Konni a forested village in Pathanamthitta district is transforming to a tourists hub of south Kerala

People are gathered around an Elephant and trying to stand so near to it, some of them are on the top. One young boy is trying to adjust everyone on the mobile camera frame. He asked them to say CHEESS; they had successfully made a selfie with an Elephant. This is not a big deal in Konni Elephant Kraal which is one of the favourite tourist’s destinations in Kerala. Tourism in Konni had leaped from an ordinary tourist spot to a tourist’s paradise from last two years. Elephant cage and Adavi tourism projects are the main attractions of Konni. Eco tourism. Konni is an economical and right destination for travellers who look for peace and wild greenness. last year we had three lakh  tourists and this year it will dive to more than five lakh, says Nibu Kiran C.O, Range forest officer Konni reserve forest.The forested village in Pathanamthitta district on the bank of the Achankovil River has along and rich history of man forest interface. Vast expanse of Western Ghats in the background is crisscrossed by numerous streams and rivulets, which add to the exceptional scenic beauty of the landscape.

The forests repository of rich biodiversity were constituted in to Konni Reserve Forest and Achankovil reserve forest by Maharaja of Travancore way back in 1897 and 1901 respectively, which are among the oldest reserve forest in the state. Konni had a long back history of 200 years of elephant capturing. The captured Elephants were brought to the camp at Konni by the help of Kumkies (trainer Elephant). ‘From 1977 Elephant capturing was banned and later Konni elephant kraal had become a rehabilitation centre for Elephants that were found in distress by the forest authorities’ ,says Nibu Kiran . ‘The huge wooden Elephant cage, which is capable of housing 6 Elephants at a time, is a glimpse of the Elephant capturing history of the country .The Elephant camp and the kraal of nine acres at Konni are now the centre of attraction, not only for the local inhabitants but also for visitors from far off place’. he continuous. Krishna a young Elephant and her mother was the last refugees of this kaarl they came through river on October 2014. Mother Elephant had collapsed and Krishna is now a big magnetism of Konni Elephant kraal. Konni eco-tourism division had many other special attractions like Elephant bathing and Elephant ride were tourists can enjoy a lifetime opportunity to join with the mahouts in bathing Elephants and can cherish the rare experience of sitting atop of the largest mammals on earth and lumber your way through the Elephant park.

Elephant Museum that have rare collections of mahout’s tools, relics of Elephant  and a photo gallery with varied vision on wild life, film show on wildlife, medical plants demonstration unit, park for kids are the other attractions of Konni Elephant camp. Forests in and around Konni were inhabited by aboriginals belonging to Malapandaram tribe. The tribe maintained unique ethnic culture and jobs. ‘Honey, Sandal oil , Lemongrass- oil and chemical-free ointments made from honey wax etc which are sell in Vanasree eco shop at Elephant camp are generated and collected from forest by these tribal group’ ,says Sree lakshmi manager of Vanasree eco shop Adavi eco-tourism project is the future of tourism in Konni. A project jointly launched by the department of forest and tourism as part of the third phase of Konni Eco tourism project. A picturesque forest patch, 10 km from Konni on the banks of river Kallar, Adavi has nearly 5-km river frontage. Bowl boat riding that originates from the dense forests of Chelikkal and joins Pamba river is an innovative venture of Adavi project which promises a never-before experience to travellers. The river is blessed with rolling stones that make the riding adventurous and thrilling. The river banks are covered with riparian f o r e s t s having rare species of trees and that naturally adds the beauty of the ride. ‘The tourists will also get a chance to see wild animals like Elephant, Indian bison etc. The river Kallar is also a home to many fresh water fishes. The richness of butterflies and moths is also notable’ says Chacko a rider of bowl boats. The climate of Konni is really suitable for Butterflies and bamboos. In kerala after wayanad Konni is the gifted place with butterflies. Butterfly park and Bamboo village which are the new faces of Adavi tourism project which will become a reality from this year. Tree top huts and tenting facilities are now available in Adavi forest range without harming wild life. A 60 km open Jeep off road safari, a night at jungle, Night safari and Trekking are another attractions for youngsters who love adventures. Konni had changed to a tourist hub of south Kerala for people who love a drive through forest and other adventures. As per government records last year Adavi itself had two lakh visitors. In the coming years by a 50 hector of chain free Elephant rehabilitation Sanctuary Konni will be a remarkable tourist point in India.

Arun George Mathew
Journalism Student
Don Bosco Arts and Science College,
Kannur

Silent Valley National Park

The Silent Valley National Park is a unique preserve of natural rainforests. Within an area of 237. 52 Sq.km, it houses a rich mosaic of varied habitats. Out of these springs the amazing variety of life forms some of them endemic to the Western Ghats. The Valley exudes a quite grandeur, a mystery half revealed and half concealed that is part of a story older than mankind, for this rainforest probably dates back to 50 million years. Silently she beckons us to witness the marvelous exuberance of life that expresses itself in an incredible chaos of plants and animals and birds and insects. At the heart of her many songs is a still, deep silence which only those who tread softly and wait patiently may learn to hear.This park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. Contiguous with the proposed Karimpuzha National Park  to the north and Mukurthi National Park  to the north-east, it is the core of the Nilgiri International Biosphere Reserve, and is part of The Nilgiri Sub-Cluster , Western Ghats World Heritage Site, recognised by UNESCO in 2007.

TO REACH:

•     By Air: Kozhikode International airport is nearest airport
•     By Rail: Palakkad Railway station is nearest railway station
•     By Road: One can reach Silent valley via the palakkad- manarkad - mukkali.The entry point of the road to the park is Mukkali. From Mukkali, it takes a 30 km jeep ride to get into the actual entry point of the park. Jeeps can be hired from Mukkali.

Bamboo Rice Kheer & Unniappam

We were driving from Pathanamthitta to Pandalam, while we were passing through Kaipatoor bridge. at the beginning of the bridge, to the left side of the road we saw a small shop build with bamboo.This shop was owned by a Wayanad based family. Speciality of this shop is dishes made of bamboo rice (Mula ari), Bamboo rice is quite healthy and Controls sugar, Cholesterol and Blood pressure. Also controls joint pain, back pain and rheumatic pain. Good for night blindness, overcoming vitamin deficiency .Mulaarye payasum(Bamboo Rice Kheer) is made by Bamboo rice instead of Vermicelli. And Mula ari unniappam(Bamboo Rice Unniappam) is made of rava and Bamboo rice. This shop is here for more than one year .If you like to experience new dish's this could be a new experience...

Let us look at the recipe of Bamboo Rice Kheer:

Ingredients:-
1/4 Cup OF Bamboo Rice
3/4 Sugar
1 litre milk
1 teaspoon ghee
cardamom powder
a pinch of saffron
dry fruits for garnishing (cashew, kismis, pistachios )



Method:-
Pick the bamboo rice. Wash and soak the same for one hour. Pressure cook the same for 6-8 whistles. In a thick bottom pan, add the milk, cooked bamboo rice, sugar, saffron and cook the same till the milk reduces like the normal paal payasam or rice kheer. add the cardamom powder. heat ghee and fry the cashew, kismiss and add to the kheer, and serve hot or cold as you like.

REJUVENATING TRADITION

The Vasthuvidya Gurukulam at Aranmula is being a domineering force in preserving traditional art forms and wisdoms of Kerala.
It’s our personal pride to live on a land which is denoted as God’s on land. But for the last several decades we are living on this green land without knowing what we really are and what we really have. When technology and new cultures invade our minds numerous traditional art forms and wisdoms that we got from our ancestors had lost from our hands.

 Vasthuvidya and mural art are such art and wisdom that fade from our life. Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is an Institution that looks forward to the conservation and propagation of such cultural wisdoms and they are setting a mark for the last 21 years in this filed. Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is a unique Institution under the department of culture, Govt of Kerala. This is being located in Pathanamthitta district. “Institution began its functioning from 17th November 1993 in a Nalukettu on the bank of river Pampa, west of the famous Parthasarathy Temple. This the pioneer institution in its kind in India under government sector that intended to promote and preserve the Traditional Architecture, Mural Painting and other related subjects of our nation” says P.N Suresh the executive director and one of the pioneer of this Institution. People of Kerala have heard about Vasthuvidya from elder once or through some other media. There are people who pretended to know Vasthu and make it a way to earn their daily bread but the real science has vanished from common people.’ Today People are running for luck and following foolish ideas from these type of fakeries but the real Vasthu vidya is a traditional art that has evolved itself through many, many centuries and is unique in being congenial to man’s living conditions, biological existence and surroundings. This was a vidya transferred from guru to shishya but later this art got extinction Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is conducting four academic courses in Vasthuvidya and mural painting based on the basic text of Vasthuvidya, Mayamatham, manasaram, Thansthrasamuchayam, Silipiratnam and Manushyalayachandrika,The first University recognized Vasthuvidya course is being conducted in Vasthviday Gurukulam.”Here we provide three courses based on Vasthuvidya, and the we had already documented in detail more than 165 traditional architectural structures in Kerala. Now  people recognize its worth and we have a very efficient  consultancy wing which prepare sketches, plans and designs for those who are interested in building their houses in traditional architectural pattern”, says P.N Suresh executive director.

 It is accepted fact that the murals of Kerala had contributed much to the Indian art traditions. While considering the quantity of mural painting within the nation Kerala stands in second place next to Rajasthan. Vasthuvidya Gurukulam was founded with mission to preserve, Nurture and popularize mural painting.” We have two courses in mural painting. The course give emphasis to the Kerala mural Painting style.” says P.N Suresh, the executive director.” ‘The last supper’ one of the holy moments of Indian mythology was being painted through mural painting style and handed over to Vathican Museum and mural painting renovation work of Sree Padmanabhaswami temple Aranmula Parthasarathy temple are some glimpse of achievements of the mural department of Gurukulam”, he continues .
The gallery situated near the headquarters of Vasthuvidya Gurukulam, north to Aranmula Parthasarthy temple provides a profound understanding of the art form. Apart from exhibition of miniaturemural paintings, It also offers an opportunity for the visitors to watch and comprehend the painting process and also the preparation of natural colours and brushes etc. A selling counter of painting and natural colours is also a part of the gallery.” In Kerala most of the murals painting are on temple walls. Non Hindus are not permitted to enter inside the temple Sa a group of population is not allowed to enjoy this unique and classical painting form because of some prevailing customers and tradition.

That is why Vasthuvidya Gurukulam decided to establish a mural art gallery which is opened to all”, says P.N Suresh executive director of Gurukulam. Vasthuvidya Gurukulam have an upper hand in taking our new generation towards Vasthu and Mural art. Vasthuvidya, which was labelled as part of something superstitious, outdated and impractical, has now regained its prestigious and dignified position, It once enjoyed in the immemorial past. The architectural acumen of Kerala especially the traditional methods is today reckoned for its aesthetic marvel and also living in absolute harmony with Nature. In the realm of tradition architecture of Kerala, the Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is today a centre reckoned for its efforts to preserving the nuance of Kerala’s traditional architecture. It is now well on course in becoming a centre of repute for learning the many facets of Kerala’s traditional architecture and preserving them for posterity.

Article Done By
Arun George Mathew
Journalism Student,
Don Bosco  Arts and Science College, kannur

63rd Nehru Trophy Boat Race video done by TheQuadCamBros

Thenmala Eco-Tourism Adventure Zone

Thenmala as an eco-tourism and adventure spot beckons the travellers to Kerala, providing equal opportunities for fun, adventure, leisure and for learning the significance and necessity of eco-friendly measures for promoting tourism related activities. The major tourist attractions here in Adventure zone of Thenmala are, Forest Canopy Elevated walkway bridge, Nature trails through the forested hills, rock climbing, mountain biking, river crossing, Burmese bridge walk, boating in the forest pond, rapelling etc.

For those who with an overdose of adventure  and those willing to test their adventure spirit would find the Adventure Zone at Thenmala,its a quite  thrilling experience. Adventure freaks at Thenmala can take the elevated walkway for a journey that winds through the canopy of trees and going over rocky terrains, bringing one close to some of Mother Natures best assets at varying elevations. And for those who dont mind giving their body muscles a real workout can go for mountain biking, rock climbing and river crossing as part of adventure activities at Thenmala.

Our Lady of Dolours Basilica, Thrissur

Our Lady of Dolours Basilica is a minor basilica of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Thrissur City, It is third tallest church in Asia,it is famous for its Gothic style architecture. Built in fine Indo-Gothic style with an area of 25,000 square feet .The parish and original church building were established in 1814..It was a center for St. Thomas Christians or Mar Thoma Nazrani in the area (now the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church) for decades.

The construction of this biggest church in India was done in different phases, starting from the year 1929. The two front towers are of 146 feet height each and the central tower of 260 feet  height makes this church as 3rd tallest in Asia. Completion of the towers were an architectural challenge. A few experts from Tamil Nadu were brought over. The architect who completed the church was Ambrose Gounder. It has soaring belfries at the entrance, double storeyed aisles all along the nave and transepts, and eleven altars, five on either side of the main one. It is the largest church in India and its exuberant interior decorations include fine specimens of murals, images of saints and scenes from the scriptures.

TO REACH:

• By Air: Cochin International airport is nearest airport
• By Rail: Wadakkanchery railway station is  near to Pallikulam
• By Road: One can reach Our Lady of Dolours Basilica via Kodungallur-Shornur Rd/Swaraj Round N -High Road-Nc Road-Amala Nagar-Pallikkulam