Magnificent Periyar Forest

Amazing Periyar

Though it is possible to see Periyar tagged with other parts of Kerala like Madurai, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Kochi etc. but we, this time decided to see only the forest and one of the famous in India, Periyar in Kerala. For that we reached Madurai without any booking of hotels in the month of October. After reaching Madurai we hired a car from the station for Periyar. It was 4 hours drive to Kumili, the last town in Tamilnadu, after which Thekaddy is adjacent to this is in Kerala.

Didn't like Thekaddy much! There are many hotels around the bus stand. The palce is very crowded much like a very ordinary small town of India. We wanted to stay at or near the jungle so proceeded further. On the way was inquiring about the tariffs of the hotels. Closer we were to the forest more were the tariffs. This time our budget was low so we were getting depressed. ultimately a local boy helped. He said with the collaboration of Kerala Government the local people are giving home stay facility at very reasonable price. Hearing this we started to search the lanes and saw many sign boards at the local homes there. Even tariffs are displayed at places. We chose a home there @ INR 400! per day. It was a three story building and we were accommodated at the second floor. The main house of the owner is few feet away from the guest house. The room was nicely decorated with a small TV, flower pot. The Bathroom was clean. The lady of the house also provides foods on request. That was great. We could taste the local food.

The gate of the forest is 5 to 7 minutes from the house we stayed. Without wasting time we entered the forest. Just to mention don't carry any food items in your hand, the chance of being snatched by the monkeys are very high.

Langur

The Lake is 77 Sq. Km and the area of the forest is 777 Sq. Km. One of the best place to stay here is KTDC Periyar House INR 1000 - 2000 is within the forest compound. We reached the ticket counter for the launch ride in the lake. KTDC charge INR 110 for each for one hour ride.

From the Launch

Almost through out the lake there are stems of very old dead plants standing. Many kind of different birds made their nests in them. They are so used to the tourists and the boats, we could snap to our heart's content.

Great Cormorant



Fishing Kite

It was amazing to see the great cormorants are busy with drying their wings or the snake bird and fishing kite is patiently waiting for her pray.

Elephant Family

The lake is like an 'U'. The launch route is straight at first then turns right. After some time take the turn and return to the jetty. After a while we saw a family of elephants with kid. At one place seen one bathing by spraying water from its trunk.

Cool:)

The Indian bisons (Gaur), Deers of different variety were also grazing fearlessly on the banks.
One hour is so little time! Suddenly our sailing ended on the jetty. No one of was satisfied.

Indian Bison

Deer

This time we hired a boat. The advantage of boat is you are at your control and it is easy to come near the bank with the boat. The disadvantage is for taking the photos. The boat was never stable in the water.

Periyar is really a paradise for the photographers. Click here to see the other photos of Periyar.

The best time to see Periyar is September to March. Forest department claims there are 70 tigers in this forest but could be seen only rarely as a ver small part of the forest is open for tourism. At least 63 kinds of mammals, 320 kind of birds, 27 kind of aquatic animals and 45 kinds of snakes including king cobra.

Kerala Forest department also has arrangements for professionally guided trekking in the forest. Even trekking is arranged at nights with the armed guard. The rate for each for this trek is 500 INR per head. They have flat type of boat made of bamboo, on which one can float on the lake @ INR 1000. For more enthusiasts they have cottage at Kokkara 5 Km inside the forest @ INR 2000.

This time our budget was low and could not avail all these .........but surely next time.

Visakhapatnam (Vizag) - Araku - Borra cave - Jagdalpur

Somehow managed a week break in October 2007 and we decided to go to Visakhapatnam.
We are Kolkata based. All the trains going to Southern India touches Vizag on their way We chose Koromondol Express, somehow we love to travel in this particular train. Vizag is 900 Kms from Kolkata and we reached early in the morning to Visakhapatnam. Though we didn't have to stay in any hotel, there are many hotels to choose from. Decide whether you want to stay on the beach or the city.

Hotels in Visakhapatnam (Vizag): STD code: +91 891

APTDC Hotel Punnami (2562333) non AC DB INR 850 - 900, AC DB INR 1200, Four bedded AC INR 1600.

Shree Ganesh ( 2563274) DB INR 250 - 500

Dwarka Inn ( 2712602) DB INR 600 - 900

Jubilee Beach Inn ( +919903371948) DB INR 450 - 900

We stayed on the Rama krishna Beach, in a Company Rest House. The beach there is deep blue in color but full of bolders. Though fascinated by the beauty of the beach my kids were disheartened by knowing bathing is not safe in this beach! We collected tickets for fish harbour, and reache there with their car. One can enjoy boating in the sea here. A nice place we enjoyed is Kursura, a submarine of Indian navy. This submarine served Indian navy for long 30 years and now converted into museum and is open for the tourists. Entry fee to the submarine is INR 25. It is a different world inside. Totally air conditioned this ship has seven chambers. The staffs inside explained the functions of every room and instruments to us and answered our all the questions sincerely. Delighted to see the Torpedo! the main weapon of this ship. Photography is prohibited inside Kursura.

Opposite to Kursura we then saw the marine museum, which has old paintings of ships, models of latest warship and different things used while sailing. From here we went to the Rope way station for Kailash Giri. One can go to Kailash Giri by bus or car but going there by cable car is much more fascinating. Kalilash Giri is actually a well decorated park on the hill top, where there is a sculpture of Hara - Parvati ( Shiva - Durga). The garden is full of colorful flowers and the most beautiful is the view of the sickle shaped sea beach and the city from the top.

The second day our destination was Simachalam. we hired a car to go there. It is a beautiful temple on the hill top with wonderful landscapes all around. After returning from there by the same car we saw Dolphin nose (7 Km), Light house and the quiet, pollution free and beautiful Rishikonda beach.

All of us were excited because the most exciting part of our journey is on the third day to Araku valley via Borra caves. One must not think of any other vehicle except the Kirandul Passenger train to go there. The landscapes, and tunnels throughout the journey will leave you mesmerized! There is a first class and sleeper class but if anyone the company of the local tribes, their dresses, ornaments, availing general second class is best for them. Don't forget to take foods and water for the train journey, as nothing is available in this route. The train left Vizag at 6:50 am and slowly started to climb the hills leaving the planes behind. We crossed many dark long tunnels and reached (vizag) and surroundings. The reason was to see Beaches, forests, mountains, water falls in a single trip.Borra Cave at 11 am. This is the longest cave in India and about ten million years old! Only half kilometer from the station, the entry fee is INR 25 per head. Camera charge is INR 10. The passage inside the cave is quiet wide and comfortable and the cave is well lighted. The stalactite and stalagmites formed unique designs and models, your imaginative mind can make out so many things from them. After exploring the cave we hired a trekker to go to Boro junction, from where bus for Araku valley is avilable every half an hour. There are many hotels to stay at Araku valley.

Few hotels are: STD code +91 08936

APTDC punnami valley resort ( 2492101) DB INR 900

Mayuri Lodge (249204) DB cottage INR 650, NON A/C DB INR 1600, A/C DB INR 2000.

Hotel Rajdhani ( 249745) DB INR 500 - 900

Bhimsa resort ( 249333) DB INR 600 - 1200

We checked in the Mayuri lodge, opposite the tribal museum near bus stand. The view of the valley from this lodge is nice. Visited the tribal museum in the afternoon and see the dresses, ornaments household goods of the different tribes of the region and gathered a fair idea about their lifestyle. Nothing much to be done in Araku valley after sunset. So we chatted and slept early to preserve energy for the next day trip.

Fourth day we all got up early, checked out the hotel and started our journey after a full breakfast. We hired a trekker for that day and saw the botanical garden, coffee plantation and reached Araku Railway station by 11 am. The same train Kirandul Passenger we boarded from there to reach our next destination Jagdalpur. Simliguda station, we found on the way was the highest broad gauge railway station of India till 2004. But now the highest station is Udhampur of Kashmir. We reache Jagdalpur lat in the afternoon. There are many average hotels there in Jagdalpur. We chose hotel Akash. The tariff ranges for DB room from INR 250 - 500. Hotel Akash has its own restaurant and room service facility. There is no arrangement of package tour so we had to book a car for the next day. Very cooperative manager of the hotel helped us to book our car.

Day 5 of our journey started early in the morning after a nice bath and breakfast. Driver told it will take a whole day to see the surrounding spots. The first spot we saw is Dhanateswary temple. 2 Km from the hotel. Then we visited Kutumsar cave. We had to collect ticket for the light, guide charge and entry fee from the tourist office in the city, from where the cave is 30 Kms. On the way 1o km from the cave we stopped at the check post on showing the receipt the guide with his solar lantern joined us. There is no electricity like Borra cave in this. So it is better to carry a torch personally otherwise you have to depend only on the solar lantern of your guide. The entry fee for the cave is INR 25 and for camera INR 25. It is also a cave where there are beautiful stalactite and stalagmites structures, but this cave looks more natural because of no electricity. After seeing the cave our next stop was Tirathgarh Falls, 18 kms from here. We had to step down many steps to come to the base of the falls. seen many tourists are enjoying from top, may they have problems of stepping down. Truly speaking one cannot appreciate the beauty fully unless this is seen from below. This is non like other falls, here the water is gliding over the the mountain, maintaining all the curves and ridges, a different kind of beauty.

Tirathgarh Falls

The next and the last spot for our trip was Chitrakot Falls. It is 65 Kms from the Tirathgarh falls where Indravati river, a branch of Kaveri jumped down about 90 Ft from the mountain. It is different from the Tirathgarh. The beautiful rainbow formed by the the water droplets formed by it was splendid.

Chitrakot Falls

See Importatnt tourist informations of Visakhapatnam here
See Important travel information of Araku Valley and Borra cave here

A Memorable Train Journey

Last year when visiting Darjeeling I asked my kids and friends how to go to Darjeeling from New Jalpaiguri? The answer was clear! Everyone opted for the toy train! I told that it will take at least 3 times of the time than if we go by car; but all were ready to spend 7 hours in toy train. I also wanted that but asked before hand everyone so that no one can blame me later :)

This Toy train recently awarded World Heritage Place by Unesco. This tour is also ranked in the first 25 best Train Journeys of the world.

It is really a splendid experience to ride on narrow gauge train. It starts its journey from the city at its own pace. Slowly it gains the altitude leaving behind the city. many times it cross the road and the cars going to Darjeeling wait for the train to cross. Everyone waves and cheer up each other. It is literally like a toy train one can easily get down and get up when it runs at slow speed. From a distance if you look it looks like a toy! Some times the train goes through the deep forests, sometimes through the small towns of the hill. There are total 12 stations between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. The 9th station is Kurseong; from where we started to feel little cold and took out our woolens from the bag. The next important station before Darjeeling is Ghoom (7407 Ft.), the highest point in this route. Batasia Loop is interesting the train passes through unique loops in a short span. The ticket collector explained the loop to my son.

From Ghoom the next station is Darjeeling. It took long 7 hours to reach Darjeeling but all of us enjoyed the trip thoroughly. If you don't have crunch of time reach Darjeeling by toy train, a journey you will remember for long.


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Lachung Yumthang Lachen Gurudongmar Lake

We visited almost whole of Sikkim in 2006 April. I will write in parts. This is about North Sikkim. While traveling through this area of Sikkim, the feeling was, there cannot be anything beautiful than this in this world. We were dumb stuck!

Yumthang:

Also known as Valley of flower of the East is a fabulous place to travel. In March and April the valley is full of different colors of Rhododendrons, Primula and in winter the valley is fully ice covered. We had a car with us to travel all the parts of Sikkim and was sponsored by one of my friends in Sikkim, he also arranged the accommodation for us :) But a car can also be hired from Gangtok on daily basis to travel Sikkim. Permits, where required will be arranged by the travel agents. See at the end of the post the package tariffs and other information.

Started early in the morning from Gangtok we crossed Fodong, Mangan, Singik to reach 135 Kms from Gangtok, Chungthang, where to streams Lachung chu from Lachung and Lachen chu from Lachen meets and make the famous Teesta. Chu means river streams in the local language. The scenic beauty of the route was awesome and the road is extemely well maintained. Usually tourists don't stop at Chungthang. They proceed further to Lachung to stay overnight before Yumthang. But my friend managed our accomodation at Chungthang, so we stayed there. Chungthang is a very small place with few shops and houses and some restaurants. From here two roads, one goes to Yumthang to Lachung and the other via Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake.

Next day morning we start from Chungthang for Yumthang, our next destination. The first halt was Lachung. I fell in love at first sight! What a place to stay! A picturesque natural village having a river, snow peak mountains, A water falls, plenty of colorful

 

flowers...what more one can ask for a landscape! We had our lunch in a
a local home. In fact most the residential
houses there are convreted hotels and restaurants at one part of it. The lady and the daughters quickly cooked food for all of us. We relished the fresh hot rice and the egg curry they made. It is the warmth and affection that matters how the food will taste!

After lunch we proceeded for Yumthang 24 kms from Lachung at 11800 ft. It is very difficult to describe the beauty of Yumthang. The time we went It was full of flowers. Colorful flowers were there even in between the grasses. The valley, river, snowpeaks, flowers even a hot spring is there! Enjoy the photos of Yumthang here.

Interested tourists can proceed further 24 Kms at 15300 Ft to Yumesemdong near Tibet Border.

24 Kms From Lachung, another place of interest is Katao at 12600 Ft, is famous for the glacier.

Gurudongmar Lake:



Again came back to Chungthang to go to our next destination Gurudongmar lake. We halted at Lachen 29 kms from Chungthang for the night. We had to start very early in the next morning, otherwise the driver told the weather will be bad. From Lachen in 3 hours we rached another beautiful village, the last village in this route, Thangu at 14400ft. Interested tourists can tek to Chopta valley from Thangu. The character of the mountains change abruptly to barren and rocky after Thangu. The whole road through the ice is mainatained by Indian Army. There are many check posts on the route.

The road ends at Gurudongmar Lake at 17800 Ft. This lake is very sacred for both hindus and Budhhists.We were mesmerized by the divine beauty! The whole lake is surrouded by icy mountains. The color of the water is turquish blue to greenish at places. The migratory birds floating here and there inthe lake...I don't have words to describe the place. Please visit it will be your lifetime memory.

Package Tours:

There are many travel agents in Gangtok to choose from.

The package cost includes food, stay and travel. There will be 8 to 10 tourists per car.

• 1 night 2 days package to Yumthang and Katao INR 1200 - 1500 per head.
  
• 2 nights 3 days package to Yumthang and Gurudongmar INR 2500 - 3000 per head.
  

Important points to note while you travel:

• Take enough heavy woolen garments. These places are vey cold.
  
• If babies are with you take their tinned milk from Gangtok.
  
• Carry common medicines, antiemetics may be required any time.
  
• Keep stock of enough mineral water in your car.
  
• Though rare, high altitude sickness may occur. If someone develop breathing trouble don't panic just bring him down to lower altitude as fast as you can.
  
• Electricity is absent or irregular in most of these places. keep the batteries of you gadgets properly charged.
  

View Photo Gallery of our travel to Sikkim and Darjeeling here.

 

 

Nainital Almora Binsar Ranikhet Kaushani Choukori Patal-Bhubaneshwar

At one go in Kumaon Himalayas we comfortably visited the famous lake of Nainital, awesome Himalayan beauty from Almora, Ranikhet, Choukori, and Binsar and the ancient cave of Patal-Bhubaneshwar. We enjoyed the busy and colorful Nainital, solitary Binsar with natural forest, Kaushani and chukaori with its stillness and himalayan splendour all in one trip.

The best time to travel Kumaon is from March to May and october to November. Better avoid this route in rainy season July and August.

Nainital:

Nainital is the center point of travel this circuit. It is 34 Km from the nearest Railway Station Kathgodam at an altitude of 1938 Mtrs. It can be reached either from Kathgodam or Haldwani 40 Kms. Haldwani is 8 Km from Lalkua, the nearest Railway station. From both these places cars, share cabs, buses are available. Road is also well maintained. The car from these place will cost INR 275 and the bus fare INR 50 - 70.

The main attraction of nainital is its beautiful natural lake, Tal, which is named Nainital because of the Naini mata, the temple of the devi mata is there in one side of the lake. All the hoels, markets are there around the lake, which look so beautiful with the lush green vegetations all around.

A British hunter P. Baron discoverd this place in 1839 AD and made a pilgrim cottage here on 1942. At one side of the lake there is the temple of Naini Devi. This is a sacred temple of Devi Durga.

Leisurely boating in Naini lake is wonderful experience, will cost INR 125 per hour.

From here walk uphill for 4 Km to reach Dorothy Seat, at 2320 Mtrs, from where the whole Naini lake is beautifully visible. Though pony is available for this short climb but it is better to walk to enjoy the nature to its fullest extant. Snow View Peak at 2287 Mtrs is another point which can be reached by pony, or by cable car. 250 Kms of Himalayan range is visible from here by telescope from here. At 2640 Mtrs Naina peak is 6.5 Kms from Nainital is a beautiful spot from where the views of gorgeous peaks of Himalayas Trishul, Nandadevi, Nandaghunti, Aapi, Nanjangh mesmerized us. Witnessing the sunrise from here can be a life time experience. A part of China is visible from here, hence it is also known as China Peak. Interested tourists can stay here in the Log hut.

1.5 Kms from the bus stand there is zoo of Nainital, where animals of high altitude are kept. Khurpatal 5 Kms from Nainital is a lake is a paradise for the those who love fishing.

The places of interest in Nainital are Lands end, Mukteshwar, Kilbari, State Observatory, Hanuman gari, Tiffin top, Ramgarh, Bhawali, Laria Kanta, Sattal, Bhimtal, Naokuchia Tal etc.

Package tour is available in Nainital by different tour operators.

Three lake tour -1 day- INR 150

Mukteshwar 52 Kms - INR 200

Pithoragarh - Lohaghat - Patalbhubaneshwar - Ranikhet, Bageshwar, Almora - 4 days - INR 500

Kaushani - 2days - INR 400

Choukori - Bhawali - Almora - Kaushani - 3 days - INR 400

Binsar - 2 days - INR 300

Ranikhet - INR 225

Korbet Park - INR 225

Hiring a car I always prefer, though little costiler, INR 1600/ day, but we enjoy the freedom of our movement.

Staying in Nainital:

STD code +915942

Tariff are for DB room

Hotel Manas Sarovar ( ph: 235581) INR 500 - 1000

Hotel Ashok ( Ph: 235721) INR 500 - 600

Hotel Himalaya ( Ph: 235258 / 587) INR 1600 - 3000

Hotel Hill View ( Ph: 235361) INR 800 - 1200

There are many hotels, one can choose according to budget. The rates vary in seasons and off seasons. April to June and October - November is the peak season here.

Almora:


It is an important district town of Kumaon. This place is known from long ago for its healthy weather. People use to come here and stay for long time to rejuvinate their health. World renowned personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Udai Shankar were very fond of Almora.



7 Km from the town over the Kashyap Hill there is temple of Kamar Devi. According to Puran, Devi Durga killed Shumbha and Nishumbha here. Sarada Ashram is beside this temple. Serene natural beauty all around. Dalma guest house (+91 5962 251118/ 078 ) is the place where one can stay Tariff INR 600 for DB room.

8 Km from the town is the Temple of Chitai Devi. This temple is in a huge compound and in a beautiful location. Devotees tie bells and colorful clothes on the temple to fulfil their wishes.



12 km from the town is Katarmal Surya Temple. Last 2 km of the road we hadt walk to reach here. This temple is now a national property and is looked after by the Archeological Department of India. Jogeshwar is another beautiful place 35 kms from Almora amidst the Deodar forest. 124 temples are there in Jogeshwar. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Two rivers Nandini and Surabhi are flowing down below. Devotees take bath in them. Arrangement of fooding and lodging is avialable here for the ineterested tourists.

Ramkrishna Mission is 2 Km from the town. Okle house, where Swami Vivekananda spent some time is nearby. Bright end corner is 3 km from here from where the fascinating mighty peaks Trishul, Choukhamba, Panchachulli, Nandadevi, Nandakot are beautifuly visible. Other than these there are Ma Anandamoyee Ashram, Govindaballav Museum, Tagore house etc. are worth visiting spots.

Reach Almora from Nainital 63 Kms. by car, bus or conducted tour or it is possible to reach here directly from Haldwani. The nearest airport from Almora is Panthnagar (127 km.)

Stay in Almora:

STD code ( +91 5962)

Tariff of DB room

Hotel Shikhar ( Ph : 230253/ 395 / 156) INR 450 -1500

Hotel Surmal ( Ph: 230460/991) INR 300 - 600

Hotel Konark ( ph: 231217) INR 500 - 1000

KMVN Tourist Bungalow ( ph: 230250) INR 650 - 950

There are more such...

One can stay at the guest house of Ramakrishna Mission at bright end corner too. For that a letter to be dropped to them for reservation beforehand.

Binsar:

38 kms from Almora it was the summer capital of the kings of Chand dynasty. At 2412 Mtrs Binsar is paradise for the nature lovers. Best time to visit Binsar is March to June and September to November. It is wonderful to reach Binsar through the curvy hilly road and the pine forest. After crossing the forest checkpost we drove 11 km to reach KMVN tourist rest house ( +915962 290176) INR 800 - 1200 for DB room. Fascinating view of sunrise can be seen from the roof of the rest house itself. Entrance fee in the jungle is INR 40 per head and INR 50 for the car. Beauty of Binsar is its tranquility. The next day we took a guide (INR 150) and went up to zero point by trekking 3 km inside the jungle. There is a watch tower at that spot.

Note: Please confirm your hotel reservation before reaching Binsar
The two famous resorts in Binsar

Kasar Jungle Resort ( +91 5962 251127)
Mountain resort ( +91 5962 251011) INR 3000 - 4500 per day


Ranikhet:


Rani means queen. Yes this place can be called queen of the hills. The magnificent snow capped Himalayan peaks is brilliantly visible from here. At 1829 Meters, 50 Km from Almora, this place is well connected by bus service from Nainital, Almora, Haldwani. The places to see here are Kumaon Regimental Museum, closed on wednesdays, Major Somnath Gupta Park, 10Kms from here is Choubatia, where there is research center for fruits. Bhalu Dam is an artificial lake 3 kms from Choubatia. 8 km from the town is Jhuladevi Temple. Golf course is also very beautiful.

Stay at Ranikhet:

STD code: +915966 DB room Tariffs:
KMVN Tourist Bungalow ( Ph: 220893) INR 950 - 1400
Hotel Trivuban ( Ph: 220524) INR 400 - 600
Parvati Inn ( Ph: 220325) INR 800 - 1500
Hotel Himadri ( Ph: 220588) INR 400 - 700

Kaushani:


At an altitude of 1890 Meters covered with pines a small place with abundance of natural beauty. This place is well connected by bus from Almora ( 52 Kms), Ranikhet (62 Kms), Nainital (129 Kms), and the Railway Station Kathgodam ( 155 Kms).

Gandhi Ashram is the most prominent place in Kaushani. Standing in the compound, the 300 Kms view of Himalayan Range is awesome! Want to the know the name of the peaks? They are graphically written there in a photo frame. Sunrise from Kaushani! I can go over and over again to view. Please keep 2 or 3 days for Kaushani because every day you will see different views and colors during sunrise depending on the clouds. Sunset also is faboulous. Visited Baijnath Temple 19 kms from here at the bank of Gomti river in Garur valley.

Stay at Kaushani:

STD code +91 5962
DB room tariff

KMVN Tourist bungalow ( Ph: 258006) INR 900 - 1250
Hotel Prashant ( Ph: 258037) INR 500 - 1000
Himalayan Mount View (Ph: 258080) INR 900 - 1500
Hotel Sagar ( Ph: 258018) INR 1000 - 2000
Anasakti Ashram ( Ph: 245028)

Choukori:


Choukhamba, Panchachulli and many other famous peaks are closely visible from Choukori. a
serene place to enjoy the closeness of Himalayan beauty. If interested, one can visit the Kasturi deer farm house about 5 kms from here. 3 kms drive + 2 Kms trekking.
Stay at Choukori:

KMVN Tourist Lodge: ( +91 5964 244345) INR 700
Mahiraj Tent Resort: ( +91 5964 288791) INR 500
Agom resort: ( +91 94120 42455)
Wayfare Mountain Resort ( +91 11 26107715) INR 1200

Patal - Bhubaneshwar:

Here is a ancient cave full of natural stalagmites and stalactiles. They formed many artistic formations like elephants, snakes, god and godessess naturally, fascinating to the eyes. we had to go steep down into the cave and then found a fairly large plane. Nothing is allowed to be carried inside the cave. Sorry no camera! :( Don't forget to take a torch, though there is electricity inside! Guide is compulsory who charged INR 50. Though very slippery inside due to continuous flow of water it was an unique experience altogether.
Patal bhubaneshwar is 39 Kms from Choukori.

There is a tourist lodge of KMVN (+91 5964 242584) INR 450.

Link Website of KMVN

Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kodaikanal, Kannyakumari.

DAY 1:

Last year December we, four of our family, wife and two kids traveled Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kodaikanal, Kannyakumari. We started from Kolkata. All of us love to travel by train so we did our reservation in Coromondol Express, which leave Howrah Station at about 2 pm.

DAY 2:

After a relaxing sleep in train we reached Chennai Central next day at 5 pm. A 4 berth coupe in AC 1st was booked before hand in Pandian Express from Chennai Egmore. Prepaid Taxi from Chennai Central to Chennai Egmore is 5 minutes, but charged us INR 100/- Much costlier than our city Kolkata! We had some time in Chennai Egmore. We roamed around a little and packed our dinner (vegetarian) from a clean restaurant and Pandian express left Chennai in time. We are now approaching our 1st destination Madurai scheduled to come at 6 am.

DAY 3:

Madurai:

Madurai is 492 Km from Chennai and is very well connected by bus with Kannyakumari 235 Km, Trichi 128 Km, Coimbatore 222 Km, Kodaikanal 120 Km. Many trains are coming to Madurai throughout day and night from Chennai.
We Reached at 6 am. There are many hotels of different budgets in the city.

TTDC: Non AC INR 500, AC INR 800 for DB room (+91451 2537461/ 2337471)

Madurai is almost 2500 years old place, second largest city of Tamilnadu. It was established by Panda king Kulsekhar by rhe side of Vaigai river at an altitude of 133 Meters between two mountains Hasti and Nag.

The Main attraction of Madurai is Meenakshi Amman Temple. It is a fabulous creation of Dravidian architecture. Nayekraj Tirumalai built this temple at 17th century.

The temple has a stunning architecture and a significant testimony for Vishwakarma Brahmins for their master architecture in sculpting this temple.This was a front runner in the election for the modern seven wonders of the world for its architectural importance.The complex houses 12 magnificent gopurams or towers that are elaborately sculptured and painted. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, though the present structure is believed to have been built only recently in the early 17th century.

The temple can be entered by any of the 4 large Gopuram. There are two temples inside the main compound one is of Devi Meenakshi and other is of Sundareshwar, another name for Lord Shiva. The sculptures on the wall of both the temples are fascinating.

We seen the temple on the same day we reached Madurai. It is very close to the Railway Station.
The narrow road is through market place with shops of all kinds, one can very easily walk up to the temple. Temple remain closed everyday from 1 to 4 pm. In the evening we hired a car to see the other places of Madurai and nearby.

DAY 3:

It did not take more than 5 hours to see rest of the places around Madurai. Tirumalai Nayek Mahal 1.5 Km, Gandhi Museum 5 Km, Government Museum, Mari Amman Teppakulam, where Meenakshi and Sudareshwar deiti is brought each year with a grand procession during the float festival in Jan- Feb. The other two temples to see are Tirupankundram Temple 8 km, and Ajhagar Temple 21 km.

We booked the car for the next day- our destination Kodaikanal.

DAY 4:

Kodaikanal:

It was raining from the morning. Once we thought of cancelling but ultimately decided to go. At least we can enjoy the road the nature, the beauty from the car. Kodaikanal is a lovely hill station
( 5000 Ft) at western ghat. The main attraction and the name is from Kodai Lake. It is a very big lake 26 Hectares with lush green vegetation around. Though we could not do, leisurely boating in the lake will be a nice experience. We should have stayed there for a day or two, but our schedule was tight. It is better to add one and if possible two days for Kodai. We visited all the places in Kodai with our car, could not come out of the car at some places due to rail and extreme cold breeze. We saw Briants Park. The glass house there has collection of many colorful flowers. Though could not walk we saw Koker's walk, a beautiful walking area on the top of the hill. We drove a little higher to reach a temple. We first learnt about Kurinji flower, which bloom every 12 years! It bloomed just a year back, so we had to remain satisfied by looking at the picture of that.

Green valley view, suicide point is another place to see, from where nice view of Vaigai dam is visible. The two beautiful falls we enjoyed in rain Fairy Falls and Silver Cascade Falls.

We missed boating at Kodai Lake but we will come again here.

Tamil Nadu Tourism Hotel: A/C Deluxe DB room INR 650, Deluxe Cottage INR 750, Kurinji Cottage INR 1100. (+914542 2413336)
There are many other hotels in Kodai of different budgets.

We came back to Madurai on the same day evening.

DAY 4:

Rameshwaram:

How to go to Rameshwaram was the big question! We can go by bus. by car or train then whether A/C or non A/C! The reason is Pamban Bridge. Ultimately we chose to go by second class in a local train and we were right. Train started from Madurai at 6 am, filled with local people and was not much crowded. It was a nice change. Rameshwaram is 163 Km from madurai and took four hours to reach. It is a 52 square Km island at the Gulf of Mannar of Tamil nadu. Two bridges, one Railway and other for other vehicles connect the island with the mail land.

Railway bridge is awesome! It took 7 mins to cross the bridge and the feeling was we are traveling over the sea! Even the waves can hit the train coaches. We were so excited. The other bridge is placed on long pillars and much higher than the level of the sea.

My 10 year old son was excited to see Tonga (horse pulled carriage) and we decided to avail that for the sight seeing.

The main attraction of Rameshwaram is Ramnath swamy Shiva Temple. It is one of the 12th Jyotirlinga temple in India.

According to legends, this is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge Ram Setu (also known as Adam's bridge) across the sea to Lanka to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Shiva to be absolved of the sin of killing Ravana, hence the name of Shiva, which became the name of the town - Rameswara ("lord of Rama"). Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage center which is known as the Varanasi of the south.

The masterpiece of South Indian architecture boasts of the largest temple corridor in India. Different rulers built the Ramanatha Swamy Temple over a period of time starting from the 12th century. The temple comprises twenty two wells where the taste of the water of each well is different from the other.

The grandest part of the temple is the 1219 m pillared corridor consisting of 3.6 m high granite pillars, richly carved and well proportioned. The perspective presented by these pillars run uninterruptedly to a length of nearly 230 m.

The main entrance, gopuram of the temple is near the Agnitirtham beach.

After experiencining the majestic beauty of the architecture we had vegeterian lunch at local restaurant. Then the tongawalla showed us the other points, Ramtirtha mandir, Lakshman tirtha mandir, Shankarachaya mandir, Sakshi hanuman mandir, Sita Mandir.

Not much to say about these places except at Sita mandir they kept some stones, floating in water. These stones might be having air pockets within them, so floating. People were ecstatic by seeing them. It was said that Ramachandra made the bridge to Srilanka by these stones.

Though it is not necessary to stay there, but there are many hotels there of all budgets. Over enthusiasts may stay a day.

Dhanuskoti , a place 16 kms from here where Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal meets. It is a quiet sea beach with all its beauty to offer.

Tamil Nadu Tourism Hotel (+91 4573 221064)

A/C DB 700 -900 INR, NON A/C DB 350 INR

We came back to Madurai same day by a car from there. We had our reservation for kannyakumari in a train from Madurai scheduled to arrive at 11 pm.

DAY 5- 7:

Kannyakumari:

It is a strange feeling to reach Kannyakumari, the last point of India. Three oceans Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal meet each other here. From one point one can see both sunrise and sunset on the sea!

Except very crowded at tourist season, this place is just fabulous. Kumari Amman temple is at the beach. It is a Durga Temple. The pillars in the temple produce beautiful musical sounds when they were hit. Gandhi Mandapam and Vivekanand memorial is also worth seeing places nearby.

Vivekananda Rock is of course the most attractive. There is regular ferry service through out the day from the beach to the rocks. There is also another rock with a large statue of great Tamil poet Thirubhallubhar. The whole journey to the rocks and the views are so intoxiating your camera clicking will never stop.
There are few other places to see which we saw by hiring a auto rickshaw.

We missed sunrise next day due to cloud, but sun set at Arabian sea and the play of colours in the sky we will remember through out our life.

Plenty of hotels are there of different budgets are there to choose from:

Tamil Nadu Tourism ( +91 04652 246257- 58)

Non A/C DB 575 INR A/C DB 775 INR

Central Reservation office of Tamil nadu Tourism:

2, Walaza Road, Chennai 600 002.
(044) 2538 3333/ 4444/ 9857; 2356 7850 - 54
http//:www.tamilnadutourism.org

Our leave is exhausted ..now time to return to work and kids to school. But everyone was fulfilled. There was something for everyone of us in this trip. We came directly to Chennai by train and then to our city of joy, Kolkata.

Here are some other photos