God’s own Country

Munaar

Munnar is a small town in the Idukki district along the Western Ghats. In Tamil, Munnar means three rivers. There are many other villages and towns around the area, people residing here are mostly Tamilians and Malayalees. With an elevation of 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) above sea level, Munnar is located at the Western Ghats and is one of the finest hill stations in Kerala. If you are interested in flora and fauna, Munnar will offer a plenty of exciting species to look for. Munnar is rich with exotic flora and fauna because of its climate. The Neelakkurinji flowers are most famous among them as they bloom once every 12 years. The whole valley turns violet ,and offer tourists to witness this nature’s one of most elegant gifts

This hill station is famous for trekking and the favorite trekking spot is the Aanamudi, which is the highest peak in the Western Ghats. The Munnar hill station was once a summer resort for British Officials at the era of pre-Independence. They played an important role in developing the tea-estates there.

Interesting Facts:

  • Munnar Echo Point is a scenic location which is lapped amidst the picturesque mountains of Munnar.  Listen to your own voices hitting the ravines and coming back to you, it is a magical experience and the beautiful clean lake formed just beside the hillock, makes the place even more splendid.Located close to the Top Station is another must-see spot, the Echo Point, known for its natural resonance. The echoes are not all that this point is popular for, the beautiful river flowing through the green grassy valley with tea and coffee plantations makes it a perfect spot for nature lovers. This is an amazing spot for photography.
  • Munnar is considered as the hill station which was once the summer resort for the British Government Elites.
  • Munnar has the highest peak of the Southern part of India called Anamudi Peak, which makes for an ideal spot for trekking. So, if you are a trekking enthusiastic, put your shoes on and trek away!
  • Munnar, today is the commercial centre for some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates.

Munnar has a wide range of adventurous sports to offer including rock-climbing, paragliding, trekking, cycling is just to name a few. Because of the natural beauty of the hills, these activities become more enjoyable.

Munnar is famous for the wild Neelakurinji orchids, which bloom once in twelve years when the entire valley turns violet.

You must not miss the Top Station. This is the highest point in Munnar, offers gleaming views of the hills, rivers and valleys surrounding the Western Ghats.

Munnar is a food haven for food lovers! All dishes here are cooked in coconut oil and garnished with crushed coconut.From puttu and kadala curry to appams with stew, Munnar offers a variety of food.

  • Best time to visit Munaar
  • Munnar enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year. It is a perfect place to visit between April and mid-June for a summer vacation and October and February for winter holiday. In the monsoon season, due to rains, Munnar’s landscape comes to life.

How to reach Munaar:

  • Via Air:

The closest air terminal is Cochin International Airport, which is around 125 km far from Munnar.Once you arrive at Cochin airport, you can hire a cab to Munnar.

  • Via Train:

The closest railway station from Munnar is situated in Kochi or Ernakulam. You can book a train from any part of the country to this railway station in Kerala. There is also Aluva Railway Station which is closer to Munnar. Once you reach either of this station, book a cab and journey by road to the beautiful hill station of Munnar.

  • By Road:

The final journey to Munnar can only be completed by road. State-run or private transports, handling from different towns in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, are the most ideal approach to get to Munnar by street.

Picturesque landscape, refreshing lush green tea plantations, wonderful climate with a Misty clouds , rich abundant flora and fauna. If you are looking for a peaceful and rejuvenating holiday in the hills, then book yourself a hotel in munnar right away! Munnar is the ultimate destination for the most relaxing time ever. There are plenty of interesting activities to do and absorb the beauty of the lush green scenery everywhere with a steaming hot cup of freshly brewed tea! We bet the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word Munnar is the tea estates, sprawling across the town .

We went to Munaar from by Car. The distance from Bangalore to Munaar is around 480 kms . There is a good connectivity of roads.

It will take around 10 hours to reach Munnar if one begins early in the morning ,We started our journey at 3 am to avoid the traffic . The journey will go via

Bangalore → Hosur → Krishnagiri → Salem → Avinashi → Udumalpet → Marayoor → Munnar

We packed a lot of food and water to avoid unnecessary breaks ,as the journey is long ,Roads are in a very good condition and once you enter the chinnar wildlife , the adventure begins. Breathtaking views narrow roads and the steep mountains is how I can describe the distance from Chinnar wildlife to Munaar .

It is definitely a place of tranquility and peace. You will find neverending tea plantations, pristine valleys, hill ranges, forests, waterfalls, rare flora, and fauna. I had an incredibly wonderful time in Munnar not just because of its breathtaking landscape but because people are so nice in the region.

.’Road trips are always fun. You can play your favourite music and enjoy the magnificent views outside your window. Take short stops to admire scenic spots and taste the local cuisine. The overall experience can be refreshing and lift your spirits.The route goes through the thrilling Chinar wildlife sanctuary with narrow and steep roads ,one can enjoy the nature at its fullest .Once you cross the wildlife Sanctuary you will be surprised to see the tranquillity of Munaar,truly a ‘God’s own Country

Thankyou

Venice of the East

Allepy(Alappuzha)

Alleppey is the heaven for the nature lovers who want to soak in the greenery and amazing beauty of backwaters.Alappuzha, famous for its boat races, beaches, marine products and coir industry, is a world renowned backwater tourist destination of India.  Alappuzha backwaters and Alappuzha beach are the must-see tourist attractions in the district. Also well-known as the ‘Venice of the East‘.The never-ending panorama of lush green paddy fields, towering coconut trees, shimmering water, and long canals around Alappuzha make it a delightful destination.

Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea . It is the administrative headquarters of the Alappuzha district and the 6th largest city in Kerala. Along with Kumarakom, Alappuzha is among the most famous destination of Kerala Backwaters. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters is a delightful experience.It is a magnificent destination in Kerala with a mix of Backwaters and Beach.The backwaters in the past were used for business as a mode of transportation, fishing, and agriculture and with the passage of time emerged as a tourism hotspot.

The backwaters are so popular that they are listed among ’10 paradises on the world’ by National Geographic Traveler magazine.Among all the places which have backwaters, Alleppey and Kumarakom are the most preferred choice for backwaters experience. The beaches look their best early November through to March as well, so look out for some spectacular sunsets.
Sultry summers set in by April to the end of May with fairly high outdoor temperatures.
Monsoons arrive by the first week of June right through to the end of August. Cool temperatures with overcast skies and green all around make this a visit like none other.

Allepy Backwaters

Few Interesting facts:

Kathakali folk dance
Boat racing
  • Cruising the Alleppey backwaters is one of the most popular ways to explore Kerala, a southern state in India.
  • Another definitive feature of Alappuzha tourism is the classic dance form of Kathakali, a collaboration of dance, drama, story-telling and painting all with the make-up and animated movements.
  • Alappuzha is also the hub of Coir manufacturing which is made of the coconut husk.
  • Fish and rice are the staple food of the whole state. Alleppey fish curry, Crispy Banana Chips are few more.
  • Boat races held in these backwaters are world renowned . Tourists from around the world come to Alleppey to view this majestic view.
Allepy Backwaters
Coir Handicrafts

Visiting Allepy was one of the most astonishing experience I have ever had ,witnessing the splendid natural beauty of the Backwaters, surrounded by coconut trees and never-ending panorama of lush green paddy fields, shimmering water, and long canals around Alappuzha make it a delightful destination. It is a must visit place for all the travellers.It also offers you the most authentic mouth watering Malyali cuisine and you can bring along beautifully crafted Coir handicrafts.

Thankyou

Uttrakhand

Dehradun

IMA Dehradun

Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand and is the most preferred destination of the Indians. It is a beautiful valley that is popular for its adventure, spiritualism and the beautiful nature that the place is blessed with.

Beautiful view of the valley from the Hills of Mussoorie.

It was Founded by Sikh Guru Ram Rai ji, who came to Dehradun in 1676 and stayed in the  the religious camp established by him: a “dera”, or camp, in the”Doon ” valley  and the place got its name ‘ Dehradun ‘in which Dehra means Dera and Doon means Valley.

Doon School

Dehradun is the educational hub of India and is home to some of the very popular schools and colleges. Doon School, Welham Girls School, Rashtriya Indian Military College and the Forest Research Institute are some of the famous educational institutes prevalent in the region.

Talking about the weather, that Doon people  boast about, it can literally rain any moment. And you can see one side of the road wet with the shower and
the other one dry, You would never find it too hot here. Winters would be amazing, chilly winds, long drives, and all that calmness. The nights maybe chilly, but then winter mornings here are awesome, the sun would shine bright. One can easily layback in their verandah enjoy the food or the evening tea . In summers, well the temperature would never go above 30-35 deg.

Paonta Sahib ,situated in Himachal Pradesh is an hour drive from the City.

Mussorie and Dhanaulti Sahastradhara, buddha temple or rishikesh and haridwar, there are a lot of places to  explore which are just an hour’s drive from the city, like Paonta sahib (The birthplace of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji, the eldest son of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.)

It is all really close to the nature and very less commercialized.You can visit Shhastradhara, which is a great scenic spot, Tapkeshwar temple of Lord Shiva, Santaula devi temple

Forest Research Institute

Some interesting facts:

  • Dehradun is the capital city of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located between the rivers Ganga and Yamuna. The city is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and known for its beautiful landscape.
  • The Guru of Kauravas and Pandavas and Dronacharya, has meditated and lived here for a long period, well it’s a belief.
  • Is the Litchi capital of India.The city and its surrounding areas offer just about the right climate for bumper Litchi crops. You may also find some pristine tea gardens across the Doon valley.
  • DOON SCHOOL which is rated among the best school in India, and is almost 75+years old.
  • Forest Research Institute,the premier institute in the field of forestry is located there and is also a place where you can spend a day with friends or family clicking beautiful memories.
  • IMA (Indian Military Academy) is the place where every year many Indian Army cadets come for their initial training of developing a career as Indian Army soldiers. They groom men really well.
  • Dehradun is known for special variety of Basmati rice and Lychees.Dehradun is covered with Lychee trees. 

Best place for primary & higher education in india…

1-Indian Military academy.

2-ONGC headquarter.

3-Survey Of india head quarter.

4-Indias famous Forest research Institute.

5-Wadia Himalayan bhuvigyan kendra.

6- University of Petrolium & Energy studies.

7-DRDO,Ordinance factory..

8-Beautiful Hill mussourie & ITBP training centre mussourie.

Writing all this makes me nostalgic! A lot to say about this city…. which cannot be explained in words…..As it is my Maternal home ,we used to visit Dehradun every year in our winter vacations and stayed for a whole lot of days ,use to enjoy the calmness of the City , the Bun samosa ,spicy Tibetan noodles,the lucious litchies and the delicacies prepared by my Grandma and how can I forget the special Rusks of Dehradun the Sunrise Rusks i can still feel the aroma of those freshly baked Rusks .Those were the good old days …

Thankyou