News from God's Own Country - KeralaNews from God's Own Country - KeralaNews, Events and Trends from God's Own Country - kerala, India Articles
Kettuvallam
2007-06-22 04:25:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; &n bsp; H ouse Boat in Kumarakom lake ; &nbs p; &nb sp; ; &nbs p; Kettuvallam is a kind of house boat in Kerala, India. Kettuvallam literally means "bundle" or "package" boat (Kettu means tied with ropes, and vallam means boat - Malayalam language). A house boat is about 60 to 70 feet in length and has a width of around 15 feet in the middle. The boat is made of wooden planks joined and stiched together using coconut fiber ropes. Usually the wood used will be 'Anjili', The roof covering is made of bamboo poles and palm leaves. The outside of the... More About: Alla
Backwater tourism in Kerala
2007-06-21 16:19:00 House Boat on Kumarakom lake ; &nbs p; Kettuvallam (Kerala houseboats) in the backwaters are one of the prominent tourist attractions in Kerala. Alleppey, known as the "Venice of the East" has a large network of canals that meander through the town. The Vallam Kali (the Snake Boat Race) held every year in August is a major sporting attraction. The backwater network includes five large lakes (including Ashtamudi Kayal and Vembanad Kayal) linked by 1500 km of canals, both manmade and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually the entire length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. Thiruvananthapuram Backwaters & nbsp; The southernmost district of the State, Thiruvananthapuram is b... More About: Tourism
Kerala Backwaters
2007-06-21 16:09:00 ; &nbs p; The Kerala Backwaters are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast (known as the Malabar Coast) of Kerala state in southern India. The network includes five large lakes (including Ashtamudi Kayal and Vembanad Kayal) linked by 1500 km of canals, both manmade and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. ; &nbs p; ; Vembanad lake is the largest of the lakes, covering an area of 200 kmē, and bordered by Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts. The port of Kochi (... More About: Waters
Culture & Arts of Kerala
2007-06-21 15:39:00 Kalarippayattu, an ancient martial art, is experiencing a revival. Here, experts use kettukari (cane staffs) in the kolthari style of combat. ; &nbs p; &nb sp; Kerala 's culture is a blend of Dravidian and Aryan influences, deriving from both a greater Tamil-heritage region known as Tamilakam and southern coastal Karnataka. Later, Kerala's culture was elaborated upon through centuries of contact with neighboring and overseas cultures. Native performing arts include koodiyattom, kathakali ? from katha ("story") and kali ("performance") ? and its offshoot Kerala natanam, koothu (akin to stand-up comedy), mohiniaattam ("dance of the enchantress"), thullal, padayani, and theyyam. Other arts are more religion and tribal themed. These include chavittu nadakom, oppana (originally from Malabar), which combines dance, rhythmic hand clapping, and isha... More About: Culture , Arts
Subdivisions of Kerala
2007-06-21 15:31:00 ; Kerala 's fourteen districts are distributed among Kerala's three historical regions: Malabar (northern Kerala), Kochi (central Kerala), and Travancore (southern Kerala). Kerala's modern-day districts (listed in order from north to south) correspond to them as follows: Malabar: Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad Kochi: Thrissur, Ernakulam Travancore:Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, , Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram ; ; &nbs p; Mahe, a part of the Indian union territory of Puducherry, is a coastal exclave surrounded by Kerala on all of its landward approaches. Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital and most populous city. Kochi is the most populous urban agglomeration and the major port city in Kerala. Kozhikode and Thrissur are t... More About: Vision , Visio , Divis , Division
Government and administration of Kerala
2007-06-21 15:31:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; Like other Indian states, the constitutional head of state is the governor, who is appointed by the President of India. Like most other states, Kerala has a unicameral legislature consisting of directly elected members. The Chief Minister is the head of government and is vested with most of the executive powers. The governor appoints a council of ministers at the advice of the Chief Minister. Kerala has 140 Assembly constituencies and sends 20 members to the Lok Sabha. Auxiliary authorities known as panchayats govern local affairs at micro level. ; The judiciary comprises of the Kerala High Court and a system of lower courts. The High Court of Kerala is the highest court for the state, and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. ; &nbs... More About: Government , Administration , Stration
Economy of Kerala
2007-06-21 15:31:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; &n bsp; Since its incorporation as a state, Kerala 's economy largely operated under welfare based democratic socialist principles. Nevertheless, the state is increasingly liberalizing its economy, thus moving to a more mixed economy with a greater role played by the free market and foreign direct investment. Kerala's nominal gross domestic product (as of 2004?2005) is an estimated 89451.99 crore INR, while recent GDP growth (9.2% in 2004 ? 2005 and 7.4% in 2003 ? 2004) has been robust compared to historical averages (2.3% annually in the 1980s and between 5.1% and 5.99% in the 1990s).Nevertheless, relatively few major corporations and manufacturing plants choose to operate in Kerala.This is mitigated by remittances sent home by overseas Keralites, which contributes around 20% of stat... More About: Economy , Econ
Demographics of Kerala
2007-06-21 15:30:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; The 3.18 crore (31.8 million) of Kerala ?s compound population is predominantly of Malayali Dravidian ethnicity, while the rest is mostly made up of Indo-Aryan, Jewish, and Arab elements in both culture and ancestry (both of which are usually mixed). Kerala is also home to 321,000 indigenous tribal Adivasis (1.10% of the populace), who are mostly concentrated in the eastern districts. Malayalam is Kerala's official language; Tamil and various Adivasi languages are also spoken by ethnic minorities. Kerala is home to 3.44% of India's people, and at 819 persons per kmē its land is three times as densely settled as the rest of India. However, Kerala's population growth rate is India's lowest ? Kerala's decadal growth (9.42% in 2001) is less than half the all India average of 21.34%. Additionally, whereas Kerala's populatio... More About: Demographics , Graph , Demographic
Transport Of Kerala
2007-06-21 15:30:00 ; &nbs p; Kerala has 145,704 km of roads (4.2% of India's total). This translates to about 4.62 km of road per thousand population, compared to an all India average of 2.59 km. Virtually all of Kerala's villages are connected by road. Traffic in Kerala has been growing at a rate of 10 ? 11% every year, resulting in high traffic and pressure on the roads. Kerala's road density is nearly four times the national average, reflecting the state's high population density. India's national highway network includes a Kerala wide total of 1,524 km, which is 2.6% of the national total. There are eight designated national highways in the state. Upgrading and maintenance of 1,600 km of Kerala state highways and major district roads have been taken up by the Kerala State Tran sport Project (KSTP), which includes the GIS-based Road Information and Management P... More About: Spor
Kerala makes helmets compulsory
2007-06-21 13:38:00 Motorcyclists in Kerala are running for cover. The state police, acting on a High Court directive, have made helmets mandatory for two-wheeler drivers. So it goes without saying, helmets are selling like hot cakes. Buyers say helmets are getting hard to get, and those available are being sold at more than Rs 1,500. They also question the logic of enforcing use of helmets. ?I don't know why we should wear helmets. It will only increase accidents, as we are unable to hear horns of other vehicles,? says a motorist, Chandan. Traders deny charges of overpricing. They also say there are enough helmets in the market. ?We have a lot of helmets in our stock,? says an auto spare parts dealer, Sanjeev Agarwal. Motorists, however, have time on their hands. The police right now are running only an awareness campaign. ?We are giving people time to buy helmets and get used to it. We have been running an awareness programme for the last 14 days,? says Commissioner of Police, G Padmakumar. S... More About: Helmets , Puls , Helmet , Helm
Israeli firm to develop commercial centre in Kerala
2007-06-21 04:49:00 Plaza Centre s, a subsidiary of Isra eli firm Elbit Medical Imaging, has teamed up with an unnamed Indian entrepreneur to build a commercial centre in Thiruvananthapuram, and has purchased land for $ 26.5 million for the purpose, a media report said. The project on the 43,600 sq metre land in Kerala 's capital will include an entertainment centre, office complex and an apartment hotel, 'Ynetnews' reported. This takes the firm's investment in the real estate sector in south India beyond the $ 200 million mark this month, the first being a $ 180 million land deal in Bangalore where it also plans develop a residential and hospitality project. "After spending two years studying the Indian market in depth, during which we created a base for our organisation in India and formed a skilled team, we are moving forward at the pace we have displayed throughout all our years of activity in east and west Europe," Elbit's chairman, Moti Zisser, said. "We believe that the magnitude of the In... More About: Commercial , Comm
Polluting civic bodies in Kerala face the music
2007-06-21 04:49:00 The Kerala Pollution Control Board has decided to open prosecution measures against 19 polluting civic bodies. Those defaulting in solid-waste managment includes corporations like Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur, Kollam, Alapuzha, Kottayam and Pattanamtitta. Showcause notice has been slapped on these civic bodies to explain why action should not be take for defaulting time-bound solid waste disposal, State Pollution Control Board chairman G Rajmohan told FE. According to the Environment Protection Act, the onus of waste management is on the civic bodies. The State Pollution Control Board had written to all corporations, panchayats and muncipalities in December 2006, asking them to be alert on their waste management responsibilities. They had been told to come out with a comprehensive action plan to facilitate total solid waste management by March 2007. Out of the 58 urban bodies, very few had responded to the initiative. So the board issued a warning note on April. It is thos... More About: Music , Face , The Music , Bodies
Flora and fauna of kerala
2007-06-20 15:21:00 A river in the Marayoor region of northwestern Idukki district. Much of Kerala 's notable biodiversity is concentrated and protected in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in the eastern hills. Almost a fourth of India's 10,000 plant species are found in the state. Among the almost 4,000 flowering plant species (1,272 of which are endemic to Kerala and 159 threatened) are 900 species of highly sought medicinal plants. Chimmony dam - 25 km from Thrissur City. Its 9,400 kmē of forests include tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests (lower and middle elevations ? 3,470 kmē), tropical moist and dry deciduous forests (mid-elevations?4,100 kmē and 100 kmē, respectively), and montane subtropical and temperate (shola) forests (highest elevations ? 100 kmē). Altogether, 24% of Kerala is forested. Two of the world?s Ramsar Convention listed wetlands ? Lake Sasthamkotta and the Vembanad-Kol wetlands ? are in Kerala, as well as 1455.4 kmē of the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. ... More About: Fauna , Flora , Flor
Kerala to set up holistic tourism centre
2007-06-20 14:53:00 Kerala is soon to set up a holistic tourism centre that will promote medical tourism besides other attractions for visitors, state Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said here Wednesday. 'This centre would combine various segments of tourism like ayurveda, farm tourism and medical tourism,' Balakrishnan told the state assembly. He said the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) was currently preparing a report for the promotion of medical tourism in Kerala. 'Once the report is submitted we will take concrete steps for promoting medical tourism in a big way. There is already a steady inflow of foreign tourists for medical needs. Five years from now, we expect an increase of 100,000 medical tourists every year,' Balakrishnan said. Foreigners are arriving in Kerala's top hospitals for plastic and cosmetic surgery, facial surgery, dental treatments, cosmetology, hip and knee replacement, ophthalmology, voice therapy and obesity treatment. The Kerala Institute of Medical Sc... More About: Kerala , Holistic , Centre
India's Cochin Airport to start Air Kerala
2007-06-20 14:29:00 CALL it innovative, or at least unusual - an airport that launches an airline. In India, this novelty will soon become reality, if it is up to the management of Cochin International Airport . The airport wants to connect itself to West Asian and Gulf destinations. It says it is in talks with a leading international carrier and a domestic partner for launching the freighter service. Converting old Indian Airlines-owned passenger aircraft into cargo versions may become part of Cochin?s new airline business model. ?The project will supplement our proposed state-of-the-art centre for perishable cargo, which can handle 40,000 metric tonnes a year. With this centre and freighter service, we can facilitate the export and import of perishable cargoes such as vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish and meat products to different parts of the country and the world, including West Asia,? commented the airport?s managing director S Bharath. Cochin Airport will cooperate with the local Kerala govern... More About: Start
Kerala wants Centre to revise compensation to farmers
2007-06-20 11:57:00 Kerala Government had asked the Centre to revise the compensation amount being paid to farmers for their crop loss due to natural calamity, state Revenue Minister K P Rajendran has said. Replying to a calling attention on the matter, he said the state government was of the view that the financial help extended under different categories was inadequate and this matter had been brought to the notice of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Home Minister Shivaraj Patil and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar by state Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan itself. An insurance scheme for crops was also under the consideration of the government, he said. Necessary instructions had already been issued to concerned officials to provide free ration to people in coastal areas affected by sea erosion, Rajendran said while replying to a submission. As per the latest report, nine coastal districts had been severely affected by sea erosion, he said. Three houses were completely damaged and 455 ... More About: Kerala , Compensation , Farm , Farmer
Law to curb MNCs' entry in agrimarket on cards in Kerala
2007-06-20 11:55:00 Kerala Government plans to bring in a legislation to curb entry of multinational companies in the agricultural commodity market. The Government's assessment was that unrestricted entry of MNCs for procurement and sale of agricultural products and cash crops would pose a threat to the state's interests, Agri culture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran said in reply to a supplementary in the state assembly on Wednesday. Kerala had, for quite some time, been pressing the Centre to set up a price stabilisation fund to save the farmers from the impact of price fluctuations. He said Wayanad, Kasargode and Palakkad districts in the state had been included in the Vidarbha Model Package for agricultural revival. The Centre had allotted Rs 765.24 crore for implementing the schemes under the package. The state had also demanded inclusion of Alappuzha and Idukki districts in the package, he said. Source More About: Kerala , Cards , Mark , Grim
Kerala to provide 'quality' Ayurveda services
2007-06-20 11:54:00 Considering the potential of health tourism in Kerala , the state government plans to introduce classification of Ayurveda resorts to ensure that they offer better quality service to visitors. Disclosing this in the assembly during the question hour on Wednesday, Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said keeping bogus players out of the field was essential to sustain health tourism in the long-run. The state was poised for a leap in health tourism expecting to take the number of international tourists coming for treatment to at least one lakh a year. Health tourists were targetted to be attracted not only from America and Europe but also from Asian and African countries through proper market promotion. The strategy to achieve the targets were being worked out with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), he said. Big private hospitals in the state had been suggested to earn accredition from National Accreditation Board for Hospitals by creating the parameters set by the age... More About: Services , Vice , Quality
Shutdown in Kerala film industry as technicians' strike work
2007-06-20 04:28:00 Film production in the Kerala industry came to a halt as the Malayalam Cine Technicians' Association (MCTA) today embarked an indefinite strike to press their eight-point charter of demands with the Producers' Association. Addressing newspersons after a General Body meeting of the MCTA here, its general secretary Vinayan said the shooting of nine films and post-production work of six films were suspended due to the strike. '' The meeting, which was attended by around 1000 members, decided to continue the strike until the Kerala Film Producers' Association come forward for talks to settle the issues amicably,'' he added. He said if any producer was willing to accede to the demands, the Assciation would cooperate with him. On the ban imposed by the Producers' Association on Director Sibi Malayil, Mr Vinayan said his organisation would produce a film, which would be directed by Mr Sibi. He said the exhibitors association was willing to cooperate with MCTA. Yesterday, the ... More About: Film , Industry , Work , Strike
Kerala school takes back HIV+ children
2007-06-20 04:27:00 A primary school in Pampady, Kerala has taken back five HIV positive children who were thrown out due to protests from some parents. The Kerala government swung into action after NDTV reported in December last year that the children were being discriminated against and had been refused admission in the new academic session. Following strict direction from the government the school authorities had to relent and admit the students. The children were thrown out in December last year after a section of parents protested against the presence of the HIV positive children in the school and threatened to pull out their children. But even after being called back on Monday it seems there could be trouble. On Tuesday, the headmistress asked the children to return home. While the principal says this was because they had fever some say parents of other children have been objecting to their presence in the school. Continued support The principal has denied it. ''They have been re-admitt... More About: Children , School , Back
'Annonymous rail parcels betray Rs 3000 cr VAT evasion in Kerala alone'
2007-06-19 15:43:00 Finance ministers of all States beware, the Rail ways has been tacitly backing VAT-evasion of about Rs 1500-3000 crore per annum in Kerala alone, if a random checking can be trusted. It is Railways' new initiative of leasing out entire parcel wagons - thereby facilitiating even parcels without ownership documentation - that has proved a pipeline for inter-state smugglers, says Kerala finance minister TM Thomas Isaac. Kerala will hasten to ring the alarm bells on this new VAT-leakpoint for States at the next meeting of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on VAT, Isaac said. Since the neighbouring States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are yet to be worried about this new channel of inter-state smuggling, when Kerala initiates a crackdown on the annonymous parcels dropped at its stations, a prior-alerted offender can wait for the train to roll down to the next State to slip his parcel. "If the Railways is willing, the Kerala government can come forward ... More About: Lone , Alone , Tray
Geography of Kerala
2007-06-19 15:35:00 ; &nbs p; Kerala ?s 38,863 kmē landmass (1.18% of India) is wedged between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats ? identified as one of the world's twenty-five biodiversity hotspots ? to the east. Lying between north latitudes 8°18' and 12°48' and east longitudes 74°52' and 72°22', Kerala is well within the humid equatorial tropics. Kerala?s coast runs for some 580 km (360 miles), while the state itself varies between 35 and 120 km (22?75 miles) in width. Geographically, Kerala can be divided into three climatically distinct regions: the eastern highlands (rugged and cool mountainous terrain), the central midlands (rolling hills), and the western lowlands (coastal plains). Located at the extreme southern tip of the Indian subcontinent, Kerala lies near the centre of the Indian tectonic plate; as such, most of the state is subject to comparatively little seismic an... More About: Geography , Graph
Ayurveda - Monsoon Therapy - An Unforgettable Experience
2007-06-19 13:26:00 Monsoon clouds bring good news to lovers of Ayurveda all round the globe. Kerala, where Ayurveda is a way of life and monsoons spectacular, is getting ready to receive tourists from around the world who flock to experience Ayurveda rejuvenation therapy during the monsoon. The reason: the monsoon season is known to be the best time to receive Ayurvedic therapy. There is no harm in taking Ayurvedic therapy at any other time of the year, if you take complete rest and do not tire your body. But monsoon is the ideal time any one can go for an Ayurvedic therapy without a second thought. Ayurvedic oil massage and other treatments rejuvenate the body. The goodness of the soothing oil made of mountain herbs, when torrential rains lash outside is an out of the world experience making the monsoon the ideal time for Ayurvedic therapy. Traditional texts reveal that people of any body type can have Ayurvedic therapies during monsoon and the human body will respond better to therapy during ... More About: Experience , Therapy , Veda , Erap
Plantation Valley - Kerala's first farm resort
2007-06-19 13:23:00 The largest plantation company in the public sector in India was established in 1962 as a Government of Kerala enterprise, with an initial share capital of Rs 75 million. Some of the major activities Plan tation Corporation of Kerala (PCK) undertakes include plantation horticulture, in crops like rubber, cashew, oil palm and similar crops. PCK comprises 12 estates spread over Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts of Kerala. The Athirappilly Waterfall, east of Chalakudy in Trichur District is a 25 meter high waterfall, a sight that takes ones breath away. Starting from the high ranges of Sholayar forest, this waterfall is a great choice to enjoy the beauty of nature and the wilderness of India. It has carved a niche for itself on the Kerala tourist map. Plant ation Valley , the state's first farm resort welcomes visitors. It is a perfect hideaway to spend holidays in peace and tranquility, in natural surroundings. Conveniently locate... More About: Farm , Resort
History of Kerala
2007-06-19 13:12:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; &n bsp; During Neolithic times humans largely avoided Kerala 's rainforests and wetlands. There is evidence of the emergence of prehistoric pottery and granite burial monuments in the 10th century BCE that resemble their counterparts in Western Europe and the rest of Asia. These were produced by speakers of a proto-Tamil language. Thus, Kerala and Tamil Nadu once shared a common language, ethnicity and culture; this common area was known as Tamilakam. Kerala became a linguistically separate region by the early 14th century. The ancient Chera empire, whose court language was Tamil, ruled Kerala from their capital at Vanchi and was the first major recorded kingdom. Allied with the Pallavas, they continually warred against the neighbouring Chola and Pandya kingdoms. A Keralite identity ? distinct from th... More About: History , Hist , Tory
About Kerala
2007-06-19 13:07:00 Kerala is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. To its east and northeast, Kerala borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka respectively; to its west and south lie the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean with the islands of Lakshadweep and the Maldives, respectively. Kerala envelops Mahé, a coastal exclave of Pondicherry. Kerala is one of the four states of South India. First settled in the 10th century BCE by speakers of Proto-South Dravidian, Kerala was influenced by the Mauryan Empire. Later, the Cheran kingdom and feudal Namboothiri Brahminical city-states became major powers in the region. Early contact with overseas lands culminated in struggles between colonial and native powers. Finally, the States Reorganisation Act of November 1, 1956 elevated Kerala to statehood. Social reforms enacted in the late 19th century by Cochin and Travancore were expanded upon by post-Independence governments, making Kerala among the Third World's longest-lived, healthiest, most gender-... More About: Kerala
Mystery deaths at Christian prayer centre Kerala High Court orders probe
2007-06-19 10:54:00 Sister Abhaya, a 21-year-old nun, was found dead in the well of Sr. Pious X Convent in Kottayam on 27th March 1992. Although church authorities and Police (It was Congress rule in Kerala and Christian s had great political clout) tried to picture it as a case of suicide, the local people objected to it. A perfect combination of money, social, political police and administrative power. Christ feasted on bread and wine to show his oneness with his followers but here church high-ups are enjoying the flesh and blood of the poor girls who are forced to become nuns due to poverty. Following the late Pope John Paul II?s clarion call for ?harvesting of crosses and souls across Asia?, his followers in Kerala are not-only harvesting but feasting on young girls who leave their hearth and homes to follow Christ?s way. Innumerable are the Christian girls, who become nuns and sisters and fall prey to the sexual machinations of the male higher-ups. Many of them are raped and killed, with not a q... More About: Prayer , Deaths , Mystery
Helmets compulsory in Kerala from today
2007-06-18 17:46:00 Wearing helmet will be compulsory for riding two wheelers in Kerala from today. The decision was prompted by the high court intervention. The high court had last week sought the explanation of the government for not enforcing its earlier direction making helmet compulsory for all two-wheeler riders and those riding pillion. The government has authorised the police to impose a fine of Rs100 on those two-wheelers travelling without a helmet through a notification here yesterday. In the first phase, it is not compulsory those riding pillion to wear helmets. However, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has given strict orders to police not to harass two-wheelers in the name of helmet. The government will be filing an affidavit regarding enforcement of the verdict in the high court today. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice H L Dathu and justice K.T. Sankaran, had given one week's time to the government to file its reply on a petition seeking to strict enforcement of rule 347... More About: Today , Helmets , Puls , Helmet
Scores take part in Kerala's Ochira Kali festival
2007-06-18 17:43:00 Scores of people took part in Kerala's Ochira Kali festival, a mock fight to commemorate a battle between two rulers. This annual festival commemorates a battle that had the King and the rulers of Kayakulam and Ambalapuzha as the opponents on Sunday. "This is the battle fought by King Kayamkulam. His dynasty was spread over eight provinces. The battlefield is known as 'Ettukandam' or the eight fields. The Ochira Kali is celebrated here every year. About two or three thousand people participate in it," said K. Bhargavan, Secretary of the Ochira Temple Trust. A large number of people dressed in colourful attire, take part in the festival.he participants fight each other in a mock battle standing in knee-deep water, brandishing mock swords and shields while splashing water and mud. The fight is the final part of the annual festival of Ochira temple, which concluded on Sunday. Thousands of devotees, including residents and tourists, witnessed the festival. The festival is organ... More About: Festival , Part , Scores
IIST to come up in Kerala hill station
More articles from this author:2007-06-18 12:16:00 The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) proposed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to mould space scientists will come up in the picturesque Ponmudi hill station in Trivandrum district. The ISRO selected Ponmudi, called the Golden Peak, 60kms from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), the major space research centre in the country, as it is a tranquil spot free from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The permanent campus of the institute will come up on 100 acres of land in the hill station, which is located at a height of 600 metres above sea level. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is expected to lay the foundation stone for the institute later this year, according to sources at the VSSC.The Isro is planning to develop the fully-residential institute as a mini city with all modern amenities like a shopping arcade, bank, post office, studio, apartments, hostels, libraries, sports complex, open air theatre and a convocation complex besides... More About: Kerala , Station , Hill , Stat 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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