Cardamom County is located at the junction of Kumily and Thekkady and for me it is not quite clear yet where one starts and the other stops. Walking around Kumily in the early morning is a privileged moment to witness daily wonders. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Temple worship has had a glorious tradition in India and over the years there have been many temples built for different Gods and Goddesses. In the Hindu religion, people believe the only way of establishing a relationship with God is through an animal mediator, such as the bull, snake and elephant. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
From December to May Kerala comes alive with its colorful Temple festivals. Each Temple has its own lore, ranging from the fantastic to the bizarre, and always involving many people within their communities. Kerala’s classical arts such as Kathakali, Theyyam and Panchavadyam, among others enjoy a frenzied resurrection during the festival season. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
The Bolgatty Palace was built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. Today it is a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Board. The palace is located on Bolgatty Island, one of the islands that form part of the city of Kochi. It is a two-storied building with well-laid verandas on both sides facing the seas. Set amidst lush, tropical greenery, this Dutch heritage building has the added advantage of a spectacular view of the backwaters.
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My colleagues pressed me to arrive at Kathakali half an hour early : “You cannot miss the make-up session”, they insisted. Kathakali is non-speaking theatre you see. So the performance starts early on, before the show even starts. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Musical traditions in Kerala consists of both vocal and instrumental forms, the latter gradually overtaking the former in terms of popularity. Sopana sangeetham (classical music) is a typically Keralan style of music. The name comes from the fact that it was recited at the steps of the temple. Some consider sopana saneetham as merely a rustic variation of a local style of singing, sharing some elements with classic Carnatic music. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidngoor
The origin of snake worship goes way back in history in many parts of India, but only in Kerala is it such a living tradition. In earlier times, in almost every Hindu household the southwest corner of the compound was set apart for a shrine called sarpakavu as the propitiation of the serpent god was considered essential to the wellbeing of the family. There are several legends associated with snake worship; it is believed that soon after Parasurama created Kerala the land with thick forests was inhabited by poisonous snakes. It is believed that people believed they could appease them through worship. Continue reading
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Kavadiyattam is an important folk art in certain pockets of the state. Ash-smeared dancers in yellow or pink-coloured clothes carry ornate, multi-tiered arches on their shoulders and move in procession to the rhythmic beats of the chenda, udukku, thakil and nadaswaram to please Lord Subramanya. Continue reading
Photo credit: Ramesh Kidangoor
Marine Drive is considered one of the most beautiful parts of the city of Cochin, with a spectacular view of the backwaters and the Cochin harbour. This scenic strip is the popular hangout for many people with shopping, cinemas, restaurants, supermarkets, the rainbow bridge and a new walkway shaped like a house boat. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Originating among the traditional warriors of Kerala, Velakali is a ritual artform presented in a temple courtyard. Among the martial folk arts, this is one of the most spectacular and extremely vigorous dances performed in Kerala. Fifty or more dancers dress up as soldiers with colorful shields and shining swords. Their fabulous attire includes a conical headdress and chests covered with beads and other types of garlands. The dance includes war-like steps in a line to the accompaniment of martial music. Fighting techniques are displayed by coming forward from the line. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is one of the most famous and oldest Siva temple in Kerala. Legend has it that the Mahadeva Temple was constructed by Lord Parasurama, the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the mythological creator of Kerala. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Panchavadyam is an orchestra made up of five instruments, primarily percussion but one wind instrument – chenda, kombu, kuzhal, elathalam and maddalam. Kerala temple festivals are the ideal occasion to witness its entire range of traditional musical expertise. Originally this was the music that accompanied temple processions where caparisoned elephants carried the idol. A panchavadyam performance takes hours, with a pyramid-like rhythmic structure in which the instruments go through five musical stages, or peaks.
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Photo Credits: Manoj
Kerala has an abundance of architectural styles. There are two main features in Kerala houses that make them unique: The first is that domestic architecture follows the style of detached sections. Secondly the evolution of domestic architecture closely followed the trends in temple architecture. A typical house in Kerala is the courtyard type or the Nadumuttom. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Vidyarambham means the beginning of education, or being initiated into the world of learning. As the auspicious day of Mahanavami approaches, devotees get ready to pray to Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Education. On the eve of Mahanavami books and equipment associated with one’s vocation are placed before the Goddess to invoke her help in surmounting obstacles in the path of learning. The ritual of Vidyarambham is performed on the following day, Vijayadashami, which is the last day of the 9-day Navaratri festival. On the Vijayadashmi day from early morning hundreds of children between the ages of three and five are initiated into the world of education in various temples across the state. Continue reading
Photo Credits : Ramesh Kidangoor
Kerala cuisine is noted for the many snack items to be enjoyed, especially during tea time or in between major meals during the day. Banana Chips are a common example found throughout the state in any bake shop, snack shop or tea stall. They are are also included in the traditional Kerala sadya meal. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Thrissur Pooram is the grandest of festivals in Kerala, filled with elephants decorated with headdresses, beautifully crafted parasols, decorative bells and ornaments. The atmosphere is set by the ensemble of panchvadyam and pandimelam; the riveting orchestras dominated by percussion. The fireworks display in the early hours of the day following the pooram will rival shows held anywhere in the world. The Thrissur Pooram takes place every year in the Vadakkumnathan temple. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Uthralikavu is a Devi temple surrounded by paddy fields near Thrissur. The Uthralikavu Temple Festival is one of the most popular temple celebrations in central Kerala. The annual pooram festival is conducted by three villages near by. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sri Rudhiramahakali. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
There is no written history as to when Halwa first came to Kerala but considering that it appears where Arab culture took root in matters of cuisine, this sticky sweet must have its origins in the Middle East. While Halwa is also native to many other parts of India, what is essentially different about the Kerala Halwa are the basic ingredients used. In other regions either wheat paste or white flour with sugar forms the base; here it is rice flour with jaggery, with the addition of cardamom, nuts and occasionally grated fruit or vegetable. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Best of Kerala
Kerala is heralded as one of the leading states in India with a good collection of Murals. Dating back to the 8th century, the paintings are highly valued for their aesthetic composition and techniques. The temples and palaces of Kerala are custodians of many notable Mural works depicting Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
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Photo Credits: Mr. Vijay Mampilly
It’s amazing how often dreams have become reality during my trip to India as a Raxa Collective Management trainee in Thekaddy! In Ghana I have seen religious tribal festivals and seen pictures of the Indian versions in magazines and movies. But it was incredible to have the firsthand experience of seeing devotees as more than masqueraders or people in carefree disguise.
The Devi Temple festival procession–beautiful, colourful and sometimes slightly otherworldly–passed right in front of the Cardamom County entrance gate. I was thrilled to see hundreds of people dressed up in festive mood, joyfully drumming and dancing in convoy following the Devi Shrine toward the gates of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Continue reading
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