Tag Archives: Kerala

The oh so vibrant Vishu Festival!

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The much anticipated Vishu Festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in all sections of Kerala, an Indian state located in the southern region of the country. All over Kerala, people of all ages involve themselves in the festivities of this distinctive and elaborate festival.

As the occasion is considered to feature light and sound, Keralites illuminate their homes with decorative lights and enthusiastically light bunches of firecrackers. Many interesting festivities and rituals are associated with this event.

The central ritual of the festival is the time-honoured Vishukkani, which is a special arrangement of a number of auspicious items considered to symbolize prosperity. These include vegetables and fruits, rice, arecanut, leaves of betel, yellow konna flowers, a metal mirror, coins and sacred texts, which are arranged within the shrine room in each home. According to tradition each family member should view the Vishukkani before anything else in the morning, so each family member walks to the shrine room with eyes shut, whilst small children are sometimes blindfolded.

On the day of Vishu, many of the Hindu faith visit local temples, particularly in the morning hours. Another interesting aspect of the festivities is the special Sadya, or Vishu feast. According to tradition this feast should include similar quantities of sweet, sour, salty and bitter foods. A number of delicious foods and sweetmeats are prepared on the occasion. These include Vishu kanji, a preparation of rice, spices and coconut milk, and Vishu katta, a delectable treat made of fresh rice powder and freshly squeezed coconut milk, served with jaggery, a sweet made of palm treacle.

The festival would not be complete without the Vishukodi, which is the term used for the tradition of the older members of the family handing out small gifts of money to the young children. More affluent people also give presents of money to servants and the less fortunate. Visitors to Kerala will be able to observe these fascinating rituals and observances which are fervently performed by the people of the state.

If you intend to visit the area and are selecting a Kerala resort an outstanding choice would be the Poovar Island Resort. This attractive 3 star hotel in Kerala offers appealing accommodations and courteous hospitality.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Champakulam Moolam Boat Race – Exciting snake boat racing

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Champakulam Moolam boat race is the oldest and the most well known snake boat race in the city of Kerala in India. The annual event takes place on the Pamba River that flows through the village of Champakulam which is the starting point of the race.

There is an interesting historical occurrence linked with the race that took place in 1545 A.D which reflects the bond shared between the Hindus and the Christians. At the beginning, a great water carnival was organized and for almost five hundred years this tradition has continued uninterrupted with the boat race, imbibing the strong religious harmony in Kerala in which the village Champakulam is located.

Both tourists and locals throng the village of Champakulam to enjoy the colourfully adorned snake boats races with great enthusiasm and beauty. The boat race is a much enjoyed event in Kerala with excitement and fanfare filling every household. Both locals and foreigners gather at the banks of the Pamba to watch the elaborately decorated snake boats which are more than 100 feet in length. These vessels are a very interesting sight with the front section that reflects a snake that has its hood raised. The racers also go through a rigorous training before the event since it is considered a great prestige to win.

Unlike other boat races all you need to take is good cheer and enthusiasm to watch it since tickets are not required even for tourists. But if you want a good view of all the excitement you need to reach the location ahead of time. The oarsmen chant different rhythms while they row; this gives them the extra boost to complete their task successfully and the crowds gathered cheer gleefully for their respective favourites; even tourists take part in the cheering as the race becomes more competitive.

If you are travelling to the Southern part of India make sure you visit Kerala and stay to catch a glimpse of the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race. Find a Kerala resort that is close to the excitement of the city and close to the sunny beaches. A beach hotel Kerala such as Poovar Island Resort is a great place to stay at and offers an exciting holiday experience.