Wednesday, September 13, 2006
MAHABALIPURAM BEACH
Mahabalipuram Beach
Mahabalipuram, also known, as "Mamallapuram" is located 58-km, south of Chennai, nestling on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, offers many breath-taking monuments with Sculptural Panels, Caves, Monolithic Rathas (chariots) and Temples.
The spectacular beach of Mahabalipuram attracts thousands of tourists all through the year. While at the beach you may sun bathe, relax and unwind yourself. At the same time you may explore the magnificent monuments besides the beautiful beaches. The dreamy rock cut art is an amazingly extravaganza. For the more ecclesiastical tourists there are the temples besides the shores, rathas, Arjuna's penance that are exclusive to the region. A crocodile bank, snake venom extracting centre, schools of art and sculpture and a wide spectrum of resorts along the beach entice holiday-seekers all round the year.
The climate of Mahabalipuram remains hot and sultry all through the year with a maximum temperature of 35°C and a minimum of 19°C. The most enjoyable time to visit this place is during October to March. One is advised to avoid visiting this place in the monsoon season.
Mahabalipuram may be easily reached. Mahabalipuram is well linked through air, rail and road networks. The nearest airport of Chennai connects Mahabalipuram with the other main cities of India and the world through frequent air flights and trains. In terms of the road transport buses knit the terrestrial network Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai et al ply to Mahabalipuram.
Festivals
Celebration of the Southern legacy begins from January to February there is a month-long Mamallapuram Dance Festival. Dances from all over India are staged here including Bharatha Natyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathakali (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh) as well as tribal dances, puppet shows and classical / traditional music
Connectivity»
Aerial communication :
Chennai (58-km) has the nearest airport with both domestic and international terminus. Chennai is connected with all the important places in India through the numerous domestic flights. International flights operate from various parts of the world to Chennai.
» Rail links : The nearest railway stations are Chengalpattu (29-km) and Chennai (58-km). From these stations one has to take the terrestrial route to reach Mahabalipuram
» Road links : There are buses available from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai to Mahabalipuram regularly. The road to Mahabalipuram is well connected to other major roads. Tourists can also hire a taxi from Chennai to reach Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram, also known, as "Mamallapuram" is located 58-km, south of Chennai, nestling on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, offers many breath-taking monuments with Sculptural Panels, Caves, Monolithic Rathas (chariots) and Temples.
The spectacular beach of Mahabalipuram attracts thousands of tourists all through the year. While at the beach you may sun bathe, relax and unwind yourself. At the same time you may explore the magnificent monuments besides the beautiful beaches. The dreamy rock cut art is an amazingly extravaganza. For the more ecclesiastical tourists there are the temples besides the shores, rathas, Arjuna's penance that are exclusive to the region. A crocodile bank, snake venom extracting centre, schools of art and sculpture and a wide spectrum of resorts along the beach entice holiday-seekers all round the year.
The climate of Mahabalipuram remains hot and sultry all through the year with a maximum temperature of 35°C and a minimum of 19°C. The most enjoyable time to visit this place is during October to March. One is advised to avoid visiting this place in the monsoon season.
Mahabalipuram may be easily reached. Mahabalipuram is well linked through air, rail and road networks. The nearest airport of Chennai connects Mahabalipuram with the other main cities of India and the world through frequent air flights and trains. In terms of the road transport buses knit the terrestrial network Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai et al ply to Mahabalipuram.
Festivals
Celebration of the Southern legacy begins from January to February there is a month-long Mamallapuram Dance Festival. Dances from all over India are staged here including Bharatha Natyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathakali (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh) as well as tribal dances, puppet shows and classical / traditional music
Connectivity»
Aerial communication :
Chennai (58-km) has the nearest airport with both domestic and international terminus. Chennai is connected with all the important places in India through the numerous domestic flights. International flights operate from various parts of the world to Chennai.
» Rail links : The nearest railway stations are Chengalpattu (29-km) and Chennai (58-km). From these stations one has to take the terrestrial route to reach Mahabalipuram
» Road links : There are buses available from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai to Mahabalipuram regularly. The road to Mahabalipuram is well connected to other major roads. Tourists can also hire a taxi from Chennai to reach Mahabalipuram
birds sanctuary
.Vedanthangal Water Birds Sanctuary
One of the most spectacular breeding grounds in India. Cormorants, herons, storks, pelicans, grebes and many others.The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary has been protected by the local people for well over 250 years. The sanctuary gets its name from a nearby village and is only 75 Km from Chennai. The bird life (resident & visitors) includes Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Egrets, Open billed Stork, Spoonbill and White Ibis, Little Grebe, Indian Moorhen, Black Winged Stilts, a few migratory ducks and occasionally Grey Pelicans. November to February is the ideal season to visit the sanctuary
Vedanthangal is a home not only to migratory birds but also to many ornithologists who camp here for weeks observing the birds at close quarters. With a powerful pair of binoculars, you can spot a Cormorant or a Snake Bird dive under the water to gobble up a nervous fish which is its staple diet. Soon after the hunt, the Cormorant must come up to the shore to dry its feathers as nature has not endowed it with oil-glands to water-proof the feathers.
The Spot-Billed Grey Pelican, on the contrary, moves in groups lashing the water with powerful wing strokes driving the fish to a shallow corner for the ultimate assault. The Spoon Bill, however, prefers to devour frogs and insects in the muddy water with its bills half open. The winged visitors regulated by biological clocks land at Vedanthangal after the monsoon with amazing clock-work precision and get into the breeding act quietly. The population of the migratory birds swells to around 40,000 by the middle of January.
How to get there : Chennai is the nearest airport and one can motor down a distance of a hundred kilometers, most of it on the well-maintained National Highway 45. The nearest railhead is Chinglepet (26 km).
When to visit : The best season to visit is from November to January.
Where to stay : Accommodation is available at the Forest Department Rest House or Hotel Tamil Nadu of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Reservations for the latter could be made at the Chennai office, through money order or bank drafts.
One of the most spectacular breeding grounds in India. Cormorants, herons, storks, pelicans, grebes and many others.The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary has been protected by the local people for well over 250 years. The sanctuary gets its name from a nearby village and is only 75 Km from Chennai. The bird life (resident & visitors) includes Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Egrets, Open billed Stork, Spoonbill and White Ibis, Little Grebe, Indian Moorhen, Black Winged Stilts, a few migratory ducks and occasionally Grey Pelicans. November to February is the ideal season to visit the sanctuary
Vedanthangal is a home not only to migratory birds but also to many ornithologists who camp here for weeks observing the birds at close quarters. With a powerful pair of binoculars, you can spot a Cormorant or a Snake Bird dive under the water to gobble up a nervous fish which is its staple diet. Soon after the hunt, the Cormorant must come up to the shore to dry its feathers as nature has not endowed it with oil-glands to water-proof the feathers.
The Spot-Billed Grey Pelican, on the contrary, moves in groups lashing the water with powerful wing strokes driving the fish to a shallow corner for the ultimate assault. The Spoon Bill, however, prefers to devour frogs and insects in the muddy water with its bills half open. The winged visitors regulated by biological clocks land at Vedanthangal after the monsoon with amazing clock-work precision and get into the breeding act quietly. The population of the migratory birds swells to around 40,000 by the middle of January.
How to get there : Chennai is the nearest airport and one can motor down a distance of a hundred kilometers, most of it on the well-maintained National Highway 45. The nearest railhead is Chinglepet (26 km).
When to visit : The best season to visit is from November to January.
Where to stay : Accommodation is available at the Forest Department Rest House or Hotel Tamil Nadu of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Reservations for the latter could be made at the Chennai office, through money order or bank drafts.
FOLK DANCES IN TAMIL NADU.
Folk Dances in Tamilnadu
Karagaattam
Karagam is a folk dance with musical accompaniment, performed balancing a pot on the head. Traditionally, this dance was performed by the villagers in praise of the rain goddess Mari Amman and river goddess, Gangai Amman, performed with literature with water pots balanced on their heads.
Kummi
Kummi is one of the most important and ancient forms of village dances of Tamilnadu. It originated when there were no musical instruments, with the participants clapping their hands to keep time. This is performed by women.
Mayil Attam
This is done by girls dressed as peacocks, resplendent with peacock feathers and a glittering headdress complete with a beak. This beak can be opened and closed with the help of a thread tied to it, and manipulated from within dress.
Kolaattam
Kolaattam is an ancient village art. This is mentioned in Kanchipuram as 'Cheivaikiyar Kolaattam', which proves its antiquity. This is performed by women only, with two sticks held in each hand, beaten to make a rhythmic noise.
Oyil Kummi
This is an ancient folk dance form popular in Trichy, Salem, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore and Erode. No other musical instruments are used in this dance except the ankle-bells. This dance is performed by men only, during temple festivals. Stories and episodes centering around Murugan and Valli are depicted in the songs. As one of the rare folk art forms of ancient Tamil Nadu, this is being practiced now by the Telugu speaking people of the northern districts.
Kavadi Aattam
The ancient Tamils when they went on pilgrimage, carried the offerings to the gods tied on the either end of the long stick, which was balanced on the shoulders. In order to lessen the boredom of the long travel they used to sing and dance about the gods. Kavadi Aattam has its origin in this practice. Special songs were created to be sung while carrying the Kavadi Sindhu. This dance is performed only by men. It is done by balancing a pole with pots fixed on either end, filled with milk or cocunut water.
Poikkal Kudirai Aattam
This is the Dummy Horse Dance where the dancer bears the dummy figure of a horse's body on his/her hips. This is made of light-weighted materials and the cloth at the sides swings to and fro covering the legs of the dancer. The dancer dons wooden legs, which sound like the hooves of the horse. The dancer brandishes either a sword or a whip. This folk dance needs much training and skill. This dance is accompanied by Naiyandi
Karagaattam
Karagam is a folk dance with musical accompaniment, performed balancing a pot on the head. Traditionally, this dance was performed by the villagers in praise of the rain goddess Mari Amman and river goddess, Gangai Amman, performed with literature with water pots balanced on their heads.
Kummi
Kummi is one of the most important and ancient forms of village dances of Tamilnadu. It originated when there were no musical instruments, with the participants clapping their hands to keep time. This is performed by women.
Mayil Attam
This is done by girls dressed as peacocks, resplendent with peacock feathers and a glittering headdress complete with a beak. This beak can be opened and closed with the help of a thread tied to it, and manipulated from within dress.
Kolaattam
Kolaattam is an ancient village art. This is mentioned in Kanchipuram as 'Cheivaikiyar Kolaattam', which proves its antiquity. This is performed by women only, with two sticks held in each hand, beaten to make a rhythmic noise.
Oyil Kummi
This is an ancient folk dance form popular in Trichy, Salem, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore and Erode. No other musical instruments are used in this dance except the ankle-bells. This dance is performed by men only, during temple festivals. Stories and episodes centering around Murugan and Valli are depicted in the songs. As one of the rare folk art forms of ancient Tamil Nadu, this is being practiced now by the Telugu speaking people of the northern districts.
Kavadi Aattam
The ancient Tamils when they went on pilgrimage, carried the offerings to the gods tied on the either end of the long stick, which was balanced on the shoulders. In order to lessen the boredom of the long travel they used to sing and dance about the gods. Kavadi Aattam has its origin in this practice. Special songs were created to be sung while carrying the Kavadi Sindhu. This dance is performed only by men. It is done by balancing a pole with pots fixed on either end, filled with milk or cocunut water.
Poikkal Kudirai Aattam
This is the Dummy Horse Dance where the dancer bears the dummy figure of a horse's body on his/her hips. This is made of light-weighted materials and the cloth at the sides swings to and fro covering the legs of the dancer. The dancer dons wooden legs, which sound like the hooves of the horse. The dancer brandishes either a sword or a whip. This folk dance needs much training and skill. This dance is accompanied by Naiyandi
CHENNAI.
Marina Beach
Marina beach situated to the east of Chennai (Madras) at Kamarajar Road, 3 Km away from the city centre. The beach covered with the silver sands is said to be the longest beach in India and one of the longest in Asia, extends to a length of 13 Km, from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram. There is a drive along the beach circumscribed with palms and casuarinas running the whole length of Chennai. Silver sands, an excellent surf and a shimmering clean blue sea, this in a nutshell, is Marina beach. This beach is acknowledged as one of the longest beaches in Asia. It's 12 km-long stretch is the second longest in the world. It is located on the eastern side of the city adjoining the Bay of Bengal. To behold the sun set and rise from the beach is an enthralling experience. Though bathing and swimming can be dangerous as the undercurrent is very turbulent, even then people dare to swim here.
Twilight magic
AStatues on the beach !A stroll circumscribing the beach bordered with a green lawn entices you to go on a leisurely walk. At the conjunctions of this promenade stand beautiful statues of Tamil scholars, patriots, and noted personalities. Of these, the Statue of Labour is a splendid sculpture an evidence of the industrious team of labourers who are at strenuous, manual work. The sea in this region is not considered safe for swimming, as the currents are turbulent.
Marina beach situated to the east of Chennai (Madras) at Kamarajar Road, 3 Km away from the city centre. The beach covered with the silver sands is said to be the longest beach in India and one of the longest in Asia, extends to a length of 13 Km, from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram. There is a drive along the beach circumscribed with palms and casuarinas running the whole length of Chennai. Silver sands, an excellent surf and a shimmering clean blue sea, this in a nutshell, is Marina beach. This beach is acknowledged as one of the longest beaches in Asia. It's 12 km-long stretch is the second longest in the world. It is located on the eastern side of the city adjoining the Bay of Bengal. To behold the sun set and rise from the beach is an enthralling experience. Though bathing and swimming can be dangerous as the undercurrent is very turbulent, even then people dare to swim here.
Twilight magic
AStatues on the beach !A stroll circumscribing the beach bordered with a green lawn entices you to go on a leisurely walk. At the conjunctions of this promenade stand beautiful statues of Tamil scholars, patriots, and noted personalities. Of these, the Statue of Labour is a splendid sculpture an evidence of the industrious team of labourers who are at strenuous, manual work. The sea in this region is not considered safe for swimming, as the currents are turbulent.
Monday, September 11, 2006
kerala
Kerala is one of the ten paradises found by the national geographic travelers for its diverse geography and overwhelming greenery. Journey through back waters and vast area connected with rivers, is experience cannot be forgotten in the life span.
