Category: Kerala tourism

An Amazing Trip to Kerala Trees

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Travellers often love to visit Kerala. The reasons may vary among travellers for visiting the state. Some visits the state to witness the charming beauty. Others visit the place either for business or educational purposes. Whatever may be the reason travellers are always lured by the beauty of the serene nature of Kerala. Many people believe that Kerala got its name due to the presence of coconut trees (also known as ‘Kera’ in the Malayalam language). And is true. People always feel amused by seeing the splendid view of trees oscillating in accordance with the cool air. The state is known for its thickly populated forest trees with coconut trees in abundance. Many people have a myth that a trip to Kerala may be wastage of time. There would be anything apart from many trees and animals. But such myths should be removed from your mind. Kerala is not like the past. It has changed completely. It is one of the most popular tourist and fastest-growing destinations in India. Nearly ten thousand tourists visit this amazing state to enchant its glory as part of their honeymoon, and family travel packages. The amusement parks, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries, hill ranges, plantations of spices, tea and coffee, boating, houseboat rides and many more are the highlighting features that grab the tourists to the state. Availing a tour package to Kerala will never make the travellers disappoint. There many travel agencies that curate packages for not only nature lovers but also for adventure lovers at cheapest rates. The state is also famous for a plethora of enthralling activities such as paragliding, bamboo rafting, boating, trekking, canoeing, kayaking, mountaineering, and so on. However, sitting under a tree and tasting delicious traditional foods will present a marvellous experience to each and every traveller that no five-star hotel could provide. Trees have always become an inevitable part of Malayalees. The state is blessed with different varieties of trees. Let us go through the kinds of trees seen in the state and their uses.

  1.  Coconut Tree

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Coconut tree or ‘thengu’ known in the Malayalam language is the state tree of Kerala. The tree is branchless and it is known as ‘Kalpavriksha’. Coconuts, the fruit of the tree is big and oval in shape. The hard shell of coconut comprises of edible material of sweet taste with tasty water. It is protected inside the hard shell which is encircled with thick fibre. Coconut is one of the main ingredients of Keralite foods. Coconuts are used in different forms in the traditional foods of Kerala. Coconut oils are popular not only in South India but across the world. It used for multi-purposes. It is the main ingredient of shampoo, soap, cosmetics, candles, cooking, and so on. The coconut oils are extracted from the dried form of coconut called ‘kopra’. After the extraction of oils, this kopra is given as food to cattle and fowls. The fibre is used for the formation of ropes and mats which are resistant to saltwater. The coconut water is a natural health drink good for dysentery and vomiting. Toddy of coconut is also used as a beverage. The leaves of the trees are used for thatching roofs and trunks are used for bridges. The hardest part of the coconut is used for the preparation of vessels and cups.

2. Golden Shower Tree

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The Golden Shower tree is also known as ‘Kanikkonna’. It is the state flower of Kerala. The tree got its name due to the presence of golden-yellow coloured leaves. The tree gains more importance during the festival of Vishu.  A garland made up of golden flowers is adorned on the lord Krishna’s idol on the day of Vishu and it is also considered as the first sight. The tree blooms in the months of April and May. When the flowers bloom it is a treat to the eyes. One would find difficult to identify leaves from the flowers. The tree is also a kind of messenger. It tells the arrival of monsoon. The parts of the tree such as fruit pulp, roots, and barks are also considered for medicinal purposes. Due to the presence of tannins in the barks of trees, it is used for fabric colouring and leather processing.

  3. Sandalwood Tree

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The Sandalwood tree is also known as Chandanam in Malayalam. The tree is famous for it’s cooling and healing properties. The tree consists of purple and black in colour succulent fruits with purple flowers in small dull in bunches. The tree is a solution from the scorching heat, inflammation problems, and excessive sweating. To get rid of the sweating one uses sandalwood in the form of paste, dry powder or mixed with oil and others. The powder of sandalwood is used as a treatment of gonorrhoea. The paste of sandalwood regularly applied to foreheads will increase the level of concentration. It also has the ability to reduce the temperature and headache during fever. It is also a medicine for painful urination problems and inflammation of the bladders. It is one of the prominent ingredients in Hindu rituals. The incense from the sandalwood is used to pacifying the minds.

I hope you have got a clear idea about the trees seen in and around Kerala. The trees are protected as part of the conservation of the earth. Some people export the woods of trees to other states. After reading the above-mentioned information don’t you feel to taste yummy and scrumptious fruits from the tall and thick trees? So what are you waiting for? Buy the Kerala tour packages at affordable prices from the eminent travel operators like Dream Holidays. They always try to inculcate places such as sanctuaries, forest areas with tourist spots in the itineraries of Kerala packages. While on your Kerala trip don’t forget to carry a camera and a notebook to note down the important points about the trees. You can also record the videos or audio of your tour guide while explaining the trees and their uses. If you are planning to visit the state during monsoon don’t forget to carry an umbrella and raincoats. Also, you can accompany your dearest friends to explore the state in an adventurous way.

An Exhilarating Road Trip from Hyderabad to Kerala: A Delightsome Travelogue

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The aftermath of a tiresome wedding session lasting for a couple of days, we were craving for some refreshing getaways to be spent in any other places. Besides, we were very particular of choosing a location with varied contrasts to that of Telugu cultures, traditions, places and everything. Furthermore, I and my husband had some conditions prior to our trip that it should not be any North Indian locations or boarding any straight flights to the destination.

It was in this instant that I got to know that the hills of Munnar in Kerala were surprisingly laid out by a delicate layer of snow during the past year’s winter. The beauty of this whole new version of the otherwise lush green hills was rather astonishing, which would be ideal for a romantic honeymoon. Usually, the state of Kerala is known for its tropical climate with most time of the year drenched in soothing monsoon. Therefore, tourists dropping in Kerala mostly get to visit its backwaters and its golden shores, as they would be readily included in their tour packages to spend their vacations. However, we wished to do something different and explore on our own. We finally decided to travel to the Munnar Hills from our hometown of Hyderabad and that too by road.

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Since we only had limited time for our vacation, we set off our journey at a late evening in our own car. Most parts Telgana were covered in utter darkness expect the major towns of Mahbubnagar, Kurnool, Anantapur and Penukonda. Visiting these places in Andra borders were obviously excluded from our list as it was definitely not in our list, as we took the fastest road possible via NH44. Due to the numerous of tolls in the otherwise smooth path, it was almost midnight when we reached in the Electronic Capital of Karnataka, Bengaluru.

Bengaluru was like any other major cities of the country, in terms of their traffic congestion and the fastest growing infrastructure. Due to the time in which we arrived at this vast city saved us from this mess to a greater extent. On the wild path leading to Hosur, we got to realize that yet another state of Karnataka had also been left behind. Just then the name of Hosur just struck and later confused me that, isn’t’ that the same ‘Hosur’ in of Karanataka nearby Madikeri. The name was quite familiar to me as I had already visited a Samudri Ganesha Temple located there. However, this was a different place located in the borders of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

By early mornings, we reached the scenic locations of Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu. Again here too we could not experience the very essence of this beautiful ancient town. Later the first rays of the early morning sun were striking us when our car was very gently approaching towards Erode. Now, we were excited to journeying via the dense forest covers of Udumalpet once covering the temple towns of Thirvachi, Palladam, Avinashi and numerous other ones. We were almost in sync with our calculations of witnessing the dense forest regions of both Anamalai Tiger Reserve and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in broad sunlight. Consequently, we have succeeded in this very same venture also.

Up to these locations, the roads were not much challenging as the paths were laid out in plains. However, once we were about to cross the Kerala-Tamil Nadu borders, you will know about the very nature of the rocky terrains of this part of Western Ghats. Numerous hairpin curves on these roads will truly be testing most accurate driving skills of my husband. But he was definitely not in a mood to give up. Meanwhile, the deep gorges adjacent to the roads scared me.  From my research just before the trip, I had read that Chinnar is the sole rain shadow region in the state of Kerala

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In our research, I had already noted down that a waterfall named Thoovanam is situated at this location is a must-visit site. For trekking up to the waterfall, we pulled over our car in the parking area across the Alampetty Check post. The staff at the check post then said that to catch a glimpse of the Thoovanam Waterfalls, we need to trek across the dark jungles for a whole of 4kms. We just felt that we were walking very close to nature at its lap. When the cascading waterfalls were closest to our view, it was indeed a pleasure for our eyes to watch the beautiful sight. The trekking is basically a guided program operated by the State Tourism Department of Kerala.

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After the witnessing the surprising waterfall, we continued our journey via Marayoor, which has the only natural sandalwood forest among all the forest covers in Kerala. Here also we had to halt our travelling in the car, and had to catch a jeep that would take us to these rare forests. If we had opted for the other options of vacationing through the packages, we did not have to wait much in these kinds of places. But on the other hand, these halting could also give some rest to the former that had been plying all the way from Hyderabad. Along with us, we saw many other tourists enjoying the rich flora and fauna found only in these regions. Apart from that, we got to see a few ’Muniyaras’ which are the primitive cabins made of stone. Someone travelling with us on the jeep said Chinnar is home to a giant variety of flying squirrel and can be only be observed if you are lucky enough.

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We were departing from the sandal forest covers of Marayoor and saw yet another signboard indicating the path that leads to Lakkam Waterfalls. However, we could not make it to visit them as it was already approaching the dusk. Mounting up to the waterfalls in such an hour will be futile and also dangerous. From there it did not take much to reach the popular hill station of Munnar. While we reached there, the temperature was very chilling and felt exhausted. We sole groped for a space to lie down after the eventful journey.

Before planning for any road trips, it is always advised to book your dates to any efficient tour companies like that of Lelagoon Holidays. By doing so you would be visiting every tourist spots in a location in an organized manner without missing any exciting sights!

Top 6 Ecclesiastic Temples in God’s Own Country

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Kerala being the most-sought tourist destination in India is famous for several alluring factors. Exceptionally beautiful landscapes, wild roars of animals and the melodious chirp of birds from thickly populated forest lands, tranquillizing river waters, breathtaking hill stations, marvellous tea and coffee meadows sprawling misty hill stations and valleys are the few among them. Above all these, the unique and praiseworthy heritage and traditions attract travellers across the globe. Kerala, the god’s own country is popular for its ancient culture and bewitching art forms. Not only foreigners but also local especially people from north Indian cities like Delhi organizes a tour to witness the traditional lifestyles of Kerala. It is said that whatever may be the event each and everything comprises some sorts of music and art. And that is absolutely true. By availing the package travellers can see that people in Kerala show their uniqueness in each and everything. Where people on one side spend a huge amount of money on purchasing plates and glasses Keralites will save the money using the leaves of banana as plates and leaves of jackfruit tree as spoons instead. Another amusing factor of Kerala is the temples. The state is blessed with a large number of temples with different deities in it and the architectural style of the temples makes the travellers speechless. Below is a shortlist of temples with unique design patterns and festivals.

  1.  Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

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The temple Sree Padmanabahswamy is not only famous for its exemplary Dravidian architectural style but also being one of the richest temples in India. The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu who resides on the Anantha- the five hooded serpent lord. The temple is situated in the heart of the Thiruvananthapuram district, the capital of Kerala. It was constructed in the 8th century. The presence of the temple is clearly mentioned in Hindu scriptures such as Padma Purana and Skanda Purana. The idol deity – lord Vishnu comprises of 12008 sacred pebbles (Salgramas) from River Gandaki in Nepal. Each sacred pebble represents Lord Vishnu, sanctity, etc. Travellers can also see separate shrines in the flourished temple for Lord Rama, Lord Sita, and Lord Laxmana, Lord Hanuman, Shri Yoga Narasimha, and Shri Dharma Shastha.

When to visit: October and November- Alpashy festival

                               March and April – Panguni festival

2. Sree Krishan Temple, Guruvayoor

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Sree Krishan Temple is more famously known as the Guruvayoor temple in and out of Kerala. The deity of the temple is four-armed Lord Krishna carrying lotus with holy basil grassland, the mace of Kaumodaki, Panchajanya and Sudharshans discuss in each of the four hands. The idol of the lord has been made out of Patalanjana stones ( mainly used for medicinal values). The temple is well-known for marriages and rice –feeding functions ( it is custom prevailing in Kerala of feeding rice to newborn babies). Guruvayoor is termed as Dwarka of South India. Surrounding to the temple is a tank and it is believed that Lord Krishna and family worshipped Lord Vishnu. Now this pond is considered sacred.

When to visit: February and March- Ulsavam

                               Middle of April – Malayalee new year

                                December and January – Kuchela’s day

3. Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

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Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple was constructed in the 17th century in Ambalapuzha. It is one of the famous temples in the state. The deity of the temple is Lord Krishna ( the childhood version of Krishna more commonly known as ‘Unni Kannan’). There is a myth associated with the temple it is said so that Guruvayoorappan (Lord Krishna from Guruvayoor temple) visits Ambalapuzha while serving the delicious Palpayyasam. People who visit the pilgrim will definitely visit the backwaters which are hardly 8 miles apart. It is also believed that the deity of the temple as bought from the Guruvayoor temple during Tipu Sultan’s administration.

When to visit: July – Ambalapuzha temple festival

                                 March – April – Arattu festival

4. Chaottanikara Temple

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Chottanikara temple is situated in Ernakulam district. Positioned in the hilltop it is one of the most popular temples in Kerala. The deity of the temple is Chottanikara Devi. It is worshipped in three different ways. In the morning it is devoted as lord Saraswati, at the noon as lord Laxmi and in the evening as lord Durga. Along with Chottanikara Devi, Lord Vishnu is also worshipped. It is believed that Devi has curing powers and removes all mental illnesses.

When to visit: October – Navarathri Aghosham

                             Vrishichika Mandala Mahotsavam and the annual festival of the temple.

5.  Aattukkal Bhagavathy Temple

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Located at a distance of 2 km from the famous Padmanabha Swamy temple, Aattukakal Bhagavathy temple is situated in Thiruvananthapuram. The deity of the temple is goddess Kannaki or incarnation of goddess Parvati, believed as a supreme mother, the creator of the whole universe, etc. The temple holds the record of the largest gathering of women for temple festivals. Devotees who visit the Padmanabha Swamy temple will surely visit the Aattukkal temple also.

When to visit: February- March- Aattukal Pongal

6. Sabarimala Temple

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Sabarimala temple is not only famous in Kerala but among all the Ayyappa devotees in the country. Located in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala the presiding deity of the temple is Lord Ayyappa. Closely situated to Periyar tiger reserve the temple is surrounded by rocky hills and thickly populated forest areas. The temple mainly remains open during two major festivals ie. Mandala Pooja and Makara Sankranti Pooja celebrated during the months from November to mid of January. The temple also opens during the first 6 days of every Malayalam month. Men of all ages visit the temple by wearing either black or blue dresses with chandanam (sandal) smeared on their foreheads. Till the end of the pilgrim, the devotees remain unshaven.

Key point: Females during the menstruating period are exempted from entering the temple.

 The above are the most prominent temples in Kerala which not only pull the Hindus from the state but also from various parts of the world. The temples in Kerala are not only worship centres but also a place to study ancient architecture styles and the colonial ruling system prevailed in India. So don’t waste your precious time couples enjoy the tour with Dream Holidays at affordable package rates. They are one among the few travel partners who are ready to customise their price. So pack your bags and prepare yourself to seek the blessings from ‘God’s own country’.

Top 12 Enthralling Water Sports in Kerala

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There will be no one who does not like to explore new places and meet new people. People always plan trips and discover new destinations but it would be before their marriage or before enlarging their families. The number of trips gradually decreases as members increases. The reasons are many… For some, the package may be unaffordable and some drop the planned trips due to the lack of time and the list of excuses goes on. Continuing in the same state of motion obviously retards one’s happiness and gradually he/ she will hate his/ her own life… to avoid such circumstances it is good to plan trips with our families to unknown destinations. Such trips will surely make the children happier and energetic. Furthermore, it will help them to boost their enthusiasm and eagerness. Trips will always teach children new lessons of life and open new doors of opportunities in front of them. There are plenty of destinations which suits for family tour. If you and your kids are adventure enthusiasts and like to practice thrilling activities then Kerala would be the best option. The state is proud not only of its mind-blogging environment, calm and pleasant ambiance but also for a plethora of water sports. People who are planning for an exotic trip to the state must definitely ask their travel operator to inculcate some interesting and exciting sports events in the package. Before indulging in the water sports it is recommended that travellers should know a little bit of swimming. It is not to threaten you but to make you vigilant about the consequences that may take place in the future. Water tourism is rapidly gaining popularity in Kerala. As part of the tourism the state has imbibed many professionally trained instructors from various parts of the country. They also have a panel to check the proper functioning of the training classes and equipment.

Before relying on any travel agencies just go through their history. Check whether they have a valid license or not? Go through the reviews and feedbacks in their website. Also ask the opinions of the travellers who availed their packages before. While booking the packages do not forget to mention the ages of the children else when you reach the destination you will not able to find any activities suitable for your kids. Don’t forget to carry necessary medicinal kit as part of safety. Carry clothes which are suitable for the activity and also for the expedition. Below is the list of the various water sports activities commonly practiced in Kerala.

  1. Bamboo rafting

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How wonderful it would be to sail in logs of bamboo in the river and enjoy the humming songs of birds from the thickly populated forests surrounding the river. Bamboo rafting is mainly practiced in Palakkad and Wayanad districts in Kerala. Pozhuthana River in Wayanad is the perfect place for rafting lovers to put their first baby steps in the shallow waters. It is situated at 4 km away in Vythiri village. The rafting was initially used for transportation and trading purposes now being widely used for enhancing tourism. This activity will definitely gift you a special experience and lovely memories. Rafting is best to capture the beautiful picture of the nature directly into the minds without clicking the photographs. Travellers can enjoy the cool puff and see mesmerizing view of leaves of trees oscillating. Visitors can also enlighten their hearts by hearing various kinds of sounds of birds and animals from the jungles. As Wayanad is home to wild animals and migratory birds it is haven for wildlife photographers and nature lovers. Rafting can be played by people of any age. Only thing of which travellers should take care of is climatic conditions .

  1. Boating

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Have you ever heard or imagined a boat ride inside a dam?  It is possible only in Banasura Sagar dam situated in Wayanad district. It is one of the major attractions of the district. Don’t think that while boating inside the dam you will destine only to see the beauty of walls. It is not absolutely true travelers can completely enjoy the charming beauty of the serene nature and fill souls with wild roars and chirps of animals and birds. Along with travellers can enjoy the spectacular view of coconut trees oscillating in air. Travellers will have to pay directly to the concerned people before practicing boating.

  1. Kayaking

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For time being say goodbye to houseboat rides and canoeing and relish the captivating beauty of Kerala by kayaking in waters. Kayaking is mainly practiced in backwaters and rivers. While kayaking travellers can come across various species of birds flying from one region to another, common people engaged in traditional works such as coir making, etc. To make the voyage much more interesting travellers can spot different colors of butterflies roaming around them. Alapuzha is more commonly known as the ‘Venice of East’ is the best place to learn kayaking more deeply. Instructors will guide you in and will give correct instructions regarding the same.

  1. Wave Runners

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Payyambalam beach is one of the hottest beaches in Kerala which is famous for wave running water activity. It is also one of the largest beaches in the district.  Wave running sport is one of the most thrilling and exciting activities played in shallow waters. People will be asked to drive a motorbike or speed boat during strong waves. At this time travellers will be given an opportunity to enjoy the strength of the waves and witness the immense beauty of sea waters.

  1. Parasailing

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Who doesn’t like to fly like a bird by tying their feet to a speed boat? Parasailing is one such sports activity that allows adventure enthusiasts to explore nature’s resources in a different manner. Parasailing is practiced in almost all the states of India but nothing can defeat the parasailing of Kerala. Every year thousands of travellers reach the state only to discover new opportunities to pump their adrenaline. Parasailing is mainly practiced in prominent places of the state like Kovalam, Aleppey and Cherai beach of Kochi. While parasailing people can witness the stunning and magnificent marine world.

  1. Scuba Diving

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Scuba diving is the best way to interact with the exotic marine world lying beneath the water. Tourists above 8 years are permitted to do scuba diving. Before practicing it people will have to attend a training session by experienced trainers with PADI certified for hardly 30 minutes in which they will clearly explain to you the way to dive safely and also how to use the equipment, especially apparatus efficiently. Pregnant ladies and people with chronic disorders are exempted from the activity. People are advised not to have heavy food 1 hour prior to the event. Scuba diving is mainly done in Kovalam and Kochi.

  1. Snorkelling

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When compared to scuba diving, snorkeling is far easier and cheaper. Here travellers do not need any help or guidance from any certified trainer. They will be given a breathing apparatus called snorkel which will help them to breathe when they go deep into waters. Snorkeling was recently introduced in Kerala to promote water tourism. But to surprise, not only the foreigners but locals are admired by the event. Now it is being commercially used by the natives widely. Snorkeling is mainly practiced in Kochi and Kovalam.

  1. River Crossing

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When you hear river crossing doesn’t think you will ask to cross the river barefooted or reach the other side by any vehicle. Travellers are supposed to reach the other side of the riverbank by crawling on a rope at a determined elevation from the water. The activity is really thrilling as well as adventurous. River Crossing is popular in Munnar hill stations of Kerala. Munnar is famous for its vast tea plantations, breathtaking hills, and misty mountains. But very few people know about this activity. This activity demands immense courage and faith. Travellers who are suffering from gastrointestinal disorders and ear balance problems are advised not to practice the same.

  1. Catamaran Sailing

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Catamaran Sailing is one of the most popular water sports activities in the state. A large number of travellers can be accommodated in a single wooden boat made or yacht with hulls on either side. Catamaran sailing is mainly practiced in backwaters or stooped waters like sea. For the safety of the travellers two experienced guides will be there during the sailing. Even though the activity was introduced recently it soon gained popularity among the locals and foreigners. It is mainly played in Aleppey, Varkala and Kovalam.

  1. Kneeboarding

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Kneeboarding is known as a fun and entertaining water game. Here the travellers are asked to kneel down on a flat platform shaped floating board withholding a rope of which one end is tied to a motorboat. The sport is not so easy and it is risky too. By constant practice travellers can enjoy it’s fun. After being comfortable you can choose a half squad position. The event is of 20 minutes but it assures a remarkable life long experience. Knee boarding is popularly practiced in Cherai beach in Ernakulam district.

  1. Canoeing

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Canoeing is slightly similar to kayaking. It is one of the most thrilling ways to explore the backwaters and rivers. Nearly 4 travellers can do canoeing at a time. A canoe is wooden made in traditional style with its front and back edges pointed and top remain uncovered. It is usually rowed using single-bladed paddle. Being smaller in size the canoe will take the travellers in inner portions of the backwaters where you can see villagers engaged in various traditional works, school children canoeing to school just as we ride bicycles. Also, you will get golden opportunity to explore the stunning elegance of paddy fields, coconut groves, fishing areas, rustic homes, coir factories and many more. Canoeing is very cheap when compared to houseboat voyage and Shikara boat rides. People who really want to do canoeing must have a small idea about swimming.

  1. Banana Boat Ride

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Banana boat ride is gaining popularity day by day. Even though it is a little bit challenging the overall ride will assure your excitement and joy. Banana boat is actually a recreational boat built in the shape of a banana. Usually, these kinds of boats accommodate more than 3 to 10 riders at a time. Banana boats are generally safe except in bad weather conditions. Children above 5 years play banana boat ride.

Above is a shortlist of exciting water sports in Kerala. There are many more but those won’t suit small children and aged people. Year by year number of tourist is increasing and hence importance of water tourism too. Not only the foreigners but local from different states are visiting the state to explore its untouched charm. Gogeo holidays is one such tour partner who tries to bring people from various parts of the country to visit the amazing Kerala. As part of their mission this time they have decided to select the group of family from Chennai city. As we all Chennai is one of the major cities in India which experience terrible hot weather conditions. Even though the city noteworthy for its educational and technical achievement the city lacks many outstanding facilities for its natives to rejuvenate and refresh. And that is the main reason why Gogeo holidays decided to select them.

Travellers who have decided to utilize the services of the above-mentioned travel partner can remain tension free and enjoy the complete essence of the trip. They always focus on customers’ gratification and happiness and for that they are ready to customize the packages. They always accommodate the customers in well-reputed hotels and provide excellent hospitality services. Therefore travellers can entrust Gogeo holidays and enjoy each and every moments of your trip.

5 Prominent Wild Homes in Kerala

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Kerala is always being home to exotic species of various kinds of birds and animals. The cerulean seas, crystal clear waters, bewitching dusks, coconut-palm fringed trees oscillating in accordance to the cool puff of air, moderate tropical climate, thickly populated forests lands, funnel-shaped valleys blanketed with emerald tea and coffee meadows etc are the few fascinating features which lure nature lovers across the globe to Kerala. Every year thousands of tourists visit the beautiful state with their dear ones only to enchant the mesmerizing glory of Kerala. There may be different reasons for each traveller to put their feet in the coastal land. Some may visit the state to spend quality time with their dear ones others may visit the land for business or education purposes. There another group of people who visit the Malabar region to revitalize themselves in Ayurveda centres.

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There are many travel operators who organize frequent trips to the state. Some grab travellers with exciting offers. Some formulate a tour package to exotic Kerala at an affordable price and even they are ready to customize the packages on traveller’s request. People often plan a tour to the state with an aim to explore the wondrous collections of fauna and flora. The state is blessed with 16 fascinating national parks where endangered species of birds and animals are protected. You might have a small idea about the serene beauty and hot tourist spots in the state but you might not be aware of the distinguished wildlife sanctuaries in the state. A few prominent national parks are briefly studied below.

  1. Anamudi Shola National Park

Anamudi Shoal Park is located in the Idukki district, Kerala. The amusing national park is spread over 7.5 km square. It was nominated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO world heritage programme. It was declared as a national park in 2003. Since then it has been under the control of Munnar wildlife division and Kerala wildlife forest department. The park assures cent per cent solitude and is popular for its bewildering nature and excellent biodiversity. Unlike other national parks here you can see the endangered and unknown creatures wandering here and there. Travellers can closely examine and learn the typical lifestyle of them by interacting and clicking photographs. As you ascend to the top you can come across most of the hilltop regions being occupied with vegetation. The park consists of 38 kinds of climbers, 60 types of trees and 175 varieties of shrubs and herbs. Travellers can spot jungle cat, wild dogs, leopards, sloth bear, civet cats, Indian Bison, wolves, wild boars, flying squirrels, elephants, Panther, tigers, and more. Don’t think that only wild animals are ruling the park, there a wide collection of birds are also seen here such as 100 types of butterflies and 200 varieties of moths and more than 76 species of rare birds. Travellers can also enjoy the beauty of nature by drenching in Thoovanam waterfalls, Chinnar River and Pambar River located near to the park.

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Best Time to Visit the Park: Although visitors can visit the park throughout the year the best time to explore the sanctuary is during the months from October to March.

2. Silent Valley National Park

With its green meadows, cool environment, pleasant climate and amazing views of flora and fauna make Silent Valley national unique and distinguished parks in Kerala. The park is spread across 89 square kilometres of land. It is situated in the Kundali Hills in Palakkad. Even though smaller in size what makes the park unique is it’s Sylvan environment, lofty hills and misty peaks and sapphire waters running along. One could find numerous kinds of plants and animals residing inside the park unharmed by the outer world. The park is home to 1000 various kinds of flowering plants, 200 types of liverworts, 108 varieties of orchids and 200 types of algae. The park is sheltered to 22 species of amphibians, 13 species of fishes, 292 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, 500 species of moths and butterflies. The most commonly seen species are the lion-tailed macaque, Indian Pangolin (Scaly anteater), Nilgiri Langur, elephant, sambar, Flying Squirrel, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Porcupine, wild pig, Barking Deer, panther, Otter, Sloth Bear, Mouse Deer, tiger, Small Indian Civet, Fishing Cat, Common Palm Civet and gaur. One could quench their thirst by drinking pure crystal water from Kunthi River passing through the region after descending from the Nilgiri hills. The Silent Valley National Park is also famously known as ‘Sairandhrivanam‘. It is so-called because the place where the park is residing was once considered as hiding abode of Sairandhiri, the secret identity undertaken by Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas from their cruel cousins (Kauravas). The Kunthi river is named after the mother of Pandavas. The entry fee to the park is INR 50 and for guide is INR 150.

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Best Time to Visit the Park: The ideal time to visit the Silent Valley National Park is from December to April.

3.  Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is also known as Rajamalai Wildlife sanctuary is termed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. It takes hardly 45 – minute drive from Munnar to reach the park. In 1978 it was declared as a national park. It is spread over 97 sq km in the Kannan Devan hills. The park is popular for protecting the endangered mountain goat known as Nilgiri Tahr. Along with it is also shelter to Elephant, leopard, Nilgiri langur, Indian bison, Nilgiri marten, lion-tailed macaque, Atlas moth (largest in the world), small-clawed otter and a rare tiger or leopard are the few of the main animal species that can be seen here. Next to the park, one could see Neelakurunji flowers which bloom once in 12 years.

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The park offers numerous activities to its visitors. They are as follows.

  1. Tea Museum: A good portion of the park is occupied by the green meadows of tea. Adjacent to the tea plantations one could see a tea museum which has to share many tales related to the construction of the museums and types of machinery and equipment used then and now the struggles faced by the workers in initial days and so on. By visiting the museum’s travellers will get a clear picture of the ancient days.
  1. Rajamala: Rajamala is the prominent tourist hub of Eravikulam National Park where travellers can view the famous Nilgiri Tahr. Except in the months of February and March, tourists can visit Rajamala at any time. While visiting Rajamala one could enchant the beauty of Kurinji and Shola grassland ecosystem. The park is a paradise for shopaholics as it has restaurants, eco shops and an amenity centre to buy basic items of requirements.

           Visiting time: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

           Entry Fee: INR 90 (Adult), INR 65 (Children), INR 360 (Foreigner);

            Reservation fee: INR 50

  1. Lakkom Water Falls: The cascading and marvellous Lakkom Water Falls originates from the Evarikulam Park and flows to river Pambar, the east-flowing river in Kerala. The milky water descending from the crevices of the hills offers stunning experiences to each traveller. The waterfall is located in between Munnar and Marayoor route and there also lies an eco- shop cafeteria and refreshing centre to help the visitors.

           Entry Fee: INR 20 per visitor.

  1. Lakkom Log House:  Very adjacent to Lakkom waterfalls is the log house where travellers can spend quality time with their dear ones without any hustle-bustle of the outer world. Travellers can avail the accommodation if they report the office before 3 PM to the office. Overnight stay in the log house will definitely provide remarkable experience especially to honeymoon couples.

           Rate: INR 3000 for two Indians; Additional person: INR 1000

  1. Marayoor Sandal Division: Marayoor Sandal Forest Division is the only place in the state where travellers could find a large natural population of sandal trees. Strolling down through the forest will definitely help you to learn more about the trees and its habitat.
  2. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary: The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Western Ghats in Kerala. This region is richly populated with a wide range of indigenous flora and fauna. The sanctuary houses myriad types of medicinal plants, and its animal species such as grizzled giant squirrel, wild elephant, gaur, tufted grey langur, crocodile, spotted deer, star tortoise, slender loris, tiger, leopard and many birds.

           Best Time to Visit Eravikulam National Park: September to November and from April to June is the ideal time to visit                   Eravikulam National Park.

4. Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary

Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Wayanad. It is home to large varieties of wild animals. It is a part of the Nilgiri Bioreserve. The sanctuary was established in 1973, it is an amalgamation of semi-evergreen, dry deciduous forest and moist. The sanctuary is proud to say that it has declared as Project elephant site. As it is situated in the dense forests one could spot various kinds of animals like Panthers, civet cats, jungle cats, Indian Bison, tigers, elephants, deer, monkey, wild dogs and bears. With the scenic landscape and the excellent wildlife, the sanctuary lures wildlife and photographers enthusiasts. With Wayanad’s pleasant climate, a combination of bison, civets, wild dogs, monitor lizards, monkeys, varieties of snakes and elephants are seen widely in the sanctuary. Blessed with avifauna, the sanctuary is not only famous for owls, peacocks, fowls, and cuckoos but also for red-head vultures and white ramped-vultures. Unfortunately, these vultures are termed as endangered because they are used to kill to develop an anti-inflammatory drug called diclofenac.

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Entry Fee: The entry fare to the Muthanga wildlife sanctuary is very cheap. Indian adults will have to pay INR 10 and children below 12 and students with valid ID card have to pay only INR 5, while foreigners are requested to pay INR 100.

5. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Western Ghats in Idukki District. It is flourished over an area of 90.44 km². The sanctuary is abundantly blessed with a wide range of exotic species flora and fauna which makes it a stunning tourist destination. It is a shelter to a wide range of medicinal plants. It’s animal family comprises of species such as wild elephant, slender loris, tufted grey langur, gaur, crocodile, spotted deer, grizzled giant squirrel, tiger, leopard and many birds. The sanctuary is completely under the control of the government and hence travellers can enjoy the natural habitat without any disturbances. Small kind of trekking is well appreciated by the authorities. Deciduous forests are seen in large number over here. Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is also termed as world heritage site along with the Western Ghats and Anamalai. The other attractions of the park are the few famous peaks such as Nanadala Malai, Vellaikal Malai, Viriyoottu Malai, Kottakombu Malai and Kumarikkal Mala peak. The sanctuary receives water from Chinnar and Pambar rivers. It is also home to Thoovanam waterfalls. Travellers can also interact with 11 tribal settlements inside the sanctuary. Due to its unique topography and amazing varieties of flora and fauna the sanctuary is termed as a biodiversity hotspot. It is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. The sanctuary has a unique and spectacular facility for its visitors – treehouse stays. Treehouses are perfect stay home for nature lovers. Travellers can rent the treehouses for an overnight stay and witness the bewildering sunset and sunrise. The melodious chirp of birds will wake you in the morning. Overall the experience will be really awesome.

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Don’t think these national parks are exclusively meant for school children or families. Even newlywed couples are visiting these parks to enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of the serene nature. These parks not only shelter various species of birds and animals but also turn out to be the perfect backdrop for romantic photos of honeymoon couples. As Kerala is proudly known as ‘Garden of Eden’, honeymooners avail tour packages at cheapest rates from travel operators like Dream Holidays in the state. Hope the above-mentioned articles might have helped you to enlighten your minds the need to preserve these species and obey the instructions issued by the concerned authorities.

 

A Breath-Taking Trip to Kerala with my Friends

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Life was moving at a usual pace, the normalcy of routine was the only thing that made us drowsy these days. We had just graduated from college and the only trips we (me and my group of four friends) made were for small meetups or for job interviews. We had one long free month before joining for our fresh jobs. We were all placed at different companies and we wanted to make some long-lasting memories before setting out for new roles in our life. All of us had different opinions and plans at first and after many hours of discussions, we concluded that a week-long trip to an exotic land is what we need. The next hurdle was choosing the destination but surprisingly all of us unanimously voted Kerala as our dream destination. We wanted to try out different things at Kerala and was in need of a solid plan. After a lot of research, we shortlisted some locations and activities that we wanted to try once we reach Kerala. We were so lucky to have found out Gogeo Holidays as our travel partner. With their cheapest Kerala tour packages and that too a personalized one, our trip turned out to be the best moments of our life.

We knew Kerala as a verdure spot with places like Wayanad and Munnar. All of us were from Delhi and we had studied in Mumbai. This was our first time coming closer to South India. Our flight rates were much less than we had anticipated. Thanks to Gogeo Holidays! We were starting our trip by saving a great deal of cash. Our trip lasted for two weeks and I think we could cover only half of the best destinations in Kerala, and we have already planned to come back to Kerala itself for our next trip and complete the expedition.

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We boarded the flight to Kochi from Delhi at 6 in the morning and it took us three hours to reach there. Even before we landed at Kerala, the view from the windows from out there at the sky itself intrigued us. There were many water bodies and green spots – that is how I would explain the view. Once we reached Kochi, we were taken to our room which was so clean and came with all the modern facilities. The interesting thing that all of us noted was that the usage of Wi-Fi and our smartphones lessened as each day passed. We were so lost in the beauty of Kerala that we were not slaves of technology for two weeks. So, the breakfast – we started the Kerala treat for our stomachs with puttu and kadala and appam and chicken curry. After taking rest for 2 hours we left to visit Kochi and our travel operators arranged a car for us on request. We would have taken a guide, but wanted to explore the land on our own. Some of the spots like Hill Palace, Bolghatty Palace, Pallipuram Fort, and Indo-Portuguese Museum are some of my personal favourites. Marine Drive and Lulu Mall are the places from where we clicked some group photos of us.

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We visited the Greenix Village as per our travel operators told us when we asked about Kathakali. As Kochi is known for the support of cultural and artistic activities, it would have been a great miss if we hadn’t known about this place. We forgot about lunch as we were so immersed in finding places to explore. At Greenix, there was a restaurant too so we had some pancakes. There is a cultural museum and we visited it before the Kathakali performance started. It was a mind-blowing performance with all those micro-expressions and all. The costume itself made us wonder how rich in culture and totally a different land is Kerala. There are many beaches in Kochi and we could visit only a few out of it like Fort Kochi Beach, Cherai Beach and Munambam Beach. Fort Kochi and Mattancherry are places that hold the greatest spell in Kochi. There are many places like Princess Street, Burger Street, Rose Street, Parade Ground etc. that had a lot of things to offer. With many cafes like Pepper House, Kashi Art Cafe, Bench Cafe and all we could not leave this place for a week. The biggest part of our trip was spent at Kochi itself. We moved to No. 18 Hotel to explore places closer to it. We met some old friends of ours from Kochi and had a great time at the Cochin Club. The boat jetty ride is the cheapest mode of transportation as it would cost not more than 10 rupees to travel across many nearby destinations like Marine Drive. The picture of the Chinese fishing nets is more breathtaking in real and we also tried using it. What we missed was the Biennale that happens every two years in Kochi. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an international art exhibition that stretches for a period of three months from December to March. A chance to visit the colonial building Aspinwall House was what we missed with the biennale. We wandered through the Jew Street too and bought many fresh spices to take back home. We are so thankful for this best Kerala tour packages as we would have stayed stuck at one place if we had not availed an itinerary for our trip to other places in Kerala.

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Alleppey was the next spot and the clean beaches were the first place we hit there. We could visit only Alleppey Beach and Marari Beach. We visited some small villages where coir making and handicraft making businesses were thriving. We bought some souvenirs from there just like we bought many bohemian styled clothes from Fort Kochi. The backwater cruise was of course, the best part of Alleppey. We glided through the Vembanad Lake and also visited the Kumarakom backwaters. The luscious seafood with some toddy (a local beverage made from coconut) is something that I still ache for.

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There were many other places like Munnar, Vagamon, Thekkady, Wayanad, and Kannur that we picked for our trip. This story of our visit would go on and on and there is a lot to write about each and every place and I will definitely write more about the rest of the trip too, but I know that mere words are not adequate to explain the charm of Kerala.

TOP 4 BEAUTIFUL CULTURAL DANCE FORMS OF KERALA

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Kerala is blessed with various kinds of resources. The state boasts of its pristine beaches, tranquil waters, traditional ‘kettuvalloms’ or houseboats which float in the lakes, distinct species of flora and fauna, pleasant climatic conditions and etc. There are also Ayurveda centres for refreshing mind and soul. Every year lakhs of people visit the state to enchant its mesmerising beauty and to be part of it. Kerala always has something new to treat its visitors. People irrespective of their age and sex enjoy every inch of the beautiful nature. Apart from the beautiful environment, there are many more to see. Like the modern industrial developments, universities, educational institutions, hospitals and research centres. To understand more about the culture and traditions of a state or country either people have to visit museums or study various art forms both ritual and cultural. Kerala also has unique art forms. The state has given birth to many eminent talented artists to the world. An art institution named Kerala Kalamandalam is home to various art forms. Malayalees and Non-Malayalees across different parts of the world take admission in the institution to learn deeply about various dance forms. Kerala Kalamandalam is located on the banks river Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur. Famous Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon along with Mukunda Raja took the initiative to form Kerala Kalamandalam.

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Travellers who are planning to visit the state must definitely find some time to enjoy the beauty of cultural art forms which are popular not only within the country but also in foreign nations. Some dance forms are practised only during festival seasons like Theyyam, Arjuna Nritham, Mudiyettu etc. Some others perform dances on a competition basis or merely for entertainment like Thiruvathirakali, Kathakali, Mohiniyattom etc. People who are availing the Cheapest Kerala package from Dream Kerala tour partners will get an opportunity to view the dance forms directly. Dance is an art form which helps the beings to express their sorrows, joy and fury. A dancer’s performance will be successful only when his or her soul and body unite to give mind-blowing steps. Each dance is based on some mythological stories or epics. There will at least 2 singers to narrate these stories in musical form. Here, is the list of few popular cultural art forms of Kerala.

  1. Kathakali

Kerala Kathakali

Kathakali is one of the popular classical dances of Kerala. Kathakali can be split into two words ‘Katha’ means ‘story’ and ‘Kali’ means ‘play’. In short, Kathakali means ‘story play’. It is also known as an ’eye dance’. Kathakali always emphasises on gestures of hands, legs and palms and also eye movements. The dance performance was performed only by males and they used to enact the role of female characters. But now, females also started to participate in the dance. Usually, the theme of Kathakali used to be the mythological stories from Hindu religious book like The Mahabharata, The Ramayana. Present generations have started to take stories from English plays like from Shakespeare’s collections. These stories are narrated to the public by 2 or 3 singers. It is done so as to inculcate the western with Indian. In olden days, Kathakali performances prolonged till 3 days now it has been cut short to 5 hours. The performers appear on the stage with exotic make-up, colourful costumes which include swirled skirt. They also wear heavy ornaments and headgears. It takes long hours to dress up for the programme. People who are able to understand the gestures and facial expressions can really enjoy the classical dance. In olden days, Kathakali was practised in royal palaces, where Kings and others enjoyed the dance and in return rewarded the artists with excellent gifts. Later Kathakali was moved to temples so those common people irrespective of their creed and caste can enjoy the art. Now, the art form can be seen in various stages. The main musical instrument used for the dance is a drum known as ‘Chenda’. It takes 12 years for an artist to learn Kathakali completely. It is the main art form taught in the Kerala Kalamandalam. It is believed that Kathakali was originated from Kalaripayattu, Krishanattom and Kuttiyattom.

      2.  Mohiniyattom

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Mohiniyattom is one of the eight classical dances of India mentioned by Sangeet Nataka Academy. It also the second popular dance of Kerala. It is believed that the dance was originated in the 16th century and has flourished in the 19th century by the King of Travancore Swathi Thirunal. The origin of Mohiniyattom was mentioned in the chapter ‘Vyavaharamala’ from the book ‘Ghoshayatra’ written by ‘Mazhamagalam Namrayanan Namputhiri’. It was later rewritten by the great poet ‘Kunjan Nambiar’.  The word ‘ Mohiniyattom’ when splitting into two exactly tells what the dance means. Mohini means ‘maiden ’or devotee of Lord Vishnu and Attam means ‘seductive and graceful body movements’. Initially, this dance was performed only in palaces and temples and now it has been moved to different stages. There is a myth revolving around the dance that Lord Vishnu disguised himself as ‘Mohini’ to defeat the demons and to rescue lord Shiva. The delicate movements of the body and charming facial expressions are more suitable to females and therefore the dance is performed only by women. The song used for Mohiniyattom is written ‘Manipravalam’. It is a combination of Sanskrit and Malayalam. Mohiniyattom was performed by females called ‘Devadasis’.

Interesting Facts:

  •  The makeup for the Mohiniyattom is little exotic yet elegant. It involves red lips and dark kohled eyes.
  •  The language used for the dance performances is Manipravalam, is the fusion of Sanskrit and Malayalam.
  • The performer uses only gold ornaments since it is a symbol of beauty and prosperity.
  •  Only Jasmine flowers are used to adorn the hair.
  •  Initially, it was performed only in temples as a tribute to God especially Lord Vishnu.
  • The main attire for the dance is Kerala Kasavu saree.

     3. Thiruvathirakali

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Thiruvathirakali is one of the popular cultural dances of Kerala. Thiruvathirakali is also known as ‘Kaikottukali’. The cultural dance is mainly performed in the month of Dhanu in Malayalam almanac. Or it can also be said that it is practised in the month of December and January. In ancient days, the dance was performed during the Thiruvathira festival in order to please Lord Shiva to seek his blessings. There is a myth revolving around the dance that this dance bought Kamadeva, the God of love back to life after he was burnt into ashes by Lord Shiva. Therefore the dance is performed mainly by women irrespective of their ages to gain marital happiness and female energy. For the dance, women wear typical Kerala sari, which is white in colour with a golden border. Or two-piece is known as ‘mundu’ and ‘neriyathu’. Mundu is attire which is worn around the waist. Neriyathu is worn over the blouse along with it they wear golden ornaments. They adorn their hair with jasmine flowers. This ancient dance form mainly survives through school competitions and college youth festivals. Some people say that dance form was been in practice during the Sangham period.

The dance consists of 8-10 members arranged in a circular manner around a lit lamp known as ‘vilaku’ or floral carpet. They move in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. Moreover the hand movements it is the body movements which make the dance more graceful. It is also believed that the dance has been originated from Kathakali. The song sung for Thiruvathira dance is mainly based on some mythology or some folk tales. Sometimes devotional songs are also sung. During Onam, the song would be mainly related to King Mahabali. The leader of the team will sing the first two lines of the song and other members repeat it as a chorus.

In ancient days, only on Thiruvathira, women were allowed to mingle with others without any fear of social restrictions. As part of the festival, women were allowed to go out to village ponds or temple ponds for bath and other rituals. The group was one of the best ways to keep the females engaged as they have to stay awake for the whole night.

Various forms of Thiruvathirakali:

As aforementioned Thiruvathira is famous among Malayalees and it is practised in different ways in southern and northern regions of Kerala. The southern region of Kerala has various forms of Thiruvathira dance.

  • Kolaattam – Women hold small sticks in their hands and used them to strike against each other.
  • Thaalam Vechattam – Females carried small plates made up of brass in their hands. These plates are known as ‘Thallam’ in Malayalam.
  • Kudam Vechattam – Dancers carry small pot in their hands known as ‘Kudam’ in Malayalam.
  • Pinnalaattam – It is performed under temporary sheds or under trees. In this type of dance form, strings are tied from the poles of the sheds or from the branches.

     4. MargamKali

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Margamkali is one of the famous dances among St.Thomas Christians in Kerala.  Markamkali can be split into two words, Markam means ‘path’ and Kali means ‘dance’. The dance consists of 12 members which denote 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. In ancient days, the dance was performed by men by wearing peacock feathers in their heads and a red dhoti. Also a red silk cloth around the hip. They stand in a circular arrangement with a traditional lamp at the centre. Now, this dance is mainly practised by females by wearing ‘Mundu’ and ‘Chatta’. They wear bangles on hands and ankles. The song for Markam kali comprises of miracles of St.Thomas and it either was sung by the singer or by the dancers. Kallisserry Itti Thoman Kathanar wrote these songs in the 17th century. It has a small resemblance of ‘Yathrakali pattu’ of Namboothiris. The song is written in 4000 lines in different sections. The dance is performed on special occasions like church feasts or wedding ceremonies. But now it is been practised in various stages of schools and colleges.

Travellers will be thrilled after reading the information on various dance forms are seen in Kerala and would be planning to avail the tour packages. As a seasonal offer, Dream travel operators have decided to give reasonable discounts for the first 10 travellers. The packages are available at affordable price. Including the travel expenses the package range up to Rs.35000/- for a family consisting of 4 members including 2 children. Additional each person will have to pay Rs.10000/-. Try to grab the package as soon as possible and avail their discount offers.

While planning a trip to Kerala don’t forget to pack the bag with a high-resolution camera with good storage memory cards. Also, don’t forget to take a notebook and pen to note down some important information given by famous artists regarding their dances. This book can also be used to take an autograph from the eminent artists. If they allow, travellers can take their costumes and other accessories as part of souvenirs. If travellers are interested to take an interview with the famous dancers must discuss with the tour operators beforehand. In some cases, people will be forced to sit late night to watch some special performances. So travellers must be ready for the same. Dream holidays ensure travellers safety by providing the safe and best accommodation in reputed hotels and resorts. On special request from the travellers, the tour operator is ready to provide cab facility for their personal needs.

10 Amazing Yet Inexpensive Places to Stay in Kerala for Below Rs 10000

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Kerala, also known as the ‘Gods own country’ has been pulling in a lot of tourists every year. The scenic beauty, serenity, and pristineness of Kerala are second to none. Be it the beaches, mountains or backwaters, Kerala is truly a heartthrob. Kerala allows you to get immersed in the natural beauty while building a bond with the birds, animals, trees, plants, ponds, etc. The dense forests of Western Ghats are home to a variety of animals and birds and if you are a fan of wildlife, you should never miss out holidaying in Kerala. There are a number of national parks and bird sanctuaries in Kerala. Even for adventurous activities, Kerala is famous. When you are planning on a trip to Kerala, it’s the most important to stay in a beautiful place that allows you to enjoy the beauty of Kerala but within your budget limit. The flooding of tourists to Kerala has made the state dotted with resorts and star hotels all through it. There are a plethora of exotic places to stay in Kerala and you can add the ones you like to your tour packages as well. However, many a time people misunderstand good resorts or homestays for being very expensive and avoids it. However, Kerala houses affordable resorts too. I will list down some of the amazing resorts that can be considered cheapest for the view and facilities it offers and you can add it to your tour packages in Kerala.

(Ps. the list is for the month of August and September 2019)

  1. Abad Whispering Palms

This is an awesome resort nestled in the scenic beauty of the backwaters of Kumarakom.  This lakeside resort can truly present you with some beautiful moments in the lap of nature. There are basically three types of accommodation and they are garden facing rooms, lake-facing rooms, and bamboo pool villas. In my opinion, lake facing room will be the best as you can wake up to the beautiful vistas of the calm backwaters fringed by lush green coconut trees and inhale the cool crisp breezes from it. Thus, by staying here, you can enjoy the essence of Kerala backwaters. However, if you wish to enjoy a private pool, you can certainly book the bamboo pool villa and have a great time in the pool as well.

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Nearby tourist attractions: Kumarakom bird sanctuary is a tourist attraction nearby this resort which you can pay a visit to. The place is an interesting hunt for migratory birds and is located inside a large rubber plantation estate. It was initiated by an Englishman but today it is managed by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. Spread over 14 acres of land on the banks of Kavanar river, it’s a great place to spend some time. There are also boating facility available through the Kavanar River.  Moorhen, parrot, teal, and lark are some of the most common birds you can spot there.

  1. Paradise Resorts

Paradise resorts are yet another resort in Kumarakom, the very famous backwater village of Kerala. The resort has some really amazing accommodation facilities through which you can enjoy the beauty of Kerala in a better way such as Lakeview cottage, heritage cottage, and houseboats. However, booking a houseboat would be the best as while you sail away through the backwaters you can behold the silver backwaters sparkling endlessly in the tropical sun and inhale the fresh air and delicious aroma of coconuts. The resort offers houseboat stay for such a competitive price of 9000 INR.

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Nearby tourist attractions: You can definitely visit the bird sanctuary. In addition, if you are opting for a houseboat cruising, you can pay a visit to Pathiramanal Island in the lake. Pathiramanal means the sands of night. It’s good to go there and get further intimate with nature.

  1. Sterling Thekkady

Sterling is an alluring resort situated in the picturesque Thekkady. They offer a variety of rooms that are warm and furnished in wood. The resort also holds an outdoor pool and a hammock by its side. The place is perfect if your idea of a holiday is simply lazing around in nature.

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Nearby tourist attractions: Thekkady is very rich in wildlife. Bamboo rafting and visiting Periyar national park are two activities you should never miss out when in Thekkady. Periyar national park witness the flowing of rivers namely Periyar and Pamba and there is also a boat service through the rivers and if you are lucky enough you can spot wild animals on its banks.

  1. Blackberry hills

Blackberry Hills is everything you need when you are looking for a place to stay in Munnar. The resort is set in 15 acres of land and offers well maintained in house trekking trails. The resort staff will accompany your trekking. The resort also provides tea tasting sessions when you are in the land of beautiful tea estates. They also provide jeep safari rides and mountain biking. All the rooms are below 10k except for one which is slightly over 10k.

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Nearby tourist attractions: Munnar is actually a hub of plenty of naturally beautiful spots. Mattupetty dam, Echo Point, and the Tata tea museum. The echo point Munnar is a very fascinating place. If you scream out words, the forest opposite will repeat every word you uttered.

  1. Bluewater beach resort

On the shoreline of Kerala’s most the enchanting beach stands the blue water beach resort. Varkala has proved to be one of the most renowned beaches in Kerala with tourists flooding to the place every year. There is a uniqueness to the Varkala beach compared to the other beaches in Kerala. Maybe its because the beach is looked down by a large red sandstone cliff or maybe because its sand is lighter and softer than other beaches. Anyhow the beach is great for swimming, surfing and sunbathing. You can wake up to a spellbinding sunrise amidst the blue waters or have a beachside candlelight dinner.

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Nearby tourist attractions: Varkala is close to the capital city of Kerala where there are so many palaces. You can certainly pay a visit to the Kanakakunnu palace, Maharaja Swamy Thirunal palace and Sree Padam palace. There is also a very good zoo near to Kanakakunnu palace which is great to visit especially if you are travelling with children.

  1. LakeRose Wayanad

LakeRose Wayanad is an amazing resort perched high in the hill station of Wayanad in northern Kerala. The resort is situated on the shores of Karapuzha dam and is surrounded by lush greenery. There may not be another place where you can be so close to nature. All the rooms are carefully made with ample privacy. There is also an outside the pool where you can swim and tone your muscles while being surrounded by the dense forests of Wayanad and the Karapuzha dam in the background. The resort is also quite eco-friendly and if you are that sort of a person you should book the Lakeview breathing wall cottage whose walls are made of natural materials.

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Nearby tourist attractions: Wayanad is an interesting place for the tourists as there are a lot of tourist activities available in which you can certainly indulge in. Pookot lake is an amazing spot which offers boating amidst the mighty mountains and dazzling shades of green. Kuruva island is another spot where the tourists can have some fun dipping in the freshwater streams. However, as far as the honeymooners are considered, Chembra peak is never to be missed. This is because if you embark on a trekking journey with your partner onto this peak, midway you will reach a heart-shaped pond with crystal clear waters. You can see your reflections on the heart-shaped pond as the pure white clouds float around. In addition, there is something for the history buffs too. The Edekkal caves in Wayanad date back to thousands of years ago, belonging to the prehistoric times.

  1. Gramam homestay

 Its is a beautiful homestay on the shores of Kumbalangi backwaters which is close to the Kochi city and the historic town of Fort Kochi. If you are planning to catch up on the historically intriguing Fort Kochi but don’t wish to stay amidst its hustle and bustle, then this could be your best choice. The Gramam homestay has got rooms as well as lakefront cottages where you can have some private time close to nature. Sunrise, sunset, boatman sailing away in canoes, lotus, and water lilies, etc will seem so refreshing to you. The management of this homestay is also yoga enthusiasts that they will provide you with practically oriented yoga classes. Sunset canoe trip is another lovely activity the homestay offers. Apart from enjoying the scenic views from your room windows, sunset canoe trips enable you to sail through the backwaters as the sunset approaches.

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Nearby tourist attractions: You can certainly make a quick visit Fort Kochi and have a walk through its streets that still hold remnants of different cultures of the Dutch, Portuguese, British, and the Jews. Dutch palace and Jewish synagogue are among the must-see spots. Also, if you are visiting in the early half of the year you can visit the great Kochin biennale where artworks of major artists are showcased. In fact, Fort Kochi is added in almost all Kerala travel packages as it is situated in the heart of Kerala.

  1. Wild planet Nilgiris

This is a one of a kind jungle resort in Kerala, more precisely in the Kerala Tamil Nadu border. Every morning the cool fog and mist will make your day. It’s a place where you can enjoy all the modern amenities of a hotel while being deep in the jungle of Nilgiris.

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Nearby tourist attractions: Mudumalai national park, Bandipur tiger reserve, and national park are two national parks you can explore if you are a wildlife enthusiast.

  1. Rivulet Resort

Do you want to wake up to the hill ranges veiled by emerald green tree shrubs, chirping of birds and fog rolling in and out. Then the rivulet resort can be a great place to stay for you while you are touring in Kerala. The resort has some great rooms with balconies and you will be able to make the most out of Munnar’s scenery. Its located in Pallivasal which is 8km from Munnar town.

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Nearby tourist attractions: Close to the Pallivasal part of Munnar are Pothamedu, Attukad, and Chokramudi peak. These are all beautiful places. However, if you are coming with children, there is a water theme park known as the dreamland fun and adventure. The park contains some exciting rides for the kids.

  1. Vismaya Boutique Villa

Are you the kind of person who enjoys regional architecture than anything else? Are you looking forward to staying in a traditional house in Kerala? In that case, Vismaya boutique villa is your answer. It’s a 400-year-old house built completely in traditional Kerala style which was renovated and restored with care by Swiss-German architect, Karl Damschen. The villa seems like a peninsula in the majestic Vembanad Lake as the three of its side faces the lake. The teak wood works inside the villa is like something of a wonder to the eye. There is also an infinity pool and outdoor bathroom.

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Nearby tourist attractions: The villa is in Cherthala and the hotspots near are Alleppey backwaters and the Marari beach. Alleppey backwaters are world-famous and you can enjoy the way it blends with the greenery of Kerala. Marari beach may not be great for swimming but is suitable for going on long walks or simply relaxing on a hammock.

Once you get an idea of where to stay, you would want to have your trip thoroughly planned and for this, you can approach a tour operator. Dream holidays a very renowned tour operator who allows the customization of packages as well. So you can choose the destinations you want to visit or the hotels you want to stay in. Therefore, look forward to having a lovely vacation in Kerala.

Reference for each place of stay is given below:

https://www.abadhotels.com/lakeresort

http://www.paradisein.com/accomodation.php

https://www.sterlingholidays.com/resorts-hotels/thekkady?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=thekkady

https://www.blackberryresorts.com/index.php/tariff-2/

http://www.bluewaterstay.com/

https://www.lakerosewayanad.com/

https://gramamhomestay.com/

https://wildplanetresort.com/

http://www.rivuletresort.com/

http://webcrs.com/ohrs/properties/be-v7-vismaya.php?id=12312353

A Tour to Three Alluring Destinations of Kerala

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The days were getting monotonous and I and my friends wanted to get out of the usual routine and start everything anew. So, all of us gathered together at my place as we had planned in our Whatsapp group. We were all working in Chennai and only I have travelled across India for long trips. So, the plan was to visit an alluring destination which is cheap and have got many attractive places to visit. For convenience, we agreed on visiting Kerala which was near and there were travel packages that were the cheapest. We wanted this tour to be perfectly planned and found Dream Holidays to do this for us. I did extensive research on all the best destinations in Kerala and I am listing out the places that I found attractive and worth visiting. This may help you in visiting this state on the southern side of Kerala. Take a look to find out the fascinations where you can visit with the savings you have. The list contains places we have visited and will visit for our next trip. It will take weeks or even a month to have some quality time at this place with immense things to explore and be a part of. From Chennai, we took only 80 minutes to reach the Cochin International Airport. A note to the newly-weds- all of these places are perfect for a honeymoon trip too.

Munnar, if you want greenery and high hills:

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Go straight to Idukki district in Kerala if you want adventures and peace at the same place. This hill station has got what every traveller would need. The plantations are the trump cards here – be it tea, coffee or spices like cardamom, the place has got plenty. Munnar is also the best location to get an ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy. With the moderate climate that Kerala enjoys and Munnar with its forests at places like Kannan Devan Hills, there are many resorts and spas set here at this place popular for tea estates. We enjoyed at the Top Station by setting a campfire in the evening and this place shares borders with Tamil Nadu too providing with a brilliant view of the Western Ghats. Always get sweaters, warm clothes and trekking shoes if you want to set out for an adventurous experience. Also, get a guide or a trainer who can help you with trekking and paragliding at Chithirapuram. Trust me, this experience will be worth every penny you are investing for this trip. From Kochi where the nearest airport to Munnar is located, it would take about 1.30 hours and from the airport, it takes only about an hour to reach.  The Tea Museum at Nallathani Estate has got every information about the inception of tea making at this place (Get some fresh tea powder to your home). To enter here we paid a price of 75 Rs and a price of 20 Rs for clicking some pictures. To talk about the food here, try the vegetable dishes and my personal favourite were idli with sambar. Get a cab or taxi for your convenience in visiting the routes that are quite challenging. We had rented bikes for which we paid around 300 Rs for a day.

Alleppey, for the marine lover in you:

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After the sightseeing at Munnar, we left at night to Alleppey and took us 1.30 hours to reach and we dozed off at once we reached our resort (I will talk about my Kochi tour later). With its beaches and backwater destinations, Alleppey is known as the “Venice of the East”. The houseboat cruise that started around noon when the climate was warm is the best in Kerala. There are places like Kumarakom and Kasargod as our travel operator said. On our next tour, we want to explore those places too. When we reached the Kuttanad area, our houseboat took a halt to take us to this area where farming was done below sea level. We could not visit the coir factory and museum where most of the women in the village worked. The rate of the houseboat with 5-star amenities starts from the price of 7, 500 Rs. We went to Alleppey Beach and spent about 2 hours there. Get some sunscreen safety while visiting. The taste of the lip-smacking seafood varieties and toddy is making my mouth water right now. Vembanad Lake and Pathiramanal are other places that intrigued us.

Kochi, the land of arts and colours:

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Kochi, we reached here on the first day of our trip and I was saving the best one for the last account. I will start with the varieties of cafes and restaurants here. The Kashi Art Cafe, Farmers Cafe, Casa Linda, Hotel Seagull and Brunton Boatyard are my favourites from where we had the best European and seafood dishes. Kochi with its moniker as “Queen of the Arabian Sea” is providing ferry services to places like Fort Kochi, Vypin and so on at a price that was not more than 10 Rs. This is one place in Kerala where many art exhibitions like Kochi-Muziris Biennale happens. The heritage building known as the Aspinwall House is open during this time which is a famous location that has appeared in many movies. To stroll near the water attractions, there is Marine Drive which is also the place from where we did an extensive and heavy shopping for hours. There are other malls like Lulu Mall which gets placed in almost all tour packages to Kerala. Fort Kochi Beach is a perfect place for families to get together and enjoy. Mattancherry Palace and Hill Palace are other places that have got a lot to see by paying smaller amounts depending on age. All of these places can be visited by availing packages at with offers and affordable price.

Kerala tour travel

There are other places like Wayanad which is a hub of wildlife with its ravishing greenery. Places like Thekkady with wildlife reserves in its national parks. Bamboo rafting is another experience that I am not going to miss for the next Kerala tour.