KERALA GODS OWN COUNTRY

Tourist Places in Kerala - Amritapuri Ashram

2011-11-16T02:20:00.001-08:00

At the Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Amritapuri near Quilon, South Kerala, there is a beautiful temple that houses more than seven hundred full-time residents. The day dawns early in Amritapuri Ashram (monastery) located in the backwaters of Kerala. At 4.30 a.m. in the morning, most residents are up and begin to involve themselves on various activities.

KOLKALI

2011-10-01T23:36:00.000-07:00

It is a highly rhythmic dance with dancers wielding short sticks, is folk art of the agarian classes. The rhythm of this dance is set by tapping of the feet to the striking of sticks. The movement is circular and the artist sings as the dance and strike the sticks in unison.

Krishnanattam

2011-10-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

A spectale for both the scholar and simple rustic. The visual effect is enhanced by varied and colorful facial make up with larger the life-masks, made of light wood and cloth padding, for certain characters. The characters who do not wear masks have specific facial colors applied within the frame of a white chutti. The predominat colours used are dark green, flesh tint and deep rose. The characters of Krishna, Arjuna and Garuda wear dark blue vests. The traditional performance lasts for eight days and covers whole span of Krishna's life.

THEYYAM

2011-10-01T23:11:00.000-07:00

It is as ritual dance form of Kerala, glorifying the mother Goddess. Themes revolve around the triumph of the Goddess over the Demon Daruka and other evil characters. Always performed by men, they also enact females roles wearing exotic make up and colorful costumes. Theyyam incorporates dance, mime and music and enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures which attached great importance of worship.

MUDIYETTU

2011-10-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

It is a ritual performed in some Kaali temples of Ernakulam and Kottayam districts. The dance celebrates the Goddess's triumph over Demon Darikan.

ARJUNANRITHAM

2011-10-01T21:31:00.000-07:00

It is a ritual art performed by men and is prevalent in the Bhagavathy temples of Kerala. It is also called Mayilpeeli Nritham. This garment is worn around the waist in a similar fashion as the Uduthukettu of Kathakali.

KANYARKALI

2011-10-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

Also known as Desathukali, is a folk art exclusively practised by the Nair community of Palakkad area. It owes its origin to the pursuit of martial arts in this region, which was under constant threat of attack from neighbouring Konganadu. The art form combines the agile movement of martial arts with the rhythmic grace of folk dance performed around a Nilavilakku.

VELAKALI

2011-09-28T23:39:00.000-07:00

It is a spectacular martial dance performed by men in some of the temples of Southern Kerala. The dancers, clad in the traditional clothes and colourful headgear of the medieval Nair soldiers, engage in vigorous movements and dexterous sword play, to the accompaniment of an orchestra.

KALAMEZHUTHU

2011-09-28T23:35:00.000-07:00

The Kalam is a unique drawing and this ritualistic art is a common feature of temples as well as noble households. The artist uses the floor as his canvas. Kalamezhuthu Pattu is performed as a part of the rituals to worship and propitiate Gods like Kali, Ayyapan or Vettakkorumakan. The Kalams are erased at the end of the ritual to the accompaniment of musical instruments. The colored powder used for the Kalam are prepared from natural products only. It often takes more than two hours to finish drawing.

MARGOM KALI

2011-09-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

It is a ritual folk art of the Syrian Christians of Kottayam and Thrissur districts. A dozen dancers sing and dance around a traditional Kerala lamp, clad in the simple traditional white dhoti.

THEEYATTU

2011-09-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

It is a solo dance drama performed in front of the Kalam. It is enacted in some Bhagavathy temples of Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Thrippunithura and neighbouring areas. The ritual starts with the invocation of Lord Ganapathy, Lord Shiva and Goddess Saraswathy after which the performer dons a crown but similar to one used in the Mudiyettu..

NEYYAR

2011-09-28T23:25:00.000-07:00

NEYYAR DAM: This is a part of Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It has a watch tower, a crocodile farm, lion safari park and deer park.

Achankovil

2011-09-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

The Achankovil Aar is a river in Kerala, India, formed towards the southern tip of the peninsula from the streams of the Rishimala River, Pasukidamettu River, and the Ramakkalteri River. This river enriches the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state. It joins with the Pamba River at Veeyapuram, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala in South India. Achankovil is also the name of the forest area, which is the catchment area for this river, and of a small town situated in the Achenkovil forest area. The Achankovil village is not easily accessible; however, it can be reached through forest routes.

The Achenkovil River

Townships on the banks of River Achankovil

The River Achankovil nurtures numerous townships on its fertile banks. Among them is Pathanamthitta Town, which is the capital of the Pathanamthitta district. It derives its name from its association with the river; Pathanamthitta, from the Malayalam words Pathanam and thitta, means "houses by the riverside".

Attractions

The river is unique in that along its route is a large number of ancient temples, indicating that the richness of the river basin has been identified by humans since ancient times and they preferred to settle down there so that they could grow their crops on the fertile lands. Edappon, a place famous for its flora and fauna, is on the banks of the Achankovil river.
The very old Shiva temple - Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple at Mavelikkara is situated on the banks of the river. The 2200 years old temple is fully built by blackrocks. The world famous Chettikulangara temple is near to this temple.
It is also popular as a natural picnic spot among the locals. The forest route to the town presents lot of biodiversity including wild animals and birds such as elephants, forest fowls, boars, deer, etc.

PALARUVI WATER FALLS

2011-09-06T22:05:00.000-07:00

Palaruvi is a tourist spot in Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. Palaruvi is located close to Kerala's border with Tamil nadu. The main attraction is a 300-foot (91 m)-high waterfall.Literally translated, Palaruvi means "stream of milk".
alaruvi is situated about 75 km from Kollam on the Kollam - Shencottah road.It situated about 4 km from Aryankavu.
Palaruvi is around 4 km deep into the forest from the NH 208.It is situated in and around the Thenmala Eco Tourism Project. Areas marvelous for evergreen forests and temples of Lord Ayyappa. In kulathupuzha the fresh water swamps, harbouring fishes, are ideal bathing ghats. The temple at Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, and Achencoil, attracts many devotees. The perennial waterfall at Palaruvi, near Aryankavu attracts a lot of visitors.
How to reach: From Trivandrum by road via palode. Kulathupuzha-60 km Aryankavu - 75 km. Palaravi - 73 km. Achencoil - 104 km.
Accommodation Forest Rest House – Achencoil, KTDC hotel at Aryankavu, private lodges at Kulathupuzha, Achencoil
Map/ Photograph Contact Address : Divisional Forest Officer, Thenmala: Ph: 0475 2344521

AGASTHYAKOODAM

2011-09-06T21:44:00.000-07:00

Elevation :1868 METERS

LOCATION Thiruvananthapuram,

Agasthya Mountain is also referred as Agasthyakoodam and is located about 70 kilometers from Thiruvanathapuram, capital city of Kerala State in India. It is located at a height of 1,868 meters (6129 feet) above mean sea level. The peak is the second highest peak in Kerala, South India. Agasthyakoodam peak is in the form of a sharp cone and is considered a heaven of rare herbs and Medicinal plants. A valuable and rare herb by name ‘Arogyapacha’ (Plant of eternal health) is attracting the attention of modern researchers to this hill. Agastyakoodam is the source of the Perennial River Thamiarabarni. The river flows in Tirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Peppara wild life Sanctuary, a part of Agastyakoodam Forests is in Thiruvananthapuram district.

The Peppara Dam was constructed across the river Karamana in 1984. The main purpose of the Dam is to effect water supply to the Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. Agastyakoodam is highly respected by both the Hindus as well as the Buddhists. This is because the Hindus believe that this mountain is the home of Sage ‘Agastya’; transitelerated as Agathiar or Agastyar. He is in some ways regarded as the patron saint of much of the south India. Some say that it was the Sage ‘Agastya’ who first brought and popularized the Vedic religion to South India. Agastya is considered to be one of the seven ‘Rishis’ (Saptarshi) of Hindu ‘Puranas’. Buddhists think that Agastya Mountain is the abode of Bodhisatva Avalokiteswara.

Akkulam Tourist Village , Thiruvananthapuram

2011-09-06T21:29:00.000-07:00

Akkulam Tourist Village - Location : About 10 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, south Kerala.
Akkulam Tourist Village - Attractions : A backwater destination and a beautiful picnic spot.
This is an extention of the big lake by name Veli-A beautiful picnic spot developed on the banks of Akkulam lake, with a well equipped childrens park boating facilities,aswiming pool for adults the paddle pool is a real attraction fokr children
Failies with kids Akkulam at Veli is in any way the ideal spot for spending a whole day far from the makking crowds.The calm and serene atmosphere at Akkulam and its unique beauty are a fascination for tourists.
Akkulam Tourist Village - Timings and rates:
* Boat rentals: 10:00 to 17:00 hrs; Safari boat : Rs.15 per head per cruise; Speed boat: Rs.150 for four persons per cruise.
* Children's park: 09:30-19:30 hrs; Adults: Rs.2 ; Children: Re 1.
* Swimming pool: 07:30-18:30 hrs; Adults: Rs.15; Children: Rs 10.
Akkulam Tourist Village - Getting there:
Akkulam Tourist Village - Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram, about 10 km from the tourist village.
Akkulam Tourist Village - Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram international airport, about 7 km from the tourist village.

KUTHIRAMALIKA PALACE

2011-09-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

Puthen Malika Palace (Malayalam: പുത്തന്‍ മാളിക കൊട്ടാരം), most popularly known as Kuthira Malika (Mansion of Horses), is a palace built by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, on the south-eastern side of Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

Architecture

A view of the 'horses' at KuthiraMalika

Built in the 1840s, Kuthira Malika is a fine example of traditional Kerala architecture, with its typical sloping roofs, overhanging eaves, pillared verandahs and enclosed courtyards. Intricate carvings adorn the wooden ceilings with each room having a distinctive pattern.

Museum

A portion of Kuthira Malika has been converted to a Palace Museum that houses some of the assets owned by the Travancore Royal Family. The collection includes Kathakali mannequins, Belgian mirrors, crystal chandeliers, paintings, armaments, musical instruments, traditional furniture and other artifacts. On the right side of the mannequins are the ivory cradles of various sizes. The palace has on display two royal thrones, one made of ivory and the other of Bohemian crystal with the Tranvancore emblem 'conch' adorning the top of the backrest. The palace has a large collection of idols and sculptures made from white marble.
On the first floor are rooms that once served as the audience chamber, the library and an alcove that Swathi Thirunal used for meditating and for conceiving many of his famous musical compositions. This place offers a direct view of the Padmanabhaswamy temple gopuram. One of the rooms displays an illusion portraint of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, painted by Svetoslav Roerich. The face and the shoes of the king appear facing the onlooker from every corner of the room.

PADMANABHASWAMI TEMPLE

2011-09-06T20:59:00.000-07:00

Padmanabhaswamy temple (Malayalam: ശ്രീ പദ്മനാഭസ്വാമി ക്ഷേത്രം) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Thiruvananthapuram, India. The shrine is currently run by a trust headed by the royal family of Travancore.The temple is one of 108 Divya Desams (Holy Abodes of Vishnu) – principal centres of worship of the deity in Vaishnavism. The temple, constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil literature canon of the Tamil Alvar saints (6th–9th centuries CE), with structural additions to it made throughout the 16th century CE, when its ornate Gopuram was constructed.The Temple is a replica of the famous Sri Adikesavaperumal Temple at Thiruvattar.Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple gave its name to Kerala’s state capital Thiruvananthapuram. ‘Thiru’ ‘Anantha’ ‘Puram’ means Sacred Abode of Lord Anantha Padmanabha. This city is also known as Ananda Puram and Syanandura Puram meaning City of Bliss. Ananda refers to Sree Padmanabha Himself. Hindu scriptures refer to the Supreme Being as 'Sachidananda' (Absolute Truth, Absolute Consciousness and Absolute Bliss).
The Principal Deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is enshrined in the "Anantha-sayanam" posture (in the eternal sleep of Yoga-nidra on the serpent Anantha)^.The Maharajah of Travancore bears the title, "Sree Padmanabha-dasa’ (Servant of Lord Padmanabha).

Temple Timing:-4.15 am to 5.15 am,6.45 am - 7.15am, 8.30am-11.15am , 5pm-6.15pm,6.45pm-7.30pm.

PONMUDI HILLS

2011-09-05T00:12:00.000-07:00

Location
Elevation	1,100 m (3,609 ft)
Translation	പൊന്മുടി (Malayalam)
Location	Kerala, India
Range	Western Ghats
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Malayalam: പൊന്മുടി (The Golden Peak) is a hillstation in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala in South India. Its located 61 km north-east of Trivandrum city at an altitude of 1100 m. It is a part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea.

Tourism

Ponmudi is connected to Trivandrum by a narrow winding road offering scenic views on the way to Ponmudi. The climate is pleasant year-round. Trivandrum serves as a base for trekking and hiking. There are also tea gardens in the area.
Other attractions near Ponmudi include Golden Valley and a number of rivulets and rapids, some even across the road. The lush forest area has tropical vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabit the hills. The Golden Valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar river. Flowing though a wilderness area, it has rounded pebbles, cool water, fish, and lush green trees.
Another attraction in the region is Agasthyarkoodam, one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, with the highest peak at 1868 m. This peak is famous for its wilderness, and can be accessed only with the Forest Department's permission. Meenmutty Falls is also a famous attraction in the area.
Hotel Golden Peak in the upper sanitorium under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation(KTDC) is the only hotel available for stay in Ponmudi.Due to its proximity to the main city of Trivandrum and lack of accommodation options tourists usually prefer to stay in the city and make a one day trip to Ponmudi though the early morning scenery especially during the winter season is worth feeling.

Directions

Winter evening in Ponmudi

Nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport.
Nearest railway station is Trivandrum Central.
Nearest Bus Stations Nedumangad and Vithura. KSTRC buses to Ponmudi from either Thiruvananthapuram (Thampanoor) or from Nedumangad (Ponmudi is the nearest hill station 65 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
There are sign boards along the route from Trivandrum, which lead the traveler to Ponmudi.
Ponmudi is near to Braimore, which is also a tourist place.
In Ponmudi there are lots of peaks, one of which is Motta peak, which is a famous for trekking.
Ponmudi is under Peringammala Village, around 36 km from Peringammala.
A deer park and a wireless station is also there in Upper sanitorium.

KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) operates daily bus service from Trivandrum to Ponmudi.Some of the services go up to upper sanitorium and usually takes up to 4 hours to reach(one way).The services are sometimes disrupted by landslides and bad condition of roads

KOVALAM

2011-09-05T00:03:00.000-07:00

Kovalam is a suburb and a beach town on the Arabian Sea in Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala, India. It is located around 13 km from the Central business district.

Beaches

Kovalam has three crescent shaped beaches separated by rocky outcroppings. Shallow waters stretching for hundreds of metres are ideal for swimming. The beaches have steep palm covered headlands and are lined with shops that offer all kinds of goods and services.
The larger of the beaches is called Light House Beach for its 35 metre high light house which towers over it atop Kurumkal hillock. The second largest one is Hawah Beach named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India.However topless bathing is banned now except in private coves owned by resorts. Visitors frequent these two beaches. The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach in tourism parlance. A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and Monazite. The normal tourist season is from September to May. Ashoka beach is also the part of Kovalam beach.

Tourist facilities

There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.
Kovalam was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the hippy era. It still has a high status among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and Israel^.Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists.

onam ഓണം

2011-09-04T23:42:00.000-07:00

Onam (Malayalam: ഓണം) is the largest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. It falls during the first month of the Malayalam calendar which is Chingam (August–September) and marks the homecoming of the legendary King Maveli. The festival lasts for ten days and is linked to many elements of Kerala's culture and tradition. Intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet lunch, snake boat races, Puli Kali, and the Kaikottikkali dance all play a part in the festival. And it can be undoubtedly said that these elements constitute the diversity, colorfulness and richness that no other festival can claim in this world.

Ayapana / Eupatorium triplinerve Vahl Ayurveda medicine for for Bleeding Piles

2011-08-24T04:14:00.001-07:00

Ayapana

Botanical Name : Eupatorium triplinerve Vahl
English : Ayapana tea
Malayalam : Ayapana, Chuvanna Kaiyonni
Medical Use : Used for Bleeding Piles (hemorrhage), Wounds and Poison bites

KERALA SADYA

2011-08-24T03:59:00.000-07:00

A Sadya is a big feast associated with a special occasion, such as a marriage, birthday, childbirth etc. A Sadya is traditionally a vegetarian meal served on a plantain or banana leaf; people eat sitting cross-legged on the floor. Sadhya can have 24 - 28 dishes served in it.
The dishes are plain boiled rice, many curries, papadum, plain yogurt or buttermilk, banana or plantain chips, and two or more sweet dishes. The curries are made of different vegetables and have different flavourings. They can be made of yogurt, bitter gourd, mango, jaggery, etc. The reason for including so many dishes in the Sadya is to ensure that the diners will like at least two or three dishes.
Coconut, being abundant in Kerala, is used in almost all dishes. Coconut milk also finds various uses in cooking. Coconut oil is used for frying.
There is a specific place for each item on the plantain leaf. For example, the pickles are served on the top left corner and banana on the bottom left corner. Thus, the waiters can easily identify the requirement of the diner by just looking at his leaf.
There are variations in the menu according to the place and the religion. Some communities include non-vegetarian dishes in the sadya. Although custom was to use traditional and seasonal vegetables, it has become common practice to include vegetables such as carrots, pineapples, beans in the dishes. Onion and garlic are not typically used in the sadya.
The sadya is usually served as lunch. Preparations begin the night before, and the dishes are prepared before ten o' clock in the morning on the day of the celebration. On many occasions, sadya is served on dining tables, as people no longer find it convenient to sit on the floor.
All the dishes are served on the plantain leaf; it requires a special skill to eat the food. The food is eaten with the hands without use of any cutlery. The fingers are cupped to form a ladle.
Traditionally, the people of the neighbourhood spent the night helping the cooks in works like scraping coconut and cutting vegetables. These people also volunteered to serve the food to the guests. This lent a personal touch to the occasion. Enterprise and urban demands on time and space have now made it possible for the work to be contracted to professional catering services.
Conventionally, the meal may be followed by vettila murukkan, chewing of betel leaf with lime and arecanut. This helps digestion of the meal and also cleanses the palate.

Nelliyampathy Hills Palakkad

2011-07-30T21:11:00.000-07:00

This picture is from Nelliyampathi which is in Palakkad district. Here in this picture we can see an Eagle sitting on the branch of the tree. Nelliampathi is a popular hill station 60 km away from Palakkad, Kerala. It is surrounded by tea and coffee plantations and has excellent weather conditions. The journey to Nelliampathi itself is an experience. The only route is from Nemmara, from where the first town of Nelliampathi, namely Kaikatty junction, is at a distance of 26 km. At the 9th kilometer is the Pothundi Dam, a small irrigation dam which provides water for the rice fields in the surrounding area. The dam is at the foot of the Nelliampathi hills. From here, the road winds up for the next 17 km, with many hairpin turns on the way. Immediately after Pothundy dam, comes the government forest, where one can see massive teak trees. The road is very narrow and requires a skilled driver behind the wheel. On the way, one can see wild animals like monkey, deer and porcupine. The view of the Pothundy dam from the height is a breathtaking sight. There will be many waterfalls by the roadside during the rainy season.
Fauna of Nelliampathi Hills - We can see monkeys in Nelliampathy forestl ocated at the southern tip of the Palakkad gap, the Nelliampathi hills are known for their exquisite fauna. About 215 species of birds and 90 species of butterflies have been recorded in these hills. Some of the rare species of birds include Grey-breasted Laughing Thrush, Great Pied Hornbill, Jerdon's Baza, Great Black Woodpecker, Oriental Broad-billed Roller, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Broad-tailed Grassbird and Nilgiri Pipit. Primates including Lion-tailed Macaque, Bonnet Macaque and Nilgiri Langur are seen here. A small population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr is also seen in the grassy peaks.
How to reach there - Nearest Airports: Cochin International Airport and Coimbatore Airport
From Cochin Airport: Come to Thrissur - 30 km; take a taxi or bus from Thrissur bus stand to Nemmara - 48 km. From Coimbatore Airport: Come to Palakkad - 50 km; take a taxi or bus to Nemmara - 30 km. From Nemmara you can take a taxi or a four wheeler vehicle (jeep) to Neliiampathi.
Nearest main railway stations: Palakkad, Thrissur and Coimbatore

Padmanabhapuram Palace - Thiruvananthapuram

2011-07-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

Padmanabhapuram Palace complex is located in at Padmanabhapuram Fort, close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District. This palace is administered by the Government of Kerala archeology department. It is about 20 km from Nagercoil, and about 50 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The palace complex is inside an old granite fortress around four kilometers long. The palace is located at the foot of the Veli Hills, which form a part of the Western Ghats. The river Valli flows nearby.
The palace was constructed around 1601 CE by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Travancore between 1592 CE and 1609 CE.It is believed that the Thai Kottaram was built in CE 1550. The maker of modern Travancore Anizham Thirunal Marthandavarma ( CE 1706 -1758 ) who ruled Travancore from CE1729 to 1758 rebuilt the palace in 1n around 1750. King Marthaanda Varma dedicated the kingdom to his family deity Sree Padmanabha , an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and ruled the kingdom as Padmanabha dasa or servant of Lord Padmanabha. Hence the name Padmanabhapuram or City of Lord Padmanabha. In the late 18th century,precisely in 1795 CE the capital of Travancore was shifted from here to Thiruvananthapuram, and the place lost its former glory. However, the palace complex continues to be one of the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture, and some portions of the sprawling complex are also the hallmark of traditional Kerala style architecture.

The Padmanabhapuram Palace complex consists of several structures:

Mantrasala; literal meaning, King's Council Chamber
Thai Kottaram; literal meaning, Mother's Palace(It didn't mean the mother's palace, but the first building or the mother of the buildings over there) - believed to have been constructed before AD 1550
Nataksala; literal meaning, the Hall of Performance, or of Performing Arts
A four-storeyed building at the centre of the Palace complex
Thekee Kottaram; literal meaning, the Southern Palace