Climb up a mountain, get a bird's eyeview, communicate with nature. Chembara peak, 6890 ft from sea-level, is an ideal spot. It is in Vaithiri in Wayanad.
One of the highest peaks in Wayanad district, it is quite popular among the trekkers from all over Kerala and neighboring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, it is a great spot to enjoy the enchanting natural settings and exciting outdoor activities. Chembara peak falls within the Meppadi Forest Range and the visitors need to obtain a prior permission from the Forest Range Office at Meppadi for the trek, which does not involve any fees.
A 20-minutes drive along the lush green tea estates would take the visitors to the three-storied forest watch tower, where the motorable road ends. From this spot a long and arduous trek would take you to the peak. At the top there is a heart shaped, crystal clear lake enriched by its natural springs, which is believed to have never gone dry even in peak summer season.
During the past, British planters had set up a golf course, a small rest house and a stable for their horses. Even today, the remains of the road that led to the rest house could be seen.The peak offers breathtaking views of the snow clad Nilgiri ranges and the verdant teak forests of Nilambur, which in itself is an enchanting experience.
In addition there are some excellent mountain climbing options in Munnar that are set amidst the backdrop of the cardamom and clove plantations.
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Watch mesmeric fingers at work with a traditional hand spindle, turning coconut fibers into long ropes. Coloured coir mats, wall hangings and carpets available at roadside stalls and shops at comparatively cheap rates.
In the outskirts of Kollam and Alappuzha, you can see many coir villages where coir is made using the traditional had spindle method. You can see expert fingers at work as they turn the spindle in lightening speed to spin the treated coconut fibre into long ropes. You can always give it a try as the operation is simple though it could be painfully slow for a first time user.
Mostly ladies are engaged in this traditional coir spinning industry. The coconut husks are soaked in water for days together to make it soft. After which they are beaten to extract the fibres. The spinners will walk up and down with the stationery wheel while another person will turn the spindle to spin out heaps of golden colored coir.
Typically in hand spinning the fibre is rolled out into short length of 6 to 9 inches, by twisting the ropes in a clock-wise direction and once this length is attained, two of these short lengths are taken in hand together and made into yarn by employing a counter twist, using both palms.
A set of two wheels- one stationary and the other movable are used in spinning. The stationery wheel with two spindles, carried by the person gives the fibre a uniform thickness while the twisting of fibre is done by another operator by turning the handle of the spinning wheel. Later it is dyed in bright colors and made into various products like mats and wall hangings.
Kerala has some of the best beaches in the world. Serene and secluded, the beaches promise you a choice of experiences – sun bathing,surf riding,water adventure sports; You name it: the beaches of Kerala have it.
Kerala has an impressive coastline of over 576Km, which offers nothing but the best of beach activities for adventure tourists.
If you are on the look out for a quiet and lazy afternoon by the beachside, Poovar Beach would be a great bet. Flanked by the River Neyyar and the Arabian Sea, this pretty beach is dotted with coconut palms and is accessible by water taxis alone. Though the strong currents make it unsuitable for swimming its serenity makes it a hot spot for unwinding at the lap of nature.
If surfing, swimming or skiing is on your cards then take a look at some of the popular beaches like Kovalam Beach, Marari beach in Alappuzha, Varkala beach and Bekal beach among others. Alappuzha beach in particular is well known for its stunning beauty and leisure options like yachting and Para sailing. Aqua-sport equipments are easily available on rent, which makes it a popular option.
In addition to all these adventure activities there is also an array of leisure activities that suit every genre of tourists. You can indulge in interesting beach sports like Beach Volleyball, Football and Basketball and the kids in the fishing hamlets would make wonderful companions to add fun to the games.
Fulfill your desire to be with nature; stay in tree-house at Thekkady or in any wildlife sanctuary. The sweet scent of forest flowers will refresh your nerves and mind.
If you thought being on treetop forms part of the monkey pranks, you are for a pleasant surprise. The tree houses are the latest rage in adventure tourism. Constructed on giant trees in the tropical forests of Kerala, tree houses are something exceptional to this tiny patch of land called Kerala.
You will be reaching on top by a suspension bridge, spanning between two trees or by a cane basket pulled up by a pulley. Once on top, the view will be truly breathtaking if we were to say it in a word!
The vast expanses of verdant greenery, cool and crisp ambience and quiet nights topped off with the ultimate feeling of being right on top of the world- Tree houses ensure all these and more. It is an ideal option for holiday makers and honey moon couples, who wish to have a tranquil holiday far from the maddening crowd.
Built with eco friendly products, these huts will be perched 80-90 feet above the ground level and will have thatched roofs. The trees house will have all the basic amenities and would consist of one ensuited bedroom with running water facility, WC and shower.
Often lit with the soft lighting of traditional lanterns, the tree houses offer magnificent views of natural scenery, which will refresh and revitalize you in no time. You can expect a peaceful night up there free from the urban chaos and noise pollution with only the calls of the night birds to punctuate the stony silence.
Kollam is abundant in cashew factories. Raw, fried, grilled, salted or spiced - no matter what your choice is - you will like them. You will get premium quality cashew nuts at affordable rates at Kollam, which has many cashew processing units. If you are traveling by train through Kollam, you can see hoards of vendors selling cashew packets.
Cashew nuts are rich sources of proteins that provide twice the energy produced by the same quantity of meat or fish . India meets two thirds of the world demand for cashew and Kerala has a substantial Cashew nut cultivated pockets to its credit. Kerala was a leading exporter of cashew kernels since the 1920s and today, The Kerala State Cashew Association is the largest exporter of cashew nuts in the world. In the olden days, cashew nuts were processed in people’s homes or on the streets and were sold as hot cakes in markets.
Cashew nuts are graded as WW180, 210, 240, 320 & 450 according to quality and are hot favorites in the shopping list of any tourist. These delicious nuts make excellent gifts or mementos of this distant land of Kerala. Kollam is undeniably the best place to buy cashew nuts in Kerala, where you can lay your hands on premium quality nuts packed in various quantities and various flavours including spiced, buttered and salted. Spiced cashewnuts have shorter shelf life than raw or plain kennels. So, if you intend to keep it for a longer duration, we would recommend the plain variety.
Cashew nut is a popular seasoning agent for desserts. Believed to have been brought here by the Portuguese, Cashew nuts are commonly called the 'rich man's snack'. Nonetheless at Kollam you can pick up these exotic nuts at rates that fall easy on your pockets.
Kerala's repertoire of percussion music and instruments is world famous. You can listen to the fascinating sounds of the percussion instruments or attempt to master the art of playing one.
Chenda : It is an important percussion instrument in temple festivals and classical art forms like kathakali. Chenda can produce musical notes that range from high to very soft notes, which makes it a versatile accompaniment in all cultural shows.
Chenda is typically hung from the shoulder of the player and can be played with stick in either both the hands or one hand. The rhapsody of Chenda beats can be experienced at its best when it is played in the traditional musical band of Thayambaka. Chenda steals the limelight in many big festivals like the legendary Thrissur Pooram. Though chenda demands many years of hard practice you can try a hand at this majestic percussion instrument that is so unique to Kerala.
Mizhavu : It is one of the largest percussion instruments used in Kerala and is played using the palms of both the hands. It resembles a huge pot in its appearance and is made by bronze or copper. This percussion instrument is traditionally played by the members of the Nambiar community and is an essential instrument during the performance of temple art forms like Kutiyattam and Koothu.
Maddalam: Made out of a single piece of hollow jack wood, it plays an important role in temple rituals and in performances like kathakali. It is wrapped around the waist of the player and is played by both the palms.
Experience the gaiety of a Pooram . Join in the excitement. Dozens of richly caparisoned elephants move in majestic procession. Typical temple music is played on traditional musical instruments. The skill of playing on each instrument has been handed down through generations.
The spectacular pageant of 30 caparisoned elephants and change of the ornate parasols (Kudamattom) a hotly contested item between the two temple teams is undeniably the star attraction of Thrissur Pooram.
The swift and rhythmic changing of brilliantly coloured and decorated parasols is something that you need to experience all by yourselves. Brilliant pyrotechnics and an array of musical performances including the Chendamelam and the electrifying Panchavadyam are the other attractions. An ensemble of pomp and pageantry, Thrissur Pooram offers the quintessential charm of Kerala festivals.
The 'melam' includes around 80 drummers and an array of seasoned artists who are well versed in playing various instruments. 'Elanchithara Melam', which ensures three hours of frenzied musical beats that is held under the elanji tree in the afternoon, is a big attraction for music lovers. An air of competitive spirit transcends the atmosphere as musical beats fill the atmosphere.
In the evening, people carrying colourfully decorated umbrellas and 'Venchamaramas' on the caparisoned elephant backs add specks of glamour to this festival. The dazzling fireworks display starts at the wee hours of the concluding day of the festival and goes on for 3-4 hours. From high decibel crackers to fireworks that light up the sky in rainbow hues, innovative techniques are put to use during Thrissur pooram. Every year you can rest assured to savour something new and innovative in this mega festival.
An orchestra of 5 instruments played in temples, especially during festivals. It is as indispensable as the elephant pageants in temple festivals. Panchavadyam is a unique orchestra of Kerala that comprises of five instruments- Pancha (five) Vadyam (instrument). The instruments used in panchavadyam are Maddalam, Edakka, Thimila, Ilathalam and Kombu.
The maddalam is considered as a divine instrument as it was a major accompaniment in the 'Dance of Lord Siva. It is thought to have originated in the 13th century and the varieties include the Suddha maddalam and Toppi maddalam. Made from jack wood these are barrel shaped percussion instruments. The open ends of the maddalam are covered with stretched hide that are fastened by leather straps.
The ilathalam is the local variant of the cymbals while edakka is the most sensitive of all. The drum heads of this wooden instrument is secured by cotton threads and the player beats the drum and manipulates the strings at the same time. Kombu is a curved horn made of brass or copper. The shrill note of this wind instrument adds to the timbre of the musical feast.
You can catch up with the mesmerizing spell of panchavadyam recitals in any temple festivals or religious processions. It is also an inevitable part in temple rituals including the ceremonial procession of deities.
The best place to have a date with this exciting musical extravaganza is the Thrissur pooram. If you happen to be in Kerala during April-May, then you can pamper your musical ears with a bout of pure music.
Visit the innumerable islands or sail through the lagoons. Watch the breathtaking sunset or enjoy the beauty of the undisturbed backwaters. Try the fresh seafood at Poovar or Bolghatty.
Sensational yet silent, a cruise in the islands would take you along coir villages, lagoons and toddy shops. Chinese nets perched along the backwaters and fishermen going about their daily business in small canoes are enchanting sights that are so unique of these islands.
During the brief halts, you can take time off to scramble through the paddy fields, befriend the happy go lucky villagers, answer a cuckoo’s call or try clambering up the coconut trees just like the toddy tappers who hop from tree to tree. This wonderful cruise experience would take you through some of the unexplored lands of this tiny strip of land called Kerala.
Cochin has many islands such as the islands of Willington, Bolghatty, Fort Cochin, Mattanchery and the Gundu Island. Kothad is another island that belongs to the chain of fourteen islands, often known as the Pearl Islands in the Periyar river basin in Vembanad. These tiny islands and its enviably laid back style of life is well set for holiday makers and honeymooners alike.
The main stay of villagers in these islands is agriculture and fishing. During rainy season, paddy is cultivated in the fields and after harvest these farms are used for traditional prawn farming. You can pick up hand made coir carpets and the famous moolampally pottery, which make excellent keep sake or mementos that would bring back the memories of this pretty land.
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