GETAWAYS

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. OCTOBERand OCTOBEReach year is the time for a Summer festival at Yelagiri Hills. Distance — 252 Km Location — Near Jolarpet station Tourist Centre, Govt of Tamil Nadu — 080-22286181 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 OCTOBERand 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

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.

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

Distance — 635.4 Km Location — Bellary district Department of tourism 08394-241339, 08394-228537 KSTDC — 2227-5869 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

Best time to visit — Oct-OCTOBER

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 OCTOBERaround 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 OCTOBERand 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

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