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Maramon in Kozhenchery, near Pathanamthitta, is the venue for Asia’s largest convention of Christians. The proper venue is the dry-sand of Pamba River. The event originated from efforts to counter the Latinization of Syrian Churches by Portuguese missionaries in 1889.

Normally held during the month of February, the Maramon Convention upholds the unity and co-operation among various sections of the Church in Kerala. Spiritual discourses, faith healing sessions and biblical recitals are the main highlights of the weeklong convention.

 Thousands of devout Christians throng the river bank for spiritual enlightenment. Thought to be the second largest convention in the world, which brings together bishops and priests from across the world, it is also a great opportunity to meet devotees from far and wide.

Maramon convention is not only a religious platform but also a hot hub for local politics as well. Politicians from various parties make sure to make their presence felt among their electorate as millions assemble in this nondescript village.
 

Explore the village of Kerala. A small three-wheeled 3-seater taxi painted black and yellow – that is auto rickshaw. Loads of fun, this three wheeled wonder is more famous by its pet name of tuk tuk and  is a rage among tourists. It is cheaper than taxi and is a good option to explore the Kerala villages at your own pace. Nonetheless, it could get a bit noisy at times. It is best to negotiate a mutually agreeable fare before starting off.

Simple and swift, these breezy vehicles are best to travel through the narrow village roads.  Decked up in floral garlands and the pictures of an array of gods and goddesses every auto oozes an innate local flavour.

 The sprawling open windows on both sides would allow you to take a peek at the typical village sights and sounds unlike in a sealed air conditioned cab. The driver veers and turns the vehicle with ease as village men sitting on the edges pass a curious glance and kids in school uniforms  pose delightedly for tourists.

 Most of the auto drivers would love to double up as travel guides as they mouth out the peculiarities of the village market and the temples as the vehicle winds its way further down the village roads. By the end of your journey you would have fallen head over heels for the charm of this converted scooter. Built to carry two to three people, it is a convenient method for traveling over a short distance that too at a small fee.
 

The time spent amidst mist-clad, sprawling tea plantations and abound in tranquility is rewarding. Best bet is Munnar. The name Munnar literally means 'Three Rivers'. It derives this name as it is located at the confluence of the three-mountain streams of Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, which feed the town of Munnar.

Munnar is an enchanting hill station and a summer gateway of India, which holds a special place as an exotic destination for both family vacations and honeymoon. The rolling hills, velvety tea plantations and cardamom hills punctuated with cascading jungle streams and quaint pathways are well tailored for a tranquil vacation, far from the maddening pace of the urban life.

The grass lands of Munnar are home to the endangered species of wild goats , the Nilgiri Tahrs.  The wild life enthusiasts amongst you cannot afford to miss out the Eravikulam National Park. It can be reached in 30 minutes from Munnar and is a haven for free-roaming ibex, elephants and lion-tailed macaque.

Marayoor, famous for the only natural sandal wood forest in Kerala is yet another top attraction in Munnar. There are also natural caves and vestiges of the stone age civilization that would take you back in space and time.

Munnar also takes credit to the highest peak in south India- Anamundi, at a height of 2695 m. Munnar was a popular summer holiday spot of European settlers and even today there are many colonial estate bungalows that add charm to this landscape. Some of the other attractions on offer include the first Hydro Electric Project in Kerala of Pallivasal and the scenic trekking tracts of Attukal.
 

Alappuzha is a cluster of waterways. The name itself is derived from waterways. The travelers have extolled Alappuzha as the Venice of the East. Here the skiff is family vehicle and there is a saying children learn to swim before they initiate walk.

The leisurely boat cruise would take you through the quaint backwater villages perched on the embankments of canals and rivers that meander its way through Kuttanad, the fabled rice bowl of Kerala. The intermittent moorings in between would allow you to take a leisurely stroll along the shore, to make friends with the simple village folks or to fetch a bottle of freshly tapped sweet coconut toddy from the local toddy shop. Do not forget to sample the fiery fish curry and boiled tapioca served in the houseboat along with a bevy of gourmet’s delights that are exceptional to Kerala.

The boat will wade its way through the intricate network of canals that traverse past picturesque villages dotted with endless rows of swaying coconut palms where you can watch Kerala life, at work and at play.

On board, there are various indoor leisure activities like TV, music system and games for you to spend some fun fuelled time aboard. Savor the charm of the backwaters or enjoy a perfect sun tan at the sun kissed upper deck. A traditional Kerala lunch with a rich smattering of seafood and fresh fish is served for lunch as the cruise would take you through some of the attractive tourist spots like ancient religious places and countryside villages where life goes by at an enviably slow pace even now.


 

The snake park at Parassinikadvu in Kannur is the only snake park in India. Three snake pits, and 15 glass-cages. King cobras caged in two large glass-cages. The snake demonstration is a major show where the peculiarities of various types of snake are explained. The trained snake handlers play and handle poisonous snakes, including cobras to quell the misconcepts and fear factor of the visitors .Visitors are taught to identify poisonous snakes from their non venomous counterparts. Treatment for snake-poison is undertaken here.

Located at a distance of 16 km from Kannur town in north Kerala, south India, the snake park has large varieties of snakes such as spectacled Cobra, King Cobra, Russell's viper, Krait and various pit vipers apart from many non-poisonous snakes including Pythons.  .

Snakes are worshipped in many Kerala temples and ancient homesteads still have sarpakavu (a wooded area where serpent gods are worshipped).   Nonetheless there are many superstitions associated with snakes and this snake park plays an important role in spreading awareness about snakes.

The Snake Park, which was set up by the Visha Chikista Kendra at Pappinisseri, has always been a popular destination for both foreign and domestic tourists. The park is committed to the conservation of snakes and many species that are on the verge of extinction find a safe haven here.  Did you know that a snake is only responding to the snake charmer’s hand movements and is not dancing to the music as snakes are deaf? You can gather more such interesting information at this snake park.
 

Ethakka (banana, hard flesh, 8 to 10” long and about 15” dia) chips, sarkara varatti (1/4” to ½” thick cut in halves of ethakka chips coated with jaggery and dried ginger), chakka (jack fruit) chips, tapioca chips, kuzhalappam (6” long 1” dia hollow fried rice snack), achappam (4” dia ¼” to ½” height with net-like big holes made using a mould, fried rice snack)and Murkku (circle shaped snack with a hole at the centre; made from rice flour).

All these snacks are made in coconut oil hence might not have a very long shelf life. Most of the snacks are made from seasonal fruits and vegetables that are easily available in Kerala.  Banana chips are a rage of all seasons and form an essential item during onam feasts and marriages.

These days, all types of ready made snacks are available in bakeries though in the past it was laboriously prepared by the women at home. There are many innovative fried items like Pappada vadas, which are nothing but pappadoms, dipped in a light batter of rice flour, cumin and sesame seeds to give it an added crunchiness.In addition, beans, carrot, yam and bitter gourd are also fried and used as snacks during special feasts.

Snacks are something that falls into any time of the day. Snacks are all time favorites in all Kerala homes during morning tea, lunch and dinner. These are good munchies to add fun during a movie or a sight seeing trip as well.