Thuraiyur Temple

Thuraiyur (also spelt Turaiyur) is a small town with a population of about 50000. The town is well connected by good roads with Tiruchirapalli (40km), Musiri (20km), Namakkal (50km), Athur (50km) and Perambalur (30km).





The town serves as a commercial and transport hub for several smaller villages around. Although Thuraiyur achieved the status of a town long back, due to lack of ploitical or economic backing the town has not grown as much as nearby towns like Perambalur. Also, although it is a large town, it neither has an assembly constituency or Parliamentary constituency of its own (it falls under Uppiliyapuram assembly constituency). For several years the town was also shuttled between Trichy and newly created Perambalur districts (now permanently in Trichy district). Nevertheless, Thuraiyur has its own strengths and charms for people born or lived in or around Thuraiyur. The town is quite compact with two long narrow but straight main roads(kadai veedhi) cutting across the town. Most of the town's businesses are located on these two streets. One of the roads leads to the main bus station and continues to Trichy.





The other road leads to Perambalur. Along the Perambalur road lies two landmarks of Thuraiyur - a large government hospital on the town's outskirts and Perumal Malai, a bit further down. Perumal Malai is a large vaishnavite temple located on the top of a hill about 1000 feet high. People can reach the temple by steps or by car. The base of the Perumal Malai is popular with many mandapams serving as wedding halls. Tiruvellarai, one of the 108 sacred Vaishnavite temples, is about 20km from Thuraiyur on the way to Trichy. Pachamalai, a large range of fairly tall hills (upto 3000 feet), is quite close to Thuraiyur. The hills are famous for native sandalwood trees although a large number of these prized trees have been illegally cut down. Top Sengattupatti, a small village up on the hills is being considered for establishing a high altitude sports training centre. Kolli malai is another range of tall hills nearby, well known for a pictursque picnic spot called Puliancholai with many water falls, trees, birds etc. An annual festival called Iru Gnaniyar Vizha (Twin saints festival) is a major event in this hill. Kolli hills are also famous for delicious jackfruits from wild and cultivated trees. While currntly Thuraiyur doesn't wield much political influence, it had powerful Zamindars in the past(wealthy landlords authorised by colonial British to collect tax and enjoy some privileges). The most important landmark of this legacy is the large private school called Zamindar High School, still very popular in the town. While the town lies in a rainfed region, two lakes adjacent to the town irrigate a large area of paddy fields. The town also has a large Theppakulam (Temple tank) on the northern side, which many people may not be aware of. For a town of its size, Thuraiyur has a large and thriving business culture and community. The town is known for traditional weavers, gold smiths, mandis (large grain traders), and many other small and medium shops. The kadai veedhi is always busy with people, from dawn to dusk. Similarly, the large bus stand is always busy with a large number of buses conncting to nearby villages to distant cities such as Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, Salem, Coimbatore, Chidambaram etc. The town's three or four cinema halls are also popular with cine goers from in and around Thuraiyur. Thuraiyur probably got its name from the wealthy landlord class it once had (Durai in Tamil means rich and aristocratic people). Duraiyur may have changed to Thuraiyur over time. Thuraiyur also has some exotic and queer sounding place names such as Aalamaram (banyan tree bus stop), ceylon office (probably served as a Srilankan refugee camp long back), Palakkarai (a bridge over a stinking drain), Pirivu road (a bus stop where Trichy and Musiri roads separate). Thuraiyur does not have many industries or factories. A kandasari sugar factory established in late 1960's and opened by the then Indian President Zakir Hussien has closed long ago. More recently many small and medium size engineering fabrication factories have come up near Peramangalam about 20km from Thuraiyur on Trichy road. While the town itself doesn't have any college, Puthanampatti (15km) and Karattampatti (10km) have an arts and science college and engineering college respectively.



Nearby Keerambur village is the birth place of Adimoolam (late), one of Tamil Nadu's most famous modern day painter-artists. All in all Thuraiyur is a typical and nice little town with a unique character and charm of its. Although the town is slowly changing due to growth in population, traffic, technology, business etc., the town still provides a small town feel, spirit and culture for thousands of people whose life revolve or revolved around Thuraiyur. (Contributed by Jayachandran of Nakkasalem)

Alleppey Backwaters - The Soul of Kerala Tourism

Alappuzha, the venice of the east is the enchanting backwaters of Kerala. The Palm fringed canals have blessed Alappuzha. This water locked district has emerged as one of the best backwater tourism destinations in God's Own Country. The town has come up around the canals and is situated between the Arabian Sea and the backwaters. Its location makes it an unparalleled natural beauty. It is an important backwater tourist centre of India attracting scores of foreign tourists.




Alappuzha lies between the sea and the rivers, has the Cochin Airport at a distance of approximately 90 Kms. It also has a Railway Station that connects it to cities across the country. It has backwaters and beaches. You can take a cruise via canals, rivers and backwaters for a terrific view of the landscapes, monuments and industries. The popular boat races are held during Onam festival.












The region known as Kuttanad is popularly called the Rice Bowl of Kerala and it is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.

Alappuzha Sightseeing

Alleppey Beach: It is situated near Alleppey railway station. It is well equipped with thick palm groves. It was a busy port and the gateway to the Kerala. This relaxing beach attracts scores of tourists from the world over. There are water sports facilities available at the seaside, which makes it more interesting.

Alleppey Backwaters: Alappuzha has world-renowned mesmerizing backwaters and beautiful houseboats that attract sizable number of tourists. You can enjoy the boat rides with locals and visit Kuttanad through green fields and see coir workers doing their daily chores.

Krishnapuram Palace: This 18th century palace of the Travancore kings is situated around 47 Km from Alappuzha. It is built in typical Kerala style of architecture.The antique sculptures, paintings and bronze artifacts make it a worth visiting destination.


Karumadikuttan: It is the 10th century Karumadikuttan statue, a black granite statue of lord Buddha. It is situated approximately 3 kms from Ambalapuzha. This is a famous Sri Krishna temple known for traditional Kerala architecture.

Aruthunkal: It is an ancient St.Sebastian Church known as the St. Andrews Church also erected by the Portuguese in the year 1851. It is situated 22 Kms north of Alleppey. It is a popular centre of pilgrimage for the Christians. The feast of St.Sebastian is held every year in the month of January.





Mullackal Temple: This temple is dedicated to goddess Rajarajeswari. This temple is believed to have miraculous powers. A number of pilgrims visit this temple every year.


Punnamada Kayal: It is must-visit place where the annual Nehru Trophy boat race takes place in the month of August-September.The long snake boats can accommodate 120 people, making two rows of 60 each.


Alleppey Boat Races: Alappuzha is famous for boat races and annual water carnival festival. One of the most famous among them is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Every snake boat can accommodate around 150 people. The boat race is a spectacular show attended by thousands of people.



Chakkulathamma is famously known as the Mother who answers the call of her devotees. Countless pilgrims irrespective of caste creed and colour reach the shrine. The benevolent look of Goddess unfolds a thousand lotus flowers of real bhakthi in the minds of devotees. Chanting of Her names and mantras destroys the feelings of ignorance and pride like the flames of fire that overcomes the darkness. Many are the miracles that we see right in front of the Goddess

The Edathua Church was established in 1810 on the banks of the river Pamba. It was modeled after the medieval churches of Europe. The patron saint of this church is St. George. This Catholic saint is known for being especially good at helping to heal mental disorders and other ailments. As a result, numerous people from all of South India make the pilgrimage to this church to seek the blessing of St. George. Every year, an enormous festival is held to celebrate St. George.

A remarkable feast of gluttonous proportions is a large part of the festival that lasts for eleven days. A gold statue of St George is at the centre of attention. It is carried out in a grand procession, and then placed on a dais at the center of the Basilica. It remains there throughout duration of the feast

Peaceful Puduchery

Puducherry (Tamil: புதுச்சேரி Putuccēri; French: Poudouchéry), formerly known as Pondicherry (and still nicknamed Pondy), is a Union Territory of India. It is a former French colony, consisting of four non-contiguous enclaves, or regions, and named after the largest region, Pondicherry. The territory was officially known as Pondicherry until 2006 when it was renamed Puducherry.[1][2] Of late, Pondicherry is also considered an educational hub of southern India, having 1 national institute of technology, 1 central university, 8 medical colleges, 10 engineering colleges, 3 dental colleges, 2 law colleges, 1 veterinary college, 1 agricultural college, 10 arts and science colleges, and 5 polytechnic colleges functioning within its territory. Many medical and engineering colleges including a state-owned university are also reported to be in queue. People of Pondicherry are demanding statehood for Pondicherry and are also requesting to add neighboring villages from Tamil Nadu to newly form Greater Pondicherry state for better administration and development purposes.The name Puducherry (புதுச்சேரி) means New Hamlet in Tamil, the local language. During the colonial period the name was changed to Pondicherry. Pondicherry was widely used for a long time to refer to the region. In 2006, the name for the state and the capital city officially reverted to Puducherry.

During ancient times, it is known as Poduke or Podukai. Ancient Greeks referred to this place as Poduke and Aryans referred as Vedapuri.Pondicherry consists of four non-contiguous regions: Pondicherry, Karaikal, and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea. Pondicherry and Karaikal are by far the larger ones, and are both enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, respectively.

The territory has a total area of 492 km2 (190 sq mi): Puducherry 293 km2 (113 sq mi), Karaikal 160 km2 (62 sq mi), Mahé 9 km2 (3.5 sq mi) and Yanam 30 km2 (12 sq mi). It has 900,000 inhabitants (2001). Greater Pondicherry Movement which is recently formed is demanding of unification of neighbouring villages from Tamil Nadu to make Pondicherry region contiguous and larger in area to form the Pondicherry State, which would increase the area of the Pondicherry region from 293 km2 (113 sq mi) to 510 km2 (200 sq mi).

Pondicherry is little away from Chennai in the east coast, and east coast is having continuous stretch of mangroves. The main river in Pondicherry is the Gingee (Sankarabarani river), believed originate from Gingee. It bifurcates into the Ariyankuppam and Chunnambar rivers. Maximum mangrove vegetation is found in Ariyankuppam river banks toward the estuary. In the Karaikal region, the mangrove vegetation is found distributed in Kizhvanjur estuary and Arasalaar estuary near the lighthouse. Most of the plants growing in the lighthouse region backwaters were planted by artificial plantation.

Exotic Vagamon & Thekady

Vagamon (Malayalam: വാഗമണ്‍) is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Kerala, India. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10-23°C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metres above sea level.




Vagamon's charm is worth experiencing and is indeed one of the must see places for tourists. One speciality of Vagamon is that you will never get tired of Vagamon as each day or visit will display the varied moods of nature and climatic differences; the mist you can touch, the rain drops, the gentle breeze or the golden hue in December-January which will be greatly rewarding and soothing for you and that can romanticize your mind and thoughts. You can easily be humbled by nature and its a not -so- completely -lost pristine condition here. The trees and shrubs in Vagamon give it an added attraction.



Kurisumala monastery is a famous hill station and pilgrimage center for the Nazrani Catholics where cross put-up in each sub hill stations. The nearby Kurisumala Ashram is an abode of calm and spiritual delight. This hill area includes 12 sub mounds where pilgrims visit. Travelers can enjoy trekking and climbing this high hill. The area is fully surrounded with Tea estates and lakes. Indo-Swiss Project dairy farms is situated on the hill. The hill dairy farm, managed by the Kurisumala monks. Vagamon is surrounded by three hills namely, 'Thangal hill', 'Murugan hill' and 'Kurisumala'. Other attractions include Tea estates, pine forests, grass lands, meadows, mist and shola forests, the famous suicide point of ‘Thangal hill’, a peculiar rock formation at Thangal Para, a dairy farm in Kurisumala and the Live Stock Board. Vagamon is at the fringe of the Western Ghats and the foot hills on its lower side reach up to Teekoy with a gradual descent. Traveling by the hill highway in this section is an exhilarating experience with deep valleys and magnificent views all around. Vagamon presents very spectacular views with an ethereal touch.


Vagamon is located 39 Kilometers from Thodupuzha ,33 Kilometers away from Palai and about 65 KM from Kottayam. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport while the closest railway station is Kottayam. There are many fine resorts available in the surrounding areas with affordable cost for trekkers. This beautiful hill area is located in Idukki district.


Thekkadi is an extraordinary tourist place situated in Kerala. The leaf shedding forests, the enchanting meadows of grassland and the creaming streams makes it an exotic hotspot for tourism. Thekkady has become world famous for its recent developments in ecotourism and its tiger reserve. It is one of the oldest forest protected area in Kerala.



Thekkady is also famous for its vegetation and fascinating wildlife which include flora, fauna and birds. It is an ideal place for Trekking and Wildlife Photography.
Thekkady is located in Idukki district of Kerala. It is (9 deg 15 min & 9 deg 40 min North) latitude and (76 deg 55 min & 77 deg 25 min East) longitude. Thekkadi is bounded by Madhurai, Ramanad and Thirunelveli district of Tamilnadu in the North and East, Pathanamthitta district in the south, Pampa and Azhutha rivers in the West. It is about 700-1900 m above the mean sea level.

Thekkady is having a tropical climate and the temperature vary between 11 deg to 27 deg. Thekkady is also receiving the annual rainfall of about 2500mm. The best time to visit Thekkady is from September to March so that you can avoid the monsoon. Preferred clothing is woollen and cotton. Cotton during day and Woollen during night.