Kerala: God’s own country 

April provides a number of delights to a tourist in Kerala. There is enough for those who seek the spiritual solace as well as for those who wish to enjoy the grandeur of the world’s largest cruise liner. For the gourmet there is always the prawn to tempt and delight. Those challenged by the joys of trekking and wanting more of intimate moments with nature can move on to Para-gliding. Kerala is a place that invites the footloose and the anchored.

There is much more in Kerala than just the beaches, boat races and Ayurvedic cures. In fact almost all the months of the year offer different experiences. A tourist can choose any month that caters to his needs and accordingly plan his visit. Here we offer you a sample of the month of April.

The picture of the month features Queen Mary II, the world’s largest luxury cruise liner based at Southampton, England, entering the waters of the Kochi Port in Kerala. Making Kochi its only port of call in India, Queen Mary II, on its way to Dubai after touching destinations in Southeast Asia, and carrying about 2600 passengers onboard had a day’s halt in Kerala during which passengers onboard got an opportunity to visit nearby places of attraction like Kumarakom and Thekkady. It was only then that they realized that why the place is called God’s own country. The spiritual quality of their brief experience is enough to last them a life time. 

One can also visit Amrithamedu, popularly known as Kurisumala, is a pilgrim center as well as a trekker’s delight. Peerumedu is the nearest major town from which you can approach Amrithamedu.

During Easter, pilgrims climb the ‘Stations of the Cross’, which would require a pilgrim to cover 14 points, with each point having a cross denoting various phases of Jesus Christ’s last journey. During the course of the trek, when one reaches the third cross, a good stretch of Peerumedu becomes visible, which is indeed an enjoyable sight. One can also see tea estates in the distance and also the rolling Kokkad hills.

As one proceeds further up, the surrounding landscape soon becomes more and more breathtaking. Once the climb reaches the ninth cross, one would step on to a plateau and the mist that engulfs you at this place is quite an experience. This is Amrithamedu, the highest point in Kuttikkanam region.

For avid trekkers, the nearby Madamakulam, located towards the northern side of Amrithamedu is worth a visit. It is a natural pond, formed at the foot of a waterfall. The pond is encircled by big boulders and is surrounded by dense woods.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 75 kms from peerumedu.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 150 kms from peerumedu.

Those craving for more intimate moments with nature may rise above the ground and soar like a bird, till they feel absolute freedom. And the way to do it? Paragliding!. No form of fuel is burned nor runways used, just some good elevation and the right wind to lift you to the avian world.

The video of the month has for you some thrilling moments from the recently concluded 2nd International Paragliding Festival organized by Adventure Sports and Sustainable Tourism Academy (ASSTA) in association with Kerala Tourism at Vagamon in Kerala. The event had participation by 40 pilots, including those from India. The four-day event was indeed a crowd puller and many from far off places reached Kolahalmedu in Vagamon to witness the adventure sport, which is gaining popularity in Kerala. 

What is Kerala without music? The legacy is rich and people devoting their life to enrich it are countless. The month of April has also seen some addition. One of the noted padams (a type song lyric) penned by the musician-king Swathi Thirunal, the erstwhile ruler of Travancore (Travancore comprises the present day regions of southern Kerala, including the Nagercoil and Kanyakumari districts in the neighbouring State of Tamil Nadu) the song titled ‘Ali veni yentu cheyvu’ brings out the immense sadness felt by a woman, who desperately wants her lover’s presence. Featuring in the audio track of the month, this popular song of Swathi Thirunal is being played for you on the Veena (a popular string instrument of South India) by eminent artist Ms. Maya Varma.

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