Bekal Fort Beach

Bekal Fort Beach

              Kasaragod, the Northern most district of Kerala is renowned as the land of gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches. The imposing fort at Bekal is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. The beautiful expanse of the shallow beach near the Bekal fort known as Bekal Fort Beach has been developed as an exotic beach location by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC).Beautification: Beautification of the site includes installation of two sculptures of Theyyam created using laterite on the beach and a shed the walls of which are adorned with murals created by artisans from Nilambur. Apart from these a rock garden at the parking area has been developed where laterite boulders of various sizes have been utilised. Under the social forestry scheme, trees have been planted in the beach area.

                                                    Bekal Fort Beach spreading over 40 acres (160,000 m²). Some important features of this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad steps leading to the Observation Tower, which is a rarity. From there one has an ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikkara, Bekal, Kottikkulam, Uduma etc. The nearest railway stations are Bekal Fort, Kotikulam, Kanhangad,and Kasargod. This observation center had strategic significance in discovering even the smallest movements of the enemy and ensuring the safety of the Fort.

                           

The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three fourths of its exterior is drenched and the waves continually stroke the citadel. The Mukhyaprana Temple of Hanuman and the ancient Muslim mosque nearby bear testimony to the age-old religious harmony that prevailed in the area. The zigzag entrance and the trenches around the fort show the defense strategy inherent in the fort.

                       Unlike most other Indian forts, Bekal Fort was not a center of administration, for no remains of any palace, mansion or such buildings are found within the fort. Arguably the fort was built especially for fulfilling defense requirements. The holes on the outer walls of the fort are specially designed to defend the fort effectively. The holes at top were meant for aiming at the farthest points; the holes below for striking when the enemy was nearer and the holes underneath facilitated attacking when the enemy was very near to the fort. This is remarkable evidence of technology in defense strategy.

                  In 1992 the Government of India declared Bekal Fort as a special tourism area. In the year 1995 the government formed Bekal Tourism Development Corporation for transforming Bekal Fort into international tourism centre. Tourism promotion activities have been taking place of late in the areas surrounding the fort, under the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC). The song 'Uyire' (Tamil) from the movie 'Bombay' directed by Mani Ratnam has been shot at Bekal Fort. Many such films, music albums, commercial advertisements etc., are being shot at Bekal Fort.

Silent Valley National Park

Silent Valley National Park

   Silent Valley National Park is a wildlife paradise and boasts of lush green landscape and several wildlife species.Along with Mukhurti National Park and Karimpuzha National Park, Silent Valley National Park forms the core of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Explored in 1847 by Robert Wight, the park remains one of the last undisturbed territories of south Western Ghats montane rainforests and tropical moist evergreen forests in the country.

              Environmentalists saved the rich ecological beauty of the National Park from destruction by protesting against the development of a hydroelectric power plant in the valley during 1970’s. On November 15, 1984, the area of the reserved forest was declared as a National Park.

                  The national park hosts over 1600 species of flora comprising mainly of evergreen and montane grasslands and over 858 species of fauna that includes 34 species of animals and about 500 species of butterflies and moths. It is also an excellent location for birdwatchers as the park is home to over 292 species of birds that include Nilgiri wood pigeon, blue winged parakeet, grey headed bulbul, white bellied blue flycatcher, broad tailed grass wabler, Nilgiri pipit, etc.

                  The lion tailed macaque is the most popular attraction in Silent Valley National Park. Nilgiri langur, mouse deer, gaur, fishing cat, stripe necked mongoose, panther, etc. are some of the other exotic wildlife species found in the park.Snake lovers, if they are lucky, can be treated to the sight of cobra, King cobra, viper, rat snake and many other species of the slithery reptile.

              The beautiful Kunthi River which descends from an altitude of above 2000 feet from the Nilgiris passes through the national park. It is home to 13 species of fishes.Located at altitude ranging from 658 to 2383 metres and surrounded by high mountains, Silent Valley National Park enjoys salubrious climate.Located in Kerala, Silent Valley National Park is also known as Indira Gandhi National Park. However, locals refer to it as Sairandharivanam (another name of Draupadi). According to Hindu mythology, Pandavas along with Draupadi had stayed in the region of Silent Valley during during their exile.

          

           The Silent Valley National Park with an area of 90 sq km is located in the Northeastern corner of Palakkad district. It rises abruptly to the Nilgiri Plateau in the North and overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad in the South. Extremely fragile, a unique preserve of tropical evergreen rain forests which is a veritable nursery of flora and fauna, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

            The core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the Silent Valley National Park. Despite its name, the Silent Valley (the clamour of Cicadas is conspicuously absent here) is a rich storehouse of biodiversity. It is a true Garden of Eden for students of life sciences, professional scientists and field biologists.

         Perhaps, nowhere else can one find such a representative collection of Western Ghats biodiversity - more than 1000 species of flowering plants which include about 110 species of orchids, more than 34 species of mammals, about 200 species of butterflies, 400 species of moths, 128 species of beetles of which 10 are new to science, about 150 species of birds including almost all the 16 endemic birds of southern India.

                The River Kunthi descends from the Nilgiri hills, from an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, and traverses the entire length of the valley and rushes down to the plains through the deep forest. The River Kunthi never turns brown and is always crystal clear, perennial and wild.The evapo-transpiration from these forests is much higher than from any other surface. This cools the atmosphere, helps easy condensation of water vapour, causing summer rains in the plains.

TAJ MAHAL

TAJ MAHAL

        Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river.

                           Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628.

       

       “A new command I give you: Love one another.

       As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

                                                                                       Jesus Christ 

        “We might have to go through some difficulties before certain goodness is achieved. Whatever happens, I would suffer anything for the sake of my generation. I will undergo any sacrifice to bring up the generation."

                                                              

                                                    NAVAJYOTHISREE  KARUNAKARA GURU

                                                                   Santhigiri Ashram   

Kathakali

God`s Own Country- Kerala

Kathakali

              Kerala is the home of several traditional dance and dance - drama forms, the most notable being Kathakali. athakali, as a dance form popular today, is considered to be of comparatively recent origin. However, it is an art which has evolved from many social and religious theatrical forms which existed in the southernregionin ancient times. 

            Traditionally there are 101 classical Kathakali stories, though the commonly staged among them these days total less than one-third that number. Almost all of them were initially composed to last a whole night. Nowadays, there is increasing popularity for concise, or oftener select, versions of stories so as the performance lasts not more than three to four hours from evening. Thus, many stories find stage presentation in parts rather than totality. 

       Kathakali is a classical art form, but it can be appreciated also by novicesall contributed by the elegant looks of its character, their abstract movement and its synchronisation with the musical notes and rhythmic beats. And, in any case, the folk elements too continue to exist. For better appreciation, perhaps, it is still good to have an idea of the story being enacted.

     

       

 “ Strive to gain purity in these three: thought, word and deed. By this, you will have love for God and God will have love for you."

                                                              

                                                    NAVAJYOTHISREE  KARUNAKARA GURU

                                                                   Santhigiri Ashram     

Sasthamkotta

       Sasthamkotta, situated about 29 km from Kollam town, can be rightly called the 'Queen of Lakes'. This vast fresh water lake flanked by hills on three sides is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha Temple, which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre. The monkeys of Sasthamkotta are believed to be the faithful entourage of the ruling deity, the Dharmasastha and therefore they have a spiritual ambience about them. The monkeys are devotee-friendly, and the thousands of devotees visiting the temple take pleasure in feeding these monkeys with nuts and fruits. 

             Sasathamkotta Lake  also categorized as a wetland, is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala, a state of India on the south of the West Coast. The lake is named after the ancient Sastha temple (a pilgrimage centre) located on its bank. It meets the drinking water needs of half million people of the Quilon district and also provides fishing resources. 

“God exists where science ends."

                                                              

                                                    NAVAJYOTHISREE  KARUNAKARA GURU

                                                             Santhigiri Ashram 

        

“Let all the old remain in its place. Let us absorb the virtues thereof without destroying it. But, that which is evil will indeed be destroyed. This is our spirituality."

                                                              

                                                    NAVAJYOTHISREE  KARUNAKARA GURU

                                                                   Santhigiri Ashram     

Santhigiri Ashram Kanyakuamri

Santhigiri Ashram Kanyakuamri 

  Santhigiri Ashram Kanyakumari is located at Leepuram near Vijayanarayanapuram in Tamilnadu.The foundation stone of this Ashram was laid on 22nd Jan 2002.The consecration of the `Omkaram' in the prayer hall was performedby SishyapoojithaAmrithaJnana Thapaswini on the Vijaya Dhasami on 23rd october  2004.

Varkala beach

             

Varkala beach

            Varkala situated in South kerala at North end boarder of Trivandrum District, Varkala is an amazing seaside resort and spa. It is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage.The final resting place of the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, is near Varkala, atop a hill called Sivagiri. High cliffs with mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. this beutifull beach destination is been ranked as one of the 10 top seasonal beaches in the world by Discovery channel. As a famous tourism destination, Varkala is filled with various Hotels,Resorts,Homestays and Restaurants

           Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea. These Cenozoic sedimentary formation cliffs are a unique geological feature on the otherwise flat Kerala coast, and is known among geologists as Varkala Formation and a geological monument as declared by the Geological Survey of India. There are numerous water spouts and spas on the sides of these cliffs.