Indian Telescope

                                                                                                      The  Palace of Mysore  is a historical palace in the city of  Mysore  in Karnataka, southern  India . It is the official residence and seat of the  Wodeyars  — the  rulers of Mysore , the royal family of Mysore, who ruled the  princely state  from 1399 to 1950. The palace houses two  durbar halls  (ceremonial meeting halls of the royal court) and incorporates a mesmerizing and gigantic array of courtyards, gardens, and buildings. The palace is in the central region of inner Mysore, facing the  Chamundi Hills  eastward.                                                      Mysore is commonly described as the  City of Palaces . There are about seven palaces inclusive of this; however, Mysore Palace refers specifically to the one within the Old Fort. Built by the Maharaja Rajarshi His Highness  Krishnarajendra Wadiyar IV , Mysore Palace is now one of the most famous  tourist attrac

                                            Kodaikanal is a city in the hills of the Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Its name in the Tamil language means "The Gift of the Forest". Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and has a long history as a retreat and popular tourist destination.Kodaikanal was established in 1845 as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. Much of the local economy is based on the hospitality industry serving tourism                                          The economy of Kodaikanal predominantly depends on tourism. The number of tourists increased from two million in 1999 to 3.2 million in 2009. The town's infrastructure changes every year in preparation for the peak tourist season. Major roads are converted into one-way lanes to regulate the constant inflow of traffic and special police are brought in for the safety of the tourists and protection o

                                   Tiruchirapalli is 325 kms from the State Capital, Chennai. This was called as Trichnopoly during the British Rule. Locals call it as Tiruchi. This city on the banks of River Cauvery, is the Head Quarters of Tiruchi District and fourth largest city of the State.                                    This was the Citadel of the early Chola Rulers, then the Pallavas conquered and ruled it. The struggle of power between Pallava and Pandiya continued and pallavas lost the struggle many times. Finally the Cholas retained the control and ruled it for a long time. When the empire collapsed around 1565, it was the turn of N ayaks , Marathas ,Carnatic Nawabs , French and finally the British. The city, aroun

                                                 Velankanni has one of the country's biggest Catholic pilgrimage centres, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. Devoted to Our Lady of Good Health, it is popularly known as the "Lourdes of the East". Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century. The church's founding is attributed to three miracles: the apparition of Mary and Jesus to a slumbering shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the survival of Portuguese sailors assaulted by a violent sea storm. It is built in the Gothic style, was modified by Portuguese and then further expanded later on due to the influx of pilgrims. The church building was raised to the status of basilica in 1962 by Pope John XXIII.                                                          Annually, 20 million pilgrims flock to the shrine from all over India and abroad, out which an estimated 3 million people visit the shrine during its annual festival from

                                 Kerala’s only drive-in beach,   the Muzhappilangad beach which stretches across four kilometres of sand where one can drive down the entire length. The drive is ideal for sampling the famed Malabar cuisine from the many eateries in the immediate hinterland. Black rocks protect this long, clean beach from the currents of the deep, making its shallow waters a swimmer’s paradise. Adventure sports like paragliding, parasailing and microlite flights are possible at the Muzhappilangad Beach in Thalassery. Other attractions include water sports, power boating or a simple catamaran ride. Getting there Nearest railway station:  Kannur (Main Station), about 16 km; Thalassery, about 12 km Nearest airport:  Calicut International Airport, about 102 km

                                             Near the historic town of Fort Kochi in Ernakulam district, the commercial capital of Kerala, is the Bolgatty Island. This lush, lovely island is famous for its palace of the same name.                         The Bolgatty Palace, built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. Today, it is a premium hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) Hotels & Resorts, with a small golf course and special honeymoon cottages.                         India’s only international marina, Kochi International Marina, is situated in Bolgatty. The marina provides berthing facility for 34 yachts and also offers services like water, electricity and sewage pump-outs. Overlooking the backwater, Cochin seaport, Vallarpadam container terminal and the Arabian Sea is the Bolgatty Event Centre, the venue is ideal for conducting International conferences, Conventions, Exhibitions, Meetings, Wedding receptions

                                      It is a dwelling that showcases nature’s skill and philosophy on architecture and you have to trek to about 4000 ft up a mountain to reach the place. We are talking about Edakkal Caves, which still remain a wonder and a mystery for archaeologists and historians alike.                                      The name of Edakkal Caves literally means `a stone in between’. As the name indicates, it seems that one boulder miraculously wedged in between two bigger ones to create a cave.                                     Scientists too are of the opinion that Edakkal Caves is not a cave in the real sense. It is a fissure in the rocks which had been created due to natural causes/ changing climatic conditions. The split in the rock is about 22 ft. in width and 96 ft. in length. The depth of the cleft extends to over 30 ft and there is a large rock which has fallen forming a roof over it and this large cleft and the roof-rock gives it the appearanc

                                         The most famous waterfalls of Kerala, Athirappalli and Vazhachal are situated on the Chalakudy River, which originates from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. At the entrance to the Sholayar ranges is the largest waterfall in Kerala, Athirapally, which stands tall at 80 feet. Just a short drive from Athirapally, the Vazhachal waterfall is close to dense green forests that are home to many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.                                             The waterfalls are located on the edge of the Sholayar forest ranges are just 5 km apart. This is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered Hornbill species are seen.  Athirappalli is about 63 km from Thrissur and Vazhachal about 68 km. Getting there Nearest railway station:  Chalakudy, about 30 km away   Nearest airport:  Cochin International Airport, about 53 km from Thrissur

                                        Malampuzha, a little township on the foothills of the Western Ghats takes its name from the River Malampuzha. Nurtured by this tributary of Kerala's longest river, the Bharathapuzha, Malampuzha is a lush green town is a major tourist attraction for its trekking trails and the large irrigation dam.                                       Around the reservoir of the dam are beautiful gardens and amusement parks. Boating facilities are available on the lake. Other attractions in the Malampuzha garden are the beautiful rock garden, the fish-shaped aquarium, the snake park, the ropeway which takes you on an aerial tour of the park, and the gigantic Yakshi (an enchantress) sculptured by Kanai Kunhiraman, a renowned sculptor of Kerala.                                     The most interesting feature of the rock garden is that the whole place is made of unwanted and broken pieces of bangles, tiles, used plastic cans, tins an

                                         Marine Drive  is a picturesque promenade in  Kochi ,  Kerala ,  India . It is built facing the  backwaters , and is a popular hangout for the local populace. Ironic to its name, no vehicles are allowed on the walkway. Marine Drive is also an economically thriving part of the city of Kochi.   With several  shopping malls  it is as an important centre of shopping activity in Kochi. Major fast food joints, including  Marrybrown ,  DiMark , Coffee Bar are present along the walkway.                                        The view of the setting and rising sun over the sea mouth, and the gentle breeze from the  Vembanad Lake  has made Marine Drive an important tourist destination in Kochi. Hundreds of people (both natives, and tourists) throng the walkway during the evenings. The walkway starts from the  High Court  Junction and continues until the Rajendra Maidan. There are also several  boat jetties  along the walkway      

                                           Teak plantation,  Elappally  waterfalls, Thriveni Sangamam, Hanging bridge are the scenic attractions of Moolamattom . Thumpichi St. Thomas mount, Nadukani, Malankara Dam, Kudayathur Mala, Vayanakavu Temple and Ilaveezhapoonchira are the nearby attractions. Idukki Dam, the world's second and Asia’s first arch dam, is 43 kilometers away from Moolamattom. Nowadays there are several Malayalam and other language films shot at Moolamattom and near by places,  Rasathanthram ,  Drishyam , Papanasam  are some of them.                                                     Moolamattom  is the headquarters of  Arakulam  Panchayath in  Thodupuzha  Taluk,  Idukki district  in  Kerala , India. It lies 22 km from Thodupuzha, picturesque place on the banks of the Thodupuzha River. A lot of south Indian language movies are filmed here. Also the place is famous as the site of Moolamattom Power Station, the biggest underground Hydro-electric power statio

Anamudi                                          Anamudi, the 2,695-m high mountain which stands tall in the Eravikulam National Park is the pride of Kerala. It is the highest point in India outside the Himalayan Mountain Ranges. Anamudi, together with the Eravikulam Park, is home to one of the largest surviving populations of Asian elephants, Gaurs and the Nilgiri Tahrs. The mountain, covered with evergreen forests and inhabited by endemic flora and fauna and a vibrant avian life, is a paradise in the wild. The green forest is also the source of some large and scenic rivers in Kerala and the nearby State of Tamil Nadu. Take a trek to the top of the mountain and know how it would feel when you are above every human in South India !                                       The name Anamudi literally transilates to "elephant's forehead." a reference to the resemblance of the mountain to an elephant's head.                                    Those who wish

                                                The most sought after destination in Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park, the first of its kind in Kerala, where the endangered Nilgiri Thar is protected. Spread over 97 sq. km., this park holds the largest viable population of Tahr, several other species of rare animals, birds and butterflies. The park offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also of the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mist. The park becomes a hot destination when the hill slopes get covered in a carpet of blue, resulting from the flowering of Neelakurinji. It is a plant endemic to this part of the Western Ghats which blooms once in twelve years. Anamudi Peak Located inside the Eravikulam National Park is the Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in south India standing at a height of 2695m. Entry is restricted but the view can be enjoyed from a distance at Rajamala. Rajamala Rajamala is the tourism zone of Eravikulam National Park

                                 Pathiramanal  is a small  island  in  Muhamma panchayat  of  Alappuzha district . The name 'Pathiramanal' means 'sands of night'. The scenic beauty of both sides of the lake as well as that of the island is mind blowing. It is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world.                                     The island (also known as  Anantha Padmanabhan Thoppu ) was purchased by Chevalier ACM Anthraper, from M/s Bheemji Devji Trust of Cochin and was under the private ownership of Thaimattathil Family until the late seventies. In 1979 after Land Reforms Acts were enforced in the State, the property came under government ownership. The island was returned to the government as a surplus land that crossed the land ceiling. It was later transferred to the Tourism Department and the idea of leasing it out to private enterprises was under consideration. The island at present is uninhabited. Till lat

                               Anchuthengu  ("Five Coconut Palms"), formerly known as  Anjengo  or  Anjenga , is a coastal town in the Thiruvananthapuram Districtof Kerala.                              The town contains old Portuguese-style churches, a lighthouse, a 100-year-old convent and school, tombs of Dutch and British sailors and soldiers, and the remains of the Anchuthengu Fort. Kaikara village, the birthplace of the famous Malayalam poet Kumaran Asan, is located nearby. Temples in the area are Sree Bala Subrahmanya Swami Kshethram and Parambil Sree Bhadrakali Yogeeshwara Kshethram. Anchuthengu Fort                               The British East India Company (EIC) established  Anchuthengu Fort  or  Anjengo Fort  in 1696 after the Queen of Attingal gave it permission in 1794 to do so. The fort served as the first signalling station for ships arriving from England.                               The fort was the East India Company's first

Munnar              Munnar  is a hill station on the western ghats, a range of mountains situated in the idukki district of the Indian state of kerala. The name Munnar is believed to mean "three rivers",  referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Madhurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers.      Munnar town is in Kannan Devan Hills Village in Devikulam taluk and is the largest panchayath in the Idukki district having an area measuring nearly 557 km².      The nearest major railway stations are at eranakulam and aluva (approximately 140 kilometres (87 mi) by road). The nearest airport is cochin international airport which is 105 kilometres (65 mi) away. Attractions:        This green hill station is surrounded by the country's highest tea gardens. Layers and layers of tea estates, mountain mist, waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries make Munnar almost surrealistically beautiful. The lofty mountain ranges with misty peaks,