Bandhavgarh
If Kanha is Kipling's country, then Bandhavgarh is the jewel in Madhya Pradesh's crown. Situated at a distance of 195 km from Jabalpur and 225 km from Khajuraho, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a premier wildlife preserve in the Vindhya mountain range of Central India. It is a tiny park compared to Kanha but with nearly the same number of tigers and leopards, or at least that is the official figure. Besides tigers and leopards, Bandhavgarh is also extremely productive for medium-sized bison herds.
Bandhavgarh came into existence as a national park in 1968 with a core area of 105 sq. km, which was later extended to include two adjoining sal forests in 1986. Before becoming a national park, it was the game reserve of the Maharajas of Rewa. But due to loss of royal patronage, it remained neglected for a long time until the government declared it a national park to control rampant poaching in the area. Bandhavgarh has the highest density of tigers among all reserves in India and packs the same wealth of wildlife in a smaller area. It is famous as the original home of the white (albino) tiger, though this rare species has long become extinct here. Apart from tigers, Bandhavgarh is also famous for sloth bear sambar, chital, muntjac, nilgai, chinkara, and wild pigs. There are also interesting cave shrines scattered around the park, with Brahmi inscriptions dating from the first century B.C. You can visit the remains of the Bandhavgarh fort believed to be 2,000 years old. |
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Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline.
The 2000 year old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions here. High cliffs border the excellent beach.
It's a beautiful beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. Varkala beach is rich in mineral water springs that are known for their medicinal value.
A dip in the holy waters of Varkala beach is believed to purge the body and the soul of all the sins hence the name 'Papanashini' for this shore. At the break of dawn following the new moon in the Malayalam month of 'Karkidakam', thousands offer 'Vavu Bali', a ritual believed to help the souls of ancestors rest in peace. |
Significance
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Religious
Varkala Beach has a 2000 Year Old Shrine of Lord Vishnu |
How To Get There
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By Road
Varkala is 54 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km from Kollam. Varkala is 90 minutes away on the bus and a pleasant convenient place to stop for a night or more or an afternoon when travelling between Alappuzha or Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. |
By Rail
The railway station is 3 kms from the beach. |
General Information
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Location
Varkala is 54 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km from Kollam. |
Main Attraction
Janardana Swamy Temple |
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Varanasi
Varanasi, also popularly known as Benaras is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for Hindus. The historical ghats of Varanasi on the banks of river Ganges attract devotees from all parts of the country and abroad. The ghats are many, but every ghat has a history of its own and some of them also find mention in the ancient scriptures. It is believed that a dip in the holy waters of the ghats cleanses all past sins. Another popular belief is that immersion of the ashes of the dead in the ghats grant their soul eternal peace. A perennial feature of the ghats are a variety of religious rituals held from morning till night.
Regarded as an eternal city by the Hindus, the known history of Varanasi dates back to about 3500 years. Here, we shall briefly discuss the most popular of Varanasi's myriad of ghats
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