Happy new year 2014

       I wish that not a single tear trickles down your cheek this New Year.May you be blessed with joy and happiness all the year round.

Kotagiri

Kotagiri

                     Kota-Keri' means the street or lines of the house of the Kotas, was, once used to be the summer resort of the British. The kotta settlement there was shifted to Aggal hamlet (2kms away) after the government had acquired the land in 1911. There is a temple dedicated to Kamataraya deity and the annual festival which falls on Arudra Darshan day is of great importance to all the Kotas. Quieter and still untouched by commercialisation, Kotagiri offers its visitors to some of nature's most spectacular views like Kodanad view point, Longwood shola, Rangaswamy pillar and peak and Catherine falls. The places also boasts of lush green golf course. Dotted around the area with many tea plantations and a few coffee plantations, Kottagiri is also an important centre of tea industry like Coonoor. The hill station has the status of being the first place in the hills to which road was made from Sirumugai via Dena in the year 1819. 

Tourist Attractions at Kotagiri

               Consist of two water falls, Catherine Falls, also known as St. Catherine's Falls is about 12 km from Kotagiri and is approximately 7 km from Aravenu on the Kotagiri- Mettupalayam Road. From Aravenu, one has to go via Moon Road to reach Catherine Falls. It's crossed by the Mettupalayam Ooty road beyond the mountains and forms the upper stream of the Kallar river. It is named after Catherine, the wife of M.D.Cockburn, the pioneer coffee planter of Kotagiri and Yercaud. Falls from 250 feet high, this is located amidst of thick forest which gives a magnificent panoramic view of the forests, waylaid by tea gardens reaching as far as Kallar Nellithorai basin. The falls is the upper course of the Gaddhehaadahalla stream which drains the Kallar basin. One can see the Dolphin's Nose of Coonoor across the mighty gap in the hills

Vembanad Lake

              Kottayam is a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake. The lake, an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The Kumarakom Tourist Village offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages. The serene lake comes alive during Onam with a spectacular water regatta - the snake boat races. It is indeed amazing to watch oarsmen, at least a hundred in one boat, slice their way through the waters to the fast rhythm of their own full throated singing.

                                               Vembanad is the longest lake in India,and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes in India. A lake spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known by different names in different localities viz. Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in Kochi. The Port of Kochi is located around two islands (the Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam) in a portion of this lake known as the Kochi Lake. The celebrated Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted in a portion of this lake, in the Kuttanad region, known as thePunnamada Lake. 

Boat race in Kerala

Boat Race in Kerala

                           Boat race (Vallam Kali literally "boat game") is a traditional boat race in Kerala, India. It is a form of canoe racing, and uses paddled war canoes. It is mainly conducted during the season of the harvest festival Onam in autumn. Vallam Kali includes races of many kinds of paddled longboats, the traditional boats of Kerala.

           The race of Chundan Vallam (snake boat) is the major event. Hence Vallam Kali is also known in English as Snake Boat Race and is a major tourist attraction. Other types of boats which do participate in various events in the race are Churulan Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Odi Vallam, Veppu Vallam (Vaipu Vallam), Vadakkanody Vallam, Kochu Vallam. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a popular Vallam Kaliheld in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, Kerala, India.

Athirappalli Waterfalls

Athirappalli Waterfalls

     

          The most famous waterfalls of Kerala, Athirappalli and Vazhachal are situated on the Chalakudy River, which originates from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. At the entrance to the Sholayar ranges is the largest waterfall in Kerala, Athirapally, which stands tall at 80 feet. Just a short drive from Athirapally, the Vazhachal waterfall is close to dense green forests that are home to many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna. The waterfalls are located on the edge of the Sholayar forest ranges are just 5 km apart. This is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered Hornbill species are seen.

                    Athirappilly is popular among tourists. Athirappilly Falls is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Another popular waterfall to visit is the Vazhachal Falls. Athirappilly Falls is a part of Chalakudy river and it is approximately 80 feet in height. Athirappilly is easily reachable fromChalakudy by taking a vehicle for rent or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal.

            Proper precautions are taken on site to prevent mishaps while swimming and a police camp is always positioned there. Athirappilly is situated on SH-21 highway connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala, night driving is not advised. But you can enjoy the adventurous drive in the middle of jungle

Santhigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram

Santhigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram

       Founded by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, about 37 years ago, the Santhigiri Ashram from its humble existence has now grown into a spiritual abode with facilities comprising prayer hall, parnasala, sahakarana mandiram, work centres, kitchen, dining hall and accommodation facilities for more than 1500 inmates.

             Spread over hundred acres of land, Santhigiri Ashram is located at Pothencode, about 21 km North of the Capital City of Thiruvnanthapuram. The institution aimed at propagating the mission of Guru, functions as a registered voluntary charitable non-government organization. After the passing away of the Guru, his guidance is now channelized through his foremost disciple - Sishyapojitha Janani Amritha Jnana Thapaswini.

                                  Students from Kent visit SanthigiriAshram

            The ashram functions on three fundamental principles viz. Annadanam (alms), Athurasevanam (helping the needy) and Athmabodhanam (self-realization). It has in place a healthcare approach based on the time-tested Indian systems of healthcare like Ayurveda, Sidha and Panchakarma.

                          The ashram is renowned in India and abroad and is visited by hundreds of people from various walks of life on a daily basis. Today, the ashram has literally become a centre for solace and remedy for all maladies and human sufferings. Above all, the ashram has become a source of authentic spiritual knowledge and a centre of pilgrimage. Branches of the ashram are now present in several cities in India.

Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin)

Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin)

         ^{Kanyakumari District is the southernmost point of the Indian Peninsula. The administrative capital of the district is Nagercoil, which is 20 km from Kanyakumari town. The district has the best literacy rate in the state and is considered the best educated district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu by the HRD Ministry.Kanya Kumari is mainly famous for pilgrimage and tourism. The place is a unique geographical location in India as it is the tip of the peninsula, which is surrounded by the Laccadive Sea.}

              The etymology of the place is from the name of the Bhagavathy temple located here. The place was called Kanyashram of the Baalaambika, the deity of the temple. There are 11 sacred theertham in Kanyakumari and two Shakti Peethas so Kanyakumari is a holy place for Hindus'. The ablution in sea for Pitr Tarpan is done here. This is one of the rare temples in India where Devi (Mother Goddess) is worshipped as a child. The rites and rituals are done in Kerala Namboothiri method, so there will be slight difference in the way of worship compared to the temples of the nearby region. The deity is the goddess of Sanyasa as per Hindu religion.So the people everywhere from India who desire devote their life as Sanyasin comes here and takes the deeksha. Swami Vivekananda came in this temple as directed by his Guru Shri Ramakrishna Prarama Hamsa, being a Sanyasin. The temple is very old and is mentioned in ancient Sanskrit literatures.

                       The sands of sea is multi coloured and is liked to mythological story. The goddess is believed to be the one who removes the rigidity of our mind, devotees usually feel the tears in their eyes or even inside their mind when they pray to the goddess in deep contemplation. The prayers are done by women for marriage, the goddess is considered as Shri Krishnas' sister.. The temple is one of the Shakti Peethas, it is said that the back bone area of Sati Devi’s corpse fell here. The place is famous for Agastyar mala where Sage Agastya lived. He is the founder of Siddha vydya, so there is innumerable medicinal plants available here. He is also considered as the founder of Varma Kalai, the foremost martial arts in the world. Another pilgrimage is Shuchindram and Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil near Kanyakumari. Shuchindram is another Shakti Peethas an important temple in Hindu mythology.

Kuttanadu

          

             Kuttanadu is a region in the Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its picturesque vast paddy fields and its geographical peculiarities. It's the region with the lowest altitude in India, and one of the few places in the world where farming is carried out below sea level. It’s also one of the historically important places in the ancient history of South India.

Silent Valley National Park

Silent Valley National Park   is located in the Nilgiri Hills, Palakkad District in Kerala, South India. The area in this national park was historically explored in 1847 by the botanist Robert Wight. The park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. Contiguous with the proposed Karimpuzha National Park (225 km²) to the north and Mukurthi National Park (78.46 km²) to the north-east, it is the core of the Nilgiri International Biosphere Reserve (1,455.4 km²), and is part of The Western Ghats World Heritage Site, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (6,000⁺ km²) THUNDER consideration by UNESCO. 

Mountains of Munnar

A moment in God's Own Country

Biking his way up the mountains of Munnar, a picture shot from the hills of Munnar in Idukki. The refreshing tea gardens of Munnar and the winding roads that go through it are among the favourite tracks for mountain bikers in this part of Kerala.

Kerala, God's Own Country

• Kerala, God's Own Country

  
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• With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, each of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other - a singular advantage no other destination offers.

Parnasala 

             Parnasala’ means sacred groom) is a monument in the shape of a full bloomed lotus in pure white marble, located at Santhigiri Ashram,21 km from Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram. The monument serves as the final resting place for the body of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru (1927–99), the founder of Santhigiri Ashram

 

                                                Thenmala is a tourist place near Punalur town, Kollam district in Kerala. Thenmala is the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. The Thenmala dam was built across Kallada River. Thenmala attracts foreign and domestic tourists with a host of attractions. Boating on the lake, a rope bridge, trekking, mountaineering, biking and a musical fountain. Thenmala is approachable both from Trivandrum and Punalur by road. The waterfall called Palaruvi is a prime attraction nearby. Also nearby is a deer rehabilitation center where visitors can see deer in a forest setting and have a peep into a traditional tree house used by forest dwellers to escape harm from wild animals. Other places near Thenmala are Kulathupuzha, Anchal, Punalur, Kamukumchery andShenkottah in Tirunelveli district(Tamil Nadu). Themala is 72 km from Thiruvanathapuram and 16 km from Palaruvi Falls.

 The Kerala houseboat cruise takes you to another world, with nature at its best, coming to Kerala and not experiencing the grandeur of these luxury floating castles will be sheer waste. The best place to be explored in these luxurious houseboats has always been the mystic Kumarakom. Kumarakom houseboats have attracted plenty of tourists from across the world.

               

  Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument and it is a popular tourist attraction in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters east off mainland of Vavathurai, India's southernmost tip. It was built in 1970 by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee in honour of the visit of the Hindu spiritual teacher Swami Vivekananda to Shripada Parai during the month of December 1892. It is claimed that he swam to this rock and meditated. It is said that he attained enlightenment on the rock, and henceforth became a reformer and philosopher.

Gurucharanam saranam

           Parnasala (literally, a hermitage; in Sanskrit ‘parnasala’ means sacred groom) is a monument in the shape of a full bloomed lotus in pure white marble, located at Santhigiri Ashram,21 km from Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram. The monument serves as the final resting place for the body of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru (1927–99), the founder of Santhigiri Ashram.