Gogeoholidays

Our Family Getaway to Ramakkalmedu from Thekkady in Kerala

The outside world had rather mistook Tamilians and the people from our neighboring state of Kerala as enemies. Yes, we had some issues in the past, but that would not hinder anyone from visiting the tourist places of each of these southern states of India. In this vacation, we had thought of traveling up to Thekkady for our winter vacation. My family consisting of 5 including me the eldest son, set out for the trip of the final days of our winter vacation last year. Dad, who is retired a bank employee would never comprise our studies for any other activities, even though he too had been a traveler in his youth. Our mom belongs to the larger majority of women in our country, as she is a housewife and has been busy making our lives easier. What more? She would feel happy whenever she is taken out for a holiday or just a family weekend getaway.

As the younger kid of our family is barely two years old, we were a bit confused and even thought of postponing. But that particular call and assurance from the tour consultant of the travel firm we relied on for our trip, Gogeo Holidays had made all the difference to our decision. They had many interesting packages that provided its customers with diverse kinds of fun activities, besides covering various tour destinations all across the state. They really take care of its customers, especially if any toddler is also accompanying. But we did chose to visit Thekkady, as I got to know that the weather then was so soothing from many recent updates. Therefore, as per the pieces of advice given by the consultants, we did set out for our long journey to the beautiful state of Kerala from our hometown Chennai on the scheduled date.

On the first three days of our trip, we had great fun visiting every tourist location centered on Thekkady such as Periyar National Park, Elephant Junction, and boating in the lake. But, I would like to elaborate more about that particular trip to Ramakkalmedu on that particular day, because that was my personal favorite. However, that doesn’t mean that other spots are not up to the mark or bad, yet the experiences that we got to attain was really special.

So on that fine sunny day, the weather was truly gentle as the temperature was still very down. Our kid was wrapped up in those sweater clothes while trekking and was not troubling others, unless the fact that she was seen in mom’s arm after walking some distances. We traveled for some distance in the jeep initially, even before walking. We got to see numerous windmills on the path leading to popular sculptures of Kuravan and Kurathi. I thought for a moment, the wind energy generated here would not be that bad. The wind in that region was really strong, that my sister’s hairs were fleeing to different directions. To our surprise, the tour guide accompanying us said that the wind blowing here was at times recorded as the strongest in the whole of Asia with sometimes roaring up to 35kmph!! Thank god, it was not the wildest today, or else my lean sister herself would have flown lest her hair.

As it was an on-season for tourism, we got to see many other travelers also coming to the spot in large groups. Although that jeep part was a bit risky with those uneven and off-road paths, it was indeed challenging. It would be hilly and terrain, obviously, as I got to read from some signboards on the road, which said that, the hilltop that we mounted was around 3500 feet above sea level. After walking for some distances once reaching someplace, the sight around was truly mesmerizing. (Vehicles were not allowed after this point) There was all greenery in the valley of the hill with everything beneath were looking as if they are being observed from the satellite on a clear sky day. It is believed that even nearby villages bordering Tamil Nadu, such as Kombe, Theni, Thevaram, and Cumbum can be seen from the hilltop.

We were finally at the spot of the statues of Kuravan and Kurathi. It was really huge. I knew there must indeed be some historical myths behind the uniquely carved out structure. Out of my curiosity, I did ask our guide and he said that it was the Kuravan who suggested the spot for the construction of the massive Idukki Dam. Later he also showed a photograph of the same in his phone, which said that there are actually two hills on the sides of this largest arch dam of the country. And the water of Periyar River flows amid these large hills. After staring for some time at the statues, all of us took rest at the nearby built Mandapam kind of shelter. We refreshed ourselves with some food that we had on our possession on this tour.

Meanwhile, while resting there, my religious mom needed to know something. She turned to the guide and asked why was the place called ‘Ramakkalmedu’?? Had Lord Rama ever visited this place? He was all in praise for our mom, as he said that, she had guessed it right. Lord Rama had indeed visited this hilltop during his exile and there are indeed his footmarks somewhere on the hills. When she was keenly paying heed to this new information with great concentration, I don’t know, dad was smiling from the corner of his lip and later was laughing at her when the guide went to some other groups. He always does that. This does happen all the time between them, but that really looks cute. We as a happy family inevitably had a great time at this hilltop and in Thekkady in this beautiful Kerala. We absolutely loved this trip. Thank you Gogeo Holidays!! For making our time together special and memorable.

A Short Journey From Vishnu Festival to Vishu Festival

I exactly don’t remember the day but it was the month of February. I was teaching my son his General Knowledge lessons. Teaching my son a few lessons from his school is one of the difficult tasks for me. Sometimes I have thought climbing a mountain will be pretty easy. When I was a kid I used spent hours revising my subjects. But nowadays kids are so cool-minded they are not worried about anything nor they have any big goals and ambitions in their life. Whenever I ask my kid what is your ambition he would reply to me that I want to lead a peaceful life by indulging in an average earning job. I used to wonder about his reply. Let me come to the point. Tomorrow is my son, Rihaan’s General Knowledge exams. I was trying my best to teach him. As I am short-tempered I lose my patience so soon. Understanding my character my mother-in-law voluntarily took the duty of teaching my son. She started asking him several questions which I taught him an hour ago. With full confidence, he replied to her questions correctly. For each correct answer, she rewarded him a lemon candy which he liked the most. As he knew all the points of lesson 3 she turned the page and started to teach him lesson 4. She asked him the name of the festival celebrated as part of the harvest in Kerala. Suddenly someone rang the doorbell. Rihaan ran towards the door by screaming daddy! Daddy… He did not pay attention to what his granny asked him. He was too busy to unseal the packets of sweets bought for him by his dad. Before he kept the sweet in his mouth granny grabbed the sweet for him and set a condition that he will be allowed to have it if answers the lesson 4s all the questions. My husband also supported his mother. This time poor Rihaan was forced to obey our instructions. She repeated the question. He spontaneously answered by telling ‘Vishnu’ what! We asked him. He again replied that ‘the name of the harvest festival in Kerala is Vishnu.’ We laughed like anything. Like a rock, he stuck to his answer. When he saw us still laughing he understood that he made a mistake. My mother-in-law rectified him telling that the name of the festival is ‘Vishu’. ‘Vishu’, what a name it is? I did not like the name he said in anger. What is this harvest festival? Why it is celebrated annually? Why the Malayalees gave such a boring name to it? There was no end for his questions. We all understood his pathetic condition. His granny took him to her side and made him sit on his lap and explained the importance of the harvest festival.

Vishu is a harvest festival celebrated by the Malayalees every year in the month of April or in the month of Medam (as per the Malayalam calendar). There are several myths related to the celebration of the Vishu. There was a time when the whole world feared Ravana, the powerful demon. Even the sun was so afraid that he used to rise from the west and set in the east. It was after the death of the Ravana sun started to raise form east and set in the west. It is aloes believed that on the day of Vishu the sun remains on the top of the equator. Another story is Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura on a Vishu day and that is the reason why small children are dressed like Lord Krishna. The festival of Vishu is also considered as New Year not only by the Malayalees but also by people all over the country. Only the name differs such as ‘Bisu’ in Karanataka, ‘Puthandu or Chithirai Vishu’ in Tamil, ‘Ugadi’ in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Gudi Padva’ in Maharashtra, ‘Baisakh or Poila Baisakh’ in West Bengal, ‘Baisakhi’ in Punjab and ‘Bohag Bihu’ in Assam. On the day of Vishu, farmers begin plowing of land and agricultural activities. Hundreds of Malayalees with their family tour to Kerala by availing of tour packages to participate in the mesmerizing festival. The main three aspects of Vishu are Vishu Bhalam, Vishu Kani and Vishu Kaineetam.

Vishu Kani

It is a common belief of all the Indians that if the beginning is good the end will be perfect. Just like what we say in English ‘half done is well done’ or ‘first impression is the best impression’. The Malayalees firmly believe in this principle. As aforementioned Vishu is considered a new year in Kerala, so what we see first after wakening determines our fortune. Hence on the previous day of the Vishu an elderly lady maybe mother or grandmother arranges the puja room with various things like gold-colored fruits, vegetables like cucumber, jackfruit, and etc. Akshtam made from both husked and un-husked rice and turmeric will be placed in a golden vessel called ‘uruli’- it is made out of panchaloham. A starched cloth fleeted like a fan is immersed in a brass vessel called ‘kind’- it is traditionally used for pouring water. A mirror called valkannadi is altos immersed in the kindi and the kindi will be kept in the uruli. Two deepams made from two halves of coconut are lighted in and kept in the uruli. The lighting of deepam resembles the spiritual knowledge. A golden yellow colored flower called ‘kannikonna’ which blooms during the festival time is also kept in the uruli. Also the holy book Bhagavad Gita is also placed in the puja room. After arranging the whole puja room the elderly person unwinds herself there and wakes up at the auspicious time (i.e. 4 am to 6 am) and calls each family member and asked them to close their until they reach the puja room.

Vishu Kaineettam

The elderly person in the family gives either gold coins or rupees to each member of the family. This indicates a kind of fortune.

Vishu Vili and Vishu Bhalam

Small children will run throughout their village by asking ‘vishu kaniye, vishu kaniye’. Hearing to their request the neighborhoods will call them and offer sweet dishes made out of rice called ‘kaniyappam’. While savoring the dishes an astrologer will arrive there and will predict one whole year’s climatic conditions and also on sometimes he will tell our fortune too! and this known as Vishu Bhalam.

Rihaan was deeply immersed in the story that he forgets to east his lemon candy and is glued to his fingers. He thanked his grandma for sharing wonderful stories. He expressed his wish of visiting Kerala and participating in the festival. My hubby promised that he will take to Kerala by purchasing the cheap family tour packages from Gogeo Holidays. He innocently asked for the reward of attempting the last question. Without delay, my hubby handed over eth packets of sweets to him.

Top 8 Things to Do With Kids While You Are Holidaying in Kochi in Kerala

It is high time that the kids of the present generation, who are glued to the technologies all times of the day, need to be pulled back and taken them outdoors. Set out for a holiday with them to any bustling city or choose for an exotic location, that gives both you and the kids some peace and pleasure. Well, you don’t have to compromise on both these standards, when considering the city of Kochi to spend your holiday. Moreover, as the metropolitan is most favourably located in the delta of River Periyar, eventually the place had grown to an industrial hub, yet the aesthetic beauty is still nurtured here.

Below listed are the top things to do with kids while you are holidaying in Kochi.

Build Sand Castles with Them at the Kuzhupilly Beach

Away from the bustles of the city is located the long strip of placid Vypeen island, which is fostered by the Arabian Sea in the West and Vembanad Lake in the East. The enticing Kuzhupilly beach is situated almost in the heart of this island. They may not be as popular as their counterpart in Cherai, but can be preferred for visiting along with your kids as the waves here are safer and the beach less polluted. Moreover, the path leading to the beach is side-lined with serene backwaters. So the views are sheer beauty.

Spend an Evening at the Subash Park

The popular hangout place of city dwellers can also be visited along with your children, as there are several rides to engage them completely. Subash Park is situated in most perfectly on the banks of the Cochin backwaters. While are playing in the rides, the elder ones accompanying them can relax at the park that is very creatively landscaped. The cool breeze from the lake is going to soothe you, especially when you had planned to drop in in the evening.

Go For Boat Rides across the Cochin Backwaters

Who would not love to go boating in an expansive water body? In this largest lake of Kerala, the tourists holidaying with their family especially with kids had got wider prospects. You may opt for any forms of water transport based on your personal preferences. Whether it is the speed boats, paddle boats, tourist boats, ro-ro ferries or even large ships! Everything is available to the travellers who are on tour to Kochi. Yet some travel firms do include these sailings, especially in houseboats in their tour packages. On the other hand for the economical option, you catch a KTDC boat and reach to Fort Kochi, Mattanchery or Vypeen.

Stroll Around the Vintage Streets of Fort Kochi

When you are strolling around the heritage streets of Fort Kochi, you would feel that you are either at some Dutch or Portuguese small town. The place had actually been a colonial territory for quite some time so they had built various structures and planned the area in their idea. You may cherish the rich histories associated with each of the colonial buildings in the area. Whereas, you may take your smaller children to the parks set alongside the beach of Fort Kochi.

Shop at Lulu Mall

The largest mall of both the state and South India has been added later in these lists. You could accompany your kids to the indoor amusement parks established in the topmost floor, while you shop for the international brands in various outlets of the mall. If you are wishing for a break during the hectic holiday schedules, you may book your movie tickets at the theatres facilitated inside the mall itself. Furthermore, as they are situated in the convergence of two national highways, you could easily reach the mall. There is even a metro station adjacent to it.

Take Them to a Temple Procession

You may have to schedule your vacation in such a way that you are reaching in Kochi in those particular seasons when the temple festivals are conducted to witness those spectacular sights. The temple processions with adorned elephants and a special sort of percussion instrument called ‘Chenda’ that you can see here, can be witnessed nowhere else. Kids when they exposed to these energetic regional festivals, they will inevitably feel refreshed. Also, such ‘Thayipooyam Ulsavam,’ as they are called in Malayalam or the traditional festival like them is more famous in the places adjacent to Kochi.

Never Skip That Getaway to Wonderla

This is the largest amusement park of the state and the most visited one from both local regions and nearby districts. Kids when they are taken to this park, they would definitely be feeling out of the world. The rides implemented here are very diverse which could satisfy the preferences of each and every one.

Stopover at Kathakali Cultural Centre

Children had to be exposed to the traditional art forms of India, to make them realise about the cultural diversity existing here. When you are holidaying in this part of Kerala, you may pull over your vehicle even if you are in travelling in certain tour Packages and drop in at the Kathakali Cultural Centre in Fort Kochi. By doing so, your personal entertaining tour can be altered to an informative one. Here at the Cultural Centre, you could get to witness the art forms of Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Classical music and Kalaripayytu along with your Family.

Like the activities mentioned above, there are various other things that you can be indulged in once you are holidaying with your kids. However, they may be centered on different locations around Kochi. So you must possess enough knowledge about each and every location before you are heading out with your kids. When contacting any efficient tour company such as Gogeo Holidays, the things will be far more easy and hassle-free. They had hired the best tour consultants to guide you at the moment of any travel emergencies. Furthermore, they had curated various family tour packages covering divers travel locations and activities from which you can choose the most suitable one at the most affordable price.

My First Blog Post

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

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You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

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