God's Own Country - KERALA

Bible Tower attracts tourists in large numbers

2007-11-23T11:26:00.000+05:30

The tallest Bible tower of Asia, attached to the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours here, has become one of the major pilgrim tourist attractions in the state, visited by people from around the world including Europe.

According to Fr George Manadan, Rector and Vicar of the Basilica, the church founded in 1925 was one of the biggest Christian shrines in Asia covering a plinth area of 25,000 sq ft.
The Bible tower commands a height of 260 ft and about 500 to 600 pilgrims visit the Basilica and the tower daily, Fr Manadan told a press meet on Thursday.

The four-day long annual festival of the Basilica would begin on Friday with a high mass led by Major Archbishop Baselios Mar Cleemis of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church.

Kumbalanghi project - Tourism Village in the country

2007-11-22T14:37:00.000+05:30

Even as Kumbalanghi, arguably the first-ever model tourism village in the country, is poised to scale new heights of glory, confusion remains about the implementation part of the project.The Union Ministry of Tourism is all set to promote Kumbalanghi as one of the leading destinations in one or two-day packages along with the Incredible India campaign.

But the developments on the ground do not match with the vision those at the helm have.The District Collector, in his capacity as the nodal officer for the model tourism project being implemented with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funds, has issued a stop memo for construction activities at a resort in the village.

However, the village panchayat gave green signal for construction of 56 cottages, perched on pillars set in water bodies. “Such a construction activity can only be allowed after proper study by aquaculture experts,” said Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish.The Union Ministry, he said, was very particular in conserving the pristine rural charm of the village. Any activity contrary to that would lead to re-thinking about being included in the Incredible India campaign.

Foreigners arrive for Kalpathy fete

2007-11-14T11:44:00.000+05:30

The ‘Devarathams’ (temple chariots) will roll through the streets of Kalpathy ‘Agraharams’ (Brahmin villages) from Wednesday to mark the beginning of the famous Kalpathy Car Festival.

The 10-day Carnatic music festival organised as part of the Car Festival ended here on Tuesday. A number of well known carnatic vocalists and instrumentalists enthralled the music lovers during the last 10 days. The festival is getting popular within the country and outside. Large number of foreign tourists are visiting Kalpathy.

On Tuesday a team of 13 presspersons from the U.S. arrived at Kalpathy and they will be here for a couple of days to cover the festival. The ‘rathas’ will set out on Grama Pradikshinam around 10 a.m. on Wednesday. After going round all the four villages of Kalpathy, they would return to the base around sunset.

‘Pradakshinam’

On the first day of the festival, the deities from the Viswanathaswamy temple would be taken out and installed in the three cars, one for the main deity, Sree Viswanathaswami, and consort, Goddess Parvathi; the second for Vigneswara and the third for Subramaniaswamy.

On the second day, the deities of Manthakara Mahaganapathy of New Kalpathy will start at 9 a.m. On the final day, deities of Mahaganapathy and Lakshmynarayana Perumal will be taken around. In the evening, the ‘rathas’ will move from Chathapuram and Old Kalpathy and move through the streets and return to Chathapuram village and Old Kalpathy at 8 p.m. to mark the end of the festival.

Social significance

The special features of the festival are the rights of the Scheduled Castes to take the deities from the ‘rathas’ at the Viswanathaswami temple on arrival at the base and taking them to the portals of the temple where an ‘Abhishekam’ is performed strictly according to Vedic rites and the deities are once again adorned and decorated for procession on the night of the concluding day.

While the rituals inside the temple and the mode of worship are strictly according to Tamil Brahmin culture, the celebrations outside like drum-beating, decoration of the ‘rathas’ etc., are based in Kerala style.

Festivals - Series I

2007-11-13T17:32:00.000+05:30

Onam

Rooted in the myth of the demon-king Mahabali, Onam is easily the biggest and the most popular festival of Kerala. It falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sept). It is the harvest festival of Kerala. During the ten day-long festival, Keralites, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, Children go around collecting flowers and decorate them in the front portion of the house in various designs and patterns to welcome their benefactor and king.Legend has it that Mahabali, the erstwhile ruler of Kerala who was banished to the nether-world by Lord Vishnu under the guise of the Brahmin boy, Vamana, visits his subjects on Thiruvonam.

It's a ten day-long festival and the most important days of the Onam festival are Uthradom and Thiruvonam days. On the latter, a grand feast is held in every home. Onam also provides an occasion for family get-together among the Keralites.

Vishu

This day on which Vishu falls is the astronomical new year day and it is celebrated as such. The Malayalis believe that the fortunes for the year depend upon the nature of the object one sees first in the morning of Vishu Day. In order to fulfill the desire to look at the auspicious articles, they prepare a 'Kani' (anomen) on the previous day for seeing in the next morning. In circular bell-metal vessel known as 'Urule' some raw rice is put and over it a folded newly washed cloth is spread.

The Kani includes gold ornament, white cloth, a measure of rice or paddy, bell metal mirror, flowers of the Konna tree (Cussia fistula), halved jack fruits, halved coconuts, yellow cucumber, and two standing oil lamps emitting sparkling light their eyes. Two coconut halves containing oil and lighted wicks are also placed in the vessel which illuminate the articles inside it. A bell-metal lamp filled with coconut oil is kept burning by the side of the vessel. At the dawn, the Malayali's begin the first day of the Year by waking up in front of Kani.

Another interesting features of this day are Kaayi neetal where the elder members in the family gift money to the younger ones.

Malayalam web site for Kerala Tourism

2007-11-12T11:57:00.000+05:30

Kerala Tourism on Friday launched a new web site in Malayalam to provide a better understanding to the new generation and Non-Resident Keralites of the art and culture of the State.

The web site (http://malayalam.keralatourism.org) was launched by Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan in the presence of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation chairman Cherian Philip and Secretary, Kerala Tourism, V. Venu at a function in the Secretariat.This is the sixth site being launched by Kerala Tourism. The other sites are in French, Italian, Spanish, German and English.

These are intended to attract tourists to the State. The work for launching a web site in Hindi has commenced.The newly launched web site has 13 sections.

Kerala plans tourism roadshows

2007-11-07T11:16:00.000+05:30

Kerala, the God’s own country, is on a roadshow blitzkrieg all over the world to attract tourists and also promote a new-concept called responsible tourism. “We will be organising roadshows in Frankfurt, Zurich, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam and Sweden this month and next and early next year in Australia and Singapore,” says Sanjay Kaul, Director, Kerala Tourism.

Kerala has the largest plan outlay for tourism in the country at Rs 100 crore, out of which Rs 15 crore has been earmarked for marketing activities. Tourism contributes 8 per cent of the state’s exchequer. The number of foreign tourists, along with the domestic ones, are on a rise with international arrivals recording a significant growth of 25.89 per cent.

The goal of Kerala tourism directorate is to increase the tourist inflow though the state ranks among one of the highest in India because it grants high priority to tourism industry. After aggressive worldwide campaign, the number of foreign tourists is expected to multiply and the state is opening up new avenues for them, he adds.

Kaul says responsible tourism initiative, in which local population is actively involved to provide travel and lodging support and supply of locally-grown products, has taken off well and is being implemented on a pilot basis in four destinations - Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad.

The government also plans to provide subsidies to the coffee and spices plantations in Munnar for the concept of “home stay” for tourists, quite popular among foreigners.

Preparations on for Grand Kerala Shopping Festival

2007-11-07T11:15:00.000+05:30

About 11,000 shops and business establishments in the district are expected to participate in the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF), sponsored by the State government, to be held here from December 1 to 15.

The event, modelled on the Dubai Shopping Festival, is aimed at boosting local trade and projecting Kerala as an international shopping destination. “This is not an exhibition in a marquee. Entrepreneurs and retailers participating in the event will get the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival branding. Festival arches and danglers will attract customers to shops. The event offers customers special schemes, big bargains and bumper prizes, including luxury cars, consumer durables and holiday packages, through lucky draw coupons.

The event, being held in all districts, coincides with the peak tourism season in Kerala.
In all, 84 cultural programmes are being planned as part of the festival. “Late-night shopping will be introduced. The festival aims at promoting gold and handloom sectors in the district.

`Kerala Piravi'

2007-11-02T20:24:00.000+05:30

Kerala the southern most state of India took birth on 1st November 1956, previously it was three Independence provinces named Malabar, Cochin and Travancore. Kerala originally got its name after the first ruler, Keralian, who ruled one of these Independent provinces in the early Centuries.According to the Hindu mythology Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Mahavishnu (The God-Lord), created Kerala. Parasurama flung his "Mazhu" (a weapon) from Kanyakumari (cape comerin) to the sea and the sea receded to create the land Keralam.

Kerala is a 560-km long narrow stretch of land. On one side of Kerala, are the mountains ranging high and on the other side the land is washed by the blue Arabian Sea waters. The land is covered with dense tropical forest, fertile plains, beautiful beaches, cliffs, rocky coasts, an intricate maze of backwaters, still bays and an astounding 44 glimmering rivers. Kerala's exotic spices have lured foreigners to her coast from time immemorial.Kerala now is divided into fourteen Districts with Trivandrum as the State Capital. Kerala is the first place in the world where a Communist Ministry came into power by General Election in 1957.

Kerala is truly the undiscovered India. It is God's own country and an enchantingly beautiful, emerald-green sliver of land. It is a tropical paradise far from the tourist trial at the southwestern peninsular tip, sandwiched between the tall mountains and the deep sea. Kerala is a long stretch of enchanting greenery. The tall exotic coconut palm dominates the landscape.

The Government-sponsored celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the formation of the State is set for a grand finale with a string of cultural programmes spread over six days beginning here on Thursday. The Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan in the city is the venue of the `Mudra Fest' from Thursday to next Monday. Leading dancers of the country will present classical forms of dance, preceded by dance seminars, as part of the `Mudra Fest' to be held on the occasion.

Another programme is the `Kathakali Maholsavam.'
This will feature Kathakali performance by leading troupes at the Margi Ankan in the Fort area in the city from Thursday to next Tuesday.There will be yoga classes and `Art of Living' course from Thursday to next Tuesday at Keralasramam at Maruthankuzhi in the city. The Jawahar Balabhavan in the city will witness a `Children's Carnival and Toy Festival during these six days. Yet another programme is the Drama Festival to be staged at the VJT Hall in the city.
The Drama Festival will be held for five days from Thursday to Monday.

Ministry for the Welfare of the Scheduled and Backward Communities, have also held a six-day festival of tribal arts too as part of the `Kerala Piravi' golden Jubilee. This programme will begin at the Suryakanthi Open Auditorium at Kanakakunnu on Thursday. Daily performance of various tribal dance forms, a trade fair devoted to tribal handicraft and a festival of culinary delights from the tribal kitchen are the features of this programme.

Prez advises Kerala to focus on tourism.

2007-11-02T10:41:00.000+05:30

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today called upon the people and the Government of Kerala to harness the resources of their state and focus on development of major sunrise industries like tourism, knowledge industry, health and exports. The state was a land of exceptional natural beauty and one of India's top tourist destinations.

Its tropical forests, fascinating backwaters, misty hill stations, many rivers, beautiful lakes and characteristic coconut trees have created ''God's own country''. The growth of tourism in Kerala is commendable and its further development could help in generating additional revenues and employment.

Kerala Recipes - Series 1

2007-10-31T14:53:00.000+05:30

Tender Coconut Souffle:

Ingredients

Tender coconut - 1 No.
Sugar - 80 gms
Milk - 300 ml
Gelatine - 10 gms
Egg– white - 2 nos
Coconut extract - 25 ml
Rose essence - 2 drops
Milk cream - 10 ml
Corn flour - 10 gms

Method of Preparation :

Mix cream sugar with half the egg white and corn flour. Add boiled milk gradually. Cook in double boiler until the custard is thick. Add gelatine dissolved in warm water strain and cool.Add coconut extract, essence, cream, tender coconut and stiffly beaten white of egg.

Put into a mould and set in refrigerator.

Palada Pradhaman

Ingredients

Instant ada - 250g
Water - 6 cups
Butter - 1 ½ dsp
Milk - 300ml
Condensed milk - 500ml
Sugar - 1.5 cup
Fine rice flour - 1 dsp
Cashew nuts - ½ cup
Cardamom powder - ½ tsp

Method of preparation

Cook ada in water. As soon as ada is cooked, wash it in cold water and drain.
Put the butter and ada together and stir on slow fire taking care that the ada does not break or gets soggy.
Add milk, condensed milk and sugar. Mix the rice flour. Allow it to simmer till it thicken.
Remove from fire and add the fried cashew nuts and cardamom powder.
Stir continuously for sometime so as to prevent the payasam from curdling.

Adventure Tour - Series 1

2007-10-31T14:49:00.000+05:30

Chinnar (Wild life sanctuary):
The sanctuary is situated on the TamilNadu - Kerala border and, the Adventure is spread across 90.44 sq kms. The sanctuary is situated on either side of the Marayoor-Udumalpet road and is hence easily accessible by road. A thorny shrub jungle, makes this sanctuary unique with a wide range of animals and birds like elephants, lion, tailed monkeys, etc.

Eravikulam - Rajamalai (Wild Life Sanctuary)
The 97 sq km wild life sanctuary is also known as a National Park, since it has the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr existing in the world. A wide variety of plant life is present here. The popularity known Neelakurinji is one of the rare species that grows here. There are different species of animals and birds like barking Deer, Gour, Giant Malabar Squirrel, Tiger, Panther, Jungle crow etc.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary extends on the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district, spreading over 77 sq kms and is about 450- 478 m above sea level. There is a scenic lake around the sanctuary and the wildlife found here are similar to those in other Adventure tour nearby.

Unexplored Kerala – Series 1

2007-10-26T19:45:00.000+05:30

Bekal:

Bekal is located in Kasargod district, which is also famous for the Bekal Fort, apart from its beaches and temples. Bekal Fort, a picturesque stronghold situated near the sea, is Kerala’s most famous fort.

The other attractions are:
Bekal Fort - 10 km,Azhithala Beach - 12 km,Kappil Beach - 15 km,
Chandragiri Fort - 20 km, Nithyananda Ashram - 1 km, Anandashram - 5 km,
Trikkannad Temple - 13 km

Edakkal:

Located in Wayanad district, the place is famous for Edakkal caves. The fascinating prehistoric rock etchings found on the walls of these caves date back to 5,000 years and have drawn the serious attention of archaeologists and historians worldwide.

The beauty of this place is also that its only accessible by road from other parts of kerala and the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The closet Airport is the Kozhikode International,which is 115 km awayand the nearest Railway station is Kozhikode, 105 km away.

District Tourism Promotion Council of Kerala

2007-10-26T15:02:00.000+05:30

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
++91-471-2315397
Fax:++91-471-2313606
Email : info@dtpcthiruvananthapuram.com
www.dtpcthiruvananthapuram.com

KOLLAM
++91-474-2750170
Email : info@dtpckollam.com, contact@dtpckollam.com
www.dtpckollam.com

PATHANAMTHITTA
++91-468 2229952
Email : info@dtpcpathanamthitta.com
www.dtpcpathanamthitta.com

ALAPPUZHA
++91-4772251796/2253308
Email:info@dtpcalappuzha.com
www.dtpcalappuzha.com

KOTTAYAM
++91- 4812560479
Email : info@dtpckottayam.com
www.dtpckottayam.com

IDUKKI
Telefax:++-91-4865-231516
Email : info@dtpcidukki.com
www.dtpcidukki.com

ERNAKULAM
++91-484-2367334/2383988
Email : info@dtpcernakulam.com
www.dtpcernakulam.com

THRISSUR
++91- 487-2320800
Email : info@dtpcthrissur.com
www.dtpcthrissur.com

PALAKKAD
++91-491-2538996 Fax: ++91-491-2530566
Email : info@dtpcpalakkad.com
www.dtpcpalakkad.com

MALAPPURAM
++91-483-2731504
Email : info@dtpcmalappuram.com
www.dtpcmalappuram.com

KOZHIKODE
++91-495-2720012
Fax:++91-495-2370582
Email : info@dtpckozhikode.com
www.dtpckozhikode.com

WAYANAD
++91-4936-202134
Email : info@dtpcwayanad.com
www.dtpcwayanad.com

KANNUR
++91-497-2706336
Email : info@dtpckannur.com
www.dtpckannur.com

KASARAGOD
Email : info@dtpckasaragod.com
www.dtpckasaragod.com

New initiatives in Tourism

2007-10-26T12:25:00.000+05:30

Kerala, has registered a remarkable increase in domestic and international tourists during the first quarter (January to March) of the year. While international arrivals has jumped to 25.89 per cent increase over the previous year's figures, the domestic tourist arrivals marked a 7.95 per cent increase. To keep this momentum going the tourism dept has introduced several initiatives for the first time in India.

'Dream Season', launched in April 2007, targeted the summer vacation and is rapidly converting the traditional off-season (April- September) into a season of opportunity for travellers.

The initiative offers a host of packages at never-before rates.

Recipe :- Appam & Mutton Stew

2007-10-24T14:33:00.000+05:30

Appam (25 nos)

Ingredients and Quantity
Rice flour (finely powdered ) 500 g
Coconut milk 250 ml
Salt to taste
Sugar 1 tbsp
Semolina 100 g
Water

Method of preparation:
1. Heat the semolina in a little water to a thick consistency.
2. Remove from the fire and keep it aside to cool.
3. Make a batter with rice flour, coconut milk and water.
4. Add the cooked semolina, soaked yeast and sugar and then mix well.
5. Keep the mixture to ferment for three to four hours.
6. Heat the appam thava (the special vessel for making appam), rub a little oil and pour some batter into it.
7. Turn the batter around in the thava and make it into a round with thin edges and a thick middle.
8. Cover with a lid and keep it over a slow fire.
9. After the appam is ready, serve with mutton stew.

Mutton Stew (4 portions)

Ingredients and Quantity
Mutton 250 g
Coconut ½
Onion 2 no.s
Potatoes 2
Tomatoes 3
Green chilies 6
Garlic ½
Ginger 4 pieces
Poppy seeds tsp
Cinnamon ¼ pod
Cloves ¼ pod
Coriander seeds 1 tbsp
Coriander leaves ½
Oil 2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method of preparation:

1. Clean, cut and wash the mutton.
2. Slice the onion, chillies and tomatoes. Peel and cut potatoes into four.
3. Grind the coriander seeds and poppy seeds separately to a fine paste.
4. Grind the ginger and garlic together. Add the onions, chillies,tomatoes, masala and salt to the mutton and mix well.
5. Heat the ghee and add spices. Add the mutton and fry for a while.
6. Add just sufficient water to cook the mutton; cook till it becomes soft and water is absorbed. 7. Grate the coconut and take out 2 cups of milk.
8. Add the milk and chopped coriander leaves.
9. Simmer and remove from the fire and serve hot.

Athirappalli and Vazhachal

2007-10-24T14:32:00.000+05:30

Athirappalli and Vazhachal, the two scenic and popular waterfalls on the edge of the Sholayar forest ranges are just 5 km apart. The Athirappalli Falls joins the Chalakkudy river after plummeting down a drop of 80 feet. Vazhachal is part of the Chalakkudy river. Both the waterfalls, their cool, misty waters cascading down in the backdrop of thick green forest and rocky terrain, are a scintillating experience to visitors.

How to Reach: By Road, you could travel either from Kochi or Thrissur. Athirappalli 63 km from Thrissur and Vazhachal 68 km from Thrissur.

Recipe - Kerala Fish Curry

2007-10-23T20:24:00.000+05:30

Ingredients Quantity
Fish (Seer fish) 150 gms
Oil 20 ml
Fenugreek 5 gm
Onion 40 gms
Ginger 10 gms
Chilly powder 15 gms
Coriander powder 15 gms
Big Chilly 2 gms
Turmeric powder 2 gms
Tomato slices 25 gms
Coconut ¼ no
Tamarind 15 gms
Salt to taste
Curry leaves 5 gms
Garlic 2 gms

Method of preparation:

Cut the fish into cubes. Heat oil and fry fenugreek, curry leaves, big chilly, onion. Sauté and add ginger. Add the masala powders and sauté well. Add the second extract of coconut milk, fish pieces and tomato. When the fish is cooked, add the tamarind pulp, salt and finish off with first extract of coconut.

Pathanamthitta - Pilgrim Worship Place

2007-10-22T15:57:00.001+05:30

Pathanamthitta a hilly terrain of pristine beauty is popular as the headquarters of pilgrim worship in Kerala. More than fifty per cent of the total area of this land of temples, rivers, mountain ranges and coconut groves is covered by forests. The district is frequented by visitors from India and abroad often for its water fiestas, religious shrines and the cultural training centre.

It's bordered by the Western Ghats on the east, Kollam district on the south, Alappuzha district on the west and Kottayam and Idukki districts on the north.

Wayanad - Mist Clad Hill Stations

2007-10-22T15:43:00.000+05:30

Wayanad is one of the districts in Kerala which has been able to retain its pristine nature. Hidden away in the hills of this land are some of the oldest tribes, as yet untouched by civilisation. Wayanad is known for its picturesque mist clad hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions.

The leading tourist centres of South India like Ooty, Mysore, Coorg, Kozhikode and Kannur are around this region

Dream World - Athirappilly

2007-10-20T14:42:00.000+05:30

Dream World, the state-of-the-art water theme park is situated close to the Athirappilly waterfalls.

Dream World is known for its exhilarating water amusement rides. Total of 42 rides, out of which 24 are water rides, each having its unique element of fun and adventure. Some of the major attractions at Dream World include, an eight feet deep Wave Pool; raft ride called Stormy River which starts from a height of 30 ft, follows a smooth and beautiful zigzag route, and splashes into a wide pool linked with Lazy River, which is a single ring tube, Rain Dance , Mermaid Pool is exclusively meant for ladies and children, Go Kart, Sky Train, Flying Colombus, Baby Car, Caterpillar, Dragon Train, and Revolving Barrel and many more.

Visit Dream World and have a blast with your family and friends

Cherai Beach

2007-10-20T14:39:00.000+05:30

Location: Near Vypeen Island accessible by boat (30 minutes, journey) from Ernakulam

This lovely beach is typically ideal for swimming, The sea on the western side and the backwaters on the east give this upcoming tourist destination a uniqueness which can be found only in Kerala. Thick coconut groves and chinese fishing nets on the waterfront are added attractions.

How to reach there:

Nearest Railway station: Ernakulam Junction, about one km from the main boat jetty.

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 20 km from Ernakulam town

Veli Tourist Village

2007-10-08T14:12:00.000+05:30

Two kilometers from Trivandrum Airport, The Veli Tourist Village on the outskirts of Trivandrum is a delightful waterfront park which has become extremely popular with the toursist and locals.

Only a narrow sandbar separates the lagoon from the sea. You can opt for rides in motor-driven safari launches, power boats, pedal boats or row boats. Kayaks and hovercraft attract the brave-hearted. A floating bridge and a floating restaurant add to the overall excitement. The eastern end of the lake is flanked by two scenic hillocks coming through as a perfect hiking ground.

The main attraction at Veli is water - a large inland lake, separated from the ocean by only a narrow sandbar. For a few rupees, rides can be had in motor-driven safari launches and power boats, or a family can drift about in a pedal-boat or a row boat. There are kayaks, and even hovercraft, for the more intrepid. While skimming over the lake, visitors will see the local fishermen readying their boats, working on their nets, or poling sand-laden barges.

Calicut - The Meandering Backwaters

2007-10-06T14:18:00.000+05:30

Up north in Kerala, the meandering backwaters of Calicut (Kozhikode) lie waiting to be discovered. With a bewitching beauty of its own. North east of the city, Elathur offers an ideal jump-off base into the Canoly Canal - a name taken after its British builder and administrator.

The canal links itself to the Kallai River which unhurriedly threads through the city and offers its shores to Calicut’s historic timber trade. The produce of which is believed to have even adorned the courts of King Solomon and Queen Sheba a few millennia ago.

Further south lies Kadalundi with its charming bird sanctuary - haven to an amazing assortment of delightful water birds.Another river of the region - Korapuzha - is fast gaining popularity as the venue of the water sports festival - the Korapuzha Jalotsavam - staged every August

Alleppey (Alappuzha) - "The Venice of the East."

2007-10-06T14:13:00.000+05:30

The sweeping network of canals, honey-combing the town of Alleppey (Alappuzha) has earned for the place its sobriquet - "The Venice of the East." Small, low-slung country boats are the taxis of this waterland

It is a heart-warming sight to see them carry a motley assemblage of cycles, goats, fisherwomen with cane baskets, school children, toddy-tappers with their knives and pots, duennas in white with gold earrings, Syrian Christian priests and a bare-chested boatman apiece.

Do not miss out on a ride into Kuttanad through shimmering, green paddy fields and tail-wagging, head-bobbing groups of ducks. The coir-workers too present an interesting sight as they soak coconut fibre in pools, beat them out and weave the tough brown strands into long ropes on spindles stretched between endless coconut trees.

Alleppey becomes the cynosure of the eyes of the world in August - September, every year, as it plays host to the celebrated Snake Boat Races - a water regatta unique to Kerala

Cochin - Finest Natural Harbour in the World

2007-10-05T12:12:00.000+05:30

Come into Cochin (Kochi), Queen of the Arabian Sea. Believed to be the finest natural harbour in the world. With ferry rides commanding its breathtaking view. Cruise around man-made islands with lush green lawns sloping down to the water's edge

Cochin is the oldest European settlement in India. Recording a history of visitors who came, saw and stayed for hundreds of years. Layered impressions - Chinese, Arab, Jewish, British, French and Portuguese, are contained within its environment

Giant Chinese fishing nets that billow from massive teak and bamboo poles dot the entrance to the harbour. Silhouetted against the setting sun, they present a magnificent sight at the waterfront. A narrow, palm-fringed island, easily accessible from the mainland is where the Bolghatty Palace is situated. The palace was built by the Dutch in 1744. Later, it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin and today this has been converted into a hotel run by the KTDC.

KUMARAKOM - Ideal Place for Backwater Cruises

2007-10-04T14:11:00.000+05:30

At Kumarakom, you could sail the backwaters in rented houseboats, which are poled by local oarsmen and are simply furnished with a living room, a bedroom and bath, together with a raised central platform creating a private sit-out for the passengers. Sections of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. Boat trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together - make for a convenient mode of sightseeing when the company is large. You could even take a canoe out into the quiet lagoons and spend time angling. Make sure you sample Karimeen and fresh Toddy - the favorite fresh-water food and the local wine

On the shores of the enchanting Vembanad lake, 14 kilometers from Kottayam (travel time: 20 min), lies Kumarakom in its small-town hush. Redolent of restful ease.A boat ride into the countryside offers a close look into an engaging rustic life. Skiff-fishermen launching their cockleshell boats. Large flotillas of ducks waddling down to the water from thatched houses on the banks. Women, neck-deep in water, with their waist-length hair heaped in a crown, searching for fish with their feet

How to reach?

2007-10-03T18:56:00.000+05:30

Air Transport

Reaching to Kerala is easy, Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital along with kochi and calicut, are connected to most of the major airports in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore. There are international flights that also come in directly to these airport.

Rail Transport

Rails are another good way of moving inside and from the outside Kerala. It has a well connected rail network and long-distance express trains easily connect important places in Kerala to places outside the state like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Road Transport

Major modes of road transport are buses, tourist taxis, cars, and local taxis and autos. State is connected with other parts of South India by a number of National Highways. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are some of the neighboring states that are easily connected to Kerala through roads.

God's Own Country - Kerala

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With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 msin the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia.It is a easy winner owning to its great mind-blowing landscape and infinity of intriguing customs, high-intensity cultural life and educated public so often dressed in white.

Every district in Kerala has it's own unique culture and characteristics. Thiruvananthapuram is known for it's beach- Kovalam, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and various museums and palaces; Alappuzha for it's backwaters, Thrissur, the cultural capital, Kottayam for it's ancient churches, Kozhikode for it's old world charm and the entrancing Ponmudi or Golden valley.

Kathakali is the most important form of dance developed exclusively in Kerala combining the performing art forms of opera, ballet, masque, and pantomime. The dance is a beautiful blending of color, dance, music, drama, and expressions. In a sense, a lot of the fame that the state has gained is mainly due to the popularity of this dance form. Other dance forms of Kerala are Mohiniyattom, Thullal, Koodiyattom, Thiruvathirakali, Oppanna, and many more.