KISHKINTA Theme Park

KISHKINTA is a Theme Park set in 120 acres of specially landscaped hills and lakes. Thirty minutes south of Chennai City, the park is situated five kilometres west of Tambaram Bus stand and Suburban train station. Kishkinta also happens to be the first amusement park of India. The park hosts a number of activities including exciting rides, water events, kids zone and many more. The amusement park employs contemporary technological innovations to provide the fun and frolic. The very name of the park has been taken from the epic Ramayana and represents the monkey kingdom, known to be a great recreational place.

Kishkinta ia a household name and the favorite fun destination for kids from six to sixty.  The park has a variety of rides like carousels, tora-tora, bumper car, flume rides, wave pool, a waterfall, lakes, 3-D theatre, go kart and many more attractions, make Kishkinta India’s No. 1 Theme Park . The park has attracted over 5 million visitors since its opening in 1995. Kishkinta, a theme water park with exciting dry rides is an ideal destination for family and group entertainment.

Kishkinta Rides:

White Water Ride, 3D Theatre, Flume Ride, Space Shuttle, Chennai Kuttralam, Tora Tora, Aqua Slide, Manthira Arai, Water Volcano, Thrillarium, Dome Slide, Road Train, Rain Disco, Carousel, Boating, Boat Merry Go Round, Tourist Boat,  Helicopter, Arabian Nights, Dodging Cars, Bumper Cars, Water Scooter, Trooper, Ko-Kart, Dragon Coaste.

From end to end, KISHKINTA is designed as a pleasant and fun-filled environment, the perfect getaway for the harried city-dweller and tourist alike. There is an area called the Kiddies area wherein a fantasyland has been built for the kids. A slow water ride through the fairy land showcases such h themes like sleeping beauty’s castle, skull cave, effin gold mine. Playing equipments like sea saws and swings can also be seen here. The white water ride is an adventurous water ride meant for the family. The rainwater lake, the boating lake the wave pool and 3d theatre are all attractions of international standard.

If you are on a visit to Kishkinta, be prepared to spend an entire day there as there is so much to see and experience. There are fine eateries here catering to food of various cuisines, ensuring that there is something to suit all tastes.

The park hours are from 11.00 am till 7.30 pm on weekdays. On Sundays and holidays the visiting hours are from 10.00 am till 8.30 pm.

 

Thiruthani Murugan Temple

Tiruttani a holy place, is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya and is situated in Tiruvallur district and 84 km away from north west Chennai. The temple is situated on a hillock. Three Hundred and Sixty five Steps lead to the shrine, each step representing a day of the year. Tiruttani is the Fifth Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga. The Other five Temples in the Arupadai Veedu sung by Nakkeerar are:

1.Tiruparamkundram Subramanya Swami Temple
4.Tiruchendur Senthil Andavar Temple
2.Swamimalai Swaminatha Swami Temple
3.Palani Dandayudhapani Swamy Temple
5.Palamudhircholai Subramanya Swamy Temple

The various names of the presiding deity include Subrahmanya, Subramanya Swamy, Sengalvarayanm, Murugavel and Thanigesa Peruman. This holy shrine of Lord Muruga has been sung by various poets like Arunagiri Nathar and Kumara Guruparar. The temple is a very old one and scriptures can be used to trace the temple’s existence to as early as two thousand years ago. The temple is known be several names some of which are Kunruthor Adal, Thanigachalam, Santhipuri and Skandagiri. This temple is considered as one of the most important abodes of Muruga.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Murugan married Valli, the daughter of a hunting tribe cheiftain, here. Murugan is the parihara for all Rahu doshas. Offer worship at this ancient shrine of Lord Murugan and receive his divine grace in abundance. December 31st Step Festival When the new year srikes on 31st dec midnight, hundreds of thousands of devotees are present on the sacred Tanikai hill to have the darshan of their Lord. They come to Tiruttani to offer their heart-felt prayers to our Lord on that day and night to be blessed with peace and plenty during the New Year. This festival came into vogue during the British Raj when the famous Vallimalai Swamigal persuaded his followers to offer their homage first to Lord Tanigesan, the giver of all good, and only then to their official bosses. On this day, numerous bhajana parties gather and ascend the hill, singing the melodious Tiruppugazh songs and burning camphor on each of the hill’s 365 steps, one for each day of the New Year.

Use coupon code TVL750 and get Rs.750 off per India hotel booked.

Book your international flight with Travelocity India

Travelocity India: The world’s online travel pioneer.

Darshan Timing : 5.45am to 9.00pm

 

Yelagiri Hills

The Yelagiri Hills are located in Tamil Nadu. These hills are spread over an area of 30 square km having an altitude of 3500 feet. It lies between four mountains, at an elevation of 920 m above sea level. These hills lie in the Vellore District of Tamil Nadu, near the Vaniyambadi Tirupattur road. Yelagiri hills, is an idyllic place for a short holiday. Green hills and picture post-card scenery greets you here. It is called the princess of hill stations and is the most pristine and unpolluted among the hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Yelagiri Hills is a backward area with few glaring developments like cottages and farm houses, yet a place that has maintained its ‘remote’ label.

Perched at an altitude of 1, 410 m above the sea level, Yelagiri is one such picturesque place in the southern peninsula where you can see Mother Nature at her best. Bedecked with breathtaking scenic views and quaint villages, this hill station is an ideal summer gateway of India.

Unlike Ooty and Kodaikanal hill station of the state, Yelagiri is blessed with pleasant climate throughout the year. Temperature of this summer retreat never exceeds 38 degree centigrade during summer season and gradually lowers down to minimum of 12 degree centigrade during December andd January. Yelagiri is actually a cluster of small villages, spread around hills. There are many tourist attractions here like a beautiful and charming lake, Mughal Garden around the lake, Velavan Temple and a children’s park. But the real charm of Yelagiri lies in its calmness and uniformly pleasant weather.

The main attraction of the tourists in Yelagiri is to enjoy boating in beautiful and smallish artificial lake famous as Punganoor Lake. You can choose between a rowboat and a pedal boat to enjoy the scenic beauty in and around the lake. There is a Mughal Garden around the lake, with many interesting games like sliding for the smaller kids.

Velvan Temple is other prime attraction for tourists. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Murugan situated atop a hillock, with a giant statue of Gadothgajan in front. During the months July-August local festivals are organized here that provides a colorful glimpse of the rich culture of the region. Cultural events, adventure sports, boat races, flower shows and fruit shows add to the splendor of the festivals. Fruit, Herbal farm and Shrubs used in the production of ayurvedic medicines are available. Alternatively, if you Sic vacationing with kids, you can head to the children’s park or the mini Zoo.

Yet another lustrous tourist spot in Yelagiri is Swamimalai Hill at 4,338 ft. It would be a great fun to climb on hilltop as it provides you a breathtaking view of the valley from the top. This hill has some of the beautiful trekking routes through dense forests. The best time to enjoy trekking here is in the cool months of November- January.

Jalagamparai Waterfalls a lovely waterfall about an hour’s trek from Yelagiri has been created by the Attaru River, which flows through the Yelagiri hills. It’s a very attractive spots for loving couples. The Government Silk Farm is famous for its mulberry plantations. The sericulture tour can provide you immense pleasure as you get a chance to see silk farm from very close.

Find the best hotel deal

 

Ratnagiri Balamurugan Temple

The Ratnagiri Balamurugan Temple is situated at Vellore in TamilNadu.This temple is around 13 kms away from Vellore adjacent to the vellore chennai national highway. Ratnagiri Bala Murugan temple is a small and cute temple. Lot of devotees visit Vellore Golden Temple, or travel to Vellore can visit this great shrine of Lord Murugan and get his blessings. Ratnagiri Balamurugan temple is an ancient Murugan temple and was built around the 14th century. Over the passage of time an ordinary sand structure was converted into a stone shrine. It is very difficult to miss it from the highway as the temple is on top of a small hillock.

The Ratnagiri temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga. There are two forms of the deity in this temple-one is Lord Thirukkolam, seen with his wives Valli and Deivanai,and the other is Lord Gurukkolam. The idol of the main deity Bala Murugan is very beautiful. The wall surrounding the shrine has the small idols of Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Murugan, Brahma, Durga, and Chandikeswarar. The 14th Century poet Arunagiri nadhar has sung about this templeas ‘RathinakiriVazh MurukaneIlaya Vaaramarar Perumaley’,which means ‘Murugan,the God of Devas resides in Rathinagiri’.

History says that this temple was built in the 14th century, by Arunagiri Nathar. But now with the efforts of Bala Muruganadimai swamigal who has taken interest, and has renovated from scratch the temple is huge now with devotees flocking throughout the year toget the Lords blessings and has built a beautiful temple than can and should be an example for renovating other hill temples.

One of the special feature soft his temple is that the prayers and archanai or holy verses are recited in the local language Tamil. It is believed that the divine power in the temple manifests its blessings in three forms

1.In the form of the Lord Murugan idol in the shrine
2.In the form of the guru Swami Balamurugan Adimai
3.In the form of the devotee.

Pilgrims to most of our hill temples suffer because of too much heat\Sun and Less Space\Air. That is something you don’t have to worry about here, the entire Temple is covered by 3 storey high ceilings with Hugh pillars which ensure that pilgrims are protected from the heat\Sun and at the same time have sufficient air circulation. The sannidhis are well spaced out and should accommodate a decent enough crowd. The granite floors ensure a soothing walking surface. The temple is also maintained clean and spotless.

Darshan Timing : 6.00am-1.00pm & 4.00pm-8.00pm

 

Jalakandeswarar Temple

Jalakandeswarar Temple is situated inside the Vellore Fort, this temple boasts of a majestic Gopuram (tower). Here Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of “Jalakandeswarar”. The temple is located at sub-ground levels than the temple moat, hence the name Jalakandeswarar. The temple was in closed state for a very long period. The main Deity of the sanctum sanctorium was taken away to a distant location to save Him from being dishonoured by an appraisal. It was brought back to place in 1980 when there was a severe water scarcity. The then Collector was the key man in getting the deity back to location.

A Siva temple that was built at same time the fort was built around 1566. It is a fine specimen of the later Vijayanagar architecture , comprised of the main shrine and closed ambulatory passage around, and the integral mahamantapa, with a northward projecting shub-shrine for Nataraja, containing also several other sub-shrines. The temple has two court yards, one is inner prakara. The structures in the court yard on the outer prakara include the lofty Gopuram on the southern side which is the entry to the temple. The South West corner of outer court yard is the Kalyanamantapa which is the gem of architecture of late Vijanagar style in embellishments and the art motifs of its pillars, ceilings and plinth moldings. It stands as testimony for the architectural workmanship of that period.

Jalakanteswarar or “Siva residing in the water” temple entrance is topped with a fine gopuram with massive wooden gates and studded with bosses of iron like lotus flowers. The best sculpture is found on the left side of the entrance, a porch which contains monolithic pillars of grandeur and delicacy of execution. The temple is adorned with some remarkable sculptures.

The bracket shafts are attached to the pier by a very elegant open work. The bracket shafts are mere monuments in a neglected condition. There are impressive sculptures in the temple particularly outside the swami sannathi and inside the main mandapam. The temple could be entered from the northern side and the sanctum sanctorum is a small low building and at the entrance there are dwarakapalas in blue granite. At the main entrance there are solid pillars, highly sculptured and decorated, supports the upper works.

The shrine is enclosed within an inner line of walls, having a low gopuram at the entrance. The carvings are crude compared with the outer enclosure. Sculpture work on the ceilings and pillars are rich in its characteristics. In the north west corner of the outer prakara there is a well which has a stone door way opening on a point which is usually below water level. The under ground mandapa or Neerazhi Mandapa is said to lead to a subterranean passage leading to the River Palar.

The large impressive Siva temple was built about the same time as the fort in Vijayanagara architecture style and is located on the Northern wall within the fort. The lingam of Lord Shiva gets its name from the natural underground spring upon which it resides, one of the reasons why the moat has nevr dried, no matter how severe a drought. Named after Jalakanteswara, or “Lord Siva residing in the water’, the temple has a Nataraja Siva deity on the northern altar and Siva-lingam on the western altar.

 

Vellore Fort

Vellore Fort is situated in Vellore near Chennai in Tamil Nadu state, India and was built by the Nayakar captains of the Vijayanagara Empire and was constructed with large granite blocks. The Fort is One of the monuments in Vellore. In during the rule of Chinna Bommi Nayak (1526 to 1595 A.D.)a very close examination of the stone inscriptions suggests that the Fort in all probability might have been built. In South India the Fort is one of the most perfect specimens of Military architecture. Inside the Fort the Jalakandeswarar Temple is a very fine example of Vijayanagar architecture.

The fort is situated on the Palor riverbank. The outer length of the fort is about 2,500 feet and 1,500 feet in breadth. The height of the outer wall is about 30 feet and the breadth is about 25 feet. The approximate circumstance of the fort is 2,600 meters. The fort is known for its grand walls, wide moat and robust masonry. The fort covers about 133 acres of area. It is believed to be the only stone fort in India. It is a perfect Water fort or Jala Durg. Jalakantesvara Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is the most impressive building within the fort. The fort houses a Temple, a Mosque and a Church, the reknown Vellore Christian Hospital, and many other buildings that are now used as public offices.

The broad moat which surrounds the fort receives water from Suryagunta tank, a large reservoir near the railway station. The most of yore, which boasted of more than 10,000 crocodiles, according to a local legend is no longer there. The moat is dry today on the southern side while parts of the eastern and western sides also face the same predicament. On its construction it was constructed for greater defensive purposes and it was built and made fairly wide and deep. The circumference of the the moat is about 8000 feet at a length and depth of 190 feet and 20 feet respectively.

On the left of the entrance of Kalyanamantap,the intricate carvings and delicacy of execution bears testimony to the engineering marvel and also advanced state of sculpture of the times. The Centre stage of Medical world is the Christian Medical College & Hospital is the another landmark in Vellore.

Vellore Fort in Tamil Nadu also houses a museum that has restored many paintings, sculptures and handicrafts. The Vellore Fort remains open from 8 am to 8 pm except on Fridays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Po51PNMtQ

 

Amirthi Zoological Park

The picturesque of Amirthi Forest, Amirthi Zoological Park is situated under the Javadu Hills of Tellai across Amirthi river which is 25 kms away from Vellore. It is also a tourist spot. This zoological park was started in October, 1967. The area of the park is 25 hectares and one can find beautiful water falls.

Half of this jungle is cleared to serve as a tourist spot while the other half is developed as a wildlfie sanctuary. A trek for a km leads one to a full view of seasonal waterfall. The inflow of tourists is more only during the holidays.

Animals at the park include spotted deer, mongoose, hedgehog, foxes, reason monkeys, red headed parrots, love birds, tortoices, peacock,m crocodiles, wiild cats, eagles, ducks, pigeons, wild parrots, rabbits, and pythons. Swings, Seesaw etc., are there for children to play. Numerous kinds of herbal plants and trees and sandal wood trees also grow here. There are 2 rest houses and five members can stay in one dormitory. There is a meditating hall where one can have full concentration and be in serenity.

This zoological park has been recognized recently and so the state government has taken initiative to develop this area.

 

Sripuram Golden Temple

Sripuram Golden Temple is located at Thirumalaikodi which is about 8 kms from Vellore. Vellore is located at about 130 kms, 220 kms and 100 kms from Chennai, Bengaluru and Tirupati. where the Golden Temple or the Lakshmi Narayani Temple dedicated to the Goddess Mahalakshmi stands tall displaying true architectural splendor. This temple is a very popular tourist destination for both those who seek spiritual solace and for those who wish to revel in an architectural marvel. An estimated over 600 Crores of Indian Rupees has been spent in the construction of this Golden Temple.

One of the biggest hindu shrines in southern india, the Sripuram Golden Temple a grand golden temple built by a spiritual organization in Tamil Nadu.

A Mahalakshmi temple called ‘Sripuram’ and made of more than a ton of pure gold will glitter and gleam under the sun on August 24 when it is unveiled for consecration by the Sri Narayani Peetam headed by a 31-year-old godman who calls himself Narayani Amma. Devotees hail the temple as ‘one of the wonders of the world’ and say that it is the only temple covered fully with gold.

More than 400 gold and coppersmiths from the Tirupathi Thirumala Devasthanam are said to have worked for six years to craft the Rs. 600-crore golden temple located on 55,000 sq ft of land on a 100-acre salubrious stretch in Malaikodi, about 6 km from Vellore in north Tamil Nadu. According to official sources, the gold bars were purchased through RBI in “a transparent manner”

First the coppersmiths set to work creating a copper base on the temple structure with engravings and etchings before the gold, beaten into nine layers of foils, was draped around it. The sanctum sanctorum will hold the deity of Mahalakshmi made of stone granite, but covered with gold protection layers. (Kavacham – adornments).

The temple has been designed in such a way that visitors can reach the golden temple only after going through a star-shaped pathway, which has the quotes from Gita, Bible and Quran displayed on either side.

“When one enters the Sripuram, their focus is just on the magnificent temple. But when they leave, they cannot do so without taking some messages and gaining some wisdom”, according to a booklet detailing the ‘services’ rendered by the peetam. “In this quagmire of materialism, Sripuram rises as an inspiration to man to find the divinity within him”, adds a brochure.

Get up to 50% off domestic flights at Travelocity India.

Going Bangkok? Enjoy FREE room nights + discounts of up to 40% at Travelocity India

 

Vallakottai Murugan Temple

One of the foremost of Murugan temples in India, Vallakottai Murugan temple is situated in a tiny hamlet near Chennai. Vallakkottai is a hamlet in Kanchipuram District, situated at a distance of twelve kilometers south of Sriperumputūr on the Sriperumputūr Cenkalpattu Road 24 kilometers from Tamparam on the Orakkalam Sriperumputūr bus route.Let us peep into its puranic lore. The Vallakkottai – or the Kodai Nagar – temple was built by king Bagiradha in gratitude for His divine grace. Vallakkottai Murugan is therefore known as ‘izhandha selvangalai meetuth tharum arulmigu kodayaaNdavar’ He who restores all that is lost. It is also said that the place owes its name to an ogre by name Vallan, who struck terror in the minds of people. They took refuge in Lord Muruga and he destroyed Vallan. Since this was ruled over by Vallan for a very long time, it continues to be known as Valla – Kottai – fort of Vallan.

Saint Arunakirinātar has glorified this temple in his Tiruppukal in seven songs. Here in this temple, the idol of Murukan is the tallest in Tamil Nadu, seven feet in height. With Valli and Teyvayānai on both sides, the Lord is in all splendour and bestows grace to the devotees.

Bhageerathan ruled a city called Salangkondapuram in the kingdom of Ilanji. Narada, a rishi, came to meet Bhagareethan who was discourteous to him. Narada, enraged at the act, cursed king Bhageerathan and left for the jungle. Meanwhile, a demon by name Khoran was on a pilgrimage and he met sage Narada and sought his blessings. The sage asked the Asura to win the king in a battle as it would fulfil the Asura’s wishes. As expected, Khoran was victorious in the battle and Bhageerathan was banished to a jungle. At this juncture, the king met Narada and pleaded for his blessings. He wanted to regain his lost kingdom. Narada asked Bhagareethan to go to Sage Dhurvasar who guided the king to observe vratam on Fridays.

The king followed the advice of Dhurvasar and worshipped Lord Muruga under the padiri tree and secured his lost kingdom. The king worshipped Muruga, Valli and Devasena in Vallakottai. It is believed that this temple was built by the king.

There is another interesting story about the temple. Since a demon called Vallan ruled this place, called Kottai (fort), it is called Vallakottai. The demon tortured the Devas who complained to Muruga. The Lord killed the demon and restored peace and prosperity to this place.

The temple tank known as Vajra theertham, the temple tank is believed to have been created by the kulisaayudham or vajra-ayudham of Indra. Indra wanted to worship Lord Subramanya and wanted to know the ideal place for worshipping Him and he approached sage Bhrgu, who showed him the Vallakkottai temple. Indra accordingly came to Kodai Nagar and with his mightiest of lances, vajra-ayudham, created the temple tank for performing the abhishekam and hence the name Vajra theerththam. People believe that a holy dip in the tank with the chanting of the mantra ‘Aum Saravanabhava’ would end all miseries.

There many festivals and spiritual events which are observed with diety: They are Skanda Sashti, Aadi Krithikai, Thai Poosam, English and Tamil New Year’s Day.

Darshan Timings: 5.30 am-1.00pm & 3.00 pm – 8.30 pm

 

Kumara Kottam Sri Subramanyar Temple

Sri Kumara Kottam temple is the most important Muruga (Subramanya) temples of Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples. Kumara Kottam temple is located on the west Raja street at a distance of around half a km from Kanchipuram bus stand. The temple is located very near to Kamakshi Amman temple and Sankara Mutt. The shrine of Sri Subramanya Swami in Kanchipuram finds a significant place in Hindu mythology. There is lot of things to be spoken about this temple. Hindu mythology finds a very specific and important position for Sri subramaniya swami, in this temple. The Hindus on their pilgrimage should surely visit this temple.

‘‘Soma Skandha’’ posture indicates Lord Shiva seated with the Goddess Shakthi to his left, with his son, Lord Subramanya seated between them. Valli, Deivayani are absent here, but their festival idols are kept hereThe location of the Kumara Kottam Temple between Sri Ekambereswarar Temple and Sri Kâmâkshi Amman Temple reminds devotees of the Somaskanda form in which Muruga sits in between Parvati and Parameswara.

The Subramanyar here was worshipped by Sage Agasthiar. Though this is a Murugan temple, Lord Shiva as Arunachaleswarar with Abitha Kuchalambal and Sarabeswarar (in a pillar) are also present. In this temple, there is a sacred Kanda Puranam in praise of Lord Muruga was composed by the saintly scholar Kachiappa Sivachariyar. According to the account of Kachiappa, each day he would write his inspired account for the career of Lord Murugan or Skanda, and in the evening deposit his day’s work in the mûlasthânam of Lord Subrahmanya at Kumara Kottam. Each night miraculously, then the Lord Himself would modify Kacciappa’s manuscript with His own corrections. Hence, the great Kanda Puranam is considered to be the absolutely authoritative account of Lord Murugan’s career bearing the seal of approval of none other than the Lord Himself.

Kumara Kottam temple has a separate shrine for Lord Vishnu called as Urugum Ulla Perumal. There is a legend associated to this shrine. When there was a disastrous flood all over the world, the sage Markendeya swam through and reached Kanchipuram. The city was not affected by the flood. Lord Vishnu followed the sage and he too reached Kanchipuram. He bathed in the holy waters of Ulakaana and worshipped Lord Subramanya of Kumara Kottam temple. As per his request, Lord Subramanya made him to be present next to his shrine in the same temple.

According to mythology, Lord Muruga punished Lord Brahma for his ignorance of the meaning of the Pranava mantra, by a hard knock on his vortex with His fist and then imprisoned him. Later, He assumed the Creation duties of Lord Brahma. In this Kumara Kottam Temple, Lord Muruga installed himself in the sanctum in the ‘Creator’ (Brahmasasta) form.

A noteworthy feature is that all the deities of Kanchipuram, when they come out in procession during festivals pass before Kumara Kottam Temple invariably. There are also other shrines and idols such as Ramalingar, Shanmuga with his consorts Valli and Devasena, Kachiappar, and Pamban Swamigal.

Kumara Kottam temple is definitely one temple in Kanchipuram which should not be missed.

Every Tuesday and every Krittikai is very auspicious to pray in this temple. The two most important festivals celebrated in this temple are Skanda Shashti immediately after Deepavali in October/Novermber and Vaisaka Festival in April/May every year. The Rahuhala (4.30pm-6.00pm) Sarabeswara Pooja during every Sunday is very special here.

Darshan Timing : 6.00am-1.00pm & 3.00pm-8.00pm