Kerala’s Green Treasures-Part Three

October 29, 2011

After a good night’s rest, we started early from Kottayam. Since it was the final day of our trip and also the weather being much hotter and humid in the plains, we decided to take it easy and restrict ourselves to places in and around Kottayam.

Our first destination was the famous Krishna temple at Ambalapuzha. The temple is 60 kms from Kottayam city. But it is just a 15 km drive, if you are staying at the backwater haven of Alleppey. We reached the temple at around 11 am, driving through beautiful backwater scenery, especially the stretch from Changanassery to Alleppey. The temple is famous for Paal Paayasam, a traditional sweet delicacy offered to the devotees everyday after darshan.  We had a quick darshan since there was only a limited crowd. But unfortunately we couldn’t get a taste of the Paal paayasam, since it was due to be delivered to the pilgrims at only around 1 pm.

Ambalapuzha Krishna Temple



the pond at the temple

the symbol of every Kerala temple

We next moved into Alleppey town and headed straight to the Boat jetty. This was the first time my wife was coming to Alleppey and though we hadn’t planned any boat rides, I wanted her to have a look at the variety of houseboats being lined up to cater to the needs of the tourists. The boat rides through the famous backwaters would have to be done another day, preferably with a bigger group.

Alleppey boat house

Houseboats awaiting passengers

occupied and about to depart

Govt.boats, a cheap mode of transport to enjoy the beauty of backwaters

Alleppey beach

Alleppey beach beckoned us and we reached there in the scorching mid-day sun at 1 pm. We didn’t spend much time at the beach because of the extreme heat. We started looking around for a nice restaurant for lunch and the local suggestions led us to Hassan Restaurant, just half a km from the beach, on the way towards the town centre. We had delicious Chicken Biryani and rice with fish curry. After a hearty lunch, we drove back to Kottayam, passing through the picturesque locations of Kumarakom with the Vembanad lake and its adjoining five-star resorts on one side of the road and fertile farmlands on the other side. We couldn’t visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary because of the lack of time.

Cruising in luxury, on the Vembanad

Greenfields near Kumarkom

Typical Kerala backwater scenery, on the Kumarakom-kottayam route near Cherthala

At Kottayam we did some shopping, checked out and reached Railway station, boarded our train and reached Tiruppur the next morning at 3 am. And thus ended a highly satisfying Diwali trip, where we were fortunate to witness the abundant beauty of Kerala through its dams, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, temples, backwaters and beaches.

20 Comments

  • ?????? ?? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???????? ?? ?? ???? ??, ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???????????? ? ???? ????? ????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??, ??? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? …….

    • venkatt says:

      Sandeep ji thanks for your comments. Though Kerala is very well connected by public transport, it is better to have your own vehicle to fully appreciate the beauty of these places.

  • Mukesh Bhalse says:

    Venkatt,

    The post is superb. Both narration and photographs deserves appreciation.

    @ JATDEVTA SANDEEP:

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    ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??.
    ???????.

  • Ultimate scenery , beautiful……………………..

  • Amit Kumar says:

    Hi Venkatt.
    Your post truly depicts that why we know Kerala as God’s own country. I can get the sense of calm and serenity from images itself. Congratulations for such a pleasant experience and best of luck for your future trips.
    Amit

  • Kavita Bhalse says:

    Venkatt ji,
    Jab me 7th class me thi us samay hindi book me Keral chapter tha usko padhkar keral ghumne ki bahut iccha hui par mummi papa ghumakkar nahi the mere bachpan ka woh sapna apki post padhkar phir ek tarotaza ho gaya mukesh ji(husband) se kahungi ki hum keral jaayein aur hotel me na rahker kisi malyaliu family ke saath rahe jisse keral ke logo ka culture khanpan rahan sahan riti riwaz ko kareeb se dekhe aur mehsoos kare unka kele ke patte par khana adi ab ap samajh gaye honge ki yeh post mere dil ke bahut kareeb hai aur shaandar photographs hai.

    Thanks.

    • venkatt says:

      Kavita bhabhi, aap ki tareef ke liye bahut shukriya. Ummed hai jaldi parivaar ke saath Kerala tour jaane ki aapki tamanna poori hogi.(Hope my Hindi is ok to you ghumakkars)

  • Venkatt,
    I take my words back, I written in response to Sandeep Panwar’s comment that you might not understand Hindi, but to my surprise you are very good in Hindi. Ummeed se bahoot jyada.

    Thanks.

  • Aditya says:

    Kerela…. Wonder when i’ll get my chance to be here….

    The lush green fields, the backwaters, the beaches, the house boats…. I wish….

    Thank You for taking us to such a beautiful journey….

  • Nandan says:

    So the final part is here. Kerala is amazingly green and calm.

    The houseboats seem to be super decorated.

  • ANEEFA MULATTU M says:

    Dear venkat sir,

    Very good travelogue,about Kerala,very detailed explain, amazing photography.I am native of Kerala,
    Visiting Idukki or Thekkafdy from Coimbatore side nearest Railway station is Aluva (alway) 20 KM before Ernakulam also thekkady.You can save 70 km rail distance. 75 km Aluva~Idukki .

    Welcom again kerala
    regards
    ANEEFA-
    MUVATTUPUZHA –
    KERALA

    • Venkat says:

      Thanks Aneefa sir. Agree with you that travelling to Idukki from Aluva would have saved me some 25 kms. But since I had planned to see some places south of Kottayam ie Alleppey & Ambalapuzha I booked my taxi from Kottayam and hence my starting the journey from there.

      • SAKSHI says:

        ANY ONE PLZ GUIDE TRAVEL FROM DELHI TO KERALA. WILL SUMMER VACATION BE FINE TO TRAVEL.

        • Pat says:

          You may use any mode of transport; air, rail, even road. There are daily trains including Rajdhani but reaches on the third day. Summers are hot and humid till end of May. Monsoon begins on 1st June normally which then becomes even more humid when its not raining cats and dogs. Also the sea will be rough. However, the green then looks luxuriously green. The best time to visit is now but then every season has its own charm.

  • Patrick Jones says:

    Think I’m third-time-lucky as only this time I could read thru this nicely written series. It was exciting right from the beginning as Kottayam is ‘my own’ place and so the mere mention of the name gives me goose bumps. Been to Thekkady and Idukki about three-and-a-half decades back (and other places later) so would like to take another round. Rainy season has its own charm especially in God’s own country and you captured it well. Is it time for another trip?

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