KERALA'S BEAUTY-MUNNAR

Munnar, premium hill station is located in Kerala, state in South India. Munnar hills are situated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft above sea level,which is situated at the confluence of three-mountain stream - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala.Located in the southern western Ghat the place is encircled by wooded hills of the Annamalai Ranges, with the to wearing bulk of Anamudi, which is peninsular India’s highest peak, at 2695m.

During British rule the Munnar was developed as major tea plantation. At that time people around the Munnar were laborers and were working in plantations. A few bungalows used during British Managers are still in use.Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi; Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking. The high ranges of Munnar were earlier known as Kannan Devan Hills, named after a certain Kannan Devan, who had been land lord in the Anchanad Valley on the eastern side of the district. The main cultivation crops in Munnar are Tea and Coffee. The entire area is also known as "high range" and rarely Kannan Devan Hills, from which the famous brand of the Tatas gets its name.

This information is gathered from Kerala tourism web site.

NELLORE

Location: In Andhra Pradesh, India.

Significance: Famous for Ranganatha Temple.

Situated on the north bank of Pennar River, Nellore is believed to have derived its name after the paddy fields in and around Nellore, where 'Nellu' means paddy and 'Ur' means a town. It is also known as Vikramasimhapuri, the city is of extreme historical and cultural importance. It is supposed to be the place where the greatest of the Telugu poets, Tikkana Somayaji, the translator of Mahabharata into Telugu, lived. The religious highlights of the place are the temples of Talpagiri Ranganathaswami also known as Ranganayakulu, Mulaathanesvaraswami, Venugopalswami and Dharmaraja. Famous for its rice and aqua culture, the Udayagiri fort, the Narasimha Konda, Penchala Rona, Venkatagiri fort, Mypadu beach, famous rocket launching centre at Sriharikota, the Krishnapatnam port and Nelapattu are some of the most visited places here.

This area is rich in particular kind of flint called quartzite. The ancient town was part of the Ashokan Empire in the third century B.C. and ruled by Pallavas from fourth to sixth centuries. Nellore has immense potential for tourism with temples, forts and monuments, the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary and Pulicat Lake as its chief attractions. While Vedurupattu is the breeding place for painted storks, Udyagiri fort is famous for medicinal herbs. The beach tourist complex at Ramathirtham, has a floating resort with modern amenities and facilities along with an amusement park for children, a water park, a health club, full-fledged gym, yoga classes and authentic Ayurvedic treatment. Its tourism industry is constantly on the rise and thus, it has attracted the attention of the government for promotion as a tourist destination.

This information is gathered from a tourism web site.

VIVAJAWADA

Location: In Andhra Pradesh, India.

Significance: Famous for its cave temples.

Vijayawada or Bezawada is situated on the shores of the Krishna River and is bounded by the Indrakiladri hills on its West. The largest railway junction of the South Central Railway, it is situated along the Chennai-Howrah and Chennai-Delhi rail route. Sprawled across an area of 58 sq km, the literal meaning of Vijayawada is the 'City of Victory'. It is named after the popular legend, which states that at the Indrakiladri Hill, Arjuna, the Pandava Prince had succeeded in winning the blessings of Lord Shiva after hard penance. The city progressed under the British rule. The Krishna Barrage and the Railway Bridge on River Krishna have helped in the expansion of the city's agricultural and commercial base. Today, Vijayawada is one of the big business centers of the State.

A number of temples are there in Vijayawada including the abode of Kanaka Durga (Goddess of power, riches and benevolence), the presiding deity of the city. A base for important Buddhist sites around the city including Amaravati, Gudivada and Ghantasala, it also an important base to visit Kuchipudi, the city of dance, Mangalagiri, the city of temples and Kondapalli, the city of handicrafts. 'Krishna Pushkaram', an all-India festival held once in twelve years and delicious mangoes and pickles are also a specialty of the place. A centre for Carnatic music and 'Kuchipudi' style of classical dance, it houses Andhra Pradesh Dance and Music College, Natraj Kala Samiti and Kanakadurga Gana Sabha. K L Rao Vihara Kendram on Prakasham Barrage Lake offers a variety of water sports including rowing, canoeing, water-scooters and pedal boats.

Shopping Attractions:
One can buy everything here from antiques, handicrafts and jewellery to dresses, leather goods, pearls, and semi-precious stones. Kaleshwara Rao Market is the famous vegetable market while Vastralatha is a wholesale cloth market. Gandhi Nagar is famous for shoe making Industry and is one of the entertainment areas in Vijayawada. The nearby toy-making village of Kondapalli and 'Kalamkari paintings' at Machilipatnam, Vijaywada offers a delightful shopping experience.

Rhis information is gathered from a tourism web site.

INTO THE ARAKU VALLEY

THE HARITHA JUNGLE BELLS RESORT

TYDA, NEAR VISAKHAPATNAM

GETTING THERE

The resort can be reached by road or train from Visakhapatnam. The nearest railhead is Tyda station, just two km from the resort. Jeeps and other means of transport are available from the station to the resort. There is a single train that leaves Visakhapatnam daily at 7 a.m. or you can take the buses and taxis run by the State Transport Corporation, APTDC and private operators.

THINGS TO DO

The historical Borra Caves are just five km from the resort, and a two km trek from the caves takes you to the 900-feet Kataki waterfalls. The APTDC also offers a refreshing four km trek through the forest early in the morning, touching a couple of tribal hamlets. You can also go about on a bicycle or give tribal archery a shot. You can enjoy your evenings watching tribals dance around a bonfire.

TARIFF (FOR TWO)

Igloo cottages: Rs. 1,800/-
New Bridge and wooden cottages; Rs. 1,800/-
Wooden cottages; Rs. 1,500/-
Log huts and aerocon cottages Rs. 800/-
Extra person; Rs. 150/- for A/C and Rs. 100/- for non A/C.
Tariff includes free south Indian breakfast for two.

Checkout time 10 a.m. Contact details: 0891-2788820; Fax; 0891-2788822
Cell; 98480 07022

Courtesy: Daily news paper.