Featured Post

Daily Project திருக்குறள்

Dear Readers / Friends, http://DailyProjectThirukkural.blogspot.com/    By interpreting various meanings for every word in a Thirukkur...

Showing posts with label On Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label On Travel. Show all posts

July 01, 2013

You could have been for some more time with me. What is the urgency honey ?

During my childhood, shutter bug bit me. In May 1996, during our vacation at my Uncle’s home in Bombay, I shot couple of shots in an automatic camera. I remember, my neighbours, much elder to me, discussing about shots, depth, brightness etc. Learnt my first lesson in my family function in which I wasted almost a roll by taking 10-15 pictures which made no sense. And I started enjoyed taking photos and framing shots. I would hardly be there in couple of snaps in album. So I started making myself available in few more snaps in the album. Till second year in my college days, my family camera helped me. And later my friend Prasanna Devi graciously admitted me to use her digital camera. I am always thankful to her for that kind gesture.

In 2005, having landed up in a decent job, I looked to own a digital camera. However, a good digital camera with more megapixels and higher optical zoom was expensive. In July 2007, Prasanna travelled to USA for an onsite assignment. With a verve, I explored, specifically dpreview.com as suggested by my friend Balasubramani. Overwhelmed by brilliant visuals, I wanted to own a DSLR though I haven’t used it earlier. But, at that time, for me, it was expensive considering my salary was lesser than the camera itself. I negated that it is an one time investment and let it be a good one. I mailed Prasanna to buy me a DSLR camera. She was enthusiastic to buy me but found the price to be around USD 700 (approx INR 26000). She gauged that I have gone crazy and replied that she won’t buy me now a DSLR and suggested me to learn using point and shoot camera first and later own a DSLR once I gained more confidence. Finally, in October 2007, she happily got me a Canon Powershot S5 IS camera - my first possession. I felt proud to own it from my earnings and I would cherish it for my lifetime..

Camera was a staple in all my travel. Inspired by a colleague who writes short stories, I decided to have my own blog. In December 2007 (though I created this blog in April 2007 and scribbled something) I started posting. I was obsessed to post only photographs in this blog and let them talk. Only since July 2010, I started writing posts. After a long hunt for a right title, I titled my blog as FROZEN MOMENTS (after listening to a speech by veteran cinematographer Balu Mahendra). 

Canon S5 IS was more than a camera to me. It practised me to envision things differently, observe the shots in films more closely, look for details, and practise simplicity in shots. As I always believe, post-processing (photo-shopping) doesn’t help to bring the best out of a photographer, I say complete no to post-processing. And I hate pictures that were spoiled by layers of excessive post-processing. To me, raw photographs reflect the photographer’s credentials truly. Little bit of post-processing is okay. I was enthused in taking landscapes, architectural buildings, people and culture and started working on them. My Camera played a huge role during my maiden trip to New Delhi, Kullu & Manali, Taj Mahal in June 2008. Capturing those mighty Himalayas, architectural splendour of Taj Mahal, landscapes of Shimla in that trip wouldn’t have been possible without my Camera.

When I shifted to New Delhi in July 2008, I had more time to spend alone. And I had more time to experiment with my camera. My colleague Yusuf Rampurawala taught me to operate in manual mode. He taught me what is aperture, timing etc. From then on, I rarely used Auto Mode and started enjoying the challenge of shooting in manual mode to come up with some memorable photographs. I walked across Delhi to visit Humayun Tomb, Red Fort,  Raj Ghat, India Gate, Pragathi Maidan. I visited Mussoorie, Jaipur, Taj Mahal on a full moon night, Shimla and Fagu. There were many children in the PG colony (Possangipur, Janakpuri, New Delhi) where I stayed. Many kids earnestly popped up with smiling faces displaying half-tooth’s. In few instances, few men questioned me ‘who are you, why taking snaps ? any bomb ?’ (during the days after Mumbai Terror Attack in November 2008).

Holi festival is a perfect occasion to capture vivid colours, candid expressions and joy among people of all age groups. And I have a prized possession of a photograph that I took during Holi. I enjoyed capturing my travelogue in my blog and circulating the updates to my friends. Few of them persistently encouraged me. And Balasubramani perennially encouraged me and pushed me to improve my acumen and expand my horizon. Slowly, imbibing some wisdom that I gained my friends, I started enjoying myself in taking snaps.

Since I owned it, Canon S5 IS has been my great companion in many occasions such as Prasanna’s marriage, Prasanna’a in-law’s house, Madurai Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, Suresh Raja's Marriage, Vivek's Marriage, get-togethers, New Delhi-Agra-Shimla-Kullu-Manali-Manikaran, Jaipur, Mussoorie, Delhi (My Egyptian Lotus, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, Humayun Tomb, Connaught Place, India Gate, Shani Bazzar, Dance & Music Concerts, Amaltos Flowers, Rainy season), Agra (Taj Mahal, Fort, Fathepur, Sikri) Auli, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Yelagiri, South Korea (Seoul, Suwon, Seoraksan National Park), Shimla, Holi Festivals,  Diwali, Train journeys, Gokul’s Reception/Marriage, Xavier’s Reception/ Marriage, Kerala (Munnar, Alapuzzha, Athirappilly Falls, Valparai) etc. Anybody who have read this unending list would imagine the amount of travel I would have done as well as the kind of different terrains and climates my camera would have been subjected to  (It weathered from minus -20o  C to 47 o C). 

Canon S5 IS is one of my possessions which I handled with utmost care. Nevertheless, unfortunately, like many good things, my camera faced an end. Service centre chaps found the problem to be with the optical sensor. I wanted to keep this camera alive at least for minimal operations. But repairing it is expensive (much higher than current generation cameras). This loss is definitely a very sad loss to me. Many times I found solace by taking it with me out. Twice, I have just went with my camera in my travel bag on a lonely two day trip to Athirappilly Falls. I feel emotionally handicapped. I can say that it was my happiness and my sorrow (என் இன்பம் நீ என் துன்பம் நீ).  I would always cherish the company I had with my camera, many tender moments that I had and some memorable satisfactory snaps that I took with it.

இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் நேரம் இருந்தாக்க என்ன ?
என்ன அவசரம் என்ன அவசரம் ஏ பொன்னே ?
(You could have been for some more time with me.
What is the urgency honey ?)

Canon Powershot S5 IS- October 2007 – June 2013.

P.S: I give myself some more time for other things in my life before owning up a DSLR.

நிலையில் பிரியேல்.
Meaning: Never compromise on your principles 

June 17, 2013

ஆனந்த யாழை மீட்டுகிறாள் [She is playing the happy music]

At last, Nagamani, along with his family, visited our home at Pondicherry last weekend. And incidentally Sai Prithvi, as well, along with his family, made a quick visit to our home. Prithvi’s daughter Mrithika aka Meethu was a cute little kid just dancing on the road as any toddler does. She had fun in jumping over the small elevation of steps and getting down the steps at outer viewing point of Auroville. She was walking on the foot path easily but we have to go beyond her nevertheless I didn’t get tired by that. Those chirpy sounds that her shoes makes while she walks were more than music. She got easily attached to me and didn’t hesitate or cry much. When she smiles, those little tooth were pleasure to. And on Saturday evening, Nagamani finally arrived. His daughter Yaazhini (Yaalini) what an angel she is. She also easily got attached to me on the very first time I called her. Of course there were share of hesitation and cry but we could manage it. When we say her, pray God, she just looks up looking for the frames of God (as they used to be in their home). While her parents went inside the Aurobindo Ashram, she was sleeping me over my shoulders. Due to lack of such opportunities like that in my life so far, not sure when before a kid was sleeping like that on me. She sleeps, adjusts her head from left position to right position and over time slides down. That’s when I realized that, Oh! even for sleeping a kid we need to learn many techniques. But those 10-15 minutes was sheer joy for me. When in car, along with her mom, she would identify me, sitting in the back, and shake hands with me and when I decided to pull her back, she was willing to come but, at last moment, she changed her mind. Similarly, she was his father and I was going around near her. She quickly turned her head and changed her position. When enquired about it, I came to know that it is to safeguard that I don’t lift her from her father. What an intelligent girl. All these wonderful moments are really awesome and makes me envious of all fathers and mothers. Honestly, I was tempted to get married and quickly have a girl. But I said to myself - Tempting but not now. Last night, when I returned from Pondicherry to Bangalore, I listened to Anandha Yaazhai (from Thanga Meengal) at an altogether different level and it was awesome.

P. S: Both Sai Prithvi’s wife and Nagamani’s wife affirmed that their kids don’t go to a stranger immediately but they got attached to you so easily. I had to say “En kitta vara ellaa pon kozhandaigaloda petrorgal elaarume ippadi thaan solraanga” (All the parents of the kids tell me the same).

I must thank Sai Prithvi and Nagamani for having visited my home this weekend. It was great. 

Here below is the lyrics of the beautiful song Anandha Yaazhai (from Thanga Meengal)

ஆனந்த யாழை மீட்டுகிறாய்,
அடி நெஞ்சில் வண்ணம் தீட்டுகிறாய்.
அன்பெனும் குடையை நீட்டுகிறாய்,
அதில் ஆயிரம் மழைத்துளி கூட்டுகிறாய்.

இரு நெஞ்சம் இணைத்து பேசிட,
உலகில் பாஷைகள் எதுவும் தேவை இல்லை!
சிறு புல்லில் உறங்கும் பனியில் தெரியும்,
மலையின் அழகோ தாங்கவில்லை.

உந்தன் கைகள் பிடித்து போகும் வழி,
அது போதவில்லை இன்னும் வேண்டுமடி…

இந்த மண்ணில் இது போல் யாரும் இங்கே
என்றும் வாழவில்லை என்று தோன்றுதடி !

ஆனந்த யாழை மீட்டுகிறாய்,
அடி நெஞ்சில் வண்ணம் தீட்டுகிறாய்.
அன்பெனும் குடையை நீட்டுகிறாய்,
அதில் ஆயிரம் மழைத்துளி கூட்டுகிறாய்.

தூரத்து மரங்கள் பார்க்குதடி,
தேவதை இவளா கேக்குதடி,
தன்னிலை மறந்தே பூக்குதடி,
காற்றினில் வாசம் தூக்குதடி – அடி
கோவில் எதற்கு ? தெய்வங்கள் எதற்கு ?
உனது புன்னகை போதுமடி !

இந்த மண்ணில் இது போல் யாரு இங்கே,
என்றும் வாழவில்லை என்று தோன்றுதடி !

ஆனந்த யாழை மீட்டுகிறாய்,
அடி நெஞ்சில் வண்ணம் பூசுகிறாய் !

உன் முகம் பார்த்தால் தோணுதடி,
வானத்து நிலவு சின்னதடி,
மேகத்தில் வரைந்தே பார்குதடி,
உன்னிடம் வெளிச்சம் கேட்குதடி,

அதை கையில் பிடித்து ஆறுதல்
உரைத்து வீட்டுக்கு அனுப்பு நல்லப்படி !

இந்த மண்ணில் இது போல் யாரும்
இங்கே என்றும் வாழவில்லை என்று தோன்றுதடி

ஆனந்த யாழை மீட்டுகிறாய்
அடி நெஞ்சில் வண்ணம் தீட்டுகிறாய் !
                                                                              - நா.முத்துக்குமார்


Meaning: Do not forsake good friends.

May 31, 2013

Trip to Gnanananda Thapovanam

I remember, mom and granny used to take us to an Ashram roughly since 1993's. Not sure if I visited Thapovanam during my college days 2001-2005. But, I didn't visit it after my college days. Last couple of weeks, I had an inherent urge to travel to Thapovanam. Last weekend (25 May 2013), I, granny and mom started after lunch and reached Thapovanam around 4:30pm. We took accomadation at Thapovanam premises and registered for morning poojas. We attend the evening poojas. Next day morning, after the morning poojas, around 11:00am we started to Ulagalandha Perumal Temple at Tirukovilur. Subsequently we reached back to Pondicherry. Though it was hardly a 24 hour trip, it was such a memorable pleasant trip one can ask for which I asked for. 

About Gnananandha Thapovanam
Gnananandha Thapovanam can be tagged as an ashram, as a mutt, and as a veda padasalai (Veda School). This humble ashram is located on the banks of River Thenpennai. One would would find a peaceful temple with lots of open space. There are many trees within the premises giving a close to nature feeling. This Thapovanam was founded by Sri Gnananandha Giri Swamigal. Every morning, poojas are performed starting at 4:00 am - Purushasuktam, Suprabhatham, 5:00am - Ko Pooja, Deepa Jyoti, 6:00 am - Ganapathi Homam, 7:15 am - Paadha Pooja and 8:30 am - Adhistaanam. Everything would be over by 10:00am.  In the evening, poojas are performed at 5pm - Manimandapam (an Abisheka for Gnananandha Giri Swamigal & Sloka chanting), 6:15pm - Adhishtaanam, Nei Vilakku and Anjaneyar Vadamalaai. Everything would be over by 7:45pm. A simple delicious lunch (Sambar, Curry, Rasam, Mor) is served at 10:30am and 8:00pm. 

I have just said you the daily schedule. But, intrinsically, the rituals are much more than what we could read as texts. They are religiously performed in the most unhurried manner you could ever see. And the plainly dressed young children (who are mostly from the Thapovanam premises) flawlessly chant Slokas (including Vishnu Sahasranaamam) in unison which are so divine to listen on an early morning and in the evening. It is nowadays getting rare to see and be part of such non-profit oriented rituals. I am glad that Thapovanam is still the same as I first visited in mid 1990s. That is precisely a reason I would want to go regularly. There are no silence boards nor volunteers to protect the silence, but a gentle silence blankets the entire premises.

Within Thapovanam there are many portions where people stay. Many of them are purohits of the temple and other staff members viz cooks, watchmen etc. Opposite to the temple, there are accommodation facilities for visitors (for those who are performing poojas on next day morning). They do not ask any money for it. 

If one goes there to find bamboo cane based chairs, vanish painted teak pillars, tables, cupboards, group people humming chants and doing mediation or somebody having a kiosk for some rejuvenating camp or yoga-cum-meditation camp, or well maintained lawns - then one would be disappointed. They only serve pooja's to God. They only serve to God.

I would highly recommend this place to everyone. People who want rejoice or solace can definitely escape to Gnananandha Thapovanam. 

Gnanananda Thapovanam Website: http://www.gnanananda.org/

டிவது மற
Meaning: Never hurt somone with your words

January 15, 2013

Places I would like to visit in India

List of places I like to visit in India

1) Himalayas - Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Rotang Pass (Revisit)
2) Himalayas - Leh and Ladakh (via Manali) (in Motorcycle)
3) Himalayas - Dalhouise
4) Himalayas - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri
5) Himalayas - Auli (Revisit)
6) Himalayas - Valley of Flowers
7) Himalayas - Manasarovar

1) Kashmir Valley - Vaishno Devi Temple
2) Kashmir Valley - Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar
3) Kashmir Valley - Srinagar to Ladakh (in Motorcycle)
4) Kashmir Valley - Amarnath

1) North East - Arunachal Pradesh
2) North East - Sikkim
3) North East - Meghalaya
4) North East - Darjeeling

1) North - Kasi / Varnasi / Banaras [Done July 2018]
2) North - Corbett National Park
3) North - Agra - Taj Mahal (on exact Full Moon Night, backside of Taj Mahal) - Revisit
4) North - Agra - Fathepur
4) North - Agra - Sikri

1) Rajastnan - Jai Salmer
2) Rajasthan - Udaipur
3) Rajasthan - Jodhpur
4) Rajasthan - Ranthambore National Park and Bird Sanctuary
5) Rajasthan - Pushkar Camel Festival
6) Rajasthan - Thar Desert

1) Maharashtra - Ajantha & Ellora Caves

1) Punjab - Amristar
2) Punjab - Ludhiana

1) Central India - Khajuraho

1) Kerala - Alappuzha (Revisit)
2) Kerala - Munnar (Revisit specifically during Kurinji Season)
3) Kerala - Varkala Beach
4) Kerala - Ponmudi
5) Kerala - Theyam

1) Goa

1) Karnataka - Mullaiyangiri Peak
2) Karnataka - Kudremukh and Kali River
3) Karnataka - Vijayanagar Empire Temples
4) Karnataka - Coorg
5) Karnataka - Madikeri, Talacauvery
6) Karantaka - Hampi, Shravanabelagola

1) Tamil Nadu - Ooty
2) Tamil Nadu - Kodaikanal
3) Tamil Nadu - Kutralam, Papanasam
4) Tamil Nadu - Pulicat Lake (border of AP)
5) Tamil Nadu - Kanchipuram [Done July 2018]

1) Andaman & Nicobar Islands

1) Orissa - Puri [Done July 2018]
2) Orissa - Konark [Done July 2018]
3) Orissa - Bhubaneshwar [Done July 2018]

1) Bihar - Bodhgaya [Done July 2018]
2) Bihar - Vishnupath [Done July 2018]
3) Bihar - Barabar Cages [Done July 2018]

1) Madhyapradesh - Sevagram [Done July 2018]

September 13, 2012

Nelliyampathy (நெல்லியம்பதி)

In continuation with my previous blog I continue here - it was my plan to visit Nelliyampathy, a hill settlement - 75km south of Palakkad, after the marriage. I boarded into a hourly bus to Nelliyampathy from the KSRTC bus stand, Palakkad. First 50 kms till Nemara is surrounded by calm paddy fields. Cloudy day it was and refreshing to enjoy the freshness and aroma of the paddy fields. After reaching Nemara, the mountain roads started. Green dense teak forests were welcoming with flowery bushes, scented seasonal blossoms of the trees, tea and cardamom plantations. Sitting near the window of the bus, catching  the sight of numerous waterfalls by the sides of road and listening its crumbing sounds is different from the bus trips  to my office (bus trips to and from C2B Janakpuri is of course unparalleled for me :-)). It was getting colder. That said, Nelliyampathy, spread over undulating terrain at an attitude of a little above 1500m, is set amid some magnificent scenery, and the journey to get there, winding up a succession of spurs above the Pothundi Dam and reservoir, ranks among the most spectacular in the state. It was approximately a 3 hour bus journey when I reached Nelliyampathy.

I and Mr Manu, driver of the jeep ferry, reached the view point. Listening to the perky sounds of Myna, we walked half a kilometer. It was THE view! I can say. The magnificent panoramic view of mosaics of paddy fields in the Palakkad and other towns was breathtaking. (Most views that I have seen from mountains such as Palani, Ajmer Fort, Thirupathi, Mysore were dominated by the buildings, thanks to urbanization).

Just a word of caution: We were just a few foot away from the unmarked exposed ridges encircling the plateau may be lethal in poor visibility. Thought Nelliyampathy is a popular escape yet the forest is neat. Hope it is not exploited in future. 

Manu and I continued to walk towards the Pothundi mountain. God!! it is a beautiful view of the waterfalls amid dense forests (which you will find in the below photograph). It is an excellent place to listen and rejoice with the music of the water fall (while I write this the "Songs of the River" (Album: Music of Rivers) by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia comes to my mind). In front of the waterfalls I could spend 20 minutes because I had to catch the last return bus of the day. As we returned to the ferry it was drizzling - a romantic end to this trip (wish she was with me). Various grey and black shades of mountains and Pothundi Dam made a resplendent foreground to silvery sunset. That was another beautiful Kerala Trip.

Note: I hardly had 2 hours to spend there. But if we reach Nelliyampathy by 8am it is a wonderful place to spend entire day and it has lots of others places around to visit for a complete day. But it lacks decent accommodations.

P.S: First time I missed my lover (obsessive when I am with her), my camera Canon S5 IS. I got to repair her soon.

Nelliyampathy - Recommended.

Few photos here, thanks to my mobile phone.


Waterfalls




On a walk to catch the glimpse of the waterfalls
Bird's eye view of the Palakkad town


One more snap of the Bird's eye view of the Palakkad Town
Rajesh Mottai :-)

On way to Nelliyampathy from Palakkad

--

Meaning - Analysis, research and then act

September 08, 2012

Indian Wedding

Yesterday I went to Palakkad to attend a marriage of my good friend (who was my Violin classmate in Delhi under our Guruji Sri Durga Prasad). Palakkad can be said as a gateway to the western ghats from Tamil Nadu. This was the first time I attended a Keralian wedding. It was a pleasant gloomy day with cool breeze. I straightaway went to the marriage hall and fresh'd up. The Muhurtham was between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. By the time I got ready it was 9 a.m. I was thinking how to pass the time till Muhurtham because I went alone and didn't know anyone there. To not to look as an odd person in the hall I chose not to put my headsets but observe. Thanks to Arun, who was from Cochin, who kept me engaged for a while with him.

In few words I will say that this marriage was well organised. The stage was well-decorated and set for the nuptials. Lots of people - Oldies; chit-chats, nalam-visaaripps; recently wedded people introducing their wife's to their relatives (on the day of marriage thousands turn up hence the married people do not remember all the relatives/friends who come for the marriage); few couples carry their just born's to their relatives for their blessings- people cheer up the groovy yawn of the just born and do a drishiti; kids playing and roaming around with their cousins, some of them are new friends; [in my opinion] the hot property of this marriage was the bride's brother - he was, in a typical fashion, clean shaven in glittering long red silk kurtha and Mundu dhoti running on his toes, looking after everyone and coordinating the events and the people; parents with lots of smiles for their ward's marriage and a great sense of satisfaction in their eyes that their ward is gonna be in safe hands and warm family - a sign of successful positive upbringing; relatives flaunting their silk sarees and accessories (artwork blouses, necklaces, pendants, bangles) bought with great care; obviously girls and boys; inevitable gossips; some oral marriage suggestions (there is a saying many marriage engagements happen in marriages); some grannies carried their sleeping grand children in their shoulders; and with a background music of mangala Naadhaswaram-Thavil-Jalra (one purpose of this music is to cut down the evil things especially gossips and rumors). 

Now it was 10:30 a.m, the groom arrived and was staged. Around 10:45 a.m the bride arrived. Both of them, carrying million hopes dreams (wish each comes true) in their heart and best dressed, exchanged  garlands and the marriage happened with the blessings of parents, elders, relatives and friends. Parents and relatives congratulate each other. Now its time to receive blessings from the elders individually. People throng the stage to bless the just weds', to gift and to pose in group with entire family for photographs. The group photo of the immediate families of the nuptials will be framed and finally decorate the walls. And another important aspect of the weddings is the grand lunch. One side of the leaf had 15 side dishes which include two paayasams, porriyals, paruppu, two pickles - sweet and spicy, chips, applams, kootu etc. Other side of the leaf had rice, sambar, rasam and pappad. At the end they provided a delicious paaysam Adapradhaman.

I can safely say, one place where most people keep smiling would be marriages. It is really nice to be part of such well "organised" marriages. I am glad to have been part of this marriage. Aparna Anupkumar (formerly Aparna Menon): you thanked me for coming for the marriage but the pleasure was mine. Hence I thank you and your family for inviting me to witness the occasion. 

P.S: It is not that I attended a marriage after a long time or for the first time that led to write a post about it. This time, I was almost lonely and had a good amount of time to observe and cherish, but not the first time. It would go on to be one of the memorable weddings, perhaps due to the timing of it. Few dreams does not come true but it is great to be part of similar such dreams of others. :-)

P.S: Recently I read that "We marry not the individual but the families too" - Courtesy Chinmayee

P.S: Next post would be on Nelliyampathy (coming soon)

Glossary
Muhurtham - auspicious time for marriage
kurtha - shirt like
nalam-visaaripps - abouts and whereabouts
drishiti - safeguarding and throwing away all the jealous of the people that are surrounding the kid
Mundu dhoti - White Dhoti with Jariga/silk-thread borders
mangala - auspicious
paaysam - a dessert 
Adapradhaman -  ada and jaggery in highly condensed milk

--

Meaning - Helps others and live

June 11, 2012

Again at Athirappilly Falls on my birthday

I celebrated my 28th birthday (on 9th June), rather in an unusual way, as a nomad travelling around Kerala. First I went to Guruvayoor to seek the blessings of Lord Guruvaayoorappan (Krishna) and Mammiyoor's Lord Mahadevan (Siva) and Thriprayaar's Lord Ramanamaswamy. Then I went to Athirappilly falls. 

Athirappilly falls is one of my favorite destinations. This visit, my third, to Athirappilly falls was simply rejuvenating. This time, the timing was perfect, monsoon has just started and the water in the falls was adequate. My previous visits to Athirappilly happened in peak monsoon, hence I could not view the falls from the bottom. But this time I could view the falls from the bottom. And luckily the clouds were gracing the spot beautifully. The view was spectacular. The rocky landscape mountain plus the river were simply majestic. Whatever may be the lack of words, Athirappilly falls is truly spectacular.  A must visit kind. 

I would recommend everyone to visit Athirappilly in the first week of June (onset of Monsoon). If it is on a weekend you might feel bit crowded. If you are going with your fiance/spouse alone you will "feel" a lot more than me :-) 

In short, my 29th year started beautifully. 

December 10, 2011

Kerala Trip - Day5 [Munnar - Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam]

We spent Day5 at Munnar. We covered the Mattupetty Dam, few view spots, and the Eravikulam National Park. The best things about Munnar are majestic view points, landscapes, tea gardens. No words to describe. Do go there and realize it.

Eravikulam National Park
This park is special for two things first Nilgiri Thar and second Neelakurinji flowers.

Nilgiri Thar are stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. It is the state animal of Tamil Nadu. It is mostly found at Eravikulam National Park and at Annamalai. 

Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) (Tamil: நீலக்குறிஞ்சி),  is a shrub that used to grow abundantly in the shola grasslands of the Western Ghats in South India above 1800 metres. The Nilgiri Hills, which literally means the blue mountains, got their name from the purplish blue flowers of Neelakurinji that blossoms gregariously only once in 12 years. Next Neelakurinji's blossoming season is at Sep-Nov 2018. I have already marked it in my google calender :-p