Rameshwaram Travel Guide

Rameshwaram Tourism

Tour Booking

Rameshwaram is one of the most important pilgrimage destination in South India for both the Vaishnavaites and Shaivites. It is the same place where Lord Rama (popular mythological character of the epic Ramayana) worshiped Lord Shiva in order to wash away the sin of killing (the demon) Ravana. In the center of town is the famous Ramanathaswamy temple, one of the most popular temples in India. It is here you get the representation of actual India typing religion and devotion in miniature, with devotees including everyone from urbanites from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata to colorfully clad Rajasthani rural people.

                                                                                                      Tour Booking
Rameshwaram is on an island situated in Gulf of Munnar - one of the famous hill stations in South India, connected to Mandapam by one of the country's great engineering marvels – the Indira Gandhi Bridge, opened to public in 1988. The town was earlier an important ferry point linking India with Sri Lanka, but it stopped when the things got worst in Sri Lanka.

Know to Reach Rameswaram - Book Flight/Train                                                                               
Attractions of Rameshwaram :-
Ramanathaswamy Temple :- Built in 17th century, Ramanathswamy temple is located close to Rameshwaram Island, popular as a temple of 1200 gigantic granite columns.

The main highlights of the temple are 54 meter tall gopuram (gate- tower), 1220 metres of elaborate corridors and the aureate columns rendering repute to the temple. Most surprisingly, water in all the 22 wells in the temple taste different.                                                              

Agnitheertham :- Close to the Ramanathswamy Temple is Agnitheertham, where Lord Ramam offered thanks to Lord Shiva.

Gandamadana Parvatham :- The evidence of Rama's feet placed on Chakra (wheel) can be traced at Gandamadana Parvatham which is located at the highest point on the island approximately 2kms from Rameshwaram.

                                                                                                     Tour Booking
Dhanushkodi : Named after Lord Rama's bow, Dhanushkodi is located at the distance of 8 kms from the town of Rameshwaram . The rocks spread around the sea between India and Sri Lanka re said to have been used by Lord Hanuman to reach Sri Lanka to rescue Mata Sita. But unfortunately Dhanushkodi was completely destroyed in cyclones of 1964.

Erwadi :- Located at the distance of 24 kms from Rameshwaram is Erwadi, an important pilgrimage destination of Hindus, which houses the tomb of Ibrahim Sahid Aulia. Muslims from all around the world come to pay visit at Erwadi especially during the time of annual festival which is celebrated as a tribute to saint in the month of December.

Read More

Kodaikanal Tours (Tamil Nadu)

If it wasn't for the scorching heat of the Madurai, Kodaikanal must have remained undiscovered yet. Set up in the year 1845 as a sanatorium by the American Madurai Mission, it is the only hill station in India which has been discovered and established by the Americans. Most of the sightseeing destinations in the town are located around the Starfish shaped lake, which forms Kodaikanal nucleus. Visitors take the customary boat ride, other than that horse an bicycle rides are quite popular among the kids. Although you can visit the place anytime throughout the year, but its better you plan out the vacations to Kodai after the monsoons.

Things to do and see :

The Nature Trail : Tourists can start their sightseeing tour to Kodaikanal from Bryant Park, the popular botanical garden set up by the British forest officer, than proceed to the Coaker's Walk a strip of paved road on the steep and emerald green wooden slope (entry fee Rs 5). Another major attraction -Pillar Rocks – a 400 ft. high verticle column of three rocks, is a must visit attraction. Around 2 kms from lake are the popular Bear Shola Falls, which was once the spot of bears to drink water. They are best watched during the rainy season. Apart from that you can also make a visit to the lesser known Bambar Glen and Fairy Falls.

Getting Higher :- Around three kilometers from the Kodai lake is the famous Kurinji Andavar Temple, dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya . From temple you get magnificent view of the plains and Vaigai Dam. Another attraction here is Perumal Peak which is around 12 kms from Kodai. It is the highest point in the Kodai Hills at the height of 7,874 ft. Not to miss is the Kodai Observatory, which is home to world's oldest extant telescopes, that are open to tourists all time during the season.

Lakeside Attractions :- Honeymooners can hire the boats available in pedal, row and shikara shapes at the Kodaikanal Boat and Rowing Club. You can also enjoy the pony rides varying from Rs 50 for the half round of the lake to rs 100 for the complete one round.

Where to Stay :- Kodaikanal offers wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from luxurious to budget hotels and resorts. Greenlands Youth Hostel, Hill Country Holiday, Hotel Garden Manor, Roseflower Resort are some of the best option in town.

Read More

Varanasi Travel - Popular Pilgrimage Destination of India

Varanasi, referred to as old Kashi, is the city of ancient holy ghats, saffron clad sadhus and age old temples, a city where faint strains of classical music blend with the sound of temple bells. For Hindus, Varanasi has always been one of the most popular religious center who come here to spend their last days of life in the hope to attain moksha and get freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Unlike most other sacred centers in India, Varanasi is a perfect package to mind, body and soul.

From time immemorial, Varanasi has remained the place of pilgrimage, a kind of tirth for Hindus and undoubtedly the most unusual as you yourself can discover after reaching there. The city posses rich cultural heritage in the form of traditional dances, music, and craftsmanship that lure tourists and artists from far and wide. Tourists are overwhelmingly drawn to its devotional, vibrant and colorful atmosphere, greeting them with somewhat unique and out of world experience.

Attractions of Varanasi :-

Most of the religious destinations in India are known for their temples, but only Varanasi is the city known for its holy ghats, located on the banks of pious Ganga. These ancient ghats are regarded as most sacred visited by devotees from all around the world. They are named after altruists, businessmen and erstwhile Raja's who led to the construction of these ghats on their name.

For the million of devotees who revere the Ganga and flock it to rejuvenate by its holy waters, going to Varanasi a like fulfilling life's ambition. While visiting the ghats one can conjure up the vision of some many activities at a time. Morning aarti starts here before the sunrise. Thousand of people through to these ghats to take a holy dip in its water.

Popular Ghats of Varanasi :

Dasashwamedh Ghat is the city most popular and most sacred spot. If you can manage to get up early in the morning, especially before the sunrise, than you can take a boat ride at Ganga river exploring the popular ghats.

Start it from the Dasashwamedh Ghat passing through the Manikarnika Ghat also known as Harishchandra Ghat. Be very careful, it is a popular cremation ghat, permanently lined with bodies in shrouds awaiting for the last rites. The sight could be bit emphatic for few.

From there take a turn towards the Tulsidas Ghat, which is actually the oldest ghat is Varanasi. Nearby is the another ppopular Darbhanga Ghat, which is said to have been built one of the royal families in Bihar.
Next comes the Man Mandir Ghat, which was built by Raja Jai Singh II, the than Maharaja of Jaipur. Here you get the opportunity to visit one of the four Jantar Mantars and a massive horologe.

Other Popular Ghats in Varanasi are Mir Ghat, Lalita Ghat, Gai Ghat, Kedar Ghat and Hanuman Ghat.

Famous Temples of Varanasi :-

Vishwanath Golden Temple :- Located very near to Dasashwamedh Ghat is one of the most famous temple of Varanasi -Vishwanath Golden Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Durga Temple :- Dedicated to Goddess Paravati, the 18th century Durga Temple, is famous a Monkey Temple, because of presence of so many monkeys ever there.

Bharat Mata Temple :- It is most unique and most unusual temple in Varanasi as it has a marble relief map of India, dedicated to 'Mother India', typifying Mother Earth instead of Goddess.

Read More

Kochi Travel

Kochi or Cochin is actually a clean and compact district of Kerala. On the tour to Cochin you may get a distinct European feel, as the region was earlier ruled by Portuguese, Dutch and English who left their foot prints in the form of numerous historic buildings, museums and gardens. Renowned as the finest natural harbor in the world, Kochi is a busy port and a fascinating tourists destination. This, once a popular fishing village is today an important trading center in India.

On the beaches of Kochi you get the opportunity to explore the interesting amalgamation of Hindu, Muslim and British architecture. Also from Cochin one can take a excursion tour to the exotic backwaters of Kerala.

Places to visit in Kochi :-

Fort Cochin :- Popularly referred to as the 'old fort', Fort Cochin is the first fort build on Indian soil by the Europeans. Dominated by the Dutch and then by the British, the fort has many amazing attractions in the form of numerous structures and the architecture.

Vasco de Gama, who was the first European to land on the Indian coasts fies in Fort Cochin in 1498onthe eve of Christmas in 1524. The most prominent highlight of the of the fort are Portuguese style Mansion, Santa Cruz Basilica and the St. Francis Church.

Chinese Fishing Nets :- Also known as Cheenavala, Chinese Fishing Nets were introduced by Chinese explorer Zheng He. These nets are suspended in the mid air all along the coast of Cochin beaches. They are basically fixed land installations generally set on the teak or bamboo poles. One can also get amazing view of these net in and around Santa Cruz Basilica, VOC Gate and Bastion Bungalow.

The fishing technique of Chinese Fishing Nets is quite different from other fishing nets. While fishing through these nets, the nets are are let to float into the sea, they are kept there for few minutes ad than delicately raised at the time by six fishermen. All the six fishermen are supposed to maintain the balance properly while picking the net out of water.

Mattancherry Palace :- Built in1557 by the Portuguese, the Mattancherry Palace features Kerala murals typifying art as that of Hindu temple and portraits of Maharaja of Kochi. The major highlights of the palace are Dutch maps of old Cochin, beautiful murals depicting mythological scenes from the popular epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana , royal palanquins and coronation outwears of former maharajas of Cochin.

Jewish Synagogue :- Jewish Synagogue or Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth of Nations. It was built by Malabar Yehudan people in 1568 in the Kingdom of Cochin. It is located in the Jew Town in Kochi in South India and is the only one of the seven synagogues in the area still in use.

Bolghatty Palace :- The long and immensely beautiful Bolghatty island is famous for housing the Bolghatty palace, built in 1744 by the Dutch during their tenure in India. For the purpose of information, the only golf course of Cochin is located on this enchanting island. One can take the exciting boat cruise on the island which is connected to Cochin.

St. Francis Church :- The church holds the great historical importance as it is the oldest European church built in India 1503.

Willington Island:- It is the manmade island named after Lord Willingdon who was earlier the British Viceroy in India. Major attractions of the island include Southern Naval Command, Port Trust Head Quarters, major trading centers and Cochin Harbour.

Read More

Popular Destinations Around Bengaluru (Bangalore)

There are handful of tourists destination around Bengaluru, which are worth a visit. You can start with the famous water park called Wonder La, for that ultimate adventure destination. Later on visit Hessaraghatta and check out the Protima Gauri's Nrityagram. Tour to the Nandi Hills to spend time in complete peace and isolation.

Wonder La :

Wonder La is a brand new amusement park, located 30 kms from Bengaluru, on the Bengaluru Mysore highway. The massive park offer dozens of high thrill rides, water slides, wave pools, musical fountains, laser shows, virtual reality theater for that ultimate excitement. Wonder La is perfect getaway for the weekends for the locals. Built at the cost of Rs 850 million, most of the rides at Wonder La have been exported. The park remains open to the tourists from 11 am to 7 pm (Monday – Friday) and 11 am to 8 pm (Saturday, Sunday and Holidays).

Hessaraghatta :

Located 25 kms from Bengaluru, Hessaraghatta, is famous for the Protima Gauri's Nrityagram. It was established in the year 1989 by Protima Gauri to revive and popularize Indian Classical Dance. Apart from that Hessaraghatta Lake, Indo Danish Dairy Project, Government Horticultural and Dairy Farms are the other attraction here.

Nandi Hills :

60 kms from Bengaluru, Nandi Hills, were once the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. Also known as Nandidurgs, Nandi hills are located 1455 m above the sea level. These hills are equally famous among the British, who built bungalows and laid out gardens here. For the tourists it serves as the favorite hiking destination, providing the exotic views of he two notable Chola temples. The forest surrounding the Nandi hills are a home to several endangered wild animals.

Janapada Loka Folk Arts Museum :

The visionary HL Nage Gowda st up the Janapada Loka Folk Arts Museum in the year 1979. It is located at the distance of 53 kms from the city of Bengaluru and is worth a visit, especially if you are driving towards the Mysore. The museum displays 500 year old shadow puppets, festival costumes and instruments. There is an attached restaurant here. The museum remains open from 9 am to 1 pm and 2:30 to 5:30 pm.

Read More

Alleppey Tour - Venice of the East

Referred to as the 'Venice of the East', Alleppey or Alapuzzha is known for its exciting boat races, traditional houseboats, coir products and pristine lakes. It is a renowned backwater destination in south India, offering tourists numerous adventurous options such as fishing, camping and boating. With magnificent backwaters, eye catching houseboats, Chinese Fishing Nets and Cormorants – Alleppey is perfect holiday destination to relax your mind, body and soul.

History :- Alleppey was founded in 1762 by Divan of Travanacore named Raja Keshawadasan. Fed by rivers, lakes and lagoons, along with the Arabian Sea on the west- Alapuzzha is land of immense natural beauty. Portuguese were the first to rule this part of land before it came under the control of Dutch.

It was Maharaja Marthandavarma who started development in Alleppey or Alapuzzha. Slowly and gradually it became a popular commercial center of Kerala attracting merchants from all over the world. This led to the establishment of numerous coir factories producing coir related goods of quantity and quality for the manufacturers. The first coir factory was established by English Sea Captain and later other followed the suit. Another historic development in the town was first Anglican Church built by Christian missionaries in the year 1816.

Attractions :-

Alleppey Beach :- It is most popular tourists destination in the town of Alleppey. Laze on the white sands of the beach, take a sun bath and surrender yourself to the nature, forgetting everything in your surroundings. An old light house at the beach gives beach a amazing look.

Ambalapuzha :- Located 14 kms from Alapuzzha, Ambalapuzha is known for its architectural wonders, most importantly the SreeKrishna Temple that typifies the traditional Kerala style. The temple is popular through out Kerala for 'Palpayasam' a milk porridge of unusual sweetness offered to the deity.

Karumadikkuttan :- Karumadikkuttan is ancient village famous for its 10^th century Karumadikkutan statue, a black granite figure of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

Krishnapuram Palace :- Krishnapuram Palace was built in the 18^th century by Travancore Kings in the typical Kerala style of architecture. The major attraction of the palace is the mural Gajendra Moksham placed on the ground floor of the double storied palace . For the purpose of information it is one of the largest one of its kind in Kerala.

Read More

Kerala Wildlife

Follow the herd of elephants through the forests. Catch the endangered Nilgiri Tahr on film. Pay your respects to the Asiatic lions and tigers. Salute the tropical evergreen forests of Kerala......

With its impressive variety of geographical profiles, the South Indian state of Kerala harbors a mind boggling diversity of eco-systems, with an equally amazing variety of fauna. The rich land of Kerala is blessed with hilly regions, rivers, backwaters, beaches and numerous wildlife sanctuaries and parks. Popularly referred to as the 'God's Own Country', Kerala is home to many rare and endangered species of birds, animals and marine creatures.

Silent Valley National Park :- Located in the Nilgiri Hills, Silent Valley National Park was discovered in 1847 by the botanist named Robert Wight ans is closely associated with Hindu legend. The dense jungles, the humming of birds and the deep gorges formed by the wild river Kunti sum up to intensify the beauty of this natural park. The major attractions in the park includes Leopard, Tigers,Bonnet Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Otter, Indian Pangolin, Porcupine, Ruddy Mongoose and Wild Boar.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary :- Periyar is one of the most popular and one of the most frequently visited wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. Although it is a renowned Tiger Reserve but is most famous for its Asiatic elephants, 100 year old artificial lake and its beautiful location amongst the thickly forested area of the Western Ghats. It is not only the best place to spot Roray Bengal Tigers but there are plenty of other animals that can be spotted here such as Nilgiri Tahr, Deer, Antelope, Bison and around 750 wild elephants that make the tour truly adventurous.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary :- The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary also known as Thattekad Bird Sanctuary was discovered in 1983 by Dr. Salim Ali. The avifauna in the park includes both water birds and indigenous resting birds. Most popular among them are Jungle Mayna, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Heron, Rose Winged and blue winged parakeet, Grey Jungle Fowl, Ceylon Frog Mouth, Wood Pecker and many more.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary :- The Parambikulam is an haven of tranquil greenery and calmness nestled in the valley between the Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and Nelliamapthy ranges of Kerala. The hilly and rocky fed by several rivers include the Sholayar, the Parambikulam and the Thekkedy. The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is home to some of the India's finest stands of teak, roswood, sandalwood and bamboo jungles. It is known for the largest population of gaur (bison). Other most commonly found animals in the jungles are sloth bears, wild boars, elephants, panthers, sambhars and crocodiles.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary :- On the tour to Kerala discover Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary located 40 kms from Thodupuzha. Idukki is a oasis formed by three dams – Kulamavu, Cheruthoni and Idukki, stretching at the total area of 33 sq. kms. A scenic lake, a magnificent arch dam across two hills, and huge population gaurs and wild elephants are sights that attract tourists to this fascinating canopy of deciduous and semi evergreen forests. Apart from this Wild Boar, Langur and Leopards can be commonly seen in the park.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary :- Founded in 1984, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the rain shadow region of the western ghats in the Idduki district of Kerala, some 40 kms from Munnar. It is home to more than 225 species of birds such as Bulbul, Peafowl, Flycatcher, Drongo, Kingfisher, Hoopoes along with some of the rare and endangered species such as green-billed malcoha. Apart from this, there are plenty of other animals found in the park that includes Gaur, Wild Elephants, Common Mongoose, Cheetal and Sambhar.

Read More

Kerala Travel

Rich are the offerings of this southern state of India – culture, nature, backwaters, beaches, hill stations, waterfalls, cuisines and much more.....

Kerala - referred to as the 'God's Own Country' is a leaf shaped patch on the map of India. The state is bounded by Western Ghats on it higher side, flanked by Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean along its other length.

Kovalam Dream :- The beautiful town of Kovalam came into spotlight, when its pristine and isolated beaches were discovered. Today Kovalam has become one of the favorite hangout destination welcoming thousand of tourists to soak in this tropical paradise – listening to the soothing music of its coming waves, sea breeze rippling your hair, watching the fishing boats fading in the horizon is something worth experiencing.

The most popular and hence the most sought after destination in Kovalam is the Lighthouse Beach. Although the tourists are not allowed to go inside the Lighthouse; but the memorials of Ayyanappilla Asan and Ayyippilla Asan around the beach are open to tourists. On the other side of the city, the popular Western Ghats provide enthralling series of picnic spots.

Visit to Kochi – Queen of Arabian Sea :- Kochi popularly known as the commercial center of Kerala, boosts of the finest natural harbors in the country. It is one of the Kerala's most frequently visited tourists destination , spreading across the islands and promontories in the beautiful location between the backwaters and the Arabian Sea. Some of the major attrcation on Cochin includes Mattancherry, Fort Cochin and Ernakulam.

Sailing the Backwaters : - The one experience you must not miss on the tour to Kerala is a tour on traditional houseboats called Kettuvallam. Developed during the time when railways were not constructed and the roads were actually expensive to travel, they were used for the purpose of transportation- for trading in particular, in these parts. Meandering through the Alappuzha backwaters to the Vembanad Lake all the way to Kochi in your houseboat is definitely a lifetime experience. Most houseboats today include a chef to pamper you with the traditional cuisine of Kerala.

Vallam Kali (Snake Boat Race) :- Come July or August and watch the enticing snake boats flag off for the much awaited Vallam Kali from Alleppey Backwaters. These dark, long graceful boats are seen to sit loaded with copra, coconut fiber or cashew, on coconut island....but now they line up in full caparisoned glory to compete for the most wanted Nehru Trophy.

Wildlife of Kerala :- The Eravikulam National Park and Silent Valley forms one of the richest biospheres in India and is home to some of the highly endangered species. Other most popular national parks in the country include – Periyar, Peppara, Parambikulam, Neyyar and Wayanad.

Read More

The Gateway to Tamilnadu in South India

Misty Nilgiri hills, popular Jog falls, world renowned ancient temples, exotic wildlife, pristine beaches, heritage zones - Tamil Nadu has it all. For the discerning traveler, Discover India Group has some truly enchanting weekend packages to choose from.

The Tamil Nadu of Indian state has preserved Dravidian culture for more than 3,000 years. It is where the great dynasties of south- the Pandyas, the Cholas and the Pallavas were born. Under their glory, art and culture boomed and reached so far at its acme. Their bequest present to you the excellent culture heritage in the form of countless temple towns, the heritage monuments towering high above the coconut trees.

Chennai : The legendary tales of capital Chennai spans 2,00 years. During the era of renowned saint poet Thiruvalluvar, Chennai was more a cluster of coastal villages. The rise of urbanization in Chennai began somewhere around 1639 with the arrival of British in the country. Today it is one of the biggest metropolis in the country. There are few site worth visiting here :-

Fort St George :- The city developed around this fort named after the patron saint of England. The major attraction of the fort is St Mary's Church, which is the oldest Anglican Church in India. It also houses some of the rare collection of old weapons, coins, uniforms belonging to the colonial period.

Marina Beach :- It is the second longest beach in the world. People on the tour to South India make a point to visit this beach. The beach is popular for its numerous food stalls and shops.

Kalakshetra :- In Thiruvanmiyur, close to the Elliot beach is the popular 'Temple of Art' known to revive Bharatnatyam – one of the most popular classical dance of India.

Temples :- If you want to explore some of the most beautiful Pallava creations, visit Kapaliswarar in Mylapore and Sri Parthasarathy in Triplicane.

Exploring Other popular Attractions in Tamil Nadu :

Mamallapuram :- Mamallapuram is the ancient capital of Pallava's. Here you get to see some of the finest collection of ancient India, which includes Shore Temple (the five rathas – chariots, each carved from the monolith) and Arjuna's Penance (the largest bas relief in the world at 27 by 9 meters).

Kancheepuram :- The ancient city of Kanchipuram is one of the most sacred cities in India. Popularly referred to as the city of 'Thousand Temples', it is the center of spiritual learnings for centuries. The most popular highlights of Kancheepuram includes Ekambareswarer, Kamakshi Amman, Varadaraja, Perumal and Vaikunta Perumal.

Madurai :- Madurai is one of the India's oldest city, built some where around 2,500 years ago. The Meenakshi Temple is one of the most renowned attraction and has no less than 12 temple towers and 1000 pillar halls. Another major attraction of Madurai is the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, which was built in 1636 by the King of same name on the pattern of Italian architecture.

Tiruchirapalli :- Popularly known as Trichy, Tiruchirapalli is famous for its Rock Fort Temple and Ranganathswamy Temple.

Thanjavur :- Welcome to the ancient capital of Cholas – Thanjavur, the popular center of cultural practices, Carnatic music, musical instruments, traditional dance, handicrafts and most important the popular Tanjore paintings. Thanjavur's most preserved heritage is the Brihadeshwarar Temple, with a 66.5 meter high gopuram enclosed by massive cupola. During the time when it was built. It was the highest man made structure in the world.

Chidambaram :- Chidambaram occupies the place of appreciation in the Tamil literature. It is the same city where Chola King Raja Rajan delivered the greatest poems of Nayanmars, the great Saivite savants. Popular attractions of the city includes Poompuhar, Rameshwaram (one of the Chardhams in the country) and Tirunelveli.

Read More