SRI Venkateswara temple

Sri Venkateswara temple is the ancient & sacred temple of Lord Venkateswara, husband of Maa Lakshmi. Lord Venkateswara is also known as Balaji. In fact he is called by many names like Lord Vishnu, Lakshmipati, and Narasimhaswami etc. It is believed that Lord Balaji has taken birth on this earth many times for the prosperity of this world by giving knowledge and removing social evils.
This temple is located on the seventh peak of Tirumala Hill, Venkata peak. Hindus have huge believe in this temple as a result average 50,000 people visit this temple everyday. People especially from south part of India believe that one can attain mukti i.e. can be immortal only by worshipping Sri Lord Venkateswara.
This temple has got a huge security. Finger prints and photo image is required to get inside this temple. One can get entry token either at Tirupathi or at Tirumala. Again to get rid of confusion I tell you, Tirupathi and Tirumala are two different places. Tirumala is the collection of seven hills and Venkateswara temple is situated on Venkata Peak (seventh peak of Tirumala Hill).The distance from Tirupathi Bus stand (APSRTC) to Venkateswara Temple is approx 20 km, by road. This temple is very well connected by road, & one can get buses at regular interval of 10 minutes from Tirupathi.

Temple Management:-

This temple & other 12 temples at Tirupathi & Tirumala are maintained under TTD- Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanames.
The board of Trustees is constituted by members appointed by the government. (Andhra Pradesh State Government).

History:-

There is no confirm history about this temple. But it is believed that it got its attention back at 9th century at the time of Pallavas & Cholas- Riles of southern part of India.

Tirupathi-Tirumala: Hindu religious place

Way to Tirupathi from Tirumala

The second richest religious place, after Vatican City, the first in the world. Vatican City is situated in Europe and is considered to Christianity. Thus we can say that Tirupathi-Tirumala is the is the richest Hindu city or Hindu religious place. The temple is also a fine example of Dravidian Art & Style. It is also a famous center for wood carving. Tirupathi-Tirumala is situated in the Chittoor district in southern Andhra Pradesh, India.
Difference between Titupathi and Tirumala:
People usually get confused between the Tirupathi and Tirumala. So don’t get confused, here is the solution. Tirumala is the collection of seven hills situated in Tirupathi. The Tirumala Hill is 3200 ft above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha (A seven headed snake on which Venkateswara or Balaji use to sit), thus earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. The sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatadri (Venkata Hill), and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala.
The name Tirupati, meaning the ‘the Lord of Lakshmi’ should have been appropriately applied to the village on the Venkata Hill, the abode of the Lord. However, it has been popularly assigned to the Municipal town at the foot of the Hill, while the village around the Hill near His temple is called Tirumala (the Sacred Hill). The distance between the Tirupathi and Tirumala is 18 km and is well connected by road. One can get ‘Ghat eligible’ buses after every 10 minutes.
Tirupathi is 268 km from Bangalore and 740 from Hyderabad, capital city of Andhra Pradesh.

CHAMUNDESHWARI TEMPLE-MYSORE

The Chamundi Hills on the outskirts of Mysore city is another famous landmark of the city, Mysore.The Chamundi Hills is about 3km from the city. It is at a height of 1065 meters above sea leave and about 800 feet above Mysore city. On the top of the hill is the Chamundeshwari temple that dates back to the 11th century. Goddess Chamundeshwari is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi(wife of lord SHIVA) who took this form to destroy the demon king Mahishasura(symbol of sins).
The Chamundi Temple on top of the Chamundi hills is the most famous temple in Mysore, since Goddess Chamundi or Chamundeshwari is the presiding deity of Msyore. Initially the temple was a small one, but over the past few centuries, as a result of the patronage and expansions made by the Mysore Maharajas it has become a big temple. In the olden days, human and animal sacrifices were regularly made at this temple, but were stopped in the 18th century.
The temple has a quadrangular structure. The Gopura or pyramidal tower at the entrance is intricately decorated in the Dravidian style and has a small statue of Lord Ganesha on the doorway. The doorway is silver-plated and has the images of Goddess in different forms on it. As one passes through the main gate, on the right hand side is a small statue of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. Climb a few steps and there is a flagstaff, the footprints of the Goddess and a small statue of Nandi, facing the sanctum sanctorum.
Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar repaired this temple in 1827 and built the enormous tower on it. He also gifted the temple with a large wooden chariot known as the Simha Vahana, which is now used during the Rathotsava or car festival.
Auspicious days to visit the temple are Tuesdays, Fridays and the 10 days of Dussehra. Temples is open from 7.30am to 2pm and from 3.30pm to 6pm. The tower of the temple is illuminated on festivals and on public holidays.

JAGANMOHAN PALACE( ART GALARY)

The Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore is one of the oldest buildings in Mysore. This Palace is more that 150 years old.This Palace was built in 1861 and was initially an ornate wooden one and was being used by the Royal family when a fire destroyed it in 1897. The Royal family lived in this palace till the main Mysore Palace was built. The coronation of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV was held here in 1902. The then Viceroy and Governor-General of India, Lord Curzon, attended this ceremony.To this day many cultural activities and conferences are held in this hall as it is in the heart of the city. This includes the cultural programmes held during the Dasara festivities. This hall has two huge wooden doors on which is carved the Dashavatharas or ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The main structure of Jaganmohan Palace consisting of three stories(THREE FLOORS) has been converted into the famous Jayachamarejendra Art Gallery during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. It displays the paintings and artifacts that belonged to the Kings of Mysore. Today this art gallery is considered one of the best in South India.One can see 5-6 small shops selling the art of Mysore.Just with Rs.10/- in your pocket one can enjoy the rich art and heritage of royal time.

FIVE MILLION TOURISTS ON OUR LAND LAST YEAR!

Around five million foreign tourists had visited India in 2007 which was a big jump from the 3.92 million tourists during the previous year, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said on Tuesday,28th May.
Around 400 million domestic tourists had also travelled across different parts of the country during 2007, she said.
She was speaking after declaring open the Rs 35 crore ‘Zest Big Beach-Puducherry’ a project of the Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Limited (MHRIL) at Manapet coastal village near here,Punducherry.
.....................................SOURCE:ZEENEWS.COM

NEW MYSORE PALACE( INDIA)

In order to restore the grandeur of the Mysore Palace, the Maharani Vanivilasa Sannidhana, C.I., then Regent, decided to build a new palace on the model and on the foundations of old palace. The construction which was inaugurated by Her Highness in October 1897, was completed in in 1912 at an aggregate outlay of Rs.41,47,913. Two special features in the construction are note worthy: utilisation of local materials as far as possible and adoption of fire proof methods of construction.
The main building is of massive grey granite, three stored, and dominated by a five storeyed tower covered by a gilded dome. The tower is about 145 ft from the ground to the golden flag to its summit.

SHOWER AT HOGGENIKKAL

It’s really a great experience to take shower with your friends, relatives or family apart from taking it alone in a bathroom. Frankly speaking it’s a combo offer- bathing and fun both at a time. War and fight with the great force of water was marvelous. One thing which makes Hoggenikkal stand alone in its kind is the lake or reservoir below the fall, full of fishes. These fishes use to hit your body constantly! Fishing in this part is not allowed.
Government tax of rupees 10/- is charged for having this great fun and experience.

A SHOP ON A BOAT

Have you ever heard about moving market? If not, I am going to tell you about that! Its just a simple market in which each shop is on the move weather in boat in case of river and lake or carts in case of land.
Moving markets are very common at Bankok where shops are in form of boat and bargaining is the main mantra of this market.
Likewise, one-boat shop can be seen at Hogennikal waterfall selling food stuffs and cold-drinks but at reasonable price.

HOGENNIKKAL WATERFALL

BASIC FACTS:
COUNTRY:- INDIA
STATE:- TAMILNAIDU (SOUTH INDIAN STATE)
LOCATION:- 160 KM APPROX FROM BANGALORE VIA DHARAMPURI(TAMILNAIDU)
TRANSPORT:- REGULAR BUS SERVICE IS THERE FROM BOTH MAJOR CITIES BANGALORE AND CHENNAI VIA DHARAMPURI DISTRICT. BUT IT IS NEAR TO BANGALORE.
FOOD:- SOUTH INDIAN MEALS ARE CHEAP ALONG WITH FRIED FISH AS A COMMON FOOD. PACKED FOODS AND WATER ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
CLIMATE:- MODERATE CLIMATE WITH COOL NIGHT.
LOGGING:- NOT DEVLOPED, ONLY 2 TO 3 LOUDGE ARE AVAILABLE.