Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Coorg

Coorg, often referred as the ‘Scotland of India’, is a stunning hill station in Karnataka endowed with mystic hills and aromatic coffee estates. Madikeri being the headquarters and is also one of the top places to experience Coorg Tourism. This mesmerizing hill station is blessed with several tourist attractions in the form of waterfalls, viewpoints, temples, trekking destinations, wildlife sanctuaries & aromatic coffee plantations. Of these, waterfalls are the most famous places to visit in Coorg. Here is the list of some breathtaking waterfalls in Coorg.

Abbey Falls

Abbey Falls is a captivating waterfall situated in Madikeri town. The falls is one of the popular Coorg Tourist Places and also one of the most visited waterfalls in Karnataka. Earlier known as Jessi falls, Abbey Falls is located between the dense coffee & spice plantations. There is a hanging bridge just opposite to the falls, where visitors can get a wonderful view of waterfalls. The misty spray of water cascading down to a small river provides a mesmerizing view.

Iruppu Falls

Iruppu Falls is a spectacular waterfalls formed over Lakshmana Tirtha River in Coorg district of Karnataka. It is one of the famous waterfalls in Karnataka and also top place to visit in Coorg. Locally known as Lakshmana Tirtha Falls, it cascades from a height of 170 feet through several stages. The picturesque surrounding of the waterfalls attracts a large number of tourists and makes it one of the favorite picnic spots. This is one of the most popular attraction not to miss in your Coorg tour packages.

Mallali Falls

Formed on Kumaradhara River, Mallali Falls is one of the gorgeous waterfalls in Coorg and also one of the most scenic waterfalls in Karnataka. The falls gushes down from a height of 200 feet. The surroundings of the waterfall provide a spectacular view of green forest, valleys and mountain ranges. It is the best place for trekkers with mesmerizing beauty around. Monsoon season is the best time to visit the fall, when water rises high and flows with full speed.

Top Places to Visit in Andaman

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal between India and Myanmar. Of the 36 inhabited islands, only 9 islands in the Andaman are open for tourists while the Nicobar Islands are inaccessible to tourists. Port Blair is its capital and also the main tourist hub. Exotic beaches, secluded islands, evergreen tropical rain forest and vibrant marine life make Andamans one of the popular honeymoon destinations in India and among the best beach destinations in India. From the multicultural town of Port Blair to the pristine white sand beaches of Neil and Havelock Islands and the limestone caves of Diglipur, the Andaman Islands offer something for every tourist. These islands also famous for its water sport activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, sea walk, wind-surfing and water scooter.

Trawell.in presents the list of top places to visit in Andamans here.

Havelock Island

Havelock Island is a picturesque island as well as the largest among all the islands in Ritchie’s Archipelago of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. With its pristine white sand beaches, warm lagoons and exotic nature, Havelock Island is the prettiest islands of Andaman and also the must include place in Andaman Tour Packages. Radhanagar Beach or Beach No. 7, Elephant Beach and Kalapathar Beach are the top places to visit in Havelock. The beaches of Havelock Island are also the best spots for water activities and romantic picnics with your loved one. If you are an adventure junkie get on for a thrilling diving session in the depth of the sea or go for kayaking together.

Radhanagar Beach

Radhanagar Beach is a secluded beach situated on the south coast of Havelock Island. Considered as the most famous beach in Andamans, Radhanagar beach is truly an unforgettable curve of 2 km long white sand beach with perfectly coloured blue waters lined with lush green forest. The beach is rated as Asia’s best beach and among the top 10 beaches in the world by Time Magazine. Despite its popularity the beach would remain isolated and also very safe for swimming. There are no water sports but it is known to be one of the best places for nature lovers as it offers a wide range of flora and fauna.

Cellular Jail

Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani, was a colonial prison situated in Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This is a massive three-storeyed structure with seven wings, radiating from a central watch tower, shaped like spokes of a wheel. The prison was known to house many notable Indian activists such as Batukeshwar Dutt, Bhagat Singh and Veer Savarkar, among others, were imprisoned here during the struggle for India’s independence. Today, the complex serves as a national monument which houses Art Gallery, Netaji Gallery and a Library on Freedom Movement. An eternal flame of Freedom-Swatantrya Jyoti has been erected in the vicinity of the Cellular Jail in memory of all freedom fighters and martyrs.

Ross Island

Ross Island is a small island covered with thick forests and full of coconut trees. The island has the ruins of old buildings like Ballroom, Chief Commissioner’s House, Church, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool, and Troop Barracks of colonial era. There is a 10 m high circular Lighthouse at the northern end of the island, which was constructed in 1977. The tower is approachable during the low tide. It was at this lighthouse that photo voltaic panels were introduced for the first time in India, to charge the batteries for the operation of light. This island also has a graveyard and a small museum called Smritika, which has a collection of age-old records. The island is open to the public for all days except Wednesday.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a marine park situated near Wandoor in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Sprawling over an area of 281 sq. km, the landscape of the park is dotted with 15 rocky islands and is covered with tropical forest. Established in 1983, the national park is famous for its rich collection of coral reefs, which include leptoseris, tubipora, gorgonians, porites, acropora, fungia, pocillopora and montipora. There are more than 271 different varieties of birds inhabiting the idyllic landscape of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. The rich flora and fauna of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park makes this park an ideal destination for the nature lovers and also one of the best places to visit in Andaman.

Neil Island

Neil Island is a scenic and serene island situated in the Ritchie’s Archipelago of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The island is widely famous as the Vegetable bowl of Andaman because of the large produce from the area as a result of the farming standards set with the help of favorable climatic conditions. With unexplored coral reefs, brilliant bio-diversity, white sandy beaches and tropical forest and vegetation, it is one of the best places to experience Andaman Tourism. Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, Sitapur, & Ramnagar beaches are the popular beaches in Neil Island. Natural Bridge is another chief attraction of Neil Island and is widely known as the Howrah Bridge. Snorkeling in Neil Island is a memorable experience.

All You Need to Know about Chidambaram Nataraja Temple

The word Chidambaram is derived from two words ‘Chit’ meaning ‘consciousness’ and ‘ambaram’ meaning ‘sky’ (akasha) and signifies the sky of consciousness, which is the ultimate state one should attempt to attain. Another theory is that it is derived from chit + ambalam. Ambalam means a “stage” for performing arts. The chidakasam is the state of supreme bliss or aananda and Lord Nataraja is the symbolic representation of the supreme bliss or aananda thandavam. Saivaites believe that a visit to Chidambaram leads to liberation.

Built during the 10th century AD by Chola Kings, Chidambaram temple has a very old history. The temple has been renovated by several dynasties. The notable contributions were by the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Chera and Vijayanagara rulers during the periods of ancient and medieval history. The Sangam classics refer to Viduvelvidugu Perumtaccan, respected clan of traditional Vishwakarmas, was the chief architect of the temple renovation. The present structure of the temple has its roots in the 12th and 13th centuries AD.

This ancient temple of the Cholas is unique as it is one of the rare temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary lingam. According to the legend, Aadi Sesha, the serpent god, heard about the grandeur of Shiva’s cosmic dance from Lord Vishnu. Filled with irrepressible desire to witness the dance in person at Chidambaram, Seshan descended to the earth as Patanjali. At the appointed hour, Shiva granted to Patanjali, a visual treat in the form of his Cosmic Dance of Bliss, to the accompaniments of music played by several divine personalities in the Hindu pantheon. This Dance of Bliss is said to have been witnessed by Lord Vishnu, and there is a Govindaraja shrine in the Natarajar Temple commemorating this.

There are five main principle sabhas in this temple, which are known as Chit Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Deva Sabha, Nritya Sabha and Raja Sabha. The main idol of Lord Shiva or Nataraja resides in the Chit Sabha. The second is the Kanaka Sabha – in front of the Chit Sabha, from where the daily rituals are conducted. The Kanaka Sabha is adorned by gold plated roof. The golden roof is made of 22600 tiles representing the number of breaths of a human being on a day, and fixed with 72,000 golden nails representing the 72,000 visible and invisible nerves of a human body! The roof is having 9 ornamental conic heads (Kalasas), representing the nine gateways or holes in a human body. There are five courtyards, representing five sheaths of a human body, kosas.

Chidambaram Temple is also associated with Chidambara Ragasiyam which is a belief that there is a secret message conveyed through the embossed figure near the shrine of Shiva here. Since ancient times, it is believed that this is the place where Lord Shiva and Parvathi are present, but are invisible to the naked eyes of normal people. In the Chidambaram temple of Lord Nataraja, Chidambara Ragasiyam is hidden by a curtain. Darshan of Chidambara Ragasiyam is possible only when priests open the curtain for special poojas. People who are fortunate to have a darshan of Chidambara Ragasiyam can merely see golden vilva leaves signifying the presence of Lord Shiva and Parvathi in front of them.

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the heart of Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Chidambaram Temple is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. Also known as Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams of Lord Shiva, represents akasha (ether). The other four temples are Thiruvanaikovil Jambukeswara (water), Kanchi Ekambareswara (earth), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire), and Kalahasteeswara Temple (wind).

Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai and the Aani Thirumanjanam are the most important festivals of the temple. During these festivals, the main deity being brought outside the sanctum sanctorum in a procession that included a temple car procession followed by a long anointing ceremony.

The Chidambram temple has always followed both Vedic and Tamil version of worships, chanting of Rudram and singing of Tevaram and Tiruvachakam. The temple is a privately owned property run by a Trust and it is not under government control.

Thousands of domestic and international pilgrims visit the temple each day, worshipping wholeheartedly at the sanctum sanctorum and leaving the temple as a changed person. Thillai Kaliamman Temple, Pichavaram, Gangai Konda Cholapuram, Thirukkadaiyur, and Mayiladuthurai are the other Places to visit in Chidambaram.

5 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Mussoorie

Mussoorie is a fascinating hill station in Uttarakhand and also one of the popular places to experience Uttarakhand tourism. With its beautiful, undulating, tree-covered hills, looking down on the Doon valley and with a fantastic view of the Mighty Himalayas attracts thousands of both domestic and international tourists every year. Kempty Falls, Camel’s Back Road, Lal Tibba, Cloud’s End and Company Bagh are the major and the top places to visit in Mussoorie.

Camel’s Back Road

Camel’s Back road is one of the important places to visit in Mussoorie. Built in 1845, it provide a walking track with a picturesque view of the Himalayas. Shaped like a Camel’s hump, it is a 3 km long stretch with the natural display of rocks. Great place for sunset, one can also spot the peaks of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi and Trishul are visible from here.

Lal Tibba

Lal Tibba is the highest point and one of the top places to visit in Mussoorie. Also referred as Depot Hill, a telescope is placed at the tower on a cliff by municipality to offer mesmerizing views of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Banderpunch, and other Himalayan ranges. The place has an old British architectural style hill houses a camp of the Indian Military Services, towers of Doordarshan and All India Radio.

Company Bagh

Filled with several colorful flowers, Company Bagh is one of the popular and the beautiful Mussoorie Tourist Places. Also known as Municipal Garden, the garden has a lush green carpet of lawns and a fountain. Previously called as Botanical Gardens of Mussoorie, the park is maintained by the Garden Welfare Association of Mussoorie. An artificial lake and a small waterfall is located inside the garden is the another attraction.

Kempty Falls

Kempty Waterfall is a gigantic waterfall and one of the famous tourist places to visit in Mussoorie. Developed by a British officer John Mekinan, the falls is known for its milky stream of water. It offer a mesmerizing view as the water dropping from a height of about 50 feet flowing through five cascading falls in the downstream.

Cloud’s End

Cloud’s End is the landmark of the end of the Mussoorie. Known for its spectacular views of hills, the place offers activities like hill climbing, nature walks in the nearby forest. A heritage building built by Major Swetenham, a British officer in 1838 is also an attraction of this place. One can reach Cloud’s End by trekking along the Hathipaon Road from the popular Happy Valley or by Car.

5 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Nainital

Nainital is a distinct and popular tourist destination of India. Blessed with gorgeous lakes, ancient temple and exotic scenery, it is one of the famous honeymoon destination and one of the top tourist places in Uttarkhand. Nainital is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the town is spread around the wonderful Naini Lake. Nainital Lake, Naina Peak, Naina Devi Temple, High altitude Zoo and Snow View Point are the major places to visit in Nainital and allures huge number of domestic and foreign tourists every year. Here are some of the top tourist places to visit in Nainital.

Naini Peak

Also known as China Peak, is the highest hill top and one of the picturesque places to visit in Nainital. Perched at an altitude of 2615 m, the peak offers spectacular views of the surrounding places. Due to high altitude and lush green forest, Naina Peak is one of the favorite place for trekking. One can also view the Tibet Border and Nanda Devi Peak from the top of the Naina Peak.

Naini Lake

Nainital Lake is a natural freshwater lake and one of the major tourist places to visit in Nainital. Popularly known as Naini Lake, the lake is lunar-shaped and has an outlet at the southeastern end. Covers a perimeter of 2 miles with a depth varies from 6 m to 28 m, the lake topology has two parts namely Mallital and Tallital. Nainital Boat Club provides boating and yachting facilities with both pedal and rowing boats. This is one of the top attractions you must include in Nainital packages.

Naina Devi temple

Naina Devi Temple is a famous and well-known temple dedicated to Goddess Naina Devi, represented by two eyes. The place draws devotees from far-away places and one of the main places to visit in Nainital. Inside the sanctum, devotees can have darshan of three deities like Mata Kali Devi, Naina Devi and Lord Ganesh. Nanda Ashtami is an 8 days big festival organized in the premises of Naina Devi temple.

High altitude Zoo

High Altitude Zoo is one of the famous places to visit in Nainital. Built in 1984, the Zoo was established with the objective to conserve and protect the wildlife and biodiversity of the hill region of Uttarkhand. The zoo has numerous endangered species of animals in the Himalayas and animals like snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, Japanese Macaque, Sambar, Himalayan Civet, Himalayan Martin, Barking Dear, Royal Bengal Tiger and Himalayan bear.

Snow View point

Snow View point is one of the stunning places to visit in Nainital and also one among the well-known tourist places. Perched at an altitude of 2270 m, the place offers picturesque views of snowcapped mountains like Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Kot. There is a small temple and the monastery located here is also a must visit spot.

Popular Attractions in Magical Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful Hill States situated in India. Dense alpine forests, frosty snow clad peaks, deep gorges, verdant valleys, meandering rivers, enchanting mountain lakes, ancient temples and magnificent monasteries make Himachal is one of the top places to visit in India and also one of the best summer destinations in India. Shimla, Manali, Lahul, Kullu, Dharmashala, Dalhousie, Kasauli and Mcleod Ganj are the top places to Visit in Himachal.

Top tourists places to visit in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla

Shimla is popularly referred as the ‘Queen of Hills’ and also one of the best tourist places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. This lovely hill station was developed by the British as their summer capital. The Kalka – Shimla toy train is also one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The Ridge, Mall Road, Vice Regal Lodge, Christ Church, Annandale, Chadwick Falls, Jakhu Hill, Kufri, Fagu Resort and Narkanda are the famous Shimla tourist places to visit. As Shimla weather is pleasant, tourists can visit throughout the year.

Manali

Known for its snowcapped mountains, scenic beauty, history and culture. Often referred to as the ‘Valley of the Gods’, Manali is among the popular places to visit in Himachal and also one of the top summer getaways in India. Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Hidimba Temple, Bhrigu Lake, Vashist Temple, Manu temple, Naggar Castle and Manikaran are the top tourist places to visit in Manali. Renowned as one of the famous Honeymoon destinations in India, Manali offers adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, Paragliding, rafting, kayaking and mountain biking. Manali weather is predominantly cold during winter and moderately cool during summer.

Kullu

Known as ‘Valley of Gods’, Kullu is one of the largest valleys in Himachal and also a popular place to experience Himachal Tourism. It is one of the best spot for adventure sports and offers some activities like trekking, river rafting, mountaineering, paragliding and hiking. Manikaran, Malana, Bijli Mahadev, Kasol, Kheer Ganga, Katrain, Kangra and Great Himalayan National Park are the major tourist places to visit in Kullu.

Dharamsala

known as Little Lhasa or Dhasa, because of its large population of Tibetans and Buddhist Monasteries. It is one of the popular summer getaways in North India and also one of the popular tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Dharamshala consists of two distinct parts – Lower Dharamsala and Upper Dharamshala. Lower Dharamsala is a bustling civil and commercial center whereas Upper Dharamshala, known more commonly as McLeod Ganj, is the seat of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Chamunda Temple, Dalai Lama Temple, Namgyalma Stupa, Bhagsunath Temple, Norbulingka Institute, Gyuto Monastery and Indru Nag are some of the prime tourist attractions in Dharmashala.

Dalhousie

Dalhousie is a scenic hill station located in Dhauladhar mountain range of Himachal Pradesh. Surrounded by snow peaked mountains, Dalhousie is one of the top places to visit as part of Himachal tourism packages. Dalhousie is known for its pleasant climate and charming beauty surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains. Ganji Pahari, Dainkund Peak, Khajjiar, Bara Pathar temple, St. Patrick Church, Satdhara Falls, Kalatop Sanctuary and Panchpula, are the top places to visit in Dalhousie. Garam Sadak, Jhandri ghat, Moti tibba and Sach pass are the ideal trekking places in Dalhousie.

Kasauli

Kasauli is a picturesque hill stations in Himachal. It is well known for its pristine and unspoiled natural beauty. The name Kasauli came from Kausalya, a mountain stream which flows between Kasauli and Jabli. Kasauli is quite cheapest hill station compared to popular Himachal hill stations like Shimla & Manali. Christ Church, Monkey Point, Lower and Upper Mall, Sanawar, Sabathu Fort are some of the major places of sightseeing in Kasauli. Kasauli weather is pleasant in April to June and from September to November.

Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley is a desert mountain valley located high in the Himalayan Mountains in the north-eastern part of Himachal Pradesh. Spiti Valley is the cultural center for Buddhists. Spiti is home to some of the highest villages, oldest monasteries and the most stunning landscapes. Kye Monastery and Tabo Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world are situated in Spiti Valley. Kye Monastery is the oldest training center for monks, founded by Dromton, a famous disciple of teacher Atisha in the 11th century AD. Kunzum Pass, Chandratal Lake, Dhankar Monastery, Suraj Tal Lake, Dhankar Lake and Pin Valley National Park are the popular places to visit in Spiti Valley.

Top Places to Visit in Dalhousie

Dalhousie is an enchanting hill station surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains. Lies at an elevation of 1,970 m, Dalhousie is one of the famous and the most visited places to experience Himachal tourism. Spread over the five hills known as Katalagh, Potreyn, Bakrota, Terah and Bhangora, it is one of the popular and the romantic destination for honeymooners. Chamera Lake, Panchpula, Ganji Pahadi, Khajjiar and Dainkund Peak are the top and major places to visit in Dalhousie.

Trawell.in listed top 5 places to visit in Dalhousie

Panchpula

Panchpula is a scenic place surrounded by picturesque mountains and green valleys and one of the top places to visit in Dalhousie. Originates from Dain Kund, Panchpula stream is the main resource of water supply to Dalhousie and nearby villages. There is a spring fall on the way to Panchpula which is known as the Satdhara spring fall and is believed that the fresh waters of Satdhara contain healing medical properties. Also, Panchpula is famous for treks that originate here and leads to Dalhousie and nearby places.

Chamera Lake

Chamera Lake is an artificial lake and one of the top tourist places to visit in Dalhousie. Positioned at an altitude of 1700 m, the lake is an excellent site for activities like fishing, angling and boating. One of the main hydel projects of Himachal Pradesh, Chamera Hydel Electric Project is situated nearby. Formed by Chamera Dam, it is a major source of water supply for the villagers and is continuously fed by the Ravi River. One of the main hydel projects of Himachal Pradesh, Chamera Hydel Electric Project is situated nearby.

Ganji Pahari

Ganji Pahari is a serene and quaint hill in Dalhousie and one of the main places to visit in Dalhousie. Being one of the most popular nature walks and destinations in Dalhousie, the place offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding snowcapped hills and valleys. The trek is an easy to moderate one with a distance of 1 km from Panchpula which takes around 20-30 minutes to reach the summit of the hill.

Dainkund Peak

Dainkund Peak is the highest mountain peak and one of the most popular places to visit in Dalhousie. The Indian Air Force base and Pholani Devi temple are the other two main attractions of this place. Although trekking is the most common activity with lush green trees and tranquil mountains, the peak offers a clear view of the flow of the rivers Ravi, Chenab and Beas.

Khajjiar

Khajjiar is a charming hill station situated in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges of the Western Himalayas. Often referred as ‘Switzerland of India’, Khajjiar is a magnificent spot with an emerald saucer shaped meadow amidst a dense forest which has a lake with a floating island at its center and a temple with a golden spire. Also called the Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh and a popular getaway for adventure sports in Himachal state, it is also one of the important places to visit in Dalhousie.

Top Places to Visit in Manali

Manali is the gorgeous hill station situated in the northern end of Kullu Valley. With splashing rivers, water streams and lofty mountains, Manali is one of the top honeymoon destinations and also the popular tourist places to experience Himachal Pradesh tourism. Situated at an altitude 2050 meters, Manali is famous for the adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, Paragliding, rafting, kayaking, and mountain biking. Hidimbi Devi Temple, Vashist Temple & Hot Water Springs, Manu Temple, Solang Valley and Rohtang pass are the prime attractions and the top places to visit in Manali. Typically, 2-3 days is required to explore best Manali Tour Packages. Manali is famous as a Honeymoon destination.

Trawell.in listed top 5 places to visit in Manali

Hidimbi Devi Temple

Hidimbi Devi Temple is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi. Built in 1553 by Raja Bahadur Singh, it is one of the prime and the important places to visit in Manali. Built in pagoda style, the temple does not contain any idol but just a footprint on a stone. With 24 meter high tower, the top conical roof is in metal and the other three square-shaped floors are roofed with timbre tiles. A rope hangs down in front of the rock,and according to a legend,in bygone days religious zealots would tie the hands of “sinners” by the rope and then swing them against the rock.

Vashist Temple & Hot Water Springs

Vashist temple is one of old temple and the top places to visit in Manali. Decorated with excellent and beautiful carvings on wood, there is a black stone image of Rishi wearing dhoti is present inside the temple. Believed to be more than 4000 years old temple, the interior of this temple is rather traditional which is ornamented with antique painting and figures. One of the major attractions of this region is the Vashist Hot Water Spring, is believed to have medicinal value which cures many skin diseases.

Manu Temple

Situated on the banks of River Beas, Manu Temple is a magnificent temple dedicated to the sage Manu who is said to be the creator of the world and the writer of Manusmriti. Built in pagoda style, the temple is one of the major places to visit in Manali and attracts large of tourists from different parts of the world. Rebuilt in 1992, one has to walk through the slippery stone paths of old Manali for about 200 meters to reach the temple. The temple is one of the prime attractions in Manali and is believed to be the same place where sage Manu meditated after stepping on earth.

Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass is a high mountain on the eastern Pir Pangal Range of the Himalayas. Placed at a height of 4111 meters, it is one of the stunning and the beautiful tourist places to visit in Manali. Offers a panoramic and the mesmerizing Mountain View, it is the best place to experience snow in summer season and famous place for adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh. The pass is on the watershed between the water basins of the Chenab River and the Beas River.

Solang Valley

Solang Valley is one of the well-known places to visit in Manali. Placed at a height of 8500 feet, the place offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding snowcapped mountains and glaciers. The two main activities organized here are Skiing and Paragliding. In winter, the valley becomes a skiing paradise with children of all ages slipping and sliding over the fresh white snow. In summer, it has facilities for paragliding, zorbing, mountain biking and horse riding.

Top Places to Visit in Thanjavur

Home to Tanjore painting, Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Sited on the banks of the River Cauvery, Thanjavur is famous for its Brihadeeswar Temple built by Rajaraja Chola in the year 1010 AD. Considered as an important agricultural centre located in the Cauvery Delta and is known as the ‘Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu’. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments are located in and around Thanjavur.

Trawell.in listed top 4 places to visit in Thanjavur

Brihadeeswar Temple

Brihadishvara Temple is a popular and ancient Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva. This 212 ft. (64.8 meter) towering Shiva temple is home to one of the largest Shiva Lingas of the country. Built out of granite, the temple has huge statue of Nandi and the outer wall of the upper storey is carved with 108 dance postures of Bharatanatyam. Considered as the big temple, the temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site known as the ‘Great Living Chola Temples’. The temple faces east, and once had a water moat around it. This has been filled up. The fortified wall now runs around this moat. The two walls have ornate gateways called the gopurams. These are made from stone and display entablature. The main gateways are on the east side.

Thanjavur Palace

Thanjavur Royal Palace is one of the ancient palace in Thanjavur constructed by the Nayakas around 1550 CE. Also known as ‘Aranmanai’ and Maratha Palace, the palace hosts myriad primeval items including the Thanjavur paintings, statues from the Pallava, Chola, Pandiya and Nayaka periods. Divided into two parts, where the first part followed by Saraswathi Mahal Library is extended by Maratha rulers and it houses Royal Museum, Maratha Darbar Hall and Sangeetha Mahal. The second part of the palace was constructed during Nayaka period and it houses Goodagopuram, Manimandapam and Art Gallery.

Schwartz Church

Schwartz Church is one of the important old structures in India that were built during the British administration in the country. Built by Raja Serfoji in 1779 to honor the Danish missionary Reverend Frederick Christian Schwartz. Also known as Fort Church, the main attraction is the white marble monument and is noted for its intricate carvings depicting the final moments of Schwartz. It is also one of the top places to visit in Thanjavur.

Punnai Nallur Mariamman Temple

Popularly known as Mariamman Kovil, Punnai allur Mariamman temple is one of the famous Hindu temple built by the Maratha rulers. Built over the natural formation of the anthill, the seven-tiered gopuram was erected recently. The Great saint Sadhasiva Brammendra swamy shaped the white-ant hill into a form of Mariamman and also installed a powerful Chakra.

5 Most Popular Places of Pilgrimage in Tamilnadu

Tamil Nadu, the Land of the Tamils, is the 11th largest state in India. Blessed with more than 33, 000 temples, Tamil Nadu, popularly called as the Land of Temples, has some grandest and revered temples in India. These temples have been a source of reverence for believers throughout the world. Most of the temples in the state are built in Dravidian style and are proof of the architectural genius of the bygone era. Besides being timeless architectural wonders, these temple towns reverberate with a divine energy that draws thousands of pilgrims throughout the year.

Trawell.in presents the 5 most sacred pilgrimage centers in Tamilnadu here.

Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram Sri Ramanatha Swamy Temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in India, is situated on the Pamban Island in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. Rameshwaram Temple is one of the most famous Shiva shrines in India and also one of the top places to visit in Rameshwaram. According to the legend, Rameshwaram is the place where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea with the help of vanaras to rescue his consort Sita from Ravana. This is also the place where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Rameshwaram along with Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath form the sacred Char Dhams. Rameshwaram is also considered as Varanasi of the South, second only to Varanasi itself. However, a pilgrimage to Varanasi is not considered complete without a trip to Rameshwaram. The third corridor of Rameshwaram Temple is the longest one in the world and it also happens to be one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. Agnitheertham, Gandamadana Parvatham, Dhanushkodi, Kothandaraswamy Temple and Erwadi are the popular places to visit in Rameshwaram.

Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram, also known as Kanchi, is a popular temple town in Tamilnadu. The town is known for its temples and silk sarees which are woven manually. Kanchi is famous for Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple and is the landmark of Kanchipuram. Kanchi Temple is one of the most famous South Indian temples and also one of the major religious places to visit in Tamilnadu. Kanchi served as the capital of Pallava dynasty, and most of the known temples were built during their reign. The temples of Kanchipuram are known for their architectural grandeur. The architecture of Kanchi monuments adorned with great sculpture work and unique style.

Chidambaram

Chidambaram is a sacred town in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. Famous for Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram is one of the most popular pilgrimage places in South India and also one of the best Tamilnadu places to visit. The Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram was built during the 11th century and is one of the most celebrated Shiva Temples in South India. Nataraja Temple has great religious as well as historic and cultural significance. This is one of the Panchabhoota Stalas signifying the five elements of wind, water, fire, earth and space. Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Akasha Lingam, an embodiment of Shiva as the formless Space. Brahmotsavam, the annual chariot festival held in the month of April, is the popular festival celebrated at Chidambaram which attract large crowds. Natyanjali Dance Festival is another major festival held in the month of February in Chidambaram.

Madurai

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, also called as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, is one of the biggest and most popular temples of India and also one of the top pilgrimage places to visit in Tamilnadu. The Madurai Temple is considered an architecture marvel and was shortlisted as one of the top 30 nominees for New Seven Wonders of the World. The temple was built by Kulashekara Pandya of Pandya dynasty and was rebuilt by Viswanatha Nayak, the 1st Nayak king of Madurai. The complex is built over an area of 45 acres and is surrounded by 14 towers. There are several corridors, pillared halls and sub shrine inside the temple complex. The corridors and pillars are adorned with wonderful artwork of bygone era. The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam held in April and May, attracts 1 million visitors from all parts of India.

Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari, also known as Cape Comorin, is a coastal town in Tamil Nadu and is located at the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland. Kanyakumari has been a great center for art& culture for centuries and is also famous for Kumari Amman Temple. Considered as one of the Shakti Peethas, the Kumari Amman Temple attracts huge number of devotees every year. This is one of the best places to visit in South India and also one of the popular places of Pilgrimage in Tamilnadu. It is the only place in India where one can enjoy the unique spectacle of Sunset and Moonrise simultaneously on full moon days. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Gandhi Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Suchindram, Vattakottai Fort, St Xavier’s Church and Udayagiri Fort are the top Kanyakumari Tourist places. The Chaitra Poornima Festival and Navratri are the major festivals celebrated in Kanyakumari with great pomp and fervor.