Talacauvery - It Has Healing And Miraculous Powers

TALACAUVERY 

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KODAGU

Talacauvery, the birthplace of the sacred river Cauvery, is located 44 km from Madikeri, on the slopes of Brahmagiri Hill. Besides being a pilgrimage center, Talacauvery is known for its natural beauty.Talacauvery is situated in the Brahmagiri hill which lies in the Kodagu district.  Talakaveri lies about 1276 metres above the sea level. The entire panorama is scenic and very beautiful and many tourists come here for a holiday. Bhagamandala is the meeting of three rivers and is also referred to as Triveni Sangam. Dakshin Kashi is another name given to Talakaveri temples.

On Tula Sankaramana day in the middle of October, thousands of pilgrims flock to the river’s birthplace to witness a sudden upsurge of water in a small pond, at a predetermined time. Devout Coorgs take a holy dip in a nearby pond and take home the holy water from the small pond to perform worship on the day of Cauvery Sankramana, the holiest national day for the Coorgs. Pilgrims from neighbouring districts and Tamil Nadu visit Talcauvery for a month after Tula Sankramana. The gushing of water from the small pond at an auspicious moment is considered a miracle. After the holy dip, the pilgrims take a flight of steps leading up to the summit of the Brahmagiri Hill, which offers a feast for nature lovers. 

There is a religious significance attached to the temple. It is said that if you take a dip in the holy river you will be healed of various physical and psychological miseries. The water here is supposed to have healing and miraculous powers. It is said that the Coorgies used the holy water and prayed to Goddess Cauveramma Devi Thayi.Talacauvery is about eight kilometres from Bhagamandala. There are many small temples here and many devotees visit this beautiful temple every year. The temple was constructed for Lord Agastheeswara.

The name Talakaveri implies the source of the river Cauvery. As per Hindu mythology, the river Cauvery is one of the most sacred rivers in India. It is about 4187 feet situated on the Brahmagiri hill slopes. Talakaveri is marked with Brahma Kundike or Tirth Kundike. A small spring of water originates from this place and hence it is referred to as Talakaveri.

There is a big tank and a shrine that have been constructed close to the Tirth Kundike at this holy place. The devotees take a bath in the holy waters of Talakavery. There are two temples, one of Lord Shiva which houses an ancient linga and the other of Lord Ganesha. The linga is supposed to have been installed by Sage Agastya.

The Tulasankaramma is celebrated in Talakaveri with great pomp and splendor. There is a water gush at the Brahma Kundike during this period and devotees come here in huge numbers to worship at the temple. The locals believe that this is a very auspicious occasion. The festival of Tulasankramma is celebrated in the month of October every year. The close by hills of Chambundi, Nilgiris, Kudremukh and Wayanad are good tourist spots. The best time to visit Talakaveri temple is from September to May. It is best to avoid going during the monsoon season. 

The closest airport is Mangalore which is about 194 kilometres away. Bangalore airport is about 310 kilometres away. You can reach Mysore station which is about 160 kilometres from here.

From Mysore if you wish to go on road the route would be: Mysore – Hunsur- Periyapatna-Bylekuppe-Koppa-Kushal Nagara-Cauvery Nishadharma – Hosakote – Suntikoppa – Madikeri- Abey Falls-Bhagamandala-Talacauvery

There are State Road Transport Corporation buses that operate between Karnataka and Kerala. Also private buses operate or connect Madikeri with other cities. The best time to visit this temple would be during Tulam Sankrama in the month of October.

Keylong Hill Station - It Is Cut Off From The Rest Of The World Until Summer Arrives Once More

KEYLONG HILL STATION

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LAHAUL AND SPITI

Source: odisha360

Keylong is the administrative centre of the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Now rife with Buddhist influence, the region had quite a few different rulers in the past ' the Guge kingdom from Tibet, the Sikhs and finally the British, before India won her independence. This little village draws tourists for a variety of reasons. Trekkers make up the majority of tourists who stop at Keylong to rest. 

There are plenty of monasteries around the hill station that warrant a visit. The Kardang Monastery, belonging to the Drukpa or red hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism is situated on a mountain slope, 5 km from Keylong. The Shaspur Monastery, which is 3 km from Keylong, is famous for paintings that depict the history of 84 Buddhas as well as the devil dance of the Lamas. 

The Tayul Monastery, which is the oldest monastery in the valley, is 6 km from Keylong houses a massive library and statue of Guru Padmasambhava. In addition to the monasteries, other attractions in the region include Gemur, which is famous for Buddhism-inspired arts and crafts, the ancient fort at Gondla, the Triloknath Temple, the Kelang Wazir Temple and the Pin Valley National Park.

The people of Keylong practice Buddhism. Every festival celebrated sees the inclusion of Lamas and monks. The annual Lahaul Festival showcases the best of Buddhist culture that is embraced willingly by the people of this region. The Tibetan influence finds its way into the food they prepare as well. 

Keylong experiences a long winter that begins in October and ends in April. During these months, the Rohtang Pass is closed due to heavy rainfall. Keylong is cut off from the rest of the world until summer arrives once more. The average winter temperature is -2 degree Celsius. Summer brings colour to the hill station and is a perfect time to visit Keylong. The average temperature for summer is 25 degree Celsius. While the days are hot and the nights cooler, and carrying woollen clothing is a must. Keylong receives little rain throughout the year.

Keylong has neither private nor government buses operating within the city. Since this beautiful little hill station has only one main road called Mall Road, there is no need for buses or vans to run in Keylong. During the summer, however, buses do commute between Manali and Keylong. During this time, tourist buses are available to visit the many interesting monasteries and natural wonders in and around Keylong.The summer, which begins in May and ends in October is the best time to visit Keylong. The weather is pleasantly cool and light woollen clothing during this time should be sufficient.

Keylong does not have an airport of its own. The closest is the Bhuntar Airport in Kullu Manali. The airport is considered to be a challenging one for pilots when it comes to landing as the only runway is set in a valley and surrounded by peaks. There are plans to upgrade the airport to improve connectivity. The airport is connected to Delhi and Chandigarh via Air India Regional and Deccan Charters. Dharamsala's Gaggal Airport is close to Keylong as well. The airport has many flights to Delhi via Air India, Spice Jet, and Jagson Airlines. Jagson Airlines also connect Dharamsala to Chandigarh and Kullu Manali. 

Devikulam Hill Station - It Gives Grisp And Cool Mountain Air To Nature's Lovers

DEVIKULAM HILL STATION

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IDUKKI

Source : Kerala Tourism

Devi kulam hill station is located 16 kms from Munnar, this gorgeous hill station symbolises nature in her pristine glory. The crisp and cool mountain air heavily laden with the fragrance of wild flowers and rare herbs is any nature lover's paradise. 

The Sita Devi Lake offers rejuvenating springs of mineral water and is also a favourite picnic spot among tourists. Besides the expansive tea plantations, a spice garden run by the district tourism promotion council nurtures a wide variety of spices. 

Traveling with a quest takes individuals on a destination worthy of being visited. And the journey becomes pious when it is made for the search of God and solace in Nature which is what one gets in a very small village - Devikulam hill station - the place with the lotus pond of Goddess.

People on vacation in world famous Munnar might not formerly aware of Devikulam as a hill station which is isolated but one glance around here and there is no doubt that the chilly in the air, greenery on the slopes, low hanging clouds over hills and the Sita Devi Lake surrounded by colors and vibrancy of Nature are to be cherished forever. Just 16 Km away from Munnar, Devikulam in Idukki district of Kerala is often a part of combined package tourists and vacationers take to come to this place.

The village is very small, thus seem crowded in summers when locals take weekend trips to get immersed in the views of Nature as she resides here. Devikulam tour has many reasons; nearness to Munnar, the prominent ones are beauty of the place, legends and mythology associated with the place that tells about Goddess Sita (Wife of Lord Rama) bathing in the lake after which it is named since then, skin-ailments treating water of the lake and numerous opportunities to explore hills through trekking and hiking. In God's Own Country, journey to all the places become a pilgrimage in their own likeness!

Munnar being in close proximity as well as great in popularity generally steals much of the show, but those who like some peace, pick home stays or hotels in Devikulam as their option for accommodation. Those who are coming directly to this hilly landscape can remain stick to the idea of going solitary lived to the perfection. However, the distance between the two is so less, it hardly takes any time commuting from one place to the other.some of the popular names of this place include- Autumn Trees, Pavitram Holiday Inn, Spring Dale Resort, Misty Buds Homestay, and others.

By Air 

Kochi International Airport is best to reach the village is flight is the preferred way of journey.

By Train 

Kottayam and Kochi 130 Km and 150 Km respectively are the nearest railway stations from where taxis or buses could be taken to reach Devikulam.

By Bus

Journey on roads from Cochin (Kochi) and Kottayam is a delight especially when the driver is experienced and efficient for the hill driving.

Papikonda National Park - It Has Rich Bio-Diversity And Densely Forested Hills

PAPIKONDA NATIONAL PARK

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WEST GODAVARI

PICTURE SOURCE -HANS INDIA

Papikonda National Park is located in East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh and Khammam district of Telangana.

Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the year 1978. Total area of the Sanctuary is about 591 km2. Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary declared as a National Park in 2008. Total area of the National Park is about 1012.86 km2.

The park lies on the left and right banks of the river Godavari and cuts through the Papikonda hill range of Eastern Ghats. The River Godavari enriches the Papikonda Park with its natural beauty.

Papikonda National Park is one of the main tourist destinations of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The park is the best place to observe nature in her pious form. The park gives the wildlife to regenerate and develop.

Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary is not only the homeland of the animals but a wide variety of plants and shrubs grow and that make the vegetation of the place rich and vibrant. The birds found in the region are both resident and migratory.

The mythological significance attached to the Park is that it was the kingdom of the apes, during the epic time of holy Ramayana. The erstwhile name of the area was Kishkinda, whose residents had helped Lord Rama to bring back Sita from Lanka.

The topography of Papikonda supports dense forested hills, deep gorges, valleys, flowing streams and ponds, where the avifaunal life can be sighted.

The sight of mighty Godavari meandering through densely Forested hills with deep gorges & valleys provides an unforgettable experience.

The vicinity of the Park extends to the Rekapalle hills in Khammam district. The floral variety of the Park is mainly Eastern Ghats vegetation. The area consists of dry deciduous tropical forests. A variety of plants and shrubs grow in the Park, adding color to the environment.

Multifarious and varied streams exhaling from the top of the hill makes the forest of Papikonda a fertile vegetative land. All these constitute to make the area into a typical ecological, facinal and geomorphological zone.

The Park lies in the River Godavari basin. The forests of the Park cut through the Papikonda hill range. The nearby cities to the Park are Khammam, Suryapet and Warangal.

Many unique species of flora and fauna is found in the park.

By Air 

Nearest airport is Visakhapatnam airport located About 100 km from the Papikonda National Park. Visakhapatnam has direct flight connectivity with Delhi, Mumbai Chennai and Hyderabad. Visakhapatnam airport is well connected by road to Papikonda National Park.

By Train

Nearest railway station is Rajahmundry railway station, lies on Chennai-Kolkata and Chennai-Delhi main line. Rajahmundry railway station is well connected by road to Papikonda National Park.

By Bus

Papikonda National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Papikonda National Park at frequent intervals.

By water 

There is only one way to reach Papikonda by boats From Rajahmundry.

Accommodation

Forest rest houses at Rajahmundry, Maredumilli and Kannapuram. The hotels available in Rajahmundry are River Bay and Anand Regency Hotel.

Important contact

Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife Management), Rajahmundry

Phone:- 0883-2478643

Forest Range Officer, Rampachodavaram

Phone:- 08864-243705.

Katra Mosque - It Is Famous For Film Shooting Of Bengali Cinemas

KATRA MOSQUE

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MURSHIDABAD

Katra Mosque is located 3km to the east of Murshidabad; a historical city located some 200 kms from the capital city of Kolkata. The mosque was built by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan between the years 1723 and 1724 and was an important centre for Islamic learning. The mosque was almost completely destroyed in the earthquake of 1897. 

The word ‘Katra’ means a market and the name was given to the mosque owing to the fact that the place had a large market around the mosque during that time. It is believed that the Katra Mosque was built as a copy of Kartalab Khan's mosque located in Dhaka, built in 1700-1704 AD. The mosque is also the final resting place of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan who lies buried in a tomb under the 14 flight of steps leading to the courtyard. 

The main gate leads to a giant courtyard which was used for reading the Namaz and could hold up to 2000 Namaz readers. Beyond the courtyard is the main mosque. The mosque had a big central dome surrounded by two domes on each side. The central dome and its adjacent ones fell during the earthquake leaving the place in ruins but even then the space under the fallen domes was used as Madarsas (Islamic centres for learning). Each of the domes had three Mihrabs that are semi-circular niches in the wall pointing towards the Kabba in Mecca. 

The Mosque was built on a square plinth and is surrounded by a row of double storied domed cells which could accommodate 700 Quran readers at any given time. The Mosque when built had 4 octagonal minarets 70 feet in height with winding steps leading to the top but two were destroyed in the earthquake. The minarets have small loopholes which were used for musketry against any approaching danger. Even though destroyed, they still have glimpses of magnificence that were once associated with them. 

The mosque has two Persian inscriptions; one above the central mihrab and another over the central entrance in the eastern façade with the former praising Prophet Muhammad and the latter revealing the date of construction as 1137 AH (1724-25 AD).