Beauty Inside Andaman&Nicobar Islands

India says:-

Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars...and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason;they are not going to become prime minister and president and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance.Look at the flowers-for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are~Osho

Singing birds awaits you to Thattekad

“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come”, it is a famous Chinese proverb. If we visit the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary we will understand how trues this proverb to be.

Entering the forest we will hear the melodious high pitch notes of various beautiful birds. Going further you will find that the musical resonance change with natural moods. If you try to concentrate in the music it will be so much soothing and relaxing that you will love to come here again and again. You will feel it is the real place to meditate and relax.

Thattekkad was developed by the untiring efforts of India’s birdman Dr.Salim Ali. The Sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years back.Mr. Ali described Thattekkad in the 1930’s as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas.


This Sanctuary covers the tributaries and tiny streams of the Periyar and its elevation ranges between 35m and 523m above sea level. The Sanctuary is a mixture of tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests and tropical deciduous forests. This outstanding natural beauty comes in the state of Kerala,South India. Thattekad now renamed Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in honour of India’s legendary ornithologist, is home to around 300 species of indigenous and migratory birds. It is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district in the northern bank of Periyar River. Close to Munnar along the lower reaches of the Western Ghats, the Sanctuary attracts nature lovers and bird watchers in droves. The Sanctuary provides the perfect setting for research on bird studies.


Thattekad is a beautiful mix of deciduous, tropical evergreen and grassland vegetation. Teak, rosewood, jungle jack and red sandalwood are foundabundantly here along with the huge Tetrameles nudiflora, and the rare telli, which has an aromatic sap used for making incense.
The Birds in this sanctuary are Indian Roller, Cuckoo, Common snipe, Crow pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large pied Wagt

ail, Baya sparrow, Grey jungle fowl, Indian hill myna, Robin, Jungle babbler and darter are found here.

Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sun bird, Shrike, Fairy blue bird, Grey-headed fishing eagle, Blackwinged

kite, Night heron, Grey heron, Common Grey Hornbill and Malabar Hornbill are some of the rare birds found. Apart from this the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary also houses Mammals like-Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, and Porcupine.


Climate

The Sanctuary has a composed climate. It is mostly cool throughout the year but monsoon can be really wet and soggy. It is best to avoid the Sanctuary is best avoided during the monsoon time of July and August. The best time to visit September to March. Rainfall averages around 2500 mm annually.

Things to remember while visiting the Forest

To enjoy and explore the Sanctuary completely you have to follow certain rules. If you wish to spot wild animals you have to keep total silence and discipline. It is better to visit with small groups. You have to arrange early morning and late afternoons visit to the forest, because it is the ideal time to enter the forest. The Sanctuary prohibited travelling alone especially in the Elephant Reserves. You can seek the assistance of a forest guard while going into the forests. Don’t wear colourful clothes or perfumes. Khakis, browns and green are best suited and carry your drinking water and food. You have to respect the animals and their habits so do not disturb or tease animals. Do not litter the surroundings, and do not remove anything from the Sanctuary. So try not to carry tape recorders and radios. You can carry note pad, flash light, road maps, and bus, train and airline time-tables. For safety you can take first aid kit with medicines for common ailments. If you are taking boat ride in Periyar don’t do anything that will rock the boat or endanger lives.

Accommodation

There is a three-storied watch tower inside the Sanctuary with two beds, a toilet and a kitchen. No electricity here but there are few solar power lamps. A forest department inspection bungalow called Hornbill is located near the Sanctuary entrance. There is a dormitory just inside the Sanctuary which is ideal for large groups. Accommodation is also available at the PWD rest house near the Bhoothathan Kutt Dam and in lodges in kothamangalam.

How to reach

The nearest airport is in Kochi, 71 kms. The new airport at Nedumbassery is probably closer.Aluva is the nearest railway station, 48kms. The Sanctuary is 13 km north-east of Kothamangalam along the Pooyamkutti Road. Regular buses are available. Buses ply every 20 minutes from Ernakulam’s Central Bus Stand to Kothamangalam and from there to Thattekad.

Nearest places to visit

Nearest attractions are Alleppey, cardamom Hills, and Backwater Boat Cruises. You can also go to Periyar Tiger Reserve, Madurai, Cochin, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Munnar. Something you should not miss in Kerala is Backwaters and Beaches. Also taste the exclusive South India cuisine here.

Explore Italy

India says:-

"Peace is not in money,estate,bungalows and possessions.

Peace does not dwell in outward things, but within the soul".

Touring Nathdwara

This city of sweets is famous for exuberant festivals, miniature paintings, and jewellery. It is a luxurious city and is the home town of one of the wealthiest temples in India. Nathdwara literally means “gateway to the god” and the main attraction of the town is the shrine of Lord Krishna built in the 17th century. The city life here revolves around this temple which is called of ‘Haveli’. Nathdwara situated in the state of Rajasthan in India. It is situated on the right bank of the Banas River and is 42 km from Udaipur.

Speciality of Nathdwara

The black stone statue of Lord Krishna in Nathdwara belongs to the 12th century and was first installed by Sri Vallabhacharya in a small temple at Jotipura near Matura. There is a story behind the transfer of the idol from Matura to Nathdwara. Temple folklore says that it was brought from Matura in 1669, to protect it from the devastating and harmful anger of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

It is said that while transferring the idol in a bullock cart, on reaching the present spot of the shrine, the wheel of the cart stuck in the mud. The priest who was travelling with the idol comprehended that Lord Krishna had chosen the spot for his shrine. After that a temple to Lord Krishna was constructed at the spot. This Haveli was once a royal palace of the Rajput rulers. Now the idol of Lord Krishna was the main speciality of Nathdwara.

Rituals of the Temple

Shrinathji temple follows unique rituals. The inner sanctum of the temple opens eight times a day. At this time only devotees get darshan or catch a glimpse of the sacred form of Krishna. Each time the temple opens the leelas (divine sport) of the Lord are described and harmonized with his daily routine. The jewels of pre-Mugal India are worn by Shrinathji (the idol of Lord Krishna). Classical music is played in the halls at regular intervals.

The Haveli is built around several levels of courtyards reflecting the regal life of the past Maharajas of India. Temple servants consider Lord Nathdwara as a beloved prince and serve him. They still wear the costumes of the bygone era. Manual pulling of the fan by the Pankh walas to cools the interior of the temple. Drums and trumpets play to announce the “Royal Darshan”. The doorways are decorated with the drawings of elephants, horses, beautiful maidens and doorkeepers. The interior of the temple is beautified with fine object from China, gold and silver ware paintings, wall hangings, clothes and furniture of the past.

This rich temple of Shrinathji receives millions of rupees as offering to the Lord. The temple owns more than 400 cows and the milk is used to prepare sweet and milk products to offer the god. One of these cows is considered as Shrinathji’s cow. The Haveli employs 1000 people, but these employees including the priest within the temple are not paid any salaries. They receive Prasad as their reward. The rest of the town depends and thrives directly or indirectly from the Havali and its pilgrims.

Facilities for visit

Nathdwara offers accommodation of cheap and comfortable rooms starting from 50p per night. Nathdwara offers all facilities for your visit like luxurious air-conditioned hotels and restaurants. The town offers vegetarian food and alcohol is completely prohibited here. To feel the peace and spirituality of the place you can reach the town by air or train. Udaipur is the nearest airport and railway station. Rickshaws and horse carts are good means of transportation here. Touring Nathwara is good for your shopping and for rare collections. Nathdwara is famous for handmade terracotta and pichhwai paintings. Pichhwai paintings, of Lord Krishna are decorated with gold colour.

The floating Venice (Photos)

Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.
-David Hume
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