Des Reach

Waynad- nilgiri boarder

Monsoon funzzz!!

A Kerala style click

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Happy new year!!!

THATS KOCHI...........

Trinity Hotel is an appealing set of three suites in modern style located in Fort Cochin offers outstanding and luxurious accommodation facilities to the travellers.

More : http://www.taxikochi.com/trinity-hotel

Tea Time :)

WHICH Z UR FAVOURITE TOURIST SPOT Munnar OR Thekkady Kerala , Kerala Wedding Styles, Kerala Tourism , MY TRIP WORLD , MyTrip.ma

Nelson Mandela
July 18, 1918 - December 05, 2013

TOP 10 FACTS ABOUT KERALA

TRADITIONAL KERALA WEAR

MEN: mundu usually has a line of comparatively thicker cloth woven into it near the border called the kara. The kara can be coloured and comes in various sizes.For more ceremonial occasions a mundu has a golden embroidery known as kasavu.The mel mundu is an upper garment similar to the neriyathu that is worn by women; mundu and mel mundu are part of the traditional Malayali costume worn by men.


WOMEN : variant called a mundum-neriyathum is used more often by women. The mundum-neriyathum is a set of two mundus, both having matching kara. The set contains a lower garment similar to the those worn by men. The upper mundu, worn with a blouse, is wrapped once around the waist and upper body and left hanging from the left shoulder, resembling a saree. This is often called a set-mundu. This is usually worn during festivals or special occasions.

HAS ANYONE TAKEN A CENSUS OF HOW MANY COCONUT TREES THERE IN KERALA ???

Because I would be curious to know if anyone ever counted. It might possibly be the highest density of these trees on earth. And how many people have died from coconut related injuries. Surely, someone walking down the village path would have a coconut fall on his head. At least once, I would imagine. There are actually no reported numbers on coconut related deaths, not just in Kerala, but in the world. Isn’t that strange?

But I am rather alarmed when read this article about the decline of the coconut. And then I realize, it’s a dated article. A more recent one indicates the price is rising. Yay! “A steady increase in coconut prices has given a new twist to the coconut sector which had been marked by low profitability for long. The retail price of coconuts has gone up to Rs.17-20 per nut.” The widespread availability of coconut also means that you get to experience it in your food, your drink and your hair.

DO YOU KNOW THE SECRET BEHIND MOUSTACHE OF KERALITE ??

Here, it is the ‘meesha’ – or moustache – that makes the man.

That’s not just a catchy statement. “when you become adult, you should keep a moustache” – ‘adult’ meaning 16 or 17 years of age. Historically, it makes perfect sense: moustaches have always been a sign of masculinity and virility, and the most well-bred of men kept theirs perfectly trimmed and organized as a highly valued point of pride. In the West, however, this trend has all but disappeared, while the kids here start literally as early as they can. There is also no emotion or sensitive new age male culture in Kerala, but any correlation between those absences and the abundance of moustaches could not be confirmed before going to press.

If one is politican / actor/ musician, or if he is old or new generation. if he is a common man or famous personality. Here keralites consider this as pride of man.

Kerala at a Glance

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, each of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other - a singular advantage no other destination offers.

Kerala, India's most advanced society: With hundred percent literacy. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is India's cleanest state.

For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the State.

Geography

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by forty-four rivers, Kerala enjoys diverse geographical features. From tall mountains and deep valleys to endless backwaters and an extensive coastline, Kerala has it all.

Seasons

Bestowed with a pleasant and equable climate throughout the year, Kerala is a tropical land with the coast running down its entire length and the Western Ghats forming a protective barrier against the dry winds from up north. The monsoons (June-September & October-November) and summer (February-May) are the seasons markedly experienced here, while winter is only a slight drop in temperature from the normal range of 28-32°C.

People and Life

Kerala is one of India's most progressive states in terms of social welfare and quality of life. The State boasts of one of India's highest literacy rates, highest life expectancy and lowest child mortality rates. The literacy rate for women is one of the highest in all of Asia. Enjoying a unique cosmopolitan viewpoint, the people of Kerala, at all levels of society, have greater access to services and opportunities - as well as a greater say in their governance.

History

Kerala's history is closely linked with its commerce, which until recent times revolved around its spice trade. Celebrated as the Spice Coast of India, ancient Kerala played host to travellers and traders from across the world including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British. Almost all of them have left their imprint on this land in some form or the other - architecture, cuisine, literature.

CAN YOU GUESS....HOW MUCH GOLD IS THERE IN KERALA ??

About Kerala

Capital Thiruvananthapuram
Language Malayalam, English
Area 38863 Sq. Km.
Boundaries West - Arabian Sea
South East Tamilnadu
North East Karnataka
Population 30,500,000
Literacy 99%
Sea Shore 580 Km.
Districts 14
Main Port Cochin
Temperature 34oC - 21oC (Summer)
Monsoon June - October
Official Animal Elephant
Official Bird Nightingale
Official Tree Coconut
Map Position: South West Corner of Indian Sub conti.
Religions Hindu, Christian, Islam
Time Zone +5.30 GMT
Currency Indian Rupee
Climate Tropical
Summer February - May (Max. 33oC Min. 24oC)
Monsoon June - September (Max. 28oC Min. 22oC)
Winter October - January (Max. 32oC Min. 22oC

KERALA - GOD'S OWN COUNTRY

Kerala is probably the greenest place you will ever see. The coconut palms, the red tilted houses, the innumerable lakes and beaches will remain long lasting impressions to any visitor. The colorful festivals like ONAM & VISHU, various types dances like Kathakali, Kaikottikali, Mohiniyattom and Koodiyattam, martial arts like Kalaripayattu and wildlife sanctuaries are the other attractions. Ayurveda the 3000 year old system of medicine (recognized by World Health Organization as a system of alternative medicine), is becoming very popular all over the world. Kerala is a very attractive tourist place in Asia.

Kerala is a narrow strip of land located on the south western edge of the Indian Subcontinent. It is sandwiched between the Western Ghats mountain range on the East and the Arabian Sea on the West.

Legend says that Parasuraman, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu threw his axe into the sea from Gokarnam (near present Mangalore) and it is believed the sea retreated from where his axe fell to give birth to Kerala.

Geologist are of the view that Kerala was formed much later than the rest of the subcontinent. Submarine earth movement probably pushed up the land between the curve of the Western Ghats to form this wonderful land. It is possible that the earth inhabitants could have witnessed this geological event leading to the creation of the myths & legends concerning the birth of Kerala.

The interesting thing about the myths and legends of Kerala are that they are so strongly interlinked with scientific facts and history that it is very difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. According to the discovery of Microliths or small stone implements near Kozhikode and Cochin point to presence of man in Kerala as far back as 4000 BC.

Historians believe that civilization existed in one form or the other in Kerala as early as 5000 BC to 3000 BC. T he early where most probably of Negrito stock as the rest of South India. The Negrito race was followed by the Austrics and then by the Dravidians. The Indo-Arabians (erroneously often referred to as Aryans) seems to have gained in substantial numbers by 2000-1500 BC.

Christianity and Islam were introduced in Kerala much before the rest of the India. Historians and the Church agree that St. Thomas the Apostle arrived in Muziris (present day Kodungallur) in AD 52. Still later in AD 643 prophet Mohammed's disciple Malik Ibn Dinar arrived in Kerala to spread the prophet's message. Then in 1498 the first wave of the Europeans began to arrive. Vasco Da Gama, the Portuguese seafarer landed at the Kappad beach near Calicut in north Kerala.

Kerala is a land which always encouraged trading and traders. In 1000 BC King Solomon's ship visited "Ophix" (the modern puvar south of Thiruvananthapuram) to trade in Ivory Sandalwood and Peacocks. This fame of Kerala Spices brought the Romans in 30 AD. Who were followed by the Greeks, Arabs, Chinese. The spices trade brought Vascoda Gamma to Kappad (near Kozhikode) in 1498. Which paved the way for a new trading history. Followed by Gamma Europeans opened the way for new trade in spices, Ivory, Sandalwood and Peacocks.

Geographically Kerala is one of the smallest states in India covering merely 1.3% of total area of the country. Karnataka in north and Tamilnadu in East. Physically the state can be divided in to three natural divisions, the sandy costal region with coconut groves, paddy fields, back waters and sea. The midland region made up of fertile reddish hills and valleys that grow most of Kerala's agricultural crops. Peaks extensive ridges and ravines of the Western Ghats. Where sandalwood, tea, coffee, rubber and most of Kerala's exotic spices are grown.

Kerala enjoys balmy Weather almost all through out the year. It is neither too cold in the winter months nor too hot in summer. The best time to visit is November to February, where the air bracing and on some morning there is a light mist.

MONSOON MAGIC !!

Kerala is the most beautiful place during the monsoon season and the best time to experience the magic of the nature. The atmosphere is dust-free and everything is green & lush .

Usually, the term monsoon is used to refer to the rainy phase of a seasonally-changing pattern, although technically there is also a dry phase. There are two kinds of monsoon one is southwest monsoon and other is north west monsoon. This season begins by the end of May or early June with the outset of the southwest monsoon winds. Whereas northwest monsoon are in the months of October and November and sometimes lasts till December. Almost 85% of the rains received in Kerala is contributed by the monsoons. Most of the rivers of Kerala are fed by the monsoons.

FLAVOURs OF INDIA

Kerala is famous in the world due to total monopoly over spices. The control of trade routes and the spice-producing regions were the main reasons that Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama sailed to India in 1499. Within the last decade the international trade in spices has grown and India contributes 70% of global spice. The main spices produced in India are cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, green and red peppers, cloves, garlic, cumin.. etc. It is a matter of pride for the tiny state of Kerala that the bulk of this trade is still from Kerala.