Kerala Destination - Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the Northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the Southeast. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is very rich in flora and fauna. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live in and around the forest region.

Kerala Destination -Varkala

Varkala

 

Location: 51 km North of Thiruvananthapuram city and 37 km South of Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram district, South Kerala.

Attractions: Beach, mineral watersprings, the Sivagiri Mutt and a 2000-yea- old Vishnu Temple. 

Varkala, a calm and quiet hamlet, lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district. It has several places of tourist interests like a beautiful beach, a 2000-year-old Vishnu Temple and the ashramam- Sivagiri Mutt a little distance from the beach. At the serene Varkala beach is a quiet sea resort rich in mineral water springs. A dip in the holy waters at this beach is believed to purge the body of impurities and the soul of all sins; hence the name 'Papanasam beach'. A two thousand year old shrine the Janardhanaswamy Temple stands on the cliffs overlooking the beach, a short distance away. The Sivagiri Mutt, founded by the great Hindu reformer and Philosopher Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928) is also close by. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days - 30th December to 1st January. Sree Narayana Guru propagated the ideology: "one caste, one religion and one god", in a society torn by the taboos of caste system. Varkala offers excellent accommodation facilities for tourists and is fast becoming a popular health resort with many Ayurvedic massage centres.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Varkala, 3 km away.

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, nearly 57 km away.

Kerala Destination -Valiyaparamba

Valiyaparamba

  

(30 km from Bekal)This is perhaps the most scenic backwater stretch in Kerala. Fed by four rivers and dotted with numerous little islands, Valiyaparamba is fast turning into a much favoured backwater resort that offers enchanting boat cruises.

Kerala Destination -Veli Tourist Village

Veli Tourist Village

  

Location: About 8 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.

Visiting hours: Open 0800 - 1800 hrs.

This picnic spot, where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea, offers boating facilities. Pedalboats and paddleboats can be hired to explore the charms of the lagoon in a leisurely manner. For a quick ride over the waters, speedboats are available for hire. Children enjoy climbing over the huge sculptures which dot the landscape. Ph: 2500785. Veli youth hostel

Ph: 2501230 Boat rentals (1000 - 1730 hrs): Safari boat: Rs. 15 per head Speedboat: Rs. 150 Pedalboat: 4 seater - Rs. 50 for half an hour; 2 seater - Rs. 40 for half an hour. 

Nearby is the Shankhumukham beach skirting theThiruvananthapuram International airport.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 8 km.

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 3 km.

Kerala Destination -Vagamon

Vagamon

 

Have you visited beautiful, green Vagamon Are you thinking, "In a green country, what's the attraction of yet another verdant spot" Well, the point is Vagamon is not just any other verdant spot. Of course, you can get grassy hills, velvet lawns and cool mountain air in many other places but not the Vagamon kind; not just this exciting blend of religious mysticism and European legacy.

Like a lot of other beautiful things in life, Vagamon too has to be experienced, not read about or its stories merely listened to. What you've got to do is get yourself some means of transport, head straight for Idukki district and then on to Vagamon. Once there, try taking off your shoes, closing your eyes and just listening to Vagamon.

And when you're through with the mystic getting to know session, you could take a trek across the chain of three hills - the Thangal hill, the Murugan hill and the Kurisumala, important for Muslims, Hindus and Christians respectively.

And don't miss the nice, little dairy farm of the Kurisumala monks.

Getting there:

By road: 25 km from Peermede, the famous plantation town.

Nearest railway station: Kottayam which is about 75 km from Peermede.

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 150 km from Peermede.

Kerala Destination -Vadakkumnatha Temple

Vadakkumnatha Temple

One of the oldest temples in the State, the Vadakkumnathan Temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture and has many decorative murals and pieces of art. This is the venue of the world famous Pooram festival celebrated annually in April-May. The fireworks at the Pooram are a spectacular sight. Non Hindus are not allowed entry into the temple.

(Open: 04:00 - 10:30 am & 05:00 - 08:30 pm)

Click Here to Know more about Onam Recipe (Kerala Festival) :

CLICK HERE for the Onam Pookkalam Designs 

Avial    Inchicurry    Kalan    Kichadi    Koottucurry  

  Olan   Parippucurry    Pulissery    Rasam    Sambar   

         Palada Pradhaman    Thoran Curry

Onam - Onapookalam - Onam Designs - Athakalam

How to Prepare:

• Avial
• Inchicurry
• Kalan
• Kichadi
• Koottucurry
• Pulissery
• Parippu curry
• Rasam
• Sambhar
• ThoranCurry
• Paayasam(Palada Pradhaman)

Kerala Destination -Thusharagiri Waterfall

Thusharagiri Waterfall

As the name suggests, land and water have struck an extraordinary kinship at Thusharagiri (mist capped peaks). The plantation destination that abounds in rubber, arecanut, pepper, ginger and spices, is also a trekkers delight. Trekkers start early morning from the second waterfall on the hills and climb up through the pristine dense evergreen forests teeming with exotic birds and animals to reach Vythiri in Wayanad district by evening.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kozhikkode about 50 km. 
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport about 23 km from Kozhikkode town.