My Travel

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Areeppara falls is on the Thiruvambady-Anakampoyil road.

Anakampoyil is located 50 km from Kozhikode, Kerala. Anakampoyil is the base to the Vellarimala trek (9 km steep trek from Muthappan puzha via Olichuchattom falls). Vellarimala is in Wayanad and is more easily accessible from Chooramala by trek. Vellarimala is a scenic place and is a popular trekking area.

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Nooranad Padanilam kettukazhcha

The temple is located in Alappuzha district of Kerala. Mahasivarathri is celebrated in Nooranad Parabrahma temple located 5 km from Charummoodu junction and is on the Kayamkulam - Pandalam road. pada means "war" and nilam means "land". The kettukazhcha started at around 5 pm. A number of twin bull effigies are pulled on wooden chariots to the temple by the devotees from 13 karas of Nooranand-Palamel revenue villages. In addition, a number of 'nercha kaalas' also participate. Elephant procession and panchavadyam begins at around 4 pm.







Scholars believe that the tradition of Kettukazhcha has its roots in Buddhism which was prevalent in the Kerala during the 3rd century. The Tattammunna kara's kettukazhcha was the tallest 'kala' with a height of 27 meter. The rituals & programmes end only at midnight.

Nearest rail head is Kayamkulam (17 km away). 7 km from Pandalam. Mahasivarathri was celebrated on 02 March 2011.

Nooranad Padanilam kettukazhcha Videos

Video 1 >> Video 2 >> Video 3 >> Video 4

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Kushalnagar Travel
The6.10 am Kutta bus from Manathavady (Rs 19) takes one to Kutta at 7 am. At 7 am, from the Tholpetty (Kerala - Karnataka border), there is a bus to Madikeri via Gonikoppal, Virajpet. I boarded this bus from Kutta at 7.05 am and get down at Gonikoppal at 8.15 am for traveling to Kushalnagar (Rs 21, 34 km). The road was not in good condition and the dust entered the bus. The bus was fitted with two TVs and I watched an English movie. The route was through the acres of coffee plantations which were bathed in white due to blooming.

At 9 am from Gonikoppal, I got a Siddapura bus named Ashoka. The route was via Tata estate at Pollibetta and the bus reached Siddapura at 9.50 am. The popular Orange Country luxury resort is 5.5 km away. The Dubare forest (15 km), the Cauvery Nisargadhama garden (2.5 km) and Harangi dam (9 km) are near to Kushalnagar.

I got a Kushalnagar bus from Siddapura at 9.50 am and reached Kushalnagar at 11 am (30 km, Rs 16). From there I hired an auto rickshaw to the Namdroling monastery, which is popularly known as Golden temple (Rs 30, one way, 5 km).

Namdroling monastery / Golden temple



Losar - The Tibettan New Year - was celebrated on 5 Feb 2011 . It is celebrated with great pomp in various monasteries. The main attraction was the exhibition of long picture scrolls called thangas and the masked drama presented by monks (cham).

The monastery has 4 temples, huge gold painted Buddha statues, big drums, a number of high stupas (19) and prayer wheels. The monastery has a population of around 2500 of which, 800 are student nuns.A large prayer wheel is kept in a room near the stupas. The prayer wheels containing prayer has to be rotated in the clockwise direction prayerfully. A high number of Circumbulation of the stupas accomplish a wish.

The fluttering of the colorful prayer flags with prayers and pictures were very attractive.







At 2 pm the prayer start at the Golden temple with around 500 Buddhist monks participating. Prayers are chanted from palm manuscripts with the beating of the drums and other Tibetan musical instruments. The monks sip the hot Tibetan tea poured into their cups during the prayer.

Eucalyptus leaves were burnt during the prayers create a smoke cover.

I completed the photo session cum visit of the Golden temple by 2.30 pm and reached Kushalnagar by auto. I enjoyed a vegetarian lunch from Greenland Restaurant near the bus stand at Rs 40 (Ph : 08276 274445). I boarded the bus at 3 pm and reached Madikeri at 4 pm (Rs 22, 32 km).

Golden temple videos

Video 1 >> Video 2 >> Prayer wheels & stupas >> Losar prayer & Tibettan musical instruments

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Coorg is a Coffee land in Kodagu district of Karnataka with Madikeri as it's headquarters.

Madikeri fort is located near the bus station. Now it was the time for a quick visit to Madikeri fort and the small Government museum with impressive exhibits displayed in a British era church and the nearby hero stones. The two elephant statues will tell the past glory of the fort.



Fort video

From there I reached the ancient Omkareswara temple by walk. The temple has 5 golden domes and a temple pond. The temple wall has painted statues of peacock and lion on both sides of the entrance.

Temple video

The Raja seat garden cum view point was further 1 km away but was not impressive. This is called Raja’s seat because the Coorg Raja’s were known to visit spot together with their consorts to watch the beauty of nature. The mini toy train trip were enjoyed by kids (Rs 10).

The Royal tombs (Gadhige) were 2 km away from the town, so I hired an auto at Rs 40 return. From here the road leads to town's famous Abbi falls (further 6 km away). As there is no bus, one has to depend on private vehicles for the visit.

Raja seat & Royal tombs video

Abbi falls



The other tourist spots near Madikeri are Talacauvery, Bisle Ghat, Erpu falls and Nagarhole sanctuary. Tadiandamol trek is also popular, as it is the highest peak in the Kodagu region located near Virajpet.

Erpu falls



Travel

I boarded Virajpet bus at 5.50 pm and reached at 7 pm (32 km, Rs 22). I took supper from Kingsway Restaurant near the bus stand (Ph : 0821 2543777). I got 8.30 pm Kannur bus and it took 30 minutes for the down hill journey traversing hairpin curves. A further 1 hour travel to reach Iritty. One more hour to Kannur (11 pm, covering 84 km at Rs 52). Then it was a long wait for the 0030 h bus going to Karippur Airport via Kozhikode. It reached Kozhikode at 3 am.

Madikeri is well connected to Kannur via Iritty, Manathawady via Kutta, Tholpetty, Mysore via Kushalnagar.

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Pariyanampatta Pooram

The Pariyanampatta Bhagavathy temple is located 15 km from Ottapalam in Palakkad district of Kerala. The temple is located 40 km from Palakkad at Kattukulam. It is a 7 day long festival. The Pooram festival is marked by the traditional folk and classical musical performances like the Tholpavakoothu (shadow puppet play during night), Pootham, Thira, Kalamezhuthupattu (Holy design making and song at night), Karivela, Kaalavela (bull motif spectacle), Kuthiravela (horse motif spectacle), Kathakali, Chakyarkoothu. Ceremonial procession of 21 caparisoned elephants and the traditional musical performances are the main attraction on the pooram day.

The Chavittu kali by the local Tribals singing local dialect songs started beneath the Banyan tree by 1 pm. The dancers move in circle singing songs up to 5 pm. Now the Pooram started with the Pancharimelam performance in front of the caparisoned elephants.

There were 40 twin bulls (kaala in Malayalam) and a chariot were placed near the temple. Few were single bull kettukazcha. The devotees played the kaalas in their turn with great spirit. The kaala vela started at around 5 pm and was the most interesting part of the festival. Finally the high chariot was taken for circulation.







Event Date : 19 Feb 2011 (The pooram day in month of Kumbam according to the Malayalam calendar)

Videos

Pooram >> Chavittukali >> Kaalavela >> Chariot

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Thira maholtsavam at Sree Pavittamithal Bhagavathy temple, Civil Station, Kozhikode on 17 Feb 2011.

Video

Woodpecker



They eat beetles, ants, termites, spiders and caterpillars. A variety of woodpeckers are found in nature. The largest woodpecker was the Imperial woodpecker
having 58 cm in length (extinct). They lay 2 to 5 white eggs and are incubated for 11 to 14 days before the chicks are born. This woodpecker in this video has around 16 cm in length.

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Ooty Flower show 2011

Ooty is a popular tourist destination and is located 100 km from Coimbatore. The famous flower show (115th) was organised at Government Botanical Garden, Ooty from 20 to 22 May 2011. Vintage car ralley and horse race are organised in May.



Government Botanical Garden, Ooty (near Charring Cross stop) : Entry Rs 20, Video Camera Rs 75. Videos: 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >> 5 >> 6

Botanical Garden

This garden was laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale, then the Governor of Madras and is spread over 22 hectares ascending the slopes on the hill. Lush green well maintained lawns, rare trees species (like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree-monkey cannot climb this tree), a 20 million year old fossilized tree, an Italian - style garden bordering, a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants , Fern house with a vast range ferns and orchids are some of the highlights of this garden.

Videos: 1 >> 2

Toda tribal hut is located at Botanical Garden, Ooty. Toda people are the original inhabitants of Ooty. A model hut selling tribal items, shawls etc can be seen at the Botanical garden entrance. A further climb takes one to the tribal temple in a village just outside the boundary wall. Videos: 1 >> 2



Nilgiri Mountain Railway : The meter gauge steam engine with four bogies (wooden coaches with large windows) travel through 16 tunnels, 31 bridges, 326 m to 2193 m , 1899 AD, 46 km in 4.5 hour. There are five stations between Mettupalayam and Coonoor - Kallar, Adderley, Hill Grove, Runnymede and Kateri. From Kallar the 21 km route to Coonoor is through truly rocky terrain. The track passes over 26 viaducts, and twist and blends through 13 tunnels. The train uses the rack and pinion system to climb the incline.

Toy Train videos: 1 >> 2

Toy train timings

The Ooty passenger train leaves Mettupalayam at 7.10 am daily and reaches Ooty by noon. Mettupalayam Pass leaving Ooty station at 3 pm, reaches Mettupalayam at 6.35 pm.

Daily 4 passenger trains from Ooty to Coonoor and back.

Coonoor Pass from Ooty station (7.15 am, 7.30 pm). Ooty Pass from Coonoor station (7.30 am, 4.30 pm)

CSI Wesley Church, Mission Hill, Coonoor.

Peacock sighted near Mettupalayam: video

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I got the Alleppey - Dhanbad Express from Cherthala at 6.30 am and the train reached Coimbatore at 12 Noon. I just missed the Mettupalayam passenger train. The nest passenger was at 3 pm, so I opt travel by bus. Bus No 32A goes from Coimbatore Railway station to New bus stand (for Ooty bus) Rs 3/ Rs 60 by auto.

Cherthala - Mettupalayam : 275 km, Rs 124 in SL M/E. Coimbatore - Cherthala : 239 km, Rs 113 in SL M/E.

Mettupalayam is at the base of the Nilgiri hill range and has plenty of good-cheap hotels. Ooty is 55 km away via hairpin curved ghat raod. Black Thunder Water theme park, 4 km from Mettupalayam on the Ooty road. Entry Rs 400. The route goes via Burliar, Coonoor, Lovedale and Wellington. The famous Defence Staff College is located at Wellington.



Bus travel is cheap in Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore - Mettupalayam : 80 min by bus/50 km, Mettupalayam - Coonoor : Rs 13, Coonoor - Ooty : Rs 6, 23 km

Ooty - Gudallur : 50 km
Ooty Circuit bus fare Rs 60.
Route : Central Bus STand-Children's Park - Boat House - Botanical Garden - Dodabetta peak - Tea Museum - Rose Garden junction (near Alankar theatre/Hotel Saphire Paradise/Hotel Alkapuri).

Tea Museum cum factory, Doddabetta tea factory, Melkodappamund, Ooty : Entry Rs 5 (2 km before Doddabetta junction on the Kothagiri road)
One can see the Home made Chocolate production. The Ooty view point has a telescope and has good views of the hill town. video



Telescope House, Doddapetta : Rs 5 (9 km from Botanical garden/ 3 km from Dodabetta junction - on the Ooty - Kothagiri road)

Where to Stay

Amritha Lodge, Annaji Rao road, Mettupalayam - 64130, Ph : 04254 229102.
Hotel Ragavendra, Eldee complex, Coonoor - 643102, Ph : 0423 2235333.

Where to Eat

Hotel Sri Lakshmi, TDK Pillai road, Coonoor -2, Ph : 2238889
Hotel Aaryas, Near bus stand, Mettupalayam
Hotel Maruthi, Near bus stand, Mettupalayam, Ph: 222955

Distance from Mettupalayam in km

Sathyamangalam 43
Anoor 22
Avinashi 41
Covai 36
Tiruppur 53
Erode 101
Coonoor 32 (90 min)

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Rose Garden, Ooty : The Rose garden has the largest collections of roses in the country like Hybrid Tea Roses, miniature rose, Floribunda, Ramblers, roses of unusual colours like black and green are some of the more than 3,000 varieties of roses that will captivate your senses. The Rose Garden is situated in slopes of the Elk Hill (4 heactares in 5 terrraces). Entry Rs 20, Camera Rs 30 (2 km from main bus stand)





Dodabetta Peak : It is the highest peak in the Nilgiris at 2637 metre. There is an observatory at the top of Doddabetta with two telescopes available for the public to enjoy the magnificent Ooty aerial view. Located 9 km from Ooty with road access. The Sunset is spectacular from this view point.

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Athirapilly waterfalls is one of the beautiful waterfalls of Kerala located 32 km from Chalakudy on the Valpara road in Thrissur district of Kerala. Chalakudy -Pariyaram - Dream World - Konnakuzhy - Silver storm - Vettilapara - Athirappilly : 32 km, 1 h, Rs 18 by bus. Dream World & Silver storm (Mob :9447603344) are two water theme parks en route.

0630, 1320 & 1420 h Valpara bus from Chalakudy. Chalakudy - Athirappilly - Vazhachal - Peringalkuthu dam - Puliyilapara - Malakapara - Valpara (in Tamil Nadu). Sholayar dam is 43 km and Malakkapara is 58 km away from Athirapilly.



Athirappilly & Vazhachal waterfalls Entry : Rs 15. Camera and video charges extra. Timings : 8 am to 5 pm. Chapra falls is 3 km from Athirappilly. Further 2 km is Vazhachal waterfalls. The last bus from Athirapilly to Chalakudy is at 7.10 pm.



Treks from Athirappilly : Season: Dec. Beware of Leech. Rate for a group of 5 persons.

Athirappilly to Kundoormedu : 1 day, 30 km, Rs 1000.
Ittiyani to Kundoormedu : 2 day, 50 km, Rs 2000

Vazhachal to Orukombankutty : 2 day, 50 km, Rs 2000
Vazhachal to Karanthode : 2 day, 40 km, Rs 2000

For booking Contact : DFO, Chalakudy. Ph : 0480 2701713.