Sightings of the Day
Five years ago we started the “Sighting of the Day” board at Cardamom County with the goal of asking guests to share their experience inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve with us. Today this board has grown to much more than just a list, Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple is believed to be at least 2,000 years old, and is a Vedic Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It rests in the heart of the city of Trivandrum, Kerala. Treasures with an estimated value of around US $18 billion make it one of the richest temples in the world, if not the richest. Continue reading
Herd of Sambar Deer
Sightings in the Periyar Tiger Reserve can sometimes be a difficult task owing to the rich flora of its landscape, but with the promise of water from the Periyar lake it is habitual for the animals to come near the lake hence giving an opportunity to spot them while they quench their thirst and rest. Here are a few such sighting on the lake shore. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kindangoor
Worship is an integral part of every Indian’s life, especially Hindu’s. It starts from one’s early age with rituals performed during birth all the way to rituals performed upon one’s death. Worship rituals in Hindi are called ‘pooja‘ and are mostly performed by people who have dedicated their life to god. These individuals are called ‘pandits‘, and almost all pooja consists of a fire which is believed to be the path of offering, into which many things are burned as offerings. Continue reading
Photo credits: MN Shaji
In India there are numerous classical dances and quite a few of them have originated from the state of Kerala. These dances are not only entertainment but rich in history into which mythological stories of centuries ago have been depicted. The artists pay tribute to the brave and the bold, and the battles that shaped our present way of life, culture and heritage. Continue reading
Photo credits: M N Shaji
Every year both Cardamom County staff and guests look forward to Christmas Eve; from the eco-friendly bamboo and paper tree to the fun and games at our restaurant roof top. This year was also a blast with guests mingling with each other and being good sports by taking part in games as both families and couples. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Munnar is the highest point in the Idukki district of Kerala ranging at above 4,500 feet, it is also one of the major tea producing areas of the country and has now become the headquarters for major tea producers in India. Continue reading
Photo credit: Â Dileep Narayanan
Theyyam is one of the most popular ritualistic dances of Kerala. Of the variety of performing arts, most have roots in folk tradition and are often related to religious rituals and mythological stories. Â Theyyam is a devotional performance with surrealistic representations of the divine. Continue reading
Photo credit: Ramesh Kidangoor
The Ananthapadmanabha Swami Temple is situated in Kasargod district in the midst of a serene natural lake.  The temple, rich in murals, is believed to be the original seat of the Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swami Temple in Trivandrum. Continue reading
Photo credits : Ramesh Kidangoor
Flowers are an integral part of Indian festivals; people use them on a daily basis for offerings to their gods and goddesses at home. Â In India, people come door-to-door, similar to the way milk men make deliveries, and provide fresh flowers to every household — the large demand for floral offerings is catered to by the flower markets prominent in almost every major city in India. Continue reading
Hindu God Idols
Hinduism employs many different gods, many of which represent aspects of the world or ideologies such as the Sun god, the god of prosperity, the wind god, etc. Â These various deities are depicted in the ancient scripts and are believed to be reborn in human form when the world is being exploited by evil in order to restore peace and harmony. Continue reading
Photo credit: Â Ramesh Kidangoor
The Jacaranda is a deciduous tree native to South America that can grow up to 20 meters high with magnificent snaking branches. Â These trees are planted as an aesthetic addition within the tea plantations of Munnar for their beautiful and long-lasting blue flowers. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
The Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is one of the most revered temples of Hindu worship in Kerala. Built in the 16th century, the presiding deity is Lord Shiva; it is believed that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa established this shrine. This traditional Kerala style temple has a conical roof above the main shrine which is copper plated — exquisite wooden carvings of scenes from the Ramayana and Krishna Leela are depicted within. The temple is also rich in mural paintings depicting various Hindu myths and lore. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor . Sunrise at Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari, or Cape Comorin, is the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent. Â The mighty Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal merge into the Indian Ocean here. Kanyakumari is famous for its glorious sunrise and sunsets due to being nearly surrounded by water. The unique location offers the possibility of seeing the moon rise and sunset simultaneously. Continue reading
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Plume flowers, native to Brazil, are a tropical tender perennial shrub with unusual pods holding many tubular flowers that bloom throughout the summer. Â They are naturalized in the Western Ghats of India; the colors can range from Pink, Purple, Orange and Yellow. Continue reading
Appam And Egg Roast
Appam is a sort of rice pancake which is usually accompanied with savory curries ranging from meat, fish, egg to vegetarian. This light and tasty dish is commonly eaten for breakfast with Egg Roast, and is the closest one would find to the usual toast and egg in the state of Kerala. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Alleppey, situated at the south-western tip of the Vembanad Lake, is famous for its criss-crossing canals, lakes and lagoons, and is popularly known as the “Venice of the East.”  Tourism is its primary industry, which has revitalized the area and given a new charm to the entire district. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Palayam Mosque is located in the heart of Trivandrum, the political capital of Kerala. Typical of Kerala’s comfortable blend of religions and cultures, a temple and a church stand in its vicinity. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Kumily is a plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady, the home of Kerala’s first promotion of environmental tourism. Both Thekkady and Kumily are situated in the Periyar Valley, making them a convenient base to explore the beauty of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
The tranquil backwaters of Kerala turn into a sports arena once every year as more than a dozen snake boats, some manned by 100- 125 oarsmen, fiercely compete with each other in the boat races called “Vallamkali”. Vallamkali are an integral part of the history and culture of the people of Kerala. Continue reading
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