Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi Jayanthi honors the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi annually on October 2nd. Known as India’s unofficial “Father of the Nation”, Mahatma Gandhi was a national icon who led the struggle for India’s independence from British colonial rule. Continue reading
Photo credits : Ramesh Kidangoor
Thazhathangadi is located near to Kottayam town, by the bank of River Minachil. It is one of the oldest trade centers in Kerala and during its prime it was essential to the trade in the region. At the end of the Onam Festival Thazathangadi hosts the oldest snake boat competition in Kerala . Continue reading
Photo credit: Ranjith
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) invites people world wide to participate in World Tourism Day on September 27 every year. Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. Continue reading
Photo credit: Ion Appan
Located near Thrissur, Chimmini is only a two hours drive from Cochin. The huge lake is surrounded by Chimmini Wild life Sanctuary, established in 1984. The 10 sq kilometer lake spreads across the middle of the sanctuary, surrounded by dense forests. Continue reading
Photo credits: Nobi Paul
Eravikulam National Park stretches over 97 kilometers in the tea growing region of Munnar between the picturesque Kannan Devan Hills and Anamudi. The park covers virgin grasslands and wooded valleys that include the spectacular flower called Neelakurinji, which blooms only once every 12 years. Continue reading
Adenanthera pavonina seeds
Red bead seeds have been a symbol of love for centuries. Asian goldsmiths use these bright red seeds for making jewelry as well as a standard for weighting precious metals and diamonds. Continue reading
Visitors can enjoy the pleasure of boating in Gavi lake even during monsoon weather
Gavi is one place in the world where with every turn visitors have an encounter with nature. It boasts unadulterated views of tropical forest, hills, valleys, cascading waterfalls, sprawling grasslands and cardamom plantations. Continue reading
Photo credits: Dileep
In Kerala during temple festivals, elephants are decorated with gold caparisons (Nettippattom), bells and necklaces. People mounted on the elephants hold ornamental umbrellas (Muttukuda) up high, swaying white tufts (Venchamaram) and peacock feathers fans (Alavattam). Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
The world famous Aranmula boat race will be held this year on September 20th. The uthrattathi Vallamkali sees 26 boats participating in the two days of festivities. The festivities involve the oarsmen singing traditional boat songs and wearing white Mundu and turbans. The boats are decorated with golden lace at the head of the boat and a flag and ornamental umbrellas in the center. Continue reading
Photo credits: R R Ranjith
The Kavadi festival is celebrated at all the shrines of Lord Murgha, the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The Kavadi is a short wooden pole supporting 2 bent pieces of steel or wood with two baskets at each end. Devotees carry this structure that can weigh up to 30 kilos across their shoulders. Continue reading
Photo credits: R R Ranjith
Pulikkali, which means “tiger play”, is a popular folk art form, also known as Kaduvakali. This iconic Onam event is mainly practiced in the Thrissur and Palaghat districts of Kerala. Participants painstakingly paint their bodies like tigers and don tiger masks. (The process can take the entire day to complete with first the removal of body hair and then the application of multiple layers of paint.) The procession also includes men representing hunters. The best performers are chosen out of the hundreds of participants. Continue reading
Photo credits: R R Ranjith
The cattle race is one of the many charismatic Onam celebrations enjoyed by farmers during the end of the harvest season. A special 100 meter track filled with mud and water is created. The skilled drivers balance precariously on a modified plow while the pairs of bullocks charge through the farmland at hair-raising speed. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Once upon a time an Asura King Mahabali ruled Kerala, he was dearly loved by this country and was known to be a just and wise ruler. His story is recaptured in the popular folk song:
When Mahabali ruled the land
Everyone was equal
Happily they lived
Danger befell none
There was no falsehood or fraud
And no untruth
Common Acacia Blue Butterflies are seen in and around the Periyar Tiger Reserve and are found across South India and North East India up to 1200 meters. The are active from March to November, primarily in deciduous hill forests . Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Kerala is a land of celebrations and Onam in particular transcends regional and religious profiles. Of the many festivals that are celebrated here, Onam is the most spectacular event of all. It celebrates the return of King Mahabali, who sacrificed his life to save his people but is said to visit his subjects annually at the harvest time. Continue reading
Photo credits: Dileep
The Sri Radhakrishnachandra Temple in Bangalore is part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON). It attracts visitiors from different parts of the world that include spiritual devotees and students of architecture. Sri Radhakrishnachandra temple is one of the largest ISKON temple in the world. The gopurams were made with special technology using ferro cement. Continue reading
Parotta is a layered flat bread of Kerala, related to the Lacha Paratha of north India. Although it is found in many roadside restaurants, it is often served in special events and festivals. Parottas are eaten with chicken, mutton, beef and vegetable gravy. The main ingredients of parottas are Maida (white flour), baking powder, egg, vegetable oil (or ghee) and water. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Vinayaka Chathurhi is celebrated throughout India by Hindus with a great enthusiasm on the birthday of Lord Vinayaka (Lord Ganesha) the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. This year Chathurhi fell on September 9th. Continue reading
Fish fry with Tapioca and boiled rice
Fish in Kerala is called meen and Fish Fry is commonly known as meen varuthathu. Traditionally it is served with boiled rice and tapioca. Continue reading
Kizhi
Ayurveda is the science of life. Mythology says that this science of healing originated in the cosmic consciousness of Brahma – The Creator. Kizhi Treatment is a therapy where heated herbs and medicinal oil is tied in cloths and used as a bolus on the effected body part. Continue reading
Organikos 