Mumbai to Shirdi – A Holy Weekend Getaway

Shirdi is a village north-east of Mumbai and has an extensive temple complex devoted to Shirdi Sai Baba. It is located by road on Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 kilometers from Ahmednagar, and 15 kilometers from Kopargaon. The place is around 296 km (around 6 hours drive) from Mumbai. Sai Baba's shrine has been incorporated as one of the holy places in the world's map of pilgrimage.

Places to Visit:

Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur and a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. He wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, according to the legends, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the temple became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba. The Samadhi of Baba is built with white marble stones. The railings around it are full of ornamental decorations. The idol of Baba is a marvelous statue made up of Italian marble built by Late Balaji Vasant in 1954. The temple has an assembly hall for about 600 devotees. The assembly hall also houses a showcase having various items used by the sage. The first floor of the temple has the pictures depicting the life of the saint.

The temple opens on 5 AM with morning prayers and close down at 10 PM with night prayers. Situated on the right side of the entrance of the Samadhi Mandir is Dwarkamai, a mosque. This was the place where the sage stayed until the end of his life. Main attraction of the site is the oil paintings of the sage.

The place from where Sai Baba first came to Shirdi in the form of a Bal Yogi (child ascetic) is known as Gurusthan. A temple has been constructed on this site. There is also a small shrine in Gurusthan.

At a short distance lies Baba's Chavadi. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him.

There is a cottage of Abdul Baba, an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, in front of the Chavadi. Photos and various items that were handled by Sai Baba and Abdul Baba are there in the cottage. There is a Maruti Mandir located at some distance from the cottage of Abdul Baba. This mandir was visited by Baba for the sat-sang with Devidas, a Bal yogi, who lived at the Mandir ten to twelve years before Baba arrived.

There are also temples of village deities named Shani, Ganapati, and Shankar that are worth visiting. At some distance from Gurusthan, there is the Lendi Baug. This garden was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a nullah (a drain), which used to flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under the neem tree and kept a deep (a lighting object) lit in that pit. An octagonal deepgriha (lighthouse) called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the deepgriha is a pipal tree and on the other side is a neem tree. Other sites to visit are Datta Mandir and Khandoba Mandir.

Fairs and Festivals:

The most important festivals and events that are celebrated in Shirdi are Guru Poornima, Dussehra, and Ram Navami. These are the only days when the Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi opens for the whole night. Every Thursday, a palakhi bearing a photograph of the sage is taken out from the temple.

Mumbai to Shirdi by Bus:

You could take a Cab; hire a private taxi or drive. (If you are an international tourist you may want to check the requirements for Driver's license and road regulations with the Maharashtra State Road Transport department.). You could take a Maharashtra State Transport Bus. You could take a Bus operated by Private operators. For Fares, Schedules and other details contact your local travel agent, the Government of India Tourism Office, the Maharashtra State Tourism Board Office or the Maharashtra State Transport booking office.

Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus tickets booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.bus from goa to mumbai
bus from haridwar to delhi
bus from hyderabad to bangalore

Hogenakkal Waterfalls - Niagara of India

Hogenakkal Waterfalls often referred to as "Cauvery" or "Kavery" or "Kaveri" by locals and the people of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in Tamilnadu, India where it is situated. Hogenakkal is also described as the 'Niagara' of India, offer an exciting holiday destination for Indians and foreigners alike. Hogenakkal is located about 750 feet above sea level amidst the Melagiri Hills. The route to Hogenakkal Falls is scenic, with lush mulberry fields and giant terracotta guardian deities (Aiyanars), as you approach Hogenakkal, the roar of the Cauvery river and the abundance of vegetation in the area is sure to catch your attention. Hogenakkal is a beautiful place with picturesque scenes.

Location:

Hogenakkal is located on the Karnataka – Tamil Nadu border. It lies at the distance of 114 km from Salem and 133 km from Bangalore. Hogenakkal waterfalls are the part of river Kaveri and are about 250 meters above the sea level. It is one of the beautiful places in the state. When the water hits the rocks a fine cool spray rises, that is the reason these rocks have been given the name 'Smoking Rock'. The best time to visit the Hogenakkal waterfall is between mid July to mid August when the water is at its peak. During this season water level rises from 20- 30 feet more. Hogenakkal falls are not the single waterfall but the series of waterfalls.

Significance of its water:

Taking a bath in the waterfalls of Hogenakkal is considered as extremely beneficial for the health. It is so because of the widely grown herbal plants in the nearby areas. The place is widely known for the curative power of its water.

Oil Massage:

This is the place where you can take bath along with the rejuvenating oil massage. You may find lots of people there to do massage for the visitors. The massager's or the maliswallas are expert in their work with the right knowledge of 14 massage points in the human body. Some of the major benefits of this oil massage include - It increases circulation especially to the nerve endings, tones your muscles, increased mental alertness, smoothen the skin, improves elimination of impurities from the body and gives you better and deeper sleep at night.



Boating:

A visit to the Hogenakkal waterfalls is incomplete without taking a ride in the waterproof basket boats covered in buffalo hide or plastic stretched over light-weight wicker frames. These boats are locally known as Teppa. These are among the oldest water crafts in the world. The boats man steer the boats through the rapids of rising water giving you the thrilling experience. You can also engage on photography of the beautiful surrounding areas while taking the boat ride. Enjoy the full flow of the water and the fantastic view of the waterfalls from the boat.



Trekking and Swimming:

Hogenakkal is also the good place to try out your swimming skills. The water is quite challenging. Tourists can also go for trekking on the nearby surrounding hills. The treks are usually simple. Hogenakkal waterfall is the popular site among the film makers. There are many films songs shooted at this destination. For example a song 'Dil Hai Chootasa. .’ from the film Roza was shot here.



Food and Clothing:

The regular meals are available here, but you have to give the order in advance. The most favorite among the tourists is the fried and spicy fishes. Tourists are recommended to wear comfortable and loose clothes while visiting the place. Also carry along with yourself the mosquito repellent and dry snacks.



Tourists Attraction:

The foremost attraction of the Hogenakkal falls is its vertical drop from the height of 20 meters with the thundering sounds. The area supports the rich floral system. The whole area covered with the tall trees and thorny vegetation looks a paradise. You can simply spend time at leisure enjoying the natural beauty or you can also indulge in the nature walk to the nearby areas. You can also hire the guide to give you the better insight of the area.

Bus Booking from Bangalore to Hogenakkal:

Hogenakkal is well connected to all major cities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Deluxe bus services are available from Bangalore to Hogenakkal (133 km) and Salem to Hogenakkal (114 km). Bus charge is about Rs 3 per kilometer.

Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

Backwater tour in Kerala

Kerala is gifted with lovely beaches, hill stations, stunning backwaters, mind-blowing greenery, wildlife, bird sanctuaries and rich culture. Kerala Backwaters are the most popular tourist attraction in India. From elephants to colorful butterflies, Kerala is overflowing with the wonders of nature. Throughout the world, Kerala beaches are renowned for their breathtaking beauty.

God's own country has become a popular tourist destination for both domestic and foreign travellers. This travel portal is dedicated to the beauty of Kerala providing all the information you need to make your trip to Kerala a memorable one. Here you can contact travel agents offering Kerala travel packages customized to one's needs.

Backwaters of Kerala:

Kerala's backwaters are the most popular tourist attraction of Kerala. Backwaters are formed by the accumulation of sea water at the beach. As the waves moved to and fro, they made their way tearing the ground and forming backwaters. The backwaters are essentially inland lakes connected by a network of canals. The best way to enjoy the Kerala backwaters is to take a cruise on a Kettuvallam or the house-boat. The major backwaters in Kerala are -

Kollam Backwaters:

Kollam is virtually the gateway to the fascinating backwater life of Kerala. The regular ferry from Kollam to Alappuzha, a neat nine hours boat ride through the Ashtamudi Lake is one of the most intensive backwater experiences. Romancing the backwaters will be a pearl that you can treasure in the golden casket of your memories.

Alappuzha Backwaters:

Alappuzha Backwaters have a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it.

Kumarakom Backwaters:

Renowned world over for the healing powers of its scenic beauty on the senses, leisurely life at Kumarakom Backwaters will revitalize you for the hectic life outside. Kumarakom Backwaters is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves along with waterways and canals filled with white lilies.

Kozhikode Backwaters:

In north Kerala, the cool backwaters of Kozhikode lay waiting to be explored. This old commercial town attracts travelers for its history, wonderful backwaters and leisure sports.

Trivandrum Backwaters:

Thiruvallam backwaters are popular for its canoe rides. Secluded beaches and the ancient historic monuments are the special attractions of Trivandrum Backwaters.

Backwater Trip by Bus:

Inter-state private and government buses operate between neighboring states. Usually the journey is performed in the night so that you can escape the heat of the day. The most common inter-state bus is Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC-Karnataka) with daily bus from most of Major cities of Kerala to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. Tamil Nadu State Bus like SETC also operates regularly from Kerala. Kerala's State bus- KRSTC-Kerala does have regular Ordinary bus to most of nearby places in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. KRSTC-Kerala also operates a few Volvo AC bus to Bangalore and Coimbatore.

However Private bus players to operate more buses than Govt options. Most of them are well maintained. Kallada, Shama, KPN are the major Bus players, though recently Raj National and few others have entered with Pan India operations. Kallada, KPN, Shama etc have regular buses to Bangalore, Chennai and many other places in Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka on various times

It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on "Air Conditioned Volvo buses" operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly. Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online online in advance. Online bus booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

A Guide to Adventure Tourism in India

There is incredible prospect of adventure tourist places in India, due to diverse topography, seasons and climate. On land and water, under water and in the air, tourists can pick out from various option of adventure in our country.  India is the land with a wide immense range of adventure sports, activities and holidays, during summer, winter; autumn seasons. The Southern, Eastern, and Western especially in North India. Trekking and Skiing adventure sports in the Himalayas, white river rafting rapids of snow fed rivers are breath taking attraction in Himalayas and Uttaranchal, jeep safari, bird watching, wild camp, wildlife safari and jungle trail on Rajasthan region and North India, Paragliding, hand gliding, hot air ballooning trekking in Himachal region, Amazing wind surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling in crystal waters of Lakshadweep Islands’ lagoons and  Andaman Nicobar, water sports in Goa, wildlife and backwaters adventure in South India, these are just some of wonderful options for adventure seekers in various parts with options of different season in each sector.  Especially there is constant challenge of mighty Himalayas for mountaineers and trekking lovers.  Coniferous jungle, forests, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks are most potential places for wildlife lovers and trekkers.  India is the ultimate destination and absolute paradise for wildlife and adventure lovers.

• Mountaineering: There is nothing more challenging any place in the world like great Himalayas. They stand aloft, stirring the adventure spirit, challenging to conquer the challenging mountains. For an adventure lover who wants to scale the high mountains, then mountaineering in India, is ideal for exotic experience. However, winter treks in Himalayas combined with skiing can be a most exotic and thrilling experience. The Himalayan Mountains are the most sought after place for mountaineers. Kanchenjunga and Nanda Devi are the two highest peaks, which offer very thrilling environment for mountaineers from all over the world. Some of the amazing challenges for the intrepid climbers are located in Tehri Garhwal, Himalayas, Zanskar region in Kashmir, Kulu & Lahaul in Himachal. Also there are lots of options of mountaineering in North Eastern India and other places.
• Camel Safaris: Rajasthan is the most ideal place for Camel Safari; enjoy the adventure of a Camel Safari, which awaits you in the golden sands of the enormous Thar Desert - primeval, savage and lonely. Ride through sandy landscape in the desert, passing through isolated villages, meeting with them close look and interaction about their traditions and livings. Enjoy camping on the solitary oasis, experience local people under starry nights and dance to musicians playing ancient haunting, stringed music instruments with folk dances in camp fire. The rolling sandy landscape of the unrelieved Thar desert and xerophytes shrub covered area is breathtakingly and the variety of flora and fauna amazingly large for a desert region Share and experience a very unique and memorable performance of local people. The camps are set in deep sand dunes with all basic amenities for tourists, also very rich and traditional Rajasthani cuisine and the picturesque hamlets with friendly folks in Thar Desert, which is fastest growing adventure landscape in Asia and all over the world.
• Trekking: The unexplored mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, enchanting trekking routes. In the vast amphitheatre of Himalayas and Karakorams, there are endless possibilities for trekking mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting, within this fascinating arena, the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, there are variety of trekking places. Where enthusiast trekkers can explore the rugged beauty of the lofty mountains peaks romancing the shimmering waterfalls, cascading down in joviality like a merry village belle. Experience the thrill of sheer adventure by our trekking tours in India amidst the world’s most beautiful places. The Garhwal and Kumaon mountain regions of Uttaranchal are the very famous destinations for trekking, though Manali and Chamba in Himachal, and Ladakh and Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir region, other trekking places are Kullu and Kangra valleys, Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal and in North Uttar Pradesh, North part of Rishikesh. Yuksam in Sikkim, and Leh in Ladakh. Darjeeling in West Bengal, The major challenge for the mountaineers is in the Garhwal region in Himalayas. Among the high altitude regions of Himalayas, where wonderful dreams of trekking turn into reality.
• Rock Climbing: Rock climbing, one of the popular adventure sports in India, is a relatively new sport. However, in a short span of time, it has become the most popular adventure sport. Because of the good availability of adequate climbing rocks throughout India, coupled the element of excitement involved, rock climbing has become the adventure sport to participate in for the young and the old alike. Experience the adventure running in your veins as you climb up the rocks. The ideal climbing faces are obtainable at the Aravali hills in Dumdama, Dhauj, and Nuh- all in nearby proximity of Delhi. In Himachal region, the Manali Valley, Manikaran and the Rohtang Pass offer excellent climbing opportunities for the armature and professional adventurer. In South India Karnataka also offers exciting rock-climbing activities at the Chamundi Hills. Sariska and Mount Abu in Rajasthan all offer variety of rock faces and excellent grounds for better and quality climbing. The high altitude climber will enjoy the rocks at Sonmarg in Jammu & Kashmir and Gangotri in the Garwal district of Uttar Pradesh North India.

Travel Planning:

Bus form Chennai to Bangalore

As India is a large geographic country and adventure spots are spread throughout its’ boundary, it is very difficult to plan a trip where you can visit all place at one go. So choose the favorite tour and place which is nearby from your city and plan your travel accordingly. You can check flights, train or bus based on your travel budget. Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For
Bus form mumbai to pune
online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

A Trip to Munnar

Munnar is a typical hill station, and was the summer resort of the British. Tourists come here to see the vast tea plantations of the area. The town itself is typically Indian with the usual shops, guest houses and is really beautiful and traditional. It is a good place to stay to see the surrounding countryside. It is also a popular place for Indian honeymooners. Munnar is 1,600 m (5,400 ft) above sea level. It is pronounced "Moon-aar" short for "moonu aar" meaning 3 rivers. Three rivers - Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru which flow through this town, but join some distance away from Munnar. Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, many of them started by the British. The "Kannan Devan" brand of Tea from the Tata is cultivated and processed here.

Places to Visit:

Atukkad Waterfalls, A scenic waterfalls amidst hills and jungles. You can find a road leading to Atukkad Waterfalls on Kochi road (just about 5 km from Munnar). This road is very narrow and needs a lot of experience to drive on.

Chithirapuram is located at a distance of around 10 km from Munnar. Chithirapuram has old playgrounds and courts, bungalows and sleepy little cottages which all give this place an old world charm. This town is also famous for its tea plantations in the world.

Blossom Park, (1 km from Munnar).

Photo Point, (2 km from Munnar). It is a small place filled with woods and a small stream. Good location to take photos.

Mattupetti Dam, (10 km from Munnar), this popular picnic spot activities like boating and horse riding and is a great place to spend the day e specially if visiting with children. You could take the speed boat ride which is fantastic. It costs Rs 300 if you have to hire a boat for you alone. The ride is for 15 min. The maximum capacity is 5 persons and you could save some money if you are a group of 4-5.

Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm, Better known as Mattupetti (cattle village), Tamil migrant laborers had once upon a time reared cattle here. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this highly specialized dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared. Tourists are not allowed to enter the farm.

Echo Point, (15 km from Munnar), on the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.

Elephant Arrival Spot, (18 km from Munnar), here you can board an elephant for a ride. It costs approximately Rs 350 per person.

Travel by Bus:

Munnar bus station is located on the main street, Main Bazaar. Kochi - takes about 4 1/2 hr. Buses leave Kochi between 6AM-1PM. Aluva - Nearest bus station to the Cochin International Airport. Around 4 hr to Munnar. Ticket cost is around Rs 100-180 depending on the type of bus.

There are also buses from Bangalore, Coimbatore and Pollachi. Bus booking Bus form delhi to agra

Bus form Chennai to Bangalore is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

Backwater tour in Kerala

Kerala is gifted with lovely beaches, hill stations, stunning backwaters, mind-blowing greenery, wildlife, bird sanctuaries and rich culture. Kerala Backwaters are the most popular tourist attraction in India. From elephants to colorful butterflies, Kerala is overflowing with the wonders of nature. Throughout the world, Kerala beaches are renowned for their breathtaking beauty.
God's own country has become a popular tourist destination for both domestic and foreign travellers. This travel portal is dedicated to the beauty of Kerala providing all the information you need to make your trip to Kerala a memorable one. Here you can contact travel agents offering Kerala travel packages customized to one's needs.
Backwaters of Kerala:
Kerala's backwaters are the most popular tourist attraction of Kerala. Backwaters are formed by the accumulation of sea water at the beach. As the waves moved to and fro, they made their way tearing the ground and forming backwaters. The backwaters are essentially inland lakes connected by a network of canals. The best way to enjoy the Kerala backwaters is to take a cruise on a Kettuvallam or the house-boat. The major backwaters in Kerala are -
Kollam Backwaters:
Kollam is virtually the gateway to the fascinating backwater life of Kerala. The regular ferry from Kollam to Alappuzha, a neat nine hours boat ride through the Ashtamudi Lake is one of the most intensive backwater experiences. Romancing the backwaters will be a pearl that you can treasure in the golden casket of your memories.
Alappuzha Backwaters:
Alappuzha Backwaters have a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it.
Kumarakom Backwaters:
Renowned world over for the healing powers of its scenic beauty on the senses, leisurely life at Kumarakom Backwaters will revitalize you for the hectic life outside. Kumarakom Backwaters is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves along with waterways and canals filled with white lilies.
Kozhikode Backwaters:
In north Kerala, the cool backwaters of Kozhikode lay waiting to be explored. This old commercial town attracts travelers for its history, wonderful backwaters and leisure sports.
Trivandrum Backwaters:
Thiruvallam backwaters are popular for its canoe rides. Secluded beaches and the ancient historic monuments are the special attractions of Trivandrum Backwaters.
Backwater Trip by Bus:
Inter-state private and government buses operate between neighboring states. Usually the journey is performed in the night so that you can escape the heat of the day. The most common inter-state bus is Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC-Karnataka) with daily bus from most of Major cities of Kerala to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. Tamil Nadu State Bus like SETC also operates regularly from Kerala. Kerala's State bus- KRSTC-Kerala does have regular Ordinary bus to most of nearby places in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. KRSTC-Kerala also operates a few Volvo AC bus to Bangalore and Coimbatore.
However Private bus players to operate more buses than Govt options. Most of them are well maintained. Kallada, Shama, KPN are the major Bus players, though recently Raj National and few others have entered with Pan India operations. Kallada, KPN, Shama etc have regular buses to Bangalore, Chennai and many other places in Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka on various times
It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on "Air Conditioned Volvo buses" operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly. Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online online in advance. Online bus booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

Kerala- God’s Own Country

Kerala located on the Malabar Coast of south-west India was created on 1st November 1956 by the States Reorganization Act. Kerala is known for its sun-kissed beaches and the misty hill stations.
The state is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the south and southeast, Arabian Sea towards the west and Western Ghats on the East. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city. Kochi and Kozhikode are other major cities.
Kerala flaunts the timeless beauty of the palm fringed beaches of Kovalam and Varkala, the undulating hills of Munnar and Vagamon, the serenity of the pristine backwaters of Kumarakom and Kuttanad and the enchanting woods and forests of Thekkady and Silent Valley imparts a mind blowing experience. Kerala is renowned as God’s own country as God has generously bestowed this land with the bounties of nature.
History: Kerala has a history which goes back more than several millennia. Stone Age carving in Edakkal Caves had pictorial writings believed to be dating to at least 5000 BC, from the Neolithic man, indicating the presence of a prehistoric civilization or settlement in this region. Kerala had established itself as a major spice trade center from as early as 3000 BC.
3rd Century BC- Emperor Asoka the Great rock inscription attests to a Keralaputra.
Around 1 BC- Kerala was ruled by Chera Dynasty, which traded with the Greeks, Romans and Arabs.
14th century- The Tamil Chera dynasty, Ays and the Pandyan Empire were the traditional rulers of Kerala whose patriarchal dynasties ruled
8th century- Adi Shankara was born in central Kerala, who travelled extensively across the Indian subcontinent, establishing institutions of Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
1795- Kerala was under British dominion.
1956- Post independence, the state of Kerala was created from the former state of Travancore-Cochin, the Malabar district of Madras State, and the Kasaragod taluk of Dakshina Kannada.
1957- Kerala is the first place in the world to have a democratically elected Communist Party
 
Culture: Kerala’s culture is a mixture of Tamil-heritage region known as Tamilakam and southern coastal Karnataka. Koodiyattom is the native performing arts which includes a 2000-year-old Sanskrit theatre tradition and is officially recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Kathakali, Kaliyattam, Koothu, Mohiniaattam, Theyyam, Thullal NS Padayani. Kathakali and Mohiniattam are widely recognized Indian Classical Dance traditions from Kerala.
Elephant being the state animal of Kerala is featured on the emblem of the Government of Kerala. Malayalam is the language spoken in Kerala. Vishu and Onam being the New Year and harvest festival respectively are celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Topography and Weather:
Kerala is sandwiched between the Lakshadweep Sea and the Western Ghats. Geographically, Kerala is divided into three climatically distinct regions: the eastern highlands (rugged and cool mountainous terrain), the central midlands (rolling hills), and the western lowlands (coastal plains). Kerala has 44 rivers and among them the Periyar, Bharathapuzha, Pamba, Chaliyar, Kadalundipuzha River, Valapattanam and the Achankovil are the most important ones.
Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon. In eastern Kerala, a drier tropical wet and dry climate prevails. The winter season sets in during the month of December and continues till end of February. During this season comparatively there is less rainfall especially in the northern parts of the state. Summer starts in February and continues till May. Temperature is very high during this period with occasional showers with lightning. The South West Monsoon begins either in the end of May or in the beginning of June and fades out by September. The North East Monsoon commences in October, dry weather setting in by the end of December. The Kanjirappalli-Peerumedu range and Kuttiyadi area experience the abundance of North East Monsoon.
Places to Visit:
Towns and Cities:

• Thiruvananthapuram
• Munnar
• Thekkady
• Thrissur
• Kasargod
• Kochi
• Alleppey
• Kollam
• Palakkad
• Malappuram
• Kozhikode
• Wayanad
• Kottayam
• Kannur

Beaches:

• Alappuzha Beach
• Fort Kochi Beach
• Kovalam Beach
• Varkala Beach
• Kappad Beach
• Beypore Beach

Backwaters and Wildlife:

• Alleppey Backwaters
• Kollam Backwaters
• Kottayam Backwaters
• Periyar Tiger Reserve
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
• Idukki National Park
• Wayanad Wildlife Reserve
• Silent Valley National Park
• Pilgrims:
• Sabarimala
• Jewish Synagogue
• Pathanamthitta
• Guruvayur Temple

How to Reach:
Air: Kerala is the only state in India having three International Airports that are located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode. A fourth international airport is proposed at Kannur. The Trivandrum International Airport is the first International airport in a non-metro city in India.
Bus: Kerala has a well connected bus network and is widely used for commutation. Most of Kerala’s west coast is accessible through two national highways, NH 47, and NH 17 and eastern side is accessible through various State Highways. There is also a Hill Highway proposed, to make easy access to eastern hills.
Rail: The Indian Railways Southern Railway line runs throughout Kerala which connects all major towns and cities except those in the highland districts of Idukki and Wayanad. Railway networks are controlled by three divisions of Southern Railway, namely Trivandrum Railway Division, Palakkad Railway Division and Madurai Railway Division.

To visit these places Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus booking Trivandrum to Chennaiis an easy process which can save your time and price.