TOURISM: November 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Devarajaswami temple

The beautiful Devarajaswami temple was constructed by the Vijayanagara rulers and is known for its exemplary architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and there is a marriage hall within the complex to honor the marriage of Goddess Parvati and Lord Vishnu. There is a huge water tank with a large idol of God Vishnu and the water is drained after 40 years cycle. After every 40 years, when the water is drained the huge idol is worshipped for 48 days before water is filled in again.

Ekambareswar Temple

One of the biggest temples in Kanchipuram, Ekambareshvara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is considered to be one of the most ancient temples of India and was constructed in the mid of 9th century by the Pallavas. It has a 200 ft gopuram with more than 10 stories of intricate sculpture.

The Ekambareshvara Temple's surrounding grounds cover an area of 12.14 hectares. A huge stone wall built in the early 16th century during the days of the Vijayanagar Empire runs around the entire temple. Beginning as a small structure, but over the centuries it has grown into a large one with numerous shrines, mandapams, gopurams and tanks.

A mango tree, said to be 3,500 years old, stands inside the courtyard. Legend has it that the each of the four main branches bears fruit with a different taste thus depicting the four Hindu Vedas.

Kachapeshwarar temple

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The most unique feature of the Kachapeshwarar temple is that Lord Shiva is depicted being worshipped by Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of a turtle or Kachap. The legends and Hindu gods can be seen sculpted on the walls and this unique carving of one God being worshipped by another can be seen in engravings and sculptures throughout the temple.

Kanchi Kamakshi temple

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One of the three prominent shakti temples, Kanchi Kamakshi temple is known for the exotic sculptures and is a center of the shakti worship. The imposing Kamakshi statue is larger than life and is one of the attractions of the temple. The walls are carved with numerous legends in vivid colors that make then almost live.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Kanchi Kudhil

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Even though there are numerous temples all over the country, to completely understand the amalgamation of religious teachings and preaching of Hindu religion, visit the Kanchi Kudhil. The small house showcases the weft of Hindu ideologies within India's framework of culture and history. Make a visit to Kanchi Kudhil to understand and appreciate Hinduism.

Our Lady of Sorrows Church

Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Pookara street, Thanjavur which is fondly known as Viagula Madha Church by the people is the oldest church in the present Thanjavur District.

The Jesuit Annual letters testify that this church was in existence at Pookara street several years before the time of Veramamunivar (1740 A. D.) who rendered wonderful service for the development of Tamil language. 'Serfoji the Great' (1798-1832 A.D.) the great Maratha ruler of Thanjavur had contributed generously both in terms of money and lands to this church, just like he helped other churches in Thanjavur. People teem in thousands to attend the annual car festival of this church which is celebrated every year with pomp and gaiety in the third week of September. Christians as well as people of other religions jubilantly join in the celebration and every Saturday we see people praying in this church without any discrimination of religion or caste. Even today it stands as a symbol of religious harmony in this temple town.

Brihadeeswara Temple

This temple is an outstanding example of Dravidan style of architecture. It reflects the style and skill of the Chola rulers who ruled peninsular India during the early medieval period. The building that carries the main sanctum is known as the 'Periya Kovil' or the “big temple”. Completed in early 11th century by Rajaraja Chola I the temple is also known as Rajarajesvaram and is remarkable for its stupendous proportions yet simple designs. It is for this reason that the temple along with the other Chola temples in the area had the pride of being inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and a huge idol 23 feet in diameter and 9 feet in height is present inside. The 'Vimana' of the temple is about 70 meters and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. It is also built such that at no time does the shadow of the vimana fall outside itself. The 'Shikharam' (crown) of Brihadeeswara temple is itself very large and heavy (81.25 tons) and has been carved out of a single stone. It is believed that the stones were lifted onto the tower by using an incline that inched up from 6 km away. The temple occupies a sprawling area and is an important tourist attraction.

Nandi Bull

The Nandi has always had an important place in Hindu mythology. Here, one can see a massive idol of this divine bull. The Nandi (the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva) is a monolith measuring 12 feet in height, 19.5 feet in length and 18.25 feet in width, and weighing about 25 tons.

Some believe that the stone came from a bed of gneiss at the foot of the Pachaimalai hills near Perambulur. Another version is that the stone was brought over from the bed of the River Narmada in the north.

It is seated in an ornately sculpted mandapam called the Nayak Mandapam. According to legend, the Nandi was growing in size and people fearing that it might grow out of the mandapam, stuck a nail at its back to stunt the growth. Since then, it has remained stationary. On the ceiling of the Nandi Mantapam, are colourful frescos that are over 1000 years old and still maintain their magnificence. Two portraits statuesque on the front pillars of the Nandi Mandapam are pointed out as those of Sevappanayakan (the first Nayak ruler) and of his son Achyutappa Nayak.

Allahabad Hotels

Allahabad Hotels One of the largest cities in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India, Allahabad is a city boasting of considerable historical and religious significance. Formerly called Prayag (Sanskrit for ‘place of sacrifice’), Allahabad is an ancient city believed to be the spot where Brahma – the Creator of the Universe had offered his first sacrifice after creating the world. There are numerous Hotels in Allahabad that offer ample accommodation options for the numerous pilgrims and tourists visiting the sacred city.

Indianholiday offers online information and bookings at the numerous Hotels in Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh India.

One of the four sites of the famous Kumbh Mela, Allahabad city is distinctly divided in two halves by the railway station, with the old city being spread over the eastern banks of the River Yamuna. Triveni Sangam in Allahabad marks the confluence of the three holy rivers of Yamuna, Ganga and Saraswati. In order to cater to the numerous devotees and regular tourists visiting Allahabad all through the year, the city is finely equipped with several Hotels in Allahabad that boast of the best of accommodation facilities and services.

There are numerous hotels in Allahabad that serve the guests with the best of comfort and luxury in terms of food, lodging and related services. Located at prime locations within Allahabad city, these Allahabad hotels offer the finest of luxury and comfort.

There are various categories of Hotels in Allahabad - ranging from luxurious star category First Class Hotels to medium-priced Economy Hotels and cheap Budget Hotels in Allahabad. Known for providing professional services and homely comfort, these hotels serve as the perfect retreats to unwind and relax amid a calm and peaceful setting.

Most of the hotels in Allahabad India are conveniently located, at close proximity to major business areas, shopping centers and tourist places in the city. These Allahabad Hotels are favored for providing a perfect blend of Luxury and Comfort, Sightseeing and Recreation. These hotels offer you an ambience of grand splendor and luxury.

The best Hotels in Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh India are strategically located within the city, at close proximity to major landmarks and tourist places. These Hotels are acclaimed for providing a perfect blend of everything - Luxury, Sightseeing and Recreation.

Some of the destinations that can be explored while staying at the hotels in Allahabad include the several places of tourist interest in the city like the Triveni Sangam, Allahabad Fort, Mankameshwar Temple, Patalpuri Temple, Akshaya Vat, Saraswati Kup, Hanuman Temple, Minto Park, Khusrau Bagh, All Saints Cathedral, Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, Anand Bhawan, Allahabad Museum and the Allahabad University to name a few.

Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple

One of the most visited pilgrimage center in South India, Tirupparankundram Murugan temple is an example of intricate architectural splendor and expounds the mother earth for all the nurturing bestowed on mankind. It is revered as an ideal temple to solemnise marriages as the marriage of Lord Subhrahmanya was also held in this temple.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

The Thirumalai Nayak Palace attracts plenty of visitors since it conducts a fascinating Light and Sound Show on its premises every evening in Tamil and English.

In 1636, King Thirumalai Nayak commissioned an Italian architect to build this palace in the Indo-Saracenic style with beautiful arches. Later on, Thirumalai Nayak's grandson Chokkanatha Nayak destroyed the Palace and transferred the valuables to other places.

The Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa were two major parts of this beautiful palace. Of them, today only the spacious courtyard Swargavilasa and some adjoining buildings survive. The courtyard has massive circular white pillars.

The palace shrine, where Thirumalai Nayak offered prayers to goddess Rajrajeswari every morning, was located to the northeast of the building . The shrine is richly carved in stone and the dome was covered with gold.

The palace was then partially restored by Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras, in 1866-72. Post- Independence, the palace was declared as a National Monument and is under the protection of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.

The Thirumalai Nayak Palace is about 1.5 km from Madurai Meenakshi Temple.

Pazhamudhir Solai

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Crafted and dedicated to Lord Subramaniya, the beautiful Pazhamudhir Solai
Temple is known for the well sculpted idol of the Lord carved in marble and wood. Scenically located in Azharar koil, the temple is one of the best in architecture and reflects the traditional style. People believe that if you take a 'parikrama' around the temple, wishes are fulfilled.

Mariamman Teppakulam

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The Mariamman Teppakulam temple is dedicated to Lord Vigneshwara and is located just 5 km from the famous Meenakshi temple. The most unique feature of the temple is that the main idol was found in the tank within the complex. The perennial tank is full of water and is one of the largest tanks in Tamil Nadu. The tank is considered sacred and the temple was constructed on the same spot. Numerous rituals and festivities are celebrated with thousands of devotes coming in from far and wide.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Koodal Azhagar Temple

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In the city of Azhaghar, the Koodal Azhagar temple is a well known sacred temple. Koodal is the second name of the Madurai city and accordingly the temple has been named- Temple of Madurai. According to ancient texts, it is one of the 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is the oldest temples in South India. Prominently located close to the bus stand in Madurai, there are many guest houses and dharamshalas available for devotes and visitors to the temple.

Alagar koil

Alagar Koil

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A beautiful temple, Alagar Koil dedicated to Lord Vishnu is a sacred pilgrimage spot for devotees. The splendid idol of Lord Vishnu crafted in Kallalgar stone. One can view a variety of postures of Lord Vishnu, showcased under one roof. Thousands of devotees throng the temple to seek the blessings of the Lord. Numerous halls and facilities are available for holding many rituals conducted by the devotees.

Kota Cornwallis, Kubu Pulau Pinang

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Kota Cornwallis adalah kota lama berbentuk bintang 5 bucu yang terletak ditimur laut Pulau Pinang. Ia didirikan pada tahun 1786, dan dinamakan sempena Gabenor General India masa itu - Charles Cornwallis. Ia dibina di Padang KOta Lama, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang. Satu ketika dahulu bahagian ini dinamakan Tanjung.

Ia dibina oleh Kapten Framcis Light pada mulanya dengan menggunakan kayu nibong tanpa binaan kekal yang melitupi kawasan seluas 417.6 kaki persegi.Pada tahun 1804, kota ini dibina semula dengan batu-bata dan batu dengan menggunakan tenaga buruh tahanan India semasa perkhidmatankKolonel R.T. Farquhar sebagaiGabenor Pulau Pinang. Kota Cornwallis siap sepenuhnya pada tahun 1810 semasa perkhidmatan Norman Macalister sebagai Gabenor Pulau Pinang dengan kos sebanyak $80,000. Ia bertujuan bagi mempertahankan kepentingan British dari seranganPerancis.Dinding-dinding kubunya, yang secara kasar setinggi 10 kaki, dibina dalam bentuk bintang. Berjalan kaki sepanjang dinding kubu mengambil masa selama 10 minit. Di dalam kubu, masih terdapat beberapa struktur asal yang dibina lebih seabad yang lalu, termasuk sebuah gereja kecil, sel-sel penjara, kawasan storan senjata, tiang bendera asal dan beberapa meriam gangsa lama, salah satu daripada meriam Belanda ini bernama Seri Rambai, bertarikh 1603.

Gandhi Museum

The Gandhi Memorial museum at Madurai has been built and organised by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.

The Museum is housed in the historic Tamukkam Palace of Rani Mangammal of Naick dynasty which was built about 1670 A.D. In 1955, the Tamilnadu State Government gifted the palace with about 13 acres of land, to the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi for the purpose pf housing Gandhi Memorial Museum.

To the south of the building is a big open-air theatre which accommodates about 8,000 people. Cultural programmes, weekly film shows and public meetings on special occasions are held in this theatre.

In front of the main building, there is a replica of Gandhiji's hut 'Gandhi Kutir' in Sevagram.

The northern wing of this building, houses the Library which contains books on and by Gandhiji and allied literature. The most important and valuable part of the collections in the Library are Photostat copies of about 2,70,000 letters of Gandhiji and 62 reels of Micro-films.

Pada masa kini, pelabuhan Pulau

Pada masa kini, pelabuhan Pulau Pinang menyediakan perkhidmatan feri mulai jam 5.30 pagi sehingga 1.00 pagi menghubungkan Georgetown di bahagian pulau dan Butterworth di tanah besar. Perkhidmatan feri ini beroperasi dengan lapan buah feri (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 2007). Feri-feri tersebut yang membawa penumpang pejalan kaki dan kenderaan di dek atas dan kenderaan di dek bawah tersebut berlepas dari terminal setiap lapan minit pada waktu puncak dan frekuensinya berkurangan menjelang tengah malam. Perjalanan feri mengambil masa 15 hingga 20 minit untuk menyeberang selat sepanjang 3.2 kilometer Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 2007). Jumlah keseluruhan trafik feri dalam tahun 2006 termasuk semua perkhdimatan seperti pejalan kaki, basikal, motosikal, kereta dan lori telah meningkat 1.1% daripada 5.859 juta unit pada tahun 2005 kepada 5.922 juta unit (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 2007). Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang telah menetapkan beberapa peningkatan harga tiket terhadap perkhidmatan komersil dan pengguna awam. Dengan kos yang baru dan komitmen terhadap pembangunan perkhidmatan, satu tarif baru harga tiket telah diperkenalkan dan sedang dilaksanakan sejak 1 Mei 2005 (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 2007).

Pada tahun 1981, 3 lagi feri baru

Pada tahun 1981, 3 lagi feri baru kelasRimau telah dibeli oleh pihak SPPP. Pada tahun 1984 merupakan tahun kemuncak bagi permintaan perkhidmatan feri Pulau Pinang. Jumlah kenderaan yang meng

gunakan perkhidmatan feri telah bertambah 5% untuk kereta dan 10% untuk lori berbanding tahun sebelumnya. Bilangan motosikal sahaja yang menggunakan perkhidmatan feri telah mencecah angka 6.8 juta unit (kiraan trafik 2 hala), manakala jumlah penumpang meningkat kepada 22. 2 juta orang (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Pada tahun 1987 pula, jumlah trip perjalanan feri telah mencatat yang tertinggi berbanding tahun-tahun yang lepas, iaitu 137 128 trip sehala (79 490 oleh feri lama dan 57 638 oleh feri baru). Jumlah trip ini sepatutnya akan meningkat dengan lebih baik lagi pada tahun-tahun akan datang, malangnya disebabkan peristiwa Jeti Runtuh pada 31 Julai 1988 telah menyebabkan pangkalan jeti lama tidak boleh lagi digunakan untuk mengangkut penumpang (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Memandangkan perkhidmatan jeti lama di Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim tidak mungkin dapat dipulihkan lagi, banyak feri lama telah direhatkan dan tidak digunakan lagi sejak Disember 1993. Dengan struktur organisasi pada tahun 1995, hanya menggunakan satu pangkalan (pangkalan kenderaan) dan lima buah feri dalam setiap hari operasi (6 buah pada hari kelepasan umum, cuti sekolah dan hari perayaan), pihak feri cuba memenuhi permintaan pengguna dengan meningkatkan tahap kecekapan perkhidmatan (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995).

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

The Vivekananda Rock Memorial attracts large number of tourists who come to visit the memorial built in the middle of the sea to honour the great social reformer Swami Vivekananda.

Constructed in 1970 by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee, this memorial stands on one of two rocks separated by about 70 meters. The occasion was to commemorate Swami Vivekananda's visit to Shripada Parai during December 1892. He swam to this rock from the main land and sat on the Sripada Parai rock in solitude to meditate.It is said that the enlightenment which he attained while meditating on the rock transformed him into a great reformer, and one of the greatest philosophers that the world has known.

The 'Sripada Parai' rock has always been regarded as sacred place. Legend has it that the rock has been blessed by the touch of 'the sacred feet' of the Devi Kumari. On the rock, there is an imprint that resembles a brown footprint which has been worshipped as a symbol of Shripadam.

umlah pengangkutan bermotor yang

umlah pengangkutan bermotor yang dikendalikan telah meningkatkan dengan pesatnya daripada 247 000 buah kenderaan pada tahun 1946 bertambah kepada 717 000 buah pada tahun 1956, dan meningkat lagi ke paras 814 000 buah pada tahun 1958 (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 1977). Memandangkan permintaan

untuk perkhidmatan feri kian meningkat saban tahun, maka satu perancangan telah dilakukan untuk memodenkan perkhidmatan feri secara keseluruhan pada tahun 1953. Merentasi tahun 1959, feri-feri yang lama dan uzur telah digantikan dengan 5 buah feri baru yang boleh memuat dan memunggah di kedua-dua hujung feri dalam kategori kelas Aman (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Disebabkan permintaan yang semakin bertambah, pihak Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang (SPPP) telah membeli sebuah feri lagi pada tahun 1965 dan dua buah feri lagi pada tahun 1971. Dengan 8 bual feri ini, perkhidmatan feri ini telah ditingkatkan dengan sebanyak 1699 400 buah kenderaan pada tahun 1968 berbanding hanya 776 500 buah pada tahun 1959. Manakala pada tahun 1971, peningkatan terhadap penggunaan perkhidmatan feri ini bertambah lagi kepada 3098 500 buah kenderaan dan 15 juta penumpang pejalan kaki (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 1977).
Permintaan yang semakin meningkat telah memaksa pihak pentadbiran feri, SPPP menjalankan satu kajian pada tahun 1968 untuk menganalisis tingkatkan kedayaan perkhidmatan feri ini. Hasil daripada kajian menunjukkan bahawa 8 buah feri dan pangkalan feri yang sedia ada telah mencapai had kedayaan mengendalikan kenderaan maksimum (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Pada Jun 1971, SPPP telah melancarkan Projek Pengeluasan Feri di bawah Rancangan Malaysia ke-2 dengan peruntukan sebanyak $ 17.5 juta (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 1977). Projek ini melibatkan pembinaan terminal feri yang mampu mengendalikan 2 feri pada masa serentak. Terminal baru ini terletak bersebelahan dengan terminal lama untuk memudahkan kawalan trafik dan kecekapan operasi. Pangkalan feri dua tingkat ini dirasmikan pada 16 Januari 1977 (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 1977). Terminal feri ini juga berupaya melakukan kerja-kerja pemunggukan kenderaan dan penumpang pejalan kaki sekaligus (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Pihal SPPP turut membeli 3 buah feri baru yang direka bentuk khas untuk pangkalan baru ini. Feri-feri ini akan digunakan untuk mengangkut kenderaan sahaja di dek atas dan bawah. Dengan adanya feri-feri ini, pihak SPPP berharap dapat mengurangkan masalah trafik yang semakin meruncing (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995).

Sejak perkhidmatan feri diperkenal,

Sejak perkhidmatan feri diperkenal, sambutan daripada penduduk-penduduk sekitar Pulau Pinang dan Butterworth semakin ramai. Justeru, jeti-jeti yang sedia ada tidak dapat menampung permintaan penduduk menyebabkan LPPP terpaksa membesarkan jeti-jeti berkenaan, dan penambahan lagi dua buah feri yang lebih besar (Tanjung dan Kulim) juga telah dilakukan (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Ketiga-tiga feri itu beroperasi dengan kadar setengah jam satu feri. Pada tahun 1983, sebuah feri yang lebih besar lagi telah dibeli dan diberi nama Bagan digunakan untuk mengangkut penumpang-penumpang yang semakin bertambah. Meskipun begitu, pada tahun 1941 hingga 1945, perkhidmatan feri telah dilumpuh kerana melanda perang dunia kedua, ketika tentera Jepun menjajah Tanah Melayu (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Perkhidmatan feri telah dipulihkan selepas perang dunia ke-2 pada tahun 1945 oleh pentadbiran tentera British. Malangnya, feri-feri yang sedia ada telah dimusnahkan semasa peperangan, maka kapal-kapal tongkang yang mempunyai dek dan ditunda dengan lanci telah digunakan untuk tujuan pengangkutan (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Setelah LPPP diberkan nafus baru pada April 1946, lembaga ini telah mengambil alih perkhidmatan feri ini. Di samping itu, 4 buah kapal perisal pendarat pihak tentera British turut diubahsuai untuk menyediakan kemudahan tempat duduk bagi penumpang (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995).

Feri Pulau Pinang, Pelayaran Mutiara

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Perkhidmatan Feri Pulau Pinang merupakan perkhidmatan feri tertua di Malaysia. Perkhidmatan feri terkenal ini dihubungkan antara terminal feri Pulau Pinang di Butterworth ke terminal feri Raja Tun Uda di Pelabuhan Quay di George Town di Pulau Pinang.

Perkhidmatan feri pertama di Pulau Pinang bermula sejak tahun 1894 oleh seorang pengusaha persendirian, Encik Quah Beng Kee dan saudara-saudaranya (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 1981). Walau bagaimanapun, reka bentuk feri pada masa itu bukan seperti yang dapat disaksikan pada hari ini, feri pada masa itu hanya merupakan lanci-lanci kecil yang menggunakan kuasa wap untuk berjalan (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Feri itu juga hanya dapat mengangkut penumpang dan baran-barang yang terhad sahaja kerana pada masa itu masih belum ada kenderaan bermotor lagi (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 1981). Manakala lokasi pendaratan feri pada waktu itu adalah antara Jeti Kedah di Pulau Pinang dan beberapa tempat pendaratan di Seberang Perai (Mahanum Ghazali, 1995). Perkhidmatan feri yang dapat mengangkut kenderaan bermotor hanya bermula selepas Lembaga Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang (LPPP) mengambil alih pengurusan dan penyeliaan feri pada Disember 1924. Pada tahun berikutnya, perkhidmatan ini telah dikendalikan di jeti yang khusus, iaitu Jeti Lebuh Gereja di Pulau Pinang dan Jeti Mitchell di Butterworth. Pada masa itu, hanya terdapat satu feri berkuasa wap bernama “Seberang” yang dibina oleh Lembaga Pelabuhan Singapura sahaja yang beroperasi untuk memuatkan penumpang pejalan kaki dan kereta-kerata (Suruhanjaya Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang, 1977).

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Vydehi Falls

One of the most visited waterfalls Vydehi Falls are located 35 km from the heart of the city. The attractive location, scenic views and cascading waterfalls are alluring while the verdant region boasts of being home to a variety of birds and animals. It is easy to reach the falls as many autos and taxis are available for commuting.

Vellingiri Hill temple

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Just 40 km from the city limits is the magnificent Vellingiri Hill temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees climb the hil to seek the blessings of the Almighty and the surrounding area is rich in rare herbs that are in demand for their curative properties. The serene ambience is a prelude to the piety that can be sensed in and around the old temple.

Ramar temple

Situated in Ramnagar, the Ramar temple is one of the holy places that attract devotees all year round. Completely dedicated to Lord Ram, the rituals and ceremonies are conducted by deep faith. It is a prominent center of religious discourses and discussions in the city.

Kanyakumari Temple

Tourists who come to Kanyakumari make it a point to visit this 3000 year old temple. After all, there are probably very few temples that can match the extraordinary location of the Kumari Amman Temple - it stands at the confluence of three majestic oceans, namely the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

From historical records, it seems that the temple which is also known as Bhagwati Temple, was built by the Pandya Rulers and later expanded by the Nayaks. The entrance to the temple is through the northern gate and a stone wall surrounds the temple.

The Kumari Amman Temple is dedicated to Parvati in the form of Devi Kanya, the Virgin Goddess who did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. When the marriage failed to take place because of the machinations of the Sage Narada, the Goddess in her disappointment vowed to remain a virgin for the rest of her life.

The Virgin Goddess stands as a charming young girl doing her penance while holding a rosary in her right hand. A sparkling jewel adorns her nose. It is believed that this nose ring, set with sparkling rubies, is so bright that it is visible even from the sea at night.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Allahabad Hotels

Monday, November 28, 2011

Sunday, November 27, 2011

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