Summer Picnic Foods Can Present Danger to the Elderly

Summer Picnic Foods Can Present Danger to the Elderly


Center for Disease Control (CDC) Recommends Precautions for Seniors on Ready-to-Eat Meats




With the onset of summer, many elderly adults are enjoying the outside and the tradition of cookouts and picnics. For the elderly, however, there are certain risks in consuming certain foods commonly found at outdoor picnics. The CDC advises the elderly that it’s important to know that ready-to-eat hot dogs, lunch meats, and cold cuts may not be safe to eat. These meats and other foods can be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria, which causes listeriosis. Listeriosis is a serious disease that primarily affects older adults, adults with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns. Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the cold temperature of the refrigerator.

Symptoms include fever and chills, headache, upset stomach and vomiting. Anyone can get the illness.

In the United States, approximately 1,600 people become seriously ill with listeriosis each year and 260 die from the disease. Healthy children and adults sometimes get infected with listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.

The following groups have a higher risk of becoming ill with listeriosis

• Older adults
• Persons with weakened immune systems from transplants or certain diseases, therapies, or medications.
• Persons with cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, liver or kidney disease.
• Persons with AIDS: They are almost 300 times more likely to get listeriosis than people with normal immune systems.

Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking, but certain ready-to-eat foods, such as hot dogs and deli meats, can be contaminated after factory processing.

CDC recommends the following precautions for individuals in the high risk groups

1. Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, cold cuts, or other deli meats unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165ºF or until steaming hot.
2. Do not eat refrigerated pâté or meat spreads from a deli or meat counter or from the refrigerated section of a store.
3. Do not eat soft cheese such as feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, brie, Camembert, blue-veined, or panela (queso panela) unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk.
4. Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole, or unless it is a canned or shelf-stable product. Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, and mackerel, is most often labeled as “nova-style,” “lox,” “kippered,” “smoked,” or “jerky.” Canned and shelf stable tuna, salmon, and other fish products are safe to eat.

The CDC stresses the importance of using precooked or ready-to-eat food as soon as you can. Do not store the product in the refrigerator beyond the use-by date. Follow USDA refrigerator storage time guidelines:

1. Hot Dogs – store opened package no longer than 1 week and unopened package no longer than 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
2. Luncheon and Deli Meat – store factory-sealed, unopened package no longer than 2 weeks. Store opened packages and meat sliced at a local deli no longer than 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Listeriosis is a serious disease that can lead to death, even with prompt treatment. Death caused by listeriosis is particularly likely in older adults, people with weakened immune systems or other medical conditions, and fetuses and newborn babies. Take the necessary precautions to make certain that you and your loved ones do not get infected.

Poppey's Spinach crackers for picnic

Spinach crackers are crisp flavored with cheese and mildly spiced makes tasty snack.

Ingredients
1 cup all purpose flour (maida, plain flour)
½ cup semolina (fine sooji)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoon butter
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
½ teaspoon chili flakes
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
¾ cup spinach puree
Oil to fry

Method
Mix all purpose flour, semolina, salt, chili flakes, cumin seeds, and baking soda in a bowl together.
Add the butter and parmesan cheese, mix well it will be consistency of bread crumb.
Add the spinach puree and make firm dough.
Set the dough aside and cover it with a damp cloth. Let the dough rest for at least ten minutes.
Divide the dough in 16 equal parts and make them into balls.
Roll the dough about into a 5-inch circle.
Slice the each roll dough in 4 pieces in triangle shape.
Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium heat.
The frying pan should have at least 1 ½ inch of oil. To check if the oil is ready, put a small piece of dough in the oil. The dough should make the oil sizzle and come up slowly.
Make sure to place just enough chips so you can turn them over easily when frying. Fry the chips until both sides are light golden in color.
After chips come to room temperature they should become crisp.

Tips:
Spinach chips can be stored for weeks in airtight containers.
If the chips are cooked on high heat, they will be soft.

Light in the house - stories for picnic

There is a Tamil proverb dîpam lakshmîkaram, meaning, “light makes prosperity,” and the following story is related to explain it:—

In the town of Gôvindapâthî there lived a merchant named Paśupati Śeṭṭi, who had a son and a daughter. The son’s name was Vinîta and the daughter’s Garvî, and while still playmates they made a mutual vow, that in case they ever had children that could be married to each other, they would certainly see that this was done. Garvî grew up to marry a very rich merchant, and gave birth in due course to three daughters, the last of whom was named Sunguṇî. Vinîta, too, had three sons. Before, however, this brother and sister could fulfil their vow an event happened which threw a gloom over all their expectations.

Paśupati Śeṭṭi died, and his creditors—for he had many—grew troublesome. All his property had to be sold to clear his debts, and in a month or two after his father’s death Vinîta was reduced to the condition of a penniless pauper. But being a sensible person he patiently bore up against his calamity, and tried his best to live an honest life on what little was left to him.

His sister Garvî was, as has been already said, married into a rich family, and when she saw the penniless condition of her brother the engagements she had entered into with him began to trouble her. To give or not to give her daughters in marriage to the sons of her brother! This was the question that occupied her thoughts for several months, till at last she determined within herself never to give poor husbands to her children. Fortunately for her, two young merchants of respectable family offered themselves to her two eldest daughters, she gladly accepted them and had the weddings celebrated. The last daughter, Suguṇî, alone remained unmarried.

Vinîta was sorely troubled in his heart at this disappointment, as he never thought that his sister would thus look down upon his poverty; but, being very sensible, he never interfered and never said a word. The vow of his childhood was, however, known to every one, and some came to sympathise with him; while others spoke in a criticising tone to Garvî for having broken her promise, because her brother had become poor through unforeseen circumstances. Their remarks fell on the ears of Suguṇî, who was as yet unmarried, and also was a very learned and sensible girl. She found her uncle Vinîta extremely courteous and respectful, and his sons all persons of virtue and good nature. The thought that her mother should have forgotten all these excellent and rare qualities in the presence of fleeting mammon (asthiraiśvarya) vexed her heart very greatly. So, though it is considered most contrary to etiquette for a girl in Hindû society to fix upon a boy as her husband, she approached her mother and thus addressed her:—

“Mother, I have heard all the story about your vow to your brother to marry us—myself and my sisters—to his sons, our cousins; but I am ashamed to see you have unwarrantably broken it in the case of my sisters. I cannot bear such shame. I cannot marry anyone in the world except one of my three cousins. You must make up your mind to give me your consent.”

Garvî was astonished to hear her youngest daughter talk thus to her.

“You wish to marry a beggar?” said she. “We will never agree to it, and if you persist we will give you away to your penniless pauper, but we will never see your face again.”

But Suguṇî persisted. So her marriage with the youngest son of Vinîta was arranged. He had never spoken a word about it to his sister, but he had waited to make matches for his children till all his sister’s daughters had been given away, and when he heard that Suguṇî was determined to marry his youngest son, he was very pleased. He soon fixed upon two girls from a poor family for his other sons, and celebrated the three weddings as became his position.

Suguṇî was as noble in her conduct as in her love for her poor cousin. She was never proud or insolent on account of having come from a rich family. Nor did she ever disregard her husband, or his brothers, or father.

Now Vinîta and his sons used to go out in the mornings to gather dried leaves which his three daughters-in-law stitched into plates (patrâvalî), which the male members of the family sold in thebâzâr for about four paṇams each. Sometimes these leaf-plates would go for more, sometimes for less; but whatever money the father-in-law brought home his daughters-in-law used for the day’s expense. The youngest of them was Suguṇî, who spent the money most judiciously, and fed her father-in-law and his sons sumptuously. Whatever remained she partook of with her two poor sisters-in-law, and lived most contentedly. And the family respected Suguṇî as a paragon of virtue, and had a [very great regard for her. Her parents, as they had threatened, never returned to see how their last, and of course once beloved, child was doing in her husband’s home. Thus passed a couple of years.

One day the king of the town was taking an oil bath, and pulling a ring off his finger, left it in a niche in the open courtyard. A garuḍa (Brâhmaṇî kite) was at that moment describing circles in the air, and, mistaking the glittering rubies in the ring for flesh, pounced upon it and flew away. Finding it not to be flesh he dropped it in the house of Suguṇî’s husband. She happened to be alone working in the courtyard, while her sisters-in-law and the others were in different parts of the house. So she took up the sparkling ring and hid it in her lap.

Soon afterwards she heard a proclamation made in the street that the king had lost a valuable ring, and that any person who could trace it and give it back to him should obtain a great reward. Suguṇî called her husband and his brothers and thus addressed them:—

“My lord and brothers, I have the king’s ring. Exactly at midday a garuḍa dropped it in our courtyard and here it is. We must all go to the king, and there, before you three, I shall deliver up the ring, explaining how I got it. When his majesty desires me to name my reward I shall do so, and beg of you never to contradict or gainsay my desires, if they appear very humble in your opinion.”

The brothers agreed, and they all started for the palace. They had a very great respect for Suguṇî and expected a good result from this visit to the king.

The palace was reached, and the ring was given back to the king with the explanation. His majesty was charmed at the modesty and truthfulness of Suguṇî, and asked her to name her reward.

“My most gracious sovereign! King of kings! Supreme lord! Only a slight favour thy dog of a servant requests of your majesty. It is this, that on a Friday night all the lights in the town be extinguished, and not a lamp be lit even in the palace. Only the house of thy dog of a servant must be lighted up with such lights as it can afford.”

“Agreed, most modest lady. We grant your request, and we permit you to have the privilege you desire this very next Friday.”

Joyfully she bowed before his majesty, and returned with her husband and the others to her house. She then pledged the last jewel she had by her and procured some money.

Friday came. She fasted the whole day, and as soon as twilight approached she called both the brothers of her husband, and thus addressed them:—

“My brothers, I have made arrangements for lighting up our house with one thousand lamps to-night. One of you, without ever closing your eyes for a moment, must watch the front of our house and the other the back. If a woman of a graceful appearance and of feminine majesty wishes you to permit her to enter it, boldly tell her to swear first never to go out again. If she solemnly agrees to this, then permit her to come in. If in the same way any woman wishes to go out, make a similar condition that she must swear never to return at any time in her life.”

What Suguṇî said seemed ridiculous to the brothers; but they allowed her to have her way, and waited to see patiently what would take place.

The whole town was gloomy that night, except Suguṇî’s house; for, by order of his majesty, no light was lit in any other house. The Ashṭalakshmîs—the Eight Prosperities—entered the town that night and went house by house into every street. All of them were dark, and the only house lit up was Suguṇî’s. They tried to enter it, but the brother at the door stopped them and ordered them to take the oath. This they did, and when he came to understand that these ladies were the Eight Prosperities, he admired the sagacity of his brother’s wife.

A nimisha after the eight ladies had gone in, there came out of the house a hideous female and requested permission to go, but the brother at the back would not permit this unless she swore never to come back again. She solemnly swore, and the next moment he came to know that she wasMûdêvî, or Adversity, the elder sister of Prosperity.

For she said:—“My sisters have come. I cannot stay here for a minute longer. God bless you and your people. I swear by everything sacred never to come back.”

And so, unable to breathe there any longer, Adversity ran away.

When the morning dawned, the Prosperities had already taken up a permanent abode with the family. The rice bag became filled. The money chest overflowed with money. The pot contained milk. And thus plenty began to reign in Suguṇî’s house from that day. The three brothers and her father-in-law were overjoyed at the way Suguṇî had driven away their poverty for ever, and even Suguṇî’s parents did not feel it a disgrace to come and beg their daughter’s pardon. She nobly granted it and lived with all the members of her family in prosperity for a long life.

It is a notion, therefore, among orthodox Hindûs, that light in the house brings prosperity, and darkness adversity.

Things To Remember While On Picnic

Most times, people forget to carry simple stuff during travelling expeditions. Here are a list of things I think would be important.
1. First aid kit: Very important thing to carry with you when on a one day picnic. This might be required at places that are at a distance from healthcare facilities, like dams, waterfalls and jungle treks.

2. Pair of extra clothing: Recommended when going for water sport adventures like white water rafting or activities like rain dance. During monsoons and winter months, it becomes very important that children have warm clothing.

3. Paper soaps and hand sanitizers: Again a very important thing to have in your sack or wallet. You are bound to soil your hands and are least likely to find hygienic washrooms on your trip. Most important thing to have for children and elderly people in your group lest they catch some infection, isn't it?

4. Share Your Itinerary: Before leaving for your trip, do let your close ones know your target destinations and itinerary. God forbid there be any mishaps, your loved ones will know where to contact and know your wellbeing.

5. Carry a map along. Who knows, you might stumble upon some more offbeat destinations along the way and would want to explore them further.
Least to mention, do carry your PhotoIDs (for all members), Mobile with Charger and Extra spectacles if you wear one.

6. Having a powerful TORCHLIGHT in your sack is again a must have item along with Small Scissor, Sunglasses and Multi-Plug adapter.

7. Last but not the least, carry a good bunch of Pens, crayons, chocolates, toffees to giveaway after games. Your people will love you for it!

8. If you are going trekking, do carry these stuff with you: Hard Wooden Stick, Rain Coat, Caps, Water 7. 

Bottles and Trekking Shoes.

Picnic Food recipe for Finger sandwiches

These mouthwatering finger sandwiches are great for any picnic or party. The flavored cream cheese spread with different herbs give a unique taste, and has a nice crunch with every bite. The recipes are for four different sandwiches: Tomato, Cabbage, Cucumber and Pineapple. You can prepare one or all four of these varieties, as they are quite easy to make.

Recipe will make 16 finger sandwiches.

Ingredients:
8 slices of firm white bread
5 oz cream cheese at room temperature
3 teaspoons ginger paste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 green chili, minced
1/2 teaspoon Hari Cilantro Chutney recipe is on the web site
2 tablespoons minced cilantro (hara Dhania)
1 tablespoon minced mint (podina)
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup cabbage, finely sliced
8 slices cucumber, thinly sliced
8 slices tomato, thinly sliced
1/4 cup crushed pineapple
2 pickled peperoncini, finely diced

Method
Trim sides of each slice of bread. Set aside.
Divide the cream cheese into four equal parts.

Tomato Sandwich
To one part of the cream cheese add black pepper, 1 teaspoon ginger, mint leaves and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
Spread cream cheese mixture onto 2 slices of bread. Place tomato slices and top with the other slice of bread to make the sandwich.
Cut into 4 pieces, garnish with a dab of spread and a sliver of tomato.

Cabbage Sandwich
To one part of the cream cheese add cabbage, 1 tablespoon of cilantro, 1 teaspoon ginger, half of the green chili (adjust to taste) and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
Spread mixture onto one slice of bread and top with another slice to make sandwich.
Cut into 4 pieces and garnish with a dab of the spread.

Cucumber Sandwich
To one part of the cream cheese add Hari Cilantro Chutney. Mix well.
Spread cream cheese mixture onto 2 slices of bread. Place cucumber slices and top with the other slice of bread to make the sandwich.
Cut into 4 pieces, garnish with a dab of spread and a sliver of cucumber.

Pineapple Sandwich
To one part of the cream cheese add pineapple, black pepper, 1 teaspoon ginger, pepperchini (adjust to taste), and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
Spread mixture onto one slice of bread and top with another slice to make the sandwich.
Cut into 4 pieces and garnish with a dab of the spread.

Tips

You can easily prepare these finger sandwiches with yogurt if you prefer. However, you need to remove as much water as you can from the yogurt before using it.

1. Place a muslin or cheesecloth over a strainer and pour yogurt to drain the water.
2. Gently squeeze the yogurt to remove excess water, making sure not to let the yogurt drain through.
3. Place a bowl underneath the strainer and place in a refrigerator for at least 6 hours to drain more water. 
4. Yogurt will become thick in consistency, just like cream cheese.

10 picnic games

1. Shaving Cream Beard Relay Contest: Divide the kids into 2-4 teams of equal members. Designate some adults to be the "beard makers" - one adult is needed per team. You can either use shaving cream, or canned whipped cream. Children must line up and run one at a time to the beard maker, who will then decorate their faces with a beard. They must then run back and tag the next member of their team to be bearded. The first team to all be wearing beards wins!

2. Potato Sack Relay Race: To play, divide the children into 2 or 4 teams. Determine the boundaries for the race. Children must then hop in the potato sacks (one team member at a time) to the designated spot and then hop back to their team members. He/She must then give the sack to the next team member. The first team for all members to successfully hop back and forth wins!

3. Mummy Contest: Divide the group into teams. Provide each team with 2-3 rolls of toilet paper. Instruct them to choose a player to be the mummy, and the must make the selected person into a mummy using the toiler paper. The first team with a completely covered mummy wins.

4. Photo Scavenger Hunt: This one's best for older kids and teens. If you've planned a big bash that lasts all day, this might be good for activity for an hour or so at the end of the day.

5. Water Balloon Toss Game: Fill a lot of balloons with water. Ask each child to get a partner. Give each team of 2 a water balloon. Have the players stand very close together and throw the the balloon back and forth. Each time after the balloon is tossed, the players must take one step backwards. The farther they go, the more likely they will not catch the balloon and it will break. The last team to have an intact water balloon wins.

6. Capture the Flag: This is a fun interactive game for children ages 6 and above. Get 2 flags (if you don't have one you can use towels or t-shirts) and divide the group of children into 2 teams. Place the 2 flags on opposite sides of the lawn in an easy to reach area, such as on a low tree, or a chair if necessary. The goal of the game is for the team to capture the opposing team's flag safely without being tagged. If they are a tagged, they must go to "jail" where they will be released when all team members are placed in jail or the game ends, whichever comes first. The first team to capture the other team's flag wins! (You can also play this game with water balloons - instead of being tagged, they are thrown water balloons.)

7. Watermelon Roll Relay: This is similar to the potato sack race, but instead of jumping in a sack the children must roll the watermelon. The first team where each child has successfully rolled a watermelon back and forth wins!

8. Take a Hike: This is a fun game for older kids and teens. Arrange chairs in a circle and have everyone sit down. Choose one child to be in the center, and remove that chair, so there is enough chairs for all but one person. Say a phrase such as "If you're wearing tennis shoes, take a hike!" After that, all players who are wearing tennis shoes but run across the circle to find another seat. If they are the last one and can't find a seat, they will be in the center and can choose the next phrase such as "If your birthday is in the summer"m "If you like ice cream", or "If you've ever been skiing", etc. It's a non-competitive but fun activity.

9. Three Legged Race: A Three-Legged race is a game that promotes teamwork and cooperation. Have each child find a partner, preferably someone with similar height. Tie everyone's legs together and determine the boundaries for the race. The first team to make it to the finish line wins! Don't forget to take lots of pictures, as this is a great photo moment!

10. Egg Race Relay: This one also uses 2 teams. Provide each team with a spoon and a cartoon of eggs. One player at a time from each team must go to a designated spot (say 15- 20 feet away) and back holding an egg on a spoon. If he/she drops the egg, he/she must start over with a new egg. The first team where each player has successfully traveled back and forth with an intact egg, wins!

Happy Partying! Enjoy!

Tourist Attractions in Mysore

Mysore is a major tourist city of Karnataka. The city was the erstwhile capital of the state and hence has played an important role in the history of the state and of South India. Today it has developed into a modern city like many other cities in the country. But this city has not lost touch with its rich historical and cultural legacy. Mysore city is a favourite tourist destination in Karnataka. Tourist from within the country and from outside come see the splendour of the city of Mysore. The city has a number of places a person can visit. There are a number of Royal buildings, gardens, waterfalls, temples, museums and modern amusement parks.

The city of Mysore is known as the 'City Of Palaces'. There are number of buildings built by the Royal family and are exquisite examples of Dravidian architecture and display grandeur and lavish life lead by the Emperors while they ruled the state. Apart from the Palaces there are number of other tourists attractions that one can visit in Mysore. One of the popular spots is the Chamundi hills and the temple on top of the hills. This prominent landmark of Mysore is a favourite destination for the locales as well.

The KRS dam and the adjoining Brindavan Gardens are worth visiting. The Brindavan Gardens is one of its kinds in the country. It is famous all over for its colorfully lit dancing fountains that come alive once the sun sets. There are three lakes in Mysore that have become a haven for migratory birds and are set in lush green surroundings that are relaxing and worth visiting. The Mysore Zoo is the oldest Zoo in the country and was set up by Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1892.

The Zoo flourished under Royal patronage and was handed over to the Government after independence. Today the Zoo is equipped with the most modern facilities and is a pioneer in breeding animals in captivity. Another famous monument of Mysore city is the Philomena Church that has a relic of the 3rd century St. Philomena preserved in a catacomb in below the main altar. The Church is also famous for its 175 feet high spires. These are some of the important sights to see in Mysore city.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Another place that one should visit while on a trip to Srirangapatnam is the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Ranganathittu is about 18km form Mysore and is home to some of the most exotic birds. It is a group of small islands in the Cauvery River.

Ranganthittu was formed as a result of a small dam across the river Cauvery in the 1600s. The Bird Sanctuary at Ranganathittu owes its existence to the world famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali who convinced the Maharaja of Mysore in 1940 to declare Ranganthittu as a protected area. The sanctuary is not very large it covers an area of 0.67sq.km. But is home to a great variety of birds and a few reptiles. It is said that the sanctuary is a sight to behold during the nesting season of the birds from June to November. The sanctuary is home to a wide species of birds including cormorants, darters, white ibis, spoon billed storks, open billed storks, painted storks, white necked storks, egrets, herons, terns, swallows, kingfishers, sandpiper etc. There are a few mammals in the sanctuary like fruit bats, bonnet macaques, palm civets, common mongoose and common otters. Marsh crocodiles make up the reptile population of the sanctuary.

The sight of fruit bats, crocodiles and birds flying around is a beautiful sight to watch. You can take a boat ride around the sanctuary and get a closer look at the birds and the crocodiles. The entrance of the park has huge bamboo surrounding the winding path. On both sides of the path are boards with pictures and information about the different birds that are found in the sanctuary. There is a small canteen situated near the lake made in a clearing between the bamboos. The best season to visit the sanctuary is May-September and October. If you are a nature enthusiast it is best to visit the sanctuary in the early hours of the morning before the sanctuary gets crowded with visitors.

Bandipur National Park

Another interesting place that you can visit while in Mysore is the Bandipur National Park. This Park is about 80 km from Mysore city and is a peaceful retreat in nature's lap far from the din of the city. After going around the vibrant city of Mysore and visiting all its treasures take some time off to unwind and enjoy quite peace of the lush green forests.

The Maharaja of Mysore set up this Park in 1931. The Park is at the foothills of the Nilgiri Hills. The Park has well laid out roads that lead you into the heart of this Park. Here you can see a wide variety of birds and animals in the natural habitat. This Park is home to a number of rare and endangered species of birds and animals. The World Wildlife Fund has chosen the Park for their project tiger scheme to protect tigers in India. The Park has accommodation for visitors as well. There are cottages that are run by the Forest Department, a hotel run by the Karnataka Tourism Department and some privately managed cottages as well. So there is no difficulty finding accommodation in the Park. Gundelpet is the closest town to the Park and is about 20km from it. Here too one can find accommodation.

The forest department has a number of safaris that are conducted within the Park. These safaris are conducted in well-protected buses. The animals that one sees commonly are deer, antelope, elephants and peacocks and occasionally on can see elephants and tigers. The forest department also organizes group treks inside the park lead by professionally trained guides. One can take a trip of the sanctuary on an elephant as well. The highest point on the sanctuary is the Gopalswamy Betta (Hill). This hill has a temple of Lord Venugopal on the top that you can visit.

SHOPPING IN MYSORE

If you are a resident of Karnataka, then you will know that there are some things that are synonymous with the city of Mysore. Mysore Silks, Mysore Jasmine (Mysore Mallige), Mysore Sandalwood (Mysore Srigandha) and Mysore Eggplant (Mysore Badane) are the things that the city is famous for. For centuries now the city of Mysore has been famous for these things and this tradition continues to this day. The craftsmen of Mysore are equally famous. The city has some of the most beautiful and intricately carved temples in Karnataka. This tradition exists to this day, though the craftsmen use sandalwood and rosewood to carve on and make exquisite artifacts.

Mysore is known all over the world for its silks. The women in India and especially in South India have used silk sarees for a very long time. Silk sarees are worn especially on religious and auspicious occasions. The cost of a silk saree depends on the amount of 'zari' or gold it contains. Most sarees have gold lace on both edges of the saree and on it's pallu-the part of the saree that is wrapped over the shoulder. There are private weavers in Mysore and there is the Government Silk Weaving Factory that produces beautiful silk sarees, silk fabric and ties. This factory has its showroom on Manandavadi Road and also in the shopping area around KR Circle in Mysore. There are numerous Private showrooms that sell Mysore silks. Mysore crepe silk sarees are the most sought after ones.

Mysore is famous for its handicrafts as well. Most of the work is wood based. The artifacts are made out of sandalwood, rosewood and teakwood. In the olden days Mysore was known for its ivory handicrafts and inlay work. With the ban on ivory this craft has disappeared. Mysore is best known for its sandalwood artifacts and sandalwood products. Craftsmen produce figures of Gods, Goddesses, jewel boxes, small gift items etc. Sandalwood powder and sandalwood oil is also available. Inlay work on rosewood is also popular. Things like teapoys, coffee tables and other items of furniture are made. The best place to buy these things is the Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium of the Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation.

Besides these items Mysore is also famous for Agarbathies or incense sticks. A large variety of incense sticks are manufactured by small and large manufactures. It is manufactured here using locally available perfumes like sandalwood and jasmine and the exported for Mysore and Bangalore to the rest of the world. Mysore is famous for its stone carvings and paintings as well. Oil based and water based paintings are famous. A branch of the traditional Mysore painting known as Ganjifa paintings that flourished under the patronage of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III has been revived. These paintings are of Hindu gods and goddesses. The best place to get all these items is the Government Handicrafts emporium in Mysore.

Cuisine of Mysore

Mysore is in South India and like all the other states in this part of the country, most of the food is rice based. There is more to Mysore cuisine that the famous dosa and idli that is well known all over the world as the food of the South. Though idli and dosa form an important part of the cuisine of Mysore but the different types of dosas and idlis and chutneys to accompany them will take one by surprise. Traditional Mysore breakfast is simple, wholesome and delicious. Most of them are rice based and are normally served with chutney.

Though the all time favourite is dosa with potato filling eaten with sambar and coconut chutney and onion chutney. There are other types of dosas like set-dosa, rava or semolina dosa. Another type of idli that is commonly eaten is 'thatte idlis' (flat idlis). The other popular breakfast is 'uppittu' (roasted semolina laced with chillies, coriander leaves, mustard and cumin seeds). The other dishes that are common eaten as breakfast are puri palya, uthapam, vada sambar and kesari bath (a sweet made of semolina and sugar laced with saffron).

A traditional lunch of Mysore is a splendid spread that includes a number of essential dishes. These includes a cereal salads like kosambri, palyas (vegetable salads made of parboiled vegetable chopped finely and tossed with grated fresh coconut, green chillies, curry leaves and mustard seasoning), gojju(a vegetable cooked in tamarind juice with chilli powder), tovve (cooked dal without much seasoning), huli or saaru (a thick broth of lentils and vegetables cooked together with ground coconut, spices, tamarind and chilli powder) and pappad.

There is a range of rice-based dishes as well that include chitranna (rice with lime juice, green chilli turmeric powder sprinkled with fried groundnuts and coriander leaves), vangibath (spiced rice with egg plant) and pulliyoigrae (rice falvoured with tamarind juice and garnished with groundnuts) are part of the traditional food of Mysore. The most distinctive Mysore dish is the famous bisibelebath a sumptuous combination of rice, lentils, tamarind, dried coconut, chilli powder and spices. In rural Mysore like in the other parts of Karnataka ragi muddae (steam-cooked finger millet powder rolled into large balls) eaten with soppina huli or saaru(thick broth made with edible green leaves and lentils) or mutton curry.

Desserts: To complete your delicious meal, indulge in some of the unique sweets of Mysore like chiroti (a light flaky pastry made of flour, sprinkled with powdered sugar and soaked in almond milk), Mysore Pak (gram flour fudge), obbattu or holige (a flat, wafer-thin chappati filled with a mixture of jaggery, dried coconut and fried gently on a skillet) and shavige payasa (made of milk, vermicelli, sugar, dried fruits and cardamom pods).

MYSORE HISTORY

The word Mysore is a corrupted version of "mysooru", which is derived from the word "mahishur" or "Mahishasurana Ooru", which means the town of Mahishasura in Kannada, the local language. Mysore has been associated with the Puranic story found in the Devi Bhagavatha. According to the story in the Devi Purana, Mysroe was ruled by the demon Kind Mahishasura. Mahishasura was a buffalo-headed monster. In response to the prayer by the Gods and Goddesses to save them from the demon, Goddess Parvathi, took birth as Chamundeshwari and killed the monster on top of the Chamundi hill near Mysore. Hence the hill and the city have the names Chamundi Hill and Mysore respectively.

It is said that after killing the monster the Goddess stayed on top of the hill, where she is worshipped with great devotion to this day. The famous 10 daylong Dasara of Mysore is in honour of the Goddess Chamundeshwari and is a celebration of this victory of good over evil. Before the rise of the Gangas in the 10th century there is little historical evidence relating to Mysore. The Gangas established their supremacy in the 2nd century and they ruled over a large part of Mysore till about 1004 AD. In the 3rd century they established their capital at Talakad on the banks of the river Cauvery.

There is an inscription on Chamundi Hills that was done in 950AD during the reign of the Gangas. This inscription is the oldest inscription found in Mysore. The Cholas ruled Mysore for over a century after the Gangas. The Chalukyas followed the Cholas. The Hoysalas drove the Cholas from the remaining part of Mysore region in the 12th century. Hoysala are known for the beautiful temples they built during their reign. It is said that they built or expanded the existing temples in Mysore and on the Chamundi Hills. There is an inscription in Mysore by the Hoysalas that dates back to the 11th and 12th century.

After the Hoysalas came the Vijayanagar Kings and then the Mysore Yadu dynasty came to power in 1399A.D. They were the feudatories of the Vijayanagar Kings. This dynasty also contributed to temple building in Mysore. Bettada Chamaraja Wodeyar, the raja of Mysore rebuilt the fort of Mysore and made his headquarters and called the city 'Mahishura Nagara' meaning the city of Mahishur. Many inscriptions done in the 17th century and later refer to Mysore as 'Mahishuru'. Raja Wodeyar moved the capital from Mysore to Srirangapatna. After the death of Tippu Sultan in 1799, Mysore became the capital of the Wodeyars once again.

During the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III the town of Mysore expanded and moved beyond the walls of the fort. Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV developed Mysore into a beautiful city with excellent planning. Under his reign Mysore became famous for its wide roads, magnificent building and elegant parks. Today Mysore is a modern city that has managed to retain its quaint old world charm. Today Mysore in famous in the world for its sandalwood and rosewood artifacts, stone sculptures, incense sticks, inlay work with ivory and its exquisite silk sarees

ATTRACTIONS OF OOTY

The mountain train journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty is an added attraction for tourists. The line, which was granted World heritage status by UNESCO, has still not lost its charms. The train wends its way through curves, gorges, ravines and tunnels offering breathtaking views of beautiful scenery. One can notice a delicious change in scenery along the journey, from tropical vegetation in Mettupalayam to pines, eucalyptus and cypress trees in Ooty.

Built in 1847 by an English gardener, the Botanical garden sprawling over 22 hectares of rich green lawns, with a variety of rare plants is the most popular tourist attraction here. The centenary rose park, built to commemorate the centenary flower show, with its beautifully laid out terraces is another must-see for tourisrs. The Ooty Lake, an artificial lake made by the founder of Ooty, Mr. John Sullivan, is now a spot to enjoy pleasure boating facilities. A deer park is located close to this lake. The highest peak Doddabetta, is about 10 km from Ooty bus stand. St. Stephen’s church, the first church built in Ooty, is said to have been built from wood brought from Tipu Sultan’s Lal Bagh Palace in Srirangapatnam after his final defeat.

MAGIC OF OOTY

Get Mesmerized by the Magic of Ooty

Nestled in the lap of the majestic Blue Mountains, at a height of 2200 meters from sea level, lies the picturesque town of Ooty or Udhagamandalam. Located in the midst of the four high hills of Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill and Club hill, Ooty is popularly known as the “Queen of hill stations”. The lush green valleys, the majestic hills, the serene natural beauty and the salubrious climate make the place worthy of this accolade. It offers tired souls a chance to rejuvenate their spirits, beckoning one to come and embrace the tranquility and solace of Mother Nature.

The verdant hills and beautiful valleys with numerous rivers and rivulets running in all directions offer a picture postcard view at every turn. The temperate and calm climate further heightens the attractiveness of the place, while the tea plantations offer a splendid treat to the eyes. Truly, Ooty is blessed with nature’s abundant bounties!

Founded by the British in the first half of the 19th century, this hill station still exudes an aura that reminds one of the days of the Raj. The British loved Ooty as it reminded them so much of England. Lord Lytton, one of the Viceroys of India described Ooty as, "such beautiful English rain, such delicious English mud". The British influence is still visible here in the hand rolled cigars, home made chocolate and cheese.

ALLEPY ATTRACTIONS

Kuttanad - The much acclaimed “Rice bowl of Kerala”, spread over 75 km, is famous for its vast green paddy fields with the scenic backwaters in the backdrop. This picture-postcard place is surrounded by a vast expanse of water. Enjoy the surreal beauty of the enchanting backwaters of Kerala with a houseboat cruise along the picturesque Vembanad backwaters. Kuttanad is also famous for its coir related industries with many households in the region tied to this sector directly or indirectly.

Pathiramanal - A safe sanctuary for indigenous and rare migratory birds, this island situated in Vembanad Lake is an Ornithologists delight. This beautiful island is located between Thannermukkam and Kumarakom.If you like, you can rent a speed boat to reach the island.

Karumadikkutan Temple - Kerala was once a Buddhist centre; though much has been lost a few remnants lie scattered throughout the state. Karumadi village, a small town near Ambalappuzha, is famous for Karimadikkuttan - a black granite statue of Lord Buddha dating back to the 10th century AD.

Mannarasala – The Sree Naga Raja Temple at Mannarasala is a famous pilgrim centre for worshippers of serpent gods. The temple is quite unique as the rituals are traditionally conducted by a high priestess. The temple is located near Harippad at a distance of about 32 km from Alappuzha town. The temple has more than 30,000 images of the serpent gods and is the largest of its kind in Kerala.

Mararikkulam - Located at a distance of 12 Km from Alleppey, Mararikkulam is famous for its palm fringed golden sand beach. The beach is ideal for indulging in swimming and other water-sports..

Punnapra - Punnapra has its name written on the chronicles of history, not with golden letters but with red. It is here during the 1946 revolt, the communist activists and Travancore state police confronted each other. The place is famous for the memorial monument erected to honor the valor and courage of these brave martyrs.

Ambalapuzha Temple - The Ambalapuzha Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is popularly known as the “Dwaraka” of South. The temple is famous for its exquisite mural paintings and the “Ambalapuzha Palpayasam” – sweet milk porridge. Kunjan Nambiar performed his satirical art form - “Ottan Thullal”, for the first time in the temple premises. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala architecture style. Ambalapuzha is located at a distance of about 10 km south of Alleppey town.

Krishnapuram Palace - The Krishnapuram Palace was built in the 18th century by the ruler of erstwhile Travancore kingdom Marthanda Varma Maharaja. The palace is famous for its exquisite mural paintings and architectural marvel. The huge “Gagendra Moksham” mural measuring 14 feet by 11 feet is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The palace is today an archeological museum housing many antique sculptures, bronzes, paintings etc.

Alleppey Beach - The beach, frequented by both local and international tourists, is famous for its natural beauty. The 137 year old pier that extends out into the sea is a remnant of Aleppey’s glorious past when it was a major port city. Dense palm grooves, a beautiful garden on the sea shore, an ancient light house all these further accentuate the beauty of this scenic beach. There are facilities for relaxing and unwinding at the nearby Vijay Sea Park and Sea View Park.

QST and R Block Kayal - This land has been reclaimed from the backwaters and is protected by dikes to prevent it from flooding. The place boasts of an uncanny resemblance with the famous dikes of Holland..

Arthunkal Church – This famous shrine dedicated to St. Sebastian was built by the Portuguese friars. The church is located at a distance of 22 km to the north of Alleppey near Cherthala. Christians and people from different faiths converge here during the annual feast of St. Sebastian held during the month of January.

Things To Do

House Boats - The best possible way to experience the alluring backwaters of Kerala in luxury and comfort. Watch the breath-taking beauty of the scenic countryside unfold before your eyes as you cruise along the emerald backwaters. These houseboats come equipped with all modern amenities and your own personal cook.

Front-seat Boat race view - To get a real up-close experience of the boatrace we recommend you to rent a houseboat, canoe or any other boat to watch the race. .

Toddy shops - Try some of the mouthwatering delicacies and toddy (an alcoholic beverage made from coconut palms) from the local toddy shops. Do make it a point to try the mouthwatering combination of Kappa (Tapioca) & Meen curry (Fish curry).

Visit a Coir Factory – Coir and related industries form the lifeblood supporting a majority of households directly and indirectly in the region. Do make it a point to visit one of these factories or small industries where you can see how coir is made from coconut husk.

The earliest history of Alleppey

The earliest history of Alleppey is dated back to the Middle Ages when it had established trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome. Archaic literary works like ‘Unnuneeli Sandesam’ throw light on the superannuated record of Alappuzha District. Archeological evidences such as stone inscriptions, rock-cut caves, monuments discovered in the olden temples and churches etc highlight the ostentatious historic worth of Alleppey. From 1st century AD Christianity had secured a strong grip in Alappuzha District. The ‘Kokkamangalam Church’ is believed to be one of the seven churches founded in 52 AD by one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ; St. Thomas. Between 9th to 12th century AD, Alleppey flourished under the 2nd Chera Empire.
Taking a leap of more than 5 centuries, in 17th century AD with the downfall of Portuguese, the Dutch acquired prominent position in the Alappuzha division. Signing various treaties with the Maharajas of Kayamkulam, Purakkad and Karappuram, they founded a number of factories and warehouses here and also interfered in the political as well as cultural dealings of Alleppey. At the same time, Maharaja Marthanda Varma; the ‘builder of modern Travancore’ mediated in the political affairs of those princedoms and Raja Kesava Das, the then Diwan of Travancore turned Alappuzha into a foremost port town of Travancore. Raja Kesava Das aggrandized as the ‘Maker of Modern Alleppey’ took keen interest in the all round development of Alleppey. He built several roads, canals and warehouses and enhanced communication and merchandise amenities in Alleppey Province.
Afterwards, during the governance of Balaramavarma Maharaja, his Diwan Velu Thampi Dalava also encouraged progress and development of Alleppey. 19th century Alleppey witnessed all round advancement in all possible spheres including judiciary and administration. One of the five subsidiary courts of the state established under the reorganization program of the judicial system undertaken by Colonel George Monro was stationed at Mavelikkara of Alappuzha. The very first ‘Post Office’ as well as the first ‘Telegraph Office’ of the Travancore State were situated in Alleppey. The first coir factory was established here in the year 1859 and the ‘Town Improvement Committee’ was also formed in the year 1894.
The legendary scuffle of Punnapra and Vayalar of the year 1946 played an important role in the Independence Movement of India. After the Independence, on 24th March 1948 a ministry was formed in Travancore and on 1st July 1949 the state of Travancore was merged with Cochin. After the creation of the state of Kerala on 1st November 1956, the Alappuzha District came into being as an individual unit from 17th August 1957.

Alleppey Culture

The residents of Alleppey are close to nature and have a preference of a simple, healthy and peaceful lifestyle. Their traditional outfit of Alleppey is white Mundu and Neriathu; a plain white dhoti embroidered with golden silk lining for men and cream colored sari with golden border for women. The Alleppey cuisine can purely be classified under the typical Kerala food which mainly consists of rice and fish. The menu of these people lists Rice, Fish, Idli, Dosa, Vada, Sambhar, Uthapam, Appam, Kappa, Karimeen Pollichathu, other Sea Food, Kallu, etc. The economy of this region is mainly based on agriculture, back water fishing, shell collection, coir based industries, handlooms and handicrafts, and to top them all, tourism. Tourism is the most significant component of the economy of Alleppey. Tourists throng the Alleppey backwaters almost all round the year and the houseboats that cruise in the backwaters earn the boatmen substantial revenue.

Apart form the common Indian festivals Alleppey celebrates the traditional Kerala festivals, the most noteworthy amongst them being; Ugadi and Onam. Onam is Kerala’s biggest festival that falls in the month of Chingam according to Malayali Calendar and in the month of August or September according to the English Calendar. Onam commemorates the home coming of the legendary King Mahabali when along with the rest of the Kerala Alleppey hosts snake boat races which are ardently attended by a large number of residents as well as tourists. The Snake Boat Races of Kerala comprise the integrated part of the culture of Alleppey.
At the time of Onam, the backwaters of Alleppey are ignited by the vigorous boat races which is reckoned as the largest team sport in the world. Masses of elaborately carved long black wooden snake boats participate in these boat races. Besides the snake boats, other boats typically used for fishing or transportation such as Kettuvalam, Kochu-odi Vallam, Odi- Vallam, Irrutukuthi Vallam and Churulan or Chullam Vallam also participate in the boat races. By and large, a snake boat is ridden by 4 helmsmen, 25 singers and 100 to 125 oarsmen who row the boat to the rapid rhythms of the traditional boatmen song known as ‘Thevanchipattu’. Inestimable onlookers gather at the edges of the rivers or backwaters and cheer the boatmen as the enormous snake boats skillfully slice through the waters.
Some of the chief boat races organized in and around Alleppey include Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, Payippad Jalotsavam, Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, and many more. Nehru Trophy Boat Race held on the second Saturday of the month of August is regarded to be the most competitive and popular of the boat races in India.

Except for Onam, other festivals celebrated in Alleppey include The Mullackal Chirap, Ambalapuzha Temple Festival, Adoor Gajamela, Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple Festival, Theyyam Festival, Sree Krishnaswamy Temple Festival, St George’s Church Festival, Kadammanitta Padayani, Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, Neelamperoor Padayani, Champakulam Church Festival, Chithira, Christmas, etc. Alleppey is particularly reckoned for its temple festivals amongst domestic as well as international tourists because unlike the other Kerala Temples, the temples of Alleppey permit entry to the people of all religions. The foreign tourists specially enjoy the Temple Festivals of Alleppey characterized by grand processions, impressive decorations and jubilation everywhere. The most predominant religion of Alleppey is Hinduism and Christianity and the major languages spoken here include Malayalam, Tamil, English, Konkani and Hindi.

One cannot call it a trip to Alleppey without indulging into three most vital entertainment sources; House Boat Cruises, Watching Snake Boat Race and taking Ayurveda Therapy.

House Boat Cruise: Alleppey is a land of backwaters. It’s a huge congregation of interrelated lagoons, waterways and canals. Even if you can’t spare time for the houseboat camping, you must not miss a short cruise in the Alleppey Backwaters. Sailing in a dexterously fabricated, wonderfully decorated and fully furnished terraced boat through the meandering backwaters fringed with exuberant paddy fields, luxuriant green landscapes, coconut and palm fringed littorals and water lily & algae along the banks is indeed a blissful experience.
Ayurveda Therapy: Kerala is the paradise of Ayurveda; ‘the knowledge for long life’. It’s an antique discipline of science and a nature based system of medication and healing. Alleppey is one of the blessed lands of Ayurveda that helps you relax and revitalize in the lap of Mother Nature. The stimulating flora and fauna of the milieu coupling with the freshness of the air and the profusion of Ayurvedic herbs and medicines render Alleppey a ballpark of Ayurveda. Tourists, both domestic and foreigners, particularly coddle in the Ayurvedic Massage and Spa that aid you to unwind and rejuvenate. Apart from curing a particular trouble, these therapeutic massages leave you totally refreshed and recharged.

Travel to Allepy

The city is accessible by air, rail, road and water. Cochin International Airport, which is 78 kilometres (48 mi) to the North, is the closest airport. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 159 kilometres (99 mi) to the South, is the other airport that links the district with other countries. International tourists utilise this facility to reach Alappuzha. The other nearest airports are at Kozhikode (236 kilometres (147 mi)) and Coimbatore (254 kilometres (158 mi)). There is also a helipad in the city which however is reserved for government uses.

One major rail line passes through Alappuzha. The railway station is about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) away from the center of the town. Alappuzha Railway Station is linked by rail to cities like Trivandrum, Cochin, Coimbatore, Chennai, Bokaro and Mumbai. A total of four trains originate from Alappuzha to cities like Kannur, Chennai, Dhanbad, and Tatanagar. Since Alappuzha is a prime destination, many trains from important cities, like Bangalore, Mangalore, Kozhikode, and Amritsar, pass through this station.

Alappuzha is also well connected by road. The town service is served by white and brown coloured private buses with routes starting from Erattakulanagra Temple at Ambalappuzha till Kalavoor. These buses connect the city with the surrounding suburbs. National Highway NH 47 passes through the city connecting the city to other major cities like Coimbatore,Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kollam, and Trivandrum. The state run KSRTC runs buses connecting Alappuzha to these cities.

The presence of a lot of backwaters and canals makes water transport a popular means of transport. National Waterway-3 passes through Alappuzha. There is an SWTD boat jetty in the city that lies opposite to the KSRTC bus stand. It is served by regular boat services to major towns like Kottayam and Kollam besides to other small towns and jetties. Taking an SWTD boat is a cheaper alternative to houseboats for enjoying the scenic beauty of Alappuzha.

Venice of the East

Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed an important place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors.

Another delightful experience while in Alappuzha is a houseboat cruise. The ones you find in the backwaters of Alappuzha are in fact reworked version of Kettuvallams of olden times. The original Kettuvallams or rice barges used to carry tons of rice and spices. The Kettuvallam or 'boat with knots' was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only.

Of late, houseboats come with all creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. And one can always enjoy uninterrupted views of backwater life while staying in a houseboat.

Washed by the silvery waves of the Arabian Sea, the Venice of the East welcomes you to the backwaters of kerala. The Palm fringed canals and shores bustling with glimpses from the day to day life in the country side, the mirror still lagoons, picture book lakesides and its long sandy beach has blessed the water locked district, to become one of the best Backwater tourism destinations in God's Own Country. The large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Water carnivals using the gigantic snake boats and the country canoes of varying sizes have an important role in the community life of the people of the district. Alappuzha or Alleppey, with its labyrinth, of canals, bridges along silver beach, makes for a memorable holiday. Its cheerful people add to the town's charm. Alappuzha offers enjoyable boat cruises to Kollam along the scenic Vembanad Lake. The never-ending panorama of lush green paddy fields, towering coconut trees, shimmering water and long canals around Alappuzha make a delightful setting for the town.

ALLEPY THE HISTORY

Alappuzha is located in Kerala, in India  The average elevation is 1 metre (3.3 ft)[17] Alappuzha covers an area of 1,414 square kilometres (546 sq mi) and is flanked by 2,195 square kilometres (847 sq mi) of Vembanad Lake, where one can witness the magnificent union of six major rivers which spread out extensively before joining the 80 km coast line of the district. The town of Alappuzha is crisscrossed by a system of canals, which is a part of the National Waterway 3 (India).

The district is a sandy strip of land intercepted by lagoons, rivers and canals. There are no mountains or hills in the district except some scattered hillocks lying between Bharanikkavu and Chengannur blocks in the eastern portion of the district. There are no forest area in this district.

Alappuzha is gifted with immense natural beauty with the Laccadive Sea on its west. The city has a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers. Due to their closeness to the sea it has developed an unparalleled destination in the maritime map of India.The richness of the coastal Alappuzha waters is expressed annually in the blooming and consequent deposit of a huge quantity of fishes and prawns on the Alappuzha coast called ‘Chakara’. This annual shifting of sandbank appears during the post-monsoon period and contributes to the local economy and is a festive season for the people of Kerala. The annual floods rejuvenate and cleanse the soil and water due to which there is abundance of marine life like prawns, lobsters, fishes, turtles,and other flora in the sea. The backwaters and wetlands host thousands of migrant common teal, ducks and cormorants every year who reach here from long distances. One of the major feature of this land is the region called Kuttanad, the 'granary of Kerala'. Kuttanad is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. The paddy fields lie about 0.6 to 2 m below mean sea level.

Owing to its proximity to the sea, the climate of Alappuzha is humid and hot during the summer. Although the place remains fairly cool and pleasant during the months of October and November.The average monthly temperature is 27C. The district also gets the benefit of two outstanding monsoons as in the case of other parts of the state. Alappuzha city experiences a long monsoon season with heavy showers as both the Southwest monsoon and Northeast monsoon influences the weather of Alappuzha. The South-west monsoon affects the climate in between the months from June to September. On the other hand the North-east monsoon brings rain from October to November. The average rainfall received by the region is 2763 mm.

[hide]Climate data for Alappuzha
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	32 (90)	32 (90)	32 (90)	32 (90)	32 (90)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)	30 (86)	31 (88)	30.6 (87.2)
Average low °C (°F)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	26 (79)	25 (77)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24.1 (75.2)
Precipitation mm (inches)	28 (1.1)	39 (1.54)	56 (2.2)	144 (5.67)	336 (13.23)	688 (27.09)	557 (21.93)	378 (14.88)	287 (11.3)	317 (12.48)	211 (8.31)	54 (2.13)	3,095 (121.86)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	1	2	3	7	11	22	21	18	13	13	8	3

TAMILNADU CULTURE ON VACATIONS

Tamilnadu Culture
Tamilnadu has a great tradition of heritage and culture that developed over 2,000 years ago and still continues to flourish. This great cultural heritage of the state of Tamilnadu evolved through the rule of dynasties that ruled the state during various phases of history. Many of the ruling dynasties gave patronage to art and culture that resulted into the development and evolution of a unique Dravidian culture that Tamilnadu today symbolizes with.

Under the rule of the Pallavas, Cholas and the Pandya kings, there were tremendous growth and development in the field of art, architecture and literature, which reached great heights. The history of Tamil language can be traced back to the age of the Tolkapiyam, the Tamil Grammar text, ascribed to around 500 B.C. Similarly, the Sangam literature dates back to 500 B.C.

People of Tamilnadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the most urbanized states of India but most of the people still live in villages. In Tamil Nadu, there is an established caste system with traditional differentiations a lot more pronounced than in many other parts of India. A large part of population is confined to the Chennai (covering industrial areas, townships and the surrounding villages) and those around Madurai, Tiruchchirappall and Coimbatore. About 80 percent of the people in Tamil Nadu follow Hinduism. A substantial percentage of population in Tamil Nadu follows Christianity and Islam.

Languages Spoken in Tamil Nadu
Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu state and one of the 18 languages mentioned in the eighth schedule of the Indian constitution. Tamil is one of the classical languages of the world, with a rich heritage of literature. It is the most widely spoken language in Tamil Nadu. Besides Tamil Nadu, Tamil is also spoken by a number of people in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius and Malaysia. The antiquity of Tamil is comparable to Sanskrit. Tamil is written in a derivative of the southern 'Brahmi' script. The alphabet of Tamil is unique (phonetic). That is, in Tamil language letters represent sounds, rather than ideas, as is the case in the 'Mandarin' language of China.

Religions in Tamil Nadu
The history and culture of Tamilnadu goes back to thousands years back. For centuries, people of various religions have been residing in the state. The main religions in Tamilnadu are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Jainism. Hinduism, along with its various sects, is the oldest religion in the state. Hindus are followers of number of sectarian monastic institutions (called mathas).

Tamilnadu Cuisines
Like all other South Indian states, Tamil Nadu is also known for a wide variety of delicious food both for the vegetarians as well as the non-vegetarians. Grains, lentils, rice and vegetables are the main ingredients of the traditional foods of Tamil Nadu. Spices add flavor and give a distinctive taste to the Tamil cuisines. Some of the most common and popular dishes of the region are idly, dosai, vada, pongal and Uppuma. Coconut chutney and sambhar invariably form a part of most of the Tamil dishes

Fun Activities To Do In Ooty

A memorable trip to the mesmerizing locales of Ooty is just the perfect vacation you may be looking for. The natural environs of the hill station are nothing less than spectacular and its stunning natural beauty is a tempting call to all the nature lovers to haunt the place. Ooty's enticing appeal and fame can be traced back to the times when India was under colonial rule. In fact, this pristine beauty was explored and discovered by the British. Below mentioned are some of the exciting activities one can do in Ooty to maximize the fun and adventure.  Call us on: 0-8088448855 |

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Fun Activities To Do In Ooty

1. Trekking
Trekking is, undoubtedly, the best way to explore the exotic mountain ranges of Ooty and the picturesque landscape that makes it a thriving natural wonder and one of the most popular hill stations in India. The rugged mountainous terrain of Nilgiris hills can be trekked to view the real beauty that Ooty is celebrated for. Professional guidance should be sought by the amateur trekkers. One of the most adventurous sports, trekking the highest peaks of Nilgiris will be a thrilling experience for the trekkers.

2. Nature Walk
Ooty is an ideal destination for those who are seeking the companionship of nature. Rich in Natural splendor and adorned with phenomenally beautiful environs, Ooty has some spectacular gardens like the Rose garden for nature lovers. It is a perfect choice for those who want to absorb the sublime freshness of nature and soothe their nerves in a calm environment to beat the city stress on a vacation.

3. Boating
One of the leading tourist attractions in the city, the Ooty Lake is immensely popular with tourists for boating. The lake and boat houses have emerged as key tourist hangouts in the hill station. The boat house is at the far end of the Lake. Boat pageantry and boat races are held in summers in the lake when it is crowded with visitors. Fishing is also allowed in the Ooty Lake but prior permission should be sought from the authorities. The entire lake is delimited with a footpath and you can also walk alongside it.

4. Hand-Gliding & Angling
Ooty offers a range of adventure sports to tourists for a thrilling experience. Hand-gliding will give tourists the joy of flying high like a bird in the vast expanse of the open sky. Trained and professional hand-gliders should be guiding you when you try hand-gliding. Angling is another prominent adventure sport to experience in Ooty. There is an ample scope for fishing in the clean streams and swift flowing rivers of the Ooty hills.

5. Visiting the Church
Ooty has a lot of ancient religious places to see and the tourists are going to really enjoy this light walk into the religious history of Ooty. One of the first colonial structures of the hill station discovered by the British, St. Stevens Church is one of the heritage attractions of Ooty. The cemetery of the church has the graves of some of the famous names of Ooty. Tourist can visit two the Union and Holy Trinity churches in Ooty to see the stained glass windows.

Tamilnadu Wildlife

Tamil Nadu has a varied and diverse topography, which supports a variety of flora and fauna. About 18 percent of the total geographical area of the state is under forests. These forests stretch over the plain and the mountains. Dry-deciduous forests, scrubs, thorn forests and mangroves are spread over dry lands while the Western Ghats and other cooler regions support moist deciduous, wet evergreen forests, grasslands and Sholas (Sholas are a form of montane wet temperate forests, which occur predominantly in sheltered pockets of the Nilgiris and Upper Palni areas of Tamil Nadu).

The mixed deciduous forests of the Western Ghats region are home to a majority of plant species found in Tamil Nadu. These hills are an ideal refuge for elephants, bisons, tigers, deer and monkeys. The Nilgiri hills have a number of medicinal plants and a variety of flowers. Cinchona and eucalyptus are some of the examples. Medicinal herbs are also found in the Palani hills and Courtallam. Tirunelveli district is known for the Palmyra tree, whose products are used as raw materials for several cottage industries. Rubber is the main plantation crop in Kanyakumari while sandalwood grows in the Javadi hills of Vellore district.

The animal life in Tamil Nadu is also varied. Several wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks have been set up to preserve the animal life in the state. Wildlife sanctuaries like Madumalai and Annamalai are situated in the Western Ghats. These hills provide ideal conditions for a variety of animal and plant life. In all, there are five National Parks and seventeen wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu. Some of the important wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu are the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalakadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, the Viralimalai Sanctuary and the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. The Marine National Park and the Guindy National Park are one of the most visited places.

Anna Zoological Park
Situated at Vandalur, in the outskirts of Chennai, the Anna zoological park is one of the modern zoos of India and the biggest in South East Asia. The zoological Park spreads over an area of about 510 hectares of dry evergreen forests.

Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Anamalai wildlife sanctuary is one of the most attractive preserves of nature in Tamil Nadu. It is also called the India Gandhi national Park and located in the Western Ghats near Pollachi, about 90 km from Coimbatore. The wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of about 958-sq-kms.

Crocodile Bank
The Chennai Crocodile Bank is located about 44 Km from the Chennai city. This crocodile bank houses several species of Indian and African crocodiles and alligators. Here, the crocodiles are kept in their natural environment in open pools and can be viewed from safe proximity.

Guindy National Park
The Guindy National Park forms one of the main attractions for people coming to Chennai for vacations. The National Park is an amazing picnic spot for you, your family and friends. Spending a day out in the lap of nature and wildlife is an amazing experience. To add to its natural beauty, the National Park has a snake park and a children's park.

Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is a unique marine biosphere reserve, located in the Tuticorin and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamilnadu. Rich in marine life, the Gulf of Mannar is spread over an area of about 10,500-sq-kms with 21 islands and continuous stretches of coral reef.

Mudumalai Bird Sanctuary
The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located amidst the beautiful Nilgiri Hills. This is the point where the Western Ghats merge with the Eastern Ghats. The relief of the sanctuary is an interesting mix of plain, swamp, undulating parkland, open grassland, valleys and streams. There is a National Park measuring 103 sq km inside the sanctuary.

Mukkurthi National Park
The Mukkurthi National Park is located in the Nilgiri Hills and forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserves. It is interspersed with sholas and woodland. Situated about 40 Km from Udhagamandalam, Mukkurthi National Park is home to a variety of animal and bird life.

Point Calimere Sanctuary
In Tamilnadu, there is no end to your wildlife adventure and exploration as we take you to yet another wildlife sanctuary- the Point Calimere Sanctuary. Spread over an area of about 17.26 sq km and surrounded by sea and shore, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu.

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Vedanthangal, the oldest bird sanctuary in India is one place, which can't easily fade off from one's memories. The sanctuary is an amazing place to be in, especially during the Sunset, as you can spot thousands of birds returning to their nests and dotting trees. You can spot several species of birds of which most are migratory.