram palace
• Goddess Bhagavathi Temple
• Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument
• Kanyakumari Gandhi Memorial
• Kanyakumari Temple
• Our Lady of Ransom Church
• Suchindram Temple
• Tsunami Monument
• 
  

MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE - TAMIL NADU

Madurai meenakshi temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the south side of river Vaigai^] in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Parvatiwho is known as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, named here as Sundareswarar. Madurai is an old city. The temple complex consists of 14 gopurams.

            The original temple was built by kulashekara pandya, but the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks.  The gopuras has an height more than 50 m. Each gopuram is a multi-storeyed structure, covered with thousands of stone figures of animals, gods and demons painted in bright hues

            There is a golden lotus tank; this temple tank is an ancient tank where devotees take bath in the holy water. The area is the meeting place of Tamil sangam , the academy of poets.  There is an oonjal mandapam, every Friday the idols of meenakshi and sundareswara, are seated on the swing and by singing a hymn, swing made to move to and fro.

HALL OF THOUSAND PILLARS

The "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" or Thousand Pillar Hall contains 985(instead of 1000) carved pillars. Each pillar in the hall is a carved monument of the Dravidian sculpture. The more prominent among the carved figures are those of Rati, Karthikeya, Ganesha.

There are lot more exciting halls and sculptures inside the temple. This is one of the oldest temple.

CHERAI BEACH - KERALA

Cherai Beach is located in Vypin island, Kochi, India. Cherai Beach is just 25 km from Kochi, and 30 km from Cochin International Airport and the nearest railway station is Aluva(20 km).

 The newly spruced up 400 meters of Cherai Beach features a walkway and High Mask Lamps that lend the environs a magical touch at night. here is a Children’s Park on the beach ensuring the kids are entertained as well.  We can see a lot of Chinese fishing nets that are synonymous with Kerala. Thick coconut groves and Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront are added attractions.

The place is a unique combination of sea and backwaters covered by lush green coconut palms and paddy fields. The backwaters are a combination of lakes, lagoons, canals and estuaries. The Beach is very safe and tourists of all age groups can enjoy the Beach alike. Scooter and Speed Boats are available for hire. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. The main beach area has been newly added with the 400 meters long walkway. 

There are many resorts nearby for accommodation.

VAGAMON - KERALA

Vagamon  is a hill station located in Kottayam- Idukki border of Kerala. It is situated 1,100 meters above sea level.

It is a place with a never-ending line of lush green hills, breathtaking ravines and meandering rivulets.  The scenic valleys, beautiful green meadows, enchanting pine forests, mists, fogs, tea estates, waterfalls  provides the tourist a hearty welcome. It’s an ideal place for tea plantations, Vagamon is also known as ‘Scotland of Asia’.

It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10 and 23 °C during summer midday. The meandering road to Vagamon is cut in solid rock lined with pine forests.

The three hills of Vagamon have made this place so popular, that it is now a sacred place to three distinguished religious beliefs – Hinduism, Christianity , and Islam.  Vagamon is also a favourite spot of adventure seekers and offers trekking, rock climbing. Kurisumala Hill is home to the famous Indo-Swiss Dairy farm project. The place is completely enclosed with tea estates and lakes. Thangal Hill is the burial chamber of Sheikh Fariduddin and Murugan Hill is devoted to Hindu God Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva. The third, Kurisumala Hill has a Kurisumala Ashram, which is a religious residence that links to both Hindu and Christian faith.

RAMAKKALMEDU - KERALA

Ramakkalmedu is a hill station in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located about 15 km from Nedumkandom on the Munnar-Thekkady route.

 It provides a panoramic view of Tamil Nadu villages and towns. It is the proposed site for power generation using winds. It believes that or there is a folk-tale that lord 'Sree Rama', the Hindu mythological God had set his foot on this rock and hence the name Rama-Kal-Medu (Meaning: Rama's foot imprints).  The place has a Monument of Kuravar and Kurathi Statue.

Ramakkalmedu stands tall in the Western Ghats at a height of 3500 feet above sea level. Here one can move up to the tip of the rock. The strong wind that one experiences on reaching the tip of the rock is a beautiful feeling. Wind blows at a speed around 35 km per hour at Ramakkalmedu throughout the year irrespective of the season and time. 

The green hills that surround the place add up the beauty. Many tourists visit the place every day. It’s a newly discovered hill station. There is wind mill near the place, since the place receives wind on a high rate.

The wind gusts into the hills and recorded as maximum in Asia. The Sun rises on the eastern hills and sets at the western mountains and the beauty of sunrise and sunset through the mountains surrounded by green forest is a unique view that can be experienced only at Ramakkalmedu.

However one can say that Ramakkalmedu is breath takingly beautiful place.  It’s a good ecotourism spot too.

AGUADA FORT - GOA

Aguada fort is situated in Goa, India. The fort was constructed in 1612 to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. It was a reference point for the vessels coming from Europe at that time. A freshwater spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that used to stop by. This is how the fort got its name: Aguada, meaning Water. On the fort stands a four-storey Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia.

The fort was built to control the entry into the river Mandovi and to protect Old Goa from enemy attacks.located at the estuary of the river Mandovi, this fort was constructed as a guard against invasions from the Dutch and the Marathas. The walls of this fort are 5 meters high and 1.3 meters wide.

It’s a best example for the Portuguese military architecture. It’s a big fort that covers a large part of the peninsula at the mouth of river mandovi. A delight for a military architect was the position of the fort citadel situated at the heart of the fort on the western tip of the headland commanding any seaward approach. It is now used as a jail outside the area of the fort and can still be visited. Similar to all forts built by the Portuguese where the fort configuration usually conforms towards the ground, this one is in form of a square with bastions for artillery placed at each of its three corners, while the fourth corner is occupied by a main gate. Each of the three corners are strongly defended by a dry moat and extremely thick walls while the fourth faces out on the steep slope towards the river.  At one time, 200 cannons were a part of this fort.

Aguada fort has the one of the oldest light house. The building has a solid appearance with the presence of a balustrade around the platform with a curving staircase to the lamp housing. The great bell from the Augustinian church was initially brought here before getting transferred to the Panjim church.

There are places for accommodation in Aguada:

11)   Hotel Columbus

22)   Beach hotel de Aguada

33)   Rincon of the seas gran Caribbean hotel (9km from Aguada)

are some.

PANCHALIMEDU - KERALA

Panchalimedu is located 10 km from Kuttikkanam, Idukki. Located at an altitude of about 950 meters above sea level Panchalimedu is an ideal place for trekking. 

Legend has it that the Pandavas and Panchali took a break in the area while on exile and hence the name Panchalimedu. Here a cave is known as bearing the footprints of Bhima. There is small temple dedicated to Bhuvaneshwari. The remnants of Shivalingas, thrishul, naga idols are also there.

Panchalimedu near Murinjapuzha in Kuttikkanam offers tourists a panoramic view of an unending stretch of valleys and hills. The green hills and meadows are attracting a lot of travelers to this beautiful place every day.

The divine makaravilakku of Sabarimala is visible from this location.  Lot of pilgrims come here on the auspicious occasion to view makarvillaku.

There are places for accommodation:                                                      

1) paradise plantation retreat(Murinjapuzha, Kerala Dist 0469 2701311)                                                2)Dream land hill resort : (Kuttikanam P.O, Peermedu, Near Thekkady

Kuttikanam 09447304467)

HUSSAIN SAGAR LAKE - ANDHRA PRADESH

Hussain Sagar is a lake in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. Hussain Sagar Lake is one of the largest manmade lake situated at the confluence of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Begumpet.

It was 5.7 square kilometers built on a tributary of the River Musi to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city.  A famous monolith of Lord Buddha is installed at the center of the lake which was erected in 1992. Hussain Sagar Lake is popularly known as the Tank Bund, a major spot of tourist attractions.  At the end of the Hussain Sagar one can find the Masjid and Dargah of Sayedani Maa Tomb.  It is a sprawling artificial lake that holds water perennially.

Linking the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the lake and its environs have several parks and scenic spots. The broad road on the tank bund is lined with lawns, and statues of 33 famous personalities of the state (which are now partially destroyed) stand along the bund. The State Tourism is providing new and better facilities like speed boats, motor boats, etc. The Necklace Road is another attraction which outlines the periphery of the Hussain Sagar Lake, enhancing its beauty even more. Standing on the water front at night, one is mesmerized by the glimmering row of lights demarcating the lake that looks like a diamond studded necklace. Other attractions around the lake are the Lumbini Park and the Birla Mandir. Lumbini Park features a musical fountain and well landscaped garden. The ancient temple of Katta Maisamma, symbolizing ‘goddess of the dam’, is very close to this road and pulls a lot of devotees every year.

The lake was originally constructed to supply drinking water but it is not used as a drinking water source since 1930. The lake also protected the citizens staying in the low lying areas around the lake from floods.

CHEMBRA PEAK - KERALA

Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad.  Chembra is located near the town of Meppady and is 8 km south of Kalpetta. The peak is about 1200m above sea level.

            

            There is a heart shaped lake on the way to the top. Water in the lake at the top of the hill never dries up even in the peak of summer. Trekking is possible here.  District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides and trekking equipments. The monsoon time is the best time for trekking.

            

            Once reached the top one will get a bird eye view of Wayanad. The trek up should on the whole take about 4 hours for medium paced trekkers. It’s an ideal place for camping at night. It’s required to take permission for trekking.

            

            Chembra peak is neibhourig to Nilgiri hills and vellarimala. One can also have a good view of other neibhouring districts and Nilgiri hills. It’s a paradise for nature lovers .

HALEBEEDU - KARNATAKA

             Halebeedu is located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. It was the capital City of Hosala Empire. The city is famous for the two olden temples.

            The temple complex comprises two temples, the Hoysaleshawara and Kedareshwara temples and two Jain basadi. In front of these temples there is a big lake. There are lot of sculptures but most are destroyed by the invaders. There is an archeological museum in the temple complex.  The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of depictions from Hindu mythology, animals, birds and dancing figures.

            The Archaeological Department has appointed guides for the help of visitors. The sculptural works are based some shastra, and its so interesting to know the reasons behind those.

Hoysaleshawara temple

One stands on the platform of the temple and sees around he will see the hills opposite and two big bulls facing the temple and Ganesha figure on the south. These attract the attention of each and every one. There are four doors in total.  The God on the northern side temple is called as Shanthaleshwara and that on southern side is called as Hoysaleshawara.

Kedareshwara Temple:

            The temple is known as “gem of Indian architecture”.  Unfortunately portions of the temple collapsed more than 70 years ago and it was not possible to bring it to its original shape. The basement of the temple has a large number of sculptures showing the marching of Elephants, charging Horse, Lion, Mythical animal, Swans and finally designed creeper scrolls, they are all from stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad-Gita in a large sculptured band. The temple is a greatness of fine workmanship.

            Halebeedu is 27.1 km far from its District Main City Hassan. It is 176 km far from its State Main City Bangalore.

KODAGU - KARNATAKA

             Kodagu is also known Coorg is a famous and beautiful district in Karnataka, India. Mercara is the head quarters of the district.
             Kodagu is blessed with rich wild life, it has 3 wildlife sanctuaries and one national park. The wild life sanctuaries are Bhrahmagiri, Thalakaveri and Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuaries and the famous national park in kodagu is the Nagarhole national park.
     
            The popular tourist attractions of this hill station are:
Thalakaveri: where the river kaveri originates.
Nisargadhama: a man made island.
Iruppu falls: its a sacred spot.
Abbey falls: which is a beautiful scenic water fall.
Dubare : an elephant catching and training center.
Bhagamandala: its the place where two rivers namely kaveri and kanika confluence. A third river                     namely sujyothi is said to be joining with them from underground.
            Other famous tourist spots are, Omkareshwara temple, Madikeri fort, Nalnad palace...
            
             Coorg is called the Scotland of India. The place has its own natural splendor and exotic scenic environment. The lush greenery of western ghats give it a high position among the hill stations in India.
             Dense teak wodden forest, lush green valleys , coffee plantations and the beautiful mountain ranges makes Coorg an exquisite location for tourist loving scenic beauty. The place also offers trekking..
             Coorg is about 115km from Hassan , or, 120 km from Mysore.