Tag: Kerala

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Festival South India Travel Trends

Human By Nature making Kerala truly God’s Country

Kerala

Kerala has always been fascinating for us as ghoomophirosisters. The first time we went to meet a friend in Kochi, we extended our vacation to explore the humans of Kerala. We are penning down this article to support and spread the word of the latest campaign of Kerala Tourism Board “Human by Nature”, which truly resonates with our experience too. 

Keralites are diverse and colorful

Kerala boasts of having some of the most diverse folks. During your stroll in the morning, you can find fishermen’s getting ready for their day working out with their nets, while some of the women would be busy drawing creative Rangolis, where-as there are homestays, where you would be surprised to see kids learning local martial art Kalaripayattu. For us, it was about imbibing their day journey within us. 

Not only this, like any other Indian state, Keralites are firm believers of “athithi devo bhav”, meaning “guests are god”. You can truly live this experience while you are staying with locals in homestays like we did or in the house-boats of Alleppey. They are too eager to share their culture, their lifestyle with us, which makes us feel very overwhelming. During our visit to Munnar, few ladies who were busy plucking tea-leaves even agree to share how their day look like and much more. The broad smile on their faces and the kids with them was heartening and radiating positivity about the place. We were completely submerged in their non-fussy, simplistic, uncomplicated culture which was evident in everything they were pursuing.

An open-minded approach and a multicultural attitude have, undoubtedly, allowed Kerala to become one of the most progressive states in India.

We were lucky to visit the place during Onam and the residents of the homestay, where we chose to stay, made sure we both participate with our full enthusiasm. Their hospitality was unmatchable.

Sharing this video from Kerala Tourism Board, which will make you believe what exactly we just said. This 3-minute clip encapsulates the power of humans, the inclusivity and magnificence that Keralites behold to make the state furthermore beautiful.

“The Food”, to satiate your coconut craving

Well, being a vegetarian, we were delighted to have such a wide variety of cuisines, though coconut and rice were the key ingredients. Thoroughly enjoyed the permutations and combinations that we ate.

Nature at its best 

Nothing could be more romantic than viewing the green Munnar tea-plantation to cruising in the backwaters of Alleppey to lazing in the white beaches of Kovalam with your special someone. The beauty of Kerala is the result of its landscape diversity which includes almost 600km of gorgeous beaches; a slow-paced network of jungle backwaters, the tea-covered hills. We still recall our key itinerary spots. Adding them here, so that you add them in your itinerary too.

  • Kochi, famous for its amazing Chinese fishing nets and the sunsets.
  • Thekkady, where you will rejoice yourself with elephants.
  • Munnar, a hill station that will make you fall in love with its green tree-plantation
  • Alleppey, Cruise in its backwaters and stay in the houseboat
  • Kovalam, beachside scenic place
  • Wayanad, part of Kerala which is an adventure-lovers paradise.

And last but not least, there is a reason why Kerala boasts of being amongst top travel destinations and that reason is wonderful people of  Kerala apart from its quintessential beauty. Summing up the post with the sunset at Cherai Beach!!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Kerala Tourism 

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Beaches Rejuvenate

A memorable escape to bliss on the Indian Islands

The mainland India, especially the northern part is brimming high with all the picturesque tourist spots to hang out. And needless to say, the huge traffic of the foreign and local tourists have enabled the hospitality industry there to come up with luxurious attempts to lure in more and more of those tourists. In all that gloss of the mainland India, people usually tend to forget that there are some islands in the Indian Ocean which are no less than any other place in terms of luxury and comfort. Let’s get to know about a few of them.

Lakshadweep- Lakshadweep is one of the most beautiful places you can expect to find in the country. The 36 small and big islands collectively constitute Lakshadweep, whose name is defined literally as The Island of a hundred thousand lands. Out of all of them, Kavaratti is the most developed and has the most comfortable facilities to stay and spend some time at. Agatti and Bengaram are other two very popular little islands which are just recently getting the popularity that they deserve. It happens to be located near Kerala.

Andaman and Nicobar- If we talk about the Indian island most frequently visited by the international tourists, Andamans would be the one. They are located in the Andaman Sea on the east of the country. There are many popular stories about this set of islands that have made their way into the popular literature. Once upon a time, they were known as the dreaded Kaala Paani and now, as the times have changed, they are full of luxurious five-star hotels and resorts. However, the stories about the cannibals still existing in here may attract the most adventurous ones as well.

St. Mary’s Islands- These are a small set of four beautiful islands, located near the state of Karnataka. Also known as the coconut islands, these little pieces of landfall in the Arabian Sea, to the west side of the country. The biggest attraction of these islands is the massive pitch black lava stones that resulted with an eruption of the very aggressive volcano over the centuries. There are a great number of hotels on the islands promising a very comfortable stay.

Netrani Island- Located about 20 kilometers from Murudeshwara in the Arabian Sea, the Netrani Island also happens to be known as the Pigeon Island. For the tourists hailing from Goa and Kerala, the nearby places, the islands serve as a perfect place for some daring water sports such as Scuba diving. The biggest highlight of the island is only visible from the space though, as it looks like a heart located right in the middle of the sea. The island remains closed during the monsoons due to the heavy rains that fall in here annually. Any other time in the year is perfect for a visit to this little beauty of an island.

So, forget the hills and all the snow, have a visit to one of these islands and you will know how there is much more to our beautiful country what we are still unaware of.

Majuli Island

Majuli Island is one of the most coveted islands on the list of Indian Islands. It’s one of the biggest river islands in the world and the most unique of all the islands in India. We are sure to enjoy this place for its breath-taking sunrises and stunning sunsets. Out of all the islands of India, this one is the most unconventional one where you will find moss instead of sand on its coast and traditional north-eastern cuisine instead of seafood.

Diu Island

Who doesn’t want to visit an island so cool? Diu Island is a small island which has traces of Portuguese culture infused in it.

This island has a little bit of everything that appeals right from the architectural beauty and serenity. The beautiful beaches and tropical sea-food with a hint of Gujarati influence will make it a notch diverse from other islands in India. if you are looking to have a good time with your alcoholic friends, the best part is that alcohol is legal here, unlike in Gujarat!

So, which of these islands captivate your senses and allure you to visit them at least once? 

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Corporate Outings National Parks wildlife

Top 5 National Parks in Kerala

Kerala is known as “God’s own country” but apart from beautiful beaches and backwaters, it also has a wide variety of wildlife. A large area of Kerala is given to National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries for the preservation of biodiversity. Here are some of the National Parks in Kerala:

Eravikulam National Park

It is the oldest National park of Kerala. It is located along the Western Ghats in Idukki district. The highest peak in South India aka Anamudi is also located inside the park. Moreover, it has the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr. The park can be reached from Kochi or Coimbatore Airport or from Munnar town which is just 13 km away. Inside the part, there are motorable roads or you can walk on foot enjoying the scenic views.

Periyar National Park

It is the largest National Park in Kerala. It lies in the district of Pathanamthitta and Idukki. It is most popular for its tiger and elephant reserve and there are also White tigers present here. Periyar National park is as rich in scenic charm as it is in biodiversity. From the forests of this National Park, Periyar and Pamba rivers originate which are delightful visions. You can reach the park by Air from Kochi or Madurai airports or by rail. The nearest railhead is Kottayam and by road, Kumily is the nearest town. Instead of your usual boat cruise, go on a trek with some tribals and fill your eyes with the splendid hills and jungles.

Silent Valley National Park

It is Kerala’s second largest national park. It lies within the Palakkad district in the Nilgiri Hills. An endangered species of primate i.e. lion-tailed macaques is found here. The National Park was named Silent Valley by the British because noisy cicadas were assumed to absent here making this the perfect place of silence and harmony. The nearest railway station is Palakkad. From there, reach Mukkali which is 60 km away and can be reached through bus. From Mukkali, you can hire jeeps to move around. You can see the Kunti river and go at the watchtower that looks over the jungle.

Mathikettan Shola National Park

The name ‘Mathikettan’ itself means mind confused in Tamil. They say that one forgets his path after entering the park. The park is spread over 12.82 km2 in Poopara village of Udumbanchola Taluk. Visitors can approach Mathikettan Shola via Munnar and Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport. The area has unique flora and fauna. There are lion safaris, deer parks and waterfalls to enjoy. It is a haven for botanists and ideal for ecotourism.

Pampadum Shola National park

It is the smallest National Park of Kerala. The name itself means ‘the forest where snakes dance’. The park contains various types of medicinal herbs and is rich in uncontaminated ‘humus’.  The key species of this National park is Nilgiri marten. There are also tigers, leopards, Python, King cobra and Indian wild dogs that can be seen during dusk or dawn. It is just 35 km away from Munnar town and can be reached easily through road travel. You can join the Nature trail to watchtower as an adventure trekking option.

Such richness in biodiversity makes Kerala not only God’s country but also a haven for its innocent majestic creatures. With such fresh air and clear waters, these National parks and wildlife sanctuaries also add to the beauty of the place attracting tourists from all over. Nature lovers are especially drawn to Kerala because of its beautiful forests and greenery.

Categories
Beaches Corporate Outings Relax South India

To DO’s in Kochi aka Cochin

Kochi or Cochin is one of the biggest Indian cities and the financial capital of the south Indian state of Kerala. Also known as the “Queen of the Hills”, Kochi is one of the evolving cosmopolitans in the southwest part of the country and a bustling commercial port. It is also popular due to its proximity to Allepey, where-in travelers rush to experience the alleppey houseboat

How to Reach

Cochin airport is the 4th busiest Indian airport and one of the main getaways to India. The international airport is located 29 kilometers away from the city center and is well connected to major cities of India and the world.  Kochi is home to two major railway stations – Ernakulam Town and Ernakulam Junction and is well connected to all the major railway stations in India. Cochin has a well-established network of Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services that enables good connectivity to all the major cities in Kerala and other neighboring cities and states.

Places to visit

Fort Kochi- Once you reach the Kochi City of Kerala, you can board a cab, auto-rickshaw or bus to Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi is a region in the south-west part of the city of Kochi and an important part of a handful of water-bound regions. This little island offers some main tourist attractions such as Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi beach, Sree Gopalakrishna Devaswom Temple, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and Jain Temple.

Hill palace museum- It once was the palace of Kochi’s Maharaja and now it’s a full-blown museum that has been attracting the tourists in hundreds every day. With about 500 artifacts placed inside, this museum is rightly known as the biggest museum in the entire south Indian region. There is also a small zoo nearby.

Santacruz Basilica- It is one of the eight Basilicas in Kerala and amongst the oldest churches in India built by the Portuguese in the year 1502 when they shifted their base here to make the most out of the business opportunities the city had to offer. The place is counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala and visited by tourists the whole year-round.

Chendamangalam Fort- Historically, the fort is known as the prime minister of Kochi and is one of the important forts in Kerala. Now a great tourism spot, the place is famous for coir manufacturing and handloom weaving. Three rivers are flowing nearby the Fort, which adds to the scenic view of this place.

Durbar Hall ground- The place is the center for various cultural activities in the city. It’s a great place to take a break from the bustling city and spend time exploring the skyscrapers, restaurants, shops and crowded streets.

Cherai Beach- Kerala is full of beaches and backwaters that could satisfy your tourism bones to their core. Cherai beach is known to be one of the best beaches in the city which happens to be totally safe for water sports and general hanging out. This place filled with locals during weekends and backwater stretch is the scenic and pleasing sight.

Things to Explore

Kochi Books

This is one place you must visit if you are an ardent lover of books. It is the one-stop shop destination for all types of books that you ever wanted to own.

The Onam Festival

And there is the Onam festival. The festival of Onam is celebrated every year for 10 days that lasts from mid-august to mid-September. The festival marks the welcoming back of the mythical king Mahabali. The people are known to celebrate the festival with high-level enthusiasm as a parade takes place with showcasing different art forms. The final celebrations take place at Thrikakkara temple located in the city.

The Chinese fishing nets

Chinese fishing nets are fixed land installations used for catching the fishes, as the name suggests. Each installation is operated by a team of six fishermen.

The Chinese fishing nets are a great reminder of the close relations the city shared with Chinese emperors at one point in the history. These nets have been the official icon of the city and were gifted to then king of Kochi by the Chinese emperor Kubalagi in the 14th century. He gifted more than a hundred of them to the kingdom of Cochin, but only a few remain in the working condition.

Kochi Tips

–It may very well be a place as beautiful as Goa, but far more conservative. Wearing short clothes here is not good for the women.

-A half an hour time to the soothing ayurvedic massage must be tried. Ayurveda comes from Kerala and the massage parlors in Kochi are nothing short of magnificent.

-Coconut milk and cashews are a part of every other Kochi meals, so in case you are allergic, be aware every time of what you have been eating.

-There is a high margin of the population that doesn’t speak or understand Hindi, so be prepared for the worst.

Food

The cuisines from Kerala are popular all across the country for their seafood quality and other vegetarian and nonvegetarian cuisines. The restaurants in Kochi such as Hotel Thali, Hotel Unnikrishnan, Uruvi, Shri Krishna Cafe and the Royal food court serve some great Indian as well as international food items.

Places to Stay

There are some great hotels in Kochi to stay such as the Mariott hotel, Le Meridian, Hotel Crown Plaza and Keys hotel. There are options for every budget range.

The intense natural beauty of the state is perfectly reflected in the city of Cochin, so in case you want to spend some quality time away from the hectic city life, head here, you won’t regret.

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