In order to enroll for the program, those interested must submit his biodata along with an application to the forest department, stating the details of the tree, its genre, the bird varieties which make a home on the tree, the number of cavities and a recent colour photograph of the tree. You also have to get a recommendation letter from the local self- government representative and an affidavit that you will protect the tree at least for a year. The remuneration to be received has still to be decided.

The promotional video, shot at the Varappuzha backwatrers, was unveiled recently. It was conceptualised by Bollywood film maker Priyadarshan and the music composed by music director Ousepachen. The two-minute video transposes cricketing movements and Kerala’s traditional martial art of kalaripayattu in a beautiful manner. You can get more than just a glimpse of Kerala’s official animal, the elephant.

Built in 1503 as a wood-and-brick structure, it is the first European church in India. Initiative has been taken by The International Forum for Cultural Heritage Tradition (IFCHAT) to persuade the UNSESO and other world organisations to declare the St Francis church as a heritage structure.

It was in the 1970s that the synagogue fell into disuse. There were almost 3,000 Jews in the area at the time. There was worship and service in the synagogue prior to this. The people still remember it. After renovation, the Kerala government believes that it will attract a lot of tourists, especially Jews.

Being the lone lake temple in the state, it receives many visitors – tourists and devotees. This ninth-century temple is said to be the seat of Padmanabha, from Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Trivandrum. The temple’s Panchaloha idol is said to be replaced by a one of ‘Kadusharkara Paaka’, remarkable for the fact that it is made of katchi mara and then coated with layers of Ayurvedic herbs and other elements, including musk from musk deer.

According to visitors and devotees, a lone crocodile in the lake guards the temple; the current one appeared after a British soldier had shot the previous one in 1945. The temple priests feed the reptile.

The temple, built in granite, stands in the centre of the lake, which in turn is located on a hill. A foot-bridge connects the temple to the lotus-filled lakeside. The temple has a ‘Chuttambalam’, an enclosed verandah around a temple. The view from the temple is just amazing. The insides of the temple and the walls have wood carvings, murals and paintings.

It is easily reachable from Kasargod and Kannur as well as from Mangalore and Coorg in Karnataka.

There are many routes taken by the traders – some called cinnamon route, others known by the pepper route, incense route, and still others, silk route. The main centres can be identified as Roman cities –> Turkey –> Egypt –> Arabia –> Africa –> Muziris and Cochin in India –> Ceylon –> Indonesia and Java –> China –> Philippines and then Japan.

Spices that were traded were pepper, ginger, cinnamon, clove and turmeric. Traders also did business in silk, textiles and ebony. As the traders moved from one continent to another, their language and culture, too, moved to different parts of the world. Subsequently, along with the spices being made available in countries that never grew them, the language and culture of these travellers was also transferred.

Cochin port, with its strategic location in the Indian Ocean and its ever-welcoming culture, was an important trade centre on the Spice Route. The Portuguese, the Dutch, the Arabs and the British have all traded with Kerala. The abundant range of spices and its availability always assured Kerala of its consistent trade relations with the Middle East, Europe and Eastern Asia.

Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, too, celebrate their birthdays on the same day. Karnataka was formed in 1973 and Andhra Pradesh in 1953. Parts of Andhra used to belong to the erstwhile Madras State. In 1956, Hyderabad and Telengana regions were added to form the present state.

Historical data suggests that Pulikali had its origins in the Ramzan season in Kerala. The then king introduced this folk art form for their celebrations. The difference then was that there were no masks. Faces were painted to resemble tigers.

The Swaraj Ground at Thrissur is the place if you wanna watch a Pulikali performance. At the end of Onam hordes of people gather here to watch performances by various Pulikali groups from all over Kerala. This year, it will take place today. Around 11 teams with an average of 35 people each will perform at the grounds, accompanied by different tableaux.

Today, the Athachamyam took place at Thripunithura, a suburb of Cochin. Today, the the festival has been officially started. The next 10 days will see various parts of Kerala decked up in flower garlands, flower carpets a.k.a ‘Athapoo’, a floral decoration on the floor.

During the procession you can see caparisoned elephants, tableau on various themes, floats depicting Kerala’s dances and art forms and also hordes of people in the streets.

As George had over 25 years of dealing in antiques at Mattancherry, setting up this structure was an even bigger dream. The building itself stands in Kerala architecture and each of the three floors are divided into different sections. There is a stage and hall where dance and art performances are conducted. Shows and exhibitions make their way when possible. The entry fee per person is a mere Rs 100 and for students Rs 50. Built with stone and clay tiles, and with wooden panels and lamps inside, the place is very inviting.

Tourists visiting Kerala must visit this enchanting place located right in the heart of town. You can also interact with artistes from South India, coming from various backgrounds, who perform here. There is a collection of musical instruments, ornaments, carvings, lamps, masks and other artifacts.

The golden flowers bloom in April-May and have a lot of importance during the Vishu festival in April. The flower bunches, with the leaves barely seen, can be found all over Kerala during this festival.

An interesting fact is that Kerala shares its ‘state flower’ with Thailand, too. The flower symbolises Thai royalty, and is called Dok Khuen.

The temple stands 18ft tall. Resembling the Pallava style of architecture, it was built between 608 AD and 850 AD, and the main attraction is the Shiva linga carved out of a single rock. A Ganesh idol here is famous, too. The idyllic carvings of the dwarapalakas are beautiful. On the northern and southern wings of the temple are sculptures of Ganesh. Nearby, there are other temples, too, that are worth a visit.

There are buses from Kochi, Adoor and Kottayam that will take you to this quaint town. The nearest railhead is at Chenganur. Airports at Kochi and Trivandrum are about four and two hours away, respectively.

The palace is so called (Kuthira is Malayalam for horse) because of the over 100 wooden horses carved into the wall supporting the southern roof. Also known as the Puthen Malika, a part of it has been converted into the Kuthiramalika Museum, which is open to the public on all days except Mondays. It houses paintings of the royal family, paintings by famous painter Ravi Varma, musical instruments, artifacts, weapons and ornaments used by the Travancore royal family.

The Swati Thirunal Music Festival is conducted in the palace’s courtyard each year. The palace is only about a half-hour ride from the city centre and is well connected by buses and taxis.

The symbiotic relation between the prawns and the paddy is such that the prawn excrements is used by the paddy seedlings as fertiliser and, the prawn feed on the leftovers of the harvested crop. The islands off Cochin are good for this type of cultivation due to the mixing of saline and freshwater, which is necessary for the farming to take place. This variety of rice is said to be extremely protein-rich.

In order to lure the tiny prawns from the Arabian Sea into the fields, the farmers keep a burning hurricane lantern at the mouth of the sluice gate on high-tide nights. Attracted by the light, the prawns stay in the fields for up to four months and grow big. During low tide, when the water flows out, the farmers trap the grown prawns using nets.

This interesting way of alternative rice cultivation and prawn farming have been studied by research students and scientists. As a result of labour shortage and other problems, farmers are forced to used newer methods of cultivation.

In the last decade or so, the export of coir products from Kerala have risen considerably. There are many coir factories and small scale industries lining the coast. Alleppey, Kollam and Ernakulam districts come in the top list of areas producing and exporting them.

The coir fibres are made through an elaborate process; mostly, women are employed to spin the fibre. Cois is used to make all kinds of things-mats, table mats, carpets, curios, chair backs, arm chair accessories, floor quilts, windown blinds, rubberised mats, handicrafts and many more.

People abroad have taken a liking to coir products and, there are a lot of researchers, travellers and coir-users who come to Kerala to learn about making coir products.

Onam is a harvest festival that falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sept). It is in remembrance of the prosperous King Mahabali. This 10-day festival is unique and meaningful. As a Hindu festival, it has a lot of rituals, customs, and best of all lots of dances and games. Thiruvathirakali is the most awaited dance-t is performed by young women around a lighted lamp.

Pulikali is a tiger dance, where man dance to the tunes of instruments. Their bodies and faces are painted like a tiger’s and the dance tells of stories about tiger-hunting. Thumbi thullal and Kummatikali are other ritualistic art forms performed. Each family makes a pookalam (floral carpet) in fron of their houses on each day of the festival.

If you happen to visit the state during Onam, do not forget to attend it with a Malayali  family. Don’t miss the famous Sadya: It is a full-course meal eaten from a banana leaf, seated on the floor! The family gets together to have this meal which consists of rice, various curries, vegetables and puddings and payasams in the end.

People buy new clothes, visit temples and attend the rituals without fail. Nowadays, it is also celebrated by non-Hindus, too. Crackers are a favourite for the season. Children and the old alike celebrate Onam with great pomp and vigour.

It was captured by the Dutch and handed over to Ali Raja of Kannur. Subsequently, when the British arrived, they took it under their arms. Now, it is protected by the Archeological Survey of India.

This fort is only three km from Kannur town. The Moppila bay forms a fishing centre and harbour here. A sea wall separates the waves from the fort. The Dharmadom island, too, is close by. You can have a spectacular sunset view from the fort. Kannur is about six hours from Cochin.

At Malayattoor, he wasn’t received well, and was forced to flee to the top of the mountain to save himself. He spent his days in prayer, and St Thomas conversed with the Lord. Tradition has it that, in deep anguish and agony, St Thomas prayed to the Lord and when he touched the rock blood sprang from it. Blessed Mary appeared to him and strengthened him. He is said to have baptised many around the area. The church here is built in the Greco-Roman style, and the altar is constructed in the Greek style. Behind the altar, there are carvings and paintings. Walk a bit around the church and you can find St Thomas’s footprints marked on the rock nearby.

The best time to visit the church is in April when the Malayattoor Perunnal (celebrations) is in full swing. Malayattoor is around 50km from Cochin and there are frequent buses and taxis that’ll take you there.

The museum has a collection of stone and bronze sculptures of gods and goddesses. There’s a huge collection of paintings, handicrafts, ivory carvings and textiles. The items are collection between the 8th-18th century period. Also, there’s a good number of coins and currencies from these periods.  You can get a glimpse of life into the various kings and kingdoms that ruled Kerala and south India.

Trivandrum is well-connected by flights and trains. There are a lot of other intersting historical sites and monuments to visit.

The city is bound by Western Ghats on the east and north-east. To its south is Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari district. The  Arabian sea forms the western boundary. It used to be part of the Travancore kingdom. The monuments and heritage sites still proclaim their glory.

It is a frequently-visited tourist spot. The hill station Ponmudi is close by. Neyyar, Karamana and Vamanapuram are the main rivers of the district. You can find backwaters, forests, lakes, hills and sanctuaries here. Agastyarkoodam is the southernmost peak in the Ghats. At 1869m above sea level, it is the largest peak in Thiruvananthapuram district.

The city is well-connected by road, rail and air. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operate domestic flights from here.  Trivandrum Central Railway station is at Thampanoor. Tourists can hire taxis as well as travel by buses, too. There are various tour packages, resort packages and offers to be availed.