TravellAllAround

Kottayam

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 11:11:00 +0000

Kottayam is the centre of education and rubber plantations in Kerala and is located between the Western Ghats and the backwaters.

Access

Kottayam can be reached via rail or by road.

Accommodation

Just like in Alleppy, there are house boats for overnight stay in Kottayam also. Saffron Houseboat have 2 and 6 bedroom accommodation. Guesthouser and Amrutham Holidays also have houseboats. Some of the hotels in Kottayam are The Windsor Castle, Taj Kumarakom, Athreya Ayurveda Resort, Chrysoberyl and Convention Centre, Joyees Residency, Puthens Clifton Inn, Tereza Plaza Apartment, Excalibur Hotel, Orchid Residency, Lake Village Heritage Resort, The Nisha Continental, Teak Grove Country House, Elamthotam Home stay, Aqualillies Water Front Homestay, Kuroor Home stay, Akkara Homestay, Contour Jungle Resorts and a lot more.

Main Attractions

Vembanad Lake is a major tourist destination for boating and sightseeing. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a group of small islands is a regular haunt of migratory birds on its bank. The best way to enjoy the sanctuary is by boat cruise. You can also cover this area on land. The area is rich in flora and fauna. Although we can't see huge number of birds at a time it is a breeding ground for several types of birds like stokes, egrets, herons, kites, aquatic birds and many more. The sight from observation tower is fantastic as you can see different varieties of birds.

Nearby there is the Bay Island Driftwood Museum. It is housed in a beautiful building. It got its name as sculptures here are naturally built on driftwood, fossilized rosewood and they are unique. They are from rosewood mangroves in Andaman islands drifting in from the sea. They have metallic features although they resemble wood.

Enjoy a relaxed ambiance at the Taj Garden Retreat by going for boating and fishing. Poonjar Palace, an example of royal splendour, houses many sculptures and antiques. A beautiful replica of the famous Madura Meenakshi Temple, surrounded by walls studded with sculptures depicting many Hindu purana (ancient) stories, is located near the palace. The fabulous cave of Koothavalam has carved rocks in the shape of thrones, chairs and weapons, and sculpture so Hindu Goddesses like Madura Meenakshi and Kannaki and Gods like Lord Ayyappan and Murugan (Subrahmanian). Cut into the rocks, there is a flight of steps to provide access.

Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid is a 1000 year old mosque constructed by the son of Malik Dinar, who had brought Islamic faith to Kerala. It is one of the earliest mosques that was built in India. It is 4 km from Kottayam and is built on the picturesque Meenachil River Bank. This beautiful Mosque with its wooden carvings is an example of the traditional style of architecture followed in Kerala

Another attraction is Marmala Waterfalls that falls from a 60m height to a 12m deep pool into the Teekay River and provides a picturesque view. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of Kerala by cruising the Punnamada Lake, which is another name of Vembanad Lake.

You can visit the famous Lord Siva Temples at Vaikom, Ettumaanoor and Kadunthuruthy, which are all only some distance from the Kottayam town. Another place to visit is the Tomb of Saint Alphonsa, a part of St. Alphonsa Shrine Church in Bharananganam. It is built on the spot where she was buried and this cemetery chapel originally belonged to the St. Mary's Church.  There is a grotto with engraved granite plaques nearby and also the Papal Podium erected in memory of Pope John Paul's visit to beatify Sr. Alphonsa along with Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara. You can get accommodation at Alphonsa Tower. There is an august stain-glass painting of her and is about 30 ft high. A specialty of the garden here are the 35 white blossom plants symbolizing her age. There is also a beautiful  fountain nearby.

Illikkal Kallu is a an unspoiled beautiful hilltop at around 7000 feet height. At the top two rocks face each other and is connected by a narrow stone bridge of name Naraka Palam meaning Hell Bridge. Nobody can walk the bridge as it is across a deep ravine and have sharp steep sides. So if you want to go to the other side you will have to crawl across the bridge. That is why it got its name. Vagamon is an alluring hill station about 64 km from  Kottayam. Ilaveezha Poonchira is another bewitching hill station that tourists can include in their itinerary. Its name is apt for the place as there are no trees in the area, yet it is an enchanting place. The meaning of the word "Ilavizha" is "leaves do not fall".

Palakkarai Aqua Tourism Farm is an enterprise by the Fisheries and Government. The amenities include Children's Play Area and boating where you can canoe or pedal. There is also facility to fish. Some of the popular Malayalam magazines and a main Malayalam daily is published from Kottayam. So it is called the "Land of Letters". Besides, it is a trading centre of commercial crops like rubber, as well as spices.

Alappuzha/Alleppy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 07:50:00 +0000

Alappuzha town is the "Venice of East" and the centre of coir industry that offers good coir products and carpets. Alappuzha/Alleppey is a water locked district in Kerala with its beach stretches on the coast of Arabian Sea, palm-fringed network of canals, lakes and lagoons.

Access:

There are only very few trains via this route. Buses and ferry are the main transport.

Accommodation

The most popular place to stay in Alappuzha are the houseboats. There are also other accommodations like resorts, hotels and homestays. Some of these are Marari Pearl, Kadavil Lakeshore Resort, Deshadan Backwater, Shalom Beach Residency, Marari Seascape Villa, Dazzle Dew Resort, Ramada Alleppey, Lake Castle Alleppey Villa, Treebo Palmyra Grand Suite, Purity Hotel, Cosy Lake Villa, Arcadia Regency Alappuzha, Raiban, La Plage Marari, Marari Beach - CGH Earth, Pagoda Resorts, Royale Park, Karthiyayini Hotel, Sisir Palace, India Vacationz Houseboats, Tharangini Houseboats, Aqua Castle Houseboat, Monkey Republic Homestay, Whiteshore Beach Homestay and so on.

Main Attractions

Boat rides are the most popular activity among tourists. The cruise and can be done in 8 hours, or even be spread out. Over-night living in the houseboat is a major attraction. You can enjoy a leisure life by cruising past the vast Ashtamudi Lake. Nehru Boat race in August is a magnificent sight.

Other attractions include:

Mannarasala Sri Nagaraja Temple is a famous temple where the main dieties are nagas or snakes. It is mainly people who don't have kids and want to have them come to worship here. You can do special offerings or vazhipadu here for this purpose. called "Uruli Kamizthal". It is not actually a tourist spot.
Pathiramanal, a small island for bird lovers.
Alappuzha Beach, a picnic spot
St. Andrew's Basilica is a gorgeous massive old Church located at Arthunkal and is an example of beautiful architecture.
Sea View Park, offering boating and swimming facilities;
Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala where farming is done below sea level
Kakkathuruthu Island, a small remote island. access is through boat only. Its meaning is the "Island of Crows". Here you can see several varieties of birds and riotous vegetation.
Arthunkal, a pilgrim centre where the famous St. Sebastian feast is held in the Portuguese St. Andrews Church.
Pandavan Para got its name from purana, as it is believed that Pandavas from Mahabharata stayed here in the cave hidden beside a huge rock. To get inside you have to scrabble through an opening. Inside you get to see abstract engravings and illustrations of human figures holding bows and arrows, leaves, flowers etc.
Jain Temple
Edatgya Church, dedicated to St. George;
Chavara Bhavan, a holy shrine and spiritual resort where a 250 old beacon of light is preserved in its original form.
Krishnapuram Palace, a protected monument with gabled roofs and dormer windows has the largest single band of mural painting in Kerala called Gajendra Moksham and the statue of Buddha in the Buddha Mandapam. Krishnapuram Palace is converted into a museum, packed with antiques, paintings and sculptures.
Ambalapuzha Krishna temple where you will get the famous and tastiest sweet, milk payasam.

Kollam/Quilon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 07:55:00 +0000

About 75 kms from the city of Thiruvananthapuram, the old town of Kollam, which is the centre of cashew industry has slowly developed into a modern city. The Syrian Merchant “Sapir Iso” built the Kollam town edging the Arabian Sea. The old proverb “Kollam Kandal Illam Venda” meaning that after seeing Kollam, home becomes unnecessary holds true, as it is a successful commercial, trading and industrial centre.

Access

Kollam in Kerala can be accessed by rail, road and by backwater transport.

Accommodation:

The numerous accommodation include The Raviz Resort and Spa, The Quilon Beach Hotel, Nani Hotel, Hotel All Season, Hotel Sea Pearl, Hotel Sea Palace, Hotel Sudarsan, Hotel Karthika and many more.

Local Attractions:

The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple, Pullichira Church, the oldest Mosque called Chinnakkada Palli all form part of its religious tourist attractions.
Other spots include the 144 ft Light House in Thankassery, a previous enclave of Portuguese, Dutch and British; remnants of Portuguese and Dutch Forts;
Vadi beach, a calm and scenic area to be enjoyed;
Asramom Picnic Village
Adventure Park for the kids.
Boating in the Ashtamudi Lake is a favourite tourist activity. Variety of boats, including luxury cruise boats, powerboats and motorboats are available for hire from the boat jetty in the Adventure Park.

Thangal Kunju Musaliar (TKM) College of Engineering reflects the beautiful Islamic architecture with their minarets, arched doorways and windows.
Ethnic Resorts are among the tourist attractions of Kollam. Visitors can live in atmospheric resorts, made in traditional architecture, with Ayurvedic spas and have access to natural ponds and rivers.
For trekking the ideal place is Jetayu Para, a massive rock named after Jetayu from the epic Ramayana who fell to death while trying to prevent a demon Ravana from abducting Sita Devi, wife of Hindu God Lord Rama.
The Sasthamkotta Lake is Kerala's largest fresh water lake and is a beautiful picnic spot 29 km away from Kollam.
A popular tourist spot is Palaruvi Waterfalls, 69 km away from Kollam. It is one of South India's most scenic waterfalls and surrounded by dense forests.
Amritapuri Ashram, headquarters of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is a small village situated in a small island 36km from Kollam.
Munroe Island, another tourist spot is a group of 8 islands. It can be found at the conflux of Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River. You can view the coir retting process, watch migratory birds, feed prawns, fish, take part in canoe tours and boat sight seeing trips. The famous Vallam Kali takes place in Kallada River 28 days after Onam, one of the most important festival of Kerala.

Varkala

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:35:00 +0000

Varkala to the north, on the route to Kollam is very peaceful, secluded and picturesque. It is a major pilgrim centre for Keralites.

Access

Varkala in Kerala can be reached through road and by rail.

Accommodation:

Some of the boarding facilities available in Varkala include Taj Garden Retreat, Black Beach Resort, Deshadan Cliff and Beach Resort, La Mirban, Hotel Hill Top, Deuvill Resort.

Local Attractions

Papanasam Beach with its silver sands is unique for the tall cliffs that back it, studded with laterite formations and hot springs. But the sea here is not as safe as in Kovalam.
Janardhana Swamy Temple in Varkala town is about two millenniums old and has Lord Krishna as idol.
Sri Narayana Guru Temple on a hilltop at Sivagiri is dedicated to the great saint and social reformer Sri Narayana Guru. The facilities of a beach resort are also available on a lower scale.
Varkala is popular for its spa treatments with mineral water from the nearby springs and authentic Ayurvedic Therapies.
The aquarium in Varkala is resplendent with remote and far flung sea species like sea snakes, piranhas and even local fish. You can enjoy them while walking the spiralling walkway.
You can enjoy a punt powered boat journey to Ponnumthuruthu, an island where Golden Temple is situated. It is a Siva Parvathi temple and from its name the island got the name Golden Island. You can enjoy the nature and its splendour during the boat trip.
At Kappil Beach there is a tiny backwater network that is as yet unexploited but offers a panoramic view.

Thiruvananthapuram - Capital of Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 19:12:00 +0000

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, a small state in South-western

India

is an ideal place for holidaying. Thiruvananthapuram/Trivandrum is a lovely city on the seaside, rich in culture and heritage. The famous Travancore King/Maharajah Sri Marthanda Varma named the city Thiruvananthapuram. “Thiru-anantha-puram” means the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha.

Access

The historic city of Thiruvananthapuram built over the seven hills, is accessible by air, rail and road. The airport is about four kilometres from the heart of the city, hence very accessible. The railway situation is situated conveniently next to the transport bus stand, within the city.

Accommodation

You can find lots of hotels, resorts and home stays for people with different budgets. Some of these include Taj Vivanta, The Travancore Heritage Beach, Lake Palace Resort,The Ocean Park Beach Resort, Muthoot Plaza, Fortune Hotel The South Park, Hotel Saj Lucia, Residency Tower, Mascot Hotel, SP Grand Days, Hotel Pankaj, Hotel Geeth, Hotel Horizon, Navaratna Upendra, Hilton Garden Inn, Hotel Maurya Rajadhani, omasree Homestay, Viswasangeetham Homestay, Leelas Homestay and so on.

Main Attractions

Padmamnabha Swamy Temple and Kuthiramalika

You can start your tour from the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple, situated inside a fort. The main idol is Lord Vishnu, a Hindu God reclining under the canopy of Anantha. The sight of the massive black statue encrusted in gold at parts is awesome. There are three gold plated doors – one to view his head resting on his hand, another to see his body and the last one to see his feet. The temple is a marvellous sight, with its seven-floor gopuram and courtyard, enriched by granite pillars, rich carvings and murals. Inside the fort, there are several other temples including the Ananthancadu Temple adjacent to the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple. The Kuthiramalika, a beautiful palace is easy to visit as it is situated next to the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple. The famous Maharajah Sri Swathi Tirunal used to write his famous classical songs (kritis / keerthanas) in this palace. The palace is impressive, with its many attractive wooden carvings and antiques. The Navarathri Mandapam in the compound is where the Swathi Tirunal Music Festival is conducted usually, during the Pooja / Navarathri Festival. In the same compound there are many other palaces, which are unfortunately not open to the public.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Museum and Zoo Complex

The Museum and Zoo Complex house several interesting museums as well as zoo in a single compound. You can get admission with a single ticket. It includes the Napier Museum of arts and crafts, a unique 19th century red-and-black bungalow with its blend of Mughal, Italian, Chinese and Kerala architecture. The Museum has a grand collection of bronze and stone sculptures, jewellery, coins, temple chariot, musical instruments and ivory carvings. The Sri Chithira Art Gallery, famous for paintings of the great world renowned artist of Kerala, Raja Ravi Varma, Russian painter Roerich and many other great artists is a visual delight. The paintings consist of an eclectic collection of different schools pf art like Tanjore, MughBengal, Rajput, Bali and Oriental. For kids, the Natural History Musrum is an interesting [lace. The vast Zoo, one of the best in India, has many animals roaming around in an open habitat. The Reptile Museum houses various snakes and other reptiles. There is also a Botanical park, one of the first in India. It is like a small jungle, but well planned with huge trees and abundant type of plants. In the compound, there is also a Children's Park for kids bored with too much heritage, a 3D theatre, a gazebo, an open air theatre called Nishagandhi, eatery and ice cream parlours.

Other Tourist Spots

Thiruvananthapuram is an aesthetic delight with its old mansions and other colonial buildings like the University College of Kerala, Sanskrit College of Kerala, Public Library, Victoria Jubilee Hall and the Kerala Senate Hall. Besides, the old traditional houses like (Amma Veedukal (big houses where the female members of the royal family used to reside) are elegant. The Secretariat built in the Roman style of architecture with a clock at the top tower, houses the Kerala Government's administrative offices. The Kerala Legislative Complex, with its towering dome, beautifully carved galleries teak paneling and ceiling is blended harmoniously with the latest acoustic treatment and highly sophisticated sound systems. There is a huge statue of Gandhiji at the front yard, Thiruvananthapuram is a city of statues, especially that of political, social and cultural leaders.

Your itinerary must include the unique Kanakakkunnu Palace, with its beautifully landscaped grounds; At the Shankhumukham Beach, there is a huge statue of a reclining mermaid. Relax in the gazebo with beautiful granite pillars and watch the mesmerising sunset. From the Observatory, located 60 metres above the sea level, get a fabulous view of the city. Other sightseeing spots include the Priyadarshini Planetarium, Chacha Nehru Children’s Museum, with its vast collection of masks, dolls and stamps, the Science and Technology Museum, and the Biotechnology Museum. Happy Land is an Amusement and Water Theme Park, located at Vembayam. At the Indian School of Marital Arts (ISMA) it is fascinating, to see specialised training imparted in Kerala’s marital art “Kalaripayattu” and they offer the traditional treatment “kalarichikitsa” in its famous healing centre. The Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave, an eighteenth century cave temple of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi has rock cut sculptures. The Padmanabhapuram Palace, is a beautiful traditional Kerala Palace that boasts of beautiful carved pillars, murals and antiques.

In the Veli Tourist Village, the scenic sight of the Veli Lake meeting the Arabian Sea is fascinating. It has a beautifully landscaped park, inundated with various sculptures, boating facility, a crocodile farm, lion safariand deer park. There is another mini dam called Aruvikkara on the Karamana River Bsnk, which supplies water to the entire Thiruvananthapuram City. There is also an adjoining garden. Nearby there is a Durga temple, where you can feed fish as "Vazhipadu" or offering.

At Ponmudi, a hill station, 915 metres above sea level, enjoy a much cooler climate, fabulous greenery, lovely mountain flowers, deer park and silvery springs. Moreover, visit the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary on the Western Ghats, en route to Ponmudi
.
Kovalam

One of

India

's most famous beaches, Kovalam, 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram is absolutely picturesque, with its wide sweep of coastline, ending in two rocky headlands on both sides. The water is mostly placid and hence it is usually safe to swim. Without enjoying a stay at Kovalam, your trip will not be complete. There are many hotels and resorts offering Ayurvedic treatments. At Kovalam you can stay in Uday Samudra, Orion Beach Resort, Taj Green Cove, Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort, Sagara Beach Resort, Hawah Beach Resort, Little Paradise Apartments, Ganesh House Homestay etc.

Thiruvananthapuram blessed with its panoramic view of hills, covered by luxuriant greens, beaches, groves of coconut palms, rice fields, temples, churches, mosques and so much more is a breath taking experience. When you return from Thiruvananthapuram, don’t forget to buy banana chips and the famous tasty sweet “boli” to take home with you. There is also a type of plantain locally called "Kappa Pazham". You can return home with a feeling of a holiday well spent, after experiencing all the local delights.

Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 20:07:00 +0000

Kerala, aptly termed as the "God's Own Country," is India’s most famous and picturesque beach and backwater destination, amongst the travellers of India and abroad. It is situated at the Southern tip of India. Kerala state was formed in 1956 by combining the states of Travancore with Cochin, as well as Malabar. The myth about Kerala is that it was formed when the Hindu God, Parasuram (sixth avatar of the ten avatars/Desavatar of Lord Vishnu) threw his axe into the Arabian Sea, which is said to have parted to form the land of the small state of Kerala.

Language and Climate

The languages spoken are Malayalam, the native language of Kerala, and also English, Hindi and Tamil. The climate is tropical with hot summers, heavy rains and pleasant winters. To visit Kerala, the best time is during September to March.

Regional Demarcations

Kerala has about 14 districts, networked by around 44 rivers and is extremely picturesque with lush greenery and vegetation. The districts include the capital Thiruvananthapuram/Trivandrum, Kollam/Quilon, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha/Alleppey, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur/Trichur, Palakkad/Palghat, Malappuram, Kozhikode/Calicut, Wayanad, Kannur/Cannanore and Kasargod. [The second names of this list is the old name.]

Festivals

The traditional festival of Onam is celebrated unanimously by people of all religions in Kerala, in the loving memory of the just and noble King Mahabali, who had ruled Kerala in ancient times. During his reign, people were said to be very happy and prosperous and there were no crimes. He was sent to a special place created by Vamana (the fifth avatar of Lord Vishnu) for the just King. Although the popular story is that he was sent to the underground world of Pathala. According to the legend, Lord Mahabali can return to Kerala on the Thiruvonam day of Malayalam month Chingam [i.e. it comes in August or September] every year to see how people of Kerala are faring and to spend time with them.

Development Indices

Among the third world countries, Kerala is the most highly literate state in India. It also holds the record for having the best healthcare system. This region became noteworthy with the elimination of poverty to a large extent. It has top position in gender equality among all third world countries. By size, Kerala ranks only 22nd.

The indices for human development are almost equal to that of the developed world and it is extremely sustainable environmentally. Now, Kerala has topmost expectancy rates for life and comes lowest in the case of infant mortality rates.

Population

On the basis of population it has 13^th position in India i.e. 3% of Indian population lives in the small state of Kerala. A major portion of the state works abroad, especially in UAE and USA. Both skilled and unskilled workers have migrated to the Gulf countries. But it is the IT boom in US that have attracted the educated people of Kerala the most. It has a high immigrant population from West Bengal, Bihar and north east who have come here in search of better living conditions. The locals are highly aware of their fundamental rights.

Food

People of Kerala love food made of rice and at times of wheat. Some of the Kerala delicacies are include vella appam and stew, kappa (tapioca) and fish curry, puttu and kadala (black chickpeas) curry, pathiri or parotta and beef curry, Thalassery or Malabar Biriyani, kozhukkatta, masala vada, sweets like boli, pazham pori, unniappam, paayasam, ukhiyan, ada etc. You should also try Kerala sadya or special meals that include special curries like pulissery, erissery, kalan, olan, kootukari, avial, pineapple kichadi, thairinchi, pickles, inchikkari, pappadam, banana chips etc.

Some problems faced by Kerala

Harthals or strikes announced by different political parties especially leftists are a part of lifestyle of people. It brings life to a standstill as no vehicles are allowed on roads and shops remain closed. Attendance in offices on such days are very low. Harthals have become a hindrance to Kerala's development as many companies are reluctant to invest here. Even Keralites are not willing to start new ventures here. They go to neighbouring states.

Unfortunately with the recent heavy rainfall and floods, the state has taken a massive hit and is now reeling under its heavy loss of life, personal properties and infrastructure. There are a lot of people still living in relief camps awaiting relief aid. Kerala has to now undergo massive reconstruction.

INDIA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 20:26:00 +0000

India is seventh biggest country in the world in terms of geographical area. New Delhi is the capital of Modern India.A beautiful country in Southern Asia, India is home to an ancient civilization like Indus Valley Civilization and has remained ahead of its time even 5000 years back. The name India came from the river Indus, around which flourished the world renowned Civilization. India has shaped multitude of philosophies and ideas even from the Paleolithic, as well as the Neolithic Period, dating back to 2500-1500 B.C.

It was a very rich country until the 18th century and has led the world diamond trade. This has attracted the attention of the world, which led to the advent of many foreign countries to India. They came here for trade, as well as exchange of ideas. Many concepts that have originated in India were later touted as major discoveries by others.

Some of India's achievements

Indians have excelled in the field of Mathematics, Astronomy and Science even from ancient times. Trigonometry, Algebra and Calculus were formulated in India. Zero and the decimal system were other discoveries. Ultra short radio waves, thermal ionization, quantum statistics were all developed originally here.

Cascade process of cosmic radiation, C V Raman's theory of inelastic scattering of light by molecules, Chandrasekhar Limit, Structure and Evolution of stars have all been conceptualized in India. In the modern world Indian Space Program started after independence has made major strides from transporting its first satellite on bullock cart to sending successfully the cheapest space probe "Mangalyaan" to orbit Mars on its first launch. It is the first country to do that. Water was first discovered in moon by Indians.

Board game like chess initially called Chathuranga in Sanskrit (meaning four branches of an army called angas - horses, elephants, foot army or soldiers and chariots) is said to have pioneered in India. There is even a myth that the Hindu God Lord Shiva had created and played chess with his consort Goddess Parvathi. Other board games including Ludo, Carrom, Snake and Ladder, cards, dice etc are all India's contribution to the world. Jallikkattu or bull fighting has been around from 400 B C and has been practiced by the original Tamilians. Kabaddi game also had its origin among the ancient Tamilians. of India

Cultivation of cotton and sugar and its refining was initially introduced by Indians. To strengthen hair Indians first created herbal shampoo. Another interesting find was the buttons. Ruler or Scale have been around in India from ancient times.

Religions
Hinduism religion originally called Sanathana Dharmam had it's origin in India at around 3200 B.C. Other religions like Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroashtrianism, Sikhism and Judaism also originated here. Islam and subsequently Christianity came to India and exist here side by side peacefully.

The people in India believe in peace and tolerance and have welcomed new people whenever they came to India. Though India was attacked by many foreign invaders, people here mostly adhered to their tolerance. It is the only country that haven't attacked other countries in the last 10,000 years. But still India has the third largest army in the world after US and China. Ironically it is also the largest importer of arms. Going back in time we can see that by taking advantage of people's peaceful nature many Muslim and European countries have invaded and established their dominance over the country.
    India achieved freedom in August 15, 1947 from British rule through the policy of non-violence advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, father of Modern India. Their peaceful nature is even part of their lifestyle. It has the maximum number of vegetarians in the world. Because of this KFC had to come up with a vegetarian menu for Indians.

Ethnicity and Languages
People of different languages, cultures, ethnicity and heritage have made their home in India. Actually it can boast of more than 2000 ethnic groups. Hindi is the most spoken language but there are a multitude of other languages spoken by different sections of people including English. It is the second largest English speaking country after USA. There are 1600 languages out of which 850 are spoken in India.

Festivals

From one end of India to another, people celebrate different festivals like Navaratri, Diwali, Holi, Christmas, Easter, Ramzan, Bakrid and a whole host of regional festivals like Onam, Vishu, Pongal, Ugadi, Bisakhi and many others. The festival of Kumbh Mela attracts such a massive crowd that it is visible even from space and is the largest gathering in the world.

Climate and Population
Different parts of India experience different climates from rainy season, lovely springtime, frigid winters to hot blazing summers. A major problem facing India is its population. It is the most populated democratic country and has second biggest population in the whole world, second only to China. A fifth of the world population can be found here. It is said that annually more births occur here than Australian population. Another thing I heard is that the number of people who live in slums is more than the French population. Don't know if these facts are true.

Infrastructure
Largest postal network in the world is in India with even a floating post office in Sri Nagar (Dal Lake). Indian Raiways is the biggest employer in the world with more than a million employees. Indian Railway tracks are long enough to circle the earth 1.50 times hypothetically. But still Indian Railways leave a lot to be desired with their lack of punctuality, cleanliness and littering by the people. The network of roads is the second largest in the world. Unfortunately, India holds the record for maximum number of accidental deaths. India has the third position in the Guinness Book of World Records.

There are numerous holiday destinations in India. People from all over the world choose to come here to experience the diversities and enjoy all the local flavours. To choose a single destination is often difficult, as there are myriad choices available. Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world is located at Agra in the state of Utter Pradesh in India. I have started this blog to provide information about such destinations in India and is beginning from the Southern end of India.

Munnar

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:00:00 +0000

Munnar, a beautiful locale in the Western Ghats is a part of the landlocked Idukki district inKerala. It is the abode of tea and spice plantations. The lush hill station boasts a cool climate and offers relief during the hot summer months from March to May.

Access

Munnar can be accessed only by road, but the hilly area is scenic and breath-taking and hence the journey is a fascinating experience

Accommodation

At Munnar there are a variety of resorts, hotels and home stays. Some of the resorts include Sterling Resorts, Mahindra Resorts, Chancellor Resorts, Bella Vista Resorts, Fort Munnar, Tea and Country owned by Kerala State Development Corporation (KTDC). Some of the hotels include Royal Retreat, Oaks fields, Isaac’s Residency, West Wood and Sun Mount View. The home stays include Munnar Retreat, Rose Garden, The Shade and Rapsy Home stay

Main Attractions

Take a tour of Mattupetti to see Kundala Lake; Hydroelectric Dam; the Highly Specialized Diary Farm, an Indo-Swiss live stock project; and Tea plantations. Visit Eravikulam National Park and on its southern side there is Anamudi, which is the highest peak at 2694 metres to the south of Himalayas. On its slope there are rare flowers like Neelakurinji that bloom once in twelve years and animals like tigers, sloth bears, Nilgiri langurs, panthers, and civet cats. Although ideal for trekking, it is one of the wettest areas of the world. Another attraction is Rajmalai, part of Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary for viewing the Nilgiri tahrs, the rare mountain goats that abide there. Lock Heart gap is ideal for trekking and adventure.

For more sightseeing visit Nyayamakad for the beauteous waterfalls; Devikulam in Sita Devi Lake for trout fishing; and Chithirapuram to view the Pallivasal Hydel Power Project. The Nilgiri region boasts of the Top Station that offers panoramic landscapes; Echo Point on the route to the Top Stations is a place where the natural phenomenon “echo” occurs; Anayirankal for seeing the reservoir and dam; Marayoor to visit the sandalwood factory; Children’s Park under a single banyan tree and Natural caves having relics from Later Stone Age Civilization and murals. Other tourist spots are Rajiv Gandhi National Park; Thoovanam; Cheeyappara and Vallara Waterfalls that cascade down in seven steps; Nadukani with lush hills, valley, fields, lilting streams, lake, murmuring grooves and animals like elephants, spotted samba deer, hornbill, and jungle mainah. Also visit Meenuli for trekking and viewing Bhoothathankettu and Lower Periyar Area.