Category: South India

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Itinerary South India

Ghoomophiro Itinerary to God’s Country- Kerela

Kerala is known to be a very serene and beautiful place by travelers. It is popular for its palm-lined beaches, spices and coastal views. Setting foot on this refreshing, green land will quench your soul giving you absolute bliss. Enjoy the spicy cuisines, elegant houseboats while exploring the regions.  You can find a variety of exotic birds, wild elephants, and even the odd tiger. But it is hard to see everything when you are on a schedule. It is better to plan everything out beforehand. I am here to make that job easy for you.

Here is a travel itinerary for 6 days in Kerala that will let you enjoy the food, cultural heritage and Kerala tourism. We start from Cochin and move on to Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppy, Kovalam and then back to Cochin for final departure.

Day First Cochin

After you reach Cochin International Airport or Railway Station, go straight to a hotel. Get refreshed and eat up before you move on to sightseeing. Proceed to visit Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Museums, Puthenthodu beach, and Bastion Bungalow. Another place called Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is a divine and sacred place to visit on your trip to Kerala. After an overnight stay at Cochin, move on to Munnar for the next day.

Day Second Cochin to Munnar (3 and half hours)

Munnar is a beautiful hill station in Kerala and filled with tea gardens and tea plantations. Munnar has various lakes and forests. Some main places to visit are Eravikulam National Park, Munnar Tea Museum and Fun forest. Stay overnight in some of the best budget hotels in Munnar for family and continue sightseeing the next day.

Day Third Munnar to Thekkady (3 hours)

Take a drive to Kundala Dam, Echo point, Deikulam. Go backpacking across Anamudi Mountain. Then move on to Thekkady. After arriving at Thekkady, check into a hotel and get refreshments. The main attraction in Thekkady is a boat ride on the lake and Mullai Periyar Dam. The boat ride will be 2 hours long so you can look at wildlife. There are a lot of fun outlets at Periyar Wildlife sanctuary like Bamboo Rafting, Nature walk etc. Keep a good camera with you with an optical zoom feature to click pictures of rare wild animals.  Thekkady is a heaven for natural spice so you can visit spice plantations as well.

Day Fourth Thekkady to Alleppey (3 and half hours)

Proceed to Alleppey and after arriving, check into a houseboat. Alleppey or Alappuzha is known for its houseboat cruises, backwaters and network of canals and lagoons. Also visit Alleppey Beach, Krishnapuram Palace, Karumadi, Marari Beach and Edathua Church.

Day fifth Alleppey to Kovalam (4 hours)

Kovalam is a small coastal area known for its beaches. There is a Lighthouse beach at the southern end that has a platform for viewing. There are also Palm-black beaches like Hawah Beach and Samudra beach that you can visit. There is a German Bakery that has the best breakfast menu. Enjoy the pancakes and shakes on a serene evening. There is a spot called Edakallu that lies between Hawah and Samudra Beach which is popular for its breathtaking sunset view.

Day Sixth Kovalam to Cochin

You can get a soothing massage at Santhigiri Ayurveda Heritage which will rejuvenate you before your departure. There is a Swiss cafe that offers tasty European dishes or you can visit Vizhinjam Aquarium that displays a variety of fish from Kerala’s water. At the end, final departure from Cochin.

Though it is a place that will not let you leave, you will have to look for flight booking from Cochin to go back home while the visions and sights of Kerala swirl in your mind compelling you to visit again. With its vibrant heritage, cultural dances and temple festivals it is not hard to embrace Kerala’s slogan, “God’s Own Country.”

There you have it, the perfect plan to explore Kerala’s main attractions, all in six days. The main thing is to time the trip right; you wouldn’t want to mess up your schedule wanting to see more spots. Enjoy the trip and HAVE FUN!

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Beaches Corporate Outings Relax South India

Give that tight work schedule and plan a team outing in Chennai

Chennai is one of the four Indian Metropolitan cities and one of the busiest Indian cities in general. The stress and the pressure on them to perform are quite unimaginable and it becomes more ruthless, given the amount of competition that those people may have to face on a daily basis. But thankfully, there is a concept of corporate outings to make things easier for them, if not completely tolerable. And there is no dearth of perfect spots for that in the city. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Radisson Blu temple bay- The Radisson Blu hotel range may very well be the most famous and the best one in the country in terms of services. The resort in Mamallapuram is not only having all the facilities for a 5-star resort but also provides enough ways for the corporate teams to enjoy some spare time. The place is very close to the main city and a perfect location for holidays as well.

Ideal Beach Resort- Offering a great view of the surrounding beaches, the Ideal beach resort happens to be located near the very famous Mahabalipuram. The team outings are perfect here as they offer some great features and services along with some really good options for having fun and entertainment.

Beachside Frolic resort- This is one of the best affordable venues for the teams and corporate groups. It also acts as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites and that just enhances the importance of the place as a tourist spot. There is also a museum on the premises of the resort to cater the more curious ones of the people.

Indeco Resort- Indeco Resorts has a great reputation of being one of the most important heritage hotels in the entire area. The iconic shore temple is also nearby in the celebrated tourist spot Mahabalipuram. The rugged beauty of the surroundings makes it easily one of the very best group outing spots in the area.

This place is ideal for a team outing as it offers a relaxing and serene environment to the people as well as offers activities good for team members to de-stress. The hotel possesses the necessary infrastructure to organize picnics and get-togethers. The hotel at Mahabalipuram is at a walking distance from some of the important historical tourist attractions in the area.

Sparsa Resort- Thiruvannamalai is the place where the resort is located and is known to be the premier leisure resorts nearest to Chennai. The place is filled with the corporate teams, families and international tourists all the time. The entire duration of the stay is eco-friendly and amazing. The team can relax and soak in the tranquil and zen-like atmosphere and cherish their break time away from deadlines, client pressures, and the likes. The resort will be your new favorite spot for excellent vegetarian food and dishes that are wholesome and healthy to eat. The conference hall in this resort can accommodate close to 100 people easily. The resort is a team friendly place to vacation much ideal for team gathering, other fun indoor team activities and team-building exercises. The team will love the resort to the hilt.

Adventure Arena- It is located in the very beautiful Andarkuppan village, which happens to be located at a few kilometers away from Anna Nagar. The place secured a place in our list because it has come up with some great activities that can be done by the families and corporate teams together. What makes this place idyllic for team outings is that it provides a specially designed outdoor training program so that the team members get a chance to enhance camaraderie and team spirit.

If you think team gathering should be much more than just camaraderie, this place offers activities for different age groups and skills which different people possess who are on the visit to this resort. The resort has a specially defined area for training and character development that you would never want to miss out. Also, it has a well-equipped and well-furnished accommodation for the entire team.

Le Pondy- Located at a few kilometers distance from Chennai in Puducherry, the Le Pondy is one of the most favorite tourist destinations in southern India. It also happens to be the one and only historical resort in the entire area and offers some great luxury services to the people who come here in corporate groups or even individually.

There are many more places near Chennai where the groups can spend some great time filled with fun and adventure, and most of them are located in Puducherry. These events are gaining much popularity and many more such places are growing at a rapid pace near the metropolitans. The resort also has a spa which provides soothing treatments from well-trained therapists that help ease the body and mind making it the favourable spot for couples.
The Windflower Resort, Puducherry
The multi-cuisine restaurant in the resort has an attached lounge for casual gatherings perfect for team bonding. What more? Soothing spa treatments await you, inspired by the Balinese school of massage.

VGP Golden Beach Resorts, Injambakkam
VGP Golden Beach Resorts situated in picturesque Injambakkam is one of the more well-known resorts in Chennai perfect for a team outing. The resort emanates its grander in a striking manner where all the rooms (65 in total) offer an impressive view of the beach. It’s a pure joy to wake up to the gratifying sounds of the birds chirping and the cool sea breeze softly tapping at your window. Being host to some of the unique settings, the resort also serves a variety of food options for the team members.

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Adventure Central India Corporate Outings South India Travel Trends

Best waterfalls in the country

Waterfalls are beautiful, wherever they are. In a country like India, where there is no lack of natural marvels and thick forests, there are many waterfalls that could make the visitors have their mouths open with all the magnificence and brilliance. India is one of the very few countries that have been blessed by the Mother Nature herself. Even after all the economic and financial growth, due to which most of the natural beauty has been destroyed; there are still many places in the country that offer some excellent time spent in the arms of mother nature.

Speaking about the waterfalls, there are many in the country that may make you get lost in the magnificence and here are a few of them.

Jog Falls- Located in the breathtaking south Indian state Karnataka, the Jog falls a thing of pure bliss and beauty. There are many great waterfalls in the country, but this one located in Shimoga takes the cake to be the most beautiful one of them all. The second-highest plunge waterfall in the entire country, it falls from a cliff that is 300 meters high. You can imagine the speed at which the water touches the ground and the effect that erupts out of it.

Dudhsagar Falls- Goa is known as the perfect holiday spot for the western Indian states. And no wonder it looks all filled with people from different walks of life. But we are not sure how many of those people are aware that there is a natural marvel in the place worth a visit. At Mollem, Goa, the falls come down from 300 metres high cliff and the name that translates to an ocean of milk is enough for us to understand how beautiful it looks.

Iruppu Falls- Coorg is one of the most beautiful places in the country and also the most visited ones. The Iruppu falls located in the city is very close to a national park and serves as a great spot for hanging out or setting up the camps. People come here to take dips in the holy water before going to the nearby Shiva temple.

Jang Falls- From the tourism point of view, the eastern India remains largely unexplored, but that doesn’t mean that it is devoid of all the beauty that rest of the country has been blessed with. One such example is the Jang falls. The waterfall also serves as a source of electric power production for the local villagers.

Dhuandhar Falls- Located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, this can be termed as the most magnificent and massive waterfall in the entire country. The Jabalpur district is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and a big reason behind all that popularity is the Dhuandhar falls. The smoke erupts out as the water touches the ground and it gives away a psychedelic effect.

Waterfalls are a great gift of nature to the humanity and other than soothing their eyes and other senses, they can also be used for many other purposes. Many falls in India are being used for electricity production, and this is why we are on a progressive rampage.

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Adventure Corporate Outings South India Treks Western Ghats

Adventure, nature’s beauty and fun at Jogigundi Falls

Situated in the heart of Karnataka’s dense Western ghats, Jogingundi Falls is one of the most loved tourist’s attractions, a scenic small but wide waterfall in Karnataka, about 3 km from Agumbe which is sometimes called the Cherrapunji of the south due to the amount of rainfall it receives. Therefore the waterfalls are blessed with a large volume of water flowing throughout the year. One of the main reasons why this fall is so popular amongst local people is its uniqueness. It is a completely different experience from what you normally see elsewhere in and around the region.

Unlike your traditional waterfall where water falls from a height or in multiple tiers, the cave is a unique one as this one flows out of a cave that runs through the hill and hence is known as a cave waterfall. This is what makes Jogigundi Falls a treat to your eyes. People are thrilled to experience the sheer excitement of a fall flowing out from the mysterious cave. The whole concept runs a chill down your spine and makes you feel the adrenaline rush. Tourists can indulge in a variety of adventures here. You can spend a whole day here basking in some other activities.

This picturesque destination basking in the glory of sparkling nature is situated about 4 kms from Agumbe. You will have to cover 3 kms by your vehicle and the last km should be trekked down. Trekking to reach Jogigundi Falls is not less than an adventure in itself. You will have to cross several steep and narrow trails.

Once you complete your trek down the trail you will be welcomed by a majestic natural pool brimming with loads of adventures. You can indulge in activities such as swimming. You can comfortably swim in the very pleasing swimming pool there in front of the waterfall, but be careful as the waters here are pretty deep, upwards of 50 feet and the edges of the pool have sharp rocky edges. It is advised that you don’t use soap, shampoo, detergent, and other chemical stuff while bathing in the pool. It will not only pollute the water but also harm the environment in many ways.

This exotic place is surrounded by green forests. It is made up of dark rocks. There is a small stream that you will have to cross to have a full view of the landscape. After crossing this stream, you will spot all small caves (holes) in the rocks below. You will be thrilled to see the water flowing from these caves.

There is enough water to swim in the front of the waterfall. However, the water here is as deep as 50 feet. So make sure that you take all the precaution before setting out to swim in the water. The edges of the rocks are sharp. You can collide with them anytime. Apart from indulging water sports, you can even set out to wildlife safari of your own style. There is lot to explore in the forest. You can spot some rare birds and animals too.

Local people in Agumbe explore the waterfall during dry season. They climb all the way up to the cave and jump from there to the pool. This is truly one of the most beautiful experience one can have.

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Adventure Corporate Outings South India

A Drive to Pearl Valley, the popular picnic spot

One of the best ways to explore Pearl Valley in Bangalore is by driving to this precious gem in your car or bike. You get to experience the world that surrounds it with its majestic scenic views. However for a road trip to Pearl Valley, you got to keep a few things in your mind and plan your itinerary accordingly.

First of all, plan things in advance so as to avoid last minute rush. This way you will not forget things essential to your trip and save your experience from ruining. Plan your trip on a good weather day so that you can save yourself from applying sunscreens. Otherwise, you can really have sun burns as the distance to Pearl Valley from Bangalore is quite long.

Leaving early in the morning for the trip is advisable. It will help you avoid unnecessary traffic that you anyway will face during the afternoon on the highway. So at least have a good congestion free start by kicking off your trip in the morning.

On the way, you will pass through one of the most popular temples—Meenaskhi temple. You can stop here for a while to experience the serene surroundings and to let yourself drown into the silence of the peace. You are likely to get confused if you are driving to Pearl Valley for the first time. It has a number of cross roads. However, you can ask for directions to any passerby as it is very famous. Everybody knows it in Bangalore.

On the way, you will be required to pay a toll to enter a barricade. It costs Rs 30/- only. Remember, this is not a toll to the government. For parking, you will have to pay Rs 10/-.

You will not spot any restaurant and hotel on the way. However, there is a number of them at Pearl Valley. There is a privately run KSTDC restaurant beside an array of some pretty good shops. It is advisable that you visit this place with your own food and drinks arrangements. You might not like the menu of the hotel. Some of them are bars and pretty expensive. So pack your food before you leave for this place.

Once you reach Pearl Valley you realize why it so famous amongst nature lovers. It is one of the most popular picnic spots for people in Bangalore. This beautiful getaway boasts a number of sparkling waterfalls. The most interesting part is that the water falling from the valley, when it is splashing down on the rocks, will look like pearls. This is why this place has got its name Pearl Valley.

This exotic picnic is around 5 km away from Anekal, South Taluk of Bangalore.

Tips while you are there

  • It would be a good trekking place for young and adventurous visitors. So do try trekking once you are at this place. You will find many visitors climbing down the hills through the rocks and shouting in joy although it’s a quiet and calm place.
  • You can find many monkeys around at Pearl Valley so be careful while you are having your lunch.

The Pearl Valley can be described as a paradise for people who are fond of exploring natural beauty.

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Corporate Outings South India Treks

Enjoy the thrill of Betta Rangaswamy Night Trek this weekend

Kunti Betta is a magnificent view of two rocky hills right in the heart of sugarcane and paddy fields. Situated some 125 kms away from Bangalore in Pandavapura of Mandya District, Kunti Betta is surrounded by the lush green coconut trees with the fragrance of deeply rooted cultures in the air. The legends have it that this exotic destination once served as the habitat of Kunti (the mother of Pandavas in Mahabharata) during their exile.

There is a temple right at the foothills of the rock. During monsoons, the place turns lush green. There is a beautiful pond called Kunti Kund. The name of the destination originally is Kunti Betta but colloquially it is known as just Betta.

Traveling to Betta right at the midnight is the journey full of surprises, adventure, and fun. It is advisable to have some light dinner before boarding on the journey of your lifetime. You will have to pass through dense coconut trees and then a school to reach the temple of Kunti Betta.

You can use school area as the parking lot for your trekking. The stairs are guarded by the dense coconut trees. While climbing up the stairs to the temple, you will notice a cave that housed Pandavas during their exile. The Pujaris of the temple now live in that. There are a few rooms in the cave. These rooms are now used by pilgrims from all over the country. The temple of Kunti Betta is right in the middle of two rocky hills. A pillar on the top of rocks is believed to have been used by Kunti.

You should start your Betta night trek from the right side of the pond. You will notice a steeply inclined surface of a single rock. This is where you should step your foot and start your climb. As you trek for a few meters, you will realize that there is an inclination of about 60 degrees or so. Be careful while navigating your way through the slope. You will notice a number of boulders on the side of the trekking path. Soon you will be able to see the Kunti Kund—the famous pond of historical significance. A straight wall will appear. Do not try to scale this wall. Instead, take the right turn from the boulders and keep trekking on that trail. The trail will pass through dense trees.

You will have to crawl through these dense vegetations and sometimes scale up the rocks. Keep trekking until you experience a spectacular view of the natural beauty. You feel glorious just like Pandavas.

One of the best parts about trekking in the night is sunrise. When you are on the summit, the sunrise suddenly starts to collect the dark of the night religiously.

The chanting of Shlokas and sacred noise of the temples fill the environment like they are praising for your victory over the hills.

Be careful while descending as well. You should carefully arrive at Parikrama Point. You will notice some really weird shaped rocks at this point. People say that these were the utensils of the Pandavas.

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Beaches Corporate Outings Relax South India

To DO’s in Kochi aka Cochin

Kochi or Cochin is one of the biggest Indian cities and the financial capital of the south Indian state of Kerala. Also known as the “Queen of the Hills”, Kochi is one of the evolving cosmopolitans in the southwest part of the country and a bustling commercial port. It is also popular due to its proximity to Allepey, where-in travelers rush to experience the alleppey houseboat

How to Reach

Cochin airport is the 4th busiest Indian airport and one of the main getaways to India. The international airport is located 29 kilometers away from the city center and is well connected to major cities of India and the world.  Kochi is home to two major railway stations – Ernakulam Town and Ernakulam Junction and is well connected to all the major railway stations in India. Cochin has a well-established network of Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services that enables good connectivity to all the major cities in Kerala and other neighboring cities and states.

Places to visit

Fort Kochi- Once you reach the Kochi City of Kerala, you can board a cab, auto-rickshaw or bus to Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi is a region in the south-west part of the city of Kochi and an important part of a handful of water-bound regions. This little island offers some main tourist attractions such as Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi beach, Sree Gopalakrishna Devaswom Temple, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and Jain Temple.

Hill palace museum- It once was the palace of Kochi’s Maharaja and now it’s a full-blown museum that has been attracting the tourists in hundreds every day. With about 500 artifacts placed inside, this museum is rightly known as the biggest museum in the entire south Indian region. There is also a small zoo nearby.

Santacruz Basilica- It is one of the eight Basilicas in Kerala and amongst the oldest churches in India built by the Portuguese in the year 1502 when they shifted their base here to make the most out of the business opportunities the city had to offer. The place is counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala and visited by tourists the whole year-round.

Chendamangalam Fort- Historically, the fort is known as the prime minister of Kochi and is one of the important forts in Kerala. Now a great tourism spot, the place is famous for coir manufacturing and handloom weaving. Three rivers are flowing nearby the Fort, which adds to the scenic view of this place.

Durbar Hall ground- The place is the center for various cultural activities in the city. It’s a great place to take a break from the bustling city and spend time exploring the skyscrapers, restaurants, shops and crowded streets.

Cherai Beach- Kerala is full of beaches and backwaters that could satisfy your tourism bones to their core. Cherai beach is known to be one of the best beaches in the city which happens to be totally safe for water sports and general hanging out. This place filled with locals during weekends and backwater stretch is the scenic and pleasing sight.

Things to Explore

Kochi Books

This is one place you must visit if you are an ardent lover of books. It is the one-stop shop destination for all types of books that you ever wanted to own.

The Onam Festival

And there is the Onam festival. The festival of Onam is celebrated every year for 10 days that lasts from mid-august to mid-September. The festival marks the welcoming back of the mythical king Mahabali. The people are known to celebrate the festival with high-level enthusiasm as a parade takes place with showcasing different art forms. The final celebrations take place at Thrikakkara temple located in the city.

The Chinese fishing nets

Chinese fishing nets are fixed land installations used for catching the fishes, as the name suggests. Each installation is operated by a team of six fishermen.

The Chinese fishing nets are a great reminder of the close relations the city shared with Chinese emperors at one point in the history. These nets have been the official icon of the city and were gifted to then king of Kochi by the Chinese emperor Kubalagi in the 14th century. He gifted more than a hundred of them to the kingdom of Cochin, but only a few remain in the working condition.

Kochi Tips

–It may very well be a place as beautiful as Goa, but far more conservative. Wearing short clothes here is not good for the women.

-A half an hour time to the soothing ayurvedic massage must be tried. Ayurveda comes from Kerala and the massage parlors in Kochi are nothing short of magnificent.

-Coconut milk and cashews are a part of every other Kochi meals, so in case you are allergic, be aware every time of what you have been eating.

-There is a high margin of the population that doesn’t speak or understand Hindi, so be prepared for the worst.

Food

The cuisines from Kerala are popular all across the country for their seafood quality and other vegetarian and nonvegetarian cuisines. The restaurants in Kochi such as Hotel Thali, Hotel Unnikrishnan, Uruvi, Shri Krishna Cafe and the Royal food court serve some great Indian as well as international food items.

Places to Stay

There are some great hotels in Kochi to stay such as the Mariott hotel, Le Meridian, Hotel Crown Plaza and Keys hotel. There are options for every budget range.

The intense natural beauty of the state is perfectly reflected in the city of Cochin, so in case you want to spend some quality time away from the hectic city life, head here, you won’t regret.

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Architectural South India

The temple city Thanjavur

Located in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur exists. Also known as the temple city, it was formerly known as Tanjore. If we say that the city happens to be the center of all the religious, artistic and cultural activities in the southern part of the country, we won’t be exaggerating. The Tiruchirapalli airport is the nearest airport to the place at 50 kilometers distance and after that, a bus or a taxi can bring you here to the very important place in that particular part of the state. The season between November to February is the most pleasant one to have a visit at the place and out of the countless places that you can find here to spend some good times at, here are a few-

South zone culture center- The center was built in the city by the government of India in order to preserve the art and culture heritage of the country. The place is one of the biggest crowd pullers in the entire state and gives a great glimpse into the rich combined cultural landscape of Indian subcontinent. It serves also as a great way to promote the Indian culture as foreigners also can be seen here in great numbers.

Brihadeeswarar Temple- Out of the many places that are among the favorites of the tourists, this temple gets the top spot. Built in the 11th century, even the most prolific of the architects have described it as a milestone in the history of monumental architecture. The Chola king Raja Raja Chola built it and the inner walls of the temples are covered in the paintings from the Chola and Nayak empires.

Thanjavur Maratha Palace- This was the official residence of the Bhonsle lordship who ruled the place for a few hundred years between the 16th and 18th century. It was initially the residence of the Nayak dynasty kings but after their fall, the Thanjavur Marathas got the hold of it and got it as their residence during the whole time they ruled over the place.

Saraswathi Mahal Library- The library was built and established in about 1700 AD and is located in the Maratha Palace itself. It holds the ancient scriptures from the legendary Indian and the international scholars. It was known in its time as a great source of knowledge about the world and now it serves as a very important tourist spot in Thanjavur.

Schwartz Church- The beautiful church was built in the latter half of the 18th century and presents some medieval era architecture brilliance in front of the world. Serfoji 2 built the church in order to show his affection for C.V. Schwartz who belonged to the Danish mission.

One can visit the Sathar restaurant, one of the oldest and favorite non-vegetarian restaurants in Thanjavur and an iconic place with authentic taste. Sree Ariya Bhavan in Thanjavur serves great tasting rava masala dosa, rava onion dosa, and coffee. It’s an amazing veg restaurant with a variety of cuisines.

When the rest of the country suffers the dreaded winter, the weather in Thanjavur is excellent and is the perfect time for having a visit to the place. As a country, India is culturally significant to the whole wide world and as a city; Thanjavur keeps alive the spirit of art and culture of India.

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South India Spiritual Hubs

The Glittering Royal Heritage  of South India “Mysore”

One of the South India’s most admired tourist destinations, Mysore is a city of grandeur and is known for its truly impressive royal heritage and some amazing monuments and buildings. It’s World Heritage listed palace may be the reason for most travelers flocking here and the other thing what makes this place significant to the travelers is the production of premium silk, sandalwood, and incense. Mysore also has the reputation as one of India’s best places to practice yoga and nowadays ashtanga yoga is another big attraction to the visitors worldwide. It also hosts the nada habba – the Mysore Dasara – which attracts millions of tourists every year to the state.

Mysore Climate

Mysore has a semi-arid climate the main seasons being summer, from March to June, the monsoon season, from July to November, and winter, from December to February. The average annual rainfall is 804.2 mm (31.7 in).

Lakes and rivers of Mysore

Talking about the lakes, Mysore has several lakes such as Kukkarahalli, the Karanji, and the Lingambudhi lakes. The water bodies such as lakes and rivers are one of the favorite relaxing spots for nature lovers to spend some quiet moments and to feel a sense of serenity. The city is situated between two rivers: the Kaveri River flows through the north of the city and the Kabini river, a tributary of the Kaveri, lies to the south. So whenever you visit Mysore, don’t forget to spend to visit the lake spots and spend some quiet moments away from the buzz and the hustles and bustles of the city life. Mysore lake is an ideal place to sit and allow the mind to unwind completely.

Art and Culture In Mysuru

Mysuru is known as the cultural capital of Karnataka. The Mysore painting style is an offshoot of the Vijayanagar School of painting, and King Raja Wodeyar (1578–1617 CE) is acknowledged as a patron. The distinctive feature of these paintings is the gesso work, to which gold foil is applied.

In addition, Mysore is known for its rosewood inlay work. The city is famed for the Mysore silk saree, made with pure silk and gold zari (thread). Mysore Peta, the traditional indigenous turban worn by the erstwhile rulers of Mysore, is even today worn by Kannada men during certain ceremonies.

Sight Seeing

Mysore, the region of royalty and an alluring scenic view is one of the most famed travel destinations in the southern part of India. Located at the distance of 152 Km from Bangalore, the garden city of India, this city is jeweled with the beautiful art of mother nature. This article is an attempt to guide you all through your tour to Mysore.

Glimpse of Royal history Mysore

The Royal history of Mysore dates back to the 14th century, ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty for almost 6 centuries(1399 to 1947). The Wodeyar king constructed the famous Mysore palace in the 14th century, which was damaged due to the lightning strike in 1638. Further, it was re-constructed by Britishers in 1912.

The palace and its beautiful architecture is arguably the best example of Indo-Saracenic and the perfect combination of rich cultures of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles.

Darshan of Chamundi Hills

The Chamundi hill is one of the ancient temples of South India, built in the 11th Century. It is considered as a most significant tourist spot and must visit destination of Mysore. The Devotees across India and the world, who come to pay regards to Chamundi Devi.

Mysore Zoo

If you are an animal lover, then don’t miss to visit Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysore. It is one of the most liked tourist spots for travelers coming to Mysore.

A visit to the world famous Mysore Silk factory

If you’re planning a trip to Mysore, don’t ever skip visiting the government silk factory established in 1912. The silk sarees of Mysore are famous across the world, the fine embroidery and traditional zari work add charm to the traditional Indian wear. So, ladies don’t forget to pick your favorite silk saree right from the factory at very reasonable price tags. Take away with you a token of remembrance from this beautiful city.

There is everything beautiful about Mysore. It is the cleanest city in India and among the most loved travel destination in the southern part of India. The climate of the region is very pleasant and enjoyable and so, you can be assured to enjoy each moment there. It’s the land of rich culture and heritage. The city is famous for its palaces, gardens, museums, wildlife and eye delighting scenic beauty.

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Architectural Beaches South India

Mahabalipuram – the glorious mix of ancient temples, monuments and beach resorts

Situated right in the heart of Kancheepuram district around 60 kms away from the Chennai city is the blue gemstone of the Indian heritage called Mahabalipuram. Regarded as one of the oldest cities in India, Mahabalipuram is famous for a host of ancient temples, monuments, and friendly nature of its local people. Most of the monuments situated in the district were built by Pallava dynasty rulers.

We bring you a list of some of the most popular attractions of the town to explore.

Arjuna’s Penance Sculpture

One of the major attractions in Mahabalipuram, Arjuna’s Penance sculpture is visited by thousands of tourists from around the globe. As the name suggests, the monument depicts the series of events that took place in the life of Arjuna during his penance period. These events of his life have been carved on two huge rocks atop which lies a collecting pool. It is around 43 feet high.

The art of sculpture on the rocks is unmatched and detailed way beyond one can imagine in that time.

Thirukadalmallai Temple

Thirukadalmallai temple appears like a pearl in the heart of Mahabalipuram. It is known by several names in the country. Some of which are Sthalasayana Perumal Temple and Divya Desams. According to the Indian mythology, this temple has been dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. This is one of the 108th temples built to prove devotion towards the Lord Vishnu.

This temple was built by Pallava rulers and saints who were known as Tamil Azhvars. This temple is one of its type in the country. It stands out for its ancient Dravidian art.

Cave Temples

Adorned by some 8 cave temples, Mahabalipuram is recognized for its cave arts and temples commissioned by the Pallava rulers. Touted as one the finest masterpieces from the ancient India, most of the sculptures in the caves are dedicated to the deities in Indian Mythologies. The detailing of these sculptures is unmatched. Names of these temples are Varaha, Krishna, Tiger, Panchapandava, Mahishasuramardini, Trimurti, Atiranachanda, and Kotikal.

Shore Temple                                       

Major attraction breathing amid cultural amalgam of Mahabalipuram is the Shore Temple. Built by Pallava rulers, the temple has their indelible traces of style, art, and culture. Just like most places and other major attractions in Mahabalipuram and in other parts of South India, Shore Temple is also known by a different name—7 Pagodas.

According to local traditional beliefs, Shore temple had 7 Pagodas before a ravenous Tsunami struck down the temple in around 13th century AD. There are several sculptures and other art pieces on the temple.

Pancha Rathas

The exact English translation of Pancha Rathas is five chariots. These Pancha Rathas have been named after the five Pandavas of the Hindu epic Mahabharatha.

Pancha Rathas has been carved out on pink granite. One of the tallest monuments is around 40 feet high. Like other temples and monuments in Mahabalipuram, Dravidian style and art dominate Pancha Rathas.

The catastrophic Tsunami in 2004 has affected many monuments in the district. However, this monument stands tall without a single sign of damage.

Sadras

Mahabalipuram is home to exquisite beach resorts that, one of the beach resorts is Sadras which has taken full advantage of the striking landscape. The beaches that surround Mahabalipuram are a glorious sight to watch as they are beset by beautiful, casuarinas groves.

The vibrant green beautifully contrasts with the sparkling white beaches is a sight that is a delight to everyone. This beach resort is located 13 kilometers outside of Mahabalipuram.

How to reach Mahabalipuram

Instead of Mahabalipuram, you can choose to take a flight to Chennai Airport on regular basis. The driving distance between Chennai and Mahabalipuram is 56 km, while the in-flight distance from Chennai to Mahabalipuram is 48 km.

There are no regular or proper train services from other major cities to Mahabalipuram. The nearest train station is Chengalpattu Junction.

Mahabalipuram is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular buses.

Food

While you are at this destination, look out for dishes such as try Grilled Fish, Vegetarian thali, Prawns, Lobsters, Crabs and more. South Indian cuisine lovers can try a typical South Indian platter which consists of Idli, Dosa, Appam, Vada, Upma Sambhar, Sweet Pongal, Kesari, Payassam and much more 

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