Photo credits: Vishnu
Attukal Pongala is the most important festival of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, and once was entered into the World Records for the largest gathering of women at a festival in the world. It is popularly referred to as the Sabarimala of women.
Photo credits: Renjith
Kerala pappadams make a very popular side dish served with Kerala sadya (meals like the own depicted below). The main ingredients of pappadams are black gram (a type of lentil flour) and salt. Continue reading
Photo credits : Asif
Pakshipathalam is situated in the district of Wayanad, near Karimala peak. It contains numerous caves and is surrounded by rocky hillocks. Pakshipathalam is a haven for a large avian colony, mainly around the natural rock cave. Continue reading
Alleppey
Popularly known as the “Venice of the East”, Alleppey is situated at the south-western tip of Vembanad Lake where it was the the major port of the erstwhile Travancore State. Alleppey Beach is known for its calm and quiet spirit and as a gathering place for family and friends to enjoy the fresh air, sea breeze and the most spectacular sunsets on Kerala’s coast. Continue reading
Elephant
Sightings in the Periyar Tiger Reserve have always been an excitement for guests. It’s fun to see the animals from the boats but it’s even more enchanting to see them up close during treks in the reserve. These photos were taken by Cardamom County guest Mr. Oliver Wyatt, who was most delighted to share his experience.
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Photo credits: Shymon
Ottamthullal is a very popular form of classical performing arts of Kerala. The actor wears a long ribbon of cloth looped around a waistband to form a knee-length skirt. A chest plate adorned with coloured beads, glass and various ornaments covers the upper body, and tinkling bells are tied to the legs. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Aparna P
Great Eggfly butterflies are very common and found all over India, flying throughout the year and preferring forest openings and edges, as well as bushes and gardens. The male has black wings with white patches surrounded by blue iridescence (not pictured here), and also has a row of white spots and crescents along the edge of the entire wing. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ranjith
Paragliding is one of the newest adventure sports in India, with the number of thrill seeking enthusiasts growing annually. In Kerala, Vagamon has been identified as a Paragliding hotspot for by travelers and tourists the world over. Continue reading
Photo credits: Dileep
Ghee Dosa is a popular breakfast or late afternoon snack in South India. The main ingredients for the batter are black gram dal, rice flour and ghee, which is drizzled over the cooking dosa, making it crispy and golden brown. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Munnar and its surrounding environs abounds in places that offer amazing natural views; forests, mountains, waterfalls and dams. Anairangal Dam, which in Malyalam means “elephant crossing dam”, is located about 18km from Munnar, en route to Thekkady. Continue reading
Photo credit: Aparna P
The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the most enduring and iconic images of the backwaters. These houseboats are converted, comfortably furnished versions of the kuttanadan kettuvallams, that offer adequate accommodation for a whole family, often with sitting rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. One can create one’s own world of imagination and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings while traveling in a houseboat. Continue reading
Photo credits: Aparna P
Beaches in Kerala are places present the serenity of nature in its true perspective. Close to the village of Marari and the city of Alleppey, Katoor is a beautiful beach that offers both rural and urban ambiance. Continue reading
Photo credits: Aparna P
Leptosia Nina (Fabricius) is a small white butterfly with rounded wings, commonly found across India including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but predominantly in plains and the foothills of the Western Ghats up to 1600 meters. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Joshi
Kumarakom is a favorite tourist hotspot in Kerala, where a visitor can enjoy the beauty of the famous Lake Vembanad, the tranquility in the surrounding scenery, and also the delicious dishes, which include typical Kerala fish preparations. A bird sanctuary on the banks of the lake makes Kumarakom a unique place in the itinerary of a visitor. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
A gem of an architectural exuberance, the Napier Museum in Trivandrum is an example of authentic Kerala architectural design. The pink and blue stripes alternating with stripes of yellow and chilly red, scalloped arches of banana yellow, elaborately carved balconies and the red mock friezes leave visitors with a fairytale impression of beauty and perfection. Continue reading
Photo credits: Aparna P
The Tawny Coster (Acraea terpsicore) is a colorful butterfly distributed all over Kerala from the plains to the hill ranges up to 1500. They are primarily found close to and during monsoon season, prefering open grass land, forest edges and gardens. Continue reading
Photo credits: Renjith Rajan
Star Gooseberry is native to the Malay Islands and Madagascar. The small deciduous tree can grow up to 25-30 feet height. Abundantly found in Kerala for its acidic fruits that are mainly used for pickling and for the preparation of preserves. Although it also makes excellent jam, star gooseberries are also used in traditional medicines.
Photo credits: Aparna P
The Blue Admiral butterfly, Kaniska canace, is a colourful butterfly commonly found in the hills of Southern India up to 2500m above sea level. Usually solitary, this butterfly is blackish blue with shining silvery blue bands across the outer edge of the wings. These butterflies fly close to ground, preferring to be near water, forest openings and paths.
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Church festivals mark a special form of festivity among the Christians of Kerala. Called Perunal, these celebrations add verve and flavor to local communities. St. Mary’s Church in Kuravilangad is an ancient church believed to have been built over thousand years ago, which celebrates the famous kappal festival (vessel procession) every year in February. Continue reading
Photo Credit: Aparna P
The Common Mormon is a beautiful butterfly, seen throughout the year in Kerala, anywhere from flat plains up to wooded hillsides. Continue reading
Organikos 