Indian Columbus

  Penukonda is known as the second capital of the Vijayanagara Empire after the fall of Hampi. But tucked beyond its fort walls and palace ruins lies a lesser-known sacred space, a   Mahakali cave temple , nestled within natural boulders and reverently maintained by devotees. There isn't a grand mandapa or a multi-tiered tower. Instead, it's a shrine where  nature itself becomes the garbhagriha , where hills cradle the Divine Mother, and where silence reigns over any architectural elaboration. Penukonda Fort Maha Kali Cave Temple The Trail to Kali – Through Boulders, Painted Stones, and Wild Paths The journey to the Mahakali temple begins inside the fort's inner landscape, where the terrain transforms into rolling hillocks and scattered greenery. A short but uneven trek begins with large stone steps shaded by trees. Along the way, one encounters painted rock markings, some arrow signs, others with simple folk figures. These guide you across the rocky trail. One striking f...

Whether just watching the magnificent waterfall during the monsoon or trekking amidst the thick forest to reach its top during the other seasons, both give us a boundlessly delightful experience. Meenmutty waterfalls, the three-tiered spectacular waterfalls with a height of about 1000 feet, is the second largest in Kerala. It is said that the fish cannot withstand this majestic waterfall's force and hence cannot survive there. Therefore it is named "Meenmutty" in Malayalam, meaning blocking the fish.  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.

Chikmagalur, a true hidden gem within Karnataka, India, boasts picturesque landscapes adorned with lush coffee fields cradled by rolling hills. This article sets its focus on three enchanting waterfalls that grace the Chikmagalur region. Nestled amidst this stunning scenery, Mullayanagiri reigns as Karnataka's loftiest peak, an irresistible draw for tourists. Not far away, Baba Budan Giri adds to the region's allure. Nestled between these captivating landmarks, lie three captivating waterfalls. First on the list is Daddabe Falls, affectionately known as Buttermilk Falls or Jhari Falls. This waterfall greets travelers on their journey from Mullayanagiri to Baba Budan Giri, approximately 17 kilometers from the former. The last leg, spanning 2-3 kilometers, can only be traversed by Jeeps, as private cars are prohibited beyond a certain point. Continuing along the route, you'll come across Honnamana Halla Waterfalls, conveniently situated en route to Baba Budan Giri. Alth...

Site Name:  Mannavanur Lake Site Type:  Hill station, Lake, Trekking, Forest, Wild Life, Bird Watching Location:  Mannavanur village, near  Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   A little known site ideal for bird watching and trekking Nearest Railway Station:   Kodai Road  Nearest Airport:   Madurai  How to reach:   Well connected by road from Kodaikanal town Hotel:  A lot of options are available in Kodaikanal and Dindigul; hardly one of two options near Mannavanur Restaurants:  All options - vegetarian and non vegetarian; North Indian, Chinese, South Indian, etc. in Kodaikanal; no option in Mannavanur If you call Kodaikanal as the 'Princess of the Hill Stations', what do we call Mannavanur Lake and the adjoining hills? This site is equally or rather more beautiful than Kodaikanal. One hour drive from Kodaikanal would take you to a farming village called Mannavanur. Located at an altitude of a...

Site Name:    Kalyana Teertham Site Type:  Waterfalls/River Location:   Papanasam, near Ambasamudram town, near Tirunelveli city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:    A popular picnic spot/tourist destination Nearest Railway Station:   Ambasamudram Nearest Airport:  Tirunelveli How to reach:  Well connected by road from Tirunelveli and Ambasamudram; a lot of buses are available for this town as this is a popular picnic spot Hotel:  Few options in Ambasamduram and Papanasam; more options in the nearby city Tirunelveli Restaurants:  Only few options in Ambasamudram and Papanasam Ambasamudram  is a picturesque town located on the banks of the beautiful Tamraparni river and on the foothills of the Western Ghats. The nearest city of Ambasamudram is Tirunelveli. It is located in Tamil Nadu state in South India.The town has a lot of scenic spots and temples....

Site Name:  NGong Ping 360 Experience and Lantau Island Site Type:      Trekking, Buddhist temple, Monastery, Themed Village, Cable Car Location:    Tung Chung , Hong Kong Highlights:   Spectacular 5.7 kms cable car journey; World's tallest seated outdoor bronze Buddha statue Nearest Train Station:   MTR Tung Chung  Nearest Airport:   Hong Kong How to reach:   Easily accessible by road;  Tung Chung MTR station is nearby; Buses are available from various locations of Hong Kong Hotel:  Plenty of options in all ranges around this area Restaurants:  A lot of options in Lantau Island Opening Hours: Weekday - 10 am - 6 pm; Weekends & Holidays - 9:00 am to 6:30 pm Ticket Fare:  Standard cabin - HKD 94; Crystal cabin - HKD 149 (For complete details on fare, check the NGong Ping website) Website:  www.np360.com.hk/en After visiting Ocean Park and Disney Land and doing shopping in few...