Champakkulam Boat Race - Snake Boats Ripping The Calm Water For A Grand Visual Spectacle

CHAMPAKKULAM BOAT RACE

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ALAPPUZHA

The Champakkulam Boat Race starts off the season of boat races and unleashes a visual splendour as the snake boats slice through the calm waters accompanied by the rhythmic chant of boat songs in the Alappuzha District Of Kerala State of India.

Kerala is one of the best kept secrets of India. A culture in which the heritage of the land is proudly preserved in the hearths and hearts of all the people of the land, a study into the culture of Kerala is a fascinating tale of natural beauty coupled with an ancient heritage. Perhaps no other aspect of the heritage of Kerala exhibits it as much as do the various festivals in Kerala, notable among which is the Champakkulam Boat Race.

The Champakkulam Boat Race is all set to begin on June 26, this year. The festival, which is one of the most-awaited events in the calendar of Kerala, has an origin which dates back to centuries in time. This spectacular snake boat race is held on the River Pampa on the day of the 'moolam', which is followed in accordance to the Malayalam month of Midhunam. The day is considered to be especially sacred as it is the day when the Deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple was installed.

The Champakulam Boat Race is held in accordance to a legend which is strongly adhered to by the people of Kerala. According to the legend, the king of Chempakasseri in Devanarayana, under the influence of instructions, provided to him by the royal priest erected a temple in his kingdom. However, just before the installation, he was informed that the idol was not auspicious. 

To make amends, the king brought the idol of Sree Krishna from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi, which legend claimed was handed over to Arjuna by Lord Krishna himself. It was during this journey that the king made a stop over at Champakulam. The next morning saw thousands of boats assembled at the site in a riot of colors in order to honor the sacred event and to escort the idol home

The banks of the Pampa River gets swarmed by people from far and near, cheering and egging on the oarsmen to a resounding finish. These snake boats ripping through the serene waters and propelled by hundreds of oarsmen splashing and beating their oars about in the waters in unison makes for a grand visual spectacle. Boats such as chundan (snake boat), veppu, iruttu kuthi, churulan and others from nearby regions line up to participate in this spectacular water sport. 

It is this scene which is enacted in this part of the world every year and which is known as the Champakkulam Boat Race.

Nearest Railway Station is Thrissur and it is about 25km.

Nearest Airport is Cochin International Airport and it is about 78km.

Amarkantak - It Is An Important Pilgrimage Destination In Madhya Pradesh

AMARKANTAK

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ANUPPUR

Amarkantak is the small city situated in the middle area of superb ranges Satpura and Vindhya. The average elevation of this city is 1065 meters. The charming weather and best valleys with amazing view makes this place first choice for nature lovers. Amarkantak wraps up the splendor of typical sylvan atmosphere. The 2 best rivers of India known as Narmada and Sone are flowing from this area. 

An important pilgrimage site, Amarkantak also happens to be one of the finest hill stations in Madhya Pradesh. This sylvan hill town is dotted with forests and ponds. The picturesque setting and air of quietude is one of the reasons why you should visit Amarkantak. Amarkantak also happens to be the meeting point of Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges as well as source of Sone and Narmada river. One of the main attractions in Amarkantak is Kabir Chabutra where the poet saint Kabir is said to have meditated.

Word Amarkantak comes from Sanskrit language that is related to mythological meaning. Because of religious values this place is also known as Theertha Raja (King of Holy destinations). The Narmada River is having holy values for Indians.  It’s a land of great history holding story of diverse empires. Pandavas also ruled this place for short period. 

Located as it is in central India, Amarkantak weather gets hot in summer months despite being a hill station. April till June experiences dry heat followed by humid but cooler monsoon from July till September. Temperature of Amarkantak could vary from a high of 45 degrees to low of 30 degrees during summer months.

The best time to visit Amarkantak is from September till March as cool weather makes it ideal for visits to local attractions as well as to enjoy the scenic surroundings of this hill town.

Narmada Udgam, Sonmuda, Dhuni Pani, Dudhdhara are the attraction in Amarkantak

By Air

Nearest airports are Jabalpur (228 km.) and Raipur (230 km)

By Rail

The nearest rail head is Pendra Road (42 km) on the Katni - Bilaspur section of the South-Eastern Railway. The major rail head is Anuppur Railway Station

By Road

Amarkantak is connected by regular bus service with Shahdol, Umaria, Jabalpur, Rewa, Bilaspur, Anuppur and Pendra Road.

Aru Valley - It Is Small And Self - Sufficient Scenic Spot

ARU VALLEY

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KASHMIR

Located at an elevation of 2,424 meters, Aru Valley in Kashmir is best visited for its tranquil and verdant surroundings. Nearby lakes, view of towering Himalayas and lush meadows adds to the romance of Aru Valley. The Aru valley is located at a distance of around 117 km from the city Srinagar in the state of Kashmir.

It is a forlorn destination which has no more than 100 inhabitants who live in this valley, most of whom are horsemen. The Aru valley is surrounded by mountains on three sides and is famous for trout fishing. One can often see animals like the snow leopards, Himalayan wolf and black bear while travelling through this uninhibited place on earth.

In fact, Aru Valley together with Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam is one of the popular honeymoon destinations in Kashmir. It is also a favored destinations of trekkers and adventure enthusiasts as it serves as the base for Kolahoi Glacier and Tarsar Marsar lake. Popular Attractions in Aru Valley Trout fishing in Lidder River, trekking, hiking, horse riding, sightseeing and photography. 

Aru Valley is a small yet self-sufficient scenic village located 12 km from Pahalgam. The drive up to the village is alluring too. The location of the village among the grasslands, make this place a tourist delight. It is reachable by walking along a mountain path. 

The village also serves as the start point for trekking to Kolahoi glacier. Another long trek for the serious trekker is to Sonmarg, which can be covered in 3 days! Besides, the valley is also known to be a good site for camping.

Here, you can have a glimpse of Kolohoi Peak, 5370 mtrs. Another trek from Lidderwat leads to the most desired twin Lakes, Tarsar 3794mtrs & Marsar 3788 mtrs (2-3 days trek).

Best Time/ Season  to Aru Valley

Aru Valley has a cool and pleasant climate in summers and very cold climate in winters and the best season for tourism is from March to November.

Winters (October to February) are chilly and snow bound. The minimum mercury level goes below sub zero levels and the region mostly covers receives fresh snowfall. The views of the landscape are excellent with snow covered hilly terrains.

Summers (March to June) are warm and pleasant. The temperature in this hilly region ranges between 11°C and 25°C. Intermittent showers are seen during this period. There is no snowfall but snow can be found on high altitudes. Best for Amarnath Yatra

Monsoons (July to September) are very scanty. The region becomes highly humid during this period.

The summer months in Pahalgam are cool but not chilly with warmth in the atmosphere. The hill resort is best for vacations in this period. It is good for all tourist activities, adventurous activities and pilgrimage related to Amarnath Yatra. Winters in Pahalgam offer snowfall with subzero climate. It is not good for sightseeing, but is good for honeymoon and winter sports.

How is Aru Valley in Summer Summer in Aru Valley is pleasantly warm making it one of the fine places for summer holidays. The temperature in summer varies from 11°C to 25°C and it is also considered the best time to visit Aru Valley. 

How to reach Aru Valley Aru is located 12 kilometers from Pahalgam which is a major tourist center connected only by road as rail lines are not operational in Kashmir yet. Nearest airport is Srinagar.

Ketti Hill Station - It Is Heaven For Nature Lovers And photographers

KETTI HILL STATION 

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NILGIRIS

Ketti Valley View Point is a popular vantage point situated on Ooty - Coonoor Road in Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu. It is one the most beautiful sightseeing places in Ooty.Ketty valley is one of the prime importances in South India, because it offers majestic views of hills and tea plantation. The railway station in Ketti often recalls the colonial times. 

As the name suggests, the view point provides a panoramic view of the Ketti Valley, the largest valley in the Nilgiris, and its beautiful surroundings. Ketti Valley is home to several tribes, such as Todas and Badagas. There are over 14 villages in this valley that belong to the tribes of Badagas. These tribal people are experts in cultivating fresh vegetables and fruits in the valley. 

Ketti is divided into two parts- Upper Ketti and Lower Ketti. Upper Ketti is another village called Yellanahalli, which is located on the main Coonoor to Ooty road. This is the location of Needle Industries the manufacturers of Pony Needles. The people of Ketti are manual labourers in majority. The agriculture, rearing livestock, masonry constitute the majority of the work done by the individuals in this place. In addition to this, they also take up jobs in the surrounding industrial establishments, such as the needle industries, mushroom factory and many others. 

Also known as Switzerland of Nilgiris, the Ketti Valley is a heaven for nature lovers and photographers. The view of Ketti from the viewpoint is majestic and often compared to views of Switzerland. Nature lovers, adventurists, experience seekers and even casual travellers will love the view from this viewpoint. There is also a telescope room to get a closer view of the valley and surroundings.

This valley also houses a popular brand of the needle making industry, known as Pony Needles. There is not much to see in the valley apart from indulging in the pleasant atmosphere of Ketti Valley. Ketti town is connected by Nilgiri Express and lies between Coonoor and Ooty stations. From there, local transportation modes like taxis and autos are available to the Ketti Valley.Summer is the best time to enjoy a pleasing view of the valley.

Malampuzha Dam And Garden - Passengers attracted By Adventurous And Delightful Air Journey Of Ropeway

MALAMPUZHA DAM AND GARDEN

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PALAKKAD

Malampuzha is a small town in Palakkad District of Kerala, built near the Malampuzha River (A tributary of Bharathapuzha River).Malampuzha Dam is a large irrigation dam built on Malampuzha River, a tributary of Bharathapuzha River at the base of the hills of the Western Ghats. The reservoir provides drinking water to Palakkad town.

Malampuzha, a little township on the foothills of the Western Ghats takes its name from the River Malampuzha. Nurtured by this tributary of Kerala's longest river, the Bharathapuzha, Malampuzha is a lush green town is a major tourist attraction for its trekking trails and the large irrigation dam.

There is a beautiful well laid garden near the Dam. There are lush green lawns, innumerable flower beds, glittering pools, fountains and avenues. There is a fresh water aquarium, Snake Park and a Children's park with a toy train. The Garden house has a unit of Water sports also. The imposing concrete sculpture of YAKSHI, the passenger ropeway, first of its kind in South India, offers adventurous and delightful air journey of 20 minutes across the garden are added attractions of the park. 

A telescopic tower, the first rock garden and the first amusement park of Kerala Fantasy Park are also located at Malampuzha. The reservoir has boating and fishing facilities.Around the reservoir of the dam are beautiful gardens and amusement parks. Boating facilities are available on the lake. Other attractions in the Malampuzha garden are the beautiful rock garden, the fish-shaped aquarium, the snake park, the ropeway which takes you on an aerial tour of the park, and the gigantic Yakshi (an enchantress) sculptured by Kanai Kunhiraman, a renowned sculptor of Kerala.

The most interesting feature of the rock garden is that the whole place is made of unwanted and broken pieces of bangles, tiles, used plastic cans, tins and other waste materials. The garden is a master work of sculptor Padmasree Neck Chand Saini. His rock garden in Chandigarh is world famous and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Visiting Hours: 0900 hrs to 2000 hrs

Entrance Fee: 

Children (3-12): Rs. 10/-

Adult: Rs.25/-

Separate entrance fee for Ropeway, Snake Park (Monday Holiday)  

Contact details:

Malampuzha Garden, Ph: +91 491 2815295

Nearest railway station: Palakkad, about 9 km  

Nearest airport: Coimbatore International Airport, about 67 km and Calicut International Airport, about 106 km