ENJOY THIS MONSOON IN KERALA

Monsoon has arrived in Kerala. Every time heavy rain and water water every where. Enjoy & visit kerala this monsoon season. Monsoon Tourism packages are available during this season.Here are some pictures of the Monsoon in kerala

Athirapally Water falls

IDDUKKI ARCH DAM

IDDUKKI DAM Is one of the Largest Dam in the Gods own country Kerala. The 'IDUKKI DAM' - Asia's biggest Arch Dam of 555 feet height proudly standing between the two mountains - 'Kuravanmala' (839 meters) and 'Kurathimala' (925 meters ). This prestigeous project of is situated in Idukki District and its underground Power House is located at Moolamattom which is about 19 kms from Thodupuzha. Idukki Dam is 43 kms away from Moolamattom

The construction of this Dam commenced on 30 April 1969. Storage of water in idukki reservoir commenced in February,1973. The inauguration of trial run of the first machine was celebrated on 4th October,1975. Commercial operation of the Power Station was Commissioned on 12 February 1976 by the then Hon. Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi.

Construction of this Arch Dam and two other dams at Cheruthony and Kulamavu has created an artificial lake of 60 sq. kms. width and the water stored, is utilised for production of electricity at the unique Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside the rocky caves.

The Project harnesses a major portion of the power potential of Periyar, the largest river in Kerala State, by the creation of a reservoir of 2,000 M.cum (2 Billion Tonnes) capacity, diversion of waters thus impounded through a water conductor system consisting of a power tunnel and two underground pressure shafts to an underground power house situated in Muvattupuzha Valley. The installed capacity of the Power House is 780MW consisting of 6 Units of 180 MW each.The regulated waters of Periyar falls through a drop of about 669.2 metres (2195 feet) while generating power in the underground power house.

The tail waters flowing to Kudayathurpuzha through tunnel and open channel will later be diverted for irrigation purposes in the Muvattupuzha Valley.

After 34 years , now the government of Kerala has decided to the maintenance of the Dam and the tunnel to the Moolamattom Power house for two weeks starting from 07.06.2009. During this period the Electricity generation will be stopped till the maintenace is over. Goverment has declared a load shedding from 07.06.2009 during the peak hours.

Reaching There:

From Cochin in Kerala we can fetch many buses going to Kattapana or idukki. You can also hire a tourist vechicle to reach here.one of the important tourist

destination of Kerala. Being surrounded by Hills and Green woods Kattappana is a worthy place to stay before we reaching the Idukki Dam. It is the beautiful town noted for cleanliness and attractive shoppings.

A FLOWER IN MY GARDEN

This is a plant that has flowered yesterday in my garden area. It looks very beautiful with white and rose lines . Can you identify the flower.

VAZHACHAL WATER FALLS

VAZHACHAL WATER FALLS is another wonderful water falls in the land of kerala. Its also
one of the dangerous water falls. The flowing of water seems to be a milky way which makes the tourist's intrested to have a feel of the same. The area is covered with rocks and there is gap in between to stand on in flowing water. Earlier there are people who go in between for thrill, which took the life of many. Now the area is protected by Dept of Forest (Govt of Kerala).Its is in the same route on Athirapally in chalakuddy river. There are three dams through this route, One is sholayar dam, where Hydel power is generated. If you would like to visit kerala, dont forget to visit Athirapally & Vazhachal water falls.














































Bridge on the way to Athirappally & Vazhachal

Athirapally water Falls, kerala

Athirapally Water Falls from Kerala 'Gods own Country'


Athirapally Water Falls, One of the important tourist destinations in kerala. Very good natural beauty and wildlife can be seen on this route. If you want enjoy the good scene on water fall , you have to visit the season between june to October.

I had a visit to this place recently. I enjoyed my travel in my Renault Logan, through the lushly green forest route with small rain showers.
There is a lot of water falls, Greenary & forest, Palm cultivations can be seen on this route. Very good amusement parks are available on this area.



















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Route to Athirapally Water falls















Water falls on the routes

RAMBOOTAN

This a fruit called Rambootan, usally found in tropicall climate areas. It tastes sweet and little sour. I have a dozen of Rambootan trees cultivated in my farm area . but only one gave the fruit ,others had flowers .Whats the reason is that there is Males & females for this tree. Males will only flower ,females will flower and bear fruit. The fruit can be harvested when it has become reddish color.

VANILLA The Taste Maker

VANILLA: The taste maker is also one of the cultivation in the land of Kerala. Today I bring you a brief topic on Vanila.

Any member of a group of tropical climbing ORCHIDS that make up the genus Vanilla,and the floavoring agent exacted from its seedpods. The Plant has a long,fleshy climbing stem that attaches itself by aerial rootlets to trees; roots also penetrate the soil. Numerous flowers open a few at a times every morning and last only a day.
But polymerization should be done manually to develop the bean every day .






The fruit, a bean pod 8 in.(20cm) long at maturity is harvested as soon as it turn golden green at the base.
















Curing and processing turn the pods deep choclate brown. Vanilla is used in a variety of sweet foods and bevarages as well as in perfumery. It is really a taste if you mix it with tea which is called Vanila tea.


You can also add it with chicken,Beaf & mutton curries and vegetable stews for better taste. Taste it and see the difference.












The following picture is the bean i had collected today. now it has to processed under sunlight to become chocolate brown color

This is one of the costlier bean in the world. Its price ranges from $350 and above for one kilograme.

NILAMBUR TEAK FOREST

Nilambur: One of the oldest tourist destinations in northern kerala. Its really a wonderful experience i had yesterday when i travelled into the hilly areas of Nilambur. Largest teak forest is situated in this area. You can see oldest teak trees here. Its situated in between Shornur and Patambi. You can reach there by travelling
through the Ooty road. You can see a large no of wild animals if you travel through these route.You have to very cautious while driving ,any time you may have to face Elephants.Nowdays animals can be seen even in the day. The following pictrues are teak forest route through Nilabur.

Tourist Destinations of Kerala

KERALA -GODS OWN COUNTRY

Location : South-western tip of India

Area : 38,863 sq. km

Population : 31,838 Millions (Census '2001)

Capital : Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Major cities : Kochi(Cochin),Kozhikode

Language : Malayalam; English is widely spoken

Major Religions : Hinduism, Christianity, Islam

Time : GMT + 5:30

Currency : Indian Rupee

Climate : Tropical

Summer : February - May (24⁰ - 33⁰C)

Monsoon : June - July,
October - November (22⁰ - 28⁰C)

Winter : October - January (22⁰ - 32⁰C)