Belur Math - It Is The Hub Of A Worldwide Spiritual Movement

BELUR  MATH

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HOWRAH

Belur Math, sprawling over forty acres of land on the western bank of the Hooghly (Ganga), in Howrah district, an hour’s drive from Kolkata, is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world professing different religious faiths.  Even people not interested in religion come here for the peace it exudes

It was at Belur Math that Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), the foremost disciple of Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886), lived the last years of his brief life.He consecrated the grounds in 1898 by worshipping the urn containing the sacred relics of Sri Ramakrishna, which he himself carried on his shoulders to the place of worship.  

On that occasion he uttered these prophetic words about Belur Math: “The blazing light of universal harmony that will emanate from here will flood the whole world.”  On another occasion he said that “the power that will have its rise from here [Belur Math] will flood the whole world and turn the course of men's lives into different channels; from this place will spring forth ideals which will be the harmony of Knowledge, Devotion, Yoga, and Work ... all true seekers of spirituality will in course of time assemble here.”  True to that prophecy, Belur Math has become the hub of a worldwide spiritual movement known as the Ramakrishna Movement.

The serene campus of Belur Math on the Ganga includes temples dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, in which their relics are enshrined, and the main monastery of the Ramakrishna Order.  The place has been sanctified by the stay of Swami Vivekananda and most of the monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna who spent several years here.  Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi also visited this place on several occasions.  

The room in which Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi has been preserved here.  The headquarters of the worldwide twin organizations known as Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are also situated here.  An added attraction is the Museum which contains articles connected with the history of Ramakrishna Math and Mission.  

The green lawns and lush growth of trees and bushes everywhere add to the serenity and beauty of the place.  All this has contributed to an elevating spiritual ambience that has made Belur Math an important place of pilgrimage for people all over the world.  A degree college, a polytechnic, and several other educational institutions of the Ramakrishna Mission are situated in the vast campus adjacent to Belur Math.

VISITING  HOURS OF BELUR MATH
April to September	6.00 to 11.30 a.m.1
	4.00 to 7.00 p.m.2
October to March	6.30 to 11.30 a.m.1
	3.30 to 6.00 p.m.2

HOW TO REACH BELUR MATH

Source:belurmath.org

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary - Major Species Of Wild Animals Found Here

ARALAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

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KANNUR

The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 55 sq km of undulating forested highlands on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The highest peak here - Katti Betta - rises to a majestic 1145 m above sea level.

This Sanctuary was established only 32 years ago in Kannur District of Kerala. This protected area shares common boundary with Coorg district of Karnataka. The aralam range runs along this protected area and is the only range in sight. Earlier, the reserve was under Wayanad Forest division but soon became autonomous from 1998 and Iritty became its head quarters,

Covered with tropical and semi evergreen forests, the Aralam Sanctuary is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats. Elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, Nilgiri langur, Hanuman langur, Malabar giant squirrel, etc can be seen here.

Aralam, a village in Thalassery, Kannur, is also noted for the Central State Farm, a 3060 hectare farm started in 1971 by the Government of India. This is one of the main production centres of hybrid coconut seeds in the country.

Nearest Town is Iritty which is only five kms away. one can avail buses for hire cars to reach this place. The sanctuary is well connected with Wayanad, Kannur, Virajpet and Thalassery. Thalassery railway station is the nearest and well connected station that is located about 45 kms away and kannur station about 70 kms away. Both the stations are connected to the reserve by public buses and four wheelers. It is a little cumbersome to reach by air because the nearest airport Karipur in Kozhikode is about 150 kms away and will take hours to reach the place.

Contact Address: 

The Wildlife Warden 

Aralam Wildlife Division, 

Iritty P.O

Phone: +91 490 2493160 

Mobile:9447979101

E-mail: ww-aralam@forest.kerala.gov.in 

Website: www.aralam.com

Source : Kerala Tourism

Gandhi Museum - It Leads The Pictorial Gallery Depicting A visual Biography Of Gandhi ji

GANDHI MUSEUM

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MADURAI

Gandhi Memorial Museum at Madurai has been built and organised by Gandhi Smarak Nidhi. There are ample places in South India which are important in relation to Gandhiji. Since, he has visited Tamil Nadu 14 times, among all of them  Madurai city got its distinct place of its own.  It was in Madurai in the year 1921, Gandhiji adopted for the first time the line cloth as his mode of dress, which made him known throughout the world as "The Half  Naked Fakir".  

It was in Madurai again that the doors of great Meenakshi Amman Temple were thrown open  to  Harijans, thus winning a historic battle against "Untouchability".  Gandhiji visited the Temple in the year 1946 along with Harijans as a triumph for the cause of Harijan Temple entry.  The Gandhi Memorial Trust has allocated Ten Millions Rupees for the purpose of setting up Gandhi Memorial Museum in selected seven places in India associated with the life of Gandhi.  

The Gandhi Memorial Museum is meant to be a living  Institutions and not merely a building  preserving and showing exhibits, however precious. It seeks to help an ever increasing number of people particularly the youth of the country to understand and to value the life, work and teachings of Gandhiji.The Picture Gallery presents a visual biography of Gandhiji. It contains photos, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, quotations, and some original articles used by Gandhiji (Relics and replicas). Special Exhibition on "India Fights for Freedom" with 265 illustrations, depicting the history of the Freedom Movement, greets you first.  

The Gandhi Memorial Museum at Madurai was the first of its kind to be completed and it was inaugurated by Shri Jawaharlal Nehru on 15th April, 1959. The Museum serves to propagate the ideals of Gandhiji. Exhibitions, Seminors, Study Circle meetings, Group discussions, Summer Camps for students, Fine Arts training courses for children and classes on Yogasana and Naturopathy are organised periodically.  A Science Park has been put up for the benefit of school children.  Examinations for students on 'Gandhiji's life and Thought' are regularly conducted. 

   

Gandhi Memorial Museum conducts an Educational Programme for the students of the Colleges and High Schools of Madurai City.  They undergo a methodical one day study course of 7 hours duration, on the history of "Indian Freedom Movement" and on a brief study of "Gandhiji's life".  The courses are Class room study, Film and Slide shows and Museum Gallery tour.  A Class room is set up with Film Projection annexe for this purpose in the second floor of the Museum section.  The Educational programme is a regular activity of the Museum.    

      

The Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai is an autonomous Registered Society and is administered by a committee which includes Gandhian leaders, Educationalists, Social Workers and representatives form the State and the Central Governments.

Gandhiji, during his visit to Madurai stayed in the residence of Sri Ramji Kalyanji, 175-A, West Masi Street, Maduraiwho respectfully invited him to his house, on 21.09.1921. During his stay there at night he was mentally agitated and worried to think of the various farmers and poor people on his way dressed in scarce cloths that is only a small towel like dhothi around the waist and were shivering with cold, while he was  wearing long turbans khurtha and dhoties. 

So overnight he took a decision that he should be a model to everyone and to dress in a simple manner like the peasants and poor people he witnessed in his journey to Madurai and he carried out this from the very next day itself. On 22-09-1921 (the next day) morning all were shocked to see him in his new pattern of dress and Gandhiji explained them about his decision and he followed this throughout his life. Then he attended the meetings in Madurai (The place now called as Gandhi Pottal) at 0700 hrs, explaining the reason for his new mode of dress therein. Then he attended the meeting at Karaikudi and returned to his destination.

By Air

There are daily flights to Madurai from Chennai, Bangalore,Tiruchi & Coimbatore. Madurai Airport is 10 Kms away from Madurai City.

By Train

Madurai is an important railway junction of the Southern Railway and is directly connected to Chennai and Tirunelveli. Madurai is on the Madurai-Tiruchirappalli-Dindigul-Quilon line. The Vaigai Express, which is a super-fast day train between Chennai Egmore and Madurai takes 7 hours for the 495kms.

By Bus

There are excellent roads connecting Madurai to all parts of South India.  Madurai City has 5 Major Bus Stand.

Vasota Fort - It Is Surrounded By Water On Three Sides

VASOTA FORT

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SATARA

Vasota is to the south of Pune near Satara. Vasota Fort is an ancient hill fort situated at an altitude of 1171 m near Bamnoli in Satara district of Maharashtra. The fort is situated in the deep forests and valleys of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the best places to visit in Satara and also one of the popular places of trekking in Maharashtra apart from being an ideal picnic spots near Pune for one day trip.

Situated on the banks of the Shivsagar Lake, Vasota Fort is surrounded by water on three sides. The Fort was built by King Bhojraj II of Shilhara dynasty in 1178-1193 AD. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort in 1655 AD and renamed it as Vyagragad. In 1818 AD along with other forts of Marathas this fort also came under British control.

Vasota Fort, now in ruins, is famous for its traditional Maharashtrian architectural style. The fort comprises of three main sections - Old Fort, New Fort and Nageshwar. The bastions of the fort are still in well condition. There are two temples on the fort, the Mahadev temple and the Nageshwar temple. The temple of Lord Hanuman is placed at the entrance. Babu Kada is a huge U shaped cliff lies next to the Vasota Fort. From this point one can view the Old Vasota Fort which is closed for trekkers due to the presence of wild animals. Nageshwar is a cave carved in the pinnacle with Mahadev temple inside. It is clearly visible from Vasota Fort and needs 2 more hours trek to reach the Nageshwar Cave from the fort. 

Vasota is an ideal destination for adventure lovers. The fort offers trekking, mountaineering, and rock climbing. One can see the backwaters of Shivsagar Dam and the mountain range of Kas Mahabaleshwar from the top of the fort.

Bamnoli is the nearest station for Vasota which is 38 km away from Satara. Vasota Fort is under Sahyadri Tiger Reserve so visitors need to take permission from forest office of Bamnoli before commencing the trek. Backwater of Koyna Dam has interrupted direct connection between Bamnoli and Vasota Fort. From Bamnoli one needs to travel to base village Met Indavali by boat which takes around 1.5 hrs. There is a check point of Forest Department at Met Indavali. From here the forest path leads to the top of Vasota which takes about 3 hours to reach. It is a gradual climb through dense forest. 

Bamnoli Forest office opens at 8 AM and the first boat from Bamnoli to Met Indavali starts at 8.30 AM. Visitors need to complete their trek before 5.30 PM, because it is not allowed to stay in the forest after 5.30 PM. The trek remains closed from June to October.

.It is at a distance of 110 kms from Pune Station. The State Bus Transport has many buses plying on this route, so the bus frequency to Satara from Pune is high.  Once you reach Satara bus station, you need to reach the village Bamnoli which is the base village and at a distance of approx 40 kms from Satara.

From Bamnoli there are boats which will take you to the base of the fort.  1 to 1.5 hrs boat ride from Bamnoli, in the SHIVSAGAR LAKE water will take you the fort base to start your trek. The boat ride will cost you Rs. 3000 [+taxes] [1-12 persons]. Get a larger group for trekking as Rs.3000 is the default rate for 1 to 12 persons. Along the way you would get some breath taking views of the mountains surrounding the lake.

Catherine Falls - It Is Surrounded By Beautiful Views Of Forest

CATHERINE FALLS

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NILGIRIS

Catherine Falls is a beautiful waterfall situated near Kotagiri in Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu. It is the second largest waterfalls in Nilgiris and also one of the best waterfalls in Ooty. This water fall has both lower and upper falls. The upper fall is the second highest in the region and is known to take a leap of about 250 feet.

The stunning Catherine Falls is a double-cascaded waterfall located at Aravenu. The River Kallar descends down the rocks as Geddhehaada Halla stream, to form the Catherine Falls. Also known as Geddhehaada Halla by locals, this waterfall is named after Catherine Cocburn, the wife of M.D. Cocburn, who had introduced coffee plantation to the areas of Kotagiri and Yercaud. 

Catherine Falls is surrounded by beautiful views of forest, tea plantations and the Mettupalayam plains. The falls is clearly visible from the top of Dolphin's Nose and this is the only place where you can get to full view of the falls. Though it's not possible to reach the foot of this waterfall, one can go to top of the falls for a truly spectacular view. From a small town called Aravenu on the Kotagiri/Mettupalayam Road, one has to go via Moon Road to reach the falls. About 2-3 km trek is required from the nearest road to reach the falls. The journey to Catherine Falls itself is an unforgettable experience as one has to drive through the pine forests and lush green tea gardens of Nilgiri Hills.

Many trekking lovers trek to this place from Kotagiri & Aravenu as well. Kotagiri is well connected by buses with Ooty & Coonoor. Prior permission has to be taken from the District Forest Officer. Nearest road to Catherine Falls can be reached from Kotagiri by private vehicles.

Apart from the St. Catherine Water Falls, tourists can visit the nearby Uyilatty Falls or Elk Falls, which is around 8 km from Kotagiri. Moreover, Kotagiri is home to the Rangaswamy Peak, which is around 1785 metres high. This biconical peak is a sacred hill among the residents of Nilgiri. It is believed that Lord Rangaswamy, who lived in Karamadai in Coimbatore, came here after a quarrel with his wife.

Best time to visit Catherine Falls is from October to May, right after the monsoons, when the falls is in full flow.