Have you ever thought about viewing wildlife animals in their natural habitation? It is possible if you are willing to shell large amount of your hard earned money and fly to Africa. For us folks the other alternative is visiting zoos.
A visit to Anna Zoological park at Vandalur near Chennai is good alternative to view the animals in wild. Here they really tried to create a natural atmosphere for the animals as much as possible. The location itself is carefully selected and well nurtured. It located on the slope of a series of hills which gives the zoo a forest background. True, many animals are put in cages but they are very large and with good ventilation and enough spaces for movements. The zoo is also well maintained.The zoo boasts of a battery operated vehicle for viewers to visit animals on the move. But the best way to enjoy the park is by walk. Let me warn you, unless you are fairly fit enough it is tough to cover the whole zoo by walk.
The important animals you can see here are Tigers, Lions, Leopards and many others. King Cobra is a must see here. The location of the tiger is just like its natural habitat. It have a moat surrounding the location and tiger roams free in its own island.Some of the biggest birds like flamingoes are also on display here.
How to reach: It is located on the Chennai – Trichy national highway so reaching this place should not be a problem. Many buses also ply from Chennai to here. Take your own food but don’t feed them to the animals. A whole trip in to Park alone can take anywhere from 3 - 5 hrs.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Alagarkovil - a mini Jungle near Madurai
Alagarkovil - an Ideal spot for Nature Lovers / Pilgrims and Families alike
It is one of the must visit places in Madurai.
It is surprising that a little jungle exists within the outskirt of Madurai city (famously known as Temple Down). Alagarkovil is located under a continuous chain of small hills yet boast of thick vegetation and fauna. As a bonus for Hindu devotees this place offers two of the very important places of worship , Temple of Lord Alagar and another temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. This temple is located on the top of the hill (Palzamudhir Cholai) is among the six important abodes of Lord Murugan.
Best time for Visit: During North East rainy Season. ( Nov - Jan)
How to reach: There are regular city buses available for those who prefer economy mode of travel. Roads are well laid so traveling by own vehicles are not a problem. The road travels through a suburb Pudur.
Immediately after Pudur you will treated with green paddy fields with occasional streams and ponds. The source of these streams and ponds are the hills of Alagar kovil.
The famous Alagar temple located at the bottom of the Hills. The temple itself will take close to 2 hours to observe if you are inclined to study the temple Architecture and the various sculptures available there. There is not much crowd on a normal day so you can take your time in visiting all the nooks and corner of the temple and praying.
The real fun starts once you are out of the temple (provided of course that you are traveling during rainy season).There is a path on the right side of the temple which leads you to the top of the Hills. This path can be negotiated only by foot since the terrain rocky and covered with vegetation. The stream passes through your trail. If you walk bare feet you can enjoy the tingling of the cold water and feeling of sand beneath your feet. Take care though as some of the rocks which you have to negotiate are slippery. The length of the path is approximately 1.5 Km. In some place you may encounter small falls which are hardly 4-5 feet tall yet give you a pleasure to watch. You can see many verities of caterpillars and butterflies if you are observant. There are many rocks ideally located for you to sit and enjoy nature or eat whatever you brought with you. There is another dangerous or hilarious element to this walk. This walk is infested with the monkeys particularly at the end of the walk. If you travel in group you can enjoy their antiques. But if you travel alone they become bold and try to snatch any eatable from you. It is advisable to make this walk at least with another partner.
For those who cannot travel on this path there is a well laid ghat road which takes you to the top. Mini buses and vans are available for you to make this travel. The foot path joins this road near the temple of Lord Muruga. This temple is covered with forest but there is enough space for you sit and relax.
Your walk does not end with this temple. The road still wound through the hills and reaches a place where you can have bath from the pure water seeped through the hills. Beyond this point you cannot travel without the permission of forest department.
On return you will be tempted to catch the van or minibus for your downward journey which drops you at the gate of Alagar Temple. From there you can back to Madurai.
A planned trip to this place may last the whole day and will cost you almost nothing. This place gives you an ideal break from the congested city atmosphere and sooth your mind and body.
Things to remember: Young Children cannot negotiate this walk during rainy season so parents have to be careful of planning this trip. Look for leeches though these are rare. Have rainy season gears and wear plastic foot ware. Bring your own food and snacks. Though these are available near Alagar temple they lack quality.
It is surprising that a little jungle exists within the outskirt of Madurai city (famously known as Temple Down). Alagarkovil is located under a continuous chain of small hills yet boast of thick vegetation and fauna. As a bonus for Hindu devotees this place offers two of the very important places of worship , Temple of Lord Alagar and another temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. This temple is located on the top of the hill (Palzamudhir Cholai) is among the six important abodes of Lord Murugan.
Best time for Visit: During North East rainy Season. ( Nov - Jan)
How to reach: There are regular city buses available for those who prefer economy mode of travel. Roads are well laid so traveling by own vehicles are not a problem. The road travels through a suburb Pudur.
Immediately after Pudur you will treated with green paddy fields with occasional streams and ponds. The source of these streams and ponds are the hills of Alagar kovil.
The famous Alagar temple located at the bottom of the Hills. The temple itself will take close to 2 hours to observe if you are inclined to study the temple Architecture and the various sculptures available there. There is not much crowd on a normal day so you can take your time in visiting all the nooks and corner of the temple and praying.
The real fun starts once you are out of the temple (provided of course that you are traveling during rainy season).There is a path on the right side of the temple which leads you to the top of the Hills. This path can be negotiated only by foot since the terrain rocky and covered with vegetation. The stream passes through your trail. If you walk bare feet you can enjoy the tingling of the cold water and feeling of sand beneath your feet. Take care though as some of the rocks which you have to negotiate are slippery. The length of the path is approximately 1.5 Km. In some place you may encounter small falls which are hardly 4-5 feet tall yet give you a pleasure to watch. You can see many verities of caterpillars and butterflies if you are observant. There are many rocks ideally located for you to sit and enjoy nature or eat whatever you brought with you. There is another dangerous or hilarious element to this walk. This walk is infested with the monkeys particularly at the end of the walk. If you travel in group you can enjoy their antiques. But if you travel alone they become bold and try to snatch any eatable from you. It is advisable to make this walk at least with another partner.
For those who cannot travel on this path there is a well laid ghat road which takes you to the top. Mini buses and vans are available for you to make this travel. The foot path joins this road near the temple of Lord Muruga. This temple is covered with forest but there is enough space for you sit and relax.
Your walk does not end with this temple. The road still wound through the hills and reaches a place where you can have bath from the pure water seeped through the hills. Beyond this point you cannot travel without the permission of forest department.
On return you will be tempted to catch the van or minibus for your downward journey which drops you at the gate of Alagar Temple. From there you can back to Madurai.
A planned trip to this place may last the whole day and will cost you almost nothing. This place gives you an ideal break from the congested city atmosphere and sooth your mind and body.
Things to remember: Young Children cannot negotiate this walk during rainy season so parents have to be careful of planning this trip. Look for leeches though these are rare. Have rainy season gears and wear plastic foot ware. Bring your own food and snacks. Though these are available near Alagar temple they lack quality.
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