Archive for the ‘States of South India’ Category
November 17th, 2011 | 
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Details About The Place
Location : In the south Indian state of Karnataka.
Tourist Attractions : Kailasagiri, Rishikonda Beach, Ramakrishna Beach, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
Best Hangout : Kailasagiri, Rishikonda Beach, Ramakrishna Beach
Best Activity : Stroll along the beach side.
Nearby Tourist Destinations : Hyderabad, Warrangal, Tirupati, Vijaywada.
When to Visit : October to March
History
Visakhapatnam, formerly known as Vizag, along the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh was a quiet fishing town with little or no infrastructure till the early 1920s. Visakhapatnam was established by the British and was opened to sea-going vessels in 1933. Since then it has been a medium – sized port town, catering to the needs of the Deccan Plateau and the eastern regions of the country. Known as Waltair under British rule, Vishakhapatnam was also seen to be of strategic importance by the military who set up base here.
Visakhapatnam is the right place where one can find the charm of Andhra. From lakes to cool beaches, from beautiful hill ranges to caves and valleys enclosures, Visakhapatnam has all of them. A visit to Visakhapatnam will certainly be exciting, enriching and enthralling experience with all its amazing beaches, exquisite caves and spectacular temples.
Places To Visit
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located in Vishakhapatnam amidst the scenic eastern ghats of India.It is situated in the scenic eastern ghats with its natural settings. The zoo is flanked by hills on either side and attracts many visitors from all over the country. Zoo is 4 Km before Rishikonda beach, it is close on Monday, If you are not taking your vehicle inside then prepare for a walk for 2 KM in one side. Inside drinking water and canteen facilities are available. There is a toy train also. The main gate of the zoo is at NH 5 and other end is at beach road side. Zoo time is from 9 AM to 5 PM. Adults Rs 15, Child Rs 5, Camera Rs 15 and Video Camera Rs 100. A vehicle with five persons can be taken inside for a fee of Rs 200. It has different sections for primates, carnivores, lesser carnivores, small mammals, reptiles, ungulates and birds.
VUDA Park
VUDA Park, also called Taraka Rama Park was named after former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri N T Rama Rao. The Park is developed by Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) near the Rama Krishna Beach in Visakhapatnam. VUDA Park is one of the most attractive spots in Visakhapatnam. Musical Fountain, Boating, Skating Ring, Horse and Camel Riding. This park is a heavy crowd puller and has a dancing musical fountain. It is the ideal place for all to spend evenings and leisure times on seashore with eye catching and eco-rich surroundings. With a green playfield, artificial caves, beautiful long lawns, flower gardens, and a children’s park, boating and swimming facilities makes this park a good place to spend time.The Entrance Plaza extends makes the visitors to have memorable moments of joy. Every day thousands of people visit the VUDA Park. It is another landmark in the tourism chapters of Visakhapatnam. The first of its kind in the whole south Asia.
Erra matti Dibbalu (Red sand Hills)
This place is famous because of the importance it has got as a shooting place for movie makers. The hills are with red soils and nearer to the Bay of Bengal. A further journey from Rishikonda beach towards Bheemunipatnam takes you to this scenic place. It has got thick forest inside but take care of yourself as nobody dares to enter inside this place. Visakhapatnam is well connected with major Indian cities and state capital Hyderbad by Air, Railway and road. Indian Airlines operates daily flights to Vizag from Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.
INS Kurusura Submarine
The Submarine Museum – Kurusura being set up at the Rama Krishna Beach in Visakhapatnam has a specialty which is the first one of its kind in this subcontinent. INS Kusura is a Russian built submarine. It was built on Dec 18th 1969 and began its journey on Feb 20, 1970 via the Baltic Sea and reached Visakhapatnam on the 11th of May, 1970. Since then INS Kusura was being used by the Indian Defence. The Navy developed it as a War-Memorial with a project cost of Rs.5.5 Crores. The length of Submarine is 91.3 Mtrs. while the breadth is 8.00 mtrs. This is the first of its kind in Asia and second in the world. The Museum opens for public from 9 am to 9 pm. Chief Minister Sri N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the Museum.
Karnataka has its own appeal that attracts a number of tourists from all parts of the country each and every year. Its medieval charm and impressive heritage and culture have endowed it with a completely distinct charm.. Its burgeoning information technology sector has served as a great boon for the entire state. Besides, there are many tourist attractions in Karnataka located in all the important towns of the state.
Bangalore, which is the capital city of Karnataka, is home to several beautiful gardens and parks. The Lal Bagh Glass House, Vidhan Soudha, and Hesaraghatta Lake are some of the important attractions of this town and well known among the Karnataka tourist attractions. A visit to this beautiful city is a must when you are on a tour to Karnataka.
Mysore is also an important city of Karnataka which is home to several magnificent tourist attractions. Formerly the capital city of Karnataka, The Mysore Palace belonging to the Wodeyar dynasty is the most renowned landmark of the town. The scenic beauty of the town gets enriched with the presence of Karanaji Lake. The Chamundi Hills command awe-inspiring views of the town. The Chamundeshwari Temple atop these hills is a key attraction for the pilgrims. The Mysore Zoo, Brindavan Gardens and Folk Lore Museum are the other places of tourist interest.
There are many places of historic and religious importance. The great Acharyas, Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhwa, preached in this region. Great reformers like Sri Basaveshwara, mathematicians like Baskaracharaya, commentators like Sayana, saint poiets like Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa, great writers like Pampa, Harihara and Kumara Vyasa have all enriched the heritage of Karnataka.
The temples at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal in Bijapur district have great significance for all lovers of art. The temples of Halebedu, Belur and Somanathapura are great architectural achievements – the like of which are rarely seen in any part of the world.
Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerises any visitor. With her wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful lake, Kodaikanal India is a charming hill station.
Kodai is situated at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area of 21.45-sq-km. The hill town is renowned for its educational institutions of international repute. Other than the fascinating places to visit in Kodaikanal, the pride of Kodaikanal is the ‘Kurinji-flower’, which blossoms once in 12 years. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste.
How To Get There
By Road
Kodaikanal is connected by road with Chennai (520-km), Ooty (264-km), Trichy (197-km), Coimbatore (175-km), Kumili (160-km), and Madurai(120-km). Regular bus services are available from Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dindigul, Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli (Thekkady) and Coimbatore. Additional buses ply during the season. Taxis and vans are available for local transportation. There are no auto-rickshaws in Kodaikanal.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Madurai (120 km from Kodaikanal).
By Rail
The nearest railway stations are the Kodai Road Railway Station (80-km) and the Palani Railway Station (64-km).
Fairs & Festivals
There are several beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu. With the Summer Festivals, the hills are even hospitable to welcome the visitors. The summer festival is held in the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, the evergreen Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud. Cultural programs, adventure sports, boat races, flower and fruit shows add to the splendour of the festival.
Places To Visit
Kodaikanal Lake
Half kilo meter from the bus stand, is an artificial, roughly star-shaped (60 acres) lake built in 1863. It is recognized as Kodaikanal’s most popular geographic landmark and tourist attraction. Rowboats and pedalos can be hired at the Kodaikanal Boat Club with its main entrance near the only five-star hotel in Kodaikanal, The Carlton. Horses and bicycles can be hired beside the lake for short periods. The 5 kilometers path that skirts the periphery of this lovely lake is a favorite walk for the locals and tourists alike.
Coaker’s Walk
Half km from the bus-stand, constructed by Lt.Coaker in 1872, is a 1 kilometers paved pedestrian path running along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side of Kodai. The walk, winding around Mount Nebo, starts in front of the Van Allen hospital, running parallel to the Van Allen Hospital Road and joins the main road beside St.Peter’s Church, providing a stunning panoramic view of the plains. On a clear day one can view as far as Dolphin’s Nose in south, the valley of the Pambar River in the southeast, Periyakulam town and even the city of Madurai. A fascinating rare phenomenon called Brocken spectra can be witnessed, when a person can see his shadow on the clouds with a rainbow halo. This occurs when the sun is behind the viewer and clouds and mist are to the front. There is an observatory with a telescope halfway along the walk. Entrance fee to the walkway is nominal and it is open all year.
Pillar Rock
Three Boulders stand shoulder to shoulder vertically measuring to a height of about 122 meters (400 feet), providing a beautiful view. It is 8 Kms from the lake. It has a mini garden with lovely flowers. In the shadows of the pillars are shady woods that invite picnickers. The chamber between the two pillars is called Devil’s kitchen.
Dolphin’s Nose
8 kilometers from the bus stand, is flat rock projecting over a breathtaking chasm 2,000 m deep. It is an undisturbed area 1 kilometer down a very steep rocky trail beginning soon after Pambar Bridge. Orange juice vendors along the trail offer a welcome rest stop. Beautiful views of steep rocky escarpments rising from the plains can be seen. The old village of Vellagavi can be reached through a rugged bridle path here. A short paved walkway leads from the road here to Pambar falls (which is also locally addressed as ‘Liril Falls’ after the famous Liril Soap Advertisement filming in 1985).
History
Trivandrum, also known as Thiruvananthapuram has been a melting pot of culture and history since times unknown. The Ays are known to be the earliest inhabitants of this city till the beginning of 10th century A.D. Their sudden disappearance led to the rise of the Venads in Trivandrum.
It was in 1684, when the city saw a shift in its governing body from Umayamma Rani to the British East India Company. The Britishers had attained a land at Anjengo (located 32 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram ) for the purpose of fortifying it. They further expanded their reigns to various parts of Thiruvithamcore.
Culture
Trivandrum has been the centre of cultural activities ever since the time it was made the capital of Travancore in 1745. With many avenues like the Trivandrum Museum, Public Library & the Swati Thirunal College of Music; the city has been the pulse of the cultural scene in Kerala. The illustrious painter Raja Ravi Varma belongs to the city & his works are displayed at the Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Home to the famous Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple, which has several murals dating back to the 18th century are well preserved. Age old traditions which have been passed out through generations are meticulously followed till date.
Its culture is not only limited to its museums & temples but extends to a thriving film industry too! The International Film Festival of Kerala held every year in Nov/Dec showcases some of the states best talents from seasoned film makers to the novice ones.
Local Vehicles
Tourists opting for a trip to Trivandrum will find it really easy to travel within the city. This is because Trivandrum is very well connected through a network of buses, taxis, auto rickshaws, cars and two wheelers, so reaching any part of the city will not be a problem.
Bus
Buses in Trivandrum cover almost all known parts of the city, and opting for buses is the cheapest option among the above given ones. You will need to shell out around 4 INR to 10 INR in order to travel from one point in Trivandrum to another. Buses can be a very good option if you know your destination beforehand, and you can also ask the locals for help in order to find out where you should disembark.
Taxi
Cabs can be taken up from the major cab agencies in the city and some of these have been given below. Fares may range anywhere between Rs 150 to 500 depending on the distance covered.
Auto Rickshaw
Auto rickshaws in Trivandrum do not run on meter; however the charges are very minimal when compared to the other cities in Kerala. While travelling through an auto rickshaw, do not discuss the rate when you reach your destination. Negotiate a rate before getting into an auto rickshaw, as fares will rarely exceed Rs 70. There are no night fares and autos are a safe mode of travel.
The most popular hill station in state of Tamil Nadu, Ooty features sublime beauty and amazing peaks. Though it is not much different from a hill station in India, there are distinct tourist places in Ooty making it an interesting place of visit. You have the peaks, lakes, botanical gardens, and cultural attractions in Ooty making sightseeing tours a thrilling experience. Popularly known as the Nilgiri hills, tourism in Ooty revolves around the mountain ranges, valleys, and manmade attractions. The well-kept botanical gardens are laid on acres overlooking the western ghat and the Himalayas. Tea is an important produce of the region. A lot of livelihood of the place depends on the tea harvest and processing units. Ooty is next in line to Darjeeling as sought after tea tourism center of India.
Places To Visit
Botanical Garden
Located inside the limits of Ooty, it is the most famous tourist attraction in Ooty. This garden was laid out in 1848 and is currently maintained by the Horticulture department of Tamil Nadu. There is a beautiful green lawn where one can realx with friends and family. There are trees collected from different parts of the world. Shrubs and hedges are cut to resemble animals and look really beautiful. During the month of May, there is an annual summer festival inside the Garden where there are flower shows and various cultural programs that showcase the talent of the locals people. I have been to this place during summer and winter and I found the place beautiful in both the seasons but it was very crowded during summers and there was too much of noise inside the garden, which you hardly expect in such a place.
Boat House
One can get a first glimpse of this beautiful lake and surrounding hills from the toy train just before arriving at Ooty station. One can see Children park before reaching this place. This is maintained by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Other than boating there is a Vegetarian restaurant, 3D simulation theater, Tora tora, Children amusement, Gift shop, floating snack bar, mini train, chat corner, dashing car ride ( ticket Rs 25 for 4 minutes ride ), 3D video games, Nilgiri product shop, Nursery etc.
Ooty Lake
This 2 KMs long OOty lake has become another major tourist attraction. One can go for boat riding, both pedal and motor boats and it starts from morning 8 and is there till 6 in the evening. During the month of May there are boat races that have become a major crowd puller. Adjacent to lake there are a lot of the other places of interest for tourist that have come up. To mention few – Toy train ride, 3-D shows, Tora-tora ride, Car rides (something similar to go-carting). Outside lake there are ponnies available for rides. The Ooty Lake is located behind the railway station ( 1-2KMs from the station). Best thing to do would be park the car in the railway station, though parking is available near the lake) and walk to the lake ( along the lake) and enjoy the view and on the way back take a ponny ride till the parking.
History
Chennai (Madras) is the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu. The district is located in the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal and is one of the four largest metropolitan cities in India. The city was originally known as Madras Patnam and was located in the Tondaimandalam Province. We at Toursitplacesinindia.com provide you with all that you want to known about the Indian city of Chennai (Madras).
The city of Chennai covers a total area of about 174 square km with a total population of about 4343645. The city has a large number of tourist destinations which includes temples and other places of interest in and around the city. Important temples in the city include the Kapaleeswarer Temple at Mylapore, Parthasarathy temple at Triplicane, Vadapalini Andavar Temple at Vadapalini, Shrine Velankanni and Shri Devi Astha lakshmi temple. The festivals are mainly based on the agricultural activities and according to the position of the stars and planets. Pongal, celebrated in the month of January, is the most important festival of Chennai. Being a cosmopolitan city, almost all the religious festivals are celebrated here.
Best Season, Climate, and Clothing
The mighty Bay of Bengal borders Chennai has bordering to the east, whereas the state of Andhra Pradesh is on its northwestern part. Since it is located at the tropical zone, Chennai usually has a very hot and humid climate. Winter season would be the best time to visit this city owing to pleasant climatic conditions. Due to the frequent rains, there is no much variation in the temperature all the year round. Cotton clothing is best for a tropical city like Chennai.
Places to Visit
Chennai city is fully loaded with some interesting and amusing places. The metropolitan city houses all sorts of attractions, be it famous South Indian Temples, museums, monuments, parks, beaches or picnic spots. There is no dearth of attractions as such. The accredited mega city does not give any chance for a complaint to a globe trotter. And to add some spice, as is South known for, the place has a number of industrial and commercial hubs.
The popular places of interest in Chennai are the much crafted temples. These famous South Indian temples witness a great number of visitors every year. Next in line are the monuments, most of them built during the British occupancy. The monuments withhold the beauty of the past and some rich memories associated with them. The diverse wildlife of Chennai is featured by several parks and breeding centres. Beaches, likewise, pour in some more life in the city.
Marina Beach
Lining the east of the city is the famous Marina beach, at Kamarajar Road, 3 Km away from Madras. This is supposed to be the second longest beach in the World and runs to a length of 12 Km. On the beach there is the Anna Park, named after the founder of D.M.K (Dravida Munnetta Kazhakam) Anna durai and the tomb of M.G. Ramachandran who was a film star and the charismatic Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Sri Kapaleswarar Temple
Known as a panacea from many troubles, Sri Kapaleswarar Temple is situated near Kutchery Road, Mylapore. Built in the13th century, this ancient Siva temple is a delightful introduction to Dravidian temple sculpture and architecture. The magnificent 37 meter tall gopuram is one of the main attractions of this temple. The crowded cosmogony of Stucco gods, goddesses and saints depict important Puranic legends. The ‘Punnai’ tree in the temple courtyard is one of the oldest trees in Chennai and shades a small shrine depicting the legend that gave Mylapore its name. The goddess Parvati, in the form of a peacock, is shown worshipping Shiva, represented by the traditional Lingam. Parvati is worshipped in this temple as ‘Karpagambal’.
Snake Park
It is located at Sardar Vallabbai Patel Road within the area of the Guindy National Park. Visit : Wednesday to Monday from 0830 to 1730. Tuesday holiday. There are more than 40 species of common snakes of India ranging from the dark deadly ‘King Cobra’, ‘Banded’ Krait’ to Puff adders’, vipers, pythons and alligators. The crocodiles, chameleons, monitor lizards and tortoises can also be seen in their natural setting.
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Area 10.33 sq. miles
Language Telegu and English
Best time to visit September to February
STD Code Code08574
About The Place
The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India. The name ‘Tirupati’ means the “Lord of Lakshmi,” and should have been applied to the village on the Venkat hill, the dwelling of Lord Venkateswara. However, Tirupati is the town and transport hub at the bottom of the hill. The hill near the temple is called ‘Tirumala’ or the “sacred hill.” The temple here is said to be the busiest in the world, eclipsing even Rome, Jerusalem and Mecca in the number of pilgrims visiting it.
History
All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijaynagar (14th-15th century AD) were devotees of this shrine.
It was during the rule of the Vijaynagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald that is still preserved in a box named after the general. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal.
Places To Visit
1. Vaikuntha Tirtham Tourist Place
2. Swami Pushkarani Tourist Place
3. Travel to Temple Architecture
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR – It is possible to visit Tirupati for a daylong trip from Chennai. There are direct flights from Hyderabad and Chennai.
BY RAIL – Direct railway services are available from Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore.
BY ROAD – We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
The centre of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry, Kollam also has one of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast, once the centre of international spice trade. About thirty per cent of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala.
For an enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala, the eight hour boat trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and amusing one. Kollam has a variety of interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional architectural style.
Other interests here are: Thirumullavaram beach, Palaruvi, Picnic Village, Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary Green adventure, Thangasseri, The Cave Temple, Rameshwara Temple, Mayyanad, Ochira Temple, Sasthamkotta fresh water lake, Thenmala, Jatayupara, Kulathupuzha etc.
History
Quilon or Kollam, an old seaport town on the Arabian coast, stands on the Ashtamudi Lake. Kollam, the erstwhile Desinganadu, had a sustained commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and the Romans. Fed by the Chinese trade, it was regarded by Ibn Batuta, as one of the five ports, which he had seen in the course of his travels during a period of twenty-four years, in the 14th century.
The rulers of kollam (Desinganadu) and China, exchange embassies and there was flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam. Merchant Sulaiman of Siraf in Persia (9th Century) found Kollam to be the only port in India, touched by the huge Chinese junks, on his way from Carton of Persian Gulf. Marco Polo, the great Venician traveller, who was in Chinese service under Kublahan in 1275, visited Kollam and other towns on the west coast, in his capacity as a Chinese mandarin.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading center at Kollam in 1502. Then came the Dutch followed by the British in 1795. A British garrison was stationed at Kollam in pursuance of a treaty between Travancore and the British.
Toursit Places
Kollam was an international emporium of trade and even now it is a prosperous commercial centre. Kollam edges with the famous Astamudi lake. Many a foreign traveller has visited Kollam in the early midieval period. Kollam was one of the early centres of Christian activity in Kerala. The popularity of Kollam has been established by the time-honoured proverb once you see Kollam, you will not need your home any more. Kollam has several tourist attractions.
The 144 ft. Thangassery Light house, built in 1902, is a centre of attraction in Kollam. The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple of Kollam attracts people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques around Kollam. The Pullichira Church was established in 1700 A.D. One of the oldest and most important Mosques in Kollam is the Chinnakkada Palli. The Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, the first of its king in the state, is at Kilikolloor, about 7 kms. east of Kollam town.
Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing. Mahatma Gandhi beach lies just 2 kms. from Kollam. It is fascinating place for an evening. Thirumullavaram Beach is 5 kms. from Kollam. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Ashramam picnic village is located in the 48-acre Guest House Complex.