Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam is the place for indian arts and culture lovers located at Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur district, Kerala along the banks of beautiful Nila river.

Kerala Kalamandalam is a public institution of Kerala, founded in 1930 by the great poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana menon for the preservation and promotion of the Classical arts of Kerala. Now this institution is well known all over the world. The artist teachers and students of kerala kalamandalam represented india in many international dance and theatre fesivals and participated in arts and culture programs in many foreign countries.

Kerala Kalamandalam offers training in performing arts of Kerala like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Thullal, Panchavadyam, Classical music (Vocal), Mridangam and other famous Classical arts of India like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi etc.

Kerala kalamandalam is following the traditional Gurukula vidyabhyasam(education system where students residing and learning in teacher’s house so that the relationship between the teacher and student will be deep). Several foreign students are training performing arts here. Students visa is a must for foreign students. Kerala Kalamandalam is a Deemed University for arts and culture approved by UGC (University Grants Commission).

Kerala Kalamandalam is home to many famous performing artists of India.

Kerala Kalamandalam and Kerala tourism department offers A Day with Masters Cultural toursm package to the Kerala arts and culture lovers from India and outside India.Read more… The Vallathol-Museum, Portrait-Gallery inside Kalamandalam, The art gallery, Koothambalam (the traditional temple-theatre), library and research centre are the treasures of Kerala Kalamandalam.

There are so many Star Hotels and Resorts nearby. Nearest railway station is Shoranur Junction(3km) and Kochi International airport, Nedumbassery is 85km away.

Visit kalamandalam.org to read more

Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari – A beatiful sea side tourist place, in the southern end of India. Kanyakumari is not only a tourist place, a popular pilgrim destination too. This is the only place in india where you can watch both sunrise and sunset because, the three oceans – Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian sea meets here.

Kanyakumari takes its name from Goddess Kanyakumari Amman and the temple of the presiding diety is on the edge of the ocean at the confluence of three oceans.

Important tourist attractions of Kanyakumari are Vivekananda rock memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue, both are situated on two giant rocks reached out of the sea, looks like two small islands in the sea.

Vivekananda memorial is on the rock named Sreepada parai (means the rock blessed by the touch of feet of the goddess). You can see the footprint of the goddess Kanyakumari there. Swamy Vivekananda(one of the most famous philosopher and spiritual leader of india) is said to have sat in deep meditation on Sreepada parai. There is a meditation hall inside the Vivekananda memorial monument. Spending some time there would be an amazing experience.

Thiruvalluvar Statue built in the memory the great Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar on the adjescent rock of Sreepada parai is one of the biggest statues in Asia.

Regular boat services are available here.

Kanyakumari was formerly a part of Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. When the agitation of larger tamil population of Kanyakumari for the merger with tamilnadu intensified, the States reorganisation commission also recommended the same. In 1956 Kanyakumari district formed and merged with Tamilnadu state.

Kovalam beach of Kerala is 87km away from Kanyakumari. There are somany interesting tourist spots in and around kanyakumari.

Vivekananda Memorial

Thiruvalluvar statue

Vivekananda Memorial

Sreepada mandapam

Vivekananda Rock

Vivekananda Rock

Kanyakumari amman temple

Kanyakumari amman temple seaside view

Mattupetty

This beautiful hill station is situated 1700m above sea level, just 13 km away from the famous tourist place, Munnar in Idukki district of Kerala on the way to Top Station(tourist spot located in the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu offers a spectacular view of western ghats). If you are on a trip to Munnar, don’t miss this heavenly tourist place.

Main tourist attractions are Mattupetty Dam made in 1940’s and Mattupetty Lake. Boating services on speed boats and slow motor boats, provided by DTPC(District Tourism Promotion Council) Idukki are available here. Cruising through the lake in speed boat is an amazing experience.

Shola forest nearby mattupetty is ideal for trekking and birdwatching. Streamlets and waterfalls here and there adds more attraction for this place.

Echopoint is another tourist attraction nearby Mattupetty, got its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Lake view from here is quite amazing.

Mattupetty is also known for the Swiss livestock project farm established in 1961, where over 100 varieties of highly yielding cattle are reared. Visiters are alowed here from 9am to 11am and 2pm to 3.30pm(Rupees 5 per head for pass).

Kundala tea plantations and kundala lake here are also very nice picnic spots.

See a few nice pictures of Mattupetty…

Kovalam Beach

Kovalam beach, the paradise of south India. A fine sandy beach on Arabian sea backed by lush coconut trees attracts thousands of indian and international tourists weekly. Kovalam has been one of the most popular beaches in India among tourists, especially europeans since 1930’s. Over the past years Kovalam has been well developed and now figures prominently on world tourism map.

Kovalam is located 16 km away from Thiruvanathapuram, the capital city of Kerala. Thiruvanathapuram international airport is just 10 km away and Thiruvanathapuram central railway station is about 16 km away.

Kovalam beach consists of three crescent shaped beaches seperated by outcrops projected out to the sea. Light house beach, Hawah beach and Samudra beach. There are many private beaches also, owned by Hotels and Resorts. Light house beach is the longest and most popular among tourists. The Light house belong to the British period on the high promontory at the southern end of the beach offers a spectacular view of the sea.

A massive rock promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. There are plenty of leisure options and activities here. Sun bathing, swimming, surfing, catamaran cruising, special cultural programmes etc. The local fishermen provides cruises in fishing boats. Many Hotels and resorts here offers Ayurvedic body toning massages, Ayurvedic rejuvenation treatments and Yoga(Indian way of meditation).

There are several restaurants provides Indian and Euoropean style delicious food. Kovalam is famous for grilled seafood items like Lobster, King prawns and Kalamari which are got fresh from the sea.

The main tourist season is from September to May. The best time to visit here is November to february.

Kovalam beach photos

Kumarakom Backwaters

Kumarakom village is a cluster of little islands on Vembanad lake and is a part of Kuttanad region, famous for its mangrove forests, green paddy fields, coconut trees, etc. Cruising through the Kumarakom backwaters is an amazing experience of a lifetime.

Cheap small rowing boats to luxurious houseboats(Kettuvallams) are available here for backwater cruising. Kettuvallams are the houseboats of kerala previously used to transport goods. Now these houseboats are well modified, using as luxury houseboats having all the facilities like well furnished luxury rooms, toilet, kitchen etc. You can spend the whole day in these houseboats and enjoy the beauty of this place.

Kumarakom Bird life Sanctuary spread across 14 acres is on the banks of Vembanad lake. This Bird sanctuary is a favorite haunt of migratory birds. You can watch the birds while cruising round the islands.

Vembanad lake is habitat for several marine species like Karimeen(Pearl spotted fish), Prawns and Shrimp. Kumarakom is famous for Karimeen and Toddy(an alcoholic beverage made from the sap of palm trees)

There are several lakeside resorts here offer comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options like Ayurvedic massage, meditation, yoga,boating, fishing and swimming.
Alapuzha is the nearby backwater tourist destination. You can journey right upto Kochi through the backwaters.

Nearest railway station: Kottayam(16km)

Nearest airport : Kochi(85km)