KOTTAYAM

Bordered by the lofty Western Ghats on the east, and the Vembanad lake and the paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive rubber plantations and a totally literate people have given this district the enviable title: The land of letters, latex and lakes.

Kottayam is the ideal take-off point for visits to peermede, Munnar,Idukki, Thekkady, Ernakulam and the temple city of Madurai.

The Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom:(16 km from Kottayam town)

Kottayam is a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of water called the vembanad lake. The lake, an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:(16 km from Kottayam town)

Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork,egret, darter, heron and teal. A cruise along the Vembanad lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.

Pathiramanal:

This 10 acre Island on the backwaters in home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world. According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made may for land to rise from below, thus creating the echanting island, Pathiramanal(Sands of midnight).

Anchuvilakku:(22 km from Kottayam)

This stone lamp post, a typical example of Kerala architecture, was built by the renowned freedom fighter Veluthampi Dalawa. The five lamps on this post are lit using kerosene.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls(18 km from Kottayam)

2 km down a mud lane from Kumarakom is this beautiful picnic spot where streams tinkle as they make their way through the landscape and waters roar as they cascade down the mountains from a height of 100 ft.

Ilaveezhapoonchira:

Skirting the Kottayam district are beautiful valleys of Ilaveezhapoonchira, spread over thousands of acres. The verdant landscape punctuated by four gigantic hills, each rising to around 3200 ft, is an ideal place to unwind. During the monsoons when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature. Ilaveezhapoonchira means valley where leaves don't fall and is name so because the place has no trees. A DTPC rest house nearby offers comfortable accommodation.

Pilgrim Centres: Jama Masjid, Thazhathangadi:(2 km from Kottayam)

This ancient mosque on the banks of the Meenachil River is believed to be 1000 years old.

Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple:

In the heart of Kottayam town is this 500 year old temple built by the Thekkumkoor Maharajah. This temple built in the Kerala style of architecture has colourful murals on its walls which are worth exploring.

The CSI Cathedral Church:

Built over 175 years ago, is a monument from the British Era.

Houseboat cruises:

One day cruise on full board basis.Single apartment houseboat for 2 persons at Rs. 5,000. Twin apartment housesboat for 4 persons including food at Rs.6,000.

One night- two days cruise on full board basis:.Single apartment houseboat for 2 persons at Rs. 12,500. Twin apartment houseboat for 4 persons including food at Rs. 14,500

Stationary houseboaton room only basis:.Single apartment houseboat for 2 persons at Rs. 1,195. Twin apartment houseboat at Rs. 995(per apartment)

For reservations contact. KTDC, Kumarakom Tourist Village, Kavanattinkara Ph: 525861. Central Reservation,KTDC, Mascot square, Thiruvananthapuram Ph: 318976. Tourist Information Offices Dept. of Tourism Ph: 584303. DTPC ph: 562315

Accommodation

Kottayam    Tariff(Rs) Tel:
Anjali Hotel   750-1750  563661
Vembanad Lake Resort  654-750  564866
Hotel Green Park   300-1150  563311
Hotel Aiswarya   300-750  581254
Hotel Sakthi   250-900  563151
Hotel Nithya   150-650  597849
Hotel Aida   250-600  568391
Hotel Prince   300-750  578809
Hotel Nisha Continental  180-300  563984
Nellimoottil Guest House  150-400  560714
Exon guest House   125-575  564916
Cocunut Lagoon   4500  525834
Golden Waters   5000-8000  525826
Taj Garden Retreat   3800-4300  524377

IATA Approved travel agents/tour operators

Concord Tours & Travels, Manorama Jn. Ph:560350
Falcon Air Travels, North Railway Station Ph: 560251
Malaya World Tours, Near KSRTC Bus station Ph: 565903

Facilities

Banks: Banking facilities for foreign nations are available at the State Bank of India,
K.K.Road,
Branch,
Near Manorama junction.
Ph:560317


Post & Telegraph: Head Post office,
M.C.Road,
Open 08.00-20.00 hrs on week days and 1400-1730hrs on holidays.
Central Telegraph Office,
Near Pullimood Jn.
Open round the clock.

Hospitals: Medical College  Ph:597311
Modern Diagnostic Services  Ph:567403
District Hospital   Ph:563424
Susrusha Hospital   Ph:566826
St. Mary's Hospital  Ph:578177
Carithas Mission Hospital  Ph:597325
Restaurants: Hotel Ambassador Ph:563293.
Hotel Anand   Ph:560082.

Keralite (Malayalee) set to be India's first Space Tourist

Santosh George Kulangara, a travel freak from a Kerala village will have the rare honour of being perhaps the first Indian tourist in space.

Global space tour operator Virgin Galactic just confirmed his reservation for the space flight sometime in 2008.

"I'm thrilled. It will be a historic moment. Space is the last destination known to man and I'm excited to be able to see it," Kulangara told TOI over the phone from his home in Marangattupalli in Kottayam district.

According to the letter from Virgin Galactic president Will Whitehorn, Kulangara has been allotted voyager reservation number 38.

The confirmation comes on a payment of $20,000. But that's only part of it. The total expense for the trip is $2, 00,000, roughly Rs 90 lakh.

"Some weeks ago, I got the welcome pack introducing me to the various aspects of the tour," a visibly excited Kulangara said.

"I will be travelling with five other tourists and two navigators. The tour operator has called a meeting in Paris in May this year, where I will be able to meet my fellow passengers," he said.

There will be no real landing in space, but we will be able to experience zero gravity and the re-entry of the spacecraft into the earth's atmosphere. The sojourn in space will last only 2-3 hours," Kulangara explained.

The take off will be from the US. Virgin's craft for the sub-orbital flight is being put to shape at Rutan's base in Mojave, California.

"What I'm told is that it will be ready by the end of 2007. Then there will be a week-long training programme. The actual journey will take place sometime in mid-2008."

Kulangara confessed that he had not broken the news even to his two children. "Only my wife and a few friends know about this," Kulangara said adding that his wife Soncy was stunned by the news.

"It's difficult to believe that an Indian can achieve such things," he said.

"My message to the younger generation is that if you have a dream, it is achievable," said Kulangara who hosts a popular travel show 'Sancharam' on local TV.

"People never believed when I said I had travelled 50 countries. But this proves, we can also do it."

"The tour operator has agreed to allow me to shoot the trip so that I can pass it on to the rest of the world," he said.

Kulangara is also a successful entrepreneur running one of the country's largest educational publishing houses.

IMPL Tour 2008

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.