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Start your day with Kerala tea. Walk into a roadside
kiosk, (Thatakada) for a cup of strong tea. Watch the tea maker as he stretches it while pouring it from glass to glass, blending it well. |
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Walk across a coconut rope bridge. Remote Kerala have some extremely narrow bridges made of coconut trunk. Watch the local folk cross them effortlessly. |
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Dive into the backwaters for a refreshing bath. Take some help from the native folks before you leap into the backwaters. |
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Walk into typical Kerala restaurant for a breakfast. Try the Puutu (Steamed Rice cake) Kadala or Vellayappam or iddiappam and of course the iddily and
dosa. |
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Walk through the paddy fields. Walk into slushy water in the fields that runs close to your path. Feel the green around you and the tang of fresh air. Watch the Farmers still use the traditional methods of cultivation |
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Pep up with a sip of cool tender coconut and if you want to try toddy
(kallu) get some fresh from the toddy tapper himself. |
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You would reach home where the host welcomes you for a short snack of Kappaa and fish a local gastronomic delight. You can lie back in the chair in the verandah and take a short nap. |
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You are woken not so gently by the sound of a trumpeting elephant that would ride you through the village of course the mahout is there with you. |
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The elephant drops you near the local market where you can see the shopkeepers earsplitting to sell the products and all crammed up. So why not try those long Bananas and sure there are different varieties. and different shapes and colors. But don't forget to reward your elephant friend with a bunch of these bananas. |
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As you come to the center of the crowded town you could give a try and visit an astrologer who will predict your future. |
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If you are some where near Aranmula a place famous for Aranmula mirror made of a finely polished alloy of four metals - copper, silver, bronze and lead. don't forget to buy one. |
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Near the market buy a Palmyra fan. In Kerala, you'll find small, handy fans made of medicinal herbal roots, palm fronds, bamboo splits and grass. They are really handy during the hot summer. |
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Ride about in a bullock cart. On a pleasant evening, go across the scenic mud roads of Kerala at the slow pace of a bullock cart. |
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Find some time to drift along serene waterways in a country craft, Enjoy and see the village folk on the banks or try some fishing with the help of fisherman. |
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As you reach back to your host's home, you are invited to a
Sadhya. You need to sit on the floor and get started on this feast served on a plantain leaf, The dishes are rice, and a dozen vegetarian dishes, spicy pickles, crunchy banana chips, crispy
pappadams, plantains and of course a dessert which is called the
payasam. |
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16. |
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A backwater tour on a houseboat called the
Kettuvallom. An enchanting journey across backwaters - Discover the rural life around you as the cool breeze surge into the boat as you try some of those backwater delicacies |
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So if you are not spending the night in the houseboat you can go to a Kathakali concert at night with your friendly host and probably he might just give you some revelation about the
kathakali. |
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If you happen to be in the midst of a temple festival don't miss the percussion music and the instruments and if you are somewhere closer to thrissur during the pooram festival you would be really lucky to see Thrissur Pooram a grand spectacle of 60 caprisoned elephants in a procession while and trumpets and drum beat work up a frenzy. |
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The monsoons are the best time for Ayurvedic treatments and rejuvenations and if you there in Kerala during this time try a 1-day Ayurvedic massage to invigorate you- body and soul. |
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You are all set to go uphill to the wildlife and plantations. Spice up your life as you walk through the tea plantations and hills. You can try some of the most excellent tea in India. |
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Go bamboo rafting to meet the elephants on the banks of Periyar river early morning or you could go Tiger trail with some of the best men of the forest who are poacher turned forest guards in this sanctuary. |
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Check into some of the finest resorts and
HomeStays in Munnar and Thekkaddy. Enjoy the evening
with the host trekking the cardamom plantations. |
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Visit the Eravikulam National park home
to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Pack up some lunch and
picnic near crystal clear lakes or you could do some
boating or you could just lie down on the grass gazing
the evening sky. |
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You drive down a good stretch of winding
roads from Munnar to reach Kodanad a once upon a time
elephant training center. If you are lucky, you can
catch a glimpse of elephants of different ages and size. |
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A boating on the Periyar the largest
river in Kerala, you are close to Thatekkad bird
sanctuary where you see hundreds of migratory birds
perched on trees. You can hear many stories from the
local boatmen about the river and the old and abandoned
fort in one of the islands. |
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Catch the rain as you boat in the Periyar.
There is nothing more exciting and magnificent
experience as you get drenched and refreshed in the rain
and the river stirs up to the sound of the clouds. |
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You are back to Fort Kochi. don't forget
to visit the Jewish Synagogue, and old mansions and
churches, or get into the alleyway of narrowest street
in Ernakulam called the Broadway. |
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28. |
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Buy the traditional Kerala dress.
Kerala's dress which is Mundu and the kasavu saree with
gold zari border would truly give the typical keralan
style. Each piece is specially woven on a traditional
handloom. Visit temples and churches wearing this
amazing dress. |
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If you are in Kerala sometime during Onam
you would never miss the snake boat race as crew of 100
oarsmen row their snake boats, their bodies swaying
rhythmically, in one of the most thrilling water sports
of India. |
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You can come near a spectacular spot in
Kuttanad where farming is done 2 metres below sea
level |
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You could spend some days basking in the
sun on a secluded beach spot in Mararikulam, take a
village ride on a bicycle or watch how they make
Ayurvedic medicine. |
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The waterfall in Athirapally is a
spectacular scene to gaze at, and you can take all your
time to refresh yourself here. Take a hike up the rugged
path near the Waterfall or if you are adventurous try
trekking to reach the top of the Falls. |
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Take a break from the wildlife, nature
and get into the playful mood as you get into a theme
park. Ride all the games. |
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Explore the Silent Valley the only
national park that is quiet. Trek through the forest but
make sure you have a guide for this adventure. |
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Redemption from sin- Take a dip in the
holy Papanasm and free yourself from all the sins. |
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Stay in a treehouse. You can spend your
day in the tree house watching the small bird and
animals or just read a book in Parambikulam or Wyanad. |
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Watch Kalaripayattu a martial art form of
Kerala as masters instruct the disciple and practice
this art form. |
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Get into some heritage trails Jain Temple
Edakkal Caves Wayanad Heritage Museum Muniyara Uravu
Pazhassi Raja's Tomb in Northern Kerala. |
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Learn Yoga and meditation from Ashrams
through some learned guru. Some cultural centers have
sessions for Yoga through experts. |
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Explore the Bekal Fort the largest and
the best-preserved fort of Kerala at Bekal, Kasaragod.
The imposing laterite structure rising 130 ft. above sea
level, stands on a 35 acre headland that runs right into
the Arabian Sea. |
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Spend your night in a home stay and
listen to tale and stories about mysterious mountains
and caves, exotic legend from your host. Learn some
concept of tantra, astrology and kerala traditions and
culture. |
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Watch Yakshagana a classical art form.
There are two variations of this performing art
Bombeyattu (puppetry) and bayalattu. Colourful puppets
in huge headgears, elaborate facial make-up and loud
attires dancing to music will keep you entertained |
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Watch Theyyam, Poorakkali and Kolkali.
Theyyam is the oldest ritual art form of Kerala, Look on
in awe as Theyyam performers invoke the temple diety
Bhagavathy with their frenzied dancing. Watch Kumbala,
the Buffalo race, very prominent in Kasargod. |
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44. |
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Indulge in sweetmeats. The S M Street
which is the sweet meat street well known in Kerala for
sweet shops- Halwas, milk sweets fruit sweets all lined
up on both sides of the street. Should definitely try
some of them. |
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45. |
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Watch the making of Boats. Beypore is
famous for the boat building yard port and fishing
harbour. It was once a maritime trade center. The
construction of Uru (vessels) has a tradition, which is
1500 years old. |
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46. |
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Visit the cultural capital - Thrissur.
This place has all tha one needs to know about Kerala.
The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Kerala Lalith Kala
Academy Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Kalamandalam
renowned for Kathakali training center is situated in
Cheruthurthy, Thrissur. |
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47. |
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Visit a Palace. The Palaces and Museums
of Kerala display some of the finest architecture and
collections. You can see collection of antiques murals
and paintings. |
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48. |
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If you are in Alleppey visit some of the
traditional coir spinning units run as a cooperative or
just go to a home where spinning coir is a family trade.
You can also buy small colored coir mats and hangings
from shops. |
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Find out some of the traditional Kerala
cuisine in the host's home. You could try making both
vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine. Get to know the
different cuisine prevalent in different parts of
Kerala. |
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50. |
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Explore a Tharavad, like the Nalukettu,
which is a house with a central courtyard. You can also
visit a century old Christain homes and learn more about
the architecture style and purposes of each space and
rooms in the house. |
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51. |
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Have a mud bath. Go in for mud therapy
and discover its healing properties at the Kavil Bhavan
Yoga and Cultural Centre at Nileswaram, Kasaragod |
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52. |
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Visit Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple.
This is an ancient shrine and a pilgrim center. It is
believed that barren women are blessed with children and
a special turmeric paste in the shrine can cure leprosy. |
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Visit India’s first mosque and world’s second where Juma prayers were started. The Cheraman Juma
Masjid, Kodungalloor: which is located 2 km from Kodungalloor town, is a mosque resembling a Hindu temple in appearance. It was built in 629 AD. |
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54. |
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Visit Padmanabhaswamy temple in Trivandrum, where, the presiding diety is Anantha Padmanabhaswamy -- is a massive idol resting on Adisesha, the serpent. The deity can be viewed only from three entrances, the face from one, the body from another and the legs from the last entrance. The Lord also holds a Siva lingam in His hand. From the navel of the Lord emerges Brahma seated on a lotus. On the legs of the Lord, is His beloved consort, Lakshmi Devi. The entire darshan of the Lord is thus a process, which can be cherished for a lifetime. |
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Rediscover God's own country as you
ride in a train in Kerala. The fresh air, the green
around you the canals, rivers, and patches of pond would
linger in your memories and bring you back again to
Kerala on your next holiday. |