Ranganathittu Bird sanctuary , Srirangapatna

The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is located about 5 km away from Srirangapatna. It is spread in an 57 acres area. The sanctuary is a small island on the banks of river Kaveri. It is a place of interest to all bird lovers. The sanctuary is a nesting and breeding center for all kinds of birds.

One can see species like the herons, egrets, white ibis. Also little cormorants, dantes, open billed stork etc. are also some of the birds that can be seen in island when one takes a round by a boat.

The best time of visit to the island is from June to October.Timmings: 9AM -6PM
Tickets :Rs.10 Boat ride Rs.10.

Mudumalai photos and Srirangapatinam

Srirangapatna - Abode of Lord Vishnu:

Situated just 13 Km from Mysore, Srirangapatna is surrounded by River Kaveri form all sides. The town gets its name from the famous Temple Ranganathaswamy Temple that dominates the landscape of the town. Due to Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna is an important Vaishnavite site and is frequented by many pilgrims. Srirangapatna once served as the capital of Mysore when Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan ruled over it. This brought the town into recognition then and made it historically important. Tipu Sultan built Srirangapatna as his fortress and used it to launch attacks on British. Tipu sultan built many buildings that are now the main attractions of the city for tourists.
Ranganathaswamy Temple:
As we are all aware, Lord Vishnu has taken various forms for the welfare and protection of various creations of Lord Brahma. One such Temple is Sri Jaganmohana Ranganatha Swamy Temple at Shivanasamudra in Mandya District of Karnataka State. The presiding Deity of the Temple is Sri Ranganatha, A form of Lord Vishnu sleeping on the bed of Adishesha, the sacred snake of Lord Vishnu himself with his Hood providing shelter to the Lord. The Temple is located on the banks of the river Cauvery.Altogether, there are 3 most sacred, powerful and important temples of Lord Ranganatha and each of them is known by a different name. The three temples are located at Srirangapatna, Shivanasamudra and Srirangam.It is beleived that on any given day starting from Sunrise to Sunset, if one visits all the three Temples and worships the deities and seeks the blessings, his Sins are washed off and he is blessed with Peace,Happiness and abundant wealth.

This is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Ranganatha and is located inside the fort. Built in 9th century by Vijayanagara rulers, it is among the largest temples in Karnataka. Entire temple, with the intricate carvings and sculptures, is a marvel in itself. But the main attraction of the temple is the reclining image of Lord Vishnu on the great snake Ananta. The architecture of the temple amalgamates a bit of Hoysala as well as Vijayanagara styles. When Srirangapatna served as the capital of Mysore, it is said that both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan took good care of the temple. Inside the premises of the temple, there are shrines dedicated to Lord Krishna, Gowtama muni and River Cauvery. The images of Lord Srinivasa and Panchmukha Anjaneya adorn the inner walls of the temple. The pillars that are carved with 24 forms of Lord Vishnu also shows the skills of sculptors during that period.he sacred Deity of Lord Ranganatha known as Madhya Ranga worshipped and decorated with Flowers, Thulasi, etc. One can notice the Lord sleeping on the bed formed by the Sacred snake Adishesha. The speciality of this temple is that the snake is seven headed whereas in the remaining two Temples, the snake is five headed. The idol is believed to be a Shaligrama Shila or in other words a Black Fossil Stone.

See the Masinagudi route from ooty to Bandipur.
The road was excellent and ver smooth. I enjoyed the drive very much.

Gumbaz In Srirangapatinam:
Tipu Sultan, the tiger of Mysore, the great warrior who fought with the British empire, built Gumbaz in the midst of Lal Bagh, a beautiful garden. He built tombs for his father Hyder Ali and mother Fathima Begam (Fakr-Un-Nisa) in Gumbaz.
Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Mausoleum
Situated: Srirangapatna
Distance: 15 Km from Mysore
Transport: Well connected by road, can hire an autorikshaw from Srirangapatna
Timings: 8:00 a.m to 6:30 p.m



Mudumalai:
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the northwestern corner of Tamil Nadu at a distance of around 80 km from Coimbatore and 64 km from Udhagamandalam (also Ooty). It is also a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve along with Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and Wynad Sanctuary in Kerala. Langur, bonnet macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, Indian muntjac, mouse deer, wild boar, rodent and flying squirrel are part of the wildlife in Mudumalai. It has a rich bird life that includes Malabar trogan, Grey hornbill, crested hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, etc.The best time to visit the reserve is from February to June.

Karanataka trip May 2010

This is the Bhanarghatta zoo near Bangalore.This was during May 2010 vacation tour.We celebrated Mehul's 9th birthday in Country club ,Bangalore during this trip.
One photo containing a house in the green field was in Masinagudi at the foothills of Nilgiri Mountains in Tamilnadu.

Our Holiday tour in May 2010

We covered the following places:
Bangalore, Mysore, Thorapalli , masinagudi , Krishnagiri , srirangapatinam , channapatna, and Mudumalai forest reserve.We also visited Guddalore for Spices and organic farming shopping.
But my plan to visit Swamy Sachidhanandha ashram in Mysore which has a Bonsai Mulligai garden and one Amusement park near Mandya ,Mysore did not occur.

Vallakottai Murugan

1200 years old temple has the history on its own. A king named “Bahiradha” who reigned the place “Salamkondapuram” which was situated in the country “Illanchi”, constructed the temple at Vallakottai, which was once known by the name “Kodai Nagar”.Saint Dhurvasaka instructed him to follow “Virutham” on fridays, and to worship Lord Muruga who is dwelling under “Padhiri (one of the variety) Mango Tree” with Goddess Valli and Deivannai.The temple tank (Thirukulam) that is facing the temple contains the fresh & cool water, which is so called by the name of “Vajra Theertham” (Holy water) related to the widely accepted myth, which says that, Indhra (Leader of Devas) who created the temple tank with the help of his “Vajrayudham”. Devotees believe that bathing in the temple tank and worshipping Lord Muruga by chanting Six-letter mantra will make them to get divine blessings.


SPECIALITY OF THE DEITY IDOL

Sri Subramaniya Swamy with His wives Goddess Valli and Deivannai with the name of “Sri Kodaiyandavar”, fulfills the desire of his devotees with his majestic posture, possessed with the blessings on its own.


Address:
A/M. SUBRAMANIYA SWAMY TEMPLE
Vallakkottai
Sri Perumbudur Taluk, Kanchipuram- 602 105.
Tamil Nadu, India.

Phone : 04111-272225.

E-mail : vallakkottaimurugan@sancharnet.in

Manu Temple , Old Manali

Manu Temple is one of the main tourist attractions in Manali.. Its in Old Manali region and connected with main market through a road which passes through Manali Community Center. The temple is dedicated to the Indian sage Manu who is said to be the creator of the world and the writer of Manusmriti.This temple is considered as only Manu temple on earth.Its made up of Wood and stone and marble is used for flooring.

Hadimba Temple - Manali , Himachal Pradesh

Built in 1533, the temple is dedicated to Hadimba, wife of Bhim, one of the Pandava brothers. Its believed that she meditated here, so the temple was constructed in her honour. Photography is prohibited inside the temple, there is no idol only footprints of Hadimba on a stone. Huge footprints too, make you want to believe that mythological figures were huge in size! It had a four-tiered pagoda shaped roof with intricately carved woodwork of mythological figures at the entrance.

The 12th day from Ganesh Chathurthi In kangra - Himachal Pradesh

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated for ten days long and all the devotees gather in the community ganesh pandals for the celebration every day. These Pandals are grandly decorated and does look no less than a beutiful film set. The Pandal is decorated for the Pooja and half of it is arranged for sitting arrangements, feasting and celebrations of the devotees.

The making of Pandals begins a day before the festival. Pandal needs a place where it cannot be disturbed in any way, which it is beautifully decorated but it wiil be a temporary shelter for ten days celebrations. Pandals entire cost for arrangement is done by the community donations.

Making of Pandals, as per the pre-decided plans that, people will use bamboo poles, wooden planks and colorful curtains, fresh flowers for enhance the beauty of the Pandal. It has now become a fashion to set Pooja Pandals can be decorated by lights of multiple colors, flowers and several such artificiary items, card board as side walls, mats, pillows for Ganesh and more for the lord.

The Bhagsunag temple - Bhagsu Village, HP

Bhagsu Nag temple is in Bhagsu Village about a km from McCleodganj. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has great historical significance. About seven streams, like miniature waterfalls flow here and these are considered holy with cleansing properties by devotees. A freshwater spring also flows through the temple and bathing in its waters is considered a spiritual experience in itself. The village of Bhagsu is originally a tribal Gaddi village.