Chootad Beach - One For The Beach Bums

Chootad Beach - One for the Beach Bums

A glorious strip of sand ensconced between a pretty lake and a gentle sea, overlooking the mighty Ezhimala Hills. That is Chootad Beach for you, a rare geographical combination which looks more like a painting born out of an artist’s fantasy than your usual beach. 

The beach which lies a few kilometers away from Pazhayangadi town in Kannur is yet to figure in the tourism radar and one can easily spend a few hours here in solitude. 

This resplendent beach also boasts a long, gorgeous coastline backed by Casuarina trees. When faced with such an amazing scenic splendour, who wouldn’t want to get a bird’s eye view? The merry go round at the beach lets you do just that, get spectacular views of this ethereal beauty from all perspectives.

The beach isn’t just for the romantics. It is for the adventurous and those who just want to picnic around as well. The District Tourism Promotion Council here maintains a park in the beach. Be it capering about in the park, gliding through the calm waters of the lake in a pedal boat or just revving up the quad and riding through the sands, the beach offers a host of activities to indulge in.

For beach bums, there is nothing more fulfilling than sauntering through this pristine stretch watching the waves crash at the shore, taking a dip or just settling into the sands and staring at the magnificent vista struck up by nature.  

Source : Kerala Tourism

Thirvonathoni - A Night-Long Odyssey Through The Pamba

Thiruvonathoni - A Night-Long Odyssey through the Pamba

Once a year, the River Pamba gets enlivened as an elaborately decorated snake boat glides across its placid waters bearing the provisions for a grand feast. The occasion is the journey of the Thiruvonathoni, a Garuda faced vessel, bearing the provisions for Thiruvona Sadya on Thiruvonam Day. 

Braving the elements, the vessel makes an arduous journey in the dead of the night from the Maha Vishnu Temple at Kattoor, a tiny village 12 kilometre away, to the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple where the feast is given. The banks of the river get crammed to the brim by travellers and devotees to witness this phenomenal fete. 

The provisions for the feast are pitched in by the villagers of Kattoor.

The arrival of the Bhattathiri, the eldest member of the Mangattu Brahmin family of temple priests, marks the start of the festivities. It is the Bhattathiri who escorts the vessel and the villagers accord a warm reception to him. 

As dusk falls, the Thiruvonathoni starts sailing, all escorted by snake boats. Enroute, the Thiruvonathoni makes two stops, the first is at the Ayiroor Madom where it is accorded a rousing reception and a plethora of offerings are made. It is only at midnight that the craft commences its journey from here. The vessel makes its next stop at Melukara where yet another enthusiastic crowd offers a grand welcome. After a brief halt, the journey resumes.  

The nightlong cruise of the brilliantly illuminated Thiruvonathoni beneath the night sky speckled by a grandiose firework display, swaying to the exuberant notes of the boat songs, makes for a stellar sight. 

The Thiruvonathoni is joined by a fleet of snake boats midway which escorts it to the Aranmula Temple. As the vessel reaches the ghat, it is welcomed by the high-spirited rendering of boat songs, casting a festive aura over Aranmula. Thousands throng the banks to witness this glorious spectacle. By noon, a grand lineup of dishes of myriad flavours is prepared and served. Devotees flood the temple to savour the feast.

Once here, enjoy the elaborate spread of dishes listening to the frenetic notes of the boat songs and just merge with the festivities.

Source : Kerala Tourism

Yamunotri Temple - It Is Situated At A Height Of 3239 meters Above The Sea Level

YAMUNOTRI TEMPLE

AT

UTTARKASHI

Yamunotri Temple is located at a height of 3239 meters above the sea level in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. This temple was built by the King Tehri Naresh Sudarshan Shah in 1839. As it was damaged by an earthquake, the main temple was rebuilt by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur during the 19th century, which is then known as the center of attraction at Yamunotri. Yamunotri Temple opens every year on Akshaya Tritya, which falls either in the month of April or May and the holy idol of Goddess Yamuna is carried from the nearby village called Kharsali, which is said to be Goddess Yamuna’s Mother’s home.

The temple closes on the next day of Diwali festival called as Yama Dwitiya (which lies on the month of October or November), as the region will be covered with white sheets of snow for the rest of months. It is said that the Goddess Yamuna is a daughter of Lord Surya (Sun) and Goddess Sangya, the Goddess of Perception.

The main deity of this temple is Goddess Yamuna, the source of river Yamuna, believed to be the mother of Human Kind, providing the devotees with rich nourishment. The idol of Goddess Yamuna is made out of black marble. It is said that Yamunotri is specially mention in the Hindu mythology which was the home of an ancient sage named Asti Muni. The mythology says that a dip in the river Yamuna here will absolve all the sins.

Other important spots of Yamunotri are:

Saptarishi Kund (a tank)

Saptarishi Kund is regarded as the origin of the river Yamuna at an altitude of 4421 meters and the water in this kund is bluish in color and holds delightful scenery.

Surya Kund

Surya Kund is a hot boiling spring located at the region of the temple which flows into numerous pools.

Divya Sheel

Divya Sheela is a rock pillar, which gives a delicate feeling to the devotees who visits this place and it is ritual to worship the Divya Sheel before entering the sanctum.

Festivals

Phool Devi – celebrated in the month of March

Basant Panchami – celebrated in the month of March

Olgia – celebrated in the month of August

Poojas

The Aarti timings of Yamunotri temple is from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm

The special poojas offered in this temple in the evening period of Janmashtami and Diwali.

By Air

Jolly Grant airport is the nearest airport of the city where people visit with the help of any public transport. This airport connects with many other cities and states which make your travel comfortable. It is about 196 km far from the Gangotri.

By Train

Dehradun railway station near to the city which is also the major railway network of the city. Trains are frequent and run for various other destination.

By Road

Buses are very convenient way to move from one place to another. You need to take bus for Hanuman Chatti and then reach this place by trekking as the routes here are not suitable for wheeled traffic. Chandigarh (394km), Delhi (419km), Haridwar (223km), Dehradun (172km) and Mussoorie (142km) can be reached via road.

Trimbakeshwar Temple - It Is Located Popularly Known For Its Panoramic Beauty

TRIMBAKESHWAR TEMPLE 

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NASHIK

Trimbakeshwar Temple is situated in the town of Trimbak, Trimbakeshwar Taluk, Nashik District of Maharashtra, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is located at the origin of river Godavari, which is considered as the longest river in peninsular India. And a holy Kund named Kusavarta is appraised as the symbolic source of river Godavari and is respected as a sacred bathing place. The place where the Trimbakeshwar Temple is located popularly known for its panoramic beauty during monsoon season, and covered with luxuriant hills and unmarked by the pollution.

The construction of the current temple is said to be built by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao also called as Nanasaheb. Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the twelve Jyotrilinga (the radiant sign of the almighty) temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

The presiding deity of Trimbakeshwar temple is Lord Shiva and the deity of Lord Shiva is made of Nassak Diamond, the world famous diamond and considered is as the “Eye of the Idol”. Each Jyotrilinga temples takes different manifestation of Lord Shiva and the idol of Lingam is considered as a presiding deity in every Jyotrilinga temples. Lingam represents the beginning less and endless, which symbolizes the infinite nature of Shiva. The specific feature of Trimbakeshwar Jyotrilinga temple is that three faces concretizing Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Rudra.

The Tridev (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva) Lingam is covered with a jeweled crown, which consists of emeralds, diamonds, and many precious stones. And it is said that due to immoderate use of water, the Lingam has started to abrade. This process erosion signifies the eroding nature of human society. Trimbakeshwar temple is popularly known for its religious rituals, where Narayan Nagbali Pooja is performed only in this temple. This ritual is done for killing a cobra, to cure illness, preserve going through bad times, childless problem, etc.

Pooja Timings

The temple remains open from morning 5.30 am to night 9.00 pm.

Festivals

Godavari day – February

Nivrutti Natha festival – December or January

Mahashivaratri – February or March

Rathayatra (Chariot festival) – November

By Air

Nearest airport from Trimbakeshwar is at Mumbai, which is about 200 km away from the holy city.

By Train

Nearest railhead is at Nasik. It is one the major railway stations nearly 44 Kms away, connected to all major cities in India.

By Road

Trimbakeshwar is connected by bus services run by Maharashtra road Transport Corporation. There are many private luxury buses available from Mumbai to Nasik and to other major cities.

Gokarna - It Is known For Its Beautiful Beaches

GOKARNA

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KARNATAKA

Gokarna is a small town in the Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. It is a famous pilgrimage center and also one of the top destinations of Karnataka Tourism because of its beautiful beaches. 

The prime attraction of the Gokarna is the Mahabaleshwar Temple which houses the Atmalinga. The Atmalinga was given to Ravana by Lord Shiva himself. Ravana was stopped here for his evening prayers while going back to Lanka. He had been instructed by Lord Shiva not to keep the Atmalinga on the ground, since it would be fixed wherever it touched ground. Atmalinga was a powerful weapon and devatas did not want Ravana to get such a powerful weapon, fearing destruction.

Lord Ganesh took the avatar of a boy and offered Ravana to hold the Atmalinga during his prayer. Ganesha then kept the linga on ground before Ravana comes back from prayer. Ravana, in extreme anger, tried to pull out the Atmalinga from the ground, breaking it in the process. These pieces then resulted in the establishment of various temples in Karnataka. Besides Mahabaleshwara temple, there are other prominent temples here including Maha Ganapathi temple, Bhadrakali Temple, Varadaraja temple and Venkataramana temple.

The name of the town Gokarna is derived from two words, Go and Karna, which means cow's ear. According to mythology, Lord Shiva appeared from a cow's ear, after he was sent to Patal Lok by Lord Brahma. Some believe, the town is located at the confluence of two rivers Aganashini and Gangavali, and the place where the rivers converge forms a shape that is similar to the ear of a cow, hence the name Gokarna. Gokarna was under the rule of the Kadambas, Vijayanagara kings and was later conquered by the Portuguese.

Apart from being a religious town, Gokarna is also known for its beaches. There are many beautiful beaches located close by, which have small shacks serving as accommodation along with many small shops and modern eateries. The Om Beach, Kudle Beach, Gokarna Beach, Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach are the five main beaches here. Gokarna Beach is the town's main beach and pilgrims gather here when they visit the Mahabaleshwar Temple. 

The Kudle Beach is the largest of the five beaches and it is crowded during the peak season November to February. Among the beaches in Gokarna, the Om beach is extremely popular among surfers. The beach gets its name due to the natural formation of the holy Om symbol.

Gokarna is considered to be the Mukti Stala, where Hindus perform funeral rites. Devotees visit Gokarna temple on large number during Mahashivratri and Kartika Purnima festivals. The entire town is decorated during the four days of the Mahashivratri festival and the temple deity is taken out in a procession. 

Best time to visit is Oct to Mar. It usually takes one full day to visit Gokarna.

Nearest Airport: Vasco Da Gama - Dabolim Airport (154 Kms)

Nearest Train Station: Gokarna Road Railway Station (9 Kms)

Karwar Railway Station (58 Kms)

Nearest Bus Station: Gokarna Bus Station (0 Kms)