The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam-Ernakulam

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Edu & his new Companion -

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San-Paul-Ur - The Village of St. Paul

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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.

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

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.

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 30^th 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 2^nd 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.

Athirapilly Waterfall - The Niagara of India

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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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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.

Phone:91-475-2344800
E-mail: info@thenmalaecotourism.com
Website: www.thenmalaecotourism.com  

 

Getting there

Nearest railway station: Shenkottah, about 29 km and Kollam, about 66 km away
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 72 km away

# 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.

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

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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.

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.

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

St. Angelo's Fort has an interesting historical background, as it has seen a number of rulers and invaders. This fort has also seen a number of battles almost all were fought for gaining the possession of this fort. After the construction of this fort in 1505 by Don Francesco de Almeida, it constantly remained under attacks from a number of native rulers in the Siege of Kannur in 1507. However, all their efforts were in vain, as the Fort provided its inhabitants security from any kind of attack. Later on, Almeida refused to surrender the fort to Afonso de Albuquerque who came to supersede himself as the new Governor. Almeida instead captured Afonso de Albuquerque and imprisoned him inside the Fort.

In the year 1663, the Dutch captured the Kannur Fort from the Portuguese. They modernized the fort by adding the bastions Hollandia, Zeelandia and Frieslandia which are the major features of the present structure of St Angelo's Fort. The original Portuguese Structure was pulled down later. The Dutch later on sold the fort to a native king Ali Raja of Arakkal, in the year 1772. But in 1790 the British seized the Fort, renovated it into a military base and used it as their chief military station in Malabar. Today, St. Angelo’s Fort or Kannur Fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, which takes care of its maintenance.

Attractions

Kannur Fort, after much renovation, remains a classic example of Portuguese architecture, though modernization throughout time makes it more of a fusion of various European architectural styles. St. Angelo's Fort has an interesting feature which is worth mentioning, when it comes to its architecture. A wall protruding from the Fort separates the saline sea water of the Arabian Sea from the inland water. The Moppila Bay is now turned into a modern fishing harbor with modern fishing equipments, which is an Indo-Norwegian Project. The adjoining bastions, which give the fort a triangular form, are a piece of architectural mastery.

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.

Baypore in Kerala

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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.

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.