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First
Impressions |
Kerala,
for you the first timer, is like a big village. You will find an
endless stream of villages on your drive to Aranmula. Along the
road there is a constant flow of people. You might cross a temple
elephant gracefully carrying a large bunch of rustling palm leaves
in its coiled trunk, or may be an elephant being washed by the mahouts
in the river….you have reached Aranmula. |
 |
| Environment: nature and culture |
Kerala
, a narrow strip of land about 300 miles long, stretches along the
south west coast of India, between the Arabian sea and the Western
Ghats: Blue and golden mountains, impenetrable jungles, lush green
paddy fields and peaceful lagoons, silver rivers and bright beaches
meeting the foaming ocean. |
Lush
vegetation - coconut and banana palms, mango trees, white jasmine
bushes, bright red hibiscus, large ashoka trees with luminous orange
glows and delicate purple and pink Bougan villas, combine to make
Kerala a veritable paradise. Thanks to the natural frontiers, Kerala
has been saved from the invaders who ravaged North India imposing
their own laws. |
Here the Hindu tradition has kept its original freshness, in peaceful harmony and tolerance towards the other communities - Christians, Muslims, Jews, Jains, Budhists… |
Exuberance
of nature has inspired a large variety of artisitc expressions.
Many of the four hundred different styles of folk, ritual and devotional
performing arts, draw their inspiration from nature - using leaves
and barks of tree, stones and plants for make up and painting of
various head gears etc… Even the places of worship and palaces,
unlike in the rest of India, are marvels in wood. |
 |
When to come? |
Kerala
has a tropical climate, often cooled by a light breeze from the
sea. The seasons follow the pattern as follows. From December to
mid February - is the most temparate season, sunny, slightly windy
days and cool nights. This is also the peak of the tourist season
in Kerala and the temple festival season. |
February
to the end of May - is the dry hot season, with very little rain.
It commences with the celebration of Shivarathri - the night of
Lord Shiva, when devotees meditate on the cosmic dance of Shiva
throughout the night. Kathakali actors and other performing artists
move from temple to temple for all night shows. You can witness
a spree of Theyyam performances, a ritual art if you go to the north
of Kerala in these days. |
 |
The temperature rises to its peak in May (about 32degree celcius), just before the first cooling monsoons in June. This periods are really hot, together with the high humidity. |
The first monsoon (June through August), characterised by heavy down pours with sunny intervals, is the most suitable for Ayurvedic treatments. Kerala is extremely beautiful in these days with lush green around and fresh air. For a lover of rain, this is the best time. And for a student you can put in your best without sweating out. |
The
rain tapers off in August around Onam which is equivalent to the
Western Christmas and New year. It is to be noted that the centre
is closed during these 10 days of festivities. During Onam, Keralites
from all over the world, return to their families, to feast, exchange
new clothes, attend boat races and above all, they love the occasion
to be together in the family. |
 |
In
October/November- the second monsoon is characterised by sunny days
freshened by rainy thunder storms in the evening. In October is the festival of 'Navarathri' celebrating Saraswathi, known as the Goddess of Learning and Art. For two days, preceding the celebration(also called Vijaya Dashami), those who consider themselves as students do not read, write or study anything. On the day of the Saraswathi Pooja, the first book read is a line of Ramayana also taken as a precedent for the year. There are two festivals of light: Deepawali in October and Karthika in December. Thousands of small oil lamps are lit everywhere at sunset. October also marks the beginning of the temple festivals. Kerala is, of course, a destination for all seasons. |