KOTTIYOOR FESTIVAL

KOTTIYOOR FESTIVAL

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KANNUR

Kottiyoor  is a famous Hindu pilgrim center devoted to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The proper name of the temple here is Sri Kottiyoor Mahadeva Kshetram.

 Kottiyoor temple is located near Kelakam in Kannur district of the southern state Kerala. Sri Kottiyoor temple is also known as the "Dakshina Kashi" or "Varanasi of the South" and attracts lakhs of devotees every year during the "Vaisakha Maholsavam" celebrations.

The Kottiyoor festival is unique as it involves two temples - Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor, on the opposite banks of River Bavali. Situated in Kannur district, the annual Kottiyoor festival is celebrated for twenty-eight days and it falls during the months of May and June.

Here, the Neyyattam ritual on the first day and the Thirukalasattu ritual on the concluding day are attended by hundreds of devotees.

The Vaisakha Maholsavam celebrations begin with the ritual of bringing a sword from Muthirerikavu from Wayanad. On the following day, on Visakham star Bhandaram Ezhunnallath ritual is held.

Gold, Silver vessels, heavenly ornaments etc are brought from nearby Manathana village to Kottiyoor.

An important ritual during the festival is the 'Elaneer Vayppu' or submitting tender coconuts before the swayambhu Shiva linga.

On this special day, thousands of tender coconuts carried from different parts of Malabar by the devotees are submitted. The following day, the main priest of the temple, pours the collected coconut water on to the idol which is known as 'Elaneeraattam'.

Rohini Aaradhana is a very important ritual which is not seen in any other temple. The priest embraces the swayambhu Shiva linga as part of the ritual.

The belief behind this ritual is that Brahma himself worships Lord Shiva to pacify for the loss of Sati.

Kottiyoor is also known by the names Kudiyoor, Dakshina Kashi. Thricherumana, Vdakkumkaavu, Kizhakkumkaavu and Vadakeeswaram.

By Air

The nearest airport is at Karipur, Kozhikode which is about 93km south. The Mangalore airport is 170kms north of Kannur.

By Train

Kannur is an important railhead of the Southern Railways and the major railway station on Shornur-Mangalore line. There are trains from Mumbai, Goa, Mangaloe, Madras, Trivandrum, Kochi, Kozhikode and Coimbatore. All major trains going North through the Konkan and beyond stop at Kannur.

By Road

Kannur is 155kms south of Mangalore and 535 kms north of Thiruvanathapuram. An excellent road transport system connects the town to all the major towns of south india. There are frequent bus services from Mangalore,. Bangalore, Kochi, Trivandrum and Kozhikode.

COORG

HILL STATION

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COORG

Coorg is located in the south-west part of Karnataka bordering Kerala. Coorg measures 96 km (north-south) in length and 64 km east-west in breadth.

Coorg or Kodagu as it is officially known now, is an astonishing land in the heart of the southern Indian peninsula. This unspoilt “country of million hills”, situated on the slopes of the Western Ghats, is India’s coffee bowl. The tiny district in the state of Karnataka is the biggest producer of coffee.

Coorg is one of India’s famous travel destination and has been called the Scotland of India by the British and also called as the Kashmir of South India. Coorg has become a latest tourist hot spot and people from all over the world visit Coorg.

Coorg’s natural beauty, the people, the culture and the food is the major attraction which draws people towards Coorg from all over the world.

The wildlife sanctuaries are the most fascinating if you are with a loved one or on a family trip. Spot a bison, an elephant and if you in luck then a Panther. Take a look below for some of Coorg’s tourist places and plan your trip to the ‘Scotland of India’.

coorg has a long list of interesting places for tourists across all ages, making it a popular holiday destination.

Brahmagiri Peak is a scenic spot full of forested woods and mist-topped hills. On the way to the peak, you will trek through grasslands, colourful floras and sparkling streams of clear water.

Abbey Falls makes for one of the most popular places to visit in Coorg. Located 1 km from the town of Madikeri, the waterfall is located between coffee plantations and spice estates. 

Iruppu waterfall is one of the most popular. River Lakshmana Tirtha takes a 60 feet plunge amidst the green mountains to turn into these falls. 

Raja’s Seat is considered one of the most scenic places to visit in Coorg. A popular sunset point, it provides a breathtaking view of the green valley and the surrounding hills.

Bylakuppe is full of cultural delights. The second biggest Tibetan settlement in India, the main attraction in Bylakuppe is the Golden Temple or Namdroling Monastery which adheres to the typical Tibetan style of architecture. 

By Air

The nearest domestic airport is the Mangalore International Airport, about 160 kilometres away. The nearest international airport is in Bengaluru, which is approximately 265 kilometres away.

By Train

The nearest railway station from Coorg is at mysore, about 120 km away. Mysore is well connected to major cities in India by an extensive rail network. The rail stations in Mangalore and Hassan can also be conveniently used for reaching Coorg.

By Road

Coorg is well connected by road with all major cities in Karnataka. Cities like Mysore (120km), Mangalore (135km), Bangalore (260km), and Hassan (115km) are linked by excellent roadways with coorg.

COONOOR

HILL STATION

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COONOOR

The Nilgiri Hills are famous for their sublime hill stations. Notable among them is Coonoor, located at the head of the Hulikal ravine at an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level. It is 19 km from Ooty (also, Udhagamandalam or Ootacamund), another famous hill station of the Nilgiris.

 Coonoor is famous for its verdant environs and for a variety of wildflowers and birds.

Coonoor provides a perfect setting for activities like trekking and hiking. It is also famous for its tea plantations and festivals. During summer, this hill town is over-spilled with holidaymakers.

 Coonoor is also an ideal locale for filmmakers, both from India and abroad. It formed the backdrop for David Lean's movie A Passage to India (1984) based on E. M. Foster's novel. Coonoor comes under the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam-Coonoor-Ooty circuit.

During summers Coonoor enjoys a mild climate while the burning sun scorches the surrounding plains. Coonoor is a small town located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

It is a well-known production centre for Nilgiri tea. Sim's Park, Dolphins Nose and Wellington Golf Course are the some famous options for sightseeing in Coonoor. Hotels in Coonoor are good for family stays and well known for its safety measures. 

By Air

The nearest airport of coonoor is in Coimbatore, 100 km away. You can catch a direct flight to Coimbatore from Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore and Mumbai. Indian Airlines flies Delhi-Kochi via Mumbai and Coimbatore.

By Train

Coonoor is well-connected with the railway system. Trains to Coonoor are available from all major railway stations in India. Some of Coonoor trains are Coonoor Udagamandalam Passenger train and Yesvantpur Express. 

By Bus

Ooty is well connected by good roads. 
There is a regular bus service from Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Calicut, Kanyakumari, Tanjavur, Tirupati and Cochin. Buses ply regularly to Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotagiri, Coonoor and Doddabeta.

SHILLONG

HILL STATION

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SHILLONG

Shillong is a hill station in northeast India and capital of the state of Meghalaya. The capital city of the State as well as the District headquarter of East Khasi Hills District. Shillong is the only hill station in the country that is accessible from all sides.

Shillong is a beautiful hill station located at the height of 1496 meters. It is also called ‘ Scotland of the East ' due to its striking similarity with the Scottish highlands. 

The romantic city of Shillong is one of the important tourist destinations in the northeast. Its breathtaking views attract tourists from all over the world.

Being located in the wettest state in India, Shillong’s climate is highly affected by the frequent showers throughout the summers, monsoons and autumn seasons. 

The summer temperature during the months between April and June rarely goes beyond 25 degrees Celsius with frequent rains that make the climate pleasant.

Once inhabited by tribal people, Shillong is presently home to citizens who are conscious about fashion, rock music and food. All this is reflected in every nook and cranny of the city. Easy access, warm people and a lot to experience are what Shillong offers tourists coming to this beautiful destination in Meghalaya.

The places to visit in Shillong are the Elephant falls, Shillong peak (the highest point of the state), Shillong Golf Course, Wards Lake and Don Bosco Centre of Indigenous Culture. Shillong is one of the most civilized towns of Meghalaya.

By Air

The nearest airport to the hill station is the Umroi Airport near Barapani, which is about 25 kilometres away. This has limited connectivity with other cities. The nearest major airport that is well-connected with multiple cities across India is in Guwahati, which is about 125 kilometres away.

By Train

Guwahati is the nearest railway station, around 100 km away. From station you can hire a taxi to Shillong. Guwahati is well-connected to all major railway stations of India.

By Bus

The government of Shillong and Meghalaya provides good number of buses to and from Guwahati bus station. One can get down at this bus station and get a bus to Shillong. Its around 3 hours drive from Guwahati to Shillong. there are share taxis available at every spot.

MOUNT ABU

HILL STATION

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MOUNT ABU

Mount Abu is a well known hill-station in Rajasthan state of western India, located in Sirohi district, Being a popular holiday destination the place is well connected to rest of the country.

Mount Abu is home to a number of tourist attractions from natural beauty to historical and architectural places, The world famous tourist destination is known for its Delwara Jain temples and natural beauty world over, situated amidst lush green forested hills on the highest peak in the Aravali range is also the summer capital for the Indian state of Rajasthan.

The historical Achalgarh fort, built in the 14th century by Rana Kumbha of Mewar. It encloses several beautiful Jain temples, including the Achaleswar Mahadev Temple (1412) and the Kantinath Temple (1513).

Heart of the city Nakki Lake, is another popular visitor attraction of Mount Abu. There is the Toad Rock on a hill near the lake. Raghunath Temple and Maharaja Jaipur Palace are also on hills near Nakki Lake.

The mountain is also home to several Hindu temples, including the Adhar Devi Temple, carved out of solid rock; the Shri Raghunathji Temple; and a shrine and temple to Dattatreya built atop the Guru Shikhar peak.

 The world headquarters of the Brahma Kumari order of lady renunciates is also located here, as is the World Spiritual University of the same denomination.

There is also believed to be a footprint of Vishnu on top of Mount Abu. The Durga temple, Ambika Mata Temple lies in a cleft of rock in Jagat, just outside of Mount Abu.

The adventure activities in Mount Abu are trekking, rock climbing, rappelling, wildlife and bird watching. If you are a nature enthusiast then spend time in studying flora of Mount Abu as also tribal culture. Mount Abu has many wildlife observing paths and view points such as Trevor’s Tank, Devangan Valley, Salgaon Watch Tower, Tiger Path, Kodra Dam, Gaumukh, Cragis point etc.

Mt. Abu is a place, that can simply not be defined in words; it needs to be seen, felt, experienced.

By Rail

Abu Road is the nearest railway station just 28 KM from the main city, Which is very well connected by rail routes to New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Mumbai. From Abu Road you can opt for state transport service (usually every hour) or Taxis on both sharing and private basis.

By Air:

The nearest airport is Udaipur at a distance of 185 km, But Ahmedabad is having better connectivity and daily flights with other parts of the country and is just 221 KM from Mount Abu.
By Road

 Mount Abu is well connected by road with major cities of the country, Many government run (Rajasthan State Transport Corporation) buses operate from nearby cites to Mount Abu. In addition to a number of state transport buses, many private buses ply regularly to this hill station.