Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Visiting Kerala, the God's Own Country

Sunset in Alappuzha


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Kerala' literally means 'the land of coconut palms'. It is nature lovers' paradise. This beautiful Indian state, with around 600 kilometers of Arabian Sea coast, is a tropical symphony. When you are in Kerala, you will experience a culture and heritage that has thrived since ancient times.

Kerala Map


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International Airports in Kerala
Cochin International Airport
Calicut International Airport
Trivandrum International Airport
Kannur International Airport
Here are some amazing tourist places in Kerala.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Located in Thiruvananthapuram, this beautiful temple is well-known for its murals. The temple architecture is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles. In the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Padmanabhaswamy is enshrined in the "Anantha Shayanam" (eternal yogic sleep) posture.
A
Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
West Nada, Fort, East Fort, Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023, India
get directions

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Timings

Opening
Closing
3.30 am
4.45 am
6.30 am
7.00 am
8.30 am
10.00 am
10.30 am
11.10 am
11.45 am
12.00 pm
5.00 pm
6.15 pm
6.45 pm
7.20 pm

Padmanabhaswamy Temple History

The great King of Travancore, Marthanda Varma is said to have done the renovation work that we see today. It was he who dedicated the temple to Lord Padmanabha.

Kovalam Beach

Kovalam beach is popular among westerners due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. This golden sand beach is sandwiched between blue water and palm trees.

Kovalam Beach Photos


Marari Beach

This spacious sandy beach is located in in Alappuzha district. It's an ideal place to unwind yourself. Surfing, parasailing, water skiing, and deep sea fishing are some popular activities here. The weather at Marari beach is warm and humid throughout the year.

Marari Beach


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Marari Beach Resort Contact Number

098471 02030

Munnar

Located in Western Ghats, this popular hill station is well-known for its large expanse of tea plantations, wild life, forests, valleys and mountains. This idyllic hill station is around 1,600 meters above sea level.

Munnar

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Munnar:
Munnar, Kerala 685612, India
get directions

Munnar Tourism Places
TATA Tea Museum
Blossom Park
Pothamedu View Point
Attukal Waterfalls
Anamudi

Munnar


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Lighthouse Beach

This beach is a blend of charm, allure and adventure. It offers various water sports. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse through a spiral staircase. From the vantage point you will have an excellent view of the coastline.

Guruvayur Temple

Even though many people say that this holy Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, according to the temple authorities the presiding deity in the Garbhagraha (central shrine) is Mahavishnu. Located in Guruvayur, this temple is built in kerala architecture style. The presiding deity is worshipped according to the pooja routines laid down by the great philosopher and theologian Adi Sankaracharya. People call the diety Guruvayoorappan.

Guruvayur Temple

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Guruvayur Temple:
Guruvayur Devaswom, East Nada, Guruvayur, Kerala 680101, India
get directions

Guruvayur Krishna

Guruvayur Temple Timings

Opening
Closing
3.00 am
1.30 pm
4.30 pm
9.15 pm

Guruvayur Temple


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Periyar National Park

This protected area covers an area of about 777 square kilometers. Located in the Western Ghats, this national park houses animals like tigers, elephants, lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bisons. Go for a boat cruise to enjoy magnificent views of wildlife, flora and fauna.
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Periyar National Park:
Periyar National Park, Kerala, India
get directions

Periyar National Park Tickets

Entry fee for Periyar National Park is ₹25 per person for Indians, ₹300 per person for foreign tourists.

Periyar National Park Timings

Periyar National Park is open on all days from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm.
Guided nature walks: From 7.00 am to 10.00 am and 2.00 pm to 05.00 pm.
Border hiking and bamboo rafting: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Alappuzha

Alappuzha is well-known for its serene backwaters and houseboat cruises. People call this city the "Venice of India" because of its many canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons.
Alappuzha's climate is humid and tropical with rain likely throughout the year. Peak travel period is Oct–Feb.
A
Alappuzha:
Alappuzha, Kerala, India
get directions

Athirapally Falls

Located in Thrissur district, this waterfall is formed by River Chalakudy, which originates in Western Ghats. It drops from around 80 feet.
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Athirapally Falls :
Athirappilly Water Falls, Pariyaram, Kerala
get directions

Athirapally Falls Images


Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

Located at around 7.900 feet above sea level, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is the home to the highest tea plantation in the world. Misty views, colonial bungalows, and tea plantations in this hilly haven attract tourists from all over the world. Even though this tea estate is in Tamil Nadu, I am including it here because it is just around 20 miles from Munnar.
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Kolukkumalai Tea Estate:
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Bodinayakanur, Theni District, Kottagudi, Tamil Nadu 685612, India
get directions

Malampuzha Retreat Centre

This serene spiritual retreat is located around 7 kilometers from Palakkad. It is for those among you who are interested in things like spirituality, Self realization, meditation, etc.
I liked the practical approach these people have for spirituality, meditation, etc. They do not bore you with long lectures. They take you through the process and allow you to experience the benefits.
Here you can learn techniques to relax your mind and body completely; to connect with the Source of peace, joy, bliss, wellness and prosperity in your heart.
They do not take money because they believe that spirituality should not be sold. People here are warm and welcoming.
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Malampuzha Retreat Centre:
SMSF Spiritual Retreat Centre, Chembana, Kava,, Malampuzha, Palakkad,, Kerala 678 501, Tel: +91-491-
get directions

Kerala Food
Idiyappam with curry
Erissery (pumpkin and lentil stew)
Puttu And Kadala curry
Appam With Ishtu (stew)
Ela Sadya
Parippu curry (Dal curry)
Dosa ghee roast with Kerala style Sambar
Idli Sambar
Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu (spicy chicken fry)
Kerala style prawn curry

Stay Safe

Avoid wearing gold ornaments. Carry minimum cash; Kerala has more than 9,000 ATMs. Do not smoke in public places.
Avoid getting into arguments with strangers. Never hug or kiss in public places. Try to reach your hotel before 7 pm.
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Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Travel precautions during COVID-19 outbreak

COVID-19 is not to be taken lightly because it has killed many people worldwide. So if the authorities in your region have recommended lockdown, stay home.

After the lockdown is eased and you have to travel to fulfill professional commitments or due to emergencies, remember these:

  • Perform hand hygiene, which includes either cleaning hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a paper tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose it immediately. Perform hand hygiene.
  • Do not touch nose or mouth.
  • Wear a mask whenever you are outdoors.



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Thursday, March 5, 2020

10 Popular Hill Stations in Kerala

Kerala is a state in South India. Known as God's own country, Kerala is located between the Lakshadweep Sea and the Western Ghats.
Western Ghats have converted around half of Kerala into highlands. The state has more than 40 peaks above 1,500 meters above mean sea level.

Hill Stations in Kerala

Many hill stations in Kerala attract tourists from all parts of the world. Here are some of them.

Munnar

This hill station is located in Idukki district. It is well-known for its tea plantations, forests, flora, fauna, valleys and mountains.
It is around 1,600 meters above sea level. Anamudi, the highest peak in South India (2,695 meters), is in Munnar.
The best time to visit Munnar would be October to November and from January to May when it is comfortably cold. There may be occasional rains which will give a misty experience of Munnar.

Munnar Images


Munnar is famous for its medicinal plants and herbs.

Best Time to Visit Munnar

June to September.

Thekkady

Thekkady is well-known for its unending chains of hills, dense evergreen forests, spice-scented plantations, savanna grasslands, and elephants. It is a town in Idukki district. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located here.

Thekkady Images


Thekkady Forest Treck


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Vythiri

Located in Wayanad district, this hill station attracts trekkers and nature lovers from all parts of the world. It is around 700 meters above sea level.

Vagamon

Located in Idukki district, this hill station is well-known for its hillocks, valleys and cascading waterfalls. It is around 1,100 metres above sea level. It has three hills: Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurismala.

Vagamon Photos



Paithalmala

Located in Kannur district, this hill station is around 1372 meters above sea level. A trek of around six kilometers will take you to the peak. Calicut International Airport is the nearest airport to Vaithalmala.

Paithalmala Weather

Paithalmala has significant rainfall for most part of the year, with a short dry season. Its climate is considered to be Am according to the Köppen-Geigerclimate classification. The average annual temperature in Paithalmala is 21.4 °C.

Peerumedu

Peerumedu is around 915 meters above sea level. It is well-known for its beautiful trekking trails. Here you will find tea gardens, streams, green forests, beautiful hillsides and much more.

Nelliyampathi

Cloud-caressed peaks of Nelliyampathy hill ranges attract visitors from all parts of the world. It is located in around 60 kilometers from Palakkad. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is in between Nelliyampathy ranges and Annamalai Hills.

Nelliyampathy Photos


Ponmudi

Malampuzha

This hill station is around 7 kilometers from Palakkad. It is famous for its spiritual retreat, the Malampuzha Retreat Center. If you are interested in things like God realization, meditation, Self Realization, etc, this place is just right for you.
Malampuzha Retreat Center offers you many opportunities to refine yourself, to rejuvenate, to evolve spiritually. Here you can learn techniques to completely relax your mind and body.
You can learn meditation, which helps you to release yourself from the hold of the past and to connect with the Source (of bliss, peace, joy, health, prosperity, etc) in your heart.
I admire the scientific and practical approach these people have for things like spirituality and meditation. There are no boring lectures. They teach you simple and immensely effective techniques and allow you to experience their benefits.
Malampuzha Dam, suspension bridge, cable car ride, Fantasy Park, Japanese garden, Yakshi statue of Kanayi Kunhiraman, Shabri Ashram, Christin Brethen Church and Madurai Veeran Temple are other places of interest in the region.
A retreat was for always the few, who needed to retreat from everyday life, and retire in seclusion to introspect, meditate, brood over one's inner condition etc. The purpose was to re-enter normal everyday life refreshed spiritually to face life with a renewed sense of purpose, to restore balance to one's life.
— Chariji

Malampuzha Dam

Lakkidi

Located around 700 meters above sea level, Lakkidi is a wonder of nature. It is a small village in Ottapalam Taluk in Palakkad district.
It is atop the Thamarassery ghat pass. This lusciously green hill station is the entry point to Wayanad district. You will find many resorts in this region.

Things to Pack for Your Hill Station Trip

Things
T-shirts
Jackets
Sweaters
Windcheaters
Mufflers
Socks
Leg warmers
Walking shoes
Snow boots (if needed)
Lip balm
Sunscreen
Polarized glasses
Pullovers

Safety Tips

Do not use public transport as it will be overcrowded. For traveling around, I suggest cabs with drivers.
Download Google maps and apps like translators, etc. They help you navigate to any destination in Kerala.
Ensure that your hotel or resort is under CCTV surveillance. Reach your hotel before 10 pm. Avoid street food.
Avoid gold ornaments and too much cash. There are other safer alternatives and ATMs. Do not smoke or drink alcohol in public places.
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