JATAYU ROCK IN CHADAYAMANGALAM

Chadayamangalam is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala in India.

The place got its current name from its old name of Jatayumangalam.

The place has mythological importance as having connections to the stories in the Hindu epic of Ramayana.

The place where Lord Rama found the dying Jatayu was named as Jatayumangalam, now known as Chadayamangalam.

A huge rock in this place is named after Jatayu as Jatayupara.

There is a small pond at the top of the hill in the shape of a bird's beak and it is believed to be the place where Jatayu fell down while trying to save Seeta from hands of Ravan.

It is said that when it was thirsty it hit the rocks with its beak and this pond was formed.

The pond is at the top of the hill and never dries even in summer.

Jatayu Para is well known as a tourist destination and a place of pilgrimage.

Right on top the rock the building of a huge functional sculpture of the Great Bird Jatayu is under way.

It is 60 ft tall, 150 ft broad and 200 ft long.

This will have three storeys and among other attractions, house a museum and mini film theatre.

The form of the Bird would be lying on its back with a broken wing, raising its head.

18ft high Statue of Lord Shri Rama Chandra is constructed at the top of Jatayu Mountain.

Jatayu sculpture would be the biggest functional sculpture in the Asian continent.

It can be termed as the tallest sculpture as well.

One has to trekke the mountain to reach the place.

The view from the top is wonderful.

The monkeys are fed there as a part of ritual.

                                                        BADAMI CAVES



Badami is known for its ancient cave temples carved out of monolithic sandstone.

Badami is situated in District of Bagalkot in the north part of Karnataka.

Badami is well connected by road and rail.The nearest airport is Belgaum about 150 kilometers away.

The Badami cave temples are composed of four caves, all carved out of the soft Badami sandstone on a hill cliff in the late 6th to 7th centuries.

These caves were sculptured during the Chalukyan rule.

1st one is the oldest dedicated to Shiva.

2nd and third is dedicated to Vishnu and the last is a Jain Cave.

One can see the painting of 5th century in 2nd cave.

From Top of the hill you can see the Buthnatha Group of temple on the bank of ‘Agastya Thirtha tank.’

Badami fort lies east of the Bhuthnath temple, atop a cliff right opposite the Badami cave temples.

The caves are beautiful with intricate carvings.

The view from the topmost cave is well worth the climb.

Don't bring any food with you to the caves - the monkeys are a nuisance.

Badami's red sand stone cliffs are popular amongst local and international climbers.

Best time to visit is between low November and March.

                                            KILIYUR WATERFALL

The amazing Kiliyur Falls is situated in the Shervaroyan hill range in the Eastern Ghats, Tamil nadu, India.

The fall is about three km from the Yercaud Lake.

Yercaud is just 33 Km from Salem and takes only 30 to 40 minutes of drive.

Salem to Yercaud is well serviced by regular state run buses, private buses and taxis.

It takes one and half hour trekking to reach the fall.

It is a fabulous place to feel part of the nature.

The surplus water from the Yercaud Lake and other points of the Shevaroy Hills fall deep into the Kiliyur Valley, creating a 300 feet waterfall.

The view of the fall is breathtaking sight in the monsoon time when the water levels are at the maximum.

Kiliyur Valley is famous for its activities like boating and swimming.
Elderly people and children should be avoided as the trekking way is very difficult. 
The best time to visit this place is immediately after the monsoons.

                           ELEPHANTA CAVES IN MUMBAI

Elephanta caves is  situated on Gharapuri Islands which is 15 miles from the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

It is famous for the statues of Shiva and Parvati.

Shiva in the three moods as the Creator, the Destroyer and the Preserver is a masterpiece by itself.

These caves were carved out from a single rock.

The cave is filled with beautiful stone carvings of Hindu Gods and Goddess.

The Portuguese called the island Elephanta on seeing its huge gigantic statue of an Elephant at the entrance.

The Statue is now placed in the garden outside  the Jijamata Udyaan at Byculla situated in mumbai.

On the eastern side of the island is the Stupa hill.This is where the caves which house the Buddhist monuments are located.

Sculpture of Lord Buddha is wonderful.

The surrounding is covered with mountains. It is fabulous to enjoy the scenic beauty.

There are lot of monkeys there so beware of them.

You can also do a lot of shopping. Tou can find various kinds of antique pieces, sculptures, gift articles etc.

the timing to visit caves is from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Mondays are closed for visitors.

You can reach there by boat only. Boat services are available from Gateway Of India.

MTDC also offer boat srevices.

Dance festival is held at the Elephanta caves every February, hosted by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).

The best time to visit this island is between November and March.

 

                                           BIBI KA MAQBARA


THERE ARE MANY TOURIST PLACES WHICH ARE LESS HEARD OF. HERE ARE SOME OF THE PLACES WHICH YOU WILL WANT TO SEE. IN INDIA, MAHARASHTRA IS SITUATED IN WESTERN REGION.AURANGABAD IS SITUATED IN MAHARASHTRA AND IS FAMOUS FOR BIBI KA MAQBARA.      

 Bibi Ka Maqbara is situated 5 km away from Aurangabad.

Aurangazeb's son, Prince Azam Shah built it in 1678 in the memory of his mother Begum Rabia Durani.  
The chief architect of the monument is a Persian called Ustad - Ata - Ullah.
The memorial is built of sandstone with plastered walls and has a marble dome.
It has an flowery wall around with an entrance which provides the best view of the memorial. 
The enclosure of the tomb is made of marble and is octagonal.    
The mausoleum is built on a high square platform with four minarets at its corners,
This mausoleum is a replica of the famous Taj Mahal.
It is often referred to as the "poor man’s Taj","Taj of Deccan".
The visitors are allowed to visit the monument from 8 am to 6 pm.
Aurangabad is well connected with air, road, and by rail route.
MTDC also carries bus services from Aurangabad to Bibi Ka Maqbara.
MTDC also organises Bibi ka mMaqbara festival in October.