Prizes are awarded for various categories such as best collection of temperate vegetables, best collection of tropical vegetables, and best vegetable garden over 500 Square meters.

Kotagiri Vegetable Show is organized by the Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Kotagiri is located about 30 km east of Ooty.

#KotagiriVeg

Sittannavasal is best known for the 9th century paintings adorning it’s rock ceilings. They are considered second only in importance after the Ajanta cave paintings of Maharashtra. Funny enough, the cave temple doesn’t look like much from the road other than a rocky hill surrounded by scrub brush. Vehicles park in an unexciting dirt lot where an uneven path made from a combination of buried rocks and steps, not meant for the out of shape or elderly, begins the ascent to the temple. The climb amounts to a hefty workout best completed with a bottle of water and a sun hat. Halfway up the hill visitors need only turn around to capture the panoramic vista of Tamil Nadu farmland below. This view alone more than excuses the unexpected exercise.

The temple consists of three rooms: A pillared verandah, Ardah Mandapa, and Garbha-griham. The pillared verandah was added years after the cave was discovered in 1916. It’s now used to hang floor to ceiling shades which block out unforgiving sun light pelting the rock hill as well as to provide security from after hour visitors and vandals.

Inside the rocky expanse are multiple carvings of Jain saints. A similar temple, although much smaller, also exists outside Madurai in the town of Thirupparankundram. It stands about 1 km from the Hindu rock cut temple.

Sittannavasal lies on the western slope of the hill. To the East lies a natural cavern with rock beds where Jain ascetics are said to have practiced the most severe penance. To the north of this cavern, still on the eastern slop of the rock, is a small rock-cut temple submerged in a small lake called Navach-chunai. From here visitors can find megalithic monuments like burial urns and stone circles.

Visitors should plan a minimum of 1 hr to explore the temple. Additional time should be factored for further exploring. Find Sittannavasal while moving between Madurai to Trichy and Tanjore, or vice versa.

Entry Fee: Rs 5 Indians, Rs 100 Foreigners

Timings: Open from 9 am to 5:30 pm daily

Photography: Prohibited

Little scouting of the area has been published in the major guide books, a win for travelers who wish to see a more rustic side of India. That isn’t to say there aren’t options for comfortable stays. Several of the largest mansions have been sold, refurbished and converted into gorgeous hotels tugging the line between 4 and 5 stars.

I found the Chettinad culture to be extremely friendly toward tourists. Open doors and open hearts allowed me to photograph where I wanted and ask the questions for which I sought answers. One of the draws to Chettinad is for a taste of the local foods which are prepared with a unique blend of spices. Some may find it spicy while others come from the furthest stretches of India again and again to satisfy their palette. Unfortunately time constraints kept me from a proper opportunity to sample these foods. I had to settle for a mild, traditional Indian meal put together by the very flexible staff at Chettinad Court who were waiting for a bus tour to arrive within minutes. No problem, they simply put together a table in the corner for me and my guest.

Life in Chettinad is relaxed. Barren streets make way for random scooters or a passing animal. In the dead heat of the day you’d swear you’d landed in a ghost town. The whole area is an odd juxtaposition of crumbling buildings next to beautifully renovated mansions and dry narrow streets running in front of lush green fields of vegetation. I can only compare it to the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. Chettinad is captivating. Something draws you in, enticing you to discover more.

History of Chettinad

What to See in Chettinad

Kanadukathan Village:

Chettinad Palace- An impressive free online virtual tour can be found here.

 Old Chettiyar’s Mansions-

A P L House & V V R House (Entry fees may be required)

Chettinad cotton sari weaving center

Shiva Temple

Sunday Weekly Market

Athangudi Village:

Tile making (popular export of Chettinad)

Old Chettiyar’s Mansion- Periya Veedu (Big House, entry fees required)

Wood carving (popular export of Chettinad)

Karakudi Village:

Monday & Saturday Weekly Market

Antique Shop Market

Pallathur Village:

Friday Weekly Market

Kothamangalam Village:

Saturday Weekly Market

Koviloor Village:

Isai Payirchi Maiyam (School of Music)

Misc.

Iyanar Temple

Chettiyar Temples- Pillayar Patti (Lord Ganesh Temple) and Vairavan Patti (Lord Shiva Temple)

1000 Windows House

Bicycle ride around villages (bikes available for rent)

Bullock cart rides (available for hire)

Where to Stay

Luxury

Visalam

A charming old home which belonged to the daughter of a prominent Chettiar. It was sold to a South India hotel chain who painstakingly restored it’s interior and exterior. Breezy walkways lead to lounging rooms and a private swimming pool out back. Pure luxury in the most unexpected place.

Mid-Range

Chettinadu Mansion

This majestic home, remodeled and updated, couldn’t be more different from Visalam. It’s smaller property is tucked right up to the street edge, hidden behind a modest wall, and feels much more like the family home it still is. A few rooms are kept for returning family members while the rest of the home is used to host paying guests.

Budget

Chettinadu Court

Simple, extremely neat and clean and reasonably priced. Just 8 rooms make up this quaint resort which serves up tasty food.

Watch video highlights of the second part of Oprah’s travels to India below or videos from part 1 here.

An Indian Woman’s Fight for Widows

In India, some women are left homeless and penniless after their husbands die. Go inside a shelter run by Dr. V. Mohini Giri’s Guild For Service, which provides safe haven, job training and dignity to more than 100 displaced women. Plus, find out why Oprah says Dr. Giri’s spirit is a reflection of Mother Teresa.

Oprah Visits the Taj Mahal

Oprah first studied this world wonder as a child in school. Now, she’s finally seeing India’s Taj Mahal in person. Watch as Oprah visits the palace and learn why this is a monument to true love.

Oprah’s Royal Indian Send-Off

On the last leg of her journey through India, the royal family of Jaipur sends Oprah off in style with a palace party, complete with bejeweled camels, horse-drawn carriages and painted elephants. Watch as Oprah dines with the queen of Jaipur, Her Highness Maharani Padmini Devi, and shares why the party was her favorite moment in India.

Exclusive Webisode: Inside an Indian Call Center

If you’ve ever dialed customer service for an airline, phone company or credit card service, chances are the person on the other end of the line is halfway around the world in India. Call centers are a booming business, employing about 350,000 people—about half women—across the country. Get a rare glimpse inside one of Mumbai’s dozens of call centers.

Present day Bandipur National Park began in 1931, once the personal hunting grounds of Mysore maharajas. Now it is best known as a Project Tiger Reserve (started in 1973) covering 874 square kilometers home to an estimated 70 tigers. Rocky hills and valleys include the Kabini, Nugu, and Moyar River, backdropped by the Nilgiri Mountains. Scrub jungles on the eastern side of the park ease into deciduous forests on the western edges including the ever popular sandalwood tree.

An impressive list of fauna found here includes: Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar (deer), Chital, Sloth bear, Mouse deer, Wild dog, Wild boar, Barking deer, Four horned Antelope, Hyena, Panther, Crocodiles, Python, and Osprey are some of the better recognized animals. Snake and reptile lovers can find King Cobra, Common Cobra, Python, Adder, Viper, Rat Snake, Water Snake, Marsh Crocodile, Lizard, Chameleon, Monitor Lizard, Frog, Tree frog, Toad and Tortoise while wing lovers can spot Grey Junglefowl, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Honey Buzzard, Red-headed Vulture, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Brown Hawk Owl, Bay Owl, Malabar Trogon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Little Spiderhunter, and Plain Flower Pecker.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Bandipur National Park is Gopalaswamy Betta, the highest peak inside the park, surrounded by wooded areas. A temple dedicated to Lord Venugopala Swamy, one of the incarnations of the Hindu God Krishna is also located here. Trek to the temple to watch the sunrise and sunset.

Entry Fee and Timings

Entry fees for the park as of April 2011: Indians Rs 200 / Foreigners Rs 1000

Bandipur National Park is open from May to June & September to November

Safari in Bandipur National Park

All safari prices are charged in addition to the regular park entry fee. Tourists cannot tour the national park in their private vehicles.

Option 1: Jeep Safari

The jeep safari is available for up to 6 passengers per vehicle with two scheduled morning trips and two scheduled evening trips.

AM Timings 6:30 to 8:00 and 8:00 to 9:30

PM Timings 3:30 to 5:00 and 5:00 to 6:30

Cost: Indians Rs 1750 / Foreigners Rs 2000

Option 2: Van Safari

Bandipur safari by van is aboard a 25 seat vehicle lasting 30 minutes.

AM Timings 6:30 to 9:00, leaving every half hour

PM Timings 3:30 to 6:00, leaving every half hour

Cost: Indians and Foreigners Rs 75 per pax

Option 3: Elephant Safari

Elephant safaris last just 10 minutes with a maximum allotment of 4 persons per elephant.

Cost: Rs 50 per pax

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport from Bandipur is Bangalore International Airport (BLR), 215 km.

By Rail: The nearest railhead from Bandipur is Mysore (MYS), 80 km.

By Car: Bandipur National Park is located along Highway 766 and 181, approximately 80 km from Ooty and 80 km from Mysore.

#bnpKarnataka

This declaration isn’t sitting well with Amul, India’s largest food brand and producer of milk and milk related products. Managers of the multi-billion dollar company, based in Gujarat, believe milk should be the national drink.

“Milk is the world’s original energy drink for all age groups and for all healthy nations,” says R S Sodhi, managing director of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF). He adds, “There is no need to declare anything. Everybody knows milk is the national drink. Nobody in India has declared chapati and rice as the national meal but they are.”

India’s national insignia reads like a greatest hits list of the country’s most notorious symbols. Bengal tigers represent the national animal, peacocks are the national bird, delicious mango is the national fruit, the delicate lotus is the national flower; the list goes on. One item missing from this roster is a national beverage, a drink that all India can be proud to enjoy knowing it represents the taste of the country.

The push to declare tea as the national drink of India by April 17, 2013 would coincide with the 212th birth anniversary of the first Assamese tea planter and Sepoy Mutiny leader Maniram Dewan. He was among the first indigenous tea planters in the county.

“Tea is a common man’s beverage and the cost of a cup of Amul milk is more than double the cost of a cup of tea”, North East Tea Association’s (NETA) Chairman Bidyanand Barkakoty said.

Assam Tea Planter’s Association (ATPA) Chairman A.R. Kasera said that tea is the cheapest beverage in the world after water and is the second largest employer of the organized sector after Indian Railways.

Complicating the argument is the fact that India is the largest producer and consumer in the world of both black tea and milk.

So what’s really at the heart of this controversy? Brand image and bruised egos. Two powerful industries, both with the finances and marketing teams to wage a year long war if necessary. Each side has much to gain from earning status as a national drink. For now, the battle wages on.

#MilkVTea

A senior AAI official said, “Chennai airport, built at a cost of Rs 2,100 crore, is ready and may be operational by June. Kolkata airport would be ready at a cost of Rs 2,350 crore by June and will be operational by October. We are seeking UDF of up to Rs 900 for both arriving and departing passengers but not for those transiting like Delhi.”

Airlines serving Mumbai and Delhi airports have recently threatened to pull their flights to surrounding cities in light of the user development fees taking effect from 1 May. Bangalore and Hyderabad airports both charge a similar fee since the opening of their new terminals.

What Animals Can You See On The Streets of India?

Hidden behind the layers of advertisements and the chaotic rush of Indian traffic, living among the frenzied crowds, is a robust animal kingdom often overlooked. Here are some photos of what animals are easily spotted along the roadsides of India.

#IndiaStreetAnimals

Traditional white marriage horse

Deer

Street dog

Donkey

Buffalo

Camels!

Elephant

Pigs/Boar

Cows

Cat

Spotted deer

Goats

Grey langur monkey

Peacocks!

First Look: Oprah Travels to India on Oprah’s Next Chapter

Oprah travels to India for the first time and meets Bollywood’s biggest stars, including “the most beautiful woman in the world.” Plus, Oprah visits Mumbai’s infamous slums and has a traditional Indian meal at a home where four generations live under one roof.

Oprah’s Va-Va-Voom Sari Fitting

Indian women have been wearing saris—long pieces of ornate fabric that are draped over petticoat skirts and fitted shirts—for thousands of years, but for Oprah, this is a first. Watch as fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani presents Oprah with the beautifully detailed saris he created for her and helps her get the perfect fit.

Exclusive Webisode: Oprah’s New Favorite Thing to Wear

Indian fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani helps Oprah drape the colorful sari he designed for her. Then, Tarun explains why the sari—Oprah’s new favorite thing to wear—suits voluptuous women.

Oprah Visits a Family’s One-Room Home in the Mumbai Slums

On her first trip to India, Oprah wanted to visit the Mumbai district known as Colaba, where thousands of people live in cramped spaces and share bathroom facilities. Watch as the Hegde family gives Oprah a tour of the 10-foot-by-10-foot concrete room they call home.

Oprah Explores the Slums of Mumbai and Shares Her Reflections

Oprah says she now knows what’s really important after visiting the Hegde family’s 10-foot-by-10-foot home in Mumbai, India. Watch as Oprah tours the family’s bathing area, where 60 neighbors share four toilets and a small room for washing. Plus, find out why Oprah says this experience changed her forever.

Oprah’s First Traditional Indian Meal

While visiting the Somanis, an upper-middle-class family living in Mumbai, India, Oprah sits down for her first traditional Indian meal. Watch as she discovers what it’s like to live with four generations under one roof. Plus, Oprah learns the proper way to eat from the thali—which means “platter” in Hindi—using her hands.

Oprah Goes Bollywood

The media in Mumbai, India, called it the “party of the year.” Go inside the lavish bash thrown in Oprah’s honor by billionaire socialite Parmeshwar Godrej and her husband, Adi. Watch as Oprah experiences Bollywood entertainment and meets India’s biggest stars, including A.R. Rahman, the celebrated composer best known for his work on the Oscar®-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

The new charges were part of a broad fee increase imposed at 5 of Karnataka state’s national parks and 9 of the state’s wildlife sanctuaries, including Kudremukh National Park where Jamalabad Fort is located. Officials said the entry fees had to be raised because the prices of petrol and diesel had increased, pushing up maintenance costs. Entry fees for the parks rose from Rs 60 to Rs 200 for Indians while foreigner entry fees jumped a staggering 500% from Rs 200 to Rs 1000. Additionally, vehicle parking fees have been doubled and guide fees have also been increased in the national parks and sanctuaries.

Jamalabad Fort sits about 8 km north of Belthangady and about 65 km from Mangalore atop a granite hill. Visitors to the fort are treated to impressive views, a reward for trekking up a narrow path of nearly 2000 steps that are cut out of the hillside. Built by Tipu Sultan in 1794, Jamalabad Fort was supposedly named after his mother Jamalabee.

Officials stated the reduction of fee is applicable only to Jamalabad Fort and no consideration will be given to lowering fees for park entry or other services.