Stories, of teas, monsoons, food, mountains & people
Hampi - the lost city
Hampi is a small village in the heart of Karnataka. It’s an important tourist destination with an old temple, beautiful scenery and abundant nature.
It is situated on the left bank of Tungabhadra River, 20 km from Hospet. Hampi was one of the major political centres of South India for nearly two centuries.
The ruined city or citadel is spread over an area of about 5 square kilometers and contains many temples, pillared halls, water tanks and other structures.
The most famous monument in Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple which has three parts: the main temple flanked by two smaller shrines on either side.
Hampi has always been a photographer’s ideal getaway. About half a day’s journey away from Bangalore, and a throwback to times when the Vijayanagar empire was a jewel of the south!
Google Maps shows you multiple roads you can take and depending on your mode of transport and willingness to travel, options provided are pretty interesting to say the least!
Hampi, a place full of spirituality, colors, and spirituality. A place not just for tourists but for people looking for peace.
The village of Hampi is one of the oldest surviving human settlements in the world. It had been a thriving metropolitan city in its heyday, with a population that would have been over 100,000. The ruins date back to 500 AD and are spread across a 10 square kilometre area in Karnataka's countryside.
Hampi provides an excellent opportunity to explore the beautiful landscape from various angles and capture some breathtaking views from atop hills or by the riverbeds.
Hampi was once called Pampa-kshetra or "place of Pampa," a goddess who was worshipped there. One of the most famous attractions in Hampi are the Hampi Royal Center and its Elephant Stables. The Royal Center includes many buildings from King Krishnadevaraya times such as The Queen’s Bath.
One of the most photographed places in Hampi is its ancient Virupaksha Temple with its intricate carvings, situated on a huge plinth. It's not just the photo that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime, but also it's spiritual vibe that makes you want to come back to this place again and again.
Apart from that, the sunset point, the sunrise point, Matanga hills etc makes Hampi a place which calls you back everytime.
Munnar
Munnar is a city in Kerala, India. It is located at an altitude of about 2000 ft. It is the only hill station in Kerala and among the few hill stations in India. With its rich flora and fauna, Munnar has been attracting tourists from all over the world for many years now.
Tourists are attracted to Munnar mainly because of the wide variety of wildlife that it houses. There are many varieties of animals that can be spotted here including elephants, tigers, leopards, sambars and others which are not very common to see in other parts of Kerala.
Munnar, one of the best hill stations in India, is a popular destination for tourists from around the world. The town also has a number of notable attractions such as Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Peak which are ranked among some of India's most famous natural landmarks. Besides these, there are plentiful other attractions that you can explore when you visit Munnar such as cable car rides to connect towns on different hills, boat cruises on Papanasini River and spice plantations on hills. Tourists from all over the world come to Munnar to explore its beauty and attractions while enjoying its cool climate.
For photographers, the landscape around the town has a lot of picturesque views and scenic settings.
Munnar can be reached by train from Ernakulam, Kottayam or Kollam.
A bus from Palakkad is also an option.
There are many popular tourist attractions in Munnar such as Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam and Anayirangal Dam.
The best time to visit Munnar is between October and March when the weather is pleasant.
The lush green landscape with picturesque meadows, the rolling hills, the cool breezy air and the fresh air are some of the main reasons why people visit this area every year.
You can go on a trek to Munnar or opt for a drive through spectacular views of nature, which are all part of this place's charm. One can also visit its famous tea plantations to see how it's made. For nature lovers, tourists are attracted to Munnar mainly because of the wide variety of wildlife that it houses. There are many varieties of animals that can be spotted here including elephants, tigers, leopards, sambars and others which are not very common to see in other parts of Kerala.
If you are looking for some amazing scenery, Munnar is the place to be. The hills are home to rubber plantations, tea estates and coffee farms. There are also plenty of waterfalls and lakes to explore.
Tourists can choose from several hotels in Munnar, which range from modern luxury resorts to simple private cottages with beds made of bamboo poles and mosquito nets.