Bekal Fort

Bekal Fort

Bekal Fort which is located in Kasaragod, Keralam, India is the best preserved fort as well as the largest fort in Kerala. Bekal Fort is more than 300 years old and was built by Sivappa Naik in the year 1650's. The fort has a master design with its zigzag entrance and the best defensive walls. The Fort was built for and is best known for its defense architecture. The Bekal Fort has been a source of attraction for historian and tourist for years.

According to histories behind the Bekal Fort, its told that the Bekal Fort was originally built by Kolathiri Rajas and later captured by Sivappa Naik. The fort was later occupied by the Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1763 AD and then by Tipu Sultan. The Fort served as a very important station for all these Kings especially for Tippu Sultan when he led the great military expedition to capture Malabar. Bekal Fort defended the port from overseas attack. Tipu Sultan who died fighting against the British in 1799 saw the end of the Mysorean control and later Bekhal Fort came under the British East India Company.

The excavations conducted recently at the fort yielded different types of secular and religious structures built of laterite of the time of Nayakas of Ikkeri and Tipu Sultan. The other interesting discovery was the mint house (Huzur) and a palace complex of the medieval period. Remains of Darbar hall and temple complex were also brought to light during the excavation. The coins collected from the excavations belong to Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and Mysore Wodeyars. Another interesting find was the copper coin mould of Tipu Sultan. The structures exposed were mostly secular in nature.

Bekhal Fort is now protected and preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Government of Kerala is now promoting Bekhal Fort as the best Tourist place under the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC). The near places of the Fort like the Bekal Aqau Park and the Pallikere Beach is also a must visit place.

Pallikere Beach is a shallow beach which offers a spectacular and fascinating view of the Fort.

Features of the Fort:
* The Architecture of the Fort is the most sophisticated. The Fort is spead over 40 acres with its walls about 12 meters in height. The Fort is 130ft above the sea level.

* Another important feature of this fort are the tank with its flight of steps.

* The opening of the tunnel towards the south,

* The magazine for keeping ammunition, wide ramp leading to the observation tower.

Keralam - Best Season to Visit - Onam Festival

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil streches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.

Kerala, India's most advanced society : A hundred percent literate people. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest state.

For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the State.

Location

Kerala is on the southernmost tip of India. It stretches along the coast of the Arabian Sea and is separated from the rest of the sub continent by the steep Western Ghats. The state lies between 8⁰ 18 ' and 12⁰ 48 ' north latitude and 74⁰ 52' and 77⁰ 22' east longitude. The breadth of the state varies from 32 kms in the extreme north and south to over 120 kms in the middle.

Sikkim, a place to Visit!

Sikkim, long isolated from the outside world, Sikkim was settled by Tibetans in the 16th century and became a British protectorate in 1890. Sikkim passed to India in 1949 and became a state of that country in 1975.

Sikkim's people are predominantly of Nepalese extraction; the minority Bhotias (Tibetan in origin) and aboriginal Lepchas are mainly pastoral nomads. Although the Nepalese practice Hinduism, Buddhism was professed by the former chogyal (“king under the religious laws”) and the official class, and Sikkim is noted for its Buddhist monasteries. Tibeto-Burmese languages and dialects are spoken widely.
Sikkim is India's smallest state in terms of population and second smallest in area after Goa. It is the shrine of the third highest mountain in the world i.e. Mt. Kanchendzonga (28,208 Ft asl). The main source of revenue has been tourism for this small land locked on all sides. It shares its border with Bhutan to the east, Nepal to its west, Tibet (China) to the north and Indian mainland to its south.

Rich physical features like forests, rivers and mountains that define the boundaries of the state. Most of the peaks above 6100 meters (20000ft) lie towards the western border of State including Kanchenjunga. On the eastern border the most imposing peak is Paunhri, at an altitude of about 6700 meters (22000ft). Most of the peaks of Sikkim have remained unscaled because the Sikkimese consider them sacred and feel that they will lose their sanctity if climbed.

On the way between Gangtok to Nathula, 35 Kilometers from Gangtok lies the serene Changu (Tsomgo) Lake at an altitude of about 3693 meters (12310 ft). Two other lakes nearby are the Bidang cho and the Mememcho. Kecheopalri lake is another well-known lake that lies on the route between Gyalshing and Yoksum. The highest concentration of lakes is on the western border north of Chiwabhanjang towards the Base Camp. Laxmipokhari, Lampokhari, Majurpokhari, twin lakes of Ram-Laxman are a few of the lakes in this area. Dud Phokhari and Samiti Lake are two other lakes situated in this area. Gurudogmar, which is the largest lakes is in north Sikkim.

Sikkim has many hot springs known for medicinal and therapeutic values. The most important hot springs are at Phurchachu (Reshi), Yumthang, Borang, Ralang, Taram-chu and Yumey Samdong. All these hot springs have high sulphur content and are located near the riverbanks. The average temperature of the water in these hot springs is 50°C.

Kolkatta/ Culcutta

Kolkata : the human city

The Ganges (called the Hooghly in Kolkata) is still the inspiration, as it was to Job Charnok, East India Company agent, who reached the shores in August 1690 finally, to settle here.

The City was founded 300 years ago out of 3 villages namely Sutanati, Gobindapur and Kolikata. Once the capital of British India, the capital of undevided Bengal and now the capital of West Bengal since Independence. Kolkata, on the east bank of river Hooghly, retains the aura of days long gone, weaving the past and the present, the intense and the funloving into a charming fabric.


Home to five Nobel laureates – Ronald Ross, Sir C.V. Raman, Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen, Kolkata is the nerve centre of intellect and human values, where many modern movements began in art, cinema and theatre, science and industry. India’s quest for freedom began here.

Kolkata is the gateway to Eastern India. A city with a rich heritage, bustling streets and bewildering variety of facets. From October to March, Kolkata wears a radiant look. Sunshine, mild winter, lights, colours, fairs, festivals, galas and excursions, the mood is infectious and spirit sweeping.





Festivals & Fairs of Kolkatta

The festive spirit sets in with Durga Puja, a five day ritual and celebration for the ten armed goddess Durga. A major festival when excitement and activity touches a feverish pitch. Diwali, the festival of lights is the worship of goddess Kali. Clay lamps and firecrackers are a part of the festival. Rathajatra, is Lord Jagannath’s Car festival.

Holi, the festival of colours, is a celebration of the spring season.

Muslim festivals, the two Ids, are also celebrated with great rejoicing. Unique, perhaps, is the Christmas festivity that continues till the New Year.

From November, part of the Maidan is converted into fairgrounds. The Textile Fair, Art and Handicrafts Fair, Leather Exhibition and the famous Kolkata Book Fair are the favourites. The city is resonant with Film and Theatre Festivals, music conferences, rock shows, art exhibitions and various other cultural activities. This is also the time when the fairs of rural Bengal are held.

Gangasagar Mela : The largest fair of the State, Gangasagar Mela is a three-day event held in mid-January, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, at Sagar Dwip. Lakhs of pilgrims come for a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal.

Kenduli Mela : on the occasion of Makar Sankranti (mid-January) another fair is held at Kenduli in the district of Birbhum. The Mela draws the largest number of Bauls, the wandering minstrels of Bengal.

Jalpesh Mela : On the occasion of Sivaratri (February - March), a month-long fair is held at Jalpesh near Mainaguri in the district of Jalpaiguri. The fair centres round the age-old Siva temple dedicated to Lord Jalpeswara.

Vasanta Utsav : With the onset of spring, Holi is celebrated all throughout India. At Santiniketan in the district of Birbhum, it is Vasanta Utsav (March). Students of the Visva Bharati University welcome the season of colours through songs and dances, throwing abir and spraying liquid dyes at each other.

Naba Barsho : The Bengali year starts from the first Baisakh (mid-April). It is an occasion for celebration to the Bengalees in general and tradesmen in particular. New clothes, fresh flowers, offerings at temples, people visiting decorated shops mark the day.


Rathayatra : Rathayatra (June-July) at Mahesh near Serampore is a week-long festival. People throng to have a share in pulling the long ropes attached to the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra on the journey from the temple and back.

Jhapan : All over the Western part of the state, a festival is held in the honour of the serpent-deity Manasa on the last day of the Bengali month Sravana (mid-August). But the most spectacular is the one held at Vishnupur in the district of Bankura, with its shows of live snakes on open platforms.

Bera Utsav : Every year on the last Thursday of the Bengali month of Bhadra mid-September), Bera Utsav is held at Lalbagh on the river Bhagirathi near the palace of the Nawabs. Fireworks of various size and colour add to the gaiety of the festival.

Durga Puja & Deepavali : The largest Bengali festival is Durga Puja, held in the Bengali month of Aswin (October). Images of the ten-armed goddess are worshipped in ancient houses and at pandals, erected specially for the Puja. After the four-day ceremony, the images are immersed in the river. Durgapuja is the most important festival in the city of Calcutta.




The festival that follows is Deepavali, the festival of lights,. The worship of goddess Kali is marked by display of fireworks and crackers.

Rash Mela : On the occasion of Rashyatra (November), a fair is held at Cooch Behar in North Bengal. The month-long fair is one of the most important fairs in the area.

Jagaddhatri Puja : Goddess Jagaddhatri is worshipped in the Bengali month of Kartick (November). At Chandannagar near Calcutta images of the goddess are tall, pandals spectacular and the illumination unique. In fact, the illumination part is the most attractive feature here.

Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival : Held in a series at Darjeeling, the Dooars and in Sikkim, the Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival is celebrated with a view to promote tourism in this region as a composite tourist destination, with its bounties in tea, timber and tourism. The festival is held every year in November - December.

Poush Mela : Between the 7th and 9th of Poush (end-December). Poush Mela is held at Santiniketan in the district of Birbhum. Of the many seasonal festivals celebrated at Santiniketan, this is perhaps the most important, with cultural programmes consisting of folk music & dance, folk theatre and Baul songs.

Vishnupur Festival : In the temple town of Vishnupur a festival is organised every year between 27 and 31 December. Characterised by exhibition and sale of local handicrafts and performance of the rich musical tradition that Vishnupur boasts, this is an immensely popular festival.

Thiruvananthapuram/ Travancore/ Trivandrum

Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivandrum) the capital of Kerala. Located at the South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West and Tamil Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the Eastern and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shorline, with
Thiruvananthapuram Travel (Trivandrum) :internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination.

Area - 2192 sq.km
Population - 2,938,583 (1991 census)


Access :

Air - thiruvananthapuram international airport 6 kms from the city.
Rail - there are direct trains to all the main towns in kerala as well as the major cities in india.
Road - well connected to all towns & cities.

Book your Tour to Kerala


Places to visit :

Kovalam Beach - 16 kms away this Internationally renowned Beach Resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The Southernmost, known as the Lighthouse beach, is the most popular Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Padmanabha Swamy Temple - The temple is located inside the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, & a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its Mural Paintings and Stone Carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu Temples in India, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on anantha the serpent.

Kuthiramalika Palace Museum - The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family.

The Napier Museum - Built in the 19th century, the indo - saracenic structure boasts a "natural" Airconditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plaxtic is banned in the museum premises.

Sree Chitbra Art Gallery - Located near the Napier Museum. This are gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of Art In India. Other places of interest 1.. The zoological park , priyadarshini planetarium , observatory, shankhumugham beach & connemera market.


Cape Comorin - Kanyakumari Excursions :

Thiruvallam - 10 kms away this serene backwater stretch enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its Canoe Rides.

Aruvikkara Dam - 16 kms away this picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana River. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.

Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) - The land's end of india or the point where the three seas meet, is the enchanting kanniyakumari. It is one of the most popular tourist
spots in the country. Part of the fascination is, of course, the fact that it is the very tip of the indian peninsula and the confluence of the bay of bengal, the arabian sea and the indian ocean.


Places of interest at Kanyakumari :

» Tiruvalluvar statue
» Gandhi memorial
» Guganathaswamy Temple
» Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Padmanabhapuram Swami Temple which is enroute Trivandrum & Kanniyakumari.


Other excursions :

» Vizhinjam rock cut cave
» Koyikkal palace nejumangad
» Neyyar dam.

Vythiri & Wayanad

Indulge in a romantic interlude in the treetops at an altitude between 3750 - 4500 feet. This Eco-lodge located in Wayanad, Kerala, offers you an opportunity to live in the wilderness overflowing with colours of nature that manifests itself in the wings of butterflies, birds and exotic vegetation. The shadows of this verdant forest amidst the fragrance of a thousand scents beckon you to a place where time moves according to ancient rhythms.

The forests of Wayanad - a feast for sore eyes, where nature has been blissfully preserved, spared of devastating urbanization. Its natural beauty has been kept intact; its natural springs unpolluted. Its emerald forests afire with scented blossoms with a hundred varieties of tree ferns, moss and flowering plants, flamboyant butterflies and birds. A place to listen to your heartbeat - misty mountains, gurgling streams, bright sunshine and cool shadows, thundering showers and a magical monsoon. Enjoy a honeymoon amidst Nature's bounty.

Tree House Accommodation

The tree houses have been completely constructed with environment-friendly materials. Local craftsmen and indigenous tribes were actively involved in the construction of these luxury tree houses. All rooms in the tree houses are equipped with room amenities such as an attached veranda with sit-out facilities, attached washrooms with toilettes and showers, a wash basin with a constant flow of water, floor coverings, excellent and discreet service, eco-friendly energy supply and more. These rooms are located on top of very old banyan trees, almost 80 feet above the ground level.
Cuisine


The culinary delights served here are specially cooked with vegetables and fruit grown at an organic farm within the resort grounds. These crops are grown without the application of fertilizers and chemicals. Traditional cuisine prepared with the choicest of spices in the typical Kerala style are served to the guests on banana leaves without spoons, forks and knives. You are supposed to eat with your fingers, as there is no other way to relish the mouth-watering delicacies prepared in the rural style. You can actually watch the food being cooked at this lovely forest hill resort.

Recreation

Enjoy the luxuriantly lush environs and explore the nature trails that lead you to nature spots and the spectacular panoramas that this heavenly hill station has to offer. Go on nature walks and course through nature trails, watch birds and listen to the myriad of jungle sounds that greet you. The tree houses are located at a distance of 2½ hours from Calicut airport and 6 hours from Cochin airport.

Darjeeling & Gangtok

This picturesque 7,001-foot (3,134-meter) hill station - which served as a cool summer retreat for the English during the Raj - is especially well known for its production of tea. Flanked by towering mountains, including Kanchenjunga, elevation 28,208 feet (8,598m), Darjeeling has views that are truly dramatic - a great way to fully savour them is by taking a trek in the surrounding countryside. Nestled in the grandeur and beauty of towering snow-capped mountains, with the mighty Kanchenjunga (King of the Mountains) dominating the somber, snowy sentinels, is a jewel of a town - elegant, sophisticated and incredibly beautiful.

Known as the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling’s wonderfully cool climate, clear brisk air and the breathtaking views of the Himalayas once drew the British here to escape the stifling heat of Kolkata. Mark Twain seems to have visited this Himalayan city and penned down his impression about Darjeeling as the "land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that away for the shows of the rest of the world combined." Such is the beautiful land of Darjeeling.

These spectacular views and the climate have stayed the same, which is why at any given point you will find honeymooners there. But beware, the mighty Kanchenjunga stands sentinel to your romance. Stick your head out the window of the train as it turns the loop at Batasia, wrap your cold hands around a cup of hot, fragrant chai as you watch the sun rise over Kanchenjunga – golden, glorious, and humbling.

Getting to Darjeeling

The most romantic way to access Darjeeling is by hopping the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the "Toy Train", a narrow-gauge train that has been chugging up and down the hill since 1881. The train departs from the New Jalpaiguri station (near Siliguri) and takes around 6.5 hours (picking up passengers at Kurseong) to reach Darjeeling; advance bookings are recommended. Two-hour "joy rides" on this train are also possible for those who don't have time to take the full journey. Apart from the Toy Train, you can get to Darjeeling by bus as well as by share-jeeps and taxis, which all make frequent trips between Darjeeling and surrounding towns, including Siliguri. You can easily get around "downtown" Darjeeling by foot. For longer trips, catch one of the numerous share-jeeps that cost just a fraction of what you'd pay for a private taxi.
Darjeeling's Attractions

Riding on the "Toy Train" is one of the town's glowing attractions, giving passengers the chance to see the breathtakingly beautiful scenery en route to Darjeeling. You can get an insight into the tea-making process at the Makaibari Tea Estates, which offers not only tours but also lodging, and mountain and jungle treks.

Located around eight miles (12.8 km) south of Darjeeling is Tiger Hill, which has stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including Kanchenjunga. You can even catch a distant glimpse of Mount Everest. The best time to visit is at the crack of dawn, when the sight of the rising sun is positively magical. In the Darjeeling vicinity you'll find some notable Buddhist monasteries, including the Bhutia Busty Gompa and the Yiga Choeling Gompa, each built in the 19th century and containing fine murals.

The top spot to book white-water rafting expeditions (these range from a couple of hours to a couple of days) is from Darjeeling, even though the trips themselves often depart from the Teesta Bazaar. Boating is along the rapids of the Rangeet and Teesta Rivers, with prime rafting seasons September to November and March to June.

You'll find some terrific places to eat in Darjeeling, including restaurants that dish out global fare, from Mexican-style enchiladas to Italian pasta and Tibetan momos (fried or steamed stuffed dumplings). Many restaurants in Darjeeling close as early as 8pm. Room rates skyrocket April to June and October to December, so come at other times to save money.

Gangtok

Capital of the remote north-eastern Indian state of Sikkim, Gangtok stretches along an undulating ridge and enjoys glorious views of the mighty Kanchenjunga, India's highest mountain. Although it has seen escalating modernization in recent times, this city still has a more relaxed demeanour than most Indian towns its size. Gangtok is a good base from which to explore the state's surrounding attractions. Gangtok means, aptly enough, "hill top" and is perched at 5500 feet high on the ridges of a valley. From Gangtok, you look over the hillside, down and across to terraced fields, with tall, white Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the wind and endless stunning backdrop of towering snow-capped peaks.

Getting To Gangtok

The most common way to reach Gangtok is by bus, with state-run buses arriving and departing from the SNT (Sikkim Nationalized Transport) station on Palzor Stadium Road. In addition, privately operated mini-buses travel here from a selection of towns including Kalimpong, Siliguri and Darjeeling; the private bus depot is on National Highway 31A. You can also catch one of the many share-jeeps and taxis that shuttle between Gangtok and various towns, including Kalimpong, Siliguri and Darjeeling. There are plenty of share-jeeps in Gangtok, which are a cheap and quick way to get around town. Private taxis are also available. Gangtok's restaurants offer a jumble of Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, continental and Sikkimese cuisine at reasonable prices. Hotel tariffs decrease by as much as 30 percent during Sikkim's off-peak seasons, January to March and July to August.

Gangtok's Attractions

The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology was established in 1959 to carry out research into Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhist culture. The institute houses a massive collection of Buddhist literature and manuscripts as well as an array of sublime tankas (Tibetan paintings) and a variety of sacred relics, including a human skull that once served as a holy bowl. Close to the institute is the tranquil and colourful orchid sanctuary and memorial garden. Sporting stunning town and mountain views is the Enchey Gompa. This Buddhist monastery, built in the early 20th century, houses murals and statues.