Hill Stations in Kerala

The hill stations in Kerala are small crowns that wrap the range of Western Ghats. When one speak about Kerala, what directly come to our mind are the tranquil and gorgeous Beaches, thrilling Backwaters, silky sands, Lush green environment and enchanting Wildlife. What frequently slips our mind is that Kerala is also crowd to some of the most beautiful hill stations in the country, a fact not known to many of us. The major Hill resorts of Kerala are: Munnar, Neliyampathy, Ponmudi, Tusharagiri, Peruvannamuzhi, Wayanad, Pythal Mala, Peerumade, Ranipuram, Devikulam, Ezhimala, Vagamon etc.

Munnar Hill Station

Munnar hills are situated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft above sea level. Munnar hills are located at the convergence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India – Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is a perfect spot for trekking. The high ranges of Munnar were earlier known as Kannan Devan Hills, named after a certain Kannan Devan, who had been land lord in the Anchanad Valley on the eastern side of the district. The main cultivation crops in Munnar are Tea and Coffee.

Vagamon Hill Station

Vagamon hill station it is situated at about 60 km from Kottayam and 65 km from Idukki district in Kerala. Located at a height of about 1100 meters beyond the sea level, Vagamon is prettily bounded by three chains of hills namely Thangal hill, Kurisumala and Murugan hill. It is a very perfect traveler spot bounded by the plants of tea gardens, beautiful meadows, deep puzzling valleys and dales.

Thekkady hill station

Thekkady hill station is at a height ranging from 700 m to 1900 m in the Idukki district. It lies on the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala. Thekkady is one of the main tourist destinations in India. It boasts of a sky-high literacy percentage and a proud culture and tradition, which have maintained throughout the ages. Tradition and culture compliments the natural beauty of the state in entertaining tourists from across the globe.

Dance Forms of Kerala

Kerala have centuries of custom and artistic legacy. The prosperous range of Kerala’s dance forms is one of the mainly convincing proofs of its countless civilization and custom. All through olden times dance has been an important element of rituals, ceremony, celebrations and activity in Kerala. Numerous dance forms of Kerala are among the most elegant and gorgeous in the planet. These dance forms are reflections of the miscellaneous religious and artistic ethnicity of Kerala. Dancing, which forms an essential element of every country or region’s civilization has for long been a part of many rituals, ceremonies, and celebrations, with the gorgeous state of Kerala being no exemption. The dances exceptional because of the expressions of the dancers depict while drama, expressions that make known a sophisticated creative class. Here are some dance forms of Kerala which has great importance.

a. Mohiniattam

Mohiniattam is a dance form which is said to be originated in Kerala, is closely related to the Bharathanatyam of Tamil Nadu. Mohiniattam is well-known as the dance of the celestial enchantress. It is one of the most famous classical dances of Kerala. The term Mohiniyattam comes from the words “Mohini” meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and “aattam” meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. Mohiniattam is performed only by women and is known for its elegant actions and easy but stylish costume. Historically, the temple dancers/devdasis performed the Mohiniattam in the temples of Kerala.

b. Kathakali

Kathakali the classical dance form of Kerala was born in Kerala 400 years ago. Kathakali is an art form

where music, dance and drama are extremely coordinated that is in Kathakali constitutes three fine arts, abhinayam or acting, nrityam or dancing, and geetham or singand. Kathakali has a sole amalgamation of text, music, painting, acting and dance. The word Kathakali accurately means “Story-Play”.  It is recognized for its great, complicated makeup and costumes.  The elaborate costumes of Kathakali have become the most familiar sign for Kerala. The themes of the Kathakali are sacred in nature.  They typically deal with the Mahabarat, the Ramayana and the ancient scriptures known as the Puranas.  This is performed in a text which is generally Sanskritised Malayalam.

c. Mudiyettu 

Mudiyettu is ritualistic ballet play performed after the yield of summer crops in Kerala. Among the earliest and native drama art forms in Kerala are the ceremony dances known as Mudiyettu, connected with the Goddess Bhagavathi, the wife of Lord Siva. These dance forms worship the goddess and their themes rotate about the victory of the goddess over the demon Daruka and other malevolence characters.

d. Koodiyattam

This dance form of Kerala is the earliest of its kind and was evolved in the seventh century AD. It is an offering to divinity. Mythological themes are played. Kootiyattam accurately means “acting together”. Koodiyattam performed in the Sanskrit language in Hindu temples. Koodiyattam is Kathakali’s 2000 year old precursor and is accessible as a votive offering to the divinity.

Forts in Kerala

Kerala had been the center of large amount of political actions in the history and has witnessed the arrival of a range of overseas powers, which established down in various regions of the state. The impressive forts such as the Bekal Fort, Palakkad Fort, and St.Angelo’s Fort, constructed by these regal powers talk volumes about the foreign power on structural design. Here are some forts in Kerala which have great historical importance.

a. Bekal Fort

Bekal Fort is the largest fort in Kerala and is about 40 acres. Wide and broad seashore in the background of fisher folk rural community life, Bekal fort has an attractive gorgeousness and ordinary charm. This main tourist spot laid 26 kms south of Kasaragod town. Bekal fort was constructed by the Ikkeri Naikkan’s in the 17th century; this pretense stood past the occasion and still leftovers a wonder to everyone’s eyes.

b. Pallipuram Fort

It is one of the oldest existing European forts in India. This fort is in Ernakulam constructed by the Portuguese in 1503 and is one of the European monuments in India. This fort is located in the northern edge of the Vypeen Island. The Catholic Church at Pallipuram is a main pilgrim centre. This hexagonal building is the oldest existing European monument in India. It is commonly known as Ayakkotta or Alikkotta.

c. St. Angelo’s Fort

St. Angelo Fort is also known as Kannur Fort or Kannur Kotta. This fort located close to the sea shore about 2 km away from Kannur town was built in 1505 AD by Sir Francisco De Almeiyda, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India. This fort was once ruled by the British. It is now under the archeological department.

d. Thalassery Fort

Thalassery Fort is in Kannur District of Kerala state. The square fort, with its huge walls, clandestine tunnels to the sea and intricately imprinted enormous doors, is an impressive structure. The fort was once the center of Thalassery’s progress. It is now a historical monument. The fort stands on a stony precipice, right on the Muzhappilangad Beach. It was constructed by the East India Company in 1703 as a memorial of their regal imperialism.

e. Palakkad Fort

Palakkad Fort is also known as Tipu’s Fort. Palakkad Fort is an old granite fort located in the heart of Palakkad town of Kerala state in India. Palakkad Fort is one of the best preserved Forts in Kerala, was built by Mysore’s Haider Ali in 1766 AD. In 1790, the Fort was taken over and renovated by the British. The Fort offers panoramic views of the town of Palakkad. The Fort is currently a protected monument under the Archeological Survey of India.

7 Wonders in Kerala

Kerala is lovingly known as “God’s Own Country”.Kerala is a perfect place where you can enjoy your vacation in wonderful way. Kerala is raising as a popular destination due to its charming natural beauty and wonderful tourism places. It is situated on the Malabar shoreline of south west, India. Here I would like to write about “7 wonders in Kerala”. Enjoy the beauty of “7 wonders in Kerala”.

1. Athirapally waterfalls

The Athirappilly Falls is located on the Chalakudy river, which originates in the higher reaches of the Western Ghats. Athirappilly Falls is one of the most excellent places to visit in Kerala. Another popular waterfall to visit is the Vazhachal Falls. Athirappilly Falls is a part of Chalakudy river and it is about 80 feet in height.

2. Agasthyarkoodam (Peak)

Agasthyakoodam is located in the Trivandrum district of Kerala. It is one of the beautiful mountain areas and this place has been affirmed as a reserved forest region by the administration lately. The hill consists of rare ayurvedic genus and therefore this region is affirmed as the reserve area.

3.Vembanattu Kayal (Lake)

Vembanattu Kayal covers a region of over 1512 km². The lake is surrounded by Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts. Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes, in India. Vembanad Lake is about 14 kilometres wide at its widest point.

4. Edakkal (Caves)

Edakkal Caves are two natural caves situated 1,200 meters on top of sea level on Ambukutty Mala 25 km from Kalpetta in the Wayanad district of Kerala in India’s Western Ghats. Edakkal Caves are situated 1000 meters high on Ambukutty Mala 25 kms from Kalpetta in the Wayanad district of Kerala in India’s Western Ghats. It is a primitive rock shelter created naturally out of a strange disposition of three enormous boulders making one to rest on the other two, with its bottom jutting out in between and serving as the roof.

5.Chadayamangalam Para 

Chadayamangalam” or “Jadayumangalam” is historically and significant place. Chadayamangalam Para is a 1000-feet big rock at Chadayamangalam, 52 Km from Trivandrum and 37 Km from Kollam. It is a attractive place with a broad range of crops including rubber, coconut and pepper. This rock is used for trekking and is perfect for the escapade excited. The Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple is about 10 km from here.

6. Queen of the Arabian sea (Natural Harbour)

Kochi, the Queen of the Arabian Sea has moved out through periods of migration and has been bare to all main cultures. The soil of the low lying lands on the seacoast, consisting of sea sand and calcareous matter joint with a variety of kinds of earth and clay, attests to the nature of the creation.

7. Silent Valley (Rainforest)

Silent Valley National Park is situated in the Nilgiri Hills, Palakkad District in Kerala, South India. The area in this national park was historically explored in 1847 by the botanist Robert Wight. The British named the area Silent Valley because of a professed absence of noisy insect Cicadas that are generally plentiful in tropical rain forests