Splendid Thekkady

Located in Idukki district of Kerala state of India, and the location of the famous Periyar National Park is Thekkady. Thekkady is famous for it's evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, savannah grasslands, and deciduous forests. It is home to herds of elephants, deer, gaur and tigers. Thekkady is located close to the Kerala- Tamilnadu border. It is a hot spot for tourists, from all around the world.

                                                             Periyar National Park 

The Periyar wild life sanctuary is spread across 300 sq miles, almost half of which is thick evergreen forests. It was declared as a tiger reserve in 1978. An artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar dam, in the Periyar river, adds beauty to this place. Several hundred species of  plants, occupy the national park including several species of grass and orchids.  The park also contains several kinds of trees such as teak, rosewoods, terminalias, sandalwoods, jacarandas, mangoes, jamun, tamarind and banyans. Several species of wild animals which include mammals like Bengal tigers,  Indian elephant,  Indian giant squirrel, Travancore flying squirrel, jungle cat, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Salim Ali's fruit bat, stripe-necked mongoose, and Nilgiri marten, birda like  Malabar grey hornbill, Nilgiri wood pigeon, blue-winged parakeet, Nilgiri flycatcher, crimson-backed sunbird, and white-bellied blue flycatcher, and reptiles and amphibians like  caecilians, frogs,  king cobra and the Malabar pit viper also inhabit the national park.

                                                                      Periyar lake 

Periyar lake is a great tourist attraction, boating services are available to the tourist who visit this lake. Boating is a great opportunity to observe the wild animals and beautiful scenery surrounding the lake. The lake harbors within itself, a unique aquatic ecosystem. The lake is a place where the local wild life come to quench their thirst, sometimes predators such as tigers wait at the lake, for rey like deer that come to drink there.

                                                                                                                                                                                     Gavi

Gavi is a village , which is situated 28 km south-west of Vandiperiyar, atown in Idukki. It is situated inside the Ranni reserve forest. In Gavi's forest area, there are believed to be two gopher trees, that are the onlt two gopher trees in India. According to state Forest Department officials,there could be more of these trees, surviving deep with in the forest. Many wild animals such as leopards, bears, Indian gaur, sambar, barking and mouse deer, lion tailed macaque and more than 250 species of birds inhhabit the forest.

                                                                       Murikkady 

Elephant ride in Murikkudy

Murikkady is located about 5 km from Thekkady, and is best known for it's tea and coffee plantations. It is an ideal place for family picnics. Plantation tours are conducted here, which attracts a good number of visitors. The aroma of spices in the air, surely could tickle one's excitement. It is a place of serene beauty, and people come here to relax and unwind. The local spice market, sells an array of spices that made Kerala, an world recognized placed in the business of trading.

                                                                                                                                                                                   Periyar dam 

Periyam dam is a gravity dam ,constructed on the Periyar river. It was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by John Pennycuick. It delivers water to Kerala, and also to the adjacent state of Tamil Nadu. It stands at a height of 176 feet. Its reservoir can withhold 443,230,000 m³ of water. The area surrounding the dam is protected, and is classified as a biodiversity hot spot by the Kerala Forest Research Institute.

                                                                   Chellar Kovil 

Chellarkovil

 This place is located 15 km from Kumily. It is known for it's greenish mountains and cascading waterfalls. It is one of the best tourist destinations in the Idukki district. It is at a height of 1200 m from the sea level. This village stands unique with it's eco-tourism projects, which was started in 2008, by the village residents themselves, without much aid from the government. There is a watch tower with a telescope placed on it's balcony, a view from this place is breathtaking.

                                                                      Anakkara 

Anakkara waterfalls

 Situated about 18 km from Thekkady, Anakkara is a fast growing tourist destination. It is known for it's tea plantations and family picnic spots. It is a large village with close to 30000 people living in it. Ottakathalamedu is a peak in Anakkara that stands 1400 m above the sea level, tourists can see a panoramic view of Anakkara, from the top this hill. There are several home stay hotels here, that offer food and accommodation the tourists who visit this place. There are also developments in Ayurvedic resorts.

                                                           Mangaladevi Temple 

Mangaladevi temple

It is situated about 15 km from Thekkady. It was erected by the King  Cheran Chenguttuvan, about 2000 years ago. It is closed throughout the year except during the Chitra Pournami festival. At other times tourists can still view it by getting a special letter from the forest ranger. It is surrounded by lush greenery. the view from this village is spectacular, and people can see part of the Eastern ghats, and some villages in the adjacent state of Tamil Nadu. It sits at a of 1337 km above the sea level.

                                                                     Climate 

Thekkady has a moderate climate, so it can can be visited throughout the year. It rains heavily in Thekkady.  Summer season is from march to May, and during this time temperatures can be as high as 36 degree celsius. Rainy season is during June to September. During this period, Thekkady experiences heavy rainfall. Winter begins in October and temperature remains cool during this period, between 15- 21 degree celsius. For getting exciting offers on trips to Thekkady, click here.

Majestic Kovalam

Kovalam is a beach town in Trivandrum, Kerala by the Arabian sea. It is known for it's sight of endless grove of coconut trees. There are a number of hotels and resorts situated in and around the beach. It is a great tourist destination for people from all over the world. Kovalam became famous in the 1970s with the mass exodus of hippies, who were on their way to Ceylon.

                                                         Beaches 

Kovalam has three beaches, separated by rocky structures. The most visited beach amon the three beaches is the light house beach, which get it's name because of the old Vizhinjam Lighthouse, which stands 35m tall, located on the beach. The second most visited beach among the three beaches is the Hawa's beach, or Eve's beach, with it's calm waters, it is favorite spot for fishermen. The third beach, Samudra is not as crowded with people, as the other two beaches, It is separated from the southern side by a large promontory.

                                                    Karamana river 

Karamana river

This river starts at he southern tip of the Western ghats and flow through the Trivandrum suburb city of Karamana, from which it gets it's name. the river flows 66km in the southwest direction before flowing into the Arabian sea. It has several tributaries, the largest of which is Killiyar. The Karamana river basin , supports a large biodiversity, several species of flora such as the wild cane, mangroves and water lilies thrive on the river basin. At the same time the local fish species also inhibit the river.

                                                         Dams 

Aruvikkara dam

The region of Kovalam has several dams, the most prominent one being the Aruvikkara Dam. This dam was built in 1930, with the aim of providing, drinking water to the people in the city.  The Trivandrum Water Works is in charge of receiving and supplying water from the Aruvikkara dam. The other dam is the Neyyar dam which was constructed on land given by an agriculturist. It is a gravity type dam, standing at 56 m. There are several temples located near the Neyyar dam, as well as a yoga center, which teaches yoga to foreigners and the natives living there. There are several species of wild life, inhibit the forests surrounding the dam, such as gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr and Nilgiri langur, wild elephants and sambar deer.

                                                    Vellayani lake

Vellayani lake

Situated at a distance of 7 km from Kovalam, Vellayani lake is a hot spot for tourists. there is a boat race in the lake which attracts huge crowd. It is surrounded by groves of coconut and palm trees, this lake is known for it's crystal clear waters, which is a treat s the eye. The area surrounding the lake also serve as great picnic spot for families.

                                                        Halcyon castle

Halcyon castle

This castle was built in 1932, for the royal Travancore family in 1932 by M.R.Ry Sri Rama Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran, Today, it is a deluxe hotel. NRI businessman Dr Ravi Pillai now runs the hotel and the entire adjoining land area measuring 65 acres. This place is less than 2 km from Kovalam.

                                                           Temples 

Temple

Kovalam has many temples, located near the beach, These too, attract many tourists. Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Swami Temple, is one of the most ancient temples of South India, which is located on the banks of the Karmana river. It is located 6 km from Kovalam beach. This temple was built during 12th and 13th century. It is a protected monument by the Archaeology Department of India.

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Caves contains the rock cut sculptures of the 8th century. The granite cave has a shrine with a loose sculptor of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts Lord Shiva and Parvathy.

                                                             Climate

Kovalam climate

Kovalam has a tropical climate, It is quiet hot and humid during the day, at the same time cool and breezy during the night. Summer is the bet time to visit the place, athough people looking for a different experience can visit during rainy season. Kovalam receives heavy rainfall, during the monsoon. Apart from the rainy season , days are usually sunny and bright, which is a perfect time to swim. Nights can be a little cild, so visitors are advised to brin gwoolen clothes. For getting great offers, on trips to Kovalam, click here.

Hyderabad: The city of Lions

Hyderabad is the capital of southern Indian state of Telangana and the de jure capital of Andhra Pradesh. It was established by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591. Hyderabad has a rich history, that has left magnificent landmarks and artifacts. Hyderabad has a rich and diverse culture. Hydrerabad meand city of lions. It is named after, Hyder Mahal a hindu girls who married the founder of this city. It is the fourth most populous city.

      

                                             Ramoji Film City

Ramoji film city

Ramoji Film city is the largest studio complex in the world. It covers an area of 2000 acres. It was established in 1996 by Ramoji group. it is a favorite spot for many film makers, because of it's architecture. It offers a number of film sets such as London street, holly wood sign and japanese garden. The film city is self sufficient to make a complete movie. The film city receives almost 10000 visitors in a single day.

                                          

                                                 Golconda fort

Golcoda fort

It is a citadel, and a fort, situated in a region that if famous for it's diamond mines, which has produced one of the finest diamonds in the world , including the koo-hi-Noor diamond and the Hope diamond. The fort was built by the Kakatiya dynasty. The city was built on a granite hill that is 120 meres tall. The Golconda is listed as a archeological treasure, by the Archeological survey of India. The whole fort is divide into four district forts,with eight gateways, it has a  number of temples, mosques, inside it. Golconda fort still to this day, one of the most visted, and must visited places in Hyderabad.

                                               Qutb Shahi Tombs

Qutb Shahi tombs

These tombs are siyuated close to the Golconda fort. They contain tombs and mosques built by various kings of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The architecture of the tomb, blends Persian, Hindu and Pashtun forms. It used to be a place of serene beauty. At one point in history, the tombs were decorated with chandeliers and carpets. Copies of Quran were kept on the pedestals, and Quran verses were regularly recited to the visitors. Today this is a great place for visitors, and is well maintained as a heritage site, for the the many tourists who come there.

                                                  Museums

                                          

Salar jung museum

Hyderabad has many museums,that is dedicated to historical artifacts, art and even a car's museum. It has also many art galleries. Salar Jung museum, the most famous museum in Hyderabad includes antiques and artifacts from India and all over the world. The Natural History Museum of Hyderabad displays stuffed animals, that are both living and extinct, in almost life like manner. The city museum of Hyderabad which is situated inside a palace that is the official residence of Nizam, currently it is a school for industrial training. The Birla Science museum features a planetarium, and a center of science.

                                                  Wild life

black buck

Hyderabad has a lot a of water bodies and a great terrain , these are ideal habitats for an assortment of flora and fauna. the area outside the city has a lot of national parks,sanctuaries and zoological parks. Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park is home to the black buck. There are other reserves lke Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy Botanical Gardens, Shamirpet Lake, Hussain Sagar, Fox Sagar Lake, that are home to many species of birds. There are many organisations in hyderabad dedicated to the protection of species like Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

                                                  Cuisine

Being culturally diverse. Hyderabad has an array of exquisite cuisines. Hyderabad Biriyani, a type of Biriyani that is cooked with mutton or chicken and is laced with spicy ingredients is one of people's favorite. Lukhmis are another dish made from flour filled with minced meat. Hyderabad Marag is a special kind of mutton soup that is light and people find delightful to consume. Boti kebab is a dish , that is prepare by roasting goat meat along with certain ingredients. Dishes like katti dahl, which is made from tamarind, and Malai korma also qualify as great dishes for residents and tourists alike.

                                                     Climate

Hyderabad has a tropical climate. The annual temperature is 26 degree celsius . During summer, temperature sometimes surpasses 40 degree celsius. Monsoon is between June and September. The city receives almost 3000 hours of sunshine a year. December is the coldest month with temperature varying between 14 degree celsius and 28 degree celsius. Avg wind speed is 7kmph, and average humidity is 59%.

                                                   Gardens

NTR garden

Hyderabad has a number of parks and gardens, that are scenes of natural beauty. NTR gardens is a public garden, that covers an area of 36 acres, It is located in the center of the city and is a major tourist attraction. the botanical gardens of Hyderabad, which is situated in Madhpur, It has large number of diverse species of flora, which is complemented by water bodies.

                                                                                               The Lumbini park which is situated near Tank road, is decorated with lush greenery, man made waterfalls and musical dancing fountains. The public garden is the cities oldest garden, and is located in the center of the city. It surrounds the state archeological museum and a children's park. Hyderabad is a great place for tourists, nature lovers and history lovers alike, for getting exciting trips to Hyderabad, click here. 

Breath taking Goa

Goa is a state in India situated with in the coastal region known as Konkan. It was a Portugese territory until it was annexed by India in 1961. Goa is known for it's beautiful beaches, opulent cathedrals and world heritage architecture. It has a rich ecosystem, filled with diverse species of flora and fauna. Goa is one of te most visited places in India, by foreigners.

                                           Beaches

Beach in Goa

 With the Arabian sea forming it's western coast, Goa has 101km of coastline. Its beautiful beaches are a major attraction for tourists from around the world. Mandrem beach , which is situated to the North of Goa is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. It is a great place to relax and unwind. The beach is also home to several resorts that house tourists. Another beach situated in the south of Goa is the Agonda beach. There are several water sporting activities on this beach such as wind surfing, swimming, paragliding etc

                                                           Cavelossim beach, which is situated at the mouth of the Sal river. It witnesses less crowds. This beach houses many high end resorts that are home to foreigners. Photography is allowed, and it arranges several package tours for students visiting the researchers.

                                              Wildlife 

Tigers in Cotigao wildlife sanctuary

Goa has a rich bio-diversity. Goa's wildlife includes foxes, wild boars and migratory birds. The Dudhsagar falls, which is India's fifth largest waterfall is situated inside Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary at the Goa - Karnataka border.

                                      The Cotigao wild life sanctuary, which is situated at the goa - Karnataka border is home to panthers, sloth bears, porcupines and hyenas. This sanctuary has decks concealed on top of 25 tall trees to observe surrounding wildlife. Goa has also a rich marine life that includes turtles, dolphins and several species of fish such as the barracuda, tuna and the bat fish.

                                     Historic buildings  

Fort chopra

Due to it's history of being a Portugese territory, Goa has several gothic style buildings that are hundreds of years old. The Chopra fort which is situated in North Goa is a major tourist attraction. It is built with red laterite stones. There are no particular visiting hours to visit the fort, however, morning and evening times are the best.The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral was built in 1619. It is a latin catholic church. In 1953, the cathedral was presented with the 'golden rose', by then Pope Pius XII.

                                         The Terekhol fort which lies on he Northern tip of Goa, naer the Terekhol river was built by Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle of Sawantwadi in the 17th century.Today the fort has been refurbished as a hotel, The fort is a great place for foreigners, and has mesmerizing views from it's top.

                                                  Festivals 

Bonderam festival in Goa

 Festivals and carnivals are a great experience for the people who dwell in Goa as well as the visitors who come there. In December, there is the feast of St Francis which is celebrated in Old Goa at the Basilica of Bom Jesus.In February there is the Ghumot festival, which is held at Siridao beach. The day long festival also hosts many musical performances of religious origins. In August there is Patolleanchem festival, It is a festival that pays tribute to Goa's old culture and cuisines. It is celebrated on 15th August in Socorro village.

                                                                  In September, there is the Bonderam festival. This is the most happening festival celebrated on a grand scale on the Island of Divar. The festival is a memoir to the protest by the local villagers against the Portugues. It is a huge festival during the monsoon, and draws people from India and all over the world.

                                                    Museums

Inside the Goa state museum

Goa has a number of museums , that houses great artifacts from hundreds of years ago, that includes many European and Indian artifacts. The Goa state museum in Panaji has lot of historic artifacts that are of religious and cultural value. The museum is open on all weekends from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.  The Goa chitra museum in Benaulim. It is one of the very few museums that displays artifacts related to agriculture. The entrance to the museum is Rs 100 and photography is allowed inside the museum.

                                               Goa Science Center which is situated in Panaji. This museum displays artifacts related to science and astronomy. The museum is open on all days from 10AM to 6PM.
For getting exciting offers on trips to Goa , click here.

Thrissur: The land of Thamburans

Situated  in the central part of Kerala is a district, famous for it's art and colorful festivals, Thrissur, was formed in 1949. It was a region , which during ancient times was under the rule of  Madras dynasty, until it was liberated.

Thrissur Pooram 

Thrissur pooram(courtesy: wikipedia)

Thrissur is famous for Thrissur pooram, a festival in which thirty three bull elephants are summoned by two temples, to display power, it is characterized by a large band of 'chenda' group and fireworks.

Millions from all over Kerala, and the world come to see Thrissur pooram each year, during April.

Many Indian television and you tube channels do a live broadcast of the event. The elephants used in the pooram are decorated and adorned with ornaments. Currently, Sivasundaran, the biggest and most majestic of all elephants stands in the middle of the thirty three elephants who represent the Thiruvambadi side . 

Thrissur Puli Kali

pulikali during onam(courtesy: IndiaEve)

 The swaraj round which is Thrissur hosts the thrissur pulikali every August in Thrissur during the festival of onam. More than 800 people with their bodies painted to look like tigers, lions and leopards wearing colorful masks, parade the swaraj round, along with tablo and other performing arts. Hundreds of thousands of people including foreigners from the west, flock to the swaraj round to see the onam puli kali.

Temples,Mosques and Churches

Vadakkunathan temple(courtesy: wikipedia)

Thrissur has a lot of ancient Hindu temples. In the heart of Thrissur town there is the Vadakkunathan temple, It was the first temple built in Thrissur, and the area around the vaddakkunan temple holds the venue for Thrissur pooram.Thrissur has also many churches and mosques. Our lady of Lourde cathedral was built in 1965, and is one of the largest cathedrals in Thrissur, It is well decorated with gothic architecture. The Cheraman juma mosque in kodungallur, the mosque has an oil lamp, which is thought to have been burning for thousands of years.It was built during the 7th centuary

    Thrissur Zoo

thrissur zoo(courtesy: lxigo)

Thrissur has a zoo. It also has a botanical garden, a natural history museum and an art museum , all in a one very large compound. The zoo is home to lions, tigers, sloth bears, pelicans, gharials, crocodiles and many other species of plants and animals. The zoo receives more than 2000 visitors per day. Kerala has only one other zoo, and that is in Trivandrum. So the people in this district are really privileged to have one. An even  bigger zoo is under construction in the district.

                                                                People who visit the zoo, can also visit the museums inside without paying additional charges.

Nature

A sambar deer at chimmini wild life sanctuary(courtesy: Alienadv)

Thrissur has a wild life sanctuary called Chimmini wild life sanctuary. It was established in 1984. The sanctuary is home to lesser fishing eagle(which is recently thought to have existed only in the foothills of Himalayas), elephants, nilgiri languar, wild dogs, lion tailed Macaque and the slender loris. There is also a native tribe living in the Sanctuary. Apart from the sanctuary, the town itself is very well blended with nature, with lush greenery and plenty of birds, aquatic life and other small animals. People living here also seem to appreciate nature, with themes related to mother nature present in their art and music.

Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam(courtesy: wikipedia)

Kerala Kalamandalam, deemed a University of Art and Culture by the Government of India, is a major center for learning Indian performing arts. The University offers courses in traditional classical arts such as kathakali, Mohiniyatam, Bharathanattyam, thullal etc it was established in 1930 and was visited by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955, for it's silver jubilee. The Kalamandalam was established to revive traditional classical arts , as they were under threat during the British colonization.In 2010, Unisity Grants Commission(India) has given 'A' category status for Kerala Kalamandalam. Kalamandalam is the only deemed university in Kerala state accorded the prestigious status.

 

Waterfalls

Pattathipara waterfalls in Thrissur(courtesy:Rayirath)

 The terrain of  Thrissur, consists a number of waterfalls like Athirapilly waterfall and Vazhachal waterfall. Vazhachal Falls is situated in Athirappilly Panchayath of Thrissur district. Pattathippara waterfall is situated about 12 km from Thrissur town. Pattathippara is a cascade waterfall, where water descends in a series of rock steps. It's a three-tiered waterfall, which during the rainy seasons appears like a high single fall. The waterfalls of Thrissur receive many receivers even from outside India.For getting exciting trips to Kerala,click here.

Why is Srilanka so beautiful

Geography

Sri lanka is situated to the Southern side of India. It is separated from the Indian subcontinent by 'Gulf of Mannar' and the 'Palk strait'. According to hindu legends, a bridge existed between the Indian subcontinent and Sri lanka, but now there seems the only thing that's left is a chain of shoals, submerged just below the sea level. Rocky plains exist to the southern side of Sri lanka. Pidurutalangala is the highest point in Srilanka, which reaches to a height of more than 8000feet above the sea level. Srilanka has 103 rivers. The largest waterfall in Sri lanka is Bambarakanda falls, at a height of 864ft. srilanka has 1600km of coastline, it is rich with marine life such as corals. Lagoons and estuaries fill the landscape of Sri lanka.

Wild life

A Sri lankan leopard(courtesy: Lakpura travels)

Sri lanka has a rich biodiversity, the includes more than 3000 species of flowering plants and many animals such as the Asian elephant, leopards, sloth bears, Indian pangolins and birds such as peacock.

Srilanka has a total of 24 wild life reserves, and 4 biospheres. The Sinharaja biosphere is home to 26 species of endemic birds and 20 rain forest species which includes the Sri lankan blue Magpie and the red faced malkoha.

Climate

Sri lanka has a tropical and warm climate, influenced by oceanic winds. In low altitude areas temperature can be as low as 17degree celsius and in low land areas temperature can be 33 degree celsius. The central highlands of Sri lanka receive about 2500mm of rain every year, While the dry areas receive about 1200 to 1700 mm of rain every year. Sometimes due to heavy rainfall certain parts of the country gets flooded.

                                     A sunny day in Srilanka

Historical places 

Sigiriya rock in Sri lanka(courtesy: Sky Lanka tours)

Srilanka has a rich history, the Sigiriya rock, which was once used by a fifth century king(King Kashyapa) as a palace, is a major attraction for tourists. The site is both a palace and a tourist attraction. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a temple in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka .Anuradhapura, is the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka which lasted for the longest period as the capital in the country.It is important to locals for religion,history,and the culture and world-famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. The Civilization which was built upon this city was one of the greatest civilizations of Asia and in the world.

 Temples 

            

Bandulla temple(courtesy: wikipedia)

 Sri lanka has christian, muslim, hindu and buddhist traditions. Sri lanka has many beautiful temples, churches and mosques. Dambulla cave temple or the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a world heritage site situated in the central part of the country, It was built in 1st century BCE. St Luke's Church is located in the Borella district of Colombo. The church plays a significant role in the history of the Church Missionary Society on Sri Lanka. It is an important Anglican Church in Sri Lanka.Thambiluvil Kannaki Amman Kovil temple is a hindu temple in Srilanka which is situated in to 11km south of Akkaraipattu. The temple is believed to have been constructed between 113-135 CE.

For getting exciting offers on trips to Srilanka, click here.

Fort Kochi, a land lost in time

'Fort Kochi' is a region of 'Kochi' in Kerala, India. It is lying adjacent to the region of 'Mattanchery'. 'Fort Kochi' has a rich history, since it was under the regime of three different empires, at different times in history. The Portugese, the Dutch and the British have all came and they have all left, leaving behind their own marks, in the form of churches, monuments, museums and other historical treasures.The paved tiles near the beach that lead to sea food restaurants, and lavish villas, looks like the scene from a holly wood movie, that depicts medieval Europe.

local fishermen in Cochin(courtesy: alamy)

                                                                Many people living here still follow the footsteps of their ancestors, following a lifestyle of fishing, carpentry and metal working. But their ways and their lives have not become redundant for people who visit here pay good money to witness them in action and buy their handicrafts.
                               

graffiti drawn on a wall in Fort Kochi

Cochin gets it's name from two words co and chin which is chinese for like- china. The evidence of Chinese culture in the past is evident from the chinese nets that are installed on the shores and decks of beaches. These nets have benn erected here between 1350 and 1450 by traders from the court of kublai Khan. On the old church road in kochi, there is the Bastion Bungalow, built in 1695 by the Dutch East India company, which now houses the sub-collector, of fort Kochi. The Bishop's house, built in the year 1506. It had once been the residence of the Portuguese Governor and is set on a small hillock near the Parade Ground. The facade of the house has large Gothic arches and the building was acquired by Dom Jos Gomes Ferreira, the 27th Bishop of the Diocese of Cochin whose jurisdiction extended over Burma, Malaya, and Ceylon apart from India.

Chinese fishing nets in kochi(courtesy:wikimedia)

                                                            To explore the historic town of Fort Kochi, there is no better choice than setting out on foot. Relax, breathe deeply and just enjoy yourself. At every corner of this island rife with great history, there are memorable moments awaiting you. It is a world of its own, sustaining the legacies of an historic era and still being proud of those days. Walking through these streets takes you back to a world of great history.
                                     
                                                           For getting exciting trips to kerala, click here.
                                                                          

The Rain forests of Kerala

Kerala, a state in South India, is known for its natural beauty, and rich and diverse biodiversity. Kerala has a tropical climate, and is known for it's lush green rain forests, that is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. People who come here to explore the rain forests are left with lasting memories, of natural beauty. These cold and green forests are home to the the second largest sub-species of tiger and the largest venomous snake.

The rain forests of Kerala are also home to a variety of beautiful birds such the 'great hornbill' and the bar headed goose. The crowns of the rain forest are the magnificent giant trees sprouted all around the rain forest like a Dubai with many 'burjs', like the giant Indian Rosewood and the cassia.
                                 Kerala with its lush green forests and magnificent wildlife truly gives meaning to the it's nickname 'God's own country'. Kerala is only second to Goa, in the list of the states most visited by foreigners. Not only the plants and animals, but the people who live in and around the forest are also known for their hospitality and kindness towards outsiders. The local tribes living in these rain forests have a very good knowledge about the many medicinal plants that inhibit the forest. Many people from all over India often come to these tribes, to visit their local doctors who offer natural cures for many diseases.

rainforests of Kerala(courtesy: tour my India)

 Although many of the rain forests are protected, corruption in the country give away to deforestation, and  loss of habitat. With many cases local authorities themselves abet the illegal operations. There is very poor monitoring by the government officials on the illegal actions of cutting trees, taking place. Let us hope that the rain forests of kerala remain as preserved and protected as it is meant to be, and that we and the progeny of humanity itself get to enjoy it's beauty and benefits. 
                                         For getting exciting offers on trips to Kerala, click here, and add great memories to your life.
                                      

Why you should travel more

People travel a lot, and for different reasons, some to visit relatives,some people do it to visit other places or some just do it for the fun of it. Whatever the reason, most people love to travel, so here are many reasons, you should travel more

It teaches you about the world

Traveling helps you to know more about the world. The more places you visit, the more you get an idea about other cultures, places, people and their history. Traveling can teach you about the situations in different countries, their laws, constitution, demographics, wildlife etc It will help you to broaden your perspective on the world. This accumulated knowledge can be very useful in later years.You can share these knowledge and ideas with your family and others and help them too, to know about certain culture and histories, that could be useful to them.

It helps to improve your social and communication skills

     

                        

When you travel, you meet people from different cultures and background who speak different languages. Although you will struggle to understand what they are saying and understand the meaning of their culture, you would eventually learn some of things they are saying and learn the meaning of their culture. You would know how to handle people from different cultures and also, how to make friends with some of them. You can thus improve your social circle, and may be even useful to you when you meet people from other regions and locations on important events.

It can ease stress

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 Traveling many places, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures can help you relax and unwind. Human beings are social animals, we are meant to interact with people, make new friends and experience new cultures. You can taste different types of food, experience different climate like snowing (since it doesn't snow in tropical regions). You can also see different landmarks their beauty, and, off course wildlife in all their majesty.  

You begin to appreciate your home more

 Apparently there are a lot of places in the world who are in a much worse economic state than the country or region you live in. millions of people who are much less privileged than you are. When you experience what they experience, you begin to appreciate your life and things you have, and the conveniences you are privileged to. You will start to see life from a different perspective.