Kerala

New Tourist-On-Arrival Visas For India

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The Hindu

Photo credit: The Hindu. Thiruvananthapuram Airport along with the Cochin International Airport joined six other elite airports in the country to issue T-VoA

Thanks to the Hindu (click the image above to go to the source) for publicizing this new information about India’s ever-easier visa procedures. Decades ago, when it was downright Kafka-esque to obtain a visa, no one predicted that by 2013 efficiency would be a relevant word in a sentence about obtaining a visa.  But, to the credit of India, it is so. While not quite Hemingway lean, the prose is simplified, especially if you are from one of these countries:

Kerala on Wednesday became the gateway to India for holidaymakers from 11 countries who can get tourist visa on arrival (T-VoA).

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Chingam

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Photo credits : Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits : Ramesh Kidangoor

Chingam is the first month of the Malayalam calendar.  New Year’s Day 1189, or Chingam 1st,  fell on August 17, 2013  and marks the beginning of Chingamasam.  This auspicious day is welcomed by people of Kerala with special poojas and prayers.  In the early morning Hindus  in large numbers visit their nearby temples. The Onam festival is celebrated in this month. Continue reading →

Velankanni Matha Church, Pattumala

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Pattumala is a picturesque place with an unending expanse of lush green tea plantations along the Thekkady-Kottayam Route near to Vandi Periyar. The main attraction of the area is the Velankanni Matha Church, a structure built in granite that has become a famous pilgrimage spot. Continue reading →

Dahlia – Bridesbouquet

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Collerette Dahlia

Collerette Dahlia

Dahlias are the most common garden flower found in the High Ranges of Kerala. In Thekkady they bloom with colorful and dense flowers year round, but in places where frost occurs or in climates with four distinct seasons they bloom from high summer to the frosts of the fall. Continue reading →

Ramakalmedu – Kerala

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view point to Bodi

viewpoint to Bodi

Ramakalmedu is a popular nature destination situated along the Thekkady-Munnar road in Kerala. It is known for its green hills, fresh mountain air, and amazing vistas. This hilltop offers panoramic views of the picturesque villages of Bodi and Teni on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. Continue reading →

Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race – 2013

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Photo credits Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

snake boat race

snake boat race

What is now known as the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which is held every year at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on the second Saturday in August, was first held to commemorate the visit of the Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1952. Around 16 boats take part in this fiercely contested event that attracts an enormous number of spectators annually. Continue reading →

Monsoon Theyyam

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Karkataka theyyam

Monsoon theyyam

The last month of the Malayalam calendar, Karkatakam (July 17 to August 16) falls towards the end of southwest monsoon and signals the arrival of the Monsoon Theyyam. Karkataka Theyyams are performed by boys under the age of 13. They visit houses and Temples to ward off diseases, hardships and evil spirits that may come during the rainy season. Continue reading →

Beauty Of Munnar – Gulmohar Trees

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Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Located at 5000 ft above sea level, Munnar hill stations were the summer resorts of the British administration in South India. Although famous for tea plantations flowering trees and plants thrive in Munnar and the surrounding region. Continue reading →

Kettuvallom – Houseboats

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Photo credits:Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

The publishers of the most recent edition of the Lonely Planet India place Kerala’s backwaters as second only to the Taj Mahal in their “must do” list of the country. The houseboat experience is partially the reason why. Traditional Kettuvallom are thatch-covered barges built to carry rice and other commodities through the waterways that once formed the lifeline of Kerala’s transportation systems. Continue reading →

Kovalam – Kerala

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Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Kovalam beach is covered with coconut palms, and framed by the headlands that rise steeply above the shore. The crescent shaped beaches of Kovalam are an international tourist attraction. With  golden sands, miles of shimmering sea, and picturesque beaches it is no wonder that this beautiful place is one of Kerala’s most popular destinations. Continue reading →

Mahashivratri Festival – Attappadi

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Photo credits: Ranjith

Photo credits: Ranjith

Attappadi is situated in the northeast part of Palakkad district, and is a stunning forest that is mainly inhabited by local tribes. The Malleshwarn peak of Attappadi is worshiped as a huge Shivalinga, the symbolic connection between male and female forces, by these tribes. They celebrate the festival of Shivratri with fanfare on the hill, by illuminating the top of this peak. Continue reading →

Cardamom Reserve Hills

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Cardamom Plantations

Cardamom Plantations

Cardamom is popularly known as the “Queen of Spice” and is one of the important commercial crops found in the high ranges of Kerala.  The best quality cardamom grown in and around the Idukkki District is the species Mysore Cardamom.  Continue reading →

Uzhunnu Vada – Flavours Of South India

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Uzhunnu Vada

Uzhunnu Vada

Uzhunnu Vada is a very common snack in South India, and is often found at breakfast with items such as Idli, Sambar and Chutney. The main ingredients for this dish are black lentils, ginger, onion, salt and curry leaves. Continue reading →

Ducks at Kuttanad

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Photo credits : Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits : Ramesh Kidangoor

Kuttanad is a large area made up of low-lying land spread across Alappuzha District. Agriculture is the major occupation and paddy is grown as far as the eye can see. Duck rearing is a subsidiary occupation for many farmers and thousands of ducks wadding over the fields, lakes and rivers is a beautiful sight across the district. Duck growers from even distant places bring their flocks to Kuttanad during the harvest season. Continue reading →

Chakkayappam – Flavours Of Kerala

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Chakkayappam (jackfruit dumplings) is a popular seasonal and authentic snack from Kerala. The main ingredients and preparations for Chakkayappam are a smooth paste made from chopped Jackfruit flesh incorporated with rice flour, grated coconut and jaggery mixed together to prepare a dough. This dough is then wrapped in fresh green bay leaves shaped into cones and steamed. The flavour of bay leaves and jackfruit together creates a deliciously unique taste. Continue reading →

Kuttanad – Alappuzha

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Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

The lush paddy fields of Kuttanad are referred to as the “Rice bowl of Kerala”. It’s one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. This one-time prosperous trading and fishing centre is today a world renowned backwater tourist destination.   Continue reading →

Theyyam

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Photo credits: Anuraj

Photo credits: Anuraj

Theyyam is based on a traditional belief system, and is a self-contained world without obligations to caste, community, society and religious faith. Fire has a major presence in many Theyyam myths. Continue reading →

Ochirakkali – Temple Festival

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Photo credits : Renjith

Photo credits: Renjith

Ochira, located in the Kollam district of Kerala, is famous for the Parabrahma Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Ochirakkali is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the battlefield, commemorating the historic battle fought between the Kayamkulam and Chempakasseri soldiers. Continue reading →

Karkidakam – Ramayana Masam

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Reciting Holy Book Ramayana

Reciting the Holy Book of Ramayana

Karkidakam is the last month in the Malayalam calendar, which this year falls between 17th July and 16th August on the Western calendar. Historically the southwest monsoon is bringing chilling torrential rain during this period. In Kerala every observant Hindu family recites the Holy Book of Ramayana in homes and temples during this time, making Karkidakam popularly known as Ramayana Masam. Continue reading →

Citron Daylily

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Citron daylily

Citron daylily

Daylilies are considered to be extremely straightforward to grow, even for the most inexperienced gardener. The fragrant lemon-yellow flowers of this species are ideal for night owls, as the small flowers do not open until late afternoon and bloom through the night. Continue reading →