Wednesday 30 March 2016

Chavakkad Beach is beach in Chavakkad Municipality of Thrissur District in Kerala State. The beach is situated 5 Kilometers from Guruvayoor Temple Sri Krishna Temple. 
Chavakkad Beach  is the place where the sea confluences with a river. This meeting of the sea with the river is known as Azhimokam in Kerela. 
One of the best beaches along the West coast with coconut bordered sea-shore is a pleasing view of rare natural beauty entice and attract thousands of tourists. 
Fringed shadow of coconut lagoons and the mesmerizing atmosphere make Chavakkad Beach a tourist spot throughout the year. 
The beach at Chavakkad are simply wonderful. The famous mural paintings are another fascination of the place
The beach is not a tranquil but is not much crowded either as there will be local fishermen, and some of the travelers exploring the beach.
Ornamented with fringed silhouette of coconut lagoons, glittering sands and the sapphire waters of the Arabian Sea makes it a tourists spot throughout the year. 
Furthermore, the pleasing weather and the meeting point of sea with the river also play a huge part in attracting the travelers from varied parts of India and oversea countries.
How To Reach:
By Road : National Highway 17 passes through Chavakkad town which comes from Kochi in the south and goes to Mangalore through Malabar to the north. Chavakkad have a private bus terminal where you can get buses to Thrissur, Kochi, Guruvayoor, Kozhikode and Ponnani Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses ply from Guruvayoor and Kozhikode passes through Chavakkad town.
By Rail : Guruvayoor, 4 KM
By Air : Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Chavakkad Beach which is 80 Kilometres away. Calicut International Airport is around 104 Kilometres away from Chavakkad Beach.
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Chavakkad Beach - Kerala - India

Tuesday 29 March 2016

The coastal district of Kollam formerly known as Quilon lies 70 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. The first thing that comes to the mind of a Keralite when he hears of Kollam is the delicious cashew nut. The orchards and their abundant yield of the costly nut has led to the title “Cashew Kings” dispersed among some of the rich. The place is rich in marine yield also. It is one of the oldest ports and trading centers in Kerala. It finds mention in history pointing to its trading connection to Phoenicians and Romans before the start of Christian era.
One of the finest backwater destinations in Kerala to start your houseboat ride is Kollam. Kollam is one of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast, and is renowned for its Cashew industry. 30 percent of the backwaters of this town are occupied by the famous Ashtamudi Lake. 
   Kollam stay will be very interesting as it has many ancient ruins and is a historically noted place.  
The backwater canals (kayals) and lakes were lined with coconut palms and the dailies of village activity—children waving, men fishing, and women walking to the market.
Well, about the city, it is a beautiful place, having a history of being a trading port for centuries. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading center in Tangasseri part of Kollam, in 1502. 
    Kollam (Quilon), one of the oldest seaport towns on the Arabian Sea and Ashtamudi Lake
Sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and Ashtamudi lake; Kollam which was also known as Quilon is famous for its Commerce and culture along with its unique tourist spots.
The tourist places in Kollam District offers variety of experience to voyagers. Being one of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast this place has contributed extensively in the development of culture and trade network in Kerala.
The sprawling town at the curvy banks of Ashtamudi Lake, the southern backwater gateway of Kerala, has enough in store for a short getaway.
Kollam houseboat cruises serve the longest backwater ride in Kerala, lasting for 8 hours from Kollam to Alleppey. The traditionally designed houseboats come along with the authentic cooks, who serve you freshly cooked meals along the way.
The sight that the ride offers across Kollam is spectacular; blooming water lilies, canals and the songs from the birds leaves you content.
The Kollam Beach also provides traveller to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a soothing experience.
The backwaters have been described as the emerald jewel in South India’s crown and we would have to agree. 
How to reach
By Road
You can easily get regular buses to Kollam from other major cities of the country.
By Train
Kollam is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular trains.
Railway Station(s): Kollam Junction (QLN), Eravipuram (IRP)
By Air
There are no regular flights from other major cities of the country to Kollam. Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
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Kollam - Kerala - India

Saturday 19 March 2016

Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located in central Kerala and is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. Bordered by the lofty and mighty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west.
Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, hills and hillocks, extensive rubber plantations, places associated with many legends and a totally literate people have given Kottayam District the enviable title: The land of letters, legends, latex and lakes. 
     The city is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. 
Kottayam is also called as "Akshara Nagari" which means the "city of letters" considering its contribution to print media and literature. 
 Kottayam Town is the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy (a remarkable feat achieved as early as in 1989). English education in South India did actually start at the Old Seminary here at Kottayam in 1813.
Kottayam is the first town in India selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to be transformed as an Eco City. 
 Kottayam got its name from the word “Kottaya” which is a combination of the Malayalam words “kott” meaning “fort” and “akam” meaning “inside”; the literal meaning being “the interior of a fort”.
Kottayam is equally known for its cultural heritage. It was the first town in India to attain cent percent literacy, an event which triggered a mass movement to make Kerala the country’s first cent percent literate state. 
How to reach
Air: Nearest airport: Kochi (76 km), Thiruvananthapuram (160 km)
Rail: The railway station is situated 2 km from the central bus station and is connected to the major cities of India.
Road: An excellent network of roads connects the district to all the major towns and cities of India.

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Kottayam - Kerala - India

Wednesday 16 March 2016

Bekal, a small town in Kasargod district, is India's first planned beach destination that is being extensively developed by Kerala tourism in partnership with private players.Bekal is a perfect beach retreat for travelers that provide a pleasant and pristine environment with its beautiful palm fringed sandy beaches.
One of the main tourist attractions here is the 300 year old key-hole shaped Bekal Fort that dominates the city landscape. This Fort is one of the best preserved forts in Kerala, located right next to the splendid city beach.
The natural beauty of the Kasargod district is quite mesmerizing with its beautiful beaches, balmy backwaters, and hill stations. Bekal is being developed as a well-planned travel destination with all kind of facilities including best resorts, restaurants, water sports activities, and rejuvenation spa and ayurvedic massage centers.
Travellers looking to enjoy a backwater boat cruise can travel to the nearby town of Valiyaparamba, located 30 kms from Bekal. Valiyaparamba has the most beautiful stretches of backwater in Northern Kerala with offerings of boat cruises by multiple vendors. There are also multiple religious attractions here including Bekal Mosque, and Hanuman temple.
Bekal is a well-kept secret on the southwestern tip of the Kasaragod district. While most tourists flock to southern Kerala to float on the backwaters in one of hundreds of houseboats and sit on crowded, built-up beaches, Bekal has plenty beaches, backwaters, and houseboats of its own; but they’re largely untouched and remain tranquil and clean. 
How to Reach
By Train
Kasargod and Kanhagad are the nearest important railway stations from Bekal, which are located at a distance of around 14 km and 16 km away. Once you arrive at either of the railway stations, you can hire a taxi to go to Bekal. The other nearby stations are in Kottikulam and Pallikere but they are stops only for local trains.
By Air
Mangalore domestic terminal is the nearest airport, which is located at a distance of around 67 km. after reaching Mangalore airport, hire taxi services to arrive in Bekal (around INR 800). Mangalore airport is connected to Bangalore and Chennai through regular flights.
Karipur airport in Kozhikhode is the nearest international airport from Bekal, about 180 km away. Hired taxi to reach Bekal may cost around INR 3,500. The airport at Kochikhode is well-connected to a number of Arab destinations.
By Road
The nearest towns to Bekal are Kanhangad and Kasargod, situated at a distance of around 12 km. regular state-run bus services are available with a ticket cost of around INR 10.
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Bekal - Kerala - India

Monday 14 March 2016

Kumarakom,situated 13 Kms away from Kottayam is a sleepy little village on Vembanad Lake in Kerala. It offers wide variety of flora, exotic sightseeing, boating and fishing experience. The beautiful paradise stocked with mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut trees comprises with water ways and canals adorned with white lilies enchants the tourist from world over. 
Kumarakom is one of the most popular tourist destinations, located at the distance of 16 km from the city of Kottayam, in the beautiful state of Kerala.  This place is renowned for its backwater tourism. Kumarakom is a cluster of small islands on the Vembanad Lake, which is the largest fresh water lake in the entire region of Kerala.
 Apart from cruising on the Vembanad lake, there are several other backwaters areas that you should definitely explore while on a trip to Kumarakom.  
This attractive island has copious small fishing skiffs right through the town. As the place is surrounded by both salt water and fresh water, there are numerous varieties of fish found over here. The waters surrounding the island offers excellent marine and fresh water fish including karimeen, shrimp, prawns which makes it a perfect place to taste the luscious variety of sea foods.
Pristine in all its respects the backwaters with their exotic flora look extremely enchanting. Also the marine life of Kumarakom backwaters is worth exploring as there are exotic fish species which are very difficult to be seen anywhere else like the pearl spotted fish which looks amazing when spotted. 
Houseboats are one of the unique feature of Kumarakom tourism. Majority of the tourists visiting Kumarakom ask for a trip in these houseboats, enjoying the beautiful backwater and the cool air around. These houseboats are made in the format of traditional 'Kettuvallams', which will make you feel the rich traditions of 'God's Own Country'. You can have a cruise through the Vembanad lake and Alappuzha backwaters. Experience the typical Kerala cuisines while having a calm voyage through the backwaters. Try to have a trip to the beautiful island 'Pathiramanal', 40 minutes away from Kumarakom.  
Kumarakom, known as the best backwater tourist destination is a tourist village in Kerala.
Other interesting spots around Kumarakom are Aymanam, Kudamaloor, Pallikoodam, Kallara, Nattakom and Panachikadu reservoir, Thazhathangadi, Thanneermukkam bund etc. A day at Kumarakom will always bring freshness in you. You will be getting a very rare chance to get indulge with the greenish environment here.  
Kumarakom is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala. Cool and healthy climate, scenic view of coconut palms, paddy grasslands, lagoons and backwaters add more charms to Kumarakom.  
           Enjoying its calm, cool tropical climate and scenic you will fall in love with in no time.
Kumarakom sightseeing will be a great experience for tourists. It is sure that no one will forget their voyage on houseboats over the exotic backwaters of Vembanad. Just imagine how wonder it would be, voyaging through Vembanad Lake enjoying the lush vegetations, rich coconut grooves and amazing aquatic life. 
Kumarakom is a cluster of scenic islands around the picturesque Vembanad Lake. The town is nature rich with everything in it enjoying the gift of nature in its abundance.With the soil so fertile, the land is full of paddy fields, coconut groves and mango groves. The lush greenery and the backwaters in a picturesque setting have made Kumarakom one among world’s  best destination. 
The National Geographic Magazine has listed Kumarakom as one of the must-see places in a lifetime. The land is famous for it's painstakingly hand craft each exquisite piece still made in a traditional way. Vemanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the Chemeen (Prawns), the Konju (Tiger Prawns) and Karimeen. Kumarakom will be a perfect choice for you to spend your quality time with your family. 
How to reach
By Air : 85 Km from Cochin International Airport and the 250 Km from Trivandrum International Airport.
By Rail: 16 Km from Kottayam.
By Boat: From Muhamma (near Alappuzha) to Kumarakom Jetty.
By Road: Buses and Taxis are easily available at all time of the day from Kottayam.
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Kumarakom - Kerala - India

Thursday 10 March 2016

Kuttanadu has some legend associated with the origin of its name! The epic Mahabharata mentions this place, as the place of stay of Pandava Princes during their exile which was then a dense forest. The epic also records the forest fire which destroyed this whole dense forest. So the place was called burnt land or Chuttanad which locally came to be known as Kuttanad. The presence of coal deep under the surface proves the point.
Kuttanad is not a small place. It is a vast land, scenic throughout. It was always an agricultural land where life revolved around rice cultivation.
The main occupation of the locals for centuries has been paddy cultivation. It is carried out in the kayal (which means lake in Malayalam) lands that are the lands reclaimed from the great Vembanad lake gradually over time. 
Kuttanad lies sandwiched between the hills and the sea. Famed as the rice bowl of Kerala, the long stretches of waterways consist of lakes , rivers and canals.The four main rivers traversing the land of Kuttanad include Manimala, Pampa, Achankovil and Meenachil.

Kuttanad backwaters are considered paradise for the backwaters and the tourist coming to this mesmerizing land are stunned by the natural beauty sprinkled in its vast landscapes. 
Let me tell you that the life is as slow flowing as the canals are. The best way to explore it is to take a ride in one of the tiny water ways.
Kuttanad is a likable mix of paddy fields, canals, lakes and villages.As you explore the villages, do not forget to take the many canals running through Kuttanad, which are lined with tall coconut trees swaying in the wind.

This is the only place in the world where backwater cultivation of rice is carried out below sea level (4ft-10 ft). Lush green paddy fields enthrall the tourists. The city also has a vast variety of birds to boast of. The crisscrossing canals are buzzing with activities in the morning hours where one can spot vegetable vendors, grocery and fish vendors, etc. These canals are embanked with a row of coconut trees on either side. 
Among the attractions here at Kuttanad backwaters, most fascinating, of course, is that the ducks quacking along with high decibels and moving across the backwaters in large numbers, men piled into small boats. It can also be transmitted from men to operate a pond, some dives up to collect lime shells from the deep, and fishing nets and other traditional cane basket called octal. 
How to Reach
By Air– Cochin International Airport located about 85 Km from Kuttanad is the nearest airport to the village town.
By Railways– Alappuzha railway Station is the nearest to the city.
By Road– Kuttanad can be easily reached via Alappuzha which is well connected by roads of The state and National highways.
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Kuttanad - Kerala - India

Friday 4 March 2016

Vembanad Lake, also known as Vembanad Kayal, is the largest lake in Kerala and one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes. Sprawling over an area of 200 sq km, the lake lies at sea level, separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow barrier island. 
The lake surrounds the islands of Pathiramanal, Perumbalam and Pallippuram and is a popular backwater stretch in Kerala. Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes in India. It is known by different names in different localities, such as Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, or Kochi Lake in Kochi.
Vembanad Lake in Kerala is astonishingly surreal, sealed with tranquility and a rare element of the 21st century, oxygen. Spread over the three districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam.
The lake is  divided into 2 halves by a saltwater barrier and you can see the difference between the brackish  and fresh water. It was constructed to prevent intrusion of sea water. Just cruising along the lake can make your trip worthwhile, as you can see parts of 3 districts which surround the lake.
The lake looks amazing during Onam with the famous snake boat races. The rhythmically moving snake-boat, being rowed by expert rowers, carries around 100 people.
Also, one can visit the nearby attraction, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, located on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The place is a paradise for bird lovers as they can watch wide variety of Birds. 
Tourists spend their leisure time in the lap of nature and refresh their soul.  Apart from sightseeing, the lake also allows for outdoor activities like boating and fishing.
How to reach
By AirThe nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport, situated 16 km away.
By RailThe closest railhead is the Ernakulam Railway Junction in Kochi.
By RoadYou can avail of a bus, cab or auto-rickshaw to reach Vembanad Lake by road from Kochi.
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Vembanad Lake - Kerala - India