Tirupati, a town in the Chittoor district of the South Indian state Andhra Pradesh is the most visited sacred center in India, witnessing more than one lakh devotees every day .The most sought after pilgrim destination where Lord Venkateshwara Swamy Temple is situated at a distance of 20kms and is the icon of Tirupati and of the entire state as well. Visiting Tirupati atleast once in a life time is believed to be a must for Vaishnavites across the globe. The nine feet idol which is the self- manifested form of Lord Vishnu will mesmerize you with its beauty and sanctity. This is the 106th Divya Desam mentioned in the holy canon of Vaishnavaites, Naalaayira Divya Prabhandam written by different saints between 6th and 8th AD and composed by the saint Naadha Muni The ravishing sculptures and the huge pillars along the long precincts make your trip to Tirupati most memorable one. It will be quite surprising to know that 50,000 to 1,00,000 people per day are visiting this temple making it to 30 to 40 million people annuallyThe huge dining halls where more than one lakh people are fed, the offerings making this temple the richest in the world, the laddu prasadham unique to this temple are some of the highlights of Tirupati.
During your trip to Tirupati, following are the must visit places.The Silathoranam Gardens – The natural hanging rocks believed to exist from the Precambrian era, Thiruchanur – The temple for the consort of Lord Venkateshwara , Goddess Padmavathy Thayar, Tada Falls – en route from Chennai to Tirupati, Sri kalahasthi – Lord Shiva temple, famous as one of the five Shiva temples representing the five elements of the universe and Sri Vaari Padham – the place believed to have the foot prints of Lord Venkateshwara.
The number of festivals celebrated in Tirupati temple is more than the number of days in a year. Lord Venkateswara blesses His devotees from 2.30 am to 1pm every day. On any day you go to the temple, one festival will be in progress in a pomp manner. To name a few, Srivaari Brahmothsavam, Vasanthothsavam , Dolothsavam and Rathothsavam are some of the festivals attended by lakhs of devotees. The temple practices include prasadam, Tonsuring, Hundi and Thulabaram.
Types of Darshans in Tirumala Tirupati:
As the crowd thronging the temple on all days of the year is unimaginably huge, the temple management has segregated the darshan into different streams. One of them is the Sarva Darshan , which means , Darshan for all. The pilgrims wait in long queues to have the glimpse of God and the timings for the Sarvadharshan are updated in the temple website. All the needed amenities for people waiting in queues are done in the compartments called Vaikuntam Queue Complex II. The Sarva dharshan is open for 18 to 20 hours a day and the devotees wait for many hours for their turn.
Arjitha sevas are the specific timings where the devotees prebook for their slots and attend the sevas. The daily, weekly and annual sevas are listed in the website and the tickets are sold by the temple management. Those who want to attend the sevas can follow the norms to buy the tickets.
Special Entry Dharshan is the stream where the devotees pay Rs.300 to go into a special queue. The time spent will be little less compared to the Sarva Dharshan but the devotees need to wait for hours in the queue on festival days.
South Tourism and Andhra Pradesh Development Corporation have entered into an agreement to reach more number of devotees aspiring to have the dharshan in quicker time spans. Through this, dharshan of Lord Venkateswara Swamy is guaranteed within two hours accompanied by a guide and two laddus are distributed per person after you come out. The procedure has been made simpler and to know more please visit https://www.southtourism.in/tirupati-darshan
Tirupati Tirumala, the most visited pilgrim center in the South Indian state Andhra Pradesh, witnesses thousands and even lakhs of devotees disgorging from all corners of the country every day. It is very common that the devotees wait in very long queues that may take even up to three days to have the Dharshan of Lord Venkateswara, who is the magnificent nine feet self-manifested idol, blessing His devotees almost twenty three hours a day.
To optimize the procedures and to make the Dharshan process easier, the temple Devasthanam introduced the online booking scheme for all kinds of Dharshans and various Arjitha Sevas. Still, the website is flooded with bookings and for many of the arjitha sevas the booking gets closed very soon.
Due to the unimaginably high number of requests flooding online, the TTD seva online booking gets over online prior to many days of the actual darshan, The devotees get deeply disappointed as they are not able to have the dharshan of Lord.
In view of catering to the needs of its clients, South Tourism, the renowned Destination Management Company took an initiative to make the procedure simpler and accessible. South Tourism has joined hands with the Andhra Pradesh Tourist Development Corporation which enables its clients to book the tickets online for the Special Dharshan Seva. This scheme guarantees the clients of South Tourism, a quick dharshan within two hours with an accompanying guide.
The procedure is so simple that when you visit our site, https://www.southtourism.in/tirupati-darshan, you are guided to fill in the form with the necessary details. Submitting this form will lead to another page where the client will be confirming the details already entered. After this, the next step is the payment gateway from where you will be guided to pay the dharshan charges online through any of the options listed in the page.
After the payment is successfully made, you can submit your details by giving your credentials as in your Aadhar card or Passport which will be printed on your entry tickets you will be carrying on the day of Dharshan. Please be utmost careful while entering your details as these tickets will be your entry passes into the Special Dharshan Queue. Once all these procedures get over, the tickets will be sent to your email id.
South Tourism wishes you a quick dharshan to have the benevolence and blessings from Lord Venkateshwara at Titupati Tirumala ! For more details or for any clarifications, please join us in the website.
Travel along the 12 beautiful roads of South India. An enchanting experience for a lifetime, enjoying the scenic locations, detouring through the unexplored regions, unveil an exquisite moment and lot more to entice. A most cherished experience to choose from the options for a never before experience you can be sure of getting in the beautiful roads in South India.
Chennai To Pondicherry
Make your journey more memorable one when you travel from Chennai to Pondicherry on a road trip. The best scenic route along the coastline of Bay of Bengal gives you number of sightseeing options and places of attractions. Pondicherry being one of the choicest holiday destinations in India, take a peaceful break there when you prefer to travel along the scenic East Coast Road.
Pamban Brdige (Rameswaram)
The beautiful road leading to Rameshwaram makes you spell bound with the engineering excellence of Pamban Bridge built in 1912. Take away some of your time from your tour plan, spending with your loved ones watching the Rail Bridge. If you are lucky, you can watch the Double leaf bascules opening for the ships to pass by and the trains crossing the Bridge.
Bangalore to Ooty
Get reminded of the famous quote “Roads are meant for journeys and not for destinations” while you go on a road trip from the Garden City Bangalore to the Queen of Hill Stations Ooty. A beckoning journey along the dense forests, tall pine trees and lush green meadows of tea estates makes holds you on with its mysterious charm. Take the gorgeous view of the valleys down when you ride on the steep hairpin bends from the flat landscapes. An undoubtedly wonderful journey to explore and enjoy!
Bangalore – Bandipur Forest
One of the life-changing experience is the road trip from Bangalore to Bandipur. A perfect route to go on a weekend to explore the lesser known destinations is Bangalore to Bandipur road trip. Pack your bags for an entirely unique experience unveiling the true bliss of nature on the country sides and the dense woods of India. Get drenched in the nature’s lap presenting you the lush greenery, dense woods and the rarest species of animals and birds taking you away from your targets and deadlines.
Coimbatore to valparai
Enjoy the sun rays streaming through the trees on and off and the pleasant weather during your road trip to Valparai from Coimbatore. An undoubtedly wonderful journey surrounded by mountains with boards quite often warning you about the sudden appearance of elephants, yet an enjoyable road trip. Detour along the unnamed lanes lined up with tall trees with nice music and good photographs. Halt at tea shops and enjoy the scenic location around you with hot tea and your loved ones. A truly amazing experience!
Chennai – Munnar
Rejoice your weekend, take a 11hours long road trip from Chennai to Munnar, crossing the major tourist destinations of Tamil Nadu. If you have enough time to spare, go around the interesting locations of Trichy, Palani and Dindigul and proceed to Munnar. Stroll around Munnar, the most sought after tourist destination by the global travellers. Enjoy walking through the unending expanse of the tea plantations and the lush green meadows, giving you an enticing experience.
Bangalore – Goa
Go for a spectacular journey from Bangalore To Goa on road, mesmerizing you with the beauty of Western Ghats from different hues. The thrilling road trip is a life changing experience for anyone who loves traveling, especially with the wonderful road trip from Bangalore to Goa. Enjoy the cascade of water falls, roads washed by rains, lovely views of the valley, backwaters of dams, people working on the lush green fields, serene lakes and scenic beaches, all at one tour. Yes, the magic happens during your road trip from Bangalore to Goa !
Mysore – Ooty
An entirely different experience is guaranteed when you plan to travel by road from Mysore to Ooty. You can explore Mysore on your road trip, paying a visit to the renowned Mysore Palace. Road to Ooty from Mysore takes you through the scenic locations of Bandipur, Mudumalai and Masinagudi where nature is in its abundant beauty. If you can spare your time, take a safari in the sanctuaries and go for visiting the scenic locations in Masinagudi. Exploring Ooty is a truly amazing experience. Shopping for homemade chocolates and wooden artefacts are generally preferred by the travellers.
Vizag – Araku
The road trip from Vizag to Arakuveli is an amazing experience with an undoubtedly beautiful sightseeing places and enchanting views all through the route. Enjoy your stay in the eco tourism resorts and the picturesque wooden cottages on the way. The tranquil locations and the most scenic attractions throughout your trip make it the most cherished of your travel experiences. Visit the Tyada hamlets and the Borra caves welcoming you with bundles of stories told and retold.
Munnar- Bangalore
A week-long tour plan will be the best choice to cover all the scenic attractions of the ghat sections taking your time to enjoy and explore during your road trip from Munnar to Bangalore. Visit the famous destinations enroute and enjoy your stay in the famous resorts and hotels. Munnar is an yummy destination for all the global travellers with its lush green meadows , unending expanse of tea plantations and pleasant weather. A walking tour in the tea plantation with your loved ones will be the highlight of this entire road trip.
Hyderabad to Vijayawada
The best possible mode of travel from Hyderabad to Vijayawada is by road taking hardly five hours to complete. Enjoy the monuments en route and record the cherished moments. There are lot of eating joints and shopping zones on the way. If you can spare some time, you can enjoy with your family and friends in these places, an entirely different experience.
Bangalore to Koli hills
Imagine a road trip through the lush green forests, monstrous curves and dangerously beautiful hairpin bends, the road trip from Bangalore to Kolli Hills will get you all these things. The priceless moments when you reach the top of the hill will really be a life-changing experience. Enjoy your showers in the spine chilling water falls. The time taken out of your busy schedules definitely pays you rewards.
Thrissur Pooram Festival, the most renowned of all festivals in Kerala, It is celebrated in a pomp manner today and tomorrow. The continuous 36 hours celebrations make you awe struck with the detailed ceremonies and rituals. The festival is an undoubtedly spectacular and a real treat for the eyes and ears.
Most interestingly, the entire arrangements and celebrations of Thrissur Pooram festival are taken care by the people across all religions without any barriers. The epic center of this great festival is the Vadakkunathan temple, located at the geographic center of the town. Deities taken in procession from the neighboring villages assemble at Thrissur and Lord Shiva is the presiding deity worshipped by all the others. The sprawling ground of Thekkinkadi Maidhan is the prime venue of Thrissur Pooram festival where the divine participants and lakhs of devotees assemble.
Thrissur Pooram Festival has been celebrated for more than two centuries and the two main entities of this festival are the Peramakkavu and Thiruvembadi, competing to exhibit their supremacy. The most beautiful and powerful elephants are chosen from the different parts of South India on account of this festival and each group is allowed to being fifteen such elephants.
The heart pageantry of the caparisoned elephants from Peramakkavu and Thiruvembadi towards the Vadakkunathan temple and back to their places is so magnificent and enlivening. The elephants decorated gorgeously are accompanied by the Panchavadhyam, collection of five percussion instruments, one of the special features of Kerala. Listening to the music played by the Panchavadhyam experts and witnessing the procession of elephants is really an unique experience.
Out of all, Thrissur pooram is well known for the grand fireworks lasting for three to four hours. Besides other rituals, ceremonies, procession of elephants and percussion instruments, the fireworks commencing before dawn and lasting for four hours is the major event of this festival. People from across the country and globe assemble at Thrissur to take part and celebrate this sacred festival.
Be a part of this Grand Gala and take back the most cherished moments !
Ooty is one of the most famous hill stations in India. It is among those “Go to” destinations in India since the British era. Ooty was also the favourite summer retreat in South India for the British which is pretty much evident from their English style colonial architecture, which remains intact even after a century or so. What attracts people here is its pleasant weather all year round and most of all, the stunning Nilgiri Hills which charm its visitors with its evergreen beauty.
A moment captured on the way to Ooty
Camping amidst the blissful Nilgiri Hills at Ooty was on my bucket list for a long time and I finally made it last week. It was something to cherish my whole lifetime. Unlike my college days when I used to camp with my friends, this time I planned it alone. I must say it was a one of kind travel experience for me. Something which helped me connect more with my inner self. Everything at Ooty, the hills, the weather, the people, made my trip memorable.
I arrived at the Ooty town on the 25th of March this year. I was already excited, being entertained by the lush green Nilgiri Mountains on the way to Ooty from Mettupalayam [down hill town]. Nearly a 50 km journey uphill from Mettupalayam is one of the highlights of a trip to Ooty. Though the town has now become a bit commercialised and crowded, there are numerous sweet spots in and around Ooty where you can enjoy your time of your own.
Nilgiris
As I decided to ditch my normal travel routine, I reserved a tent this time over the phone rather than a hotel. This campsite I booked is located in the Tiger Hills which is 5km away from the Ooty town. A 15 minutes fun filled Tuk-Tuk ride along the serpentine hill roads of Ooty took me to this campsite. At first glance itself, I fall in love with the place.
The campsite
Mr Jerome, the manager of this very campsite greeted me with a warm smile. A very generous and hospitable person, he first gave me a tour of his campsite and got me a cup of Coffee to relax. He accompanied me to the tent I am allotted for the night. There are more than 20 tents pitched at the campsite, overlooking a spectacular scene of the Nilgiri hills lined up at a distance.
Scene from the campsite
I finished my Coffee and moved to the small living area they have for guests. One could spend time watching TV, play indoor games or have some refreshments and relax. They also serve meals here. Chairs are laid outside with a Bonfire area which is a great place to socialize with the other campers at the site. I spend time chatting with Mr Jerome and an Israeli couple who were about to check out from the site. The couple spoke highly of Mr Jerome’s kind nature and the wonderful experience they had the previous night.
Inside the living area
I asked Mr. Jerome to arrange dinner for me and i moved onto my tent to change my clothes and have some time of my own. Inside the tent they have provided a sleeping bag and a pillow as well. I zipped close the tent and sat for a while. I learned it is a good feeling indeed sitting inside a tent in a world of your own. I switched on my favourite track by Bahramji and grabbed a copy of “The Windfall by Diksha Basu”. Probably an hour later when I was done reading, I unzipped my tent and to my surprise I was exposed to a splendid scenery. An hour before it was clear sunny sky and now the clouds flew to pay a visit to the Nilgiris. Check this out-
Bliss!
A feeling of bliss filled in. I could see the mighty yet gorgeous hills of Nilgiris stand high, gently kissing the clouds that skim pass them as if both are lost in eternal love for each other. I realised I am literally connected to nature. In fact, everything is connected. I felt like everything around, the trees, the birds, everything, was speaking to me in the universal language of nature engraved on each one of us inside. I kept my tent open ignoring the spine-chilling weather. For hours I was enchanted by this delightful scene. I was lost in the harmony of the Mother Nature who pampered me with her unconditional love.
Mr Jerome rang me for tea. A hot cup of Nilgiri Tea along with crispy Onion Pakoras. Ah! Perfect mix for the cool weather and setting then. While I was enjoying my tea, my eyes fall upon a flock of birds battling for food on the fence post. I asked Mr Jerome what was that all about?? Mr Jerome is a bird lover and he always makes sure no food is wasted. Whatever remains he feed the birds. He has a great fan following of birds far and near. The interesting part was when I asked him about it, he got so excited full of energy and started giving me a bird tour. He has 3 spots where he feeds the birds. He directed me to all those feeding places and named all varieties of birds that visit him every day.
Birds having their daily meal
It was getting dark as the sun hid behind the clouds and ready to set. Mr Jerome along with 2 other camp boys was busy setting a campfire for me and 3 other campers from France. Again the love story between the Nilgiri hills and the clouds continued. This time, the setting sun offered them a perfect romantic moment by lifting up the ambience.
A moment of romance!
Post-dusk, me, Mr Jerome and the 3 French guys enjoyed some quality time sitting around the campfire. Just when I wished for a drink, one among the French named Paul offered me and Mr Jerome a glass of wine. I turned on some chill out music and all of us got lost living the moment. Mr Jerome narrated his whole life journey to us starting from his first marketing job in Bangalore to how he ended up falling in love with Ooty. Paul and his friends started talking about their life in France and then of course followed by their respective breakup stories etc. All of us shared our life experiences. It was indeed a great feeling to have met and spent some fun time with unknown people living in different parts of the country.
The camp boys bought us dinner and we all enjoyed the Tamilnadu special Vegetable Biriyani [Though I am a meat lover, I compromised this time]. Mr Jerome told us we could go for a short trek in the morning if we wish to. By 11 pm all of us got back to our respective tents. It was freaking cold and it felt as if I won’t be able to sleep. I got into my sleeping bag and it really helped. Within minutes I fell asleep. Morning 7 am we all set off for a trek to nearby hills and tea plantations. I enjoyed every bit of it. Mr Jerome is the perfect guy to take you for a walk through the woods in Ooty. He took us to various viewpoints which are unknown to many. The walk through the tea plantation walk was my favourite. Imagine 100’s of acres of sprawling tea plantation and you are standing right at its centre. Seems good right? It was indeed my best moment.
A walk through tea plantation
After a 3-hour nature walk, we returned to our campsite and the breakfast was ready. Pillow soft Idly [South Indian dish made of rice batter] served with smoking hot Sambhar [another famous South Indian dish] and crispy Vadas. A hot cup of filter Coffee completed a sumptuous South Indian breakfast.
Dining area
By 12 am, I checked out of the Campsite and waved Mr Jerome a goodbye. I have been to Ooty during my school days, but this was completely different. I saw a different face of the Nilgiri Mountains. Ever blissful and charming she is that I am sure I will pay a visit to her every year at least once.
Ever loving Mr Jerome!
I am also sure I will have an even warmer welcome by Mr Jerome the next time I visit him. My camping experience at Ooty is something to cherish my whole life and it definitely holds a special page in my travel diary.
Happy travelling!
Are planning for a camping tour with your friends?
Leave us your enquiry @ South Tourism and we can help you plan your perfect camping tour all across India.
Maha Shivaratri 2018 is the great night of Lord Shiva. Through night poojas, rituals, recitals, yoga and meditation take place in all the Shiva temples throughout the country. Basically, the 13th or 14th night of every month in the Hindu luni-solar calendar is called as Shivaratri. Out of all, the one which falls during February / March is called as Maha Shivaratri.
Maha Shivaratri is the most venerated festivals in all parts of India. Unlike the other festivals in Hinduism celebrated in day time, Maha Shivaratri deserves a special mention as the devotees worship Lord Shiva throughout night.
Maha Shivaratri 2018 – cosmic dance of Lord Shiva
Maha Shivaratri 2018 is also renowned as the night when Lord Shiva performs his cosmic dance. So, worshippers arrange for dance programmes in temples and halls nearby which is a tribute to Lord Shiva. Thousands of dancers perform at temples signifying the glory of Lord Shiva.
Maha Shivaratri is observed as a night of prayers. At all Shiva temples, chanting of mantras and prayers are done throughout night. Yoga and meditation are also carried out to keep the people vigil and thoughtful about the Lord.
Spiritual centers run by the saints conduct special programmes attended by lakhs of Indians and foreigners where Lord Shiva is glorified by songs, dance, special poojas and prayers.
Maha Shivaratri 2018 is celebrated to overcome the ignorance and dark of human life and to proceed in a path of personal austerity and spirituality.
Maha Shivaratri 2018 celebrations
Devotees assemble at temples from the evening onwards. The Shivaratri celebrations commence with special poojas and the Lord Shiva, present in the form of Shiva Linga is beautifully decorated with flowers. While the chanting of mantras take place in the shrine of Lord Shiva, dance performances will go on the spacious halls and mandapas of the temples. the very objective of conducting these prayers and programmes is to keep the people awake and think about Lord Shiva in an uninterrupted manner.
The twelve Jyotirlinga temples are flocked by lakhs of tourists on this Maha Shviaratri day. Besides, the other famous Shiva temples across the country witness the large gathering of devotees worshipping Lord Shiva to come out of all their problems in life and to lead a spiritually inclined life.
The Alleppey backwaters and the houseboats at Alleppey, both are not a new thing for the travellers. However, there are also other various exciting things to do at Alleppey which many of us never tried. Being an avid traveller myself and Kerala one of my favourite getaways, I myself have tried out a lot of things at Alleppey and I would say this unique backwater destination has a lot more in its lot than just the houseboats. Let me pick some of the other best things to do in Alleppeyother than the houseboat cruise.
Cycling along the Alleppey countryside
Alleppey comprises of many serene and beautiful villages. You could pedal your way through its narrow roads sandwiched between lush green paddy fields, sandy pathways leading to some breathtaking sceneries and more. So if you do not mind burning your calories a bit, you will be rewarded with some of the blissful sights of the Alleppey countryside which you do not get to see during your Alleppey houseboat cruise. Ask your tour operator to get you a cycle at Alleppey, get on it and start pedalling.
Cycling at Alleppey
Kayaking along the narrow canals of Alleppey Backwaters
Smell adventure? Yes, it does. Kayaking is a new trend in Alleppey among the young travellers. Of course, it demands a bit of physicality, however, those who feel they can handle it must try it out. It is another great way to explore and experience the heavenly beauty of the Alleppey backwaters. Do not go for the routine houseboat routes, pull harder, take random turns and paddle through the most narrow, yet spectacular waterways at Alleppey, which would take you to a whole different world at Alleppey. Enjoy!
Kayaking at Alleppey Backwaters
Village Walk
Now, this is another better idea for you to enjoy Alleppey to the fullest. Walk-Walk-Walk and you would come across the most unusual sights which, again, you might not see while you are in your Alleppey houseboat. Walk through the verdant paddies, the canal sideways, the rural villages of Alleppey and exchange few words with the locals. Witness their day to day life and learn how life moves in Alleppey. You would find you have learnt a lot more about this true gem of a place, which you never experienced or even heard of.
Stroll through the rural villages t Alleppey
Canoe Ride
A ride on a country boat or a Canoe we say is yet another exciting way to explore the backwaters of Alleppey. It is not for everyone for sure because for some, it would be scary to row a small wooden boat. However, if you take a chance and try it, I would say it is thoroughly entertaining. It is slow as there is no motor pushing it forwards, but it is the local style of transportation and for a moment it feels like you are one among them.
You would come across many local residents moving on country boats as a part of their daily routine lives. People go for their work on these boats, people go shopping groceries on these boats and even children go to school on canoe boats. So if you are looking for a rather adventurous way to explore the backwaters, you must consider a Canoe ride.
Canoe ride
Witness Sunset at Thaickal Beach near Mararikulam
Alleppey boasts of some quiet and serene sea sides such as the Alleppey Beach, the Andhakaranazhi Beach and the latest hit among the travellers, the Marari Beach. However, I have found a new beach, very much secluded and stunningly beautiful, the Thaickal Beach. It is nearly 20 km away from Alleppey Town, but so what? If you want some time for yourself and your family alone by the sandy shoreline watching the waves pass by, this beach is perfect for you.
Sunset from here is so pleasing. There are stone walkways laid on the beach extending to probably 100 meters on the sea from the shore. Make your way to the end of the walkway, and enjoy your moment watching the sunset and disappears below the horizon. The reddish blue sky at dusk, the silvery sea and milky white shoreline of this gorgeous seaside is not to be missed during your visit to Alleppey.
Thaickal beach
So that is it! That was our list of 5 things to do in Alleppey other than the houseboat cruise.
Thai Poosam festival celebrated at Palani Murugan Temple is rooted in the Hindu Legend from time immemorial. Thai Poosam festival in 2018 falls on January 31st, the day with the Poosam star in the tamil month of Thai. Obviously, it is an auspicious day celebrated by people in Tamil Nadu and Palani Murugan temple deserves a special mention here.
Basically, Palani is a small town in Dindigul district where Lord Muruga abodes in the temple atop the hill called Sivagiri. Palani is one of the famous six abodes of Lord Muruga. Out of all the festivals celebrated throughout the year, Thai Poosam is very auspicious especially at Palani Murugan Temple.
You can witness lakhs and lakhs of devotees reaching Palani bare footed travelling across the different sections of the state and the country as well. After undergoing rigid rituals and fasting for 48 days the devotees are coming to Palani to offer their prayers to their beloved deity Lord Muruga. Here in Palani, he stands as Lord Dhandayuthapani Swamy. He is in the form of an ascetic boy with only a loincloth and no other finery. He has a stick in his hand called Dhandam, the reason behind His name.
Significance of Thai Poosam 2018
Besides these, the devotees carry milk pots on their heads, wooden decks with beautiful decorations in their shoulders and the lances piercing their body. With this kind of dedication and devotion, the pilgrims reach the hill top climbing more than 650 steps.
As this festival correlates to the victory of the God over the demons, people believe that by worshipping Lord Muruga on this day will make victorious in their lives defeating all evils from within themselves and also from the materialistic world.
The general practice is that people observe rituals for 48 days before the festival. They are strictly away from smoking,drinking and other sinful activities. Most of them eat only once in a day for all the 48 days. Well ahead of the festival day, the devotees carrying the offerings to the Lord in long pageants from the different parts of the country start their journey to worship their Lord at Palani.
First of all, the journey to Palani will be with many hardships on the way. It is quite common to see limousines queuing behind the pageant where the owners are walking barefooted.
Kaavadi in Thai Poosam 2018
The main attraction of this festival is the Kaavadi. It is nothing but a wooden mount aesthetically decorated with flowers and peacock feathers. The devotees, as an offering to God, carries the Kaavadis on their shoulders, walking barefooted from very long distances to the temple and implore to God to solve their problems. Normally the number of Kaavadis reaching the shrine exceeds fifty thousand and the count is in the increasing trend year on year. The common forms of kaavadi are milk, sandalwood paste and rosewater. Apart from this, lakhs of people carry milk pots on their heads wearing ochre clothes. Tonnes of flowers in orange and yellow colors are offered to the Lord on this day.
We can witness and enjoy the devotees dancing to the tune of drums and tom-tom played on the way to the top of the hill with all the weight on their shoulders. They dance so vigorously as if they are hypnotized by the music.
Another form of offering to the God is existing that the ardent devotees torture their body by piercing their cheeks, tongue and skin with lances and even they draw chariots with metal hooks pierced into their skin. It will be threatening to see a large mass of people walking like this but you will not find any words to admire the devotion and dedication of the devotees and their faith on the God.
Murugan in Tamil Culture
Murugan means beauty in Tamil. Somehow or other, Lord Muruga has been a part and parcel of the life of most of the Tamil families. You can see people named as kandhan, Murugan, Karthikeyan, Subramanian, Vadivelan, Dhandayudhpani, Velayudham in majority of the Tamil families because the culture and tradition of Tamil people lie majorly on Lord Murugan. The festival Thai Poosam inculcates the confidence in every Tamil’s mind and give him morale boost to face any hardships in life and overcome them with the benovelance and blessings of the God. As Lord Murugan is diasporic,the festival is celebrated in a very grand manner in Singapore, Malaysia and USA. More than two million people attend this festival in Batu Caves, Malaysia every year. Lord Murugan is believed to be such a powerful deity that whoever surrenders to his feet will be triumphant in all his endevours.
Let’s visit Palani where Lord Muruga is waiting to bestow his blessings on us.
February is the month of Valentine and you must go somewhere lovely, but are probably trying to figure out where? We have got a list of top 5 best places in South India to visit in February month. Take a look-
Coorg Hills
Coorg
Are you a mountain lover? Then think no further, head to the Coorg Hills this February and it is guaranteed you will be well entertained. Thousands of acres of sprawling Coffee plantations adorn the hills and the pleasant cool climate all year round makes it a perfect getaway. Tadiandamol, the Namdroling Monastery, Talacauveri, the Abbey Falls and the Raja’s Seat are the major attractions at Coorg.
Om Beach at Gokarna
Gokarna
You wish to go somewhere secluded or perhaps enjoy some peaceful time of your own? Hit the waves at the beaches of Gokarna. Relax at the Om shaped Om Beach, sunbath at the Paradise Beach or perhaps go for Beach Trekking starting from the Gokarna beach. Climb and descend the hills [literally trekking, not just walk your way] one by one and visit all the five beaches in Gokarna namely the Kudle Beach, the Gokarna Beach, the Paradise Beach, the Om Beach and the Half Moon Beach.
When you get tired, hang up your boots, hit a café, grab a beer and relax by the shoreline, witness the sunset, enjoy the waves, simply have a nice time of your own. Let February be interesting for you. So Go-Gokarna! Cheerio!
White River Rafting at Dandelli
Dandelli
Are you an adventure lover? Is water sports your thing? Then you have got Dandelli to catch up. It is a complete playground for the adventure lovers. Surrounded by thick deciduous forest, Dandelli is located to the North of Karnataka state in South India.
Go River Rafting, Rappelling, Kayaking, trekking, Bird Watching and lot more at Dandelli. Do something crazy this February and add it to your travel diary.
Houseboats at Alleppey backwaters
Alleppey
Who doesn’t know about Alleppey? This famous backwater destination in Kerala kills it when it comes to holidays. It is probably the most favourite spot for travellers visiting Kerala. If you have never been on a houseboat at the Alleppey backwaters, February is a great time to make it happen. Ask your trusted tour operator to book a houseboat for you.
Glide along the unique stretch of backwater at Alleppey, relish the sumptuous Kerala food prepared exclusively for you on board, take pleasure witnessing the day to day activities by the side of the lake, cruise through the lush green paddy fields and the palm-fringed countryside of Alleppey. Ready? Plan your houseboat tour now!
The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram
This UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site is a treat for history fanatics and ancient Indian architecture lovers. The Shore temples of Mahabalipuram are world famous for their intricate rock-cut architecture and explicit carvings. You will be literally dumbfounded thinking it out how those ancient artisans worked their sweat out to build this structural wonder. Let the month of February be something informative, at the same time, entertaining as well. The Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, the Five Rathas, the Tiger Cave, the Descent of the Ganges and the Krishna’s Butterball are some of the most popular sights at Mahabalipuram.
Now, do not get me wrong when I say Mahabalipuram is for the History and architecture lovers, it is in fact equally entertaining for all types of travellers. The Mahabalipuram Beach is a great spot to relax by the seaside, catch the waves, get wet and have a good time. If you love adventure or crave some excitement, you can go windsurfing or angling on the shimmering Bay of Bengal.
So, that was our list of the best places in South India to visit in February!
For more information or to book your perfect February tour, leave us a message below or @ South Tourism
Comment below on your favourite picks for the month of February.
Nagarjunakonda is one of the most noted Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India. It was a fully developed metropolis and a renowned Buddhist learning centre for years. Students from all over India and from countries such as China, Sri Lanka and much more used to reside here and undertook their Buddhist studies. If you are a Buddha follower, you must not miss Nagarjunakonda at Andhra Pradesh. It was the construction of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam which led to the discovery of various Buddhist artefacts and scriptures and thus it was concluded that the area was home to an ancient Buddhist civilization 1800 years ago. The collection was then transferred, reassembled and preserved on an island hill spanning 144 acres surrounded by the River Krishna.
History goes like, Nagarjuna, a famous scholar of Mahayana Buddhism lived here during the 2nd century AD and it was his influence which spread Buddhism in the Southern parts of India and South Eastern parts of the Asian continent. Thus, the place was named after him, Nagarjunakonda or Nagarjuna Hill [Konda in the Telugu language means hill]. Though I am a Hindu, I am very much interested in Buddhist principles as well. I decided to make a visit and see for myself what we have got to see at Nagarjunakonda.
I started early in the morning from Hyderabad to Nagarjunakonda. It is a 4-hour journey covering nearly 160 km. The roads are great which helped me reach Nagarjuna Sagar dam in 3.5 hours. This huge dam we all know is an Earth dam and is one of the largest of its kind.
Nagarjunasagar dam
The location is a beautiful, green and hilly area. The ferry launch station is again a 15-minute drive which involves few hairpin bends as well. I reached the ferry area and paid my entrance fees. For foreign nationals, it costs Rs. 200/head and for Indians, 20 Rs/head. Also, there are fixed ferry timings, 9:30 am and 1:30 pm every day. Ferry ride fee is Rs 120 for adults and 100 for children.
Nagarjunakonda Ferry Launch Station
The ferry timing for me was 1: 30 pm and it was only 12. I grabbed 2 Bhajjis [local snack] and tea from a local tea shop, fast forwarded 1 hour and I walked on to the boarding spot. I was amazed by the beauty of the surrounding landscape in front of me. I hopped onto one of the three motorboats parked by the side. I was informed it would be a 45 minutes ferry ride to reach the Nagarjunakonda island museum. It is the only island museum in India and two of the same in the world. One is at Berlin, Germany and the other is at Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh.
Nagarjunakonda Ferry ride
There were nearly 20 passengers on board, all tourists from different parts of the country. As we moved, we enjoyed some gorgeous views of the island and the Krishna River. We could see locals rowing round country boats looking for a good catch. 35 mins gone and I could see the walls of the island museum. The museum is opened to visitors from morning 9 am to 4 pm every day except Friday. It is closed on Fridays.
Nagarjunakonda Island Museum
I started walking my way to the museum. The Nagarjunakonda island museum is a near 500 m walk from the boat dropping point. I reached the museum. Cameras are not allowed inside. I went on to check out all the collections on display. The collection of the museum consists stone tools, coins, scriptures of Lord Buddha and of Mucalinda, the Naga [serpent], spears, hammers, carvings narrating the story of Buddha from his birth to his Mahaparinirvana and lot more of other antiquities. An earring and a tooth are also up for display here, which many believe is among the corporeal remains of Lord Buddha himself. I spent next half an hour at the museum.
A Buddha Statue at Nagarjunakonda
I followed the crowd to find what else there is to see. First, we came across the Maha Stupa, which is the oldest monument here at Nagarjunakonda. We reached a spot where I found a stupa and a broken statue of Lord Buddha standing tall, probably 10 feet tall. 100 meters to its right there is another Chaitya stupa belonging to 3rd century CE. Later I returned to the boarding point and left the island. I enjoyed the 45 minutes cruise back to the ferry launch station. For me, it was the highlight of the Nagarjunakonda tour.
