Stories, of teas, monsoons, food, mountains & people
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is a beautiful coastal town in the southernmost part of India. The scenic beauty of this place attracts tourists from all over the world. Kanyakumari is a popular tourist destination and there are many hotels to choose from for accommodation.
Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu is a beautiful place. It is known as the ‘southernmost tip of India’, and it is also called Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari has a very special significance for Hindus and Buddhists. Many people visit this place every year to pay their respects and spend some time there.
Kanyakumari is a few hours away from Chennai which has an international airport. The best way to arrive in Kanyakumari is by bus or train. There are many local buses that run between Kanyakumari and other cities in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Karnataka. There are also overnight trains that pass through here on their way to Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The place has been called as "the meeting point of three seas", namely the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea
This serene place offers you with mesmerizing views and landscapes.
Kanyakumari has a lot of temples all around it, but what makes this place more beautiful are its backwaters. These backwaters are also referred to as 'Peechi Thiruvizha' or 'boiled rice waves'. They are said to be formed by Lord Vishnu, when he rose from his slumber on kumara mountain after sleeping for 1000 years.
The most popular legend goes that Devi Kanya, an avatar of Goddess Parvati, was stood up by Lord Shiva on her wedding day when he went to visit his parents in the village.
Devi Kanya was a well-respected goddess in Tamil Nadu and she is worshipped for her spiritual knowledge and learning. She is also seen as a symbol of protection for women.
The story says that she had to be married off because it was the only way she could get out of her father’s house. Her father wanted to do something noble before he died, so he agreed to marry off his daughter without consulting with her first. When she found out about this marriage plan, she fled from home and went into the forest to meditate on how to escape this unwanted marriage.
The beaches, temples and churches makes for some amazing places to take landscape pictures of, and the fact that other places like Trivandrum, Madurai etc are nearby as well, makes it for an easily accessible place for a weekend away
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.