Kerala:Paradise Land

Kerala the land of Paradise -Wedged between the Western Ghats on the East and also the Arabian ocean on the West, the slim strip of land referred to as Kerala may be a destination of a lifetime. The timeless great thing about the palm fringed beaches of Kovalam and Varkala, the majesty of the rising and falling hills of Munnar and Vagamon, the calmness of the proper backwaters of Kumarakom & Kuttanad and also the charming woods and forests of Thekkady and Silent Valley can have you ever shocked. That such alittle land will hold varied geographical options and cultures may be a marvel in itself.

Kovalam
Kovalam is an internationally well-known beach with 3 adjacent semi-circular beaches. it's been a favorite haunt of tourists, particularly Europeans, since the Thirties. a large rocky cape on the beach has created a pretty bay of calm waters ideal for ocean bathing.

The leisure choices at this beach are masses and varied. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are a number of them. The tropical sun acts therefore quick that one will see the pale blush of coppery tan on the skin in a very matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late within the day and carries on well into the night. The beach advanced includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, and convention facilities, looking zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres.

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital town of Kerala, is simply sixteen km faraway from Kovalam and obtaining there's no trouble. however if you're on vacation it's higher to remain in Kovalam and visit the town.

The City of Thiruvananthapuram has fascinating places to ascertain just like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Ponmudi hill station etc. SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts emporium, is that the ideal place to select up ethnic curios and different articles.

Best time to go to Kovalam is in September to March, though it's an all time spherical destination.

Transportation:
Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, regarding sixteen km.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, regarding ten km.

Varkala
Location: fifty one km north of Thiruvananthapuram town in Thiruvananthapuram district and thirty seven km south of Kollam, south Kerala.

Varkala, a peaceful and quiet hamlet, lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district. it's many places of tourist happiness sort of a stunning beach, a 2000-year previous Vishnu Temple and also the Ashramam – Sivagiri Mutt a bit distance from the beach.

At the tranquil Varkala beach may be a quiet ocean resort made in mineral water springs. A dip within the holy waters at this beach is believed to clean out the body of impurities and also the soul of all sins; hence the name ‘Papanasam beach’.

A 2000 year previous holy place the Janardhanaswamy Temple stands on the cliffs overlooking the beach, a brief distance away. The Sivagiri Mutt, founded by the nice Hindu reformer and thinker Sree Narayana Guru (1856 – 1928) is additionally reachable. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees per annum throughout the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days – thirtieth December to first January. Sree Narayana Guru propagated the ideology: “one caste, one faith and one god”, in a very society torn by the taboos of caste system.

Varkala offers glorious accommodation facilities for tourists and is quick changing into a well-liked health resort with several Ayurvedic massage centres.

Attractions: Beach, mineral water springs, the Sivagiri Mutt and a 2000-year- previous Vishnu Temple.

Transportation:
Nearest railway station: Varkala, regarding three km away.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, regarding fifty seven km away.

Munnar
It is one amongst the attractions that contributed to Kerala’s popularity as a travel destination among domestic and foreign travellers. Situated at the confluence of 3 mountain streams – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, and perched regarding 1600 m higher than ocean level, the hill station of Munnar once used to be the summer resort of the previous British administration in south India.

This hill station is marked by huge expanses of tea plantations, colonial bungalows, rivulets, waterfalls and funky weather. it's conjointly a perfect destination for trekking and mountain biking.

Let us currently explore a number of the choices in and around Munnar that might give travellers ample opportunities to get pleasure from the fascinating hill station of Munnar.

Eravikulam National Park
One of the most attractions close to Munnar is that the Eravikulam National Park. Located regarding fifteen km from Munnar, this park is known for its rare inhabitant – the Nilgiri Tahr. unfold over a part of ninety seven sq. km., this park is additionally home to many species of rare butterflies, animals and birds. a good place for trekking, the park offers an exquisite read of the tea plantations and conjointly the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mists. The park becomes a hot destination when the hill slopes here get lined in a very carpet of blue, ensuing from the flowering of Neelakurinji. it's a plant endemic to the current a part of the Western Ghats that blooms once in twelve years. The last time it bloomed was in 2006.

Anamudi Peak
Located within the Eravikulam National Park is that the Anamudi Peak. this is often the very best peak in south India standing at a height of over 2700 m. Treks to the height is allowed with permission from the Forest and Wildlife authorities at Eravikulam.

Mattupetty
Another place of interest, located regarding thirteen km from Munnar city, is Mattupetty. Situated at a height of 1700 m higher than ocean level, Mattupetty is thought for its storage masonry dam and also the stunning lake, that offers enjoyable boat rides, enabling one to get pleasure from the encircling hills and landscape. Mattupetty’s fame is additionally attributed to the dairy farm run by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, where one would bump into completely different high soft breeds of cows. Mattupetty with its flourishing inexperienced tea plantations, rolling grasslands and also the Shola forests is additionally ideal for trekking and is home to a spread of birds.

Pallivasal
Pallivasal, located at regarding three km from Chithirapuram in Munnar is that the venue of the primary Hydro-electric project in Kerala. it's an area of big enticing beauty and is usually favoured by guests as a picnic spot.

Chinnakanal
Near the city of Munnar is Chinnakanal and also the waterfalls here, popularly referred to as Power House Waterfalls, cascade down a steep rock 2000 m higher than ocean level. The spot is enriched with the scenic read of the Western Ghats ranges.

Anayirangal
When you traveled regarding seven kilometers from Chinnakanal, you reach Anayirangal. Anayirangal, twenty two km from Munnar, may be a flourishing inexperienced carpet of tea plants. a visit on the grand reservoir is an unforgettable expertise. The Anayirangal dam is surrounded by tea plantations and evergreen forests.

Top Station
Top Station, that is regarding thirty two km from Munnar, is at a height of 1700 m higher than ocean level. it's the very best purpose on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. Travellers to Munnar build it some extent to go to high Station to get pleasure from the panoramic read it offers of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. it's one amongst the spots in Munnar to get pleasure from the Neelakurinji flowers blooming over a large space.

Tea Museum
Munnar has an inheritance of its own when it involves the origins and evolution of tea plantations. Taking account of this inheritance and to preserve and showcase a number of the gorgeous and fascinating aspects on the origin and growth of tea plantations in Kerala’s high ranges, a museum completely for tea was opened some years ago by Tata Tea in Munnar. This Tea Museum homes curios, pictures and machineries; all of that have a story to inform on the origins and growth of tea plantations in Munnar. The museum is found at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar and is price a visit.

Transportation
Nearest railway stations: Theni (Tamil Nadu), regarding sixty km away; Ernakulam regarding one hundred thirty km away.
Nearest airports: Madurai (Tamil Nadu), regarding one hundred forty km away; Nedumbassery International Airport, regarding a hundred twenty five km away.

Vagamon Hill Station
The Vagamon Hills is found at a height of one,100 meters higher than the ocean level. It lies within the district Idukki, regarding 151 km south-east of Kochi, sixty kilometers from Kottayam and a hundred kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram.

Importance Vagamon Hill Station
Apart from spice plantations, enticing resorts and peaceful great thing about the place, Vagamon has been created widespread by the string of 3 Hills of Kurisumala, Murugan Hill and Thangal Hill, dedicated to a few separate spiritual faiths-Muslim, Christianity and Hinduism. so Vagamon is additionally the positioning of nice spiritual and non secular activities.

Flora and Fauna
Flowering plants of varied colours and species are found during this hilly region. Prickly undergrowth and long grasses grow within the lower altitudes whereas evergreen trees are found within the higher altitudes. whereas you loves the character trails within the woods of Vagamon, you get to ascertain the untamed buffaloes, strange- trying birds and insects and big elephants bathing and lounging within the tiny water bodies.

The slopes of the Hills of Vagamon aren't terribly steep and hence it facilitates adventurous sports like trekking, hiking, paragliding and different exciting activities. The favorable trekking methods are the favourite haunts of the trekkers.

This place conjointly offers varied activities associated with spiritualism. you'll be able to mantra the name of God whereas climbing the Kurisumala Hill to go to the Kurisumala Ashram.

You can meditate peacefully amidst nature and feel the serenity of this heavenly place slowly casting a divine spell upon you. Vagamon may be a place of 3 successive ( paras ) hills that have fascinating things to supply besides mountaineering and trekking.

Thangal Hill or Thangalpara- it's located five kms from Vagamon. it's said that the Mausoleum of Sheik Fariduddin was found atop this Hill and since then it's become a web site of Muslim pilgrimage. you'll even be amazed to ascertain the exceptional rock formations of various size and shapes. you'll be able to conjointly visit the Indo-Swiss project.

Kurisumala – This hill is additionally situated ten kms from Vagamon and lies near Thangalpara. This hill homes the Kurisumala Ashram, a cloister for Christian monks who has Indian furthermore as Christian beliefs. it absolutely was founded by a Belgian Cistercian Abbot Francis Acharya and reflects solitary bliss. The Dairy farm in Kurisumala may be a must-see.

This hill conjointly has fourteen Crosses that are positioned at regular intervals and St Thomas Mount-a centenary memorial.

Murugan Hill- This hill is consecrated to a Hindu God- Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva who is that the God of destruction. there's an impressive temple carved from rock at one facet of the hill.

Transportation:
Nearest Airport- International Cochin Airport is that the nearest airport to the current hill station.
Railroad- Kottayam is that the nearest Railway station.
Roadways- Buses are frequently out there. the closest KSRTC Bus stand is at Eratupetta. Vagamon is connected to Kochi via Thripunithura, Vaikom and different components of Kerala.

Kerala, the land of Ayurveda
Kerala’s equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants), and also the cool monsoon season (June to July and October to November) are best fitted to Ayurveda remedial and restorative packages.

In fact, today, Kerala is that the solely State in India that practices this technique of medication with absolute dedication.

Monsoon, the perfect time for rejuvenation
Traditional texts reveal that the monsoon is that the best season for rejuvenation programmes. The atmosphere remains dust-free and funky, gap the pores of the body to the most, creating it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy.

Cuisine in Kerala
Cuisine in Kerala has roots within the history, geography and culture of the land. These are often classified underneath the 2 normal headings – vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. whereas the non-vegetarian dishes are all heavily spiced, the vegetarian repertoire is mildly spiced and feels particularly easier on the non-native tongue.

Low Budget Tour Destination

On the opposite hand, there are fewer smart destinations within the Americas now of year, and Southeast Asia, that is often the budget traveler’s Mecca, is at the height of a harsh rainy season this month.
Prices listed for every town are from our Backpacker Index for 2011, that compares cities round the world for constant common budget travel expenses.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

September is yet one more wonderful month in Rio de Janeiro, still many months before the rainy season kicks in that's conjointly among the warmer summer temperatures. a day in September ought to be pleasantly heat and each night ought to be cool enough to be enjoyable additionally.
Another key detail here is that this can be a part of the low season for hotels, thus you ought to be ready to get a number of the nicer places overlooking Copacabana or Ipanema beaches for surprisingly smart rates. Overall Brazil has gotten to be slightly on the expensive facet thanks to its rising currency, however it’s still an excellent discount compared to Europe or North America.

New Orleans, USA

Especially throughout the second 1/2 September, New Orleans starts obtaining over the muggy summer sizzle, with temperatures changing into quite nice most of the time. There’s undoubtedly the threat of slightly of rainfall, however that’s truly true in each month of the year in New Orleans.
Compared to just about each different major yankee tourist town, New Orleans remains a discount. Hotels typically have lower costs through summer, which includes September at several places, thus this can be a perfect month to require advantage of lower costs and a few rather nice weather at constant time.

Europe
September may well be the simplest month of the year to go to Europe for the budget traveler. Most of the cheaper cities within the south have nice weather, and crowds have already thinned out from the August peaks.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Europe’s most cost-effective tourist town will begin to induce cool in the dark toward the tip of September, however a minimum of the crowds skinny out slightly at constant time, creating this a perfect time to come back. Hotels still are in high-season mode through the month, though costs are typically thus low-cost compared to anywhere else in Europe that it’s barely price worrying concerning.
Sofia is changing into a favourite among low-budget backpackers who are craving for an area to weigh down for a jiffy. The hostel beds are shockingly low-cost here, even compared to different low-cost cities on this same list. It can’t keep this cheap forever, thus don’t wait too long if you're a cheapskate who likes to brag concerning being places before the lots come back.

Krakow, Poland

It might be slightly of a stretch to mention that Krakow has “great weather” in September, particularly within the second 1/2 the month, however we’ll keep it on the list one last time as a result of it’s still terribly pleasant now of year, and crowds are way more cheap when the August rush additionally.
Krakow may be a great distance from any coast thus it's a decent five to six months of frigid weather annually, creating a visit throughout the hotter months just about obligatory. This continues to be one among the most affordable and most charming cities in all of Europe, changing into very hip with stag parties and like well, thus if you're within the space it might be wise to set up a minimum of a brief keep.