Indian Columbus

R K Beach is one of the most populous sites in Visakhapatnam. Any traveler who visits the city would not miss this beach. Perhaps, there would be no citizen in Vizag who has never been to this picturesque beach. However, how many of them would know that the beach road is named after Ramakrishna (R K) mission ashrama located at the one end of the road. It is such a beautiful and serene place, which unfortunately remains lesser known nowadays. Swami Vivekananda started Ramakrishna Mission in Kolkata in 1897 CE. As of now, there are more than 200 branches of the ashrama all over the world. The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama located in Vizag is one of those branches. Swami Shivanandaji, a direct disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, stayed in Vizag for a few days in 1924 CE. In 1938, Sri Kancharla Ramabrahmam, a wealthy philanthropist from the city, helped the Mission to purchase the plot and construct the structure.  The current main hall on the campus, which acts as the temple, was const...

Matsya Darshini Aquarium is located in the most happening R K Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. Started in 1994, this place is one of the main attractions of the city. The small aquarium can be covered in one hour. Almost 50 varieties of fish are displayed here. Kids would definitely love the place. Happy travelling.

 Located on the most happening R K Beach Road, Kali Bari Temple is one of the popular temples of Visakhapatnam. The temple was built for Bengali population of Vishakapatnam in 1984 CE. The temple has nine pinnacles on the vimana. This type of Bengal temple architecture is known as Nabaratna style.  The east-facing sanctum enshrines 4 feet tall icon of Kali. She has four arms and is in the standing posture. She has a fearsome feature with a protruding tongue.  Besides the presiding deity, a small icon of Kali and the idols of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Sharda Devi are found in the sanctum. Adjacent to the main shrine, Shiv Linga is found in a separate shrine. There are few other deities found in the temple such as Ganesha, Kartikeya with a five hooded serpent above his head along with his two consorts, Hanuman in Abhaya mudra and Radha Krishna. Happy travelling.

Get lost from the Internet and social media! Get rid of movies and web-series! Forget about the corporate politics and rat race! Well, even if you want all of them, no one can help in this place. The Internet won't work, and the mobile network is weak. The only choice you have is to indulge in admiring nature at its best. Of course, I am talking about the hidden gem called Mango Tree Bungalow in the Nilgiris. The bungalow is located amidst tea plantations in Palaniappa Estate. It is the perfect destination in the Nilgiris if you want to just relax and spend your leisure time. The bungalow has two big bedrooms, a kitchen, a sitting room, and a dining room. There is a sweeping lawn on the frontside with access to the tea estate and an expansive balcony on the backside, overlooking the valley. All you would hear are the trees' creaking sound and the sweet songs from the unknown birds.  The bungalow is believed to have been constructed in the late 1800s or the beginning of the 190...

Lamb's Rock is an important viewpoint in Coonoor. It gives a spectacular view of the plains of Coimbatore and the beautiful Catherine waterfalls. This site is located at a distance of around 7 kms from the city center and is on the way to Dolphin's Nose. Happy travelling.

Located at a distance of around 10 kms from the center of Coonoor, Dolphin's Nose is a popular hill viewpoint. With an altitude of about 1550 meters above the sea level,  this gives an excellent view of the surrounding hills. If the weather condition is conducive, we could even get a distant glimpse of Catherine waterfalls. As the tip of the hill resembles the nose of a dolphin, the site is called so. From the base, an easy trek for 1 km would take us to this viewpoint. Happy travelling.

 After Ooty, Coonoor is the second most famous town of Nilgris mountain ranges. Sim's Park is one destination in Coonoor, which none of the tourists miss to visit. With the aim of serving as a resort for European residents, the garden was laid out in 1874 CE by J.D. Sim, the Government Secretary and Major Murray. Hence, the park was named after one of its founders.  Extending an area of around 12 hectares, this park has varieties of trees, plants, shrubs and creepers. It attracts a large number of tourists every year during the annual fruit and vegetable show. The rose garden and the boating in the lake are the major attractions within the park. Happy travelling.

Established in 1848 CE, the Botanical Garden, is one of the most popular sites of Ooty. It covers an area of around 55 acres. It is located on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak. Today, it is one of the few sites of Ooty, which is visited by thousands of people every day. However, it was established with the sole purpose of providing vegetables at a reasonable price only to the European residents.  Designed by a Scottish gardener, William Graham Mclvor, this 170+ years garden has thousands of varieties of trees, plants and herbs. A fossiled tree trunk estimated to be 20 million years old, is an added attraction.  Happy travelling.

Ooty is Tamil Nadu's pride. And, Rose Garden is Ooty's pride. Founded in 1995, the Government Rose Garden in Udagamandalam (also known as Ooty) is one of the best rose gardens of South Asia. Hardly, there are less than 40 rose gardens in the entire world. And, this garden is one of the most popular ones. Name a variety of rose or think about a different color for a rose. You would definitely find the same here. Located at an altitude of 2200 meters on the slopes of the Elk Hill, this site is a delight for the nature lovers and photographers. Covering an area of four acres, this garden has more than 20,000 varieties of roses. What are you waiting for? Go to Ooty and visit this incredible garden right away. Happy travelling. 

Not many know that a small piece of the relic of the true Holy Cross that was carried by Jesus Christ is there in an Indian Church. Let us explore this lesser-known site. Located in Kandal locality on the outskirts of Ooty, the Catholic Church is called Kandal Cross Shrine. It is also known as Jerusalem of the East.  The church houses a big bronze crucifix with the relic in a small glass case. It is believed that this relic was from the original cross that was carried by Jesus Christ.  It is said that Rev Fr Paul Craysaac brought this small piece of the true cross from Jerusalem in 1939. The relic was subsequently installed in this site and Paul Craysaac built this church.  The church has a prayer hall and an artificial cave. The cave shrine has the holy relic and the icon of Jesus buried inside the tomb. Outside the church, there is an icon depicting the crucifixion of Jesus.  Happy travelling.