COCHIN BACK WATERS

VEEGA LAND, COCHIN

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WONDER LA - BANGALORE

Located on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway, about 29 km away from Vidhana Soudha, between the picturesque hillocks near Bidadi, is India's largest amusement theme park Wonder La. It is the second amusement project from the V-Guard group. Covering a total area of 82 areas, the park incorporates the latest technologies and imported rides that ensures a thrilling and unlimited fun filled experience for visitors. It has about 26 water rides including different types of water slides, two wave pools and 24 land rides with special rides of kids. It is the only amusement park providing heated water during winter months. Other specialties include an indoor musical fountain and laser show apart from a virtual reality theatre with high definition video projections system.

Timings: The Park is open on all days from 11:00 in the morning till 7:00 in the evening.

Entry Fees: The entry fee for Adults is Rs.540/- on Saturday's, Sunday's and public holiday's and Rs.430/- on other days. For children it is Rs. 400/- and 330/- respectively. Discounts are allowed for group bookings.

Note: Food, beverages are not permitted inside the park.

HISTORY OF MYSORE PALACE IN INDIA

A testament to the irrepressible spirit of the people of Mysore and their kings, the Mysore Palace has survived political upheavals, disaster and destruction, only to rise out of the ashes more magnificent than ever. The current Mysore Palace – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by the British architect Henry Irwin after its predecessor was destroyed in a fire in 1897. The imposing building that stands today was completed in 1912, but it is believed that a Mysore Palace was established as part of a wooden fortress, by the royal family of Mysore, the Wodeyars, as early as the fourteenth century. In 1638 the palace was struck by lightning and rebuilt by Kantirava Narasa Raja Wodeyar (1638 - 1659 AD), who extended the existing structures, adding new pavilions.

The glory of the new building was to prove short-lived. The death of Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar (1673 - 1704 AD) in the eighteenth century plunged the kingdom into a period of political instability.

During these turbulent times the Mysore Palace slipped into a state of neglect culminating in its demolition in 1793 by Tipu Sultan, the son of Hyder Ali, a maverick general in the king’s army who rose to become the ruler of Mysore.

In 1799, when upon the death of Tipu Sultan the five-year old Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1794-1868) AD assumed the throne, the coronation ceremony took place under a marquee. One of king’s first tasks, on his accession, was to commission a new palace built in the Hindu architectural style and completed in 1803.

The hastily constructed palace soon fell into disrepair and in 1897 was razed to the ground by a fire at the wedding ceremony of princess Jayalakshmmanni.

The destiny of the Mysore Palace now passed to Queen Regent Kempananjammanni Vanivilasa Sanndihana, who commissioned well-known British architect Henry Irwin to build a new palace that would be a tribute to the legacy of Mysore and the Wodeyars.

Completed in 1912 and at a cost of Rs. 41,47,913 the result was the Mysore Palace you see standing today. A masterpiece in Indo-Saracenic architecture, on par with great Mughal residences of the North and the stately colonial public buildings of the South.

TOY TRAIN TO OOTY

Everyone cannot get the chance of going to ooty through toy train because the train will go from mettupalayam to ooty twice a day.

And the train has only four to five compartments. The specialty of the toy train is that it was designed during the period of 1950's. The train engine will be at the back of the entire compartment, because it has to climb up and climb down the slopes. The track has a chain at the center so that the train won’t go fast at slopes.

On the way, one can see more number of caves and bridges through which it passes. We can see tall trees and water falls from the tall mountain. The train has to cross more number of mountains to reach ooty. You can also see the small villages which are located on the slope of the mountain. And large number of tea estates is also seen on the way. They have taken so many cinema songs on the toy train.
And there are lots more to enjoy in toy train before you reach ooty.

BLACK THUNDER, THE AMUSEMENT PARK

One should not miss this amusement park, when you planned for a trip to ooty. This amusement park is located 2-3 kms from mettupalayam junction, which is located on the way to ooty. People of all the ages can enjoy in this park. This amusement part is mainly famous for the water rides .All the rides inside the park are free except the entry fees .The entry fee is less when compared to other park .Food court is also available inside the park .The places inside park are clean with plastic free environment and they maintaining a good pollution free atmosphere .The park is surrounded by the tall mountains with pleasant air. One can also see some of pet animals in the park.

There are more than 20-30 rides are found in the park .There are more than 15 water rides .So, one can enjoy a lot over there. The rides like lazy river, giant wheel, boating, dashing car, optical illusion, artificial wave, thriller movie and lots there to enjoy. And you can find aquarium with all kinds of fish which are available in India. A game station is also found there, where people of all ages can enjoy .One can spend the whole day full of fun and amusements, forgetting all the work pressure. At end of the day you will be fully relaxed and you will be ready to welcome a fresh morning.

One should not miss this amusement park in their life time.