The first round of Holi is played with dry powders and then the next with wet colours. Holi ushers in spring, a season associated with love and wellbeing. Sweets, special dishes and ornate cuisines colourfully decorate eachand every house where Holi is celebrated.

There are many legends associated with Holi. The most popular one is: Brahma granted Hiranyakashipu, the king of demons, a boon that made it impossible for him to be killed. After his long penance he demanded that he not be killed “during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or on sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra”. His arrogance reached the zenith, and he attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He wanted people to stop worshipping gods and start praying to him.

Prahlad, his son, was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu tried several times to kill his son, but failed. He once ordered Prahlad to sit on a pyre on the lap of his sister, Holika. Now, she could not die by fire by virtue of a shawl which would prevent fire affecting the person wearing it. After the fire was lit, the shawl flew from Holika, who was then burnt to death, while Prahlad survived unharmed. The shawl moved to cover him. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. On Holi Day, Holika Dahan is undertaken, where her effigy is burnt.

Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha (who is half-man and half-lion) and killed Hiranyakashipu at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) and mauling him with his claws (which are neither astra nor shastra).

Every year, different states of North and Western India vie to outdo each other in the celebration of Holi. Gulal Goti, a balloon filled with colours, was very famous with the royal families of Rajasthan. Nowadays, even the common man plays with it. West Bengal’s specialty is Bhang Holi. After or during the celebrations, Bhang (a mixture of milk, almonds and marijuana) is drunk by the people. It is very much permitted by the government and has several religious associations and mentions.

As with all festivals now, Holi, too, is being increasingly celebrated by people across all religions and regions. South Indian, too, celebrate it with much pomp.

Visit : www.riversideheritage.com/review_book.html

Riverside Homestay offers the unique facility of “catching your dinner”. In simple terms: the hosts have a Chinese Fishing Net, which you can operate. Use it to catch fish, and Annie will cook delicious dishes with them for you. You can also visit paddy fields here that double up as shrimp farms. The two are alternatively farmed in the same field.

Sit by the backwaters and watch the beautiful sunset and interact with local fishermen returning after a tiring day. Make sure you walk or cycle in the countryside; you will learn a lot about village life. If you are interested to visit and attend local festivals and functions, the hosts will arrange them for you. Visit nearby locales of Fort Cochin, Kumbalanghi and Mattancherry.

Riverside homestay is only 12km from the nearest railway station, and it is  well-connected by buses and taxis to places of interest in the district. Be assured of a calm and memorable holiday at the homestay.

Visit: www.riversideheritage.com

Get to know the local history, interact with villagers, attend native functions and buy indegenous products. This way you will remember the state’s most intricate details. Also, what better way to experience nature? You don’t have to sit in cloistered hotel rooms; instead live in spacious, homely rooms, tree houses, eco-lodges and riverside retreats.

Visit: www.homestayscochin.com

Visit: http://www.homestayscochin.com/homestay_booking_service.html

Heavenly Homestay is owned by K.B. Patrick and his family. We have one AC room (double bed) with attached bathrooms and hot water. They come with free internet in the rooms. We also have laundry service, taxi and two-wheeler facility and currency exchange. We are a small family and love to entertain guests. We can arrange for trips in the city, especially in Fort Cochin and around.

Visit – www.homestayfortcochin.com

Would you like to spend your vacation in Kerala at a place that feels like home, with a beautiful orchard, pets and, of course, authentic Kerala cuisine? Or would you rather go trekking, an elephant ride or a walk in the hills? Well… whatever your choice, Hinterlaand at Mulanthuruthy is the answer!

This century-old house can easily house a large family, a group of friends or two medium-sizes families. Equipped with two air-conditioned rooms, satellite television, music-video systems and neat bathrooms, this makes for a great accommodation option a little away from the city. Talking of city, Cochin is only about 20km from here, and the airport, only 35km. Don’t worry about how to get there, as the hosts will take care of pick up and drop for you.

Hinterlaand is good option for weekend parties, business conferences and similar functions. Being close to the city, having a good garden, ample facilities to conduct events and the food are what attract people to this place.

The vegetables and fruits here are organically grown and waste matter is recycled. For those looking for trying their hand at fishing, here’s your chance. Hinterlaand has a pond with edible fish that can be caught. They also have a pond for ornamental fish. The orchard at the back of the house has mango, cashew, rambutan, custard apple, jackfruit and mangosteen trees. For those who love pets, you can find friendly dogs, a pack of geese and rabbits at the farm here.

The Jungle Gym, as they call it, has teak, mahogany and rosewood trees. You can go for walks here. Or else, you can stroll through pepper, clove and cardamom groves. The tourists can opt for boating, tours to nearby hill stations and trekking, which will be arranged by the hosts.

When people travel as a family, it increases the bonds between them and helps to build good rapport, too. The members develop a sense of responsibility and trust. It is even better if they travel to a place where they can stay with a family! What better option there than a homestay?

A homestay provides a homely atmosphere, and provides all the facilities of a resort. But it is less crowded and noisy than a resort or a hotel. And you can also taste authentic cuisine as well as learn how to make it! You can visit nearby places, walk around the countryside and go for tours keeping the homestay as your base.

It also helps you learn the customs and traditions of that family, their religion and community. The advantages are plenty.

It is about 10km to the south of Kannur in north Kerala. Situated in a quiant village with just a handful of fishermen and families, it has two private beaches and the coves are separated by cliffs. You can spend almost a whole day just relaxing at the beach, sunbathing, or taking a walk to the nearby temples. If you are lucky, you might spot a Theyyam performance-a ritualistic artform performed only in the Malabar areas.

The Bungalow has 4-5 bedrooms, bath-attached toilets, and the hosts provide three meals. Don’t be fooled; you’ll be served authentic Malabari cuisine and of course, sea food. From here you can travel  to visit the Kannur Fort and other attractions in and around Kannur.

The Costa Malabari is one of Kerala’s famous private beaches. It is close to the city, but out of the traffic and the hectic life. Do not think, just come over for a splendid vacation. The nearest airport is in Karipur, Calicut, and Kannur has the nearest railway station. There are frequent buses to and from Cochin, Calicut, Mysore and Mangalore.

visit: www.beachresortkerala.com

Depending on the tourists’ taste, his choice varies. And homestays in Kerala are maximising that opportunity. Visitors can stay in town houses, century-old plantation bungalows, farm houses, eco-lodges and in forest camps. Everyday, a new type of homestay springs up.

But no matter the kind, most tourists prefer an old, traditional house built in typical Kerala style. The high-ceiling rooms, the cool courtyards and the soothing environs, is what they’re here for. Being able to relax among the trees, go leisure boating on a nearby lake or just lazing around the paddy fields-all these attract the tourist.

The architecture, the age and the tradition associated with the homestay definitely plays a very important role in the choice of accommodation.