My Travel

M y Travel

GURUVAYOOR
on 7th to 8th Aug 2010 2012 July	Guruvayoor Sree Krishna temple, Mammiyoor temple (1.5 km from Guruvayoor), Guruvayoor Devaswam elephant place, popularly known as Anakkotta (4 km from Guruvayoor)
ATHIRAPALLY, VALPPARAI
2012 July	Stay at: Shojan’s House, Avittathopor, iringalakkuda Visited Places: Guruvayoor Temple Nelliyampathyi: Palakkad district, near Nenmara Athirappally water falls (40 km from Chalakkudy) Vazhachal (20 km from Athirappally) Valpparai (90 km from Athirapally, tea gardens), Malakkapparai (Kerala- TN Boarder): entry restricted upto 6.00 PM, through Forest
MADURAI
on 10th to 11th Sept 2010	Nagarcovil to Madurai            NH7 new highway- EXPRESS WAY – FORD FIGO DIESEL- 240 km 2hr. 15 min. @ 110 kmph to 143 kmph. (10.15 AM TO 12.30 PM) ½ HR. JOURNEYS FROM NH7 BYPASS TO MADURAI TOWN [Madurai, turn left from NH7 Express way and then turns right through underpass: 20 min. journey to Madurai Town)
	VISITED PLACES: MADURAI:   MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, THIRUPPARAMKUNDRAM ROCK TEMPLE (8 km from Madurai Central Town), THIRUMALA NAIKAR PALACE- light & sound show (near Meenkashi Temple- 1 km) OTHERS:       KUMARAKOVIL AND SUCHEENDRAM STAY AT: Hotel Taj, Room rent: Rs.500/- (double room deluxe non AC) West Masy street, near Perumal Bus Stand, Madurai, car parking. (Opp. Hotel Vijay, reasonable rate, Rs.500-700/- with car parking facility)
MUNNAR
2006- May 2015 April 11,12,13	Visited Places: Munnar- Mattuppetty Dam, Top Station Thekkady- Wild life sanctuary Thattekkad, near Kothamangalam (6 km) Idukki Arch Dam, Cheruthoni Dam Stay at: Hotel Elesium Gardens, Munnar (Top Station Road) (Rs.1200/-)              Hotel Easten, Kattappana (Town) (Rs.500/-) Stay: Hotel SN Sujatha Inn, Munnar town on 11th & 12th night Rs.1800/- per day rent, deluxe room Visited places: Top station, Vattavada, Pampadum Shola National Park, Mattupetty dam, Anayirangal dam, Chinnakkanal, Botanical Garden, Rajamalai National Park, Marayur, Chinnar WL sanctury
2012 May	Visited places: Munnar (Top Station, Mattupeety, Chinnar Dam, Rose Garden), Marayoor (60 km from Munnar), Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary, Amaravathy (25km from Munnar, elephants are seen across the road) Stay at: Hotel SN Sujatha Inn, before Munnar Town, road side (Parking facility available), Tariff: Rs.1200/- deluxe room
KODAIKANAL,
2005- May 2011- May 15, 16	Visited Places: Kodaikkanal, Palani, Ootty Stay at: Hotel Kodai International, Kodaikkanal (Rs.850/-) It is a town, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, at an elevation of 2,225 m in the Palni hills. Established in 1845 by US missionaries and British civil servants as a hill station to which administrative offices were moved during the summer, it is a popular resort known for its scenery, 30-ha artificial lake, and recreational facilities. It also contains a meteorological observatory that engages in astrophysical research. The town serves as a collection and distribution centre for fruits and vegetables, especially potatoes and pears, which are sent to neighboring cities on the plains. It has schools for foreign and Indian students, and a Jesuit seminary. Population (2001) 32,969.
	Visited Places: Kodai Lake, Pillar Rock, Bear Sholla falls, Fairy falls, Silver Cascade (falls), Coakers alk, etc. Stay at: Hotel Raku International, Upper lake road, Rs.1300/- double room deluxe (500 m from Ton)
2013 May 12, 13	Travel: from Rameswaram to Kodaikanal (Rameswaram Madhurai Good road), NH Bypass to Bathalgundu (15 km from Highway), turn left 10 km, turn right straight to Kodaikanal 47 km, after 30 km road will divert, right to Palani, Theni. Journey started at 2.00 PM from Rameswaram and reach at 8.00 Pm in Kodaikanal. Stay at: Hotel Rabi International, Rs.1500/- standard room (Tv facility available), road side, on the way to Kodaio Lake. Lunch from Hotel Paradise Inn. Visited places: Pillar rock, Guna cave (Mohanlal’ fiol sikari was shooted there, after Pillar rock), Kodai Lake, Dolphio Nose (from Pillar Rock road, which also go to Poompara), Silver Cascade water falls. Return journey: started at 4.00 PM from Kodai and reach at 12.25 PM at Home (1.30 hour halt at various places for photo, food and drinks). Dinner from Hotel Bismi, Thakkalai. Note: Rrturn journey through Usilampetty 19 km from Bathalgundu and turnm right 30 km  to Mahura NH Bypass. The shortest route shown by the map is through Usilampetty, Sivakasi, Thenkasi, Thenmala, Tvpm 312 km.
OOTTY
2005- May 2011- May 16, 17	Stay at: Hotel Ootty Gate, Ooty (Rs.600/-) Visited Places: Ootty Rose garden, Horticulture Garden, Lake, Doddabetta Stay at: Hotel Venus (road side, ton), Rs.1990/- double room deluxe (Posh room) A town, also Udhagamandalam , formerly Ootacamund , also called Ooty , administrative headquarters of Nilgiri district, in the Nilgiri hills, at about 2,300 m above sea level, Tamil Nadu. It is sheltered by several peaks including Doda Betta (2,637 m), the highest point in Tamil Nadu. Founded by the British in 1821, it was used as official government summer headquarters for the Madras Presidency until Indian independence in 1947. The town is primarily a tourist resort, but it also contains tea-processing and textile industries, schools, and colleges affiliated with the University of Madras. Population (2001) 93,987.
KANYAKUMARI
2005 May, 2007, 2010, 2011 (Feb. 2011) 2014 Sept 11	Visited places: Vivekananda Rock, Thiruvalluvar statue, beach, Devi Kanyakumari temple, Vattakkottai, Aralvaimoozhi, Wind Mill farm, Padmabhapuram Temple, Sucheendram Temple, Nagaraja Temple in Nagarcoil
YERCAUD
2011- May 14, 15	Visited Places: Yercaud- Biggest Sri Chakra Mahameru Temple, Lake, Lady’s suit, Gent’s suit Stay at: Hotel (on the ay to Sri Chakra Mahameru Temple)- 200 m from Lake Jn. (Yercaud Jn.), Rs.770/- double room deluxe
PALARUVI, THENMALA
2012 November	Visited Places: Palaruvi, Thenmala Ecotourism
2014 Dec 26	Palaruvi, Courtalam, Thenmala (Kallada) Dam
REMESWARAM
2013 May 11, 12	A pilgrimage centre and enshrining one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India, it is said that Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here on his way back from Lanka. The island of RameshAwaram, where it is situated is connected to the mainland by a bridge. A pilgrimage to Rameshwaram is one of the important injunctions of the Hindus and a pilgrimage to Kashi is not considered complete without a pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. Stay at: Hotel Supreme, A/c room Rs.1200/- on the way to Temple, main road (parking on road side), good hotel Visited Places: Travel: through Madurai NH Bypass (NHAI Toll amount Rs.240/- [55+55+60+70] for one way journey, four Toll plazas between Nagarkovil and Madhurai) Max 150 kmpr in Ford Figo, average 100 kmpl. Jourvey started at 6.25 AM from home, 11.30 at Madhurai, and reach at 4.00 Pm in Rameswaram) Lunch at Hotel Vijay, 50 km from Madhurai on 11-5-13. Ramanathaswamy Temple: Located at the heart of the town, this historic temple is one of the most important temples in South India. This magnificent temple, famous for its 1200 massive granite columns, is a fine instance of late Dravidian architecture. Remeswaram Temple (Ramaswami Temple, very ancient Lord Siva main Temple) Temple Of Sri Kodandarama: About 8 km from the temple is the beautiful temple of Sri Kodandarama where, tradition says, Vibishana was crowned king of Lanka when he joined Sri Rama. Dhanushkodi: Named after Lord Rama's bow ('dhanush"), Dhanushkodi is 8 km away from Rameswaram. All but the Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Dhanushkodi were completely destroyed by the terrible cyclones of 1964. This temple houses graceful idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibhishana (brother of Ravana). Pmpan bridge: this bridge connects the island Rameswaram with Ramanathapuram. It is a long bridge; the other end of the bridge is very difficult to see. Railway line is passing on the side of this bridge. Ships can be cross through the underside of the Pampan bridge, and openings for Railway bridge is also there. Pampan is taller and Raiolwa bridge is shorter, 3 m higher than the ocean water level. Dhanushkodi: v  Beautiful place: 20 km from Rameswaram, v  First 10 km straight road (two lane good condition whre we can go upto 100 kmph), our vehicle will nreach upoto this point, ocean on both sides of this road (around 50 mrs to 300 mrs, narrowed and reach to the place) v  Next 10 kms through the ocean and sand in either Jeep or in Tempo (services are available @Rs.2000/- per vehicle or Rs.100/- per person) v  Few no. of fishermen huts and some shops are seen there. v  Dhanushkodi Railway station (damaged building built in stone is seen) place can be seen there, which was washed out in 1964 by a heavy cyclone
KUTTANAD
2014  Dec 25	Kainakari, Ramankari, Nedumudi, Journey through Thiruvalla, Podiyadi, Thakazhi, Ramankari, Nedumudi, Kainakari, Alappuzha, Muhamma, Pathiramanal, Thanneermukkom bund, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Changanassery, Thiruvalla.
KUMARAKOM
2014 Dec	Pathiramanal island, Kumarakom Return journey through Kottayam.
ATTAPADY, SILENT VALLEY
2014 August 3	Travel: from Palakkad Fort (7.45 AM) to Mannarkkad (38 km), turn right 35 km to Attappady. From Mukkali, turn left 2 km. Stay at: No stay Visited places: Attappady, Silent Valley National Park  Dept                                     Other places through the route: Siruvani dam, Siruvani river, Sholayur, Anakkatty and the road will go to Coimbatore. Silent Valley: 20 km journey in Forest. All day permitted. But closed in Feb. and March every year. A Beautiful place in Kerala. Highly EFL zone. Silent Valley: 5 hours journey in Forest Dept Van/ Jeep Van: Rs.300/- per head, 24 capacity, at least 20 persons are required to operate a trip. One van is there. (usually one trip will be carried out in a day) Jeep: Rs.1400/- for one Jeep, one to maximum 5 persons may be permitted in a Jeep. 20 Jeeps (private) are there.  Govt vehicles are also allowed inside the park. Return journey: started at 4.00 PM reached the room at 6.15 PM. Note: Attappady Block office is situated in Agaly, 30 km from Silent Valley point. Since it takes 5 hours to complete the trip and no food is available inside the park, food has to be kept.
MALAMPUZHA
2014 August 7	Malampuzha Reservoir  (with Sri. Basheer, IEO)
CHITHARAL
2014 Sept 11	Chitharal Jaina Temple, an ancient rock temple In Kanyakumari District 3 km from Attoor (10 km from Marthandam)
2015 April 13,14 PARAMBIKULAM	Parambikulam WL Tiger sanctuary, Palakkad district Stay at Tree Top Hut, Thoonakkadavu dam, 5 km before Parambikkulam Dam. Rs,4500/- package includes food (lunch, dinner, breakfast), trekking, safari, bamboo rafting in reservoir, etc.  Guide/ Gaurd's name provided: Mr. Sivakumar, ST Parambikulam FDA Animals seen: Elephants, deers, Samba deers, bear, wild boars, wild goars, langurs (hanuman monkey), peacock, peacock dance, mountain squirrel etc.