Feast Of Christ The King Perunnal In Madre-De-Deus Church At Trivandrum

Vettukadu Perunnal

Start date: 15-11-2016

End date: 22-11-2016

Venue: Madre-de-Deus Church

Location: Vettukadu

District: Thiruvananthapuram

Every year, the Madre-de-Deus Church at Vettukadu comes alive in all its splendour during the annual 'feast of Christ the King'. Vettukadu, a coastal suburb in Thiruvananthapuram, is known for its 500-year-old ‘Madre-de-Deus Church.’ Legend has it that the region was visited by the famous missionary, St. Francis Xavier, sometime between C.E. 1543 and 1547 to evangelise the people.

The Church is especially renowned among pilgrims and tourists for the 'feast of Christ the King' celebration and is visited by those from other communities as well. This colourful event sees devotees teeming in from far and wide. Special prayers are held on all the festival days and a ceremonial procession carrying the statue of Christ the King is held on the main day.

Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 7 km 

Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 3 km

Dalai Lama Temple - Dalai Lama Gives Philosophy Teachings Several Times In A Year At This Temple

DALAI LAMA TEMPLE 

AT

DHARAMSHALA

Dalai Lama Temple is situated in Dharamshala of Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh State of India.The Dalai Lama Temple is a beautiful and peaceful place located in Upper Dharamshala, just a short walk away from the Mcleod Ganj Bus Stand. It is one of the most beautiful places you must have visited.

The whole vicinity is decorated with colorful prayer flags and this makes it perfect for long serene walks. You will find a lot of good statues and the atmosphere is something which lures people to come back again and again.

The town of McLeod Ganj in Upper Dharamsala is known worldwide as His Holiness the Dalai Lama resides here and is also known as Little Lhasa of Tibet. The main temple is where His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives teachings several times a year. His Holiness’ residence is located near the main temple and the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in Exile is located just below McLeod Ganj.

The Tibetans settled in Dharamshala in 1960, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama had to flee Tibet in 1959 and the Prime Minister of India allowed Him and some of His followers to settle in McLeod Ganj, a colonial British summer picnic spot. is the most sacred monument in McLeod Ganj.

The temple houses larger than life statues of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avaloktwshwara. The temple also houses one of the largest collections of sacred Tibetan texts. You can meditate or You can take a serene morning or evening walk around the temple. It is 10 minutes walk from the guest house.

It is just a short walk from the McLeod Ganj bus stand and is quite accessible from the major parts of the district.

The sight of monks meditating peacefully and chanting verses is something that everyone must experience. You can be a part of it, if you want to. 

If you love chilling winters, the best time would be to have a visit at this place during the months of December to February. But be aware of the dipping temperatures which can reach as low as –1 degree Celsius.

There are a number of hotels that offer board and lodging for different budgets. All the high and medium budget hotels have bathrooms attached to rooms with running hot and cold water. Low budget hotels have communal bathrooms with running cold water. In these hotels one can order for hot water in buckets. Many of the hotels offer a wide range of rooms with different rents.

By Air

There is an airport about eighteen kilometers from lower Dharamsala connecting to Delhi, Pathankot, Kullu, Shimla. Dharamsala can also be reached by an overnight.

By Train

A more comfortable alternative would be to take a twelve-hour train trip from Delhi to Pathankot and then a four-hour bus or three-hour taxi ride to Dharamsala. From there buses and taxis regularly shuttle people to McLeod Ganj.

Here Are Some Astonishing Resorts In Dalhouise

SOME EXTRAORDINARY RESORTS 

IN 

DALHOUISE

Snow Valley resort

If a good view is the top priority on your next stay at resorts in Dalhousie then, Snow Valley Resorts is your best pick.  It prides itself on being one of the top Dalhousie Resorts and has a stunning view if the Pir Panjal Ranges. It boasts of a colourful and vibrant feel and a calm atmosphere that is a treat to be explored for the sore eyes and hearts.

The accommodations feature 55 modern, contemporary and well-endowed rooms that are divided into Maharaja, Presidential and Super Deluxe each with a private balcony.

The market is barely a 5 minute walk and the famous and ancient temple of Bhalei Mata. It is a perfect place to go and stay with your family or friends. The multi cuisine restaurant on the property has a delectable menu that is available under buffet as well as A-la-Carte options.

Grand View Hotel

If a quaint and yet luxury resort in Dalhousie is what you are looking for then the Grand View Hotel is your best pick. The hotel is a very well kept up accommodation that is lined with glass panels and wooded panels on its façade.

The view is majestic as the snowy mountains of the Dhauladhar Ranges seem to be teasing you to touch the tips.The resort is replete with luxurious rooms and stunning interiors that will definitely beg you explore more as you stay comfortably.

The accommodations are divided into imperial, luxury and economy block and will cater to the needs of every kind of a traveller. The gourmet foodie in you can rejoice as the resort also has a vast range of dining and drinking facilities.

Hotel Dalhousie Heights

A newly built resort in Dalhousie, Hotel Dalhousie combines a gorgeous comfort, with stunning facilities and joyous grounds and location.

Barely two minutes away from the famous has ‘Lover’s Lane’, the resort boasted of awe inspiring and stunning interiors that promise a royal stay amidst joyful natural bounty. It is well blessed with amenities that promise to make your stay here comfortable.

Hotel MGM 1

Located in the vicinity of the mall road of Dalhousie, MGM Resorts is one of its most premier and classy properties. Decorated with modern amenities and world class facilities, it is the best way to spend some family time with your loved ones.

The restaurants serve world class food and are well known throughout the vicinity. The location is what works in this restaurant’s favor as it is easily approachable by road.

Aamod Resorts

Cossetted in a pretty and captivating valley, Aamod at Dalhousie is one of the most stunning resorts near Dalhousie.  Located on the road from Dalhousie to Khajjiar it is approximately 5km away from the main town and presents an ideal retreat into nature. On a clear day, the resort boasts of clear views of the Pir Panjal Ranges.

Moreover, the abode is designed in such a way that it presents something for everybody! You can embark on adventure sports, relax and let go at a spa or simply be by yourself at its gorgeous grounds and surroundings. Relish delicious gourmet food at the restaurant and enjoy a stay that fulfils each of your senses.

It is replete with spacious and comfortable eco-friendly accommodations that are well equipped with modern facilities that are luxurious too. The resort is well endowed in natural charms and a undeniable cultural appeal that make it a unique place to stay at.

Loktak lake – It Has Been A Natural Wealth Of Amazing Flora And Fauna By Floating Water Forever

LOKTAK LAKE

AT

BISHNUPUR

Loktak lake is situated in the BishnuFpur District of Manipur state of India. One of the most enchanting and biggest fresh-water lakes in the north-east is the Manipur's Loktak Lake.Loktak Lake of Imphal is the world’s only Floating Lake and seems like an entire ecosystem in itself. There is a varied collection of flora and fauna around this freshwater lake. 

The most important feature of the Lake are the ‘phumdis’ or the floating organic matter including soil can be seen floating on the Lake, giving the impression, of land floating on water.You can also find a diverse species of flora and fauna here. About, 116 species of birds and 233 species of fauna have been observed here. This rich biodiversity and combined with breathtaking scenic beauty has popularized this Lake among the visitors!

The Sendra Island Tourist Bungalow offers dazzling views of the lake, its rich plant and avian life and the intriguing floating weed, shallow bowl-like islands (Phumdi) and the fishermen who live on them harvesting water chestnuts.

Situated in the middle of the lake, the tourist home has a cafe and makes an ideal look¬out. Boating has been introduced along the lake's labyrinthine waterways.Also on the southern part of the lake is the world's only floating national park,

Loktak Lake has also earned the laurel of being ‘the wetland of international importance’ under the Ramsar Convention on March 23, 1990. The lake is spread over an area of 286 sq km and is located at a height of 768.5 m.

This Lake also serves as the source of irrigation, hydro power generation and also solves the problem of drinking water in the vicinity. This ancient lake plays an important role in the economy of Manipur. It serves as a source of water for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. 

The lake is also a source of livelihood for the rural fisherman who live in the surrounding areas and on phumdis, also known as “phumshongs”. Phumdis are used by the local people for constructing huts, for fishing and other livelihood uses. 

The villagers create artificial circular enclosures out of phumids for fish farming. These are the structures you see in the picture below. Nearly 100,000 people depends on the lake for their livelihood.

Loktak lake is located 39 km from Imphal, the capita city of Manipur which is well connected by road and air. The lake is a unique destination for tourism, offering visitors excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the lake and its several islands of floating phumdis of different geometrical shapes

By Air 

The nearest airport is Imphal

By Train

Dimapur (in Nagaland) is 215km.

By Bus 

National Highway 39 links Imphal with Guwahati via Dimapur and National Highway 53 with Silchar. But, for the tourists, it is best to fly in.

Some Noteworthy World Heritage Destinations In India

SIGNIFICANT WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN INDIA

India’s first two sites inscribed on the list at the Seventh Session of the World Heritage held in 1983 were the Agra Fort and the Ajanta Caves. Of these 35 sites, 27 are cultural sites,7 are natural sites and one is a mixed site.

Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Northeastern state of Assam in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra River’s south bank, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its unique natural environment. The park, which covers an area of 42,996 hectares (106,250 acres), has the distinction of being home to the largest population of the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. There are many other mammals and birds species in the sanctuary.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the northeastern state of Assam covers an area of 50,000 hectares (120,000 acres) in the plains of the Manas River in the foot hills of the Himalayas, on the border with Bhutan (contiguous with the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan). It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its unique natural environment. The sanctuary is the habitat of several species of plants, 21 most-threatened species of mammals (out of 55 mammal species in the sanctuary), 36 reptile species, 3 amphibians and 350 species of birds. Endangered species include tiger, pygmy hog, clouded leopard, sloth bear, Indian rhinoceros, wild buffaloes (the only pure strain of buffalo in India), Indian elephants, golden langur and Bengal florican.

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, Bihar

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (Buddha Gaya), spread over an area of 4.86 hectares (12.0 acres) was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List i as a unique property of cultural and archaeological importance. The first temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC (260 BC) around the Bodhi Tree Ficus religiosa (to the west of the temple). However, the temples seen now are dated between 5th and 6th centuries AD. The structures have been built in bricks. Revered and sanctified as the place where Siddhartha Gautama Buddha was enlightened in 531 BC at age 35, and then propagated his divine knowledge of Buddhism to the world, it has been the ultimate temple for reverential worship, over the last several centuries, by Buddhists of all denominations, from all over the world who visit on pilgrimage.

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi, the first tomb built with several innovations, set at the centre of luxurious gardens with water channels, was the precursor monument to the Taj Mahal (built a century later). It was built in 1570 and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument in 1993 for its cultural importance. It was built in 1569–1570 by the second Mughal Emperor Humayun’s widow Biga Begum (Hajji Begum). Its architecture is credited to Mirza Ghiyath and its Mughal architectural style has been acclaimed as the “necropolis of the Mughal dynasty” for its double domed elevation provided with Chhatris. Apart from the tomb of Humayun, the funerary also has 150 tombs of various members of the royal family.