Kerala

Kathakali

/ EJ Lee / Leave a comment

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Last night I had the opportunity to see a Kathakali performance, which is a classical Indian dance-drama that originated in Kerala in the 17 th century.

I arrived a little bit late because I was sitting at the wrong section of the performing center, so I missed the introduction of what the dancers were depicting. Yet, I was still wholly captivated when I walked into the theater: the make-up on the dancers was so incredibly colorful and elaborate. The dark, fierce black liners around their eyes made them look a bit intimidating as well. In addition to the make-up, the dancers were wearing head pieces, skirts, and pants that were bejeweled and feathered with colorful ornaments. Continue reading →

Thunbergia fragrans – Sweet Clock Vine

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Thunbergia fragrans

Thunbergia fragrans

Native to India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, Thunbergia fragrans, or Sweet Clock Vine, is a slender perennial twiner found plentifully along the hill station roads. It flowers from August to December and cultivated as a garden plant.

Our Gang, Thevara, (Team Spirit)

/ Crist Inman / 3 Comments

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It is that time of the year. The place where the cow is often roaming, or otherwise is just pleasant open space, becomes energentic-kid-space about now. Soon it will be school break time and the kids are thinking about what they will do with all that free time. So today, as two of Raxa Collective’s team members were walking through the neighborhood the kids stopped them and asked: Want to be on our team?

 

Yellow Dahlia

/ Salim.E.I / 3 Comments

Yellow Dahlias are the most common member of the species found in Kerala’s hill range gardens. These wonderful, spectacular flowers love locations that are sunny but not too hot. They also thrive in open areas where they can develop undisturbed.

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Al Fresco Ayurveda

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Uruli

Brass Uruli

At Cardamom County we make every effort to ensure the uniqueness of our guests’ experience. One way is to invite them to watch our Ayura staff along with Dr. Pameela, our in-house Ayurvedic doctor, prepare the traditional herbal oils used in Ayurvedic massage. They first harvested the special herbs in our gardens. The herbs are then soaked in water overnight to extract a concentrate that by morning turns into a rich concoction called kashaya. This mixture is then brought to a boil in a large brass vessel called an uruli. Continue reading →

Pedal Powered Ecotourism

/ Salim.E.I
Eco Tourism

Pedal Power! photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

At Raxa Collective we believe in conservation and what better example than Cardamom County, a plastic-free resort with rich gardens where we harvest fruits, vegetables and even eggs. Kerala is a beautiful state with many places to discover and there’s no better way to experience our neighborhood than with zero carbon transport.

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Kerala’s Brainy Cuisine

/ Salim.E.I / 3 Comments
Dry Fish

Dry Fish

The state of Kerala is known to be the most literate state in India and one is able to understand why after noting the Malayali’s profound love for fish.

Fish is an integral part of Kerala cuisine, including breakfast, indicating the vast diversity of recipes that are available considering it is often eaten  twice or thrice a day. The benefits of fish are well publicized, specifically that the Omega 3 fatty acids help in brain development. Continue reading →

Lord of the Jungle

/ Salim.E.I / 2 Comments

Lord Of The Jungle

Periyar Tiger Reserve may be famous for its tiger population but it’s also a paradise for elephant lovers. Over 1,300 of the magnificent creatures call the 925 plus sq kms of PTR their home. Also know as “keystone animals”, elephants have a huge impact on the ecosystem they live in. For example when elephants uproot trees with their trunks they create grasslands and savanna and their habit of digging for water during drought causes big water holes that also supports other wildlife in the area. The major threats for elephants have been the illegal ivory trade but due to strict laws the elephants can find themselves safe in the reserve.

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Wildlife Reigns at Cardamom County

/ Jake / 1 Comment
Image

Even Macaques get lost in deep thought

It is no secret that the Periyar Tiger Reserve hosts a magnificently large collection of wildlife, that is what attracts tourists around the world — take a hike within the boundaries of the massive sanctuary and you are likely to see some amazing creatures. However, we cannot forget that the boundaries of the reserve are merely human constructs, designed by our minds to protect and preserve the organisms within. Animals abide by no such regulations, boundaries for them are constrained only by the habitats in which they may successfully occupy, thus, spillover is likely.

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Music and Dance at the Water’s Edge

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South Indian Classical Dance

South Indian Classical Dance

Guests at Cardamom County are usually out and about enjoying the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the town or the spice plantations during the day, but in the evening there’s a lot of excitement at Cardamom County, especially as we head in to the holiday season. Continue reading →

Lazing Across The Wilderness

/ Salim.E.I / 2 Comments
Bamboo Rafting

Bamboo Rafting

In recent posts we’ve been sharing what guests spot during their excursion on the bamboo rafts. We were delighted that Ms. Helen Worsley was willing to share her experience through these beautiful photographs.

Bamboo rafting is either a half-day or full day program that starts in the early hours of morning. Forest guides in the reserve take guests on a 2-hour hike to where the rafts have been docked. The group consists of a maximum of 10 people excluding the guides who explain about the rich flora and fauna they spot on their hike. The hike itself is breathtaking for its wild beauty and by the time guests reach the raft they’re usually looking forward to what is to come. Continue reading →

Cardamom County – Home For One And All

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Actias selene

Actias selene

This entire week we have been talking about the rich fauna in the Periyar Reserve and how it overlaps into Cardamom County. Today we share with you a rare sighting of the Indian Luna Moth! We found this little guest taking shelter in our cardamom plantation waiting for night to arrive as they usually only fly in the night. Continue reading →

The Best Memories

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Sighting Of The Day

Sighting Of The Day

Cardamom County receives guests of all ages who are enthusiastic about trekking, hiking and bamboo rafting as well as others who just like to relax in the beautiful ambiance of our property. Our privileged location across the street from the Periyar Tiger Reserve means a lot of overlap of fauna such as birds, butterflies and even monkeys between us, although obviously we don’t have any tigers on property! Continue reading →

Bullock Cart Re-Discoveries

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Bullock Cart Discoveries

Bullock Cart Discoveries

In the villages of India bullock cart rides are still very common modes of transportation, not only fun but also eco-friendly. Today the Raxa Collective Cardamom County team took part in the Thekkady TDPC (Tourism Destination Promotion Council) sponsored bullock cart within the local community to provide guests with a zero carbon experience that will also provide a source of income for the locals who cannot afford vehicles to exploit this large tourism market in the state. Continue reading →

Wild Periyar – Boating

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Sambar Deer

Sambar Deer

Where better to spot wildlife than on the lake looking to quench their thirst, cool down or save themselves from wild dogs? Here we share the documentation of the Bowden family’s experience visiting the Periyar Tiger Reserve on a boat cruise.  The Periyar reservoir expands over 26 square kilometers and is the main resource of water for not only the animals in the reserve but also the state of Tamil Nadu, where it provides daily water for livelihood in 3 of its districts. Continue reading →

Periyar Trekking – Border Hike

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semi evergreen forest

semi evergreen forest

Recent guests from Austria staying at Cardamom County shared photos of their Border Hike experience with us.  The Periyar Tiger Reserve extends over 925 sq kilometers and this particular trek covers a minimum of 18km of the peripheral zone. It’s difficult not to get lost and even more difficult to spot animals in the rich flora of the reserve, hence the importance of the professionally trained forest guides. Continue reading →

Embracing Surfing

/ Jake / 2 Comments

Photo Credit: Surfingindia.net

Oftentimes I find myself daydreaming of the saltwater breeze that accompanies the rolling bass of the heavy waves in the ocean — and I imagine those perfect waves… blue, crisp, clean and glassy, and the hollowest of tubes; peeling along the coastline in an epic demonstration of nature’s power.  This is a common dream for those who understand the absolutely humbling experience of surfing; it is a burning desire and need to envelope one’s self in the soothing serenity of the water.

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Community Based Ecotourism: Periyar Model

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Bamboo Rafting

Bamboo Rafting

Community based Ecotourism programs are the hallmark of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. These programs are conducted by the local people responsible for the surveillance of the vulnerable parts of the reserve. Taking tourists along, valuable revenue is generated for community welfare at the same time forest conservation is taking place.  Continue reading →