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Kancheepuram /
Kanyakumari / Kodaikanal /
Kovalam / Kumarakom /
Mahabalipuram / Madurai /
Mumbai
Land of a thousand temples.
Kancheepuram is known as one of India's seven sacred cities. Kancheepuram
was the historical capital of the Pallavas. It was under the Pallavas from
6th to 8th Century A.D. and later became the citadel of the Cholas,
Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslims and the British. It has been a centre of
Tamil learning and culture and religious background for centuries. Kanchi is
also a well known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country.
Kanchi has magnificient temples of unique architecture beauty, an eloquent
testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Adi Sankaracharya established
his episcopal seat (Kamakotipeetam) Kancheepuram is the birth place of C.N.
Annadurai, former ChiefMinister of Tamil Nadu affectionately called as
"Anna" by the people of Tamill Nadu.
WHAT TO SEE : THEEKAMBARESWARAR TEMPLE : An ancient temple of Kancheepuram,
it has been renovated bythe Pallavas, the Cholasand the VijayanagarKings.
The 57 metres(188 foot ) high. This is one of the three holy places of
Sakthi worship in India. The other two are in Madurai and Varanasi. The
temple in its present form was built by the Cholas during 14th Century A.D.
ANNA MEMORIAL : Kancheepuram is the birth place of Dr.C.N.Annadurai, the
Scholar Statesman, affectionately called 'ANNA'- TheElder Brother- by the
general public. His house located here has been converted into a Memorial.
HANDLOOM INDUSTRY : The temple city is also world renowned for its gorgeous
hand-woven silk sarees of myriad rich colours, noted for their shine, finish
and matchless beauty. The exquisite silk sarees are woven from pure mulberry
silk incontrasting colours and have an enviable reputation for lustre,
durability and finish.
HOW TO GET THERE :
By Air : The nearest airport, Chennai is 71 km away.
By Rail : Kanchipuram is connected by rail with Chennai via Chingleput.
By Road : It is connected by road with all the important places in south
India. It is 263 km from Bangalore, 35 km from Chingleput, 65 km from
Mamallapuram via Chingleput,143 km from Pondicherry via Tindivanam and
Chingleput, 109 km from Tirupati and 61 km fromVedanthangal via Chingleput.
India’s land’s end.
Kanyakumari is India’s ‘land’s end’, the southernmost tip of the mainland.
It is at the confluence of the Indian ocean, Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal.
On an offshore rock, in memory of Swami Vivekananda, the Indian philosopher
who would contemplate here, stands Vivekananda Rock memorial. Kanyakumari is
the only place in India where one can watch the sunset and moonrise
simultaneously on a full moon evening. Tropical clothing recommended.
WHAT TO SEE : KANYAKUMARI TEMPLE : Picturesquely located, overlooking the
sea, it is dedicated to Parasakhti, the virgin goddess. VIVEKANANDA ROCK
MEMORIAL : Is on a rocky island 200 metres from the shoreline. There is a
statue of Swami Vivekananda in the Mandapam and a ferry service takes
visitors to the island every half hour, the trip taking 5 minutes. GANDHI
MEMORIAL : Is where Mahatma Gandhi ashes were kept for public viewing. The
building’s architecture is such that on 2nd Octobre, his birthday, the sun’s
rays fall directly on the platform in the memorial. GUGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE :
A 1000 year old structure.
GETTING THERE :
By Air : Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram, 90 kms.
By Rail : Kanyakumari is the terminal point of the Southern Railway, the
station is 1 km. from the Central Bus station.
By Road : Connected with major centers. There are two bus stations, Central
and Express Bus stand.
Sylvan retreat in the hills.
If keen on adventure, Kodaikanal is just the place for there are
opportunities for boating, trekking and long walks in tree covered glades.
Pleasant in the summer, it is slightly chilly in the winter, specially after
the sunset. Located at the southern tip of the upper Palanimalai hill, this
beautiful hill station is one of the very famous tourist places in South
India.
WHAT TO SEE : The centre of attraction is the star shaped Lake. Boats are
available and a walk around a lake is an exhilarating experience. For the
more energetic, horses can be hired for a ride around the lake or bicycles
and mopeds for destinations further. SILVER CASCADE : On the Ghat Road to
Madurai (8 km. from Kodaikanal) are these falls. SOLAR PHYSICAL LABORATORY :
At the highest point in Kodai, 3.2 km. from the lake. Visiting hours in
season are 10-12:30 hrs. and 19-21 hrs. THE GOLF COURSE : For a nominal
amount visitors can become temporary members here. KURINJI ANDAVAR KOIL :
This temple 4 km. from lake is dedicated to Lord Subramaniya. The P ROCKS :
7 km. from lake three boulders stand shoulder to shoulder, measuring 121
metres. SHENBAGANUR MUSEUM : located in Shenbaganur, part of kodai, 6km.
away. It has a collection of flora, archaeological remains and over 350
varieties of orchids. BERIJAM PEAK : 21 km. The lake here is important for
kodai and provides drinking water for Periyakulam town and nearby areas.
KUKKAI CAVE : One of the famous spots, camping location for trekkers. In
addition there are some vantage points, like Green Valley View (16 km),
Dolphin Nose (8 km) and Perumal Peak (12 km., 2400 mt.).
HOW TO GET THERE :
The nearest airports is Madurai (120 km). KodaiRoad (80 km) on Madurai –
Chennai sector is thenearest rail-head.
An uncluttered beach of silvery sands.
Kovalam beach, one of India's finest beaches, is just 16km south of
Thiruvananthapuram. It is much sought after for sunbathing, watersports,
shopping, catamaran cruising, yoga, meditation and rejuvenative Ayurvedic
body toning massages. A boat cruise on the back water is one of the
highlights of Kerala. The cruise continues across shallow palm fringed
lakes, studded withcantilevered Chinese fishing nets, and along narrow shady
canals.
SHORT TOURS FROM KOVALAM :
Beaches
Varkala (54 km - 2 hours): A quiet, secluded stretch of sand, the Papanasam
beach in Varkala is town (or its mineral springs and rocky difis. The 2000
year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are two
main attractions here.
Backwaters
Thiruvallam (6 km): This place, enroute to Thiruvananthapuram, is famous for
backwater rides.
Kollam (86 km-2 1/2 hours): The boarding point for many a mindblowing
houseboat cruise, Kollam has an intricate network of backwaters, canals and
lagoons. The most famous of these is the Ashtamudi lake, a vast expanse of
emerald green waters fringed bycoconut groves.
Hill Station
Ponmudi (77 km - 2 1/2 hours): An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding
pathways and cool, green, wooded environs,Ponmudi is located 915 metres
above sea level. Well known (or its beautiful mountain flowers, exotic
butterflies, small rivulets and springs, this hill station also has
excellent trekking trails).
Land's End
Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) : (70km-2 1/2 hours): Situated south of
Thiruvananthapuram, in the state of TamilNadu,this is the land's end of
India where the three oceans- the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay
of Bengal - meet. Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrise and
sunset views, Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Devi Temple.
ACCESSIBILITY :
Nearest airport, rail and bus terminals :Thiruvananthapuram (16 km - 1/2
hour). Thiruvananthapuram is connected to all major cities in India by
excellent air, rail and road networks.
Redolent of restful peace.
On the shores of the enchanting Vembanad lake, 14 kms from Kottayam (travel
time: 20 min), lies Kumarakom in its small town hush. Redolent of restful
peace. A boat ride in the countryside offers a close look into an engaging
rustic life. Skiff-fishermen launching there cockeshell boats. Large
flotillas of ducks waddling down to the water from thatched houses on the
banks. Women, neck-deep in water, with there waist-length hair heaped in a
crown, searching for fish with there feet. And aimless cattle grazing in
lush pasture-land, where white lotuses lie here and there in small,
low-lying pools.
At Kumarakom, you could sail the backwaters in rented houseboats, which are
poled by local oarsmen and are simply furnished with a living room, a
bedroom and a bath, together with a raised central platform creating a
private sit-out for the passengers. Sections of the curved roof of wood or
plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. Boat
trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together - make for a
convenient mode of sightseeing when the company is large. The more
adventurous could perhaps indulge in water sports such as windsailing and
water skating. You could also take a canoe out into the quite lagoons and
spend time angling. Make sure you sample Karimeen and fresh toddy - the
favourite fresh water food and the local wine.
WHAT TO SEE : THE KUMARAKOM BIRD SANCTUARY : Set in 14 acres of wooden land
nearby. A visit here acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that
flock here in thousands, some from the Himalayas. Some from as far as
Siberia. In addition, you court the native kingfishers, ablaze in
psychedelic colours, walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or
lone, golden-backed woodpeckers. and maybe even delight in the acrobatics of
the paradise fly-catcher.
GETTING THERE :
From Cochin a fascinating one and half hour journey by speedboat or luxury
cruiser or a two hour drive, gets you to Kumarakom.
Popular beach resort.
The renowned an ancient 7th century centre for Pallava culture and arts.
Situated just 60 kms. south of Chennai city, on the Bay of Bengal coastline.
Mahabalipuram is a popular beach resort and culture-front, especially for
the tourists who come from the worldover, who love to imbibe and soak in its
rich traditions ! During this time of revival, this ancient and quaint
little town will get a new lease of life. Thanks to the festival !
This beach-town, saturated with ancient monuments, sculptures, caves,
monolithes, temples, beaches and lots more too ! We promise an altogether
new experience designed to leave you spellbound, yet, panting for more!
TOURIST SPOTS IN AND AROUND MAHABALIPURAM :
Caves : There are nine rock-cut temples. The Mahishasuramardhini cave,
depicting the goddess fighting a demon on one side and Lord Vishnu's cosmic
sleep on the other, is a particularly remarkable one.
Krishna Mandapam : A bas relief, notable for its realistic representation.
The panel relates to one of the stories of Lord Krishna.
Arjuna's Penance : This is the world's largest bas relief measuring 27m X
9m. This huge whale-backed rock contains figures of gods, demigods, men,
beasts, birds and almost all of the entire creation. And, this is easily the
pride of Mahabalipuram.
The Five Rathas : There are the five monolithic temples, each created in a
different style. They are also known as the Pancha Pandava Rathas - and four
out of the five rathas are supposed to have been carved out of a single
rock.
The Shore Temple : This is one of the oldest temples. Unique about this
temple is the fact that it houses shrines for both Lord Shiva and Lord
Vishnu. This belongs to the early 8th century AD and it is a classic example
of the first phase of structural temples constructed in pure Dravidian
style.
The Government College of Architecture and Sculpture: Here training is
imparted in the various branches of temple art and architecture, according
to Silpa Sastra.
Crocodile Bank : Is situated about 14 kms. away from Mahabalipuram. Over
5000 crocodiles representing 6 different species are maintained here. There
are also numerous other types of rare reptiles.
Covelong : The remains of the fort have now been converted into a luxury
beach resort which offers facilities for windsurfing and swimming, an
ancient Catholic Church, a mosque and the ruins of the fort make interesting
viewing from this 5 Star hotel.
Tirukalukundram : This tourist spot has a small Shiva temple situated on the
top of the Vedagiri hill which is 160m high. Just before noon everyday, two
White kites stop at the temple and are fed by the temple priests. Legend has
it that these two birds are actually saints who daily make a stop to rest at
the temple on their flight between Varanasi and Rameswaram.
There is also a larger Shiva Temple in the town below. At the South-East end
of the town is a spacious tank whose waters are said to have curative
powers. Once every 12 years, a conch is discovered in this tank and
thousands of devotees flock to bath in the tank at this auspicious time. A
collection of the conches is displayed in the larger Shiva Temple.
Muttukkadu : This is an ideal picnic spot. T.T.D.C, runs a Boat House, where
facilities for boating and wind surfing are available.
HOW TO GET THERE :
By Air : The nearest airport, Madras is 64 km away.
By Rail : The nearest railway station, Chingleput is 29 km away.
By Road : Mamallapuram is connected by road to Madras, Thirukkalikundram,
also known as Pakshithirtham, Kanchipuram and Pondicherry via Chingleput. It
is 16 km from Pakshithirtham and 65 km from Kanchipuram via Chingleput.
South India’s oldest city.
Madurai, situated in southern Tamil Nadu, is a district with its
headquarters in Madurai city, on the banks of Vaigai river. It is the second
largest city in Tamil Nadu is more than 2500 years old and is an important
cultural and commercial centre. Madurai, once the seat of Tamil learning and
still the place where the Tamil language is spoken in its purest form, is
planned in the shape of a lotus.
Modern Madurai is a burgeoning industrial centre, even though the vast
stretches of lush paddy fields, dusty roads and crowded bazaars make it seem
almost like a overgrown village. Neon signs above shops selling designer
wear with international labels light up the spires of the nearby century-old
temples. Youngsters driving Japanese model motor-cycles overtake women
carrying baskets of bananas on their heads. Modernity has reached the city,
but not at the cost of its rich tradition and culture.
WHAT TO SEE : SRI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE : Dedicated to Sri Meenakshi, the consort
of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Kadasma tree under which Lord Shiva
meditated was the only one that covered this area. Exquisite sculptures are
to be found throughout the complex. THIRUMALAI NAYAKAR MAHAL : It is 1 km.
from Meenakshi Temple. The main attraction here are the musical pillars and
the pathway. GANDHI MUSEUM : This museum is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi’s
life and work and is housed in the 300 year old Mangammal Palace. MARIAMMAN
WATER TANK : This was built in 1636. This huge temple tank is 5 km. east of
the Meenakshi Temple. The Mandapam enshrines Lord Vigneshwara. It is almost
equal in area to that of the Meenakshi temple. OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST ARE
: Koodal Alagar Temple, Shri Satguru Sangeeta Samajam, Thiruparangundram,
Alagarkoil.
HOW TO GET THERE :
Madurai is air-linked to Chennai, Mumbai, Tiruchirapalli, Bangalore and
Calicut (Kozhikode). The city is rail-linked to all major cities in India.
Capital of Maharashtra.
Mumbai is the fast paced commercial, financial, industrial and celluloid
capital of India. Lured by its glamour and the prospects of ’streets paved
with gold’, a large number of people from different parts of the country
come to settle in this city every year. And Mumbai continues to grow, to
absorb and most importantly to prosper. Just when you begin to wonder how
you’re ever going to cope with Mumbai, you arrive at Worli and see Haji Ali
Mosque standing proudly on a raised walkway in the middle of the sea giving
you the feeling that the Gods are there if everything else fails. If you
arrive at night, there will be a backdrop of twinkling lights from the
skyscrapers that are so much a feature of Mumbai’s skyline. The scenes
change as you drive past Chowpatty Beach, ablaze with the lights of stalls
selling fruit-juice, ice-cream and snacks to the crowds thronging the beach.
By the time you reach Marine Drive, your spirits will be restored and the
rush of traffic won’t seem half so daunting as it might have been earlier,
and the sedate horse-drawn landau will seem a charming anachronism.
Once a tiny island overrun by swaying palm trees, Mumbai used to belong to
the native Koli fisher-folk, who still live here in their little villages
surrounded by soaring skyscrapers. Portuguese came here in the seventeenth
century and dotted the place with several forts, which stand even today.
Later Mumbai came under the British rule and eventually became one of the
largest ports in the British Empire.
WHAT TO SEE : GATEWAY OF INDIA : What could be more appropriate a beginning
than the ‘entrance’ to the port of Mumbai. Historically the Gateway holds
greater significance as the last of the British troops which left
Independent India by sea, marched through its portal. UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS :
Flanked by the High Court and the Old Secretariat, the buildings were
completed in 1874. In a florid and highly decorative French Gothic style.
MUMBAI HIGH COURT : This blue basalt building is in early English Gothic
style. Sir J.J. SCHOOL OF ART : Built during the same period as the
University, its importance is heightened by the fact that Rudyard Kipling
was born and spent his early childhood here. CRAWFORD MARKET : Rechristened
as Mahatma Phule Market, it is the largest wholesale fruit market in the
country and a visit there can be ‘fruitful’ experience, especially during
the mango season. TOWN HALL : With its columns and tall Grecian porticos,
this structure has been the foundation of the Literary society of Mumbai
which moved into the Town hall in 1830, soon after which a union was
effected with the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. One of
its greatest assets is its Library. FLORA FOUNTAIN : It stands at a busy
five point intersection in the heart of the commercial fort area. HUTATMA
CHAWK : ‘Martyrs Square’ is a new name given to the area around it, as a
memorial to those who lost their lives in the fight for setting up the state
of Maharashtra in the Indian union. FORT : This is the older downtown area
(with the Nariman point reclamation being the newer commercial centre),
surrounding the Flora Fountain. MARINE DRIVE : This sweeping Queen’s
Necklace, flickering with a thousand lights at night turns into the main
throughfare linking Malabar hill and the northern parts of the island to the
southernmost points of Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point and Fort.
SHOPPING : Mumbai is a shoppers paradise. One can find everything from the
most expensive designer items to the inexpensive trinkets on the streets and
bargaining in most shops is a regular feature.
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