Tourism India

Cruise through Kerala in a houseboat! Have you ever gone cruising in a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala? If you haven't, make sure you do. This one is really a wonderful and unforgettable experience! Present day houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges used for leisure trips, and are in fact reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times. The original kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and spices. A standard kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tons from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. The kettuvallam is held together with coir knots. Not even a single nail is used during the construction of the boat.. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallam can last for generations. A portion of the kettuvallam was covered with bamboo and coir to serve as a restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals would be cooked onboard and supplemented with

It is one of the attractions that contributed to Kerala's popularity as a travel destination among domestic and foreign travellers. Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, and perched about 1600 m above sea level, the hill station of Munnar once used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in south India.This hill station is marked by vast expanses of tea plantations, colonial bungalows, rivulets, waterfalls and cool weather. It is also an ideal destination for trekking and mountain biking. Let us now explore some of the options in and around Munnar that would provide travellers ample opportunities to enjoy the captivating hill station of Munnar. Eravikulam National Park One of the main attractions in and around Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park. Located about 15 km from Munnar, this park is famous for its endangered inhabitant - the Nilgiri Tahr. Spread over an area of 97 sq. km., this park is also

Intriguingly enigmatic, the picturesque city of Mahabalipuram is world renowned for its shore temples. The long stretch of unspoiled beaches and rock-cut art of this historic city attracts one and all. Located just 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram was earlier called ‘Mamallapuram’. The journey through the city is no less than a joy ride and is full of spectacular sights. Best Time & Climate The climate of Mahabalipuram remains hot and sultry throughout the year with a maximum temperature of 35°C and a minimum of 19°C. The best time to visit this place is during October to March. How to get there ? » By Air -The nearest airport from Mahabalipuram is Chennai, located around 60 km away. Flights for almost all major destinations in India and abroad are available from here. » By Rail - The nearest railway station, Chengalpattu, is around 29 km away from Mahabalipuram. Trains for Chennai and several other major cities i

Madurai Tourism  - One of South India's great temple towns, Madurai is synonymous with the distinguished Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old.  Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. It was the capital city for the great Pandya kings. Madurai is surrounded by several mountains. The Madurai city has 3 hills as its city boundary. Yanaimalai, Nagamalai, Pasumalai named after Elephant, Snake and Cow respectively. It is famous for Jasmine Flowers. Jasmine flowers are transported to other cities of India from Madurai. Madurai  - As the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, Madurai has a lot of tourist attractions . The  Meenakshi Temple c omplex is factually a city, one of the largest of its kind in India and unquestionably one of the oldest too.The temple grew with the contribution of each dynasty and victorious monarchs, into a massive

The Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Brihadeeswarar Temple also known as Rajarajeswaram , at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu , is the world's first complete granite and a brilliant example of the major heights achieved by Cholas kingdom Vishwakarmas in temple architecture. It is a tribute and a reflection of the power of its patron RajaRaja Chola I . It remains as one of the greatest glories of Indian. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site " Great Living Chola Temples ". This temple is one of India's most prized architectural sites. The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The 'Vimana' - or the temple tower - is 216 ft (66 m) high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kalash or 'Chikharam' (apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is not carved out of a single stone as widely believed. There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a singl

Extensively visited by tourists and yet very serene, the beauty of virgin nature could be best witnessed in the breathtakingly beautiful hill station of Kodaikanal. Situated 2133 m above the sea level in Tamil Nadu, the magnificent hill station was developed by American missionaries in 1845. On arrival, the tourist is greeted by orchards of pear trees with extended branches. Kodai Lake The tree-fringed Kodai lake enthralls all who come to Kodai. The lush green tress on both sides of the lake gives the impression that they are jealously guarding the lake by forming a natural fence. There is also a Boat Club and public ferry services. Green Valley View Providing a bird's eye view of the abundance of scenic beauty of Kodaikanal is the Green Valley View point. Located at a distance of 1000 feet overlooking the Vaigai Dam, this place is enveloped by a thick layer of clouds most of the time. Pillar Rocks There are three vertical pillars that stand side by side and measure 112 m. On mo

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the " Queen of hill stations " and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means " Blue Mountains ". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens.                    On a heritage track                                        Tea gentle stimulant One can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mounta