Thursday, January 12, 2017

Visit - Thiruvananthapuram,India

Attractions in Thiruvananthapuram (Capital of Kerala):
 
Kerala Government Secretariat
The Kerala Government Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram is the seat of administration of the Government of Kerala, housing important ministries and bureaucratic offices. The Secretariat complex was originally constructed as Durbar Hall for Travancore Kingdom.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Padmanabhaswamy temple is built in an intricate fusion of the indigenous Kerala style and the Dravidian style (kovil) of architecture associated with the temples located in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, featuring high walls. It is the richest Hindu temple in the world.
The principal deity is Vishnu. Sree Padmanabhaswamy is the deity of the royal family of Travancore. The titular Maharaja of Travancore Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma is the trustee of the temple. Those who profess the Hindu faith are permitted entry to the temple and devotees have to strictly follow the dress code. The name of the city of Thiruvananthapuram in Malayalam translates to "The City of Lord Ananta", referring to the deity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
 
 
Puthe Maliga Palace museum
The palace of the Travancore maharajas has carved wooden ceilings, marble sculptures and imported glass. Inside you’ll find Kathakali images, armoury, portraits of maharajas, ornate thrones and other artefacts.
The palace grounds consist of the Chitrali Museum containing loads of historical memorabilia, photographs and portraits from the Travancore dynasty.
 
 
Thiruvananthapuram Zoo
 

 
The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo (also known as Trivandrum Zoo) is located in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India. It occupies 55 acres (22 ha) of woodland, lakes, and lawns. It is the oldest zoo in India and Asia.
Napier Museum is an art and natural history museum situated in the compound of the zoological park in Kerala.
 
Veli Tourist Village

This picnic spot, where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea, offers boating facilities and
speedboats are also available for hire. Veli Tourist Village also has a children's park and a Floating Cafe by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).
The Veli beach not suitable for swimming due to waste poured from nearby industrial unit.
 
Shankumugham Beach
The vast stretch of white sand and the serene atmosphere, provide an ideal place for relaxation with eating kiosks and a vantage point for enjoying the sunset.
 
Kovallam Beach
Kovallam beach is known for its beauty and is a famous beach of India. It consist a host of shops and has a high rank among tourists. Kovallam known as ‘Paradise of South India’.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Visit - Kollam, India


Attractions at Kollam:

 
 
Kollam Beach
 
Kollam Beach, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach, is a beach at Kollam city. The beach is not safe for a swim due to deadly waves at any time.
The beach also features a park, the
Mahatma Gandhi Park, which was inaugurated on 1 January 1961 by the then Vice President of India, Zakir Hussain.
 
 
Tangasseri Lighthouse
 
Thangassery Lighthouse is in operation since 1902, the cylindrical lighthouse tower painted with white and red oblique bands has a height of 41 metres (135 ft), making it the tallest lighthouse on the Kerala Coast.
 
Tangasseri Fort
 
St. Thomas Fort also known as Tangasseri Fort, is a ruined fort located in the beach town of Tangasseri on the shores of the Arabian Sea in the city of Kollam,
Adventure Park
Asramam Adventure Park is an urban park in Kollam city. It was opened after 1980, on 48 acres (19 ha) of city-owned land located beside the backwaters of Ashtamudi, this place popularly known as Asramam Picnic Village. It is the main centre of recreational activities in Kollam city. The Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council conducts regular backwater cruises in houseboats, luxury boats and speedboats from the Boat Club. Many endangering species of trees are surviving here in the park.
 

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Visit - Kanyakumari, India

Attractions at Kanyakumari:
 
Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Kanyakumari

 
 

Located near the shores of Kanyakumari, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial was built in the honour of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation. Also known as Gandhi Mandapam.

Mahatma Gandhi has visited Kanyakumari twice, in the year of 1925 and then in 1937. After his demise in 1948, his ashes were kept in 12 different urns so as to transfer them to different parts of the country. One of these urns was brought to Kanyakumari. Before immersions, it was kept at the spot where the memorial is built now for public so that they can pay their last homage to one of the greatest sons of India. Later the ashes were immersed in the sea waters at Kanyakumari. Later Mahatma Gandhi Memorial or Gandhi Mandapam was built at the same place.

The construction of Gandhi Memorial was completed in the year of 1956. An excellent example of modern architecture, it draws inspirations from Orissa style of architecture. The central spire of this mandapam with pink portico has a height of 79 feet which is symbolic of the age of Mahatma Gandhi at the time of his demise. The most striking feature of Gandhi Mandapam is the ceiling of the building. It has an opening that has been built in such a way that on every 2nd October which is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, rays of Sun falls exactly on the spot where his ashes were kept.
 
Kamraj Memorial Mandapam
 
As a tribute to K.Kamaraj, who served as the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu and who was a great freedom fighter, the Government of Tamilnadu constructed a Memorial at the place where his ashes were kept for public to pay homage before immersion in the sea. He was popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses and king maker during congress regime. Many rare photographs of Kamraj and his meeting with various leaders are displayed in this Memorial.
 
Kanyakumari Temple
Devi Kanya Kumari, is Shree Bhagavathy in the form of an adolescent girl child. Devi is also known as Shree Baala Bhadra or Shree Baala. She is popularly known as "Bhagavathy" (Durga or Parvati) "Devi". The Bhagavathy Temple is located in Cape Kanya Kumari in Tamil Nadu; the southern tip of main land India, there by located on the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. She is also known by several other names, including Kanya Devi and Devi Kumari. She is also worshiped as Shree Bhadrakali by devotees. Sage Parashurama is said to have performed the consecration of the temple. The Goddess is believed to be the one who removes the rigidity of our mind.
View Tower


Panoramic view of landscape, seashore, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue etc., can be seen at View Tower.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial


Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock.
 
Thiruvalluvar Statue

The Thiruvalluvar Statue is a 133 feet (40.6 m) tall stone sculpture of the Tamil poet and philosopher Tiruvalluvar, author of the Thirukkural. It is located atop a small island near the town of Kanyakumari, where two seas and an ocean meet; the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
The Tirukkural or Thirukkural, or shortly the Kural, is a classic Tamil sangam literature consisting of 1330 couplets or kurals, dealing with the everyday virtues of an individual.