Location of Amer Fort on Google Maps:

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If you are visiting the fort for the first time, it is recommended that you take a local guide; else, since not many of the buildings are marked, you will be at a loss to figure out what some of the older structures inside the Fort are. And there are a number of different palaces, halls, gardens, and other locations inside the Fort complex. Make sure that you do visit the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) inside the Fort.
The Fort is divided into 4 sections, with access to each of the sections from a central location through a staircase, or through a wide enough pathway. When you enter the Fort through the main gate, the first place you reach is the Jaleb Chowk, the main courtyard. Here, in the past, when a returning army would return to the city, they would be paraded in this Chowk. There is also a famous temple inside the Palace called the Kali Temple (with enormous silver lions). The fort is constructed of white and red sandstone.

View of elephant and mahout near the Amber Fort in Jaipur

Boundary wall on the hilltops near the Amer Fort in Jaipur

Ramparts of the Amber Fort in Jaipur

Musicians on the walls of the Amer Fort near the entrance

At one of the many gateways inside the Amber Fort in Jaipur

View of the Diwan-i-Aam – the public audience hall inside the Amer Fort

An ambulance inside the Amber Fort in Jaipur

View of the huge courtyard inside the Amber Fort in Jaipur

People inside the Amber Fort – with some wonderfully carved buildings

View of a wonderfully carved doorway inside the Amber Fort in jaipur

View of canons outside a doorway inside the Amber Fort in Jaipur

The board for Diwan-i-Aam inside the Amber Fort in Jaipur

The hall between the pillars inside the Diwan-i-Aam the Amer Fort in Jaipur

The carved pillars inside the Amber Fort in the Jaipur

Cross section of pillars inside a hall in the Amber Fort in Jaipur

Carvings in the shape of a flower on the wall of the Amer Fort in Jaipur

Darkened view of a room with a view of the window inside the Amber Fort

View of a slightly older section of the Amer Fort in Jaipur

Overhead view of the garden inside the Amer Fort in Jaipur

A windows lattice work inside the Amber Fort in Jaipur

The outer edge of the walls in the Amber Fort in Jaipur

View of an entire housing community (town) viewed from the Amer Fort

View of one of the Halls inside the Amer Fort in Jaipur

Doorways in the wall inside the Amber Fort in Jaipur

Tourists inside one of the halls (between the pillars) in the Amer Fort in Jaipur

Security personnel inside the Amer Fort in Jaipur

Pigeons on the walls and windows inside the Amer Fort in Jaipur

Trees inside the courtyard in the Amer Fort in Jaipur

Entrance to Aguada fort along with view of Arabian sea in Goa

The older lighthouse inside the Aguada fort in Goa, a historic structure

People wandering on the concrete platform in the middle of the Aguada fort in Goa

The Fort is a place of historic significance, and a protected place. It was also the scene of a few Hindi movie sets, and was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, in 1612 precisely, to guard against Dutch and the Marathas. The fort is fairly well-preserved, standing on the Sinquerim beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea. It is south of Candolim, and was tasked as a reference for vessels coming from Europe (with its lighthouse providing that purpose). The name of the fort refers to the word ‘water’, since Aguada means water, and refers to a fresh water spring within the fort that provided water for drinking purposes. In a later part of its history, during the Salazar administration, the fort was used as a prison. Now, the area around the fort is owned by the Indian Hotel Co, owned by the Tata group, and is a 5 star resort.

People at ruins of the fort near the Taj resort near Aguada Goa

Rain hit path right next to the Tata Indian Hotels Resort 5 star resort in Goa

There is parking outside the fort, and then a slight uphill journey from the place of parking to reach the fort. Once we get inside, there are two levels inside the fort. The main ground inside the fort contains a main structure that shows the water tank, and is fairly large. The slightly elevated inside the fort is along the perimeter wall of the fort, which is a good walk as well as provides a good view of the Arabian sea from there, and of the surrounding green hillside.

Perimeter wall of Aguada Fort in Goa along with moat

Photo of view of green countryside next to Aguada Fort in Goa along with the Arabian Sea

The signboard giving the history of the Aguada fort in Goa along with an explanation of the upper and lower portions of the fort

After spending many hours in the fort and enjoying the view (the rain would lessen in between, but the overall weather was excellent). From here, we decided to try to see whether going to the other fort would make sense. There is another fort nearby, called Chapora Fort, much less preserved than the Aguada Fort. The Chapora fort is much older, and is built overlooking the Chapora river. Built over an earlier fort, the current fort was built in 1717, and with steep slopes on all sides. The guides over there discourage you from going to the fort since it is a steep climb, and is in a much more ruined condition. However, the views are supposed to be excellent; we however could not visit the fort since it was raining a bit harder and the climb was not really recommended.
After the forts, we decided to move to the beaches in that region. The most famous beach that we visited was called Baga beach, and is a long beach. At one end of the beach, there is the Baga creek, and makes for a good view, since it is not often that you get to see a view of a creek or stream flowing into the sea. A huge number of visitors visit Baga beach on a regular basis, and the beach is also fairly long. We spent some time in the water, although with lifeguards coming forward to warn visitors not to go too deep into the water. However, it was pleasant spending some time in the surf. And then, since we were getting hungry, we decided to eat at a recommended place over there, a shack called Britto’s where there was some excellent sea food (but not much choice for vegetarians). Once done with Baga beach, we moved onto 2 more beaches, the Vagator beach and the Anjuna beach.

The road outside Baga beach in Goa, a narrow road with many vehicles passing by

The water of the Baga creek merging with the sea at Baga beach

Line up of beach chairs at the Baga beach

Enjoying at Baga beach, waiting for the water to inundate and cover

Relaxing at the edge of the water at Baga beach

Vagator was a nice beach, although one had to again walk for some distance (including walking down a very small hill) to get to the beach, but once at the beach, it looked beautiful. You could see a group of people enjoying themselves in the water, and we spent some time at the beach, enjoying ourselves. Then the light started dropping, and it was time to move on to the last beach for the day, Anjuna beach. I had heard that Anjuna beach was very famous, but somehow I did not get the same impression; it was rocky and seemed dangerous for somebody who would venture into the water, unless they were somewhat skilled. It was fun walking on the rocks though, heading farther out into the water.

People enjoying the surf at Vagator Beach in Goa

View of Vagator Beach from a height, a bit of rock, but also some beautiful beach

View of Anjuna Beach in Goa, seen from a height

People standing on the rock at the edge of the water in Anjuna Beach

Water lapping the shore of the Arjuna beach, with the rock getting hit by the waves

The water hitting the rocks at the shore pretty hard at Anjuna Beach

And with sunset having fallen, we headed back to our resort, a nice comfortable day. As you might see, we were not the more adventurous type, not having planned to just hire a bike and go wherever it takes us; although in the rain, hiring a bike was likely to be a daft move.

The best Season to visit Lonavala is throughout the year, except perhaps May when it can get warmer.
* October to March is ideal for sight seeing, with the best weather.
* April is bit warm, but suitable for outings, but as you get to May, it gets hotter.
* June to September offers some great views of natural beauty of Lonavala in the rainy season with rainfall all around, and can be a good time to visit if you like to look at natural settings when water is pouring all around, and the overall feel is soft and romantic.

Population : 50,000
Languages : Marathi, Hindi and English

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Set in the lush green hills of the Sahyadris, Lonavala is the most popular weekend destination from Mumbai and Pune. For a lot of people, it is a regular outing from the busy life in hectic cities, and there are no problems in going to the same place again and again. Lonavala is known as the Jewel of the Sahyadri; if you look at what all it offers, the praise seems justified – it offers the tourist pristine woods and valleys, gurgling and gushing waterfalls, historic caves, and many scenic vistas.
Historically, Lonavala has been there for many centuries, with the surroundings hills being the stronghold of the Maratha rulers, in their fights against the Moghuls and later the British. The Maratha warriors practised guerrilla warfare from here in their battles against these sets of enemies. However, now Lonavala is the epitome of peace and tranquility, with a lot of rich and famous people having setup holiday homes here for their use as a rest away from the city.
Lonavala also provides thrills of adventure sports in terms of rock climbing, including rock climbing at Duke’s Nose.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS :
- Karla & Bhaja Caves: These rock-cut cave temples date back to the 2nd century BC and are amongst the oldest and finest examples of Buddhist rock cut temple art in India; they belong to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
- Rajmachi Point: Located about 6.5 km from Lonavla. Why is it famous ? It is famous for the view; this point commands a magnificent view of Shivaji’s famous fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrace) and the surrounding valley.
- Ryewood Park and Shivaji Udyan: The stunning gardens are amongst the favorite picnic spots of the children, owing to the soaring trees and spacious open spaces provided by them.
- Valvan Dam : Located about 2 km from Lonavla. Located at the foot of the dam is a blooming garden, adorned with a wide variety of colorful flowers and other plants, which attracts a number of tourists.
- Tungarli Lake : The lovely Tungarli Lake supplies water to Lonavla town. There are no buses to the site, but taxis and autorickshaws are available from Lonavla Station (3 km).
- Lonavala Lake : The tranquil surroundings and serene atmosphere offered by the Lonavla Lake are enough to lure tourists here. The lake is also visited by a number of birds, making it a bird watcher’s delight.
- Duke’s Nose : It stands 12 km from Lonavla, it is the finest landmark in Khandala and is popular with hikers. The cliff owes its name to the Duke of Wellington, whose famous and ample nose it resembles.
- Tiger’s Leap : It is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m. The magnificent view from Tiger’s Leap is enthralling.
- Christian Cemetery : It is worth a visit for the century old tombstones with work on them. However, as happens in a number of such places, vandals have been at them, with most of them having been desecrated and their precious engravings stolen.
- Bushi Dam : During the monsoons, the dam fills with water and the water overflows on the ‘steps’. People can sit on these steps and get wet. There are also a few waterfalls around.
- Lohagad Fort : Lohagad (literally ‘Iron fort’ in Marathi) is one of the many hill forts of Chatrapati Shivaji. It is situated 52 km from Pune in western India. Lohagad is at an elevation of 3,450 feet. A robust climb of about 11.2 km from Malavali Railway Station takes you to the ‘Iron Fort’, once a formidable battle-station of Shivaji. The fort commands a view of the surrounding hills and hamlets.
- Yoga Center: Lonavala has a Yoga center that provides

How to get there ?
Air: The nearest airport from Lonalvala is Pune, which is 64 km from Lonavala.
Train: Lonavala is on the main railway line between Mumbai and Pune, all express trains plying between the two cities stop here.
Road:The bus service between Lonavala and Pune is good (2 hours). However, the ride is rough and it takes 4 hours to reach Lonavala from Mumbai. Buses shuttle between Lonavala and Khandala (5 km from Lonavala; 15 minutes trip).

PLACES TO STAY
- Fariyas Holiday Resort
- Treasure Island Resorts
- Velvett Country
- Dukes Retreat
- Kumar Resort
- Swiss Resorts
- Sahil Sarovar Protico
- The Upper Deck Resort
- Hotel Whispering Brook
- Basilica Holiday Home
- La Exotica Resort
- Biji’s Hill Retreat
- The Lagoona Resort
- Orchard Resort
- Country side Inn

External articles / blogs:

1. Ayushveda.com (link)

Tourists to West India often make it a point to include Lonavala referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains’, in their itinerary. Trekkers, campers, hikers throng the hill station while leisure travelers account for the majority of the footfall. It is also fast emerging as a preferred choice of honeymooners. Most part of the year is good to visit Lonavala as it sports pleasant climate.

2. Placesnearpune.com (link). Some great photos of scenery, greenery and waterfalls.

Lions view point was easily the best part of my lonavala trip. The moment you reach the edge of the cliff after walking across the road, you just cannot avoid saying “wow!”. The view is majestic and panoramic. You would see dozens of small waterfalls all over the place with one waterfall pretty prominent in the view.

3. Monsoon trek (link)

On the two hour train journey, we passed Lonavala and Khandala and almost as many waterfalls as the tunnels we went through.

4. Tale India (link)

Lonavala is not only about the picturesque sights and salubrious climate but it is also home to some of the finest places of tourist interest. The most outstanding among the tourist attractions in Lonavala are the Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla located in close vicinity of this hill station. On your trip to Lonavala, you must not miss out on these caves since they offer interesting insight into the development of Buddhism in the region.

5. Trek to Twin forts of Lohagad-Visapur & Bhajje caves near Lonavala (link)

Lohagad: This is one of the most interesting forts to visit as it still has its fortification and doorways in pristine condition. The fort dates back to the Satvahan Era and was mainly used to keep a watch on the trade route passing through the Sahyadris.

6. Lonavala’s secret destinations (link)

Yet, the hidden beauty of the city can be revealed only after a chat with localites. One such place is the Karala caves, which are approximately eight kilometers from Lonavala. The cheapest mode of transport to reach this fabulous place is bus service, which will drop you in 10 minutes to the site. Or else you can also take an auto rickshaw, easily available in the city.

7. Discover India (link)

The must visiting sites in Lonavala during your trip are as follows -
First, there is the Rye Wood Park near the rail way station which is famous for its dense forest of many big and beautiful trees. During the season it attracts tourists with variety of flowers.

8. Lonavala Excursions: A Visit at the 5 Historic Caves (link)

Bhaja Caves are located at the center of Lohagad Fort and Visapur Fort. These caves are mush smaller with a Chaitya style. Tourists should take a 250 feet climb to get into the caves. There are 18 rock cut caves as old as since the 2nd century. The first cave is the place of the master architect and ten were reserved for the viharas for priests. The other seven caves have an inscription concerning its donors. A beautiful waterfall is seen at the end.

9. Wonderful Attractions In Lonavala (link)

The Gambhirnath Caves is the most exciting natural attraction. The adventure lovers will enjoy it here This area lies between Thakarwadi and Monkey Hill while departing towards Mumbai. Everyone may reach this location after experiencing some sorts of annoyance. Tourists will get the chance to climb atop the hill. The path will be narrow but is still worth trying for experience.

10. Enjoy the cool and lush greenery of Lonavala (link)

Start your day with a visit to the Karla Caves where you can look at some ancient ruins and Buddhist carvings. Not a very crowded place, it will give you ample time to explore it in a better way. The Chaitya caves are also a must-see. You can also go trekking to the Bhaja caves, which is situated next to Karla caves. The rocks date back to 2nd century BC and make up many temples.

11. A whole new life (link)

For people who are looking for a good place to stay try MTDC resorts Karla – The cottages are good much better than highly priced hotel rooms , the only drawback is the distance from the main city – but its a good place to just relax & enjoy the rains…

12. Maverick – The thought begins (link)

The scenic beauty was amazing, all the mountains were lush green, and covered by clouds and it was raining consistently to add on to the beauty of the weather. As we were heading towards the Tiger Waterfall, the fogs became more dense

13. Pen Shots (link)

Ryewood Park is a picturesque hang out in the hill station Lonavala and is located very close to Lonavala market. This Park has plenty of grounds with greenish lawns and playing grounds for children. The Park is blessed with many varieties of trees which are decades old. It was a botanical garden and later converted to a Park.

14. Visit to Karla Caves, Lonavala (link)

Admired the symmetrical architecture of the place which was built in 2nd or 3rd Century. The stupa inside the cave is a very common feature in the Buddhist rock cut caves in India

15. Journeys explored (link)

Further reached Lonavala almost at noon. Grabbed up almost anything be with melons, chikkis etc..to suffice our hungry, thirsty souls.

16. Pune to Loanavala (link)

after some thoughts we went for Lonavala and thankfully it turned out to be a worthwhile decision. A wonderful ride for someone in Pune looking out for a decent biking experience. Mind you it is a bit risky, we were lucky not to get into any accident but next time if I am gonna go that route it would be in day time and with some more preparation.

17. Trek, Trips and Adventures (link)

Korigad predates 1500 A.D. and Shivaji Maharaj included this fort in Swarajya along with Lohgad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona in 1657 and in 1818 Marathas lost it to the British. There is Ganesh Darwaaja half way to the top with idol of Lord Ganesh in small rock cave and big cave near it.

18. My Trip To Lonavla (link)

While going through the old highway there were three things which stuck me most. First being the countryside around me it was beautiful. I have almost visited all the hill stations in northern India so small cliffs now dont entice me so much but i was awestuck by the sights i saw in a cloudy evening.

Photos:

1. Photos of a trip to Lonavala (link)
2. Photos of Lonavala on Flickr (link)
3. The Lion Valley, Lonavala (link)
4. Loanavala Photo Gallery on world66.com (link)
5. Photos at sulekha.com (link)
6. Photo of Karla caves near Lonavala (link)
7. Lonavala in monsoons (link)
8. Photos of famous tourist spots (link)
9. Lonavala: Korigad and Kune falls: Amby Valley: Entrance (link)

Some videos shared by people about Lonavala on Youtube:

1. Lonavala Trip

2. Another Lonavala Trip

3. Lonavala- one of the best trip

4. Lonavala trip waterfall (at Tiger Falls)

5. Team picnic at Lonavala

6. Lagoona Resort Lonavala (link)

7. Ola Lonavala! 26 types of National Chikki (link)

8. The Machan – A Tree House, Lonavala

9. Amby Valley – Sahara City Lonavala

India, the sub-continental country is known for its richness in culture and tradition. For visualizing the geographic neighbors of India, the Northern side is bordered by the wide range of the huge snow clad Himalayas, the west by the Arabian Sea, and the East is covered by the Bay of Bengal. It is the southern side that is very unique as both these seas mingle with the Indian Ocean. The Land that is located in the tip of the country, where the three seas get united is none other than Cape Comerin or Kanyakumari.

Map of Kanyakumari on Google Maps:

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The name of this place has been christened after the virgin goddess – Kanyakumari Amman. As per mythology, Goddess Parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to get the hand of Lord Shiva. Hence this place is also a popular pilgrimage. Kanyakumari and its surroundings are believed to be part of the land which was created by Parasurama, incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Folktales and mythological stories speak volumes about Kanyamymari.
In historical times, Kanyakumari was once referred to as the “ALEXANDRIA OF THE EAST”. This place was a great centre for art, culture, civilization and pilgrimage for many years, in addition, it was also a famous centre for commerce and trade.
If you talk about modern Kanyakumari, some of the distinctive monuments are located on the sea; there are two rocks known as ‘twin rocks’. Each of them are distinctive and landmarks, both symbolizing the rich past of Indian heritage, having the monuments of swamy Vivekananda and Saint Thiruvalluvar.

Major tourist attractions:

Kumari Amman – The temple is located on the shore and is devoted to a manifestation of Parvati. The temple is located at a picturesque point, and commands a breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty. The diamond nose ring of the deity can even be witnessed from the sea. The timings of visits to the temple are from 4.30 AM to 12.15 PM & 4.PM to 8.15 PM. Annual Festivals are the Car festival (May / June) and Navaratri (Nine Days) Festival (September / October). The temple can be very crowded at certain points.

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial – The monument was built on the spot where there is an urn that contained the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi before they were immersed into the river. The architecture of the temple is designed in a way so that the first rays of the sun fall exactly on the place where the ashes of this great personality were kept. Visting Hours are from 7 AM To 7 PM. Entrance is free for tourists.

Udaigiri Fort – The fort was built by King Marthanda Verma and has a factory where guns are manufactured. The splendid Padmanabhapuram Palace is a huge mansion of the Travancore Kings, recognized for its captivating artistic appeal.

Thiruvalluvar Statue – The pedestal of the statue is of 38 feet height and the statue located on the pedestal is 95 feet tall with a grand total height of 133 feet for the entire sculpture. The 3 tier pedestal known as Atharapeedam is surrounded by an artistic Mandapa known as Alankara Mandapam with 38 feet height. Surrounding the Alankara Mandapa stand 10 elephant statues, signifying 8 directions; the remaining 2 directions are with earth and space down. Visting Hours – 8 AM To 4 PM.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial – Essentially a sacred monument, built by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee to commemorate the visit of Swamy Vivekananda to “Shripada Parai” during 24th, 25th and 26th December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment. Visting Hours – 7 AM To 4 PM.

Suchindrum – Suchindrum is a small village about 12 km. from Kanyakumari and about seven kilometres from Nagercoil. This holy place is located on the bank of the river Pazhayar, adjoining to fertile fields and coconut groves; the temple is dedicated to Sri Sthanumalayan. This word denotes Siva, Vishnu and Brahmma – Sthanu represents Siva, Mal represents Vishnu while Ayan represents Brhamma i.e. Siva, Vishnu and Brhamma in “One Form”.

Mathur Hanging Bridge – This bridge constructed in 1966, is the tallest as well as the longest trough bridge in Asia, having a height of 115 feet and a length of one kilometre.

St. Xavier Church – The church records show that the church was built in the year 1600 A.D. In the year 1865, the Church was enlarged and the shrine of our lady was also renovated and vaulted over. In 1930, the church was raised to the status of a Cathedral.

Padmanabhapuram Palace – It is one of the four municipalities in the district; 55 Km. south of Trivandrum, about two km. east of Thuckalay and 35 km. from Kanyakumari on the Trivandrum-Cape Comerin road. This town is surrounded by a fort with an area of 187 acres. The ancient capital of Travancore might be constructed before AD 1601. The palace with an area of seven acres, is situated in the very centre on the Padmanabhapuram Fort, amidst hills, dales and rivers. The palace which is situated in Kanyakumari District is under the control of a Curator of the Archaeological Department of Kerala Government.

Tirparappu Water Falls – The Kodayar makes its descend at Tirparappu and the water fall at this place, about 13km. from Pechiparai dam. The river bed is rocky and about 300 feet in length. The water falls from a height of nearly 50 feet and the water flows for about seven months in a year.

Muttom Beach – The famous beach at Muttom is located about 16 kms from Nagercoil and 32 kms from Kanyakumari. Muttom is famous for its beautiful landscaping and high rocks dipping into the sea at the beach-side. The sun set view point at Muttom is one of the most Panoramic view points in the district. Another attraction of Muttom is the century old light-house built by the British.

Vattakottai (Circular Fort) – A granite fort six kilometres north-east of Kanyakumari cape, forms the terminal of a line of ramparts known as the South Tranvancore lines built by Marthanda Varma to serve as defence for Nanjil Nadu. It is rectangular in shape and covers an area of about three and a half acres.

Peer Mohamed Dargah, Thuckalay (35 kms) – This dargah is named after Peer Mohamed Oliyullah, the great philosopher Mohamed Appa, who wrote many books on philosophy.

Sunrise and Sunset – Sunrise can be seen in Kanniyakumari through out the year at Bay of Bengal. Sunset can be seen from View Tower through out the year except the months of June, July and August.

Places to stay:
Hotel Parvathi Residency, Kanyakumari (link)
Hotel Singaar International (link)
Indienhermitage (link)
Hotel SeaView (link)
Hotel Cape Residency
Saagar Hotel
Melody Park Hotel.
Ashok Hotel

Reaching there

By Air: The nearest airport from Kanyakumari is situated at Trivandrum about 80 kms away.

By Rail: Kanyakumari is well connected by rail to major parts of the country.

By Road: Extensive road network connects Kanyakumari to other parts of the country.

External articles / blogs:

1. travelonthedollar.com (link): Has a few photos also

The oldest and the most ancient landmark in this town is the temple of Goddess Kumari who prayed to Lord Shiva to be accepted as wife by him. The name of this place has taken after the name of the Goddess. During the British Raj, it was also known as ‘Cape Comorin’, is probably a British spoilt version of ‘Kumari’, which mean virgin. The town is so small that an enthusiastic tourist may actually walk the entire length and breadth of the town and not shed a drop of sweat. Anyway, buses are available and the fares are rock bottom. The auto rickshaws fares are also very reasonable. In short, travelling in and around Kanyakumari is not expensive.

2. Indian Weatherman (link): Lots of photos

In 1609 AD Viswanatha Nayak of Madurai captured Kanyakumari. Afterwards there was no real threat to Venad Kings. Kanyakumari thus became an integral part of the Venad Empire with the capital at Padmanabhapuram. King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma(1729-1758) of Venad dynasty formed Travancore ( Modern Kerala) by extending his domain further north up to Aluva. Kanyakumari thus came to be known as Southern Travancore. In 1741, King Marthanda Varma another great king from the same dynasty overcame the Dutch East India Company forces at the fiercely fought “Battle of Colachel.”

3. Video of Kanyakumari (link)
4. Post on triter.com (link)

Nearest airport from Kanyakumari is Trivandrum in the neighbouring state of Kerala. It takes about two hours by train or bus to go Kanyakumari from Trivandrum. Kanyakumari is well connected by rail to all major cities in India like Chennai, Trivandrum, Bombay, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore. Buses are frequently available from Thiruvananthapuram, the closest major transport hub. Long distance buses are available from Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai etc.

5. Nice Events on Blogspot.com (link)

Kanyakumari (also spelt as Kanniyakumari) order is contoured by Tirunelveli district in the northwestern and point, by Kerala denote in the northwest and confluence of Mount Sea and Soldier Ocean in the west and south. The coastline is nigh uniform eliminate for few points of come projects into the sea at Cape Comorin.

6. Post with great photos on indiaouting.com (link)

The temple of Goddess Kumari is rather small by South Indian standards, but comes with the usual ingredients of Pujaris (Hindu Priests), Poojas, Kumkums, and Prasads (sweet offerings made to Gods). All men are supposed to enter the temple with bare torsos as it deemed to be a mark of respect to the Devi. You should be careful about the touts in the temple.

7. miyzone on blogspot with some photos (link)
8. Photo of waves striking the rocks at Kanyakumari (link)
9. Post with great photos at oktatabyebye.com (link)

After lunch, we set out to see the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, by boat. There are regular ferry services from the jetty which is very close to the TTDC resort. We were lucky to get the last ferry, at 4.30 p.m. and were taken first to the Thrivallavur Statue, a famous Tamil poet of yester years. The statue is magnificent and stands tall on a rock near the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial – the author of the philosophical work Tirukkural – a treatise on the Indian way of life.

10. Description of the Kanyakumari Temple (link)

he main entrance to the temple is through the northern gate though the deity is facing east. The eastern entrance is kept closed except on special occasions when the deity is taken out for ceremonial bath. Three corridors surround the sanctum. The outer corridor has no special shrines, but after a walk round it the devotees cross the ‘Navarathiri mandapam’ and a pathway leads to the second corridor encircling the shrine. There stands the flag mast or ‘Kodisthambam’. From here you can have a clear view of the Goddess. A move further forward will take you in front of the sanctum.

11. Story on travelpod.com (link)

Swami Vivkeananda, also known as the wandering monk, travelled all over India. When he visited Kanyakumari in December 1892, he was drawn to the two rock islets which are the southernmost tip of India. He did not have money to hire a boat so he swam to the rocks. He meditated on the rock for three days and had a vision of one India. The main hall has a tall statue of Swami Vivekananda. The other hall is built around a foot shaped carving on the rock. According to folklore this is the foot print of goddess Kumari who stood on this rock on one foot in penance. There is also a meditation hall called Dhyana Mandapam.

12. Photos of sunrise at Kanyakumari (link)
13. Post on worldoftimepass.com (link)

Though there are several places of tourist-interest in the town and district, Kanyakumari is especially popular in India for its spectacular and unique sunrise and sunset. The confluence of three ocean bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea – makes the sunrise and sunset even more special. On balmy, full-moon evenings, (locally called Chitra Pournami) one can also see the moon-rise and sunset at the same time – on either side of the horizon.

14. Photos of the rocks at Kanyakumari (link)

How to plan ? Max time required for seeing whole Kanyakumari is 1 full day . Reach Kanyakumari by morning 5am and then complete sunrise (mostly at 6am; depends on seasons) and then get into prebooked hotel and complete breakfast and then visit Kanyakumari Temple , just beside the sunrise view point ; and then go for a trip to vivekananda memorial hall ( trip will be close to 2-3hrs) ;complete lunch and then you have option either to visit Padhmanabhapuram palace or go to some beaches near kanyakumari, watch sunset

15. Photos of Udaygiri Fort (link)

Photo Galleries:

1. Shunya.net Photos (link)
2. Kanyakumari Photos (link)
3. Photos of Kanyakumari at holidayiq.com (link)
4. MichaelJM’s Kanyakumari Photos (link)
5. Great photos of Kanyakumari on Sulekha.com (link)
6. Photos of Kanyakumari on oktatabyebye.com (link)

Situated in the southwestern part of Karnataka near Mysore and Mangalore, Coorg is located on the Western Ghats. Dotted with beautiful coffee and green tea plantations (covering the view as far as one can see in some places), alluring nature trails and splendid waterfalls, it’s a place good enough to be visited again and again. Nestling at a height, the climate in Coorg throughout the year is perfect. In recent years, the advent of sports and leisure activities such as trekking, river rafting, and angling have added to the charm of Coorg.

Coorg / Medikeri on Google Maps

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Coorg experiences a moderate climate, where winters are cool and pleasant having a temperature of about 10-20 degree Celsius. In the normally colder months of December through February the minimum temperature may go down to 9 degree Celsius. Summers are only slightly warm at 25-35 degrees Celsius. In the monsoons the rainfall is really heavy. Coorg is literally a place that you can go the year round.
Easily one of the most attractive regions in India, Coorg or Kodagu is an enchanting expanse of natural tourist spot that nestles amid the hills and valleys of the picturesque Western Ghats.
Popularly referred as the Scotland of India, Coorg is a dream destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The misty wooded mountains and valleys, huge cardamom jungles and numerous coffee plantations located in Coorg cast an everlasting spell on your mind, making people come back again and again to this beautiful place. The warm hospitality of the people of Coorg would make your stay truly memorable.

History of Coorg:
Prior to the annexation of Coorg by the British in 1834, Coorg had been ruled by Lingayat Rajas since 1600. A prince of Ikkeri family in Shimoga district, assumed the role of a Lingayat priest and established himself at Haleri, to the north of Madikeri, the capital of Coorg. Over a period of time, he assumed the throne of Coorg and his heirs ruled Coorg for the next two centuries.
Coorg has a fascinating history and one of the interesting aspects of its colorful past was the fact that Queen Victoria of England was the godmother of a Coorg princess! The British finally annexed Coorg in 1834 by removing the last ruler, Chikka Veerarajendra, the last Raja of Coorg. He was taken by the British to Vellore in Tamil Nadu, and then to Varanasi in 1835. Eventually the king, with two of his wives and his favorite daughter Gowramma sailed to England in 1852 where he died in London in 1859. Queen Victoria was the godmother of princess Gowramma, being present during Gowramma’s baptism by the Archbishop of Canterbury on June 30, 1852, and the princess was given the name Victoria Gowramma.
So much for royal history ! With its misty mountains and dense forests, Coorg seemed like a little corner of England to the British (actually, it must have also reminded them of Scotland). They left behind a legacy, in the form of coffee plantation. The well laid coffee plantations in Coorg account for almost half of Karnataka’s coffee production. And Karnataka continues to be India’s largest producer of coffee. Other reminders of the colonial past are the spacious estate bungalows, many of which still have British names and the meandering roads that wind through the district.

Places around to see:

Madikeri Fort: Built in the 19th century, the majestic Madhekiri fort is located in the heart of the quaint hill station Madikeri (also the district headquarters). This historic Fort houses a chapel, a temple, a prison and a small museum. The fort affords a panoramic views of Madhikeri town that is stunning and worth a visit.

Omkareshwara Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Omkareshwara temple was built by Lingaraja in 1820 AD. The architecture of the temple reveals a beautiful amalgamation of Islamic and Gothic architecture. It is said that the temple was built by Lingarajendra to save himself from the spirit of a Brahmin, whom he had killed for his personal reasons. He brought a Shivalinga from Kashi and consecrated it here and named it Omkareshwara.
Some of the interesting items in the temple that are worth noticing are: The gold leaf inscription atop, accessed through a narrow flight of interesting steps that were used by the king to survey his Kingdom, the fishes in the pond which leap in symphony to gobble food offered to them, etc. The annual ‘Teppothasava’ or “Boat Festival” is a memorable event.

Abbey Falls: The roaring Abbey falls (about 10 kms from Madikeri) are surrounded by the lush green coffee plantations and is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Coorg. From a distance, the silent forest comes alive with the sweet chirping of birds and the gurgling of the Abbey falls, with the volume getting louder as you get closer. It is easily accessible by road, with an added advantage; the main road leads upto it through picturesque coffee gardens. The best time to visit Abbey falls is around November when the falls are overflowing after monsoons.

Raja’s Seat: Enjoy the unexplored beauty of Coorg from the favorite spot of the kings. Raja’s seat offers spectacular views of the misty hills, green paddy fields and serpentine rivers. These hill ranges, clad in green, rising high seem to play with silken clouds of myriad hues, and this is the that you get from Raja’s Seat, literally meaning the “Seat of the king.” It is here that the kings of Madikeri enjoyed nature and unforgettable sunsets.

Cauvery: Lifeline of the south, Cauvery bubbles up from Talacauvery and reaches ground level at Bhagamandala, 39 kms to the west of Medikeri. One of the seven major rivers of India, Cauvery is the ‘ Dakshina Ganga’ or ‘ Ganga of the south’.

Bhagamandala: It is a shrine of Bhagandeshwara. It is here the Cauvery merges in joyous and divine form with the rivers Kannike and Sujyothi to form a ‘Triveni Sangama’. The Bhangandeshwara Temple built in Kerala style on the bank of the Sangama.

Nagarahole National Park: One of the well-maintained game sanctuaries in the country is located closeby, 100kms from Madikeri, 64 kms from Virajpet & 94 kms from Mysore via Hunsur & Murkal. Nagarhole National Park was set up in the year 1955 and covers an area of 575 sq km. Main attractions of the park are tigers. The density of tigers in the park is quite impressive. The best time to visit the park is early winters when the climate is very pleasant.
It has many animals forming part of the overall wildlife, with Gaur, Chital, Sambhar & Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, Langur, Crocodile and over a hundred species of birds and the elusive cats – the Leop is home to herds of Elephant, ard and the Tiger.

Nalkunadu Palace: Built in 1792 AD by Dodda Veerarajendra, this beautiful palace is close to Tadiyendamol. To get here, you have to travel 32 kms from Madikeri through Napoklu and Kakkabbe. Buses too, are available.

Iruppu Falls: 48 kms from Virajpet on the banks of the pristine Lakshmanatirtha River, which seems to descend in joyous leaps, to salute the Shiva Temple believed to have been consecrated by Lord Rama himself. A wonderful getaway spot, on the way to Kutta from Gonikoppal.

Nisargadhama- Harangi: An island surrounded by the Cauvery river, Nisargadhama is a picturesque picnic sport that offers elephant rides, deer prancing about and boat rides. There are well equipped, thatched cottages, 3 kms from Kushalnagar.

Talakaveri / Talacauvery: River Kaveri which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated at a place that is called Talakaveri (head of Cauvery) in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level. This place is marked by a tirtha kundike or Brahma kundike (small spring/pond) from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away. It is about 48 kms from Madikeri.
There is a shrine near the kundike and a big tank in front of it where devotees baths before offering prayers. There are 2 temples, a Shiva temple and with a rare and ancient Shiva Linga, and another temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple has a holy Ashwantha tree where, according to legend, the Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh gave darshan to sage Agastya.

Dubare: This is mainly an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department, at the edge of Dubare forest, on the bank of river Kaveri, on the Kushalnagar – Siddapur road. Elephants are captured here with the help of tamed elephants and local tribals – the Kurbas – and is held captive for upto 6 months in large teak wood cages.
The tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the day and in the evenings they come down to the river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts. Afterwards the mahout obliges eager tourists for free elephant rides within the camp. In the evenings, all the elephants are offered a special treat of ladoos made of ragi and jaggery, each no smaller than a cannon ball!

Valanoor: Valanoor, 30 kms.from Mercara, is part of the back waters of river Cauvery and is one of the most beautiful Angling sites in Karnataka. Types of fish include Golden-Masheer, Maral and Mapp. Licence / permit can be arranged by local tourist agents.

Bhagamandala: When the river Cauvery flows downhill, it is joined by two more tributaries – Kanake and Sujyoti. The spot where all three converte (the Cauvery, the Kanika and the Sujyothi) is called Bhagamandala. The temple here, built in Kerala style, has smaller shrines dedicated to various gods. It is about 40 kms from Madikeri.
The nearby Buddhist refugee camps at Bylakuppe offer prayerful silence in expansive halls with beautiful 40 feet high idols of the Buddha and Padmasambhava, his disciple.

Besides these places, if you have good walking shoes, then you are in for some luck; because Coorg is a trekker’s paradise. One can enjoy trekking up and down the hills, through coffee and pepper plantations, alongside the graceful Cauvery and myriad little streams. Coorg has many verdant trekking routes in the midst of forests and hills, and it’s best to go in the months from October to February. Some of the known trails are in the hills of Brahmagiri, where you could trek your way to the Irrupa Falls. You could also consider trekking to Pushpagiri, the second higest peak of Kodagu and Tadiandamol (the highest peak).

Besides trekking, you can practice few swings on the green top golf course; Avid golffers can tee off at the 9-hole course of Virajpet, or you can just sit by the river and try your luck in angling. Around Coorg, there are many Buddhist circuits as well that will keep you interested for long.

Adventure sports in Coorg: Madikeri in Coorg is a popular destination for white water river rafting. Experience the thrill of feeling the spray in your face as you plunge through the rapids of a rushing river, on a white water river rafting tour

White Water Rafting: There are few good camps around Coorg that offer rafting down the Cauvery river. For some fast paced action, visit the Upper Barapole River to the south of Coorg in Brahmagiri. The best time for rafting is from mid-June to mid-September.

Where to stay (Hotels and Bungalows):

Hotel Coorg International, Madikeri.
Hotel Rajdarshan, Madikeri.
Orange Country Resort, Siddapura.
Hotel Chitra, Madikeri.
Capital Village, Madikeri.
Alath-Cad Holiday Home
Maurya Valley View
Hill Town Hotel
East End Hotel
Golden Mist Plantation and Resorts
Club Mahindra Kodagu Valley
Kannika International
Polaycad Bungalow
Honey Valley Estate
Veerabhoomi Resorts
Bethel Home Stay
Kadkani River Resort
Shanti Estate
Honey Pot Homes
Rainforest Retreat
Jade Hills
Ramcad Estate
Hotel Crystal Court

How to get to Coorg:

By Air: There are regular flights to Bangalore from Delhi and other cities. From Bangalore, you can take a bus. The other option is to take a flight to Mangalore. It is at a distance of 136 km from Coorg. From Mangalore, you can take a bus or you can hire a taxi. The drive is approx 3 hrs.

By Rail: Mysore (114 kms) is the nearest railway station to Coorg. It has well connected rail services to all-important destinations in India. Since Mysore and Mangalore are around the same distance away, you can choose either of them to travel to Coorg.

By Road: A good network of roads connect Coorg from Mysore (120 kms), Bangalore (260 kms) and Mangalore (136 kms)

Additional articles / sites:

Coorgtourism (link)
Coorgyatra (link)
Coorg Map (link)
Bike trip in quite some detail (link)
Small blog on travel to Coorg (link)
Trip to Medikeri (with some photos)
Pavitra’s trip to Medikeri (link)

Photos from Fickr
View from Medikeri, King’s cottage

Jaisalmer is a wonderful tourist destination in the state of Rajasthan. The desert citadel is truly a golden fantasy located in the harsh Thar Desert. Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, after whom the city finds its name, founded Jaisalmer in 1156. He hailed from the Yadav and Rajput kin group. His Yadav descent can be traced back to the Mahabharata and the Rajputs were famed for courage and gallantry. On advice of a local hermit Eesaal he chose the Tricut Hills as his new abode abandoning his vulnerable old fort at Luderwa just 16 kilometres northwest.
Jaisalmer’s strategic location on the camel train contours, between India and Central Asia, brought it great wealth. The Jaisalmer Rajputs brimmed their treasure chests with immoral gain, won through cattle maneuvering and by more orthodox methods such as imposing excise duties on the caravans, which passed through their kingdom to Delhi.
Far from the noise and pollution of cities, Jaisalmer is an exciting tourist destination that offers historical forts and majestic havelis. Situated amid the picturesque and harsh Thar Desert, Jaisalmer city commands a premiere position among the various tourist attractions scattered all over the desert land of Rajasthan. The Jaisalmer city is visited in large numbers, both by Indians as well as foreign tourists. The perfect time to visit the golden city is during the Desert Festival, held in Jan/Feb every year, when the city reverberates with the sound of melodious tunes and rhythms. There are folk dances and several innovative competitions and contests, including a turban-tying contest, longest moustache competition and the famous camel races which can really charge up the atmosphere. The Desert Festival comes alive with the foot tapping beats of Dhap, Ghoomar, Gair among a host of other traditional dance forms, in accompaniment with several musical instruments like sarangi, matka and minla. The Gangaur festivities are also major crowd pullers.
Jaisalmer has a very hot and dry climate (you really can’t expect anything else from a city located in the desert) and is very hot in daytime during the summers but as the night falls, typical of the deserts, the temperature cools down dramatically.

Map:

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Places to See:
Jaisalmer Fort: Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands. The awesome splendour of a commanding and exotic fort that seems to rise out of a desert haze with its yellow sandstone walls and bastions bathed in a golden hue in the afternoon sun looks incredible. The golden hued fort stands about 80 meters over the city and houses an entire township within its huge ramparts. This magnificent fort, with its 99 bastions, is probably the planet’s only living fort, with about a quarter of the old city’s population dwelling in it.
Havelis: Jaisalmer is known for its havelis (mansions). The merchants built magnificent mansions (Havelis), all carved from wood and yellow sandstone. The Salim ji ki haveli and Nathmal ji ki haveli are known as the most striking. Intricately latticed and with conspicuous facades, the havelis are quite unique.
Gadi Sagar Lake: A scenic rain water lake with beautiful shrines. Like many such lakes, a good spot for picnics and for boating. This tank, south of the city walls, once held the town water supply, and befitting its importance in providing precious water to the inhabitants of this arid city, it is surrounded by small temples and shrines.
Lodurva: The ancient capital of the Bhattis with Dilwara style paintings scattered all around the ruins. “Toran” or the ornate arches at the main entrance and splendid carvings are noteworthy.
Amar Sagar Lake: Amar Sagar is a small and beautiful lake cum Oasis and is adjacent to a 17th Century palace called the Amar Singh Palace. The Amar Sagar is a five story high haveli and is famous for its murals. Wherever you go in this haveli, you will notice beautiful murals. Beautifully carved Jain temples add to its splendour.
Wood Fossil Park Jaisalmer: Located around 16 Km from Jaisalmer near the Barmer road. Fossil trunks lie scattered in this park. Fossilized tree trunks are of various sizes with the largest being 13 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width. Covering about 10 sq. Km of bare hillside, the Fossil Park contains 25 petrified trunks, in total.
Tazia Tower: During Moharram, beautiful ‘Tazias’-ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier, are carried out in procession by Muslims. Each storey of this five-tiered tower has a carved balcony.
Sam Sand Dunes (42 km): The ripples on the wind-caressed dunes, that create an enchanting mirage, are a delight for a trigger -happy photographer. Various cultural programmes are organised against the backdrop of these fascinating sand dunes. Camel rides on the sand dunes are an unforgettable experience, as is the sunset. One can spend an enchanting evening on the sands watching the sensuous snake dance of the Kalbeliya gypsies and listening to the full-throated folk songs of the Manganiyars.
Desert National Park: The landscape of the Desert National Park is dominated by rolling sand dunes and scrub covered hills. The prominent fauna of the park includes black buck, chinkara, desert fox and the great Indian bustard. The Sudashri forest post is the most ideal place for observing wildlife in the Desert National Park. One also hear the morning call of the grey partridge.

How to get there:
Air: Jaisalmer is connected with Jaipur as well as other major cities.
Rail: Connected through a rail connection with Jodhpur (300 Km).
Road: There are frequent deluxe buses to Jodhpur and Bikaner. 18 hrs drive from Delhi, 14 hrs from Jaipur, 6 ½ hrs – Bikaner, 5 hrs- Jodhpur.

Places to stay:
- Gorbandh Palace (3 Star Hotel): An actual desert retreat, yet close to the havelis and the fort.
- Fort Rajwada (4 Star Hotel): Located on the Jaisalmer-Barmer link road.
- Heritage Inn (3 Star Hotel)
- Narayan Niwas Palace (Heritage Hotel): An actual 19th century palace.
- Taj Rawal Kot (4 Star Hotel): This hotel gives a great view of the city.
- Himmatgarh Hotel (2 Star Hotel): Situated right outside the fort.
- Jawahar Niwas Palace (Heritage Hotel)
- Hotel Rang Mahal (Heritage Hotel): Located around 2 kilometers from the railway station (link)
- Hotel Killa Bhawan: Located in the Jaisalmer Fort
- Nachna Haveli (Heritage Hotel): Inhabited by the same family for 300 years.
- Mandir Palace (Heritage Hotel): This hotel is more than 2 hundred years old.
- Jaisal Castle (Heritage Hotel): An elaborate haveli (link).