Calm Kochi backwaters - A regenerating glide into the serenity of village life

Hankering to take a regenerating glide into the serenity of village life? Nothing could be better than a boat ride caressed by the soft ripples of Kochi backwaters. The journey beneath the concrete bridges becomes all the more charming as it is sure not to play havoc with your budget. The mesmerizing journey that starts from High Court junction at Ernakulam provides a beautiful glimpse of the broad backwaters that embraces Kochi. In their journey to Varapuzha, the boats are anchored at more than twenty docks.

 The boat-ride provides a rapidly changing view of the vivacious cultural life against a natural backdrop. The solitary boat rider and the fisherman who thuds hard on his boat to attract customers from the distant island towards his catch are but a few stranded images that stay back in mind long after the trip. Barges that contain liquid ammonia gas too sail by.  You will have to agree with the Spanish traveler who scribed in his memoirs that no travel through India is complete without experiencing the rail travel through Ootty-Coonoor and boat ride through Kochi-Varapuzha water canal.  'Lonely Planet', widely acclaimed as the 'Traveler's Bible', contains vivid description of this relatively unexplored waterway. Despite its international recognition, the native folk often remain unaware of the unique experience offered by the journey that links fourteen lush green islands.

The meticulous eyes of foreign tourists have not evaded even the native boat travelers. It seems it was while traveling in these boats that they came across the largest number of 'half-clad men' in Kerala. The taste of toddy and the hot tinge of fish curry served at the riverside shops remained fresh in their taste-buds despite reaching the distant Egypt.

The boat resumes its ride through the islands of Pizhala, Kothadu and Chennoor before it reaches Varapuzha. The boat anchors beside the ancient St. Joseph Mount Carmel church. The cultural remnants of the work of early missionaries attract tourists to Varapuzha. Crematorium of twelve missionaries could also be seen here.  No wonder, the ride through the Kochi backwaters itself is the highlight in Fil Franperson's work 'Hidden Kerala', which has been written for KTDC.  The boat passes through Mulavukadu, Korumkotta and Vaduthala to reach Chittur where it stops for a refreshing break. The island of Moolambilly, seen at the other side, is famous for its earthen pots. So exquisite were those vessels moulded at Moolampilly that during the Indo-Chinese war, it was rumoured that these pots were manufactured in China itself.

The boat ride from Ernakulam to Varapuzha takes about one and a half hours. If your eyes long to have yet another glance of the picturesque backwaters you can return to Kochi by boat itself. Or else, you can get down at Cheranallor and catch a bus to Kochi. Taxi service is also available. Accommodation can be arranged at resorts in Korunkodu and Kothadu islands. Home-stay facility is available at Chenoor and Kothadu.

Kerala Tourism sweeps PATA Awards 2011

Kerala Tourism got four of the top honours at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Awards 2011 announced in Bangkok for outstanding achievement.  Kerala is  the only Indian state to figure in the PATA awards this year, and also picked up one of the four PATA Grand awards in the environment category for its "responsible tourism" efforts in Kumarakom. Kerala Tourism's new global campaign film "Your Moment is Waiting" bagged three PATA Gold awards, signify the creative edge, which our marketing campaigns have been acclaimed for.  Kerala Tourism's international campaign, Your Moment Is Waiting is a film that goes far beyond the realm of a commercial, to capture the soul of Kerala like no destination hitherto has. Kerala Tourism won three Gold awards making it the largest haul ever by a state government in the history of the PATA awards.

This video shot at Thekkady, Munnar, Thalassery and Kannur in 11 days, this video is directed by Prakash Varma and is produced by Stark Communications.

Your Moment is Waiting

Kerala Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said: "The Grand award puts an even greater responsibility on us to ensure that the achievements of responsible tourism in Kumarakom are sustained and taken to the next level to create a replicable model in tourism practices.

The "responsible tourism" program was the first such initiative by a tourism board in India.  As the best way to maximize the positive impacts of tourism and minimize the negative ones, Responsible Tourism is gaining wide acceptance across the world today. Under the project, ordinary people of Kumarakom worked with industry representatives like hotels and resorts, tour operators, travel agents, home-stay operators and souvenir shop owners, NGOs and government agencies to protect the environment in the high-profile destination. Kumarakom, in the State, has the pride of being the first place on the country to have successfully implemented "responsible tourism". "Responsible tourism" is today being implemented in other tourist destinations across the State.

Never miss Athirapally when you visit Kerala.

The attractiveness of the Athirapally cannot be described by words. Athirapally water falls situated on the Chalakudy river, 78 kms from Kochi (Cochin), Kerala. It originates in the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. Athirapaly starting calmly from the high ranges, these waterfall is one of the best places in India to re-capture a real sense of the classical idea of something wild and natural.

Vazhachal Waterfalls, Charpa Falls, Malakapara Tea Gardens, Thumpurmuzhi Gardens, Peringalkuthu & Sholayar Dams, Valparai and Vazhachal Forest Gardens are the nearest attractions.

Some of my recent tour photos of Athirapally:

The best time to visit Athirapally is just after the monsoon season, when the waterfalls would still be in full force. September to February is the ideal period to visit.

There are some restriction on Athirapally:

Visiting is between 8 am and 6 pm only, consumption of alcohol and smoking is strictly prohibited here. swimming in the falls is prohibited, visitors are advised to refrain from feeding animals as the waterfalls are plastic-free zones.

Season of temple festivals starting in Kerala.

The time of temple festivals are coming in January to May months in Kerala. The celebrations are held at temple grounds. People from all the religions, castes and tourists participate in the Pooram. The dazzling display of fire works will start from midday till morning. Thrissur Pooram Festival is the most popular pooram festival of Kerala.

Thrissur Pooram

Melam

Fire Works

  Sree Maheswara Temple Thyppooya Mahotsavam, Koorkancheri, Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple Bharani Festival,  Pariyanampena Temple Pooram,  Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple Pooram,  Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple Pooram, Palappuram,  Attukal Pongala Utsavam, Thiruvananthapuram, Uthralikavu Pooram, Wadakkanchery, Sree Ruthira Mahakalikavu Temple Utsavam, Vadakancherry,  Kodimooti Sree Bhagavathy Temple Pooram,  Othara Padayani,  Arattupuzha Pooram, Thrissur, Nenmara Vallangi Vela, Palakkad, Machattu Mamangam, Thrissur, Theyyam festival, Kuttikkol Thampuratti Bhagavathy Temple. Kunikkol,  Elankavu Temple Aatuvela Mahotsavam, Vadayar, Vaikom, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta Puthukulangara Devi Temple, Sree Kurumba Temple, Kodungalloor Bharani Festival,  Aravukadu Devi Temple, Punnapra,  Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple Thyppooya Mahotsavam, Harippad, Thrissur Pooram, are the major pooram festivals in kerala.

Guruvayoor Temple

Perumudiyoor Temple

Thriprayar Temple

Thirumittakkode Temple

The endless unspoilt virgin beaches, backwater & more - Puducherry

Puducherry is a quiet little city on the southern coast. It is the perfect place to come to if you wants to take the pace of life down a few notches. Puducherry and Karaikal are situated on the East Coasts in Tamil Nadu, Yanam in Andra Pradesh and Mahe on the West Coast in Kerala. Puducherry is the Capital of this Union Territory. Main languages spoken in the state are Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. English and French are other languages, which are spoken by few people. Puducherry has a special ambience, not felt anywhere else in India. Clean streets and house the French institutions, private homes and businesses. Quiet beaches and peaceful resorts to the north and south balance the town's bustling. Puducherry is best accessible by road from Chennai, Bangalore and even from Kerala. As we shall see, however, the Pondy Experience is considerably more than either of these unique and cloistered aspects.

Places to visit:

Auroville
French Heritage
Botanical Garden
Chunnambar Resort
Arikamedu

In the domestic tourism sector, in terms of foreign travellers, Tamilnadu bagged the top spot.

In the domestic tourism sector, in terms of foreign travellers, Tamilnadu bagged the top spot.  Tamil Nadu is a state with long coastlines with a large number of excellent beaches dotted along the shores of the Bay of Bengal. The Coromandel Coast, along the Bay of Bengal, boasts of many ideal locations for sun and surf. Tamil Nadu is blessed with scenic hill stations, beaches, temples and cities. Chennai is the capital of Tamilnadu and the fourth biggest city in India.


Tourist places:

Mahabalipuram: Known for its Shore temples , Mahabalipuram is a Heritage site and offers its tourists magnificent beaches that open’s into the Bay of Bengal.

Kanchipuram: Kanchipuram is located not too far from Chennai and there are hundreds of temples here. Kanchipuram is one of the holiest places in the Hindu religion.

Madurai: Madurai is famous for its Madurai Meenakshi Temple. There are a whole lot of other temples as well which are not only religiously significant, but also has a lot of architectural beauty.

Rameshwaram: Rameshwaram is a beautiful place, famous for the Ramanathaswamy temple. The beaches in Rameshwaram are also very beautiful.

Kanya Kumari: Kanya Kumari gets its name from the famous temple dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanya Kumari. There are other important places also here like the Vivekananda Rock and of course the sea, where the three seas meet at one point.

Tanjore: Tanjore is one of the best places for visiting glorious temples. The beauty of the temple and its significance is great.

Vellore Golden Temple: The Vellore Golden Temple is famous for its rich gold covering across the temple. There are a whole lot of scriptures and writings on the walls of the temple.

Tiruvannamalai: Tiruvannamalai is famous for its temples. It is easily accessible from Chennai. It is famous for the Arunachala temple and Karthigai Deepam festival.

A journey through Karnataka leaves one with the feeling of having become one with the divine.

Karnataka is a haven for those filled with innate wanderlust. This state is so richly endowed with flora, fauna, architectural wonders, world heritage locations, beaches, waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, undulating mountains and awe-inspiring landscapes. Karnataka holidays now look forward to enhanced co-operation in the tourism sector. A cornocopia of exquisite treasures unravel in this beautiful state with a history stretching way back into time. A journey through Karnataka leaves one with the feeling of having become one with the divine.

Tourist destinations in Karnataka:

In summer:

Hill Stations: Coorg, Chikmagalur, Kudremukh, Agumbe, Kemmanagundi, Kundari, Kodachadri, BR Hills, and Nandi Hills.

Beaches: Gokarna, Karwar, Murudeshwara, Marawanthe, Malpe, Kaup, Mangalore, St. Mary’s Island

Wildlife: Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole), BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park,Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Anshi National Park, Kudremukh National Park, Gudavi Bird Sanctuary, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaggaladu Heronry, Bannerghatta National Park, Kokkrebellur Pelicanry.

In Winter:

Heritage Trail: World Heritage Sites of Hampi and Pattadakal, Aihole, Badami, Belgaum, Lakkundi, Chitradurga, Halebeedu, Belur, Bangalore, Srirangapatna, Mysore, Somnathpur, Shravanabelagola, Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur.

Hill Stations: Coorg, Chikmagalur, Kudremukh, Agumbe, Kemmanagundi, Kundari, Kodachadri, BR Hills, and Nandi Hills.

In the rains:

Agumbe, Coorg, Chikmagalur or other hill stations of the Western Ghats.

Kerala - God's own country - The best tourist place in India

Kerala is laying between the Lakshwadeep Sea and the Western Ghats. Kerala is a state on the west coast of India. It's borders are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the Arabian Sea. Every district in Kerala has it's own culture. The capital Thiruvananthapuram is a good trourist place includes Kovalam beach, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and various museums and palaces. Alappuzha district famous for backwaters.

The main tourist attractions are:

Backwaters of Kerala :

Alleppey Backwaters

Kochi Backwaters

Kollam Backwaters

Kumarakom Backwaters

Trivandrum Backwaters

Hill Stations in Kerala :

Chembra Peak

-Chithirapuram

Devikulam

Idukki

Lakkidi

Mattupetty

Munnar

Nellyampathy

Peruvannamuzhi

Ponmudi

Pythal Mala

Vythiri

Wagamon

Monuments & Temples in Kerala :

Bekal Fort

Edakkal Caves

Guruvayoor Temple

Napier Museum

Wildlife in Kerala :

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Eravikulam National Park

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Tourism at the rice granary of India

Andhra Pradesh, known as the "Rice Granary of India". which has a coastline of 1000 kms with eight of its 23 districts having direct access to the sea. Andhra pradesh is the favourable tourist state in India. Located in South India, Andhra Pradesh is bounded by Madhya Pradesh in the North-East, Tamil Nadu in the south, Maharashtra in the North and North-West, Karnataka in the West, and by the Bay of Bengal in the East. Hyderabad is its capital of Andhra Pradesh. The main languages that are spoken in Andhra are Telugu, English, Urdu, Hindi.

Places of Interest

Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh, along with its twin city Secunderabad has over 400 years of history. Charminar that lies right in the heart of Hyderabad. Birla Planetarium, Dhola Ri Dhani, Laad Bazaar, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali, Mir Alam Tank, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Ramoji Film City, Shilparamam and Yadagirigutta Temple Nalgonda are the main tourist places in Hyderabad.


Vijaywada

Vijayawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada is known as the political capital of andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada is a vital rail and road link between North and the South and is now known as 'the city that never sleeps'. Kanaka Durga Temple, Mangalagiri, Amaravati, Gunadala konda,Undavalli caves, Prakasham Barrage and the Kondapalli Fort are the main attractions of vijayawada.

Nagarjuna Sagar

Nagarjunasagar, about 150 km from Hyderabad, has a rich and iteresting past. It was a valley in the Nallamala range of the Eastern Ghats with 1000 years back civilizations.

Tirupati

Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. The abode of the 'Kaliyuga' deity Lord Venkateswara, known as Balaji, Tirupati has for centuries remained a destination divine and spots of natural beauty.

Visakhapatnam

The land of the golden beaches was just over half a century ao a small fishing village. Visakhapatnam is a coastal, port city, called "The Jewel of the East Coast". This port city with a natural harbour developed into one of the fastest growing cities in Asia. Kailasa Giri, Aruku, Borra Caves, Rushikonda and other Hill Resorts & Mountain Ranges and the VUDA Park are the main attractions of Visa.khapatnam

Warangal

The city was once the heartland of Telugu culture. The capital of the Kakatiya rulers. Warangal is located 145 km northeast of the Hyderabad.  Warangal today contains some of the best forms of architecute, in temples.