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Unearthing the Hidden Histories of Eyyal in Thrissur District of Kerala

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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.

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’.

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.

 

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.

Some of the Best Popular and Not-so-popular Tourist Spots of Kerala

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People often wonder how they can go on a fulfilling tour without having to spend too much. Travelling is in fact a need as taking occasional short brakes is a way of recharging oneself. But many times, the cost of travel become a problem and when finally people succeed in finding a less expensive place to go, it may not be actually worth going. From my experience of travelling, the best answer in such cases is to tour Kerala. A Kerala tour package generally, comes with a budget price and will present you with an unforgettable experience. When I say Kerala I am sure the first picture that comes to your mind would be that of a multitude of coconut trees. It’s indeed true but Kerala is much more than that. Kerala has so many well-known tourist places and a wealth of unknown and untouched spots too.

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The most popular tourist spots in Kerala are the hill station of Munnar, Kovalam and Varkala beach, backwaters of Alleppey and Ashtamudi and Chembra peak of Wayanad. The hill station of Munnar is so beautiful with its green velvety hills resulting in lovely valleys and meadows, fresh streams and rich wildlife. Tata tea museum is another tourist attraction of Munnar where the process of making tea is explained by its staff in detail. It’s a very interactive place so that you can clarify your doubts about tea making too. In addition, there are Tata tea’s outlets available in the tea museum where you can buy various types of tea such as white tea, rose tea, masala tea etc. Kovalam and Varkala are two major beach destinations in Kerala. You may find it a bit touristy but yet exciting. These beaches are so pleasing to the eyes with sparkling silver waters fringed with lush green coconut trees and are great for surfing and swimming. The moderate climate of Kerala also makes it a great place to visit. There are a lot of sunbeds and beach umbrellas available where you can leisurely lie down and get sun-kissed. Chembra peak in Wayanad is a wonder itself as nobody knows how nature was able to carve a perfectly heart-shaped pond in its valley. The pond is cloud studded with crystal clear water where you can catch a glimpse of you just as in a mirror. Wayanad however, is not only famous for its Chembra peak. There are also a few other tourist attractions in Wayanad. Pookot lake in Wayanad is a natural freshwater lake where self-paddling boating facility is available. Banasura Sagar Dam is the biggest earth dam in India and the second biggest in Asia. Undisturbed and housed among the mighty mountains, the view is an ultimate thing of beauty to the eye. Either you can walk all the way up or take the jeep service to reach the top of it. Muthanga wildlife sanctuary is yet another tourist spot in Wayanad which is very close to the Karnataka border and if you are lucky you will spot some wild animals.

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I think it would be a great idea to explore some of the not-so-popular scenic places too. Some tour operators like Dream Holidays allows you to customize your tour package according to your requirements. Coupling your tour package with some of the less popular spots will unquestionably enable you to enjoy a unique experience. I will list down some of the secluded and untouched mind-blowing tourist spots and you can choose among them which are the ones you would like to pay a visit :

Vagamon Hills

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Vagamon is a hill station in Kerala which is just 100 km from Kochi. Pine forest of Vagamon is a famous picnic spot where you can sit beneath the pine trees with your family or friends and enjoy some home-cooked food. Thangalpara is also very famous in Vagamon and it would be very exciting to climb it following the yellow arrows given en route. However, when you reach its top, the satisfaction you experience would be beyond words. Maramala waterfall is also a precious asset of Vagamon which cascades from a height of 60 meters amid dense rubber plantations. Nevertheless, Vagamon is also suitable for the adrenaline junkies who look forward to indulging in some adventure activities such as ballooning and paragliding.

Ramakalmedu 

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Ramakalmedu is a beautiful state in Kerala, very close to Munnar. It is a very secluded place that you get to enjoy some time in the lap of nature. The giant stone statue of a man and woman is the highlight of the place. Nearby that exists a mandapam made of granite too. However, nobody knows who built it and for what purpose and this mystery adds a distinct charm to it. However, the strong winds that blow through the hills are what makes it the most desirable. You could also spot some windmills over the hills.

Ponmudi

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Ponmudi is a hill station of the Western Ghats which is roughly 60 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It’s to be noted that the most famous beach of Kerala, Kovalam beach and Ponmudi are close to the city of Thiruvananthapuram and hence you can visit one after the other. However, before writing about Ponmudi, I will describe Kallar, which is a spectacular place en route Ponmudi. There are two major must-visit spots here and they are the Golden valley and Meenmutty waterfalls. It is also a great place for bird watchers.

On reaching Ponmudi, you will definitely appreciate its uniqueness and beauty. The thick vegetation, chirping of birds, enthusiastically flowing streams – all together, make the day of any travel bug. Tea gardens of Ponmudi are not functional today, but they do represents that bygone era and oozes out that historical charm.

Valiyaparamba

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Valiyaparamba is already nicknamed as the unexplored backwaters of Kerala. Valiyaparamba is actually an island with backwaters on one side and beach on the other. It would be an awesome experience to see and experience the two wonders of nature at the same time. Also, the place is very sparsely populated and therefore it presents you with a charming solitude. Valiyaparamba is in fact, the best place to enjoy some quiet time with nature.

 Silent valley 

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Silent valley is located in the Palakkad district of Kerala. It’s actually a national park and the evergreen forest is absolutely beautiful. The dense forest will undoubtedly make you awestruck. The climate is also cool and crisp and allows you to spend as much time there without getting tired. The national park is also home to some of the endangered species like Lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri langurs.

In fact, it’s observed recently that most of the Kerala tour packages are booked from Delhi. This is because Delhi is the capital city of India and number of flights operate between Delhi and all the other states of India and other countries of the world. Once you reach Delhi, Kerala is only a matter of three hours via air. So, starting your tour from Delhi will be a convenient option for you especially if you are coming from a distant state or country.