During the 3rd century BC, Megasthanes a Greek historian visited
Madurai. Later on many people came from western parts like Rome, Greece etc. and
established trade with the Pandya kings. By 10th century AD Madurai was
captured by Cholas and ruled it till the beginning of the 13th century. Then Pandyas
regained it in 1223 AD. For a short period it was also under the rule of
Tughlak. Then it fell to the Vijayanagar dynasty and ruled by their Governors
called Nayaks. But in 1530 AD, the Nayaks became independent and took control
over the area. During the reign of Thirumalai Nayak (1623-1659) the Raja Gopuram
of the Meenakshi Amman Temple was made to the present state, The Pudu Mandapam and The Thirumalai Nayakar's
Palace were also constructed during this period. Gradually, it went into the hands of British till
India became Independent.
Madurai city is well connected by Air, Rail and Road. There are also many other tourist places near to Madurai such as Kodai Canal, Kanyakumari etc. in Tamil Nadu and Thekkadi, Munnar etc.in Kerala. Conducted tours are also available to these places from Madurai.
Athirappilly water fall is located at Athirappilly village in
Thrissur District of Kerala. It is part of Western Ghats, at about 1000 feets
above sea level. It is the starting point of Chalakudi River. It is surrounded
by mountains with thick green forest. The main speciality of the fall is that
it is a round the year phenomena, though in the monsoon it is more beautiful. On
the way other two picnic spots are also available, namely, Thumboormuzhi and
Ezhattumukham. Both are two sides of the same river joined with a hanging
bridge. Enough for a one day picnic.
To reach there, frequent buses are available from Chalakudy
town bus stand. Nearest railway station is also Chalakudy. Nearest Airport is
Nedumbassery (Kochi).
Malayattoor is primarily a Christian Pilgrim centre in
Ernakulam District of Kerala in South India. There is an old Chapel as well as
a new Church at the top of the mountain called Kurishumudi dedicated to St.
Thomas, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. It is believed that St. Thomas
visited this place on his way to Tamil Nadu from Kodungallur/Azhikode in Kerala
where he landed first in AD 52. The main parish Church is at the bottom of the
hill. The word Malayattoor is a combination of three words Mala (mountain), Aar
(river), and Ooru (village) indicating the presence of these three items in the
same place.
Kurishumudy which is the top part of the mountain at Malayattoor
is 1269 feet above the sea level. At the bottom of the mountain, there is a
lake garden with boating facility. Canteen run by the Church is available at
top and bottom of the mountain. Other mini eateries are also available. There
will be heavy rush during Sundays and Fridays of Easter season. There is no
proper road to reach the top. There are some steps constructed in some parts.
Otherwise one has to climb through the natural foot path with projected rocks.
But there is ambulance service up to some level of the mountain. The main festival of the church is on the 1st Sunday after Easter.
On the other side of the river there is a sanctuary of
elephants brought from the forest and protected particularly the babies.
Recently some parts of this sanctuary is shifted to some other place. Kaladi
the birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya, a Hindu saint, is also very close to
Malayattoor. He is a world famous philosopher and founder of the principle of ‘Advaita’.
Best season to visit Malayatoor is from January to April. For
reaching by air, Kochi international airport is the nearest. By rail Angamali
railway station is the nearest. Malayatoor is connected by road to many nearby
cities in Keala like Ernakulam, Thrissur, etc. There is also limited accommodation near the main Church at the bottom of the mountain.
view from the top
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Ezhattumugham
is a village in the border of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts of Kerala, India.
It is on the banks of Chalakudi River. The other side is also a tourist place
called Thumboormuzhi. Now both sides of the river is connected by a hanging rope
bridge. In the non-monsoon season one can cross the river by foot through the
river. The meaning of the word Ezhatumugham is seven faces of the river. If both
places are to be visited separate ticket has to be taken from sides.
There
is a Palm Plantation of the Kerala Government through which only we can reach
the spot. The part of the road maintained by the Palm Plantation was very poor
when we visited the place. Therefore, it is advisable to reach the place from
the thumboormuzhi side (see the thumboormuzhi post) and cross the river through
the hanging bridge or through the river.
Nedumbassery
Airport is the nearest with about 11 kms distance. Chalakkudy town is the nearest
convenient road and rail head to reach the place.
Nagpur is a city in the state of Maharashtra, India. The
city derived its name from the river Nag flowing through the area. It is also commonly
known as "Orange City". Nagpur is famous for its orange with its major
orange (Sandra) market just adjoining the railway station there. Presently there
is no orange cultivation in the city area. It mainly comes from the suburbs and
adjoining Amaravathi District etc. It assumes more importance also because of
the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) situated
there. Another specialty of the city is that it lies exactly at the centre point
of India. To indicate this, a pillar is erected at the point known as the Zero
Mile Point near the Kasturchand Park (Refer Youtube Photo slide link below). I
stayed in the city several times. When I Recently visited the city, I found
that the beautiful Japanese Rose Garden at the bottom of the Seminary Hills is
in a dilapidated condition and closed to visitors. Only an opening is kept for
pedestrians to reach the road towards the SFS College, St. Charles Seminary
(from which the hill got its name) and the Forest Department zoo garden at the
top of the hill.
Another importance of Nagpur is that, Maharashtra, as in the
case of Jammu & Kashmir, have two Capitals and the first Capital is Mumbai and
the Second Capital Nagpur. It is also called winter capital. The main reason for two capital is
that, earlier Nagpur was the Capital of Madhya Bharat. When states were
reorganised on the basis of languages, Nagpur became a part of Mahatrastra. As
a result of this change, it was agreed upon that the status of the Capital
would be retained even after reorganisation. Therefore, in the month of
December, there would be an Assembly Session at Nagpur, though it may be for a
short period like a yearly event.
Notable tourist points in the city are:
Dhamma Chakra (Deekshabhoomi – The place where Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar converted to Buddhism), Ambazari Lake and adjoining garden, Futala
Lake, Telankhedi Garden, Maharajbagh Zoo, Sitabuldi Fort, Seminary Hill for Forest
Park, Sri Balaji Mandir, Lourd Mata Mandir (Grotto), Central Museum,
Kasturchand Park, Raman Science Centre, Anthropological Museum, Gandhi Sagar
Lake, etc.
Jakhu Hill and Temple: It is 2 km from Simla town, at a height
of about 8500 ft. The climbing starts from the side of Church at the Mall.
There is a health indicator placed at the starting point to calculate the age
wise health criteria, depending on the time taken to reach the top. It is the
highest peak in Simla and offers a beautiful panorama of the town below and the
snow-covered Himalayan ranges and is a delight for the tourists. At the top of
the Hill, there is also an old temple (Renovated) of Lord Hanuman, which is
also home for the countless monkeys roaming there. Many Pilgrims feed these
monkeys as an offering. There is also a 108 ft. statue of Lord Hanuman, a Hindu
deity, outside the temple. It is overlooking the trees and visible from all
over Simla. It is considered to be the highest statue to stand at this high
altitude.
The legend tells us that the place got prominence since the
battle of Ramayana. During the battle, Lakshmana, was injured by an arrow. He
could not be cured in spite of many physicians. Then somebody told that
Lakshmana could only be saved by Mritha Sanjeevani herb grown in some part of Himalayas.
Hanuman took the responsibility of bringing this life saving medicine from
Himalayas. On the way, Hanuman met a Sage on the Jakhu Mountain and enquired
about more details of the place where the herb Mritha Sanjeevani was available.
Thenceforth, the place got importance as a holy place for Hindu pilgrims and
gradually, a temple was constructed there.
At the bottom, two video scenes I captured from the Jakhu
temple complex are given. Both are funny videos. One of a monkey which lifted a
shoe of a devotee and ran atop a nearby shed while the security staff was
trying to get it back. This reminded me the old children's story of the monkey
and the cap seller. In the other video, some monkeys were playing with the
articles kept in the children’s park there.
