Athirappilly

The Athirapilly waterfalls are situated on the Chalakudy river, which originates in the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. Athirappilly Falls is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Another popular waterfall to visit is the Vazhachal Falls. Athirappilly Falls is a part of Chalakudy river and it is approximately 80 feet in height. Athirappilly is situated on SH-21 highway connecting TamilNadu and Kerala.

Special attractions in and around Athirapilly Waterfalls:

• Chapra Falls – 1.5 km away from Athirapilly
• Vazhachal Falls – About 5 km from Athirapilly
• Dream World Amusement Park – 24km from Athirapilly
• Silver Storm Amusement Parks (P) Ltd. – 30km from Athirapilly

Best Time to Visit Athirapilly Waterfalls:
July to September

Location of Athirapilly Waterfalls:
State: Kerala
District: Thrissur
Distance from Kochi – 70 km, Thrissur – 60 km, Chalakudy – 30 km

The government proposed a 163 MW Athirappilly hydro power project but agencies such as the Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshana Samiti and other cultural societies are against this project

Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athirappilly

http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=131442

Bharananganam

Bharananganam is a famous pilgrimage center in Kerala, India. It is now nicknamed the Lisieux of India. It is situated along the banks of Meenachil river in Kottayam district. Hardly 5 km from Palai, the place is on Ettumanoor Poonjar state highway. Bharananganam received worldwide attention when Pope Benedict XVI canonised the first saint from an Indian Rite, Saint Alphonsa, on October 12, 2008. The mortal remains of Saint Alphonsa are situated here. She’s also known as the ‘Passion Flower of Bharananganam’.

Saint Alphonsa
First Indian woman Christian Saint

Born :- 19th August 1910, Kudamaloor, Kottayam

Died :- 28th July 1946, Bharananganam

Beatified :- 8th February 1986, Kottayam By Pope John Paul II

Canonized : 12th October 2008, Vatian City By Pope Benedict XVI

Bharananganam is also known as Dakshina Guruvayoor (Guruvayoor of South) because of the presence of Sree Krishna Swami Temple.Temple of Sree Krishna in the banks of river Meenachil is one of the major temple of south Kerala. The east facing Sree Krishna Swami temple is located 1.3 km away from Bharanaganam junction in Ettumanoor – Poonjar State Highway

Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharananganam

Athachamayam

Thripunithura Athachamayam is the colourful beginning for the onam festival of Kerala. Athachamayam is held on Aatham asterism of the Malayalam month Chingam (August/September), which is the first day of Onam. Thripunithura is the small town near to Ernakulam in Kerala.

History of Athachamayam:
In the olden days, Maharaja of the erstwhile state of Cochin, used the custom of travelling to the Thripunithura fort with all his entourage. His people can greet him and see him closely at this occassion. People from all walks of life, including the priest of the church of Karingachira, Champil Arayan, Nettoor Thangal would greet the king. According another popular belief, Maharaja travelled from Thripunithura to Thrikkakkara Vamana Temple on the Atham day. The glory of the King is displayed during this march.

When the rein of the Kings came to end after independance, the festival had died out. But it was revived by the Kerala Government in 1960. Now, the procession is without the King, but with all the spectacular colours of the folk arts of Kerala, as well as the tableaus of the current happenings. Athachamayam is conducted in a spectacular manner in Thripunithura every year.

Athachamayam Procession:
Witnessing this event is an enchanting experience for anyone. There will be many caparisoned elephants (elephants decorated with the traditional ‘Nettipattam’). Kerala’s art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thiruvathirakali, Theyyam, Karakattam, Ammankudam, Attakavadi, Pulikali, Mayilattam and many more are presented as floats in this procession.

Kerala’s famous musical ensembles Chendamelam, Panchavadyam, Pambamelam etc. can also be witnessed. Tourists, both National and International, flock Tripunithura to witness this spectacular, customary procession. Floral carpets are also made during Athachamayam.

Reaching Tripunithura:
One can reach Thripunithura by road, rail or Air. Cochin International Airport is about 30 km from Thripunithura. There is a railway station at Thripunithura. Also, one can get down at Ernakulam Town or Ernakulam Junction Railway Stations to reach Thripunithura. There are a lot of private and KSRTC bus services to this historical town.

Courtesy : http://www.zonkerala.com/travel/thripunithura-athachamayam.htm

Kolli falls

Kolli Hills (or Kollimalai, in Tamil) is indeed a remarkable spot in Tamil Nadu. Unlike man-made Ooty and Kodai, Kolli Hills is traditional hill country, the land of friendly tribes, and a part of the erstwhile kingdom of Valvil Ori, a Tamil king who was renowned for his generosity and valour. Formed in the shape of an open square, these hills were also known as Chathuragiri, literally meaning square-shaped hills. Located at an ever-so-pleasant altitude ranging from 1000 to 1300 metres above mean sea level, Kolli hills enjoys a salubrious climate throughout the year. There are total of 70 hair pin curves. At every curve, you can see and enjoy the beautiful sceneries.

The first village of the top of the Hill is Cholakkadu. The Kolli Hills tourism spots starts from here. First we saw the nearby Telescopic House; its equipped with a mini telescope to see the view from the top of the Hill. Next, is Arppalli Iswarar Temple, nearly 8 to 10 Kms from the Cholakkadu village.

Below is the short history of this temple:
A siva temple in the Valappur Nadu situated on the stream Aiyaru. Its is dedicated to Arppalli Iswarar. The deity’s other names are Thiru Arappalli Ashavar. Thiru Arappalli Mahadhevan and Thiru Arappalli Udaiyar, The Deity’s consort is Archalai Valli Amman, also known as Sucmathamba, and Thayammai. Because of the belief that Arappalli Iswarar resides in the small fish of Aiyaru, the temple has also the name of Fish temple. It is customary for the pilgrims to catch the sacred fish by hand, adorn them with gold or silver nose rings in fulfilment of vows. The Hindu legends of the temple’s origin claim that the lingam in the main shrine was unearthed during the ploughing of a field. The scar on its top is supposed to have been caused by the plough.

There, you can see two interesting spots, Mini Falls and the Main Falls (also known as Kolli Falls or Aagaya Gangai). The falls is the main tourism spot to see in the Kolli Hills. To reach the Aagaya Gangai falls, you should walk down by steps (steep down, nearly 45 to 60 minutes of walk). We can bath in the ‘falls’ bath. Hiking back uphill is not recommended for those who dislike physical workouts.

Related link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolli_Hills

white water rafting

Bhoothathankettu, Ernakulam

Bhoothathankettu Ernakulam – Location : 50 km north east of Ernakulam town, Ernakulam district, central Kerala.

Bhoothathankettu, a scenic damsite with boating facilities is situated in a vast virgin forest. A myth associated with the place explains its name and how it came about. According to it Bhoothams (evil spirits/ghosts) wanted to destroy the temple at Thrikariyoor dedicated to Lord Shiva. They decided to flood the region by damming the river Periyar. To do this the Bhoothams rolled down massive stones from the surrounding hills into a narrow portion of the river. Lord Shiva, realizing their intention came up with an ingenious plan to deter them. Ghosts being scared of daylight, he tricked them into believing that morning had arrived. To do this Lord Shiva imitated a rooster’s crow, the most common announcement of dawn’s arrival, on hearing which the evil spirits fled, leaving the dam incomplete. Visitors can see the structure downstream from the present dam. Hence the name Bhoothathan Kettu (fort of the spirits).

Later, this natural topography helped in building a dam here. Lying close to Bhoothathankettu is the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad . Trekking through the forests here is an exhiliarating experience. The two main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district – the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar Irrigation Project are also located nearby.

WHITE WATER RAFTING – Transfer to Bhoothathankettu dam. Meet the guides and get briefed for the trip. The river takes us down through forests on either side. We will experience mild to medium rapids on the way. Lots of fun and frolic as we hit the Paneli rapids the most exciting rapid on the stretch. Pull out Paneli. Picnic -biriyani lunch served at the finish point.

Kalypso Adventures
G 340, Panampilly Nagar
Kochi – 682036,Kerala-India

http://www.kalypsoadventures.com/php/activity_itineraries.php?aid=3

u tooo jimmy??

u tooo jimmy???!! I know, this might be the thought on many of you, who knows me very well…….I never ever bothered of having an own blog….There is one quote saying “The only thing that does not change is that at any and every time it appears that there have been ‘great changes“…But atleast for me , i always struggled to get ‘changed’ with the new world….So took this much time to create a blog myself and add a post…..I thought for a long time about a matter to write about….cant find a good subject…But i assure you in the coming future,ill defenitely come up with some good stuffs….I invite your suggestions to improve ‘my world’..