Selva Weds Sharme
Thursday, Nov 14 2013
Kuttralam - Spa Town
A beautiful destination to visit in the state of Tamil Nadu, Courtallam is located in the Tirunelveli District and is profoundly renowned for its mesmerizing picturesque natural beauty. The various Rivers Chittar River, Manimuthar River, Pachaiyar River and the Tambarabarani River originate from this region. The town is also called as “Spa town” because of the establishment of numerous health centers. It is a very famous tourist place as well as a holiday spot in Southern India and remains flocked with tourists round the year.
The town is surrounded by several waterfalls that are situated in the area. Courtallam Travel Guide is full of references to the places and spots to relax and unwind and the serene surroundings further add to the innate pleasure. Lord Thirukuttralanathar, Five Falls, Main Falls, Old Falls and Honey Falls are the famous tourist attractions of the city.
Kodaikanal
A popular Summer haunt, placed at an altitude of 2133 meters in the Western Ghats which is about 100 km from the city.
Kodai Lake:This lake is surrounded by a 6.4 kms road and it is the chief attraction here in Dindigul. Mr. Vele Leving, the former collector of Madurai dug this artificial lake in 1820. This lake is star-shaped and covers an area of 24 hectares. But, boating and fishing are allowed here. This lake looks like glittering sapphire embedded in emerald green.
Bryant Park:This park is situated on the eastern side of the lake. This is a well-decorated park with exotic and native flowers, hybrid varieties etc. The flowers of this are even cut and exported. The annual horticultural show here is held in the month of May.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar twin Temple, the pivot around which the city has evolved.
The Meenakshi Temple complex is literally a city - one of the largest of its kind in India and undoubtedly one of the oldest too. The temple grew with the contribution of each dynasty and victorious monarchs, into an enormous complex extending over an area of 65000 Sq m.
The temple first came in to being 2000 years ago and was substantially expanded during the regime of Thirumalai Nayak(1623-55 AD).
A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure know as “Ayiramkaal Mandapam” or the Hall of Thousand Pillars and each pillar features high, ornate, bold sculptures that look life like. View from any angle these pillars appear to be in a straight line, an architectural masterpiece indeed In the outermost corridors are situated the matchless musical pillars carved out of stones. When it is tapped, each pillar produces different musical note.
Kaasi Vishwanathar Temple, Thenkasi
The Kasi Viswanathar temple was constructed by the king Parakkirama Pandian in 1455 AD. As he wanted to visit Kasi and couldn't visit as it was ruled by Muslim rulers at that time, he ultimately built a temple for Kasi Viswanathar in his own city.
The temple didn't have tower for many years and it was built towards the end of 20th century AD. The beautiful temple tower is a highlight of this temple; it is nine storeys tower with 178 feet height.
The Kasi Viswanathar temple which spreads for 4 acres approximately is built in Somaskanda style. The temple is divided into three main sections with three shrines. In one shrine, you can find the main deity Kasi Viswanathar in the form of Shiv Linga. There is another shrine dedicated to the goddess Ulagammai aka Loganayaki. The third main shrine is dedicated to Lord Subramanya .