Vagamon

On my way back from home at Kottayam, we took a diversion to Vagamon.  Actually there was no plan to go to Vagamon but the idea came to our mind when we saw the board that taking a diversion from Manimala we could go to Vagamon.

It is a hill station located in Peerumade taluk of Idukki District. The entire Idukki District is in the Western Ghats the hillock which borders Kerala, the God's Own Country on the eastern side.
Reaching Vagamon itself is very exciting as one has to travel through the hill roads with hairpin bends and forest all along. Once we reach there we would not realize that we are at the top.

Vagamon is a group of hills which is a group of hills which are not having the usual trees or bushes.  These hills are covered with beautiful grass.  One can spend a full day strolling, climbing and relaxing on the grass covered beautiful hills.  There is a rope way which is not working now and food items are not allowed to control pollution.

More of Vagamon follows.....

Malampuzha

Malampuzha in Palakkad District of Kerala, is an economical destination to spend weekend.  It is a beautiful site with splendid garden and water-scape. The surroundings of the Dam built in 1955 is developed into a picnic spot by the Irrigation Department of Kerala.  The rope-way, which is said to be the only one of its kind in the South India is attracting scores of tourists.

 Malampuzha is adorned with a very beautiful and green landscaped garden with varieties like chinese garden, lotus lake etc.  There is a very hygienic and beautiful swimming pool which offered to the visitors at very cheap rate. Children's Park and swinging bridge are other attractions.

Festival - Temple Amidst the Forest

Thacharical Temple is deep within Ponthanpuzha Forest, which is in the border between Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts in Kerala. Padayani, the festival which is unique in Kerala is celebrated with all the ancient customs and rituals.  Kolam, which is a special kind of mask made out of Arecanut Sheaths, the extension of leaves is specialty of this festival.  Pictures of deities are drawn on these sheaths with natural colors which are procured from nature.  The large mask cum headgear is worn by men.  These are brought from different parts of the village to the temple in procession.  Artificial lights are almost avoided in these processions.  These are real treat for the eyes....

the procession

 

a close view of kolam

Young Indians Camp...

Yi camp was organised at  the picturesque sailingclubhouse at Chathamma, Panangad, Cochin.  Young students had a full day of enjoyment here.  My elder son, niranjan, participated in this program.

Tthe sailingclubhouse is situated in such a beautiful location which is near the Cochin City. Is surrounded by the backwaters of Cochin.

Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2012

Kochi, the Queen of Arabian Sea hosted Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2012,  an international exhibition of contemporary art. We were lucky to have a visit to this exhibition and wanted to share this with you all...

This was the first Indian Biennale.  The Locations were historically important and beautiful places in Kochi.  Reaching Fortcochin, the the place where most of the venues are located, the first thing that attracted us was the Art of Motorcycling by Javeen Mathew.  This was exhibited near the Bastion Bungalow.

Appu at the venue of the Art of Motorcycling

the Art of Motorcycling

Another concept model Egg by Javeen Mathew

 One of the venues were Aspinwall House, which was the business house of Aspinwall & Company Ltd. established in 1867 by Englishman John H Aspinwall.  The trade activities of this company included coconut oil, pepper, timber, lemon grass oil, ginger, turmeric, spices, and later in coir, coffee, tea and rubber.  Normally this place is not accessible to the public.  The vast premises found very much apt for the Biennale because of the vastness and plentifulness of buildings.  Stepping into the premises, the first attraction was a sound installation in an auto riksha.

The entire premises was full of installations and different kinds of art works.  Art enthusiasts in huge numbers were visiting the place.  The location of this Biennale was interesting because of the proximity of backwaters and the port.  The Chinese nets and the heritage buildings also were attracting the tourists.  

Morning Snaps...

We have visited Marine Drive, Cochin this morning.  The visit was exclusively for having an experience of the place in the morning of the first day of December. The cool light was coming from behind and we took snaps of the lake where it merges with the sea.

marine drive with 

 

 

glimpse of the docked ship through shade trees which are there in abundance

another view with the remains of the old pier

long shot of the new container terminal, when the mist is around

December is a cool and pleasant season to visit Kerala.  There would not be the disturbing rain or harsh sunlight.  The happiness of the season would be around.

Festival of Lights...

Meaning of the Sanskrit word Deepavali is 'row of lights. And this day for sure is marked by lighting rows of tiny clay lamps in front of the houses. These oil lamps would be glowing for the entire night and the home makers (women) clean the houses in order to please Lakshmi (the goddess of  prosperity). Children await for this festival to enjoy by lighting fire crackers. They experiment with all kinds of fire crackers. Swing it to make patterns, enjoy the bursting of various lights from these fire crackers. The unity of Indians in celebrating this festival is evident from the South Asian Night Lights During Deepavali  published by NASA's earthobservatory.

I am sharing with you the lighting of crackers by our children during the last Deepavali.

Beautiful light bursting out of the little cracker...

the tree adding to the beauty...

Deepavali marks the triumph of good over the evil. In olden days Deepavali was celebrated with the worship of fruitful trees also. 

A few snaps of patters Children made by swinging  the crackers:

The Children were really competing with each other in making patterns. They were happy because this festival is also an occasion of the family reunion...