Explore Endless Natural Beauty with Kerala Backwaters

Tourists can explore the captivating backwaters of Kerala with houseboats. These backwaters serve as a world of serenity. The interconnected body of waterways are known as Kerala backwaters. These have been used for centuries by the local people for transportation. Alleppey, Kumarakom, Trivandrum, Kollam and Cochin are the prime backwater destinations in Kerala.

Gifted with abundance of natural vistas, Kerala is a blissful tourist destination in India. With its stunning backwaters, gorgeous greenery, rich culture and spectacular hill stations, Kerala enchants everyone, visiting this land. Renowned for its breathtaking beauty, Kerala backwaters form an important part of Kerala tourism.

Kumarakom Backwaters

It is among the most prominent backwater destinations in Kerala. Tourists can enjoy boating and fishing. The village of Kumarakom serves as a cluster of small islands on the Vembanad Lake, which is a part of the Kuttanad region. It also has a bird sanctuary, serving as the favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork. Herons, egrets, darters, cuckoo, waterfowl and wild duck live here. Tourists can also enjoy a boat trip round the islands.

Kollam Backwaters

Earlier known as “Quilon”, Kollam is an enchanting destination on your Kerala backwater tour. Lying 70 km from the capital city, Kollam is a spectacular coastal district. Lush tropical vegetation and the well-known Ashtamudi Lake add popularity to Kollam. The destination also serves as the gateway to Kerala backwaters. Extending from the Ashtamudi Lake, the serene backwaters of Kollam offer an ideal site to experience a luxury houseboat cruising.

Trivandrum Backwaters

Kerala backwater tour takes you to the voluminous backwaters of Trivandrum offer the scenic view of a paradise. The labyrinthine lagoons, canals, lakes and rivers are queued up along the dense tropical verdancy of nature. It also involves the spectacular turn to experience a calm drift through this network of waterways. The backwaters form valuable attractions of Kerala.

Alleppey Backwaters

Being enveloped by waterways and canals, Alleppey is known as the “Venice of the East”. Various Kerala backwater cruises start or end in Alappuzha. The backwaters with flowers, water birds and greenery along their banks form a soothing sight. Alappuzha is also known all over the world as a centre of the Coir industry. Tourists can also see the interesting snake boat races of Alappuzha during Kerala tours.

Cochin Backwaters

Known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”, Cochin is the most preferred backwater destination of Kerala. The immaculate backwater site is thronged by large number of travellers. It is among the finest harbour sites in the country. Kochi Backwaters also boast of being the popular port city in the sub continent of India.

Kuttanand Backwaters

These beautiful backwaters are adorably called as the “Rice Bowl of Kerala”. Lush green landscapes and perfect scenic views distinguish the destination. Waterways, streams, lakes and channels add enjoyment to your Kerala houseboat tour.

Ebb Away the Stress with Kerala Ayurveda Tour

Ayurveda Treatment in Kerala

Kerala Ayurveda is an excellent opportunity to regain your energy and rejuvenate your tired senses. Being the oldest system of medicine in the world, Ayurveda has proved its effective results on various diseases. There are many Ayurveda Resorts in Kerala where you can undergo a refreshing experience.

Ayurveda is an ancient therapy that guarantees holistic wellness. The history of this old science dates back to the Vedic Ages. It works on the overall wellness of people. The natural herbs and oils used in the therapy are of medicinal importance as described in the Vedic literature. It is the oldest healthcare system in the world. This unique branch of medicine depends on the analysis of the body's humours, Vatta, Pitta and Kapha to gain the right balance.

Ayurveda in Kerala

Kerala Ayurveda has gained worldwide fame due to its effective results. Kerala's equitable climate is perfect for various curative Ayurveda packages. The state is widely using this curing method for an effective way of treating diseases like stress and chronic fatigue syndrome.

How Ayurveda Works?

This curing remedy works on eliminating toxic elements from the body. The body system gets cleansed when the noxious elements are eliminated from the body. It rejuvenates the body, mind and soul. Three major treatises in Ayurveda are Charaka Samhitha, Ashtanga Samgraha and Sushruta Samhita. These treatises narrate us that every individual has a different constitution.

Every system has an energy, which is related to it and there has to be harmony between them. When we fall ill, the balance gets affected. The aim of this age-old science is to establish again this harmony to retain good health.

Ayurvedic Treatments in Kerala

At various Kerala Ayurveda centres, you can undergo a range of traditional therapies. These treatments are used for curing ailments and improve health as well. Oil and herbal ingredients are used for the better results. Some of the popular Kerala Ayurveda therapies include Abhyanga, Dhara, Nasyam, Elakizhi, Udvarthanam and Pizhichil.

Kerala Ayurveda Centres

Kerala boasts of a number of Ayurveda treatment centres, offering a variety of packages. These include beauty massages, disease curing and rejuvenation programmes. If you are looking for best Ayurveda treatments in India, then there is no better place than Kerala.

From June to September, which is the rainy season is the perfect time for treatments as the atmosphere remains cool and dust free. During this time, the body's pores open and become receptive to herbal oils and therapy. Various Ayurvedic Resort in Kerala have become the prominent Kerala attractions.

The places offering the best Ayurveda packages in Kerala include:

• Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort near Kovalam
• Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Shala
• Beach and Lake Ayurveda Resort
• Surya Samudra Spa Niraamaya at Trivandrum
• Keralyeem Ayurvedic resort near Alleppey
• Ayurkshethra at Kumarakom

Kerala Wildlife Sanctuaries for Thrill of a Lifetime

Kerala houses a veritable wealth of exotic flora and fauna. It boasts of a variety of wildlife that has found their habitat at the place. Many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are the places where you can capture the glimpses of a variety of wildlife. Tourists can embark on a Kerala wildlife tour to enjoy wildlife, safaris and adventure.

Let us explore Kerala wildlife travel guide.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Sprawled across an area of 777 sq km, it positions itself on the Western Ghats. Declared as a National Park in 1982, the sanctuary is a good place for sightseeing and excursion. Wildlife lovers throng to the place to spot tigers and leopards. With Kerala wildlife travel, you can enjoy watching other animals in their natural habitat. You can spot here sambar, wild pig, elephants, mongoose and Malabar flying squirrels. Besides animals, wildlife enthusiasts can find around 260 species of birds. This includes flycatchers, blue-winged parakeet, Nilgiri wood pigeon and laughing thrushes. There are many fascinating sights like spice plantations, forest waterfalls and nearby pilgrimage centres.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

This famous wildlife destination in Kerala covers an area of 77 sq km. Lying at a distance of 40 km from Thodupuzha, this is a wonderful reservoir, which is formed by the construction of the Idukki arch dam. The forests and green hills surrounding the area offer great opportunities for trekking. Wild population of the sanctuary encompasses elephants, sambar, tiger, wild dogs, jungle cats and wild boar. The avian population includes kingfisher, jungle fowl, myna, woodpecker, laughing thrush, peafowl and black bulbul.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Covering an area of 90 sq km, Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is a perfect place to spot the variety of wildlife. This includes sambar, elephants, spotted deer, Hanuman monkey and peacocks. This wildlife sanctuary in Kerala is home to several plants and animals, which are unique to the thorny vegetation. It is known as the second habitat of the rare giant grizzled squirrel of the country. Marking its richness in avian diversity, the birds count goes on to 225 species.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary is a part of Wayanad plateau. It is home to leopards, tigers, elephants and other animals. It is an annex of Bandipur National Park in Kerala at its southern border. Rich in bio-diversity, this wildlife destination is an integral part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve. Tourists can have a look of the various bird species. This includes babblers, peacock, owl, cuckoos, woodpecker and jungle fowl.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Kerala wildlife tour takes you to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. It is among the most popular National Parks of the state. Lying in the dense tropical deciduous forests, the sanctuary is home to rare birds including Crimson-Throated Barbet, Shrike, Sunbird, Bee-eater, Black winged Kite and the Night Heron.

Kerala Wildlife Sanctuaries boast of a rich variety of flora and fauna, serving as the prominent attractions for tourists. Embark on a Kerala wildlife tour to enjoy the nature and creatures at their best. 

Article Source:

http://blogs.rediff.com/keralaindiatour/2013/03/06/kerala-wildlife-sanctuaries-for-thrill-of-a-lifetime/

Alleppey Backwaters exhibit the Richness of Nature

Blessed with spectacular beaches, backwaters, hill stations, greenery and wildlife, Kerala is an ideal tourist destination in India. The state overflows with attractions of nature, which add on to its popularity. Tourists visiting Kerala love to embark on Kerala backwater tour to make the most of their holidays. Kochi, Alleppey, Kollam, Kasaragod and Kumarakom are the popular backwater destinations of Kerala.

Alleppey Backwaters

Earlier known as Alleppey, Alappuzha in Kerala is now enveloped by waterways and canals. A small town in Kerala, Alleppey looks spectacular with backwaters, beaches, canals and lakes.Fondly dubbed as the “Venice of the East”, the city beckons tourists to enjoy an exciting backwater tour. There is a lot to explore on your Alleppey tour. The main attraction is Alleppey round trip to Kuttanad, which is perfect for a houseboat cruise. This main backwater area abounds in natural beauty with lush greenery around it. Either side of the river envelops the gentle surfing of the coconut palms.

Various Kerala Backwater cruises start or end in Alappuzha. The backwaters along with water birds and flowers create a spectacular sight. Prime attractions offered by Alappuzha encompass boat races, lush surroundings, golden sand beaches and houseboats. Backwater circuits are very appealing and they fascinate tourists throughout the year.

Take a stroll on the land to see the captivating sights add more fun to your Alleppey backwater tour. Cruising also enables tourists to enjoy the fantastic sights of the coconut palm trees, fishing nets and paddy fields.

Houseboat Experience

Sailing over the bewitching backwaters, houseboats in Alappuzha transport travellers in the world of water. Houseboat trip from Alleppey offers tourists the wonderful chance to view the lush paddy fields in Kuttanad. This is the place where most of the snake boat races and house boat cruises are organized. Boat races serve as among the prominent attractions of Alleppey tours. Tourists can explore the stunning canals that offer fascinating views of paddy fields, palm groves, traditional villages and picturesque landscapes.

Due to its backwater channels, the destination has many sobriquets, denoting its beauty. The plan of sightseeing on the luxurious houseboats fascinates people so much that they wish to experience it again and again. 

The gorgeous town of Alleppey is famous among couples as well as honeymooners. Alleppey houseboats take them to a different world offering romantic ambience, which is perfect for honeymoon holidays. Besides day cruising, there are several night houseboat cruises available in Alappuzha. These night cruise over the stunning backwaters bring lifetime memories for tourists. 

Serving as the popular attractions of Kerala, Alleppey Backwaters hold tourists' attention. Cruising over the backwaters with Alleppey Houseboat is a different experience altogether.

Traversing the Wonderland with Backwaters of Kerala

If you wish to relax amidst a serene ambience, hearing the sound of nature, then cruise over the backwaters of Kerala. These long stretches of unceasing peace and serenity attract tourists from far and wide. Sailing in the traditional houseboats of Kerala is a different experience in itself. Alappuzha, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kottayam and Kumarakom are the famous backwaters of the state.

The backwaters of Kerala are among the most prominent tourist attractions of the God's own country. These waterways serve as a self supporting eco-system, brimming with aquatic life. They are a network of canals, lakes and deltas of 44 rivers, which stretches to almost 1,900 km. Backwaters are the water bodies formed by the backward flow of seawater because of hindrance in the natural current. The Vembanad Lake serves as the largest backwater in the state that add fame to Kerala tourism.

Some of the most popular backwater destinations in Kerala include:

Alappuzha

Popularly referred to as the “Venice of the East” due to its adjoining canals and waterways, Alappuzha is among the famous Kerala attractions. Besides backwaters, the destination is also famous for the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race, organised every year. The large snake boats, propelled by teams of rowers create a spectacle to behold.

Kochi

Called as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”, Kochi is among the most popular backwater destinations in Kerala. The Vembanad lake envelops the group of islands, forming Kochi. Different islands of Kochi include Bolgatty, Vyppin and Vallarpadam. Tourists can enjoy visiting the islands in small ferries for the unique experience. The place also houses various attractions, encompassing the Jewish Synagogue, Bolgatty Palace and the Chinese Fishing Nets.

Trivandrum

The stretching backwaters of Thiruvananthapuram make Kerala a gorgeous land of beauty. Tourists can enjoy cruising on the “Kettuvalloms”, the traditional houseboats, which offer a different experience. Mingled with lush green vegetation, the meandering waterways look spectacular. Sailing on the tranquil backwaters of the 200 sq km expanse of crystal clear lagoons and lakes.

Kottayam

It serves as among the most fascinating destinations of your Kerala backwater tour. Famed for its natural richness of strikingly beautiful backwaters, Kottayam backwaters tours are worth to embark on. With blue waters and the lush green meadows, the backwaters create a magic on the onlookers.

Kumarakom

It is a serenely gorgeous backwater destination that you can visit on Kerala houseboat tour. Dotted with traditional rice boats and canoes, the backwaters leave you mesmerised. It is among the most invigorating places to unravel in the state. The swaying palm trees, vast paddy fields, interwoven lagoons and backwaters will soothe your mind.

Kollam

If you wish to capture the glimpses of nature in its best form, then head to Kollam backwaters. Encrusted with various trees, the shores provide shelter to innumerable exotic birds like egrets, cuckoos and ducks. Tourists can enjoy a long trip between Kollam and Alappuzha, which boasts of being the longest backwater cruise in the state.

Article Source : http://www.squidoo.com/backwaters-of-kerala

A Romantic Cruise on the Dazzling Kerala Backwaters

Kerala, the land of backwaters occupied my mind so much that I decided to explore the land on my next visit. It was an especially planned tour to backwaters of Kerala. The aim was to live the beauty of backwaters up to the hilt. Fortunately, my husband could also take time off to accompany me on this tour. We booked a Kerala backwater tour package and left the rest on a renowned tour operator in Delhi.

While leaving from Delhi, we were too excited about the exploration that we were supposed to enjoy. We collected all the necessary information on Kerala backwaters. The popular ones include:

• Alappuzha
• Kottayam
• Kollam
• Kuttanad
• Kochi
• Kumarakom
• Kasargod
• Trivandrum

We choose to explore Alappuzha backwaters in Kerala and reached at Kochi airport. After shedding off our fatigue and making ourselves comfortable in a resort in Kerala, we started our boat cruising. It was from Kottayam to Alappuzha and we enjoyed the still waters and felt mesmerised at the sight of farmlands, located below the water levels. There we were around the famous Vembanad Lake, bordered by Alleppey, Kottayam and Ernakulam.

The lake also encompass several islands that have dry restaurants. The plenty of coconut palms at Kerala houseboat ensured us not to face any shortage of natural water. We went for a good meal at a vegetarian restaurant near the boat yard in Alleppey. I cut back to the food as I was more happy to consume coconut water.

Alappuzha is also known as 'Alleppey' and is famous for the annual event, Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Snake boat race) and Coir industry. We could also spot a few huge 'Kettuvalams', which created a spell binding sight. I could imagine how magnificence the spectacle must look during the time of the boat race event, which is among the famous Kerala attractions.

A magnificent church came into our sight from the boat. The whole experience of our Kerala tour was amazing and the short break completely refreshed us. Exploring Kerala backwaters with houseboat is an experience of lifetime.

Choose any Kerala backwater tour, the outcome will be awesome. Speaking volume about its breathtaking beauty and natural attractions, Alappuzha backwaters is among the celebrated ones.

Article Source : http://royalindia.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/a-romantic-cruise-on-the-dazzling-kerala-backwaters/

Elephant Festival unrolls an expression of Celebration in Kerala

Being the most celebrated festival of Kerala, Elephant Festival has registered itself among the top Indian Fairs and Festivals. The Thrissur 'Pooram' festival adds the delightful memories to your Kerala tour.

With a desire to become a part of Indian festivals, I booked my tour accordingly. My husband gathered all the India Festivals Information to ensure a smooth tour.

Every season brings along new festivals. The popular Indian fairs and festivals include Pushkar Fair, Goa Carnival, Desert Festival, Nagaur Fair, Good Friday, Baisakhi, Teej, Onam, Dussehra, Diwali, Pongal, Lohri and many others. And that is not all. Even the festivals on the name of Indian God and Goddess are also celebrated with great enthusiasm in India.

I, along with my husband was on Kerala tour where the popular Elephant Festival is celebrated. It takes place annually in the month of Medam according to the Malayalam Calender at Trissur in Kerala, which falls in Mid April -Mid-May.

Visualising the charm of Indian Fairs Festivals, we landed in the wonderful state of Kerala. Soon we were at the place where the grand “Elephant Festival” was being celebrated. It is among the remarkable plays of light and sound. ‘Thissur Pooram’ is a 36-hours long affair, dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. It is among the biggest elephant festivals of the state.

We both were very excited to become a part of Elephant Festival Kerala, held at the Thekkinkadu Maidan outside the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Beautifully decorated elephants in two processions symbolizing the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples, were creating an imposing spectacle. My husband was busy in clicking photographs, while I was simply enjoying the extravaganza.

The celebration befalls in the dawn and extends till the break of the next day. Every group is permitted to perform with around 15 elephants. I observed that extraordinary efforts were being made by every group to ensure the best elephants of the place. It seemed to me one of the best Fairs and Festivals of India that I could attend.

It was a treat for eyes to see the colourful cloaks, raised on the elephants. The assigning of elephants and canopy is done while maintaining complete privacy by each group to surpass the other. Be it Fairs in India or Festivals in India, the charm is exceptional. The mammoths adorned with gold ornaments, each driven with three priests, are a spectacular scene.

We were at the maidan and watching the magnificent look of elephants. Soon a remarkable work of fireplay mesmerised us and it seemed as various cylindrical drums were sounding together.

Then, the amazing procession started, which simply fascinated us. The parade of the Thiruvambadi Pooram to the grounds of Vadakkunnathan Temple and back was worth witnessing.

The sweet melody of the 'Panchavadyam' added to the spectacle. It was produced with a blend of five percussion and wind instruments. The jollity persists all night with the Vadakkunathan Temple, acting as a backdrop.

The festival added as an indelible chapter to our Festival Tours of India and we left happily for our destination.

Article Source : http://blog.allindia-travel-tours.com/elephant-festival-unrolls-an-expression-of-celebration-in-kerala/