After the amazing trip to the beautiful Christ Church of Shimla, the next place that I decided to visit was the Jakhoo Temple. Jakhoo Temple is about 3 km to the east of the Christ Church of Shimla and situated at a height of about 2500 m above the sea level and is also considered the highest peak in Shimla. The way to reach the temple is a steep which you need to follow that is ever ascending and will take you directly to the temple easily than you imagined. The way up to the temple was full of monkeys. Everywhere you turn your eyes you could see the monkeys standing waiting to grab something from your hands. The day I went to the Jakhoo temple it was sunny and the weather was perfect to take a climb. I walked too much that day. All along the beautiful path I saw the lovely mountain houses and the beautiful and magnificent deodar tress that decorated the way. There were Monkeys as i told all along the way to Jakhoo Temple. Some were sitting on the trees while most were sitting under the thick clumps of the leaves and enjoying the lovely weather of the day. When I reached the entrance of the temple there were more monkeys waiting. The main temple is small and not very huge as I expected it to be. The temple is very crowded during the Dassera. The temple is of Lord Hanuman and so no doubt it is guarded by troops of monkeys everywhere. The monkeys are mostly peaceful in the temple but few of them are very notorious. I saw a monkey who jumped on a fellow visitor and took out the biscuit packet from his bag and ran away. This was both funny and also scary because no one can say anything to the monkeys here it was their world so no one would like to play nasty with them. The Lord Hanuman statue at the Jakhoo Temple was very beautiful nevertheless. More than Gods this temple is known for the monkeys! After the visit to Jakhoo temple, the next place that I visited was the Shimla State Museum.
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Far from the usual chores of the home city, away from the hassle life, I was at a high point relaxation all through my trip. Though tight scheduled with strictness in depart time for a day long excursion, yet its experience was overwhelming and out of my imaginations. Till yet explorations had been made to the temples and sightseeing areas, but then it was the time for some relief giving and mental healing zones. Yes, nothing can be more peaceful than a visit to Ramakrishna Mission Ashram Visakhapatnam, a beautifully designed place, amidst the lush greenery with its structure in pink resembling the old worshipping places of South India. It was an easy accessible place just few minutes’ walk from the Ramakrishna Beach. The ambience was so peaceful and calm, suiting to the features of the Ashram, and driving the visitors to the world of Spiritualism. A huge prayer hall is generally filled with public for regular worships and meditation as well as spiritual rituals. Devotees are swayed with complete immersion in divine Meditation. It’s rightly been considered as a hub of rehabilitation and relieving activities. It tends to serve people being victimized by sudden calamities due to the freaks of nature or the follies of men, even the service been extended beyond borders. The methodology of relief are conducted following some key elements like indiscrimination of caste, color or creed, involvement of local people for implementations of specific programmes. Several activities that prevail in this spellbound atmosphere are functioning of a co- educational English Medium School, a Public Library offering periodicals and newspapers in a free reading room, a dispensary section especially for the cure of cerebral-palsied children and many more. Ramakrishna Mission Ashram | Image Resource : blog.rkmissionashrama.org/ Ramakrishna Mission Ashram Visakhapatnam caters maximum of the welfare work in terms of charity. It provides scholarships and medical aid to poor students seeking high education. Many recreational activities are also conducted like celebration of birthdays of the well known spiritual luminaries, hold exhibition and educational camp along with competitions and youth retreats. Being converted to a complete saint for the time being, I was all satisfied with such an adorable place and with all the memories intact, I headed towards my next place of visit, Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary Visakhapatnam, a dedication to my lust of forestry. Narration : We decided to check out the Rishikonda beach in Visakhapatnam. It took us a long drive to reach this beach. It is very far from the main city. However, it was all worth it because this beach is really beautiful and calming.
Being rich in cultural heritage and panoramic landscapes, Vizag is encountering boom in the sector of tourism. With a great history of British rule and nation’s bygone era the city emerged out with some places of interest that are informative and serene at the same time. I woke up completely relaxed. The mood was amplified and I took no time to freshen up for the Simhachalam Temple Visakhapatnam. I was grateful to the city who endowed me one of the finest moments of my solitary voyage. My further journey commenced with a rich continental breakfast at The Park’s restaurant and I was geared up with my accessories. The biddable managerial staff hired me a private cab and I transposed for the historical temple. Truth of heavenly bodies is sometimes mysterious. But fondling the same I entered the temple with a belief of having traces of God inside me. As said by the prodigy, the temple is the shrine of Lord Vishnu in the exemplification of Sri Narasimha Swami Varu. It is located at the height of 244 meters on the hilltop and built by King Krishnadevarayam in the 11th century. It remains populous during the season of Chandanotsavam Festival when devotees from all over the globe visit here. To see the Lord entirely covered with sandalwood, surfeit of pilgrims arrive here. I fetched the two hour trekking route from Madhavadhara side which was an outstanding episode of my travel. I turned around to see where I am. But it abscond me with my eyes wide opened! It was a stunning view of the calm city though it is described as the bustling one. The coin has two sides and so has the city. Known by the name of The Hill of the Lion, the temple has an astonishing fact. The idol appears like Shivalingam. The sandal paste covering the entire body is removed once in a year, hence calling swarms of devotees to worship the original image of the Lord. Visiting Simhachalam Temple Visakhapatnam was an added success to my unaccompanied drift to the place and it was high time to move further for Dolphin’s Nose.
I consider myself fortunate to have had a chance to visit the temple of souls Chikurin Ji Temple Kochi. This Shingon Temple was founded by Gyoki in the early 18th century. House of beautiful sculptures and surrounded by a good amount of greenery, this place is a really good tourist destination. I followed the stone path that lead to the entry of the temple through the dense woods. It was a fairly easy walk and the temperature was cool. As I entered the temple premises, I saw a number of ponds with loud bull frogs bellowing out of them. Beautifully designed shrines of different sizes complemented the place. The main square consists of the large temple with thatched roof. I further continued on the stone steps beside the smaller shrines which led to a vibrantly orange colored Pagoda. It was a Tuesday when I visited the temple, the serene atmosphere of temple was not disturbed by the noises of people around. I was told by the temple staff that on weekends, there is a bus available to take the tourist to the top. I was not going to miss out the walk anyhow. I dodge my way from the path of a tiny cat staring at me as I entered the ancient wooden gate. It is amusing to see the compassion and caring of nature of people who shelter these homeless animals and nurture them. This temple has served as a refuge to Buddhist pilgrims too. This Japanese garden belongs to the 13th century and is a registered national treasure. It is great to spend time in this beautiful arrangement of rocks, ponds and pine trees. It was a lot more peaceful because I chose to visit the temple in late afternoon. lingered at the temple for a while before I encountered white-clad Buddhist pilgrims paying a visit one their way around the long island. Overall, Chikurin Ji Temple is a picturesque structure where one can slow down the pace of life, introspect and rediscover the meaning of their existence. It will always be a memorable experience for me. Poornathrayeesa Temple, Kochi : We went to check out the famous Poornathrayeesa Temple. This temple is very popular throughout Kerala. It is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. It has an immense religious and historic significance amongst the locals. It is located in Tripunithura which was once the capital of the kingdom of Kochi. The festivals of this temple is quite popular amongst the Malayalis.
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. 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.
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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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