Saturday, January 29, 2011

Dhanishta Njattuvela will affect Kerala Climate





Climate Change, wrought about by Global Warming, has had its impact on Kerala.

The Solar transit of Alpha Aquilae is on. From Feb 6th onwards, the Sun will transit Alpha Delphini ( Dhanishta or Avittam ).

The longish North East Monsoon, and the retreating coldness which came later, saw the temperature rise in Kerala. Now it is 35 degree Celsius. In Palghat, 38 degrees were recorded.

Cold ocean winds reduce the heat. These winds have started operation quite earlier than last year.

Hot air rises high in the atmosphere and the cold winds from the ocean fill this void. These winds are there from 1100 AM onwards, coming from the Bay of Bengal. These winds reduce the temperature of the land.

Intense heat is beginning to be felt in Trichur and Palghat. Irrigation has been started in agri lands and this time it was started earlier than usual. Normally irrigation start from the sidereal month of Sagittarius or Dhanus ( from 15 Dec onwards ).

Even though rains have been above the average last year, still potable water problem will persist. From the latter half of February onwards these winds will retreat, making Kerala a very hot place ! Palghat may record heat more than 40 degrees Celsius ( the highest temp recorded last year ).

It is relief for Keralites that the dusty Palghat winds have not strengthened now. Diseases are propagated by these winds.

The current climate - because of the longish monsoons - is favourable for mango trees now. But then if the winds acquire more power, tender mangoes and flowers will fall.

There are reasons for the premature heat experienced now. Climatic changes and the changing rhythms of Kala Varsha ( South West Monsoon ) and Thula Varsha ( North East Monsoon ) are the causative factors. The South West Monsoon exited only after 27 days than normal. The North East Monsoon gave rains till the 15th of December.

Once the rains retreated, cold climate was felt till mid Jan.

Rising temperature has been reported in Kerala. The annual temperature is rising, according to the stats from Trichur, Trivandrum and Kottayam centers. The temp of the water on Trichur paddy fields in now 35 degrees Celsius. The normal temp is 30 degrees.

The summer rains which come in March and April keep the temperature stable in Kerala. Heat comes down in the rain falling areas. But then this will not solve the potable water problem. To the drinking water problem, Rainwater Harvesting has been recommended as the solution.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

A Journey through the Six Seasons





The sidereal months of Sagittarius and Capricorn constitute Hemanta Rithu. The coldness has not left Kerala. This Hemanta Rithu will be there till the 12th of February.

Sisira Rithu, the sidereal months of Aquarius and Pisces, is very hot indeed. It normally starts from the 13th of February to the 13th April ! During this sixth season of India, hot spells are normal and more than 100 people perished last year due to sunstroke.

Now it is still cold in the morning and even during midday. No need for air conditioners during this season.

Evening is also characterised by cold winds. The Sun will be transiting Sravana, Alpha Aquilae, initiating Thiruvonam Njattuvela tomorrow.

Amongst the six Rithus or seasons, Vasanta ( Medam & Edavam ) is comparitively less hot, Greeshma ( Gemini and Cancer ) and Varsha ( Leo and Virgo ) are rainy seasons, Sarat ( Libra and Scorpio ) is less rainy, Hemanta ( Sagittarius and Capricorn ) is cold and dry and Sisira ( Aquarius & Pisces ) is very hot indeed !


Correspondence between Music and Art

Herbert Read knew the correspondence between Music and Art. " All Art tends to Music", he averred. Human beings are inseparable from their surroundings. It so happens that dusk, dawn, the season, the nature, the lightning, the thunder - all these affect the mood of Man. This mood gives rise to Rasa and every possible Rasa in connection with these circumstantial surroundings has been found to be conveyed through Raga. The world of Ragas, therefore, has all the variety of Life and experiences of Man. This is so true of Indian Music. Seasons or Rithus are a dimension of the vast game of Life and Creation !

The Six Seasons of Indian Philosophy are ruled by Planets

For instance,

Vasanta Rithu is ruled by Venus
Greeshma by Mars and Sun
Varsha by the Moon
Sharath by Mercury
Hemanta by Jupiter
Sisira by Saturn

The Law of Correspondences state that the Six Seasons are related to the six Chakras, according to Kundalini Yoga. The Highest Chakra, the Sahasrara, the Thousand Petalled Lotus, is beyond Time and transcends everything. The lower six Chakras get mildly activated during the six seasons -

Ajna Chakra in Vasanta
Vishuddha in Greeshma
Anahata in Varsha
Manipura in Sharath
Swadhistana in Hemanta
Muladhara in Sisira



Sisira Rithu ( Kumbha & Meena ) is also the mango season, when mangoes are plenty in Kerala. Mangoes are used in Fish curry, in pickles and in all curries. Mango is a substitute for tamarind in curries. Mango pickles are of many types. Tender mangoes make excellent pickle and are known as Vadu Mango Pickle. Cut Mango pickles goes by the name Chethu Manga. Mangoes are dried and pickled. Ripe mangoes are eaten. With red chilli poweder, ripe mangoes are an excellent dish. Special type of pickle comes from Andhra known as Avakkai.

Tender mangoes are also pickled in brine.

India leads in the production of mangoes. 13.5 million tonnes. China is second at 3.7 million tonnes. Mango is a fruit indigenous to the Indian subcontinet and is the national fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines. The word mango is derived from the Malayalam manga .

Widely used in Cuisine, chutneys are made from sour, unripe mangoes. Mango Lassi, a popular drink in S Asia, is made by mixing ripe mangoes, curd and sugar. Mangoes can be eaten raw with salt. A cooling summer drink called panna comes from mangoes. Green mangoes can be used as mango salad with dried shrimp and fish sauce.

Mango is rich in phytochemicals and nutrients. Also vitamins and minerals. The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E compose 25%, 76% and 9% of the DRI ( Dietary Reference Intake ) in a 165 gms serving. Mangoes also contain Vitamin B6, Vitamin K, B vitamins and other nutrients.

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Veli Tourist Village





On the Shankhumugham Beach, you can see the Devi Temple. It is well maintained. Just one km away is the Veli Estuary, where the Veli River meets the roaring Arabian Sea !

The Veli Tourist Village is a beautiful picnic spot. The VIllage is open from 0800 - 1800 hrs.

This picnic spot offers boating facilities. Paddle boats and pedal boats can be hired to explore the charms of the lagoon. Speedboats are available for a fast ride on the waters. Children relish the sculpture which tenant the landscape.

Here are the rentals for boats

Speedboat - Rs 150 per head
Safari boat - 15 per head
4 seater pedal boat - 100 per hour
2 seater pedal boat - 80 per hour

Veli Youth Hostel - Ph 2500785

Trivandrum Airport is just 3 kms away from Veli and Trivandrum Railway Station just 8 kms away.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Kerala beautiful





Tourism Marketing is defined as the enabler of a country to invite guests from different cultures, customs, traditions, to enjoy their rich culture, heritage, cuisines, art and architecture, entertainment and hospitality.

Tourism Industry is the largest employment generator in the world. We find that small countries like Malaysia and Singapore woo millions of foreign tourists and bag billions of foreign exchange. India has been lagging behind so far, due to innumerable reasons.

Now India tourism receipts show better stats. India received $15 billion and Kerala received $3 billion. India, who houses rich tourist locations, have so far been at the bottom of the World Tourism Receipt countries and does not figure in the top ten.
This is mainly because of the step daughterly treatment Tourism Industry got from the country's planners. It was only last year that the Government allocated 1000 crores in the Indian budget for the Tourism sector.

United States lead with receipts of over $ 100 b. Spain is second with 60 b, Germany, UK and China are about 40 billion.

Tourism infrastructure should be improved in India, if India is to exploit the full potential of Tourism. India at the moment receives 5 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals and earns more than $ 15 b in forex. Domestic tourists have gone up to 200 million. This low rank of India, when compared to other countries, is due to the lack of vision of the Indian authorities, who considered Tourism as a pastime for the rich !

Tourism is actually Recreational Therapy. When the mind is fed up with daily chores and hard work, a vacation becomes the need of the hour. People prefer beaches and backwaters and the mind finds relief in vacational experiences !

Kerala was an unknown destination, till the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, promoted it. Kerala is promoted as Green and Cool, in contrast to the hot and dusty India !. Kerala is totally different from the rest. She receives seven months of continous rainfall, almost 3000 mm of rains per year, and is full of greenery, and looks like a Paradise on earth.

India at the moment has a poor marketing image and she has to improve her marketing efforts. Tourism Marketing is different from other forms of Marketing and needs a well integrated marketing approach. You are marketing a country and Positioning and Promotion are twin eyes. It is integrated with leisure, entertainment, transportation, communication and all service sectors. The whole process has to be revitalized and a full fledged marketing process should be undertaken. The same old Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning method can be used in this form of marketing, to bring home the bacon.

India possesses everything. The rich cultural heritage, sprawling deserts, highest mountains, sculptures, temples, palaces, delicious cuisines, rare mixture of life style - all these make India a Cross Cultural Paradise on earth. The Private Sector should work with the Government to make India a great destination for the traveller.

We have lost this massive golden opportunity for the last 53 years and should not do so in the future, which belongs to China and India. This decade will see the emergence of these two giants, the Dragon and the sleeping Elephant !




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Kerala's 27 Beaches !






The beaches of the Western world are no doubt great, but the traveller and
tourist can have different experiences with the beaches of the East. The
beach resorts of Asia are a good competition to the best beach destinations
of the world. The great mystic civilization of the East, its emphasis on
Mysticism and inner control, exotic natural landscapes, the mentality of the
locals totally different from their Western counterparts, are great
attractions to the global tourists.

The USPs of Asian vacation are its great backwaters, its unique beaches with
clear waters, coral reefs and mammoth waves for surfing. The global
traveller who chooses to go East will have to choose from the countries of
a massive continent with a wide choice of tropical places with unique sandy
beaches. From Israel to Sri Lanka, from Egypt to Indonesia, Thailand, India
and the Philippines, a great variety of beaches awaits the traveller !

Kerala, green and cool, and breathtaking in its natural beauty, is one of
the best choices for Beach Tourism.

Here we give a list of the 27 beaches that adorn God's own Country, so
called by Walter Mendis, because of its lush green landscape.

Though Kerala is famous for its backwaters, this land house some of the
India's finest beaches. Kerala's 900 km coastline is embellished with sandy
beaches, coconut palms and rocky capes. The blue waves washing the sandy
beaches is a good sight to behold.

The beaches - alluring, clean with a blue background, are a great escapism
from the routine drudgeries of life. You can watch the sun disappear into
the horizon, the pageantry of the wandering clouds and changing hues of the
sky. It is Nature in its pristine beauty. You can chase the crabs, race the
waves, do sun bathing and watch another day at the beach unfold leisurely.
Beaches are the vacationer's Paradise.

These vacations can become unforgettable holidays because of the friendly
people and the delectable seafood cuisine you normally get at beach resorts
!


1) Nattika Beach, Trichur

This beach is situated 30 kms off Trichur and is an ideal place to spend a
leisurely day. A perfect picnic spot, because of the the rhythmic waves and
the stretch of sand golden. You will be bewitched by the swaying palm trees,
which seem to hum the Music of Nature ! Amidst the rural setting, you will
find resorts which give you the best seafood cuisine along with vegetarian.

2) Vadanappally Beach, Trichur

Located just 20 km off Trichur, Vadanappally Beach is a great sight to
behold. For those who are looking for a picnic and fun at the beach, this
calm beach fringed with coconut palms is ideal.
3) Chavakkad Beach
Just 5 kms off Guruvayur ( just half an hour journey from Trichur ), this 15
km long beach is breathtaking in its beauty. If you travel to Chavakkad
Azhimukham, the Chavakkad Estuary, where the sea confuences with a river,
you can enjoy the beauty of the sea and the beauty
of the river ! Fringed with coconut palms and green ambience, this Estuary
is one of the best places to go, as you can enjoy Nature in her pristine
beauty. ' Nature never did betray the heart that loved her" said Wordsworth
!

4) Alleppey Beach, Alappuzha
Alleppey Beach is one of the most popular beach locations in Kerala. A
perfect picnic spot for the family. The pier which extends into the sea is
just 140 years old. There are entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach
Park, which add to the attraction of this beauteous beach.


5) Marari Beach, Alleppey
Just an hour from Cochin lies this beauteous beach, right in the heart of
the Spice Coast. This beach is a tantalising stretch of sandy beach fringed
with palms, and a Heaven for those who want to get away from the Madding
Crowd, from the hustle and bustle of city life.

6) Fort Kochi Beach, Ernakulam

Adorned with Chinese fishing nets, this beach is a must see for those who
hunger for Nature in her primordial beauty. Great sunsets can be viewed on
this beach. On New Years Eve, people flock to his beach. You get a lot of
seafood cuisine also. Also drinks. You can see the fishing folk come out
with great catches. You can view how the Chinese fishing nets operate.

7) Cherai Beach, Vypeen Islands

Ideal for swimming, this superb beach is just 45 kms off from Cochin City.
You can watch dolphins which are occasionally seen here. You can see a
typical Kerala village, adorned with coconut trees and paddy fields !
8) Payyambalam Beach, Kannur

This beach is near St Angelo's Fort and this beach is turning out to be a
major tourist attraction. The famous sculptor, Kunji Raman, has made several
statues and scuptures on the beach as well as the park adjacent to the
beach.

9) Mazhuppilangadi Beach, Kannur

This is a 4.5 km long beach and the uniqueness of this beach is that
vehicles can be driven through this beach without getting stuck in the sand.
This is also known as the Mazhuppilangadi Drive-In Beach for this reason. As
the beach does not have violent waves and is shallow, this beach is fancied
by swimmers !

Canoly Canal to be revived !







The Canoly Canal is Kerla's vital inland waterway.


The Canoly Canal starts from Ponnani and flows thru Trichur, meets Periyar and meets the Vembanad Lake. So this inland waterway can stretch from Malappuram to Alleppey. Goods can be transported via the canal which will ease road and rail traffic. General boating and tourists can travel, if this canal built by a Westerner can be revived !



IT is said that the Government has already initiated a project to revive the canal. It was the visit of a team led by B R Menon, Chairman, KSINC, which triggered the significance of the Canal.

The Canoly Canal was built by the earstwhile Governor of Malabar. Till the late 1950s, the Canal was used as a major waterway for the transportation of goods and ferrying passengers.

Today the Canal represents a pathetic picture. BR Menon said that the Government is actively trying to develop the canal. This major inland waterway can connect many districts and goods and passenger traffic can be would be introduced through it and this will ease roal and rail traffic.

Dredging will be carried out every year. The Canal will be deepened at some places. 3.1 cr would have to be spent for strengthening the walls of the Canal. The Canal is part of the West Coast Canal System. It has a width varying from 6 to 20 meters and the water depth ranges from .5 to 2 meters.

Inland water system is cheaper by 50% than that of road and rail systems. It is also environment friendly and fuel efficient mode of transportation.


Kerala Tourism will receive a boost, if this canal is revived.