Dolphin's Nose, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

 

Kodaikanal is a hill station located in the Palani hill range of Tamil Nadu. It boasts of, stunning views and pleasant climate all through the year. 

Amongst the many tourist attractions at Kodaikanal, a must see spot is the Dolphin's Nose. It is perched at an altitude of 6,600 Ft, 8 km away from the bustling Kodaikanal town in Vattakanal village. The rock formation at the edge of this terrain resembles that of dolphin's nose, which is how this view point got its name.

Dolphin's Nose is a spot undisturbed, as it is quite secluded from the rest of the tourist places. To reach the view spot, one has to take a moderate level, 2 km hike downhill from Pambar Bridge. The scenic trail  passes through tall pine and eucalyptus trees. The rocky terrain is uneven and at times slippery, making the trek all the more adventurous. 

On reaching the viewpoint, the panoramic view is of sheer magnificence of nature. The deep valleys, misty skies, sparkling lakes, gushing falls, and all the lush greenery from the edge of this hill, is something to experience; the things that make Kodai so special. 

Gazing at the vast expanse of the pristine scenery, makes one feel connected to everything that the earth beholds. 

A trip to Dolphin's Nose makes one realise the much needed break, to step away from the boring routine and to rejuvenate by just soaking, in the beauty that nature has gifted around us.

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, TamilNadu

Way back in 1796 a group of soldiers decided it would be fun to hunt birds. The local villagers came across this scene and its dint go well with them. That's how a petition began to protect the birds from hunting and poaching. And that's how Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary was born, the first ever bird sanctuary in India. 

Painted strokes

                                            

Vedanthangal is in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu and spans over 74 acres. It hosts over 40,000 resident and migratory birds, annually during the winter migration, both common and rare. The sanctuary's appeal to birds is due to the numerous lakes and mangroves, which provide adequate food and resting place to them.

Family of Spot billed Pelicans

   

It is a known fact that birds have been around for a long time, as they rarely change their migration pattern or path. It is thus obvious that even centuries ago this area had a healthy population of birds as it was a favorite hunting spot of the influential people. After the petition by the locals in 1796, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary finally came into existence in 1858. It was officially established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1936 and since 2022, it boasts as a Ramsar site, a wetland of International importance for preserving and conserving ecological and biodiversity values. 

The story of Vedanthangal is a symbiotic relationship between the locals of the area and the birds. The locals are aware that the droppings of the birds fertilize the lake water that aid in the agriculture and hence protect them. In return the birds gain a safe nesting environment and food sources. It is also said that the locals of this village do not burst crackers or pollute the environment even during festivals so not to disturb the birds and their natural habitat 

Colony of Asian Open billed Strokes

                                        

Our day-trip to this sanctuary was beyond our expectation. A 2 hr drive of 75 kms led us to the lush green village, devoid of debris and noise. At the entry of the sanctuary we were glad to have a volunteer who guided us around and helped us spot  different birds. We could sight  Open-billed stroke, Ibis, Spoonbill, Painted stroke, Garganeys which travel from far off places like Myanmar, Srilanka, Siberia, and even Canada, Australia and many more in the short span of few hours we spent there. 

                               

Spotted owlets

                                             

For a birder or a photographer a visit to, Vedanthangal is a paradise on earth. For those who aren't will not go disappointed either as nature never disappoints. 

To be able to see thousands of these gigantic birds freely flocking and resting with their young ones in their natural habitat, painting the landscape with their vibrant colours is an experience not to miss ... and the trip to sojourn a lifetime..

Anhinga 

Black headed Ibis & Australasian Shoveler

Do visit my Instagram page for more pictures on birds at Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and many more I've sighted over the year at different places.

https://www.instagram.com/sumats_clicks?igsh=Zjl4MmZ3ZTE2a29v

Nellaiappar Temple, Tamil Nadu

The Nellaiappar temple is a landmark of Tirunelveli, in South Tamil Nadu. A visit to the town would not be complete without exploring this temple, which boasts larger size than the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. It is a popular destination for both pilgrims and tourists.

The temple is adorned with intricate sculptures that must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. The vast temple campus is supported by numerous uniquely sculpted stone pillars, each showcasing exquisite artwork. The main mandapam features musical pillars that produce different tones.

Noteworthy features of the temple include the "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" with its finely carved pillars and the congregation hall with intricate woodwork. This temple stands out as a unique architectural marvel not commonly found in other temples across India.

The temple dates back to the 7th century A.D. The towers were constructed by the Pandiya king "Muluthukanda Rama Pandiyan," while other parts were added by Nindraseer Nedumaran. The Nellaiappar and Kanthimathi temples were originally separate and later connected through a mandapam and garden.