Ecotourism In Kerala

Ecotourism is getting popular all over the world.Known as God's own country,Kerala is considered as a destination for ecotourism,which focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly development of tourism.Rich in biodiversity and unmatched natural attractions make Kerala a center for ecotourism.But a majority of the world is unaware about it.Because of charming beaches,murmering back waters,enchanting greenary,beautiful mountains and valleys,natural habitats of rare species of birds and animals,wild life sanctuaries and national parks,Kerala is considered as a spot of ecotourism.The national geographic traveller has called Kerala as one of the 10 paradises in the world.

Konni Aanathavalam

Kerala,God's Own Country is well known for dense beautiful forests.Wild animals are protected here very carefully.Man's exploitation towards these wild animals became a threat to their existance.So we all are ought to protect them.State government had taken action to protect the threat facing species especially elephants.Konni is renownedas  a good training center for wild elephants in Kerala situated in Pathanamthitta district.Its a major tourist attraction center and attracts a large number of tourists every year.The main attraction at the elephant-training centre at Konni is the huge cages built of wood to protect these elephants. This large wooden cage is mainly known as Aanakoodu and can accommodate three to four elephants at a time.The chief task of the trainers here  is to train baby elephants, which are brought to the training centre after getting separated from its herd, or found wounded and wandering lonely in the forest.Experienced trainers are taking the task to tame the baby elephants.These beautiful creatures especially the baby elephants are a feast to every visitor's eyes especially those of children. 

Sea Food Business In Kerala

Kerala is supposed to be one of the most important coastal states in the country.It played a significant role in contributing to the Indian Sea Food Industry.About 287 seafood exporters are there in Kerala.The major marine products exported from the State include Frozen Shrimp, Prawn, Fish, Cuttle Fish, Squid, Dried items like Shrimp/ Shark Fins, Cuttle Fish bones, Fish Maws, Canned Shrimps, Fish, Lobster, Crab, Clam, Mussel, Squid tubes, Aquarium fishes, Fresh fish, etc.Frozen items like Shrimp, Fish, Cuttle Fish and Squid constitute 90% of marine export from the State. The European Union is the largest export market, accounting to more than 50% of the total marine exports. Through the exporting of seafoods Kerala has achieved a great place in the world map.Sea Food exporting is one of the greatest achievements of Kerala.

Sabarimala-The Abode Of Lord Ayyappa

Sabarimala is a temple with a lot of unique features compared to all pilgrim centers in South India.It is situated in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.Lord Ayyappa is the chief deity in this temple.Mythologies says that Lord Ayyappa was the son of Lord Siva and Mohini,The Nymph and was later adopted by the king of Pandalam Dynasty.Later ,the Royal Family realised the Godly powers of the little boy.The king built a temple at the top of a hill and got boy settled there as per his wish. There the boy grew and became a great saint, and people began to climb the hill seeking his blessings.Every pilgrim must keep  41 days of continence or 'brahmacharya' starting with the 'Maladharan' ceremony, when the prospective pilgrim adorns a garland of 'tulsi' or 'rudraksha' beads. The pilgrim maintains purity  of mind, body and speech and spends his time visiting temples, praying and attending religious ceremonies. During the Mandalam period, mid-November to the end of December, the devotee wears colored clothes like blue, black or ochre and grows a beard. The pilgrim virtually leads the life of a sage and is expected to consume only 'satvic' food as explained in the Bhagavad-Gita  and keep a distance from meat,fish, intoxicating drinks and other banned food items.Anybody can visit this temple , except Teenage girls and young women. Small girls and women who have attained menopause are only allowed inside the temple.The pilgrimage starts with the Kettunira ceremony, the filling up of the sacred bundle (Irumudi), conducted either in one's house or in a temple.The devoties reach the 'sannidhanam'through Patinettempadi'- 18 golden steps that lead pilgrims to the sanctum sanctorum of Dharma Sasta. It is believed that the holy presence of Lord Ayyappa is there and the surroundings are kept sacred. It's an international pilgrim centre.

The Impact Of Tsunami In Kerala

Kerala is well-known for its beautiful costal areas.Majority of people resides this area are fishermen.If the sea is gentle and calm,they are safe enough to go insearch of their livelyhood.But if not,they are banned from going.One canot predict the consequences of rough sea. Kerala experienced the first ever tsunami in its memorable history on twenty sixth December 2004.When it  occurred, people could not understand the magnitude of the disaster caused by these monstrous waves. The changee that occured in the sea initially attracted the curiosity of the people. The situation suddenly changed and high amplitude waves invaded the low-lying coastal tracts of the southern districts of Kerala claiming 175 lives, leaving thousands injured and homeless and causing damage to properties worth crores of rupees. The Sumatra-Andaman mega-thrust earthquake of magnitude 9.1 on the Richter scale, which had its epicentre at 257 km south-southeast of Banda-Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia had caused these killer waves, which caused mischieves on the shores of south Asia.The rage full sea abducted many children from their parents.The effects of tsunami were experienced  throughout the coasts of Kerala. But the impact was not uniform throughout the areas.The most important factor that we have to do is educating people about tsunami and the signs that nature provides before a tsunami hits the coast.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Kerala,the land of backwaters is famous for many boat races in association with some festivals.Among them Nehru Trophy Boat race is worthreading.It is a popular vallam kali(boat race)  held in the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha district in every year on the second saturday of August.The most popular item of this race is the competition of Chundan Vallams (snake boats). Hence in English it is also known as snake boat race.This beautiful boat race is a major tourist attraction.In 1952,Jawaharlal Nehru,the first prime minister of India visited Kerala.He was exited of sailing in a snake boat and with much pleasure and  donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the race.The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus.Famous Karichal Chundan winning the Nehrutrophy Boat Race in 14 times.Karichal chundan is the Fastest chundan in NehruTrophy Boat Race in the Year 2011.People from distant places are coming to participate in this great waterfestival.Keralites residing all around the world should be proud of this great event.It's really a feast to our eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Illiteracy in Kerala

Kerala, God's Own Country is blessed with beautiful landscapes and prosperity everywhere.We should be proud of being the natives of Kerala, which is considered as a  hundred percent literate state.But its a pity that majority of our girls are illiterate and are facing exploitation.In Kerala,there is a place called "Thirunelli" where there are a large number of unmarried girls with kids and the children  are unaware about their father's identity.Even if they know their fathers ,kills them and are wandering with  freedom because laws are not strict there.The main reason is unemployment,illiteracy and ignorance.These illiterate girls are urged to do this under circumstances because of their ignorance and illiteracy.So its our duty to make aware of the society about the importance of education and thereby saving the girl childs from different kinds of exploitation.

Incredible Kerala

Kerala,the land of cocanut plants is well known for its unity in diversity.Kerala hosts many cultural programs in connection with tourism celebrations.There are so many places in Kerala yet to be unexplored or ignored .Tourism is the main source of our income.One of the main attractions of tourist destinations in Kerala is Thekkady,which is the location of the Periyar National Park and is included in Idukki district.Thekkady is situated to the Kerala-Tamilnadu border town-Kumily.The Periyar Wildlife sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978.It is a thick evergreen forest.Thekkady is blessed with natural spices such as biack pepper,cardamom,cinnamon and clove.The famous legendary temple named Mangala Devi Temple is situated about 15 kilometres from Thekkady.It is surrounded by enchanting greenary and is closed throughout the year except the Chitra Pournami festival.

Onam celebrations in Kerala

Onam is the biggest and evergreen festival of Kerala.It reflects the faith of thepeople of Kerala.Onam is also celebrated as a harvest festival.Onam is celebrated at a nice time.Every where is filled with joy and its the time of rejoice.Beautiful scenaries and landscapes are seen in Kerala in its full radience at this time of the Malayalam new year.Farmers are so happy as they see the full result of their hard work with pride and self confidence.For children,Onam celebration is like a carnival filled with joy and expectations.Onam awaits a VIP visitor,Kerala's most loved Legendary King Maveli who  is supposed to visit his people of Kerala.