Photo credits: Dileep
Chitradurga Fort is located near Bangalore in the Chitradurga district of the south indian state of Karnataka. Begun in the 10th century, the fort was built and expanded by different rulers such as Chalukyas, Hoysalas and Rashratrakutas, but its golden era was between the 14th and 18th centuries. During this period the fort was controlled by the Nayaks. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Gopalaswamy Betta Temple is located in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. This temple is adjacent to Bandipur and Nagarhole National parks. Gopalaswamy is the other name of Lord Krishna. The temple was built by the King Cola Bellala during AD 1315. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
The city of Kottayam is referred to as both the “land of literacy” due to its numerous institutions of higher eduction, as well as the “land of Latex” due to its rubber plantations. The Indian government has just added the moniker of “land of the mural paintings”. Continue reading
Lemons are common in the South Indian hill ranges. Several varieties grow in the Western Ghats, most of which are primarily used for making pickles. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Roji Antony
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is one of south India’s famous national parks, nestled amidst the Nilgiri Hills Biosphere in Tamil Nadu. This sanctuary is situated at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala near the Mysore plains. With an area of 321 sq km of natural forest, Mudumalai is famous for Elephant, Wild Gaur, Tiger, Leopard and Deer, as well as being home to over 200 species of bird. Continue reading
The Western Hill Banana is a large succulent herb that naturally grows in the rocky slopes and cliffs of South India’s Western Ghats. These plants are commonly growing in the forests above 1000 meters. The fruits of this plant is used in many traditional medicines. Continue reading
Hibiscus flowers are very common in the Hill Ranges of Kerala. There are multiple hybrids in a wide range of colors such as white, red, orange and pink. Hibiscus plants are also used in Ayurveda medicines. Continue reading
Photo credits: Roji Antony
Brindavan Garden is one of the most celebrated gardens in India and is a tribute to early 20th century engineering. Its construction started in 1927 and was completed in 1932. The design is laid out in three terraces which contain water fountains, ficus trees and ornamental plants. Continue reading
Native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of India and West Africa, the Calliandra haematocephala is a fast growing evergreen plant that can reach the height of 15 ft. The stamens of the flower are smooth and soft, spreading out in an arching circle, giving rise to the common name Powder Puff Tree.
The Chinese Fishing Net is one of the tourist attractions in Kerala that is a living fishing method in use for the last 650 years. Locally it is known as Cheenavala. By origin it was introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He.
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Signature Spiders are commonly found in India, especially the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Their name comes from their distinctive zig-zag patterned X in the center of their webs.
In India Kerala is famous for its Tribal folk dances. There are more than fifty well-known popular folk dances in the state which are mostly performed for religious influences, during harvesting, sowing of seeds, festivals etc. Tribal dances are often accompanied by songs & instruments.
India Cobras are common in both forests and cultivated areas in holes near streams and watersheds. They are strong swimmers and juveniles are more dangerous than adults.
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
In most of the South Indian states villages are still using the bullock cart for transporting goods and people, mostly in farms and plantations. The oxen are fitted with horseshoes in order to protect their hooves from heat and uneven roads. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Kerala is rich in beliefs and the Fire Walk is one of the most difficult example. The person doing the fire walk must follow specific religious practices. The devotee walks through a pit of burning coals and the surrounding devotees sing hymns praising the lord. The sound of the drums and the burning of the incense make the entire atmosphere inspiring. The devotee gets in to a state ecstasy and easily walks over the fire. Continue reading
Among the 144 families of butterflies in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the Common Pierrot is distributed across the forest, flying from January to December in the plains. Continue reading
Gavi, part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve under the management of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation, is one of the off-the-beaten-track destinations ideal for a wilderness retreat replete with trekking, birding, canoeing and facilities for lodging. There are hills and valleys, tropical forests, sprawling grasslands, sholas (evergreen tropical forests), cascading waterfalls and cardamom plantations. Elephants, Nilgiri Thar, and the endangered Lion-tailed macaque are all often sighted at the outskirts of Gavi. Yesterday Mr. Sunu from Kottayam visited Gavi and shared some of his photos. Continue reading
Bamboo Rafting
Community based ecotourism is the hallmark of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. These programmes are conducted by the local people responsible for the surveillance of the vulnerable parts of the reserve. Bamboo Rafting is a dawn to dusk range hiking and rafting programme through some of the richest forest tracts of the reserve. Continue reading
Common Crows
Males of many butterfly species assemble on spots of ground contaminated with animal urine or excreta or even some food plants. The butterflies absorb essential elements such as sodium that have been lost during the mating process. Continue reading
Photo credits: Dileep Kumar
Keshava Temple of Belur is aptly referred to as the “Jewelry Box” of Hoysala architecture, such is the ornamentation and detail of the sculpted pieces. The Mohini Pillar in the Navaranga Mandapa is one of the finest specimens of the Hoysala pillar order. The pillar is placed vertically on a sixteen pointed star plan decorated with a narrow band of filigree work. Continue reading
Organikos 