Page 635 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India
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Festivals of Kerala
Vishu (Apr). The first day
of the Malayali New Year
is celebrated with zest
throughout the state. It
is believed that looking
upon a group of auspicious
objects at dawn ensures
a whole year of peace
and prosperity.
Long, sandy beach at Varkala Thrissur Pooram (Apr/May),
Thrissur. The highlight of
mankind”. With its backdrop gurgling brooks, adding to the this festival is the ceremonial
of red laterite cliffs overlooking charm of this peaceful place. procession of two devis
the beach, Varkala has now (goddesses) on caparisoned
emerged as a popular resort } Agasthyarkoodam elephants to the Vadakunnathan
and spa. The town is famous Thiruvananthapuram district. 60 km Temple. The parasols held above
for its natural springs with (37 miles) NE of Thiruvananthapuram. the elephants are changed in an
therapeutic qualities, and is Trekking permits: Contact the Office exciting synchronized ritual,
also a centre for Ayurvedic of the Wildlife Warden, Thiruvanantha accompanied by chenda melam,
an orchestra of percussion
treatment and yoga. To the puram, (0471) 236 0762. instruments. A display of
south is the desolate Anjengo At an elevation of 1,890 m (6,201 fireworks marks the climax.
Fort, the main garrison of the ft), Agasthyarkoodam is the
Dutch East India Company in highest peak in southern Kerala.
the 17th and 18th centuries. It forms part of the Western Ghats Onam (Aug/Sep). The most
and the Agasthyavanam Forest, popular of Kerala’s festivals,
} Ponmudi designated a sanctuary in 1992. Onam honours Mahabali, a
Thiruvananthapuram district. 61 km The mountain is revered by selfless ruler whose subjects
(38 miles) NE of Thiruvananthapuram. both Buddhists and Hindus, as were so content that envious
@ n Government Guesthouse, it is believed to be the abode of gods tricked him into losing
(0472) 289 0230. the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara his life and kingdom. His last
wish was to visit his people
Ponmudi, literally “Golden (see p145), as well as of the sage once a year to ensure that they
Crown”, rises to a height of 915 m Agastya, a disciple of Shiva. were happy. During Onam, an
(3,002 ft) from the base of a Women are not allowed here. aura of plenty is created to
thick tropical forest. Surrounded The hills are rich in medicinal gladden Mahabali’s heart.
by tea estates and forested hills, herbs, and harbour many species Great feasts are prepared, new
this hill station is still unspoilt, of birds and wildlife. Trekking clothes worn, and court yards
refreshingly cool and mist to the top – a distance of 28 km are decorated with floral
shrouded for most of the year. (17 miles) – takes two days patterns (athapookkalam).
Its narrow winding paths and and is per mitted only between The Nehru Trophy Boat Race
verdant environs offer pleasant Dece mber and April. The summit (see p40) and other boat races
walks. Wild flowers grow in provides fine views of the lake are held at this time.
abundance on the banks of created by the Neyyar Dam.
Ayurveda Therapy
A classical text on medicine, the Ashtangahridaya, is the foundation
of Ayurveda in Kerala. Its author, Vagbhata, was the disciple of a
Buddhist physician, and received little recognition in the rest of India.
It is believed that a few Nampoothiri (Brahmin) families were the
original Ayurvedic physicians, and
their descendants still carry the
honorific title of ashtavaidyan.
Today, this holistic science of
healing is practised throughout
India. However, the Kerala
method is famous for its
fivepronged treatment,
panchakarma, in which
medicated oils, herbs, milk,
massage and a special diet are Boat races take place during the
Ayurvedic treatment in progress used to cure all types of ailments. Onam festival
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