Famous Hill Stations in Kerala

Kerala, surrounded by the Western Ghat ranges on its eastern border has no doubt a wonderful collection of hill stations and lot of pleasure to offer, its dense green attractive locations, acres of tea, coffee and spice farms, profuse and thick forests, unusual or weird type of flora and fauna, intersecting mountain small rivers, amazing waterfalls.

  Famous Hill Stations in Kerala:

• Munnar

• Thekkady

• Vagamon

• Ponmudi

• Idukki

Munnar

 

Greenery, Mountains covered with tea plantations, forests, wild life, valleys, trekking and mountains are the memories that comes in when you hear about best places to visit in Munnar . With a view that inspires painters and artists who view the lakes and verdant tea gardens, Munnar has lot of places that is a must visit. ome of the most popular places to to visit in munnar include Tourist spots like Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi, Devikulam, Nyayamakad, Muniyara Dolmens, Attukal Waterfalls, Photo Point, Echo Point and Pothemadu.

Thekkady

Thekkady in Kerala State, India's largest wildlife sanctuary is a dream destination for any tourist visiting India. The 120 years old 'Surki' dam built across Peryiar, Poorna in Vedic parlance, is a major tourist attraction. This sanctuary is spread over an area of 777 Sq.Kms, surrounded by an artificial lake over an area of 25 Sq.Kms.

The Country's sole Tiger reserve, Thekkady, with its bountiful treasures of tropical flora and fauna is the ultimate reservoir of many an endangered species and a rich tribal culture. Thekkady is a pleasant heaven on earth for those who love nature in its wild manifestations.

Vagamon

Vagamon hill station is comprised of a beautiful series of hillocks, valleys and cascading waterfalls that make it the ideal getaway for tourists. Take a walk along the narrow, mist covered zigzag roads that wind up the hills and experience true bliss. For adventure seekers, there is an option of trekking, para gliding or rock climbing.

Ponmudi

A hill resort close to the sea, Ponmudi is idyllic with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs. Located at about 915 ft above the sea level, Ponmudi is home to many beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, springs and rivulets. The region is also occupied by spice and tea plantations and is dotted with waterfalls and view points. This hill destination is ideal for long walks and treks.

Idukki

The Idukki district covers a total area of 1,971.14 sq miles or 5,105.22 km2, making it the 2nd biggest district of the state of Kerala after Palakkad. The district forms 12.9% of the total area of Kerala.

Approximately 97% of the overall area of the Idukki district is encompassed by jungles and craggy mountains. The altitude of the place is 1,200 meters or 3,900 feet above sea surface.

Boat Race in Kerala

Boat racing is an extremely mainstream water sports led amid the rainstorm season in a portion of the central lakes and back waters in Kerala.

There are numerous sorts of vessel races played out each year in Kerala backwaters; every one has its own particular story of root with a ton of incredible stories and folklore appended. As indicated by verifiable sources, boat races began as a way to settle different question between the past lords and chieftains. Pontoon races have been an intrinsic piece of temple merriments sorted out by religious groups.

The Kerala wind vessel races have been in presence since four hundred years, they were utilized for battling wars in water by the antiquated Kuttanadu Kings. The vessel races are prevalently called wind boat races because of the exceptional kayak state of the pontoon. Various types of the pontoon races happen in various parts of Kerala.

Best Boat Races:

• Nehru Trophy Boat Race
• Champakkulam Moolam (Snake) Boat Race
• Aranmula Vallamkali Boat Race
• Payippad Boat Race

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

This race is brimming with rushes and energy. The race pulls in extensive number of traveler swarm.

Champakkulam Moolam (Snake) Boat Race

This snake pontoon race is held to check the devout day when the Krishna symbol was mounted in the Shree Krishna Temple of Ambalappuzha district. Prior to the race begins, the lake is embellished by bright water crafts that are wearing beautiful parasols containing gatherings of performing craftsmen who feature their aptitudes to pay tribute to the Krishna icon and the boat races.

Aranmula Vallamkali Boat Race

One of the most established boat race occasions; the Aranmula pontoon race is a two day issue held amid the exceptionally well known Onam celebration in Kerala. Upwards of 26 Palliyodam vessels beauty the waters, which incorporates the stupendous likeness of Lord Krishna and youngsters wearing extravagant clothing types. The snake water crafts are finished in vivid silk materials and parasols to stamp the wondrous event.

Payippad Boat Race

This unique boat race happens to introduce the Prathista function or the establishment of the symbol of Lord Subramanya at Haripad Subramanya Temple. As indicated by fanciful realities, the icon of Lord Subramanya was found at another stream and was conveyed to Haripad on a pontoon. The three day vessel race celebration is held amid the celebration of Onam. The exceptionally laborious snake boat race initiates on the third day of the celebration.

Festival of Onam - The Beginning

The ten-day collect celebration of Onam kick-begins with Athachamayam at Tripunithura,Kerala. Its an incredible chance to witness the distinctive society works of art of Kerala. 

Atham began to remember the historic point triumph of the Kochi ruler. Amid the times of the lords, this was day to demonstrate the imperial pageantry. This was additionally an open door for general society to meet and welcome the ruler. In spite of the fact that the time of Kings had finished, the celebration is as yet celebrated with all its grandness to check the start of state celebration of Kerala, Onam or Thiruonam.

 

Women wear customary Mundum Neriyathum remain to welcome parade. 

Athachamayam

• Athachamayam is an extremely vivid celebration with fabulous parades joined by finished elephants and buoys, gathering of performers, and different customary Kerala works of art.
• A portion of the delightful customary Kerala works of art which are seen amid the Athachamayam Festival in Kochi incorporate Chendamelam, Panchavadyam, Theyyam, Karakattam, Mayilattom, Pambamelam, Pulikali, Ammankudam, and Aattakavadi.
• As usual, the parade held its energy, with artistes wearing Theyyam, Mayilattom, Kummi, Pulikkali, Kathakali, Thullal and Karakattom clothing types framing some portion of it. 

Onam Festival 

Onam falls in the period of Chingam, which is the main month as indicated by the Malayalam Calendar. The festivals stamp the Malayalam New Year, are spread more than ten days, and close with Thiruvonam. The ten days are successively known as Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom and Thiruvonam. The first and the most recent day are especially critical in Kerala and to Malayalee people group elsewhere. 

Atham day

Pulikkali

  The Atham day is set apart with the begin of merriments at Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara sanctuary (Kochi). This Vishnu sanctuary is considered as the central focal point of Onam and the habitation Mahabali, with the raising of the celebration flag. Parades are held, which are bright and portray the components of Kerala culture with drifts and tableaux.

Different days have assorted scope of festivities and exercises going from watercraft races, move occasions, combative techniques, botanical outlines, supplications, shopping, giving time or sustenance for philanthropy to investing energy with family over banquets. Men and ladies wear customary dress. The Kerala sari or Kasavu sari is especially well known.