Kerala or Delhi – Which is the Perfect Destination for Enjoying the Holidays?

When we all hear the name of India what comes first into our minds are the famous saying ‘Unity in Diversity’ and it is exactly reflected in our culture and traditions. The country shelters people from various communities and religion for years without any issues of discrimination. The nation has been an exquisite instance to the world of showing that irrespective of creed and religion, people can stay in unity under a single roof. The nation is blessed with stupendous 29 states and each state differs with each other in an eccentric way of living and beliefs. Some states are highly developed while some others are still under the poverty line. But still, they are worth to visit because each state hosts different faces of nature. When speaking about the northern states the first name which gushes into our mind is Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. The scintillating beauty of these places will definitely lure our minds. Even though there are many praiseworthy destinations over there still people love to explore the dazzling charm of south Indian states and there are many reasons for it. One among them is the metropolitan cities like Delhi are so crowded that people always find difficult to wander here and there. Not only the city is overpopulated but over polluted too. The city is abundantly enriched with historical monuments and forts like Humayun’s tomb, Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Lotus temple, Jantar Mantra, Agrasen ki Baoli and many more. Visiting these ancient monuments one or two times will be fine for everyone but more than that will surely irritate us. Because even if we visit the place more than twice or thrice one cannot find any new changes instead he or she will become closer to history. That’s all about it. And that is the main reason why people organize only a few trips to these places. Another factor that pulls people from visiting it is the terrible climate. The scorching heat of summer and chilly winter will prevent people from keeping their feet there. As the city is capital of India one could enjoy various kinds of modern amenities and view new technologies.

If someone asks how about visiting the state of Kerala, the answer would be ‘yes, of course’ and there are several reasons for the positive response. The foremost cause is the marvelous scenic nature and emerald environment. The state is an abode of heavenly surroundings. There are places in the state such as breath-taking hill stations, mind-blowing tea and coffee gardens, densely populated trees, tranquil backwaters and many more that help one to rejuvenate and relax. Irrespective the number of times you visit these nature-oriented places you will never get bored of it and that is the main reason why travellers across the globe, especially from Delhi, purchase the tour packages to Kerala. Words are insufficient to express the audacious beauty of the state. When the non-keralites visit Kerala the first thing what they search is nothing but the traditional houseboats sailing in the tranquil backwaters of the state. Houseboat voyage is the best method of exploring the unexplored nature. The state protects amusing species of wild animals and trees.

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For availing of houseboat tours, travellers can purchase the cheapest tour packages from the travel partners like Dream Holidays. They curate packages at affordable rates for their customers. They inculcate houseboat tours in every itinerary. Houseboat tours are widely seen in the districts like Alappuzha and Kollam. The houseboats in Kerala provide all kinds of facilities so that travellers never miss their own house. Inside the houseboat apart from the captain, there will be chef and an administer. While sailing in the houseboat people are requested to carry a high-resolution camera. By sailing in the houseboat visitors not only come across nature but also will get an opportunity to interact with the local people. Travellers in the houseboat could capture the scintillating image of nature where they could enjoy the melodious rhythm of beautiful birds while flying high in the sky, the palm-fringed coconut tress oscillating back and forth in the beats of cool breeze, the thickly populated forest areas are the play station for wild animals. One could also steal the mesmerizing image of the sunrise and sunsets from the boat itself! Isn’t it amazing?

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To satiate your hunger travellers can savor the scrumptious delicacies prepared in the traditional style of Kerala by the chefs. If you are liking to taste of the lovely fishes just tell the chefs, they will prepare for you. To quench your thirst tender waters are available from them at any time.

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During the lunch break, the boat will be halted and it is the perfect moment for the travellers to understand the common life of local people who engage in traditional works like making of coir products. In the evenings the travellers would be entertained by the outstanding classical dance performances of expert performers and also with delicious dinner. Travellers if availing of houseboat packages inculcating places such as Alappuzha and Kumarakom can visit the famous Kumarakom bird sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to exotic species of birds and also to various kinds of migratory birds. Strolling through the lanes of the sanctuary one could enjoy the cool ambience of the environment. The sanctuary is a haven for various kinds of natural resources. If possible try to avail of a tree house for night stay and view the minute changes in nature closely through your naked eye.

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There are many more fascinating features hidden in the nook and corners of the state of Kerala. Along with the stupendous scenic nature, travellers can also make a visit to the famous historic monuments, forts, palaces and other places to recollect the important pages of history. To make the trip more interesting and thrilling accompany your best friends and family members. To make the tour– hassle free, avail the packages as early as possible from Dream Holidays. Don’t forget to carry a high-definition camera with you.

An Unplanned Marriage and a Planned Honeymoon to Alleppey

I never thought of marriage in my life. I was very passionate and dedicated to my goals. I used to tell my parents I won’t agree for any marriage proposal until I achieve my goals. I belong to a simple orthodox family. The place where I reside is completely a replica of TV soap operas. With a lot of dreams and thoughts, I decided to pursue my graduation in engineering. The 4 years in an engineering college gifted memories that to be cherished in my early 50s and 60s. Like every student, I prepared very hard for job interviews, especially for campus placement. Unfortunately, I was eliminated in the pre-final round of campus placement. For a moment I lost my hope and the firm belief from god. I lost my confidence because most of my friends got good jobs in good companies and only a few remained jobless in my class and unluckily I belong to the latter group. Gradually I regained my hope and started to appear for several campus interviews. Within a couple of months, I enrolled myself in a software training course and as soon as I finished my course I was absorbed into one of the best start-ups companies in my state.

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After a completing 6-months probationary period, my parents started to brainwash me and propelled me to get married as society is blaming them for keeping a young girl in the house. I burst out on them and clearly told only after two years I will get married. My decision was not digestible for them. For time being they remained silent. I again started to concentrate on my work. Day by day my work schedules became stressful and hectic. Sometimes I used to reach home late nights. This increased fear in my parents. They somehow wanted to finish their obligations and wanted to relax. This time through one of my relative our parents got a marriage proposal from a well-reputed family. I tried my hard to convince them. But this time they were very stubborn about their decision. As I had no other alternate I was forced to obey their commands. I really did not want to get married so soon. Therefore I did not dress well. I wore a simple dress and did not apply any kind of make-up on my face. By 10 am they reached our house. The guy was accompanied by his parents and aunt. After the official conversation, I was invited to the living room. For the initial few minutes, I did not look at them. Then I slowly raised my head and greeted them. To my surprise the guy was handsome and he and his family were well-mannered.  We all were impressed by their pleasing attitude. I was wondering how I could reject their proposal. I tried my level best but I did not find any genuine reason for the same. When they left my parents told me that they liked the family and they really wanted me to agree for the same. They also created an emotional drama so that I support their decision. I was really trapped. I cannot oppose my parents. And eventually, I agreed for the marriage. I wanted a time gap of at least 2 months prior to marriage so that I could talk to him and understand him. But the astrologer told us the perfect time for marriage is within a month or else we will have to wait till next year.

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Within a month we got married and I moved to his work station-Bangalore. I used to get bored when he leaves for his office. For a couple of weeks, I used to go shopping and spend time on social media. As my company did not have any branch in Bangalore I was forced to quit the job. Understanding my boredom and frustration my hubby insisted me to attend interviews. I was overwhelmed with joy. By the grace of God, I got selected into one of the best IT companies in Bangalore. A couple of months passed till now we did not plan any honeymoon trip. It was my hubby’s friend who suggested celebrating an exotic honeymoon tour to Kerala. He showed many photographs of the important destination in Kerala. Out of them, we liked the houseboat packages. It was available at the cheapest rates.  Within a couple of weeks, we boarded the flight from Kempegowda International Airport to Cochin International Airport. From there we travelled in a private cab arranged by our tour operator to Alleppey.

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Alleppey is the perfect destination to celebrate vacation with our dear ones. Major portions of the district are occupied with backwaters and paddy fields. The picturesque landscapes, emerald paddy field, tranquil backwaters bordered by palm-fringed coconut trees, gave the clear answer to why the district is called ‘Venice of East’. Within 2 hours we reached the spot. We entered the houseboat and the voyage of romance began. With us they another 2 couples who reached there by purchasing tour packages to Kerala at affordable price. We captured the beautiful pictures of birds, trees oscillating in the cool breeze and so on. We astonished to see small children rowing canoes to schools. It is the part and parcel of metro cities where vegetable vendors reach our doorstep and give us vegetables at cheap rates. Over there in Aleppey the vegetable vendors carried vegetables in canoes and knocked the doors of customers in the evenings. We were lucky enough to view the fascinating moment of sun setting into the sea. By the evening the houseboat authorities had arranged scrumptious delicacies prepared in traditional Kerala style on the roof of the houseboat. Followed to it we were entertained by the classical dance performances of experts. The next morning, after relishing breakfast we moved to the Kumarakom. The place is well-known for migratory birds. We stroll through the forest and slept in a treehouse. The next day we returned to Alleppey and from there to Cochin Airport. We departed Kerala by carrying lots of memories. We are really thankful to Dream Holidays for arranging such a wonderful trip.

Unearthing the Hidden Histories of Eyyal in Thrissur District of Kerala

We bet that you are not to find the rare name of ‘Eyal’ in the list of any popular tourist destinations of Kerala. If at all you have heard about them, you might have read it in any history books that you had referred long back. It might be due to the excavated Roman coins datable to the very first centuries of AD or of the Burial Caves discovered from the place. Anyhow, the hamlet could be explored more for its nascent nature and virgin beauty. However, here we are going to discuss some prehistoric sites in and near the small village of Eyal, which is situated in the outskirts of Thrissur district in Kerala.

Ariyannur Stone Umbrellas

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Belonging to the Megalithic period, when you come to this rare site of Eyyal, you could find the strangely placed huge stone structures known as Ariyannur Stone Umbrellas. In the regional language, they are better called Kudaikkallu. Moreover, in its visual appearance, you may note that they are going to look like large mushrooms bloomed out of nowhere. When counting the total numbers, they are actually six of them, but two among were severed damaged. No one exactly knows actually when and why were they constructed on such an irregular shape. However, it is believed that the monks who used to come at the site used to store their belongings under its shade, but there is no evidence to prove that. At present, they are under the protected list of historical monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Harikanyaka Temple

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A random visit to the ancient temple of Harikanyaka that is located to a few distances from one of the most visited temples of Kerala, Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayur could say a lot about the intricate temple sculpting techniques followed here in the south of India. Moreover, it is believed that the ancient structures seen here were carved out by the all-time master craftsman of Kerala, Perunthachan. Even if they were built centuries ago, the very charm and the complexities of its unique architecture still remains. So a tour to the shrine will be worth enough to visit even if they are excluded from popular tour packages. The historical Hindu religious centre is dedicated to the deity Mohini, who is the virgin form of Lord Vishnu, as the goddess at the Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple in Coimbatore.

Burial Cave of Eyal

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Situated amid Wadakkancherry and Kunnamkulam, in Cheramangad, the Burial Cave that you get to sight here in Eyyal is double-chambered. Similar to the stone umbrellas of Ariyannur, the Burial caves to are believed to be originated in the Megalithic age that in a laterite boulder. Also, this pre-historic rock-cut cave does constitute a circular chamber, which can be accessed by a single entry. There exists an irregular bench in the chambers with no pillar at the centre. Furthermore, it from this historic site that the Roman coins up to 117 AD from 123 BD, which is of the Republican period were excavated. From the year of 2016, the burial cave is recognised and protected as a historical monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Kallaayi Kunnu

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A small hilly area is situated in the Akathiyoor Kunnu near Eyyal, is now the region’s favourite spot to spend the evenings along with your family as there are no external noises to disturb you from the tranquillity of this place. Much to the surprise, you could also take your vehicles to the hilltop, so you take little toddlers along with you as there is no point of trekking here at hills also known as Kalasha Mala. If you are lucky enough, you could even catch a glimpse of charming peacock flying and relaxing at the rocks.  Even without the presence of the national bird in front of you, the mesmerising view from its summit is going to calm you in the evenings after the historic tour in the momentous village of Eyal.

Kakkad Burial Cave

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The burial cave at Kakkad is one among the megalithic caves found in the nearby locations of Eyyal cave. However, they are a more sophisticated one than the latter, as they have got a flight of stairs to reach at its chambers through a narrow pathway.  With an opening in a circular shape at its ceilings, it looks different when looked from its exterior. From its outside structure, one could easily realise that they are indoors if dome-shaped.  At this cave of height about a typical man, on both sides of its entrance, you could find wide plaster-like projections. Also on the southern and northern sides, there is a rock-cut circular block and single sectoral bench respectively.

How to reach there: From Cochin International Airport, you could reach Eyyal within 2 hours via NH544 covering 74km. Moreover, the nearest railway is the Guruvayur Railway station is at a distance of 13.6 km. However, you need to travel up to 21.4 km to arrive at the major railway station of Thrissur.

Just like the prehistoric sites discovered from the village of Eyal, there are various unknown places in Kerala that are historically very crucial and significant. Like, say, the Kothukkal Cave temple in Kollam, the popular Edakkal Cave of Wayanad and many more. An ardent traveller needs to have that wanderlust to quest for such sites spread across the state. Now whether it is for visiting these lesser-known ancient mysterious places or sightseeing popular tourist destinations, you may get in touch with Lelagoon Holidays, who could fulfil your dreams of visiting these thought-provoking tourist places. Their most popular tour packages would cover the destinations like Wayanad, Athirapally, Munnar, Kochi, Thekkady and Varkala. Moreover, you could avail their travel deals at extremely cheap prices. For the comfort of the tourists wishing to travel to exotic locations in Kerala, their tour packages are made available from all the major cities of the country such as Bangalore, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Delhi Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.

Bon Appetit -The Delicacy Of Kerala Cuisine

Kerala, God’s own country, the land renowned for its exotic range of spices. The cuisine of Kerala is a symbolization of its culture, tradition, heritage and its geography. It is an epitome of both veg and nonveg cuisine at one phase. When you ask any Malayali about the Kerala cuisine, the very first thing you might hear will be Coconut and Banana fries. But from my experience, there is a lot to explore in Kerala cuisine apart from coconut and bananas. Being the land of spices, every dish in Kerala you can experience a magical amalgamation of spices. There are so many places in Kerala which are famous for their dishes and recipes. “Mittayi Theruvu” in Kozhikode is renowned for a cluster of a wide variety of chocolate shops and different types of halwa throughout its aisle. And the famous Manjali biriyani and Kayees biriyani from Ernakulam and also famous “Kulukki Sarbath” which is extensively popular among youngsters. Being a North Indian, from Ahmedabad it was a fascinating moment for me when my Malayali friends introduce me to the authentic Kerala cuisine when I moved to Kochi for my post-graduation. Apart from the delicious food there a lot of lush greenery destinations in Kerala which can be included in your tour packages to make a phenomenal trip to Kerala.

As a famous film dialogue “Food is not just a word, it’s an emotion” and it is completely true when it comes to breakfast for every Malayali. The spectacular option for breakfast is just amazing. But before I came to Kerala, the only thing I know about South Indian cuisine was Sambar and Dosa. But apart from Sambar and Dosa there a lot more to explore in South Indian Thali. From my personal favorite “Puttu” and “Kadala curry” or Chickpea curry to the piping hot beef stew and Appam, the breakfast options are just dashing. So let’s dig into the wide variety of authentic Kerala cuisine.

puttu kadala

1. Puttu and Kadala Curry

Puttu or steamed rice cake is one of the most popular breakfast options in Kerala. Usually, it is made up of rice powder, coconut, and water. But apart from rice, wheat, corn powder, and semolina are also used to make Puttu. And the recently discovered “Jack fruit Puttu” is one of the edible breakfast options in Kerala. Puttu can be molded in different shapes, From cylindrical to most recommended: “Chiratta Puttu” which has a shape of semi-sphere is also available across different parts of Kerala. If you’re a vegetarian Puttu and Kadala combination is the best choice for you. Apart from Kadala curry, beef and chicken curry or even Fish curry are also a kick-ass combination for Puttu. When I travel with my friend to Calicut, he introduced me to “Kuthirabiryani” which sounds weird to me but later I discovered that it is the famous combination of Puttu and Kadala Curry with Papadam or Papad.

pepper chicken-stew

2. Appam and Stew
Appam and stew is an integral part of Syrian Christian cuisine. Appam is a pancake made up of rice batter and cooked in a specially designed cooking vessel called “Appachatti”. It was a magical moment for my taste buds when I took my first bite of the crispy Appam with the coconut stew. Stew is basically, a curry made with the richness of coconut milk and can add vegetables, chicken, or even red meat according to our taste. Among them, piping hot Mutton stew along with the crispy Appam is my all-time favorite. Even though stew is white and has a creamy texture, it is a little bit spicy due to the presence of black pepper and green chilies. The making process of Appam is also very delightful to watch, the sweetness of coconut milk and sugar which balances the sour taste of the fermented batter, like a perfect marriage of flavors. And the most interesting part of making is the deft swirling of “Appachatti” to get a unique bowl-like shaped Appam.

Parotta-and-beef-fry

3. Malabar Parotta and Beef roast
Kerala cuisine is incomplete without having the most favorite Malabar Parotta and Beef roast. Malabar Parotta is another version of bread which is made up of all-purpose flour, oil, and water. And the making process is quite complex but interesting to watch the way he broke down the dough into long strips, which is then rolled together to make multi-layered Parotta. One should add this delicious Malabar Parotta along with the aromatic spicy beef curry in your next trip plan to Kerala. But it cannot be taken daily due to the huge amount of calories but still a perfect combo which gives immense pleasure to your taste buds. Beef or “Panni” curry is an authentic Kerala curry which is filled with the richness of spices, coconut, and red meat. In local wine shops, Beef curry is the main dish that is paired up with toddy and a must-try combination in Kerala.

kappa biriyani

4. Kappa Biriyani
One of my favorite evening snack. Kappa biriyani is a combination of mashed tapioca mixed with beef roast. Kappa is a ground crop in Kerala which is an edible food ingredient with a lot of fibers, which is cooked in water and it gets softened and then it mixed well with beef curry and garnished with onions and curry leaves. I became a huge fan of Kappa and Fish curry which I tried once in my college trip to Kerala which is organized by a travel company called Gogeo Holidays. If you’re someone who loves spicy food then Kappa Biriyani is a must-try dish for you. In my experience, the local Kappa Biriyani that we got from the street vendors is more flavourful, delicious and available at cheap prices. During my post-graduation period, this is used to be our evening snack along with some hot black tea. A day is not enough to complete the food diary through Kerala, from the wide varieties of biriyanis, Banana chips, and “Kuzhi mandi” the dishes are ceaseless. Depends on the region, culture, and religion we can explore a spectrum of dishes in Kerala cuisine.

The 5 most prominent dams in Kerala

               The world is growing day by day. People have now become very competitive. Nowadays people are not ready to invest their valuable time in any unnecessary matters, because they are in a rush to achieve their daily goals. Humans are so busy with office chores that they forget they have obligations towards their family, friends, and society and moreover towards nature. Can you imagine a world without trees and wild creatures? It is said that our planet was formed millions of years ago and it was our Mother Nature who protected our ancestors and also us from several devastating natural calamities. Like where son and daughter have an obligation towards their aged parents and siblings likewise we, humans are liable to the conserve the natural resources. What we are today is all because of the hard work of our parents. Therefore it is our responsibility to hand over nature in the same away as we were gifted. Before explaining the importance of conservation of nature and its resources let us all have a glimpse of the important resources of nature. We all are familiar without water no one on the planet could survive. Pure air and water are the two basic elements that are essential for living organisms to sustain life on earth. It is not possible to discuss each and every element in this document therefore let us concentrate on the conservation of water. Water has many uses and 99 % of us know what they are. I really don’t want you to get bored by reading the uses of water. There would be only a few places in the world that experiences continuous rainfall throughout the year. But the rest of the part of the world suffers from the scarcity of water in terrible hot summer days. To avoid such situations waters are conserved in reservoirs called Dams. More than 50 dams are situated in India. Out of which 10 are from Kerala. Kerala is the state where Mother Nature has showered her scintillating natural resources enormously to mankind. Water in the reservoir is generally used to generate electricity and quench the thirst of plants, animals, and humans. The dams in Kerala are beautifully decorated and maintained with all modern amenities. Hundreds of travelers flock to Kerala with family from Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad to enchant the beguiling charm of water dams situated in the state. Most of the travelers visit the state by purchasing tour packages at reasonable rates and thus make their travel hassle-free. When compared to the past now people are more interested to accompany their family and friends to nature-oriented places and marvel their hearts with fresh vibes. To freshen your hearts with good emotions let us traverse through the lanes of prominent dams in Kerala.

  1. Parambikulam Dam

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               Parambikulam Dam is one of the best dams in India. It is located in the Palakkad district in Kerala. The water from the dam feeds hectares of paddy cultivation and lakhs of the family in Chittur Taluk and also other places in the district. It is constructed on the banks of the Parambikulam River and Aliyar River. It was built during the period of Kamaraj. The maximum storage capacity of the dam is 1825 feet.  The dam is functioned and maintained by the government of Tamil Nadu but the ownership of the dam lies with the Kerala government.

  1. Neyyar Dam

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               Neyyar Dam is situated on the banks of the Neyyar River in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. It is positioned on the grounds of Western Ghats. It was constructed in the year 1958. The Neyyar Dam is also known as ‘Gravity Dam’. The dam is constructed close to Agasthayarkoodam. Trekkers who trek the famous Agasthyarkoodam hill will definitely visit the famous Neyyar Dam. Visitors availing family tour packages at cheap prices used to mesmerize the beauty of the serene nature by visiting the famous Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram.

  1. Mullaperiyar Dam

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               Mullaperiyar Dam is a masonry dam constructed on the banks of the Periyar River in the Idukki district in Kerala. John Pennycuick started the construction of Mullaperiyar Dam in 1187 and he took 8 years to complete it. The dam collects water from both Mullayar and Periyar Rivers. The famous Periyar National Park is constructed on the banks of the Periyar River.

  1. Idukki Dam

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               Idukki Dam is one of the highest arch dams in India situated in the Idukki District on the banks of Periyar River. The Idukki dam is sandwiched between Kuruvan and Kurathi hills. At a distance of 43 km from the dam, the Moollamattam powerhouse is located. The Idukki dam is mainly formed by the amalgamation of Cheruthonni, Idukki and Kulamavu dams in Kerala. Tourists from various corners of the world visit the dam to enjoy its fascinating beauty. Travelers are supposed to buy tickets to enter the dam. People can enjoy the spell-bound beauty of the dam by practicing boating inside the dam. After strolling the dam travelers can visit the famous Idukki Wildlife sanctuary and capture amazing images of animals and birds in the jungle.

  1. Pazhassi Dam

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               The famous Pazhassi Dam is situated in Thalassery Thaliparamba taluks in Kannur district. The dam is also known as Kulur Barrage. It is constructed on the banks of Valapattanam River. The dam is famous not only for its storage capacity but also for its serene nature. For travelers to enjoy the beauty of the park the authorities have constructed a park and named it as Pazhassi Park. King Pazhassi’s statute and the sculpture of Buddha are the eye-catching attractions of Pazhassi Park.

               From the above paragraphs, travelers might have got a clear idea about the famous 5 dams in Kerala and their unique specialties. To know more about it avails of a tour package to Kerala. To make your journey more comfortable purchase the packages from a prominent tour operator called Gogeo Holidays. They curate itineraries according to the customer’s request. Travelers can book packages either online or offline. So what are you waiting for? Avail of the packages as soon as possible, before it expires.

What is Unique about the Ananthapura Lake Temple of Kasargod in Kerala? Explained with 9 Amazing Facts

Even from a small picture of the Ananthapura Lake Temple of Kasargod, will say so much about the uniqueness of this spiritual centre located at Kumbla village. The foremost thing that you note here would be of the surrounding green marshy waters on all its sides. Such a structure built in the 9th century is still the only of its kind in Kerala. Moreover, the idol worshipped in the ancient temple is a replica of the same sort like that of Anadhapadmanadha temple down the south in Thiruvanthapuram and so the name. The following characteristics of the Ananthapura Temple of Kasargod are what make it unique.

The only lake temple dedicated to Lord Anandhapadmanabha in Kerala

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As the name implies, this ancient shrine located in the northernmost district of  Kerala does worship deity Anadhapadmanabha who can be seen here in the sitting positing just above a serpent unlike the reclining pose as in the temple of Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. So when you are tour to these parts, you may try to give a visit to the spiritual centre if they are readily included in your packages.

Major sanctum of the temple is protected by a ‘Vegetarian crocodile’

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Although this may sound scary, you have to admit that you are taking some risk by deliberately moving to the temple either for praying or sightseeing, as a crocodile named ‘Babia’ lives in the lake waters surrounding the temple. However, you do not have to get panicked of the crocodile that was spotted in urban spaces of Hyderabad soon after the deluges of 2019. It can be said so, as the reptile is so used to the things from staying here for quite some time and most surprisingly, it consumes only vegetarian food offered by the priests.

Bridges across the rectangle lake to reach the deity

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As the unique shrine is surrounded by water on all its sides by a rectangular lake that never alters its water level, different spots of the temple have to be reached by small bridges inside the premises itself. Like, for example, say, you may have to cross them just above the deep green waters of the lake to reach the Sreekovil from Gopuram. By standing on the bridges, you may feed Babia with Jaggery and sweet rice.

The temple walls are beautifully adorned with mural paintings

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When you are visiting this unique Ananthapura Lake Temple, you may adore the beauty of the Mural painting done on the external walls of the Sreekovil. Each of these magnificent works is done based on various Hindu epics. It becomes quite mandatory that the lustres of these intricate paintings would be affected over years of passing time. Therefore, the temple authorities had built a wall to conserve them for the posterity.

Idols of the temple were initially made with leaves were changed to metallic

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It is believed that, in the ancient periods, it was set by some unique combination of herbal plants just before sculpting the idols of deities here. Even now, during the scheduled rituals, they are decorated with ornaments and sandalwood pastes. Apart from that, you may find the same Sri Krishna Temple that was once believed to have been revered by the popular Vilvamangalathu Swamy.

Numerous myths associated with the construction of the temple

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There are quite many myths popular based on each of the idols, spots and the rituals followed in the temple. One among them is that the deity Anathapadmanabha, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu was settled himself at this spot and was appeared in front of a devotee in the form of a boy. Later, the lad was believed to be run into the nearby cave, as he was shooed off by a meditating sage at this particular spot.

The rare material is chosen for making the present idol

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In the textures and colour, although it may resemble an ordinary metal, in reality, they are not so. They are actually made of a rare material called ‘Kadu Sarkara Yogam,’ which is a combination of around 108 materials. It would be really astonishing to realize that they are not stone and metal as seen in usual idols of deities.

A cave with the perennial flow of sacred water

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At one of the corners of this never drying up the lake, no matter what the climate is, you could find a cave. Moreover from this cave, you could sight a perennial flow of water that is consumed as a ’Theertham’ by the believers coming here. Besides, various myths are connected with the origin of such a source of pure water amid the lake waters of the temple.

Being situated in a scenic location

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Even the path leading to the temple is rich in its own biodiversity, as the temple can be sighted after witnessing rows of high verdant hills. So your visit to the temple can also be considered as a tour of all the nearby beautiful locations. They could be as beautiful as the regions surrounding Arulmigu Maruthamalai Murugan Temple in Coimbatore. Once you arrive at the premises of the temple, you are going to avail that beautiful ambience of serene tranquillity.

Just like the ancient temple elaborated here, there are several other unique pilgrimage centres spread all across the state of Kerala. So if you are planning to visit these spiritual centres most profoundly, you may get in contact with Lelagoon Holidays who are one of the most popular tour companies of Kerala. They had curated varied tour packages that would fulfil the demands of any sorts of travellers who are on a group tour or solo trip or even whether they are honeymooners or family. You could make use of their best travel deals when you are planning of any sort holidaying in the happening state of Kerala. Above all that, their packages are set in such a way that they can be availed by wanderlust who are on a budget or wishing for a luxurious vacationing.

Exploring the Calvary Mount of Kerala with My Cousins: Travelogue from Hyderabad

That resembled the same natural landscaping of the scenery picture hung in my parent’s bedroom. It has been hanging there since the time we shifted into this home almost 15 years ago from our Army Quarters. And I really did feel awkwardly delighted when I showed the pictures that we had clicked during our trip Calvary Mount in Kerala to my ex-military dad, as he had a few tears in his eyes after that. I still could not figure out why was it so. Ah, anyways, it was decided during our yearly family meet at Durga pooja holidays last October, as they are now settled in different parts of the country. That is Reghuram is in Delhi, Pooja Akka and his younger brother Gokul in Chennai, Maneesh in Ahmedabad, Soorya is in Kochi, Abhijit Annaya in Guwahati and the remaining people Ranghat and Laya are the only ones in our native town Hyderabad. I being a single child, I was always close to my dear cousins even though we had to move to different places as the years went by. But anyhow, I feel that I am on the top of the world whenever I am spending time with them. This year when we met, we thought of making any bigger and it was quite incidental to pick that mesmerizing picnic spot of Calvary Mount in the easternmost parts of Kerala for the same.

Our very first move was to decide the time of our vacation. As all of the 9 people in our gang could not wait for more, we finally decided to set out during the winter vacations. The senior-most of this cousin gang, Abhijit Annaya who is just out of the college had always been very adventurous in everything he does. But he had never caught in any grave issues that had halted his wanderer kind of living. Every now and then he goes for a trip along with his friends for which he receives scolding from Sridevi Auntie. But he never cares about that. It was he who suggested the name of Kuttikanam on our discussion, as it would be best to visit the place during winter days in cold misty weather conditions. But due to some technical issues, our major destination for our tour had to be changed. Nonetheless, we would never regret that decision. Fate had brought us here.

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It was my overprotective dad who insisted on vacationing after booking any appropriate packages, and we were to travel to some unknown place. To be frank, he does not believe in the ways and plans of Abijit Annaya. After some thorough research, he finally decided to send us safely to Kerala with one of the best tour companies that he could trust. It was the Lelagoon Holidays based in Kochi who made our trip worthy in every aspect.

We reached Hyderabad on the previous day of our trip as we had an early morning flight from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to Cochin Airport. Later, we did not have to plan much in the flight hours, as our tour operators had already done everything for us. So we were having our own time by talking continuously. Within 2 hours of flying, we arrived at Cochin Airport. Once cross-matching with our names listed in the placard, we spotted our driver-cum- a guide from the crowd. As it was during the beginning of the vacation, Keralites all across the country and over the globe might be coming to their home. Anyhow, we moved to our cabs by which we traveled to our resort in Idukki, which was the next adjacent district. We were most thrilled about camping in the hills of Calvary as they were one of the most interesting things included in the packages that excited us.

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We arrived at our destination almost at noon, so we had our lunch from the restaurant of our resort itself. The food served there satisfied both our tummies and heart. The tents that we were to stay are under the supervision of the resort we checked-in initially. After that, we moved to our major destination, which was on the top of the adjacent hill of the resort. The trekking was not that challenging as we were helping each other especially the elder ones in the gang. The real unity of we the cousins was now more proved. So we could truly enjoy the beauty of nature at this part of the state while mounting up. After some time, we reached comparatively a flat portion.

From that space, the views behind were sheer captivating. It seemed that the verdant hills of this Calvary Mount were merging up to the scenic lake formed by the Idukki reservoir at some point. When we got to know that we will be staying overnight at these tents, the youngest one Maneesh were jumping in the happiness knew no bounds. Even though the time in which we reached the top of the hill was not that late, there were misty fogs all around and the temperatures too were dipping down. Later at the night, they had arranged campfires for us in the middle of the 3 tents we got to stay in. We the girls were made to stay in a tent facing the lakes on our special demands. Therefore, Pooja Akka, Soorya, Laya and I could spend the remaining time talking and gossiping for the whole night. Our brothers had their time together in two other spacious tents.

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The very next day of this trip was most worthy, as got to experience that we never had before. The rays of the risen sun were in front of us in a somewhat different mood. To our surprise, one side of the sky was beginning to shine brightly, whereas the other was a bit moody with dark clouds. The views on the sunny side were truly awesome and could find indeed some distance. I think we got to see the entire district from there. As we were at the summit we find behold at the play of these clouds clearly. It seemed that the sun was playing hide-n-seek with us. Without much time, Gokul spotted a herd of wild elephants at a side of the lake. All of us were trying to click pictures of it, after zooming our cameras to its maximum. Everything around us impressed us in every possible way they could. We feel fortunate to have visited Calvary Mount and chosen our tour company to make it hassle-free and enjoyable.

Unveiling the Historic Reminiscences in Fort Kochi

Kerala, the southernmost state in India grabs travelers from various corners of the world. The state is known for its captivating beauty. Outstanding culture and traditions make the state unique and charming. The state comprises historic places like palaces, museums, and galleries. Nature has showered its marvelous blessings by providing the cerulean seas, tranquil rivers, shallow backwaters, traditional houseboats sailing in the undisturbed lakes, stunning species of fauna and flora, bare misty mountains enveloped with lush green plantations of tea and spices and many more. More than the natural resources it is the pleasing climate that pulls the nature enthusiasts from Ahmedabad, Surat, and Mumbai to tour the state. The present world is so busy that people have no time to spend on their personal needs and desires. Most of them are tired and exhausted with their hectic busy schedules. Availing the packages of Ayurveda therapies will help you to rejuvenate and unwind. The state has always been the favorite destination among travel enthusiasts. Kerala is a perfect place to learn about the ancient colonial days, ritual and traditional art forms, palaces and many more. Thousands of travelers flock to the state to learn its spectacular beauty.

Kerala, when we hear the word the first thing which comes into our mind is the tall coconut trees oscillating in the cool breeze. It is the only state in India where coconut trees are seen in abundance and that is the reason why the state got the name (‘Kera’-coconut tree). Not only the scenic surroundings but also the generous mentality of the common people make the state ‘god’s own country’. The secluded hill stations, sun-kissed beaches provide the best moments to enjoy some quality time with dear ones. The national parks and wildlife sanctuaries shelter rare species of animals and trees. To tour the amazing wildlife many globetrotters from Hyderabad flew to Kerala by purchasing packages from eminent travel companies. The state is blessed with 14 astonishing districts. Each district differs from each other in many aspects such as natural resources, technology, and amenities. Irrespective of aspects each district cordially welcomes travelers for discovering the hidden gem. As mentioned each district has own specialties, the Ernakulum district which is an upcoming metropolitan city in Kerala has something to tell the world. By strolling through the following paragraphs you will learn more about the district and its peculiarities.

 Describing one whole district in a document is not possible. Hence this essay is dedicating on the special touches of Fort Kochi. Have you seen the popular Malayalam movie called ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’? people who have seen the movie at least once will never forget the location. Unlike other movies the Fort Kochi the place where it was shot acts as a main role in the movie. Fort Kochi is the place in Ernakulum that still maintains its ancient vibes and tells how it was in the olden days. It is an amalgamation of ancient and present amenities. People of all generations love to flock to the place to celebrate their special days like the New Year celebrations. It is the perfect place for night parties and many more. Before understanding the present conditions let us have a glimpse of its past. Fort Kochi was once ruled by the Chinese traders. It is believed that the word Cochin has been derived from the Chinese people i.e. Co-Chin. The spectacular monuments and building built-in Chines architectural style depict the influence of Chinese in Kerala. Followed to Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch were the other merchants who visited the place for various s trade purposes. Fort Kochi is a perfect instance of the rise and fall of European administration. The main destinations in Fort Kochi are as follows.

  1. Chinese Fishing Nets

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Chinese Fishing Nets were introduced to Kerala by the famous explorer called Zheng He during 1350 AD and 1450 AD. It would be difficult to believe that these fishing nets are still in use. To use the functioning of the Chinese fishing nets travelers are requested to visit the place either early morning or evening.  It is the time when the fishermen throw the nets into the sea for grabbing their earning. Chinese fishing nets are called as ‘cheennavala’. It is 20 m wide and 10 m long and it is operated with the help of counterweight stones and cantilever.

  1. Fort Kochi Beach

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Strolling through the Fort Kochi Beach, one could witness the golden rays of sunrise and sunsets. Traversing the streets one could capture the stupendous pictures of historical events and monuments. One could see the most ravishing images of Chinese fishing nets. Also, travelers could copy the stunning picture of the first-ever built fort called Emmanuel fort by the Portuguese. Tourists can engage themselves by indulging in various activities like fishing, boating, beach photography and dolphin sighting. While riding in the boat one can come across various small islands.

  1. St. Francis Church

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It is one of the oldest churches built by the Portuguese. It was initially made from mud and water. The church was later conquered by the Dutch and followed to its Anglican Church. It is situated on the premises of the famous Emmanuel Fort. Till now the church has undergone several modifications but still, it maintains the ancient vibes and beauty. The church shelters the cenotaph of great martyrs of Kochi and the burial ground of well-renowned Vasco Da Gama before taking to Portuguese.

  1. Kashi Art Café

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It is the perfect place to hang out with friends and families. Foreigners on their Kochi expedition flock to the Kashi Café to savor mouthwatering delicacies like the chicken burger, mushroom burger and so on. It is an exquisite place for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. While relishing the dishes travelers can also enjoy the various arts exhibited over there.

  1. Pepper House Café

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People who have seen the famous Malayalam movie called ‘Premam’ will not forget the popular cake shop run by the hero. The cake shop in the movie is actually the well-renowned Pepper house café. The place gained much fame through the movie. Along with the restaurants the place also hosts jewelry, clothes, and stationery shops for travelers to buy souvenirs for their dear ones.

The other notable attractions in Fort Kochi are Kerala Kathakali center, Pierce Leslie Bungalow, Princess Street Kochi, Vasco Da Gama Square and many more. To make your travel more comfortable avail of packages from the Lelagoon holidays. They formulate by giving keen importance to customer’s desires and needs.

A Few Salient Features of Agasthyarkoodam – The Breathtaking Peak in Kerala

Kerala is a gift of the Arabian Sea. The state is abundantly blessed with natural resources. It is also called as ‘God’s own country’ and no wonder why the state has been bejewelled with the title. The marvellous beauty of the state lures travellers from various parts of the world. Words are insufficient to express the beauty of the state. The meandering rivers bubbling over rocks, sparkling waterfalls flowing through the thickly populated woodlands, undisturbed backwaters, avalanching movement of sand in pristine beaches, emerald forest ornamented with wilderness and tweaks of birds, magnificent bowl-shaped valleys and awe-inspiring mountains blanketed with the lush green carpets of tea and coffee plantations and many more. One whole essay would not be enough to beautify the charm of the state. The state is adorned with many historic monuments and herbal rejuvenation centers. Most of the foreigner avails of tour packages for participating in various kinds of Ayurveda treatments. The climate of Kerala is favourable not only to Indians but also to people from other nations. It is being a decade that the state started to give prominence to the tourism sector. And as part of enhancing tourism sectors, many disquieting hill stations and historic streets were being unveiled. Thousands of travellers visit the state by purchasing the packages for a cheap price to explore the magnificent gem hidden in unexplored parts of Kerala. Kerala is a haven for adventure lovers. The breathtaking hill stations and offers immense chances to improve their skills in trekking and rock climbing. It is not possible to describe each and every sparkling destination of the state with its peculiarities. I would like to dedicate this essay to explain the salient features of the famous hill called Agasthyarkoodam.

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Agastyarkoodam hill is the second tallest peaks in Kerala. It is situated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. It is one of the utterly bare and precipitous hill stations in Kerala. It is situated in the premises of Neyyar Wildlife sanctuary with a height of 1868 m. The hill is known as Pothigai Malai hill in Tamil Nadu. The slopes of the hills are blanketed with purple orchids. The hill shelters to various types of birds. Famously the hill is known for trekking but most of the Hindu believers consider the hill as a pilgrimage. On the top of the hill one could find a statue of Agasthya sage withholding a stone crusher on one hand and a bowl of medicines on other hands.  Worshipers climb to the top and offer prayers to him. He belongs to one of the seven sages (Saptarishis) of Hindu ideology. He is considered the father of Indian traditional medicines and Tamil literature. The surroundings of the hill are occupied with a tribal community called ‘Kanis’. They are engaged in various activities conducted by the forest department.

The Story Behind the Agasthyarkoodam Hill

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For long years women were not allowed to climb to the top of the hill as the Agasthya muni was celibate i.e. Bhramachary and intervention of women will affect the purity of the mountain. But 2 years ago the ban on women climbing the hill was removed and in January 2019 the first lady to conquer the mountain was Dhanya Sanal. Followed to her 100 women registered their names for trekking to the Agasthyarkoodam hill. There is also a story revolving around the hill is when all the sages (munis or maharishis) went to Himalaya for attending the wedding of Lord Shiva and Lord Parvathi the tilt to one side. Then Lord Shiva insisted Agasthya Muni to go the southern portion and balance the earth. He obeyed the commands. Gradually he liked the place and decided to reside there.

Trekking to Agasthyarkoodam Hills

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Unlike other hills in Kerala, you can plan out trekking to Agasthyarkoodam hill when you wished to do. As aforementioned the hill is dedicated to Agasthya sage and hence trekking on it is possible only in the month of January i.e. the trekking routes will be opened on Makaravilaku till Shivarathri. Actually there are two routes that lead to the hill. First is through the Neyyar wildlife sanctuary and that is closed and the second route is Bonacaud village. The village is situated 69 km from the Trivandrum International Airport. So travellers coming from Delhi, Punjab, and Bangalore can either travel in local transport or can purchase the tour packages from Dream Holidays and the tour guides will guide you to the village. Trekking the hill will require three days. Before reaching the Bonacaud village trekkers have to avail of an entry pass of INR 500. Per day 100 pass will be issued. The issuing of passes will be started a couple of days before the Makaravilaku. Trekkers can purchase online also.

Itinerary for Trekking

  • 1st-day Bonacaud – Athiramula Base Camp

Travellers will have to reach the Bonacaud base by 7 am. It will take around for registration and verification. Do not forget to carry the necessary identity cards. Collect the food coupons and purchase the water bottles. You can start your trekking by 8 am. It will take 6 hrs to reach the Athiramula base camp. Over there you can rest and encash your coupon and satiate your hunger. After refreshing, you can stroll through the jungle. Do not make a loud noise as it will disturb the animals. You can build a camp and can spend your night in it. The canteen in the base camp works from 6.30 am to 8.30 pm, therefore, collect the food coupons for the next day before you sleep.

  • 2nd-day Athiramula Base Camp- Agasthayrkoodam Hill

After having light breakfast you can continue your trekking to the hill. It will take approximately 5 hrs to reach the top of the hill. On reaching the top of the hill you can capture the pictures of serene nature and soak yourself in nature’s bliss. Don’t forget to pack your lunch. Spend a few hours on the hill and return your journey before the sunsets. You can rest in the tent in the Athriamulla base camp.

  • 3rd-day Athiramulla Base Camp – Bonacaud

Followed to the breakfast travellers can descend to the village. It will take 6 hrs to reach the slope. From there you can return to your hometown. If you are new to Thiruvananthapuram you can visit the historic places of the district before concluding the trip.

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Dream Holidays are one such travel operator in Kerala that curates special packages for adventure enthusiasts. If you have any concerns regarding the same without any hesitation you can contact their customer representatives.

Mango Meadows – An exquisite place for children and couples

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It is always said that life changes when you get married. And it is true in my case. I was just recollecting my old days when my mother used to wake me up early in the morning. Even though I have an alarm in my room I just open my eyes to stop it. Again I will cover my face with the blanket and enjoy my sleep. Those olden days were the glorious days of my life. And it is not for me alone…. It is the same for each and everyone who is reading this blog. In my deep sleep, I was recollecting my school, and college days where I wholly depended on my mother for every minute thing. She would be always busy in the kitchen in the early morning but whenever I call her… she would run to me to solve my issues… suddenly I felt like something was crawling on me… and it continued for a minute …. I thought it would be some ant… therefore I did not open my eyes and continued to be part of the dream… but something again interrupted me …. But this time it was not the ant but something else… someone was hitting with a hard material… without any second thought, I decided to uncover myself and to my surprise, it was my second child beating me with his water bottle… he is the only person in our house who wakes up so early that many a time even if we forget to set the alarm he will be there to wake up us…. thank God for gifting him for us… by the time my husband woke up and we together sort out all the household chores… later we both got ready for our office… he used to drop me to the office everyday…. That day I shared my dream that I saw in the morning and old school days with my husband…. I really miss those days I told him…. I expressed my wish to go back to the olden days…. for a moment he remained silent… and then told that we can plan an exotic vacation during the summer holidays. I was thrilled… he asked me to find a fascinating destination for us as well as for kids.

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As we both had a shortage of leaves I did not surf any places outside Kerala. More than the duration of the trip it is the way how much we enjoy it… therefore we decided to search places in Kerala itself… many places came into my mind…. at first we decided to plan a stunning trip to hill stations like Munnar…but when I discussed the same to my hubby.. he said that it will be boring for kids…as our kids are too small and they cannot enjoy the adventurous activities… then we thought of amusement parks…but over there only kids can enjoy and we will have to look after them and we will not be able to celebrate the trip in our own way… even spending more than an hour on the computer we were not able to finalize the destination…hence with disappointment, we shut down the system… to refresh my mind I started to spend some time surfing social media sites …. suddenly I came across the family pictures of my friend … she and her family had an amazing vacation somewhere in Kerala…after zooming one of the pictures I got the name of the place… it is the Mango Meadows… it is for the first time I am hearing the place… I showed the same to my hubby… he found it interesting and asked me to inquire about it to her… the very next day I contacted her … and asked about the place…she told me that it is the Mango Meadows in Kottayam. It is the biodiversity park and best place for vacationing… she gave me their contact numbers… before ending the call I ask her whether the park is suitable for couples she replied that the park is suitable for both couples as well as for kids… there are separate sections for kids and adults. Therefore we availed of the family tour packages from Gogeo Holidays. The name of the travel operator was suggested by my friend… we utilized the online services.

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It took nearly two hours to reach the Mango Meadows. It is situated in Kadathuruthy in Kottayam district. It is one of the largest biodiversity parks in the world. The park is sprawled in an area of 30 acres with more than 4500 varieties of trees and various species of birds and animals could be seen there. It was Mr. Kurian’s dream to build an amusing agricultural and he took 14 years to accomplish his dream. As my friend told the park comprises separate sections for couples and kids. For kids, there are amusement parks and for couples, there is a special place called ‘valentine’s corner’ and only married couples are permitted to enter. As we both were busy we hardly found time to spend with each other and this valentine’s corner really helped us to spend some quality time. We indulged in many activities like badminton, cycling, shooting, pedal boating and may more. For more than a decade it was for the first time I was riding the bicycle… It took half an hour to regain the cycle balance. And we also had a cycle competition. And in that our kids defeated us. Followed to it we played badminton too… by noon we savoured traditional Kerala foods in their restaurant the food was served in a long banana leaf. Over there we saw many families coming from various parts of India as well as foreign countries by availing of the family tour package. It is the traditional custom of Kerala to serve food on banana leaf…it was a new experience for many of the non-Keralites. Followed to it we visited the sacred grove called ‘sarpakavu’… It is the place where serpents were protected. Then we moved to the ‘Nakshtraval’ it is the place where you can find trees corresponding to your zodiac signs. Many of the foreigners found it difficult to identify the trees related to their birth star and I helped them. It was a proud moment for me. We clicked on many lovely photographs. In the night we opted for treehouse to refresh. It was a mind-blowing experience for us. It was for the first time we spend a night in the midst of trees. As aforementioned it was our son who wakes up early in the morning. On that day it was the melodious chirp that called us back from the deep sleep. A one day tour really gifted us life long memories. We are really thankful to the Gogeo Holidays for organizing such a wonderful trip and also to our friend for suggesting this place.