Ponnani Juma Masjid

Juma Masjid in Ponnani is an old mosque located in Malappuram district. The Masjid is also recognised as the ‘Makkah of Kerala Muslims’ and it was set up in the year  1510 by Zainudhin Makhdum, a Muslim spiritual leader.  This mosque was once a centre of Islamic education for the  Muslim community in Kerala. As per the records of William (a historian) Logan in Malabar Manual, Juma Masjid was built in 925 Hijrah.

The architect of this mosque was a Hindu artisan who was a close friend of Makhdum and was known as Ashaari. Later he was converted to Islam and came to be known as Ashaari Thangal. The grave of Makhdum as well as the Ashari is at this place. This mosque was a centre of Islamic education for the Muslims in Kerala.

How to Reach

Nearest Railway Station:Kuttipuram railway station

Nearest Airport:Karipur International Airport

Payyambalam beach

One of the most beautiful beaches of Kerala, Payyambalam beach of Kannur is a vast stretch of golden sands dotted with coconut trees. This secluded beach is an ideal getaway for you if you want to spend a relaxed and laidback evening amidst calm surroundings. Read on further about Payyambalam beach of Kannur and visit it to experience true peace of mind.

The place is also a famous beach resort that is the perfect getaway for anyone who wants to spend a day or two in a calm environment. The beach is a beautiful place and many popular Indian movies have been shot over here. The beach has a massive sculpture of a mother and child that adds to the beauty of the beach. It is a popular hang out among young and old alike. The concerned authorities maintain the beach very nicely and take efforts to keep it neat and clean. It is definitely worth the visit if you go to Kannur.

How To Reach

Nearest Railway Station:Kannur railway station at adistance of 2 kms

Nearest Airport:Karipur International Airport at a distance of 93 kms

Priyadarshini Planetarium

The Priyadarshini Planetarium is situated within the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum premises in Thiruvananthapuram. It is one of the most sophisticated and versatile planetariums in India. The marvellous planetarium complex has a centrally air-conditioned sky theatre, conference hall, workshops and a sound-studio.

It is a place to learn about our planetary system in a good way. This is one of the most sophisticated and versatile planetaria in India.The planetarium, rated as one of the best horizontal domed planetariums by global standards, has a seating capacity of 184 persons. The planetarium organises various science-related shows, the best example being – “Man and the Universe", which deals with the origin and different stages of development of astronomy, the structure of different planets and the origin of the Universe. Planetariumopens the wonder world of astronomy before visitors and they can enjoy the wonders of dark skies.

The museum park at the planetarium premises has numerous outdoor exhibits which include models of rockets and aeroplanes.

Show timings Priyadarsini Planetarium show timings

10. 30 Am., 3.00 pm. and 5.00 pm.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Stations :Thiruvananthapuram (Thambanoor), Pettah

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Kodungalloor Bhagavathi temple

 

Kodungaloor, the ancient capital of Kerala, is 35 kms north-west of Ernakulam is a great pilgrim centre today. kodungallur bhagavathy temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali. The temple is situated in the middle of a plot of land about ten acres, surrounded by banyan and peepal trees. The Srikovil is facing north. The western chamber of the inner temple is the seat of Sapthamatrukas (seven mothers) who also face north. The idols of Ganapathi and Veerabhadra are also found in the chamber, one facing east and the other facing west respectively. The idol of bhagawati is about six feet high and made of wood, carved from a jackfruit tree. The idol has eight arms which carry various weapons and symbols.

Bhagawati Temple is also referred to as the abode of Kannagi. The latter was believed to be an incarnation of Kali and as a result a temple was erected in her memory in Kodungallur. Certain features of the structure of the Kodungallur temple point to the fact that, originally, it was a Shiva shrine and that the image of Kali was installed later. The idol of Shiva faces east and that of Kali north. The practise in the temple is to offer pooja and naivedyam first to Lord Shiva and then to the Devi.

The festivals of significance at Kodungallur are Makara Sankaranti(Thalappoli) and the Bharani Festival. The Bharani festival is a month of festivities from the Bharani asterism in the month of Aquarius to 7 days after the Bharani asterism in the month of Pisces. Thalappoli festival is in the month of Makaram (January–February). The four day Thalappoli commences from the evening of Makara Sankranthi with religious rituals.Makara Sankaranti coinciding with Pongal in Tamilnadu. Makara Sankranti brings with it 4 days of colorful fanfare, with processions twice a day on elephants to the accompaniment of music, fireworks.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Stations: Aluva, Ernakulam

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

Paravur Kayal

 

 

 A Beautiful Small Town which (shakes hand with both the sea and lake) or gives us a beautiful vision of the friend ship between the lake and Sea A perfect location for people of all age to make their minds and soul to regain their freshness & peace Paravur". The beautiful Small Town Paravur is a city and a municipality in Kollam district in the Indian state of KeralaParavur is the third Municipal Town in Kollam District. It is in Kollam Parliament Constituency and Chathanoor Legislative Constituency Paravur is one of the beautiful place in the district with its beach and its cultural heritage Arabian Sea is the west border for Paravur Coir, Cashew, Fishing and Bricks are the important industries Paravur backwater is very famous for its natural beauty Govt of Kerala recently started some projects to explore this beauty with their Tourism Package Paravur town is well connected by Rail and Road. It is a coastal resort town, 60 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. It lies on the Malabar Coast of India, fronting on the Arabian SeaParavur is an important fishing and coir production centre. It is situated 13 km South of Kollam and is connected with Kollam town by road and rail. It is the birthplace of KC Kesava Pillai (1865-1913) and Kesava Asan (1869-1917), two leading literary men of eminence.

Paravur has the largest natural Backwater lakes (the Paravur Kayal) in South Asia. It has a number of tourist resorts, with facilities for boating, swimming and surfing Fishing is permitted, but requires permission

How to reach:

Nearest Airport: Cochin International airport
Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam,
Nearest Bus Station: KSRTC Bus station:Ernakulam,Paravur,Aluva

Bhoothathan Kettu Dam

'Bhoothathan Kettu' is situated 63kms from Ernakulam, it is a good picnic spot.A myth about this place is that the hills and the forest here were built by a Bhootham in an overnight. Hence it came to be called as the Bhoothathankettu which means the fort of the Bhootham which means spirit or ghost. The dam is constructed using irregular shaped large stones and is built on the Periyar river. Another story related to the dam was that there was a Shiva temple here which the Bhoothams decided to sink. They decided to construct a dam in order to submerge the temple in water. As they are bhoothams they can’t walk out at daylight and that they need to finish the construction of the dam in a night. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a cock and made the sound which made the bhoothams think that it was morning. The dam which they built was undone by the Lord. It is believed that what we see today is the remains of that.

It is a major tourist attraction and people can do trekking from here. Guides are available here who gives information about the dam and the safe spots in this place. There is a small cave on the way which is believed to be the temple of ghosts. From the new dam site one can trek through these forests to reach the old dam site. On your way you can enjoy a wide variety of flora and the voice of the birds. Boating facilities are available here.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam junction

Nearest Airport: Cochin international airport

Veeranpuzha Lake

 

 Veeranpuzha is a lake in cochin,kerala,india. It is the northern extension of Vembanad lake. From Kochi Azhi to Munambam Azhi, the serene backwaters popularly known in this name – Veeranpuzha. (It is also known by the name Veerampuzha) Veeranpuzha is the name of Vembanad lake at Vyppen Island. In the early 1980s there were regular ferry services from Munambam to Ernakulam.

How to reach:

Nearest Airport: Cochin International airport
Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam,
Nearest Bus Station: KSRTC Bus station:Ernakulam

Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam, the cultural repository of Kerala, founded in 1930, by the famous poet Vallathol Narayana Menon to revive the art and dance form of Kerala, which was heralded as Kerala's first institution to provide training in classical performing arts. Kalamandalam is an immortal name in the cultural map of the world. The introduction of Kalamandalam gave rebirth to the two classical forms of dancing, Mohiniyattam, and Kathakali, which were slowly loosing importance. It is situated 32 km from Thrissur, on the banks of Bharathapuzha river in Cheruthuruthy. 

The Kalamandalam and its surroundings reflect the simple, pure and ethnic atmosphere in which these arts have survived for centuries. The Koothambalam - the traditional dance theatre - at Kalamandalam is the only one in the State which is built outside a temple complex. Constructed according to vikrushtra madhya, one of the three natya grihas (theatres) specified in sage Bharatha's Natyasasthra - a treatise on art compiled in the 2nd century B.C, the theatre is 14.62 m long and 7.31m wide and has four wooden pillars supporting it. It has three main parts - the aniyara (green room), the rangam (stage) - the space on front and side of it meant for the audience, and the mridanga-patha (where the drum is kept).

The Institution also offers training in other traditional dance forms of Kerala like Koodiyattam,Ottam Thullal ,Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Panchavadyam, Thullal and other arts form like music, drama, and other dance forms. Kalamandalam is strictly a residential center of learning. Veteran teachers and talented students are its inestimable wealth. For art-recitals held in Kalamandalam and outside, artist-teachers and students participate. Many internationally recognized artists in classing dancing have been trained here and the kalamandalam has contributed greatly in imparting dance training for over the past 82 years. August to March are the most favorable months for visiting Cheruthuruthy.

How to Reach:

Nearest railway station: Shornur, Thrissur.

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 80 km.

Beemapally

Beemapally is a muslim mosque situated in Thiruvananthapuram. The Beemappalli Dargah Shareef is dedicated to Hazratha Bema bevi a pious Muslim lady endowed with extraordinary powers. Hazratha Bema  and her son Syedushuhadamaheen Abubacker  who belong to the family of Prophet Mohammed are believed to have come here from Arabia centuries ago, to preach their religion Islam.The annual ten-day Sandal and Urs Shareef festival at Beemappalli is held in memory of Hazratha Sayeedunissa Bevi and her son Hazrath Sayyidussaheed Maheen Aboobaker who are laid to rest here. Thousands of pilgrims irrespective of caste and religion from different parts visit this shrine.

This mosque is famous for the yearly Uroos. The most important festival celebrated here is the Chandanakudam festival which begins on the first of Jama dul Akir and continues for the next 10 days. The purpose of celebrating this festival is to mark the death anniversary of Beema Bheevi. The festival Chandanakudam Mahotsavam or Beemapalli Uroos is a very colorful festival. The celebration starts with hoisting the traditional flag of the mosque in front of the elders and other devotees. This denotes the beginning of the festival. The devotees carry money in pots which are decorated with flowers and incense sticks. Sandal paste is also smeared on these pots; hence it is called as Chandanakudam. The opening of the pots is covered with white cloth and a garland is tied around the neck of the pot. Thousands of pilgrims travelled here in to take part in the festival. Flowers, silk cloth and oil offered here at Dargah Shareef were distributed to the devotees who visited the shrine, as is the practice.

How to reach

Nearest Railway Station:Thiruvananthapuram railway station

Nearest Airport:Thiruvananthapuram International Airport