Contd from Pàrt IV
SOUTH INDIA
In a sun kissed, blissful abode South India needs no introduction. This is possibly the most ancient of all lands, and the heart of native India and its values. This land is blessed with some of the supreme gifts, and it shares them munificently with one and all.
South India is a place of ancient complex region which is precipitous in intellectual thought and age old mores. Mathur, Talakad, Lepakshi of South India, are endowed with brilliant opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage and astonishing architecture.
40. Snorkel your way out with Rajan, the Snorkeling Elephant:
Image Source: Mark Shann – Flickr
Rajan, popularly called the Snorkeling Rajan of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is completely out of the norm! Can you ever imagine, an Elephant can swim and snorkel too? Yes… The daily ritual of Rajan [Swim with Rajan in Andaman] of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is just to plunge in and hit the surf along the beach side. The 59 year old mascot uses his trunk as a snorkel and finds his way out to the deep sea bed and enjoys every moment of perching amidst the waves.
41. The Classical village of Karnataka – Mathur:
Mathur, a charming village on the banks of river Tunga, on the outskirts of Shimoga town is definitely unique in its own ways. The small village is known for the usage of the ancient language Sanskrit for day-to-day communication.
Sanskrit, the language of Gods, is the regional language of this tiny village and is also known for its support to nourish Gamaka art, which is a exclusive form of singing and storytelling in Karnataka. Rama Mandira, Someshwara temple and Lakshmikeshava temple are the other attractions of this out of the ordinary village. Karnataka is also home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in India.
Check out 45 most beautiful places around Bangalore.
42. Sand dune stories ofTalakad:
Image Source: Ashwin Kumar – Flickr
A historical site with fascinating mythology associated with it is Talakad, located in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka on the banks of river Kaveri. Talakad was once brimming with 30 temples that are today buried under sand. Among the temples, the Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara, Vaidyanatheshwara and Mallikarjuna temples, the five Lingams are believed to represent the five faces of Shiva. In honour of these five Shiva temples, a fair is held once every 12 years called “Panchalinga Darshana”. This was last held in 2009.
Image Source: Abhijeet Rane – Flickr
The place is also associated with a legendary curse by a widow, who was a faithful devotee of Lord. From that time on, it is believed, the once fertile land of Talakad is covered in sand, and the River Kaveri at that specific spot suddenly develops a whirlpool. And till now, the Mysore rulers have problems with producing heirs to the throne.
Also check out some of the famous weekend getaways near Bangalore.
43. The Visa God of India –Chilkur Balaji, Hyderabad:
Are you planning to move out of country but worried about your Visa interview? Not to worry, the Visa god will surely bless you with some good luck! Chilkur Balaji Temple popularly known as Visa Balaji Temple or Visa God is an ancient Hindu temple of Lord Balaji near Hyderabad, India.
It is one of the oldest temples in the Telangana region built about half a millennium ago. It is said that even if you’re not religious, just spending a few minutes in the temple can fetch you visa, if you are looking for one!
[Also check out these 15 best resorts in Hyderabad]
44. The Magnificent Floating Pillar of Lepakshi:
Image Source: Premnath Thirumalaisamy – Flickr
Lepakshi is a small town in the Ananthpur district of Andra Pradesh which is a very important historical and archaeological site. Lepakshi, a famous temple, dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, the fiery incarnation of Lord Shiva, is famous for its architecture and painting.
Image Source: Premnath Thirumalaisamy – Flickr
The beautiful frescos of Ramayana and Mahabharatha depicted on the ceilings of the temple in Lepakshi style of painting are utterly exclusive and stunning. The carving on the pillars looks extremely splendid and one single pillar is believed to have been holding the entire architecture of Lepakshi temple all on itself.
45. Snake Boat Race in the god’s own country – Alappuzha, Kerala:
Image Source: Ronald Tagra – Flickr
Kerala, the god’s own country, is famous for various cultural and traditional practices. One such custom is the “Snake Boat Race”. The Vallam Kali held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Chundan Vallam kali literally means Snake boat play/game, is one of the popular events of the competition.
Image Source: Ronald Tagra – Flickr
The 100–120 foot long canoes that are made of a wood locally called “Aanjili thadi” carrying 90- 110 rowers, move like snakes through the channels. The Chundan Vallam also has the record as “the biggest water vessel used for sports purpose.”
46. The Esteem Ethipothala Falls of Andhra Pradesh:
Image Source: Abhinaba Basu – Flickr
Ethipothala Falls a tributary of the River Krishna, situated on the Chandravanka River at an altitude of 70 feet high river cascade. The gushing water fall is a combination of three rivulets namely Chandravanka Vagu, Nakkala Vagu and Tummala Vagu. “ETITAPOSTHAL” meaning Ethi or Yathi in Sanskrit which means the monks or the sages and Thapothal in Sankrit meaning penance.
Ethipothala in Telugu Language means “lift and pour”. So people even presume that “Ethipothala Falls” are part of Lift Irrigation Scheme” Ranganatha and Dattatreya temples are other attractions in the vicinity. There is a crocodile breeding centre in the lagoon formed by the falls.
47. Experience the Serene aura of Auroville:
Image Source: Ashwin Kumar – Flickr
Auroville, the City of Dawn, is an “experimental” township in Viluppuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu, near Pondicherry in South India. This beautiful city was originated in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, also known as “The Mother” and designed by architect Roger Anger.
“Auroville is a place which is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries must be able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realize human harmony.
[Also visit homestays in Ooty]
48. The romantic lake of Chembra:
Image Source: Chandru – Flickr
Chembra Peak is the highest peak in Wayanad, at 6,900 ft above sea level. Chembra is located near the town of Meppady and is a part of the Wayanad hill ranges in Western Ghats, adjacent to the Nilgiri Hills in Tamilnadu and Vellarimala in Kozhikode district in Kerala.
One of the tourist attractions on the top of the hill is a heart shaped lake. The lake is believed to have never desiccated. The picturesque vista from the top of the hill covers whole of Wayanad and parts of Malappuram, Kozhikkode and Nilgiri districts.
49. Uniquely BaptizedBhadrapura:
Visit to Bhadrapura village of Bidadi district, outskirts of Bangalore will be one of those amazing experiences you’ll ever have! If you visit Bhadrapura village and ask for coffee, you won’t get a drink. If you ask them if they know English, the complete village will say yes. And the village even boasts to have a High Court. Coffee, English, High Court are the names of the people residing in this village.
One can also find Congress and Janata here! Unlike urbanites , who opt for fancy names just to be unusual, the Hakki-Pikki nomad community, get their inspiration from their routine life – from objects around them, the places they visit, film actors, food etc. Names such as British, Mantri, Glucose, Bus, Train, Gramophone, Military, Hotel, Jailor, Dollar, Cycle Rani, Elizabeth Rani and Mayura are popular and they speak a mixture of 14 languages.
50. Palolem – The blue and bullion beach of Goa:
Image Source: Dan Searle – Flickr
Goa is a place for the most enticing beaches in the world. Palolem is a white sand beach facing a blue bay between two cliffs. It looks marvellously adorable with the dense foliage and jutting coconut trees. A ferry can take you to the fishing beach of Palolem and is mostly patronized for all the beach lovers who would love to soak up in the sun-drenched shores.
Image Source: Vaibhav San – Flickr
A dolphin spotting trip in a boat is one of the fascinating attractions of Palolem. The place has the special advantage of being exclusively Indian and patently international at the same time.
[Also check 10 best tourist places in Goa]
51. Astounding Araku Valley:
Image Source: Raj
Araku Valley, a hill station and a village in Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, uncovers astonishing scenery with thick forests surrounded all over. Araku is popular for its world famous plantation of coffee. The place attracts people with pleasing weather, hillocks and valleys.
The natural beauty of this valley comes alive with its rich vista. The area of the valley is roughly 36 square kilometres and the altitude is between 600 and 900 meters above sea level. One of the other magnetism of this canyon is a Tribal Museum which portrays tribal handicrafts and lifestyle.
How may of these 51 offbeat destinations in India you been to? Do you have any suggestions which can be included in the list?
Concluded
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