THE TRIP TO THE 5 UNESCO WORLD HERTIAGE SITES OF SOUTH INDIA
The 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites taken are as follows:
- Convents and Churches at Old Goa
- Group of Temples at Pattadakal
- Group of Monuments at Hampi
- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
- Brihadeshwara Temple, or Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
P.S. the 15 day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of South India is a hypothetical trip from 16th July, 2014 to 30th July 2014. The transportation charges are totally according to the plan of the trip and the traveller can adjust the expenses according to the finance and comfort. The trains booked are all in 3rd AC Tier class. And please note that there is a restriction of exploration done in Pattadakal, Badami and Aihole as there is a constrain of timing of the train(s) in the plan.
THE SCHEDULE
- 16th July, Wednesday: Get to Shoranur Railway Station at 12:45 hours. Catch Train Number 12617:Mangala Lakshwadeep Express at 13:00 hours.
- 17th July, Thursday: Arrival at Madgaon on 1:25 hours.
- 17th July, Thursday: Take a bus or auto from Madgaon to Panjim, Old Goa. Plenty of Kadamba state buses are plying from Municipal building area of Madgaon and PVT buses area also available which charge Rs.15.
- 17th July, Thursday: Reach Old Goa by 3:00 hours.
- 17th July, Thursday: From there take an auto rickshaw to the hotel.
- 17th July, Thursday: Take rest till 10:00 hours.
- 17th July, Thursday: Take an auto rickshaw to Velha, Goa where all the convents and churches are located. After seeing all the churches, reach back the hotel.
- 17th July, Thursday: Leave the hotel to reach Madgaon by the same transport.
- 18th July, Friday: Catch Train Number 18048: VSG HWH Amravati express which arrives at Madgaon at 7:40 hours.
- 18th July, Friday: Train arrives at Hubli on 12:20 hours.
- 18th July, Friday: Take an autorickshaw and reach the hotel. Book it by 14:00 hours.
- 18th July, Friday: Explore till 21:00 hours. Rest for the night.
- 19th July, Saturday: Catch a bus to Pattadakal in the morning after breakfast.
- 19th July, Saturday: Reach Pattadakal and explore the monuments.
- 19th July, Saturday: Reach back to Hubli till night. Explore more if u like.
- 19th July, Saturday: After dinner, rest for the night.
- 20th July, Sunday: After breakfast, (and possibly lunch because the booking of the hotel was done around 14:00 hours day before) catch the same train Train Number 18048: VSG HWH Amravati Express for Hospet.
- 20th July, Sunday: Reach Hubli station at 12:15 hours, as train will leave at 12 :30 hours.
- 20th July, Sunday: Arrive at Hospet on 15:00 hours.
- 20th July, Sunday: Leave for the hotel and book it by 16:00 hours.
- 20th July, Sunday: Explore Hospet.
- 20th July, Sunday: Come back at night, have dinner and rest for the night.
- 21st July, Monday: Catch a local bus to Hampi and leave for Hampi.
- 21st July, Monday: Come back at night, have dinner and rest.
- 22nd July, Tuesday: Repeat the same. Catch a local bus to Hampi and leave for Hampi, which charges Rs 20 for one way trip
- 22nd July, Tuesday: Come back at night, have dinner and rest.
- 23rd July, Wednesday: Repeat the same. Catch a local bus to Hampi and leave for Hampi.
- 23rd July, Wednesday: Come back at evening.
- 23rd July, Wednesday: Go to the Hubli Railway Station by taking an auto. Catch Train number 17415: Haripriya express which arrives at Hospet Junction at 22:00 hours.
- 24th July, Thursday: Arrive at Tirupati at 8:50 hours. From Tirupati, catch a taxi which will lead to Mahabalipuram.
- 24th July, Thursday: Reach Mahabalipuram at 13:00 hours. Take the taxi itself which will take you directly to the hotel u wish, and book it by 14:00 hours.
- 24th July, Thursday: Have lunch and explore Mahabalipuram. Come back at night, have dinner n rest.
- 25th July, Friday: Explore the temples of Mahabalipuram and reach back at night, have dinner and rest.
- 25th July, Friday: Leave the hotel. Take a taxi from Mahabalipuram to Chengalpattu.
- 25th July, Friday: Arrive at Chengalpattu in an hour and reach Chengalpattu Railway Station. Book for Train number 16102: Rameshwaram Express. Catch Rameshwaram Express at 22:35 hours.
- 26th July, Saturday: Reach Thanjavur Junction at 3:40 hours.
- 26th July, Saturday: Take an autorickshaw that leads you to the hotel. Book it by 4:30 hours. Take rest till 9:00 hours and have the breakfast.
- 26th July, Saturday: Take rest for the day n night
- 27th July, Sunday: Explore Brihadeshwara temple, the prime Chola temple. After exploring reach back hotel and take rest.
- 28th July, Monday: Explore Thanjavur. After exploring reach back at the hotel and take rest for the night.
- 29th July, Tuesday: After breakfast, explore more if u want. Leave the hotel for Thanjavur Railway Station.
- 29th July, Tuesday: Book for Train number: 16187 Karaikal-Ernakulam Express, which arrives at Thanjavur Junction on 18:23 hours.
- 30th July, Wednesday: Karaikal-Ernakulam Express arrives on 2:25 hours at Palakkad. Reach back home by the state transport bus. Reach safely and rest for the day.
- 1st August, Thursday: Back to work.
A LITTLE DESCRIPTION
CONVENTS AND CHURCHES OF OLD GOA:
The churches and convents of Goa, the former capital of the Portuguese Indies � particularly the Church of Bom Jesus, which contains the tomb of St Francis-Xavier � illustrate the evangelization of Asia. These monuments were influential in spreading forms of Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art in all the countries of Asia where missions were established.
These monuments of Goa exerted great influence in the 16th-18th centuries on the development ofarchitecture, sculpture, and painting by spreading forms of Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art throughout the countries of Asia where Catholic missions were established. In so doing they illustrate the work of missionaries in Asia.
For more info you can visit the source described below:
Source: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/234
Source of the photos:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Se_cathedral_goa.jpg
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Goa#mediaviewer/File:Goa_-_St._Francis_Xavier%27s_church,_the_ornamented_wall..JPG
GROUP OF MONUMENTS AT PATTADAKAL:
Pattadakal (Kannada – ??????????, Pattadakalu) is World Heritage site in Karnataka, lies on the banks of Malaprabha River inBagalkot district. It is 22 km from Badami and about 10 km from Aihole, well known for Chalukya monuments.
Pattadakal represents the high point of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India. An impressive series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary, can be seen there.
For more info visit the source.
Source:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattadakal
- http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/239
Source of the photo : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattadakal#mediaviewer/File:Virupaksha_temple_at_Pattadakal.jpg
GROUP OF MONUMENTS AT HAMPI
The austere, grandiose site of Hampi was the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar. Its fabulously rich princes built Dravidian temples and palaces which won the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries. Conquered by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, the city was pillaged over a period of six months before being abandoned
Among these, the Krishna temple complex, Narasimha, Ganesa, Hemakuta group of temples, Achyutaraya temple complex, Vitthala temple complex, Pattabhirama temple complex, Lotus Mahal complex, can be highlighted.
Source: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/241
Source of the photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampi#mediaviewer/File:Hampi_chariot.jpg
GROUP OF MONUMENTS IN MAHABALIPURAM
Group of monuments at Mahabalipuram is a monument complex on the Coromondal Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in Kancheepuram district in Tamil Nadu. It is located near Chennai. With approximately 40 sanctuaries, including the largest open-air bas-relief in the world, Mahabalipuram gained UNESCO World Heritage Site description in 1984.These Pallava Period sites include: the Pancha Rathas of Dharmaraja Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Draupadi Ratha, Nakula Sehdeva Ratha, and also Ganesha Ratha; several Cave Temples in Mahabalipuram including Varaha Cave Temple, Krishna Cave Temple, Mahishasuramardinimandapa, Panchpandava Cave Temple; structural temples including the Shore Temple and the Olakkaneshwara Temple; and the Descent of the Ganges, one of the largest open-air bas- reliefsin the world. Mamallapuram is known for its architectural grandeur.
Fore more info, visit the source.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_of_Monuments_at_Mahabalipuram
Source of the photo:
https://www.google.co.in/search?newwindow=1&biw=1366&bih=624&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=monuments+in+mahabalipuram&oq=monuments+in+mahabalipuram&gs_l=img.3…184462.191682.0.191898.26.14.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0….0…1c.1.49.img..26.0.0.hOvyxUdYNVE
BRIHADESHWARA TEMPLE, THANJAVUR
The Peruvudaiyar Kovil also known as Periya Kovil,[1] Brihadeshwara Temple, RajaRajeswara Temple and Rajarajeswaram,[2] at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva. It is an important example of Tamil architecture achieved during the Chola dynasty. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”.
This is one of the largest temples in India[4] and one of India’s most prized architectural sites. Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola Iand completed in 1010 AD,[5] Peruvudaiyaar Temple, also popularly known as the ‘Big Temple’, turned 1000 years old in 2010.
Fore more info, visit the source below.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadeeswarar_Temple
Source of the photo:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadeeswarar_Temple#mediaviewer/File:Brihadeeswara_temple_Thanjavur_vista1.jpg
Total Cost Travelled
- Shoranur to madgao by Lakshwadeep Express: 1085 (Class 3A)
- Madgaon to Panjim, Old Goa: 15
- Panjim to hotel: Depends on distance.
- Stay at hotel for 1 night (24 hours): 1500
- Exploring Churches and Goa: Depends on distance
- Hotel to Madgaon: Depends on Distance
- Madgao to Hubli by VSG HWH Amravati express: 485
- Hubli Junction to Hotel: Depends on Distance
- Stay at hotel in Hubli for 2 nights (48 hours): 3000
- Exploring Hubli: Depends on Distance
- Exploring monuments at Pattadakal and back: Depends on Distance
- Hotel to Hubli: Depends on Distance
- Hubli to Hospet by Amravati Express: 485
- Hospet Junction to hotel: Depends on distance
- Hotel Booking at Hospet for 3 nights (72 hours): 4500
- Exploring Hospet: Depends on distance
- Exploring the monuments at Hampi for 3 days: Depends on distance.
- Hotel to Hubli railway station: Depends on Distance
- Hubli to Tirupati by Haripriya express: 870
- Tirupati to Mahabalipuram by taxi and then straight to the hotel: 3300
- Book the hotel for 1 night (24 hours): 1500
- Exploring Mahabalipuram: Depends on distance
- Taxi from Mahabalipuram to Chengalpattu Railway Station: 3050
- Chengalpattu to Thanjavur by Rameshwaram express: 485
- Thanjavur to hotel by Auto: depends on distance
- Booking at hotel for 3 nights and one day (72+12=84 hours): 4500+750=5250
- Exploring Thanjavur: depends on distance
- Exploring the Brihadeshwara temples at Thanjavur: depends on distance
- Hotel to Thanjavur Railway Station: depends on distance
- Thanjavur to Palakkad by Kairakal Ernakulam Express: 590
- Palakkad to home by bus: 50
TOTAL COST FOR TRANSPORTATION=26165
1085+15+1500+485+3000+485+450
+870+3300+1500+3050+485+5250+590+50
ESTIMATED COST FOR EXPLORING= 5000 to 7000
THEREFORE, TOTAL COST= 34000 max. (approx.)
P.S. the numericals is the currency in Rupees
FOODS TO CHECK OUT:
Goa:
Goa is famous for Fish Curry Rice, The most common Goan Food. Mushroom Xacuti is the favourite of locals and other dishes to try are Chicken Cafreal hot n spicy, Crab Xecxeca and Bebnica, which is the famous sweet of Goa.
In the street food section, you cannot miss the Cutlet Pav. What vada pav is to Mumbai, Cutlet Pav is for Goa. Don�t miss out Beef Crouquets, Shawarmas and interesting Rus Omelette.
For more info,visit know.burrp.com and toshaliresort.com
Hubli:
Check out the Dharwad Peda and Jollada Roti Oota.
For more info,visit asklaila.com and godakshin.com
Hospet:
Chitranna is basically lemon rice with fried groundnuts and coriander leaves, spiced. There�s Vangibath (spiced rice with egg plant) and there is Pulliyoigrae and Ragi Muddae to check out.
For more info, visit www.indianholiday.com
Mahabalipuram:
Idli, Sambar, Dosa, Vada chutney, etc are some of the common foods of south India found in Mahabalipuram. Special dishes include Parota (also called Porotta), a south indian version of North Indian Paratha, made of maida or white flour. In the non vegetarian section one should try out Chettinad Spicy Chicken (Tamil version of the Kerala delicacy).
Thanjavur:
Same as that of Mahabalipuram as Thanjavur is in Tamil Nadu.
Info Taken From:
- www.irctc.co.in
- indianrail.gov.in
- indianrailinfo.com
- enquiry.indianrail.gov.in
- www.makemytrip.com
- http://whc.unesco.org/
- www.wikipedia.com