Indian gooseberry ( aamla )

Indian gooseberry, or aamla from Sanskrit amalika, is a deciduous tree of the Phyllanthaceae family.  The tree is small to medium in size, reaching 8 to 18 m in height, with a crooked trunk and spreading branches. The branchlets are glabrous or finely pubescent, 10–20 cm long, usually deciduous; the leaves are simple, subsessile and closely set along branchlets, light green, resembling pinnate leaves. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit are nearly spherical, light greenish yellow, quite smooth and hard on appearance, with six vertical stripes or furrows. In traditional Indian medicine, dried and fresh fruits of the plant are used. All parts of the plant are used in various Ayurvedic/Unani medicine (Jawarish amla) herbal preparations, including the fruit, seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers.AAMLA is full of medicinal properties and the richest possible natural source of vitamin 'C' and contains essential elements for keeping our body healthy and resistant to germs and infections. 

Spiders of Kerala ( tiger spider )

Spiders are ancient animals with a history going back many millions of years.  Spiders  are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms. Spiders are found worldwide on every continent except for Antarctica. 

Argiope anasuja is a species of Orb spider found in Asia ranging from Pakistan to the Maldives. 

India has some of the world's most biodiverse regions. The political boundaries of India encompass a wide range of ecozones—desert, high mountains, highlands, tropical and temperate forests, swamplands, plains, grasslands, areas surrounding rivers, as well as island archipelago. It hosts three biodiversity hotspots: the Western Ghats, the Eastern Himalayas, and the hilly ranges that straddle the India-Myanmar border. These hotspots have numerous endemic species.

Hogenakkal waterfalls ( Tamilnadu , India )

Hogenakkal Falls ( Hogenakal Falls )  is a waterfall in Tamilnadu ,at the borders of Karnataka, about 46 kms from Dharmapuri, the headquarters of the district of the same name. The river Kaveri which enters in Tamil Nadu as a big river flows here as natural falls. Dharmapuri district of the state of Tamil Nadu, about 180 km  from Bangalore .It is sometimes referred to as the "Niagara of India". It is a major site of tourist attraction. Carbonatite rocks in this site are considered to be the oldest of its kind in South Asia and one of the oldest in the world.  The River Kaveri is considered to form at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri hills in Kodagu district in Karnataka and gathers momentum as the land drops in elevation. It becomes larger as various tributaries feed into it on the way down. At Hogenakkal, the Kaveri, now a large river, drops and creates numerous waterfalls as the water cuts through the rocky terrain. In places the water falls as much as 20 m and Soon after the falls the river takes a southerly course and enters the Mettur Reservoir. Hogenakkal Falls is a quiet and beautiful waterfall and is a good picnic spot.  Hogenakkal is located about 750 feet above sea level amidst the Melagiri Hills. Tourists can take a coracle trip from one corner of the river to the other. Boating in Hogenakkal is allowed during the dry-season as the water falls are not strong enough to disrupt the passage of the boats. Local coracles operate from both the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka banks of the gorge.

Tourist Places around Hogenakkal is,

*Yercaud
*Shivanasamudram
*Bangalore
*Ooty
*Palanihills

New leaf and sun ray - Kerala

EXIF DATA

Camera Model: NIKON D3100

Exposure Time: 1/250 sec

ISO Speed Rating: 1600

Metering Mode: Pattern

Exposure Program: Manual

Focal Length: 200.0 mm

Kerala is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956.The state has an area of 38,863 km² (15,005 sq mi) and is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the south and southeast, and the Arabian Sea on the west. The city of Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital. The city of Kochi and Kozhikode are other major cities.

Kerala (Keralam) the land of kera (coconut) is also known as God's own country. Beautiful beaches, kettuvallams over enchanting backwaters… monsoon showers, misty mountains of the Western Ghats, fairs and festivals.....

Kerala lies along the coastline, to the extreme south west of the Indian peninsula, flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the mountains of the Western Ghats on the east. The Western Ghats, bordering the eastern boundary of the State, form an almost continuous mountain wall, except near Palakkad where there is a natural mountain pass known as the Palakkad Gap.

There are 44 rivers in the state, of which 41 originate from the Western Ghats and flow towards west into the Arabian sea. Only three tributaries of the river Cauvery ( Kabani, Bhavani, Paampar ) originate in Kerala and flow east into the neighbouring States.

In the Midland Plains of central region, the hills are not very steep and the valleys are wide. The valleys have been developed as paddy fields and the elevated lands are converted into estates of rubber, fruit trees and other cash crops . Tea and coffee estates have cropped up in the high ranges.

The Coastal Belt strip is comparatively plain. Extensive paddy fields, thick groves of coconut trees and beautiful backwaters, interconnected with canals and rivers. Alappuzha an old sea port town of this region is known as the 'Venice of the East'. 

Moon As Seen Through Coconut Leaves - Kerala

Exif data

Camera Model: NIKON D3100

Exposure Time: 1/125 sec

ISO Speed Rating: 800

Metering Mode: Pattern

Exposure Program: Manual

Focal Length: 250.0 mm

Kerala is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956.The state has an area of 38,863 km² (15,005 sq mi) and is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the south and southeast, and the Arabian Sea on the west. The city of Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital. The city of Kochi and Kozhikode are other major cities.

Kerala (Keralam) the land of kera (coconut) is also known as God's own country. Beautiful beaches, kettuvallams over enchanting backwaters… monsoon showers, misty mountains of the Western Ghats, fairs and festivals.....

Kerala lies along the coastline, to the extreme south west of the Indian peninsula, flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and the mountains of the Western Ghats on the east. The Western Ghats, bordering the eastern boundary of the State, form an almost continuous mountain wall, except near Palakkad where there is a natural mountain pass known as the Palakkad Gap.

There are 44 rivers in the state, of which 41 originate from the Western Ghats and flow towards west into the Arabian sea. Only three tributaries of the river Cauvery ( Kabani, Bhavani, Paampar ) originate in Kerala and flow east into the neighbouring States.

In the Midland Plains of central region, the hills are not very steep and the valleys are wide. The valleys have been developed as paddy fields and the elevated lands are converted into estates of rubber, fruit trees and other cash crops . Tea and coffee estates have cropped up in the high ranges.

The Coastal Belt strip is comparatively plain. Extensive paddy fields, thick groves of coconut trees and beautiful backwaters, interconnected with canals and rivers. Alappuzha an old sea port town of this region is known as the 'Venice of the East'. 

Chaliyam-Beypore Jengar Service ( Kozhikode , Kerala )

Chaliyam-Beypore Jengar Service ( Kozhikode , Kerala )

Beypore 

Beypore town is about 10 km from Kozhikode, at the mouth of the Beypore river. Tippu Sultan named the town “Sultan Pattanam”. It is one of the important ports of Kerala and an important trading centre.

Beypore is famous for its boat building yard where mammoth crafts known as Uru are being built. It is a major fishing harbour of Kerala. There are two man made extensions to the sea to facilitate easy access for fishing boats.

Places of Interest near Kozhikode,

Chaliyam

Chaliyam is on the banks of the Chaliyar river near Beypore and is famous for Uru construction, lighthouse and the fish market. Located 12 km from Kozhikode in Kerala. This is A Beautiful island in Kozhikode Dist. sarrounded by the Beypore and kadalundi rivers. This is the last point of Chalyar river. 

Kappad 

On 27 May 1498, Vasco Da Gama landed at Kappad with three vessels and 170 men. Located 16 km north of Kozhikode by Kannur road. A monument is here to commemorate the historical landing. An ancient temple on a hillock, facing the deep sea, is an added attraction.

Kozhikode Beach 

The beauty and serenity of Kozhikode beach is not yet exploited to develop it into a tourist centre. Still people from all around gather here to enjoy the sunset and it is a popular retreat for local people. Two sea piers almost 125 years old extending well inside the sea are a speciality. Lion’s club, children’s park make evening pleasant for visiting families.

Kadalundi 

Kadalundi is one of the oldest towns in Kerala and is an example of the old ports called "thundies". The tidal/mangrove forest on the banks of the Kadalundi river make it a picturesque area. The deltas formed by the Kadalundi river add to the beauty of the place. The town is divided into two by the river—Kadalundi in the Kozhikode district and Kadalundi Nagaram in Malappuram district. Thousands of migratory birds from all over the world gather here starting in November.

Kadalundi bird sanctuary

The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary lies in the Malappuram District of the state of Kerala in India. It spreads over a cluster of islands where the Kadalundipuzha River flows into the Arabian Sea. The Sanctuary hill is around 200 m above sea level. It is 19 km from Kozhikode . Over a hundred species of native birds have been recorded in the sanctuary, including about 60 species of migratory birds which visit seasonally.

Mananchira Square 

A new attraction in the heart of the city, Mananchira Maithan, is the sublimation of the concept of a planned modern city. The historic maithan, adjacent to Manachira has been converted into an arcadia with beautiful trees and plants, artificial hill, shrubs, sculpture, an open air theatre and above all, a musical fountain. 

Science Centre and Planetarium 

Regional Science Centre and Planetarium are at the city’s Jaffarkhan Colony offers extensive insight into the mysteries of the universe, the planets and the galaxies.

S.M. Street 

Sweet Meat street, popularly known as S.M. Street with its cross roads, is the busiest shopping spot of Kozhikode. 

Pazhassi Raja Museum

Pazhassi Raja Museum is located at East Hill, 5 km from Kozhikode. Copies of ancient mural paintings, antiques, bronzes, old coins, models of temples, megalithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts, umbrella stones etc. are displayed here.

Thusharagiri 

Thusharagiri is 48 km from Kozhikode and is one of the recently identified tourist centres. The waterfalls and streams amidst the hilly regions are really a feast to the eyes. Two streams originating from the Western Ghats meet here to form the Chalippuzha River. The river diverges into three waterfalls creating a snowy spray, which gives the name, 'Thusharagiri'. The word Thusharagiri means the snow capped mountain. Of the three, the highest waterfall is the Thenpara that falls from an altitude of 75 metres. The nearest town Kodencherry is around 11 kilometres  from Thusharagiri. The other main towns situated here are Thiruvambady which is 18 km away and Thamarassery which is 17 km away. One has to purchase all necessary things for trekking from here.