Major Vishnu Temple Of Kerala :

     ANANTHA PADMANABHA SWAMI

   Prathishta: Vishnu (Ananthapadmanabhan)

 Dist: Trivandrum

Description:

The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu. This seven storied structure is a wonderful illustration of Kerala temple architecture and is located at about 11 kms from Somatheeram. Thousands of people come here throughout the year to pay tribute to the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu, to whom this temple is dedicated. The idol here is really special with Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the king of snakes. This temple is a landmark of Thiruvananthapuram. In fact, the name Thiruvananthapuram means the land of Anantha.

Route: Temple situated at East Fort, main junction of Trivandrum

Kerala Traditional Food Recipe...

Godhambu Ada (Sweet Whole Wheat & Coconut Pancakes)

Recently, while visiting one of my cousins, she made this sweet Godhambu Ada for breakfast. I was hooked on it instantly. The sheer simplicity of the recipe compelled me to try these sweet Whole Wheat and Coconut Pancakes at home. My husband likes these pancakes and he remembers eating it as a child whenever he visited relatives in Kerala. You can make these for breakfast or as a tea-time snack or even a quick dinner.

Ingredients

1.                   Whole Wheat Flour – 1 cup (I used Atta Flour)

2.                   Crushed/Powdered Jaggery – 1/4 cup (Alter according to your desired sweetness)

3.                   Grated Coconut – 1/4 cup

4.                   Powdered Cardamom (Elakka) – 1/4 tsp

5.                   Salt – a pinch

6.                   Water – 1 + 3/4 cups

Preparation Method

1.                   Heat 1 and 3/4 cups water in a pan and add the powdered jaggery. Stir and allow it to melt completely to form a syrup.

2.                   Combine wheat flour, grated coconut, salt and powdered cardamom in a bowl.

3.                   Add the melted jaggery syrup to the bowl and mix everything with a spoon to form a batter. The batter should have a pouring consistency but shouldn’t be runny.

4.                   Heat a non stick frying pan or tava. Pour a few ladles of batter and spread to form a circular disc.

5.                   Cover and cook the ada on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.

6.                   Flip with a spatula and cook the other side until lightly browned.

Thiruvathirakali, Major Dance Form Of Kerala..

1)      Thiruvathirakali, also known as Kaikottikkali, is a very popular group dance of Kerala. Thiruvathirakali is performed by the women of Hindu community, often during festive seasons like Onam and the Thiruvathira day in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December- January). Performed by maids in order to attain everlasting marital bliss, Thiruvathirakali is a simple and gentle dance with the lasya element or the amorous charm predominating. The dance is performed around a nilavilakku (a ceremonial lamp) or a floral decoration especially during Onam. The dancers move in a circular pattern, accompanied by rhythmic clapping of the hands, to the tune of the Thiruvathira pattu. One of the performers sings the first line of the Thiruvathira pattu (song) while the rest repeat it in chorus. The songs are often narrations from the folk epics. . Today, Thiruvathirakali has become a popular dance form for all seasons and also a popular stage item.

Kerala Traditional Breakfast Recipe

Palappam (South Indian Appam)

         Palappam (South Indian Appam) Recipe : Its traditional dish, a type of bread made with rice flour and always made on special occasions and for special people

Ingredients for Palappam (South Indian Appam) Recipe

Rice flour - 1 cup 
Dry/or fresh coconut - 3/4 cup
(grated)
Water - 1/4 cup 
Yeast - 1/4 tsp
Sugar - 3 tbsp 
Thick coconut milk - 1 1/2 to 2 cup 
Salt - 1/4 tsp

Preparation Method of Palappam (South Indian Appam) Recipe

1)Combine the sugar, lukewarm water and yeast and left to cool, till it becomes frothy 2)Mix together the remaining ingredients and beat in a blender for 2 minutes. :- The batter should have almost smooth,yet little rough consistency) 3)Add the yeast and run for another 1 minute. 4)Cover the bowl and prove for 6 to 8 hours. 5)Need to loosen the consistency, add 1/2 cup coconut milk. 6)Heat an ‘Appam’ pan, ladle 1/4 cup of the batter into the center of the pan. 7)Lift the pan and swirl the batter a little bit toward the edge of the pan to get a thin layer of batter. 8)Cover the pan and cook, edges ought to have a golden brown crust. :- Serve with stew or egg roast.

Eco-Tourism.........

Ecofriendly Tourism :

Eco Friendly tourism is a preserving travel to natural areas to appreciate the cultural and natural history of the environment, taking care not to disturb the integrity of the ecosystem, while creating economic opportunities that make conservation and protection of natural resources advantageous to the local people. Traces go back to ancient civilisations of India, when people used to nurture the philosophy of the oneness of life. ecotourism can be categorised as a tourism programme that is - "Nature based, Ecologically sustainable, Where education and interpretation is a major constituent and Where local people are benefited.". The rich forest areas and biological diversities have been relentlessly divested to erect concrete walls. The continuos denuding of forest reserves has led to Global Warming and Greenhouse Effects. There are several animal & plant rights organisation, who fight for the rights of the animals and plants. Numerous organisations and NGOs are coming forward to provide environmental education to the common people at the grass root level. There are numerous Botanical and Zoological Gardens in India, which are working towards the enhancement of the Ecosystem. The India topography boasts an abundant source of flora & fauna. India has numerous rare and endangered species in its surroundings. India has many wildlife sanctuaries and protection laws. The concept of eco friendly tourism is growing in India. Nowadays, India has eco friendly hotels to suit all interests. According to the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the World Travel Market, "Responsible tourism calls upon countries, multilateral agencies, tourism businesses, tourists and local communities to take responsibility for achieving sustainable tourism, and to create better places for people to live in and for people to visit." Responsible tourism's fundamental feature is reducing any negative impacts to the natural environment and increasing economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Birds Nature Ayurveda

The Thattekad Sanctuary, also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar river. Close to Munnar along the lower reaches of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary attracts nature lovers especially bird watchers in droves. Thattekad was developed by the untiring efforts of India's birdman Dr Salim Ali.

The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930's as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. Since then much of the forest has been diverted to cultivation and teak and mahogany plantation but what survives gives a glimpse of the phenomenal bird diversity of the once widespread lowland forests of Kerala.