Kerala State tourism awards announced

State tourism awards announced

The Kochi-based Lotus Destination has been named the best inbound tour operator and Riya Holidays the best outbound tour operator for 2012-13.

Announcing the Kerala State Tourism Awards here on Wednesday, Minister for Tourism A.P. Anil Kumar said the winners were chosen by a committee chaired by the Tourism Secretary from a preliminary list prepared by a panel of experts.

Vivanta by Taj – Malabar was selected the best 5-star deluxe hotel; Kumarakom Lake Resort in Kottayam the best 5-star hotel; Udaya Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel in Kovalam the best 4-star hotel; Marari Beach Resort in Alappuzha the best 3-star hotel, and Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom the best heritage hotel.

The award for the best ayurveda centre went to the Somatheeram Ayurveda Beach Resort in Kovalam and the best homestay award went to the capital-based Graceful Homestay. Alappuzha Rainbow Cruise was named the best houseboat operator.

P. Subramanian of the Alappuzha Marari Beach Resort was judged the best hotel manager. K.C. Krishnakumar, chief sub-editor at Mathrubhumi ( Yathra , Kozhikode) got the award for the best tourism reporting and B. Muralikrishnan, Mathrubhumi chief news photographer, and the Kochi-based Ajosh Parakkan won the best tourism photography award.

courtesy-The Hindu

Lantana, Kongini flower- the traditional flower of Kerala

Lantana, Kongini flower- the traditional flower of Kerala

Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. They are native to tropicalregions of the Americas and Africa but exist as an introduced species in numerous areas, especially in the Australian-Pacific region. The genus includes both herbaceous plants and shrubs growing to 0.5–2 m (1.6–6.6 ft) tall. Their common names are shrub verbenas orlantanas. The generic name originated in Late Latin, where it refers to the unrelated Viburnum lantana.

Lantana's aromatic flower clusters (called umbels) are a mix of red, orange, yellow, or blue and white florets. Other colors exist as new varieties are being selected. The flowers typically change color as they mature, resulting in inflorescences that are two- or three-colored.

"Wild lantanas" are plants of the unrelated genus Abronia, usually called "sand-verbenas".

Photos by: Prabeeshnayar

Vishu Greetings(Aashamsakal) -Malayalam

Kanikkonnayude vishudhiyum kodimundinte chandhavumayi oru vishu koodi varavayi. Aashamsakalode…

Aiswaryathinte, samrudhiyude ponkaniyumayethunna vishuvinu aashamsakal.

Karnikarathinte ponprabhayil vishu dinam shobhanamakatte.

Samrudhiyude vishu dinathinu eevarkkum sambal samrudhi ashamsikkunnu.

Kanikkonnayude swarnashobhayil jeevitham sambal samrudhamakatte.

Konnapoovinte chandhavum, vishu pakshiyude pattum, vishukaniyude aiswaryavum jeevitham samrudhamakkatte.

Kanikandunaram aiswaryathinte ponkazchakal ennennum. Eevarkkum vishu aashamsakal.

Manassilundavatte gramathin
Vishudhiyum manavum
Mamathayaum ithiri konnappoovum. Vishu aashamsakal.

Vishu-The harvest festival of Kerala, April 14

Vishu is a  festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala and in the Tulunadu region(Mangalore & Udupidistricts), usually in the second week of April in the Gregorian calendar.

Vishu is celebrated with much fanfare and vigour in all parts of Kerala. It is considered a festival of light and fireworks,^[3] and decorating lights and bursting of firecrackers (Vishupadakkam) is part of the celebration. Other elements of Vishu include buying of new clothes (Puthukodi) for the occasion, the tradition of giving money called Vishukkaineetam , and the Vishu feast or Sadya, which consist of equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Feast items include Veppampoorasam,Mampazhappulissery, Vishu kanji and Vishu katta .^]

The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which literally means "the first thing seen on the day of Vishu after waking up". The Vishukkani consists of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles intended to signify prosperity, including rice, fruits and vegetables, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, yellow flowers called konna (Cassia fistula), holy texts and coins, usually in the prayer room of the house. This is arranged the night before Vishu and is the first sight seen on Vishu. On Vishu, devotees often visit temples like Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple or Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple to have a 'Vishukkani Kazhcha' (viewing) in the early hours of the day.

Kerala Tourism News- Kerala Tourism basks in national award glory

Kerala Tourism basks in national award glory

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism's pioneering use of IT to boost tourist arrivals, the successful Kochi-Muziris Biennale and Kumarakom's Responsible Tourism model Tuesday helped "God's Own Country" scoop four National Tourism Awards for 2012-13.

Of the awards, Kerala Tourism won the second prize in the best state category.

Kerala Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar received the awards from Minister of State for Human Resources Development Shashi Tharoor at a function held at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

In the niche tourism segment, the award for the "Most Innovative and Unique Tourism Project" went to Kochi-Muziris Biennale.

The first edition of the mega art event, supported by the Department of Tourism, was held December 2012-February 2013. It attracted nearly half a million visitors, including thousands from outside the state and abroad.

Kumarakom Grama Panchayat won in the "Civic Management of a Tourism Destination in India" category, with its president Dhanya Sabu receiving the award.

Kerala Tourism also won the award for the "Most Innovative Use of Information Technology".

"The awards are an honour for the state, Kerala Tourism and all its stakeholders," said Anil Kumar.

"It is a recognition for our unceasing efforts to promote sustainable tourism with the help of the local community even while we make use of the advantages of technology," he said.

"These awards are a huge encouragement to Kerala Tourism's new policy of practicing a community-involved and eco-friendly, sustainable tourism to enhance the quality of the visitor's experience," said Kerala Tourism secretary Suman Billa.

These awards come close on the heels of Kerala Tourism winning the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Ullysses Prize for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism last month.

In the private sector too, Kerala got four awards.

Kumarakom Lake Resort Kottayam was named the best five-star hotel, Vivanta by Taj at Kumarakom was the best four-star hotel and Brunton Boatyard in Fort Kochi the best three-star hotel. Thiruvananthapuram-based Great India Tour Company won the award for the Best Inbound Tour Operator.

Courtesy – madhyamam.com

Kerala tourism Attractions, Kerala Theyyam Calender- a traditional art form of Kerala

Theyyam (Teyyam, Theyyattam or Thira) is a popular ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala, India, predominant in theKolathunadu area (consisting of present-day Kasargod, Kannur Districts, Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad and Vadakara and KoyilandyTaluks of Kozhikode of Kerala) and also in Kodagu and Tulu nadu of Karnataka as a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs. The performers of Theyyam belong to the lower class community, and have an important position in Theyyam. They are also known as 'malayanmar'.People of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a God and they seek blessings from this Theyyam. A similar custom is followed in the Tulu Nadu region of neighbouring Karnataka known as Bhuta Kola.

1		Kambrath Tharavadu Devasthanam	29 to 30 Oct 2013
2		Sree Kuruvappalli Ara Devaswom	2 to 5 Nov 2013
3		Neeliyar Kottam	16 Nov 2013
4		Kottiyoor Nanmadam Temple	23 to 26 Nov 2013
5		Puthiya Kunnathu Puthiya Bhagavathy Temple	26 to 27 Nov 2013
6		Naduvalathu Kottam	1 to 2 Dec 2013
7		Kokkanasseri Kandambathu Ara Vallar Kulangara Bhagavathy Devasthanam	2 to 5 Dec 2013
8		Aduthila Guliyanka Bhagavathy Temple	5 to 6 Dec 2013
9		Pazhayangadi Railway Muthappan Madappura	14 to 15 Dec 2013
10		Thekkumbadu Koolom Thazhekkavu Bhagavathy Temple	16 to 21 Dec 2013
11		Yogi Madom	21 to 22 Dec 2013
12		Pariyaram Sree Udayapuram Temple	4 to 7 Jan 2014
13		Chekkicheri Bhagavathy Devasthanam	8 to 9 Jan 2014
14		Kannom Sree Anjuthengil Aivar Paradevatha Temple	9 to 12 Jan 2014
15		Chirakutty Puthiyakavu (Vayalile Kottam)	10 to 13 Jan 2014
16		Kandothu Sree Paradevatha Temple	11 to 13 Jan 2014
17		Kannaram Veedu Pottan Deivam	12 Jan 2014
18		Dermal Puthiya Bhagavathy Temple	14 to 15 Jan 2014
19		Aalakkadu Kaasipuram Sree Vanasastha Temple	14 to 15 Jan 2014
20		Sree Porkkali Bhagavathy Temple	14 Jan 2014
21		Vishwakarma Oorpazhassi Temple	16 to 18 Jan 2014
22		Sree Narambil Bhagavathy Temple	19 to 21 Jan 2014
23		Maavicheri Sree Bhagavathy Temple	23 to 26 Jan 2014
24		Nidumbram Sree Muthappan Madappura	24 to 26 Jan 2014
25		Sree Chaamakkavu Bhagavathy Temple	26 to 30 Jan 2014
26		Sree Menarayaroth Bhagavathy Temple	26 to 28 Jan 2014
27		Koyyodan Korothu	28 to 30 Jan 2014
28		Payyanur Karim Chamundi Temple	29 Jan 2014
29		Puthiya Parambath Dharma Devasthanam	30 to 31 Jan 2014
30		Kaitheri Puthiyedathu Kavu	30 Jan to 1 Feb 2014
31		Poovallathil Temple	30 Jan to 1 Feb 2014
32		Kakkarakavu Bhagavathy Temple Aaroodasthanam	2 to 4 Feb 2014
33		Pulimuthappan Kavu	4 to 7 Feb 2014
34		Aanacheri Kottam Sree Perumpuzha Achan Deivam Temple	5 to 6 Feb 2014
35		Thalikkaran Tharavadu Kizhakkeveedu	5 to 7 Feb 2014
36		Sree Alakkandy Muduppali Bhagavathy Temple	6 to 8 Feb 2014
37		Pramancheri Bhagavathy Kavu	7 to 10 Feb 2014
38		Vallarkulangara Bhagavathy Kottam, Thekkumbad	7 to 8 February 2014
39		Kalarivattam Chala Temple	8 to 10 Feb 2014
40		Aadithyan Illam	9 to 10 Feb 2014
41		Thayineri Sree Kurinji Temple	9 to 12 Feb 2014
42		Kadumberi Sree Muthappan Madappura	9 to 10 Feb 2014
43		Karimanal Kavu Chamundeswari Temple	10 to 13 Feb 2014
44		Andalur Kavu	13 to 19 Feb 2014
45		Keezhara Kulom Bhagavathy Temple	14 to 19 Feb 2014
46		Thekkumbadu Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple	18 to 21 Feb 2014
47		Aadoor Sree Panachikkavu	20 to 22 Feb 2014
48		Ancharakkandi Palayam Arayalkeezhil Sree Muthappan Temple	20 to 22 Feb 2014
49		Mattul Sree Koormba Bhagavathy Temple	21 to 25 Feb 2014
50		Karayil Kandambath Palakkukeezhil Devasthanam	21 Feb 2014
51		Kadangodu Maakkam Bhagavathy Temple	22 to 23 Feb 2014
52		Arayil Choovatta Panayakkatt Bhagavathy Temple	23 to 24 Feb 2014
53		Kurankunnu Bhagavathy Temple	24 to 27 Feb 2014
54		Manikka Sree Kurumba (Payyampalli) Temple	24 to 26 Feb 2014
55		Bavode Sree Velutha Kunnathu Machilottu Bhagavathy Temple	24 to 26 Feb 2014
56		Kunnumbram Maadathin Keezhil Vaira Jaatha Temple	25 to 27 Feb 2014
57		Thekkekkara Choovatta Valiya Veedu Sree Panayakkatt Bhagavathy Temple	25 to 27 Feb 2014
58		Maavilayi Koodan Gurukkanmar Kavu	25 to 27 Feb 2014
59		Virad Vishwakarma Devi Temple	26 to 27 Feb 2014
60		Aduthilatheru Sree Bhagavathy Temple	27 to 28 Feb 2014
61		Thaivalappil Tharavadu Kandothu	27 Feb 2014
62		Kallidil Devasthanam	27 Feb to 1 Mar 2014
63		Kunnunjaal Sri Muthappan Madappura	28 Feb to 1 Mar 2014
64		Vadassery Padinjarekkara Sree Puthiyara Bhagavathy Temple	1 to 2 Mar 2014
65		Kadukkaaram Sree Karimanal Chamundeshwari Devasthanam	2 to 3 Mar 2014
66		Thazhakkandy Tharavadu Chalil Kutti Sasthappan	2 to 3 Mar 2014
67		Muchilottu Puthiyakavu, Peralassery	2 to 4 Mar 2014
68		Podikkalam Temple at Kannada Tharavadu	4 Mar 2014
69		Koyon Temple (Pulitharammal Sree Bhagavathy Temple)	5 to 6 Mar 2014
70		Uthamanthil Sree Kshetrapalaka Temple	5 to 8 Mar 2014
71		Karuvalli Sree Koorumba Bhagavathy Kavu		5 to 8 Mar 2014
72		Chambadu Sree Koormba Temple		7 to 8 Mar 2014
73		Sree Kakkunnath Bhagavathy Temple		9 Mar 2014
74		Gurukkalottu Bhagavathy Temple		10 to 12 Mar 2014
75		Chammaradethu Devi Temple		14 to 15 Mar 2014
76		Varayil Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple		18 to 20 Mar 2014
77		Dharmadam Sree Mariyamman Temple		26 to 27 Mar 2014
78		Parapram Mandolidam Koormba Bhagavathy Temple		27 to 28 Mar 2014
79		Thottummal Kavullathil Sree Kali Temple		28 to 29 Mar 2014
80		Sree Kuttichathan Madam		29 to 31 Mar 2014
81		Kanjirathin Keezhil Bhagavathy Temple (Illathambalam)		1 Apr 2014
82		Sree Ganeshan Kavu		1 to 2 Apr 2014
83		Pottan Kavu, Dharmadam		12 to 13 Apr 2014
84		Malliyodu Palottu Kavu		14 to 18 Apr 2014
85		Sree Oravankara Bhagavathy Temple		14 to 16 Apr 2014
86		Sree Mavilaakkavu		14 to 20 Apr 2014
87		Puzhaathi Sree Pazhaya Parambathu Puthiya Bhagavathy Temple		16 to 18 Apr 2014
88		Paravoor Puliyoor Kaali Temple		18 to 21 Apr 2014
89		Nilayara Bhagavathy Temple		18 to 21 Apr 2014
90		Pinarayi Bali Temple		19 to 20 Apr 2014
91		Chirakkavu Bhagavathy Temple		22 to 25 Apr 2014
92		Kodakkal Tharavadu Devasthanam		23 to 24 Apr 2014
93		Peringode Illam Thazhekkavu Bhagavathy Temple		23 to 24 Apr 2014
94		Anthi Mahakaali Kottam (Nageniamma)		3 to 4 May 2014
95		Murikkoli Tharavadu Temple		13 May 2014
96		Madayikkavu		24 May 2014
97		Mamundiyadu Vettaikkorumakan Temple		28 to 30 Nov 2014
98		Muthuvadathu Kalari		25 to 26 Dec 2014
99		Muthalakkadiyan Tharavadu Devasthanam		23 to 24 Jan 2015
100		Perikamana Illam		17 to 18 Apr 2015
101		Pongilat Valla Kulangara Bhagavathy Temple		27 Feb to 1 Mar 2017