Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Kollam Backwaters
Located 71 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, this historic coastline district known for its marine and cashew industries was one of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast and a major international trading point in day gone by.
The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style. 30% of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. The eight hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala. The District Tourism Promotion Council here offers a wide range of backwater tours and cruises.
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum
Location: Adjacent to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram. Visiting hours: Open 8.30 - 12.30 hrs. and 15.30 - 17.30 hrs.
Closed on Mondays.
The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings.
The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family and is located near the Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
Entrance fee: Adults: Rs. 10 Children:
Rs. 3 Foreigners: Rs. 20
Camera permit: Rs. 15.
Padmanabha Swamy Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings.One among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha the Serpent.
Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.
Dress code: Men - Dhoti;
Women - Saree and blouse.
Thekkady
Thekkady ( 115 km from Kottayam)
This is the one of best known wild life centres in India. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary here, offers a fairly good chance of seeing the great Indian tiger in its natural habitat.
Reaching Thekkady
There are excellent services to Kumily from Kottayam from both the KSRTC bus stand and the Nagampadom Private bus stand. The journey takes about 4 hours. Kumily is also accessible from Madurai. Thekkady is 4 km from Kumily. The forest department runs a bus service (Rs. 5) to the sanctuary from Kumily though the bus is not regular, one can reasonably expect it to make a trip once in 2 hours. Autorickshaw fare will be Rs. 40 from the Kumily bus station. Walking or cycling through the shady roads is also a good alternative.
Things to do:If you are a one day tourist all you can do is, take the sight seeing trip by boat offered by the forest department and probably squeeze in a hurried walk in the forest accompanied by a forest guide. The chances of seeing wild animals is poor. But chances are better during March / April when the ponds in the forest dry up and animals are forced to come to the lake for a drink. Otters and Elephants are common sightings.If you have more time you could stay in one of the many rest houses in the reserved forest area or the luxurious Lake Palace. The chances of wild life sightings are distinctly better. Some time you can see the animals moving close to your window in the night.
The bookings to the rest houses can be made at the wild life information centre. The other way to watch wild life is to reserve one of the observation towers. (one has to book well ahead) costing Rs. 50 / night plus the boat service charges. You have to bring your own food. There are elephant rides in the park costing Rs. 30 / ½ hour for 2 people.Getting to Thekkady is as sublime as the destination itself. A scenic journey past mist-capped mountains, spice plantations and open grasslands lined with spectacular water-falls and delightful trekking trails forms the access to your hideway here. Perched amidst dense greenery in the outskirts of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Throwing up pleasant surprises like wild boars scuttling across the road in front, as you near the sanctuary. Which, sprawling across 777 sq. kms, is one of the largest in India.On arrival, you can settle into the summer palace of the former Maharaja of Travancorre – now renovated into the Lake Palace Hotel – which has changed little since the days of royal ownership. Satisfying the most dedicated romantic. Set alluringly on a small island within the picturesque Periyar Lake, the hotel has six imperial rooms with black wooden furniture and spacious verandahs forming an ideal base for game – viewing.
Or you can choose from the 30 rooms offered at Aranya Nivas, the gracious old stone structure serving as the main sanctuary lodge at the head of the lake.
The more adventurous can even opt for accommodation designed along the lines of a jungle lodge with cottages built on eleven – foot stilts like the Indian ‘machans,’ offering fascinating tree – top views of the beautiful surroundings.
This is the one of best known wild life centres in India. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary here, offers a fairly good chance of seeing the great Indian tiger in its natural habitat.
Reaching Thekkady
There are excellent services to Kumily from Kottayam from both the KSRTC bus stand and the Nagampadom Private bus stand. The journey takes about 4 hours. Kumily is also accessible from Madurai. Thekkady is 4 km from Kumily. The forest department runs a bus service (Rs. 5) to the sanctuary from Kumily though the bus is not regular, one can reasonably expect it to make a trip once in 2 hours. Autorickshaw fare will be Rs. 40 from the Kumily bus station. Walking or cycling through the shady roads is also a good alternative.
Things to do:If you are a one day tourist all you can do is, take the sight seeing trip by boat offered by the forest department and probably squeeze in a hurried walk in the forest accompanied by a forest guide. The chances of seeing wild animals is poor. But chances are better during March / April when the ponds in the forest dry up and animals are forced to come to the lake for a drink. Otters and Elephants are common sightings.If you have more time you could stay in one of the many rest houses in the reserved forest area or the luxurious Lake Palace. The chances of wild life sightings are distinctly better. Some time you can see the animals moving close to your window in the night.
The bookings to the rest houses can be made at the wild life information centre. The other way to watch wild life is to reserve one of the observation towers. (one has to book well ahead) costing Rs. 50 / night plus the boat service charges. You have to bring your own food. There are elephant rides in the park costing Rs. 30 / ½ hour for 2 people.Getting to Thekkady is as sublime as the destination itself. A scenic journey past mist-capped mountains, spice plantations and open grasslands lined with spectacular water-falls and delightful trekking trails forms the access to your hideway here. Perched amidst dense greenery in the outskirts of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Throwing up pleasant surprises like wild boars scuttling across the road in front, as you near the sanctuary. Which, sprawling across 777 sq. kms, is one of the largest in India.On arrival, you can settle into the summer palace of the former Maharaja of Travancorre – now renovated into the Lake Palace Hotel – which has changed little since the days of royal ownership. Satisfying the most dedicated romantic. Set alluringly on a small island within the picturesque Periyar Lake, the hotel has six imperial rooms with black wooden furniture and spacious verandahs forming an ideal base for game – viewing.
Or you can choose from the 30 rooms offered at Aranya Nivas, the gracious old stone structure serving as the main sanctuary lodge at the head of the lake.
The more adventurous can even opt for accommodation designed along the lines of a jungle lodge with cottages built on eleven – foot stilts like the Indian ‘machans,’ offering fascinating tree – top views of the beautiful surroundings.
Udhagamandalam (Ooty)
The capital of Nilgiri district, is popularly known as the "Queen of hill stations' among the tourist circuits. It is situated at a distance of 105 km away from Coimbatore. The height of the hills in the Nilgiri range varies between 2280 and 2290 metres, the highest peak being Doddabetta at a height of 2623 metres.
Places To Visit - Nature At Its Most Generous
Ooty is called the 'Queen of Hill Stations' for very obvious reasons. This is the most naturally gifted part of Tamil Nadu and the most scenic of all hill stations in the whole country. Ooty offers plethora of attractions to keep tourist on their toes exploring, experiencing and enjoying the charismatic lure of this panoramic beauty. To be honest, the whole of Ooty is so ravishingly beautiful that there is no specific place that you can pin point as a tourist attraction, every ninch of the city is so mesmerizing that tourists keep turning their heads again and again towards whatever they see once. Most visited spots in Ooty are the Rose Garden, Government Botanical Garden and Doddabetta Peak.
Rose Garden
Maintained by Department of Horticulture, this is a must visit site for all nature lovers. The garden is at an elevation of around 2200-m above sea level and covers an area of 4 hectares. The garden has five terraces that have more than 2800 varieties of roses, the largest collection among any Indian garden. You are allowed to take photos inside the garden but you will have to pay extra for that.
Coonoor Sim's Park
This is a botanical park which is situated in the Coonoor town around 19 km away from Ooty. The park is located at a height of 1858 meters above sea level and covers an area of 12 hectares. The park showcases more than 1000 species from 85 families few of which, you will only find in this park like the rare species belonging to Eucalytus, Acacia and Cinnamomum. There is also a glass house that has many ornamental plants and flowers.
Ooty Lake
This artificial lake was built in the year 1825 by Mr. John Sullivan, the then district collector. The lake, around 2.5-km in length and 40 feet deep, offers options for both boating and fishing. Before you go for a boat ride, take care of your safety and get a life jacket. And if you are interested in fishing as well, don't forget to take prior permission from the officials.
Doddabetta Peak
The Doddabetta Peak is situated some 10 km from Ooty. It is at a height of 2623 m and is famous as the highest peak in Nilgiris. It offers few of the most breathtaking views of the Nilgiri peaks that have made it one of the most visited spots in Ooty. Trek to the top peak as it is not very challenging, and at the same time provides views that are worth every step you take through the jungles.
Government Botanical Garden
This Botanical Garden is maintained by Government of Tamil Nadu, department of Horticulture. The Garden which was started in the year 1848 covers an area of 22 ha and is located at a height of 2250 m above sea level. The garden has been decorated with trees that have been collected from all over the world. It is home to rare species of trees like the Lily Pond and the Italian garden that bear colorful flowers. It also has the Cork tree, which is one of its kinds in India. Other attractions are the monkey-puzzle tree, called so because monkeys can't climb it and a 20 million year old fossil tree trunk.
Where To Put Up
Accommodation facility is good in the city with hotels ranging from five star to economy class being present here. All travelers are bound to find a hotel or a lodge that are according to their needs and tastes. Even the most basic hotels are priced aptly and take good care of their guests. Few hotels that can be recommended are Hotel Sinclairs, Hotel The Monarch, Sullivan Court and Sterling Holiday Resorts.
HowToGetThere
By Rail
Ooty is connected to Chennai by Nilgiri Express that takes tourist till, Mettupalyam. From there, you can either take a bus or a steam train. The surroundings on both the routes are breathtakingly attractive. Ooty is on the narrow gauge railway, connected to Mettupalayam (47 km), which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai. The famous toy train connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor.
Places To Visit - Nature At Its Most Generous
Ooty is called the 'Queen of Hill Stations' for very obvious reasons. This is the most naturally gifted part of Tamil Nadu and the most scenic of all hill stations in the whole country. Ooty offers plethora of attractions to keep tourist on their toes exploring, experiencing and enjoying the charismatic lure of this panoramic beauty. To be honest, the whole of Ooty is so ravishingly beautiful that there is no specific place that you can pin point as a tourist attraction, every ninch of the city is so mesmerizing that tourists keep turning their heads again and again towards whatever they see once. Most visited spots in Ooty are the Rose Garden, Government Botanical Garden and Doddabetta Peak.
Rose Garden
Maintained by Department of Horticulture, this is a must visit site for all nature lovers. The garden is at an elevation of around 2200-m above sea level and covers an area of 4 hectares. The garden has five terraces that have more than 2800 varieties of roses, the largest collection among any Indian garden. You are allowed to take photos inside the garden but you will have to pay extra for that.
Coonoor Sim's Park
This is a botanical park which is situated in the Coonoor town around 19 km away from Ooty. The park is located at a height of 1858 meters above sea level and covers an area of 12 hectares. The park showcases more than 1000 species from 85 families few of which, you will only find in this park like the rare species belonging to Eucalytus, Acacia and Cinnamomum. There is also a glass house that has many ornamental plants and flowers.
Ooty Lake
This artificial lake was built in the year 1825 by Mr. John Sullivan, the then district collector. The lake, around 2.5-km in length and 40 feet deep, offers options for both boating and fishing. Before you go for a boat ride, take care of your safety and get a life jacket. And if you are interested in fishing as well, don't forget to take prior permission from the officials.
Doddabetta Peak
The Doddabetta Peak is situated some 10 km from Ooty. It is at a height of 2623 m and is famous as the highest peak in Nilgiris. It offers few of the most breathtaking views of the Nilgiri peaks that have made it one of the most visited spots in Ooty. Trek to the top peak as it is not very challenging, and at the same time provides views that are worth every step you take through the jungles.
Government Botanical Garden
This Botanical Garden is maintained by Government of Tamil Nadu, department of Horticulture. The Garden which was started in the year 1848 covers an area of 22 ha and is located at a height of 2250 m above sea level. The garden has been decorated with trees that have been collected from all over the world. It is home to rare species of trees like the Lily Pond and the Italian garden that bear colorful flowers. It also has the Cork tree, which is one of its kinds in India. Other attractions are the monkey-puzzle tree, called so because monkeys can't climb it and a 20 million year old fossil tree trunk.
Where To Put Up
Accommodation facility is good in the city with hotels ranging from five star to economy class being present here. All travelers are bound to find a hotel or a lodge that are according to their needs and tastes. Even the most basic hotels are priced aptly and take good care of their guests. Few hotels that can be recommended are Hotel Sinclairs, Hotel The Monarch, Sullivan Court and Sterling Holiday Resorts.
HowToGetThere
By Rail
Ooty is connected to Chennai by Nilgiri Express that takes tourist till, Mettupalyam. From there, you can either take a bus or a steam train. The surroundings on both the routes are breathtakingly attractive. Ooty is on the narrow gauge railway, connected to Mettupalayam (47 km), which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai. The famous toy train connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor.
By RoadA good network of roads and national highways connect Ooty with all major towns and cities. There are regular bus services to and from Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut, Tirupati and other important destinations in South India. Ooty is also well connected with major cities of Kerala and Karnataka. Local TransportTaxis, tourist cabs, auto rickshaws are available in plenty. There are no standard rates except tourist cabs. Town buses are also available to all important places. Conducted sight seeing tours are arranged by the private operators and the Government Tourism Development Corporation. By AirCoimbatore, 105 km from Ooty, is the nearest airport.
must visit this place
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Visakhapatnam
Vizag is sometimes referred to as the "Goa of the east coast." Just like its west coast counterpart, it has beautiful virgin beaches, reddish literate hillocks, smooth roads and stunning landscape. Health-tourism is a fast developing industry. Visakhapatnam is also referred to as a jewel on the Coramandel Coast, Steel city .
The local population is mostly Telugu and Oriya who have moved to the area from nearby Orissa and Kalinga. In addition, there is a large population of migrant workers from other parts of India who have been drawn to the area by the abundance of work at locally based companies, such as Eastern Naval Command, Vizag Steel Plant and Hindustan Shipyard.
Beaches
More than anything else, Vizag is known for it's beaches. It boasts a number of beaches that are both scenic and uncrowded. A few virgin beaches span along the eastern side of the city and stretch for miles. Do not go swimming, however, as the water is quite polluted with industrial waste. A spectacular beach only the locals are aware of is called the "Yarada" beach. Unfortunately, except for the occasional RTC bus, there is no public transport available. Still, the adventurous will find it rewarding if they can make an effort to get there. Its a private beach coming under Agrigold plantations therefor you need to pay a fee of Rs. 10/- to get onto the beach, but its worth.
Rushikonda.
Located 11kms away from the city, this has become a popular tourist spot that even the locals frequent. A lot safer to wade into than the R.K. Beach, cradled among hills, this used to be an excellent beach away from the madding crowds. AP Tourism Development Corporation is having its Beach Resort (Punnami) on the hillside overlooking the beach. CAUTION!!! A lot of people have died while swimming in this beautiful beach.
Gangavaram.
Located 10 to 12 km away from city ,this is most beautiful beach ,Most interesting thing is we can see rock like structure in between see like a small island which attracts lot of people.Its a HOT spot for local people mostly lovers.
Bhimili
It is about 25 km from the city and is what used to be a small village also called Bheemunipatnam. Apart from the beach, the village has Portuguese remains in the form of a cemetery and a church.
Kilasa giri Hill
A local favourite, a short ride on to this hill gives you a spectacular view of the sea, RK.Beach and Rushikonda Beach on right and left hand side. There is a huge sculpture of Shiva and Parvathi. With a children's play area, a people-mover akin to a ski lift called a ropeway. Beautiful scenic view can be obtained from the ropeway, specially in the evening, when the city comes alive with all the lights. The up and down fare for the ropeway is Rs. 44.(As on Dec.2006). An under construction doll museum and a couple of eating areas, this hilltop gives a nice birds eye view of the city also. Has several "viewpoints" affording wonderful views of the city on one side and winding beaches adjoining green hills on the other side. Vistors often fall in love with the "beach" city especially after vistiting Kailasagiri.
War Memorial
There is a war memorial on remembrance of the victory at the sea on 1971 Indo pak war. It is situated on the left side of Beach Road, just opposite to the Submarine Museum. There is a fighter plane, a tank and few bombs/ missiles kept as exibits. There is no entry fee and can be viewed from the road.
Araku Valley.
A little further away from the city, but worth visiting for the scenic valley. A slow, passenger train leaves the Vizag station early in the morning, and the train ride is actually very enjoyable. Definitely not a day trip, but the recently constructed APTDC facilities can serve as a decent over night stay. Padmavathi botanical gardens is worth taking a look at.
Borra Caves.
Inside Borra Caves
Reputedly fantastic caverns that had their native charm earlier (one had to crawl to get in), these caves have been modernized recently by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC).There is a entry fee of Rs. 25 in Borra Caves. Separate charges are there to enter with still or video camera.
Simhachalam
A must see on a trip to Visakhapatnam, for its architectural splendour although some of the sculptures were defaced during the Islamic invasions. The temple inscriptions date the earliest donors to the 10-11th centuries. The exact date of construction is unknown. It is located 15 kms from the city and is dedicated to the half man half lion avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple bears reference to the Chola and Chalukya styles of architecture.
Ross Hill
A unique site to see is the area around Ross hill which has three hills dedicated to three different faiths in proximity to the port. Ross Hill, named after a certain Monsieur Ross who built a house on it in 1864, it has now been converted into a chapel Mother Mary's Church. The pathway to the shrine strewn with Catholic icon. Darga Pahad has the tomb of the Muslim saint, Sayed Ali Medina alias Ishak Medina, visited by Hindu and Muslim devotees alike. Attached to this is a mosque. Sri Venkateswara Konda, the third hillock, has a temple dedicated to the Lord. It is believed to have been built by an Englishman, Captain Blackmoor, in the 19th century. From this hillock you can see the port channel, which was the entrance of the inner harbor for ships and liners.
Museums
Submarine Museum
Submarine-'Kursura'
is a one of its kind museum created in a real (now de-commisioned) submarine of Indian Navy.This is the first of its kind in eastern asia. This submarine is one of the earliest submarine procured from Russia. One gets to interesting facts of working in the submarine. The museum is manned by retired naval people. Entry fee for the museum is Rs.25 for the adults and there is a fee to take any camera or video camera inside.
Naval Museum is one more museum about maritime history of India. Again its a lovely museum displaying pictures, models and content of Indian maritime history.
Buddhist excavations Bojjana Konda, Thotla Konda, Bhavi Konda and Salihundam around Visakhapatnam were centres of Buddhism during the second century A.D. Several Buddhist monuments such as stupas and chaityas were erected at these places. It is said that some of the corporal relics of the Buddha were preserved at these places. Hence all these places became sacred places.
Bojjana Konda, near Sankaram village in the hamlet of Anakapalli, 40 km from Visakhapatnam, is one such place, where one can find architectural remnants of the Buddhist period, one of the earliest of its class in South India. It constitutes one of the most remarkable groups of Buddhist monuments dated from 200 B.C. to 700 A.D., found during excavations in 1906. On the eastern hill, there are a series of rock-cut caves, numerous groups of monolithic dagobas, standing on rock platform in tiers above each others and, crowning all, a rock-cut stupa with extensive structural remains. On the western side of the eastern hill is a stairway, partly rock-cut and partly structural, which leads up to a large double-storied cave. The cave is entered by a doorway and is flanked on each side by huge dwarapalas. The cave chamber is rectangular in shape and is divided into 20 compartments by four cross rocks of 16 massive pillars. In the centre is the rock-cut stupa standing on a square platform.
Vizag is sometimes referred to as the "Goa of the east coast." Just like its west coast counterpart, it has beautiful virgin beaches, reddish literate hillocks, smooth roads and stunning landscape. Health-tourism is a fast developing industry. Visakhapatnam is also referred to as a jewel on the Coramandel Coast, Steel city .
The local population is mostly Telugu and Oriya who have moved to the area from nearby Orissa and Kalinga. In addition, there is a large population of migrant workers from other parts of India who have been drawn to the area by the abundance of work at locally based companies, such as Eastern Naval Command, Vizag Steel Plant and Hindustan Shipyard.
Beaches
More than anything else, Vizag is known for it's beaches. It boasts a number of beaches that are both scenic and uncrowded. A few virgin beaches span along the eastern side of the city and stretch for miles. Do not go swimming, however, as the water is quite polluted with industrial waste. A spectacular beach only the locals are aware of is called the "Yarada" beach. Unfortunately, except for the occasional RTC bus, there is no public transport available. Still, the adventurous will find it rewarding if they can make an effort to get there. Its a private beach coming under Agrigold plantations therefor you need to pay a fee of Rs. 10/- to get onto the beach, but its worth.
Rushikonda.
Located 11kms away from the city, this has become a popular tourist spot that even the locals frequent. A lot safer to wade into than the R.K. Beach, cradled among hills, this used to be an excellent beach away from the madding crowds. AP Tourism Development Corporation is having its Beach Resort (Punnami) on the hillside overlooking the beach. CAUTION!!! A lot of people have died while swimming in this beautiful beach.
Gangavaram.
Located 10 to 12 km away from city ,this is most beautiful beach ,Most interesting thing is we can see rock like structure in between see like a small island which attracts lot of people.Its a HOT spot for local people mostly lovers.
Bhimili
It is about 25 km from the city and is what used to be a small village also called Bheemunipatnam. Apart from the beach, the village has Portuguese remains in the form of a cemetery and a church.
Kilasa giri Hill
A local favourite, a short ride on to this hill gives you a spectacular view of the sea, RK.Beach and Rushikonda Beach on right and left hand side. There is a huge sculpture of Shiva and Parvathi. With a children's play area, a people-mover akin to a ski lift called a ropeway. Beautiful scenic view can be obtained from the ropeway, specially in the evening, when the city comes alive with all the lights. The up and down fare for the ropeway is Rs. 44.(As on Dec.2006). An under construction doll museum and a couple of eating areas, this hilltop gives a nice birds eye view of the city also. Has several "viewpoints" affording wonderful views of the city on one side and winding beaches adjoining green hills on the other side. Vistors often fall in love with the "beach" city especially after vistiting Kailasagiri.
War Memorial
There is a war memorial on remembrance of the victory at the sea on 1971 Indo pak war. It is situated on the left side of Beach Road, just opposite to the Submarine Museum. There is a fighter plane, a tank and few bombs/ missiles kept as exibits. There is no entry fee and can be viewed from the road.
Araku Valley.
A little further away from the city, but worth visiting for the scenic valley. A slow, passenger train leaves the Vizag station early in the morning, and the train ride is actually very enjoyable. Definitely not a day trip, but the recently constructed APTDC facilities can serve as a decent over night stay. Padmavathi botanical gardens is worth taking a look at.
Borra Caves.
Inside Borra Caves
Reputedly fantastic caverns that had their native charm earlier (one had to crawl to get in), these caves have been modernized recently by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC).There is a entry fee of Rs. 25 in Borra Caves. Separate charges are there to enter with still or video camera.
Simhachalam
A must see on a trip to Visakhapatnam, for its architectural splendour although some of the sculptures were defaced during the Islamic invasions. The temple inscriptions date the earliest donors to the 10-11th centuries. The exact date of construction is unknown. It is located 15 kms from the city and is dedicated to the half man half lion avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple bears reference to the Chola and Chalukya styles of architecture.
Ross Hill
A unique site to see is the area around Ross hill which has three hills dedicated to three different faiths in proximity to the port. Ross Hill, named after a certain Monsieur Ross who built a house on it in 1864, it has now been converted into a chapel Mother Mary's Church. The pathway to the shrine strewn with Catholic icon. Darga Pahad has the tomb of the Muslim saint, Sayed Ali Medina alias Ishak Medina, visited by Hindu and Muslim devotees alike. Attached to this is a mosque. Sri Venkateswara Konda, the third hillock, has a temple dedicated to the Lord. It is believed to have been built by an Englishman, Captain Blackmoor, in the 19th century. From this hillock you can see the port channel, which was the entrance of the inner harbor for ships and liners.
Museums
Submarine Museum
Submarine-'Kursura'
is a one of its kind museum created in a real (now de-commisioned) submarine of Indian Navy.This is the first of its kind in eastern asia. This submarine is one of the earliest submarine procured from Russia. One gets to interesting facts of working in the submarine. The museum is manned by retired naval people. Entry fee for the museum is Rs.25 for the adults and there is a fee to take any camera or video camera inside.
Naval Museum is one more museum about maritime history of India. Again its a lovely museum displaying pictures, models and content of Indian maritime history.
Buddhist excavations Bojjana Konda, Thotla Konda, Bhavi Konda and Salihundam around Visakhapatnam were centres of Buddhism during the second century A.D. Several Buddhist monuments such as stupas and chaityas were erected at these places. It is said that some of the corporal relics of the Buddha were preserved at these places. Hence all these places became sacred places.
Bojjana Konda, near Sankaram village in the hamlet of Anakapalli, 40 km from Visakhapatnam, is one such place, where one can find architectural remnants of the Buddhist period, one of the earliest of its class in South India. It constitutes one of the most remarkable groups of Buddhist monuments dated from 200 B.C. to 700 A.D., found during excavations in 1906. On the eastern hill, there are a series of rock-cut caves, numerous groups of monolithic dagobas, standing on rock platform in tiers above each others and, crowning all, a rock-cut stupa with extensive structural remains. On the western side of the eastern hill is a stairway, partly rock-cut and partly structural, which leads up to a large double-storied cave. The cave is entered by a doorway and is flanked on each side by huge dwarapalas. The cave chamber is rectangular in shape and is divided into 20 compartments by four cross rocks of 16 massive pillars. In the centre is the rock-cut stupa standing on a square platform.
Travel Photography
· Keep your eyes open and camera ready as you head out into the world. Architecture, colors, mountains, all give us a sense of place.
· Wherever you go, be on the lookout for humor you can incorporate into your photographs.
· The Internet offers a great way to do research. Search for both information and pictures of the place you're going. Good research helps you save precious time on your trip.
· Carry a notebook that fits easily into your camera bag, and take notes about both what you want to photograph and what you already have. When you cover a lot of subjects, it's easy to forget.
· Getting lost is a great way to meet people. Don't be shy about asking for directions.
· When packing gear for a trip, carefully consider each item. When was the last time you used it? Are you really likely to need it? If the answers are "a long time" and "no," leave it behind. You don't want to be overburdened with equipment.
· Be patient and friendly with customs and security inspectors at home and abroad. They have a difficult job, and getting impatient with them usually means it just takes longer.
· Practice and experimentation are the keys to doing anything well. Try different compositional techniques on your family and friends and study the results before you set off on a trip.
· Quite often, foreground elements are low to the ground. You may have to squat or lie down to get them properly placed in the frame.
· Practice motion photography at home before you leave. Go to an amusement park with rides, a race track, or even a nearby highway. You don't want to waste precious time on your trip learning.
· When you are on a trip, make an effort to get ahead of your companions so you can photograph them in the environment. Go in the first raft, on the first bus, or whatever, and shoot back.
· Don't be shy about photographing people. The ways they are dressed and the ways they behave can help your images convey both the look and feeling of different seasons in different places.
· Check the weather forecast in the local media as soon as you arrive somewhere so you can make plans for sunny, cloudy, or rainy days.
· If you are without a tripod but want to shoot with a long shutter speed, set your camera on your camera bag, bundle up your jacket into a pillow, and use that—there is always something you can use for support.
· Use some distinctive feature of the place you are visiting as a silhouette against a rising or setting sun. The sun itself is too hot to photograph unless it is masked by haze or some object.
· Wherever you go, be on the lookout for humor you can incorporate into your photographs.
· The Internet offers a great way to do research. Search for both information and pictures of the place you're going. Good research helps you save precious time on your trip.
· Carry a notebook that fits easily into your camera bag, and take notes about both what you want to photograph and what you already have. When you cover a lot of subjects, it's easy to forget.
· Getting lost is a great way to meet people. Don't be shy about asking for directions.
· When packing gear for a trip, carefully consider each item. When was the last time you used it? Are you really likely to need it? If the answers are "a long time" and "no," leave it behind. You don't want to be overburdened with equipment.
· Be patient and friendly with customs and security inspectors at home and abroad. They have a difficult job, and getting impatient with them usually means it just takes longer.
· Practice and experimentation are the keys to doing anything well. Try different compositional techniques on your family and friends and study the results before you set off on a trip.
· Quite often, foreground elements are low to the ground. You may have to squat or lie down to get them properly placed in the frame.
· Practice motion photography at home before you leave. Go to an amusement park with rides, a race track, or even a nearby highway. You don't want to waste precious time on your trip learning.
· When you are on a trip, make an effort to get ahead of your companions so you can photograph them in the environment. Go in the first raft, on the first bus, or whatever, and shoot back.
· Don't be shy about photographing people. The ways they are dressed and the ways they behave can help your images convey both the look and feeling of different seasons in different places.
· Check the weather forecast in the local media as soon as you arrive somewhere so you can make plans for sunny, cloudy, or rainy days.
· If you are without a tripod but want to shoot with a long shutter speed, set your camera on your camera bag, bundle up your jacket into a pillow, and use that—there is always something you can use for support.
· Use some distinctive feature of the place you are visiting as a silhouette against a rising or setting sun. The sun itself is too hot to photograph unless it is masked by haze or some object.
Travel Photography tips
Each place we visit has its own particular look, character, and ambiance. If we want photographs of our travels to be good and lasting, they should capture all of these qualities, and say as much about a place as give the literal look of it.
First and foremost, think about what made you decide, out of all the places in the world, to choose this particular destination. Whatever it is—the beach, the rides, the mountain, the galleries, the food—obviously appeals to you. If it didn't, you wouldn't be going there. That site or activity (or inactivity) is one of the things you want to photograph. But there are probably many other interesting aspects of the place you may not be aware of. That's where research comes in.
When you arrive at your destination, be open and try to take note of the first impressions—write them down if you have to. (A notebook is an essential accessory for a travel photographer.) When you see a place for the first time from the plane window, or when you drive around a bend and there it is, or as the ship nears some distant island—how do you feel? Where do your eyes go first? What do you notice about the place right away? A smell? The heat or cold? Blistering sunlight? Mysterious fog? A particular building or vista? The way people move? Their dress? Whatever it is, remember it. First impressions are invaluable sparks to creative interpretation, and by definition are not repeatable. You've seen the place in pictures, you've read about it. Now you're there, and all your senses can partake.
Make time for photography. Like doing anything well, making good photographs requires a commitment of time and energy. One problem with much of modern travel is that the days are chockablock full of scheduled tours, events, and meals. Our trips are usually of limited time, and we naturally want to see as many sites as possible. The itineraries rarely leave room for serious photography. You have to make time. It may help to make photography a scheduled part of every day, so you know you have the time and won't be tempted to get lazy and say, "I'll do it tomorrow." It might rain tomorrow. Don't procrastinate.
Landscapes
Landscapes come in all forms—mountains, forests, plains, deserts, swamps, lakes, rivers, seacoasts. Each has its own characteristics, and individual sites within each category have their own too. The Grand Tetons do not look like the Andes—the Nile River is different from the Mississippi.Whatever kind of landscape you are shooting, think about what the essential qualities are—and not just the visual ones; think about how the place makes you feel, what kind of emotions it stirs in you. Then look for ways to get those qualities and feelings onto film. Is it a rocky, violently wave-washed coast or a bright and sandy one? If it's the former, you want to show waves crashing against the shore, probably in stormy weather. Blue sky and sunlight are more appropriate for the latter unless you want to show the desolation of a resort beach in winter.
Landscapes come in all forms—mountains, forests, plains, deserts, swamps, lakes, rivers, seacoasts. Each has its own characteristics, and individual sites within each category have their own too. The Grand Tetons do not look like the Andes—the Nile River is different from the Mississippi.Whatever kind of landscape you are shooting, think about what the essential qualities are—and not just the visual ones; think about how the place makes you feel, what kind of emotions it stirs in you. Then look for ways to get those qualities and feelings onto film. Is it a rocky, violently wave-washed coast or a bright and sandy one? If it's the former, you want to show waves crashing against the shore, probably in stormy weather. Blue sky and sunlight are more appropriate for the latter unless you want to show the desolation of a resort beach in winter.
Photographing Family Members and Friends
We often travel with people we know—taking a family vacation, for example, or bicycling around Tuscany with a group of friends. We quite naturally want to come home with pictures of them as souvenirs of the trip. Be sure to get these, but don't forget that you can also use members of your family and your friends to make your other photographs more effective.
When you are making pictures of your friends, try to strike a balance between a picture of them and a picture of the place. A friend of mine once made a close-up portrait of me in China. It wasn't a great portrait, but more important, it could have been made in my backyard—there was nothing of the place in the frame. Of course, you may want to shoot portraits, or to capture someone's expression at a particular moment, but often you are making the picture as a way of documenting your shared experience. You want to show enough of your friend to be able to recognize him—that vertical speck in the distance could be anybody. But you don't want to be so close that there's no context. If your friend is the primary subject, he has to be strong enough to draw attention and be recognizable but still keep some sense of where he is.
We often travel with people we know—taking a family vacation, for example, or bicycling around Tuscany with a group of friends. We quite naturally want to come home with pictures of them as souvenirs of the trip. Be sure to get these, but don't forget that you can also use members of your family and your friends to make your other photographs more effective.
When you are making pictures of your friends, try to strike a balance between a picture of them and a picture of the place. A friend of mine once made a close-up portrait of me in China. It wasn't a great portrait, but more important, it could have been made in my backyard—there was nothing of the place in the frame. Of course, you may want to shoot portraits, or to capture someone's expression at a particular moment, but often you are making the picture as a way of documenting your shared experience. You want to show enough of your friend to be able to recognize him—that vertical speck in the distance could be anybody. But you don't want to be so close that there's no context. If your friend is the primary subject, he has to be strong enough to draw attention and be recognizable but still keep some sense of where he is.
Monday, May 19, 2008
The land's end of India
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari, the land's end of India, or Cape Comorin, is the southern most tip of India, also known as Indira Point, is a beautiful tourist attraction of Tamil Nadu State. Easily accessible by train and availability of rooms at many hotels of all budgets, should not be missed at any cost. The approximate stay is from 2 to 4 days depending on how much time you can give for sight seeing.
We took a train from Tirupthi in the evening at around 5.30 and reached Kanya Kumari at around 9.30 am. We had already booked the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation hotel, which is ideally located near the beach, and checked in the AC room. The AC room is really affordable especially in the hot summer season.
After lunch, we set out to see the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, by boat. There are regular ferry services from the jetty which is very close to the TTDC resort. We were lucky to get the last ferry, at 4.30 p.m. and were taken first to the Thrivallavur Statue, a famous Tamil poet of yester years. The statue is magnificent and stands tall on a rock near the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial - the author of the philosophical work Tirukkural - a treatise on the Indian way of life.
Our next halt was the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial which was built in 1970. Swami Vivekananda, is said to have meditated here before setting out as one of India's most important religious crusaders. The memorial is one of India's greatest architechtural magnificence, and has a statue of Swami Vivekananda in the memorial building.
There is a temple opposite to the entrance of the memorial. The temple is of Godess Kumari Amman and the footprints of the virgin godess can be seen here. In one of her incarnations, Parvati, the consort of Shiva, was born as Kanyakumari Devi, who could not marry Shiva and thus remained unwedded and a virgin. The rice that was used for the wedding was scattered on the sands as seven different coloured sands on the beach.
Kanyakumari is a place where we can see the confluence of the three seas. The Bay of Bengal, The Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. One can actually see the three colours of the waters during the low tides.
On the mainland Kanyakumari is the Kumari Amman temple. A visit to the temple is a must. The Diamond nose-ring of this godess is famous for its sparkling splendor which is supposed to be visible even from the sea.
There is a dress code while entering the temples in South India. For the males there is the Adda Munda, or Dhoti, and the Anga Vastra, and saree for the females. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temples.
The entrance to the magnificent beach is just behind the temple. One can find a lot of curios on the beach, the vendors sell all sorts of shells and shell-craft. Bargaining is a must. Conches are my favorites. You can get the most economical conches here than in the rest of India.
There are a lot of eateries on the jetty road, near the temple. STD facilities are also available.
SUCHINDRAM TEMPLE
A beautiful temple, with typical South Indian architecture, situated just about 13 kms from Kanyakumari, and is a treat to visit. The insides of the temple are very intricately carved out of stone. There is a huge 18 feet idol of Lord Hanuman on your right, as soon as you enter the temple. There are musical pillars, cut out of a single rock. There are 1035 pillars with carvings and stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are depicted on either side of the temple. There is the pujari who doubles up as your guide and takes you around inside the temple and describes the details about the idols, the history, and the construction of the temple. It is believed that Lord Indra was blessed by Lord Shiva and hence the name Suchi which means "purified" Indram.
PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE
Kanyakumari, the land's end of India, or Cape Comorin, is the southern most tip of India, also known as Indira Point, is a beautiful tourist attraction of Tamil Nadu State. Easily accessible by train and availability of rooms at many hotels of all budgets, should not be missed at any cost. The approximate stay is from 2 to 4 days depending on how much time you can give for sight seeing.
We took a train from Tirupthi in the evening at around 5.30 and reached Kanya Kumari at around 9.30 am. We had already booked the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation hotel, which is ideally located near the beach, and checked in the AC room. The AC room is really affordable especially in the hot summer season.
After lunch, we set out to see the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, by boat. There are regular ferry services from the jetty which is very close to the TTDC resort. We were lucky to get the last ferry, at 4.30 p.m. and were taken first to the Thrivallavur Statue, a famous Tamil poet of yester years. The statue is magnificent and stands tall on a rock near the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial - the author of the philosophical work Tirukkural - a treatise on the Indian way of life.
Our next halt was the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial which was built in 1970. Swami Vivekananda, is said to have meditated here before setting out as one of India's most important religious crusaders. The memorial is one of India's greatest architechtural magnificence, and has a statue of Swami Vivekananda in the memorial building.
There is a temple opposite to the entrance of the memorial. The temple is of Godess Kumari Amman and the footprints of the virgin godess can be seen here. In one of her incarnations, Parvati, the consort of Shiva, was born as Kanyakumari Devi, who could not marry Shiva and thus remained unwedded and a virgin. The rice that was used for the wedding was scattered on the sands as seven different coloured sands on the beach.
Kanyakumari is a place where we can see the confluence of the three seas. The Bay of Bengal, The Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. One can actually see the three colours of the waters during the low tides.
On the mainland Kanyakumari is the Kumari Amman temple. A visit to the temple is a must. The Diamond nose-ring of this godess is famous for its sparkling splendor which is supposed to be visible even from the sea.
There is a dress code while entering the temples in South India. For the males there is the Adda Munda, or Dhoti, and the Anga Vastra, and saree for the females. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temples.
The entrance to the magnificent beach is just behind the temple. One can find a lot of curios on the beach, the vendors sell all sorts of shells and shell-craft. Bargaining is a must. Conches are my favorites. You can get the most economical conches here than in the rest of India.
There are a lot of eateries on the jetty road, near the temple. STD facilities are also available.
SUCHINDRAM TEMPLE
A beautiful temple, with typical South Indian architecture, situated just about 13 kms from Kanyakumari, and is a treat to visit. The insides of the temple are very intricately carved out of stone. There is a huge 18 feet idol of Lord Hanuman on your right, as soon as you enter the temple. There are musical pillars, cut out of a single rock. There are 1035 pillars with carvings and stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are depicted on either side of the temple. There is the pujari who doubles up as your guide and takes you around inside the temple and describes the details about the idols, the history, and the construction of the temple. It is believed that Lord Indra was blessed by Lord Shiva and hence the name Suchi which means "purified" Indram.
PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE
One of the most wonderful piece of the architecture of Kerala, is the Padmanabhapuram Palace. Situated at around 45 kms away from Kanyakumari, this place is worth a visit. One is struck by awe and wonder at the architecture carved out of wood and it is believed that there is not a single nail in the entire palace. One can see the maintenance personnel polishing and shining the black floor with carbon black and oil and give it a gleaming appearance. Padmanabhapuram was the capital of Travancore.
SUNSET POINT
Sunset point like any other sunset point, is about 5 kms away from Kanyakumari town. Here you can watch the sun go down from behind the clouds on the horizon. People throng here to watch the sunset. Make sure you hire a cab or an auto rickshaw to return back to your hotel, after sunset.
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