Wayanad
The name Wayanad is derived from the
expression 'Wayalnadu' which means a land of paddy fields. the Kabini river
system of Wayand is the perennial source of water to Cauvery. This district
enjoys the beauty of delightful landscape. It is covered with thick forests
varies between 700 and 2100m above sea level.
The Banasura Project in this district hold an
exclusive earth dam which will be the largest in India and the second largest
in the world.
This is also the land of tribals with the
highest concentration of tribal population in Kerala. There are a number of
ancient temples, rock caves relating to the stone-age era, churches, mosques
and antique monuments.
Munnar
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three
mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1,600 m above sea
level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British
Government in South India.
Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book
towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.
Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the
Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once in every twelve
years, will bloom next in 2018. Munnar also has the highest peak in South
India, Anamudi, which towers over 2,695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for
trekking.
Let us now explore some of the options in and
around Munnar that would provide travellers ample opportunities to enjoy the
captivating hill station of Munnar.
Athirapally
At a distance of 32 km from Chalakudy, 73 km
from Kochi, 59 km from Thrissur, 100 km from Munnar, 122 km from Kottayam, 170
km from Kozhikode, 174 km from Coimbatore & 269 km from Trivandrum,
Athirapally Waterfalls are one of the best waterfalls in India and one of the
most famous tourist places in Kerala & one of the popular weekend getaways
from Kochi, Coimbatore & Munnar. These are magnificent waterfalls onChalakudy River located at the entrance to Sholayar hill range in Thrissur
district.
This waterfall drops from a height of 80 feet
through several parallel streams offering a great scenic beauty. In monsoon
season, the water gets strength and all the streams join together and appear
like Niagara Falls. This is the biggest waterfalls in Kerala and well known for
its scenic beauty.
One can reach top of Athirapally falls with
about 15 minutes walk from the falls entrance. It offers spectacular views of
the Sholayar hills and a unique view of the waterfalls from this spot. About
10-15 minutes trek down from top of the falls will take you to bottom of the
falls where the greatest beauty of the waterfalls can be experienced. Swimming
is possible in the stream at bottom of the Athirappilly falls.
Down from the waterfall, the stream continues
as Chalakudy River which ultimately drains into Arabian Sea. This river is a
bio diversity hotspot with 85 species of fresh water fish living in it. The
Athirapally Forest is also the natural habitat of different species like the
great hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill, Indian grey
hornbill, Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, bison, sambar and lion-tailed
macaque.
The Vazhachal Waterfalls, Charpa Falls,
Anakkayam, Sholayar Dam, Valparai and Malayattur Wildlife Sanctuary are the
nearby places to visit in Athirapally. It also offers adventure activities like
river rafting, trekking, etc.
Chalakudy (32 km) is the nearest junction to
Athirapally and it is connected by bus with Thrissur (55 km), Kochi (73 km) and
Palakkad (110 km). One can take public/private vehicle from Chalakudy to reach
Athirapally. Cochin Airport is the nearest airport to Athirapally which is 40
km away. Kochi and Thrissur are two major railways junctions nearby. The
nearest railway station is Chalakudy Railway Station at 32 km from Athirapally.
Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on
the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Also known as the Queen of Vembanad, Kumarakom is
the most famous Kerala Backwaters destination for traditional houseboat ride
and it is among the most visited tourist places in Kerala state. This is also
one of the ideal weekend getaways from Kochi & Trivandrum.
Kumarakom's soil is extremely fertile due to
the proximity to water source, this has resulted in the growth of a wide
variety of flora in Kumarakom, especially the mangrove and coconut trees.
Kumarakom is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald
green paddy fields and coconut groves. It is also famous for Ayurvedic massage,
yoga, meditation, boating, fishing and swimming.
The name Kumarakom was derived from the deity
of an old temple Kumaran. Arundhati Roy, author of the 1997 Booker
Prize-winning The God of Small Things, was raised in the nearby Aymanam
village. In order to protect the ecology of the place, the Kerala government
has declared Kumarakom as a special tourism zone. Kumarakom is home to a wide
variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary
where many species of migratory birds visit. Egrets, darters, herons, teals,
waterfowls, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit
here in flocks and are a fascinate the visitors. A two-hour rowing canoe trip
is organized, and is best undertaken in the evening or early morning.
Vembanad Lake is one of the largest fresh
water lakes in India. The major sightseeing option at Kumarakom is boat cruisein backwaters of Vembanad. There are Country boats and Houseboats for the boat
cruise experience. A Houseboat cruise along the backwaters is really an amazing
experience for every traveler to Kumarakom. Excellent marine and freshwater
fish including tasty karimeen, shrimp, and prawns are available in the area.
Kumarakom is the venue for Sree Narayana Jayanthi Boat Race held in September
during Onam festival. More than 1000 oarsmen in boats of different sizes and
shapes will participate in this event.
Cochin International Airport is the closest
airport at a distance of 74 km to reach Kumarakom. Kottayam is the nearest
railway station to Kumarakom (16 km). Kumarakom is also accessible by boat from
Alappuzha.
Kumarakom is connected by frequent bus
service from Kottayam. KSRTC bus service connects Kottayam to all cities in
Kerala. Private run deluxe A/C buses connect Kottayam with major cities like
Chennai, Mangalore, Bangalore and Trivandrum.
The best time to visit Kumarakom is from
October-March while the peak season is September & November to February.
Post monsoon is the best season for bird watching. Backwater cruising is
prohibited during peak monsoons. It usually takes 1-2 days to explore the
important places in Kumarakom.
Alappuzha
Built in the 9th century AD, Alleppey, called
Alappuzha lies on the edge of the great Ashtamudi Lake. With the Arabian Sea on
the west and a vast labyrinth of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater riverscriss-crossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.
Related to the Venice of the East by travellers from around the world, this
Backwater Country is also home to diverse range of animals and birds. It has
always been honored a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala for its
proximity to the sea. Alleppey has earned fame in the commercial world as the
world's premier supplier of coir.
Today, Alleppey has emerged as a Backwater Tourist Centre, beckoning thousands
of foreign tourists each year. Alleppey is also famous for its Boat races,
Houseboat Holidays, Beaches, Marine Products and Coir Industry. Every year,
during August-September, Alleppey wakes up to the pulsating Nehru Cup SnakeBoat Race, a water sport unique to Kerala.
Kovalam
Kovalam offers an excellent diversity with Kovalam beach to suit all desires and occasions. Three curve shaped beaches,
alienated by stony outcroppings, from the major attraction of this coastal
resort.
Backed by precipitously mounting headlands
and covered by fertile coconut palms, the beaches, especially the southern most
part of lighthouse beach. It is also lined with a host of shops and shacks
offering all kinds of services; creating an unmistakable resort atmosphere.
Curio shops, hawkers of Kashmiri and Tibetan products, money changers and
beachwear shops, between the surplus of restaurants and hotels, do brisk
business during peak tourist season.
The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away
and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches
and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam
is also close to Kovalam.
Kovalam was among the most famous traveler
spots in India. It still has a high rank among tourists, who arrive mostly from
Europe and Israel. Kovalam is finding a new implication in the light of severalAyurvedic salons, and healing and renaissance resorts which supply a wide
variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists.
Kovalam beach is well known not only for its
beauty, but also for the entertainment programs and sports conducted on the
beach. One of the popular entertainments in Kovalam Beach is to enjoy beach
bonfire with your friends or relatives. The beach fire rings and bonfires are
usually enjoyed and promoted by local and foreign tourists.
You can smell the woods burning and hear the
shouts of joy from different parts of the Kovalam beach in the evening. All
have rings offered for free use on a first come first serve basis. The
camp-like tradition lives on from generation to generation in this time honored
celebration that brings families, friends and business associates together in a
circle, huddled around the warm glowing flames to fend off the chilled night
air of the Arabian Sea. The atmosphere and temperature in Kovalam is very goodwith soft winds creating a chill, especially in the evenings.
The busiest season at the beach usually runs
from late May through early September. Free fire pits are greatly desired
during this time, especially on weekends. It is not unusual for people to stake
claim to a pit in the early afternoon, even when planning to use it later in
the day.
Kovalam beach is well known for its beautiful
sunset. Each and every day there will be something new to tell about the sunsetin Kovalam due to its beauty. The variation of colors such as red, orange and
yellow in the sun and sky draw new master piece art works in the sky on every
new sunset. Kovalam beach with its amazing sunset beauty attracted photographers
all around the world to capture the beauty of sun and sky.
By the sunset, Kovalam beach will be active
with songs, dances and celebrations of different tourists. Apart from tourists,
there were many local inhabitants who often visit the beach to spend their
evenings with family and friends. It is also interesting to watch the fishers
fishing in the sea by sunset through ancient traditional ways.
Since 1930 Kovalam was a prominent
international tourist beach. Kovalam Beach is located at a distance of six
kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. It is also known as
the 'Paradise of South India'. Kovalam beach spread widely over four kilometers
and its glory spread all over the world. Kovalam beach is the world famousbeach of India.
Kochi
Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant
city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the
breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's OwnCountry'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the
sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as
the Gateway to Kerala.
From time immemorial, the Arabs, British,
Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and
development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and
industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on
the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world
class port and international airport that link it to many major cities
worldwide.
Tea Plantation This lovely seaside city is
flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its
proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience
of a moderate equatorial climate.
Strictly speaking, Cochin is a small town.
But, Cochin has outgrown its original bounds and is now the general name given
to much of the region adjoining the original town, which now includes Cochin,
Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Ernakulam and many other nearby towns and villages.
Cochin is situated in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Ernakulam is
also the name of a town - the administrative capital of Ernakulam district -
but, for all practical purposes Ernakulam and Cochin, generally, refer to the
same place.
Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting
point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in
the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council
and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of alifetime'.
This site is an attempt to capture the beauty
and vigor of this city and provide as much information as possible to people
who wish to know more or visit Cochin. This site will use Cochin and Kochi
interchangeably since they refer to the same place. Kochi is the original name
of the city, while Cochin is the colonial name. Slightly larger version of some
of the images can be found in the Cochin album or Kerala album . All hyperlinks
marked with a will be loaded in a new browser window. Suggestions and comments
on any relevant matter pertaining to this site or its content are always
welcome.
Thiruvananthapuram
The city gets its name from the word,
Thiru-anantha-puram, meaning the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred
Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity,
reclines.
From around 1000 BC Thiruvananthapuram has been
an ancient city with trading traditions. The rise of modern Thiruvananthapuram
began with accession of Marthanda Varma in 1729 as the founding ruler of the
princely state of Travancore. Thiruvananthapuram was made the capital of
Travancore in 1745. The city developed into a major intellectual and artistic
centre during this period. The golden age in the city’s history was during the
mid 19th century under the reign of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Maharaja
Ayilyam Thirunal. This era witnessed the establishment of the first Englishschool, the Oriental Research Institute , the General Hospital , the
Observatory & Manuscripts Library and the University College . The firstLunatic Asylum in the state was also started during the same period. Sanskrit
College, Ayurveda College, Law College and a second grade college for women
were started by Moolam Thirunal during this era.
The begining of the 19th century was an age
of tremendous political and social changes in the city. The Sree Moolam
Assembly, established in 1904 was the first democratically elected legislative
council in any Indian state. It was not under the direct control of the British
Empire at any time, the city however featured prominently in India’s freedom
struggle. The Indian National Congress made a very active presence in the city.
In 1938 a meeting of the Indian National Congress was held which was presided
by Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramaiah
kuIn 1931 Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma
took over and witnessed many-sided progress. The promulgation of “Temple Entry
Proclamation” (1936) was an act that underlined social emancipation. This era
also saw the establishment of the Kerala University which was formerly known as
University of Travancore in 1937.
With the establishment of Thumba Equatorial
Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in 1962, Thiruvananthapuram became the cradle
of India’s ambitious space programme. The first Indian space rocket was developed
and launched from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) located in the
outskirts of the city in 1963. Several establishments of the Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO) were later established in Thiruvananthapuram.
A major milestone in the city’s recent
history was the establishment of Technopark,India’s first IT park in 1995.
Technopark has developed into the largest IT Park in India and third largest in
Asia and is home to MNC giants like Infosys, TCS, Ernst & Young, UST Global
etc; This placed Thiruvananthapuram on the IT map of India and it is today one
of the most promising in the country in terms of competitiveness and
capability.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) is the
captial of Kerala and also the headquaters of the trivandrum District.It is a
beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. It is located on the west coast of
India near the extreme south of the mainland spreading over a total of
2,192sq.km.
Mahatma Gandhi has referred trivandrum as
“Evergreen city of India“.
The city is the state capital and houses many
central and state government offices, organizations and companies. Apart from
being the political nerve centre of Kerala, it is also a major academic hub and
is home to several educational institutions including the University of Kerala,
and too many science and technology institutions, namely Vikram Sarabhai Space
Centre , Technopark and IIST.
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