Thursday, 19 November 2020

ATHIRAPPILLY WATERFALLS – A CASCADE FALLING FROM HEAVEN

 

Athirappilly waterfall (videos from various angles:  https://youtu.be/ZVi9oSIplpI , https://youtu.be/_8KKzSKkkAs , https://youtu.be/Zl3Qd7plswI , https://youtu.be/Udwsflly2mI , https://youtu.be/VPIk1P62AVQ ) is located at #AthirappillyPanchayath in Thrissur District of Kerala State in India. This natural waterfall is from about more than 80 feet height. It is a must see item when you are in Kerala, particularly in and around Thrissur which is famous for #ThrissurPooram Festivel (Blog:- https://www.indiantravelexperience.manjaly.net/2019/04/thrissur-pooram.html) . 



It is a part of Western Ghats, situated at about 1000 feets above sea level. From this point, the #ChalakudiRiver starts. It is surrounded by mountains with thick #EverGreen forest. The main speciality of the fall is that it is a round the year phenomena, though in the monsoon it is more beautiful and fierce. In the surrounding area, if you are lucky, you can also spot wild animals particularly elephants and many kinds of birds.

If you go a little ahead of Athirappilly waterfall, there is another waterfall, namely CharpaWaterfall. Further about 2 K.M., comes the #VazhachalWaterfall (https://youtu.be/36qESQXSMmk ). The same road goes further to Tamil Nadu State, covering the thick forest of the Western Ghats and its fauna and flora all the way touching Sholayar and Pengalkuthu dams.

On the way to Athirappilly from Chalakudy town, there are also two more picnic spots,  namely, #Thumboormuzhi / #ButterflyGarden (https://youtu.be/dg0eV4g9DlM) and #Ezhattumukham (https://youtu.be/Pyq4cpMUUfQ ). Both these are the two sides of the same Chalakudi River joined together with a hanging bridge. From there, within a few minutes ride, you will reach Athrirappilly Waterfall covering lush green sceneries (https://youtu.be/ae7gwzNMmJk & https://youtu.be/j-uXFtIAJck ).

If you are in a hurry, go without wasting time and you can cover all these places as a one day picnic.

To reach there, frequent public buses are available from Chalakudy town bus stand. Nearest railway station is also Chalakudy (Major Station at Thrissur). Nearest Airport is Nedumbassery (Kochi). Thrissur, Chalakudy and many other places, accommodation is available.

N.B:- To view my books, blogs on various subject go to my home page:-https://www.manjaly.net

To read free part of my book ‘A FRAUD IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION’, go to the below link and click “LOOK INSIDE” button :- https://www.amazon.in/FRAUD-INDIAN-CONSTITUTION-M-P-JOSEPH-ebook/dp/B00SQKTADY


Sunday, 21 April 2019

THRISSUR POORAM (festival), THRISSUR, KERALA

Thrissur pooram is a main festival celebrated in the Thrissur (Trichur) town which is the headquarters of Thrissur district. Though it is a Hindu festival, it is also considered as a cultural event of the whole people of the District.  The main attraction of the festival is the decorated elephant procession, colourful fireworks, and various instrumental music.

LEGEND:- Earlier, Arattupuzha pooram was the final point of all poorams in the region ruled by the Kochi Raja(King). But unfortunately one year the Thrissur pooram procession could not move to Arattupuzha because of heavy rain. Then the King ordered that henceforth, the Pooram would be held at Thrissur itself. The present name of Thrisur is derived from the earlier name Thrissivaperoor associated with the main deity Lord Siva of the Temple around which the Pooram is celebrated. The date of Thrissur pooram is calculated according to the Malayalam calendar and hence normally it comes in the month of April-May. This year it is celebrated on 13-05-2019.

[To read free part of the book  "A FRAUD IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION" based on anti corruption activities in the form of my autobiography, go to link at: www.amazon.in/FRAUD-INDIAN-CONSTITUTION-M-P-JOSEPH-ebook/dp/B00SQKTADY ]

Associated with the #Thrissur #Pooram, there are various other activities. Thrissur Pooram Exhibition is one among them. In this exhibition many people are involved. Many organisations exhibit their activities. Many people come here from far away states to sell their products.

Thrissur is almost in the middle of #Kerala and also known as the cultural capital of Kerala.

Nearby attractions: #Arattupuzha pooram, Basilica of Our Lady of Dolores (#Puthanpalli), #Athirapally Falls, #Paramekavu Temple, #Vadakumnathan temple, Thrissur Zoo & Museum, St Thomas Church #Palayur, #Guruvayur Temple etc.

Few days before and after the Pooram festival, there is heavy rush in the city. So advance booking of accommodation is desirable for those who are coming from far away places.

Thrissur is connected to all over India by rail and road. Kochi and Kozhikode air ports are nearest for air travel.





ALSO VISIT MY HOME PAGE: www.manjaly.net 

Sunday, 5 August 2018

Brindavan Garden of Mysore, Karnataka, India

Brindavan Garden at Mysore/Mysuru (actually, the dam & garden is situated in Mandya District about 24 km. away from Mysur and 143 Km. from Bangaluru), Karnataka is a terrace garden adjoining the Krishnaraja Sagar dam built across the Cauvery river. It is in existence since 1927. The dam complex was a brainchild of Sir Mirza Ismail, the Dewan of the former princely State of Mysore. It was designed on the same theme of the Mughal garden Shalimar of Kashmir.

The garden is full of fountains, cascades, beautiful green lawns, flowering shrubs and trees, etc. Now this garden is world famous for its heavenly beauty and the illuminated fountains dancing to the tune of enchanting music. That is why another garden at Paithan of Maharashtra State adjoinging the Karnataka State is also modeled in the same fashion and theme. In the middle of the garden, there is a small lake with boating facility. View some of the photographs:-

 








[The book “A FRAUD IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION” is my own real story – My fight against corruption/scams/frauds while in Government of India service. It also expose the hurdles I faced while in service as a reaction to my fight. For reading free part, go to below link and click “look inside”: www.amazon.in/FRAUD-IN-THE-INDIAN-CONSTITUTION-ebook/dp/B00SQKTADY] 

Recently when I visited the garden, a Cuckoo (bird) family was spotted on an arch of shrubs above my head. See the photo-

Frequent bus services are available from Mysore town to the garden. Other modes of services like taxi etc. are also available. In most of the conducted tours of Mysore town, Brindavan garden is one of the main item. For visiting the garden, it is better to go in the afternoon because the illuminated dancing fountain will start after sunset only.


My published books:-

1. Autobiography: "A FRAUD IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION" part 1(E-book and Paperback  ISBN:978-9352353989) available at:- https://www.amazon.in/FRAUD-INDIAN-CONSTITUTION-M-P-JOSEPH/dp/9352353986/ . For details for shops where Paperback is available, go to page:- https://www.facebook.com/manjaly.net/?ref=settings

2. LTC RULES MADE EASY: (Based on CCS Leave Travel Concession Rules up-to-date) available at:-
  https://www.amazon.in/LTC-RULES-MADE-EASY-date-ebook/dp/B01JO66SLK/ 

Friday, 5 January 2018

Pontifical Marthoma Shrine Azhikode – Kodungallur. Christian Pilgrim center

Pontifical Marthoma Shrine is at Azhikode, Kodungallur in Thrissur District of Kerala. It is built in memory of the arrival of St. Thomas where his relics are kept. This is built in the model of St. Peters of Vatican. It was also in the nearby area, one of the seven and half churches was established by St. Thomas.
St. Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus, landed in India in 52 A.D., i.e., well before St. Peter reached Rome in 72 A.D with the message of Christ. At that time, it was also one of the main ports in the Malabar Coast known as Muziris. But unfortunately, this port was extinct in 1341 A.D. due to a Tsunami like flood realigned the area. The main reason why he selected this area was that, there were many Jews settled in this area being a commercial center in those days. Therefore, the Christians of Malabar coast is known as St. Thomas Christians to distinguish it from other Christians who were converted after the European Missionaries like St. Xavier, etc. came to India, after the arrival of Vasco da Gama of Portugal landed at Kozhikode (Calicut) at the same Malabar coast in 1498 A.D. St. Thomas Christians are also known as Syrian Christians/Syro Malabar Christians etc., who used Syrian language in Holy Mass in olden days and followed local customs in wedding and other ceremonies as distinguished from the Latin/Anglo Christians who used Latin/English language in Holy Mass and followed European customs in wedding and other ceremonies. Till the arrival of Europeans, St. Thomas Christians of Malabar Coast had also no idea about the existence of the Pope and they were a totally independent Church then, though there was some influence from the Church of Syria due to the commercial connection with gulf countries in those days.
The surrounding area of the Shrine is blessed with natural beauty. South side is River and the west side is Arabian Sea. It is a joining place of rivers like Chalakudy river, Periyar, etc., with the sea. Munakkal beach is also about 1 kilometer away. One of the spectacular scene of Azhikode river side is the use of Chinese fishing net to catch fish. This Chinese fishing net locally known as Cheena vala, was first introduced in the area including the nearby Kochi (Cochin) backwaters were Portuguese.
How to reach:
Air : Nearest international airport is Cochin International Airport Nedumbassery about km
Rail : Nearest railway station is Irinjalakuda , but Thrissur railway station is more convenient to reach the place.

Road : The Shrine is situated very close to the National Highway NH17.

I.  Watch the youtube clip below for shrine :

 II.  Watch the youtube video below to know China net and how it is used :

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https://www.facebook.com/afraudintheindianconstitution?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
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Monday, 31 July 2017

CHANDRAPUR – CHANDA - REMEMBRANCES OF AN ANCIENT TRIBAL KINGDOM

Chandrapur or Chanda as known earlier is the headquarters of Chandrapur District of Maharashtra state, India. It is also nicknamed as Black Gold City because of the coal mines located here. Tadoba National Park (Tiger Reserve) is also in the same district.

Though the area was originally inhabited by Tribal / Adivasi people belonging to Gond Community, now the town part is of modern look. Gond/Gondi community is Adivasi people of central India, spread over the present States of Madhya Pradesh, eastern part of Maharashtra (Vidarbha) and Chhattisgarh – earlier known as Madhya Bharat with Nagpur as the capital. Tribes as a whole in India have no cast system and have their own form of worship, rules and regulations. But now many of them are influenced by outsiders and adopted modern way of life.

Chandrapur is also considered to be the single place where the Tribe community who captured power from intruders and had their own fort and other establishments. The remains are still existing. Some photographs are here.

One photograph is attached here. Other photographs can be watched through my Youtube channel  link given here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YueUc2nwEs&feature=youtu.be 

You can also visit my home page www.manjaly.net to know my books, blogs and pages on various subjects and my activities.


Thursday, 2 February 2017

SREE RAMA TEMPLE THRIPRAYAR, THRISSUR - KERALA

Thriprayar Temple is a very famous and ancient temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. It is also one of the temple included in the Nalambalam [Four Temples - Sree Rama Temple, Thriprayar – Koodalmanikyam (Sree Bharata) Temple, Irinjalakuda - Sree Lakshmana Temple, Moozhikkulam - Sree Shathruknha Temple, Payammal] pilgrimage of Hindu religion. ‘Thriprayar Ekadasi’ is the main festival and very famous.
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It is on the west bank of Canoly Canal (Thriprayar) situated at the boundary of Valapad and Nattika Panchayaths in Thrissur District of Kerala. It is conveniently connected by road NH-17 Panvel-Edapally National Highway and almost in the midway of the famous Guruvayur Temple and Kodungallur Temple. Frequent buses are also available from Thrissur which is connected by Rail from all over India.

[To know my other publications – books, blogs etc., visit my home page at: www.manjaly.net]


Other nearby pilgrimage centres are:- St. Thomas Church, Palayur established by St. Thomas, Marthoma Pontifical Shrine at Azhikode where St. Thomas first landed in India in A.D.52, Cheraman Palli (Juma Masjid), Kodungallur – first Masjid in India built in A.D.629.

Thriprayar Temple - ordinary day

Thriprayar Temple - Ekadasi festival nig