About Kerala
Eco Tourism
Village Tourism
Piligrimage
Ayurveda Retreat
Beaches
Glimpses of South

ABOUT KERALA A slender green sliver of land clinging to the south western flank of the Indian peninsula, Kerala is one of the southern states of the Republic of India. The state, with its evergreen coconut lagoons, backwaters and beaches spanning across the state, is truly the 'Gods own country' and has become a globally known spot in the tourist map.God's own country, Kerala is one of the third most choosen destination for tourists across the globe

ALLEPPEY

Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, with a large network of inland canals earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the east". These large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Alleppey was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the malabar coast. Even today it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries and prawn farming. The town of Aranmula is famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race which is an annual event. Alleppey is also known for its spectacular snake - boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. It is excitement all around as snake - boats , each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists and the local population alike.

How to get there

Air The nearest airport is at Cochin.
Rail Alleppey Railway Station. Connected by rail with Cochin and Trivandrum.
Road Well connected by road (NH-47). Trivandrum - Alleppey : 160 km, Cochin - Alleppey : 70 km.
Water Connected with Cochin (5 1/2 hrs), Quilon (8 hrs) and Kottayam (2 1/2 hrs)

MUNNAR Munnar is a hill station in the Indian state of Kerala.Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air - yes! Munnar has all these and more. It's the place you would love to visit - it's the place you would wish never to leave- so welcome.With the perfect blend of nature and wildlife with tent houses and tree houses. Indeed a spectacular sight to behold!

Getting there:

Nearest airport: Madurai (Tamil Nadu), about 140 km away Cochin International Airport, about 190 km away
Nearest railway station: Theni (Tamil Nadu), about 60 km away, Changanacherry, about 93 km away

THEKKADY

This is a wildlife sanctuary around an artificial lake at Thekkady high in the Western Ghats. The mountains around the lake covered with dense deciduous forests and grass savannas makes this a picture-perfect destination. Tourists can make boat trips in the lake and watch the wild animals. Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Barking deer, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Nilgiri langur, Lion-tailed Macaque, Otter, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Wild dog etc are the major mammals here.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 114 km from Thekkady.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 190 km from Thekkady.

PILIGRIMAGE IN TRIVANDRUM Padmanabha Swamy Temple The presiding deity in the temple is Lord Vishnu in a famous posture called Ananthasayanam in which the Lord is reclining on the serpent Anantha. The city Thiruvananthapuram is named after the deity here. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Dress Code : Men – Dhothi, Women – Saree

VARKALA
Fourty one kms. north of Thiruvananthapuram by rail and 51 kms. by road, Varkala is a pilgrim centre. The Samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer and philosopher, attracts devotees in thousands. The cliffs and mineral water springs at the ‘Papanasam beach’ are worth a visit. The inland waterways system connecting Kollam in the north with Thiruvananthapuram in the south, passes through two tunnels in the hills. The Janardhana Swamy Temple here attracts many devotees.

ADIKESAVA TEMPLE The Sri Adikesavaperumal Temple is located in Thiruvattar,is one of the 108 Divya desam (holy shrines) of Vishnu. The temple setting is surrounded on three sides by rivers (River Kothai, River Pahrali and River Thamirabarani).The temple architecture is Kerala Architecture with wooden pillars, doors and roofs. The lord is lying on his snake couch and has to be viewed through three doors. We could see Lord Shiva near the Lord Adikesava Perumal inside the sannidhi.

SARKARA
Sarkara is 35 kms. north of Thiruvananthapuram and six kms. west of Attingal. There is a famous temple which is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. A grand festival, Sarkara Bharani, is conducted in this temple during March-April.

THIRUVALLAM
Thiruvallam is about six kms. south of the city, on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kovalam road. There is an ancient temple here on the banks of the Karamana River, which is dedicated to the Trimurthis of the Hindu pantheon. A shrine of Parasurama, built entirely of granite is found in this temple.

NEYYATTINKARA

Neyyattinkara is an ancient town, situated about 20 kms. South-east of Thiruvananthapuram. The Sree Krishna Swami temple, founded by King Marthanda Varma (1729-1758), is of historical importance. Within the premises of the temple, there is a historic jack tree, known as Ammachi Plavu, in the hollow of which Marthanda Varma is believed to have hid himself and escaped death at the hands of his enemies.

ARUVIKKARA

Sixteen kms. north of Thiruvananthapuram, gifted with lavish scenic beauty is Aruvikkara. Thiruvananthapuram gets its water supply from the Aruvikkara reservoir. There is an ancient temple dedicated to Durga, on the banks of the river.

ARUVIPPURAM

The place is about seven kms. from Neyyattinkara. There is a small waterfall here. A Siva temple founded by Sree Narayana Guru attracts a large number of worshippers during the Sivarathri festival. It is a beautiful spot for holiday seekers.

SUCHINDRAM TEMPLE This temple is dedicated to Sthanumalaya (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma). The 135 feet tall Gopura, 18 feet Hanuman Statue and the musical pillars are of great architectural value.

KANYAKUMARI (Cape Comorin) Kanyakumari is the southern most tip of India, also the meeting point of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Vivekananda Rock Memorial, 133 feet Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari Temple, Gandi Memorial and Kamaraj Memorial are the other attractions. It is the only place in India where sunset and sunrise can be seen from one point.

OTHER FAMOUS TEMPLE IN KERALA

VAIKAM MAHADEVA TEMPLE
This temple deity was brought in by Khahra Maharshi, along with other three idols and Temple was built by Lord Parasuraman. Other two are fixed in Ettumanoor and Kaduthrutti. And it is believed to visiting these three templesin a single day is very special. As Dakshinamoorth at morning KirathaMoorthi at noon and Parvathi Paramasiva at night.

SABARIMALA Sabarimala is a pilgrim centre in Kerala in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of India. Lord Ayyappan's temple is situated here in the midst of 18 hills. The area is in the Sahya hilly regions of Kerala in Pathanamthitta District. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 1260 m/4135 ft. above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Temples existed in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala.There is a place near the temple (east of Sannidhanam), dedicated to the Vavar, a Muslim who was the associate of Ayyappan, called "Vavarunada". The temple is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja (November 15 to December 26), Makaravilakku (January 15) and Vishu (April 14), and the beginning of every month in the Malayalam calendar. Sabari was a devout of Lord Rama and her devotion is widely attributed to that of an ideal devotee.

GURUVAYOOR Guruvayoor is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centre,here Lord Krishna popularly known as Guruvayoorappan .This historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to belief,the temple is the creation of 'Guru', the preceptor of the Gods and 'Vayu', the God of winds. Main offering Kadli Pazham and archana to Lord Krishna.

AMBALAPUZHA KRISHNA TEMPLE Ancient temple dedicated to Lord Krishna situated in south of Alleppey.This temple is famous throughout World for the Milk Palpayasam served here.It is the main offering along with Sahasranama Archana to Lord Sri Krishna.

CHOTTANIKARA TEMPLE Main offering are Sathru Samhara Pushpanjali and Kumkuma ArchanaPushpanjali.A Very old temple with so many legends.Offering are being done in both temple,which located in single compound.

KOTTARAKARA GANAPATHY TEMPLE Very old temple close to Kottarakkara Town with round type Sreekovil. HereGanapathy having more importance than the main deity Parama Shiva. Unni Appam and Pushpanjali are the main offering.

VAIKAM MAHADEVA TEMPLE This temple deity was brought in by Khahra Maharshi, along with other three idols and Temple was built by Lord Parasuraman. Other two are fixed in Ettumanoor and Kaduthrutti. And it is believed to visiting these three templesin a single day is very special. As Dakshinamoorth at morning KirathaMoorthi at noon and Parvathi Paramasiva at night.

VADAKKUMNATHAN TEMPLE
The Shiva Lingam deity covered with mounds of ghee which does not melt despite the lamps nearby, and which has not decayed over centuries. This temple also famous for Trichur Pooram festival, which attracts thousands.

Ayurveda Retreat

The word "Ayurveda" is a tatpurusha compound of the word āyus meaning "life", "life principle", or "long life" and the word veda, which refers to a system of "knowledge". Thus "Ayurveda" roughly translates as the "knowledge of life",

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old healing tradition from India that teaches us how to enrich our lives by staying in harmony with nature by balancing the doshas vata, pitta and kapha.The Plants are used for preparing medicines.All matter (including the body) is composed of 5 elements which are the building blocks of existence. Living matter has three forces comprised of these 5 elements which govern all psychophysiological processes. These three forces are called doshas.

The term dosha means 'that which causes things to decay', reflecting the fact that when out of balance (with our constitutional nature or our environment), the doshas are the causative forces in the disease process. The names of the doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.Vata means 'that which moves things'; it is sometimes translated as wind.Pitta means 'that which digests things'. It is primarily fire with water as a secondary element. It is responsible for all chemical and metabolic transformations in the body, as well as for heat production.Kapha provides support and substance to the body. It comes from a word which means that which holds things together. It's primary element is water with earth as a secondary element. It gives strength and stability, both physical and psychological, and governs human emotions such as love, compassion, forgiveness, loyalty and patience.

BEACHES

KOVALAM This beach, 12 kms. south of Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the finest beaches in India. A high rocky promontory jutting into the sea has created a beautiful bay of calm waters for sea bathing. The India Tourism Development Corporation had developed Kovalam as an integrated seaside resort.

VELI LAGOON On the outskirts of Kerala’s capital, by the side of the placid waters of Veli lake, the Boat Club attracts the city people and tourists. Veli, developed as a major tourist spot by providing facilities for pedal-boating, row boating, swimming, get together, etc. is just the right place for an exciting outing.

SHANGHUMUGAM BEACH Shanghumugham Beach is very near to the International Airport and is easily accessible from the Kovalam Beach, Veli Tourist Village and Akkulam Tourist Village. Shanghumugham beach is noted for its cleanliness. The vast stretch of white sand and the serene atmosphere, away from the crowd in the city, provide all the ingredients for relaxation and for spending an ideal evening. There is also a “Star Fish Restaurant” with eating kiosks and open air theatre with car parking facilities.

VIZHIJAM
About two kms. south of Kovalam, Vizhinjam is believed to have been an ancient port. The Portuguese and the Dutch had commercial establishments here. Vizhinjam is a harbour, with a light house. This place is being developed into an International Deep Water Container Transhipment Terminal.

BEYPORE BEACH

The Beypore beach is situated at a distance of 10 kilometers south of Kozhikode in Kerala, South India close to the Chaliyar River

KAPPAD BEACH

The Kappad beach is popularly known as the Kappadkadavu and is the perfect vacation spot for peace seekers and beauty enthusiasts. Feel the freshness of the sea breeze and the clean purity of the scenic Kappad beach in Kerala, South India.