Cuddalore – By the coast by - PondicherryTrip
20kms from Pondicherry, Cuddalore is a short drive away and promises a very different experience for the tourist.
Cuddalore as the name suggests, is a place by the sea. Its association with water goes a step further. The town is also situated at the point where the Rivers Ponnaiyar and the Gadilam often ravage it with flash floods. A sea-port of yore and an important temple town, Cuddalore is also famous for its beaches and its star attraction, the Pichavaram mangrove forest. The British also left their own imprint on the town with various monuments that are now part of the town’s heritage. Industry also plays an important role here with manufacturing units like SIPCOT and the Neyveli Lignite factory near by.
Pondicherry and Chidambaram also promise tourist attractions and have good access from here. Cuddalore is an interesting stop in the Tamil Nadu tourism circuit.
Showing posts with label tourism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tourism. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Tamil Nadu tourism department to promote dawn festival
TN welcomes private initiatives in tourism - Time of India
10 Mar 2009, 0411 hrs IST, V Ayyappan, TNN
CHENNAI: Public Private Partnership (PPP) is going to be the watchword for Tamil Nadu Tourism, which is planning to tie-up with industry and
private firms to provide better facilities, logistics and even packages for tourists.
Sources said that the department was planning to open up more spheres for PPP initiatives, encouraged by the feed back received from industry in a recently held seminar on role of corporate sector in tourism promotion.
Construction of accommodation
, infrastructure development, providing basic amenities to tourists and managing and maintenance of tourist spots will be some of the areas that may be outsourced to private agencies in the future.
"We have received good response from industry for partnership. They have expressed interest to promote tourism promotion, development of tourist spots, and provision of infrastructure at tourist
spots," said Tourism commissioner M Rajaram.
Taking a leaf out from the India Tourism initiative to lease out heritage monuments, Tamil Nadu Tourism also wanted to outsource maintenance of state owned tourist monuments and tourist spots for maintenance and upkeep, he added.
"It will be a good idea to lease out monuments like Tarangambadi to private agencies to maintain it and also to provide and operate facilities for tourists. The India Tourism's
initiative to lease out heritage monuments will have to be implemented when the project is expanded to other states also."
Tourism secretary V Irai Anbu said that "tourism department will like the corporate sector to provide accommodation and install infrastructure facilities at lesser known and small tourist spots across the state. Infrastructure and accommodation for tourists are two areas that require more attention."
Tourist arrivals to the state have not decreased even after economic slowdown has reduced the number of tourist arrivals to other parts of the country. And Tamil Nadu expects more tourists to visit its tourist attractions in the coming months.
Hence, "we will need better facilities at tourist spots. Already, we are receiving good support from private firms to develop eco-tourism and rural tourism spots. Dhan Foundation is doing a good job by developing and maintaining eco-tourist village," said Rajaram.
Cycle tourism, launched in April 2008, is a good PPP example. TI Cycles have provided bicycles at Mamallapuram and Madurai. These can be hired by the tourists, especially foreign tourists to pedal around the town for sight seeing.
"More such innovative ideas from private sector will be useful in attracting more tourists," said an official.
Tamil Nadu tourism already has tie-ups with corporate to promote boat festival, food festival, summer festivals at Ooty and Kodaikanal, Chennai Sangamam, heritage walk, hop-on hop-off tour, bed and breakfast scheme rural tourism and dawn festival at Cuddalore.
---
Dawn festival is conducted in Pichavaram to promote the eco-tourism. Anybody knows what is "bed and breakfast scheme rural tourism" ?
Related articles:
Dawn Fest 2008
Shoring up Pichavaram as tourist centre
Showcasing Pichavaram
A dawn fest at Pichavaram
10 Mar 2009, 0411 hrs IST, V Ayyappan, TNN
CHENNAI: Public Private Partnership (PPP) is going to be the watchword for Tamil Nadu Tourism, which is planning to tie-up with industry and
private firms to provide better facilities, logistics and even packages for tourists.
Sources said that the department was planning to open up more spheres for PPP initiatives, encouraged by the feed back received from industry in a recently held seminar on role of corporate sector in tourism promotion.
Construction of accommodation
, infrastructure development, providing basic amenities to tourists and managing and maintenance of tourist spots will be some of the areas that may be outsourced to private agencies in the future.
"We have received good response from industry for partnership. They have expressed interest to promote tourism promotion, development of tourist spots, and provision of infrastructure at tourist
spots," said Tourism commissioner M Rajaram.
Taking a leaf out from the India Tourism initiative to lease out heritage monuments, Tamil Nadu Tourism also wanted to outsource maintenance of state owned tourist monuments and tourist spots for maintenance and upkeep, he added.
"It will be a good idea to lease out monuments like Tarangambadi to private agencies to maintain it and also to provide and operate facilities for tourists. The India Tourism's
initiative to lease out heritage monuments will have to be implemented when the project is expanded to other states also."
Tourism secretary V Irai Anbu said that "tourism department will like the corporate sector to provide accommodation and install infrastructure facilities at lesser known and small tourist spots across the state. Infrastructure and accommodation for tourists are two areas that require more attention."
Tourist arrivals to the state have not decreased even after economic slowdown has reduced the number of tourist arrivals to other parts of the country. And Tamil Nadu expects more tourists to visit its tourist attractions in the coming months.
Hence, "we will need better facilities at tourist spots. Already, we are receiving good support from private firms to develop eco-tourism and rural tourism spots. Dhan Foundation is doing a good job by developing and maintaining eco-tourist village," said Rajaram.
Cycle tourism, launched in April 2008, is a good PPP example. TI Cycles have provided bicycles at Mamallapuram and Madurai. These can be hired by the tourists, especially foreign tourists to pedal around the town for sight seeing.
"More such innovative ideas from private sector will be useful in attracting more tourists," said an official.
Tamil Nadu tourism already has tie-ups with corporate to promote boat festival, food festival, summer festivals at Ooty and Kodaikanal, Chennai Sangamam, heritage walk, hop-on hop-off tour, bed and breakfast scheme rural tourism and dawn festival at Cuddalore.
---
Dawn festival is conducted in Pichavaram to promote the eco-tourism. Anybody knows what is "bed and breakfast scheme rural tourism" ?
Related articles:
Dawn Fest 2008
Shoring up Pichavaram as tourist centre
Showcasing Pichavaram
A dawn fest at Pichavaram
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Chidambaram temple, surroundings to be improved
Chidambaram temple, surroundings to be improved - The Hindu
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: The Natarajar temple and its surroundings at Chidambaram will be improved at a cost of Rs.25 crore, according to District Collector Rajendra Ratnoo.
A proposal to upgrade tourist spots and surroundings of renowned temples in the district to international standards will soon be sent to the government for approval, Mr. Ratnoo said after attending a consultative meeting on tourism promotion.
Roads leading to Thiruvahindrapuram and Padaleeswarar temples at Cuddalore, Vriddhagireeswarar temple at Vriddhachalam, Veerattaneeswarar temple at Panruti, and water bodies such as the Veeranam tank, Wellington reservoir, Perumal Eri and Keelanai would be properly maintained.
The islets at Pichavaram, M.G.R.Thittu and Chinnavaikkal and the Silver Beach would be beautified .
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: The Natarajar temple and its surroundings at Chidambaram will be improved at a cost of Rs.25 crore, according to District Collector Rajendra Ratnoo.
A proposal to upgrade tourist spots and surroundings of renowned temples in the district to international standards will soon be sent to the government for approval, Mr. Ratnoo said after attending a consultative meeting on tourism promotion.
Roads leading to Thiruvahindrapuram and Padaleeswarar temples at Cuddalore, Vriddhagireeswarar temple at Vriddhachalam, Veerattaneeswarar temple at Panruti, and water bodies such as the Veeranam tank, Wellington reservoir, Perumal Eri and Keelanai would be properly maintained.
The islets at Pichavaram, M.G.R.Thittu and Chinnavaikkal and the Silver Beach would be beautified .
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Dawn Fest 2008
To know more about Dawn Fest and about mangrove forest in Pichavaram, visit the following link to district administration's official website.
A DAWN FEST AT PICHAVARAM
A DAWN FEST AT PICHAVARAM
Showcasing Pichavaram
Showcasing Pichavaram - The Hindu
KALYANI CANDADE
The Dawn Fest seeks to place the vast lake and its mangroves on the global eco-tourism map.
An exercise in harmony: At the Dawn Fest 2008 at Chinnavaikkal.
Rajendra Ratnoo, the Collector of Cuddalore, is a man with a mission: to put Pichavaram on the global eco-tourism map.
Ratnoo’s strategy is simple — and brilliant. “The aim is to showcase the potential of Pichavaram to relevant and concerned stakeholders — the administration, policy makers, the tourism industry, media, and the locals,” he says. The Dawn Fest was a conference with a difference: a weekend of thoughtful, passionate and creative showcasing of the tourism potential of Chidambaram and Pichavaram; bringing together the history, the cultural heritage and the ecology of the place.
Leitmotif
Fittingly, the highlight of the event was a visit to the island of Chinnavaikkal, flanked by the backwaters on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other. This was the leitmotif of the Dawn Fest: to watch the sun paint the sky at dawn — to strains of mellifluous music and to the salute of suryanamaskar on the beach… This was eco-tourism, bringing together the students of Annamalai University with their music and their yoga and knowledge of marine biology, the people of Killai Panchayat, with their boats and their knowledge of the island and the mangroves and the water, and us, the practice-run tourists…
Later, as we drifted past the mangroves in boats, students of marine biology briefed us on the mangroves and answered questions. Considered one of the healthiest occurrences in the world, the Pichavaram mangroves cover an area of over 400 hectares in the Vellar-Coleroon estuarine complex. An intricate system of canals, channels and creeks create myriad islands, and a unique ecosystem that spans three mangrove wetland Reserve Forests : Killai, Pichavaram and Pichavaram Extension area. We floated past vast stretches of brilliant green rooted firmly in shallow water, with their strange aerial roots growing down from high above us, and their unique reproduction system that enables the fruit to float away to colonise new areas — and, when the time is right, put down roots and send out shoots…
Increased awareness
The water was clean and bright, much cleaner than the mangroves we had seen in Goa or in the Andamans. Ratnoo is happy that we noticed. Yes, we had a cleaning drive and we are educating the local people, he beams. There is still much to be done, but the beginning is encouraging.
Led by the dynamic and forward-thinking Ravichandran and inspired by Ratnoo, the people of Killai Panchayat are extremely enthusiastic and hopeful about the concept of eco-tourism in the area. The cultural evening they hosted for us was an eye-opener, showcasing the wealth of talent and skill in native dance and martial art forms, as well as the effort that went into making the show memorable. Karagam, Kolattam, Kalari, all seem well and alive among the people of Killai. The accompanying commentary was also telling. “You can bind our feet and chain our hands and burden us with a load on our head, but we will master the load and dance with it, that is the nature of Woman,” proclaims the voice on the mike with vehemence as the girls dance the Karagam without a care in the world.
Hope ahead
Only the tsunami boats are a grim reminder of their struggle to remake their lives. But they are hopeful: Ratnoo is confident that eco tourism can supplement their income substantially through revenue from serving as guides, taking tourists boating and other allied opportunities, without taking them away from being fishermen.
Dawn Fest comes to an end, but the wheels have been set in motion. And if Ratnoo has his way, Pichavaram will soon be one more place where everybody understands the meaning of low-volume, minimum impact, responsible travel.
KALYANI CANDADE
The Dawn Fest seeks to place the vast lake and its mangroves on the global eco-tourism map.
PHOTO: C. VENKATACHALAPATHY
An exercise in harmony: At the Dawn Fest 2008 at Chinnavaikkal.Rajendra Ratnoo, the Collector of Cuddalore, is a man with a mission: to put Pichavaram on the global eco-tourism map.
Ratnoo’s strategy is simple — and brilliant. “The aim is to showcase the potential of Pichavaram to relevant and concerned stakeholders — the administration, policy makers, the tourism industry, media, and the locals,” he says. The Dawn Fest was a conference with a difference: a weekend of thoughtful, passionate and creative showcasing of the tourism potential of Chidambaram and Pichavaram; bringing together the history, the cultural heritage and the ecology of the place.
Leitmotif
Fittingly, the highlight of the event was a visit to the island of Chinnavaikkal, flanked by the backwaters on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other. This was the leitmotif of the Dawn Fest: to watch the sun paint the sky at dawn — to strains of mellifluous music and to the salute of suryanamaskar on the beach… This was eco-tourism, bringing together the students of Annamalai University with their music and their yoga and knowledge of marine biology, the people of Killai Panchayat, with their boats and their knowledge of the island and the mangroves and the water, and us, the practice-run tourists…
Later, as we drifted past the mangroves in boats, students of marine biology briefed us on the mangroves and answered questions. Considered one of the healthiest occurrences in the world, the Pichavaram mangroves cover an area of over 400 hectares in the Vellar-Coleroon estuarine complex. An intricate system of canals, channels and creeks create myriad islands, and a unique ecosystem that spans three mangrove wetland Reserve Forests : Killai, Pichavaram and Pichavaram Extension area. We floated past vast stretches of brilliant green rooted firmly in shallow water, with their strange aerial roots growing down from high above us, and their unique reproduction system that enables the fruit to float away to colonise new areas — and, when the time is right, put down roots and send out shoots…
Increased awareness
The water was clean and bright, much cleaner than the mangroves we had seen in Goa or in the Andamans. Ratnoo is happy that we noticed. Yes, we had a cleaning drive and we are educating the local people, he beams. There is still much to be done, but the beginning is encouraging.
Led by the dynamic and forward-thinking Ravichandran and inspired by Ratnoo, the people of Killai Panchayat are extremely enthusiastic and hopeful about the concept of eco-tourism in the area. The cultural evening they hosted for us was an eye-opener, showcasing the wealth of talent and skill in native dance and martial art forms, as well as the effort that went into making the show memorable. Karagam, Kolattam, Kalari, all seem well and alive among the people of Killai. The accompanying commentary was also telling. “You can bind our feet and chain our hands and burden us with a load on our head, but we will master the load and dance with it, that is the nature of Woman,” proclaims the voice on the mike with vehemence as the girls dance the Karagam without a care in the world.
Hope ahead
Only the tsunami boats are a grim reminder of their struggle to remake their lives. But they are hopeful: Ratnoo is confident that eco tourism can supplement their income substantially through revenue from serving as guides, taking tourists boating and other allied opportunities, without taking them away from being fishermen.
Dawn Fest comes to an end, but the wheels have been set in motion. And if Ratnoo has his way, Pichavaram will soon be one more place where everybody understands the meaning of low-volume, minimum impact, responsible travel.
Shoring up Pichavaram as tourist centre
Shoring up Pichavaram as tourist centre - The Hindu
A.V.Ragunathan
“Dawn Fest 2008” kicks off to a colourful start
PROMOTING TOURISM: “Dawn Fest 2008” being celebrated at Chinnavaikkal at Pichavaram in Cuddalore district on Sunday.
CUDDALORE: The two-day “Dawn Fest 2008” got off to a colourful start in the backwaters of Pichavaram near Chidambaram on Saturday. District Collector Rajendra Ratnoo, who inaugurated the fete, said the myriad hues of the sky before sunrise in the backdrop of the mangroves were a sight to behold.
Mr. Ratnoo told reporters that the aim of the event, conceptualised by him and funded by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department, was to showcase Pichavaram as an eco-tourism destination to the stakeholders of the tourism industry such as tour operators, tourism consultants and hoteliers.
He said Cuddalore district held out rich tourism potential of various nature including heritage and pilgrimage tourism (as it housed renowned temples such as Padaleeswarar temple, Natarajar temple and Hayagrivar temple), classical art forms (being promoted through the famed Natyanjali festival and Annamalai University), and beach tourism along the 54-km coastal line, including Chinnavaikkal, Thazhanguda and Silver beach.
The sunrise could be viewed from the Chinnavaikkal islet replete with lush coconut groves that could be easily accessed by boat ride in the backwaters. The islet was illuminated for the occasion and filled with strains of classical music presented by the students of the Music Department of Annamalai University.
While the guests were sailing the boats in the early hours on Sunday the students of the Centre for Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, who accompanied them explained the ecological importance of the mangroves that were home to large number of migratory birds, sources of livelihood to thousands of fishermen and Iruals, and bioshield at the time of natural disasters such as cyclone and the tsunami.
Pichavaram used to attract migratory birds such as seagull from Mongolia in April and after a brief sojourn the winged visitors would return to their native place. The Pichavaram area is now awash with dense colonies of seagulls.
As the sun was rising, the students of the Centre for Yoga Studies, Annamalai University, struck various postures or asanas, signifying paying obeisance to the mighty nature.
The evening was filled with cultural events, mostly in folk forms such as thappattam, karagattm, silambattam, fire show and Irulas’ kolattam.
A handful of foreign tourists too enjoyed the occasion.
A.V.Ragunathan
“Dawn Fest 2008” kicks off to a colourful start
— Photo:C. Venkatachalapathy
PROMOTING TOURISM: “Dawn Fest 2008” being celebrated at Chinnavaikkal at Pichavaram in Cuddalore district on Sunday.CUDDALORE: The two-day “Dawn Fest 2008” got off to a colourful start in the backwaters of Pichavaram near Chidambaram on Saturday. District Collector Rajendra Ratnoo, who inaugurated the fete, said the myriad hues of the sky before sunrise in the backdrop of the mangroves were a sight to behold.
Mr. Ratnoo told reporters that the aim of the event, conceptualised by him and funded by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department, was to showcase Pichavaram as an eco-tourism destination to the stakeholders of the tourism industry such as tour operators, tourism consultants and hoteliers.
He said Cuddalore district held out rich tourism potential of various nature including heritage and pilgrimage tourism (as it housed renowned temples such as Padaleeswarar temple, Natarajar temple and Hayagrivar temple), classical art forms (being promoted through the famed Natyanjali festival and Annamalai University), and beach tourism along the 54-km coastal line, including Chinnavaikkal, Thazhanguda and Silver beach.
The sunrise could be viewed from the Chinnavaikkal islet replete with lush coconut groves that could be easily accessed by boat ride in the backwaters. The islet was illuminated for the occasion and filled with strains of classical music presented by the students of the Music Department of Annamalai University.
While the guests were sailing the boats in the early hours on Sunday the students of the Centre for Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, who accompanied them explained the ecological importance of the mangroves that were home to large number of migratory birds, sources of livelihood to thousands of fishermen and Iruals, and bioshield at the time of natural disasters such as cyclone and the tsunami.
Pichavaram used to attract migratory birds such as seagull from Mongolia in April and after a brief sojourn the winged visitors would return to their native place. The Pichavaram area is now awash with dense colonies of seagulls.
As the sun was rising, the students of the Centre for Yoga Studies, Annamalai University, struck various postures or asanas, signifying paying obeisance to the mighty nature.
The evening was filled with cultural events, mostly in folk forms such as thappattam, karagattm, silambattam, fire show and Irulas’ kolattam.
A handful of foreign tourists too enjoyed the occasion.
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