Swami Vivekananda memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue at Kanyakumari, India.

Swami Vivekananda memorial has been built on a rock situated at the meeting point of three seas,  about half a  kilometer away from the mainland Kanyakumari. The memorial is approachable by boat which provides a pleasurable time in the sea.

Swami Vivekananda came down to Kanyakumari in 1892. He sat on meditation on this rock and became powerful spiritual leader and philosopher. The Memorial consists of two main structures namely Vivekananda Mandapam and Sri Pada Mandapam.

Near to this there is another rock where a Statue of Thiruvalluvar  with a height of 133 feet tall stone sculpture in memory of the Tamil poet and philosopher Tiruvalluvar is also installed.

This is a most sought after tourist and religious place. Though there is no accommodation available for stay at the rock memorial, lot of Boarding and lodging facilities are available in the mainland Kanyakumari. Boat is the only mode of transport to reach the memorial from the mainland Kanyakumari.

View of the 2 memorials from mainland Kanyakumari

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SRINAGAR, of KASHMIR, India

Srinagar, the summer capital of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is also called a city of lakes and Mughal gardens.

Srinagar city which is also called the heart of the Kashmir Valley is located on the sides of Jhelum River. There are several lakes in and around the city of which the Dal Lake is noteworthy and famous. It is full of house boats including a Floating Post Office.

The city is surrounded by the Himalayan ranges on all sides and hence always a cool place. Winters are too cool temperature going below the freezing point with moderate to heavy snowfall. Summer season is warm. Hence during this period, Srinagar is the capital of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir and named as the second capital of the State.

Srinagar has many gardens including some Mughal gardens of which famous are Shalimar, Chashme Shahi, Nishat, etc. Nishat garden is located on the banks of the Dal Lake. Other gardens are Botanical garden, Tulip garden etc. But Tulip Garden in seasonal in the sense, tulip flowers are blooming mainly in the month of April.

There are plenty of Hotels including House Boats available in Srinagar with rates ranging from the lowest to the highest. There are Air and Road services from Delhi-Jammu to and fro Srinagar. From Jammu to Srinagar, there is no railway service. From Srinagar, other tourist destinations of Kashmir like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, etc. can be reached.

The Dal Lake is the largest lake in the city. It is famous for its houseboats and shikaras. Shikaras are mainly used to reach the houseboats. However, many of the houseboats are stationed at the shore and approachable from the land. It is also used for pleasure rides and shopping. There is also a floating houseboat used as a Post Office.

Another notable lake is Nigeen (Nagin) Lake. It is a beautiful lake and located very near to Dal Lake. It is also famous for its houseboats and shikaras.

Nishat Garden

Nishat Bagh Garden though smaller than Shalimar, is more beautiful. It lies almost in between the Shalimar and Chashma Shahi Garden and on the shore of the Dal Lake. The credit for laying this garden goes to the brother of empress Nur Jahan.

Chashma Shahi

Shah Jehan is accredited with the laying of Chashme Shahi garden. This is well designed as three tier terrace and a natural spring which waters the whole area from which the garden got its name. From the top of the garden, we can have a long view of the lake below and the surrounding Himalayan ranges.

veiw below link for photo

https://youtu.be/Xli0LCv0uNk

Shalimar Garden

Shalimar Garden is the queen of Srinagar's many gardens and parks. This beautiful was laid by emperor Jehangir for his beloved wife Nur Jahan. There are fountains laid through the middle of the garden which enhance the beauty of the garden. In the Mughal period, a part of this garden was reserved for the ladies of the royal family. With the picturesque background of the Himalayan ranges, it is worth visiting.

Photo album: https://youtu.be/Lpx13UvrtIA

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KOLHAPUR, THE LAND OF TEMPLES AND PALACES IN MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.

Kolhapur is a historic Maratha city and also known as the land of magnificent temples. The district also derives its name from this city. Kolhapur is world famous for its Kolhapuri Chappals (foot wear) made of pure leather.

Mahalakshmi temple is the main attraction of all others. From the architecture style, it is believed that it existed form the period of Chalukya dynasty of the South Central part of India. But there are also people who believe that it was in existence even before that.

Not so far away from the Mahalaxmi Temple, lays the Rankala Lake or Talao. The surrounding area of the lake is converted into a picnic spot or a Chowpatti. Adjoining to the lake is the Shalini Palace. In the vicinity there is also a beautiful garden. The lake is full of fish and watching them itself would give enjoyment.

New Palace Museum is also a main tourist attraction like the Mahalaxmi Temple. It is still the residence of the royal family. However, a part of it is converted into a Museum and is open to public. Surrounding it there are garden, zoo and a lake.

About 20 kms away from the town is Panhala fort on top of a not so high hill, is also a tourist attraction. It is here the Ambabai Temple where Shivaji used go to seek blessings. The panoramic view from top of the hill is enchanting and refreshing.

It is also a milk producing district, with major diaries like Warna at Waranagar. It is a well developed township.

Kolhapur is well connected with Rail and Road Transport.

Mahalaxmi Temple

NANDED, District of MAHARASHTRA and a Sikh Pilgrim Centre

Nanded is in Marathwada region of Maharashtra State. It is bordering with Telangana State. It is situated on the bank of Godavari River.  In the past, Nandas ruled over Nanded for many generations. In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh the tenth spiritual leader of the Sikhs came over to Nanded. A monument has been constructed at the place where he breathed his last. A Gurudwara has also been constructed there and is known as Shri Huzur Abchalnagar Sachkhand Gurudwara. It is a very important Sikh Pilgrim centre next only to the Golden Temple of Punjab. Now Nanded is famous because of this Pilgrim centre.

In the later on, it became a part of the Hyderabad of Nizam in 1725 and continued to be so till 1947. With India getting freedom and soon thereafter, it became part of the Bombay State. Afterwards, when the state of Maharashtra was formed, it became part of the state of Maharashtra.

Another famous tourist centre Aurangabad (Ajantha & Ellora) is also in the close proximity of Nanded. 

Nanded is well connected with the rail and road transport. There are 4 super fast trains running between Nanded and Punjab where other major Gurudwaras are situated.

THANJAVUR: SHOW CASE OF ART, ARCHITECTURE & TEMPLES - TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu is popularly known as the Delta area and the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. The name Thanjavur, according to legend, was derived from the Mythical Demon Tanjan. This area is rich in art and architecture apart from religion. About the earlier history of Thanjavur, there is no clear picture. The latest history starts from the Chola rulers who developed their kingdom during the period between the 9th and 14th centuries, with Thanjavur as their Capital particularly in the period of Raja Raja Cholan. Thereafter many other dynasties ruled the area namely Pandiyas, Nayaks and Marathas. The great monuments like Grand Anaicut, Big Temple and Serfoji Mahal Library/Saraswathy Mahal Library and so on are all existing today as mute witnesses to the contributions of these rulers to the region. Many of these monuments have been classified as the World Heritage Monuments by the UNESCO.

Places of tourist and pilgrimage interest:

Sri Brahadeeswara Temple :

This temple is popularly known as Big Temple. The Great Chola Emperor Raja Raja Cholan I dedicated this temple to Lord Siva in the year 1010 AD . It is surrounded by fortified walls presumed to have been built in later period. The Tower above the sanctum Sanctorum is about 216 feet tall. This tower is regarded as the show case of the Art and Architectural Excellence of the period. Lifting such huge rock pieces to such a height during those period clearly demonstrate the excellent workmanship and technology existed in those days. In short it is a marvellous showpiece of art and architecture. The walls of the outside buildings of the main temple are filled with paintings depicting the stories from the mythology reminding the paintings of Ajanta Caves of Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Palace:

Palace is situated about 1km from the Big Temple. Other items like Saraswathi Mahal Library, Sangeetha Mahal or The Hall of Music, Royal Museum, Serforji Memorial Hall and Schwartz Church are all situated either inside or around the Palace.

Christian pilgrim centres:

Poondi Matha Basilica and Velankanni Church are all situated in the nearby areas.

Thanjavur is well connected by Rail and Road. The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli 56 Kms away.

Big Temple

Painting from  Big Temple

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POONDI MADHA BASILICA IN THANJAVUR DISTRICT NEAR VELANKANNI CHURCH TAMIL NADU

Poondi Madha Church/ Basilica is a Christian Pilgrim Centre in a small village Poondi, situated in between the two rivers namely Cauvery (Kavery) and Colleroon (Kollidam) of Thanjavur District, in Tamilnadu, India. On 03.08.1999, the shrine was declared as Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II. Many pilgrims coming to Velankanni Church also visit this place. The famous tourist and Hindu pilgrim centre Thanjavur is very close to this place.

Sufficient rooms are available in the church compound for the pilgrims who want to stay at night. Also a well maintained restaurant run by the Church is also available nearby.

Frequent bus services are available from Thanjavur to the nearest town Thirukattupalli which is about 3kms away from Poondi. From there frequent buses are available to Poondi. Direct buses are also available from Thanjavur / Velankanni to Poondi Madha but is very limited. Nearest rail head is Budalur. Please also remember that there is also a nearby place called Poondi. So while inquiring, specifically mention poondi madha.

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MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

The twin Temple comples of Madurai City - Sri Meenakshi and Sundareshwar is synonymous with the city itself. It is not only one of the largest temples of India, but also one of the oldest too. It grew to the present form with an area of about 65000 Sq. mt. with the generous contributions of each dynasty which ruled the city of Madurai. The temple is believed to be first came into existence about 2000 years ago. However, it was substantially expanded during the ruling period of Thirumalai Nayak (1623-55 AD).

Though the temple is a twin complex of Lord Siva in his incarnation as Sundareshwar and his wife Meenakshi (Parvati), meaning fish-eyed, is the main deity unlike in many other temples where Lord Siva used to be the presiding or the main deity. There are four huge gateways enclosing the twin temples. For the Hindu pilgrims (non Hindus are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum) it is a pious area but for the tourists it is a marvellous structure with its many paintings and sculptures adopted from the Hindu religion with unimaginable accuracy and perfectness on the hard rock pieces.

A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure known as the “Ayiramkaal Mandapam” or the Hall of Thousand Pillars and each pillar features high, decorative, bold sculptures that look life like. If you look from any angle, these pillars appear to be in a straight line, reminding the perfect architectural technology of those days and making it a masterpiece in itself. In the outermost corridors are situated the musical pillars carved out of stones. When it is tapped, each pillar produces different musical note.

There is also a pond in the middle of the complex making it more beautiful. Outer part of the temple is used as market place where tourists as well as pilgrims can buy various articles of their choice.

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.

 

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