Author: Manjari Singh

Kerela Backwaters

Kerala is the most picturesque and protean tourist destination of India. Its innumerable lagoons, lakes, estuaries, beaches, hill stations and above of all its serene and calm backwaters sums up to the beauty of the region. The backwaters of Kerela is a unique product of Kerala and is found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian sea. The backwaters of Kerela are a self supporting eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The tranquil backwaters of Kerala are the most popular tourist attractions of Kerala. The serene and calm backwaters passing through lush green vegetation make a splendid setting for tourists to relax and explore natural beauty of Kerala.

The most exciting thing for the tourist going on backwater tours of Kerala is Ketuvallom, the traditional giant houseboats. While traveling on a houseboat, you pass through green lush countryside, swaying palm and coconut trees and emerald fields. You feel as if you are traveling in a paradise. Exploring scenic backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat would surely provide you a momentous and unforgettable tour. An experience worth cherishing for life time.

Kerala is abundant in backwaters and almost every district of Kerala is gifted with scenic backwaters stretches. Kerala offers backwater tours to many destinations. Some of the famous and exciting backwater destinations in Kerala are: Alapuzzha, Cochin, Kasaragod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhicode, Kumarakom, Trivandrum and Thiruvallam.

Kerala backwater tour is an affiliation of land and water throbbing with its own unique culture. Many beautiful sights greet you along the way, such as the Chinese fishing nets. On-cruise scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of lush greens and deep blues. As the boat glides along the gorgeous green of the fringed palms the ripples in the blue water blend into little wavelets. It is in the months of August and September that the moist, rain-drenched earth and the glorious ever flowing backwaters burst into song together, as over hundred thousand men and women gather on the banks to witness a spectacular water regatta the Snake Boat Races.

Take your pick for the best backwater tour for family and friends. The cruises and the overnight stays in the houseboats are the best way to an unforgettable holiday. The water-bus ferry and the cruise boats are the most relaxed. Your backwater holidays need not be meticulously planned. The entire maritime journey is a merry time experience in true sense. The entire experience of the green and serene backwaters of Kerala is incomparable and incredible. The vivacious and vibrant village life cannot be left in a better way on a smooth sail in the houseboat. It is the backwater cruises that complete the tour to southern India, taking you through the winding waterways revealing the colorful culture and customs of the rural life. The magic of the mystical backwaters works on one and all alike.

About the Author:

Manjari Singh is an eminent travel writer, she have authored websites like :

www.travellinginindia.com

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Are you thinking about tours and travel in India. Travel in India mentally prepared. It has more than a tourist can ask for which will surely surprise with its unparalleled treasures. India is a land of tourism escapade and an oldest & greatest civilization from where every tourist has the will of tour through. Every year a large folk of tourists come for India travel tours. They come to travel in India for its prosperity of sights, heritage monuments, cultural excitement and diversity of picturesque backdrops. They come to India in the hunt for extraordinary something and an extra punch that only India tour offers and promises.

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When you are in Rajasthan tour, your fascination with its magnificient forts & palaces, blazing desert, enthralling wildlife etc will definitely increase and be everlasting. But your Rajasthan tour will be incomplete without taking part in one of the most important tourist circuit - golden triangle tour. This tour takes you Delhi to Agra & Jaipur. All these three important cities (Delhi - the capital of India, Agra - famous for world heritage Taj Mahal, and Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan, also known as the Pink City) of north India have its own charm. Apart from this alluring tourist circuit of north India, there are also many fascinating places to visit in north India.

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About the author

Michael Braganza is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on North to South India Tours and Places to Visit in India. Now he is rendering his services to http://www.avisittoindia.com/
 

 The name Kottayam is derived from the word “Kotta” which means “Fortress” in Malayalam. The old town of Kottayam was originally founded on the hilltop now known as Kunnumpuram. The small hamlet developed within the walls of the fort and thus was derived the present name from the words “Kottackk Akam” which literally means “Inside the Fortress”. It is commonly believed that down the ages this gradually assumed its present form, Kottayam.

Kottayam has the distinction of being the first fully literate town in the whole of India. The first English school was started here by the missionaries of the Church Mission Society of the erstwhile Anglican Church. Kottayam has been a centre of learning and in recognition of this fact the Government established the Mahatma Gandhi University here.

Places to see in Kottayam:

* Bharananganam
An important Christian pilgrimage centre, the town of Bharananganam is known as the site of the internment of Sister Alphonsa (1916 - ‘46) in a chapel next to the St. Mary’s Church. This millenium-old church features an attractive grotto of Virgin Mary.

* Valiyapalli Church
Dedicated to St. Mary, the Valia Palli is a church built in 1550 for the Knanaya Orthodox Syrians situated in Thazhathangadi, 2 km from the centre of the town. It is famous for its 8th century Persian cross and the Pahalavi inscription on the cross.

* Cheryapalli
Located near the Valia Palli, the smaller church of Cheria Palli, also dedicated to St. Mary, built in 1579, has some Murals and paintings of Biblical and other themes.

* Mannanam
Housing the famous St. Joseph’s Monastery, Mannanam is an important Syrian Christian centre. The town is associated with the name of Father Kuriakose Elias of Chavara (1805 - 1871), one of the saintly figures of the Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala. Established in 1844, St. Joseph’s Press is one of the oldest printing presses in India, where one of the oldest of Kerala’s newspapers was printed.

* Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple
The temple built in the indigenous style is situated in the heart of the town of Kottayam. It features several murals and is thronged by a large number of devotees during the annual festival held in the third week of March.

Excursion of Kottayam:

* Vembanad Lake
16 kms from Kottayam town is a vast network of rivers and canals, which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vemanad Lake, which is situated in Kumarakom village. The lake is an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourist destination. It provides boating, fishing and sight seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The Kumarakom tourist village also offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages.

* Ettumanoor Temple
A famous Hindu pilgrimage, Ettumanoor Temple is known for its unique and original architecture, wooden carvings and murals. The one that truly deserves a special mention is a statue of Shiva as Nataraja in a stunning pose. The temple is also famous for its 10 day long annual festival held during February-March.

* Grampi Hill
A great place to relax and unwind, the Grampi hill station is a beautiful place to visit and rest in nature’s lap.

* Champakara (Ayurvedic Centre)
18 kms from Kottayam is Champakara, which is an important Ayurvedic Centre for ‘Thirummuchikilsa’. Sreerangam CVN Kalari Chikilsa Kendram attracts people from all over India and abroad.

* Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Located at a distance of 12 kilometers from Kottayam town, this bird sanctuary is known to be home to local as well as migratory birds.

* Peerumedu
A small hill station located at a height of 914 meters above sea level, Peerumedu derives its name from the famous Sufi saint, Peer Mohammad.

How to get There:

By Air
Nearest Airport is at Cochin, 76 kms away. The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is 152 kms.

By Rail
Kottayam Railway Station 2 kms. away from the Central Bus Station and is connected with major cities and tourist centres.

By Road
Kottayam is connected to major cities of South India by good motorable roads. There are two bus stations, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station on TB Road and a private bus stand near the railway station. Buses to major centers operate from the KSRTC bus station.

For more details on Kottayam Travel visit www.times2travel.com

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