Mudiyattu is an drama associated with the worship of the Mother Goddess, Bhadrakali. It is performed with minor variations in almost all parts of the state. The dance form depicts the taking over of the mudi, or crown, from the demon Darikan by Bhadrakali. Continue reading
Kummatikali is a folk dance celebrating the arrival of the legendary King Mahabali to visit his subjects during the festival of Onam. It is believed that the presiding deity of Vadakukumnathan Temple in Thrissur asked the attending spirits to perform for him. The dance they presented came to be known as Kummatikali. Continue reading
Nangiar Koothu is an offshoot of the Koodiyattam theater which combines dance and drama. The dance is performed by women of the Nambiar clan (scholars in Sanskrit) called Nangiars and hence the name Nangiar Koothu. The theme of Nangiar Koothu is the story of Lord Krishna as described in his historical texts called Sree Krishna Charitam. It commences with a ritual dance called Purrapad. Continue reading
Our Central Reservation Team recently visited the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
We were really happy and enjoyed a lot in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. We saw a bunch of elephants and a bison very close to them. Rafting of 3 hours was very good and the chance to be in nature was appreciated. We hope to visit again the next time we’re back in Thekkady.
– Mr. Shyam, Mr. Ashley and Mr. Sumesh
We recently met Mr. Manoj, a tourist escort who is a regularly visitor at Cardamom County. He was happy to share some photographs from his most recent trip to Thekkady.
I visited Periyar Tiger Reserve along with my some of my business friends. We were really pleased to have such good sightings. We saw elephants, bisons and many birds, but the main attraction was the natural ambiance of the park which helped us to unwind. – Mr. Manoj
Angel trumpet plant is a shrub very commonly found in the Western Ghats of India. It grows to a height of 3-5 meters with funnel shaped white flowers. The shape and color inspires the flower’s name. Continue reading
Musa Laterita is a plant that resembles the banana plant naturalized in Kerala for its fibre cultivation. The leaf stem of the plant is cut and left to wilt, then soaked in water and crushed to separate the very strong fibres. These fibres are woven into rope or cord and can be even made into paper. The fibre is prized due to its strength, flexibility and water resistance even to salt water and hence it used for marine ropes, well-drilling cables, etc. Continue reading
The Pagoda flower is a tropical garden plant with large, heart shaped evergreen leaves found in the Western Ghats of India. The small, orange-red flowers are funnel shaped with long tubes. It is the main food plant of the Southern Bird Wing– the largest butterfly of Southern India. Continue reading
The Thrissur Pooram is the largest of all the festivals held in Kerala. It is a grand bonanza of colors and sound, native drums and horns plus magnifiicent elephant pageantry which cannot be missed. It normally falls between 15th April and 15th May. The festival takes place over two days and surrounding communities set out with their temple icons in all regalia on caparisoned elephants to the Pooram ground in front of Vadakkumnatha temple located in the city centre.
The festival is famous for the fireworks display that begins in the well past midnight into the second day and can last several hours. The Pakal Pooram (Daylight’s Pooram) staged the next morning is a recap of the main Pooram’s highlights. Continue reading
Railway Glory is a tropical, perennial climbing vine with tuberous roots, spreading extensively in the hills of India’s Western Ghats up to 1000m. The plant blooms throughout the year, growing aggressively over fences, shrubs and trees. The attractive flowers are purple, pink or rarely pinkish white. In Kerala it is commonly planted in gardens and around houses for insulation against the summer heat. It is also known by the names Cairo Morning Glory and Coastal Morning Glory. Continue reading
Yellow Allamanda is an evergreen, tropical shrub naturalized in the Western Ghats of India growing vigorously to a height of 2m and above. The plant’s main attraction are its yellow, trumpet shaped flowers, Continue reading
Two days ago I camped with friends in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. We had wonderful sightings: a herd of elephants with a baby, a single bison grazing in the forest, and a bear (a very lucky sighting but from a long distance). It was nice to spot animals at a very close distance and to catch them on camera. I visit the reserve frequently as an official forest watcher, but it is a different experience for me every time.- Mr. Salim
This is the statue of the Goddess Veera Bathra Kaliamman situated 8 kms away from Thekkady, on the way to Madurai in between Gudalur and Lower camp(villages of Tamilnadu). The statue is nearly 42 feet high and is unlike anything elsewhere in India. Continue reading
Red torch ginger is a perennial tropical plant native to Malaysia and Indonesia but naturalized in the Western Ghats of India. The plant grows from rhizomes, bulbous root structures similar to culinary part of the ginger family. The main attraction of the plant is its sturdy cluster of bracts that vary from light pink to deep rose color and resemble a flaming torch, hence the name Red Torch Ginger. Continue reading
Photo: Mr.Steve, Cardamom County Guest from UK
Breadfruit is an equatorial tropical fruit species found at the elevation of 1500m in the Western Ghats of South India. The starchy, potato-like fruit has a taste and texture similar to freshly baked bread when cooked; and hence the name ‘Breadfruit’. The tree grows vigorously to a height of 25m and produce 120-200 fruits annually. Continue reading
Mr. & Mrs. Sutton staying at Cardamom County visited Periyar this morning and wanted to share their wonderful sightings with us.
While staying at Cardamom County we visited the Periyar Tiger Reserve and enjoyed a lot there. The first thing which attracted us was the Periyar’s naturally blessed landscape. Our kids were very excited and happy to spot elephants, wild dogs chasing sambar deer, bisons, wild boars with their piglets and some the birds too. We were so lucky to spot the elephants with the little one after a short period. This was a unique experience for us and our kids and we hope for the same in future. – Sutton Family
Common Bluebottle butterflies are frequently found in and around the wooded regions of the Western Ghats, especially in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. This handsome butterfly has a pale blue or greenish band running across the middle of its brown wings on the both sides. Continue reading
A group from Flamingo Tours staying at Cardamom County has shared their experience of Periyar Tiger Reserve with us. Ms. Nirali Shah along with her group of 20 people visited Periyar and shared her photos and comments. Continue reading
Papaya is a tropical, tree-like plant found commonly in the Western Ghats of India that grows to a height of 15-30 ft with a single stem. The large (20-30in) leaves as well as the fruit grow up the central stalk in a spiral fashion. Continue reading
Organikos 