Category: Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram has a host of architecturally, historically, religiously and aesthetically beautiful places in and around. It may not be possible for you to cover all of it in a day. But, the Napier Museum, zoo and the nearby Kanakakkunnu palace are ideal for a one-day tour. This edition of Trivandrum Diaries is taking you to the very famous and one of the major happening places in Trivandrum, the Napier Museum… History The museum, named after Lord Napier, the Governor of Madras from 1866-1872, was established in 1855 and was demolished and rebuilt in 1874. The architectural masterpiece was designed by ... Read more

Vivin Luxury Suites has opened the doors of its newest luxury hotel in the Thiruvananthapuram city’s vibrant and most happening place. Echoing the Kerala architecture, the 7-storey landmark hotel features an exquisite selection of spacious rooms with incredible city views. Nestled in the heart of the city and within walking distance to the newly opened Central Mall, and the city’s finest shopping and dining precincts, Vivin Luxury Suites offers a stylish urban retreat for leisure and business travellers. All the rooms at Vivin have the traditional Kerala style with custom designed furnishings, luxury bedding and ethnic surroundings. One of main attractions of ... Read more

It’s the best time to visit the Kerala capital, Thiruvananthapuram, as the Padmanabhaswamy temple here is celebrating the annual 10-day Painkuni festival. As part of the Painkuni festival, the main entrance of the temple at East Fort, is adorned with the fibre glass figures of Pancha Pandavas (the five Pandavas mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. According to religious beliefs, and traditions, the figures are put up at the eastern gate of the temple in order to appease Indra, also known as the God of Rain. The eighth day of the festival (April 17, 2019) has significance in the sense that ‘Valiya ... Read more

Tourism News Live is exploring the cultural and heritage monuments in the Kerala capital, Thiruvananthapuram. To start with, TNL sub-editor, Neeraja Sadanandan visits the much famous Padmanabhaswamy temple and the adjacent Kuthiramalika (Mansion of horses). Padmanabhaswamy temple Considered as a most important pilgrimage site in Kerala, the iconic Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram has been the prime attraction for the domestic tourists and devotees in and outside the state over the years. The temple hit headlines when the Supreme Court ordered a stocktaking of its inventory of wealth in 2010, and tourist inflow to the temple has steadily been rising ever since the treasures ... Read more

Vishu, the Kerala festival of colours, joy and prosperity, is celebrated with much pomp and glory across the state. Vishu comes on the first day of the Malayalam month ‘Medam’ (April), which is also the Spring Equinox, when the duration of day and night are equal. This year, Vishu falls on April 15, Monday. Vishu is celebrated in all other parts of India as well, to mark the beginning of the new year of the Hindu calendar, but is known with a different name in different states. For Example, in Mangalore and Udupi districts of Karnataka it is known as Bishu, ... Read more

“Kerala is absolutely amazing. It’s a land where nature, culture and people harmonise so well to make the visiting an unforgettable experience. It is simply unmissable.” This was the general refrain of the members of a group of 26 bloggers from 21 countries who just concluded a fortnight-long tour of the state. Facilitated by Kerala’s Tourism Department in partnership with the trade, the sixth edition of the Kerala Blog Express (KBE), which set out from Kochi on March 21, wound up at the internationally renowned Kovalam beach resort, in Thiruvananthapuram, on Friday evening. As top travel bloggers and social influencers ... Read more

Italy-based Costa Cruises is all set to tap growing South Indian market, mainly Kochi. The ship is now docked at Kerala’s Cochin port and has luxurious facilities to fulfill all the requirements of the tourists. “Cruise line is coming to Indian ports and especially to Cochin which has the port infrastructure which allows the big ships to come in. I think Keralites are actually, natural cruisers. They are living all over the world so even in Maldives we had a very good response. Costa brings ships to Indian ports, it shows their commitment and from my side, I always tell the ... Read more

Come April and the tiny hamlet of Kadammanitta in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala will witness the world’s most majestic display of the ritual art form of Patayani- the Kadammanitta Patayani. The event will start on April 15, during the auspicious occasion of the harvesting festival, Vishu. Proceedings begin with the lighting of fire and the beating of the ‘thappu’ (Patayani percussion instrument) to appease Goddess Bhadrakaali. The fire for this ritual is brought from the sacred lamp inside the temple. The following days devotees can witness the procession of various Padayani Kolams. It starts with the kolam of Ganapathi. The other kolams in ... Read more

Air India is all set to fly from Delhi to Kannur, starting April 2, 2019. The newly launched flight will be operating five times a week. The flight will commence from Delhi at 09.05 hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will reach Kannur at 1215 hours. After this it will continue to operate from Kannur at 1300 hours to Kozhikode at 1330. The flight will return to Delhi by 1845 hours on the same day via Kannur. “Air India has declared to connect Delhi with a direct flight to Kannur and back with effect from April 2, ... Read more

Kerala Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium represented by E Factor Entertainment and The Social Street (AMP Communications) for the development, branding, promotions, marketing and revenue generation activities of the Champions’ Boat League (CBL). The consortium will be responsible for the developmental exercise of the league for the next five years starting 2019 until 2023. The Champions’ Boat League is slated to start on August 10, 2019 with the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha and end with the President’s Trophy Boat Race in Kollam on the State Formation Day (November 1). There will ... Read more

Hospitality investment firm Twenty14 Holdings said it will soon launch Port Muziris – South Asia’s first Tribute Portfolio hotel, part of Marriott International, near the Cochin International Airport. The 55-room property is all set to be opened to the public in April. “We are thrilled to debut the first Tribute Portfolio in South Asia. At Twenty14 Holdings, we share the vision of offering a unique experience for guests,” said Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director, Twenty14 Holdings. “Kerala has long been one of the most sought-after destinations worldwide, and we are excited to be part of the state’s flourishing tourism sector. We ... Read more

Karita Aaltonen hails from Finland, which is one of the world’s most northern and geographically remote countries and is the world’s happiest country. But, however, Karita feels that Kerala is the most beautiful place in the world. She was in Kerala in June 2018 for a 10-day Yoga Ambassadors Tour, organized by ATTOI (Association of Tourism Trade Organisations, India). Karita is now back in Kerala with a group of 13 women from Finland. “We had a very beautiful trip here in Munnar. I Love this place. Kerala is the most beautiful place in the world. And, I wish every one ... Read more

….Once upon, as all the stories gears up, here is a story of a grassland! When the greedy minds multiplied, they wandered searching of plots to wreck the good and create what benefits them the most! They cut the grasses, they implanted wattles, synonym to weed! The wattle trees, literally ruled, swallowing the last drop of water underneath! And gradually, affected the ecology. The bison, birds and the frogs vanished! Nearby villagers, helplessly gazed at their vague cultivations! And there stuck, fortunately or unfortunately, a forest fire which destroyed all the wattles, leaving the meadows dark and brown! But, a ... Read more

Come April and all of us will be looking for a long getaway from the scorching sun and the hustle-bustle of the city. With a myriad of interesting best places to visit in Kerala, you can be sure of an amazing vacation, especially in the Kerala capital, Thiruvananthapuram. If you want to spend your summer amidst nature, then this is the perfect escape. The mighty mountain peaks, the breath-taking views, the stunning lakes, and the perfect weather makes it a perfect vacation destination. If you wish to take your family and kids out for a boating experience, here are five ... Read more

Twenty-six travel bloggers from across the globe began a fortnight’s trip across Kerala from Kochi on March 21, 2019. The sixth edition of the ‘Kerala Blog Express’ (KBE) was flagged off by Rani George, Secretary, Kerala Tourism at the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolghatty. The Blog Express had its first halt at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, where the prominent social media influencers from 21 countries took a round of India’s biggest contemporary art festival. The Blog Express this time has a stronger representation from Latin American countries with 16 of its 26 bloggers being women. The journey facilitates the visitors to write and post ... Read more