Cherrapunji – The Rainy Valley of India

High above misty valleys and foaming rivers, ensconced in swirling clouds and perched on an escarpment, lies Cherrapunji (4,500 feet). This is a stunning location and the year-round rain earned Cherrapunji coveted entry long ago into the Guinness Book of World Records as the wettest place on earth, the place where the rainfall can be recorded in feet rather than in millimeters.

Today, climatic changes have edged Cherrapunji out of the topmost 'wet' slot, but it still retains its pristine beauty, its unusual facets, the perpetual clouds, and the perpetual mists…. Appropriately, Cherrapunji lies in the heart of the State of Meghalaya-the abode of clouds.

History:

As in days gone by, the faces of Cherrapunji change not with the seasons, but with the pattern of rainfall. The heaviest downpours span approximately five long months-from May until September. The clouds then are dark and menacing, full blown with rain, which descends earthwards with the stinging force of a whiplash.

Tour to Cherrapunji Throughout these months, Cherrapunji is transformed into a sea of tiny, gushing rivulets. The raindrops beat incessantly on rooftops and treetops creating a compelling tattoo of awesome sounds, which cannot be savored anywhere else but in the Northeastern states. These are also the 'record-making' months, which contribute to records such as the stunning 22,987 mm of rainfall in 1861. The annual average rainfall of Cherrapunji stands today at 10,871 millimeters. Barely 10 km from Cherrapunji stands the village of Mawsynram, which has snatched away the heaviest rainfall record, with 12,163 millimeters of rainfall.

With the passage of September, the rhythm of the rain-its main force spent-changes to a gentle patter. And the Khasis and other residents of Cherrapunji, the flora, and the fauna respond to the change in the Rain God's mood. Soft pastel shades begin to appear in skies that were gray all day and rainbows that are a photographer's delight begin to make unexpected guest appearances.

Tourists Attractions:

The home of enterprising Khasi clans, Cherrapunji's place in the Guinness Book of Records is not its only claim to fame. Along with falls lesser in height but no less alluring, the spectacular, cascading 1,035-ft-high Mawsmai Falls-the fourth highest in India-lie just a few kilometers beyond Cherrapunji.

Close by is situated a fascinating labyrinth of underground passages beneath age-old caves-a veritable dream for amateur explorers. Elsewhere around Cherrapunji, Khasi monoliths (stones in memory of their ancestors) lie dotted around-a vague reminder of the forests of Bastar.

Amidst all the surprises of Cherrapunji, perhaps the most abiding is the startling realization that the wettest place on earth where it rains every month also has an amazing amount of warm sunshine. When the clouds drift away, there are a series of memorable views, and one can see as far as Bangladesh. Orchids blooming a few feet away from a patch devoid of vegetation. Dense woods interspersed by rocky, cliffs furrowed by erosion.

As the months move on, the smell of decaying vegetation lessens as the showers become intermittent. New plants spring to life, and people go about their tasks with renewed energy.

The hills around Cherrapunji do not have the lush green vegetation one normally associates with wet places. The vegetative cover in the form of dense woods appears in patches and constitutes yet another marvelous surprise: the richness and variety of the flora in these 'zones' has to be seen to be believed. An amazing variety of rare orchids, ferns, and moss convert each pocket into a botanist's paradise. Cherrapunji produces the best quality of oranges as well as pineapples. In fact, Cherrapunji oranges are the ancestors of the famous Nagpuri oranges in the Central India.

How to Reach:

Cherrapunji is 58 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. A steep motorable road, almost perpetually bathed in mist as it climbs upwards on the last lap, leads up to Cherrapunji. Buses and taxis ply to Cherrapunji from Shillong.

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Popular Bus Routes from Chennai

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and a metro city of India , it has road connectivity to a lot of major cities and towns of south India , here a lot of local private bus operators are functioning along with the state transport . Below we will have a look on some popular bus routes from Chennai:

Chennai to Ernakulum: The easiest and the most convenient way to reach Ernakulam from Chennai is to opt for buses from Chennai to Ernakulam. Chennai to Ernakulam is 669 kilometers and it takes approximately 11 hours by bus from Chennai to Ernakulam. The buses operate 24 hours a day with the interval of hour, hour and a half. Finding one that suits your travel plan is relatively easy. You also have an option on the coaches such as Volvo AC, 2x2 Deluxe, Air buses and sleeper buses. You can choose the bus of your choice according to your taste and budget. The best thing about Chennai to Ernakulam bus is that you can get the ticket done online. It does not only save your time and energy but it also frees you from lot of other unwanted hassles.

Chennai to Tirupati: Tirupathi is located 146.9 Kilometer (91.3 Mile) from Chennai. The shortest route is Via Tiruthani (also called Tirutttani). Based on driver it takes around 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Chennai to Bangalore: Chennai (Tamil Nadu) to Bangalore (Karnataka) is 349 km and takes approx 5 hrs, 27 mins by road. In a scorching summer of Chennai, if you want to take a relief, you can visit Bangalore which is known for its cool and breezy weather. Bangalore, the Garden City of India holds spring almost 9 months of a year. Though it is a silicon valley of Asia and known for its technological presence, Bangalore has a lot of places (outskirts) which can give you a relax time in a cold evening.

Chennai to Madurai: Known as the Athens of the east, Madurai is well connected to Chennai through buses. There are around 25-30 buses from Chennai to Madurai everyday. You can rely on both public and private bus service providers.Being one of the most important pilgrimages of South Indian Hindus, the city attracts lots of pilgrims and tourists from all over India and world. Buses from Chennai to Madurai are available at very short intervals. Starting from 1:30 pm till 11:15 pm, you get lots of options. There are several bus operators including State Express transport Corporation and private operators such as Parveen Travels, Arc Travels, Nkv Travels, JJ Shalom Carrer, Yohalakshmi Travels and many more, which provide you excellent services.

Chennai to Goa: Good news for travelers traveling from Chennai to Goa! Bus operators have added more buses on this route! Now you can avail buses from Chennai to Goa 24x7. Thus you can plan your travel according to your time table without any rush or being bound to schedule! The distance between Chennai to Goa is 923 kilometers and takes approximately 15 hours by buses from Chennai to Goa. Goa can give you the experience of a lifetime with its fabulous scenic beaches, architecture and the churches. Goa is a great romantic gateway for honeymoon couples. For 450 years Goa was a Portuguese colony until taken over by India in 1961.

Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

Mumbai to Shirdi – A Holy Weekend Getaway

Shirdi is a village north-east of Mumbai and has an extensive temple complex devoted to Shirdi Sai Baba. It is located by road on Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 kilometers from Ahmednagar, and 15 kilometers from Kopargaon. The place is around 296 km (around 6 hours drive) from Mumbai. Sai Baba's shrine has been incorporated as one of the holy places in the world's map of pilgrimage.

Places to Visit:

Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur and a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. He wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, according to the legends, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the temple became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba. The Samadhi of Baba is built with white marble stones. The railings around it are full of ornamental decorations. The idol of Baba is a marvelous statue made up of Italian marble built by Late Balaji Vasant in 1954. The temple has an assembly hall for about 600 devotees. The assembly hall also houses a showcase having various items used by the sage. The first floor of the temple has the pictures depicting the life of the saint.

The temple opens on 5 AM with morning prayers and close down at 10 PM with night prayers. Situated on the right side of the entrance of the Samadhi Mandir is Dwarkamai, a mosque. This was the place where the sage stayed until the end of his life. Main attraction of the site is the oil paintings of the sage.

The place from where Sai Baba first came to Shirdi in the form of a Bal Yogi (child ascetic) is known as Gurusthan. A temple has been constructed on this site. There is also a small shrine in Gurusthan.

At a short distance lies Baba's Chavadi. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him.

There is a cottage of Abdul Baba, an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, in front of the Chavadi. Photos and various items that were handled by Sai Baba and Abdul Baba are there in the cottage. There is a Maruti Mandir located at some distance from the cottage of Abdul Baba. This mandir was visited by Baba for the sat-sang with Devidas, a Bal yogi, who lived at the Mandir ten to twelve years before Baba arrived.

There are also temples of village deities named Shani, Ganapati, and Shankar that are worth visiting. At some distance from Gurusthan, there is the Lendi Baug. This garden was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a nullah (a drain), which used to flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under the neem tree and kept a deep (a lighting object) lit in that pit. An octagonal deepgriha (lighthouse) called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the deepgriha is a pipal tree and on the other side is a neem tree. Other sites to visit are Datta Mandir and Khandoba Mandir.

Fairs and Festivals:

The most important festivals and events that are celebrated in Shirdi are Guru Poornima, Dussehra, and Ram Navami. These are the only days when the Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi opens for the whole night. Every Thursday, a palakhi bearing a photograph of the sage is taken out from the temple.

Mumbai to Shirdi by Bus:

You could take a Cab; hire a private taxi or drive. (If you are an international tourist you may want to check the requirements for Driver's license and road regulations with the Maharashtra State Road Transport department.). You could take a Maharashtra State Transport Bus. You could take a Bus operated by Private operators. For Fares, Schedules and other details contact your local travel agent, the Government of India Tourism Office, the Maharashtra State Tourism Board Office or the Maharashtra State Transport booking office.

Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus tickets booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.bus from pune to bangalore
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Hogenakkal Waterfalls - Niagara of India

Hogenakkal Waterfalls often referred to as "Cauvery" or "Kavery" or "Kaveri" by locals and the people of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in Tamilnadu, India where it is situated. Hogenakkal is also described as the 'Niagara' of India, offer an exciting holiday destination for Indians and foreigners alike. Hogenakkal is located about 750 feet above sea level amidst the Melagiri Hills. The route to Hogenakkal Falls is scenic, with lush mulberry fields and giant terracotta guardian deities (Aiyanars), as you approach Hogenakkal, the roar of the Cauvery river and the abundance of vegetation in the area is sure to catch your attention. Hogenakkal is a beautiful place with picturesque scenes.

Location:

Hogenakkal is located on the Karnataka – Tamil Nadu border. It lies at the distance of 114 km from Salem and 133 km from Bangalore. Hogenakkal waterfalls are the part of river Kaveri and are about 250 meters above the sea level. It is one of the beautiful places in the state. When the water hits the rocks a fine cool spray rises, that is the reason these rocks have been given the name 'Smoking Rock'. The best time to visit the Hogenakkal waterfall is between mid July to mid August when the water is at its peak. During this season water level rises from 20- 30 feet more. Hogenakkal falls are not the single waterfall but the series of waterfalls.

Significance of its water:

Taking a bath in the waterfalls of Hogenakkal is considered as extremely beneficial for the health. It is so because of the widely grown herbal plants in the nearby areas. The place is widely known for the curative power of its water.

Oil Massage:

This is the place where you can take bath along with the rejuvenating oil massage. You may find lots of people there to do massage for the visitors. The massager's or the maliswallas are expert in their work with the right knowledge of 14 massage points in the human body. Some of the major benefits of this oil massage include - It increases circulation especially to the nerve endings, tones your muscles, increased mental alertness, smoothen the skin, improves elimination of impurities from the body and gives you better and deeper sleep at night.



Boating:

A visit to the Hogenakkal waterfalls is incomplete without taking a ride in the waterproof basket boats covered in buffalo hide or plastic stretched over light-weight wicker frames. These boats are locally known as Teppa. These are among the oldest water crafts in the world. The boats man steer the boats through the rapids of rising water giving you the thrilling experience. You can also engage on photography of the beautiful surrounding areas while taking the boat ride. Enjoy the full flow of the water and the fantastic view of the waterfalls from the boat.



Trekking and Swimming:

Hogenakkal is also the good place to try out your swimming skills. The water is quite challenging. Tourists can also go for trekking on the nearby surrounding hills. The treks are usually simple. Hogenakkal waterfall is the popular site among the film makers. There are many films songs shooted at this destination. For example a song 'Dil Hai Chootasa. .’ from the film Roza was shot here.



Food and Clothing:

The regular meals are available here, but you have to give the order in advance. The most favorite among the tourists is the fried and spicy fishes. Tourists are recommended to wear comfortable and loose clothes while visiting the place. Also carry along with yourself the mosquito repellent and dry snacks.



Tourists Attraction:

The foremost attraction of the Hogenakkal falls is its vertical drop from the height of 20 meters with the thundering sounds. The area supports the rich floral system. The whole area covered with the tall trees and thorny vegetation looks a paradise. You can simply spend time at leisure enjoying the natural beauty or you can also indulge in the nature walk to the nearby areas. You can also hire the guide to give you the better insight of the area.

Bus Booking from Bangalore to Hogenakkal:

Hogenakkal is well connected to all major cities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Deluxe bus services are available from Bangalore to Hogenakkal (133 km) and Salem to Hogenakkal (114 km). Bus charge is about Rs 3 per kilometer.

Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

Kanyakumari Tour – Southern most part of India

The name of this place has been christened after the virgin goddess – Kanyakumari Amman. Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. This place is also a popular pilgrimage. The tourists who visit this southernmost tip of India would certainly enjoy the exuberant scenes of the sunsets, the sunrises especially on full moon days. The nature of the sand in the beaches of Kanyakumari is unique as it is multicolored.

Places to Visit:

Vivekananda Rock is about a hundred meters from the shore and a regular ferry service exists between the mainland jetty and the rock. The tickets are Rs 20 for a ride. The Rock has two Mandaps (halls); one belonging to Swami Vivekananda and the other belonging to a Holy Foot. The Holy Foot is a foot shaped carving found on the rock and is believed to be the footprint of Goddess Kumari who stood on this rock on one leg and performed the Tapasya (penance). The Rock memorial has a tall statue of Swami Vivekananda whose photographs are not allowed to be taken from inside the hall. Below the statue was mentioned the year of death of the Swamiji and the "probable" dates when Swamiji attained Samadhi on the rock. Here you can see both sunrise and sunset and it is one of the main tourist attractions here. Golden Hues of the Horizon are very impressive with a silhouette of the Rock Memorial.

Vivekanandapuram is the headquarters of the Vivekananda Kendra and the centre spreads over an area of 100 acres. There is a well stocked library within the premises. It is well connected. Buses are also regularly available from Vivekanandapuram to Kanyakumari. One can enjoy absolutely breathtaking views of sunrise from the beaches of Vivekanandapuram. It has its own boarding & lodging facilities, a post office and a bank on its premises.

Thiruvalluvar Statue is dedicated to arguably the greatest Tamil poet, philosopher, and saint Thiruvalluvar. The rock supports a huge statue of the saint carved out of many rocks that were then joined together. It was inaugurated fairly recently. The statue is about 133 feet long which corresponds to 133 chapters in the greatest epic written by the saint – Thirukkural. Tourists can climb up to the feet of the statue. The view from this point is quite breathtaking! It is a very entertaining and enlightening piece of work and inspires one to lead a very principled and moral life. It is a must read for anyone who visits this place and it is advisable to spend at least half an hour specially dedicated for this exercise. Such is the beauty of Kanyakumari that a lot of people find themselves attracted to it.

Our Lady of Ransom Church - Located on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal, the 100-year-old Church of Our Lady of Ransom is dedicated to Mother Mary. The Church, which is one of the most beautiful churches in India, looks beautiful against the backdrop of the beautiful blue sky.

Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument was raised and dedicated to a freedom fighter and Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, President of Indian National Congress, and Mr. Kamarajar. He's also popularly known as Black Gandhi among the masses. Like the Gandhi Mantapa, this place is where Kamarajar's ashes were kept for the public to pay homage before immersion into the sea.

Tsunami Monument is a monument recognizing the tragic events of the 2004 tsunami that claimed the lives of many Kanyakumari denizens. It is near the south shore. The monument is made of uniquely colored items such as a wave, a flame, and human hands, together.

Travel to Kanyakumari by Bus:

Buses are frequently available from Thiruvananthapuram, the closest major transport hub. Long distance buses are available from Chennai (Madras), Coimbatore, Madurai, Bangalore etc.

It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on "Air Conditioned Volvo buses" operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly. Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus tickets booking online in advance. Online bus booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

A Guide to Adventure Tourism in India

There is incredible prospect of adventure tourist places in India, due to diverse topography, seasons and climate. On land and water, under water and in the air, tourists can pick out from various option of adventure in our country.  India is the land with a wide immense range of adventure sports, activities and holidays, during summer, winter; autumn seasons. The Southern, Eastern, and Western especially in North India. Trekking and Skiing adventure sports in the Himalayas, white river rafting rapids of snow fed rivers are breath taking attraction in Himalayas and Uttaranchal, jeep safari, bird watching, wild camp, wildlife safari and jungle trail on Rajasthan region and North India, Paragliding, hand gliding, hot air ballooning trekking in Himachal region, Amazing wind surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling in crystal waters of Lakshadweep Islands’ lagoons and  Andaman Nicobar, water sports in Goa, wildlife and backwaters adventure in South India, these are just some of wonderful options for adventure seekers in various parts with options of different season in each sector.  Especially there is constant challenge of mighty Himalayas for mountaineers and trekking lovers.  Coniferous jungle, forests, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks are most potential places for wildlife lovers and trekkers.  India is the ultimate destination and absolute paradise for wildlife and adventure lovers.

• Mountaineering: There is nothing more challenging any place in the world like great Himalayas. They stand aloft, stirring the adventure spirit, challenging to conquer the challenging mountains. For an adventure lover who wants to scale the high mountains, then mountaineering in India, is ideal for exotic experience. However, winter treks in Himalayas combined with skiing can be a most exotic and thrilling experience. The Himalayan Mountains are the most sought after place for mountaineers. Kanchenjunga and Nanda Devi are the two highest peaks, which offer very thrilling environment for mountaineers from all over the world. Some of the amazing challenges for the intrepid climbers are located in Tehri Garhwal, Himalayas, Zanskar region in Kashmir, Kulu & Lahaul in Himachal. Also there are lots of options of mountaineering in North Eastern India and other places.
• Camel Safaris: Rajasthan is the most ideal place for Camel Safari; enjoy the adventure of a Camel Safari, which awaits you in the golden sands of the enormous Thar Desert - primeval, savage and lonely. Ride through sandy landscape in the desert, passing through isolated villages, meeting with them close look and interaction about their traditions and livings. Enjoy camping on the solitary oasis, experience local people under starry nights and dance to musicians playing ancient haunting, stringed music instruments with folk dances in camp fire. The rolling sandy landscape of the unrelieved Thar desert and xerophytes shrub covered area is breathtakingly and the variety of flora and fauna amazingly large for a desert region Share and experience a very unique and memorable performance of local people. The camps are set in deep sand dunes with all basic amenities for tourists, also very rich and traditional Rajasthani cuisine and the picturesque hamlets with friendly folks in Thar Desert, which is fastest growing adventure landscape in Asia and all over the world.
• Trekking: The unexplored mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, enchanting trekking routes. In the vast amphitheatre of Himalayas and Karakorams, there are endless possibilities for trekking mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting, within this fascinating arena, the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, there are variety of trekking places. Where enthusiast trekkers can explore the rugged beauty of the lofty mountains peaks romancing the shimmering waterfalls, cascading down in joviality like a merry village belle. Experience the thrill of sheer adventure by our trekking tours in India amidst the world’s most beautiful places. The Garhwal and Kumaon mountain regions of Uttaranchal are the very famous destinations for trekking, though Manali and Chamba in Himachal, and Ladakh and Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir region, other trekking places are Kullu and Kangra valleys, Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal and in North Uttar Pradesh, North part of Rishikesh. Yuksam in Sikkim, and Leh in Ladakh. Darjeeling in West Bengal, The major challenge for the mountaineers is in the Garhwal region in Himalayas. Among the high altitude regions of Himalayas, where wonderful dreams of trekking turn into reality.
• Rock Climbing: Rock climbing, one of the popular adventure sports in India, is a relatively new sport. However, in a short span of time, it has become the most popular adventure sport. Because of the good availability of adequate climbing rocks throughout India, coupled the element of excitement involved, rock climbing has become the adventure sport to participate in for the young and the old alike. Experience the adventure running in your veins as you climb up the rocks. The ideal climbing faces are obtainable at the Aravali hills in Dumdama, Dhauj, and Nuh- all in nearby proximity of Delhi. In Himachal region, the Manali Valley, Manikaran and the Rohtang Pass offer excellent climbing opportunities for the armature and professional adventurer. In South India Karnataka also offers exciting rock-climbing activities at the Chamundi Hills. Sariska and Mount Abu in Rajasthan all offer variety of rock faces and excellent grounds for better and quality climbing. The high altitude climber will enjoy the rocks at Sonmarg in Jammu & Kashmir and Gangotri in the Garwal district of Uttar Pradesh North India.

Travel Planning:

Bus form Chennai to Bangalore

As India is a large geographic country and adventure spots are spread throughout its’ boundary, it is very difficult to plan a trip where you can visit all place at one go. So choose the favorite tour and place which is nearby from your city and plan your travel accordingly. You can check flights, train or bus based on your travel budget. Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For
Bus form mumbai to pune
online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

A Trip to Madurai

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after it’s ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today. The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature – produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos.

Places to Visit:

Meenakshi Temple, By far, the most common reason for visiting the city is the Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi (considered a form of Parvati) with a sanctum for her consort, Sundareshwarar (or Siva). Actually, historically, the Sundereshwar shrine is the larger and older of the two temple complexes. The complex itself is a splendid example of the south Indian Dravida architectural idiom. Four immense gopurams or temple towers crown the gateways at each cardinal direction, easily visible from a distance. Each tower is encrusted with more than a thousand brilliantly painted sculptures depicting an assortment of mythological and auspicious themes. It is traditional to enter through the south gopuram and, unusually, worship the Goddess before her consort. Inside the shelter for shoe-storage, offering baskets of coconuts, bananas and incense are available in addition to images of the Goddess for home altars.

Koodal Alagar Temple: Important Vaishnav Temple magnificient, has three stairs of the lord posture. Sitting posture of the lord (Main moola deity), one level up is a standing posture of the lord, and the 3rd level up is the lying down posture of the lord. The temple is a spectacular one. It is located in the heart of the city, one of the Divya Desams ( 108). Worshipped by "Alwars - Vasihnav Saints ". Worth to see and worship

Thirumalai Nayak Palace: East Market Street (Less than 2km south east of the Sri Meenakshi Temple). The remains of the palace of the 17th century ruler Thirumalai Nayak who contributed extensively to the Meenakshi Temple. Only a small portion of the original structure which was four times as larger remains. There were originally two parts-Swargavilasa heavenly pavilion, meant for the King's harem and housing the darbar court, and the ranka vilasa, which was for the servants. Currently, entrance to the roof is prohibited due the renovation work being carried out by the Archaeological Department. They claim to finish work in 6 months. There is a sound and light show in the evening (Both English & Tamil Version of the show). There is also a museum, which houses not only the original portraits of Thirumalai naicker, but also unearthed stine carvings of the 17th century, along with many sculptures of Hindu Gods like Brahma, Nataraja, Saraswati of the period.

Travel by Bus:

Madurai is situated on National Highways NH-7, NH-45B, NH-49. Almost all of them are presently being upgraded to multi-lane ways as part of National highway development program. Travel from Chennai and Bangalore will take approximately 8-10 hours.

The city is well connected by buses to all major cities in Tamil Nadu via state government operated and private buses. Buses also ply from important cities in the neighboring states of Kerala (Ernakulam, Trivandram) and Karnataka(Bangalore, Mysore). There are lots of ordinary buses and many luxury ones too.

Madurai has several bus stands. Most inter-state and overnight buses terminate at Mattuthavani Bus stand. Private buses are found closer to the city center near Periyar bus stand. Ticketing and reservation facilities are available at the bus-stands.

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Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.