My Travel

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The church near beach is dedicated to Mother Mary and is having a spire of 153 ft high crowned by a gold cross.



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World's largest flower carpet ('Sneha pookkalam') was formed under the leadership of district administration, Kozhikode at Swapna Nagari on 21 August 2010 Saturday. It has an area of 17, 622 sq.ft., using 15 tonnes of flowers under the guidance of 30 drawing instructors, completed in a record time of 2 hours and eight minutes at an expected cost of Rs.6.75 lakh. The flowers used are marigold, jasmine, arali, kozhi poovu, tube rose, vadamalli and jamanthi (chrysanthemum).



Video 1 >> Video 2 >> Video 3

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St. Mary's Forane church is located 5 km from Pala at Bharananganam in Kottayam district of Kerala. It is a major Christian pilgrim centre having the tomb of India's first Saint St. Alphonsa (1910 -1946). Pope Benedict XVI declared Sr Alphonsa to be a saint.

Contact : St. Mary's Forane church, Bharananganam. P.O., Kottayam- 686578, PHONE : 04822 236244, 238644.

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Green insect video

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Alappuzha-Nedumudy boat trip

Location : Kerala, India

What to See : To the lap of Kuttanad to feel Backwaters, houseboats, village scenery, small islands, Kerala cuisine, peral spot fish curry, toddy (alcoholic drink from coconut tree), paddy cultivation below sea level, narrow canals, village life and birds. Punnamada kayal (backwaters) near Alappuzha town is the venue of the popular Nehru Trophy snake boat race.

A number of houseboats are available for day trip. The cheap way to enjoy the beauty of Kuttanad is the Government ferry boat service. There are boat service from Alappuzha jetty to Nedumudy, Pulinkunnu, Changanassery, Kottayam, Kollam etc. Boat travel is cheap, slow permitting one to enjoy the natural beauty. All the boat destinations are well connected by road.



Houseboat

[Dave101]

where does those places and things can be find?Seem to be very traditional and ethnic. I wanna experience some of those...

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Sorry not to include the country and State for the travel reports.

All travel in this thread is performed within India, an Asian country. States will vary and is mentioned along with the posts.

Alappuzha-Nedumudy boat trip is performed in Alappuzha district of Kerala state, India.

India is a beautiful country with a wide spectra of culture, heritage and customs worth a visit.

India Photo gallery

[Perfection]

Kuruva island



The Kuruva Island, 950 acres of evergreen forest on the tributaries of east following river Kabani, is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbance of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom. It is 17 km east of Mananthavady and 40 km north west of Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad district of Kerala, India.





I traveled from Sulthan Bathery to Pulpally (25 km) and then to Kuruva island (11 km). The last 4 km was unmetaled forested route. The nearest town was Mananthawady (17 km). There was a small hotel serving basic meals (limited in number).

The island visting time is from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors have to vacate the island by 5 pm. The island has a width of around 300m and a length of 4 km.

[zenosh]

Jungle trek - Jungli Jaigad fort

Location : Koynanagar near Chiplun. Chiplun is on the Mumbai - Goa Konkan railway route.

Jungli Jaigad (901 m) is a small, little known fort near the Koyna dam. Situated in thick forest infested with wild animals. From Chiplun travel to Koynanagar by Karad bus. Then travel to Navja (11 km) and to Panchdhara tunnel, the road leads to Alora in Konkan. The road passes at the foot of the fort. The entry to the fort is through a 1 m wide 15 m long route, cracked by an earthquake. The fort is 500 m long and 30 m wide with no water.

Travel from Panvel to Chiplun by train (4 hour). Travel to Koynanagar by Karad bus (1.5 hour). Koynanagar is 250 km from Panvel or 200 km from Pune via Satara. The route climbs from Alorey via Kumbharli ghat to Helwak and to Koynanagar. The dam (no entry/photography) is 3 km away on the Navja route by jeep. The near by Nehru Smriti Udyan offers a good view of the lake and dam. Entry fee Rs 10. The Koyna history museum gives details about the dam construction, power generation by underground power stations, underground water intake tunnels etc.

Travel to Navja by jeep. The road leads to Panchdhara tunnel (540 m long) and then to Alorey at Konkan after passing through two more tunnels. Jeeps reach upto Patel colony from there the tunnel is 3 km by walk. One can reach the tunnel by private vehicle by getting permission from the Chowkidar as the road has restricted travel. Just before the tunnel an unmettlaed road on left goes to the hills where a transformer is located. From there the route goes through forest and the route leads to the remote village Dicholi on the banks of Koyna river. One can travel from Koyna dam to Dicholi by launch after getting permission from Forest/Police authorities. The launch to Dicholi from the dam is at 1400 h daily. The travel takes 4 hour. The return launch from Dicholi is at 1000 h.

The route above Panchdhara tunnel gradually climbs through forest - trees prevent the sunlight to come downwards. So one can trek easily without bothering about the hot sun. After a 45 minute trek take the left diversion for Jangali Jaigad fort. Stone heaps mark the spot and the route is well marked with yellow paint on rocks. The route leads to a flagpost. Here the forest ends and one has walk on the hot sun to the fort. A left track over a narrow ridge leads to the fort. The only thing remains on the fort is a small shrine and a Deepmal (light stand). The to and fro trek takes 4 hour.

If one is not taking diversion for Jangali Jaigad the route leads to Dicholi. After around 800 m one reaches a white washed stone heap. Further the route climbs down to Dicholi and the route is well marked (white washed stones). From Dicholi one can trek to Jhungti fort, if one is adventurous.



Jhungti fort : This is an unknown small fort on the western ridge of the Koyna lake. It can be approached from Dicholi village. Dicholi is connected by ferry from Koyna (4 hour), or a walk through thick forest (10 km) is possible via the Jungli Jaigad route. Ahead of Dicholi, the route to Jhungti is complicated and passes through very thick forest. Above Dicholi two huge volcanic rock fields locally known as 'sada' are to be passed. Cross the Vaghul sada and traverse north wards in thick forest. Walking along the ridge of the ghats, reach a high point 1027 m. From here, turn west, up and down a spur to reach Jhungti, jutting out into the Konkan. No inhabitation on the way except wild animals !.

Enjoy the company of birds and animals. Be with nature.

Hi

I saw your post on http://forums.bizhat.com/77076-post7.html

I am mesmerized by the thick jungles in the Koyna Warna region and have done quite a bit of trekking / biking here. But somehow this Jhungti Killa fort has always eluded me and I want to visit it desperately and been trying to plan something since almost 4 years without success. I do know that the main hurdle would be permission from forest authorities since it comes in core area. because once I get a guide I can always go with him. (Done couple of solo treks this way - Prachitgad Kandhar Doh, Muda Ghanchakkar etc).

Since you posted that link I thought you would be a good person to get in touch with for Jhungti Killa. I will be going on 4 5 6 7 Nov 2010. This was planned very late due to unavoidable reasons. If you can help can you give me a call on 9819038309 or email me [email protected].
Thanks a lot

Regards
Zenosh

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Koyna dam area has restricted entry due to security reasons. Police at the dam check post will not permit anyone to loiter in the dam area. So first get the permission from the forest officials for the trek and get the ferry from Koyna dam premises.

Get a good guide, carry food and tent. A small seasoned trekkers company will be good for the trek. The area is inhabited by few tribal families.

The Jungli Jaigad route also leads to this fort through thick forested route. Avoid entering the protected forest area without permission of the authorities.

Best of luck and sorry for the delay in replying. Eager to hear your travel experience as I am presently away from Maharashtra and trekking the most beautiful Sahyadri ranges.

Jhungti fort : Refer the quote in your previous post for trek information.