After witnessing the sunset at the Anthirapally Waterfalls, we drove to our next and final destination for the evening which was the Marine Drive Kochi. It is a scenic boulevard in the town of Kochi. Built in order to fence the backwaters it has become a popular retreat for young and old alike. Marine Drive has also emerged as the economically flourishing area of Kochi which makes it a tourist attraction. Several shopping malls have also lined up in that area making it a must visit for fashion followers. The presence of malls has converted that area into shopping centre spot in Kochi. The causeway has two constructed bridges; one is called the Rainbow Bridge and the other as Chinese Fishing-Net Bridge. All the night unfolds the area of Marine drive starts buzzing with laughter and activity of visitors that throng the place. Many activities take place at the Marine Drive. One can even take advantage of various boating services offered at Marine Drive that row us the tourists spots such as oil tanker cubicle, the Kochi shipyard, Bolgatty Palace, Mattanchery - a Jewish synagogue, Jews Street, the Vallarpadom Terminal and many more to mention. We also witnessed a flash mob arranged to spread awareness for pedestrian safety near marine drive. Rains add a magical touch to the place and the lights look splendid at night. You can even notice photographers with huge lenses capturing the lights of the two bridges in their DSLR’s. We chose to sit on the pavement for some time and witness the beauty of the marine drive. We chose to get some shopping done in one of the malls and also had dinner at the food joint present in the mall. Thus, Marine Drive Kochi makes a beautiful crown for the Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi. This trip to Kochi was indeed very refreshing and a much needed break from our daily routines. Thanks to my friends I could enjoy the offerings of the town whole heartedly. Kochi has a lot to offer for nature lovers and vintage historical place lovers alike. Kochi must find a place in the bucket list of all visitors that want to visit Kerala.
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After the majestic photo session at the castle we head back to the hotel to have some lunch. Freshened up and then headed towards the Athirapally Falls Kochi. If you are eager to picture the walls which even words would not define completely, then imagine Priety Zinta and Shahrukh Khan (Bollywood actors) dance to the tunes of the song named ‘Jiya Jale’ from the movie ‘Dil Se’ or remember Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan dancing merrily to the tunes of ‘Barso re’ from the bollywood movie ‘Guru’. The 80 feet high, 330 feet wide, waterfall is splendour to the eye. I could not take my eyes off the beautiful waterfall and hence understood why Mani Ratnam (a famous Indian movie director) chose Athirapally falls for shooting a song sequence in his film. It has also earned the name of being called the ‘Niagara Falls of India’. The waterfall is located close to the river Chalakudy and ranges of Sholayar. For years now it is one of the famous tourist attractions of Kochi. One only has to visit it to experience the marvel of Mother Nature and its vastness. On the whole, experience of travelling to the falls is beguiling. The path to the waterfall decked with lush palms, coconut trees, and green pastures. One can also take a 2 km long trek route to reach the site of waterfalls. The waterfall can never leave its visitors lost in the green pastures as the roaring sound of the waterfall invited its visitors to assimilate its beauty with passion and grace. Just close your eyes and feel the mist of rushing waters touch your face. That in itself is a heavenly experience. Athirapally Fall is without doubt is glorious and exquisite. Your trip to Kochi is only complete if you visit these falls and lose yourself in the music of the falls. The monsoon season definitely adds to the charm of Athirapally Falls Kochi falls. Nevertheless, trekking up to the falls can be little risky in that season so utmost care must be taken. One can even try out fishing with the local fisher man and immerse your worries in the waters of the falls. Swimming is allowed only if done with precaution.
After the playful evening at the Kochi backwaters, the next day of the itinerary expected us to visit the Kochi Castle. It is closer to the Comfort Hotel, so we decide to walk to the palace and also explore the city on our way to the destination. The Kochi Castle was built in the 16th century and was originally called Otakasaka. It takes its name after the hill which inhabits the castle. The castle was built to shield the Kochi city and one can even notice the partially burnt structure which was damaged when fire broke in the castle in early 17th century. The castle has never faced an attack and hence has maintained its decorum. At the entry of the castle we were entertained by a gang of volunteer tour guides. We hesitated for a while, but their way of approach appealed to us. They showed us an unseen part of the castle which we had not noticed before. Like it was some trick. A structure without the knowledge of its history is, just a structure. We hired a guide to show us every bi and corner of the castle history and also learnt all the tricks that dwelled in the castle. The stories told by the guide were so colourful and intriguing in a way, which we had never thought about it. Kochi castle is also very calm in its surroundings and is enveloped with a fine view of the tranquil civic of Kochi. The castle reflects ancient Japanese structures covered with wooden beams and pointed roofs. What I like most about the castle is that it does not have a museum feel to it and love the part where it has restored every bit and pieces of the old world sense to it.
At the magnificent Kochi Castle we felt as if, we were transported back in the era where the castle was alive and buzzed with life. The castle also exhibits some old paintings and murals depicting the history of life at the castle and offers some great insights. Trip to Kochi castle is a must and also don’t forget to capture the breath taking view in your camera, from the top floor of the castle. People suffering from urinary incontinence can now heave a sigh of relief. Botox is an effective solution for this problem. Urinary incontinence is a problem commonly faced by people of diverse age groups. The cause of this problem may be different in different people. Botox was an injection used to treat age related wrinkles. Now it also works as a great medicine for people suffering from incontinence. This injection is approved by the Drug Controller General of India. It has been tested on patients. The 100% positive results of this injection is leading to its popularity. The injection has its effect for almost ten months. The injection is definitely a great option against routine medicines that you need to have every day. You also save on the money you spend buying medicines. Urinary Incontinence Urinary incontinence is very common in people of different age groups. It may be caused due to some other existing medical problem. Here are some of the common medical causes that lead to Urinary Incontinence :
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This was my second last day in the city of temples and ironically I was visiting a mosque this day. Since I had only one more day to go, I wished to make the most of my remainder days in Madurai. This famous mosque can be accessed from the Periyar or the Central Bus Stand and also from the Madurai Junction. With such a strategic location of the mosque, the mosque therefore finds a great place in the heart of the city. The Kazimar Big Mosque and Maqbara, Madurai is a very important religious place for the Muslims and for the believers in all religion; this place also finds great attraction. The place has a great history and is said to have been constructed in the 13th century when the Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin from Oman received the premise from the Pandyas. It is huge and can hold as many as 2500 people at once. The mosque also has the maqbara or the shrine of the descendants of Prophet Muhammad within its premise. The mosque has a distinct aura within it. A certain sense of divinity and peace invaded me as I spent some substantial time in the precinct. Also, there is a Madrasah inside the Mosque, where numerous students learn Arabic. The management of the mosque is really worth mentioning because the services were immaculate and the Board of trustees that look after the mosque continues the legacy well. I tried my best to offer my prayers in the traditions of the Muslims; whether or not they were authentic in nature does not matter because I am sure the prayers must have reached the Almighty. The Kazimar Big Mosque and Maqbara, Madurai despite being the place of worship for the Muslims gave me the kind of peace that the temples provided. I felt blessed. Time was slipping out of my hands and as the day concluded I made preparations for the next day’s sightseeing to Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Madurai for yet another exciting albeit last day in Madurai. If only I could hold back some of the moments spent here, then it would have added to my pleasure.
Goripalayam Mosque, Madurai : I decided to visit the goripalayam mosque with my cousins. This mosque is one of the largest and most popular mosques in Madurai. This mosques consist the graves of mughal rulers Madurai Hazrat Sulthan Alauddin Badusha and Hazrat Sulthan Shamsuddin Badhusha. It is said that word “Goripalayam” is derived from the persian word “Gor” which means grave.
Madurai has so much on offer, while there are bundles of history to soak and understand, true to its name, the city also has temples in abundance. One such unmistakable and must-visit temple is the Koodal Alagar Temple, Madurai. Located in the heart of the city, the temple is located very close to the Meenakshi Temple. I had a fair idea of the travel time that it would take to the temple from my hotel. The significance of the temple lay in the fact that it is one of the 108 divyadesams or the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. Madurai has so much on offer, while there are bundles of history to soak and understand, true to its name, the city also has temples in abundance. One such unmistakable and must-visit temple is the Koodal Alagar Temple, Madurai. Located in the heart of the city, the temple is located very close to the Meenakshi Temple. I had a fair idea of the travel time that it would take to the temple from my hotel. The significance of the temple lay in the fact that it is one of the 108 divyadesams or the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. I left the Koodal Alagar Temple, Madurai soon after the darshan and came to the hotel to have a relaxed stay at the hotel. Much of the property too remained unexplored and so much still remained to be understood about the significance of the temple. It could have been nice if there were guides in the temples but I was not able to find one. A quick internet session explained the long and complicated history behind the temple that most believe. The stories felt all fairy-like and rather seemed unbelievable but faith is such a powerful force that it not only binds people together but also makes them believe in the unbelievable. The next day I would make the trip to the Madurai Kamaraj University and that sure would be fun because the university is one of the most recognized in the country.
The day had started quite normally but I knew that soon the day would get special. I was to visit the Gandhi Museum - Madurai and that would make the day special for sure. Built by donations and contributions of the Indian citizens, the Museum of Gandhi was created on the premise of the palace of Rani Magammal, which had been renovated for the purpose. I had my breakfast in the quietness of my room and got ready rather quickly because the rental car was on its way to take me to the museum. Madurai, its people and sightseeing in the city were all agreeing with me, and I was having so much fun that there was no other place in the world where I would want to be other than in Madurai. Soon I was on my way to the museum and the moment I reached, I was taken aback by the sheer size of the Museum building. The important relics that the building housed were being done full justice by the imposing exteriors of the museum. I entered and went through the courtyard to the main exhibit areas. The information counters has enough literature on the history of the museum and the various important relics and replicas that it has. The place was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the year 1959. Some of the important exhibits in the Museum premise include an original letter written personally by Mahatma Gandhi to Narayanan Sathsangi of Devakottai, a letter addressed to Adolf Hitler and also a congratulatory letter written by Mahatma Gandhi to Subramania Bharati, a great poet and freedom fighter. I went through the visual biography of the great man, which has all the information about him right from his childhood till his last days. Amongst other notable items at the Gandhi Museum - Madurai is the blood stained replica of the clothes of Mahatma Gandhi, which were his last. The day was finally coming to an end and as I was returning back to my hotel, everything about Bapu kept repeating in my psyche. It had to be an early night for me because the next day I planned on visiting the Koodal Alagar Temple, Madurai.
Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, Madurai : This is a picture of the gorgeous aayiram kaal mandapam which means “The Hall with thousand pillars”. This beautiful monument is located in Madurai city in Tamil nadu. It was built in 1569 AD by the Nayak dynasty. Highlight of this place is the musical pillars that produces a different note when you tap on the pillar.
Now that my stomach was full, I was once again ready to be treated with the sightseeing delights of Madurai. My next stop was American College, Madurai which I knew for a fact that is one of the oldest colleges of Southern India and has quite a prestige in the whole of India. The college premise has separate sections in the campus. There is the Chapel at the center of the college, the Main Hall, the Daniel Poor Memorial Library and the Main Gate, which is also worth mentioning because it bears the special name of the Washburn Gate. The year of establishment of this college is 1881 and the buildings and other constructions here have been designed by the British Architect Henry Irwin. I reached the college and sought permission to see the college from the inside. The first thing that struck me about the college was the red brick buildings, which were done in the Saracenic styles. There was ample greenery around the buildings and this added to an appeal to the college which made it more peaceful and conducive to the learning that takes place here. The institution is a part of a vast amount of history which kind of dwarfed everything around it with its magnanimity. I moved around on my own from buildings to buildings soaking it all in. I could see some of the students and professors collaborating near a room, which possibly was a laboratory of sorts because the students had worn white overalls. Some of my research on the internet had informed me that there are altogether six wings here - the Arts and Humanities wing, the Research wing, the Science wing, the Management Studies wing, the Co-curricular courses wing and the Teaching, learning and assessments wing.
Some of the stalwarts of this prestigious college are Padma Shri Govindappa Venkataswamy, who is the founder of the Aravind Eye Hospital, also the founder of HCL Technologies - Shri Shiv Nadar and many other notable alumni. The mere mention of the grand history of this American College, Madurai filled me with pride for having witnessed this college in person. I bade farewell and the next day I had Gandhi Museum on my agenda. |
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Sharing is what I always believe in, since childhood I have been most expressive kid in my family. Making new friends, jelling up with people, traveling or participating in any event, I have always been in the fore front. Hello friends this is Soumya Shetty a Pharmacist, I love reading, travelling to places, visiting spiritual places the rich history behind the existence attracts me. Moreover, at the same time I too enjoy shopping with friends, movies, food, and parties. Most importantly, “sharing” so here is crazy Soumu sharing her experiences and life with you friends. Hope you would like being part of my life’s journey.
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