Aralam Sanctuary – Visit a Bonsai Model of Nature’s Care

 

Aralam is one of the smallest wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, located at the western slopes of Western Ghats. It established in 1984, it adjoins with the State Farm in Aralam at kannur District. Aralam sanctuary is a bio-rich forest range that populated with 490 hectares of teak and eucalyptus trees. Diverse plant and animal life is the specialty here and the highest peak in this area is the Katti Betta, scaling to a height of 1,145m. The hilly terrains and evergreen forest teeming with various species of flora and fauna set the stage for some delightful outdoor activities for tourists.

 

This is an ecotourism spot in Kerala that providing enjoyable trekking and picnic facility to know the care from nature. This is the safe home to various birds and animals including elephants, sambar, bison, leopard, boar, deer, jungle cat and different species of squirrels, the Aralam Sanctuary is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. To watch the animals and to feel the taste of cool and fresh air there has arranged an overnight stay in the forest watch tower.

 

Chavachi and Meenmutty are the two famous waterfalls here those attracting number of tourists here for their remarkable vacation. Meenmutty is a three-tiered waterfall with a height of 300 meters. Meenmutty Falls, the largest and most spectacular waterfall in the Wayanad District, is a 2 km hike though the jungle from the main Ooty Road. It is Kerala's second largest waterfall and the one most unspoiled in its natural setting. Each of its three tiers requires a separate hike through a moist, deciduous forest.

 

 The forest watch tower from Aralam sanctuary is giving a panoramic view to this water falls. Trekking from Valayanchat to Meenmutty covering a distance of 14 km is another interesting pursuit to visitors. The Aralam River is watering this lush greenery and is another picnic spot and providing an unforgettable experience at the river side.

 

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Kerala School Kalotsavam – Be a Part of the World’s Biggest Youth Festival

 

Kerala, God’s own country is also a country of diverse festivals and celebrations. The goal of these all festivals are to display the mutual harmony among people and kerala’s rich and diverse culture and heritage. The festival time of Kerala is favorite time to the visitors and tourists from other parts of the world. Kerala School Kalolsavam is not only a festival and here joints and competite the talents of the young generation of Kerala .Kerala School Kalolsavam is the largest art youth festival in the world. The organizational set up from school level to state level for the conduct of Kalolsavam is monitored by Education Department of Kerala.

 

In 1956-57 this art festival started and its now a great occasion to the students in Kerala to express themselves in front of a large number of viewers from all part of Kerala and it is a golden chance to tourists to see the various art forms in Kerala and India. The inspiration to the Kerala School Kalolsavam is the Inter-University festival at Delhi and at the starting of school festival, programme was scheduled for one day and there were 200 participants only. But now the number of participants increased to above 10,000 and this is a 7 day festival. Decorative main stage is accommodating thousands of viewers. Also delicious breakfast, mid day meals and supper are arranged for nearly 10,000 participants.

 

First time introduction of Kalolsavam, there had only less number of items in competition. After that, gradually opened the doors for other traditional art forms in Kerala culture. Kathakali music, Mohiniyattom, Aksharaslokam, Margomkali, Kuchipudi, Yakshaganam, Band display, drawing and writing items, Mono act etc is some of the items on this big stage. The Proclamation rally, that displaying colorful decorations, stills and art forms is a prelude to the Kalolsavam and announcing the starting of huge festival.

 

The festival has a foolproof system to encourage thousands of students in various Art and Literary forms in each academic year. The student who is attaining more points in competition is rewarded by Kalaprathiba (for boy) or Kalathilakam (for girl). Kerala School Kalotsavam is a Kaleidoscope of Kerala's young talent in the field of Art and Literature.

 

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Be a Witness to Spectacle Moments of Boat Races in Kerala

 

Kerala’s winding stretches of backwater are famous to all over the world and number of tourists is visiting this beautiful combination of scenic backwater, sea, greenish land and blue sky. Most of the travelers are selecting harvest season to visit the backwater locations. Because this is the festival time of Kerala and the nature of kerala will be in its full radiance. The annually conducting native boat races are the main specialty in this season. The boat races signify the excellent team spirit, integration and amity of the people of this backwater land. The boat races are occasions of great excitement and a reflection of a vibrant people.

 

Champakulam boat race in Champakulam Lake is century’s old one and this boat race is announcing the starting of the boat festival season and month of festivals. Champakulam boat race is closely connected to the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha sree Krishna Temple.Aranmula boat race is a two day occasion and a water fiesta conducted during Onam, the national festival of Kerala and related to a myth about thiruvonachilavu thoni (the boat carrying offerings to thiruvona sadya at Aranmula Parthasarathy temple) was intercepted by rivals from another village, but the other good villagers came to the rescue on snake boats. Payippad Jalotsavam is three day annual fiesta on the Payippad Lake, commemorates the installation of the deity at the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Haripad.

 

Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the only boat festival, which the people of Kerala look forward for excitement and it is a competition boat race in the name of India’s first Prime Minister Javaharlal Nehru. Thousands of natives and tourists will rush the watersides of the Alsppuzha to witness the spectacle moments. Over 16 chundan vallams are participating in the race and the winners are getting the trophy that instituted by Nehru. There are separate races for women too. The race begins with a colorful pageant of floats, performing arts and decorated boats and goes on late into the evening.

 

 

 

The Boat Races Kerala - The Symbol of Social Harmony

 

Kerala is known not only due to its spectacular beauty of nature, but also this God’s own land is known for its rich cultural heritage, art and adventure. The boat races of kerala are a main attraction related to the festival times of Kerala. Mainly the National Festival of Kerala, Onam is the main occasion that arranging these spectacle moments in front of the large number of people including tourists from all nook and corner of the world. Boat races or Vallam Kali is the important part of the tradition of folk arts from ancient time. The boat races Kerala is the symbol of social and cultural harmony among the people here and it also telling the stories of the adventurous and competitive spirit of the people.

 

The backwater locations like Kumarakom, Kollam, Alleppey etc in Kerala are stage for this native boat races. The winding stretches of backwater are finding the great excitement and a reflection of a vibrant people. The boat festival season begins with the centuries-old Champakulam boat race and which marks the beginning of a month of festivals. In the boat races, a boat is manned by four helmsmen, 25 singers and 100 - 125 oarsmen who row in unison to the fast rhythm of the vanchipattu. Vanchipattu is the song to energize the oarsmen and give an equal movement to the arms of oarsmen. These songs have devotional, mythological or rustic themes.

 

Snake boats are the special boats using for the races and has particular shape and architecture to help fast moving through the water. The stern of a vessel or the helm is called Amaram. The helmsman who steers the boat is the Amarakkaran. The curl at its stern (helm) represents the raised hood of a snake. The boat with a height from the water level at the rear, a width of six feet, a length of about 60-65 meters and the curl at the stern qualifies the boat to be called a snake boat, and its carrying capacity is hundred plus during the race time.

 

At the waterfront, there will be number of natives to cheer the huge black crafts as they cut their way through the waves to a spectacular finish.

 

 

Kerala Tours and Travels – Memorable Experince of Lifetime

 

Planning for a tour to India? You will be bit confused where to go and what to see as this beautiful country in Asia has some of the finest tourism destinations. Well if you want to see and enjoy holiday in India I would like to suggest you to visit Kerala. It is one of the most beautiful destinations in India which counts the maximum number of tourist from all over the world. It is endowed with bewitching beaches, serene and tranquil backwaters, refreshing hill stations and bewildering wildlife parks and sanctuaries. It is amazingly beautiful and provides wonderful opportunity to see and explore the serenity of nature in their refreshing for in a delightful and memorable way.

 

On your Kerala tour you cannot afford to miss to visit Kumarakom a beautiful backwater destination which is visited by most of the tourists on their vacations. Kumarakom is located along the bank of the picturesque Vembanad Lake and is mostly famous for its backwater destinations where tourists enjoy houseboat cruise or canoe ride. Apart from backwaters, tourists can also enjoy visit to the exotic bird wildlife sanctuary which is also a prime attraction of tourists in this beautiful village of Kerala.

 

Kumarakom is a cluster of islands in the lake Vembanad and also it is a part of Kerala’s rice bowl Kuttanad. Kuttanad is one of the below sea level land area on the earth. The pleasant climate, lakes and backwaters etc making Kumarakom as a paradise landscape. Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls is another attraction in Kumarakom and it located at a distance of 18 km from Kottayam. The surfing of water through the mountains makes for a visual treat. Kumarakom bird sanctuary is a marshy stretch of greenish land and arranging a safe home to various species of bird. On winter season this sanctuary is changing as a visiting place of migratory birds.

 

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Backwaters, Hill Stations and Beaches of Kerala

 

What is the specialty of Kerala? Kerala is a small land at the south east shore of India. Kerala has a mixed geographical structure which is rich with natural beauty. Lush greenish misty mountains, hills, forests, 44 rivers, wildlife and bird sanctuaries, paddy fields, palm fringed beaches, backwater locations, waterfalls, spicy plantations etc etc..are treating the visitors with a quiet and leisurely vacation admits the beauty of nature. From the colonial time foreigners found Kerala as a place for summer resorts and they build their summer homes in hill areas of Kerala.

 

From centuries ago, the backwater location of Kerala is famous about its links with Egypt, Rome and China etc like old civilizations through spice trading. The name ‘Venice of the East’ applied to Alappuzha is due to its marvelous beauty of backwater locations. Kumarakom is the main backwater village and it is a cluster of islands in the largest lake of Kerala, Vempanad Lake. It is a perfect location of fishing, boating and sight seeing trip. The specialty of this backwater location is the cruise on Houseboats along the scenic backwaters wiil be a remarkable experience in itself.

 

 

Apart from Kumarakom on your tour to Kerala you cannot afford to miss to visit Munnar. Munnar is a lovely hill station and is blessed with enigmatic beauty of nature which provides tourists to see and enjoy the scenic vistas in their pristine form. Here one can see and enjoy the lovely view of the waterfalls, musical streams, well organized tea gardens, spice plantations and much more. Today due to the enigmatic beauty of the nature and tranquility, Munnar is visited by thousands and hundreds of tourists from all the nook and corner of the world.

 

Beside these tourism destinations one can also visit to the finest beach resorts like Kovalam, excellent and well organized city of Cochin, Kannur, exotic wildlife destinations like Thekkady and Periyar and much more. Truly Kerala is a sheer wonder and is sure to offer you remarkable memories to relish in forever. So plan your Kerala tour and treasure an affair of lifetime visiting to some of these beautiful destinations of Kerala in a delightful and memorable way.

 

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Visit Munnar to enjoy the majestic views of beauty of Nature

 

 

Hill stations of Kerala commands spectacular views of low flying clouds and misty valleys. Thus the hill stations are picturesque lands and attractive heavenly place with pleasing climate suitable for holidays and honeymoon. Also these places are suitable for fishing, boating, elephant safari, trekking, parasailing, and wildlife safaris. The main wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala are located on the lap of these hill stations and those are considering as the unique and weak ecosystems in the world. Since the colonial age, the hill stations of Kerala are the summer home to the British and they made tea and coffee plantations here and export the spices to their mother land. The hill stations are the part of the Western Ghats of Kerala and this geographical part of Kerala is the cause of its unique climate and natural specialties.

 

Munnar is a world famous hill station of kerala and pet tourist location for honeymooners from the entire corner of the world. The nearest spicy plantations are filling fragrance of spices in the cool air. The greenish tea and coffee hills are putting carpet for your rest. Poopara, Devikulam, Mattupetty, Eravikulm, Attukal, Marayoor, Top Station etc are the main tourist spots in Munnar. The attraction in Attukal is the uninterrupted panoramic view of waterfalls and verdant hills and an ideal choice for trekking. Eravikulam is an ecological spot and suitable for eco travelers and a safe home for a number of rare species of animals, birds and plants. Marayoor is the only place of scandal forest in Kerala and also famous about its ancient dolmen and cave paintings at the time of Stone Age period.

 

The highest mountain peak in South India, Anamudi is located in Munnar. Devikulam is an idyllic hill station and the most sought-after among the tourist attractions of Munnar sprawlinglawns, exotic flora and fauna and the chilling mountain air. Sita Devi Lake here is an ideal spot for trout fishing.

 

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Thenmala –an Ecotourism spot to find yourselves in Lap of Nature

 

Kerala, the land raised from the sea by Parasurama (according to myth about Kerala) is now a favorite place for travelers all over the world. It is the land of greenish nature and anyone can see the nature in its full radiance in this traveler’s paradise. Now a days Ecotourism is a most saying word around and Kerala is now more focusing in sustainable and eco-friendly development of tourism. Kerala is blessed with rich biodiversity and unmatched natural attractions and so it is a unique ecotourism hotspot.

 

Thenmala in Kerala is the India’s first planned ecotourism project. Thenmala means the hills with honey flow and situated about 72 km from Trivandrum. Thenmala is a hill station and spread over acres of green forest. Thenmala is the natural habitat of diverse flora and fauna and 500m above from sea level. The rugged terrain of this land harboring a fragile ecosystem packs plenty of adventure activities. The cascading waterfalls and enchanting picnic spots attract naturalists and nature lovers. Forests, rubber, tea and spicy plantations are providing perfect background for our remarkable holiday moments.

 

Here is arranged number of ecotourism activities by Thenmala Ecotourism Facilitation Centre. Amphitheatre for local art, shops for local forest products, musical dancing fountain, Nature trail, Canopy walkway through trees, Lotus Pond, mountain biking, Rock climbing and rappelling, River crossing, Hill thrills, resting points, boating at the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary etc are some of them. The Deer Rehabilitation centre is an opportunity to befriend a deer and understand their delicate ecosystem. There has a children’s eco-park with treetop huts and swings.

 

One or two day trekking facility will give us the occasion to know the nature near and to be the part of it. The area is the safe home for number of rare species birds and bird watching trail will give us an unforgettable experience with their musical sounds. There are three ancient temples related to forest and an eco-pilgrimage through forest is connecting those temples. Palaruvi is one of the largest and beautiful waterfall in Kerala is the main spot for adventure tourism here.

 

 

Periyar Wildlife Sanctury – a wildlife ecotourism spot

 

The long wall of mountains at the western part of Kerala has an important role in Kerala’s tourism artifacts. This array of mountains are known as Western Ghats and it carries the essence of beauty of nature as misty hill stations, tea, coffee and spicy plantations, wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, lakes, rivers etc. Thekkady is a famous wildlife reserve in this area located on the high ranges of Cardamom hills here. This sanctuary is declared as a tiger reserve by government in 1978 and attracts travelers from different part of the world as an ecotourism spot.

 

Periyar wildlife sanctuary is noted for its geomorphology, diverse wildlife and beautiful landscape and is an environmental hotspot.

A 26sq km artificial Periyar lake is the main specialty here and providing facility to travelers to watch the animals from a floating boat on this scenic water surface. This lake is water source to all the animals in jungle during summer season. So the shore of the lake will become the play ground for various species of animals and birds.

 

The ecotourism activities in this sanctuary includes nature walk for close observation of birds, butterflies and wildlife, tiger trail that focus on prevention and detection of illicit activities within the forest, border hiking is the hard trek along the forest boundary, Bamboo grove functions as the eco-lodges for visitors etc. The other trekking activities include bamboo rafting, jungle camp, jungle petrol and night camping. Bullock cart discoveries facilitate the visit to the farm lands of a tiny hamlet beyond the mountains of Periyar and this enlighten the traditional way of farming. Tribal heritage museum displays the Mannan settlement that showcases various attractions of tribal culture.

 

The camping on the banks of the Periyar River inside the reserve is arranging a special package includes optional activities like visits to tribal colonies, historical Mullaperiyar Dam, forest trekking, tea factory and spice garden visiting, safari through sanctuary, boating through Periyar Lake Etc. Mullaperiyar dam site is opening a view to the old architectural wonder in colonial time that across the Periyar river.

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