Venice of the East: Alleppey

Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha is  a district in Kerala , a major tourist attraction in India.It is often called the Venice of the East because of canals that connect it to backwaters. Alappuzha was a trading center of mainly spices and the scenic beauty of Alappuzha is always attracting. Today Alappuzha is known mainly for backwater tourism. Alleppey has a pretty good area of backwaters. Foreign tourists are main visitors of Alleppey.


Altitude : Sea Level
Nearest Airport: Cochin
Location: 75 Km from Cochin
Temperature : Min. 15 c - Max. 30 c
Tourist Season : September to May
Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha

Major attractions

Backwaters

In Alappuzha the backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of goods, people and their produce are often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater cruise.Most tourists those who come to Alappuzha take a houseboat cruise along the backwaters. Houseboats can be rented for 8 Hrs to few days. They come equipped with well furnished bedroom, sit-outs, kitchen and modern bath and toilet facilities.The houseboats are supported by drivers and a cook. From the boat one can observe the everyday village life of people.Look for toddy shops where you can have toddy with much spicy and delicious food like duck , prawns etc.'Mullapanthal' and 'Tharavadu' are famous toddy shops.

House boat

                                                          Normal motors boats are also available at cheap rates to cruise through the backwaters, but expect the them as luxurious and comfortable as house boats.If u are planning a bird watching then its is advisable to get cruise at early morning. 

Kappa from toddy shop

Beaches

Alappuzha lying along the sea side ,have beaches also as a major tourist attraction.The beaches at Alappuzha are famous for the type of sand.Main beaches here are Alappuzha beach and Mararikulam beach.Mararikulam is one of the most beautiful place in Alappuzha and known for its calmness.Alappuzha beach is equally good as Marari beach ,but is more crowded.

Alappuzha beach

Kuttanad

Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala because of its wealth of paddy crops, is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad is picturesque.This is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done 1.5 to 2 m below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level are an amazing feature of this region.

Other major attractions include:

• Karumadikuttan(3 km east of Ambalapuzha)
• Pathiramanal 
• Ambalapuzha temple festival
• Q S T and R Block Kayal
• Arthunkal Church (22 km north of Alappuzha)
•  Edathua Church (24 km from Alappuzha, on the Alappuzha - Thiruvalla Road)
• Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada (2nd Saturday of August every year) 
• Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race (last Saturday of August) 

 Some more pictures:



 

Kollur Mookambika Temple

Mookambika temple a Hindu pilgrim centre an ancient temple located at Kollur in Karnataka district.This village lies at the foot of the Western Ghats.The Goddess Mookambika is in the form of Jyotir-Linga incorporating both Shiva and Shakthi. The Panchaloha image (five element mixed metal) of the Goddess on Shree Chakra is stated to have been consecrated by Adi shankaracharya during his visit to this place.

It was on 8th March 2013, I visited the temple.It is 130 Kms away from Mangalore, where you can reach by means of rail or air.There is also a railway station called Mookambika road in Konkan railway which is 30 kms away from temple.Lodging near the temple was not a big issue since many good lodges were available.But I am not sure about room availabilty during the festival season.I reached Mangalore central railway station by 4:30am.The bus to kollur was available in front of the railway station.It took around three and a half hour to reach the Kollur bus stand.

 

I had a plan to visit Kudajadri hills, but unfortunately the road to hills was on maintenance. Kudajadri is believed to be the 'Moolastanam '  of Mookambika. In normal course  jeeps are available to the hills in a charge of Rs 2000 per trip.

Elixir of life:Tulasi (തുളസി) Ocimum tenuiflorum

Tulasi ( Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum ) other wise called Holy Basil is a type of aromatic plant.It is one of the most scared plant in India.It is used mainly for religious and medicinal purposes.In religious practices in Hinduism tulsi has a major role in worship. Ayurveda is the main section of medicine which uses the tulsi.Tulasi has a pungent taste and is good for treatment of fever , cough and other 'Kapha & vata ' problems.The extracts of tulsi are not only used in Ayurveda ,but also in modern medicines.
                                                    Apart from medicinal purposes it is used in Thai cuisines because of its special aroma.Dried leaves of tulasi are used as insect repellents for centuries.Some of the main chemical constituents of tulsi are: oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, β-caryophyllene (about 8%), β-elemene (c.11.0%), and germacrene D (about 2%){source :Wikipedia}.

 Elixir of life

Renji Trophy: Perinthalmanna Cricket stadium

Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India, between different states and cities.It is like country championship in England. Renji trophy started with the name 'The Cricket Championship of India' in 1934, won by Bombay team (presently known as Mumbai).Renji trophy matches are four day matches ,teams are grouped into 3 groups A,B and C.

At present the Renji trophy is under the administration of BCCI, Cricket Board of India.Last championship was played during November - December of 2012 and Mumbai team entitled the champions.

 Perinthalmanna cricket stadium (Home ground for Kerala Team )

Kerala Renji team is under the Kerala cricket association.In 2012-13 the team was lead by Sony Cheruvathoor.The home ground of Kerala team is Perinthalmanna cricket stadium in Malappuram district.This ground has the record of second highest (from sea level) ground in Kerala.The ground is well maintained by KCA and has a wonderful scenic beauty around it.Near by town :Perinthalmanna (2 kms away ).

During last renji season 4 matches were played here.Following photographs were taken during the match between Kerala and Assam.

Snehatheeram beach (Thrissur )

Snehatheeram(Love Shore) beach is located at Thailikulam in Thrissur District of Kerala.It lies in the cost of Arabian sea (Sindhu Sagar ) .This beach is just 25 Kms away from thrissur town.Along with beach there is a children's park, both maintaied by Department of Tourism (Kerala).This beach was awarded as the best beach tourism destination by the Department of Tourism (Kerala) during the year 2010.It is a wonderful place to spend evening with your special ones.



As I stood in the beach ,Sun's rays pierced through the cloud , make me feel of golden sky.School students , families and couples created a positive ambiance out there.It was then I noticed two children playing in the wave, holding their dad's hand and found it good to frame.

Snehatheeram 

How to Reach Snehatheeram Beach

Snehatheeram is just 25 KMs away from Thrissur round.

Route: Thrissur>Kanjani>Vadanapally >Thalikulam-Nambikadavu-Vatanappalli Beach Rd

For more Details:

http://www.thrissurkerala.com/tourist/snehatheeram-beach-thalikkulam.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snehatheeram_Beach

Theyyam ( തെയ്യം )

Theyyam otherwise known as theyyattam (thira) is a traditional ritualistic form seen in north Kerala.The performance of the ART, theyyam includes the dance performed by a person accompanied by a drummer ( Chendakaran ).Theyyam actually originated from the art form called "Kaliyattam" , once practiced by the tribal community of north Kerala.This sacred art form is performed in temples and is believed as a representation of god/goddess.Main part of costume of theyyam is the painting done on the face.
                             Now a days the theyyam rituals are spreading to central part of kerala also.Last month I had a visit to 'Paloor subramania swami temple', Malappuram district for the thaipooyam (Festival associated  to temple).The photograph of theyyam was shot from there.

fig>Theyyam

For More details on theyyam try following links:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theyyam
• http://www.theyyamcalendar.com
• http://theyyamat.blogspot.in/