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 to take a break and to step away from the boring routine and rejuvenate by soaking, in the beauty that nature has gifted all around us.

Witnessing History - The Launch of Aditya L1, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

In September of last year, amidst the excitement following the successful launch of Chandrayaan 3, plans were underway for the launch of Aditya L1 into the sun's orbit. Our dear friend, Nigar, was appointed as the Project Director for this mission, filling us with immense pride and joy.

With Nigar Shaji (PD Aditya L1) and
 Veeramuthuvel (PD Chandrayaan 3)

Nigar Shaji, originally from Sengottai,  graduated at the Govt College of Engineering, Tirunelveli, where our paths first crossed. She later pursued her postgraduate studies at Brila Institute of Technology, Mesra. Nigar joined the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru as a scientist in 1987. Over the course of her 35-year tenure at ISRO, she held key roles in various missions, including being the associate project director of Resourcesat-2A and the program director for lower orbit and planetary missions. Additionally, she is overseeing India's mission to Venus.

On the morning of September 2, 2023, armed with the passes provided by Nigar, we eagerly made our way to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The roads leading to the Launch View Gallery were bustling with vehicles from both private individuals and educational institutions, all eager to witness the historic launch of Aditya L1.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by stringent security measures, and as pass holders, we were granted access to the auditorium within the secure confines of the space center. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as attendees watched footage of the preparations at the launchpad and learned about the objectives of the mission. Aditya L1, is India's first solar observatory, aimed to study the dynamics of the Sun continuously from the Lagrange point L1. 

As the countdown began, the crowd shuffled around the terrace to secure the best vantage point. The tension in the air was palpable as the Indian Space Research Organisation prepared to make history with the launch of India's first dedicated solar observation mission.

All eyes squinted upward to the clear sky. The count down started, and we could feel goosebumps... three, two, one, ... and eyes stopped to batter. A few seconds of nothing and then there was a collective gasp. The fiery jetstream cut into the skies, as if in slow motion, ascending higher and higher, leaving a theatrical smoky trail. For once, selfie sticks dangled loose, cameras were held up, but the eyes peeked above the lenses, not to miss an iota moment of this grand feat.

It was a sensory experience: first, the  awe-inspiring visual, and then, as the speed of sound caught up, the roar of the engine, enough to rattle  the building. The crowd stood still looking up even after the rocket had disappeared to a shiny dot. The launch lasted for just two minutes, yet it was the most enthralling experience one could ever have and left a lasting impression on all those present. The achievements of the ISRO and 8 years of hard work of Nigar Shaji and her team ensured the date Sept 02, 2023, be etched with memories that would last a lifetime.

Nigar Shaji has been bestowed with numerous prestigious accolades in the realm of space science, including the ISRO Distinguished Scientist Award and the Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Award. Recently, she has been recognized by the state government for her significant contributions to space research and at The Times Now Amazing Indian Awards 2023. Nigar Shaji serves as a beacon of inspiration and a role model for aspiring young women in STEM disciplines, thereby setting a commendable example for future generations of women scientists.

Wishing them many more missions to accomplish... 

During the felicitation by TN govt

The Muppandal Wind Farms, Tamil Nadu

The best part of any road trip is, that we gets to see the least expected views making us pause, to admire the scenes at our own pace. The usual monotonous drive can suddenly become completely different and exhilarating. At times an usual water body or the setting sun creates the most picturesque hues. The glimpses of such brief moments stay etched longer in our memories than the destination itself.   

One such awestruck moments while traveling on the Tirunelveli - Kanniyakumari highways are the rows and rows of wind turbines at Muppandal wind farms. Little did we expect the towering white wind turbines to travel with us for miles, which are spread across villages of Valliyur to Anjugrammam. Thousands of windmills, dot both sides of the highway all spinning with the winds blown from the seas which is 30-40km away. The sheer expanse of this project against the ghats, as far as eyes see is a sight to behold.  

The lush green ghats on either sides of the roads contrasting with stark white windmills makes one stop to just absorb the abundance of resources nature has given us to use. This breathtaking landscape is rightfully called as "The Netherlands of India" by the locals. 

The huge blades and cylindrical drums we see on the 18 wheeler vehicles chugging on these highways, all seem to make sense, as we realise that they were heading to this destination - the Muppandal wind farms. 

The hilly terrains of Muppandal, makes it an ideal place for the wind from the Arabian Sea to gust through mountain passes to produce wind energy. Most of the windmills of this wind farm are located along the Aralvaimozhi pass which are topographically suited for the wind flow. 
Tamil Nadu has been the leading producer of this renewable green energy in India for the past few decades. It accounts for around 50% of the wind power generated in the country. The Muppandal wind farms are developed by the state-owned, TN Energy Development Agency and is country's largest operational onshore wind farms. 

Scattered across the villages of Kanyakumari -Tirunelveli the wind mills have not only changed the livelihood of the locals, but have also added to the scenic visual delight to the passers-by. 

A note on Kayathar

Kayathar wind farms are located in the wind-rich land of Thoothukodi, between Kovilpatti and Tirunelveli and is the country 's pioneer region where windmills were first installed. This project was commissioned in 1990s with wind turbines, each of 200-kilowatt capacity. Slowly many villages around this belt started converting their agricultural lands to wind farm as it was lucrative and agriculture was taking a back step amongst the youth. 

Many of these turbines, are nearing the end of  its lifecycle of 20/25 years. Generally, a wind turbine generators at the end of service life exhibit high breakdown and require repairs. Maintenance of these wind turbines have become difficult due to the shortage of replacement parts and technological advancements.  Many proposals to repower these turbines have been constantly faced with obstacles as repowering is not only a costly affair, but also requires more land, wider roads, consent of all turbine owners in joint projects and indigenous manufacturing capabilities. All these factors have stalled this green energy project at Kayathar wind farms... 

... and we cont.. our journey crossing these turbines of Kayathar which stand lifeless hoping for better days to come... 

Anaikatti, Tamilnadu

26km towards Kerala lies ANAIKATTI, the last town at the borders of Tamilnadu. A short bridge seperates both states with checkpost on either side. This small town means 'Elephant Herd' and is elephant prone zone. Electric wired fences are laid out on both sides of the roads. 

Not many tourists visit this part of the town as there's no attraction. The two wheelers frequent for a ride on the gradual hilly terrains. The roads are good and with hills on either side the place is scenic. One can view a row of windmills on hilltops of the Sholayur, Kerala.

Anaikatti boasts of Salim Ali's research centre and Dayanand Saraswati Vedic Ashram. But the entry to both is restricted. 

We ventured on this road trip to drive through the hills before heading back to Salem from Coimbatore. There are hardly any hotels except for a couple of tea shops. The locals say that the streams flow after the rains and is an ideal time to visit the place. 

There are a couple of resorts on both state borders which boast of trekking trails and night Safari to spot elephants and wildlife. 

Berijam Lake, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Located about 23 km away from the Kodai bus stand, Berijam Lake is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kodaikanal.

This is a hidden gem in the otherwise busy Kodaikanal hill station of Tamilnadu.

This lake is created by a dam with sluice outlets and is part of the watershed development project. It is the main source of water to the nearby Periakullam town. 

With its refreshing setting and lush greenery around, the lake makes an amazing picnic spot. The winding hill roads that make the journey to the lake interestingly has some amazing view of the hills.

Reaching the lake is not difficult as it is connected by a well-tarred road.  However, one requires a forest pass for entering the area which can be got from the District Forest Office. Or if traveling by car one can reach the entry early and register, as only a limited number of vehicles are allowed per day.

Those interested in fishing can indulge after seeking permission from the Fisheries Department. There is also a 100 year old -story brick building in Berijam which makes an interesting sightseeing point.

The lake is rich in flora and fauna. One can just sit on the shores of the lake and drench in the calmness of the lapping waters and the chirping sounds of the birds.

Kodaikanal is well connected by road and the nearest railway station is Kodai road and Madurai the nearest airport. 

Pulicat Island, Tamil Nadu

The Island at Pulicat Lake

This little island of 5 acres lies in the brackish lagoon of The Pulicat Lake. A panoramic view of the island can be seen from the newly constructed bridge, which connects Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) fishing village to the villages across the lake. A short ride by boat from the jetty of the village takes you to this hidden island which is fenced with barbed wire and sported with causarina trees. It is a perfect get away for picnickers to unwind under the shady trees with expanse of water all around. The small brick cabins and the ancient tiny temple on this island gives us a holistic experience of being marooned for a day on this lush vegetated land.

How To Reach 

The closest city is Chennai, Tamil Nadu which is well connected by rail, air and road.

 To reach this island from Chennai , drive on the NH5 via Nellore- turn towards Ponneri after the toll before Nellore. About 18kms from Ponneri lies Pulicat village. The vehicles can be parked at the car park and a 10min ride by boat would take us to this exotic island.

The best way to unwind on this island is to take a walk, in the waters of the shores around the island, collecting shells and watching the water birds. The afternoons can be spent with a nap under the trees, relishing the packed food and playing a game of frisbie or throwball with family and friends. A boat ride around the lake to spot aquatic birds, or trying a hand with fishing can be ideally done during the evenings before heading back to Pulicat village to reach back home. For the fish eaters the evening fish market in the village is a favoured place to buy fresh fish and prawns to take back home.

A brief note about Pulicate Lake

Pulicat Lake is situated on the coastal border of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, on the Coromandal Coast in South India. The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal. Three major rivers, Arani, Kalangi and Swarnamukhi and small streams feed this lagoon which is the second largest in India. The average area of water spread, is about 350 sq. km. and the average depth of water is about 1 m.  The lake is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Migratory birds like the flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, ducks and herons visit this lake during monsoons.

The sandy barrier islands of Irkam and Venad and smaller islands in the north are aligned north–south and divide the lagoon into eastern and western sectors. The morphology of the lagoons is categorized under four types with large areas under mudflats and sandflats

The fishing village of Pulicat is at the south end of the lake.

Dugarājupatnam and Sullurpeta are two important towns on the periphery of the lagoon.

Climate of the lagoon coast line is dominated by Tropical monsoons. Air temperature varies from 15 °C (59 °F) to 45 °C (113 °F). It is ideal to dress in comfortable cotton clothes and take enough precautions from sun tan.

Note - These pictures are copy write of my son 

Mits Clicks (Click here to view page)

Masinagudi, Tamil Nadu

It had been a while since we went on a vacation. Son's board exams, admissions, uninterrupted semesters and so on and so forth, and we needed to retreat for at least a few days...somewhere, away from the traffic , congestion and pollution....and all fingers pointed to MASINAGUDI.

A short break into this wilderness began with a breath taking journey through highways, ghat roads and vast forest lands.

The Drive Through The Forest Area

The journey of 132km from Salem was unassuming, boring on the NH7 but quickly transformed to an entirely different one, of scenic ghats once we turned towards Satyamangalam. The trees on either sides of the roads, with their wide branches spread out, blocked the summer skies and made the drive a pleasant one.

As we crossed Chamaraj nagar the road, resembling a winding staircase with 36 hairpin bends takes us to an altitude of 950 metres and we hit a small hill town, Asanur. From here the  like a kaleidoscope we are in the midst of lush green meadows and dense forests, the entry to the forest area of Bandipur Reserves.

Herds of deer are commonly sighted all around on the greens, oblivious to the tourists stopping to take pictures of them. Curious monkeys peer into the cars expecting a small snack to be shared. Alighting from the vehicle or feeding animals is strictly prohibited on these roads. Adjacent to The Bandipur Reserves is The Mudumalai Sanctuary, from were one turns left and crosses an iron bridge to Masinagudi, a small town beholding numerous resorts varying from luxury cottages to budget stays.

Our stay was booked at Wild Woods Haven Resorts, which was extremely decent and comfortable with a large balcony overlooking the hills. The serene atmosphere, the breeze constantly blowing and the tiny birds flying with all their might with the wind are memories that linger on forever.

Wild Woods Haven Resort

Things To Do At Masinagudi

 Safaris:

The National Park,  Mudumalai organizes van safaris into the virgin lands of the sanctuary areas, (Timings: 6:30 – 8.30 a.m./3 to 6 p.m). Its a 45 minutes to an hours ride and spotting wild bison, spotted deer, bear, or a boar is common. Alternatively, one can tour the jungle on an elephant, on the off beaten tracks.

Elephant Camp:

A visit to the elephant camp is worth it if one wishes to see the elephants at close proximity. It houses around 29 elephants which are cared and trained. One can see these huge mammals being bathed and fed here.

Night Safari:

There are numerous vans at the town area which can be hired for a night safari. This is one of the best event at Masinagudi,- travelling in an open van into complete darkness to sight wild animals roaming freely in their, home lands. If ones adrenal can digest the thrill it is an adventure to experience.

Wild Bison

Sambar Deer

Treks:

The resorts organize treks around areas close to streams where the animals frequent in the evenings. On these treks one can sight colorful birds, and animals like langurs, deer, rabbits and boars. If one is lucky one may even sight an elephant, who is on its way to quench its thirst. And one is considered even luckier if he can  reach the resort safety back after seeing one.

The Peacock

Family of Langur

The Stag with Deer

The Nilgiri Langur

The Stag

A Brief Note On Mudumalai

 The Mudumalai Sanctuary is strategically situated within the protected areas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. To the north of Mudumalai is the Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National Park. Towards the west lies the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and in the south the Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley National Park. The east holds the Sigur Plateau, that connects the Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuary and Biligirirangan Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. These sanctuaries and forests cover an area of 3,300 square kilometers of forest, and is the habitat of 1800–2300 elephants. It is estimated that there are around 48 tigers in the Nilgiri Reserve which roam freely. In April 2007, the Tamil Nadu  government declared Mudumalai as a Tiger Reserve and is taking all measures in preserving the wildlife in this area.

Note -The pictures are clicked by my son and are copyright.

Do like his page on Facebook for more pictures and share 

Mits Clicks (Click here to view the page)

Darjeeling ; Champagne Of Tea

Darjeeling is renowned for its high-quality tea, with the altitude, rainfall, and climate of the region contributing to the exceptional taste. Situated in the Himalayan range, Darjeeling possesses all the necessary factors for producing premium tea.

During our tenure as Station Commander in Kurseong, West Bengal, we visited Makaibari Tea Estates as part of an adventure camp organized for children under the Eastern Air Command (EAC). The tour provided us with valuable insights into the traditional 'Orthodox' processing of Darjeeling tea leaves.

Tea Leaves

Tea plucking

The tea leaves are carefully plucked by local women using bamboo baskets known as "Doko" and then weighed at the factory. The process of 'Orthodox Production' begins with withering, where moisture is slowly removed from the leaves over a period of 14-16 hours.

Following withering, the leaves undergo rolling to maintain their style and prevent overheating. Fermentation then takes place to develop the unique flavor and aroma of Darjeeling tea. The final step involves drying the leaves to produce black tea, which is then sorted, graded, and packed for sale.

Stages of Manufacture:

Withering: During this process, the green leaves are evenly spread on troughs, through which hot & cold air are blown in a regulated manner. This withering trough is normally 4 to 5 feet wide and 50 to 70 feet long. The object is to remove moisture in the leaf slowly over a period of 14 - 16 hours and in this process approximately 65% of the moisture is removed from the green leaf.

Withering Process

Rolling: The withered leaves are loaded into rollers where they are twisted by a mechanical action. The process is carefully monitored so that the style of the leaf is maintained and overheating does not occur as the delicate leaves will loose its aroma and taste. In this process the green colour of the leaf is replaced by brown coppery colour as the process of rolling under pressure twists the leaf, ruptures the cells and releases the natural juices, promoting oxidation and acceleration of pigmentation.

Fermentation: After Rolling, the leaf is spread in a cool and humid room in very thin layers. The process lasts between 2- 4 hours, depending on the temperature, humidity and leaf quality. During this process the tea develops a unique flavour and aroma. The flavour of the tea can be affected by a minutes delay in adjusting the correct fermenting period. In this stage the flavanols combine with oxygen in the air, which develops the unique flavour of Darjeeling Tea.

Drying ( Firing):The fermented leaf is taken to a dryer, where it is subjected to regulated varying temperature of 200 to 240 c for a period of 20 - 30 min. The result is the black tea whose moisture is now completely lost.

Sorting & Packing:This is the final stage, where the tea is graded according to the size of the tea granules and is packed in specially designed foil lined packages for sale.


A short note about Makaibari Tea Estates

Visit To Makaibari Tea Estates

Makaibari Tea Estates, established in 1859, is the world's first tea factory and follows sustainable practices such as permaculture. The estate retains 70% of its area under forest cover, creating a biotope for various animal species to thrive. Makaibari is known for producing the most expensive tea brand, Silver Tips Imperial, which is plucked under the full moon and highlights the essence of Darjeeling terroir.

The Khecheopalri Lake...Wishing Lake, Sikkim (Unexplored Lands)

Perched at an altitude of 6100 ft is Peling, a small town in the district of West Sikkim. It offers the most spectacular and a closest view one can get of Mt.Kanchenjunga, right from the comfort of our Hotels.  Its a laid back town which is set on a back drop of  the snow clad mighty Himalayas with a few monasteries and falls around it and is an ideal place to relax during a short vacation. While at Peling one must visit The Wishing Lake which is a sacred lake known for its tranquility and scenic beauty. 

                                                                  (Image from Google search)

The Khecheopalri Lake  or the Wishing Lake lies 34km from Peling and  is also known as Kha-Chot-Palri (meaning the heaven of Padmasambhava). It is a sacred Lake for both Buddhists and Hindus and is believed to be a wish fulfilling lake. This sacred lake is located near Khecheopalri village.

The local name for the lake is Sho Dzo Sho, which means "Oh Lady, Sit Here".This sacred lake is embedded in the midst of the Khechoedpaldri hill. These hills are also considered  sacred and  is one of the pilgrim places of  Buddhists. We can find a few of them seated near the banks chanting their prayers in whispers so not to disturb the stillness of this beautiful lake.

                                                                                          (Image From Google Search)

A very interesting feature of this lake is that not a single leaf  floats on its surface. It is believed the birds pick  them up immediately, leaving the waters clear and clean, that makes this lake resemble a sheet of sparkling glass from the banks.

How To Reach And Where To Stay

The nearest railway station to Peling is the New Jalpaiguri Station, W Bengal. Taxis ply regularly from the railway station to Peling and to other places of Sikkim. There are plenty of hotels at Peling ranging from budget stays to expensive ones according to the view of Kanchenjunga from its hotel complex.

The Barren Lands Of Lakpath, Gujarat (Unexplored Lands)

A long drive on the lonely deserted road of Kutch for about 100km from Naliya, Gujarat, would lead us to the entrance of a forte wall, which holds a small town, Lakpath with a population not more than 1000 people. ‘Lakpath’ literally means the city of millionaires and had a glorious past of being a fertile rice cultivating region.The Sindhu River flowed through this town in the early 19th Century but turned its course, after the 1819 earth quake (now flows into the sea) leaving the soils of Lakpath dry and unusable.

The Exterior Fort Wall Of Lakpath

Lakpath is the western most land at the end of India bordering Pakistan on the Kori Creek and the seaward side is guarded by the Border Security Force. This extremely hot and dry place is unique, and is a perfect example of 'a no mans land'. It is deserted with few clusters of brick houses with nil activity of either people or animal around. The land is hard and barren devoid of any kind of vegetation. The huge fort surrounds  this empty town. This place felt so lonely and ghostly that we set a record of Lakpath being a place which we visited in a shortest duration so far. We drove around and took some pictures for our  album without meeting a single soul during the trip.

The town of Lakpath

Lakpath is a place which holds no tourist attractions except for a Gurdhwara which is said to be of historical importance as Guru Nanak had visited this shrine on his way to Mecca. 

A visit to Lakpath can be logged as a place of having traveled to the west most inhabited land of India for the adventurous travel bugs.