The idea of traveling is to explore new places and to learn new things along the way, and we all learnt a lot of things during our trip to Topslip and Valparai. I would like to share the experience with you so that you can go better prepared. Planning for this trip started few months back… First we booked train tickets to and from Coimbatore junction. Then we checked out Valparai tourist sites and booked tempo traveler for the entire trip and a cottage to stay in Valparai.
Day 0 (15th July 2010) :: Central Station:
After lots of confusion and last minute drop outs 14 of us were supposed to board the Nilagiri Express in central station exactly @ 21:00. The train started exactly @ 21:05 and only 12 of us boarded the train. Our friend Prabhu was near the train’s engine and Super Hero Satish was near the parking lot. After lots of frantic calls we found out that Prabhu got into the “Ladies Compartment” and Satish into the “AC Coach”. After few hours they joined us when the train stopped in Arakkonam junction.
Day 1 (16th July 2010) :: Pollachi, Parambikulam and Topslip:
Time - 05:00 AM. A cool breeze announced that we had arrived in Coimbatore junction. Had breakfast in Coimbatore and proceeded towards Pollachi. We stopped at a place called Ambaram-palayamPollachi to get permission letters to stay in top slip. The office of the Forest department opened only at 10 and we got permission to enter Top slip and also got a dormitory where 16 people can stay for Rs.1300. Only forest guest houses are available in top slip so contact “Department of Forestry in Pollachi(Wildlife Warden Office, 178 Meenkarai Road, Pollachi, Ph: 04259-225356)” for accommodation. Tree Top houses, Dormitories and other cottages are available at affordable rates...
Just wanted to share what we did during our trip to Tanjore, Trichy and Kumbakonam.
Following is a compilation of tweets that i posted during the trip! Enjoy :)
Day0:
* Planning 2 go 2 Kumbakonam, Trichy & Thanjavur with my coll friends. Leaving tonite! Hope I get some good pics in the trip. Will b back on Monday | 8:51 AM Jul 16th.
* TAnjored!!!! :) 8:19 PM Jul 16th.
* I think am over excited. Its 2:35 AM now and I am still not able to sleep.| 2:34 AM Jul 17th.
* Is it because of the excitement of touring lot of new places with my friends? | 2:35 AM Jul 17th.
* Or is it because of the beautiful girl who is sleeping opposite my berth. | 2:36 AM Jul 17th.
Day1:
* My breakfast today. 2parottas-rs.4, 1 dosa-Rs.2, 1 vada-rs.1. Beat that:-P | 10:48 AM Jul 17th.
* Going to swamimalai now (Murugan Temple) | 10:54 AM Jul 17th.
* After seeing the wonderful temple in darasuram, which is also an UNESCO HERITAGE SITE, v r nw having lunch in meenakshi bhavan, kmu | 1:41 PM Jul 17th.
* Darasuram temple is wonderfully maintained by the ASI. If you are visiting kumbakonam, don't miss the darasuram temple | 1:43 PM Jul 17th.
* Watched Nadodigal film in kumbakonam, awesome movie. Now proceeding to Magaamaga kulam. | 5:30 PM Jul 17th.
* Worshipped Adhi kumbeshwarar also came to know about how Shiva created this temple. :) | 7:26 PM Jul 17th.
* Still searching for k7, he again got lost in a prasadam stall. | 7:30 PM Jul 17th.
Day2:
* Going to trichy now. A pleasant weather, great weather for sightseeing. | 7:50 AM Jul 18th.
* Had a good darshan of Aranganadhar, Srirangam. | 1:51 PM Jul 18th.
* Saw the mandapam where kambar recited Kambaramanayam. I have no words to describe the feeling. :) | 1:52 PM Jul 18th.
* Went to rockfort. Come to know about the four different forms that can be seen of the mountain. :) | 5:48 PM Jul 18th.
* Looking from different angles one can see the lingam,vinayagar,kamadhenu and singa forms of MALAIKOVIL (Rockfort) | 5:50 PM Jul 18th.
* Got nearly blown away by the wind in rockfort. Will upload video once I come back. | 5:52 PM Jul 18th.
* Thiruvaanaikal - thiru+aanai+kaal. Beautiful temple of shiva. Shiva as Jalangandeshwarar. One of the panchabootham (Water form) | 5:56 PM Jul 18th.
* Shivalingam in thiruvaanaikal wil always b submerged in water. There is a natural spring near the lingam. Awesome. | 5:58 PM Jul 18th.
* Went to kallanai the dam built by Karikal cholan, in 12th century yesterday. | 5:21 AM Jul 19th.
* Came by Thiruvaiyaaru - (the place where five rivers meet) while returning from trichy. | 5:24 AM Jul 19th.
Day3:
* Getting ready to play cricket in my village ground. :), i hope the ground is not crowded | 5:25 AM Jul 19th.
* Today was the best sunday morning in my life so far. Had a terrific time now. | 12:22 PM Jul 19th.
* Woke up at 5, and then played cricket in my village cricket ground for two hours. Though we lost the series 1-2 we enjoyed the game. | 12:25 PM Jul 19th.
* Total elani (Tender Coconuts) that i had today = 8. Those were the sweetest i have ever had. Total elanis that v all had = 50+ totally! | 12:30 PM Jul 19th.
* Playing Cricket + Having refreshing Elani = Heaven ;-) | 12:34 PM Jul 19th.
* Most of my friends had never seen a bore set. Today they all took bath in one of the bore set and had the best time of their lives. | 12:37 PM Jul 19th.
* 1 bore set and thirteen friends. Lush green paddy fields, coconut trees. Relaxation Unlimited. | 12:39 PM Jul 19th.
* Sitting in the tallest tower in tanjore (The Bell Tower) and twittering. Now thats fun, with high speed winds for company. Thrilling exp | 2:30 PM Jul 19th.
