Kerala's Heritage And Culture Connect To The Tourism Sector Said By CM Of Kerala

Connect State’s Heritage with Tourism Sector: Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala

Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala, has underlined the need to connect Kerala’s heritage and culture to the tourism sector.  “International and domestic tourists should get the experience of Kerala products, heritage and culture to enhance the sector. This can be achieved only by connecting Kerala’s traditional industries with the sector. Tourism is a gateway to take the state’s history to the world,” he said while delivering the inaugural address of the Sargaalaya International Arts and Crafts Festival at Iringal, Kozhikode.

He also presented the State Tourism Awards for 2014-15 at the event. A high powered committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Venu V., Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism, selected 27 winners under three categories for the tourism awards.

Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Kerala, who presided over the event, said that the state tourism sector aims to create 4 lakh jobs in next five years.

“With many innovative initiatives, Kerala has already grabbed a space on the world tourism map. The government is planning to identify and develop 79 new destinations in the state apart from creating more model tourism villages. This will be ensured with the help of the co-operative sector,” said the Tourism Minister.

Dr. Venu V., Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism and Mr. U. V. Jose, Director, Kerala Tourism were among the host of dignitaries at the event.

Click here to view the winners list.

Kerala Tourism Awards Winners Of 2014-2015

Winners of State Tourism Awards 2014-2015

Kerala Tourism has presented the Kerala Tourism Awards of Excellence 2014-2015 to honour Kerala's Best Tourism Service Providers. The awards were presented by Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala.

The list of the awardees:

Marvel Tours won the award for best in-bound tour operator. Crowne Plaza, Kochi, bagged the top award for five star deluxe hotel, while Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel and Spa bagged the best five star hotel award.

Spice Village in Thekkady, has been adjudged best four star hotel and Marari Beach in Alappuzha won the top three star hotel award. Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom, took the best heritage hotel award.

Somatheeram Research Institute and Ayurveda Hospital won the award for the best Ayurveda Centre, while Coconut Creek Farm and Homestay at Kumarakom won the best homestay award. The award for the best serviced villa went to Teak Town, Malappuram.

The award for the best hotel manager went to Jaya Chitra of Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort and Sanjay Kaushik of Crowne Plaza, while Munnar Catering College pocketed the award for the best tourism management institute.

The special recognition for new initiatives in tourism for this year went to Joseph K of Malappuram for 'Adventure on Wheels' initiative while Somatheeram Ayurveda Group and The Travel Planners from Thiruvananthapuram won the award for the best use of IT in Tourism.

The Best Adventure Tourism Award went to Kalypso Adventures. Some other awards were the best tourism police award for Sanal Kumar A G; best tourism lifeguard for Mahesan C and best tourism destination for Sargaalaya Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Iringal.

Dr K C Krishnakumar, Chief Sub Editor, Mathrubhumi won the award for best tourism related report while Arun Sreedhar, Chief Photographer, Malayala Manorama won  for best tourism photography.

St Xavier's College for Women, Aluva, was adjudged for best tourism club award.

Pushpa Gujral Science City – It Is An Informative Hilarity Centre For Those Who Have Interest In Science

 PUSHPA GUJRAL SCIENCE CITY

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JALANDHAR

Pushpa Gujral science city is located in Jalandhar district of Punjab State of India and it is actually situated at the Jalandhar- Kapurthala Road and contains over 20 different science exhibits, a lake for boating and a huge Dinosaur model. The science themed informative amusement center is named after Pushpa Gujral, the mother of former Indian Prime minister I.K. Gujral.

Being an ancient city with a diverse culture, Jalandhar is a must visit to experience the authentic roots of Punjab, the various temples and eateries located in Jalandhar make it an unforgettable Indian tourist destination.

The biggest project of its kind in Northern India, the Science City has been set up in 72 acres of land in the of heart of Punjab, on Jalandhar- Kapurthala Road. It is intended to inclucate the scientific aptitude & temperament, to fire the imagination and creativity, foster the spirit of enquiry and exploration among the masses, especially in the young minds.

The subject areas covered include physical, applied, natural and social sciences, engineering, technology, agriculture, health sciences, energy, industries, human evolution and civilization, the environment, ecosystems, Jurassic parks as well as frontier areas like space, nuclear science, information technology, robotics and Bio-technology.

it has Space theratre, Digital planetarium, Laser theatre, 3D theatre, Flight simulator, Climate change theatre, Earthquake simulator, Space and aviation, Energy park, Health gallery, Science of sports, Virtual reality, Fun science, Dinosaurs park, Life through ages, Defence gallery, Mobile science bus, Events calender

Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC) is located on Jalandhar Kapurthala Road 15 KMs from Jalandhar and 5 KMs from Kapurthala. It is easily accessible through road, rail and air. Airways. 

Road. Good number of Buses run between Jalandhar and Kapurthala which will drop you at the Entrance Gate of the Science City.

Ethipothala Waterfall – It Gives Tranquil Atmosphere For Weekend Sightseeing Lovers

ETHIPOTHALA FALLS

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GUNTUR

Ethipothala waterfall is situated around 11 kilometers from Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh State of India. Three streams namely Chandravanka Vagu, Nakkala Vagu and Tummala Vagu combine and leap from 70 feet to create the fall.

There is a view point built across the waterfall that gives the best possible sight of the waterfall. The fall then joins the Krishna River after a course of 3 kilometers.

The Ethipothala Waterfalls lies around 11 km from Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on the Chandravanka River which is a tributary of Krishna River. The scenic location of the falls in the delightful valley makes it one of the most sought after picnic spots in Andhra Pradesh.

It is indeed a treat to watch the waters gushing down at high speed from Chandravanka Mountains which lies at an elevation of 70 feet. The serene surroundings and the beautiful valley add to the charm associated with this place. Ethipothala Waterfalls is an ideal place for individuals who’d like to spend some leisure time along with their family and friends.

You can see the water fall from a table land on the other side. You can even go on the hill from where the water flows down. After flowing for about 3 kms, this stream again joins River Krishna.

Nagarjunasagar Dam and Nagarjunakonda are top tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh, located close to Ethipothala Waterfalls. Both of them are popular sightseeing and weekend vacations destinations, located at a convenient distance form Hyderabad.

An outdoor recreational tour to Ethipothala Waterfalls can easily be clubbed with a visit to both Nagarjunasagar Dam and Nagarjunakonda. Monsoon is the best season to visit this place as during this season the waterfall is at its fullest glory and the dam is full to the brim.

This is also favorite spot for trekking and camping for the locals. There is a crocodile breeding centre, open to the public, at the lagoon at the bottom of the falls.

There are two temples at the foot of the waterfall, dedicated to Ranganadha Swami and Dattatreya Swami. As these temples are situated in the beautiful valley, you have to get down a few steps to visit these temples. 

You can also see some small caves besides the waterfall. People say and believe that these caves lead the way to Srisailam, the abode of Bhramarambika Mallikarjuna Swami. The tranquil atmosphere in which the waterfall is situated gives you a pleasant experience of your visit.

By Air

The nearest airport is in Hyderabad at a distance of 149-km.

By Train

The nearest railhead is Macherla, which is 29-km from Nagarjuna Sagar.

By Bus

Tourists can find regular bus services from Hyderabad, Warangal and Vijayawada to Nagarjuna Sagar.

Every Twelve Year Kumbakonam Celebrates Mahamaham Festival

MAHAMAHAM FESTIVAL

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KUMBAKONAM

Mahamaham is a Hindu Kumbh Mela festival celebrated every 12 years in a town called Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. Hindus consider taking a holy dip at the Mahamaham tank on the day of Mahamaham as sacred. The last Mahamaham was celebrated on March 6, 2004, with people from various places taking the holy dip in the Mahamaham tank.

The Masimaham or Mahamaham is an annual event that occurs in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March) in the star of Magam in Kumbakanom, which is an ancient, beautiful and holy place.

This once in a 12 year gala event held from February 13-22nd of 2016. Vast crowds of more than forty six lakh pilgrims gathered at Kumbakonam had a dip in the tank, along with saints and philosophers.

The festival is celebrated at an interval of around eleven to twelve years. The festival takes place at a particular time as determined by astrological position: during the full moon of the Tamil month of Maasi (February-March) when the conjunction of the moon with the lunar asterism (Magha Nakshatra) and when Jupiter is in the constellation of Leo.

This Festival occurs when the sun is in the Zodiacal sign of Aquarius(Khumbha), Jupiter transits Leo(Simha) and the Moon is in conjunction with the constellation Maham. Generally all the these astronomical combination take place on a full moon day of the Tamil Month of Masi(Solar Kumbha Month) i.e. either in the latter half of February or in the first of March.

People are washing their sins on the holy rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Sarasvati River, Sarayu, Godavari River, Mahanadi River, Narmada River, Pavoshnl and Kaveri River. These rivers wanted to get rid of their sins and approached Lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma advised these rivers if you meet together and take bath in Mahamaham would wash off all the sins. Hence, during the time of Mahamaham festival, it is also believed that taking bath in the holy stream of water from the famous rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Sarasvati River, Sarayu, Godavari River, Mahanadi River, Narmada River, Pavoshnl and Kaveri River, which are mixed together in Mahamaham tank, would get rid of sins according to Hindu religion.

By having a holy dip in Varanasi, one can be relieved of all sins committed in holy place sand whereas sins committed in Varanasi can be washed off by a holy dip in Mahamaham Tank. Sins committed in Kumbakonam can be washed off in Kumbakonam itself by a holy dip in Mahamaham Tank.

Tamil Nadu Government made elaborate arrangements for the successful conduct of the Mahamaham. Tourism Department had put up Tourist Information Centres at Railway Station and Bus Stand to assist the tourists. A special booklet on Kumbakonam was also published and distributed to the Tourists.