Tag: Kerala
Munnar turns winter wonderland as mercury dips below zero
Kochi (TAN): Sub-zero temperatures and South India do not often go hand in hand. Yet, the mercury in Munnar, one of Kerala’s most favourite tourist getaways, dropped below zero degrees last week, covering the hill station in thick layers of frost.
Places such as Chittuvara, Lakkad, and Chendura in Munnar saw temperatures fall up to -3 degree Celsius.
Tourism benefited as travellers flocked to Munnar to witness the unusual weather conditions first hand. Hotel and business owners were hopeful further fall in temperatures would boost business in the area.
Not just Munnar, other places in Kerala including Wayanad, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kannur too recorded dip in minimum temperatures. The cold and dry weather in South India has been attributed to the cold wave sweeping across the subcontinent. Ooty, Tamil Nadu’s popular tourist destination, was hit by the cold wave and experienced a chilly weather. Continue reading Munnar turns winter wonderland as mercury dips below zero
IndiGo connects Kannur to three Indian cities
Gurgaon (TAN): IndiGo has announced to operate daily non-stop return flights from Kannur to Chennai, Hyderabad, and Hubli from this month.
Kannur International Airport, all set to become IndiGo’s 67th destination, is the fourth international airport in Kerala, the only state in the country with four international airports.
IndiGo will start the operations from January 25, 2019.
Continue reading IndiGo connects Kannur to three Indian cities
Kerala is decked up for December
December 11 (TravelAndy): All roads lead to Kerala at this time of the year, what with the advent of the Theyyam season, the International Film Festival of Kerala, and a host of other festivities.
The 23rd International Film Festival of Kerala will see Thiruvananthapuram, the host city, turn into a film hub as filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from across the globe make a beeline for their favourite films. The festival, organised by the Kerala Staye Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala, will continue through December 13, and screen 190 films.
Theyyam, an ancient dance form practised in the temples of Northern Kerala’s Malabar region, invokes the Gods through detailed and fearful makeup, costumes, masks, and physical movements. Art lovers from different parts of the world throng to Kerala every year to experience these spectacular performances believed to be have begun over eight centuries ago. The season usually lasts between October-November and May, depending on the Malayalam calendar. Thekkumbadu Koolom Thazhekkavu Bhagavathy Temple will host Theyyam performances from December 16 to 21, while dancers will perform at Muthuvadathu Kalari from December 25 to 26. Location for some of the January performances include Chirakutty Puthiyakavu (Vayalile Kottam) from January 1 to 8, 2019, Pariyaram Sree Udayapuram Temple from January 1 to 8, Chekkicheri Bhagavathy Devasthanam on January 8 and 9, and Kannom Sree Anjuthengil Aviar Paradevatha Temple from January 11 to 13.
Christian delicacies of Kerala that pop up during fests
November 18 (TravelAndy): The Christian Cuisine of Kerala traces a history that dates back to centuries. Even though they have an innate cooking style, the taste, flavours and the serving method differs from region to region.
The native cuisines usually pop up during festivities and celebrations.
The recipes of the dishes are quite unique compared to the indigenous Kerala recipes. Besides its specialty in taste, the serving method too makes it unique. Rooted in Kerala tradition, like the traditional feast of Kerala (Sadya), Theen Mura too is served on a plantain leaf. In many regions, cake and wine are served first. Serving of table salt on the leaf is your initiation into this world of taste. Continue reading Christian delicacies of Kerala that pop up during fests
Indulge in slow travel through Vellur in Kerala
November 4 (TravelAndy): Kerala Tourism is promoting Vellur, a sleepy hamlet tucked deep away in the peaceful countryside of Kannur.
Visitors can experience panoramic vistas of green carpeted paddy fields and the centuries-old art and craft.
“A stroll through the flourishing fields lending your ears to the murmuring rice plants and bathing in the frigid waters of silver streams on a misty morning caters to the tastes of any ardent nature lover,” says the Kerala Tourism website. “Besides its natural charm, the village is renowned for its rich heritage and culture and Shaaliya Porattu, the folk art form, showcases this at its best.” Continue reading Indulge in slow travel through Vellur in Kerala
On a bike trail through Kerala mountains
November 1 (TravelAndy): Find out what a true adventure means in this December with one of Kerala’s most exciting sports – Mountain Biking.
MTB Kerala 2018, the international mountain biking challenge is being organised by the Government of Kerala and Department of Tourism under the aegis of the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS), District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Wayanad and Cycling Federation of India (CFI).
The fifth edition of MTB will be held in Priyadarshini Tea Environs, Mananthavady, Wayanad district in Kerala, India on November 10th and 11th. Continue reading On a bike trail through Kerala mountains
Flower tourist numbers don’t meet expectations in Kerala
October 29 (TravelAndy): The number of tourists who visited Kerala to see the Neelakurinji flower, which blooms once in 12 years, was much lower than expected and officials are blaming the devastating floods in the state earlier this year.
A total of 119,757 tourists visited the Eravikulam National Park near Munnar between September 1 and October 28 to witness the blooming flowers, said officials.
Reports said tourists are now moving to Kolukkumalai, where the flowers will remain for another two weeks. Continue reading Flower tourist numbers don’t meet expectations in Kerala
Thousands in Munnar to see once-in-12-years flower
September 24 (TravelAndy): The hills of Munnar in South India’s Kerala state are awash with tourists who have come to see the Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once every 12 years.
Though the visitor numbers are not as big as expected in the wake of the devastating floods that hit the state recently killing hundreds, Kerala will be happy that the tourism industry is pulling itself together again.
In Munnar, the flowers have bloomed at the hill stations of Rajamala, Kolukkumala, Kottakamboor, Vattavada and Kanthalloor, reports said. Munnar wasn’t affected by the floods. Continue reading Thousands in Munnar to see once-in-12-years flower
Kerala optimistic with tourist arrival from Australia
September 16 (TravelAndy): A chartered flight from Australia, the first this season, landed at the airport here on Saturday, reports said.
Forty-six tourists came on the flight.
The tourists received a traditonal local welcome on their arrival at the airport.
The state’s tourism industry is optimistic about this development as they believe this marks the revival of tourism in Kerala following the devastating floods recently that claims hundreds of lives and severely damaged tourism hotspots.
Post flood, Kerala campaigns to bring back tourists
September 4 (TravelAndy): The South Indian state of Kerala has started an intensive tourism promotion campaign ahead of the high season that begins in a few weeks, reports said.
Battered by devastating floods that saw several hundred people losing their lives, the Kerala tourism authorities are trying their best to convince tourists that the situation is safe for them to visit places such as Munnar, Alleppey and Wayanad.
“We are planning a national campaign to promote Kerala as a safe place to travel and stay. This is likely to be launched before or along with the four-day Kerala Travel Mart that begins in Kochi on September 27, World Tourism Day,” The Hindu quoted tourism director P. Bala Kiran as saying. Continue reading Post flood, Kerala campaigns to bring back tourists
Tourism boost for Thiruvananthapuram
January 30 (TravelAndy): South India’s state Kerala has decided to upgrade backwater tourism in its capital city, Thiruvananthapuram, said The Times of India (TOI).
The district tourism promotion council (DTPC) of Thiruvananthapuram is introducing a backwater tourism circuit including three lakes, namely; Kadinamkulam, Anchuthengu and Akathurmuri.
These three lakes will offer boat cruise across the backwaters and ferry through the eco-friendly environment, allowing tourists to visit the historical monuments, uninhabited islands punctuating the route. Traditional local cuisine and delicacies will also be served in the boat cruise. Continue reading Tourism boost for Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala Tourism woos European tourists
January 22 (TravelAndy): Kerala’s many advantages as tourism destination were on full display for the Dutch and other European travellers at the five-day Vakantiebeurs 2017, the biggest tourism trade event in the Netherlands.
Laidback cruises on serene backwaters and Ayurveda rejuvenation therapies showcased at the Kerala pavilion grabbed attention and generated several enquiries at Vakantiebeurs 2017, which was held in the city of Utrecht from January 10-15 and drew up to 108,000 visitors.
Spread over 18sqm, the Kerala pavilion marked the state’s first appearance at the trade fair which is held annually in the second week of January in Utrecht and provides a gateway to the highly promising Dutch and European markets. Continue reading Kerala Tourism woos European tourists