Coorg Awarded India's Much Loved Up And Coming Destination

Director-Tourism, Karnataka Smt. G Sathyavathi, IAS receivingthe Award from Ms. Divia Thani, Editor of Conde Nast Traveller, Mr. Lalit K Pawar, Secretary-India Tourism and Mr. Nicholas Coleridge, President of Cond 

One of Karnataka’s most popular tourist destinations, COORG has won an award for being India’s Favourite Emerging Destination. The Award instituted by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine was decided in favour of Coorg by its readers and was announced at the Reader’s Travel Awards at New Delhi

Director-Tourism, Karnataka Smt. G Sathyavathi, IAS received the Award from Ms. Divia Thani, Editor of Conde Nast Traveller, Mr. Lalit K Pawar, Secretary-India Tourism and Mr. Nicholas Coleridge, President of Conde Nast International.

 Karnataka’s Minister for Higher Education & Tourism Sri. R V Deshpande, commenting on the award said that “Coorg has been receiving a growing number of travellers consistently over the years and has been one of the sought after South Indian hill station.

On the one hand, this has encouraged some of the best brands to set up accommodation facilities and has upped the overall destination experience quotient. On the other, the locals have made the experience even more interesting with excellent cultural, culinary and nature-engaging experiences that beckon repeat travellers. Home-stays in this region has been a unique experience to travellers.

Travel Media across the world have repeatedly generated multiple articles and programs on this abode of verdant nature which is also a place with high historical significance - 'Scotland of India'.”

He further added, “It is heartening to know that some of the most discerning travelers in India have yet again voted for Coorg as their Favourite Emerging Destinations. We are committed to ensuring that these experiences are sustainable, responsible to nature and local communities, and continue to benefit the local economy in the region.”

 Chief Guest, Dr. Lalit K Panwar, Honorable Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India said, “I would say that Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards are the miniOscars of the travel industry.”

Coorg has in the past, won several similar accolades from across the world and this augurs well for Karnataka as a whole in a way in which Karnataka and its destinations get global exposure, winning awards repeatedly. They help in the branding and positioning of the destination as well.

Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards are globally renowned and considered the most prestigious in the travel and tourism industry. Readers of Condé Nast Traveller India voted for their preferred Destinations, Airlines, Hotels, Spas, Airports and more, across 27 categories, based on their personal experiences. Votes were collated and analysed by an independent market-research company, Market Management, in the UK. The winners were determined after being scored on several parameters unique to each category.

Uttarkashi Hill Station - It Is The Ultimate Place For Those Who Look For Tranquility Of Spiritual Outing

UTTARKASHI HILL STATION

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UTTARAKHAND

Uttarkashi is the most picturesque town of Uttarakhand. Situated on the bank of the Bhagirathi River at an altitude of about 1352m, Uttarkashi has the same religious importance in Uttarakhand as Kashi has in Uttar Pradesh.

Dotted with a sizable number of Ashrams and Dharamshala, this holy town is the perfect family vacation getaway for those living in North India. A quite little town beside a whimsical river, Uttarkashi is also the base for many trekking expeditions in Uttarakhand.

The famed Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is also situated here. Uttarkashi is an important destination in Uttarakhand for the fact that it is in close proximity to Hindu pilgrimages like Yamunotri and Gangotri.

the town is dotted with temples, which makes them an obvious attraction here. This scenic place is perfect for anyone seeking solace and respite from the noisy city life. So, if you are someone, who is in search of some peace or adventure, Uttarkashi is the ideal place for you.

In Uttarkashi town, there are various places of interest like the Nehru institude of mountaineering which offers training in mountaineering.

Maneri has developed as an important tourist attraction. Situated at a distance of 13kms from uttarkashi, Maneri attracts tourists mainly because of the development of a dam across the Bhagirathi river. About 37kms from Maneri is a hot water spring called gangani. Dodi tal and dayara bugayal are also popular as a trekking execursion from uttarkashi.

The temple town known for its numerous temples and ashrams, some of the most prominent temples here includes Vishwanath Temple, an ancient temple situated in the centre of the town; this temple is known to house a Shivling, dedicated to Lord Shiva

Uttarkashi is recognized as an auspicious place for spiritual practices. Traditional monks and spiritual yogis have been coming there for centuries, such as Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, Swami Rama and Swami Yogeswarananda sarswathy yoga Nikethan.

These yogis gained worldwide popularity, especially in America, but many anonymous mystics and traditional sidhas lived and are still living there unknown to the world.

There are many homestays available in Uttarkashi along with several budget hotels, so you need not worry at all about accommodation.

It is coldest in December January and February. Climate is good from March to June. Then comes the monsoon until end of August and September to November is pilgrimage season.

By Air

Jolly grant airport is the nearest airport to Uttarkashi situated at a distance of 160kms. It is well connected to delhi with daily flights.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Uttarkashi is Rishikesh railway station situated 143kms. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India.

By Bus

Uttarkashi is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state.

Thillai Nataraja Temple - Natyanjali Carnival Is Going On Every Year In This Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva

THILLAI  NATARAJA TEMPLE

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CHIDAMBARAM

Thillai Nataraja Temple is one of the most magnificent signatures of Indian architecture and spirituality amalgamating with the cityscape.It is situated in the center of Chidambaram, east-central tamilnadu. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Chidambaram, the iconic bronze Nataraja form. The town derived its name from the deity. 

The temple complex spread over 50 acres in the heart of the city. It is an ancient and historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal, one of the few temples where both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place.

 In Nataraja Temple, there is a deity of Lord Govindaraja Perumal as well, making it one of the few temples where both deities are enshrined in one place. Chidambaram is famous for Nattiyanjali Dance festival which is held here at the temple.

A unique feature of this temple is the bejeweled image of Nataraja. It depicts the Lord Shiva as the Lord of the dance Bharatanatyam and is one of the few temples where Shiva is represented by an anthropomorphic murthi rather than the classic, anionic Lingam.

The Cosmic Dance of Lord Nataraja symbolises the motion of the universe as sustained by Lord Shiva. The temple has five courts. Aragalur Udaya Iraratevan Ponparappinan (alias Vanakovaraiyan) rebuilt the Siva temple at Chidambaram around 1213 AD.

. The temple has been traditionally administered by an endogamous group of shiavite brahmins called Dikshitar, who also officiate as its priest.

Chidambaram is also referred to in various works such as Thillai (after the Thillai forest of yore in which the temple is now located), Perumpatrapuliyur or Vyagrapuram (in honour of Saint Vyagrapathar).

The temple is supposed to be located at the Lotus heart of the Universe": Virat hridaya padma sthalam. On the spot where the Lord displayed his dance of bliss, the Änanda Thaandavam - a spot exactly south of the "Thirumoolataaneswar temple", today is the Ponnambalam/ Porsabai (Pon meaning gold, Ambalam/Sabai meaning stage) housing the Lord Shiva in his dancing form. 

The Lord is also hence referred to as the Sabhanayakar, meaning the Lord of the Stage.

Since ancient times, it is believed that this is the place where Lord Shiva and Parvathi are present, but are invisible to the naked eyes of normal people. In the Chidambaram temple of Lord Nataraja, Chidambara Ragasiyam is hidden by a curtain (Maya).

Darshan of Chidambara Ragasiyam is possible only when priests open the curtain (or Maya) for special poojas. People who are privileged to have a darshan of Chidambara Ragasiyam can merely see golden vilva leaves (Aegle Marmelos) signifying the presence of Lord Shiva and Parvathi in front of them.

 It is also believed that devout saints can see the Gods in their physical form, but no such cases have been officially reported.

By Air

The nearest airport is Trichy(195 Km) & Chennai (235Km)

Chidambaram is, well connected by train and bus routes from these places.

By Train

Chidambaram is now connected by train to trichy and other cities of Tamil nadu 

By Road

Frequent buses are available from various places in Tamilnadu ,Andhra, Karnataka to Chidambaram.The best way to reach chidambaram from Chennai is via pondicherry (eastcoast Road).It takes 4 hours by car to reach chidambaram from Chennai.