Kallanai

I happen to visit this Kallanai dam and it did definitely surprise me with its state of architecture.


It is supposed to be one of the oldest dams in the south india.

I have travelled to Bhavani Sagar dam, Krishana Deva Rayar dam (Near Mysore Brindavan), Aaliyar dam (Near pollachi & Valpaarai) but I havent got a chance to get down to the place where the water flows out from the reservoir end to the other channelising end.
It was a great feeling to stand at the base of the dam and feel the water gushing out near the feet.

Wikipedia Says

The Grand Anicut, also known as the Kallanai, is an ancient dam built on the Kaveri River in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India.
Kallanai Built By Karikalan, A Chola King. (This image also shows 19th century additions to the ancient dam)
It was built by the Chola king Karikalan around the 1st Century AD[1] and is considered one of the oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the world, still in use.

Take Diversion - Uthiramerur

We were actually planning to go to Cheyyar and by mistake took a different route and ended up travelling in the beautiful village scape of Uthiramerur.

This town is really famous for its archealogical presence, since we were running shortage of time, we had to take a few snaps and rush back to Cheyyar.

These sheeps are definitely the cutest speed breakers.... you cannot do anything about it we didnt want to honk.. rather take a glimpse shot of it... but buffalos are the best ones to bring your vehicle to halt from any top speed

Close up shots of lotus flowers....

Broad view of the lotus pond filled with hundreds of lotus bloomed on a bright saturday morning

From a normal route from Kanchipuram to Cheyyar which would take 35km, we went around to Uthiramerur and then drove back to cheyyar which took around 75Km, but it was a great trip to remember indeed and ofcourse a road less travelled.

Vellayangiri

Last weekend we drove to the place called poondi near coimbatore and there is this holy place called velliyangiri ...

From the dashboard

it is a shiva temple.. located at the foot hills.. the mountain behind the temple has got great significance and people used to climb 5 hills to reach to a cave and worship the god. And people go there for chitra powrnami... (every 12th special full moon day).

The drive to this place was awesome.. we didnt take our camera as usual and managed to get some pics through mobile.

It is all misted hills with clouds all around and green fields on the sides of the road... on a dusty evening... after rains...

There were moments, which made us stop for a moment and gaze around the beauty...

This place is very close to the overly hyped Isha Dhyanalingam. I am not great fan of that place but I liked it for the calmness which is prevailing over there. They are trying to be with the nature and trying to intrude with it.

Eprarthana Says: Velliyangiri is a beautiful temple situated in one amongst the five hills of historical importance. The five hills symbolically represents the five different faces of Lord Shiva. This is the only temple where PanchaLinga can be seen. Lord Brahma was fast asleep and lacked in his duty. So to overcome his sin he started meditating at Himalayas where he got Shiva Dharisanam and was guided to continue his meditation in the name of Pattimuni at perur. Pleased by the devotion Siva Peruman along with Umaiammai performed " Annantha Natanam " at Perur, Velliambalam.Mother Kalidevi overjoyed on seeing this asked Lord Shiva to bless her to have this " Annantha Natana " darshan always, At once Umaiammai asked Lord Shiva to perform a dance for her alone insisting that she is the first and right person to see and enjoy his " Natanam ". Lord Shiva happily performed a "Natanam" at Velliyangiri Moolasthanam ( Velliambalam) and blessed Umaiammai.

Kallar Horticultural Farm

Most of the people who drive to Ooty from coimbatore metupalayam route.... never try to notice this little place which is at the footsteps of the hills.

When you drive near that old steel bridge which heads to the first hair pin bend for climbing upto ooty.. you will notice the sign board for kallar.... Yes Kallar is the name of the little river... which flows out silently ..... and you can also see a road on the left side of the road... which takes to a government horticultural farm... it is called Kallar horticultural farm... not a very famous tourist spot.. but we chose it because it is less crowded and nice getaway from daily chores...

the place looks serene... and densely crowded with huge trees... there is a big banyan tree which will be near the entrance... welcoming you... to go and explore the scenic beauty of the farm...
Entry ticket is just Rs 5 and timings are between 10 AM to 4 PM... Make sure to reach between those times.

You can see lot of monkeys playing out there(like the one above :P) .. and be careful not to carry any eatables in hand... But definitely its an altogether different place to go for a nature walk.. and spend time with trees and plants.. you can also hear a little stream of water flowing all the way...

Has got varieities of plants and flowers... they also sell fruits, plants and other related stuff...

www.indiainfoweb.com Says:

Kallar Horticulture Farm is part of the State Horticultural Farm under the Department Of Horticulture. A place of natural beauty with Kallar waterfalls complementing, it attracts thousands of tourists from in and around coimbatore.

Irrespective of the place being run by the Horticulture department for the conservation of Vegetation, the place is open to tourist with minimal charges. Facilities are provided to sit and enjoy the serene panoramic view.

Alambara Fort

Alambara fort (between chennai and pondicherry) a trace left from history

Reached around 10:30AM...2 hour drive from home....

Dont expect a big palace..it is just a ruins of a mughal emperor fort... but a nice pace for getaway

Ithu yaar kattina kottai...mughal raja kattina kottai :-)

Nithya kalayani poo.... (apdinu enga ootukarama sonnanga)

Ruins of the wall...Can you see the coast?




Alambara fort conquered finally :-)