Yercaud - Poor Man's Ooty .

Populary known as poor man's Ooty, Yercaud, a peaceful hill town in the Shevaroy Hills in Tamil Nadu has been seeing a steady stream of tourists who come from all over the country to unwind and relax in its beautiful environs. The town gets its name from Yercaud Lake that is located in the centre, Yeri means lake and Kaadu means forest. The thickly-forested Yercaud boasts of several coffee plantations and offers plenty of boating and trekking opportunities. It's moderate climate, which never soars above 30ºC has been a major draw for tourists. Some of the local attractions in Yercaud are Pagoda Point, frequented by holidayers who wish to catch the sunrise early. Killyur Falls is a must-see for tourists, here you can see the water cascading down. The Shevaroy Temple and the Raja Rajeshwari temple draw huge number of devotees.

Yercaud is a great place for weekend getaway and it has several historic sites and shopping options for holidayers. Yercaud can be visited any time of the year.

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Top must-see places in Mysore

Mysore Palace: Mysore Palace or the Mysore Maharaja Palace is located in the heart of the city and is one of the most visited monuments in India. The palace boasts of beautiful architecture, intricately carved rosewood doors, marble figurines, high ceilings inlaid with ivory work and an opulent collection of caskets. The original palace built of wood, got burnt down in 1897, during the wedding of Jayalakshammanni, the eldest daughter of Chamaraja Wodeyar and was rebuilt in 1912 at the cost of Rs. 42 lakhs. The present Palace built in Indo-Saracenic style and blends together Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture. It is a three-storied stone structure, with marble domes and a 145 ft five-storied tower. 

Chamundi Hills: Chamundi Hills, known for its famous Chamundeshwari Temple draws a huge number of devotees every year and is held in reverence by the Mysore Maharajas. The temple is situated on the top of Chamundi hill which is about 3,489 ft. above sea level. One of the landmark attractions of Mysore, it is on the itinerary of every traveller. While atop the hill, one gets a wonderful view of the city. Chamundi Hills can be viewed from a distance of about 8 to 10 kms and from all the corners of Mysore City. The temple houses beautiful idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari, an incarnation of Goddess Durga wearing a garland of skulls.

Railway Museum: The Railway Museum in Mysore was the earliest railway museums set up in India. Established in 1979 by Indian Railways, it is the second such museum after the National Railway Museum in Delhi. The Mysore Railway Museum was the one of a kind outdoor exhibit of locomotives in India. The Maharaja of Mysore contributed with his royal carriages enriching the treasure of the Railway Museum in Mysore. The main highlight of this museum are Sri Ranga Pavilion, the two royal coaches that belonged to the Maharaja of Mysore. The museum has the `Maharani's saloon' carriage that has a kitchen, dining car unit and royal toilet dating back to 1899 and an Austin rail motor car, a 1920-built `E class engine'. One of the main features of the Mysore Railway Museum is the Chamundi Gallery where a number of black and white photographs and paintings have been displayed depicting the growth of railways in India. Steam engines including the first steam engine and signaling accessories from the beginning of the railways in India are interesting in their own right. A steam water pump of 1934 and a hand-operated crane of 1885 are also displayed. The museum has a battery-operated mini-train giving a short ride for children on the grounds.

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Experience Nature At It's Best

Coorg, the Scotland of India is an ideal hot-spot for honeymoons, romantic getaways and family outings. If you are a nature lover, love to scale the mountains, like to feel the tingle of cool and gentle breeze on your arms, then Coorg is the place for you. Come and enjoy nature's bounty.

Travel Smart will make all the arrangements for a pleasurable nature trip to Coorg. Contact us on +91 93419 18386 and log onto http://www.travel-smart.in/travelsmart-india-south.php for more details.

DESTINATION - BEKAL

Duration from Bangalore to Bekal – 390 km/ 8 hours (approx)

ABOUT BEKAL

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Bekal, situated on the seashore of Pallikara village, is an important place of tourist interest in the district. It lies 12 kms. south of Kasargod town. According to Bekal Rama Nayak, a local Kannada writer, the word, Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam, meaning Big Palace. The place is said to have been the seat of a big palace in the past. The term Baliakulam got corrupted as Bekulam and later as Bekal.

PLACES TO SEE IN BEKAL

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THE BEKAL FORT

(16 km south of Kasaragod on the national highway)

On a vast 35 acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea stands the Bekal Fort, an imposing circular structure rising 130 ft. above sea level. More than 300 years old, the Fort has a chequered history, making it an interesting excavation site. Owing to its historic importance, the Fort is now under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. The Bekal Fort is the largest and best preserved of its kind in Kerala.

BEKAL FORT BEACH

(1 km from Bekal Fort)

This shallow beach offers a spectacular view of the imposing Bekal Fort and has ample facilities for recreation and relaxation. This beach has been developed as a pubic beach by the Corporation with required facilities.

KAPPIL BEACH

(6 km from Bekal Fort)

Remote and secluded, this beautiful palm-fringed beach is fast becoming a major tourist attraction. The Kodi cliff nearby offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea.

VALIYAPARAMBA

(30 km from Bekal)

A cluster of enchanting little islands nestled in emerald waters; this is also a much favoured spot for boat cruises, houseboat holidays and fishing. Two numbers of two bedroom and single bedroom houseboats each are available for cruise in the backwater from Kottappuram Jetty near Nileswar.

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