Kerala | Malayalam

Pooram - means coming together. Pooram is a festival that is celebrated in Kerala in almost all Hindu temples. Of all these poorams Thrissur Pooram is famous for its grandeur, color, music and firecrackers and other festivities.

This festival is participated and conducted across all barriers of religions and caste. The main reason for this festival is also the same. Centuries back temples from Thrissur region participated in this religious activities. But they were denied of the religious practices by some particular a group of community.

This whole occasion takes place in the thekkinkadu Maidan which encircles the temple. Kudamattam is the very important ceremony. Accompanied is the Panchavadhyam, Pancha - means five, vadhyam means instruments. Thimila, Maddalam, Trumpet, Cymbal and Edakka are the five instruments. A treat to watch !

In 1991, the merchants from these regions learnt about the houseboats in Kashmir and did want to try that out here. So they bought rice boats (boats used to transport rice) and made necessary adjustments and alignments and started to use it commercially. With the aide from Tourism board of Kerala this industry got developed very well.

Foreigners are attracted towards Kerala and they are excited about a boat ride in the serene water body that passes through the villages. Throughout the ride, one can see many villages on the embankment. One can also have a better insight into the lifestyle of the people living alongside the banks. Women take bath, wash clothes, utensils, and one can sometimes go even closer to see the backyard of the houses.

Houseboats have max 3 bath attached double bedrooms, single bedrooms, living room cum dining room, sun deck and a kitchen. The boat moves with an engine that does not make noise. There will be a cook and two other men in the boat. Night stay is also in the houseboat is also available.

Ashtamudi Lake is located in Kollam District, and the town of Kollam (Quilon) lies at its outlet.

Kerala has been top listed in the first 50 must see places by National Geography channel. What brought Kerala into the world Tourism map is its Natural Serenity; the beaches, the coconut palm grooves, the low lying areas, the green fields, the ghats and the most importantly the great Lagoons or the backwaters and the houseboats.

Backwaters or Lagoons

These are water pushed back by the current and here in Kerala pushed back from the Arabian Sea and stretches over 1900 km and has a network of 44 rivers. These are large inland lakes in kerala and provides, water for all purpose, including agriculture and drinking water. These backwaters are also inland waterways connecting villages in these areas. The bluish green water ways with unknown depth flowing with silent majesty is bordered with swaying coconut palms and other lushy greens.