Sarppakavu of Kerala the Home of the King Cobra and highly Poisonous Snakes

Sarppakavu or the abode of Snakes in Hindu homes who worship snakes in Kerala. The "Sarpakkavu" is nestled in thick woods and green foliage where there are stone idols of Snakes and milk and other pooja items are offered to Snake Gods. Highly venomous Snakes live there in perfect company of nature and humans. They are not known to harm anyone usually unless they are provoked.

Naranathu Branthan of Kerala a Lunatic Soul in the History Books

Naranathu Branthan was a lunatic and used to roll up huge stones to the hilltop and let them roll down. He then repeats the job and garnered a typical place in the thoughts of Keralites.

Neelakurunji flowers of Munnar

Munnar has a special privilege to be the host of a spectacular event of the blooming of the 'Neelakurunji' flowers every twelve years. The blue purple wild flowers blooms on the hill slopes and forms a beautiful carpet for miles of grasslands on the slopes of the hills.

Shola or Tropical Semi evergreen Forests of Kerala

Shola forests are unique in nature in Kerala. The semi evergreen forests are typical of the dense foliage and huge trees that create a huge canopy of vivid colours and hues on the slopes and valleys of the Western Ghats hills.

Solitude in the Backwaters of Kerala

Reading a book in the hammock tied on swaying Coconut palms on the banks of the back waters in Kerala is a refreshing experience. The serene waters of the Ashtamudi lake or Vambenad lake will gently caress you and will make sure you get the perfect solitude among nature and the elements of wind and water. The mouth watering dishes of fish, prawns, mussels and lobsters will make you go crazy for more. Doing nothing here is normal. Such is the calmness of the picturesque backwaters stretching for miles.

Kanyakumari Sea Front in Kerala

The Vivekananda Rocks in Kanyakumari is the meeting place of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The sunset is a spectacular sight at this spot. This is where the Kerala Scholar and Swami meditated for enlightenment. The sea is blue and the breeze carries the warmth of the land surrounding it.

Oxbow Lake in Kerala a must visit Eco system in the wetlands

Oxbow lakes around the worlds are few in number and hence garners immense interest in people who are font of the unique eco system of our planet. There are students and researchers who visit the Oxbow lake in Vynthala, a quaint village on the banks of the Chalakkudy river. The wetlands surrounding the lake are home to several fish species and birds.

The Oldest Mosque in Kerala is one of the oldest in the World

Kerala home to many religions including Hinduism, Christianity and Islam boasts of one of the World's oldest Mosque, the Cheraman Masjid. The Wooden structure resembles the traditional Kerala architecture and unlike the Minars of Mosques in North India, looks more like a Hindu Temple. The Arabs landed in Kerala and propagated Islam very early in Kerala.

Kowdiar Palace and Museum of Trivandrum Kerala

The Palace of the Maharaja and Ruler of Thiruvananthapuram and erstwhile Travancore is a splendid historical site to visit in the Capital of Kerala. The sprawling Palace housed in several hectares of greenery and gardens resemble the Temples of Thailand or Cambodia. The intricate wooden carvings will leave you in awe and respect for the artisans who created it. The Palace is open to the public and houses several items on display which were used by the Royalty.

Kochi the Queen of Arabian Sea

Kochi or known as Cochin in olden days is the Queen of Arabian Sea. The City shares a vast coastline and has some beautiful landmark buildings and structures which is distinct in its history and architecture. The convergence of various cultures and businesses in Kochi makes it the commercial hub of Kerala. The Airport, Sea Port and old trading history of Cochin justifies the perfect mix of modern and traditional culture. The Chic Shopping Centres in the City and Suburbs are thronged by the Youth. The antique shops selling art and antique items also do brisk business. Many Foreign tourists make it an point to buy some mementos from Fort Kochi area shops.

Jewish Historical Places in Kerala

Jews from Israel were some of the early settlers in Kerala. They have several settlements in Kochi and parts of Mala, near Thrissur. Some of them are settled elsewhere in Kerala with trade and Commerce since olden times.

Jews of Kerala and the Jewish Synagogue

The Jewish Synagogue in Mattanchery, Fort Kochi is famous for its intricate architecture and decorations. The Jews settled in Cochin long back and several families still live in Fort Cochin area. They were traders like Arabs who also came to India in search of Spices and other goods.

Palakkad Fort

The Fort in Palakkad is a beautiful historical place to visit. The Fort and the trenches surrounding it is beautifully landscaped to welcome the visitors.

Snake Pass in Kerala high ranges the most spectacular mountain pass

The high ranges of Kerala and the Western Ghats are as charming scenic as the highlands of UK. The winding road appears like a snake going uphill. The grasslands look like the Savannah and is home to some unique wild life seen in the high altitudes.

Teak and Timber Plantations of Kerala

Teak wood of Kannimara Teak in Parambikulam and the majestic Teak trees of Connoolly Estate in Nilambur, Kerala are famous for their prized Timber and Teak. The Kannimara Teak is several feet wide and very very tall. Kerala Teak is famous for its superior qualities and were hence exported to England and other countries during the Colonial rule for Ship making and other building purposes.

The Tropical and Rain Forests of Kerala home of the Black Panther

The Rain Forests of Kerala are as unique as it is seen in Brazil, or Indonesia and Malaysia. The huge Trees and towering undergrowth of bamboo and wild grass are home to several species of birds and animals. The grasslands of the Western Ghats are home to the big cats including the Black Panther. The reserve forests of Silent Valley and Parambikulam have rare animals, birds and butterflies.

Chinese Fishing Nets of Cochin Kerala

The Chinese Fishing Nets of Kochi, Kerala are a beautiful sight especially in the setting sun. The Chinese who was never a long term trading partner or ruling power in Kerala like the British, Portuguese, Dutch and French, left a mark with these fishing nets. The large nets fitted on wooden poles and dipped and lifted from the water mechanically can catch large quantity of fish. They are not known to exist in China or other parts of the World now.

Antique Shops in Kerala

Kerala has a history of several thousand years and hence holds a plethora of antique artifacts and objects from the stone age to the early 1900's. The antique shops in Fort Cochin and other Tourist places sells wooden, metallic and stone antiques that can be treasure for your homes and offices. The Hindu Gods and Deities made in Stone, Metal and Wood are a Hi fashion object of desire in the Western World. The old Colonial homes and traditional Brahmin homes of Kerala was a treasure trove of several antique items which may have come for sale in the open market later on.

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Trivandrum Kerala the Richest Temple in the World

The Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Trivandrum is perhaps one of the richest temples in the world. Its facade is covered in solid Gold and its underground cellars contain, money, Gold and other precious stones worth billions and billions of Rupees. Some of the cellar doors cannot be opened due to its sophistication and age and it may contain unimaginable amount of wealth amazed during the rule of the Kings of Travancore.

Kavadi and Temple Dance in Kerala

The 'Pookkavadi', 'Peelikavadi' etc of Kerala Temple festivals are remarkable art forms and takes superior physique and fitness to dance with them on the shoulders. The 'Peelikkavadi' is made from Peacock feathers and the wooden structure is 3-4 meters tall and weighs several pounds. Dancing with these heavy towers and balancing it on the shoulders requires practise and sound physical fitness.

Temple Festivals of Kerala

Kerala has numerous Hindu Temples which are centuries old with wooden carvings and stone sculptorings which are intricate and immensely ornate and hence very beautiful. The festivals in Temples are a feast to the eyes. The fireworks of Thrissur Pooram, Nemmara Vallangi Temple are world famous. The illumiation of the Temple, and surroundings on the festival days are attractive.

Tea Estates in Wayanad Kerala India

Wayanad, Kerala is also home to some large Tea Plantations in South India. The Chembra Hills adjoining Nilgiris and Ooty is one such location.

Tea Estates in Munnar and Jeep Safari on the Tea Slopes

Tea Harvest in Munnar Kerala

Tea leaves Harvest in Munnar is a century old tradition from the time of the Colonial British rule in India. The mostly Tamil workers in the Tea Estates in Munnar pick the "Kolanthu" or tendr leaves from the Tea bushes on the slopes. You can also join them in the Harvest wearing their basket and get an experience of the whole process of harvest, collection and seperation, weighing, drying and processing of Tea at the Factory.

Tea Estates in Munnar Kerala India

Tea estates are there in several countries. But the ones in Munnar, Kerala, India are the most beautiful of them in the World. It is the unique landscape of Munnar on the Western Ghats Mountains which gives it a charming beauty. The sun kissed slopes of tea rolling over the hills for several hectares are scenic and will take your breath away. Such is the Magnificent beauty of the Munnar Tea Estates. I have visited the Labookellie Tea Estates in Eliya Nuwara, Srilanka. But it is not as beautiful as Munnar.