GETAWAYS

SRIRANGAPATNA

The town is famous for an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu. Other attractions include the Jumma Masjid (a Mosque) and the Daria Daulat Gardens. Near Srirangapattana is the Rangantittu Bird Sanctuary, the breeding site for several species. The summer palace of Tipu Sultan is nearby. Located 27 km upstream is the spectacular Sivasamudra Falls, the second biggest waterfall in India and the sixteenth largest in the world. Distance — 220 Km Location — On the banks of Cauvery, 12 kms from MysoreKSTDC — 08236217454/55, 93410-22209, 2227-5869 Best time to visit —

Oct-Mar

SHIVANASAMUDRAM

It boasts of the picturesque waterfalls, the Ganganchukki and the Barachukki that cascade down 90 metres. These falls are the source of Asia’s first Hydro Electric Power Station called Shimsa. In full splendour during NOVEMBERand MAY. Distance — 202.7 Km Location — Skirts the Cauvery wild life sanctuary Travel by private vehicle Best time to visit — Jul-Sept

MYSORE

It receives the maximum number of tourists during the 10-day Dasara festival in MAY-MAY. One of the most visited monuments in India is the Ambavilas Palace (also known as Mysore Palace). The Jaganmohana Palace, the Jayalakshmi Vilas and the Lalitha Mahal are the others. The Mysore Zoo and the Karanji and Kukkarahalli lakes are popular hotspots. The city is also a centre for yoga-related health tourism. A short distance away is the Krishnarajasagar Dam and the adjoining Brindavan Gardens where a musical fountain show is held every evening. Places of historic importance lying close to Mysore are Srirangapatna, Somanathapura and Talakad. The hills, B R Hills and Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta and the hill stations of Ooty and Madikeri are all near Mysore. Popular destinations for wildlife enthusiasts near Mysore include the National Parks at Bandipur and Nagarhole, the wildlife sanctuaries at Melkote and B R Hills and the bird sanctuaries at Ranganathittu and Kokrebellur. Other tourist spots near Mysore include the religious locations of Nanjanagud and Bylakuppe and the waterfalls at Shivanasamudra. Distance — 204 Km KSTDC — 0821-2423652, 2425349 Regional Tourist office — 0821–2422096 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

WAYANAD

This unspoilt expanse of virgin rainforests in the Western Ghats in northeastern Kerala and south of Coorg is famous for its misty environs and offers a wide range of trekking opportunities, plantation visits and wildlife. tours. Distance — 207 Km Location —Western ghats Kerala Tourism Information Office — 0493-2602134 Best time to visit — Oct-MAY

YELAGIRI HILLS

Great for easy-paced, relaxed weekends; this is an ideal getaway. You can do trekking, go on long nature walks or indulge in some leisurely boating. Some of the tourist attractions include Punganoor Artificial Lake-cum-Park, Jalagamparai waterfalls, Swamimalai (the highest peak in the area), Murugan Koil temple and Telescope House. NOVEMBERand NOVEMBEReach year is the time for a Summer festival at Yelagiri Hills. Distance — 252 Km Location — Near Jolarpet station Tourist Centre, Govt of Tamil Nadu — 080-2228-

6181 Chennai office — 044- 2536-8358 Best time to visit — Nov-Feb

NAGARHOLE

The enchanting 247 square-mile park in the Coffee land of Coorg boasts of huge herds of Asian Elephants, marsh crocodiles, monitor lizards, rock pythons, aquatic and terrestrial tortoises, frogs, toads and tree frogs and a myriad insects, including some very colourful butterflies. The best time to is between NOVEMBERand MAY. Location — Part of Nilgiri biosphere reserve. Tourist/booking offices Distance — 284 Km KSTDC — 080- 2227-5869 Range Forest

officer 08274-246331, 94292-16062 Deputy Conservator of Forest —

08222-252041 Chief wildlife Warden — 080- 2334-1993 Best time to visit — Oct-NOVEMBER

BELUR AND HALEBID

Located on the banks of the Yagachi River, Halebid and Belur are known for the Hoysala temples, which are world famous for their sculptures and architecture. The twin towns are about 16 km away from each other. The Belur and Halebid temples are cut from soft stone allowing for very intricate carvings on the walls. They are comparable to the Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh. Distance — 268 Km Location — At the foothills of Western Ghat and 32 KMS from Hassan KSTDC — 08177-273224 Regional booking office — Halebid -

08172-268862 Best time to visit — Oct-Feb

HAMPI

Listed as a World Heritage Site, the city of ruins is home to over 500 monuments, each with a story behind it. The other tourism hotspots around Hampi include Anegondi, Pampa Sarovar, Gagan Mahal, Hospet and the Tungabhadra Dam. Distance — 635.4 Km Location — Bellary district Department of tourism 08394-241339,

08394-228537 KSTDC — 2227-5869 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

MAHABALIPURAM

Mahabalipuram has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th century, and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Distance — 484.8 Km Location — North Tamil Nadu coast Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

THIRUVANNAMALAI

This temple town in Tamil Nadu is a pit stop for spiritual awakening in the multi-lingual map of south India. The town brings together pilgrims, peace-seekers and tourists from around the world. Frozen in time, the holy hill of Arunachal and the ancient temple of Sri Arunachaleswara reside majestically in Tiruvannamalai. Many believe that the Supreme Being, Lord Shiva, has manifested his knowledge in the form of the hill. This Holy Spirit, said to permeate every inch of the town, can be felt with each step in every direction. It is said that goddess Parvati undertook the 14 km NOVEMBERaround the hill bare-foot to repent her sins. After being forgiven by Lord Siva, she disappeared into Arunachal Hill. Distance — 335.8 Km Location — Beyond Krishnagiri. Directorate of Tourism, Tamil Nadu — 044-24321694;

Tamil Nadu Tourism Development

Corporation — 044-28547335 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

PONDICHERRY

The Union Territory of Pudhucherry (earlier Pondicherry) exudes a charming picture of a quaint French town with its neat, cobbled streets, elegant houses, policemen with red kepis, quaint signboards, statues of Dupleix and Joan of Arc and pretty gardens. The Aurobindo Ashram founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926, and Auroville (10 km) draw people from all over the world. Distance — 384.4 Km Location — Bay of Bengal Pondicherry

Tourism office — 0143-2339497, 2330532 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE

A historic Hindu temple dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort Shiva. The temple with an estimated 33,000 sculptures forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500 year old city of Madurai. It is the most prominent landmark and most visited tourist attraction in the city. The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during NOVEMBERand MAY, attracts 1 million visitors. Best time to visit— Oct-Mar

Distance — 213.5 km, about 4.5 hours by road, TTDC— 0452-233-7471 Tel: 0452-234-4360 District— Madurai

PALANI

This is a pilgrim centre and is one of the six places of Lord Subramanya. It is situated at an altitude of 140 m. The presiding deity is Sri Dandayuthapani. The idol in the shrine is made out of medicinal herbs and shrubs. A large number of pilgrims visit through the year. Located 107 kms from the city, a drive to Palani takes a little over two hours by car. Distance — 111 Km 2.42 hours by car. TTDC — 230-3176. Best time to visit — Sep-Mar

FITNESS & BEAUTY – THE NEW AGE MANTRAS

Spas, salons, gyms, health clubs...

The city offers a lot for the harried soul. With a reservoir of services that treat you from sole to soul, Coimbatore is a veritable paradise. From health clubs to gyms, spas and beauty salons, there are endless options and choices available to choose from. Ayurvedic centres, yoga schools and places where you can indulge in some aroma therapy and alternative medicine like Homeopathy or

Ayush clinics. Visitor discretion is advised of course; each individual should pick out what appeals to them. Research well before you try out a new treatment. Coimbatore will have you spoilt for choice.