Pathiramanal is a small island spans 10 acres on the border of Kottayam – Alappuzha Districts in Kerala. This little Island on the backwaters is a birdwatcher’s delight. Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam Lake. Pathiramanal is accessible only by boat. The scenic beauty of both sides of the lake as well as that of the island is mind blowing.

There is a story connected with this island. It is said that a young brahmin boy dived in to the lake and the waters made way for the boy. The land that rose when the waters made way became the beautiful and enchanting Pathiramanal Island, meaning “Island of the midnight sands”.

Apart from the beautiful lake shore of the Vembanadu Lake, Pathiramanal is the main tourist sport in Muhamma. Pathiramanal is an island in the Vembanadu Lake. It is an Eco-friendly tourist center. It is accessible by boat from Alappuzha. Kayippuram jetty is just about 2km east of the Kayippuram junction on the Alappuzha – Thanneermukkam road.

The island is a Birdwatcher’s paradise. It is home to around 91 local species of birds and 50 migratory birds. One can see Pin-tail Ducks, Common Teal, Night Heron, Cormorant, Darter, Indian Shag, Purple Heron, gulls, terns, large egrets, Intermediate Egret, Cattle Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret, Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Water-cock, Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Little Cormorant and Whiskered Tern.

The island is an hour and half drive by motor boat or 30 minutes by speed boat from Alappuzha town. One can also take the boats plying in the Kumarakom – Muhamma water route. It takes around 40 minutes from Kumarakom to reach Pathiramanal.

Windermere Estate, Munnar is a nature retreat ensures highest comfort and elegance which is truly desired of a Four Star Hotel accommodation. The exquisite setting and excellent facilities and services, thus making the stay of the guests a pleasant and memorable one. Windermere Estate consciously avoids anything hotel-like. There is no reception, and home-cooked meals are served in a dining room with kitchen at the far end. The owning family live in the old planters bungalow and their friendly staff will take you off on long walks in the hills or private cardamom estate

Accommodation
Windermere Estate in Munnar offers 17 rooms that include 5 farmhouse rooms, 4 rooms facing garden and 8 spacious cottages. The rooms are spacious and most of them offer incredible views of the landscape. The in room amenities include air conditioning, telephones, hot and cold running water supply and televisions.

Dining
Windermere Estate of Munnar in Kerala offers a host of fine culinary delights that will include the traditional Keralan delights, Chinese, Continental and Mexican dishes. The pub at the hotel offers a host of cocktails and fine spirits.

Business
Munnar’s Windermere Estate is quite apt for the business meetings and conferences and features a state of art business center that is well equipped with all the facilities that are ideal for the business traveler.

Recreation
Trekking in the forests, local sightseeing trips, bonfire and barbeque at boulder garden, swimming pool, ayurvedic massage, are the recreational facilities that are provided at the Windermere Estate in Munnar.

Other Facilities
Same day laundry, Tour desk, Car parking, Currency exchange, Souvenir shop, Safety deposit lockers, Doctor on call, Money changer, Vehicle parking, Fax machines are some of the other facilities that are available at Munnar’s Windermere Estate.

Contact
The Windermere Estate,
Windermere house, Thrikkakara, Cochin -682 021,
Tel: +91 484 2425237 Fax: +91 484 2427575

Windermere Estate, P.O. Box 21, Poathamedu,
Munnar 685612, Kerala
Tel: +91 4865 230512/ 230978 (R) 230248
Email: info@windermeremunnar.com

Jew Street, one of the most thickly populated and crowded streets in Mattancherry has been on the international tourism map. It is a paradise for antique lovers and an ideal destination for purchasing a wide range of brass sculptures, carved wooden furniture, jewelry and remnants of traditional houses. The antique sellers of these streets are the descendants of a fast dwindling population of Jews who settled down here in AD 52.

A large number of Hindus, Christians and Muslims, besides other communities from northern India like the Parsis, Gujaratis and Sindhis have settled down in this town. It is also the abode of the earliest Jewish settlers in India. In fact ‘Jew Street’ and a town called ‘Jew Town’ which was earlier inhabited by the Jews. Jew Town is one of the best places for buying handicrafts, antiques and spices. All these communities have merged with the native fabric and yet have preserved their own distinct ethnic identities.

The place has so many protected remnants from the past time, which can enlighten you with the life style of people lived there and the strength of religious harmony prevailed in times. Jew street is the witness of harmony between Hinduism and Christianity in Kerala from historical times. The scene of Jew synagogue and Palace temple separated by a common wall of the dutch palace gives the proof. It was the Raja of Cochin ‘Ramavarma’ who gave land for the jews here to make up their own community..

Jew Street kochi – Location: About 10 km from Ernakulam town

Kalarippayattu is the ancient martial art of India, it is said to be the mother of all martial arts and dates back some thousands of years. Acharya P.Vasudevan Gurukkal started C V N Kalari at Kottayam way back in 1954. C V N stands for C.V Narayanan Nair, an exponent of Kalaripayattu. He had devoted his entire life for the popularization of this exquisite art.

C V N kollam kalari strictly follows the northern traditional style and under the strict guidance of gurukkal, lot of people are studying this great art including foreigners also. With the blessings of gurukkal’s treatment, people getting relief from various diseases through ancient kalari treatment.

Traditional masters of Kalari attribute Parasurama who is an incarnation of the supreme Lord, and the creator of the land of Kerela, instituted 108 Kalaries all over the land. Some masters believe that the Kalari system originated out of the wrath of the lord Shiva while in his fury, to destroy Dakshayaga. Parasurama is supposed to have studied this art from him and and have handed it over to his 21 disciples in Kerala. Of the Kalarippayatt, the southern system offers the story that sage Agastya was the founder of the art.

Now C V N kalari in Kollam offering a great place to study kalaripayattu and yoga and also for the treatment of various diseases through ancient kalari treatment.

Renowned for various defensive and offensive powers, Kalari and its allied branch of treatment, Marma, is widely used for the treatment of various ailments. It is ideal for treatment of bones, discs, joint disorders, rejuvenation of nerves and blood circulation. There are several patients who fly down from the West to consult Gurukkal.

The Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur district is one of the oldest temples at Kerala. This temple is believed to be around 2000 years old. It spans in 10 acres is said to have been built by Parasurama, Vadukkumnnatha is a prominent Shiva temple.

A classical example of the Kerala style of architecture, the Temple contains many decorative murals and pieces of art. The vast ground around the temple is called Tekkinkadu or forest of teak woods. This is the venue of the world famous Pooram festival celebrated annually in April-May. The fireworks at the Thrissur Pooram are a spectacular sight. Non Hindus are not allowed entry into the temple.

The most striking feature of the temple is the Kuttambalam, which is the theatre hall for staging kuttu, an ancient dramatic form of art famous in Kerala.

The temple opens at 4.30 in the morning and closes about 11.00 AM after the morning rites. It opens at 5.00 PM for the evening worship and closes at 8.30 PM at night.

Emergency Details:
Phone – 91 487 – 2426040

How to Reach
Nearest Railway Station: Thrissur
Nearest Airport: Nedumbassery, 58 kms away

Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the well known pilgrimage centre of Kerala located in a hill top in Pathanamthitta district. It lies at a height of around 468 m above sea level. This is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa who is believed to be the union of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu.

The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in January. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad.

The shrine gets thronged with devotees especially during the main pilgrim season from November to January. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season.

In order to enter the temple, one has to climb 18 steps called as the Pathinettampadi. These 18 steps are now made of Panchaloham. The devotees to this temple have to observe a Vratham for 41 days. The women who belong to the age group 10 to 50 are not allowed to visit Sabarimala.

How to Reach
District : Pathanamthitta
Nearest Bus Station : Chengannur bus station
Nearest Railway Station : Kottayam railway station

Thrissilery Siva Temple in Wayanad enshrines Lord Siva as the principal deity. This temple is built in an excellent manner and involves fabulous architecture.

Devotees of this temple believe that paying one’s contributions to Thrissilery Siva Temple is comparable to completing the ancestral rites at the Vishnu Temple in Thirunelli. Nearby this temple is another famous temple called Jala Durga temple installed by the mythological creator of Kerala by name Parashurama. Devotees who visit this temple can offer flowers, Banana, and coconut as offering to Lord Siva.

Calicut Airport and Kozhikode Railway Station are the nearest airport and railway station.

Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathi Temple is an important pilgrimage place in the Wayanad district. The temple is situated near the bank of the river Kabani. The presiding deity is Bhagavathy and is in the form of Vana Durga, Badrakali and Jala Durga. Valliyoorkavu temple is closely related with tribals in Wayanad.

The name of the famous festival is Valliyoorkavu Festival. This festival devoted to Goddess Durga two week festival and many tribal people participate here. The temple is located very near to Mananthavady.

How to Reach
Nearest Railway Station : Kozhikode, about 97 kms by road from Sulthan Bathery
Nearest Airport : Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, nearly 120 kms from Sulthan Bathery

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is believed to have been built in the Sangam age to commemorate the martyrdom of Kannaki. It is famous for the Bharani festival and Thalappoli festival. Thalappoli festival is a harvest festival similar to the Pongal festival of Tamil Nadu. It is held during the Malayalam month Makaram. Bharani festival is conducted in memory of goddess killing Dharuka. It is held on Bharani day during the Malayalam month Meenam that falls on the months March / April and lasts up to 7 days. A flag is hoisted around a month prior to the festival.

In the main shrine Siva faces east and Bhagavathy faces north in the temple.

Temple timings : 4:00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

How to Reach
District : Thrissur
Nearest Bus Station : Kodungallur
Nearest Railway Station : Aluva railway station ( 27 kms away)
Nearest Airport : Cochin International Airport

Emergency Details :
Phone : 0497 2827601

Nearest City : Kannur
Route :
By Road 12 kms, Kannur – Kuthuparamba Road

How to Reach:
Nearest Railway Station: Kannur
Nearest Airport: Kozhikode