Travel Companion

𝙆𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙢, 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 1930 𝙗𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙤𝙚𝙩 𝙋𝙖𝙙𝙢𝙖𝙗𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙡 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙠𝙠𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙢 𝙈𝙪𝙠𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖, 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙖𝙠𝙠𝙖𝙙 𝙆𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙙.  The institution was Founded in 1930 by renowned poet PadmabhooshanVallathol Narayana Menon and his close associate Manakkulam Mukundaraja, under the patronage of Kakkad Karanavappad. At the beginning it was exclusively a training centre for Kathakali. Its first venue was Madappattil, the residence of the above patron, at Kunnamkulam near Thrissur. Shortly afterwards it moved to Srinivasam Bungalow of Mukundaraja at Ambalapuram. In 1936, Kalamandalam was relocated to its own plot and building on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthy village of Thrissur District. The well-organized, systematic and disciplined methodology followed in training as we...

  Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary   The Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary sprawling over 2.74 hectares is situated in the heart of the lively city of Kochi. Comprising of 18-acres of Mangroves which is home to a large variety of migratory birds and densely populated species of trees and plants. In the middle of the sanctuary, there is a shallow tidal lake present which is surrounded by thick mangrove vegetation and is connected to the backwaters of Kochi via a canal. One of the major attractions is the beautiful watch tower which overlooks the sanctuary thereby giving a superb view to the tourists. According to a survey which was conducted in 2006, it is home to as many as 194 birds belonging to 32 different species. Back in 2004, Mangalavanam was declared as a protected area because of being home to the breeding birds and unique mangrove vegetation. The sanctuary is also known as the green lung of Ernakulum due to it being a posh wetland comprising of rare species. Get on top...

The sanctuary covers an area of 55sq.Kms. and is a treat for wildlife lovers. The key fauna include elephant, slothbear, mouse deer etc. Rich and varied types of avifauna and reptiles can also be seen here.

The Hindhu pilgrim centre is about 34kms. north of Kollam . The unique Parabrahma Temple here is dedicated to 'Universal Consciousness' and enshrines no deity or idol . Ochira Kali in mid. June and Panthrandu Vilakku in Nov. / Dec. are the two main annual festivals. Ochira Kali is a mock fight enacted between groups of men , highlighting their martial skills . It is also an important handicrafts centre.

The highest peak in the district is located near Meppady town , 15kms. from Kalpetta and is a 'trekker's paradise ' . The District Tourism Promotion Council provides giudes , sleeping bags , canvases , huts and trekking implements on hire . The trekking to the Chembra Peak is a risky mountaineering endeavour . The breathtaking scenic beauty of Wayanad can be enjoyed from here .

The palm fringed beach adjacent to the airport is about 8kms. from the city centre . T h is long stretch of clean sand is a popular place for relaxation as well as watching sun-set . Other attraction on the beach are , an indoor recreation club , the matsya kanyaka , children traffic training park and a starfish shaped restaurant.