Araku

           Araku Valley is a famous hill station located at a distance of 115 km from Vizag (Vishakhapatnam) district of Andhra Pradesh is close to the Orissa state border. Araku Valley is known for its scenic beauty. The area of the valley is about 36 km and elevation is 600 to 900 above sea level. With pleasing weather, hills, valley every visitor will be mesmerized by the natural beauty of the valley, which comes alive with its rich landscapes.

Birla Mandir

     

            Birla Mandir is an enchanting temple built entirely in marble, with great architectural significance. It stands atop 280 feet Kala Pahad, a small hill located near Hussain Sagar, and provides a spectacular view of the Hussain Sagar and the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The temple was built by the Birla Foundation and is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. 

       The main shrine of the temple is Lord Venkateshwara, which is an exact replica of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirupati, commonly known as Balaji. The statue of Lord Venkateshwara is built in black granite stone and stands 11 feet tall with an intricately carved lotus shaped canopy for the deity. The brass flagpole of the temple rises to a height of 42 feet. There are finely sculpted carvings, in the adjoining 'Mukha Mandapam' – portraying exotic scenes from the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, on pure white marble. 

       The idols of ‘Padmavati’ and ‘Andal’, consorts of the presiding deity are placed in separate shrines. The unique feature of the Birla Mandir is the integration of southern and northern style of architecture. The blend of the architectural styles of Orissa, South Indian temples, and that of Rajasthan on the intricate marble carvings is simply incredible. A four-tiered ‘rajagopuram’, which is a characteristic feature of South Indian temple style, welcomes the visitors at the entrance. A tower known as ‘Jagadananda Vimanam’ lies above the main temple of Lord Venkateshwara and is built in typical Orissan style. On the other hand, the towers over the temples of the consorts are built in the South Indian style.

Munnar

       Munnar is Kerala’s premium hill station. A hill station transcending excellence – Munnar is surrounded by gently undulating hills swathed in the soothing green of vast tea estates makes it perfect tourist destination in south India. Situated at an altitude of 1600 m above sea level, its bracing climate with the laid back atmosphere and its delightfully refreshing colonial air makes it the most sought-after destinations.

Kerala itself is called God’s own country, with National Geographic Traveler selecting it as ‘One of 50 must see destinations of a lifetime’ and ‘One of the 10 paradises of the World’. And Munnar is the most popular spot in Kerala. The holiday facilities, peaceful environment and the tranquillity that it provides make it the perfect serenity spot to rejuvenate and revive the most jaded of travellers.

  Munnar Church

          The CSI church in Munnar was Established in 1910 but the cemetery nearby precedes it. For so many Englishmen who lived and loved this place like home, this is their resting place. Most famous among the tombs here is that of Isabelle May, a descendant of Edward Brabazon, First Baron of Ardee.
The church itself is a beauty and has an old world charm about it. Built out of stone, it has stained glass windows and still retains the original pews. Also known as Christ church, it is worth visiting in Munnar, and definitely so during Christmas.

vattavada village

Charminar

   
       The Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as the Taj Mahal is of Agra or the Eiffel Tower is of Paris. Often called "The Arc de triumph of the East", Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad, built Charminar in 1591 at the centre of the original city layout. Legends has it that it was built as charm to ward off a deadly epidemic raging at that time. Four graceful minarets soar to a height of 48.7 m above the ground. Charminar has 45 prayer spaces and a mosque in it. The Charminar is a square edifice with four grand arches each facing a cardinal point that opened once upon a time into four royal streets. At each corner stands an exquisitely shaped minaret, more than 55 mt. in height with a double balcony. A bulbous dome crowns each minaret with dainty petal like designs at the base. A beautiful mosque is located at the western end of the open roof and the remaining part of the roof served as a court during the Qutub Shahi times.

Built with granite and lime-mortar, the Charminar is a fine example of the Cazia style of architecture. The intertwined arches and domes are typical of the Islamic architecture. The graceful floral motif atop the Charminar is enchanting.The Charminar depicts the Indo-Saracenic tradition - a symbiosis of the Hindu and the Muslim traditions, which has woven the magic of a rich Deccani culture. The nightly illumination of Charminar is spectacular.