Responsible Tourism walks into Thekkady

As part of the recently held workshops on Responsible Tourism at Kovalam, Kumarakom and Wayanad, the State Level Responsible Tourism Committee (SLRTC) organized a similar exercise in Thekkady, which is one of the most happening places for tourism in Kerala. Held at the Periyar House, the workshop wa ....

Date : 01-May-2008

Kerala hotel's tryst with tall sandwich

A hotel here has made a 50 feet high sandwich after a 10-hour long hard work in an effort to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records. Forty-two employees of the Uday Samudra Leisure Resort at Kovalam readied a record-breaking sandwich, which is eight feet taller than the previous held record m ....

Date : 01-May-2008

Kerala houseboats, a major hit among IT savvy

The famous houseboats of Kerala, which have been popular with tourists from across the world, are now becoming popular among techies and employees from the corporate world. Manu George and Liji with their children are in a different world surrounded by serenity amidst backwaters, which they usually ....

Date : 01-May-2008

Use of Chinese fishing nets, a dying heritage in Kochi

With Kochi fast emerging as an Information Technology hub and business city, one of its oldest practices faces the possibility of extinction. The use of the famous Chinese fishing nets at the Fort Kochi Beach, 700-year-old heritage, is on its way out in the fast growing city.The nets once attracted ....

Date : 01-May-2008

Nileswaram

he cultural centre of the district, this was the seat of the Nileswar Rajas. The Nileswaram Palace today functions as the folklore centre of the Dept. of Archaeology. The town is also famous for its numerous kavus (shrines), temple festivals and the Kavil Bhavan Yoga and Cultural Centre which offers ....

Pandiyan Kallu

Pandiyan Kallu, a rock rising in the sea, is situated in Kasargod District. It is about 2 km from the Trikkannad Shiva Temple. Legend has it that one of the ships of a Pandiya king who attacked the Trikkannad Temple was turned into this rock. ....

Tulur Vanam

Also known as Kekulom (the eastern place). The temple here is consecrated to Kshetrapalan and Bhagavathi. The eight day annual festival commencing from Sivarathri, attracts large crowds from all over the district as well as from Coorg. Central Plantation Crops & Research Institute (CPCRI): The Insti ....

Possadigumpe

Possadigumpe is a tourist destination located in the village of Dharmathadka, about 18kms east of Mangalpady town which is at a distance of 25kms north of Kasargod. Nested in a picturesque hillock , 1060 feet (320 meters) above sea level, it is an ideal place for an enchanting one day trip. The scen ....

Anjarakandy

Anjarakandy, a village well-known for its Cinnamon estate, lies 19kms south east of Kannur. The 1000 acre estate, set up by the British in 1797 comprises of coffee, pepper and sandal wood plants. The estate was destroyed during the fight between Pazhassiraja and the British in the year 1803 and was ....

Madayi Para

Historically and religiously significant Madayi Para, is a small hill located near Pazhayangadi, around 25 km from Kannur. The major attractions here are the Madayi Kavu Temple, the Vadakunnu Shiva Temple and the 12th century mosque (1124 A.D) with white marble imported from Arabia, built by a Musl ....

Dharmadam Island

Dharmadam Island is a main picnic spot situated 17 kms from Kannur, located in the Arabian sea at a distance of 100 meters from the shore. Sprawling over an area of 5 acres and surrounded by rivers and beaches, this beautiful island is covered with tall coconut palms and dense bushes. The place, ea ....

Valapattanam

The small town of Valapattanam, also known as Baliapattom, on the banks of the Valapattanam river, is located 7 km away from Kannur. Boat cruise is an exciting experience on the Valapatanam river which originates from the Western Ghats and joins the Arabian Sea, near the town. Valapattanam is a fis ....

Manikavu Temple

This is the temple of Lord Shiva, near Choothupara, Meenangadi. The Shivling, seen here is Swayambhoo and the speciality is that water is poured continuously over Shivling through a stream. The amount of water remains the same even in rainy season. ....

Seetha Lava Kusha Temple

This is the only temple dedicated to Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Rama. Local legends connect this region with many important episodes from the Ramayana. As the favoured shrine of the Pazhassi Raja, this temple has traditionally permitted entry to devotees from all faiths. Distances from: KPA-5 ....

Thrissilery Shiva Temple

This stunning temple of rather perfect architectural proportions, is inextricably linked with the Vishnu temple at Thirunelly. It is believed that the performance of ancestral rites at Thirunelly remain unfinished unless followed by offerings at this temple. Within the premises there is also a shrin ....

Muniyaras

Excavations at various points around the foot of the Ambukuthi Hill have unearthed a distinctive series of ancient burail vaults commonly called Muniyaras. Remnants of Stone Age tools and pottery found within these cellars are displayed at the Wayanad Heritage Museum. Distances from: KPA-27 Km, SBY ....

Mishkal Masjid, Kuttichira

One of the oldest mosques in the city, this four-storied structure supported by wooden pillars proudly proclaims the architectural splendor of yester years. In 1510 the Portuguese burnt some parts of it, but the charred portions still remain. The mosque is named after the rich trader who built it. ....

Iringal

Iringal, on the southern bank of Moorad River, is famous as the birth place of the great admiral Kunjali Marikkar. He commanded the Zamorin’s fleet and the colonial aspirations of the Portuguese, on the Calicut coast, were thwarted by him for a long period. The birth place is preserved by the archeo ....

Mananchira Square

A new attraction in the heart of the city, Mananchira Maithan, is the sublimation of the concept of a planned modern city. The historic maithan, adjacent to Manachira has been converted into an arcadia with beautiful trees and plants, artificial hill, shrubs, sculpture, an open air theatre and above ....

Kallai

At one time, the ton of Kallai that is situated next to the Kallai River, was the biggest timber trading center in the continent of Asia. Kallai River was sued to collect timber and ship them off by the sea to other merchants all over Asia. Thus Kallai River is a reminiscence of the times that India ....

Adyanpara

Located in the Kurumbalangode village of Nilambur taluk, Adyanpara is famous for its waterfalls and the splendour of its lush surrounding jungles.

Kodikuthimala

(11 km from Perinthalmanna on the NH to Palakkad): The perennial springs and the green mountains form an alluring landscape. View tower and other facilities have been developed at this spot. ....

Biyyan Kayal

Biyyan Kayal (Waterway): Located close to Ponnani, this placid, green-fringed waterway has different types of water sports facility, and attracts a lot of people here. ....

Mamburam

Mamburam is a famous Muslim pilgrim center located in Malappuram District of Kerala. It is situated about 26 km east of Tirur. The place is famous for the Makham, where the mortal remains of the principal Tangals, the religious leaders of Malabar Muslims, are entombed. An annual nercha festiva ....

Dhoni, Palakkad

Dhoni, situated at a distance of 15 Km from Palakkad is a fairly long climb of a 3-hour trek from the base of the Dhoni Hills. This reserve forest area with its small, beautiful waterfall has many tourists all through the year. It is a splendid and captivating waterfall. Dhoni provides trekkers the ....

Attapadi, Palakkad

Attappadi Reserve Forest is a protected area comprising 249 km² of westernmost part of the 745 km² Attappadi block of Mannarghat Taluk in Palakkad district of Kerala, south India. There is a Government Goat Farm at Attapadi village which has the "Attapadi Black" breed available. Attappati is a ....

Nellliyampathy

From the town of Nenmara in Palakkad district, the cloud-caressed peaks of the majestic Nelliyampathy hill ranges are a sight to behold. The height of the hills ranges from 467 mts to 1572 mts. To reach Nelliyampathy, one has to take the road starting from Nenmara that proceeds to the Pothundy Dam. ....

Silent Valley National Park

Silent Valley has a very eventful history in comparison to the other wildlife parks in the country. The local name for the park is Sairandhrivanam (the forest in the valley) and had been a centre of hot debates and protests in the decades of the 70's and 80's of the 20th century. The history of the ....

Kerala Kalamandalam

Founded in 1930 by renowned poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon along the banks of the river Nila in the Cheruthuruthy village of Thrissur District, Kalamandalam is an immortal name in the cultural map of the world. Kalamandalam is strictly a residential center of learning. Veteran teachers ....

Peechi dam

Peechi is well known for Peechi Dam, located 23km from Thrissur. This dam project started as an irrigation project, offers boating facilities at the reservoir. Peechi is a fascinating picnic spot. Boating is permitted in the reservoir and on lucky days one can see wild tuskers on the forested ban ....

Cheraman Juma Masjid, Kodungalloor

Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungallur is situated at a distance of 2 km from Kodungalloor town. This mosque bears a resemblance to Hindu temples as it was constructed using traditional architectural styles of the Hindus. Cheraman Juma Masjid is the first mosque in India where Juma prayers began. Pe ....

Saint Thomas Memorial, Kodungalloor

St. Thomas, the apostle, is believed to have landed in Kodungalloor (formerly called Muziris) in 52 AD. The St. Thomas Church established by him houses ancient relics. ....

Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple

Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple is located at Tripunithura, near Ernakulam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Santhana Gopalakrishna) - the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This is the only place in South India where one can see an odd pose of Lord Vishnu, known as 'Poornathrayeesa' sitting u ....

St. Francis Church

St. Francis Church, originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron Saint of Portugal, is the first European Church in India. Situated at Parade Road, 2 Km west of Mattancherry in Fort Cochin, this church is a living historical monument and one of the main tourist attractions in Fort Kochi. The ....

ST.George Forane Church

This Roman Catholic Church was built in 595 AD in the land donated by ruler of Edappally. It is considered one among the oldest Churches in Kerala. A new Church building was constructed in 1080AD. Church is well Known for the nineday feast in the month of May. Church is located 6 kilometers from the ....

Vamanamoorthy Temple, Thrikkakara

The festival spirit of Onam is in the air, and this month, let us have a look into some interesting rituals related to Onam at Thrikkakara temple in Ernakulam. This temple, is dedicated to Vamanamoorthy, one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Vamana has a prominent role in the legends associate ....

Moolamattom

If you are interested in seeing the workings of a power house, visit Moolamattam, 40 km from Idukki. The Idukki Hydroelectric Project’s underground power house is located here. You can get permission from the KSEB office to enter the power station. ....

Mattupetty

Cradled by the undulating plantation hills of Munnar, and not far away from the Anamudi peak is Mattupetty. Situated in the famous hill town of Munnar, Mattupetty located 13 km from Munnar is situated at a height of 1700 m, and is a delight for nature lovers. Mattupetty offers many fascinating si ....

Eravikulam National Park

Location: 15 km from Munnar. Visiting hours : 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. 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 R ....

Vagamon

It is a very ideal tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens, beautiful meadows, deep puzzling valleys and dales. The enchanting hill station dotted with tea gardens will soon be one of India's foremost eco-tourism projects. All the trekking enthusiasts will enjoy climbing this 1100 ....

Panchalimedu

Panchalimedu is a view point and an ideal trekking place for tourists in Idukki District of Kerala. It is situated 7 km from Mundakayam-Kuttikkanam stretch on the Kottayam-Kumily road. Panchalimedu lies at an altitude of about 2500 ft above sea level. It is believed that the Pandavas and their wi ....

Koottickal

Koottickal is a village at the base of Western Ghats mountain ranges in Kottayam District, Kerala. It is 2000 feet above sea level and is situated in the eastern border of Kottayam District, 60 km from Kottayam, and around 6 km away from Mundakayam on the Kottayam-Kumily National Highway.. There are ....

Ayyampara

Tourists traveling from Kottayam to Ayyampara cover a distance of 43 kilometers. The prime attraction of Ayyampara is the rocky area, which occupies nearly 100 acres of the region. This natural granite stadium of Ayyampara is worth visiting. The magnificent view of the town below can be enjoyed from ....

Chandragiri Cruises

Chandragiri Cruises offers enchanting boat trips to the nearby evergreen islands and palm groves of the picturesque Chandragiri River. The Boat Club is run by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation. The boarding point is located beside the Chandragiri Bridge. ....

Karumadikuttan

Many fascinating legends are associated with this 11th century statue of Lord Buddha.

Krishnapuram Palace

Located 47km from Alappuzha at Krishnapuram in Kayamkulam, on the way to Kollam, the18th century Krishnapuram palace was built during the reign of the Travancore king Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1729-1758 AD). The palace situated in an area of 2.55 acres of land, is a double storied structure ....

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Mavelikkara

The Kettukazhcha festival at this temple draws large crowds of devotees. Processions of tall decorated structures on chariots, brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and cultural performances make a spectacular pageant. (Festival - February/March) ....

Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple

Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple is a very famous temple near Haripad in Alappuzha District of Kerala. The temple is dedicate to Serpant Gods, Nagaraja, Nagayakshi and Sarpayakshi. The worship and Pooja of this temple is very different from that of other temples in Kerala. "Amma" (Eldest Lady of ....

Aranmula Boat Race

This famous water fiesta is held during Onam (August - September). The snake boats assemble near the Sri Parthasarathy Temple before the grand procession. Each boat is 100 ft. long and accommodates 4 helmsmen, 100 oarsmen and 25 singers. The snake boats move in pairs to the rhythm of full throated s ....

Thiruvalla

Thiruvalla, a renowned place of culture and civilization, is situated by the Main Central Road in between Chagancherry and Chengannoor. Thiruvalla derives its name from Sree Vallabha. Another School of Critics say that it is derived from "Sree Vallabhapuram", the meaning of which is a place where wo ....

Mannadi

This is where Veluthampi Dalawa, the renowned freedom fighter of Travancore, spent his last days. The ancient Bhagavathy Temple here has some exquisite stone sculptures. The annual festival is held in February/March. The Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts functions here. ....

Niranam

The oldest Christian church in India, believed to be built by the apostle St. Thomas in AD 52, is situated at Niranam. This is also the birth place of the poets and social reformers popularly known as the Kannassa Kavikal ....

Palaruvi waterfalls

Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks, from a height of 300 feet. The Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot. The PWD Inspection Bungalow and the KTDC Motel offer comfortable accommodation. ....

Arayankavu

Situated about 73 kms. east of Kollam, Aryankavu is one of the important pilgrim centres of the district. From every early days, it was an important trade route for merchants from either sides of the Western Ghats. The chief attraction of Aryankavu is the Shrine dedicated to Lord Sastha. The temple ....

Punalur

The beautiful Mountains, Luxurious Forests and roadways boarded by plain trees make Punalur a Dram World. People say the Punalur owes its name to the "Funnel" is called "Punel" in Malayalam. Others say that Punnal's (water) "Uru' (place), Punalur derived its name from the rivers that Punalur is ble ....

Chavara

Chavara is situated 14 kms. north of Kollam om the Kollam-Alappuzha road. Thousands of tonnes of mineral sand are exported from Chavara to various countries. The Koilthottam port is situated within the limits of Chavara panchayat. Four major industrial establishments - Indian Rare Earths, The Keral ....

Kovalam

It is a globally renowned beach destination of Trivandrum and is strewn with the coconut groves that make it a tropical paradise. Kovalam is home to three marvelous beaches divided by rocky outcrops. These beaches are excellent for the tourists who want to enjoy the seaside and water activities suc ....

Padmanabhaswamy Vishnu Temple

It is a magnificent temple, which featuring pure Dravidian style of architecture. The temple houses the shrine of the presiding deity of Thiruvananthapuram, Lord Vishnu and was built by the Maharaja of Travancore. It is among the most famous tourist destinations in Trivandrum. ....

Neyyar Dam

It is a charming spot ideal for picnic and for relaxing with friends or family. It is located near the undulating mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. ....

Napier Museum

On your travel to Trivandrum, you will also come across this museum that was built in the 19th century and is an amazing example of the affluent history of Kerala. Its architecture is unique and an outstanding amalgamation of traditional Kerala, Chinese, Mughal and Italian styles. This museum is a r ....