TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN KERALA

It is known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Inland are the Western Ghats, mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations as well as wildlife. National parks like Eravikulam and Periyar, plus Wayanad and other sanctuaries, are home to elephants, langur monkeys and tigers. Here we present to you top 10 places to visit in Kerala. 

1) Fort Kochi Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese, and Portuguese have all left their mark there. The architecture and historical sites in Fort Kochi attract most of the visitors to the area. This is part of a handful of water-bound regions toward the south-west of the mainland Kochi. 

2) Munnar It is a town and hill station located in the Idukki district.The name Munnar is believed to mean "three rivers", referring to its location at the confluence of the Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. You can see tea being picked and processed, and try fresh tea straight from the gardens. There's even a tea museum. 

3) Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple It is the richest Hindu temple in the world. The temple is built in an intricate fusion of the indigenous Kerala style and the Dravidian style of architecture. The principal deity Vishnu is enshrined in the "Anantha Shayanam" posture, the eternal yogic sleep on the serpent Adisheshan. 

4) Periyar National Park Periyar is one of the 48 tiger reserves in India. Zealously guarded and efficiently managed reserve is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and Pamba. 

5) Kerala Backwaters The backwaters in Kerala are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast.Houseboat or Kettuvallam rides in the backwaters are a major tourist attraction. Backwater tourism is centered mostly around Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam. Boat races held during festival seasons are also a major tourist attraction in the backwater regions. 

6) Chembra Peak It is the highest peak in Wayanad.Permission from the forest office in Meppadi is required for trekking up to Chembra Peak. A heart shaped lake on the way to the top of the peak is a major tourist attraction. The lake is believed to have never dried up. 

7) Athirappilly Waterfalls It is the largest waterfall in Kerala and is nicknamed "The Niagara of India". Forest wildlife in the area includes the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, bison, sambar, and lion-tailed macaque.The falls attract visitors from across India, especially during the monsoon months (June–September). About 7 million tourists visit the falls and the Vazhachal picnic spot each year. 

8) Varkala Beach It is also known as Papanasham Beach. The word Papanasham means wash away sins. It is believed that a dip in the waters of Papanasham Beach washes away all the sins in one's life. 

9) Santa Cruz Basilica The basilica serves as the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Cochin. Counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala, this church is one of the finest and most impressive churches in India and visited by tourists the whole year round. It is a place of devotion as well as a center of historic significance, endowed with architectural and artistic grandeur and colors of the Gothic style. 

10) Bekal Fort It is the largest fort in Kerala, situated at Bakel village in Kasaragod district.An important features of this fort is the water-tank with its flight of steps. The fort has a tunnel opening towards the south and a magazine for keeping ammunition with broad steps leading to the Observation Tower. From there one has an ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikkara, Bekal, Kottikkulam, and Uduma.

TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN SHILLONG

Shillong has been called as the 'Scotland of the East'. This is because of its aesthetic, graceful and picturesque landscapes. The city is bestowed with some quintessential sightseeing facilities like the Ward Lake or the Botanical Garden. But what holds attention of the tourists are the waterfalls in and around Shillong. Among them the Elephant Falls of Meghalaya holds the prime attention. Here we present to you top 10 places to visit in Shillong. 

1) Elephant Falls 

It is a combination of 3 rivers. One of the British officers named it as Elephant falls after they saw a rock which resembled as an elephant. The falls are surrounded with green vegetation that provides a perfect backdrop. 

2) The Don Bosco Museum 

It is part of DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures). DBCIC comprises research on cultures, publications, training, animation program and the museum, which is a place of knowledge-sharing on the cultures of the northeast in particular, and of culture in general. 

3) Shillong Golf Course 

It enjoys the rare distinction of being one of the few natural golf courses in Asia. Not only is the Shillong Golf Course scenic and enjoyable, it is also challenging. A group of British civil service officers introduced golf to Shillong in 1898 by constructing a nine-hole course. The present 18-hole course was inaugurated in 1924. 

4) Laitlum Canyons 

One of the least explored place in Shillong. This gorgeous place will provide you a panoramic view of the Rasong village and grassy valleys. This is a must visit destination. 

5) Motphran 

The “Stone of France” which is locally known as "Motphran" was erected in memory of the 26th Khasi Labour Corps who served under the British in France during World War I. It bears the words of the famous Latin poet Horace "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" which can be roughly translated as "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country." 

6) David Scott Trail 

The stretch between Ladmawphlang village to Mawphlang village is roughly 16 kms long and is a picturesque day hike. This was originally the horse-cart road that connected the plains of Slyhet (now in Bangladesh) to Assam. Camps can be set to treat the eyes to the stunning views of lush rugged Umiam valley. 

7) Ward's Lake 

A beautiful manmade lake named after Sir William Ward, the then, Chief Commissioner of Assam. Also known as the Polok Lake, it is an artificial lake with garden and boating facilities. 

8) Cathedral Catholic Church 

In the heart of the city, there stands a beautiful cathedral of Roman Catholics dedicated to Mary Help of Christian. The Cathedral is the principal place of worship of the over 300,000 strong Catholics of the Shillong Archdiocese which covers the Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills of Meghalaya 

9) Shillong Peak 

It offers a panoramic view of the scenic countryside and is the highest point in the state. Obeisance is paid to U Shulong at the sanctum sanctorum at the peak's summit every springtime, by the religious priest of Mylliem State. 

10) Lady Hydari Park 

A popular spot both with locals and tourist, it is located in the heart of the city with an abundance of plants and flowers. The best months to see the flowers in bloom are April and October. The park stretches over a kilometer and has an adjacent mini zoo.

TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN SIKKIM

It is bordered by Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. Part of the Himalayas, the area has a dramatic landscape that includes India’s highest mountain, 8,586m Kangchenjunga. Sikkim is also home to glaciers, alpine meadows and thousands of varieties of wildflowers. Steep paths lead to hilltop Buddhist monasteries such as Pemayangtse, which dates to the early 1700s.

1) Nathu La, Gangtok

It connects the Indian state of Sikkim with China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The pass, at 4,310 m (14,140 ft) above mean sea level, forms a part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Road. Nathu means "listening ears" and La means "pass" in Tibetan. Nathu La is one of the three open trading border posts between China and India; the others are Shipkila in Himachal Pradesh and Lipulekh (or Lipulech) at the trisection point of Uttarakhand–India, Nepal and China.

2) Buddha Park, Ravangla

It is also known as Tathagata Tsal and is situated near Rabong (Ravangla) in South Sikkim district. It was constructed between 2006 and 2013 and features a 130-foot high statue of the Buddha as its centerpiece. The site was chosen within the larger religious complex of the Rabong Gompa (Monastery), itself a centuries-old place of pilgrimage. Also nearby is Ralang Monastery, a key monastery in Tibetan Buddhism

3) Yumesamdong (Zero Point), Lachung

Situated at an altitude of 15,300 ft. above Mean Sea Level, Yumesamdong or Zero point is nature personified. It is a place very close to the Indo Chinese border.The best time of the year to visit this place is between March - April.

4) Tsongmo Lake, Gangtok

Located at an elevation of 3,753 m (12,313 ft), the lake remains frozen during the winter season. The lake surface reflects different colours with change of seasons and is held in great reverence by the local Sikkimese people. Tourist attractions at the lake site include joy rides on decorated yaks and mules where kiosks offer variety of food and drinks. There is also a small Shiva temple on the bank of the lake.

5) Gurudongmar Lake

It is one of the highest lakes in the world, located at an altitude of 17,800 ft. The lake is named after Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, founder of Tibetan Buddhism who visited the lake in the 8th century.The lake fed by glaciers is located to the north of the Kanchenjunga range in a high plateau area connected with the Tibetan Plateau.

6) Ranka Monastery, Gangtok

The monastery follows the Zurmang Kagyud lineage of Buddhism and under the direction of the 12th successor of the lineage Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche. It's surrounded by forested mountains in all sides. The entire place is done in bright colours, which is surely going to catch your attention the moment you enter this place.

7) Kanchenjunga Falls, Pelling

At a distance of 25 km from Pelling, the Kanchenjunga Falls is a perennial waterfall. If you are a nature-lover, this waterfall is a must-visit for you. Locals say it is fed by streams originating from the glaciers near the base of Mount Kanchenjunga the 3rd highest peak in the world.

8) Rumtek Monastery

It is also called the Dharmachakra Centre, Originally built under the direction of Changchub Dorje, 12th Karmapa Lama in the mid-1700s, Rumtek served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim for some time. But when Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th Karmapa, arrived in Sikkim in 1959 after fleeing Tibet, the monastery was in ruins. With the generosity and help of the Sikkim royal family and the local folks of Sikkim, it was built by the 16th Karmapa as his main seat in exile.

9) Himalayan Zoological Park, Gangtok

Himalayan Zoological Park is certainly a place for wildlife lovers in Sikkim. The Park has been established, to preserve the wildlife, without disturbing the creatures and keeping them in their natural habitat. Located in Bulbuley, Himalayan Zoological Park is at a distance of 3 km from Gangtok.

10) Samdruptse Hill, Ravangla

The statue in Namchi is the tallest statue of the saint in the world at 120 ft. In the Bhutia local language, the term ‘Samdruptse’means the ‘Wish Fulfilling Hill’. The name of the sacred place says it clearly that it is highly revered and equally popular amid devotees and tourists.

TEN BOLLYWOOD SUICIDE CASES

1) Divya Bharti The young actress left the entire industry at shock with her tragic death, in 1993, at the age of 19. Plenty of conspiracy theories have been floating around about the actual reason for her death, and it still remains unanswered as to whether she had actually committed suicide or had fallen by accident. 2) Guru Dutt A deteriorating relationship with his wife Geeta Dutt, and a failed relationship with actress Waheeda Rehman was what allegedly led the iconic actor and director to take his own life, on October 10, 1964. He died by taking a combination of sleeping pills with alcohol. 3) Jiah Khan Best known for her role in the film Nishabd, opposite Amitabh Bachchan, Jiah Khan was found hanging in her apartment in Juhu, Mumbai on June 3, 2013. The British-American actress, model and singer had been dating actor Sooraj Pancholi at the time of her death, and her mother blames the actor for having driven her to take her life. 4) Parveen Babi The yesteryear sultry actress was found dead in her apartment in the year 2005. The lonely star who had kept to herself was discovered after neighbours complained that she hadn’t come out to collect the newspaper and milk from her doorstep. Parveen, who was struggling with diabetes, had apparently starved herself to death. 5) Kunal Singh Best known for his role opposite Sonali Bendre in the movie Dil Hi Dil Mein, Kunal Singh committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling fan. Though he was doing well in Bhojpuri and south Indian movies, his strained relationship with his wife and the fact that he was not allowed to see his kids were rumoured to be the reasons for his suicide. 6) Viveka Babaji This beautiful model rose to fame with her Kamasutra ad. She committed suicide in the year 2010 by hanging herself from the ceiling fan. Failed career and relationships were cited as reasons for her suicide. 7) Manmohan Desai He was the son of film producer and owner of Paramount Studios (Filmalaya) Kikubhai Desai. His wife passed away in 1979, and in 1992 he got engaged to actress Nanda, an engagement which continued till his death in 1994. He had tasted the pinnacle of success with his movies being acclaimed hits with the Indian masses. He made masala movies and is credited with helping Amitabh Bachchan rise to fame with movies like ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Coolie’ and ‘Mard’. Towards the end of his career, his movies were not doing good at the box office. Desai was also suffering from acute and chronic back pain. In March 1994, he jumped from the balcony of his flat in Girgaon. 8) Kuljeet Randhawa She was a former Gladrags model, TV show host and actor, Kuljeet Randhawa committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling fan at her Juhu apartment on 8 February, 2006. She left behind a note stating that she was unable to cope up with the pressures in her life and so she was committing suicide . 9) Varsha Bhosle Daughter of India’s famous singer Asha Bhosle, Varsha Bhosle shot herself in 2012. Varsha was a professional Hindi and Bhojpuri playback singer as well as a writer. The singer had prior to her fatal suicide, also attempted to kill herself in 2008. Apparently, she had a rough married life which became the cause of her suicide. 10) Reem Kapadia She was actress Dimple Kapadia’s youngest sister and had made an appearance in a few Hindi movies, including ‘Haveli’, where she appeared opposite Rakesh Roshan and Marc Zuber. In 2000, Reem Kapadia apparently committed suicide by overdosing on some drugs while she was staying in London.

TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN TAMILNADU

It is famed for its Dravidian-style Hindu temples. In Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple has high ‘gopuram’ towers ornamented with colourful figures. On Pamban Island, Ramanathaswamy Temple is a pilgrimage site. The town of Kanyakumari, at India’s southernmost tip, is the site of ritual sunrises. Capital Chennai is known for beaches and landmarks including 1644 colonial Fort St. George. Here we present to you top 10 places to visit in Tamil Nadu. 

 1) Meenakshi temple 

It is dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar. The temple has a 1000 pillar hall, 14 towers with remarkable art, architecture and painting. At least 15,000 visitors visit these temples regularly which include both Indians and Foreigners. 

2) Brihadeeswarar Temple 

It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur. It is one of the largest temples in India and is an example of Tamil architecture during the Chola period. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples", with the other two being the Brihadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara temple. 

 3) Vivekananda Rock Memorial 

It is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai and was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock. The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. 

4) Nilgiri Mountain Railway 

In July 2005, UNESCO added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the site then became known as "Mountain Railways of India". The 'Nilgiri Passenger' train covers a distance of 26 km, travels through 208 curves, 16 tunnels and across 250 bridges. The uphill journey takes around 290 minutes (4.8 hours), and the downhill journey takes 215 minutes (3.6 hours) It has the steepest track in Asia with a maximum gradient of 8.33%. 

5) Marina Beach 

The beach runs from near Fort St. George in the north to Foreshore Estate in the south, a distance of 6.5 km . Bathing and swimming at the Marina Beach are legally prohibited because of the dangers, as the undercurrent is very turbulent. It is one of the most crowded beaches in the country and attracts about 30,000 visitors a day during weekdays. 

6) Udagamandalam (Ooty) 

Popularly known as Ooty situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the most popular Hill station in South India. It provides a scenic view of Nilgiri Hills. The town is connected to the rest of India by road and the popular Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and its historic sites and natural beauty attract tourists from all over the country. 

7) Madras Crocodile Bank Trust 

The centre is the biggest crocodile sanctuary in India. It was established with the aim of saving three Indian endangered species of crocodile—the marsh or mugger crocodile, the saltwater crocodile, and the gharial, which at the time of founding of the trust were all nearing extinction. As of 2011, the CrocBank had a total of 2,483 animals, including 14 species of crocodiles, 10 species of turtles, 3 species of snakes, and 1 species of lizard. 

8) Descent of the Ganges (Mahabalipuram) 

Measuring 96 by 43 feet (29 m × 13 m), it is a giant open-air rock relief carved on two monolithic rock boulders. The legend depicted in the bas-relief is the story of the descent of the sacred river Ganges to earth from the heavens led by Bhagiratha. The waters of the Ganges are believed to possess supernatural powers. 

 9) Kodaikanal 

The hill station of Kodaikanal is fast gaining reputation for its unspoilt beauty and soothing climate. It is known by the nickname "Princess of Hill stations". The lakes, parks and different waterfalls along with the rich abundance of flora and fauna, this place is indeed a gift of the forest. 

10) Mudumalai National Park 

It shares its boundaries with the states of Karnataka and Kerala. The sanctuary is divided into five ranges – Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota. The protected area is home to several endangered and vulnerable species including Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, gaur and Indian leopard. There are at least 266 species of birds in the sanctuary, including critically endangered Indian white-rumped vulture and long-billed vulture.