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’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 

Visit Goa

Goa situated in western India is known for its beaches. It was liberated from Portugese rule in 1961. Goa consist of two parts namely North Goa and South Goa.

Following are some tourist attractions:

With so much choices for a memorable holiday...GOA is a must visit.

Visit to Chhatrapti Shivaji Terminus Building

Formerly Victoria Terminus, designed by F.W.Stevens, is an architectural marvel because of the unique blend of influences buildings. This building originally planned as the office of Great Indian Peninsula Railway is presently the headquarters of Central Railway. The construction started in 1878 and took a decade to complete. Stevens designed this monumental Terminus as the largest building then erected in Asia which even to this day, is a standing a major international mercantile port of India having a distinct impression on many important buildings of that time in the city, thus truly becoming a pioneer in its style and grandeur. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus building has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2004.

There is a tour offered at this heritage site along with a guide from Monday to Friday between 1500-1700hrs at a cost.

It covers -

Heritage Gallery at Ground Floor - Here on display are briefs of early railways, drawings of CST building, stain glasses, items which were used by GIPR (Great Indian Peninsula Railway).

 

 

 

Dining Hall at Ground Floor – Is a huge dining room used by government delegates when visiting CST.

 

 

Central Dome view from Ground Floor

 

Star Chamber view from First Floor...other views

 

 

Heritage Lounge at second floor - A room where participants can relax and have some refreshments.

Fore Court at Ground Floor – View of building exterior, wall carving, garden...

 

 

This is a must visit of viewing Chhatrapti Shivaji Terminus from inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

Chinchoti Falls

Lazily sitting in the office in the month of August decided to go for a trek to Chinchoti Falls. Did my survey on the internet on Chinchoti Falls and the following day went on the trek.

Took a Western Railway local to Naigoan, walked to the East and from there share a auto till Chinchoti Naka. At the Naka asked the locals for advise and they guided me to the path which leads towards Chinchoti Falls.  This road leads towards a village and at the end of the village the path leads towards the waterfalls.

 

This path seems made by dried water flow which consist of stones, small crabs, pieces of garbage (left by the previous trekkers) and surrounded by trees. As we go on this path we pass many small waterfalls and cross small streams. Further on this path we come across a mini water fall where there is a pond.

From here the path towards the main waterfall passes through thick greenery on both sides. The main waterfall looks magnificent.

 

Rested for a while and then followed the same path back to Naigoan station.







Trek – PEB Fort (Vikatgad), Neral, Maharashtra

There are different ways to trek towards the PEB fort.

I took a train to Neral station, disembarked to East and walked towards the main road. Took a right (left goes towards Matheran), crossed the road and walked straight ahead in the direction of Dilkap College & Institutes. On the way passed buildings under construction then Dilkap College and a village.

At the village, a villager advised me the direction of PEB fort. Followed his advice, passed through a waterfall,

an electric tower before reaching an open land where the cows were grazing on monsoons greenery. The road towards the left goes towards waterfall views, I walked straight ahead leading towards four way path got confused which way to take since no signage, back tracked my steps towards the open ground and was enjoying the greenery around.

 

After a few minute saw a local and convinced him to tag along with me to the top at a charge. The local named Ganesh agreed and we started our accent to the top through thick bushes and rocks. I stopped to catch my breath couple of times during this stretch. Reached the top after around half an hour, Ganesh said his service ends and will leave. Before leaving he guided me to the direction towards the fort and advised me to move further towards Matheran to end my trek. Thanked him and sat to enjoy the view at the top. Drank some water from the bottle I purchased and after a while took the left to continue my trek.

The path was man-made and the view was steep. Climbed on a rock then walked through narrow path, latter on a ladder before sighting a temple. From the temple I saw the back of a huge Shree Ganesh idol which was on the Matheran side and my landmark to end the trek. Disembarked from the temple and passed through a local house before sighting the remains of the fort.

The path near the fort towards Matheran had two ladders which on descending and walking further leads to the connection path of mountain Peb to mountain Matheran.

This view is beautiful (others also), continued on the path and later saw steps to reach the mini rail track of Matheran. Took the right and walked a while to reach the taxi point at Matheran.

Had some snacks at the restaurant before boarding share a taxi to Neral station. Though I was tired, wet and scratchy but was happy that I completed the trek which had put my stamina and sense of adventure to a test.