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Source: http://incredibleplacesofindia.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

1. <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:blogger='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856043211461249159</id><updated>2024-09-01T14:39:33.519-07:00</updated><title type='text'>places to visits in india</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://incredibleplacesofindia.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2856043211461249159/posts/default'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://incredibleplacesofindia.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Anonymous</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12838836960539545645</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>2</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856043211461249159.post-1366981924954340634</id><published>2013-10-26T05:54:00.005-07:00</published><updated>2018-12-25T11:14:14.526-08:00</updated><title type='text'>KERELA.....GODS OWN COUNTRY.</title><content type='html'>&lt;div dir=&quot;ltr&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; trbidi=&quot;on&quot;&gt;
2. <h2 style="text-align: left;">
3.                     <span style="color: #741b47;">PLACES IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.</span></h2>
4. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
5. <span style="color: #741b47;">                                 </span></h3>
6. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
7. <span style="color: #741b47;">                                             <span style="color: #0b5394;">POOVAR ISLAND RESORT.</span></span></h3>
8. <div style="text-align: left;">
9. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
10. <a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSczj1QC6SWMgmYj3NTXFmG1a6IBeJttbQmmoouinXtnq5RO_VH11OZ4y8D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSczj1QC6SWMgmYj3NTXFmG1a6IBeJttbQmmoouinXtnq5RO_VH11OZ4y8D" width="640" /></a></div>
11. <br /></div>
12. <div style="text-align: left;">
13. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">           Enveloped in serene Kerala backwaters, flanked by the Arabian Sea on the
14. East and the majestic towering Ghats to the West, opening out to the
15. ocean and a dream golden beach, Poovar Island Resort is a tropical
16. paradise. Swaying coconut palms, endless golden sands.</span></span></span></div>
17. <div style="text-align: left;">
18. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">          </span></span></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"> The ultramarine of the ocean, emerald backwaters, crimson sunsets and
19. lush green vegetation create a magical ambience around you. Our
20. distinctive Kerala resort is the ideal remote getaway location for a
21. quiet holiday in spectacular natural surroundings.</span></span></span></div>
22. <div style="text-align: left;">
23. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">           </span></span></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">You can choose between floating cottages and land cottages for
24. accommodation at our charming Kerala ayurveda resort and enjoy a boat
25. cruise along the palm-fringed shores of bewitching backwaters.</span></span></span></div>
26. <div style="text-align: left;">
27. <br /></div>
28. <div style="text-align: left;">
29. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">                                                      </span></span></span></div>
30. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
31. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">                                   <span style="color: #0b5394;">SHRI PADMANABHASWAMY TEMPLE.</span></span></span></span></h3>
32. <div style="text-align: left;">
33. <br /></div>
34. <div style="text-align: left;">
35. </div>
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41. </div>
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43. </div>
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45. </div>
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47. </div>
48. <div style="text-align: left;">
49.  <img alt="File:Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.JPG" height="446" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Sree_Padmanabhaswamy_Temple.JPG/800px-Sree_Padmanabhaswamy_Temple.JPG" width="640" /></div>
50. <div style="text-align: left;">
51. <span style="color: #741b47;">          </span><span class="MyDescription">The history of Sree   Padmanabhaswamy Temple
52.  dates back to 8th century. It is one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples
53. or Divya  Desams in India. <i>Divya Desams</i> are the holiest abodes
54. of the Lord Vishnu that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars
55.  (saints). The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, reclining
56. on <i>Anantha</i>, the hooded Serpent.</span></div>
57. <div style="text-align: left;">
58. <span class="MyDescription">          I</span><span class="MyDescription"><span class="MyDescription">n 1750, Marthanda Varma dedicated the
59. kingdom of Travancore  to Lord Padmanabha. Marthanda Varma vowed that
60. the royal family will rule the  state on behalf of Lord and he and his
61. descendants would serve the kingdom as <i>Padmanabha Dasa</i> or the
62. Servant of Lord  Padmanabha. Since then the name of every Travancore
63. King was preceded by the  title Padmanabha Dasa. The donation of the
64. kingdom of Travancore  to Padmanabhaswamy was known as <i>Thripadidanam</i>.  The current head of the Travancore Royal Family is Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda  Varma.</span> </span></div>
65. <div style="text-align: left;">
66.           <span class="MyDescription">The Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple as per belief is located at  a place that is considered as one of the seven <i>Parasurama Kshetras</i>.
67. And references of this temple are there in texts  like the Puranas,
68. viz. the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana. The temple stands close  to the
69. holy tank -  Padma Theertham, which means 'lotus spring.'</span></div>
70. <div style="text-align: left;">
71. <br />
72. <h3 class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;">
73. </h3>
74. <span class="MyDescription">          </span><span class="MyDescription"><span class="MyDescription">The idol of the presiding deity of the Sree  Padmanabhaswamy Temple  is noted for its composition, which has 12008 <i>salagramams</i>, which were brought from Nepal, taken from the banks of the  River Gandhaki.</span></span><br />
75. <br />
76. <br />
77. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
78. <span class="MyDescription"><span class="MyDescription">                                        <span style="color: #0b5394;">AGASTYA MALA.</span></span></span></h3>
79. <div style="text-align: left;">
80. <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/AgasthyarkoodamPeak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
81. <div style="text-align: left;">
82. </div>
83. <div style="text-align: left;">
84. </div>
85. <div style="text-align: left;">
86. <img height="424" id="irc_mi" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/AgasthyarkoodamPeak.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /></div>
87. <div style="text-align: left;">
88. <span class="MyDescription"><span class="MyDescription"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span></span>         Agasthya Mala is a 1,868-metre tall peak within Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary<a class="tooltip" href="http://www.touristlink.com/india/neyyar-wildlife-sanctuary-kerala/overview.html"></a> in the Western Ghats of South India in Trivandrum and Tirunelveli Districts of South India. The mountain lies on the border between the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The perennial Thamirabarani River originates from the eastern
89. side of this hill and flows into the Tirunelveli district of Tamil
90. Nadu.</div>
91. <div style="text-align: left;">
92.           Agasthya Mala is a pilgrimage centre for devotees of the Hindu sage
93. Agastya, who is considered to be one of the seven rishis (Saptarishi) of
94. Hindu Puranas.The shrine was installed under the auspices of the
95. Chenkottukonam Madathipathi Jagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi
96. Thiruvadikal who entered the forests with Hindu Aik<span style="font-family: inherit;">ya Vedi activists and
97. his followers especially from the Kani Tribe demolished the cross
98. erected by Christians.The Tam</span>il language is considered to be a boon from
99. Agasthya. There is a full-sized statue of Agathiyar at the top of the
100. peak and the devotees can offer pujas themselves.</div>
101. <div style="text-align: left;">
102. <br /></div>
103. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
104. <span class="MyDescription"><span class="MyDescription"><span style="color: #0b5394;">                      PUTHENMALIKA (KUTHIRAMALIKA) PALACE.</span></span></span></h3>
105. <div style="text-align: left;">
106. </div>
107. <div style="text-align: left;">
108. </div>
109. <div style="text-align: left;">
110. </div>
111. <div style="text-align: left;">
112. </div>
113. <div style="text-align: left;">
114. </div>
115. <div style="text-align: left;">
116. </div>
117. <div style="text-align: left;">
118. </div>
119. <div style="text-align: left;">
120. </div>
121. <div style="text-align: left;">
122. </div>
123. <div style="text-align: left;">
124. </div>
125. <div style="text-align: left;">
126. </div>
127. <div style="text-align: left;">
128. </div>
129. <div style="text-align: left;">
130. </div>
131. <div style="text-align: left;">
132. </div>
133. <div style="text-align: left;">
134. </div>
135. <div style="text-align: left;">
136. </div>
137. <div style="text-align: left;">
138. </div>
139. <div style="text-align: left;">
140. </div>
141. <div style="text-align: left;">
142. </div>
143. <div style="text-align: left;">
144. <img height="456" id="irc_mi" src="https://tourismguideindia.com/images/Kerala/Trivandrum%20%28Thiruvananthpuram%29/Kuthira%20Malika%20Palace%20and%20Museum.jpg" style="margin-top: 72px;" width="640" /> </div>
145. <div style="text-align: justify;">
146.        <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">Kuthiramalika
147. is stuated in Thiruvananthapuram district. It is also called as Puthen
148. malika palace. This palace was constructed in the year 1840 by Swathi
149. Thirunal Rama Varma on the southern side of Padmanabha swami temple. It
150. got its name Kuthiramalika due to the design of 122 horses carved in
151. wood which supports the roof of the palace. The palace has sloping
152. roofs, verandas, courtyard etc which are built in the traditional Kerala
153. style. This palace was made of teak, rosewood, granite and marble. </span></span></div>
154. <span style="font-family: inherit;">
155. </span>
156. <br />
157. <div style="text-align: justify;">
158. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">      A
159. portion of the palace is changed into a museum which has the assets
160. once possessed by the Travancore royal family. The museum was set up
161. with the aim of promoting the traditional art forms of India. The
162. articles include chandeliers, paintings, musical instruments, furniture
163. etc. Kathakali mannequins are kept here for display and to the side of
164. it lies the ivory cradles. One of the main attractions here are the 2
165. royal thrones of which one is made of ivory and the other is made of
166. crystal. There is a large urn kept in the audience chamber which was
167. once used for keeping mango pickles. There is also a musical tree which
168. makes the seven swaras when tapped.  </span></span></div>
169. <span style="font-family: inherit;">
170. </span>
171. <br />
172. <div style="text-align: justify;">
173. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">         The
174. famous music festival that is conducted yearly called as the Swathi
175. Sangeethotsavam is held from the courtyard of Kuthiramalika. </span></span></div>
176. <div style="text-align: justify;">
177. <br /></div>
178. <div style="text-align: justify;">
179. <br /></div>
180. <h3 style="text-align: justify;">
181. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">                           <span style="color: #0b5394;">PAZHAVANGADI GANAPATI TEMPLE.</span></span></span></h3>
182. <div style="text-align: justify;">
183. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img height="592" id="irc_mi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOaF6Ei3qg_DUhqdYU5boD0Fu2cMZzewa-1JAqRgbTMJcT3ZQeNbitYDJHdk8RnNaWhGSKHR1Ht6ZqOp8Egz0o8KUlk_lSo-4XJPs2v7IJSb4RRaoQsz85ZLPVHB5HEINs_cZFhkL5BE/s640/Pazhavangadi+Ganapathi+Temple+Trivandrum+Kerala.jpg" style="margin-top: 7px;" width="640" /> </span></span></span></div>
184. <div style="text-align: justify;">
185. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="BodyText">          Pazhavangadi Ganapati Temple situated in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram  city
186. at Pazhavangadi, nearly 1.5 kms from railway station as well as from
187. bus stand Sree Maha Ganapati Temple Pazhavangadi is a well known
188. Ganapati temple in Kerala. The idol was originally worshipped by a
189. soldier of Travancore Army garrisoned at Padmanabhapuram and later when
190. the capital of Travancore shifted  from Padmanabhapuram to Trivandrum in
191. 1795 A.D. the garrison was also shifted and the idol was installed at
192. its present place Pazhavangadi. <br />          
193. Famous vazhipatu is the breaking of coconuts for fulfilment of any
194. desire or obstacle besides other offerings like appam, modakam etc. and
195. also Ganapathi-homa. No regulations in clothing. Footwear not permitted
196. inside the premises.</span> </span></span></span></div>
197. <div style="text-align: justify;">
198. <br /></div>
199. <div style="text-align: justify;">
200. <br /></div>
201. <h3 style="text-align: justify;">
202. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black;">                                      <span style="color: #0b5394;">THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ZOO.</span>    </span></span></span></h3>
203. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
204. <img height="480" id="irc_mi" src="https://www.indiamike.com/files/images/64/87/21/who-is-calling-me-thiruvananthapuram-zoo.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /></div>
205. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
206. <span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </span><span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">  </span></div>
207. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
208. <span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">        Thiruvananthapuram  Zoo, one of the oldest in the country, was
209. established as an annexe to  the Museum in 1857 by the erstwhile
210. Maharaja of Travancore in order to  attract more visitors. This Zoo was
211. originally set up for recreational  purpose only. But with more and more
212. loss of forest and wildlife in the  process of human development, the
213. goal of the Zoo changed from  recreation to conservation. Today Zoos are
214. seen as the last resort for  endangered animals and birds. The Central
215. Zoo Authority established in  1992 under the Ministry of Environment and
216. Forest of India, enforces  uniform management code to all the Zoos in
217. the country and provide  financial and technical support for the Zoos.</span></div>
218. <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
219. <span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">        Spread
220. over in 55  acres of land located in the heart of the temple city of  
221. Thiruvananthapuram, the Zoo offers a rare opportunity for the visitors  
222. to experience and enjoy an unparalleled picturesque and panoramic sylvan
223.  surroundings besides vivid animal collections. The Zoo has around 75  
224. different species of animals not only from India but from abroad also.  
225. It also has several species of animals and birds from Ethiopian and  
226. Australian Zoo geographic regions. The Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri  
227. Langur, Indian Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger are prominent among the  
228. indigenous endangered fauna. Giraffe, Hippo, Zebra, Cape Buffalo are the
229.  guests from African region. It will usher in a new era with the  
230. completion of the ongoing modernisation works in the Zoo. Thrilling  
231. encounters with the animals out in their open air landscapes are  
232. becoming reality. </span></div>
233. <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
234. <br /></div>
235. <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
236. <br /></div>
237. <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
238. <br /></div>
239. <h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
240. <span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">                           </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">KARIKKAKOM DEVI TEMPLE. </span></h3>
241. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
242. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><img height="359" id="irc_mi" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Karikkakom_Sree_Chamundi_Devi_Temple.jpg" style="margin-top: 77px;" width="640" /> </span></div>
243. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
244. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">            Karikkakom Devi Temple is a temple situated seven kilometers east of
245. Trivandrum. Surrounded on all sides by the panoramic evergreen scenery,
246. rich with coconut palms and other fauna in the land of backwaters and
247. channals rest the Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple which is one of the
248. most ancient and renowned shrines of Kerala. In accordace with the
249. ancient architectural principles, under the guidance and supervision of
250. Sree Kkanipayoor Krishnan Nampoothiri the first stage of the
251. construction of the Sreekovil sub shrines Mukha Mandapam and Chuttu
252. Madapam completed. The reinstallation of the panchaloha Idol of the
253. Goddess followed by tantric rituals was performed on 21.03.1997 under
254. the supervision of Bhrahmasree Rishimangulam Vasudeva potti. Earlier the
255. temple was opend to devotees only on Sunday, Thused and Friays. But
256. after the reinstatlion, poojas, regularly performed form morning 5 am up
257. to 11.30 am and in the evening from 5 pm to 8 pm. <br />           
258. The temple stands as a legacy of our ancient culture, were thousands of
259. devotess come every day to offer their prayers regardless of caste,
260. creed and race. In the main shrine reststhe Goddess andon the north side
261. are the shirnes of awesome Rektha Chamundi, Bhala Chamundi, and other
262. sub shrines of shastha. Vinayaka and Yogiswaran. Yakshi Amma,
263. Bhuvanesweri, Ayira valli etc. are also there. just to the northern side
264. of the Devi Temple, there is an old house known as Guru Mandiram. This
265. is believed to be the ancestral house or Tharavadu of the Yogiswaran who
266. had brought Devi to this place. Out side the Devi Temple wall, Nager
267. Kavau and pond belonging to the tmple are located. This Nager kavu is
268. rich in numerous varieties of trees and creepers as well as medical
269. plants. To remove Sarpa dosha, devotees can offer Ayilla Puja and Nurum
270. palum, Archana for Nagar and more every month on the Ayilyam day.
271. Udayasthamana puja, pushbabhishekam, Iswaraseva, etc., are the major
272. poojas of the temple. </span>        </span></div>
273. <h3 class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
274. <span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">                   </span></h3>
275. <h3 class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
276. <span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </span></h3>
277. <h3 class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
278. <span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </span></h3>
279. <h3 class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
280. <span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">                           <span style="color: #0b5394;">ATTUKAL BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE.</span>       </span></h3>
281. <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
282. <span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="irc_mut" height="480" id="irc_mi" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3589/3422127072_eb0b1c8c1b_z.jpg?zz=1" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /></span></div>
283.           A few centuries ago, the head of Mulluveettil family was met with a
284. young girl who asked him to help her cross the Killi river in which he
285. was performing his ritualistic prayers. The Karanavar (family head) knew
286. it was no ordinary girl, because of her charm and charisma. He bowed
287. before her and willingly took her to the other side of the river. He
288. invited her to his home nearby and the whole family was preparing to
289. receive this girl. However, they Keral can't find her as she had
290. disappeared by the time Mulluveettil family was ready to receive her.<br />
291.           The Karanavar and his family were a little puzzled. The
292. Karanavar saw the girl once again in his dream, in the same day as he
293. saw the little girl. The girl appeared as an icon and told him to give
294. her an abode in the nearby <b>Kavu</b> (a grove where shrubs
295. and wild animals including snakes are left undisturbed). She told him
296. that he would see three lines at a specific point in the kavu and she
297. wanted her abode erected there.<br />
298.           With joy, the old man reached the Kavu and to his surprise,
299. he found three lines marked on the ground. He knew it was a sacred spot
300. and he wasted no time erecting a temple. The temple became the abode of
301. the goddess, who later came to be known as <b>Attukal Devi (Attukal Amma)</b>. Local devotees offered their prayers in this temple and soon the fame of this temple spread far and wide.<br />
302. The people also offered to renovate the temple and a bigger
303. temple with a new icon was installed. The goddess was represented as a
304. woman with four arms, each bearing a spear, sword, skull and shield. The
305. then high priest of Badarinath Temple led the consecration ceremony.<br />
306.           The girl that appeared before the Karanavar of Mulluveettil family is known to be <b>Kannagi (Kannaki)</b>. Kannagi is the famous heroine of Chipathikaram, a Tamil epic written by Elenkovadikal. She is the incarnation of <b>Sree Parvathy</b>, the consort of <b>Lord Siva</b>.
307. She took this incarnation of destroyer goddess, to destroy the evil and
308. to preserve good. Kannagi was returning from Madurai, a city which she
309. has destroyed, when she took a sojourn at Attukal and let the Karanavar
310. see her as a little girl. She was on her way to Kodungalloor.<br />
311. <br />
312. <br />
313. <br />
314. <br />
315. <br />
316. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
317.                                         <span style="color: #0b5394;">THE KANAKAKUNNU PALACE.</span> </h3>
318. <div style="text-align: left;">
319. <img class="irc_mut" height="360" id="irc_mi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1q-8O_8m7dnAiuOX3bAnqeUgKUCkWxGVwfdOzbBfB0sra1-b8ipVdWtmBajfAXjgzfjYj8Q3wE9BFw4WFYLu6tQ0XQgu_QikORkQNAD1c29CBmMsQysNPa5O-DMy-S9J4-V4cTqWPZQj/s640/Kanakakunnu+Palace.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </div>
320. <div style="text-align: left;">
321.          Kanakakunnu Palace in Trivandrum is one of the most famous in the city
322. of Trivandrum which is very rich with its ancient buildings, forts and
323. palaces, famous for their splendid architecture. Among the various
324. tourist Arrractions that are spread all around the city of
325. Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum. The Kanakakunnu Palace, situated right
326. next to the Napier Museum in Trivandrum, was constructed during the
327. reign of the Travancore King, His Highness Sree Moolam Tirunal
328. (1885-1924), one of the most popular rulers of Travancore. Used once as a
329. summer retreat, this piece of architectural excellence was used by the
330. Travancore royal family to entertain their guests; a favourite
331. especially for royal banquets. Later His Highness Sree Chithira Tirunal
332. modified the Palace and constructed tennis courts in the palace premises
333. to entertain his sport- enthusiast friends. This stunning piece of
334. architectural excellence was used by the Travancore royal family to
335. entertain their guests in the earlier days. </div>
336. <div style="text-align: left;">
337.          Kanakakunnu Palace, is said to be built by Sree Moolam Thirunal. It is
338. now protected by the tourism department the palace plays host to a lot
339. of cultural meets and programs. The Indian National Trust for Art and
340. Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has listed this place as a heritage
341. monument.Located about 800 meters north east of the Napier Museum in the
342. heart of Trivandrum city, Kanakakunnu Palace is one of the last
343. architectural vestiges of the colonial era. Built during the reign of
344. Travancore king Sree Moolam Thirunal (1885-1924), the palace served as
345. the main venue for royal banquets. Later Swathi Thirunal, one of
346. Travancore’s popular rulers, refurbished the palace and constructed
347. tennis courts in the premises. He also did use it for a few years as a
348. summer retreat. Boasting a quaint Kerala-style façade, the Travancore
349. royal family used the house to entertain guests. Inside you will see
350. massive crystal chandeliers and an array of exquisite pieces of royal
351. furniture – a testimony to the lavish lifestyle of the Thirunal kings
352. who had a penchant for music and art. Add to it a picturesque setting on
353. the crest of a small hill lush with meadows, grooves and flowering
354. shrubs.<br />
355. <br />
356. <br />
357. <br />
358. <br />
359. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
360.                                    <span style="color: #0b5394;">SRI CHITRA ART GALLERY. </span></h3>
361. <div style="text-align: left;">
362. <img class="irc_mut" height="424" id="irc_mi" src="https://www.keralapedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Trivandrum-Sree-Chitra-Art-Gallery-Night-View.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </div>
363. <div style="text-align: left;">
364. <span class="MyDescription"></span></div>
365.          Napier Museum built in   the 19th
366. century, this Indo-Saracenic structure boasts a natural air-conditioning
367. system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and   historic
368. artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and   ivory
369. carvings. The Japanese shadow play leather figures, used to depict the
370. epics of Mahabharata and the Ramayana, are very interesting.<br />
371.          A visit to the Napier Museum complex reveals a glimpse of Kerala's  
372. rich cultural heritage. An exceptional piece of architecture, the Museum
373. is   named after the former Madras Governor General, John Napier. The
374. Napier   Museum is also called the Government Art Museum.  The Museum
375. building   is a combination of the Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian
376. architectural   styles.<br />
377.          The Sree Chithra Art Gallery near the Napier Museum was opened in
378. 1935 by the then Maharaja of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal,
379. displays rare collection of   paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and
380. Nicholas Roerich; exquisite works   from the Mughal, Rajput and Tanjore
381. schools of art. An oriental collection   consisting of paintings from
382. China, Japan, Tibet and Bali offers a visual   treat and are a tribute
383. to the art and culture of these countries. The collection also includes
384. unique copies of Indian mural paintings from pre-historic times down to
385. the 18th Century.<br />
386. <br />
387. <br />
388. <br />
389. <br />
390. <br />
391. <h3>
392. <span class="MyDescription"><div style="text-align: left;">
393. <span style="color: #0b5394;">                                            CHOWARA BEACH. </span></div>
394. </span></h3>
395. <span class="MyDescription"></span><br />
396. <div style="text-align: left;">
397. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><var class="parentName"></var> </span><img class="irc_mut" height="480" id="irc_mi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu2JUdNQIzdTkC1r4YZcFim-2jqYhPdUfVv2omfK9qYz252RBC_GVOBS6Lrg23HnpAcP8wFgcMhWr7T7R4251kwnW7bwFasSP8Ful-0ufRFVJIzjpTxNtX2vgj_d9gL2W90cTWkDeH8Y/s640/Chowara+Beach+3.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px;" width="640" /> </div>
398. <div style="text-align: left;">
399. <span class="contentstyle2">         Chowara</span> is a beautiful quaint village located about 10 km south of <span class="contentstyle2">Kovalam</span>. This village is dotted with coconut trees and a beach called <span class="contentstyle2">Chowara Beach</span>. Aazhimala Shiva Temple is located here is a major shrine. <span class="contentstyle2">Vizhinjam</span> harbor is another tourist attraction.
400. Accommodation facilities of various standards are available including old Kerala cottages. Aazhimala Beach Resort and <span class="listtitle">Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort</span> are situated in the vicinity.<br />
401. <br />
402.         
403.  
404. Chowara is a place near to <span class="contentstyle2">Vizhijam</span>. It is around 20 kms from <span class="contentstyle2">Thiruvananthapuram</span>
405. and 4 kms from Kovalam. Some of the top resorts in Kovalam is near to
406. Chowara. Nearest bus stand is Vizhinjam. Frequent buses and other
407. transportation services are available to Chowara. <span class="contentstyle2">Azhimala Beach</span> is near to Chowara.<br />
408. <br />
409.         
410.  
411. Kovalam beach in Kerala is internationally renowned, this seaside
412. destination has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s.
413. Kovalam beach comprises three adjacent crescent-shaped beaches, of which
414. the southernmost known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular.
415. Kovalam beach offers a variety of activities including snorkeling,
416. catamaran rides, sunset viewing, cycling on the beach, swimming,
417. sun-bathing etc. Kovalam is a must see tourist center for anyone who has
418. a fascination for <span class="contentstyle2">sun, sea and sand</span>.
419. Distance to Kovalam beach from Thiruvananthapuram: 16 km.<br />
420. <br />
421.           
422.  
423. Sharing its western border with the <span class="contentstyle2">Arabian sea</span>,
424. Kerala has a 600 km long shorelines dotted with some of the finest,
425. most charming beaches of the world, coconut groves, natural harbors,
426. lagoons and sheltered coves. Most of India’s finest beaches are in
427. Kerala.
428. For virtually its entire 600 km length, the Kerala coast is lined with
429. sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms. Each year greater
430. numbers of visitors arrive here in search of the tranquil, palm-fringed
431. beaches.<br />
432. <br />
433. <br />
434. <br />
435. <br />
436. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
437. <span style="color: #3d85c6;"> Kovalam Beach</span></h3>
438. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
439. <a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7WC61hnUlbcYHH5KAemcv8xR1ApWqo7AI78PlhY5JWhMohg7A6nD5zTR-XQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7WC61hnUlbcYHH5KAemcv8xR1ApWqo7AI78PlhY5JWhMohg7A6nD5zTR-XQ" width="640" /></a></div>
440. <div>
441. <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
442. <div style="text-align: left;">
443. <b style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">          Kovalam</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;"> is a </span>beach<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;"> town by the </span>Arabian     Sea <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">in </span>Thiruvananthapuram<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;"> city, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">located around 16 km from the city center.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees.</span></div>
444. <div style="text-align: left;">
445. <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">           </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">Kovalam first  attention when the Regent Maharani </span>Sethu Lakshmi Bayi<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;"> of</span>Travancore<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;"> constructed her beach resort,</span>Halcyon Castle<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">, here towards the end of the 1920s. Thereafter the place was brought to the public eye by her nephew the </span>Maharaja of Travancore<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;"> The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potentiality of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination in the 1930s. However, Kovalam shot into limelight in the early seventies with arrivals of the masses of </span>hippies<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;"> on their way to </span>Ceylon<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;"> in the </span>Hippie Trail<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">. This exodus started the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in all India.</span></div>
446. <div style="text-align: left;">
447. <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">              </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26.4px;">Kovalam has three beaches separated by rocky outcroppings in its 17 km coastline, the three together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach</span></div>
448. <ul style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; list-style: square inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
449. <li style="background: none; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lighthouse Beach</li>
450. </ul>
451. <dl style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><dd style="background: none; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The southernmost beach, the Lighthouse Beach is the one most frequented by tourists, Lighthouse Beach got its name due to the old Vizhinjam Lighthouse located on a 35 meter high on top of the Kurumkal hillock. The lighthouse is built using stones, is colored in red and white bands and enjoys a height of 118 feet.It's intermittent beams at night render the beach with an unearthly charm.</dd></dl>
452. <ul style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; list-style: square inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
453. <li style="background: none; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hawah Beach</li>
454. </ul>
455. <dl style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><dd style="background: none; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Eve’s Beach, more commonly known as Hawa Beach, ranks second, in the early day, is a beehive of activities with fishermen setting out for sea. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights.</dd></dl>
456. <ul style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; list-style: square inside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
457. <li style="background: none; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Samudra Beach</li>
458. </ul>
459. <dl style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><dd style="background: none; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part.</dd></dl>
460. <div style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
461. Detour past Kovalam junction to land on Samudra Beach which is to the north of Ashoka Beach. One has the option to walk along the sea-wall too.The sight of the waves lashing on the rocks below is awesome. Shallow waters stretching for hundreds of metres are ideal for swimming. The beaches have steep palm covered headlands and are lined with shops that offer all kinds of goods and services.</div>
462. <div style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
463. The larger of the beaches is called Lighthouse Beach for its 35 metre high light house which towers over it atop Kurumkal hillock. The second largest one is Hawah Beach named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India.However topless bathing is banned now except in private coves owned by resorts. Visitors frequent these two beaches. The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach in tourism parlance. A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and Monazite. The normal tourist season is from September to May. Ashoka beach is also the part of Kovalam beach.</div>
464. <div style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
465.            </div>
466. <h3 class="in-block" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; display: table; font-family: 'linux libertine', georgia, times, serif; font-size: 1.2em; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
467. <span class="mw-headline" id="Tourist_facilities" style="background: none; border: 0px; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 272px;">Tourist facilities</span><span style="background: none; border: 0px; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><a class="mw-ui-icon mw-ui-icon-element mw-ui-icon-edit-enabled edit-page" data-section="5" href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kovalam&action=edit&section=5" style="background: none; border: 0px; color: #5a3696; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.833333em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 3.5em; min-height: 1.5em; min-width: 3.5em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -999px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 3.5em;" title="Edit section: Tourist facilities">Edit</a></span></h3>
468. <div style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
469. There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.</div>
470. <div style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #252525; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, 'nimbus sans l', arial, 'liberation sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
471. Kovalam was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the hippy era. It still has a high status among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and Israel.Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists.</div>
472. <br />
473.                                       <br />
474. <br />
475. <h2 style="text-align: left;">
476.         <span style="color: #741b47;">PLACES IN KOCHI (COCHIN).</span></h2>
477. <div style="text-align: left;">
478. <br /></div>
479. <div style="text-align: left;">
480. <br /></div>
481. <div style="text-align: left;">
482. <br /></div>
483. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
484. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">     WONDER LA AMUSEMENT PARK.</span></span></h3>
485. <div style="text-align: left;">
486. <br />
487. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
488. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcThbiOJ6Ogoorq4DXP2WQk9DhnGmZ2a2f6cFoX7_P5zsoP72-4YGzGuFu2fpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcThbiOJ6Ogoorq4DXP2WQk9DhnGmZ2a2f6cFoX7_P5zsoP72-4YGzGuFu2fpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
489. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
490. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
491. </div>
492. <strong>         Wonderla Kochi</strong> is the most popular and biggest
493. amusement park in India. It was previously known as Veega Land. The park
494. is located at Pallikara, about 15kms from Kochi city. Set in over 30
495. acres of landscaped space was set up in 2000, built to global standards
496. and flawlessly maintained. Beautiful gardens surrounded by lush green
497. trees, plants and shrubs make wonderla an amazing place. It has
498. entertained more than a crore visitors in 12 years.  A joyful experience
499. packed with all types of rides offering entertainment
500. and fun for all age groups. It has won many Awards & Accolades for
501. its services and maintenance. Tickets and reservations can be done
502. through online booking. Group offers and special offers are also
503. available.<br />
504.            Primary importance is given to safety and hygiene of visitors by the
505. management. Wonderla provides an absolutely safe environment for you and
506. your family.  Wonderla treats water confirming to IS standards.
507. Customer service at Wonderla is warm, courteous, well-organised and
508. supportive. Nearly 600 plus trained staffs attend to all the needs of
509. the visitors. <strong>Wonderla – Kochi</strong> has restaurants with a
510. total capacity of more than 1000 seats inside the vicinity. It provides
511. variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes prepared hygienically,
512. at a reasonable price. Park has also got other refreshment counters and
513. coffee shops.<br />
514. <h2>
515. <span id="wonderla-kochi-rides">Wonderla Kochi Rides</span></h2>
516. <strong>Wonderla Kochi</strong> is home for 55 amusement rides under four categories.<br />
517. <strong>Kids Rides</strong> : Keeping in mind the safety requirement
518. of kids the rides are designed and built accordingly, these mild yet
519. fun-packed rides capture the imagination of kids and keep them
520. entertained.<br />
521. <strong>Water Rides</strong> : Wonderla brings you the biggest variety of water rides that are filled with lots of fun. From coasters to beach like wave pools to a rain disco and a lazy river to float, you can splash around and enjoy all the water rides.<br />
522. <strong>Dry Rides</strong> : There’s something for everyone here, the
523. dry rides at Wonderla is fun and adventures. These rides are full of
524. surprises that take you on a joyride through twists and turns hanging
525. you upside down making you scream and laugh. It also includes musical
526. fountain and laser shows.<br />
527. <strong>High Thrill Rides</strong> : The hi-thrill ride is an
528. ultimate thriller built using the latest technology. These giant rides
529. make your heart pumping and are unpredictable making your ride
530. mind-blowing.<br />
531. <h2>
532. <span id="wonderla-kochi-ticket-rates">Wonderla kochi ticket rates</span></h2>
533. Week Days : Adult Rs. 510 -  Child Rs. 400<br />
534. Sat / Sunday & Public Holidays : Adult  Rs. 660 – Child Rs. 520<br />
535. May Weekdays : Adult Rs. 570 – Child Rs. 460<br />
536. May Weekends and Holidays, Onam-Ramzan, Christmas Season : Adult  Rs. 730 -  Child Rs. 580<br />
537. <h2>
538. <span id="how-to-reach-wonderla">How to reach Wonderla</span></h2>
539. Visitors can reach Wonderla through different modes of transports.<br />
540. <strong>By Train:</strong> Wonderla – Kochi is located 17km from Ernakulam Town Railway Station. Hire a cab from the station or opt for closest Kaloor Bus Station for public transport.<br />
541. <strong>By Public Transport:</strong> Private buses flying between
542. Kaloor to Muvattupuza / perumbavoor via Pallikara have got stoppage at
543. park entrance gate. Park provides free pick up and drop from the
544. entrance gate.<br />
545. Ample free parking space is also available for vehicles.<br />
546. <h2>
547. <span id="wonderla-kochi-contact-number-location">Wonderla Kochi contact number / Location</span></h2>
548. Address : Wonderla Holidays Limited, Pallikara, Kumarapuram P.O, Cochin – 683 565, Kerala, India<br />
549. Phone : +91 484 268 4001<br />
550. <br />
551. <div style="text-align: left;">
552. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span> </span></div>
553. </div>
554. <br />
555. <br />
556. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
557.                       <span style="color: #0b5394;">GREENIX VILLAGE.</span></h3>
558. <div style="text-align: left;">
559. <br /></div>
560. <div style="text-align: left;">
561. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
562. <a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1nMKz5EYBXqZ361jL_8njptOza3Wio8LtBhkKZ0_leiak5_zhqPJvENaceA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1nMKz5EYBXqZ361jL_8njptOza3Wio8LtBhkKZ0_leiak5_zhqPJvENaceA" width="640" /></a></div>
563. <br /></div>
564. <div class="post">
565. Greenix Village is a cultural art centre promoting Kerala's varied art forms under a single roof.
566.             Every evening we showcase Kerala's best known dance drama
567. Kathakali, its martial art form Kalaripayattu, a daily cultural
568. audio-visual history at our in-house museum, classical indian music in
569. the late evening & yoga training classes every morning. <br />
570.           This cultural art centre also houses an art gallery restaurant,
571. a curio shop, book shop & vignettes of Kerala's cottage & craft
572. industry. The village opens at 06.00 am & closes by 10.00pm.</div>
573. <div style="text-align: left;">
574.            Greenix invites foreign travelers to Cochin to be its
575. Artist-in-Residence. Individuals from all types of creative platforms;
576. visual arts, music, performing arts, architecture, design, dance,
577. researchers and healing art therapists are invited to enjoy Greenix
578. unconditional hospitality while demonstrating their creative gift for a
579. working period of one week. Greenix provides ancestral Kerala village
580. ambience to express your creative greatness involuntarily. The artist is
581. free to use the residency for his or her own purposes, without any
582. obligation towards the host. </div>
583. <div style="text-align: left;">
584.               For most of us growing up in the Kerala’s villages and towns,
585. dance has been an integral part of our lives. From the days we remember
586. as children, long before bollywood put on colour, the only
587. entertainment we had were the temple and church festivals that dotted a
588. calendar year. Each festival brought along a revelry and celebration
589. that spread days before into every nook and corner of the evergreen
590. Kerala Village landscape.
591.        </div>
592. <div class="story">
593.                 The energy of  Theyyam with its invocations, the satire and
594. interactive performances of  Chakiyarkoothu and Ottanthullal, the
595. emotionally charged eyes of the Kathakali  performer,   or the sound of
596. the clash of swords and steel  from the nearby Kalaripayattu training
597. centre; all symbolised the colour of  rural village life. To top it all,
598. the Kathakali performances, patronised by  local landlords,  long
599. before the monsoon  turned the countryside into a melange of  mud and
600. water, starting just after dusk and continuing  till the break of dawn,
601. provided us children an excuse to overstay outside our  homes.<br />
602. At Greenix, we owe  our origin to such evergreen nostalgia
603. and also to a deep and abiding passion  to conserve our various dances
604. in its original form. This passion for  conservation of Kerala’s dance
605. forms has made us bring together the largest  repertory of dance
606. performers in Kerala State. It has also helped us create  Greenix
607. Village, at Fort Kochi, a veritable treasure trove of information,  
608. performances and a miniaturized recreation of our rich and beautiful
609. culture  and its colourful dance forms.<br />
610. <br />
611. <br />
612. <br />
613. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
614. <span style="color: #3d85c6;">                     FOLKLORE MUSEUM</span></h3>
615. <div>
616. <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
617. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
618. <a href="http://nathansholidayhome.com/wp-content/uploads/kerala-folklore-museum-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://nathansholidayhome.com/wp-content/uploads/kerala-folklore-museum-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQS_2M7JGNvGDvxW1ZBuQBid3eg_Ey65eWhLHCWoalnGCfwg1PIOA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="450" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQS_2M7JGNvGDvxW1ZBuQBid3eg_Ey65eWhLHCWoalnGCfwg1PIOA" width="640" /></a></div>
619. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
620. <br /></div>
621. <div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">
622. Step into this three-storied edifice and take a stroll down history where every waft that you encounter is scented with times gone by, its culture and heritage. This is Kerala Folklore Theatre and Museum at Thevara, Ernakulam - a unique venture to preserve the splendid folklore wealth of the State.</div>
623. <div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">
624. Opened in the year 2009 as a non-profit organization, the museum is truly a treasure trove that showcases the rich heritage that Kerala exudes through its numerous art and dance forms. Artifacts that bear the scent of bygone era like masks, sculptures, in wood, stone and bronze, costumes of traditional and ritual art forms, musical instruments, traditional jewelry, manuscripts of rare medicinal and astrological secrets, and Stone-Age utensils are all preserved in this museum with utmost care.<br />
625. <br />
626. The building itself is a piece of wonder with its three floors following the architectural styles of Malabar, Cochin and Travancore. The entrance to this marvelous structure is constructed from the remnants of a 16th century temple in Tamil Nadu and wooden carvings collected from across Kerala. The entrance door is decked with an attractive <em>manichitratazhu</em> (a traditional ornate door lock of Kerala). Near to this entrance door are pierced wooden windows, reminiscent of the intriguing Malabar style of architecture.<br />
627. <br />
628. The first floor with the Cochin architectural style is sagaciously named as <em>kalithattu</em>, which means a floor for play and it displays costumes of various traditional and ritual dance forms of Kerala like <em>Theyyam, Kathakali, Ottanthullal</em>, and <em>Mohiniyattam</em>.<em>Kanjadalam</em>; or lotus petal is the name given to the second floor, which is adorned with fascinating mural paintings and has a chiseled wooden ceiling made of 60 frames.<br />
629. <br />
630. The theatre here conducts authentic stage performances every day at 6.30 p.m. Kerala Folklore Theatre and Museum is the outcome of 25 years of efforts and determination of George Thaliath and his wife Annie George along with the inimitable craftsmanship and manpower put in by 62 carpenters and skilled workers for more than seven years. The museum is open from 9.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Entrance fee to the museum is Rs.100 for adults and Rs.50 for students.<br />
631. <br />
632. For more details contact:-</div>
633. <div style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">
634. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
635. Kerala Folklore Theatre and Museum</div>
636. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
637. Folklore Jn., Thevara,</div>
638. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
639. Cochin, Kerala, India</div>
640. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
641. Phone: + 91 484 2665452</div>
642. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
643. E-mail: keralafolkloretheatre@gmail.com</div>
644. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
645. Website: www.folkloremuseum.in</div>
646. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
647. <br /></div>
648. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
649. <br /></div>
650. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
651. <br /></div>
652. <div style="color: #666666; font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
653. <br /></div>
654. <h3 style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">
655. <span style="color: #3d85c6;">National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam</span></h3>
656. <div style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
657. <img alt="Image result for vallarpadam church" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Vallarpadom_Church.jpg" /></div>
658. <div style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
659. <br /></div>
660. <div style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
661. <span style="color: #4a5258; font-family: open_sansregular; font-size: 16px;">Located in the middle of Vallarpadam in Kerala, the Vallarpadam Church or the Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom is an ancient church and a very famous centre of pilgrimage in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. It's one of the oldest European Churches in India which was built by the Portuguese Missionaries in the year 1524. The church is dedicated to the Holy Mary of Vallarpadam which is commonly referred as 'Vallarapadath Amma'. Though, it ruined due to heavy flood in the year 1676 but it was reconstructed in the year 1676. Then in the year 1888, it was declared as a special church by Pope Leo XIII and later the Union Government stated it as a major pilgrim centre. The history says that Vallarpadath Amma has saved her devotees life several times from violent storms.</span></div>
662. <div style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
663. <span style="color: #4a5258; font-family: open_sansregular; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
664. <div style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
665. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Vallarpadam is situated next to </span>Bolgatty Island<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> on the west, and linked to the Ernakulam mainland via the new Goshree bridges. It is about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 mi) in length in the north-south direction and hosts a population of 10,000 people. Vallarpadam is about one kilometer (½ mile) away from the Ernakulam mainland.</span></div>
666. <div style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
667. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
668. <div style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
669. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
670. <div style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
671. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
672. <div style="font-family: "open sans", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
673. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
674. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
675. <span style="color: #3d85c6;">                 St. George's Forane Church, Edappally.</span></h3>
676. <div>
677. <img alt="Image result for edappally church" height="358" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/09/d9/b9/9c/dsc03905-largejpg.jpg" width="640" /></div>
678. <div>
679. <br /></div>
680. <div>
681. <span style="color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Edappally, about 10 km away from the city, is famous for the St. George Forane Church, one of the oldest Roman Catholic Churches in the State. The church, popularly known as Edappally Pally, was a small structure at the time of its construction in 594 AD. In 1080 AD, a bigger church was built adjacent to the old one to accommodate the congregation that had grown greatly in number. </span></div>
682. <div>
683. <span style="color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
684. <div>
685. <span style="color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The church has undergone many renovations since the time of its construction. The picture of the Virgin surrounded by sculptures and angels was integrated with the altar during one such renovation. On the wall behind the altar, there is a painting of Heaven. A statue of St. George mounted on his horse, spearing the dragon, is also seen here.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The church feast is conducted in the month of April-May. Thousands of devotees participate in the festival which is a grand affair. </span></div>
686. <div>
687. <span style="color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
688. <div>
689. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">St. George's Forane Church, north-east of Kochi, is 500 metres from the intersection of </span>NH 66<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> and     </span>NH 544<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. The nearest airport is </span>Cochin International Airport<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> in </span>Nedumbassery<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, about 22 km from the church. The Edappally railway station is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) away.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.2px; white-space: nowrap;"> </span>Kochi Metro<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, the city's rail network, runs in front of the church.</span></div>
690. <div>
691. <span style="color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
692. <div>
693. <span style="color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
694. <div>
695. <span style="color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
696. <div>
697. <span style="color: #232323; font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
698. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
699. <span style="font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">                     Museum Of Kerala History, Eddapally.</span></span></h3>
700. <div>
701. <img alt="Image result for kerala museum" src="https://c1.hiqcdn.com/customcdn/720x512/images/attractions/Museum_of_Kerala_History_1270.jpg" /></div>
702. <div>
703. <span style="font-family: Quicksand, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></span></div>
704. <div>
705. <span style="font-family: Verdana, arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Built in the 19th century-old Vallakadavu Boathouse in Trivandrum, this new biodiversity museum is the first of its kind in the country and has been recently opened to the public after its inauguration on June 5, 2018. An initiative of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSSB) along with the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation, and the Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Limited , this museum is definitely a place you wouldn’t want to miss on your Kerala trip.</span></div>
706. <div>
707. <h2 class="h2_Waypoints_blogpage" id="1_1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 23px !important; line-height: 1.33; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 26px; padding: 0px 20px;">
708. Major Attractions In The New Biodiversity Museum In Kerala</h2>
709. <ul style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #9a9a9a; font-family: Verdana, arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 0px;">
710. <li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; font-size: 14px !important;">A 50-seater 3D theatre, scale models, interactive kiosks and LCDs</li>
711. <li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; font-size: 14px !important;">A Science on a Sphere (SOS) projection system</li>
712. <li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; font-size: 14px !important;">A few galleries that display the themes related to biodiversity</li>
713. <li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; font-size: 14px !important;">Some informative panels on the types of state’s traditional rice, marine diversity and marine life</li>
714. <li style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; font-size: 14px !important;">An aquascaped ambience</li>
715. </ul>
716. <div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px 20px;">
717. All these interactive features have been designed in a way that a visit to this biodiversity museum in Kerala will become enriching as the visitors will get informed about the importance of biodiversity conversation. And while the museum has just opened its door, the work was started long back in 2013 after the proposal.</div>
718. <h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(162, 169, 177); font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, Times, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 1em 0px 0.25em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;">
719. <span class="mw-headline" id="Modern_Art_Gallery">Modern Art Gallery</span></h2>
720. <div class="thumb tright" style="clear: right; color: #222222; float: right; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 1.3em 1.4em; width: auto;">
721. <div class="thumbinner" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); font-size: 13.16px; min-width: 100px; overflow: hidden; padding: 3px; text-align: center; width: 222px;">
722. <a class="image" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Art_Gallery_Exterior.jpg" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="" class="thumbimage" data-file-height="3120" data-file-width="4160" height="165" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Art_Gallery_Exterior.jpg/220px-Art_Gallery_Exterior.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Art_Gallery_Exterior.jpg/330px-Art_Gallery_Exterior.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Art_Gallery_Exterior.jpg/440px-Art_Gallery_Exterior.jpg 2x" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); vertical-align: middle;" width="220" /></a><div class="thumbcaption" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12.3704px; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 3px; text-align: left;">
723. <div class="magnify" style="float: right; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 0px;">
724. <a class="internal" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Art_Gallery_Exterior.jpg" style="background: linear-gradient(transparent, transparent), url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22 viewBox=%220 0 11 15%22 width=%2215%22 height=%2211%22%3E %3Cg id=%22magnify-clip%22 fill=%22%23fff%22 stroke=%22%23000%22%3E %3Cpath id=%22bigbox%22 d=%22M1.509 1.865h10.99v7.919h-10.99z%22/%3E %3Cpath id=%22smallbox%22 d=%22M-1.499 6.868h5.943v4.904h-5.943z%22/%3E %3C/g%3E %3C/svg%3E"); color: #0b0080; display: block; height: 11px; overflow: hidden; text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: 15px; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap; width: 15px;" title="Enlarge"></a></div>
725. Modern Art Gallery</div>
726. </div>
727. </div>
728. <div style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
729. The Modern Art Gallery has a collection of nearly 230 works of art by some of India's leading modern masters, including Raja Ravi Varma, M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, Jamini Roy, Benode Behari Mukherjee, Ramkinker Baij, Ram Kumar and K.G. Subramanyan, among others.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;">[2]</sup> The collection was assembled by Madhavan Nayar and his associates over a period of four years. Works were purchased from artists, art collectors and galleries while some were donated by the artists to the museum. The gallery was formally inaugurated in 19943 by then Chief Minister of Kerala, K. Karunakaran.</div>
730. <div style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
731. The Modern Art collection at the Kerala Museum is the only one of its kind accessible to the public in Kerala.</div>
732. </div>
733. </div>
734. </div>
735. <div style="text-align: left;">
736. </div>
737. <h3>
738. <span class="MyDescription"></span></h3>
739. </div>
740. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
741. <span style="clear: left; color: #0b5394; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </span></div>
742. <h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
743. </h3>
744. <div style="text-align: justify;">
745. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
746. <div style="text-align: left;">
747. </div>
748. </div>
749. </div>
750. </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://incredibleplacesofindia.blogspot.com/feeds/1366981924954340634/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://incredibleplacesofindia.blogspot.com/2013/10/kerelagods-own-country.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2856043211461249159/posts/default/1366981924954340634'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2856043211461249159/posts/default/1366981924954340634'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://incredibleplacesofindia.blogspot.com/2013/10/kerelagods-own-country.html' title='KERELA.....GODS OWN COUNTRY.'/><author><name>Anonymous</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12838836960539545645</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOaF6Ei3qg_DUhqdYU5boD0Fu2cMZzewa-1JAqRgbTMJcT3ZQeNbitYDJHdk8RnNaWhGSKHR1Ht6ZqOp8Egz0o8KUlk_lSo-4XJPs2v7IJSb4RRaoQsz85ZLPVHB5HEINs_cZFhkL5BE/s72-c/Pazhavangadi+Ganapathi+Temple+Trivandrum+Kerala.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856043211461249159.post-2209792797828420950</id><published>2013-10-20T12:32:00.004-07:00</published><updated>2013-12-06T03:18:04.218-08:00</updated><title type='text'>JAMMU AND KASHMIR</title><content type='html'>&lt;div dir=&quot;ltr&quot; style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot; trbidi=&quot;on&quot;&gt;
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755. <br />
756. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
757. <div style="text-align: left;">
758. <h2 style="text-align: left;">
759.                       <span style="font-size: x-large;">   <span style="color: #741b47;">PLACES IN SRINAGAR</span></span></h2>
760. <div style="text-align: left;">
761.                                                  </div>
762. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
763. <span style="color: #0b5394;">                                              DAL LAKE,SRINAGAR.</span></h3>
764. <div style="text-align: left;">
765. </div>
766. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
767. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_75vLt-Oqg2SAFnuBulP1uRbKiYNV9i6X5iV0DGtt68x-iXl5nAk_UPxg_qQcEBIkMZ31hNBoXnWJvGwwCFTbs1aiurSRxKxYDYRjO4jhcLykxpZZMUQslJUQM-gyw0RHEU0p29csAYCh/s1600/dal+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_75vLt-Oqg2SAFnuBulP1uRbKiYNV9i6X5iV0DGtt68x-iXl5nAk_UPxg_qQcEBIkMZ31hNBoXnWJvGwwCFTbs1aiurSRxKxYDYRjO4jhcLykxpZZMUQslJUQM-gyw0RHEU0p29csAYCh/s640/dal+lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
768. <br />
769. <div style="text-align: left;">
770.          Dal lake is one of the most beautiful in India.Its three sides are surrounded by majestic mountains and a large number of gardens and orchards have been laid along the shores.The campus of university of Kashmir is also located along the shores of the lake.           </div>
771. <div style="text-align: left;">
772. <br />
773. <br />
774. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
775. <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVMPKQeaQaZV94QK99iy8d-qFZljvwmeJNbn3hZyDIlUKaMdTfORqn8mUFoJ6taRxEDnai8t8R1jpFTR40cBfwjkea0ZslzktNcZfvR56oXJE8zGVtWb-6CsKu5aL8OdwOVcJIKL-3Rjy/s1600/dal+lake+houseboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVMPKQeaQaZV94QK99iy8d-qFZljvwmeJNbn3hZyDIlUKaMdTfORqn8mUFoJ6taRxEDnai8t8R1jpFTR40cBfwjkea0ZslzktNcZfvR56oXJE8zGVtWb-6CsKu5aL8OdwOVcJIKL-3Rjy/s400/dal+lake+houseboat.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
776. <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;">HOUSEBOATS.</span></td></tr>
777. </tbody></table>
778. <br />
779. <br />
780. <br />
781. <br />
782. <br />
783. <br />
784. <br />
785. <br />
786.  Dal lake is unique in having hundreds
787. of Houseboats,which afford an opportunity to tourists to reside on the
788. lake in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.<br />
789. <div style="text-align: left;">
790. <br /></div>
791. </div>
792. <div style="text-align: left;">
793.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         <span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span>                                                                                                                                             </div>
794. <div style="text-align: left;">
795. </div>
796. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
797.                             <span style="color: #0b5394;">INDIRA GANDHI TULIP GARDEN,SRINAGAR.</span></h3>
798. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
799. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmV6jBxyHvhe2vW1fg0mmqKgeDQeutfH9Cug7-sthmhlQMF9ZcAoF0oZJWfNMnyw8ozDCqvyEHAx__XuniN6aKv54HnvJU9XXnWW77dTvB8i8-P2nnmN1ZBze_2u9q2hhrhA86NmlgJFqP/s1600/the-tulip-garden-in-srinagar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmV6jBxyHvhe2vW1fg0mmqKgeDQeutfH9Cug7-sthmhlQMF9ZcAoF0oZJWfNMnyw8ozDCqvyEHAx__XuniN6aKv54HnvJU9XXnWW77dTvB8i8-P2nnmN1ZBze_2u9q2hhrhA86NmlgJFqP/s640/the-tulip-garden-in-srinagar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
800. <div style="text-align: left;">
801. <div style="text-align: left;">
802. <span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span>    </div>
803. </div>
804. <div style="text-align: left;">
805.              Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is situated at the foothills of Zabarwan
806. Mountains, which is near the banks of Dal Lake. This garden is around 8
807. km from Srinagar and is known for annual Tulip Festival that continues
808. for 7 days. It is one of the spacious gardens in Srinagar and is known
809. to have more than 70 varieties of coloured tulip flowers. </div>
810. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
811. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf88U_Uxq7DsB5xCcdPa3VGi0jN5Hs_9qTGtrESxuUHnalXmfDzm7lpZyEzOvwagaOZt_5u0Kz5cSrHAI8kV7zSPksvyhvGiSq-HUSOdlRaJSKNLlscYGaO95r-UhlOoXYaY09pyX5QYW/s1600/tulip-garden-in-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf88U_Uxq7DsB5xCcdPa3VGi0jN5Hs_9qTGtrESxuUHnalXmfDzm7lpZyEzOvwagaOZt_5u0Kz5cSrHAI8kV7zSPksvyhvGiSq-HUSOdlRaJSKNLlscYGaO95r-UhlOoXYaY09pyX5QYW/s400/tulip-garden-in-full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
812. <br />
813. <br />
814. <br />
815. <br />
816. <br />
817.            The garden covers approximately 90 acres of land and houses 1.3 million
818. tulip bulbs that overlook the Dal Lake. It is situated in vicinity of
819. Shalimar Garden, Nishat Garden, Chashm-e-Shahi Gardens and other Mughal
820. Gardens.<br />
821. <br />
822. <br />
823. <div style="text-align: left;">
824.                                         <span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></div>
825. <div style="text-align: left;">
826. <span style="color: #0b5394;">                                       </span></div>
827. <div style="text-align: left;">
828. </div>
829. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
830. <span style="color: #0b5394;">                      </span></h3>
831. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
832. <span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></h3>
833. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
834. <span style="color: #0b5394;">                                SINTHAN TOP,SRINAGAR. </span></h3>
835. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
836. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV0tpi7SFmJOW7WxiI2EvjiNkh8TtqRwOESXov-w1OmwYaB7gd7i74To-R5gY85iyt45KI5MOb_bU0ywSV0XIL7mPmMs7UUJOmxwZqAS4_I51aRwT3WBlEYOUQwNbOyi7-D4BzGqbkIlr/s1600/sinthan+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV0tpi7SFmJOW7WxiI2EvjiNkh8TtqRwOESXov-w1OmwYaB7gd7i74To-R5gY85iyt45KI5MOb_bU0ywSV0XIL7mPmMs7UUJOmxwZqAS4_I51aRwT3WBlEYOUQwNbOyi7-D4BzGqbkIlr/s640/sinthan+top.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
837. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
838. </div>
839. <div style="text-align: left;">
840.             Sinthan Top is one such destination that caught the tourists’ eye
841. recently when the construction of Kokernag- Kishtwar road started. At a
842. distance of around 128 kilometers from Srinagar and located at a height
843. of 3748 meters, Sinthan top has a great potential to become tourist
844. favourite because of its magnificent location and breathtaking beauty.                                                                                                                                                      </div>
845. <br />
846. <br />
847. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
848. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFW-W3b4sqZQ5jD7dmbXv9SVHhaYoVCkYDcjYp0O7oNQl1TnmPI3r3qIhu4ePVt5HZzhTt1C6A-qWhVnRJ3Xknm_ALbSx9ofF_ynSA2N6qh8m79Sv99XFm9mbJwnwwYF_fYgMTbgZOAdi/s1600/Sinthan+top+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFW-W3b4sqZQ5jD7dmbXv9SVHhaYoVCkYDcjYp0O7oNQl1TnmPI3r3qIhu4ePVt5HZzhTt1C6A-qWhVnRJ3Xknm_ALbSx9ofF_ynSA2N6qh8m79Sv99XFm9mbJwnwwYF_fYgMTbgZOAdi/s400/Sinthan+top+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
849.          Around 40 kilometers of snaky and uphill drive from Daksum, it’s an
850. adventurous journey. And round the year snow at the top makes it a
851. varied choice for local tourists as well as outsiders.The journey to this place is thrilling and so is sliding down the snow-capped peaks.The spot is best suited for mountaineering and skiing with the height at
852. which it is located and the kind of mountain ranges it has. It can be a
853. great boost to the adventure tourism industry of the Valley and can
854. take the rush off the places like Gulmarg and pahalgam that are usually
855. overcrowded with tourists.<br />
856. <div style="text-align: left;">
857. <br />
858. <div style="text-align: left;">
859.                                       </div>
860. <div style="text-align: left;">
861. </div>
862. <div style="text-align: left;">
863. <br /></div>
864. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
865.                                        <span style="color: #0b5394;">NAGIN LAKE,SRINAGAR.</span> </h3>
866. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
867. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-ncFwg_p4FbfepMFaWAE2eWmidhYB9dNvMavL2Fyte4GvDko-5mMkrmMhwU2JpS9td1tNSEZYi2y4w-wPyoZ1ROGe5czRyiPG40mOfN_Q51UiMNUB-hsYyVB-uhg863GA7aRnTHDNsEL/s1600/Nagin+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-ncFwg_p4FbfepMFaWAE2eWmidhYB9dNvMavL2Fyte4GvDko-5mMkrmMhwU2JpS9td1tNSEZYi2y4w-wPyoZ1ROGe5czRyiPG40mOfN_Q51UiMNUB-hsYyVB-uhg863GA7aRnTHDNsEL/s640/Nagin+lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
868. <div style="text-align: left;">
869.           Nagin Lake got its name from the trees surrounding the lake. Popularly
870. known as the 'Jewel in the Ring’, it is one of the impressive lakes in
871. east Srinagar. The lake with its deep blue waters is separated from the
872. Dal Lake by a thin causeway and is an exciting tourist spot with number
873. of houseboats dwindling in the calm waters.                                                                 </div>
874. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
875. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrwlyvVwIy-iLQgKakSEhlcwkXvznV7fD_xan03udGtSmCdmXTusjj1XIrtRc2pvLWjq0agn8pu3JWBeIFhvMuv_wR0zCnq5UemIi9RjHVsQuia_TT8WBNMCTur6ZRMnZmMZNYjxtehmB/s1600/rainbow-nagin-lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrwlyvVwIy-iLQgKakSEhlcwkXvznV7fD_xan03udGtSmCdmXTusjj1XIrtRc2pvLWjq0agn8pu3JWBeIFhvMuv_wR0zCnq5UemIi9RjHVsQuia_TT8WBNMCTur6ZRMnZmMZNYjxtehmB/s400/rainbow-nagin-lake.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
876. <br />
877. <br />
878. <br />
879. <br />
880.              Nagin Lake is a perfect place to go for swimming as it is less crowded
881. and deeper. Water Skiing & sailing on fiberglass boats can also be
882. enjoyed here. May to September is considered to be the best time to
883. visit here. Hazratbal Mosque is a close by attraction to visit.<br />
884. <br />
885. <br />
886. <br />
887. <div style="text-align: left;">
888. <br /></div>
889. <div style="text-align: left;">
890.                            </div>
891. <div style="text-align: left;">
892. </div>
893. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
894.                            <span style="color: #0b5394;">SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE,SRINAGAR.</span> </h3>
895. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
896. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0ecqSdMqdIfKrXwqu2NlLXyTBtQkeOzgQOKV26_0ppVqstImPili0_18jo1hRDnfFCexZyPxdyN4UyMfJcu3TqONq25HSNRkCaEnPI8rB978T1yyFkaxrokATIb7GlHBQVHYqHpw847X/s1600/Shankaracharya_Hill_temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0ecqSdMqdIfKrXwqu2NlLXyTBtQkeOzgQOKV26_0ppVqstImPili0_18jo1hRDnfFCexZyPxdyN4UyMfJcu3TqONq25HSNRkCaEnPI8rB978T1yyFkaxrokATIb7GlHBQVHYqHpw847X/s1600/Shankaracharya_Hill_temple.JPG" /></a></div>
897. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCzYnRO62P5OSRf05IVR7TqDP5tbWCV7w98vPRYVyFzSmofslfbBELuTBq4eQjIyctoYuT5bcn-II4_oCvYofx97wERiItFnbHYEQyOJ3dTFzUNvMZ5tFl0LMlp4oCx6GlqvWx0n2cPc3/s1600/Shankaracharya+temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCzYnRO62P5OSRf05IVR7TqDP5tbWCV7w98vPRYVyFzSmofslfbBELuTBq4eQjIyctoYuT5bcn-II4_oCvYofx97wERiItFnbHYEQyOJ3dTFzUNvMZ5tFl0LMlp4oCx6GlqvWx0n2cPc3/s320/Shankaracharya+temple.jpg" width="246" /></a>             Shankaracharya temple is situated in the Srinagar district on the hill
898. known as Takht-e-Suleiman. It is housed at a height of 1100 ft. above
899. surface level of the main city on the hill. It is believed that Raja
900. Gopadatya got the temple constructed in 371 BC, giving it the name of
901. Gopadri. The great philosopher Shankaracharya is supposed to have stayed
902. here when he visited Kashmir to revive Sanatan Dharma. This incident,
903. which took place ten centuries ago, led to the renaming of the temple as
904. the Shankracharya temple.<br />
905. <br />
906. <br />
907.          The Shankracharya Mandir of Kashmir, India is dedicated to Lord Shiva
908. and is thought to be the oldest shrine in the Kashmir valley.The temple is of great importance, not only from the point of view of
909. religion, but also from architectural viewpoint. A high octagonal
910. platform supports the temple, approached by a flight of approximately
911. hundred steps. The sidewalls of the steps once bore some valuable
912. inscriptions. There is also a Persian inscription inside the temple,
913. dating back to Emperor Shahjahan’s rule. The main surviving shrine,
914. consisting of a circular cell, provides a magnificent view of the valley
915. below. The inner chamber of the Shankaracharya temple, after being
916. repaired, is now covered with a modern ceiling.                                            <br />
917. <br />
918. <div style="text-align: left;">
919.                                          </div>
920. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
921.                   </h3>
922. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
923.                                       <span style="color: #0b5394;">PARI MAHAL,SRINAGAR.</span></h3>
924. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
925. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQvpDCl7K8yc1oUh2h57SU0vRqGx9E2WWd-UGsssH4JCHzA8y6xI4FfDx6rLFMdbr7Jk-0jKgRvQ5twPGnuI-RHtYOm8bamM_UXi-Zo0marVcVzWdg4uxYGS4I2-xraheLSuey0old_b8/s1600/b_pari_mahal_srinagar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQvpDCl7K8yc1oUh2h57SU0vRqGx9E2WWd-UGsssH4JCHzA8y6xI4FfDx6rLFMdbr7Jk-0jKgRvQ5twPGnuI-RHtYOm8bamM_UXi-Zo0marVcVzWdg4uxYGS4I2-xraheLSuey0old_b8/s640/b_pari_mahal_srinagar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
926. <div style="text-align: left;">
927. <br /></div>
928. <div style="text-align: left;">
929.          The Pari Mahal garden is located on the top of Zebanwan mountain, southwest of
930. Dal Lake and approximately 5 km west of the center of Srinagar. It
931. consists of six terraces aligned roughly north-south, with its uppermost
932. point is at its southern end, and arched retaining walls supporting the
933. terraces against the mountain. Yet unlike other Mughal gardens in
934. Kashmir, this garden contains no water cascades or chadars (ramps
935. transferring water from one terrace to another). Its water tanks, which
936. may have formerly contained fountains, are found on different terraces,
937. but they were filled via underground pipes rather than by a flow of
938. water above ground. The overall measurements of the garden are 122
939. meters long by 62.5 meters wide at its widest point; its terraces vary
940. in width. </div>
941. <div style="text-align: left;">
942.          Pari Mahal was built in the mid-seventeenth century on the ruins of a
943. Buddhist monastery by Prince Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan.
944. Prince Dara, a follower of the Qadiri order of Sufi Islam, had a great
945. interest in mysticism, and he built the garden for his Sufi tutor,
946. Mullah Shah Badakhshi. It was used as an observatory for the teaching of
947. astrology and astronomy. Prince Dara was assassinated in 1659 by his
948. younger brother, Aurangazeb, who went on to take control of the empire. </div>
949. <div style="text-align: left;">
950.           The approach to the Pari Mahal is via a recently made dirt road leading
951. northwest, where the garden is entered on its fourth terrace (counting
952. from the bottom up). The visitor enters the gardens through a domed
953. double archway in the center of an entrance complex. Additional rooms
954. within the complex are entered from the garden side and from within the
955. gateway proper. Their use has been conjectured to include a hammam
956. (north of the entrance gate) and a kitchen (one of two chambers south of
957. the gate). Traces of water pipes have been found in at least three of
958. the rooms in the complex, and the possible hammam is the most highly
959. ornamented room within the structure. </div>
960. <div style="text-align: left;">
961. <br /></div>
962. <div style="text-align: left;">
963.                                       </div>
964. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
965.                   </h3>
966. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
967.                                       <span style="color: #0b5394;">SONAMARG,SRINAGAR.</span> </h3>
968. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
969. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpbj43JwszB6G7NyzZKHo3GN5zFu62v-309i5TARRX51p1tTBZvH6GygKFevwE7anCLM_1HrKXMSCuuddqCVWeWus6zlqx_bKAmVI6bQniCdbhaYeOTtRZxn80sA3DcTX0edjT551oawr/s1600/Sonamarg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpbj43JwszB6G7NyzZKHo3GN5zFu62v-309i5TARRX51p1tTBZvH6GygKFevwE7anCLM_1HrKXMSCuuddqCVWeWus6zlqx_bKAmVI6bQniCdbhaYeOTtRZxn80sA3DcTX0edjT551oawr/s640/Sonamarg1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
970. <div style="text-align: left;">
971.          Sonamarg or Sonmarg, located at a hefty altitude of 2,740 m above sea
972. level, literally means 'Meadow of Gold'. The picturesque natural beauty
973. of the region brought this name to Sonamarg. Sonamarg, a town surrounded
974. by breathtaking glaciers and serene lakes, is a snow covered beautiful
975. flower-laden meadow in the majestic Himalayan mountain region. Sonamarg
976. in the Kashmir valley is the gateway to <a href="http://www.mustseeindia.com/Ladakh">Ladakh</a> and situated just before the <a href="http://www.mustseeindia.com/Sonamarg-Zoji-La-Pass/attraction/15085">Zojii La pass</a>. </div>
977. <div style="text-align: left;">
978.         Sonamarg is located at 87 km from <a href="http://www.mustseeindia.com/Srinagar">Srinagar</a>,
979. the place is renowned for trekking and hiking trails. The snow clad
980. peaks in the Himalaya and the undulated hilly mountainous regions are
981. perfectly suitable for all types of trekking expeditions. Sonamarg is
982. the base camp for many trekking expeditions. The major treks passing
983. through various mountain lakes such as <a href="http://www.mustseeindia.com/Sonamarg-Gangabal-Trek/attraction/15084">Gangabal</a>,
984. Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar has its base at Sonamarg. The
985. trekking routes offer all types of challenges, from mild to most hard.
986. The pleasant climate with mild summer and cold winter make this place an
987. ideal location for trekkers to explore the natural beauty and
988. challenging treks. </div>
989. <div style="text-align: left;">
990.     </div>
991. <div style="text-align: left;">
992.                                       </div>
993. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
994.                    </h3>
995. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
996.                                           <span style="color: #0b5394;"> NISHAT GARDEN,SRINAGAR.</span></h3>
997. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
998. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRVtrDXCydYqlDdMbvqij7enAKqBZ-CKKWnR8CXfNG1KiEys4OFXBh0opTyw18Iw1OuULacwqpgUZvxag8tNcJ0ji_t-VRFT4eamPii1TUO58_ItUlrgbr1xQVmZ-Uod1ykWqxCOlcbBe/s1600/nishatbagh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRVtrDXCydYqlDdMbvqij7enAKqBZ-CKKWnR8CXfNG1KiEys4OFXBh0opTyw18Iw1OuULacwqpgUZvxag8tNcJ0ji_t-VRFT4eamPii1TUO58_ItUlrgbr1xQVmZ-Uod1ykWqxCOlcbBe/s640/nishatbagh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
999. <div style="text-align: left;">
1000. <span style="color: #0b5394;"></span>          The Garden of bliss laid down by Asif Khan father of Empress
1001.               Noorjahan in 1633AD on the bank of Dal Lake with Zabarvan Massif
1002.               at the back. In Nishat commands magnificent view of the Lake and
1003.               the Snow capped Pir Panchal Range to the west of the valley.</div>
1004. <div style="text-align: left;">
1005.           Originally, this garden had 12 terraces
1006.               rising higher up the mountain side from the eastern side of the
1007.               Dal Lake but the lower terrace, which stretched down to the lake,
1008.               no longer exists now, having been cut off by the modern road. The
1009.               garden, thus, consists of only nine terraces at present.</div>
1010. <div style="text-align: left;">
1011.            The brightest spot in the garden is the second terrace. This, in
1012.               the words of R.C. Kak, "with its thick groves of Persian lilacs,
1013.               its high, broad and vertical cascade of sparkling water and its
1014.               beds of brilliant pansies, is the most fragrant beauty". R.C. Kak
1015.               further says that the "twenty-three small niches in the arched
1016.               recess immediately behind the cascade were originally intended
1017.               for rows of lamps, whose flickering light, reflected and multiplied in the transparent sheet of water behind which
1018.               they lay, must have presented a singularly pleasing spectacle at
1019.               night". Mrs. Stuart, in her poetic language, quoted by Dr. Sufi,
1020.               says : "The stream tears foaming down the carved cascade,
1021.               fountains play in every tank and water-course, filling the garden
1022.               with their joyous life and movement".There are two main pavilions, one at the lower and the other at
1023.               the upper end of the garden. In the middle there is a reservoir
1024.               of about 14 feet square and three feet deep with a few fountains.</div>
1025. <div style="text-align: left;">
1026. <br /></div>
1027. <div style="text-align: left;">
1028.                                      </div>
1029. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1030.                                  </h3>
1031. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1032.                                       <span style="color: #0b5394;">SHAH-E-HAMDAN,SRINAGAR.</span> </h3>
1033. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1034. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8oX7jyzIWkGNPqn-kfTY7TkJvA2HLqhW7XCQanFBSBFxo45a1lzPMrfyAxpqS76XrzXR4TMsiSv_7BxgQPeQ9c_B9v3IBqSbAdw7_TBd1KOgBLlvKXYOdeu_fCfrjDxHLH5piJBkN7G2/s1600/shah+e+hamdan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8oX7jyzIWkGNPqn-kfTY7TkJvA2HLqhW7XCQanFBSBFxo45a1lzPMrfyAxpqS76XrzXR4TMsiSv_7BxgQPeQ9c_B9v3IBqSbAdw7_TBd1KOgBLlvKXYOdeu_fCfrjDxHLH5piJBkN7G2/s640/shah+e+hamdan.jpg" width="576" /></a></div>
1035. <div style="text-align: left;">
1036.               The shrine of Shah-e-Hamdan or Khanqah e Moulla in Indian Kashmir is one
1037. of the oldest Muslim shrines in Kashmir situated on the banks of river
1038. Jehlum in the old city. The shrine was originally constructed by Sultan
1039. Sikander (1389-1413 AD) in the memory of Muslim preacher Mir <span id="person_link_9607">Syed Ali</span>
1040. Hamdani who had visited Kashmir and stayed there for meditation and
1041. preaching. In 1480 the shrine was gutted in a devastating fire and the
1042. then ruler Sultan Hassan Shah reconstructed the shrine on old edifice at
1043. a larger area. The shrine was later demolished and reconstructed in two
1044. storied form in 1493 AD. In 1731 AD the shrine again was destroyed in
1045. fire and was reconstructed by Abul Barkat Khan. The khankah in kashmir
1046. contains two relics of <span id="person_link_11175">Prophet Muhammad</span>, the Standard (flag) which Prophet used during all his campaigns and a pole of Prophets tent. </div>
1047. <div style="text-align: left;">
1048. <br /></div>
1049. <div style="text-align: left;">
1050.                                     </div>
1051. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1052.       </h3>
1053. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1054.                                    <span style="color: #0b5394;">MANASBAL LAKE,KASHMIR.</span></h3>
1055. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1056. </div>
1057. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1058. </div>
1059. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1060. </div>
1061. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1062. </div>
1063. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1064. </div>
1065. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1066. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VfZxm1tCFWk-pHIkyjfSXwiXuaVrCtS-8UYhBBa8iQYNLHgAuikzKDc7Bi6G-XY8rE2qPSG0QuCWRYwtP5yy6zpCUNYjGw7DxPSsD3DmLqyriasgjD7u206FhAMweVgWywGV-mTIBZBm/s1600/Manasbal+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VfZxm1tCFWk-pHIkyjfSXwiXuaVrCtS-8UYhBBa8iQYNLHgAuikzKDc7Bi6G-XY8rE2qPSG0QuCWRYwtP5yy6zpCUNYjGw7DxPSsD3DmLqyriasgjD7u206FhAMweVgWywGV-mTIBZBm/s640/Manasbal+Lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
1067. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1068.   </div>
1069. </div>
1070. <div style="text-align: left;">
1071. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1072.                  Amongst the various lakes in Kashmir, Manasbal is the deepest. In
1073. ancient Hindu legends the lake is represented as unfathomable, and it is
1074. related that a holy man (reshi) spent several years in making a line
1075. long enough to reach the bottom of the lake, but despairing of success
1076. he threw himself in the lake never to rise again. According to Sir
1077. Auriel Stein the lake was formerly known as Manasa or as Manasaras. This
1078. ancient name is derived from the sacred hindu lake on the mythical
1079. Mount Kailash, usually located in the Mansarovar of the Tibetian
1080. highlands.</div>
1081. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1082.                   The project focuses on the Manasbal Lake. Manasbal Lake is a major
1083. tourist attraction and visitors from all over the country are seen
1084. enjoying its beauty during summer months. It was proposed to construct
1085. the Manasbal Club within the site where the tourism
1086. cafeteria-cum-rest-house once existed; and which was gutted down. There
1087. was, therefore, a pressing tourism requirement for exclusive guest
1088. accommodation. The site is about 500ft away from the lake shore and
1089. situated on a terrace that overlooks the Lake.</div>
1090. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1091.                   A need was felt to provide leisure
1092. sports activity in the vicinity of the Manasbal Club with medium
1093. sporting facilities like bowling alley, snooker, and table tennis etc. </div>
1094. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1095. <b><br /></b> </div>
1096. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1097. <b>      </b><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></b></div>
1098. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1099. <br /></div>
1100. <h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1101. <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">   </span></b></h3>
1102. <h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1103. <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">   JAWAHARLAL NEHRU MEMORIAL BOTANICAL GARDEN,SRINAGAR.</span></b></h3>
1104. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1105. </div>
1106. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1107. </div>
1108. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1109. </div>
1110. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1111. </div>
1112. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1113. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zTmmzhPq5VWnoKCRN7hGQwzMyrp2_TCB4jJZfnIfnNZG5iYcUJMcPTQoyp2GogJ14DSOWpV1zC0_Z_LVXawQQL8RyaY41JJy-4_5LP9CJJjWl7POWUJo9NKvfZbd_WUvAoRDd4YdMa6s/s1600/jawaharlal-nehru-memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zTmmzhPq5VWnoKCRN7hGQwzMyrp2_TCB4jJZfnIfnNZG5iYcUJMcPTQoyp2GogJ14DSOWpV1zC0_Z_LVXawQQL8RyaY41JJy-4_5LP9CJJjWl7POWUJo9NKvfZbd_WUvAoRDd4YdMa6s/s640/jawaharlal-nehru-memorial.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
1114. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1115.              This beautiful landscape garden took birth in the year 1969 on the
1116. enchanting Zabarwan mountain slopes near famous Mughal Garden Chashme shahi,
1117. over­looking the panorama of Dal-Lake. This pleasure garden complex
1118. extends over an area of about 80 hectares and consists of several styles
1119. of gardens with unending joy for seekers of solace on informal and
1120. undulated landscape. It comprises of four components- Recreational
1121. Garden, Botanical Garden, Research Section, and Plant Introduction
1122. Centre. </div>
1123. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1124.              A beautiful lake spread over an area of 17 hectares with joy riding
1125. boats is also the attraction of the garden. The garden provides a 3.5
1126. Kilometer joyride, a pleasant water garden, inspiring colour feast of
1127. spring, fragrance and colour pageantry of roses, riot of colours in
1128. summer, changing autumn colours and captivating twitter of water falls.
1129. Over 1.5 Lakh ornamental plants, representing about 300 plant species
1130. have been planted in the garden. </div>
1131. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1132. <br /></div>
1133. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1134. <br /></div>
1135. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1136. <br /></div>
1137. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1138. <br /></div>
1139. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1140.                                                   </div>
1141. <h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1142.                                            <span style="color: #0b5394;">JAMA MASJID MOSQUE.</span></h3>
1143. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1144. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><img class="irc_mut" height="426" id="irc_mi" src="http://indiaincredible.theholidayindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Jama-Masjid-Mosque-Srinagar.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </span></div>
1145. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1146.        The Jama Masjid of Srinagar is situated at Nowhatta, in the middle of
1147. the old city. An important mosque in Srinagar, it was built by Sultan
1148. Sikandar in 1400 AD. Later, the son of Sultan Sikandar, Zain-ul-Abidin
1149. got the mosque extended. The attractions of the Jama Masjid of Srinagar,
1150. Kashmir include beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture, a magnificent
1151. courtyard and 370 wooden pillars. Another feature of the mosque is the
1152. peace and tranquility inside it, standing out against the hustle of the
1153. old bazaars around it. Thousands of Muslims assemble at the mosque every
1154. Friday to offer their prayers.
1155.   </div>
1156. <br />
1157. <br />
1158. <img align="right" height="245" hspace="0" src="http://gaffarakashmir.com/gaffara_subfolder_images/pilgrim/jm_2.jpg" vspace="0" width="325" />        Jamia
1159. Masjid is known as one of the sacred shrines of Islamic followers. Be
1160. it the holiness or the constructional elegance, Jamia Masjid is quite
1161. unparalleled in every aspect. Comprised of 370 pillars of wood, Jamia
1162. Masjid symbolizes one of the best architectural specimen which survived
1163. the ravages of time ever since it was constructed in the valley of Jammu
1164. & Kashmir. <br />
1165.        
1166.   While looking into the origin and construction of Jamia Masjid, the
1167. name of Maharaja Pratap Singh comes several times as it was during his
1168. Kingdom that the maintenance and repair works of the Mosque was carried
1169. out. Pratap Singh enthusiastically encouraged the re-construction of
1170. Jamia Masjid many a time and even offered financial assistance too.<br />
1171. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1172. <br /></div>
1173. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1174. <br /></div>
1175. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1176. <br /></div>
1177. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1178. <br /></div>
1179. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1180. <br /></div>
1181. <h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1182.                                             <span style="color: #0b5394;">HAZRATBAL MOSQUE.</span></h3>
1183. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1184. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><img class="irc_mut" height="425" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.weareholidays.co.in/images/Destination_image/Srinagar/Original_Optimize/hazratbal-mosque-in-srinagar.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </span></div>
1185. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1186. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">           Kashmir Hub offers you an opportunity to explore the sacred Muslim
1187. pilgrimage destination of the Hazratbal shrine that is situated on the
1188. banks of the Dal Lake in Srinagar opposite Nishat Bagh. Tours and travel
1189. to this shrine can be a special experience as the Prophet Mohammad's
1190. hair, that is the Moi-e-Muqqadus, is preserved in this shrine. The
1191. history of this shrine dates back to the seventeenth century. The
1192. Hazratbal shrine is a marble structure that was specifically constructed
1193. by Muslim Auqaf Trust with the objective of preserving the Prophet's
1194. hair, this piece of hair arrived in Kashmir in the year 1699.</span></span></div>
1195. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1196. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">           </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">The fame of the Hazratbal in Srinagar lies in its association with a
1197. strand of Prophet Mohammad’s hair known as Moi-e-Muqqadus. This story is
1198. also equally interesting. When the hair came to Kashmir during the rule
1199. of Aurangzeb in 1699, then at first it was preserved at shrine of
1200. Naqshband Sahib. But the shrine was small and therefore not capable of
1201. every day handling of the huge crowd that thronged to visit the
1202. Prophet’s hair. Therefore, Aurangzeb ordered the strand of hair to be
1203. preserved at the Hazratbal shrine at Srinagar.</span></span></div>
1204. <div align="justify">
1205. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">           </span></span>The Hazratbal shrine lies at a distance of 25
1206. kilometers from the Badgam district in Srinagar, Kashmir. This
1207. pilgrimage destination is known by a number of names viz. the
1208. Assar-e-Sharif, Madinat-us-Sani and the Dargah Sharif. Mughal emperor
1209. Shahjahan's brother constructed the Ishrat Mahal at the site of the
1210. shrine sometime in the year 1623, later when the emperor himself visited
1211. the site he ordered the place to be converted into a prayer house. The
1212. shrine as such was built by the Muslim Auqaf trust. Before the Hazratbal
1213. shrine was constructed the sacred hair was placed in the shrine of
1214. Naqshband Sahib. The architecture of the shrine is a combination of
1215. Mughal and traditional Kashmiri.</div>
1216. <div align="justify">
1217.          The Moi-e-Muqqadus is usually on public display
1218. inside a glass casket on certain sacred and holy days. Tours and travel
1219. to the Hazratbal shrine gives you an opportunity to participate in the
1220. colorful and vibrant fairs that are held at Hazratbal every year, the
1221. most important among these is the Shab-e-Meraj. The Watul mela is also
1222. very popular among the tourists and the pilgrims.</div>
1223. <div align="justify">
1224. <br /></div>
1225. <div align="justify">
1226. <br /></div>
1227. <div align="justify">
1228. <br /></div>
1229. <div align="justify">
1230. <br /></div>
1231. <div align="justify">
1232. <br /></div>
1233. <div align="justify">
1234. <br /></div>
1235. <h3 align="justify">
1236.                                    <span style="color: #0b5394;">DACHIGAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY.</span> </h3>
1237. <div align="justify">
1238. <img class="irc_mut" height="441" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00155/01IN_THGAK_SURVEY_V_155540f.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </div>
1239. <div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
1240. Dachigam
1241. is a national treasure nestled in the beautiful and troubled state of
1242. Kashmir. Spread over 140 sq. km., Dachigam is split into the Upper and
1243. Lower Dachigam sectors, both of which have seen better days. The
1244. magnificent hangul or Kashmir stag is the main mammal in the area and
1245. Dachigam is also home to the elusive snow leopard, marten, ibex, musk
1246. deer and other animals characteristic of the Himalayas. Birds like the
1247. Koklas pheasant and the monal pheasant inhabit the region. Srinagar's
1248. Harwan Reservoir is fed by the numerous streams in the Dachigam forests,
1249. making the park a crucial catchment area. Since 1989, political unrest
1250. has caused this area to be severely affected as shifting priorities,
1251. terrorists and Indian officials have all played a part in the downfall
1252. of the park. The area is, however, always breathtaking and more
1253. adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can still enter the park.  - See more
1254. at:
1255. http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/travel/wildlife-destinations/jammu-and-kashmir/dachigam-national-park.html#sthash.T2c15Goa.dpuf<br />
1256. <div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
1257. Dachigam
1258. is a national treasure nestled in the beautiful and troubled state of
1259. Kashmir. Spread over 140 sq. km., Dachigam is split into the Upper and
1260. Lower Dachigam sectors, both of which have seen better days. The
1261. magnificent hangul or Kashmir stag is the main mammal in the area and
1262. Dachigam is also home to the elusive snow leopard, marten, ibex, musk
1263. deer and other animals characteristic of the Himalayas. Birds like the
1264. Koklas pheasant and the monal pheasant inhabit the region. Srinagar's
1265. Harwan Reservoir is fed by the numerous streams in the Dachigam forests,
1266. making the park a crucial catchment area. Since 1989, political unrest
1267. has caused this area to be severely affected as shifting priorities,
1268. terrorists and Indian officials have all played a part in the downfall
1269. of the park. The area is, however, always breathtaking and more
1270. adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can still enter the park.  - See more
1271. at:
1272. http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/travel/wildlife-destinations/jammu-and-kashmir/dachigam-national-park.html#sthash.T2c15Goa.dpuf<br />
1273. <div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
1274. Dachigam
1275. is a national treasure nestled in the beautiful and troubled state of
1276. Kashmir. Spread over 140 sq. km., Dachigam is split into the Upper and
1277. Lower Dachigam sectors, both of which have seen better days. The
1278. magnificent hangul or Kashmir stag is the main mammal in the area and
1279. Dachigam is also home to the elusive snow leopard, marten, ibex, musk
1280. deer and other animals characteristic of the Himalayas. Birds like the
1281. Koklas pheasant and the monal pheasant inhabit the region. Srinagar's
1282. Harwan Reservoir is fed by the numerous streams in the Dachigam forests,
1283. making the park a crucial catchment area. Since 1989, political unrest
1284. has caused this area to be severely affected as shifting priorities,
1285. terrorists and Indian officials have all played a part in the downfall
1286. of the park. The area is, however, always breathtaking and more
1287. adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can still enter the park.  - See more
1288. at:
1289. http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/travel/wildlife-destinations/jammu-and-kashmir/dachigam-national-park.html#sthash.T2c15Goa.dpuf</div>
1290. </div>
1291. </div>
1292. <div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
1293. Dachigam
1294. is a national treasure nestled in the beautiful and troubled state of
1295. Kashmir. Spread over 140 sq. km., Dachigam is split into the Upper and
1296. Lower Dachigam sectors, both of which have seen better days. The
1297. magnificent hangul or Kashmir stag is the main mammal in the area and
1298. Dachigam is also home to the elusive snow leopard, marten, ibex, musk
1299. deer and other animals characteristic of the Himalayas. Birds like the
1300. Koklas pheasant and the monal pheasant inhabit the region. Srinagar's
1301. Harwan Reservoir is fed by the numerous streams in the Dachigam forests,
1302. making the park a crucial catchment area. Since 1989, political unrest
1303. has caused this area to be severely affected as shifting priorities,
1304. terrorists and Indian officials have all played a part in the downfall
1305. of the park. The area is, however, always breathtaking and more
1306. adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can still enter the park.  - See more
1307. at:
1308. http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/travel/wildlife-destinations/jammu-and-kashmir/dachigam-national-park.html#sthash.T2c15Goa.dpuf</div>
1309. <div align="justify">
1310.         Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful tourist
1311. attractions renowned for offering natural habitat to rare Kashmir stag
1312. Hangul and black and brown bears. Surrounded by mountains and beautiful
1313. flora, the sanctuary sprawls across an area of around 141 sq. km.
1314. Situated at an average altitude ranging from 5,500 to 14,000 ft above
1315. sea level, the sanctuary was declared as a National Park in 1951.<br />
1316.             Being a home to flora and fauna of the Himalayan range, the national
1317. park is divided into two sectors of Dachigam, including the lower and
1318. the upper Dachigam. A wide variety of vegetation is present in the
1319. sanctuary including grassland, rain forest, coniferous forest and broad
1320. leaved woodland. Dotted with bare rock faces and alpine pastures, the
1321. national park is a home to the most endangered species of red deer.<br />
1322.            Apart from leopards, yellow throated marten, jackal, hill fox, wild
1323. boar, Himalayan griffon, long tailed blue magpie and Himalayan weasel
1324. can also be sighted inside the park. Besides flora and fauna, the
1325. national park is also home to avifauna species like crimson tapogan,
1326. blood pheasant, golden eagle and bearded vultures.<br />
1327.            
1328. Tourists can visit this site throughout the year although special permit
1329. from the chief wildlife warden is required for entering into the park.<br />
1330.             
1331. <b>Timing: </b>   5:30 am - 6:30 pm (Daily)</div>
1332. <div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
1333. Dachigam
1334. is a national treasure nestled in the beautiful and troubled state of
1335. Kashmir. Spread over 140 sq. km., Dachigam is split into the Upper and
1336. Lower Dachigam sectors, both of which have seen better days. The
1337. magnificent hangul or Kashmir stag is the main mammal in the area and
1338. Dachigam is also home to the elusive snow leopard, marten, ibex, musk
1339. deer and other animals characteristic of the Himalayas. Birds like the
1340. Koklas pheasant and the monal pheasant inhabit the region. Srinagar's
1341. Harwan Reservoir is fed by the numerous streams in the Dachigam forests,
1342. making the park a crucial catchment area. Since 1989, political unrest
1343. has caused this area to be severely affected as shifting priorities,
1344. terrorists and Indian officials have all played a part in the downfall
1345. of the park. The area is, however, always breathtaking and more
1346. adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can still enter the park.  - See more
1347. at:
1348. http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/travel/wildlife-destinations/jammu-and-kashmir/dachigam-national-park.html#sthash.T2c15Goa.dpuf</div>
1349. <div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
1350. Dachigam
1351. is a national treasure nestled in the beautiful and troubled state of
1352. Kashmir. Spread over 140 sq. km., Dachigam is split into the Upper and
1353. Lower Dachigam sectors, both of which have seen better days. The
1354. magnificent hangul or Kashmir stag is the main mammal in the area and
1355. Dachigam is also home to the elusive snow leopard, marten, ibex, musk
1356. deer and other animals characteristic of the Himalayas. Birds like the
1357. Koklas pheasant and the monal pheasant inhabit the region. Srinagar's
1358. Harwan Reservoir is fed by the numerous streams in the Dachigam forests,
1359. making the park a crucial catchment area. Since 1989, political unrest
1360. has caused this area to be severely affected as shifting priorities,
1361. terrorists and Indian officials have all played a part in the downfall
1362. of the park. The area is, however, always breathtaking and more
1363. adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can still enter the park.  - See more
1364. at:
1365. http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/travel/wildlife-destinations/jammu-and-kashmir/dachigam-national-park.html#sthash.T2c15Goa.dpuf</div>
1366. <div align="justify">
1367. <br /></div>
1368. <div align="justify">
1369. <br /></div>
1370. <div align="justify">
1371. <br /></div>
1372. <div align="justify">
1373. <br /></div>
1374. <div align="justify">
1375. <br /></div>
1376. <div align="justify">
1377. <br /></div>
1378. <div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
1379. Dachigam
1380. is a national treasure nestled in the beautiful and troubled state of
1381. Kashmir. Spread over 140 sq. km., Dachigam is split into the Upper and
1382. Lower Dachigam sectors, both of which have seen better days. The
1383. magnificent hangul or Kashmir stag is the main mammal in the area and
1384. Dachigam is also home to the elusive snow leopard, marten, ibex, musk
1385. deer and other animals characteristic of the Himalayas. Birds like the
1386. Koklas pheasant and the monal pheasant inhabit the region. Srinagar's
1387. Harwan Reservoir is fed by the numerous streams in the Dachigam forests,
1388. making the park a crucial catchment area. Since 1989, political unrest
1389. has caused this area to be severely affected as shifting priorities,
1390. terrorists and Indian officials have all played a part in the downfall
1391. of the park. The area is, however, always breathtaking and more
1392. adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can still enter the park.  - See more
1393. at:
1394. http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/travel/wildlife-destinations/jammu-and-kashmir/dachigam-national-park.html#sthash.T2c15Goa.dpuf</div>
1395. <div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
1396. Dachigam
1397. is a national treasure nestled in the beautiful and troubled state of
1398. Kashmir. Spread over 140 sq. km., Dachigam is split into the Upper and
1399. Lower Dachigam sectors, both of which have seen better days. The
1400. magnificent hangul or Kashmir stag is the main mammal in the area and
1401. Dachigam is also home to the elusive snow leopard, marten, ibex, musk
1402. deer and other animals characteristic of the Himalayas. Birds like the
1403. Koklas pheasant and the monal pheasant inhabit the region. Srinagar's
1404. Harwan Reservoir is fed by the numerous streams in the Dachigam forests,
1405. making the park a crucial catchment area. Since 1989, political unrest
1406. has caused this area to be severely affected as shifting priorities,
1407. terrorists and Indian officials have all played a part in the downfall
1408. of the park. The area is, however, always breathtaking and more
1409. adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can still enter the park.  - See more
1410. at:
1411. http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/travel/wildlife-destinations/jammu-and-kashmir/dachigam-national-park.html#sthash.T2c15Goa.dpuf</div>
1412. <div align="justify">
1413. <br /></div>
1414. <div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
1415. Dachigam
1416. is a national treasure nestled in the beautiful and troubled state of
1417. Kashmir. Spread over 140 sq. km., Dachigam is split into the Upper and
1418. Lower Dachigam sectors, both of which have seen better days. The
1419. magnificent hangul or Kashmir stag is the main mammal in the area and
1420. Dachigam is also home to the elusive snow leopard, marten, ibex, musk
1421. deer and other animals characteristic of the Himalayas. Birds like the
1422. Koklas pheasant and the monal pheasant inhabit the region. Srinagar's
1423. Harwan Reservoir is fed by the numerous streams in the Dachigam forests,
1424. making the park a crucial catchment area. Since 1989, political unrest
1425. has caused this area to be severely affected as shifting priorities,
1426. terrorists and Indian officials have all played a part in the downfall
1427. of the park. The area is, however, always breathtaking and more
1428. adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can still enter the park.  - See more
1429. at:
1430. http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/travel/wildlife-destinations/jammu-and-kashmir/dachigam-national-park.html#sthash.T2c15Goa.dpuf</div>
1431. <div align="justify">
1432. <br /></div>
1433. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1434. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"> </span> </span></div>
1435. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1436. <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #741b47;">             PLACES IN ANANTNAG DISTRICT.</span></span></div>
1437. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1438. <span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
1439. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1440. <span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
1441. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1442. <span style="color: #741b47;">                                            <span style="color: #0b5394;">BAISARAN,PAHALGAM.</span></span></h3>
1443. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1444. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqdjrXfTN5u6pbaUmHn6RX86URE9zzKCX4-UE_ijDgR2twWnrHHvf9BBaLjbFRkiIHW2WRVsGnek4x3PTJkqSj9VO6wJLalnnrVI7rlV9MY0cKN0hBku_e0ErY3FrqcQu0quSfztAVgyR/s1600/baisaran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqdjrXfTN5u6pbaUmHn6RX86URE9zzKCX4-UE_ijDgR2twWnrHHvf9BBaLjbFRkiIHW2WRVsGnek4x3PTJkqSj9VO6wJLalnnrVI7rlV9MY0cKN0hBku_e0ErY3FrqcQu0quSfztAVgyR/s640/baisaran.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
1445. <div style="text-align: left;">
1446. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <span style="color: black;">              Baisaran This is one of the most beautiful places in Pahalgam and consists of vast open grasslands surrounded by thick pine forests. It is an ideal destination for picnics as well as relaxation.<br /><br />              Situated at a distance of around 5 km from Pahalgam. An exciting place at a height of 150 m, where streams flow through the meadows and pine trees is truly amazing. Tourists can hire ponies for this trek from market place near the bus stand.Baisaran  known as the mini-Switzerland of India with endless undulating lush green meadows laced with dense tall conifers.A combination that is the selling point of Baisaran. Filmgoers would identify several Bollywood films that were shot here. From Baisaran you can catch a panoramic view of Pahalgam and Lidderwat Valley.Baisaran Meadow is where you cool off your heels and catch a breath and relax under clear blue skies or simply lollop around. This laid-back campsite is a perfect ground for lazy honeymooners and hyperactive toddlers who cannot give you hair-raising chills by jumping into rivers as this is a safe place for kids.</span></span></span></div>
1447. <div style="text-align: left;">
1448. <br /></div>
1449. <div style="text-align: left;">
1450. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">                                                            </span></span></span></div>
1451. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1452. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">                                   </span></span></span></h3>
1453. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1454. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">                                  <span style="color: #0b5394;">BETAAB VALLEY,PAHALGAM.</span></span></span></span></h3>
1455. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1456. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDStua4MPBsFL8H-imYeXjNMhkFicpPx2EWsudP_ijGc8AmHYDORcNG0pqlUOBCSlJAMw0vmcAlWIT7UpD9lA9BI7GfMRDWVGpVHUwcGaKddI9b5A6vZofh7nWVqKq1FbpnMyMpkS_rKtn/s1600/Betaab+valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDStua4MPBsFL8H-imYeXjNMhkFicpPx2EWsudP_ijGc8AmHYDORcNG0pqlUOBCSlJAMw0vmcAlWIT7UpD9lA9BI7GfMRDWVGpVHUwcGaKddI9b5A6vZofh7nWVqKq1FbpnMyMpkS_rKtn/s640/Betaab+valley.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
1457. <div style="text-align: left;">
1458. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <span style="color: black;"> Betaab Valley, situated just 7 km up on Pahalgam, has got its name from Sunny Deol’s movie, Betaab, which was shot extensively in this area. Surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks and dense pine and deodar forests, this valley is the mouth of River Sheshnag. There is a beautiful garden in the valley, with a bridge to cross the river. The Pahalgam Development Authority has proposed to develop this valley as a beautiful holidaying spot and is thus, carrying out several construction activities in the region.<br /><br />            Betaab Valley is several valleys of Kashmir came into existence during the post geosynclinal stage of the development of the Himalayas.Betaab Valley lies between the two Himalayan Ranges – Pir Panjal and Zanskar. Archaeological evidence proves the human existence in this region from the Neolithic Age, especially at Burzahom, Bomai and Pahalgam.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
1459. <div style="text-align: left;">
1460. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
1461. <div style="text-align: left;">
1462. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
1463. <div style="text-align: left;">
1464. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">                                </span></span></span></span></span></div>
1465. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1466. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">                                  </span></span></span></span></span></h3>
1467. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1468. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">                                   <span style="color: #0b5394;">AMARNATHJI CAVES,PAHALGAM.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></h3>
1469. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1470. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCLRn7SG6agmbAJa-_4pFs7OHaL4Vg9hfbKXJ5CyL1WZ7omnCQlojsNChAU3IxSzuc92G9TWtgVnhbRe_jNk66FWfgDPuoe0Uuk14w6rXq35dwjHEtyfxttucOTO4mqsSWCss2Gh926fn/s1600/Cave_Temple_of_Lord_Amarnath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCLRn7SG6agmbAJa-_4pFs7OHaL4Vg9hfbKXJ5CyL1WZ7omnCQlojsNChAU3IxSzuc92G9TWtgVnhbRe_jNk66FWfgDPuoe0Uuk14w6rXq35dwjHEtyfxttucOTO4mqsSWCss2Gh926fn/s640/Cave_Temple_of_Lord_Amarnath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
1471. <div style="text-align: left;">
1472. <div style="text-align: left;">
1473. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">        <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">  </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">Amarnathji
1474.  
1475.                                                cave situated at Mount
1476. Amarnath whose altitude is about 5,486m above sea level.
1477.                                                The world famous shrine
1478. of Amarnathji is situated about 48 Kms. from Pahalgam and
1479.                                                attracts devotees from
1480.                        all over India. It is located in the upper
1481. reaches of District
1482.                                                Anantnag at an altitude
1483. of about 13,000 ft. from the sea level. Because of this
1484.                                                height, the cave is
1485. covered with snow for most of the year. Only for a short period
1486.                                                in summer, the entrance
1487. is accessible. The cave is an ice cave, it contains a certain
1488.                                                amount of ice
1489. stalagmites.</span></span></span></span></div>
1490. <div style="text-align: left;">
1491. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #336600;"><span style="color: #2323dc;">               
1492.                                                        <span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
1493. <div style="text-align: left;">
1494. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #336600;"><span style="color: #2323dc;"><span style="color: black;">               The
1495. cave is a holy place for Hindu pilgrims,
1496.                                                            because of
1497. its ice content. The ice pillar present inside the cave is also called
1498.                                                            ice l</span></span><span style="color: black;"><i>ingham</i>,
1499. the phallic symbol
1500.                                                                        
1501. of Lord Shiva. Two smaller ice stalagmite represent Parvati, his wife,
1502. and Ganesha,
1503.                                                                        
1504. his son. The Hindu pilgrims also believe, that the height of the lingham
1505. increases
1506.                                                                        
1507. and decreases with the phases of the moon. In the month of Shravan, on
1508. the full
1509.                                                                        
1510. moon in August, thousands of Hindus go on a pilgrimage up to the cave.
1511. At this time
1512.                                                                        
1513. the lingam reaches its biggest size.<br />
1514.                                                                        
1515. The majority community in the district always welcomes the devotees with
1516. wide open
1517.                                                                        
1518. arms, while the yatries are on their  way to and from the cave. Enroute
1519. one
1520.                                                                        
1521. come across scenic beauty of Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
1522. </div>
1523. <div style="text-align: left;">
1524. <br /></div>
1525. <div style="text-align: left;">
1526. <br /></div>
1527. <div style="text-align: left;">
1528. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">                                              <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">           </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
1529. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1530. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">                                                     <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">PAHALGAM GOLF COURCE.</span></span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
1531. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1532. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFZWZ_HJGBmM7JPagHm7UDlB0JaIaXNUTO46ELVoG_WQCRnnzTc-qQRvCC08kY4gqxAaxJhMfgjtGNeUFbHJ0zF5RxdXEumqcxI30W-pw2hl-tjiEaLiPrAdmls_JE-OR18zYQ1apEHdx/s1600/pahalgam-golf-course-images-photos-51ee545ee4b0751ab77b2831_410x280_fit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFZWZ_HJGBmM7JPagHm7UDlB0JaIaXNUTO46ELVoG_WQCRnnzTc-qQRvCC08kY4gqxAaxJhMfgjtGNeUFbHJ0zF5RxdXEumqcxI30W-pw2hl-tjiEaLiPrAdmls_JE-OR18zYQ1apEHdx/s640/pahalgam-golf-course-images-photos-51ee545ee4b0751ab77b2831_410x280_fit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
1533. <div style="text-align: left;">
1534. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">             </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>The golfers from all over Country who have converged here to play in the
1535. Greater Kashmir Autumn Golf Festival were left spellbound by the beauty
1536. of Lidder Valley Golf Course (LVGC), Pahalgam.The golfers were all praise for the beauty of the Course, its greenery, fairways, challenges and the maintenance.</div>
1537. <div style="text-align: left;">
1538.               Leg one of the Festival took place at LVGC . It is an 18-hole course
1539. surrounded by fir-covered mountains with bare snow-capped peaks rising
1540. behind them. <br />
1541.  Pahalgam Golf Course is at an elevation of about 7000
1542. feet while the length of the Golf Course is 7000 yards, it sprawls over
1543. 1113 kanals of land.<br />
1544.  Originally a 9-hole Golf Course, it underwent a
1545. high-budget renovation and extension into an 18-hole Golf Course which
1546. was inaugurated in May 2011 by the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir,
1547. Omar Abdullah. <br />
1548.  Designed by Ranjit Nanda and Associates Pvt Ltd New
1549. Delhi and constructed and maintained by Fetch Constructions Sarnal
1550. Anantnag and Pahalgam Development Authority, the hill station course
1551. takes ones breath away with its sheer beauty and design. <br />
1552.                 At an
1553. altitude of 7000 plus feet, the ball travels a good 10 per cent further
1554. but that does not make this course is any less challenging. The
1555. breathtaking beauty of the course is enhanced by the snow capped hills
1556. that tend to lull one into a state of exhilaration.It is one of the best golf course that I have seen around World in terms
1557. of beauty. Kashmir is called Paradise in the World and I call this
1558. course, Paradise inside Paradise. I have no better words to describe its
1559. beauty and surroundings.</div>
1560. <div style="text-align: left;">
1561. <br /></div>
1562. <div style="text-align: left;">
1563. <br /></div>
1564. <div style="text-align: left;">
1565.                                        <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
1566. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1567. <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h3>
1568. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1569. <span style="font-size: small;">                                                       <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">TULIAN LAKE,PAHALGAM</span>.</span></span> </h3>
1570. <div style="text-align: left;">
1571. <img height="480" id="irc_mi" src="http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/45394725.jpg" style="margin-top: 9px;" width="640" /> </div>
1572. <div style="text-align: left;">
1573. Tulian Lake a lake and tourist destination in Pahalgam district of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
1574. It lies at an altitude of 3,353 metres (11,001 ft) above sea level, 16
1575. kilometres from Pahalgam and 11 kilometres from Bai
1576. Saran. The lake often has chunks of ice floating in it. It is surrounded
1577. on three sides by mountains that rise 300 metres (980 ft) above it and
1578. that are usually covered with snow. It is located in a meadow dotted
1579. with pine forests. The lake lies between the two Himalayan mountain
1580. ranges of Pir Panjal and Zanskar. </div>
1581. <div style="text-align: left;">
1582. <br /></div>
1583. <div style="text-align: left;">
1584. <br /></div>
1585. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1586.  </h3>
1587. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1588.                                        <span style="color: #0b5394;">SHESHNAAG LAKE,PAHALGAM.</span></h3>
1589. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1590. <img height="424" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.indiamike.com/files/images/28/12/11/sheshnag-lake-kashmir.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </h3>
1591. <div style="text-align: left;">
1592.            Sheshnag Lake, a mountain lake, is located at a distance of 27 km from
1593. Pahalgam. Perched at an altitude of about 3,658 m above sea level, it
1594. takes a two day hiking from Pahalgam to reach this lake.<br />
1595.           
1596. The water of this greenish blue lake is covered with ice till the month
1597. of June. The lake has derived its name from its seven peaks. Each of the
1598. seven peaks resembles the heads of a mythical snake.<br />
1599.            According to the legend, Sheshnag Lake is situated at the same place
1600. where Lord Shiva left his snake on his way to Amarnath Cave. During the
1601. months of summer, which is also the peak time to visit the Amarnath
1602. Cave, large numbers of tourists do camping at the lake side.<br />
1603.   </div>
1604. <div style="text-align: left;">
1605. <br /></div>
1606. <div style="text-align: left;">
1607.                                                          </div>
1608. <div style="text-align: left;">
1609. <br /></div>
1610. <h2 style="text-align: left;">
1611.                            <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #741b47;">PLACES IN GULMARG.</span></span></h2>
1612. <h2 style="text-align: left;">
1613. <span style="color: #741b47;"> </span></h2>
1614. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1615. <span style="color: #741b47;">                                     </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">APHARWAT PEAK,GULMARG.</span></h3>
1616. <div style="text-align: left;">
1617. <img height="425" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.indiantravels.com/admin/uploads/City_photos/634944789641430364_125.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </div>
1618. <div style="text-align: left;">
1619.            Apharwat Peak, 13500 feet high, is a famous tourist destination located
1620. at thirteen km away from Gulmarg. This snow covered mountain lies close
1621. to the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan. Apharwat slopes are the
1622. longest and the highest ski slopes of Asia and is a destination of ski
1623. enthusiasts from all over the world. </div>
1624. <div style="text-align: left;">
1625.            To transport the visitors to the top there is a cable car service called
1626. Gondola which operates in two levels. First level takes one from
1627. Gulmarg to Kongdoor and second level from Kongdoor to
1628. Apharwat.The Gondola with 36 six seat cabins lifts through 1330
1629. m height and covers nearly 5 km distance to level two at 3980 m on
1630. Apharwat Peak. A thirty-minute walk will take one to the actual peak.<br />
1631.          
1632. Skiing on the snow slopes is possible in north-west and southeast
1633. directions. For the less adventurous ones slopes from level one are
1634. gentler. There is facility for horse riding around Lake Alpather.</div>
1635. <div style="text-align: left;">
1636. <br /></div>
1637. <div style="text-align: left;">
1638. <br /></div>
1639. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1640.                                      <span style="color: #0b5394;">GULMARG SKI AREA,GULMARG.</span> </h3>
1641. <div style="text-align: left;">
1642. <img height="425" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.skirebel.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Gulmarg.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </div>
1643. <div style="text-align: left;">
1644.            Gulmarg's ski terrain is located in the Pir Panjals, one of the six ranges which  make up the Himalayas. Situated at the
1645.   western extremity of the world's highest peaks, the Pir Panjals are the first mountains to be hit by the westerly and south
1646.   westerly storms which roll over the Indus river flood plains each year, providing the greater part of the Himalaya's winter
1647.   snowfalls. Extensive snowfalls of more than 20 meters in a season make the ski area in the ski resort of Gulmarg a true ski
1648.   vacations paradise for skiers and snowboarders. </div>
1649. <div style="text-align: left;">
1650.             The six seat gondola in the ski resort of Gulmarg was build by the
1651. French Poma Group and installed in the years 1998 (phase 1)
1652.   and 2005 (phase 2). It ascends from 2'650 meters via a middle station
1653. with restaurant at 3'050 meters to an elevation of 3'990
1654.   meters, providing lift served access to a vast and untracked ski and
1655. snowboard terrain with long powder snow descents of up to
1656.   1'800 vertical meters.</div>
1657. <div style="text-align: left;">
1658.             The beauty of its landscape and the availability of attractive mountain
1659. sports activities makee th beauty of Gulmarg the
1660.   insider's tip for mountain sports enthusiasts from all over the
1661. world. A 270° view on the ski and snowboard area of Gulmarg and
1662.   its mountains.</div>
1663. <div style="text-align: left;">
1664. <br /></div>
1665. <div style="text-align: left;">
1666. <br /></div>
1667. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1668.                                           <span style="color: #0b5394;">NINGLE NALLAH,GULMARG.</span></h3>
1669. <div style="text-align: left;">
1670. <img height="480" id="irc_mi" src="http://tourmet.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Ningle-nallah-gulmarg.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </div>
1671. <div style="text-align: left;">
1672.            Ningle Nallah is a beautiful stream, flowing down the mountains near
1673. Gulmarg. Melting snow and ice that flows from Apharwat Peak to Alpather
1674. Lake in the summer season gives rise to this stream. The stream
1675. continues to flow down into the valley and meets the Jhelum River near
1676. Sopore.</div>
1677. <div style="text-align: left;">
1678.            This nallah is situated about 10 km away from Gulmarg. Furthermore,
1679. tourists can walk down the green valley, cross the Ningle Nallah through
1680. a bridge, and continue to Khilanmarg. Area around the stream is a
1681. favourite camping ground among tourists.<br />
1682. <br />
1683. <br />
1684. <br />
1685.                                                            <br />
1686. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1687.                                <span style="color: #0b5394;">GULMARG BIOSPHERE RESERVE.</span></h3>
1688. <img height="422" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.qna4u.com/poll_images/Gulmarg_Biosphere_Reserve_2.jpg" style="margin-top: 35px;" width="640" />         Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, sprawling over an area of 180 sq. km, is
1689. located at a distance of 48 km from Srinagar. The biosphere in addition
1690. to being the home to some of the rarest and endangered species of
1691. animals and plants, is also privileged for preserving and nurturing
1692. them. Some of the rare species that tourists can spot in this reserve
1693. include musk deer, hangul, brown bear and other animals. <br />
1694.          It is known for its rich vegetation, the forest of this reserve has around 90%
1695. conifers. Some of the other principal species of flora that can be
1696. found in this biosphere reserve are abies pindrow, aesculus indica and
1697. others. On the other hand, shrubs like indigofera heterantha and
1698. sorbaria tomentosa are also found in plenty in this reserve. Herbs like
1699. dicotyledonous can also be seen in this reserve.Gifted with rare and endangered species like hangul, musk deer, serow
1700. and red fox, this reserve is one of the ideal places for nature,
1701. adventure and bird lovers. When it comes to avifauna, this reserve is
1702. home to a large population of pheasants and upland birds like crimson
1703. tagopan, monal pheasant, blood pheasant and koklass pheasant.<br />
1704.           
1705. In addition, golden eagles and bearded vultures are the other birds that
1706. tourists can spot while touring to this reserve. Griffon vulture,
1707. monal, snow cock and more   are some of the other species of birds that
1708. tourists can spot.The best time to visit this reserve is from the month of September to March and then again from March to May.<br />
1709. <br />
1710.                      <br />
1711. <br />
1712. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1713.                                     <span style="color: #0b5394;">GULMARG CHILDREN'S PARK.</span> </h3>
1714. <div style="text-align: left;">
1715. <img height="411" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.capertravelindia.com/images/pageslider-img/kashmir-garden.jpg" style="margin-top: 87px;" width="640" /> </div>
1716. <div style="text-align: left;">
1717.           Gulmarg Children Park is spread over an area of nearly 500 kanals,
1718. located at foothills of a forest. Till recent years this area was used
1719. by herdsmen as their base and by drivers to wash vehicles in the stream
1720. running through this area. It had in fact become a dumping place for
1721. garbage.<br />
1722.            In the year 2005 Farooq Ahmad Shah, who was then CEO, GDA
1723. and now Director Tourism, conceived idea to develop the area into a
1724. Park. The then Tourism Minister, G. H. Mir appreciated the idea and
1725. approved the proposal. The stream was blocked and two artificial water
1726. bodies were created here, with the depth from 2 feet to 26 feet from one
1727. end to another. The un-noticed area was converted into a beautiful park
1728. with variety of flowers like lupines, tulips, lillium and many other
1729. wild flowers. A green putting for golfing was also laid by a famous
1730. landscape architect, Fida Iqbal. The amusement items like sea-saws,
1731. swings, slides, and balancing beams etc were installed in the back yard
1732. of the park for children. An environmentally suited round shaped
1733. restaurant with tall pointed roof made of wood was also constructed. The
1734. park was decorated with solar lights and fountains in the water bodies.
1735. A number of beautiful shelter sheds were constructed at different
1736. places and water taps and toilet facilities made available everywhere
1737. here.  </div>
1738. <div style="text-align: left;">
1739.            For last few years it had lost its glory but this year it was restored
1740. when the present CEO, Gulmarg Development Authority, Mahmood Ahmad Shah
1741. allowed the Adventure Call Tours and Travels to operate Boating and
1742. Zorbing in the park. The restaurant and toilets were renovated. Proper
1743. care for maintaining greenery and cleanliness was taken. It helped to
1744. attract not only locals but thousands of domestic tourists to the park..
1745. The GDA now plans to introduce mountain biking, fixed hot air
1746. ballooning and all terrain vehicles here next year which can expect more
1747. adrenaline rush here.</div>
1748. <div style="text-align: left;">
1749.            Gulmarg Children Park is becoming increasingly popular place for school
1750. excursions. Not only excursions but scores of visitors from different
1751. districts come here to beat the scorching summer heat. With the
1752. up-gradation and installation of more amusement and recreational
1753. facilities here by the Gulmarg Development Authority this year hundreds
1754. of domestic tourists are visiting the Park daily now. </div>
1755. <div style="text-align: left;">
1756. <br /></div>
1757. <div style="text-align: left;">
1758. <br /></div>
1759. <div style="text-align: left;">
1760. <br /></div>
1761. <div style="text-align: left;">
1762.                                                   </div>
1763. <div style="text-align: left;">
1764. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1765.                                      <span style="color: #0b5394;">SAINT MARY'S CHURCH.</span></h3>
1766. <div style="text-align: left;">
1767. <img height="420" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.gulmarg.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/gulmarg-church.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /> </div>
1768. <div style="text-align: left;">
1769.            A monument of the British Rule in India, St Mary's Church is a
1770. religiously important church in Gulmarg. The construction of the church
1771. dates back to 150 years and was done by famous British architectures in
1772. the construction style of British churches. This holy church is rare
1773. sight of a Christian church in Gulmarg and is reachable through
1774. trekking. </div>
1775. <div style="text-align: left;">
1776.            The church is located in the heart of the town and is surrounded by many
1777. old fashioned huts as well as an old hotel suitable for staying to view
1778. snow falling on the surroundings. The alpine trees around the church
1779. add a soft breeze to the cool environment.  </div>
1780. <div style="text-align: left;">
1781. <br /></div>
1782. <div style="text-align: left;">
1783. <br /></div>
1784. <div style="text-align: left;">
1785. <br /></div>
1786. <div style="text-align: left;">
1787. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1788.                                               <span style="color: #0b5394;">GULMARG GONDOLA.</span></h3>
1789. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1790. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QBeDivK1J6rCRhwtJ2vvA9WBW7pTCnnVYdEhTjac-V-iT1AegjztbV4l3Fmhw_qrQGcs0oh0tyVHxE6r_MR0B5MGFhBlE245JuctlFg-_HYTgkLlBN91qYuNZQ1MEILannodNkLAQOk3/s1600/gulmarg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QBeDivK1J6rCRhwtJ2vvA9WBW7pTCnnVYdEhTjac-V-iT1AegjztbV4l3Fmhw_qrQGcs0oh0tyVHxE6r_MR0B5MGFhBlE245JuctlFg-_HYTgkLlBN91qYuNZQ1MEILannodNkLAQOk3/s640/gulmarg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
1791. <div style="text-align: left;">
1792. <span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
1793. <div style="text-align: left;">
1794.      <span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px;">Gulmarg is considered to be one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth. Located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, this place is widely renowned for the </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;">Gulmarg Gondola</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px;"> that adds more charm to the city. It is the longest and the highest cable car project in Asia. This is basically the two-stage ropeway that ferries about 600 people every house to and fro from Kongdoori Mountain, which is a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak; it is about 4200 m above from mean sea level.</span><br />
1795. <br />
1796. <br />
1797. <br />
1798. <br />
1799. <h2 style="text-align: left;">
1800. <span style="color: #741b47;">                                    PLACES IN JAMMU.</span></h2>
1801. <div style="text-align: left;">
1802. <br /></div>
1803. <div style="text-align: left;">
1804. <br /></div>
1805. <h3 style="text-align: left;">
1806. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">                               MATA VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE.</span></span></h3>
1807. <div style="text-align: left;">
1808. <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img class="irc_mut" height="480" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.katrahelicopterpackage.com/images/katra/maavaishnodevibhawaninwinter.jpg" style="margin-top: 22px;" width="640" /> </span></span></div>
1809.             A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to
1810. be one of the holiest pilgrimages of our times. Popular the world over
1811. as Moonh Maangi <a class="jcepopup" href="http://bharmourview.com/images/temples/Shri_Mata_Vaishno_Devi_Ji_Temple_Jammu_Katra.jpg" rel="" style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span class="jcemediabox-zoom-span" style="border-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); border-style: none; border-width: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px; padding: 0px; width: 250px;"><img alt="Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Temple Jammu Katra" height="175" src="http://bharmourview.com/images/temples/Shri_Mata_Vaishno_Devi_Ji_Temple_Jammu_Katra.jpg" style="border: medium none; float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="250" /><span class="jcemediabox-zoom-image"></span></span></a>Muradein
1812. Poori Karne Wali Mata, which means, the Mother who fulfills whatever
1813. Her children wish for, Maa Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave
1814. located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta
1815. (pronounced as Trikoot). The Holy Cave attracts millions of devotees
1816. every year. In fact, the number of Yatris visiting the Holy Shrine
1817. annually now exceeds one crore. This is due to the unflinching faith of
1818. the devotees who throng the Shrine from all parts of India and abroad.
1819.  The Holy Cave of the Mother is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft. The
1820. Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at
1821. Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatries are blessed
1822. with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum-
1823. the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock
1824. formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the
1825. Cave. <br />           Darshans are open round the clock throughout the year. Since
1826. the year 1986, when the Maa Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (commonly called
1827. Shrine Board) was formed, the management of the Shrine and regulation of
1828. the Yatra has been vested in the Board. The Board has undertaken a
1829. number of developmental activities aimed at making the Yatra a
1830. comfortable and satisfying experience for the Yatris. The Board
1831. continues to reinvest the offerings and donations received in carying
1832. out improvements in various kinds of Yatri facilities. </div>
1833. </div>
1834. </div>
1835. <div style="text-align: left;">
1836.           The journey to the Holy Shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi Ji starts with the
1837. Call of Mata. It is not only a belief but also a strong experience of
1838. one and all that the Divine Mother sends a call to her children. And
1839. once a person receives it, wherever he is, is bound to visit the Mother
1840. to receive Her unbounded love and blessings. A popular slogan in the
1841. local folklore beautifully expresses it- Maan Aap Bulandi - which means
1842. that The Mother Herself Calls! It is also a matter of experience by
1843. almost all those who visit the Holy Shrine that upon the Call of Mata, a
1844. person needs to just take one step and leave the rest to Her and his
1845. journey gets completed with Her divine blessings. Simultaneously, it is
1846. also believed that unless there is a call or Bulawa no one can visit the
1847. Shrine or have Her blessings, howsoever high or mighty one may be.<br />
1848.           Like with most old Shrines, it is not possible to ascertain when exactly
1849. the pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine started. A geological study of the
1850. Holy Cave has indicated its age to be nearly a million years. Vedic
1851. literature gives no reference to the worship of any female deity,
1852. although the mountain Trikuta does find its mention in Rigveda, the
1853. oldest of the four Vedas The practice of worshipping Shakti, largely
1854. started in the Puranic period.<br />          The first mention of the Mother
1855. Goddess is in the epic Mahabharat. When the armies of Pandavs and
1856. Kaurvas were arrayed in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjun, the chief
1857. warrior of Pandavs upon advice of Sri Krishna; meditated upon the
1858. Mother Goddess and sought Her blessings for victory. This is when Arjun
1859. addresses the Mother Goddess as ‘Jambookatak Chityaishu Nityam
1860. Sannihitalaye’, which means ‘you who always dwell in the temple on the
1861. slope of the mountain in Jamboo’ (probably referring to the present day
1862. Jammu). It is also generally believed that the Pandavs were the first to
1863. build the temples at Kol Kandoli and Bhawan in reverence and gratitude
1864. for the Mother Goddess. On a mountain, just adjacent to the Trikuta
1865. Mountain and overlooking the Holy Cave are five stone structures, which
1866. are believed to be the rock symbols of the five Pandavs. Perhaps the
1867. oldest reference of the visit of a historical figure to the Holy Cave is
1868. that of Guru Gobind Singh who is said to have gone there via Purmandal.
1869. The old foot track to the Holy Cave passed through this well-known
1870. pilgrimage centre. <br />           Some traditions believe this Shrine to be the
1871. holiest of all Shaktipeeths (a place where the Mother Goddess, the
1872. Eternal Energy has Her abode) since the skull of Mata Sati fell here.
1873. Others believe that her right arm had fallen here. But some scriptures
1874. do not agree with it. They do agree that at a place called Gandarbal in
1875. Kashmir, the right arm of Sati had fallen. Nevertheless, in the Holy
1876. Cave of Maa Vaishno Deviji, one does find stone remains of a human hand,
1877. popularly known as Varad Hast (the hand that grants boons and
1878. blessings).<br />
1879.            As per the legend, during the period when the Goddess was busy in
1880. annihiliting the Asuras, Her three main manifestations viz. Mata Maha
1881. Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi and Mata Maha Saraswati got together one day and
1882. pooled their collective Tejas or spiritual strength. A stunningly
1883. bright light emanated from the place where the Tejas of the three
1884. manifestations coalesced and a beautiful young girl emerged out of this
1885. Tejas. The young girl asked them, "Why have I been created?'' The Devis
1886. explained to her that they had created her so that she would live on
1887. earth and spend her time in upholding righteousness.<br />           The Devis added,
1888. "Now, go and take birth in the house of Ratankar and his wife who
1889. reside in the southern part of India, and who are great devotees of
1890. ours.<a class="jcepopup" href="http://bharmourview.com/images/temples/vaishno_devi_maata_picture.jpg" rel="" target="_blank"><span class="jcemediabox-zoom-span" style="border-color: rgb(0, 102, 153); border-style: none; border-width: 0px; float: right; margin: 10px; padding: 0px; width: 250px;"><img alt="vaishno devi maata picture" height="175" src="http://bharmourview.com/images/temples/vaishno_devi_maata_picture.jpg" style="border: medium none; float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="250" /><span class="jcemediabox-zoom-image"></span></span></a>
1891. Live on earth. Uphold righteousness and evolve yourself spiritually so
1892. that you reach higher levels of consciousness. Once you have attained
1893. the appropriate level of consciousness you will merge into Vishnu and
1894. become one with him.'' So saying they blessed the girl. Sometimes later a
1895. very beautiful girl child was born to Ratankar and his wife. The couple
1896. named the child Vaishnavi. The girl right from her childhood displayed a
1897. hunger for knowledge which was like a vortex and which no amount of
1898. teaching and learning could sufficiently satiate. Subsequently,
1899. Vaishnavi started looking into her inner self for knowledge, and soon
1900. learned the art of meditation and realized that meditation and penance
1901. only could bring her close to her greater objective. Vaishnavi thus
1902. relinquished all household comforts and went deep into the forest for
1903. Tapasaya (meditation). Meanwhile, Lord Rama, during his fourteen years
1904. of exile happened to visit Vaishnavi who recognized him immediately as
1905. no ordinary being but the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and immediately
1906. asked him to merge her into himself so that she could become one with
1907. the supreme creator. <br />          However Lord Rama, knowing that it was not the
1908. appropriate time, dissuaded her by saying that he would visit her again
1909. after the end of his exile, and at that time if she succeeded in
1910. recognizing him, he would fulfill her wish. True to his words, Rama
1911. visited her again after being victorious in the battle, but this time he
1912. did so in the disguise of an old man. Unfortunately, Vaishnavi was
1913. unable to recognize him this time and was distraught. Upon this, Lord
1914. Rama consoled her that the appropriate time for her being one with the
1915. creator had not come, and that time would come eventually in 'Kaliyug'
1916. when He (Rama) would be in his incarnation of 'Kalki'. Rama also
1917. directed her to meditate, and set up an Ashram at the base of Trikuta
1918. hills, to elevate her level of spirituality so as to bless mankind and
1919. rid the poor and destitute of their sufferings.Only then would 'Vishnu'
1920. merge her into himself. Vaishnavi, immediately set off for the northern
1921. part and after immense hardships, reached the foot of the Trikuta Hills.
1922. After reaching there she set up her ashram there and began to meditate.<br />         
1923. As predicted by Lord Rama, her glory spread far and wide, and people
1924. began to flock to her Ashram to seek her blessings. As time passed, a
1925. Tantrik named Gorakh Nath who had a vision of the episode between Lord
1926. Rama and Vaishnavi in the retrospective time frame, became curious to
1927. find out whether Vaishnavi has been able to attain a high level of
1928. spirituality or not. He, therefore, sent his most able disciple 'Bhairon
1929. Nath' to find out the truth. Bhairon Nath on locating the ashram
1930. started observing Vaishnavi secretly, and realised that though a
1931. 'Sadhvi' she always carried bow and arrows with her, and was always
1932. surrounded by langoors (apes) and a ferocious looking lion. Bhairon Nath
1933. was enamored by Vaishnavi's extraordinary beauty, and losing all good
1934. sense he began to pester Vaishnavi to marry him. Meanwhile a staunch
1935. devotee of Vaiashnavi, Mata Sridhar organised a Bhandara (Community
1936. meal) in which the whole village and Guru Gorakh Nath along with all his
1937. followers including Bhairon were invited. During the course of Bhandara
1938. Bhairon Nath attempted to grab Vaishnavi but she tried her best to
1939. daunt him. On failing to do so, Vaishnavi decided to flee away into the
1940. mountains to continue her Tapasaya undisturbed. Bhairon Nath however
1941. chased her to her destination. <br />          The goddess after halting at (present
1942. day) Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Adhkwari, finally reached the holy
1943. cave Shrine. When Bhairon Nath continued to follow her despite the
1944. goddess trying to avoid a confrontation, the goddess was compelled to
1945. kill him. Bhairon Nath met his ultimate fate when the goddess, just
1946. outside the mouth of the cave, beheaded him. The severed head of Bhairon
1947. fell with a force at a distant hilltop. Bhairon Nath upon death
1948. realised the futility of his mission and prayed to the deity to forgive
1949. him. The almighty Mata ( Mother Goddess) had mercy on Bhairon and gave
1950. him a boon that every devotee of the goddess would have to have the
1951. Darshans of Bhairon after having the Darshans of the Goddess and only
1952. then would the yatra of a devotee be complete. Meanwhile, Vaishnavi
1953. decided to shed off her human form and assuming the face of a rock she
1954. immersed her self into meditation forever. Thus Vaishnavi, in the form
1955. of a five and a half feet tall rock with three heads or the Pindies on
1956. the top is the ultimate destination of a devotee. These Pindies
1957. constitute the Sanctum Sanctorum of the holy cave known as the shrine of
1958. Maa Vaishno Devi Ji, which is revered by one and all. </div>
1959. <div style="text-align: left;">
1960. <br /></div>
1961. <div style="text-align: left;">
1962. <br /></div>
1963. <div style="text-align: left;">
1964. <br /></div>
1965. </div>
1966. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1967. </div>
1968. </div>
1969. </div>
1970. </div>
1971. </div>
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