Land of Theyyam

Backwater trip at Kerala

Hoseboat Trip

One night cruise on the backwaters of the Alappuzha is one of the most popular cruises offered. A round trip, in which you board the boat at Alappuzha and disembark at Alappuzha after having spent the night in the tranquility of the Backwaters.The cruise takes you through the clear waters of the prominent Punnamada Lake – the venue of the legendary Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race. You can visit the 400 year old Champakkulam church, one of the 7 churches established by St. Thomas.

Alappuzha to Kumarakom, a one night cruise which offers you a magical night. Water birds – both residents and migratory adorn the canals and water ways. The water lilies when seen in the night dazzle like the twinkling stars in a dark sky. Fishing women and men add to the magic with their imaginative ways of fishing

Neelakurinji Flowers

NEELAKURINJI FLOWERS
The Strobilanthus shrub that blooms only once in twelve years has bloomed in this year 2006. Now is the auspicious time to be in Munnar . The flowers picturesquely carpet the entire hillsides with its mauve blossoms. The next flowering is in the year 2018 and thereafter in 2030 and so on.

Neela means blue in Malayalam language and Kurinji the local name of the flower. For those in Munnar, the blooming of Kurinji flower is a reminder that their lives have gone past another twelve years, and for those from far off; may be it is reminder to witness a once in a life time rare sight of the Kurinji flowers covering the slopes and ravines of Munnar in a blanket of blue.



In the year 1994, the flowers showed up at some places around Munnar like Mattupetty and Top Station. Shortly, the slopes of Munnar hills got blanketed by the Kurinji flowers, which added yet another alluring charm to the sights and sounds of Munnar.

Visitors to Munnar in the coming months can enjoy this marvelous sight, which is bound to leave an everlasting memory about this fascinating hill resort.

One interesting result of the gregarious flowering of Stroilanthes is the largest increase in bees found in its vicinity during the flowering period. Immense quantities of honey become available and the rock bees and common hill bees visit the plant. it is also believed that honey collected from near the blossoms is the sweetest. A lot of mythological significance is also attributed to the flower.

The flower has 50 different varieties, as botanists say, but is found largely in shades of blue -- referred to as "Neela Kurinji". The blossoms spread out as a blanket on the hill sides of the Anamalai, Nilgiris (Ooty) and Palani (Kodaikanal) hills. Campaigners want the entire stretch from Kodaikanal to Munnar in Kerala to be declared as the "Kurinji sanctuary.

Honeymoon at Munnar

One of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 Mts above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar is essentially a tea town
The visitor is greeted with miles and miles of unending tea plantations on entry into Munnar. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji a flower which bathes the hills in blue colour once in twelve years. The Neelakurinji, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi - which towers over 2695 Mts and is an ideal spot for campers who like to do some trekking.

The Duke of Wellington is reputed to have been the first European visitor to Munnar, in 1790, but this is unlikely. In the early 19th century, the headman of the villages of Anchanad, just to the North of the high ranges was named Kanan Thevar. It is said that travelers from Madurai to the West coast passed through these villages and named these hills after him.