Ochira Kali - Kollam

This festival is one of those events in which you will feel the rustic spirit of Kerala in all its vibrancy. Ochira Kali is held as part of the festival of Ochira Parabrahma temple, Kollam, and commemorates the battle between the kings of Kayamkulam and Ambalappuzha, two erstwhile kingdoms of Kerala. Thousands of people come to see this rural event. Men, both young and old, dressed in colourful attire, step into the waterlogged paddy fields and engage in a dance like mock fight. This is a display of their physical skills as well, with hundereds of onlookers cheering from the sides of the field. Ochira Parabrahma temple is also unique for its having no visible deity. The whole worship here is centered around the concept of Parabrahma or Universal Consciousness. The Ochira Kali will be held on 15 and 16 of June 2008

Thekkady - Idukki

The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
Accessing Idukki by Road: There are frequent buses from Kumily (4 km away) to various tourist centres.
Distance of a few major towns from Thekkady
Kumily: 4 km (15 mts) Sabarimala via Pullumedu: 50 km (2 hrs) Idukki: 65 km
(2 1/2 hrs) Munnar: 106 km (4 hrs) Kumarakom: 128 km (4 hrs) Sabarimala via Erumeli: 134 km (4 hrs) Kodaikanal: 149 km (5 hrs) Alappuzha: 164 km (5 hrs)
Kollam: 220 km (6 hrs) Ooty: 390 km (11 hrs)
us timings from Kumily: Thekkady: 0930, 1045, 1130, 1200, 1230, 1330, 1530 hrs Kumarakom: 0700 hrs Munnar: 0600, 0945, 1330 hrs Ernakulam: 0700, 1330, 1515, 1630,1715, 1930 hrs Thiruvananthapuram (from Kumily): 0840, 0930 hrs; (from Thekkady): 0820 hrs Kottayam: Frequent buses Cherthala: 1415 hrs Idukki: Frequent buses Chennai: 1630, 1900 hrs Pondicherry Madurai: 0115, 0515, 0525, 0645, 0716, 0720, 0730, 0755, 0835, 0940, 1030, 1045, 1120, 1155, 1300, 1315, 1320, 1420, 1515, 1540, 1550, 1650, 1705, 1800, 1840, 1905, 2045 hrs Dindigal: Frequent buses Kodaikanal: There is no direct bus from Kumily to Kodaikanal.
The Dindigal bus takes you to Vathalakundu from where there are frequent
buses to Kodaikanal (149 km) Trichy: 0855, 1045, 1925 hrs Palani: 0930, 1135, 1830, 1850 hrs.

Responsible Tourism comes to Kovalam

The famed beach resort of Kovalam is the second tourist destination in the State to introduce Responsible Tourism from 14-05-2008. Hon'ble Minister for Tourism Mr. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has officially launched the initiative at meeting held in Kovalam.
Kumarakom was the first tourist centre in the State that adopted the Responsible Tourism concept. Thekkady and Wayanad are the other two tourist destinations where Kerala Tourism is launching the project on a trial basis.
The Destination-level Responsible Tourism Committee has taken the initiative to establish a link between local entrepreneurship and the tourism industry. A survey of the consumption pattern of the 100-odd hotels housed in the beach resort was taken up. Based on the findings, steps have been taken to mobilise a part of their needs from the local community.
The plan is to deliver locally available products, especially farm produce, to the hotels, thereby establishing the critical linkage. Kudumbasree units are expected play a key role in the initiative.
Official sources said that an agreement had been reached to supply locally produced vegetables to a couple of hotels in Kovalam as per their needs. In addition, the self-help groups would take steps to make available eco-friendly baskets and paper bags.
Responsible Tourism aims at minimising negative economic, environmental and social impacts, generating greater economic benefits for the local society, and enhancing the well-being of host communities. It also focuses on improving working conditions and access to the industry, involves local people in the decision-making process that affects their lives.
Stakeholders ranging from the local community, tour operators to educational institutions are involved in the initiative. Women under self-help groups have been mobilised to take up vegetable and dairy farming enterprises.

Jews Synagogue - Kochi

This Synagogue is constructed in 1568 and this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. Known for mid-18th century hand painted, willow patterned floor tiles from Canton in China, a clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, great scrolls of the Old Testament, ancient scripts on copper plates etc. The Synagogue is situated at Mattancherry, Kochi and will be open for 1000 - 1200 hrs; 1500 - 1700 hrs. Closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays

Kerala Travel Mart - 2008

Kerala Travel Mart 2008 (KTM 2008) will be conducted from 21st to 23rd September, 2008 at Le Meridien International Convention Centre, Cochin. The inaugural ceremony will be held in the evening on 20th September. Kerala Travel Mart is the biennial event that showcases Kerala, Asia’s new age destination and India’s tourism Superbrand.
KTM is the only tourism event in the sub-continent that brings together the business fraternity and entrepreneurs behind the tourism products and services of Kerala. It is today the largest gathering designed, planned and scheduled to facilitate meetings involving Buyers, Sellers, Media, Government Agencies and others.

The KTM 2008 is conducted by Kerala Travel Mart Society, which is a permanent institution, constituted and registered as a Society under the Travancore – Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1995.
The Society, has as its objectives, to conduct the Travel Mart in particular, and to become a mechanism for an effective and continuous public/private partnership to facilitate the promotion of tourism in the State of Kerala.

Edathua Annual Feast - Alappuzha

St. George Church, Edathua (24 km from Alappuzha, on the Alappuzha - Thiruvalla Road), established in 1810, the church is dedicated to St. George. It is believed that prayers and offerings at this church help to heal all mental disorders and other ailments. During the annual feast (5th, 6th and 7th of May) pilgrims from all parts of South India, irrespective of caste and creed, visit the church and seek the blessings of the saint.

You may have seen the magnificent churches of Europe and the West, so what is special about this grand old one, set on the banks of the River Pamba in God’s Own Country? The experience will of course be different. The best time to visit here is in April, on the eve of the annual feast of St. George on May 7th. On this day, the image of the saint, decked in gold is carried out in procession to be placed on the dais at the centre of the basilica. Processions and cultural performances are held everyday including dazzling firework displays in the initial as well as during the concluding days. Another highlight of the festival is the swarming of vendors and stalls in the premises of the church, selling all kinds of things from food items to utensils. Devotees from all parts of the state attend the feast which lasts for one month.

Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla, about 15km away.Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km away.

Muzhappilangad Beach - Kannur

Muzhappilangad Beach (15 km from Kannur and 8 km from Thalasseri): Black rocks protect this long, clean beach from the currents of the deep, making its shallow waters a swimmer's paradise. Perhaps this is Kerala's only drive-in beach where you can drive down the entire length of 4 km.

Poovar - River meets Sea

Yesterday I have visited one of the beutiful place in Kerala, Poovar. It is situated in the coast of Thiruvananthapuram district. You can see the river meets sea here. There are various resorts named Isola di Cocco, Estuary islands, Poovar Island Resorts are there. You can reach in these resorts by travelling in boats for 5 minutes provided by the resorts. It is a calm, cool and beautiful place

Todays Picture - Sunset in Kochi

Nicaragua Beach

Nicaragua beaches are more similar with Kerala beaches. The greenary and palm trees are similar with Kerala. Now its time for vacation in Kerala and plannig a trip to its better to choose Nicaragua beaches. One of the important beach in Nicaragua is San Juan Del Sur. You can stay in Nicaragua Beach Hotel when you visit San Juan Del Sur. It is a charming fishing village on Nicaragua's pristine Pacific coast. It is just two and half drive from Managua, one and half drive from the colonial city Granada or just fourty minutes away from the border of Costa Rica. It is also in the heart of famous Nicaraguan surfing beaches. You can have your bed and breakfast from one of the Nicaragua inn in Nicragua. San Juan Del Sur hotel is a perfect destination for your Nicaragua beach vacation!

Real estate boom!

Now the face of Kerala is the giant concreate structures like flats, convention centres and other commercial building. The political scenerio of Kerala is also lot of prblems realted with realtors. The recent issue of HMT land in Kalmassery has not yet seetled. I think the real estate boom is a global one. Many of the US and European countries are utilising such a marvellous situation. Recently I have visited a web site which has lot of useful information related with the real estate matters of US. My US friends can use this site if required. This is real estate relocation portal, which provides many related and iformational services. It has lot of informations regarding the Real Estate, Rental, Agents, Movers, Mortgages, Foreclosures, Title Insurance, Home Inspectors, Insurance etc...
See the special offers provided by Atlanta Homes, Boston Condos and Chicago mls.

Stable Authority for Grand Kerala Shopping Festival

Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that, Government is planning to constitute a stable authority to conduct Grand Kerala Shopping Festival. He was speaking in Thiruvananthapuram while inaugurating the Malayalam web site of Dubai Shopping Festival. He added that Kerala Government was holding discussions with the Dubai Government for setting up new projects in potential areas like tourism.“Preliminary studies have proved the possibilities of ‘health tourism’ in association with Dubai. Since many in Dubai are now depending other countries for special medical care, Kerala can offer better medical facilities at affordable rate’’, he said.The Grand Keral Shopping Festival, which began this year, has brought an additional revenue of Rs 90 crore to Government

Ashtakam - Octave - 2008

The third edition of ‘Octave’ will be held in Thiruvananthapuram which showcases the rich tapestry of art, craft, music, food and costumes of the eight north-eastern States — Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur and Sikkim — in other parts of the country.
The first edition of this major cultural festival, initiated by the North-Eastern Zone Cultural Centre, was held in New Delhi in 2006 and the second one was in Hyderabad.
The festival is aimed at bridging the gap prevailing in the rest of the country in awareness about the rich cultural heritage and expressions of the north-eastern States. The Union Ministries of Culture and Tourism are the principal organisers of the festival while the South Zone Cultural Centre, the State Cultural Department, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademy, Kerala Sahithya Akademy and the Kerala Lalithakala Akademy have teamed up to arrange the programme locally.
An organising committee with Education and Cultural Affairs Minister M.A. Baby as chairman and Sangeetha Nataka Akademy chairman Bharat Murali as convener has already started the preparatory work for the festival to be held in Thiruvananthapuram from February 16 to 23. The events of the festival will be held at the Nisagandhi open air theatre and at the Suryakanthi auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram.
A host of events including seminars, workshops, film screenings, and performances related to art, dance, music-drama and choreography from the north-eastern States will he held as part of the festival. About 600 artistes from those States will take part in the programmes. A festival of native food items will also form part of the programmes.
A panting camp in Ernakulam and a literary camp in Thrissur have also been arranged as part of the festival.

Flower and Aquarium Show 2008

The Flower and Aquarium Show 2008 has began on February 1st at Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. The show is displayed at the Observatory Hill and at the hall and premises of the Institution of Engineers. Over one lakh flowers, including imported ones, will be on display during the 10-day show. Different varieties of anthurium, orchid, petunia and rose will be the major attraction of the show. The show is being organised jointly by the Kerala Agri-Horticultural Society, Kerala Rose Society, City Corporation and Matsyafed in association with Kerala Tourism.
Admission to the flower and aquarium show will be from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. till 8 p.m. The ticket rates will be Rs.15 a person in the morning and Rs.20 in the evening. School children will be charged Rs.10 for a ticket.

Kerala bags first prize in Republic Day float

Kerala has bagged the first prize for the best float in the Republic Day parade this year (2008).
Defence Minister and a veteran Keralite Mr. A K Antony presented the award to the team members at a function in New Delhi on 31-01-2008. "Pulikkali" (Tiger Dance) popular in Central Kerala, "Padayanai", a folk art form, "Arayannathoni" (Bird Boat) and "Thiruvathirakali", a customay dance were featured at the tableau, participiated by some 35 artistes. The harvest festival of Kerala "Onam" was presented in all its splendour and gaiety by ten Malayalee dancers.

High speed rail corridor

The 'Kerala Yatra' lead by veteran politician, ex-minister and Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly Sri. P J Joseph, demanding for 'Mumbai-Kanyakumari High Speed Rail Corridor' arrived at Thiruvananthapuram on 30-01-2008. "The arrival of high speed trains will decrease the travel time by 1/5. Kanyakumari, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore and Goa can attract thousands of tourists every year. Besides, such a corridor could be of great help to thousands of south bound passengers", said Sri. P J Joseph, after reciving the reception at Gandhi Park, Thiruvananthapuram. It is very interesting to say that various leaders from different political parties like Sri. O. Rajagopal (BJP), Sri. Pannian Raveendran MP (CPI), Minister Sri. M Vijayakumar (CPM), Sri. K Muraleedharan (NCP), Sri. Kadnnapally Ramachnadra MLA (Congress-S), Sri. V.Sivankutty MLA (CPM), Sri. V. Gangadharan Nadar, Convenor, LDF District Committee (Janatadal) are attended the reception. It is also noted that nobody from the opposition parties of Kerala State Legislative Assembly are attended. Adv. Antony Raju, Ex-MLA chaired the meeting. The 'Kerala Yatra' started from Mumbai on January 12th will be ended at Kanyakumari on January 31st .

Picture of the day - Kollam Beach

Kuttanad - Alappuzha

Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala because of its wealth of paddy crops, is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of banana, cassava and yam. This is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done 1.5 to 2 m below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level are an amazing feature of this region.

Map of Idukki

Accessing Idukki

Telephone access code:
Thekkady, Kumily, Peermede: +91-4869 Munnar: +91-4865 Chinnakanal: +91-4868
Air:
Nearest Airport: Madurai (Tamil Nadu): 140 km Thiruvananthapuram : 265 km Kochi: 190 km Kozhikode: 315 km Chennai (Tamil Nadu): 570 km
Rail:
Kottayam: 114 km (4 hrs) Madurai: 136 km (31/2 hrs) Changanacherry: 93 km (4 hrs) Theni: 60 km (11/2 hrs)
Road:
Kottayam - Kumily 110 km (4 hrs) Munnar - Kumily 110 km (4 hrs) Madurai - Kumily 136 km (3 hrs) Thiruvananthapuram - Kumily 265 km (8 hrs) Thekkady - Kumily 4 km (10 min) Kodaikanal - Kumily 149 km (5 hrs) Idukki - Kumily 65 km (21/2 hrs) Alleppey - Kumily 160 km (51/2 hrs) Ooty - Kumily 390 km (11 hrs)
Bus timings from Idukki:
Thodupuzha, Ernakulam and Kottayam: frequent busesMunnar: 1015, 1515 hrs Thekkady/Kumily: 0730, 0930, 1400, 1550, 1750 hrsThiruvananthapuram: 1300, 1915 hrs
Tourist information offices:
DTPC Information Centre, Munnar Telefax: 04865 231516 Email: munnar@sancharnet.in www.munnartourism.com District Tourist Information Office, Department of Tourism, Thekkady Jn., Kumily Ph: 04869-222620