Dubai - Part-1

DUBAI MALL - BURJ KHALIFA- DUBAI FOUNTAIN

After extensive planning we left for Dubai on 27th October by Indigo flight 6E 95 departing Bangalore at 7.20 am and reached Dubai at 9.50 am Dubai time. Though a lot of reviews said about long queues in immigration we cleared it without any delay or problem. We were picked up by our tour operator who took us to our hotel Holiday Inn Downtown. After checking in and resting for a while we left for Dubai Mall. Our family friend joined us at Dubai Mall and we sent back our taxi since our friend said he will be dropping us back at the hotel.

As suggested by our friend we decided to go to Burj Khalifa for which our tour operator had booked tickets. There was some queues but it was fast moving. Burj Khalifa is supposed to be the tallest building in the world with 148 floors. We had tickets to go up to 124th floor and the lift ride was amazing in so much as that it just took a minute to reach the top. The view of the illuminated city from the observation deck was amazing. After taking some photographs we returned.On the way back there is a gift shop where you can buy mementos.The trip to the top was well organised and the crowd was regulated perfectly to avoid any over crowding.

Dubai Mall is a shoppers dream. Even if one spends a full day here it is not enough to see it all.

Not only shopping but you have enough and more of restaurants.

There is also an indoor waterfall, a choreographed outdoor fountain and the Dubai Aquarium and Under water zoo in the mall. Separate tickets are to be purchased for visiting aquarium and under water zoo.

 The Dubai fountain is just outside the Dubai Mall. The musical fountain with colorful water spouts dancing to music is an wonderful experience.This is must-visit place in Dubai. Here is a video:

 

POOVAR

POOVAR BACKWATERS

Poovar is about 45 minutes drive from Kovalam and this is a must see place. One can hire boats for a trip in the backwaters. We paid Rs.1600/- for a one and a half hour ride in the backwaters. The boat goes through densely wooded areas and ride is truly exhilarating.

Many colorful birds can be seen during the ride and it is a photographer’s delight. The boat ride takes you to Golden sand beach which is one of its kind and very beautiful. During the boat ride we also came across a statue of Mother Mary on a rock which is very beautiful. You will find an elephant rock a naturally formed rock structure in the shape of a standing elephant which is very beautiful. You can also see floating restaurant during the ride. Though we had paid Rs.1600/   the trip was truly memorable and unique. True value for money.

 

 

VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL

Vivekananda rock is just few hundred meters from the shore. For visiting the rock memorial one has to take a ferry. The regular tickets cost is Rs.34/- and long queue can be always seen in this counter for going to the memorial. However there is a special entry ticket available for Rs.169/- per person which saves time of 
standing in the queue.

While boarding the ferry people are asked to pick up a life jacket and wear them. However no supervision is there to enforce that people are wearing life jacket. On landing the life jackets are to be returned. The life jackets provided are dirty and dusted but one has no choice but to wear it.

At the memorial one has to pay an entry fee of Rs.20/- . You cannot wear foot wear in the Vivekananda memorial and there is a place to leave them free of cost.

The rock has two halls one of Swamy Vivekananda and other having foot print of godess Kanyakumari who did tapasya standing on the rock. The rock memorial has tall statue of Swamy Vivekanda and meditation hall. Photography from inside the hall is not allowed. The view from the rock memorial is breathtaking.

The timing to visit the memorial is from 7.30 am to 4 pm. If the sea is rough the ferry service will be cancelled. This is a  must see place  and to avoid disappointment it is better to go early so that one can spend some time at the rock memorial and enjoy the scenic view.

Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple-Trivandrum

This temple in Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most famous temples in India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu worshipped as Anantha Padmanabha Swamy and is the key icon of the city. This temple has been in news after discovery of huge treasures kept in the cellars. Due to this the temple has become one of the most protected areas.

The temple construction is a mixture of Kerala and Tamil architecture. In this Vishnu temple Lord Vishnu is in “Ananthasayanam” posture (sleeping on serpant Anantha) . In the sanctum sanctorum, the dharshan to the deity is through three doors each of which reveals different parts of the body. The first one shows the upper portion of body till chest depicting Lord Vishnu worshiping Lingam , the second his mid portion with Brahma seated on a Lotus sprouted from his naval (Padmanabha)  and the third his feet near which Goddess Lakshmi is believed to be seated . The temple also has a large pond called “Padma theertham” . One witnesses Trinity at one place as is believed to be in heaven.

This highly guarded temple has many rules to be complied with. A strict dress code is enforced for entering the temple. Men should be wearing dhoti (Mundu) and no shirts/vests are allowed. One can use a shawl/towel to cover their body and this also should be tied around the waist inside the temple complex during the dharshan. Ladies can wear traditional sarees and those wearing churidhar should wrap a dhoti/mundu over the bottom before entering the temple. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.

Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple. The devotees have to undergo scanning and frisking while entering the temple. The security checks are very rigid. Lockers are available for storing electronic gadgets.

Trip to Thiruvananthapuram  is incomplete without a visit to this temple.

Lepakshi

Lepakshi Basavanna

Lepakshi is a small village in Anantapur district of  Andhra Pradesh and is located at a distance of about 120 KMs from Bangalore. The  route one can take is Bangalore- Yelahanka – Devanahalli – Chikballapur – Bagepalli – Gudibanda – Lepakshi (NH7). Alternatively one can also take Dodaballapur – Gauribidnur – Hindupur –Lepakshi. The travel time would be about 2 hours .

The route i would suggest is via Devanahalli since the National highway is good to drive and moreover you have good restaurants for food. (Kamat Upachar about 10KM from Chickballapur is a good place )

Lepakshi is famous for its Vijayanagar style of architecture, and has three temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Veerabhdra .Lepakshi is a heritage site renowned for its mural paintings made with vibrant colors made from vegetable and flower dyes that still grace the roof in the temple.

The wonderful stone carvings depicting mythology is fascinating. Each pillar has a story to tell. The temple has a central pavilion, which runs through the intermediate hall and hall for ritual dance. There is a large open court which is accessible from the main hall.

Another attraction is the idol of “Naga Linga” . This is a seven hooded Naga, carved out of a single rock and shelters a Shiva Linga placed on the grooved coil of the serpent .Just below this on the same platform ,you can find “Saptamatrika”  panel. A huge statue of coloured Lord Ganesha  captures your attention when you enter the second prahara. This idol is carved out of a big boulder and is sheltered in a separate mandapa with sculpted pillars. Just next to this Ganesha , you can find on another huge rock the carving depicting the legend of Srikalahasthi where Sri (spider), Kala(serpant), and Hasti(elephant) are worshiping Lord Shiva,

As you move further you can see circles carved on the ground which were said to be plates for food .The main center of the temple complex has a pillar that looks as if it is hanging in the air. A piece of paper can be passed from one end to another end. It is said that the paintings on the ceiling is one of the largest murals ever painted. There are also paintings depicting the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

There is a ‘Ranga mandapa” with some with carvings of warriors holding dagger mounted on Yali. To the center of the mandapam there are pillars which have intricate carving on the sides. The idol of Bhringi ,a three legged dance master is fascinating.There is also a unfinished “Kalayana Mandapa” which has many interesting sculptures. Though “Lepakshi” temple is incomplete one can never stop appreciating the architecture, sculpture, and the paintings

Saptamatrika

Virupaksha temple entrance

Lingam installed by Chola King

Painting on temple roof

Monolith Nagalinga

Hanging Pillar

Monolith Ganesha