Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Pickles are an important part of Indian cuisine, especially in Kerala. There are numerous varieties of pickles, locally called achar, in Kerala’s traditional meals. Lime, Mango, Gooseberry, Carrot, Chili and Garlic are among the favorites. Several types of Achar are usually a must in Kerala’s Sadya meals served on the banana leaf during special occasions. Continue reading
Hoysaleswara Temple
The Hoysaleswara Temple was built by “Kettumalla” one of the ministers of King Vishnuvardhana during 1121 A.D. It is believed that it took nearly a century to complete the temple, there are still some unfinished portions.The ground plan is the characteristic star shape common to all Hoysala Temples. Continue reading
Elephants near periyar lake
Mr. Douglas, who is staying with us from Ghana, visited the Periyar Lake this morning and has shared some of his photos with us.
view of Kumily town and Thekkady
Ottakathalamedu is situated about 4 km from Thekkady at an altitude of 1300 metres above sea level, which provides an excellent view that includes Kumily town, the Periyar National Park and even the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu State. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Wayanad is located on the southern tip of the magnificent Deccan Plateau, known for its picturesque hill stations, sprawling spice plantation and luxuriant forests. Thamarassery Churam is the gateway to Wayanad. This pass through the Ghats, consisting of nine impressive hairpin turns within 14 km, connects the Calicut district to Wayanad. The view from the top provides an excellent view of the green patches beneath. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Lotus, the national flower of India, symbolizes beauty, majesty, spirituality, purity, wealth, serenity and knowledge. It is an aquatic plant that belongs to the Nelumbonaceae species with broad floating leaves and bright aromatic flowers that grows in shallow waters. Its seeds, leaves, flowers and roots are all edible and used in a variety of medicines. Lotus is also a sacred flower for Hindus and Buddhists. Continue reading
Photo credits: M N Shaji
Situated south of Palakkad Gap in an area once famed for its luscious oranges, Nelliyampathi is now blanketed in tea, coffee and cardamom plantations. The region was once owned by the Maharajas of Kollengode and Kochi and is now a part of the Nenmara Forest Division. It’s close proximity to the Parambikulam, Anamalai and Peechi-Vazhana wildlife sanctuaries add to its appeal. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Vishnu Rajendran
Popularly known as kallu, toddy is Kerala’s own coconut liquor. In fact, kallu is probably the first (and perhaps the only!) Malayalam road sign a tourist will learn to read. Made from the sap of the coconut flower before it blooms, the drink gives no intoxication when freshly tapped, but the level of alcohol increases as it ferments. When fresh it has a mildly yeasty flavor. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Mohiniattam is a gentle and graceful semi-classical dance form of Kerala. The orgins of this dance are traced to Dasiattam, the dance performed by women in temples as an offering to propitiate the Gods. The customary costume for Mohiniattam is a cream two-piece pleated sari with a wide gold border and traditional gold ornaments. The eyes are lined dramatically with kohl to enhance the dancer’s expressions. The hair is tied in a bun, placed at the side of the head and encircled by a string of fragrant jasmine flowers. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
The temples and shrines at Thanjavur are amoung the finest examples of South Indian architecture of the late Chola period. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Breehadishwara Temple is considered the greatest single undertaking of its time, taking almost 15 years to complete the full structure. Continue reading
Photo credits: Prasanth
Kaniyakumari, also known as Cape Camorin, lies 90 km south of Trivandrum and is the southernmost tip of the mainland Indian sub-continent. The waters of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea converge here. The Vivekananda Memorial and recently erected statue of the great Tamil poet Thiruvallur are the main attraction of this place. A dip at the bathing ghat constructed at the confluence of the Seas is believed to cleanse and rejuvenate the pious.
Photo credits: Jisa Reno
Made up of massive stacks of stones and boulders Sagar is the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia. During the monsoon small islands are formed upstream by the swollen river and full reservoir. The large patches of water scattered against the backdrop of the Banasura mountains attracts photographers and nature lovers. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Kalpathy is an ancient Brahmin agraharam (village) situated in the heart of Kerala’s Palakkad district close to the Tamil Nadu border. Kalpathy Ratholsavm, The Chariot Festival, is based on vedic Tamil Brahmin culture. The main center of the festival is Kalpathi Sree Viswanatha Swami Temple. During the festival week the deity from Viswanatha Swami Temple is taken out and installed in the chariot and thousands of devotees drag the huge, intricately carved temple chariots bedecked with flowers, fruits and flags through the streets. Continue reading
Photo credits: Johny George
The Vagamon Mountains are located 1100 metres above sea level, 50 km from Thekkady on the western fringes of Idukki District. Once a wild area, it was cleared by the early planters for the cultivation of tea and coffee, but its fabulous rolling grasslands and scenic mountain views continue to draw visitors. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Maha Shivaratri means “the great night of Shiva”. Shiva- the name meaning auspicious- is one of the Hindu Trinity, comprised of Lord Brahma The Creator; Lord Vishnu The Preserver and Lord Shiva The Destroyer. This festival is said to commemorate the day on which Shiva protected the world by drinking a pot of poison that had the power to destroy the entire universe. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Idli is a South Indian savoury cake made by steaming a batter made with fermented rice powder, black gram dal and salt in a special pan with rounded indentations. Idlis are popular throughout India especially the southern part of the country. The dish is usually served with sambar and various chutneys, including tomato, coconut or coriander.
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Native to the sub-tropical regions of Europe and Australia, Elderberry grows widely in Kerala’s Hill Range gardens above 1000 meters. The clustered berries are an important food for many birds and the flowers are a favorite for honey bees and other pollinating insects. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Nagarahole National Park is located near Mysore in Karnataka, covering an area of 643.39 sq km. This national park is one of the best-maintained wildlife reserves in the country. The name of the park is derived from naga, which means cobra in Kannada (the local language of Karnataka) and hole, referring to streams, or river. The park, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, has an abundance of fauna including spotted deer, wild boar, gaur, elephants, leopard and tigers. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Varkala is situated about 50 km north of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. The area’s topography is perhaps its best attraction; the wide plateau atop steep laterite cliffs offers a grand vista of the sea. Continue reading
Although called sometimes called Lily of the Nile or African Lily, Agapanthas isn’t actually in the lily family at all. Native to South Africa, it is now naturalized in much of the hilly regions of Asia and Central America, commonly growing in the high ranges of Kerala above 1000 meters. Continue reading
Organikos 