My Travel

**Perfection** · 07-31-2009, 03:30 PM

Tourist spots around Mysore

The tourist sopts around Mysore are Shivsamudram falls, Hogenakkal falls, Somathpur, Sravanabelagola, Belur and Halebeedu.

Belur is 32 km from Hassan and is famous for the Chennakesava temple and the Veeranarayan temple. Both temples are located in a walled temple complex one km from bus stand. The Chennakesava temple has 60 large ornate sculptures. Belur is 163 km from Mysore via Hassan.

Channakeshava temple tower

Channakeshava temple

Video 1 Video 2

Halebidu is famous for the Hoysala temple and Archaeological museum. It is 17 km from Belur. The 32 km Halebidu - Hassan route has Merrigold fields and windmills. Video

**Perfection** · 08-02-2009, 11:47 AM

Somathpur Hoysala temple is 32 km from Srirangapatna via Bannur). On the route, one can see sugarcane fields and sugar processing. Somnathpur is 8 km from Bannur and the route is less frequented by buses.

Somnathpur temple video

Sravanabelagola (85 km from Mysore). From Srirangapatna, reach Channarayapatna via Krishanrajapet (60 km). Sravanabelagola is 11 km away. Sravanabelagola is a major Jain pilgrim centre where Gomateswara statue of 300 BC (17 m high) reached by 640 steps. Head annoying ceremony is celebrated once in 12 years. Next is due in 2018.

A 52 km road journey is to Hassan via Channarayapatna. Hassan city is where Master Control Facility is located, by which satellites are controlled from earth.

Video

Kollegal (60 km from Mysore) - Chamrajanagar - Satyamangalam - Coimbatore is the forested area where late Veerappan poached hundreds of elephants and sandalwood. The famous Sivasamudram falls is 18 km from Kollegal.

From Kollegal another forested route goes via Hanur - Anthiyur - Bhavani - Erode. From where one can visit Hogenakkal waterfalls (2 hour travel from Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu).

**Perfection** · 08-17-2009, 12:41 AM

St Mary's Forane church, Pallipuram is located 10 km away from Cherthala in Alapuzha Dt of Kerala, India. The festival of Mother Mary is celebrated on 15 August. The markets mainly the meat market selling pork is worth visiting.

The specialties of the church include - The first church made by St Thomas in India, Miraculous painting of Mother Mary and infant Jesus by St Luke (located at the second level in the 16th century Portuguese made wooden altar and Wooden cross supposed to be made by St Thomas. The cross has be thrown in the Vembanad backwaters by miscreants and later discovered near Mattel church.

Blessed Fr Chavara Kuriakose was vicar of the church. The baptistery of his time is located near the 150 year old seminary building. One can see old inscriptions related to the church and ancient well used by Fr Malpan, founder of CMI sect.

Festival Videos

Pallipuram church festival
Pallipuram church procession
Live brutal killing

**Perfection** · 08-24-2009, 02:02 PM

Athachamayam

Location : Tripunithura, Kochi, Kerala, India

Atham (23 Aug 2009) in the Malayalam month of Chingam is the starting of the Onam festivities. Chingam is the auspicious day for marriages. In Guruvaayur temple, there were 123 marriages on the Atham day. Onam is the Kerala's state festival. On the Onam day, Karanavar (eldest member of the family) presents new cloths to all members of the family. Atham was celebrated in Thripunithura even during time of Cochin Kingdom. Maharaja (king) himself accompanied with all his entourage during the cultural procession. The procession during the old times traveled up to the Thrikkakara Vamanamurthy temple and Maharaja offered prayers there.

Thrikkakara Vamanamurthy temple : It is one of the oldest temples in India having 18 stone inscriptions of 10 to 13 AD. It is the only temple in India, which is dedicated to Vamana (Thrikkakara Appan), the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The main festival days of the temple are Atham and Onam.

Onasadya (Great Onam lunch)

The Athachamayam 2009 was inaugurated by Home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan at Boys High school ground near the Private bus stand, Tripunithua. The procession was started at 11.00 am. The route was via Private bus stand, turned right at the statue, then turned left at junction near church and entered the town via Sree Poornathrayeesa temple (Lord Vishnu) and statue. The procession ended at the Boys school ground around 1 pm.

On 1960 onwards, State government organizes the procession. The secular cultural procession is of caparisoned elephants, temple art forms like Kathakali, Theyyam, Ammankudam, Pulikali, Padayani etc. Chendamelam, Panchavadyam etc can be enjoyed during this occasion. Thiruvathira, Mohiniyattam, Ottamthullal, Kalaripayattu, Karate, king Mahabali, Vamana, Kavadiyattom, Mayil kavadi, Peacock dance, etc were in the procession. Numerous floats depicts the contemporary social situations is also exhibited.

The same day (Atham) a boat race is organizes at Eroor Champakkara canal near Vytila at 3 pm. It also attracts a large number of race enthusiasts.

How to Reach

Tripunithura Railway station is 1 km from town. It is well connected by bus service from Kochi city (10 km). Hill Palace museum is the main tourist attraction of the fortified Royal city. Chottanikkara Bhagavathy temple is nearby.

Athachamayam Video 1 || Video 2 || Video 3 || Tableau
St Mary's church & Onam flowers

Pulikali dance video

**Perfection** · 09-04-2009, 04:03 AM

Theyyam is a temple art form (dance) practiced mainly in Malabar (north) region of Kerala. In Palakkad, it is called pootham, while in Kozhikode it is called thira. It is called theyyam in Kannur. The main types of Theyyam are Bappiryan theyam, Khandakarnan theyyam, Kathivannoor veeran theyyam, Mari theyyam, Paradevatha, gulikan, Kali, kuttichatthan, muthappan, Kadavankkott makkam etc. Theyyam is the regional form of god. The person who dances vigorously is supposed to have divine powers and the devotees express their problem and get solutions. Rice powder, ash, turmeric powder etc are used to give colors to face. A huge crown like crown is also worn. Anklets are worn by the dancers. Tender coconut leaves are used to decorating the head dress.

Pookkalam (circular flower arrangement) competition is another main attraction of the festival.

Video 1 >> Video 2

A trade fare selling home made food items and cloths is also organised as part of the festival. A circus, death well and few joy rides were fun for the visitors.

**Perfection** · 09-04-2009, 04:43 AM

Haritholsavam 2009 (Agricultural and Horticultural Exhibition) was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India with the support of Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala and National Horticulture Board at the Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market (EEC Market) at Maradu in Kochi from 28th - 31st Aug 2009.

Video 1 >> Video 2

**Perfection** · 10-10-2009, 03:48 PM

Kottayam, Tazhathangady boat race was on 5 Sept '09 at 3 pm. Four Chundan, 4 Iruttukuthy and 5 Churulan boats participated in the thrilling boat race (vallom kali).

Videos

The Start >> Boat Race >> Chundan vallom's Semi Final
Race in Progress >> Winner's Final

**Perfection** · 03-28-2010, 09:29 AM

Lonavla (622 m ASL): It is popular hill station located 60 km from Pune on the Mumbai route famous for Chikki and fudges. During monsoon season as the countryside turns lush green with waterfalls and ponds.

Lonavla and Khandala (5 km away), the twin hill stations were discovered by Lord Elphinstone in 1871, the then Governor of Bombay presidency. People prefer visiting Lonavla and Khandala in the rainy season. Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves are nearby. The main forts are Lohagad and Visapur.

The main tourist points are Rajmachi point, Shooting point (Khandala), Ryewood park, Cemetery with ancient tombs, Valvan dam, Lonavla lake, Bushi dam, Tiger's leap, Tungarli dam, Ambavne fort and Sahara Amby valley.

Video

**Perfection** · 03-28-2010, 09:33 AM

I boarded Shalimar Express (6323) from Palakkad on 12.2.2010 at 00.15 h and reached Bhubaneshwar on 13.2.2010 at 6.30 am covering 1773 km via Chennai (10 am), Nellore (1 pm), Vijayawada (5 pm), Rajamundri (7 pm) and Vizag. I walk a little from platform 4 to reach the main road to Puri, where there was plenty of lodges. After checkin at Athithi Nivas, I visited the Puri and Konark temples. The next day was busy with visiting temples of Bhubaneshwar and State museum. I missed Dhauli Shanti stupa, Khandagiri - Udyagiri caves and the popular Nandan Kannan Zoo (white tiger safari) this time.

Puri was a 2 hour journey costing Rs 25 by bus. The handicrafts village Pipli is 19 km away on the way to Puri. From the bus stand, temple is 3 km away. I got a shared auto from just out of the stand (Rs 5). The temple is closed to non Hindus and cameras and mobiles were not permitted inside the temple complex. I climbed the steps of the nearby Library building after tipping the librarian. It has good views of Puri town and the temple. Puri beach is nearby (3 km).

Puri Jagannatha temple

One of the major Hindu pilgrim centres in India located in Orissa, famous for the Car festival. The temple is 60 km from Bhubaneshwar, capital of Orissa. The wooden images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were installed in that temple. No Admission to non Hindus and Photography prohibited inside the temple compound.

The temple complex with 120 temples has an area of 37,000 m2 with fortified wall. The 65 m temple tower is crowned by 'srichakra' (a eight spoked wheel) of Vishnu. The temple kitchen is one of world's largest.

**Perfection** · 03-28-2010, 09:47 AM

From Puri I reached Konark by bus (Rs 15, 30 km, 1 hour) via NH 203A through Balushai sanctury, Chandravaga beach. At Konark temple Rs 10 for entry and Rs 25 for Video camera. The Konark museum is nearby (1.5 km). Car rental 0674 2532483/9437283254.

Konark museum : One of the worst museums under Archaeological Survey of India at Konark, Orissa. It is located 64 km from Bhubaneshwar. Palmlets of India's world heritage centres are for sale.

Opening Hours : 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Closed on Fridays

Entrance Fee : Rs. 5/- per head (Children up to 15 years free)

Video