Kerala Tourism Wins PATA Gold Award For Muziriz Heritage Project

Kerala Tourism’s Muziris Heritage Project wins 

PATA Gold Award

Kerala Tourism has bagged this year’s prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Awards for its Muziris Heritage Project in the 'Heritage & Culture’ category.

The award, sponsored by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), was bestowed on the Muziris Heritage Project for its conservational aspect, uniqueness and impact on local community.

"This award is recognition of the Muziris project, aimed at restoring the historical and cultural significance of the ancient town that stretches across North Paravur in Ernakulam to Kodungalloor in Thrissur,” said Mr. A.P. Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism, Kerala.

“This flagship project of the Government of Kerala is one of the biggest heritage conservation projects of modern India”, he added.

Supported and sponsored by MGTO for the last 20 years, this year’s PATA Grand and Gold Awards recognise the achievements of 25 separate organisations and individuals.

“Being a part of the Spice Route Project, which is supported by UNESCO, the Muziris project already has a key status in the cultural tourism map. The award further highlights its prominence in international heritage tourism,” said Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Secretary, Kerala Tourism.

There were 269 entries from 83 organisations and individuals worldwide for this year's award, the highest number since 2007. The awards will be presented on September 8 at the PATA Travel Mart at Bangalore.

"The list of PATA Gold Awards 2015 winners unveils once again the very best of Pacific-Asia tourism practices," said Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, MGTO. She added that the excellence and innovation revealed by the works and projects awarded are impressive and can provide inspiration to raise the standards of tourism industry stakeholders in the region.

Noting that no other tourism department in the country could win this much-admired award this time, Mr. P. I. Sheik Pareeth, Director, Kerala Tourism said that the PATA award acknowledges Kerala Tourism’s excellence in heritage conservation.

PATA had honoured Kerala Tourism for the Responsible Tourism initiative in Kumarakom and Kerala Tourism's popular e-Newsletter in 2014.

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

Athachamayam Festival Begins AT Tripunithura City Near In Kochi Of Ernakulam State

ATHACHAMAYAM FESTIVAL

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TRIPUNITHURA

Athachamayam marks the beginning of the ten day Onam festival in Kerala. It is an occasion to witness almost all the folk art forms of Kerala.

Conducted every year on the Atham star of the Malayalam month Chingam, the event held at the Royal historical town of Tripunithura is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Kochi King. In olden days it was customary for the king to travel with his entire entourage to the Tripunithura fort. This was also the occasion for his subjects to greet the king and see him at close quarters. The procession, now without the king, still retains its majestic charm, and is conducted in a spectacular manner and is being conducted by the Tripunithura Municipality with whole hearted co-operation of the public.

Caparisoned elephants, varieties of folk art forms, floats, musical ensembles etc form part of the procession.

Atham, the day which heralds the 10-day Onam festivities, is celebrated with great enthusiasm at Tripunithura.In earlier times, the Athachamayam Festival was celebrated in honour of the Raja of Kochi. On the festival day, the Maharaja undertook the ritualistic Attachamayam march from Tripunithura to the Vamanamoorthy Temple in Thrikkakara.He then offered his special prayers there.The grand parade made a halt at the royal quarters at Puthen Bungalow enroute, and later marched towards the sprawling Hill Palace compound. The Maharaja gave 'darshan' to his innumerable citizens during this day. 

Representatives from all communities accompanied the Kochi Maharaja during Athachamayam. They included a priest from Karingachira Church, head priest of the mosque Nettur Thangal, and Chembil Arayan, a representative of the fisher folk.Today, a senior representative of the Cochin royal family, alongwith the other two religious leaders, jointly flag off the ceremony. 

Although the reign of royalty had come to an end with the attainment of independence and re-organisation of states, the festival is still celebrated in all its glory to mark the beginning of Onam, the state festival of Kerala.Onam festivities in the district begin with the ceremonial parade of Athachamayam at Tripunithura. 

Some of the folk art forms such as Theyyam, Kummatti, Kolkali, Mayilattom, Karakattom, Kummi, Poykal, Ammankudam, Pulikkali, Kathakali, Aattakkavadi, Panchavadyam, Chendamelam etc are displayed in the parade. Floats depicting immortal moments from epics like Mahabharatha and Ramayana and from the Bible as well as current social issues, reflect the secular nature of the festival, highlighting unity and harmony. Myths and legends of yore in the forms of gods and goddesses lend colour and meaning to the event. There are also cultural competitions and variety entertainment activities held as part of the festival. Apart from the regular footpath vendors who deal with items from handicrafts and cottage sectors, a ten-day trade fair is also organised at Tripunithura.

Goa Government Interdict Crowd-Pulling Dance Festivals In Peak Tourist Season

The Goa government is mulling not to permit the crowd-pulling dance music festivals in the state during the peak tourist season.

One of the biggest reasons most of us prefer travelling to Goa during the year-end is because we just love welcoming the new year by grooving to the tunes of the popular electronic dance music (EDM) festivals--Sunburn and VH1 Supersonic, that are held at the beach destination.

But things won't be the same anymore, as these festivals won't be allowed in Goa during the festive week of Christmas and New Year, said Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar. The state government of Goa is mulling not to permit the crowd-pulling dance music festivals in the state between December 15 and January 15, which is the peak tourist season.

Although this decision won't make too many travellers happy, putting a ban to such events being organised in the period from December 25 to December 30 became a necessity as they were criticised by the Opposition as well as civil society groups, because of the traffic congestion and pressure on public infrastructure, especially a time when tourism activity in the state is already at its peak.

"We are seriously thinking not to allow mega events like EDM festivals between December 15 and January 15 every year as the state witnesses rush of tourists during that time who arrive here to usher in the New Year," Parulekar told PTI.

He further added that if the organisers want, they can have their event before December 15 or after January 15, when the peak time for rush of tourists is not there.

Both the organisers have already moved an application seeking permission to host the festival this year.

"The panel has asked them to submit their proposed dates for holding the event. We have also conveyed the organisers to consider holding the events before December 15 or post January 15 to reduce further pressure on the state machinery," the minister said.

Ooty Toy Train - It Gives The Impression Of Beings Best Outlooks By Travelling In Toy Train To Ooty

TOY TRAIN AT OOTY

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train is the highlight of a visit to the popular hill settlement of Ooty, in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu. Established in the early 19th century by the British as the summer headquarters of the Chennai government, Ooty now draws tourists wanting to escape the stifling summer heat.

Although the railway was proposed in 1854, it wasn't completed until 1908 as the rocky terrain and thickly forested hills made the work difficult. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is located in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu. It runs from Metupalaiyam to Udagamandalam (Ooty), via Coonoor, in the Nilgiri Hills. The track is 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) long, and passes over 250 bridges (including 32 major ones) and through 16 tunnels. This railway is particularly picturesque because of the surrounding rocky terrain, ravines, tea plantations, and forested hills. Coonoor, with its world famous teas, is a tourist destination in itself.

One toy train operates along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Metupalaiyam to Ooty. The engine is an 'X' Class steam locomotive, made in Switzerland. It pulls quaint blue and cream wooden carriages with large windows. The engine is changed for a more powerful diesel one at Coonoor, to provide greater traction for the steep climb up to Ooty.

Both first class and second class seating are offered on the toy train, and it's worth buying a first class ticket to have a more peaceful and less cramped journey away from the crowds. It's also possible to get unreserved tickets at the counters if you arrive early enough.

The most spectacular scenery and best views are situated along the stretch from Metupalaiyam to Coonoor. Hence, some people prefer to only travel along this stretch.

There's only one toy train departure daily. The train is scheduled to connect to the Nilgiri Express, which travels from Chennai to Metupalaiyam.

·   The 56136/Mettupalayam-Ooty MG Passenger train leaves Metupalaiyam at 7.10 a.m, and arrives in Ooty at noon 

·   Coming back, the 56137/Ooty-Mettupalayam MG Passenger train leaves Ooty at 2 p.m. and reaches Metupalaiyam at 5.35 p.m.

An additional train service sometimes runs during the peak summer tourist season from April to June.

Do note that the area receives rain from both the south-west and north-east monsoons, and this commonly disrupts services.

The regular reserved adult train fare is 30 rupees in second class and 205 rupees in first class, one way. The unreserved general fare is 15 rupees one way.

Reservations for travel on the toy train to Ooty can be made at Indian Railways computerized reservation counters, or on the Indian Railways website. It's advisable to book two to three months in advance as the train fills up fast, particularly during peak season from April to June, Indian festival season (especially around Diwali vacation), and Christmas.

Here's how to make a reservation on the Indian Railways website. The station code for Metupalaiyam is MTP, and Udagamandalam (Ooty) UAM.

Chikmagalur Hill Station - Chikmagalur Is Growing As The New Tourist Center Of Karnataka

CHIKMAGALUR HILL STATION

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KARNATAKA

Chikkamagaluru (also known as Chikmagalur) is a town located in the Chikkamagaluru district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Located in the foothills of Mullayanagiri range,Chikkamgaluru is famous for its serene environment, lush green forests and tall mountains. Chikkamagaluru is also famous for coffee and is known as the 'coffee land' of Karnataka. It is one of the largest producers of coffee in India. National Highway 173 (India) passes through the city.

Chikmagalur is growing as the new tourist hub of Karnataka. Due to its vicinity to the state capital Bangalore and some other cities like Hassan, Shimoga, Chitradurga and Mangalore and its cool climate, tourists flock into the city during weekends to visit various places throughout the district.

Coffee plantations extending up to the horizon, natural beauty and a pleasant climate have made the hill station a favorite with tourists. Chikmagalur literally means, ‘Land of the younger daughter’. 

It is said that the land was presented as dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, chief of Sakrepatna. The land given to the Rukmangada’s elder daughter is known as Hiremagulur. The general belief is that coffee was first cultivated in India in Chikmagalur.

According to folklore, the Muslim saint Babu Budan brought coffee seeds from Yemen in 1670 and started cultivating coffee. The British played a big role in the growth of coffee in Chikmagalur. The Central Coffee Research Institution (CCRI) is also located here.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Chikmagalur attracted by its wildlife, trekking and pilgrimage sites.

Kemmanagundi, a hill station surrounded by lush green forests of Baba Budan Giri hills and Kudremukh, situated on the Kuduremukha mountain range, attract a lot of trekkers. 

The hill stations are blessed with lush green vegetation and waterfalls which enhance the beauty of the valleys. Tunga and Bhadra rivers originate in the district. Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, is located in the Baba Budan Giri Range in Chikmagalur. At 6,330 ft, it is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.

The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Kudremukh National Park are famous for their wildlife and birds. Sringeri, the first maţha or monastery established by saint-philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, is also located in Chikmagalur on the banks of the river Tunga. 

Besides Sringeri, Shankracharya also established monasteries at Dwarka, Joshimath and Puri. The Kodanda Ramaswamy temple built in Hoysala style of architecture is another highlight of the district. Baba Budangiri shrine is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Muslims.

By Air

The nearest airport is at Mangalore, about 160 km from Chikmagalur. The airport is well connected to flights from Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities. One can get pre-paid taxi from the airport for Chikmagalur.

By Train

Gudur railway station, about 40 km from Chikmagalur, is the nearest railhead. Trains from Mumbai, Goa, Kolhapur, Mysore and Hubli halt at Kudur. Taxis are available to reach Chikmagalur.

By Road 

Chikmagalur is well connected to other major cities of Karnataka like Bengaluru, Mangalore, Hubli and Hassan. You can opt for state-run buses or private luxury buses to reach Chikmagalur.