Discovering Frogs In South India

One of the 14 new species of so-called dancing frogs discovered by a team headed by University of Delhi professor Sathyabhama Das Biju in the jungle mountains of southern India Photograph: Satyabhama Das Biju/AP

One of the 14 new species of so-called dancing frogs discovered by a team headed by University of Delhi professor Sathyabhama Das Biju in the jungle mountains of southern India Photograph: Satyabhama Das Biju/AP

Thanks to the Guardian for their coverage of environmental news stories, and considering the role frogs play as an indicator of ecosystem well-being, this counts as a big one:

Scientists have discovered 14 new species of so-called dancing frogs in the jungle mountains of southern India. Indian biologists say they found the tiny acrobatic amphibians, which earned their name with the unusual kicks they use to attract mates, declining dramatically in number during the 12 years in which they chronicled the species through morphological descriptions and molecular DNA markers. They breed after the yearly monsoon in fast-rushing streams, but their habitat appears to be becoming increasingly dry. Continue reading

Mattanchery – Fort Kochi

Photo credits : Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Mattanchery is a part of Fort Kochi in Kerala, India. The first trade hub in the area, dealing primarily in spices and other agricultural products, it is now also a tourist destination, surrounded by the backwaters of the Arabian Sea.  Continue reading

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary – Kerala

Photo Credits : Surus

Photo Credits: Surus

Parambikulam is located in the Palakkat district of Kerala. It is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots that supports diverse types of habitat and wildlife. Considering its biological richness, abundance of wildlife and  scenic beauty, the Sanctuary is one of the most attractive national parks in the entire stretch of the Western Ghats. Continue reading

Sapthaha Yagnam – Temple Festival

Photo credits : Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoo

Sapthaha Yagnam is among eighteen ancient puranas (stories) that are still told today, and one of the most important in the Srimat Bhagavatha Purana (Holy Book of Hindu), which deals with Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna temples host a ritualistic event of intense tradition in which this text is read. Continue reading

Dutch Cemetery – Cochin

Photo credit : Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credit: Ramesh Kidangoor

The Dutch cemetery in Fort Kochi, which is about 290 years old, is an authentic record of hundreds of Europeans — despite its name both Dutch and English — who arrived in India to expand their colonial empire. It is considered the oldest European cemetery in India. Constructed in 1724, the cemetery has over a hundred tombs.

Jack Fruit, Again

Jackfruits grow on the branches and trunks of tall trees. You don't wait to harvest until they drop of their own accord — by that time, they'd be overripe. iStockphoto

Jackfruits grow on the branches and trunks of tall trees. You don’t wait to harvest until they drop of their own accord — by that time, they’d be overripe. iStockphoto

We recently started noticing interest in our hometown fruit, and here is some more courtesy of the Salt program on National Public Radio (USA):

It’s not every fruit that gets its own international symposium.

Then again, the jackfruit is not your typical fruit. It’s got a distinctive, musky smell, and a flavor that some describe as like Juicy Fruit gum.

It is the largest tree fruit in the world, capable of reaching 100 pounds. And it grows on the branches — and the trunks — of trees that can reach 30, 40, 50 feet. (Trunk-growing is a good thing because it reduces the odds of a jackfruit bopping you on the head.) Continue reading

Flavours Of Kerala – Ela Ada

Photo credits : Jithin

Photo credits: Jithin

Ela ada is an authentic recipe of Kerala cuisine. A mixture of grated coconut, sugar and cardamom is layered inside a rice flour batter and wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. It is served as evening snack. Continue reading

Coconut Palm Leaf Roofing

Photo credits : Shymon

Photo credits: Shymon

In rural communities around the world it’s a common sight to see structures made from 100% natural and sustainable materials, and Kerala is no exception, especially in the Alappuzha district. In thatched homes the roof and walls are made out of coconut leaves. Continue reading

Old Fashioned Cinema

Cinema Machine in the days

Old-fashioned Film Projector

Not many youngsters will recognize this machine but in the olden days it was the only source of entertainment for people other than the dramatic theatrical dances of Kerala. This huge, elaborate machine is the predecessor of the portable devices we now can plug into a laptop to entertain ourselves at our convenience. Years ago this beast of a machine was installed in movie theaters also called a cinema. Continue reading

Taste Of Xandari At 51

10155003_752610181446587_5118148078119598173_nRecently we passed a quarter million views on this site. We have no clue whether that is wow-alot or woeful-low; what metrics indicate how well we address the interests of both contributors and readers other than by comparing the performance of individual posts versus other posts? Carbon Emissions Series: Vacationers’ Diets, approaching 10,000 views and our most popular post, tells us alot about what our readers care about.

In short, they seem to love reading about good food that is also good for the environment and is healthy. This tells us why readers have also responded well to our posts about Xandari. To get a sense of the love, you can read a bit; to feel it, there is no choice. You must visit the resort. In case that is not in the cards in the near future, how about a taste?

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 4.07.00 PMIn Kerala, visit the Mattanchery neighborhood of Fort Cochin and stop in at 51 to sample one of the best-loved salads at Xandari. Since both Kerala and Costa Rica are situated within the tenth parallel north, chefs in both locations have many of the same farm-fresh ingredients to work with.

Flavours Of Kerala – Mambazha Pulissery

Photo credits : Jithin

Photo credits: Jithin

Mambazha Pulissery is a classic Kerala sweet and sour ripe mango curry. Traditionally it’s made using ripe, small mangos cooked in their own juice. The main ingredients are small mango fruit, turmeric powder, red chili, grated coconut, green chili, cumin seeds, coconut oil and curd. Continue reading

Old Spice Market in Mattanchery, Fort Kochi, Kerala

 

Bazar Road

Bazar Road, Mattanchery

The Spice market in Mattanchery has retained its status as an important center of spice trade in India. The exotic fragrance of the finest ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric and pepper, also known as black gold, emanate from the spice warehouses lining both sides of the street that our new property, Spice Harbour, calls home. Continue reading

Periyar Sightings

Sighting of the day

Sighting of the day

It has been a while since we have shared our guest sightings at the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Some guests carry cameras to capture every moment and some just like enjoying the moment. Our reception chalk board gives people the opportunity to share those experiences with others–in this case not in photos but their memories.

 

Pottan Theyyam

Photo credits : Jayaraj

Photo credits: Jayaraj

Pottan Theyyam is a colorful ritualistic dance that forms an integral part of the cultural scene in North Kerala. Dressed in ribbons of tender coconut leaves, with his face hidden behind a mask, the Theyyam dances in a frenzied spell, throwing himself on burning red hot embers and walking on fire without getting burnt. Continue reading

Memories of Vishu

 

Vishu

When we were kids, we used to wait with great anticipation for Vishu– which falls around the 14th of April each year. Actually it depends on the Malayalam  Calendar, and this year it falls on the 15th. Most Keralaites, especially the older generation, go by the Malayalam calendar for birthdays or any other auspicious occasion.

Vishu is a happy festival, filled with lights, fireworks and bursting crackers as part of the celebration. Other elements of Vishu include the buying of new clothes for the occasion, the tradition of giving money called Vishukaineettam and the culinary treat, the Vishu feast or Sadya.

The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which means “the first thing seen on the day of Vishu after waking up”. Continue reading

Palm Sunday

Photo credits : Ramesh Kidangoor

Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

In Kerala, Palm Sunday is called Hosanna Njayar. Celebrated by Christians the world over on the Sunday before Easter, which fell on April 13th, in 2014. Churchs have special services and ceremonial processions attended by hundreds of believers carrying tender palm leaves to be blessed by the priests. Continue reading

Pathiramanal Island – Alappuzha, Kerala

Photo credits : Surus

Photo credits: Surus

Pathiramanal is a small island located in the backwaters of Alappuzha District, about 2 kilometers from the Muhumma boat jetty. Many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the country come here to nest, adding to the scenic beauty of its location on Lake Vembanad. Continue reading

Bekal Fort – Kasaragod, Kerala

Photo credits : Sijo

Photo credits: Sijo

Bekal Fort is situated in the Kasaragod district in the north of Kerala. One of the largest and most well-preserved forts in the state, Bekel is spread over 40 acres. The fort was built by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkari dynasty in 1650. The west side of the fort offers a magnificent view of the sea and the beach. Continue reading

Bappiriyan Theyyam

Photo credits : Jobsun

Photo credits: Jobsun

The Bappiriyan Theyyam is mostly performed in the Kannur district, a major center for Theyyam in the north of Kerala. The most significent aspect of this Theyyam is that the performer climbs to the top of a coconut tree, sometimes even dropping a couple of coconuts when he’s there. Continue reading