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A date with a cool Kerala cuisine!
Published July 6, 2010 | 
Each part of Kerala has their own unique cuisine and as anywhere else in the world, the Kerala cuisine is influenced by the traditions, culture and the changing lifestyles of its people. Attracting the tourists with its culinary specialties, Kerala offers one of the tastiest foods on earth. However if you need to really appreciate Kerala cuisines, then you need to have a taste for chillies- hot and spicy.
A typical Kerala breakfast can be anything from Puttu( steamed rice with coconut scrapings, due to abundance of coconuts) and bananas or peas, Appam, Idlis and Dosas. Lucnh and dinner is mainly rice with either veg: Thoran( chopped vegetables and grated coconut), Avial( a mix of all vegetables), Pachadi(different types: papaya, pineapple or lady’s finger) or rice with meat: usually chicken or beef.
Talking about Kerala cuisines, i encountered a different experience when i was on my way to Bolgatty Palace. After a long day with my cousins who had met for a family get together, we thought of taking a stroll outside and enjoy a quiet evening. On our way to Boat jetty, Kochi, back of Marine Drive, we came across a small push cart that had a vendor selling one of the most tastiest “sarbath” i had ever had!
I was so smitten by the taste, that i wanted to know more details about the shop, how he made and what was his luck factor. Meeting with Shaji ekka(the owner), he had lots to say about his small business. This small way side outlet had come a long 21 years with the bees that surrounded the shop as his lady luck. Besides selling, he was a very friendly person and informed us that once the ice that topped the juice was over, he packs up for the day. Needless to say, my cousins said that it was one of the most crowded places and best known in Kochi when it comes to a chilling “sarbath”.
Kerala beaches- Lamps amidst nature’s best!
Published June 29, 2010 | 
Fancy holidaying with the sun, sand, sea and surf? Kerala beaches bring out the best of what nature has to offer blending it with its splendid beauty. A land blessed with Golden beaches, crisscrossing backwaters, palm fringed canals, rich and versatile culture. Kerala is networked by 44 rivers and truly stands out as perhaps the most fascinating part of India, slowly being discovered and explored by the people of the country.
For those who seek refuge from the stress and pollution of modern life, Kerala beaches are havens of serenity and peace, making perfect vacations.
Feel the difference with an Ayurvedic massage in Kerala!
Published June 22, 2010 | 
Never been to God’s own country, Kerala? Or had visited but never tried an Ayurvedic massage, saving it for a rainy day? This is the right moment to treat your senses, enjoy a cool relaxation and watch the rain before you get in to do something else. The right season where the body makes best use of these massages, here is your chance to explore an exciting possibility. So stretch out your arms and here comes our specialists, using a series of techniques to purify your body, mind and soul.
The oldest surviving complete medical system in Kerala for almost 5000 years, Ayurveda is based on the application of various natural healing methods and the practices that emphasize extension of life span, prevention of diseases and rejuvenation of our body systems.
With the monsoon playing the cards,’doshas’ or the problems of the body surface, accumulating the body beyond the desirable limit and out of control. Once the body is weak, it needs rejuvenation and the only treatment is an Ayurvedic massage to detect these troubles and to make the body strong.
An infusion of herbs blended on the basis of ancient scriptures and modern science, Ayurvedic massage has been drawing tourists and has been a source of benefit to Kerala’s economy. Being the nerve center of medical tourism in India, Kerala has the privilege of being known as the land of the origin of Ayurveda, adding to the hospitality and warm heartedness of its people.
Abundant in innumerable varieties of herbal plants and medicines, an Ayurvedic massage in Kerala would be quite an experience. So anybody who wants to enjoy a relaxing day, can check on us at Karma Kerala, as we are best known for providing great ayurveda packages.
Commercial deep water diving- A new job option in Kerala!
Published June 15, 2010 | 
A land of beaches, spirituality, ayurveda and mouth watering cuisines, Kerala has brought up a new idea of deep water diving that gives a great opportunity for all adventure seekers to enjoy and also earn their daily bread. Becoming a business opportunity with added perks for all sports lovers, this sport is a promising career for youngsters in Kerala who are seeking jobs in Middle East and other countries.
A diving act of descending into deep water with usually a breathing apparatus and remaining there for an extended period, deep water diving is used in fishing pearls, corals and also in the work of underwater structures. Commercial deep water diving involves any manmade underwater equipment where divers need to work on ships, bridges, dams and other projects, anywhere there is water.
An easy way to get acquainted with the underwater environment, this activity has become a major stream nowadays in bringing lots of employment opportunities not alone in Kerala, but also Lakshadweep Islands, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Though it is dangerous to an extent, it needn’t be taken very seriously. It is not something that you can just go out and do nor can be learned easily from a book, one needs practice and for that you need to go for a training session. Driven by Wilfred C. Manuel and his brothers in Interdrive in Kochi, this place provides training to those who need an adventurous career that is exciting, demanding and totally different.
This job offers great pay and regular promotions. There will always be a need for commercial divers as long as there is water in this universe and if there is anybody interested, pick this career choice and earn your living!
Edakkal Caves- Only evidence of stone age man in South India!
Published June 8, 2010 | 
If you have an interest for historic places and a passion for trekking, Edakkal caves is the right place for you to explore. Situated in Wayanad in northern Kerala, these caves are formed by two boulder sized rocks in the middle of Ambukutty mala mountain and is considered to be one of the earliest centre of human habitation. Edakkal literally means “a stone in between”. The two natural rock formations represents the world’s largest pictographic gallery of its kind.
Known for the prehistoric carving (petroglyps) all across, it belonged to the neolithic tribe and was not alone inhabitated by just one group, but was home to various tribes at different points of history. Discovered in 1890 during a hunting trip by the then superintendent of Police, Fred Fawcett in the Malabar district, it is carpeted with ancient stone scripts, pictorial wall inscriptions of human and animal figures and also cave drawings. One of the carvings also depicts a certain practice conducted by the tribes in those days. Similar cave drawings have only been found in Stiriya in the European Alps and a few other rocky places in Africa, which is considered to be 7000 years old.
Another distinct feature of the cave is that of the fresh water flowing through the creeks and forming a small pool inside the mountain, which add to charm to serenity. A walk to the cave is very tiring, but it is a perfect place for trekking although it is adventurous going through the slippery steep fields and worth trying.
Attracting historians and archaeologists from all over the country, it is a cradle for human civilization at different stages in the history. One of the famous monuments of the state, it answers to the many queries regarding our ancestors and their evolutions..
Kamala Das- The one who shocked the custodians of conventional values!
Published June 1, 2010 | 
Remembering Kamala Das on her first death anniversary, an outstanding poet both in Malayalam and English, brings back certain facts that though she was a keralite born in Malabar, she spoke loudly about a woman’s feelings and lived according to her own personal dictates. One of the foremost short story writers, she was the first Indian woman who abandoned the secure feelings of a teenage bloodless and unrequited love.
Acquainted with the great writers of literature at a tender age she had enough exposure during her stay at Calcutta and Kerala. Initiated into professional kind of writing after marriage, she was known as ‘Kamala Das’ in English and ‘Madhavikutty’ in malayalam. Some of her famous works in English are Summer in Calcutta (1965), The Descendants (1967), Alphabet of Lust (1977) and the Old Playhouse and other Poems along with her autobiography- “My story”. Famous Malayalam works: “Neermathalam Pootha Kalam”, “Balyakala Smaranakal” and many more.
Though her ‘confessional work’ was translated to 15 other languages, her poems and stories were greatly misunderstood and criticised by Indian critics. The one who loved to tread the unorthodox path had also made a foray into politics aiming at social and humanitarian work, but was unsuccessful in the Lok Sabha election.
As a person who embraced Muslim religion, being a great devotee of Krishna, she loved to wear purdah and liked the lifestyle of Muslim women. Apart from being short listed for Nobel prize for literature, she has received many awards for her literary contributions like Asian World prize, Asian Poetry Prize, Kent Award for English Writing from Asian Countries, Sahitya Academy Award and Kerala Sahitya Academy Award etc.
Her death was an irreparable loss to the nation and state and will always be remembered by her avid readers for her frank and explicit expression in terms of love and sexuality.
Yoga – The science of man
Published May 25, 2010 | 
To attain the extreme heights of peace within; Yoga, is an art of living a healthy, peaceful and contented life. In it’s wholeness, Yoga is integrated to certain principles, values, ideas, attitudes in a way for personal and social benefits. Based on the ancient Indian wisdom and culture, the science of man is designed to awaken the latent powers of mind and body, transforming the person to the sublime heights of divinity and powerful personality.
Designed for all age groups, Yoga is a ocean, but only few exercises and postures are handled by the many centres in kerala. Conceived by the great sages in earlier days it has come to be recognized during its long travails from the hermitages to the small cities and is one of the oldest forms of spiritual practice. Since Yoga has a fundamental therapeutic healing, it is practiced together with other drugs like Ayurveda and Ashtanga Yoga.
Many sides to yoga, it is a powerful healer for many diseases and is also an effective stress manager. A practice for spiritual awareness and an insight for a normal person, the power to control is derived from three sources.
- Control of the body via physical postures
- Control of the breath by breathing techniques
- Power of concentration by mental techniques
In Kerala it is practiced in a land that is surrounded by coconut grooves, lagoons, jungles, hills and the 44 tropical rivers. Focusing on the science of health, vitality, longevity and life, Kerala’s 5000 year old vedic culture calls on this spirit of well being for every individual to practice it for a better self.
In todays world of pollution, stress, unhygenic conditions, Yoga demands a greater position in every household. So anybody and everybody who feels like doing it, contact Karmakerala, where you can get all the information on Yoga and its benefits.
Sasthamcotta- Much more than a monkey's abode!
Published May 18, 2010 | 
In my childhood days people used to ask me about my native place, I would say ‘Sasthamcotta’ and pat comes their reply, ‘Kurangante koodeyano taamasam‘ (So you are living with monkeys?). Though this reaction irritated a bit, but then I gave it a thought ‘if only they knew this ‘monkey place’ is so beautiful and splendid that anyone would yearn to see!
An attractive village that is situated about 19km from Kollam, this beautiful place is a center of pilgrimage- Sree Dharmasastha Temple, health resort. The most striking thing is – the largest freshwater lake, the biggest of its kind in Kerala.
Considered as ‘heaven on earth’, Sasthamcotta lake is surrounded by hills on three sides with almost no tributaries. The marvelous flora provides a glorious look to this place. Fresh water which is available 365 days a year is totally free from salts, minerals and metals that helps in satisfying the water needs of the nearby areas. But sadly it has been reported that this beautiful lake is shrinking at an alarming rate.
Talking about monkeys, here is where it comes from- Sree Dharmasastha Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa where the Dharmasastha is said to have the same powers as that of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala. This dwelling place of monkeys is considered to be holy due to the belief that Lord Hanuman on his way to Lanka in search of Goddess Sita had halted at this place, which later on became a home for Monkeys. Those people who take a pilgrimage to Sabarimala usually come here for worship.
Amongst all this, domestic and international tourists enjoy an affordable ride in the tourist boats (Vallom) which gives in a breathtaking view of the whole area. Well known to be an historic place, the second World Religion Conference in 1971 was conducted in this village that was attended by representatives from all religions. Everything from famous colleges and schools to govt and private hospitals, this small village has contributed a lot to the welfare of the society.
I feel immensely proud to know that I was brought up in a sweet village, which became so popular in recent years and may continue to grow to and will be known for its beauty and not monkeys.
A new height in Kerala tourism- 'Munnar', Asia's second best destination
Published May 11, 2010 | 
Ever thought this haven of peace and tranquility, Munnar would be rated as the second best holiday destination in Asia after Tokyo by the Massachusetts-based research website and travel guide TripAdvisor. Located between three mountains; Nallathanni, Kundala and Muthipuzza, this beautiful hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India.
Named after Kannan Devan the land lord in the Anchanad Valley, Munnar was earlier known as Kannan Devan hills. The main cultivation crops as coffee and tea. The tourist hotspot involved in controversies in recent times for the large scale razing of illegal structures, this was a surprise for many.
Winners were determined on the TripAdvisor by a combination of real travelers favorite places, comments and the overall destination popularity. With eight other Indian destinations chosen among the top 25 Asian destination choice list, India’s tourism is bound to reach greater heights.
Kerala Tourism Secretary, Venu V, is thrilled and humbled to know that with millions of travelers relying on TripAdvisor for their travel inspiration, Munnar was honoured as one among the best travel destinations by the travelers this year.
To ensure sustainable development, Kerala has recently announced a master plan for Munnar following a massive demolition drive that had scared away half of the tourists from the place.
With the annual revenue crossing over Rs130bn and attracting more than 7.8mn domestic and 550,000 foreign tourists with its beaches, hill stations and backwaters, Kerala with its new achievement is bid to rise in the tourism industry and may one day become the most sought after tourist destination in the world. Who knows!
Kumbalangi, a small fishing village brings in lots of credits to Kerala!
Published May 4, 2010 | 
A small fishing village in Kerala, Kumbalangi, located near Palluruthy island near the vicinity of Ernakulam has been cited by the United Nations Development Programme as an Endogenous Tourism Center. With a vast stretch of backwaters that is rich in fish farms, cuisines, coir looms and local boat building, one can find its inhabitants in tune with Nature, depending on the beautiful Nature for its survival.
Showing off the true inherent skills and traits of Kerala, the government declared it as a Model Tourism Village. An exemplar of organic farming, kumbalangi has 800 biogas plants which generates more than 3600 hours of cooking gas.
An ideal tourist location, the Government in 2005 had come up with a project, Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village project in order to transfer this virgin landscape and small island to a fishing spot and model tourism. With crores invested for new roads, building of percolation tanks for storage of rain water, water drainage system and bringing back of fishes that moved away, this project has become a great success in the recent years.
Sandwiched between the Arabian Sea in peninsular and the Western Ghats, the Lonely Planet had described Kumbalangi as the ‘Paradise of the Earth’. Well known to be an apple of the eye, this place is so beautiful like the green fields of Europe and backwaters of Venice combined together.