So Far Goa Tourism Won 13 Awards For The Year 2016

Awards for the year 2016

1.Goa won the Asia Spa-India Reader’s Choice Award in the category, My favourite SPA DESTINATION, India.

2.Goa Tourism bags Best Destination for Fun and Relaxation at ITB Berlin 2016

3.Mr. Dilip Parulekar, Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Goa bags Best Tourism Minister PATWA international award at ITB Berlin

4.Goa gets top honors from TripAdvisor's Travelers Choice Awards (Destinations) - No. 3 in India and No. 20 in Asia

5.Goa gets top honors from TripAdvisor'™s Travelers Choice Awards (Beaches) - 7 beaches in Top 10 India, 2 beaches in Top 10 Asia and 1 beach in Top 25 beaches in the World

6.Goa bags €˜Best Value Destination (India)€™ at Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2016.

7.Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar bags Best Tourism Minister PATWA International Award

8. Goa Tourism bags prestigious Pitch Top 50 Brands Award 2016

9. Goa Tourism bags Most Innovative Product Award at the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Hyderabad 2016

10.Goa Tourism bags prestigious Pitch Top 50 Brands Award 2016

11. Goa Tourism Digital Marketing Campaign Bags Gold at Direct Marketing Association CreatEffect 2016

12. Goa Tourism bags €˜Film Tourism Destination of the Year€™ Award at IITM Chennai

13. Goa Tourism bags prestigious India Travel Award for Best Beach Destination

Virupaksha Temple – It Is One Of The 7th Century Oldest And Primary Temple In Hampi

VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE

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HAMPI

Virupaksha temple is located in Hampi of Bellary district of Karnataka state of India and it is a magnificent marvel of Vijayanagara Empire. Dedicated to Lord Shiva (Virupaksha), and situated on the banks of the beautiful river, Tungabhadra, the temple is extensively famous for its tall gopuram, grand architecture and intricate carvings.

The temple, built in the 7^th century underwent a lot of additions by various rulers that ruled the kingdom, to display their power. The central pillared hall, Ranga Mandapa, is the most ornate addition by Raja Krishnadevaraya. Virupaksha temple is a centre of marriages as well as the festivities of Virupaksha-Pampa in December. This South Indian Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This area in general has been an important pilgrimage centre for the worshipers of lord Shiva. Virupaksha temple is equally sort after by the tourists and pilgrims. The annual festivals attract huge crowds of both the types.

The very origin of Hampis history as a sacred place revolves around the myths associated with this temple. It believed that this temple has been functioning uninterruptedly ever since its inception in the 7th century AD.That makes this one of the oldest functioning temples in India.

The main temple is east facing and has two large courtyards, one leading to the other. You directly enter into the first courtyard through the tower mentioned above. This courtyard mainly houses a pillared hall called 100-column hall at the far left corner.

The sanctum contains the idol of lord Virupaksha in the form of a Linga (A phallus image). A corridor surrounds the sanctum.
The two narrow porches on either sides of the inner hall can be used to get in and out of the main shrine.

The most important of the sub shrines are that of Goddess Pampa and Bhuvaneswari, consorts of lord Shiva, towards the north of the main shrine. These shrines are in fact much older than the rest of the grandiose structures in the compound.

You can witness the daily temple rituals and ceremonies in the mornings and evenings. Temple opens before the sunrise and closes in the night. Usually the sanctum is closed in the noon. So entry into the campus may not be possible at that point of time.

The chariot festival in the month of February is the chief annual festival celebrated here. The divine marriage between Virupaksheshwara and Pampa is celebrated in the month of December.

By Air

The nearest airport to Virupaksha Temple is bellary airport , bellary which is 54 km away from Virupaksha Temple.

By Train

The nearest railway station to virupaksha temple is Hospet Railway Station which is 9 km away from Virupaksha Temple. 

ByBus

Karnataka government buses are plying regularaly to the temple

Kerala Government Organised Onam Celebration At The Rashtrapati Bhavan

Onam Celebrated at the Rashtrapati Bhavan

Honourable President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee hosted hundreds of guests at his official residence for a special programme celebrating Onam. In a first of its kind, the Onam celebrations were organised at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by the Government of Kerala.

Titled ‘Kairali’, the Onam evening showcased the unique art forms of Kerala. “Onam is a festival that transcends the barriers of caste, creed and social status. It is a secular festival celebrated by one and all,” said Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala. “Onam reminds us every year of the spirit of love, brotherhood, peace and harmony,” he said.

Around 70 artists performed at the hour-long cultural programme which began with a “Vadyamanjari” a percussion ensemble, and showcased art forms such as Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and a choreographed performance of Kerala Natanam, Margamkali, Oppana, Thiruvathirakali, Theyyam, and Kalaripayattu. This was followed by ‘Onasadya’, the grand feast served during Onam festival.

Organised by Kerala Tourism in partnership with the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s 'Indra Dhanush' cultural series, the programme was graced by dignitaries including Mr. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, Mr. P. Sadasivam, Governor of Kerala, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, and his cabinet colleagues Mr. A. C. Moideen, Minister for Tourism, Mr. E. Chandrasekharan, Minister for Revenue, Mr. Kadannappally Ramachandran, Minister for Ports ,Mr. A. K. Sasindran, Minister for Transport , Ms. K. K. Shylaja , Minister for Health, Ms. J. Mercikutty Amma, Minister for Fisheries, and Mr. K. T. Jaleel, Minister for Local Self-Government, Mr. Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, Chief Justice, Kerala High Court, MPs, senior state and central government officials including  Mr. S. M. Vijayanand, Chief Secretary, as well as Ambassadors from Gulf nations.

Tiruttani Subramaniya Swamy Temple – It Has Been Pointed Out The Fifth Abode Along With Six Holy Abodes

SUBRAMANIYA SWAMY TEMPLE

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TIRUTHANI

Tiruthani is a holy town located in Tiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu and is famous for the Murugan Temple. This temple is one among the six Padai Veedus (Battle Grounds) of Lord Murugan, other five are Palani, Swamimalai, Tirupparangunram, Pazhamudircholai and Thiruchendur. This place represents the site where Subramanya stayed after destroying the demon Surapadman. 

The story of Lord Muruga and Valli has a great message of philosophy. Every one should walk towards the Almighty for liberation from the cycle of births and deaths.

The world we live in is a rented house and what our own is the feet of the Lord. Almost all of us feel that this is ours and are hunting for material wealth and pleasures. Enlightened souls understand this truth and they win illusions and reach the final destination-the feet of the Lord.

Tiruttani is also said to be the place where the Lord Subramanya married Valli - one of his two consorts. This temple has been mentioned in the Sangam period work Tirumurugaatruppadai composed by Nakkeerar.

According to legend, Devayani, daughter of Indra married Lord Murugan and was presented Indra's elephant Airavatam as part of his dowry offering. Upon Airavatam's departure Indra found his wealth waning.

Lord Subramanya is said to have offered to return the white elephant, however Indra refused to accept a gift that he had made and instead requested that the elephant face his direction, hence the image of the elephant in this temple also faces the east. 

The hill temple is reachable by a motorable road and is also accessed through a plight of 365 steps. The temple has 4 enclosures and a series of temple towers. There is a shrine to Aapat Sahaaya Vinayakar who helped the Murugan in winning Valli's hand in marriage.

The processional image of Murugan is housed in a Rudraksha tower. The large ornament adorning the image of Subramanya is decorated with green stones and is of great beauty. 

Lord Muruga is seen holding Vajra Hastam in his right hand instead of Vel, his regular weapon. There are separate shrines for Valli and Devayani. Sri Aadhi Balasubramanian graces on the wall behind the sanctum sanctorum as a child. Lord Bhairava graces in temple with 4 dogs vehicle representing 4 Vedas. The temple also has five ponds spread around the temple. 

By Air

Chennai internation airport in the nearest airport.

By Train

Arokonam and tiruvallur station is the nearest railway stations.

By Bus

Tiruthani is 97 km from Chennai, 42 km from Tiruvallur and 42 km from Kancheepuram.

Maharastra Tourism Provides Jungle Safari For Tourist

Jungle Safari (Amravati)

MTDC has taken initiative to provide Jungle Safari Activity to Tourist/Guests visiting Holiday Resort Chikhaldara.

Tourist will be provided the Jungle Safari facility which will start from MTDC Resort and will end at Resort itself.

Tourist will have to choose the package amongst following

A) Chikhaldara - Melghat Jungle Safari

Tourist will have 2 options

1. Morning Safari - Start from MTDC Chikhaldara Resort at 5.30 am and will end at 10.30 am.

OR

2. Afternoon Safari - Start from MTDC Resort Chikhaldara at 2.00 pm and will end at 7.00 pm.

This package will include Open Gypsy Fare + Forest Guide Fees + All the Entry Fees at Forest which will cost Rs.3500/-.

B) Verat  - Sunset Jungle Safari

In this Safari tourist will be taken to the Jungle Safari in an Open Gypsy for 6 Persons and will start from MTDC Resort at 4.00 pm and will end at 6.30 pm which will cost Rs. 2000/-.

C) Local Sightseeing, Chikhaldara

In this package tourist will be taken to the well known Tourist Destinations in and around Chikhaldara, they are as follows

Sunset Point, Devi Point, Gavilgad Fort, Mozari Point, Bhimkund, Panchbol Point (Eco Point), Garden Point, Hariken Point, Boating (Excludes Boating Charges) etc. Which will take around 3 hours of time and will cost Rs. 1500.

For More Details Contact
Abdul Sabir
901113289, 9021344160
zakir1432@gmail.com