India Travel Tourism

Nothing is more rejuvenating than spending time amidst gorgeous green surroundings in the lap of nature. Here we were at one of the most enchanting tourist destinations called Alleppy. It is a beautiful town in Kerala which was founded by Raja Kesavadasan in the year 1762. It is well know for its mesmerizing backwaters, arresting beaches, lush green paddy fields, houseboats and snake boat race. It is affectionately dubbed as the ‘Venice of the East’.

We reached Alleppy in the early morning and while walking through this town I felt that a feeling of being in rhythm with nature was flowing into me just like sunshine soaks trees into its life-giving rays. It was a wonderful feeling. No wonder it is a perfect place for holidays. I had heard a lot about the beach and backwaters of Alleppy from my friends. Now was the time to experience it for real.

After a little refreshment we embarked on Alleppy backwater tour. Cruising through the backwaters amidst gripping green surroundings was a great experience. We even sighted some colorful birds from close quarters. Lush greenery, swaying palm trees and salubrious climate, everything about Alleppy was mesmerizing. The view of the paddy fields was very soothing to the eyes. We were cruising in the houseboat of Kerala which is locally called Kettuvallam. It is also a perfect option for accommodation.

We gorged on South Indian dishes in our lunch on the backwater cruise tour. After the backwater cruise we took a short nap and then got ready for exploring the charm of the Alleppy beach. We reached the beach which is truly mesmerizing to the hilt. The lashing waves, swaying palm trees, limitless sky, and sun rays kissing the sand are the enchanting features of Alleppy beach. We strolled through the beach soaking in every bit of its beauty. We even went to the lighthouse on the beach which offers breathtaking views of the picturesque surroundings. As the day was drawing to a close the golden rays of sun were making the sea glitter like gold and the fluttering birds were flying high in the sky. It was a sight to behold.

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Last week after completing my official work in Ernakulam I headed towards Munnar to spend my weekend in the lap of pristine nature. Gripping greenery, mountain backdrop, calmness and cool refreshing surroundings make Munnar a breathtaking hill station of Kerala and a haven of peace and tranquility. Though this place is among the most favored tourist destinations round the year but during monsoon one can feel the magical and hypnotizing charm of this place at its best.

Scores of tourists seek Munnar Travel Packages so that they can explore the beauty of pristine nature at their best. The natural vistas also make it a most cherished destination among couples who come here to enjoy their honeymoon in the lap of nature. Number of newly married couples seek Munnar Honeymoon Tour Packages so that enjoy their solitude in the surrounding of immaculate nature.

I with my friend Rahul arrived in Munnar around 7.30 on the Friday night after a 4 hour hectic journey in a taxi from Ernakulam. It was dark so we couldn’t see much of the things but we felt the fragrance of tea and spices scattered in the atmosphere of this place. After reaching here we headed directly to Willow Hill hotel where our travel agent had booked a room for us.

The Pullivasal tea estate was a 5 minute walk from the hotel which provided us a chance to enjoy the sheer calmness of nature and aroma of fresh tea gardens. Big bang thunderstorm woke us up in the midnight which was later accompanied by heavy rain. I went to the balcony from where I saw heavy rainfall over the vast expanse of tea estate which was illuminated at intervals by heavy lightning.

I enjoyed this dramatic casting of nature which reminded me of several scenes of Hollywood movies. The natural condition of that time was so tempting that I wished to go out and enjoy but somehow I consoled myself and stayed in the hotel balcony as a spectator with a cup of tea.

After having typical Kerala food (Puttu and Vegetable Stew) in our breakfast we moved towards our destination i.e. Top Station. It is the highest point in Munnar at a distance of 41 km from the city center and is located at an altitude of 1700 meters above level. We reached here after 3 hours drive in a taxi. On the way to this place we saw layers of hills having tea garden here and there which looks like a green carpet covering the hills.

After reaching Top Station we saw valley on either side with wild flowers, shrubs and tall trees all over. While moving further we saw a small tea shop selling various types of tea. There we tasted hot green tea whose taste still lingers on my taste buds. Due to heavy rain most of the trekking routes were closed and only paved routes were opened. We took one of the routes and went into the woods. While we were trekking we enjoyed magnetic spell of nature in the form of cloud, and mist over the hill slopes and dense forest.

The euphoria of this place was maximized by the misty clouds which soon engulfed the entire surrounding. For the first time in my life I experienced the joy of clouds. This natural glory enthralled us so much that we started running, shouting, jumping like crazy guys. The drizzling cloud drenched us completely but the ecstasy kept us engaged for a long time. While returning we saw several small mountain streams which were the result of recent downpour.

After balancing over slippery pavement we returned to the place where we left our taxi. Due to heavy rain temperature suddenly dipped and we started shivering. We sipped the ginger tea at the same small tea shop and returned to our hotel in a taxi.

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Wildlife is something which sets my pulse racing and pushes my adrenaline level into high gear. Natural world has always fascinated me and even during my childhood I had great inclination towards wildlife. So here we(Monika, Tahir, Sanjog and I) were at our next South Indian destination: Periyar National Park, which is a famous Tiger Reserve of India.

Located in the wonderful state of Kerala, Periyar Tiger Reserve is well known for its tigers, elephants and a variety of other wildlife species, including colorful birds. On our way to Periyar from Madurai I told my colleague Tahir that this national park is also a great place for wildlife photography. He is very passionate about photography and this news brought a big smile on his face. He is an IT professional but pursues photography as his passion.

We reached Periyar at night and after having a good night’s sleep, the next morning at 5 am we were all ready for wild encounters. Our jeep safari started at 5:30 am and we were all excited to see wildlife. Our guide Rananujam told us that the park has a beautiful lake, temples and other wonderful spots. And at the lake visitors can enjoy boating. He said it is a well managed wildlife sanctuary which is also a national park and a tiger reserve, which makes it a favored destination of wildlife lovers.

We entered the Park with great expectations to see tiger and other wildlife. But we didn’t know that by a stroke of good luck we would be greeted by the sight of a tiger and that too so soon. Yes! After covering a short distance inside the park we encountered a tiger and got a golden opportunity to sight it from close quarters. There was pin-drop-silence and we were engrossed in watching an enchanting creature of nature. For a few seconds the tigers gazed at us, and then moved into the deep jungle. The sight was simply breathtaking! It was unbelievable! Our happiness knew no bound and with big smiles on our faces we moved ahead.

After covering around 100 m distance our guide spotted something behind the bushes. He asked the driver to stop the jeep and we silently waited to see the creature. It moved and we could catch a glimpse of it. It was barking deer. Next we drove to the artificial lake inside the park where we spotted wild elephants enjoying themselves at ease. Ramanujam told us that this lake is 100 year old. The view of the lake along with its surroundings was very picturesque. We decided to go for a boat ride in the beautiful lake and the experience was too good.

As we moved further into the jungle we were greeted with the sights of colorful birds: darters, cormorants, blue-winged parakeets and kingfisher. Further we spotted two monitor lizards basking in the sun. We even saw colorful butterflies. The other attractions we saw in the Park were Wild Pigs, Sambar, Gaur, Indian Wild Dog and Mouse Deer.

Driving back we were more than happy and thanked God for giving us a great and rare opportunity of sighting a tiger. Well this experience was enough to leave us with a desire to come to Periyar National Park again.

After coming back to our hotel we refreshed ourselves and had evening tea. Now we were ready for another exciting experience- Spice Plantation Tour. Periyar, also known as Thekkady is also famous for its tea, coffee, spice, rubber and vanilla plantation.

We went on a spice plantation tour where we enjoyed pleasant weather, gorgeous green surroundings and aroma of spices. Our guide even told us about the spices, their medicinal value and how we can combine different spices to get different flavors. It was such a wonderful experience. With a refreshed mind we came back to our hotel and had a delicious South Indian dinner. Full, we retired to bed early as the next day we had to leave for Kumarokom early morning. Earlier we had decided to go for wildlife safari the following morning but as we had already saw the tiger, so we changed our schedule.

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After enjoying and experiencing the rich cultural heritage of Tanjore we headed towards Madurai city in Tamil Nadu. This small culturally rich destination of South India is one of the oldest cities in Asia. It is internationally known for the incredibly beautiful Meenakshi Amman Temple.

We reached Madurai in the early morning and after a brief rest we headed towards the Meenakshi Amman Temple. On the way to the temple our guide Shravan told us about this famous city and its temple. This ancient city is ideally located on the banks of river Vaigai. Popularly known as the temple city, it is the third largest city in Tamil Nadu. The history of this city spans over 2,500 years and it was also an important trade center in the past.

As we reached the world famous Meenakshi Amman Temple, I was left spell bound by its architectural beauty. It clearly reflects the glory of this region in the past. Its beauty attracts many a tourist from across the globe. Built in honor of Goddess Menakshi( Parvati) and his consort Lord Shiva in the 12th century by Kulasekara Pandyan, the temple has nine stories which are lavishly decorated with exquisite carvings and sculptures. I wondered how creative the artists and craftsmen of that era must have been!

Our guide Shravan said that this Hindu temple has an interesting legend attached to it. The legend goes that Lord Shiva poured nectar or Madhu on this city and hence it was named Madhu. Later after the 14th century the name was distorted to Madurai. I could really feel the positive vibes while we were exploring the temple.

Showcasing the beauty of the Dravidian architecture, the temple is extravagantly decorated. I was amazed at the beauty of the wonderful gopurams which were adorned with stucco figures of heavenly deities, mythical animals and monsters painted in vibrant colors. The use of different colors to paint the temple is one of the most striking features of the temple.

Before visiting the main shrine of the temple complex we took a bath in the Golden Lotus Tank located inside the temple premises. It is believed that this pond is much older than the temple and was created by Lord Shiva. Taking a dip in this pond is considered auspicious.

After taking blessing of the goddess and lord, we visited the thousand pillared hall. There are 985 pillars inside the hall and all the pillars are beautifully carved. And the interesting fact is that no two pillars look alike. Also the musical pillars inside the temple are the other main attractions. There are five musical pillars carved out of a single stone. They are named musical pillars as when they are tapped they produce sound. We also saw the Kalyana Mandap, the hall inside the temple where the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is solemnized every year in April during the festival of Meenakshi Thirukalayanam.

It was such a pleasant experience to visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu.

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This is the second time I was visiting Pondicherry and was really excited about it. Pondicherry is a whimsical destination where you can enjoy natural beauty at its best. We reached Auroville town 10 km north of Pondicherry in the afternoon. I call this unique town as ‘the town of humanity’ as it is a home to several Indian and International residents who live here in harmony. There we met a family from France. They have been living here for the last 20 years and were speaking fluent Hindi with great ease. I was amazed! It is a beautiful destination founded with an aim to make it a Universal town where people from different nationalities could live together peacefully.

Next we visited the Matri Mandir which is an important religious place of the town. This town is affectionately dubbed as the ‘City of Dawn’. Our guide told us that there are 1000 varieties of trees in this small town. The gorgeous greenery, peaceful ambiance and natural beauty of this town really makes it a great destination to visit.

Next day we drove to Tanjore, the culturally rich city of the state of Tamil Nadu. The most famous attraction of this city is its paintings. And the South Indian temples of this city are simply marvelous. Here we visited the Brihadeshwara temple dating back to the 10th century. Its incredible architectural beauty earned it the title of ‘World Heritage Site’. Reflecting perfect example of Dravidian style of architecture, this temple is surrounded by fortified walls which were added back in the 16th century. The temple tower (called Vimana in south India) is 216 ft high and is one of the tallest of its kind in the world. The interior walls of the temple are festooned with Chola Fresco paintings which were completely mesmerizing. Being a dance lover I made sure to see all the 108 dance poses of Lord Nataraja beautifully depicted on the walls of the temple.

In the evening we browsed the colorful bazaars of Tanjore and bought beautiful paintings at ‘bargained price’. Wow I was so happy at this achievement! We had our dinner at one of the restaurants and enjoyed traditional dishes of South India. We gorged on Thavala Adai( a kind of vada) with rasam. It is one of the popular dishes of this city. We also had dosa, and Uttapam. In the end we rounded off our hearty meal with sweet dishes Surul Poli, Pal Payasam and Kozhakottai. This marked the end of our tour to Tanjore. The next day we were scheduled to travel to Madurai city of Tamil Nadu.

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The monotonous routine of daily life had left us jaded and we were longing for a rejuvenating break. And needless to say traveling is the most rejuvenating activity for us. Here us includes me and my friends Monika, Tahir and Sanjog. We with great difficulty took leave for a week from our respective offices and embarked on our journey to South India. Well we had a holiday dilemma and we browsed several sites on travel and tours. Finally we decided to go on a temple and spice tour of South India. South India Temples are famous for their glorious legends and breathtaking architectural beauty. Some of the temples are also the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We started from Delhi and reached Chennai, our first halt. This wonderful city is famous for its cultural heritage and history. Post breakfast we headed for our first destination, Fort St. George. Our guide told us that this fort was built by the British East India Company in 1640. We visited the museum inside the fort which houses ten galleries displaying armory, old uniforms, crockery & silverware, coins, palanquins, paintings, letters and several other rare articles belonging to the Britishers.

Next we headed for the National Art Gallery which was founded in 1857. We visited its various sections based on archeology, botany, geology, anthropology, zoology, numismatics and sculpture. Next we visited the beautiful Kapileshwar temple dating back to the 8th century. Our guide told us that the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who used to be worshiped as a peacock in the temple. And according to the legend, desirous to get married to Lord Shiva, goddess Parvati took the form of a peacock. The Dravidian style of architecture of the temple is truly mesmerizing.

The next day we drove to Kanchipuram, the religious capital of South India which is ideally located on the banks of river Vegavati. Most of the temples in this city are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Ramesh our guide said, ‘ At one point of time this city had over 1,000 temples, but over the years now only around hundred are left’. He took us to the Kailasanatha temple, a beautiful temple built in the 8th century. We were left spell bound with its intricate carvings and fresco style paintings. Then we visited Kamakshi Amma Temple and were awe-inspired by its golden gopuram and exquisite carvings. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi( goddess Parvati) and is one of the three main sacred sites of Shakti worship in the country.

After seeing some more beautiful temples we went to the bazaar for shopping as this city is famous for silk saris. Beautiful and fine silk saris are produced here. We bought several shopping items including the silk saris which had brought a big smile on my face.

Next we headed towards Mahabalipuram and reached there at night. Mahabalipuram is a World Heritage Site famous for its rock-cut and monolithic monuments. The next morning we visited the famous Shore Temple which was built in the 7th century in Dravidian style of architecture. The presiding deities of the temple are Lord Shiva and Vishnu. Located on the shores of Bay of Bengal ocean, this five-storied structure is majestically carved and sculpted. We also saw Arjuna’s Penance, another famous attraction of Mahabalipuram. It is the world’s largest bas-relief. The next attraction we visited was Five Rathas, the monolithic cave temples which are incredibly beautiful.

A visit to these wonderful places and attractions was a great delight and now we were eagerly waiting for some more destinations. The rich cultural heritage of South India beautifully reflects in its temples and monuments. Next we were slated to reach Pondicherry and several other destinations which I will cover in my next blog.

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Beaches are one of the marvels of natural wonders which are known for their perfect juxtaposition of dazzling white sands and azure blue sea. This romantic combination makes it a high flying destination where one can stimulate their sense of imagination. The amalgamated beauty of sun, sand and sea fringed by coconut trees make beaches a romantic destination where one can get relief from their weary thoughts and life.

Three day weekend holidays provided me an opportunity to spend a memorable holiday at beachside, as I was in Thiruvananthapuram Capital City of Kerala for my official work. This plan was in my mind so I wrapped up my work by Thursday and extended my guest house booking for two more days.

On early Friday morning I went to Kovalam Beach which is located around 13 km downtown from this place. The name of Kovalam Beach conjures up the images of boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf along with stalwart palms trees and the rocky terrains. It is one of the most famous and most sought after Beach destinations of India which is visited by large number of tourists from various parts of the globe. The ambiance of blue sea, silvery sands and unending rows of palm makes it an enchanting destination and popular beach hangout in India.

When I reached near the beach I felt the magical charm of this place which I had only read in the magazines till now. The charming spell of this place is too overwhelming to be quoted in words. The bewitching feature of this place is enhanced by the rocky terrain that separates this crescent shaped beach into three parts. I took coconut water to quench my thirst and went atop the rock to have a bird’s eye view of the entire surroundings.

The views of entire beach at one go mesmerized me and helped me to identify the place where I can spend my maximum time in solitude, watching the natural panorama of rising and falling sea waves.

After enjoying my binocular vision from the cliff I went near the sea to enjoy its coming and going blue waves lapping the shore. For the first time in my life I stepped in the sea and the joy that I felt is beyond description. I was standing and sea waves lapped my feet which enthralled me and made me laugh as I felt as if someone is tickling me.

Every time I had to maintain my balance because of the thrust of sea waves and loose sand beneath my legs. Despite of being completely wet I enjoyed myself at my best. After spending an hour at this place I went to the nearby sea-restaurant to taste lip smacking Kerala Sea food for my lunch. The lunch was really good as it was made from the fresh sea fish and original spices from the backyard of the restaurant.

This internationally renowned bow shaped beach is made up of three beaches which are separated from each other by a rocky terrain. The largest beach is known as Light House Beach because of its 35 meter high lighthouse, situated on Kurumkal hillock. The second one is Hawah Beach. It was the first topless beach in India but now topless bathing has been banned here. And the third is Samudra Beach which is famous among the local fishermen of Kovalam as it is a center for fishing.

After satisfying my appetite I felt lazy and decided to rest for sometime in the shadow of palm tress. I purchased a plastic mat from a nearby hawker and climbed the cliff. In the shadow of palm trees I lied down facing sea. The cool sea breeze lapped me and its sound was like a lullaby which made me sleep.

The birds chirping woke me from my sleep, I saw the time it was 5 p.m. I slept for more than 4 hours, but it was one of the pleasant experiences of sleeping in the lap of nature. Even after I was awake I stayed here for more than an hour watching sea. I was captivated by the beauty of scenic ambiances which prompted several thoughts in my mind based on various subjects. I analyzed some of my thoughts which calmed down my mental anxiety because I pressed down the right issue with reasonable arguments. It is because of some issues related to my personal life I stayed here for two more days even after completing my official work. I got the answers of those issues which I was looking for a long time.

After unleashing my mental burden I walked down to enjoy the evening beauty of this place. The taste of lunch was so tempting that I headed to the same restaurant to fill my stomach. This time I took fried Crab with chilled beer and enjoyed the delighted evening from the rooftop of the restaurant.

As the night fell the beauty of darkness had its own romantic panorama to reveal. I strolled around the beach watching star studded sky flanked over the vastness of Arabian Sea. The whimsical sound of sea waves molded with sea breeze hypnotized me like a black magic. I rested on the seaside till midnight and then I headed for my guest house.

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“Don’t let your cares stop you from smiling now, today and forever”. This wonderful thought sank deep into my heart, comforting it to the hilt. Actually I was getting bogged down by the work pressure in my office. My worries were robbing me of my smile. After reading this quote I decided to keep smiling and not to be defeated by problems. And I felt that when my focus changed from worries to smile my environment started supporting me. Well my company organized a short trip to Kanyakumari,Tamil Nadu a South Indian state which is famous the world over for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Well for me it was the power of positive thinking.

My face was radiant with a warm smile because we were going to Kanyakumari, a destination I can visit a thousand times. Kanyakumari is truly a fairy-tale like destination located at the confluence of the three great oceans: the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is a paradise when it comes to natural beauty.

We were booked in the Sparsa Resort which is at a walking distance from the breathtaking Kanyakumari Beach. In the early morning I, with a heart waiting to absorb the beauty of Kanyakumari, and my colleagues walked up to the beach. I was completely engrossed in the cool, fresh breeze, swaying palms, multi-colored sand and the unfathomable waves hitting the rocks. Finally we treated our senses with the breathtaking sunrise.

I felt a different aura about this place. It is soaked in peace and beauty as if telling us to pause for sometime and enjoy everything about the nature. We sat there chatting about different things in life. This beach experience was such an antidote to the monotony of daily routine. While we were going back to the hotel for breakfast I bought some beautiful shells from a stall at the beach.

In the evening we again came back to the beach to see its other attractions. We visited the beautiful Kanyakumari Temple located on the shore. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess who did penance to get married to Lord Shiva. We also saw the two rocks, near the temple, jutting out of the sea. One of the rocks is named Sri Padaparai as it has the footprints of the virgin goddess. The other one is the famous Vivekananda rock Memorial where the great spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment. We also visited the Gandhi Memorial.

Now was the time to get bowled by the sunset. It was the most awaited moment and finally it was there. It was simply overwhelming! The reddish glow of the sun was cloaking the waters. The view was more than perfect and the feeling was more than breathtaking. The joy I felt here was truly beyond words. With that joy and a fresh attitude towards life I came back to Delhi.

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Seeking a rich cultural experience with breathtaking architectural brilliance, after treating my senses with the incredible beauty of the Shore temple of Mahabalipuram, I moved on to explore the popular Five Rathas temple and Arjuna’s Penance. Giving an insight into the glorious history of Tamil Nadu, the Five Rathas are truly the marvels of human creativity.

Seeing the fascinating architectural beauty of the Five Rathas I wondered how did the craftsmen of the bygone era, with primitive tools and almost no technology, managed to make such architectural marvels! Their passion towards art and architecture majestically reflects in these structures. Someone has aptly said, “Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.”

My guide Shankar briefed me on the history of these temples. Built by the Pallava King Narsimha in the 7th century, the Five Rathas temples flawlessly reflect the beauty of Dravidian style of architecture. The most striking fact about these temples is that they are monoliths(a monument made from one large block of stone). These temples were carved out from the hill. No wonder it demanded a great deal of skill and passion to carve out a temple from a single rock. The Five Rathas temples are named after the five Pandavas of the great Hindu Epic Mahabharata; namely Dharmaraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Draupadi Ratha and Nakul Sahadev Ratha. There is also a Ratha dedicated to Draupadi.

These temples look like Buddhist shrines. I was completely mesmerized by the beauty of the carved pillars of Arjuna’s Rath. The striking elephant sculptures of the Nakula and Sahadev Rath are also captivating.

My next halt was The Arjuna’s Penance, an arresting rock sculpture with an interesting legend. Carved out from a whale shaped rock, Arjuna’s Penance is 9 m in height and 27 m in length. This extremely beautiful structure derived its name from Arjuna, a hero of the great Epic Mahabharata. The structure depicts carvings of several heavenly deities, animals and people. According to the legend Arjuna did penance at this place to obtain a boon from Lord Shiva.

With the golden memories of these architectural marvels I retreated to the hotel I was booked in. My Mahabalipuram Tour was no less than a rejuvenation therapy which filled my heart with joy. Mahabalipuram is truly the pride of Tamil Nadu.

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Setting my heart and soul free from the ‘rat-race’ of urban life I was joyfully walking at the ‘slow pace’ of nature, feeling as if my soul had accomplished everything it wanted to. My every moment at this place was ‘rewarding’ and my heart was overflowing with joy. I was walking along the beach absorbing every bit of beauty. I was in Mahabalipuram- a city of difference, a city which cherishes its past, a city that is high-on natural beauty and architectural brilliance and a city cocooned in mythological significance. The peaceful and relaxed vibe of this beach town worked wonders for me. I was rejuvenated to the hilt.

The Shore Temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal was the first destination I visited. It is a World Heritage Site attracting tourists from across the globe. Set in a peaceful ambiance, it is one of the oldest stone temples of south India. Its glorious history dates back to the 8th century when the Pallavas, who were the great patrons of art and architecture, were ruling south India.

It is a five-storied structure with breathtaking sculptures which are extremely artistic and look very lively. Although it is not a living temple but it still retains its old-world charm. The other striking features of the temple are its two steep pyramidal towers capped by octagonal domes and the temple walls topped by sculptures of Nandi.

The temple complex houses three shrines of which two Shiva temples face east and west respectively. The third and the central shrine facing the sea on the east is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There is a small temple in front of the main temple, which originally served as a porch. One of the sculptures, I liked very much, depicted goddess Durga on a lion with a small carved shrine( the lion has a small square-shaped cut in its belly). Really there is so much to explore and experience at this destination.

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