Kerala Tourism Blog

Kerala backwaters in top 25 global destinations: NGC

2009-11-17T21:55:00.000-08:00

Last week, MSN Green had listed some of the top eco-destinations in India and God’s own country - Kerala - was in the list for its famous backwaters and one of the richest biodiversity in the world. Here’s some more good news for the state. National Geographic has rated the Kerala backwaters as the world's 23rd best destination, giving the tourism sector a reason to smile.

State Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the rating by National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations has come as a shot in the arm for the industry.

"We will make this new certification as our USP. We have now finished a series of road shows in Europe and our next round of road shows in Italy, France, and Australia will take place. We will make this certification our main campaign point," Balakrishnan told IANS.

Over the years Kerala's tourism industry has recorded consistent growth. In 2008 there was 14.84 percent growth in tourism revenue while tourist arrivals grew 14.41 percent over 2007.

But the tourism sector in Alappuzha, known for its houseboat tourism and which earned this certification for the industry, wants urgent promotional steps by the government.

Tomy Pulikattil, who owns a fleet of houseboats including those that can accommodate more than 100 people, said after the Thekkady tragedy the tourism season appears to have dried up. At least 45 people had died when a boat overturned in Thekkady.

"The government has to launch a series of promotional activities because the fear of Thekkady still lingers in north India. The truth is that never has a tragedy occurred in the houseboat industry. A houseboat can bear a load from 30 tonnes to a maximum of 120 tonnes and the design of a houseboat is totally different to that of a motor boat," said Pulikattil, who recently conducted an inclination test by a marine expert on all his boats.

Kerala's peak tourism season begins mid-November and extends till March.

Ivory Work

2009-10-06T01:12:00.000-07:00

Ivory art in Kerala dates back to the era of Swati Tirunal Maharaja. A throne of ivory chiseled by the Raja is a remarkable work of art. The Maharaja of Cochin is famous for his tortoise shaped palanquin made of ivory,that blooms into an elegant floral shape. The figures of birds and animals adorn the palanquin.

Ivory carving, like the making of coir, is a painstaking and elaborate task. It calls for meticulous precision and an aesthetic sensibility. The tusk has to be hacked with great care. This requires the labor of a couple of men, approximately. Then comes the most difficult part of the process. The artisan has to dexterously draw the pattern that he wants to carve on the surface of the ivory and cut it out with great care. The uneven ivory surface is then polished to its gleaming best with sandpaper. The white and yellow category of ivories are treated differently. While the white ivory gets a methylated spirit treatment , the yellow ivory is decolorized with water and hydrogen.

Scenes from the Ramayana finds depiction in the ivory art of Kerala. The very nuances of the performances are effectively chiseled on the milk white ivory surface. The very famous snake boat races, that is a stunning spectacle of hundred boats competing with each other, is a popular ivory memento. The chundan vallam or the boat races are popular tourist haunts, made famous by the Nehru Boat Race of Alappuzha , initiated in 1952. Ivory artisans also carve out elegant showpieces like ashtrays, figures of birds, animals, deities and a host of other premium quality products, that exudes class and stands as luxury items. This is, however, a dying art form, like many others, that is fast fading into oblivion.

Thazhapaya Mats

2009-10-05T01:08:00.000-07:00

Screw pine weaving of mats is one of the traditional crafts practiced by women in Kerala. The leaves for this mat are taken from the sword-shaped thorny screw-pine plant. The process is tough as the leaf has sharp thorns growing in both directions. Two different types of pines are used in the making of mats. The short variety is used for a large number of items as it can be both faded and painted. The finer varieties of mats need narrower splits and as they need to be extra silk therefore they are boiled in the pure milk.

The weaving is done crosswise; and interlacing continues as new strips are added. On completion the edges are hemmed with narrow screw-pine strips. Superfine mats made of very fine screw-pine leaf splints placed at 8 to 10 per inch are woven by the highly skilled craftsmen. The products made are table mats, bags, cushion covers wall hangings, and beach hats. In the rough textured variety of mats the edges are woven simultaneously and the weaving starts with dual strips, while at the edges it is continued with a single strip. Decorative embroidery adds to the beauty of the products.

Sandal Wood Carving

2009-10-04T01:06:00.000-07:00

Besides being the ubiquitous herbal beauty product and an indispensable item used during the religious rituals, the sandalwood is also a popular decorative tool. Kerala is a repository of this fascinating handicraft. The temples of Kerala are a treasure trove of sandalwood art with intricately carved pillars, beams, door frames. In fact you would be gripped to know that each house used to have a temple that was beautified with sandalwood carving. The pillars, beams , brackets were adorned with flora and fauna images. The Matsya Purana has it that the carved wooden door frames were the perfect way to usher guests. This art became the trendsetter of sorts for temples and buildings across the country. The enamoring temple art is, however, slowly dying.

Chests, furniture, collector’s items like paper weights, candle stands, incense stick stands are the top draws. The spell binding Kathakali is fodder for the sandalwood artisans. Beautiful models in several riveting poses, with the nuances of a live performance captured, adorns many a art lovers’ house. Other mythological characters too are represented. The elephant which is considered a religious icon and is worshipped with great pomp and grandeur, also finds prominent depiction in the sandalwood art. Nut containers, flower vases, snuff boxes are some of the other popular items that are carved out of sandalwood.

The sandalwood artisans follow different patterns like the engraved form, sculptural relief and clip. Cochin, Ernakulam, Travancore, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram have gained reputation for their magnificent sandalwood artistry. Each place has its own unique selling point. The Travancore artisans etch out motifs in bold patterns. The carved tables and chairs stand on equally engraved legs which are often chiseled in the shape of vyali, which is considered to be the protector of gods. The mandapam form is another pattern of sandalwood art prevalent in Thiruvananthapuram temples. The Mahadeva temple is a case in point. The mandapam model comprises a chiseled out Lord Brahma riding on a swan, surrounded by a host of other deities. The churches of Kerala also fine testimonials of the sandalwood art. Sandalwood is an auspicious commodity in a Keralite’s life.

Maps of India is your guide on a virtual tour of Kerala. It tells you all that you need to know about the traditional handicrafts of the state ranging from the brass and bell metal industry to the sandalwood carving art.

Rose Wood Carving

2009-10-03T01:05:00.000-07:00

Trivandrum and Trichur have skilled artists practicing rose wood carving from generations together. Decorative items such as tiger, camel, elephants, kathakali dancers, Christ, couple dressed in the traditional attire and Buddha are a few rosewood carving products which are in high demand.

Grass Mats

2009-10-02T01:03:00.000-07:00

Mats made with kora / sedge grass are extremely delicate and highly valued. Kora grass is found in abundance along the banks of the rivers and in marshy areas in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The process of creating the mat is painstaking and time consuming. The grass which grows to a height of 3-4 feet is green in colour. The grass is harvested in the months of September/ October and February/March and is cut very finely while it is still green. The outer part of the stem is used for weaving while the inside of the stem is removed with a sharp-edged knife. The strips of grass are then dried in the hot sun and care is taken not to expose the grass to humidity, as they tend to turn black with the exposure. As the dried grass strips turn a yellowish green colour they are boiled in a pot of water and then dried again. The dried grass is made up into bundles and then soaked in running water so that the grass remains just below the surface of the water for three to seven days which causes the grass to swell up to three times its original size. After it is then dried again in the sun the slow process of weaving commences on a floor loom. Once the weaving is complete, the mat is dried in the sun for a short while after which it is polished.

With the introduction of chemical dyes a wide hue of colours are now being incorporated into mat making which otherwise used red and black colours. The mats which are extremely reliable and can be easily folded include the 5 x 3 feet sleeping mat, prayer mats, table mats and panthi mats which are used to sit on while eating.

Handmade Paper Making

2009-10-01T01:01:00.000-07:00

In the previous time the handmade paper craft was mainly carried out by Muslims known as Kagzis or the paper – makers. These craftsmen have their root in Arabia and over the years they have migrated to India mainly during the period of the Ghazni invasions(A.D. 997-1030). The craft flourished in India thereafter as the Buddhists, Jains, Hindus and Mughals were fond of books, paintings and written works. Today the craft is fading because of the mill made paper.

In olden days the process fo paper making was slow but over the years the industry has advanced with new technology and methods evolving to make the process faster. A variety of materials are also used, of which, sun-hemp, flax, sisal, water hyacinth and bamboo are most common.

Hand made paper besides being aesthetic, is economical and environment friendly, characteristics which are dependant on the production process and uses waste material that has low energy requirement and is non polluting.

Cane & Bamboo

2009-09-30T00:58:00.000-07:00

The state of Kerala in south India is a perfect destination for tourism, holidays, health care, yoga, meditation and art & culture. Kerala has a tradition of making beautiful items of handicrafts. Though most crafts in Kerala are also hereditary some amateurs with special interest in art also practice the same. Mat and basket weaving is done at many places in Kerala. All products are painstakingly made by hand. Some of the products include chairs, teapoy, t.v. stand, fans, tiffin carriers, bamboo shades, bamboo bowls and bamboo-reed table mats.

The painted bamboo mats is one the important craft of this place. The main center for this is Irinjalakuda. The subject for paintings are gods, goddesses, animals and birds. The mats for this craft is initially made of the required size and then painted with colours – derived from natural sources.

Banana Fibre Craft

2009-09-29T00:55:00.000-07:00

The trunk of the Banana tree when treated properly gives this fine natural fibre. This craft of Banana fibre is slowly gaining in popularity and is predominantly found in the southern distric of Kanyakumari. Natural fibres like sisal, aloe, pineapple and screw pine and also weaved along with this banana fibre.Nowadays wall hangings and mats of different shapes and sizes are also made out of this fibre apart from the traditional table mats and bags. Traditionally the Pattu sari was also made of Banana fibre but it has become obsolete now.

Aranmula Metal Mirror

2009-09-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

Aranmula is a small village near Chengannur in Kerala and is renowned for making a special type of metallic mirrors with bell metal, an alloy of copper and tin. It is believed that a divine visitation inspired a widow of this village to discover a mysterious blend of bronze which could be waxed bright into crystal clear mirror. These mirrors are known as Aranmula Kannadi. Though most commercially available mirrors have a coating of silver or other metal on the rear, this is the only mirror of its type, which reflects from the front. Owning such a mirror which is prohibitively costly, is believed to be A Lifetime Possession’ which brings good luck and brings prosperity and keeps evil eyes away.

A technique similar to lost wax method is used to make moulds of these mirrors with the local mud from the field. Once the casting is done, the surface is polished with oil and some metallic powder. The polish may continue for several days to get the required surface. Kannans, the artisans of this unique type of bell-metal are only a handful of familes in the world, who retain till date, this art of getting such reflection from metal.

Bamboo Mat Painting of Kerala

2009-09-27T00:48:00.000-07:00

Kerala – ‘God’s Own’, is a rich southern state presenting many different art forms. Besides tourism, bamboo mat painting is one of the major industries of Kerala. The local artists are skilled in this traditional art.

Their work is first initiated by placing the correct size of mat which is utilized as a canvas for the painting. Then the basic coating is done on the mat which is then followed by the design on it. It is believed by the artist that to work on this surface the artist or the craft person has to put in a lot of concentration and work with peace mind as compared to the other paintings. In these bamboo mat paintings the craftsman depicts religious images, images of the birds and animals, human images as well as capture beauty of nature. Much of these are highlighted with all the possible colours available to give a natural look. The artists design all these paintings in different sizes which gives a very colorful and decent look that is beautifully presented in appealing bamboo reed frames.

Horn Carving Kerala

2009-09-26T00:45:00.000-07:00

It is unthinkable that you sojourn into Kerala and you don’t take back any souvenir! Your tour is incomplete unless you shop for the exclusive handicrafts of Kerala that exhibit the superb and sophisticated craftsmanship of Keralite artisians. The exquisite workmanship reflects the illustrious culture and tradition of God’s own country.

The handicrafts such as- wood carvings, horn carvings, ebony carvings, mat paintings, coconut shell work and so on are stunning pieces of work with inimitable style and accuracy of structure and elegance.

Interestingly, all such recherché creations are carved out of raw materials like horns, bamboo, ivory, wood and so on.

Horn is the basic raw material from which carvings are created. Horn Carving is one of the oldest crafts of Kerala. Craftsmen belonging to Viswakarma Community in Thiruvananthapuram are mainly adept in this art.

Things to shop for- Magnificent artifacts such as flower vases, figurines of birds and animals, toy furniture, minute replicas of snake boats and so on are carved of horns. You can also shop for the ornate combs and hair pins to adorn your locks. Objects of regular use such as pen stands, small boxes, buttons, trays, ashtrays, paper weights, lamps, cigarette cases carved out of animal horns are also available.

Process- The hard horns of animals especially buffaloes are whittled made soft by heating them and oiling them .The grains of the horns are blended with colors and molded into exquisite pieces of art. Sometimes the horns are pared and carved into different forms. The artistry is enhanced when horn carving is combined with dark wood.

Buffalo-horn carving is still practiced in Kerala in places like Trichur, Trivandrum, Kasargod, Ernaculam and Cochin. You can shop for horn carvings at these places.

Textiles

2009-09-24T00:38:00.000-07:00

Textiles:

Textile sector constituting of spinning and handloom is the booming industry ok Kerala. You can choose from a range of Cotton Yarn Fabrics and Knitted Garments while shopping in Kerala .

Spices

2009-09-23T00:36:00.000-07:00

Spices:

Kerala is a land of spices. You can choose from an electric mix of spices while shopping in Kerala . Kerala has occupied an important place in the global spice market. Kerala has an abundance of the most popular spices like the spices are pepper, cardamom, turmeric, chillies and ginger. Spices are used to make medicines, perfumes and add flavor to a gourmet's delight.

Kathakali Masks

2009-09-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

Kathakali Masks:

Kerala is famed for the Kathakali dance form. Specially designed Papier-Mache Masks in different forms and sizes are available. Papier Mache is used to make various products Banana fibre is used to make floor coverings, Rice straw is used to make a silken collage of native scenery on black silk and Cora grass is used to make mats.

Metalware

2009-09-21T00:34:00.000-07:00

Metalware:

Kerala boasts of exquisite metalware. Kerala produces temple bells and lamps from time immemorial. Kerala is known for exotic bell metals. Glistening bell metals are made from a mixture of brass, tin and copper which in turn make spectacular lamps. Different types of cooking vessels, containers for drinking are other bell metal items. Trivandrum, Irinjalakuda and Kasargod are the major places of bell-metal production. The popular product of Aramula, a village near Chengannur in Kerala is the resplendent metal mirror made out of an amalgamation of copper and tin.

Woodcarving

2009-09-20T00:10:00.000-07:00

Woodcarving:

Kerala has an abundance of forests. Wood carving is widely practiced in Kerala. Temples and palaces emanate typical wood carving designs of Kerala. Doors, windows and ceilings of traditional buildings bear testimony to the high level of craftsmanship and tradition of wood carving in Kerala. Carvings are made on rosewood, sandalwood, cedar wood and teak. Local artistes wear wood carved figures with exaggerated features inspired from mythological and religious characters in Kathakali dance dramas. Wood carvings also include elephants in different postures, other animal figures, paper weights, lamp stands and jewelry boxes like Nettoor jewelry boxes. Wood carving on sandalwood and rosewood is unique to Kerala.

Coir Products

2009-09-19T00:02:00.000-07:00

Coir Products:

Coir Products make the base of village industries in Kerala. Floor coverings, door mats , floor matting and rugs, crush-proof pile carpets and flowered Mourzouks are made from coir, the husk of coconut. Different hues of mats with complex designs are coir products.

Exotic cushions are also made of coir. Ratts make for spectacular floor coverings. The

major centres of Coir Products are Alleppey, Kollam and Calicut.

Coconut Shell Craft

2009-09-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Coconut Shell Craft:

Kerala is dotted by coconut trees. This makes Kerala an ideal for exotic coconut shell craft. Skilled artisans painstakingly produce Coconut shell Craft. The main centre for coconut shell craft is Calicut district in Kerala. The main products are cups, flower vases, snuff boxes, sugar basins, nut bowls, powder boxes and spoons etc and also products decorated with brass.

But the sea-fringed state of Kerala is also the land of spices. Since long past Kerala has carved a niche of its own in the global spice market for its rich flavored spices. Spices are used in medicines, preservatives, perfumes and above all in cooking. Do pick up some exquisite variety while shopping in Kerala.

Handicrafts

2009-09-17T23:58:00.000-07:00

Handicrafts:

Unique artistic handicrafts are a specialty in Kerala. The dedicated artisans work arduously to make exotic inimitable and artistic handicrafts. The handicrafts are made with ivory, bamboo, palm leaves, sea shells, wood, coconut shells, clay, clothes, metals and stones Natural dyes, natural sustainable materials and simplicity add extra content to the products. The distinctive patterns, design and colors make Kerala handicrafts a favorite amongst compulsive shoppers.

Kerala Travel Tips

2009-09-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

The variety of tourist sites in Kerala has made Tourism in Kerala an in-thing. However, whether you are on a leisure or adventurous mood, your travel should be safe and secure and without any last-moment hurry and scurry leading to untoward consequences. So we bring you a number of trips for traveling to Kerala. Kerala Travel Tips ensure for you a safe and satiating tour
• Since you are a foreigner, who is unacquainted with the local language, you should ensure that while talking to a local, that he understands what you say either by signs or by words.
• Avoid trouble by asking for permission from the authority concerned, before taking a snap of a place or building
• Some states in India allow flexible use of loudspeakers. So don't react promptly to a loud screeching noise, it may just be a normal devotional song
• Don't throw away bills, tickets and receipts during the tour. You might need them at the last day of the tour. So just keep them for record and transparency.
• Don't forget to carry your Visas and other documents at a convenient but safe bag so that you may find them whenever required .
• You should always carry sufficient amount of money. If required you can also transact from the banks in Kerala, which operate on all days except on Sunday.
• Always carry cotton outfits, hats, sun glasses and sunscreen lotion for touring in the tropical climate of Kerala.

• Remember the local emergency numbers of police control room, Fire station and ambulance

• Don't drink from slow moving streams, lakes or dams.

Kerala Water Sports

2009-09-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

The topography of Kerala interspersed with rivers, lagoons and lakes in the interiors and hemmed by the sea on the west, makes tourism in Kerala quite varied and fascinating. Kerala Water Sports have become prospective ways to define adventure holidaying in various tourist sites in Kerala .

As you stay either in the backwaters or beaches of Kerala, you can look forward to thrilling water sports�which can revitalize you fully. Incidentally, since the beaches and backwater locations are unique in their bio-diversity and aquatic climate, the water sports in Kerala are also of a wide-ranging variety beginning from snake boat races to wind surfing.

Varieties of Kerala Water Sports

• Canoeing is a Kerala Water Sport, during which you can unravel the sedate rural life of Kerala that sustains itself along the backwaters. So you can just canow along the waterways meandering through Kerala

• A catamaran is a type of boat or ship which has two hulls joined by a frame. Invented by the paravas , a fishing community of Tamil Nadu , Catamarans are largely used in the Kerala for adventure and leisure holidaying.

• A kayak is a small human-powered boat , propelled by a double-bladed paddle . In Kerala you will find many of them in the backwaters. So you should not miss Kayaking , the watersport in the serene ambience of a lake or the rivers.

• Have you heard of Para Sailing , in which a person is towed behind a boat while attached to a parachute . As the boat drives off, the parascender is carried into the air. Aren't you excieted already? So don't miss out parasailing from the beaches in Kerala

• Scuba diving refers to diving under the water with self contained underwater breathing while Snorkeling is the practice of swimming at the surface of water with a diving mask . So you can enjoy the underwater marine life on the coastline of Kerala for a long time by using the equipments

• In Wind Surfing , you surf as well as sail. On one hand, you need to maneuver following the changing patterns of wind and water as well as sail across the sea. The breezy climate of Kerala beaches offers a fantastic setting for windsurfing.

More Information on Kerala Water Sports

Kerala is almost synonymous with its boat races. While a number of water sports have been introduced in the backwaters and on the beaches of Kerala, snake boat racing, one of the oldest form of entertaining folks, is still popular amongst domestic and foreign tourists. The traditional boats used for the snake boat races, are known as chunduvalloms .

Snakeboat Races in Kerala

2009-09-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

The Snakeboat races in Kerala are an integral part of the place. During your tour to Kerala do not miss to watch this event. It displays the velour of its people and their folk arts. The backwaters in Kerala fringed with coconut palms are the venue. Different types of boats - Irruuttikuthi, Veppu, Ody, Swan, Churulan and the majestic Chundan Valloms - display the craftsmanship of Kerala. It is very interesting to watch the singers of boat singing the folk literature of Kerala and their unity.

Come and get mesmerized by the awesome performance of oarsmen. The whole fete is an extravaganza of audio-visual arts. Alappuzha is the heart of backwaters where many snakeboat racing events are held.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race in Kerala

It is the oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam.

Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkalim at Kerala

Conducted during Onam, The two days Aranmula Boat Race in Kerala is more a water fiesta than a competition. The event is a re-enacting of the legend involving a devout Brahmin who made a votive offering of feeding one pilgrim a day. On this day an imposing effigy of Sree Krishna is taken out in procession on the lake with children dressed as nymphs and princesses. Enjoy watching the snake boats decorated with silken parasols, carrying helmsmen, oarsmen and singers assemble near the temple early in the morning and then move away in pairs, creating a magnificent pageant.

Payippad Jalotsavam at Kerala

The three day annual fiesta on the Payippad Lake commemorates the installation of the deity at the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Haripad . This is another colorful event not to be missed by the travelers on a tour to Kerala.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Kerala

If you are on a tour to Kerala , you should not miss the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, one of the most exciting events of Kerala. Pavilions are set up for spectators on the banks and in the middle of the Punnamada Lake - the venue of the race.

This boat race is so named because the former Indian Prime Minister, Jawahar lal Nehru instituted the trophy for the winners.

Join the excitement of the boat races in Kerala and make your tours to Kerala memorable.

Government of Kerala Departments

2009-08-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

Government of Kerala has a secretariat of its own. It is the highest echelon of state administrative structure offering locus for the exercise of authority by state Government. The secretariat refers to the complex of departments. Its political heads are ministers while the administrative heads are secretaries to the Government. The entire administrative machinery of the state is divided into several departments. This section profiles the various departments of the state. Details of each departments such as organisational structure, list and addresses of area wise offices, programmes, schemes, services, application forms with details, latest Government orders, achievements, success stories etc. are provided.

Secretariat Departments

	Government Secretariat
	Agriculture Department
	Consumer Affairs Department
	Coastal Shipping & Inland Navigation Department
	Co-operation Department
	Cultural Affairs Department
	Election Department
	Environment Department
	Finance Department
	Fisheries Department
	Food & Civil Supplies Department
	Forest & Wild Life Department
	General Administration Department
	General Education Department
	Health & Family Welfare Department
	Higher Education Department
	Home Department
	Housing Department
	Industries Department
	Information and Public Relations Department
	Information Technology Department
	Labour & Rehabilitation Department
	Law Department
	Local Self Department
	Non- Resident Keralites Affairs Department
	Parliamentary Affairs Department
	Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department
	Planning & Economic Affairs Department
	Power Department
	Public Works Department
	Revenue Department
	SC/ ST Department
	Science & Technology Department
	Social Welfare Department
	Stores Purchase Department
	Taxes Department
	Transport Department
	Vigilance Department
	Water Resources Department

Field Departments

	Animal Husbandry Department
	Archaeology Department
	Ayurveda Medical Education Directorate
	Archives Department
	Civil Supplies Department
	Collegiate Education Department
	Country Town Planning Department
	Chemical Examiner's Lab Department
	Dairy Development Department
	Directorate of Social Welfare
	Drugs Control Department
	Electrical Inspectorate
	Economics & Statistics Department
	Election Department
	Excise Department
	Employment Service Department
	Employment and Training Directorate
	Factories & Boilers Department
	Fire and Rescue Service Department
	Ground Water Department
	Harbour Engineering Department
	Higher Secondary Education
	Homoeopathy
	Industrial Training Department
	Indian Systems of Medicine Department
	Information and Public Relations Department
	Insurance Department
	Insurance Medical Services Department
	Kerala Agrl.Incometax & Salestax Appellate Tribunal Deparment
	Labour Department
	Land Revenue Department
	Land Use Board
	Legal Metrology Department
	Local Fund Audit Department
	Lotteries Department
	Department of Urban Affairs
	Medical Education Department
	Mining & Geology Department
	Museums & Zoos Department
	Printing Department
	Prisons Department
	Port Department
	Panchayat Department
	Registration Department
	Rural Development Department
	Sainik Welfare Department
	Soil Survey Department
	Sports and Youth Affairs Directorate
	Survey Department
	Scheduled Caste Development Department
	Scheduled Tribe Development Department
	Technical Education Department
	Tourism Department
	Treasury Department
	Vocational Higher Secondary Education Department
	Water Transport Department

Palaruvi Waterfalls

2009-07-09T19:26:00.001-07:00

The lovely cascade, extending over 300 feet and aptly named "the stream of milk", has been the summer getaway of the Travancore royalty since the 17th century. The tourism society, formed under the Forest dept., has now set up safe bathing and boarding facilities near the waterfalls for tourists. It is a favourite picnic spot for visitors from all over south India. The journey to Palaruvi through the dense tropical forest is a spellbinding experience. The water lavishly bubbles down with a white tinge and a hiss caused by a natural churning that gives it a milky hue, thus aptly christened Palaruvi. The remnants of yesteryear grandeur in the form of 'mandapams' and a stable can still be seen here. To get to the falls, one has to trek through narrow paths that run through the woods. Covered with dense tropical forests, the scenic beauty of the place enhanced by hills, valleys and cascades, is breathtaking. The surrounding mist-clad blue hills and green valleys form a stunning backdrop to the milk-white burst of foam whose muffled roar resounds through the otherwise tranquil virgin forest. 75 Kms away from Kollam on the Kollam-Shenkottai Road near Aryankavu, is the Palaruvi waterfalls. There are frequent buses from Kollam to Aryankavu. A sought-after picnic spot, the Palaruvi Falls is managed by the local community and is best visited after the summer months.

75 Kms away from Kollam on the Kollam-Shenkottai road near Aryankavu, is the Palaruvi waterfalls. There are frequent buses from Kollam to Aryankavu.