Archive for the ‘Kerala’ Category
Munnar is located at the Idukki district of Kerala State in South India. Munnar’s mesmerising greenery, mountain scenery, calmness and cool refreshing air attracts honeymooners and tourists throughout the year. It is a weekend hideout location for domestic tourists during summer season. Foreign travellers likes watching the natural beauty of Kerala while the journey from Thekkady to Munnar.
Munnar is at the confluence of three rivers. In Tamil, the word ‘munnu’ means “three” and ‘aar’ means “river”. Hence “Munnar” is a shortened version of ‘Munnu Aar’. The 3 mountain streams joining together here are Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.
Munnar also has the highest peak in South India – Anamudi , which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking. The high ranges of Munnar were earlier known as Kannan Devan Hills,named after a certain Kannan Devan,who had been land lord in the Anchanad Valley on the eastern side of the district. The main cultivation crops in Munnar are Tea and Coffee

Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands in Munar is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD.
Main attractions in Munnar :
Mattupetty :
Mattupetty is situated at a height of 1700 m above sea level. Mattupetty Lake and Dam is a beautiful picnic spot with the panoramic view of the tea plantations and the lake. Boating facilities are available in the reservoir. Mattupetty is also well known for its highly specialized dairy.
Eravikulam National Park :
A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills.
History
Trivandrum, also known as Thiruvananthapuram has been a melting pot of culture and history since times unknown. The Ays are known to be the earliest inhabitants of this city till the beginning of 10th century A.D. Their sudden disappearance led to the rise of the Venads in Trivandrum.
It was in 1684, when the city saw a shift in its governing body from Umayamma Rani to the British East India Company. The Britishers had attained a land at Anjengo (located 32 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram ) for the purpose of fortifying it. They further expanded their reigns to various parts of Thiruvithamcore.
Culture
Trivandrum has been the centre of cultural activities ever since the time it was made the capital of Travancore in 1745. With many avenues like the Trivandrum Museum, Public Library & the Swati Thirunal College of Music; the city has been the pulse of the cultural scene in Kerala. The illustrious painter Raja Ravi Varma belongs to the city & his works are displayed at the Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Home to the famous Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple, which has several murals dating back to the 18th century are well preserved. Age old traditions which have been passed out through generations are meticulously followed till date.
Its culture is not only limited to its museums & temples but extends to a thriving film industry too! The International Film Festival of Kerala held every year in Nov/Dec showcases some of the states best talents from seasoned film makers to the novice ones.
Local Vehicles
Tourists opting for a trip to Trivandrum will find it really easy to travel within the city. This is because Trivandrum is very well connected through a network of buses, taxis, auto rickshaws, cars and two wheelers, so reaching any part of the city will not be a problem.
Bus

Buses in Trivandrum cover almost all known parts of the city, and opting for buses is the cheapest option among the above given ones. You will need to shell out around 4 INR to 10 INR in order to travel from one point in Trivandrum to another. Buses can be a very good option if you know your destination beforehand, and you can also ask the locals for help in order to find out where you should disembark.
Taxi

Cabs can be taken up from the major cab agencies in the city and some of these have been given below. Fares may range anywhere between Rs 150 to 500 depending on the distance covered.
Auto Rickshaw

Auto rickshaws in Trivandrum do not run on meter; however the charges are very minimal when compared to the other cities in Kerala. While travelling through an auto rickshaw, do not discuss the rate when you reach your destination. Negotiate a rate before getting into an auto rickshaw, as fares will rarely exceed Rs 70. There are no night fares and autos are a safe mode of travel.
The centre of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry, Kollam also has one of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast, once the centre of international spice trade. About thirty per cent of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala.
For an enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala, the eight hour boat trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and amusing one. Kollam has a variety of interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional architectural style.
Other interests here are: Thirumullavaram beach, Palaruvi, Picnic Village, Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary Green adventure, Thangasseri, The Cave Temple, Rameshwara Temple, Mayyanad, Ochira Temple, Sasthamkotta fresh water lake, Thenmala, Jatayupara, Kulathupuzha etc.
History
Quilon or Kollam, an old seaport town on the Arabian coast, stands on the Ashtamudi Lake. Kollam, the erstwhile Desinganadu, had a sustained commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and the Romans. Fed by the Chinese trade, it was regarded by Ibn Batuta, as one of the five ports, which he had seen in the course of his travels during a period of twenty-four years, in the 14th century.
The rulers of kollam (Desinganadu) and China, exchange embassies and there was flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam. Merchant Sulaiman of Siraf in Persia (9th Century) found Kollam to be the only port in India, touched by the huge Chinese junks, on his way from Carton of Persian Gulf. Marco Polo, the great Venician traveller, who was in Chinese service under Kublahan in 1275, visited Kollam and other towns on the west coast, in his capacity as a Chinese mandarin.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading center at Kollam in 1502. Then came the Dutch followed by the British in 1795. A British garrison was stationed at Kollam in pursuance of a treaty between Travancore and the British.
Toursit Places
Kollam was an international emporium of trade and even now it is a prosperous commercial centre. Kollam edges with the famous Astamudi lake. Many a foreign traveller has visited Kollam in the early midieval period. Kollam was one of the early centres of Christian activity in Kerala. The popularity of Kollam has been established by the time-honoured proverb once you see Kollam, you will not need your home any more. Kollam has several tourist attractions.
The 144 ft. Thangassery Light house, built in 1902, is a centre of attraction in Kollam. The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple of Kollam attracts people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques around Kollam. The Pullichira Church was established in 1700 A.D. One of the oldest and most important Mosques in Kollam is the Chinnakkada Palli. The Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, the first of its king in the state, is at Kilikolloor, about 7 kms. east of Kollam town.
Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing. Mahatma Gandhi beach lies just 2 kms. from Kollam. It is fascinating place for an evening. Thirumullavaram Beach is 5 kms. from Kollam. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Ashramam picnic village is located in the 48-acre Guest House Complex.
How to reach Neyyar Dam
From Trivandrum city, the route to Neyyar Dam is through Pangode – Thirumala – Kattakkada. Neyyar Dam is around 35 Km from the city. KSRTC operates regular bus services from Trivandrum city.
Nearest airport – Trivandrum Airport and Railway station is Trivandrum Central. Neyyar dam is around 10 minutes drive from Kattakkada bus station.
Things to do at Neyyar Dam
Visit Lion Safari Park, Deer Park, Crocodile Park and boating through the Neyyar dam reservoir. It is best to book the lion safari seat in advance.
Neyyar Dam is a popular picnic spot near Trivandrum. It is within 35 Km from Trivandrum city. The major attraction of Neyyar Dam is Lion Safari Park, where 7 lions are housed in their natural habitat. These lions are not bound in cages. Kerala forest department operates special bus through the Lion Safari Park where one can watch lions very closely in their natural surroundings. Other attractions at Neyyar Dam are crocodile park and deer park. Forest department also operates boat cruises through the Neyyar Dam reservoir which is a rejuvenating experience. There is also a park near the dam. Neyyar Dam offers a calm and enjoyable visit to tourists.
Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram of Kerala is dedicated to Lord Padmanabha, a form of Vishnu. The temple has Vishnu enshrined in Anananthasayanam posture which is in eternal sleep of yognidra.
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple located in one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras. The Puranas, mainly the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana, have references for this shrine.
The legend is that it is in this place, the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Indian sages like Divakarmuni and Vilvamangalam Swami. Another legend says about an Ezhava couple who saw Vishnu in the form of a child which took morsels of rice from the hands of the couple. So in this temple, naivedyam prepared from rice is offered to the deity in a coconut shell.
Another legend says that there was a saint by named Divakara yogi, who in order to get the Mukthi, performed pooja to Saligramam in this sthalam. One day, the Perumal in disguise of a two years old child took the Saligramam along with him and ran away from that place. The angry saint chased him to get the Saligramam. But the small child enters into the big hole of a tree and the tree fells revealing the Perumal in sayana seva as Anantha Padmanabha Swamy.
The temple has been renovated by King Marthanda Varma, Maharaja of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. He dedicated his kingdom to the deity, and pledged that he and his descendants would serve the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa, meaning the servants of the Lord Padmanabha. Thus, Sri Padmanabha assumed the title Perumal, the Emperor. The British Government also saluted the Lord with 21 Gun Salute, which was continued by the Indian Army until the abolition by the Govt. of India. Even today Sri Padmanabha is still regarded as National Deity of Travancore.
The temple has a seven-tier gopuram and a tank, named Padma Theertham which means the lotus spring. The temple with a corridor of 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars has exquisite and beautiful carvings. There is an eighty-foot flag-staff erected in front of the main entry from the prakaram or corridor.
The main entrance in the eastern side is known as the Nataka Sala where the famous temple art Kathakali will be staged in the nights of the ten-day uthsavams conducted twice a year, during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam. In the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Vishnu made of 10008 salagramams is in sleeping posture with the serpent pointing upwards.
Vishnu is enjoying the small of lotus held in his left hand with his right hand hanging over lord Shiva. Brahma is seen in the lotus. Sridevi and Bhoodevi stand by the side of Vishnu. This idol was from Nepal from the banks of the river Gandhaki which was brought to this temple. The Dharshan of the Perumal can be seen separately in 3 different Vaasals.
There are two annual festivals of the Temple which culminate with a grand procession, with the three deities such as Sree Padmanabha, Narasimha Swamy and Lord Krishna are carried in flower-decked and aesthetically decorated Garuda Vahanas to the Shankhumukhom beach for Aaraattu.
Munnar is a small hill station set amongst the Kannan Devan hills. It is famous for its lush green surroundings, lakes, reservoirs, forests, and tea estates. The quiet environs of Munnar attract the traveler to relax in the lap of Mother Nature. Munnar is one of the highest tea estates in the world.
Kollam is situated about 71 Kms. north of Thiruvavanathapuram and is linked by rail, road and backwater transport. The town edges with the famous Ashtamudi lake. Many a foreign traveler has visited Kollam in early medieval period. It was one of the early centres of Christian activity in Kerala. It is said that the present town of Kollam was built by the Syrian Merchant; Sapir Iso, in the 9th Century A.D. The popularity of Kollam has been established by the time honoured proverb once you see Kollam, you will not need home any more. Kollam is an important commercial, industrial and trading centre.
Thangasseri Lighthouse is open to visitors from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. There are buses at 15 minute intervals from Kollam town.




