Sunday 21 August 2016
San-Paul-Ur - The Village of St. Paul
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Historical museum of Sampaloor
Website: www.sampaloorchurch.org
Getting there
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 25 km
Sampaloor, by
the side of the Chalakudy River is known as the Goa of Kerala. Rightfully
called so, this place, like Goa witnessed the arrival of a series of clergy.
This comprised St. Francis Xavier, St. John Britto, Fr. Joseph Constantine
Buski (Veeramamunivar) and Arnos Pathiri. Among them, the first to arrive at
Sampaloor was St. Francis Xavier, who came via Marankuzhi, a place located in
Kodungalloor (former Muziris). His visits, as per records, were in 1542, 1544,
and 1548. At that time the Muziris harbour (present day Kodungalloor) connected
India to foreign countries via the sea.
Sampaloor was
an important center of Jesuits during the time of the Portuguese. Some of the
structures still stand testimony to the works of the Jesuits in Sampaloor. They
include the St. Paul's Seminary, the St. Paul's Monastery and the St. Paul's
Press and a church dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. Gradually San-paul-ur
became Sampaloor. Half way through the 17th century St. John Britto, an Italian
missionary, came to Sampaloor and lived there for nearly one year. He studied
Tamil and Sanskrit and adopted an Indian name - Swamy Arulananda. The altar of
St. Francis Xavier's church at which St. John Britto used to celebrate the holy
mass is now a protected historical monument.
Another member
of the clergy, who made his presence felt at Sampaloor after St. John Britto
was Arnos Pathiri, who studied at the St. Paul's Seminary and later got
ordained there. He made remarkable contributions to the Malayalam literature
through his book 'Puthen Pana.' Next to follow was Fr. Joseph Constantine Buski
(Veeramamunivar). He came to Sampaloor, while serving in Madurai Mission and
later lived there. Fr. Buski's final resting place is also at Sampaloor.
The first
printing in Malayalam was done at the St. Paul's Press in Sampaloor, which was
set up by Jesuit Priests in 1663. The dictionary of 'Prinsa Pathiri,' Tamil
grammar of Dacosta Pathiri, and the books of Dinobili were printed in this
press. Sampaloor thus became a great centre for language-nurturing in south
India.
The arrival of
the clergymen to Sampaloor in the mid 16th century and the developments that
took place all later became part of the ecclesiastical history of Kerala.
Sampaloor also went through an unfortunate phase in the course of its history,
when it was devastated in an attack by Tipu Sultan, who was fighting the
British during the middle periods of the 18th century. Later, the church got
reconstructed during the time of Bernadian Bechinelly, who was the vicar
apostolate of Varapuzha in 1862. The present church was blessed in 1979.
Historical museum of Sampaloor
When samaploor
was the centre of Jesuit Mission there were St. Paul's seminary, St, Paul's
Press, St. Paul's Monastery and St. Francis Xavier's Church which were destroyed
by Tipu the invader. the Cannon balls used during the time of Tipu, holy
vestments of the priests of the Monastery, Tablets that describe the old
liturgical order, instruments used to make the hosts, Tabernacle of the old
church, statues of saints made of wood and metals, Lamps used for adoration,
lamp-sticks, the Cross made of metal belongs to 15Th century and
''Vazhuthayodukal" of the same century are some of the attractions of this
Museum.
Anglo-Indian
Cultural museum
A sight of
Anglo-Indian wedding ceremony, Anglo-Indian Traditional dress for women and men
such as Kabaya, Madirasi thuny, a collection of coat, Suit, tie, bohatt, their
traditional ornaments like Cothigna, Arulikka mala, Pinnu mala, Wedding ring,
and their traditional foods are some of the sights inside this museum.
Contact details:
St.
Francis Xavier Church
Sampaloor
Palayamparambu P.O.
Palayamparambu P.O.
Pin
- 680 741
Ph:
+91 480 2719079
Website: www.sampaloorchurch.org
Getting there
Nearest railway
station: Chalakkudy,
about 7 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 25 km
Monday 15 August 2016
The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam-Ernakulam
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The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam-Ernakulam is a famous centre of pilgrimage. People from all parts of Kerala and outside, irrespective of caste or creed go to the church to seek the blessings of Mary, the mother of Jesus, popularly known as "Vallarpadathamma".
Present Vallarpadam Church |
This is an ancient Christian Church built in 1524. Portuguese merchants headed by Vasco da Gama enthroned this miraculous picture of Our lady of Ransom at the shrine. The church was dedicated to the Holy Spirit, which was the first of its kind in Asia. The beautiful church was however destroyed by a heavy flood in 1676. The church was re-established in 1676 and the famous picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected by Portuguese who brought it from their native land. The picture is believed to have miraculous powers. The Portuguese built the first church on the site of the present church in 1524. It was destroyed in a flood in the late 17th century and a new church was built on the same spot in 1676. It was declared a special church by PopeLeo XIII in 1888 and in 1951 the Union Government declared it a major pilgrim centre.
Old Vallarpadam Church |
Vallarpadath Amma is believed to have miraculously saved her devotees several time from violent storms. The feast of Vallarpadath Amma is held every year on September 24 with much fanfare. The celebrations, which last for more than a week, are accompanied by an unusually big fair.
The Roman Catholic Church has raised the historic Marian pilgrimage destination on the Vallarpadam Island to the status of a National Pilgrim Centre.
Vallarpadam is situated next to Bolgatty Island on the west, and linked to the Ernakulam mainland via the new Goshree bridges. It is about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 mi) in length in the north-south direction and hosts a population of 10,000 people. Vallarpadam is about one kilometer (½ mile) away from the Ernakulam mainland.
A short history the magnificent and miraculous picture of Mary and Infant Jesus, installed at the top of the main altar of the Vallarpadam Church, was brought by Portuguese merchants under the leadership of Vasco Da Gama in 1524. In 1676 the old Church, which was known as the Church of the Holy Spirit, founded by the Portuguese missionaries, was destroyed by the heavy flood and the picture of Our Lady was found floating in the backwaters. Nobody except Paliyath Raman Valiyachan, the Prime Minister of Maharaja of Cochin, could recover it. The beautiful church at Vallarpadam which you see now is built on the land which was donated by Paliyath Raman Valiyachan. He is gratefully remembered in Vallarpadathamma and his generosity towards the church, by lighting the Sanctuary lamp, which he himself donated and which has been burning day and night from 1676 onwards.
Madubaha At Vallarpadam Church |
In May 1752, there occurred a great miracle which made Vallarpadam a famous Pilgrim Centre. In Vallarpadam there was a young Nair Lady named Meenakshi Amma, who was a member of a noble family called Palliyil Veedu. Together with her son, she was going to Mattancherry in a non-mechanised boat. There arose a storm and the boat capsized. Meenakshi Amma and her son went deep down into the backwater. While they were in danger Meenakshi Amma promised Vallarpadathamma that if they were rescued by her they would be her Adimas (servants) until their death. On the third day, as per instructions in a dream, the parish priest asked the fishermen to cast net in the river, and Meenakshi Amma and her son were rescued. This incident is depicted in the picture mentioned above. From that day onwards, people, especially those who travel by boats and ships, come to Vallarpadam and pray for their safe journey. Meenakshi Amma and her son received baptism and became Christians and were named Mary and Jesudas respectively. They were living in the Churchyard itself adoring the Lord and thanking Our Lady and proclaiming the "good news" to all those who came here. Her family is still living, which is quite near to the church. Due to its spiritual importance, His Holiness Pope Leo XIII elevated its main altar to the status of Altare Privilegiatum in Perpetuum Concessum in 1888.
Friday 12 August 2016
Hotel Ganpat Grand - best hotel @ Palani (Tamil Nadu)
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Introduction
Hotel Ganpat Grant |
Last day I had my pilgrim visit to Palani Hill Temple with my
family. During this visit I stayed at Hotel Ganpat a fine and clean hotel in
the surrounding of Palani Temple. I settled at Temple faced room, which gave me
an exceptional experience with my family.
Hotel Ganpat
I reached, Palani about 8.30 PM on 30th July 2016
with my cute family. Palani is Famous for Lord Palaniandavar’s shrine on the
hills; the town of Palani is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage
spots in South India.
By the first impression itself I decided to stay my “Palani
Days” at Hotel Ganpat. The Hotel is conveniently located at the foot of palani
hills, provides comfortable and functional accommodation. The hotel is situated
at Adivaram, Poonga road enroute to the Palani hill temple and it provides an
ideal accommodation in the pilgrim city, with a mere 1 Km distance from the bus
terminal and 2 km from Railway station.
The hotel staffs were very professional in dealing and
fulfilling the requirements of guests comes to the hotel. They provide me a
fine and comfortable room at 2nd floor which is faced to Palani Hill
Temple. The view of the temple from the hotel room is so marvelous and
incredible.
Accommodation Facilities at Hotel Ganpat
Reception Area of Hotel Ganpat Grand |
There are 52 well appointed rooms, including 35 deluxe, 10
Air-Conditioned, 6 Family and 1 Suite, the rooms are compact, aesthetically
designed with all the necessary comforts. The room’s features Colour television
with cable channels, en-suite bathrooms, a/c, and intercom.
Other Facilities at Hotel Ganpat
Experience the privileges of being a Hotel Ganpat guest with
great services and facilities. The hotel facilities are 24*7 Checks- in, 24hrs
checkout, Room service, House-keeping service, Travel Assistance and Car
parking. Sree Baalaji bhavan the Ganpat Group concern resturant located near to
hotel offers authentic south Indian flavours.
Restaurants
There are
two restaurants;
one is “Aaharam Multi Cuisine A/C Restaurant”
which is a wonderful rendezvous for
visitors to palani to celebrate any occasion with guest or colleagues with a
great dining experience. Fine dining experience extends from food to the
details like ambience, crockery and cutlery. Aaharam serves extensive veg.
multi cuisine a la carte menu and complementary buffet breakfast for room
guests. The restaurant will be active from 6:30 A.M TO 10:30 P.M.
The
other one is
“Balaji’s Food Court”
which is a Quick Service Restaurant serves varieties
of dosa, south Indian specialties, north Indian dishes, special combos,
traditional meals, hot beverages, fresh juices and mouth watering desserts.
It will be open from 7:00 A.M. TO 10:30 P.M.
Travel Desk
Temple View from my Room |
Hotel Ganpat is one amongst the reliable travel agencies
in South India, operating from Palani and enjoys a high reputation for
providing reliable personalized and professional services. The Ganpat Hotel
Group has a big team of professional, who provides services at tour offices in
Palani to assist guests in all travel needs.
This team of professionals takes care of all the
requirements of the devotees for the various pilgrimage tours. The highly
proficient staffs in the team provide their expertise to the devotees with
effective support services to make the pilgrimage a comfortable one. Among this
team there are specialist tour guides who, have a vast experience in their
domain and are aware of difficulties faced by the pilgrims. Thus they strive
hard to ensure that the devotees have a hassle free Pilgrimage Tour.
Distance to rope car: 0.5 KM Distance to winch station: 0.5
KM Distance to steps: 200 mts.
Tuesday 9 August 2016
Monday 8 August 2016
Trips Complete video on Athirapilly Waterfall, Thrissur, Kerala, India
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Thenmala, India’s First Planned Eco-Tourism Destination
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Information Desk
Getting there
It
is India's first planned eco-tourism destination, which is gaining popularity
due to its unique vistas, bio-diversity and functioning. Situated about 72kms
from Thiruvananthapuram, in the District of Kollam, the Thenmala Eco-Tourism
shares its resources with the famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary at the
foothills of the Western Ghats.
The
word Thenmala in the local language Malayalam has an interesting meaning.
'Then' means honey and 'Mala' means hill; and they combine to mean 'Honey
Hill'. It is believed that the honey collected from this region is of very good
quality owing to its unique biological settings. Managed by Thenmala
Eco-Tourism Promotional Society, which is an undertaking of the Government of
Kerala, Thenmala Eco-tourism is a unique destination from a visitor's point of
view. It has equal opportunities for fun, adventure, leisure and for learning
the significance and necessity of eco-friendly measures for promoting tourism
related activities.
At
Thenmala Eco-Tourism, a visitor is taken care of by its well-trained staff
providing guidance and information about the various attractions and
facilities, enabling one to move about, explore and experience every bit of
this remarkable destination. There are well-placed signboards, direction
pointers, and information boards to facilitate one's movement inside the
project area. Divided into different zones with a particular theme, the project
area currently has three major zones viz. Culture Zone, Leisure Zone and Adventure
Zone.
At
the Culture Zone one can indulge in a variety of activities like trying few
traditional Kerala dishes at the restaurant there, a bit of shopping for
memento sake, a peep on Kerala's art and culture, an amphitheatre etc. But the
highlight of the Culture Zone is the open air Musical Dancing Fountain, which
is a big attraction among the visitors. There is also a Tourism Facilitation
Center in the Culture Zone to provide information on a wide range of tourism
products available at Thenmala.
Step
into the Leisure Zone here and try the boardwalk leading to the dam. The sway
bridge here could be an exciting proposition, especially for children. Adding
more variety and elegance to the landscape here is the Sculpture Garden, which
has Man & Nature as its theme.
For
those with an overdose of adrenalin and those willing to test their adventure
spirit would find the Adventure Zone here quite a thrilling experience. Take
the elevated walkway for a journey that winds through the canopy of trees and
going over rocky terrains bringing one close to life at different heights. And
still those who don't mind to give their body muscles a real work out can go
for mountain biking, rock climbing and river crossing.
Besides
the zone-based activities for a visitor, Thenmala Eco-Tourism also offer other
attractions, like an invigorating boat ride in the Shenduruney Wildlife
Sanctuary; a visit to the Deer Rehabilitation Centre, where one can have a look
at a group of spotted deer, the sambar deer and the barking deer, which have
been given protection after straying out from the forests. The project area
also has tree top huts and children's eco-park, riverside treks, and battery
powered vehicle rides through the forest, enabling one to sight wildlife from a
close distance.
For
a visitor to Thenmala Eco-Tourism, some of the nearby attractions are also
worth exploring. One may visit the picturesque Palaruvi waterfalls, about 16 km
away, on the way to Shenkottah. Thenmala Eco-Tourism is open round the year and
there are conducted tours organized by the Kerala Tourism Development
Corporation from the Capital City of Thiruvananthapuram and also by the
District Tourism Promotion Council of Kollam District.
Information Desk
Thenmala
Eco-tourism Promotion Society,
Thenmala
Dam Junction,
Thenmala
PO 691308 Kollam District,
Kerala,
India.
Getting there
Nearest railway
station: Shenkottah,
about 29 km and Kollam, about 66 km away
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 72 km away
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 72 km away
Friday 5 August 2016
# A Faraway Land Four Hours Away #
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With
the onset of the outbound tourism season in the Middle East, Kerala Tourism has
rolled out a high-octane promotional campaign in Dubai targeting Arab
travellers and showcasing the state’s spectacular features via colourful
visuals draped on a bevy of taxis moving through the bustling metropolis. As
many as 200 Kerala-branded taxis will ferry the message of ‘A Faraway Land Four
Hours Away’– with eye-catching visuals featuring hill stations, backwaters,
waterfalls as also Ayurvedic therapies – through the streets of Dubai, the
throbbing heart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The campaign will see the
cabs take to the streets sporting wrappings aimed to promote the state’s
Monsoon getaways, offering respite from the tortuous sizzle of the Arabian
summer.
“Apart from
the favourable climate, the relative proximity and excellent air connectivity
between Kerala and the cities of the Middle East make it easier to attract
holiday makers to the state,” said Dr Venu V, Principal Secretary (Tourism).
“Dubai, being the hub for air travel in the region, was the logical choice of
location for the marketing campaign. The exposure and footfalls gained by
Kerala will bear this out.”The campaign, inspired by the previous highly
successful branding efforts on London taxi cabs and the Mumbai metro, will run
until August 15. Besides serving to augment Kerala’s destination pull, it is an
acknowledgment of the growing importance of the Middle East outbound tourist
market – the world’s fastest-growing segment with a nine per cent rise
inoutbound trips in 2015. Arab tourists are also the biggest spenders. Kerala
received more than one lakh visitors from the region in 2015, with some 20,506
tourists from the UAE alone. The majority came from Saudi Arabia with 51,149
Saudi nationals visiting last year, while Oman accounted for 18,763
footfalls.“As the holiday season in the Middle East coincides with the Monsoon
season here, Kerala is well-positioned to benefit from the influx of travellers
looking to trade in the sizzle and dust for cooler climes and greener
pastures,” said Shri U.V. Jose, Director, Kerala Tourism.
Friday 29 July 2016
Kerala Medical Tourism
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Medical Tourism is the synergy between hospitals and the
Tourism industry. The state is all set for a leap in medical tourism. More and
more hospitals are joining hands with the tourism industry to benefit their
services. The high priority for health in Kerala is bound to
make this relatively new aspect of tourism into a multi crore industry in
future.
Kerala is already being marketed as a popular
health destination for its famous ayurveda health packages. Medical tourism is
marketed along with ayurveda and other health packages. Major hospitals are
joining hands with the Government in promoting medical tourism. Health
insurance companies are beginning to play a major role in medical tourism. Globalization
and economic liberalization have given a boost to the medical service sector, especially
in Kerala. The medical treatment for various packages form part of recuperative
leisure packages at world class tourist resorts. Airport pickup, hotel
accommodation, transportation, food etc are offered along with medical
treatment at the best hospitals.
SEE
ALSO: Trips Retreat
Packages
Huge potential of Medical Tourism in Kerala
Kerala is ideally suited for medical tourism because of its moderate weather
throughout the year, advanced hospitals with world-class facilities, renowned
doctors specialized in major disciplines, trained para-medical staff and
technicians and international connectivity. Besides, Kerala also enjoys
definite advantages such as the high standard of hygiene that is maintained, the
already well developed tourism industry with its high quality resorts and
hotels, competitive costs for packages of medical treatment, and ideal
locations for a relaxing holiday.
The industry offers attractive medical tourism
packages at reasonable rates. They are marketed efficiently and are brought to
the customers by the tourism industry through tour operators who sell them as
holiday packages according to the convenience of the patients. The tourism
department has played a pioneering role in promoting Kerala as a major
destination in medical tourism in the international market
SEE
ALSO: - Trips Kerala
Packages
Medical
Tourism Packages
A typical medical tourism package includes various services that come in competent
prices. The medical history of the patient is emailed and discussed ,the
patient is received at the airport, he is escorted to the hospital for
treatment and following discharge, is offered a recuperative holiday at a
resort after which a post treatment check up is ensured before final departure.
This is an all inclusive package for the patient and the accompanying person.
The demand for medical treatment and surgery in
Kerala is increasing especially in the gulf and Europe. The NRIs who prefer
treatment in their home country, are playing a significant role in this regard.
Several MNCs offer medical treatment options to employees and families at cost
effective rates. What with soaring health care costs and long waits for medical
procedures in the West, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find quality,
affordable treatment there. India and especially Kerala is emerging as a major
medical tourism destination
SEE ALSO: - Trips
Cruise Packages
Dental Tour Packages
Kerala is increasingly becoming known for the quality of its Dental
Care services. Dental Care in Kerala is a cost-effective alternative
for residents of western countries and nations in the Middle East. The
extremely high cost of dental care in these nations has prompted many Indians
and residents of these countries to travel to Kerala in search
of a better solution. Dental Care in Kerala draws upon the large manpower of
trained dentists and nurses who provide international quality services
at very reasonable prices.
Tourists can avail of world-class treatments
including specialized periodontal treatment, orthodontic and prosthodontic
treatments at dental care centers, dental clinics and hospitals in Kerala. From
routine dental procedures such as root canal treatment and surgical extraction
of impacted wisdom teeth to cosmetic dentistry procedures such as tooth
realignment and smile designing, dental care in India offers a complete range
of medical solutions to medical tourists from around the
world.
With well-equipped clinics and hospitals, Dental Care in Kerala has
proved to be one of the most popular forms of medical tourism in Kerala. With
modern equipment, a completely sterile environment, the use of disposable
syringes and gloves, and international standards of treatment, dental care in
Kerala now draws large numbers of medical tourists every year. Eager to receive
personalized treatment of an international standard at an affordable price,
medical tourists have been increasingly exploring the options offered by dental
care in Kerala.
All major hospitals in Kerala offer dental care. There are also a large number of privately run dental clinics across Kerala. Dental tour packages need to be planned as per the duration of treatment, type of holiday chosen and the number of days required for the holiday. Following an online consultation with the dentist, you can decide on the days suitable to you for touring while you take treatment. Normally, tour sites and hotels/resorts near the treatment facility or clinic are chosen for the sake of convenience.
Customized plans of dental treatment cum
tours, complete with treatment schedule, airport pick up and drop, stay with
food, ticket reservation and all other aspects, are available with the tour
operators who provide all assistance to plan out and execute a dental tour.
SEE
ALSO: - Trips Coorg
Packages
General
Surgery
General
Surgery is another
branch of medical treatment in Kerala that has attracted patients from
around the world. General Surgery in Kerala is the preferred choice of patients
because of the excellent hospitals with well-trained doctors and nurses. The
quality of pre- and post-operative care and the very reasonable cost of general
surgery in Kerala are other positive factors leading to the growth of this
branch of medical tourism in Kerala.
Routine thoracic, abdominal and pelvic surgery, as well as
surgery to correct musculo-skeletal conditions and the removal of abnormal
growths etc, are some of the general surgical options offered at hospitals in
Kerala.The hospitals are equipped to deal with critical care and trauma victims
as well as victims of chronic conditions that require surgical intervention. General Surgery in Kerala has found its place on the medical
tourism map of not only India but also the world.
With well-equipped operation theatres, trained trauma and
critical care teams and the back-up support of labs and blood banks, hospitals
in Kerala focus on providing complete medical care solutions. General surgery
in Kerala is one of the specialized branches of medicine that has become a
sought after medical tourism option.
Hospitals like Amrita
Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Ernakulam, Attingal Multispeciality
Hospital,Trivandrum,andCarewell Hospital & Research Centre
Pvt. Ltd, Kasargod offer
services in general surgery.
Cardiac Care in Kerala
Cardiac Care in Kerala is a branch
of medicine that attracts many patients from around the world. Patients from
the Gulf countries, Sri Lanka and from many other countries are coming to India
to experience the excellence of Cardiac care in Kerala.With specialty
hospitals, extremely well-trained doctors and nursing staff, and the quick
scheduling of surgery, cardiac care in Kerala has proved to be an attractive
medical tourism option for many patients.
Some of the hospitals that offer world-class cardiac care in Kerala are the Trichur Heart Hospital, and the Sree Sudihindra Medical Mission Hospital in Cochin. The Sri Chitra Thirunal Institute in Thiruvananthapuram is another renowned research and treatment facility.
With hospitals equipped with the latest equipment including Color Doppler Echocardiography and Nuclear Scanning, hospitals in Kerala offer advanced cardiac care procedures such as minimally invasive surgery, angioplasty, bypass surgery and interventional cardiac catheterisation. With well-trained teams of cardiologists, cardio-thoracic surgeons and anesthesiologists, speciality hospitals in Kerala are the preferred choice of cardiac patients, worldwide.
Cardiac surgery is also very reasonable in Kerala compared to international rates. The complete cost of airfare to India, hospitalization, pre and post operative care, doctors’ fees and recuperation put together is between 1/3 to ½ the cost of a similar surgery in most western nations, where a long waiting list of cases also has a negative impact on the health of the patient.
Some of the hospitals that offer world-class cardiac care in Kerala are the Trichur Heart Hospital, and the Sree Sudihindra Medical Mission Hospital in Cochin. The Sri Chitra Thirunal Institute in Thiruvananthapuram is another renowned research and treatment facility.
With hospitals equipped with the latest equipment including Color Doppler Echocardiography and Nuclear Scanning, hospitals in Kerala offer advanced cardiac care procedures such as minimally invasive surgery, angioplasty, bypass surgery and interventional cardiac catheterisation. With well-trained teams of cardiologists, cardio-thoracic surgeons and anesthesiologists, speciality hospitals in Kerala are the preferred choice of cardiac patients, worldwide.
Cardiac surgery is also very reasonable in Kerala compared to international rates. The complete cost of airfare to India, hospitalization, pre and post operative care, doctors’ fees and recuperation put together is between 1/3 to ½ the cost of a similar surgery in most western nations, where a long waiting list of cases also has a negative impact on the health of the patient.
SEE ALSO :- Ayurvedic
Treatment
Kerala Jews History Museum
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A
prime destination in Muziris Heritage Project
The Jewish communities
who came here in different periods settled in and around Kodungallur were
involved in trade. Synagogues are Jewish places of worship. They received
special rights and privileges from the kings to build these Synagogues.
Innumerous aspects of Kerala culture were absorbed by them. Repeated attacks by
Portuguese, Dutch and Mysore inflicted damages on the Synagogues. When Israel
came into being, many Jews returned in groups. The Synagogues were left
unattended, and worship there stopped.
One of the oldest such
Synagogues is the Paravur Synagogue. The Paravur Jewish Synagogue Museum
presents the history of Jews and their Synagogues along the Kerala coast, their
modes of worship and so on from the point of view of the Jews.
The Paravur Synagogue is
the most expansive and complete among synagogues in Kerala. It is a
construction that has several parts that are linked to each other in specific
ways. It consists of a porch with two rooms, very spacious front yard, long
corridor, huge doors and stairs made of wood, whitewashed walls built with
laterite blocks and a mixture of lime, and the wooden chamber with intricate
carvings. The influence of Kerala style is evident in the special seats
designed for females in the second floor, the hanging lamps that decorate the
prayer room etc. The shape of the fan on the front wall of the prayer hall
resembles Portuguese style.
Found on the erstwhile
Jewish street in Paravur, this Synagogue was built in 1615. It is one among the
largest surviving synagogues in Kerala. The building is located in the former
Jewish Street of the Paravur region. It served as the place of worship for the
Jewish community that settled very close to the Paravur Market. Though the
users of the synagogue have all but faded away, both the market and the
synagogue still exist. The Paravur market opening to the river Periyar still
functions twice a week, a boat jetty has been constructed there, and the Jew
street still goes by that name, though one of its two pillars at the entrance
has been knocked down. With the opening of the Paravur visitor centre, the
synagogue will be within walking distance from there.
Architectural Features
The structure of the Paravur
synagogue is a brilliant confluence of Jewish tradition and 'Kerala-ness.'
Notable is the direction of the 'path' that comes in from the outer lane, and
which goes in through the Padippura' (A frontal structure at the entrance), and
further on through the frontal aisle, right up to the Bema; also of
significance is the relation that the Bema has with other areas of the
synagogue. One unique feature of the synagogues in Kerala is the space
exclusively accorded for women to assemble and sit; there is a special ladder
from outside the structure, for women to come in. Another ladder exists inside
the sanctum; it is used to come up for the torah recital done from the second
Theva.
Exhibits
The museum will speak about the history of the Jews in Kerala,
about how they came and settled here, their occupation, the deterioration of
the community and also about the present status of the people who left from
this community. The synagogue is a great study of Jewish life, the social
hierarchies, native cultural influences on the immigrant Jewish community
evident in the architecture.
Tuesday 26 July 2016
St. Angelo Fort @ Kannur, Kerala
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Introduction
St. Angelo Fort is also famous as Kannur Fort or Kannur Kotta. Kannur is a city of
Kerala state, South India. The fort is also known as Kannur Fort and it is one of
the prominent tourist attractions of Kerala, is crafted entirely out of
laterite and thus it sports an old sporadic look. The fort is an architectural
epiphany, with its massive triangular design and it adjoining bastions. The
protected monument is replete with a big moat which runs around the fort. This
famous fort was constructed by the first Portuguese viceroy in India, Don
Francesco de Almeida in the year 1505. The fort is situated just 3km west from
the town of Kannur. From the fort one can run his eyes on the Moppila Bay and
Dharmadom Island, which are situated near the fort. The beautiful Dharmadom
Island is a small island just five acres in area and is located just 100 meters
away from the coast in the Arabian Sea. The Moppila Bay is a natural fishing
bay, which is until now used for the same purpose. St. Angelo's Fort, which
faces the Arabian Sea, provides a mesmerizing view of the Sea during sunrise
and sunset.
History
Attractions
How to Reach
By Road
The network of road is well set and it is ideal to visit Kannur Fort by road. However, one is advised to book a private vehicle or a taxi to visit this Fort, as this is located in interiors of Kannur.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is the Kannur Railway Station, which is located about 3 km from the Fort. One can board on a train to any major city of India.
By Air
The nearest airport to St. Angelo’s Fort is Karipur International Airport, located at Kozhikode, which is 93kms away from the fort. From here, you can take flight to almost all the major domestic and international destinations.
Thursday 21 July 2016
Baypore in Kerala
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Where to Stay
Few popular hotels located nearby Beypore are:
How to Reach
Beypore in Kozhikode
Beypore is located in Kozhikode at the
mouth of the Chaliyar River. Historically, it has a special place as being one
of the prominent ports and fishing harbours, and was also an important trade
and maritime centre during the days of the early Arab and Chinese travellers
and later the Europeans. Soon after gaining prominence as a port and trade
centre, Beypore slowly began to flourish as a centre for shipbuilding, since
ships were in great demand merchants from Western Asia. The shipbuilding yard
at Beypore port is famous for its traditional construction of the Uru or the Arabian trading vessel. This
tradition of shipbuilding is nearly 1,500 years old, and the craftsmanship of
the workers here is exceptional.
Traditionally, Arabs constitute the
major chunk of buyers. They place orders with their specifications and needs.
Unlike modern day shipbuilding involving the development of blueprint and
machinery to facilitate manufacturing of ships, here, at Beypore everything is
conceived in the minds of the shipwrights, who as a team execute the highly
intricate woodwork to perfection. It is an amazing aspect if one is to observe
the manner in which the Uru takes
shape with minimum sophistication in production. The entire team observes
certain work ethics, of which discipline is the foremost. A visit to this
historic place is a must in order to have a close look at some of the deft
fingers and alert minds, measuring and fixing different parts of the ship to
perfection.
Today,
not many vessels are launched from Beypore and the artisans have taken to
crafting little wooden models of their gigantic masterpieces. These four inch
to eight foot 'Model Vessels' crafted out of teak wood would cost you anything
from 2$ - to 700$.
Marine shops - You can get fresh and used marine vessel
parts from this city shops. But you should be good in bargaining.
Beypore Beach
Beypore beach is an
ideal beach destination for tourists as well as of historians. Located at the
mouth of river Chaliyar about 10 kilometres away from Kozhikode town (Calicut)
in Kerala, The charming beach
is just like a treasure of peace and tranquility with its picturesque
atmosphere, wide stretches of golden sands and fascinating coconut trees;
swaying tenderly in the cool breeze. This beach is pristine and perfect for a
quiet escapade. Take a short break from your busy life and embark on Beypore
beach where you can pamper yourself eternally with Ayurvedic massages, indulge
in various adventurous water sports activities, or simply strolling along the
shoreline. So, relax and take part in all activities and enjoy holidaying in
Beypore with full pleasure. You may also take a leisurely walk all around the
beach where you may get the traditional village culture of Kerala.
Beypore
– As per Wikipedia
Beypore or Beypur is an ancient port town and a Municipality town in Kozhikode district in the state of Kerala, India. The place was
formerly known as Vaypura / Vadaparappanad. Tipu
Sultan, ruler of Mysore,
named the town "Sultan Pattanam". There is a marina and a beach while Beypore port is one of the oldest ports in Kerala, which historically
traded with theMiddle
East. Beypore is noted for building wooden ships,
known as dhows or urus in the Malayalam language. These ships were usually bought by Arab merchants for trading and fishing but are now used as tourist
ships. According to Captain Iwata, founder member of the Association of
Sumerian ships in Japan, Sumerian ships might have been built in Beypore. There
is evidence to prove that Beypore had direct trade links with Mesopotamia and
was a prominent link on the maritime silk route.
Things to Do at Beypore Beach
Tourists
from all across the world visit Beypore to enjoy water adventurous activities
and to explore several beaches. Whether it's about beach lovers or adventure
freaks, this place offers wonderful experience to all the visitors seeking
peace, adventure activities, shopping, basking, eateries, and many more.
Water Sports- Adventure enthusiasts can indulge in various activities
like surfing, parasailing, skiing, swimming, angling, kayaking, sunbathing and
many more.
Shopping and Food Corners- There are
some areas like Sweat Meat Street, which is known to be one of the fussiest
cities to shop many things. You can taste the very popular 'Kozhikodan Halwa',
which is available in many shops over here. The colourful and delicious halwa
with banana chips are desirable items for visitors shopping from Kozhikode.
Another spice market located on the Big Bazaar Road, is another renowned
shopping areas where you can buy various varieties of Keralan spices at
wholesale rates. Beside all these, there are plenty of eateries that offer huge
varieties of delicacies. The seafood and traditional Malabari cuisine are too
good and worth to have it once if you are here. Chilled beer is also available
in many hotels & restaurants.
Other Activities- Beypore beach
is not only famous for its immense beauty of nature, water sports, and
sunbathing, but also for other activities like ayurvedic massage. The
rejuvenating ayurveda massage is one of the major attractions, which draws
thousands of visitors from different parts of the world.
Some major tourist attractions
in Beypore are:
Beypore Harbour– The best time
to visit here is early in the morning as you can see the fisherman busy in
their own work.
Beypore Port- It's an
ancient port that has a historical meaning as it was the port where trading was
started between Asia and the Middle East and later on known as a major maritime
and trade centre.
Beypore
lighthouse - Beypore port had the trade links with Europe, Arabia
and the ports on Indian coast. It was also the base port for Laccadive group of
Islands (Androth, Agatti, Kavaratti, Suhelipar and Kalpeni) and continues even
now to be the base for Machine Cum Sailing vessels of Lakshadweep. Thelighthouse
used as a navigation object for sea vessels.
Traditional
boat(Urus)-building yard -
A part in the mouth of Beypore river, a road terminus, traditional
boat(Urus)-building yard, old port, fishing harbour.
Dolphin's
Point - Just 15 minutes away from the town centre is Dolphin's
Point, where you can view dolphins playing in the sea early morning. But you
have to walk from main road terminus aroun 2Kms. But I guarantee this will be a
memorable one. Stone laid down into sea around 2 kms long. You can call it a
stone pier. At this point, you can also explore a Lions Club, Calicut Town
Center, and a lighthouse.
Kozhikode (Calicut) Town - Kozhikode was earlier the major region of Malabar but
today it has become an interesting location for tourists as the place has the
tranquil beaches, lush green countryside, wildlife sanctuaries, historic sites,
rivers, hills, and an unparalleled culture along with friendly ambience..
Kozhikode (Calicut) Beach Mananchira - It's an architectural grandeur shrouded with green grass
and encircled by ethnic edifices.
Kappad
Beach :-
For the people of Kozhikode, this pleasant stretch of rock-studded beach is ‘Kappakkadavu’. To the tourist it is one of the most charming of Kerala's beaches. “Kappad” finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar Coast. Here, 501 years ago on 27th May 1498, 170 men led by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) sailed in and stepped into Kerala to create a new chapter in history; the story of a long and tumultuous socio-political relationship between India and Europe.
For the people of Kozhikode, this pleasant stretch of rock-studded beach is ‘Kappakkadavu’. To the tourist it is one of the most charming of Kerala's beaches. “Kappad” finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar Coast. Here, 501 years ago on 27th May 1498, 170 men led by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) sailed in and stepped into Kerala to create a new chapter in history; the story of a long and tumultuous socio-political relationship between India and Europe.
Other must-see attractions in and around Beypore include
Muchunthi Palli, The Art Gallery of Kozhikode, The Krishna Menon Museum,
Pazhassi Raja Museum and Art Gallery, Thusharagiri waterfalls, Mananchira
Square, etc.
Things to Learn
Learn the traditional hand weaving technique
which is world renowned. TASARA -an Institution dedicated to creative weaving,
is situated In Beypore. Founded in 1989, Tasara (weaver's shuttle in Sanskrit)
is an extension of Spider Weavers, which was established in 1977. The Centre
endeavors to deliver a contemporary touch to this age old form of art, by
bringing together artists and weavers in an inspiring ambience, enabling both
to break through the limitations of their own mediums. Check their official
website for more detail
Where to Stay
There
are huge accommodation options at Beypore ranging from luxury to budget hotels
that offer all kinds of facilities like massage, yoga, ayurvedic therapies, etc.
Few popular hotels located nearby Beypore are:
·
Sea Queen Hotel
·
Kadavu Resorts
·
Fortune Hotel Calicut
·
TAJ Residency
·
Hotel Maharani
·
Hotel Span Calicut
·
Asma Tower Hote
How to Reach
By Air – The nearest
airport is Karipur International airport. Calicut airport (23 km) is also
nearby from Beypore.
By Rail- The nearest
railway station is at Kozhikode, which is well connected to all the major
cities of India.
By Road- State
transport buses are available on regular basis between Beypore and all the
major neighboring cities in Kerala. Well, it's is just 11 km from Calicut by
road.
Best Time to Visit- October to
March
So, come on guys! Plan next trip to Beypore Beach and
choose the best offers available on Kerala holiday packages at Trips – Any Time Any Where. Travel to
Beypore and explore the natural beauty of the place. Roll around, make sand
castles and take one selfie with your friends or family members on the
sea-kissed sands of Beypore beach.
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