HIDDEN HEAVEN-TOPSLIP

 Topslip Pollachi, at an altitude of 240 m, is the tourist spot of the Annamalai Tiger Reserve and the primary bird habitat, which is separated from the Nilgiri Hills by the Palghat Gap in the north. It is majestic with lush green spread mountains and surrounding jungle.

The place got its name during the British period as timber slipped to the significantly lower plains. Topslip has a delicate height, good weather and had blessed with a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Its scenic location and spectacular scenery make it a popular destination for many movie shows. Topslip is also famous for its elephant camp.

What is unique and essential about Topslip forest?

• It is the best gateway to experience the magnificent wildlife of the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Unique teak forests, bamboo forests, and vast non-native species of plants and wildlife are the main attractions of Topslip.
• It is also a beau bird-watching destination, home to over 250 species. The MT Stuart Black Topslip is another attraction located at 3 km.
• The place also has an elephant camping called Kozhikamuti, with the best collection of trained or kumki elephants.
• The Topslip Forest Department organises 1-hour elephant safaris and jeep rides into the sanctuary. Private vehicles are not allowed on safaris.
• The Department of Tourism has also identified several trekking routes from Top Slip and conducts guided trekking tours.

MOUNTAIN OF DEATH-KOLLI HILLS

 

"The Mountain of Death"

Kolli Hills Tourism

With an ominous name which means ‘Mountain of Death’, Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai are a mountain range located in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. It is relatively untouched by commercial tourism and therefore has retained most of its natural magnificence. 

The mountains are famous for not only their natural beauty but also have religious significance because of the Arappaleshwar Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The peak is accessible via road as well and the road leading up to it is winding with several twists and turns.

Agaya Gangai Waterfalls, Kolli Hills Overview

The Agaya Gangai Waterfalls are located in the Kolli Hills of the eastern ghats, Tamil Nadu. Originating from River Aiyaru, these falls are the 300ft fall taken by Panchanathi, the vivacious stream in the Kolli Hill jungles, specially between November-March. The waterfall is also considered sacred, not just for its natural exuberance, but because it falls near the Arappaleeswarar Temple.

It is considered as a treat for waterfall enthusiasts but requires an upward trek of around 1300 steps to get here. It is important to carry supplies, be safe and wear strong footwear & durable clothes. The waterfall is dangerous during the monsoons and should be avoided.

NIAGARA OF INDIA-HOGENAKKAL

 

"The one that will take your breath away"

Hogenakkal Tourism

Hogenakkal is a waterfall located in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu where the Kaveri river splits into multiple streams of waterfalls. Located at a distance of 180 km from Bangalore, Hogenakkal has water throughout the year. The carbonite rocks, the coracle (basket boat) rides, freshwater fish, oil massages by locals make it a perfect one day trip or a weekend getaway from Bangalore.

Sometimes referred to as the "Niagara Falls of India," it is also known for the medicinal baths. Also known at Marikottayam, Hoge actually means smoke and Kal means rock. Recently, the place has been found to be littered with plastic bags and garbage and the fish market outside the waterfall might stink. Weekends can be crowded. Keep all these points in mind before visiting.

MUMBAI MONSOON

MONSOON UPDATE-2023 

Good rains are set to return over various parts of northern plains and western Himalayas while central and western parts of the country will continue to experience active monsoon conditions

Navdeep Dahiya Last Updated:July 24, 2023 13:28:14 IST

Representational image. PTI

Monsoon drenched most parts of the core monsoon zone in the past week, extreme rainfall events in a short span resulted in flash floods in certain urban areas of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.

Mumbai’s Santacruz observatory hit a double century for the first time in this season by recording 204 mm rainfall till 8:30 AM on 22nd July. Very heavy rains in various other parts of the  city resulted in water logging conditions and the city came to standstill for a while.

TEA FROM DARJEELING

 

Darjeeling tea is also known as Champagne of Teas

Also known as the "Champagne of Teas", Darjeeling tea is produced in the hills of Darjeeling in West Bengal. In 2004, it became the first Indian product to receive a GI (Geographical Identification) label due to its distinctive flavour and aroma.

Darjeeling is home to approximately 87 gardens that employ approximately 55,000 people. These gardens collectively produce 7 million kilograms of tea, the majority of which is exported.

Tea Industry of India

India is the world's second-largest tea producer after China.  Tea from Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri in India is regarded as among the best in the world. India produced 1,283 million kilograms of tea in 2020-21. 

India consumes the majority of its tea domestically. Russia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and China are significant destinations for exports.With approximately 83% of the country's annual tea production in 2021-2022 coming from Assam, followed by West Bengal, the northern part of India is the biggest producer. The Assam valley and Cachar are the two tea-producing districts in Assam. The three main tea-producing regions in West Bengal are Dooars, Terai, and Darjeeling. 

Darjeeling is famous throughout the world for the tea it grows and the great view of the Kanchenjunga range of mountains that it offers. It is also known for its richness in cultural & natural heritage and the famous toy train that has been declared a UN heritage. 

ADVENTURES ANDHRAPRADESH

 

Go On Vizag City Tour

The tour is often organized by various tour companies. It’s an eight hours tour with on door pickup and drop facility. The tour covers the ocean museum, war museum, submarines and other top attractions of Vizag. The tour will start from the Simhachalam temple which is dedicated to Lord Narasimha (An incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and will guide through the submarine museum which includes a weapon package which hauls from sea to land. Then we visit the Vishaka Museum, which is a house of historical artifacts from the Kalingandhra region. The collection includes armors, crockery, coins, silk costumes, ancient jewelry, the skin of animals, various portraits and manuscripts, letters and maps from ancient times, warships, planes, and submarines.

After completing the tour to Visakha Museum, you visit Tenneti Park and then explore Ramakrishna beach. This is a long and lovely beach that stretches across the sea and sands and houses a Kali Temple and a Ramakrishna Ashram. Also, you can visit here the War Memorial which was built in the memory of soldiers during the 1971 war. In the end, the tour operator will drop you at the prescribed location.

Go On Araku Valley Day Tour

The tour starts from the city center in Vizag city and takes you to Araku Valley via Tyda Valley. Araku Valley is also known as Andhra’s Ooty and shelters various tribal communities. The valley is spread in an area of 36 sq. km and is blessed with the best of climate and lush green lands, with natural streams and waterfalls which makes this place a mecca for any nature lovers. Araku Valley also has a tribal museum that showcases the lifestyle of the locals of this region and how it has evolved. After Araku Valley, the tour shall extend to Borra Caves, which are illuminated limestone caves at a height of 1400 meters above sea level. The caves are filled with fascinating stalagmites and stalactite formations.

Some of these are even considered as an idol of Lord Shiva and people pray them religiously. There is a Gosthani cave flowing through these caves which impart another dimension to these caves. Four kilometers from Borra Caves, we have Katiki Waterfalls which is a sort of trek. However, when you reach this spot, the cool water splashing from the fall will help you realize the worth of every step that you have taken to reach this place. While coming back from Borra Caves, there will be a stoppage at Galikonda viewpoint which is one of the highest viewpoints of Visakhapatnam and provides one of the best views of the hills and cottages in the valley.

Mayavi Caves

Mayavi Caves are technical caves located in Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. These beautiful caves are full of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and lots of shining minerals flowing through the caves. The caves are called technical caves because of few vertical sections present in the cave which require one to do rappelling for around 20 feet. The elevation of these caves is around 200 feet and involves around 1 km of hiking.

The entrance of the cave is small and might give you claustrophobic vibes. You need to climb down around 15 feet from the entrance to reach the first horizontal surface. Then two more obstacles require you to ascend and then descend using ropes. Once you reach on the other side of the first obstacle people often feel uneasy and breathless because the air there is almost stationary.

Trek To Talakona Waterfalls

This would be one of the most adventurous treks you would have had in recent times. The path is adorned with amazing flora and fauna. As you trek through the difficult terrain to the falls, the chirping birds and praying insects tend to keep your brain busy and you do not get the essence of tiredness. The trek is in the Sri Venkateswara National Park in Chittoor district and fall is around 270 feet tall. The water falling from such a height leaves you speechless and gives you the worth of the trek to reach this location. The surroundings are covered in dense forests and lush green trees.

Other things to do around the fall are to watch the endangered species which live in this forest-like squirrels, panthers, sambar, cheetah, and porcupines. There is also a facility to experience 240 meters of canopy rope walk which adds to your thrill of trekking in this place. There are mammoth trees around the location with various birds and monkeys and trek is an amazing experience. At points, you will find various routes to choose from, but not to worry, as they all shall lead you to the falls.

HIDDEN HEAVEN OF KERALA

Gavi

Gavi is a real heaven; it is a stunning forested area in the Periyar Tiger get bordering the breathtaking Gavi Lake. The still waters of the lake are clear and mirror the rich emerald hues of the thick woodland around it. A nature enthusiast’s pleasure, it is still one of the very best offbeat places In Kerala.

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

They claim that Kerala resembles one huge tropical rain forest from the sky. Even with the same, it has almost no credibility as a safari tourist places. Yet, the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is among India’s noticeable environments of the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Chembra Peak, Wayanad

Chembra Top in Wayanad entices the travellers who want to explore nature and hidden tourist places in Kerala. At a height of 2,100 meters, Chembra peak provides thrilling travelling itinerary. Get prior authorization from the Meppady forest prior to you embark on the expedition. Overnight outdoor camping is not permitted. While it takes at least 3 hours to arrive factor, the travelling path offers amazing views.

 Ayyampuzha

If you are searching for one of the best concealed traveler areas in Kerala, then Ayyampuzha is a place to be! A best mix of magnificent landscapes and lavish greenery is a treat to aching eyes. Found in Ernakulam area, this lovely hill terminal takes pride in awesome falls and attractive panoramas. Having a tranquil as well as serene atmosphere, Ayyampuzha is amongst the excellent tourist places to loosen up mind as well as soul.

 Edakkal Caves

Think of hiking approximately a high cliff which ignores the stunning Western Ghats as well as popping right into a cave that has carvings almost 8,000 years of ages?! You can do simply this at one of the best unique places to check out in Kerala-Edakkal Caves at Wayanad.

Vagamon

On the border in between Kottayam and Idukki exists the ideal hill terminal of Vagamon, secure from the spying eyes of travelers? Vagamon boasts of excellent type of weather condition in an otherwise moist state. Moving green meadows, evergreen, mist, tea estates: Vagamon is a mini-Munnar without the commercialization.

Punarjani Traditional Village

Having been interested concerning standard art types. There was half an hr efficiency of Kathakali, based upon local misconceptions. The efficiency was followed by Kalleri Paiyettu- a martial art form done using swords, guards, as well as blades.

Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom

The Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom, is an unexplored tourist destinations in kerala. The location is mostly seen for outing objective by the locals. One can just sit on the shores for hrs among nature, and also take pleasure in fishing or boating here. The environment-friendly, algae-filled waters of Vembanad come to life throughout the celebration of Onam.

Vazhachal Waterfalls

This Vazhachal waterfall is very near to Athirappily waterfalls and Athirappily one of the most preferred waterfalls in Kerala. Vazhachal is just a 5 kilometers drive from the later. Both these falls gets on Chalakkudy River moving over Thrissur area, Kerala.

ROMANTIC KASHMIR

 

Srinagar: The Jewel of Kashmir

Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, is situated on the banks of the Jhelum river. It is known for its scenic beauty, tranquil lakes, and Mughal gardens. The best time to visit Srinagar is between April to June and between September to November. Some of the must-visit tourist attractions in Kashmir in Srinagar are Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, and Hazratbal Shrine. The famous cuisine of Srinagar is Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, and Kashmiri Pulao.

Pahalgam: A Scenic Wonderland

Pahalgam is located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is known for its beautiful valleys, snow-capped mountains, and enchanting meadows. The best time to visit Pahalgam is between March to November. Some of the must-visit tourist attractions in Kashmir in Pahalgam are Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, and Lidder River. The famous cuisine of Pahalgam is Dum Aloo, Nadru Yakhni, and Kahwa. The best month to visit Kashmir for snowfall is typically December to February

Sonmarg: The Meadow of Gold

Sonmarg located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, is known for its captivating glaciers, alpine meadows, and snow-covered mountains. No wonder it is among the best places to visit in Kashmir. The best time to visit Sonmarg is between May to September. Some of the must-visit places in Sonmarg are Thajiwas Glacier, Gangabal Lake, and Zojila Pass. The famous cuisine of Sonmarg is Gushtaba, Tabakh Maaz, and Sheer Chai.

Sanasar: The Hidden Treasure of Kashmir

Sanasar, located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, is a hidden gem known for its picturesque landscapes, adventure sports, and cultural heritage. The best time to visit Sanasar is between March to October. Some of the must-visit places in Sanasar are Nag Temple, Shank Pal Temple, and Dharamshala. The famous cuisine of Sanasar is Rajma Chawal, Aloo Gobi, and Chana Masala.

Yusmarg: A Quaint and Peaceful Town

Yusmarg, located in the Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, is known for its picturesque meadows, snow-capped mountains, and adventure activities. The best time to visit Yusmarg is between March to November, when you can freely enjoy the tourist attractions in Kashmir in its best weather. Some of the must-visit places in Yusmarg are Nilnag Lake, Doodh Ganga, and Tatta Kutti. The famous cuisine of Yusmarg is Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, and Kashmiri Pulao.

EXPLORE YERCAUD

 

Yercaud Lake

Yercaud lake is just 5 kilometres away from the Shevaroy Hills and is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in the hillstation. It provides stunning, panoramic views of the hills and lush green lawns and it also offers a wide range of activities, including boating. The eateries on the sides of the lake, offers some ethnic, real taste of Tamil Nadu.

Deer Park

The Deer park near the lake is a must visit place when you are in Yercaud especially if you are travelling with children. There are many activities like basketball, baseball, cricket, football and other exciting games for children here. The park which closes at 5 pm, is ideal for photography enthusiasts, nature and animal lovers.

Anna Park

Anna Park is located adjacent to the Yercaud Lake, which features a wide collection of natural plants and species that are found in the Eastern Ghats. The park offers a separate play area for children and is also the place where the Summer Festival is conducted every year during the month of May.

Yercaud lake is just 5 kilometres away from the Shevaroy Hills and is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in the hillstation. It provides stunning, panoramic views of the hills and lush green lawns and it also offers a wide range of activities, including boating. The eateries on the sides of the lake, offers some ethnic, real taste of Tamil Nadu.

Deer Park

The Deer park near the lake is a must visit place when you are in Yercaud especially if you are travelling with children. There are many activities like basketball, baseball, cricket, football and other exciting games for children here. The park which closes at 5 pm, is ideal for photography enthusiasts, nature and animal lovers.

Anna Park

Anna Park is located adjacent to the Yercaud Lake, which features a wide collection of natural plants and species that are found in the Eastern Ghats. The park offers a separate play area for children and is also the place where the Summer Festival is conducted every year during the month of May.

Botanical Garden/Orchidarium

Orchidarium features varieties of exotic and rare orchids and showcases around 250 different species of orchids; some of which has been declared as endangered by the Indian Horticulture Department. The spectacular ‘Insect Eating Pitcher’ plants and the ‘Neelakurinji’ plant those blooms once in twelve years are the pride of this orchid garden. Orchidarium also features several species of Rose, Sylvan and Bamboo plants.

Rose Garden

The Rose garden in Yercaud features different varieties of roses. The garden, maintained by Department of Horticulture, is a must-visit place in Yercaud. The roses on display are also available for sale.

Silk Farm

The Seri-Tourism center “Silk World” at the Silk farm in Yercaud offers all activities of Sericulture viz., Mulberry Cultivation, Silkworm Rearing, Silk Reeling, Silk Twisting and Silk Weaving. The silk farm depicts the history of silk producing in India with procuring the skills from the mainland of China.

Lady’s Seat

The Lady’s Seat is towards the west side of Yercaud and it offers panoramic views.  Lady’s seat is a rock that was formed in the shape of seat, which provides incredible views of the surrounding areas. Lady’s Seat overlooks the serpentine ghat road and provides a breath taking view. The watchtower here offers panoramic view of the plains below and Mettur Dam on the Cauvery river, through the Telescope mounted at the watch tower.

Gent’s Seat and Children’s Seat

Gent’s Seat is a popular place to watch the sunset, offering views of the verdant valley whereas the Children’s Seat offers great views from the peek. It is a good place to spend time with family and friends. The place is very safe for children and is one of the best seats here.

Pagoda Point

Pagoda Point offers panoramic view of Salem. The local tribes had built an arrangement of rocks in four Piles that look like a pyramid. This made the place to be also called as Pyramid Point.

BEAUTY OF KODAIKANAL

 

  

 The Princesof Hill Stations

Kodaikanal Tourism

Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is one of the most famous honeymoon destinations in India. A Lakeside resort town of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal has a beautiful climate, mist-covered manicured cliffs and waterfall that come together to create the ideal setting for a perfect getaway. Kodaikanal means 'the gift of the forests'.

Nestled amidst the rolling slopes of the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal stands at an altitude of 7200 feet above sea level, and once you visit this hill station, you will find that every bit of what you have imagined it to be is real. Kodaikanal is a place you can go to take a break from the rigours of daily city life, and this hill station lets you sit back and connect with nature as you head out on biking or trekking trails or take a stroll through the vast forests surrounding the town.