AYURVEDA-THE OLDEST MEDICAL SYSTEM

AYURVEDA-THE OLDEST MEDICAL SYSTEM

Ayurveda :- Which is believed as the oldest treatment method in the world (more than 3500 years old). The Plants are used for preparing as medicines. Nowadays Ayurveda has become very popular among the tourist especially foreigners. Patients from all over the world are coming here for Ayurveda treatment.

The literal meaning of Ayurveda is 'Science of Life'. The system is passed through traditionally from master to disciples orally. 'Thaliyola', palm leaf, was used for writing medical details. 'Narayam', an iron pin, was used as pen. The disciples used to stay in master's house, which is known a 'Gurukula'.

Now the traditional knowledge has been improved through scientific research and is taught in various Ayurveda Colleges in Kerala. A graduate doctor in Ayurveda, takes 5 years of courses at college besides six months of internship and is considered on par with doctors of modern medicine.

Ayurveda is based on the Vedic philosophy of healthy living as prescribed in the 'Atharvaveda', a Vedic text on Hindu philosophy. It is a system of preventive medicine which provides remedies for various illnesses and prescribes ideal lifestyles to prevent the onset of sickness and disease. The majority of Ayurvedic medicines are not mass produced, as Ayurveda treatment is based on the premise that every person has an individualized constitution and medicines have to be tailored to suit the individual. According to Ayurveda the human body comprises of 3 constituents known as the 'Tridoshas'. They are 'Vatha', 'Pitha' and 'Kapha'. Through these constituents vary from person to person, one of the 'Tridoshas' predominates over the other two. This predominance can be identified by the physical and emotional characteristics of a person ("Personality types"). Accordingly two people suffering from the same ailment may be prescribed different medicines to suit their constitutions.

To stay healthy, the Tridoshas need to function in harmony with each other, as well as with the five basic elements of the Universe (Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Ether). Most illness arise due to the imbalance in functioning of any one or two of the Tridoshas which leads to malfunction of the internal organs. Although Ayurveda acknowledges that infective diseases are spread by germs, the treatment is based on the theory of Tridoshas. Ayurveda does not 'kill' an infection like antibiotics but instead it strengthens body's immune system to fight disease or infection.

The more popular Ayurvedic programmes among the tourists are Rejuvenation therapies (Oil massages, herbal baths etc.) and yoga. Ayurveda is sometimes considered a better alternative in certain cases of Jaundice, Paralysis, Arthritis, Parkinson's disease, Spinal problems, Gastric or Peptic ulcers etc.

General Cautions For Some Treatment

• 'Pizhichil' (Oil massage) is not recommended for persons with serious liver and renal problems.

• Blood parameters should be checked and kept at a safe level before starting any of the intensive treatments.

• Whole body 'Navarakizhi' is not recommended for patients suffering from diabetes, obesity, serious cardiac, hepatic and renal patients.

• 'Sirodhara' (Head bath with medicated milk or oil) is not recommended in case of cerebral thrombosis.

• Intensive Steam baths should be done under the guidance of the physician.

House Boats in Kerala

Traditionally, the houseboat was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallam. Jack wood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells. The materials that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc These traditional country boats were used as the mode of transport in the early times from the isolated interior villages to the towns. But these boat services have been laid off with the developments taken place in the transport services in the recent past. Today these giant 80-foot long crafts have been adapted into luxuriously furnished houseboats. A Kettuvallam usually has one or two bath attached rooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising two oarsmen and a cook. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. Your holiday in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished houseboats. Come, check into a houseboat for a memorable cruise along the backwaters of Kerala.

A cruise along the palm-fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple pleasures, you will skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. A guided tour down the backwaters would provide you with a complete and most enchanting experience on the back waters of Kerala and will also reveal to you some interesting facts about the life of local village people. There is a Kerala that lives along these backwaters throbbing with its own unique culture .For you, as a visitor to Kerala it can be incredibly different experience just floating this backwaters in a country craft and absorbing unusual representation.

The Houseboats / Kettuvallams of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length, retrieved from being lost to the State altogether. Once these houseboats / Kettuvallams ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities. But in the recent times, the Kettuvallams or rice-barges have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay

It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant Houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood together. Curiously enough, not a single nail is used in their making of a houseboat. There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in Kettuvallam construction. Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers.

The Kerala houseboats / rice barges that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by. Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the Kettuvallams ( houseboats ) are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat / Kettuvallam is manned by a crew - usually a cook, guide and oarsman.

The houseboats of today - huge, slow moving, exotic barge used for leisure trips - are the reworked Kettuvallam of olden times. The original Kettuvallam were used to carry tones of rice and spices - a standard Kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tones - from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. Traditional Kerala houseboats, Kettuvallam, glide past, powered both by gondolier-like boatmen with poles and by sail. Kerala's houseboat cruising is not just restricted to the backwaters, you also get a chance to explore the wildlife and indulge in some water sports such as water skiing, water sailing and angling. The most popular backwater cruise is from Kollam to Alappuzha.

Kettuvallam, the stitched boats provide the best way to experience the colourful backwaters of Kerala. The Kettuvallam of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length. The traditional houseboat, the indispensable part of the picturesque backwaters of Kerala, was mainly used in Travancore and Kochi and in the Minicoy Islands in olden times. The wood commonly used to make Kettuvallams is 'Anhili', which is found in abundance in central Travancore area. Large planks are tied together using hand made coir ropes and beaten coconut fibers. This gives the Kettuvallams enough strength to withstand heavy waves in the sea. These long cargo boats are a familiar sight on the backwaters. These traditional Kerala houseboats undoubtedly form one of the most abiding images of the backwaters in Kerala.

Today, these goods carriers have been adapted to make the most exciting tourism product in India, the luxuriously furnished houseboat. Kettuvallams or the 'house-boats of Kerala' dot the serene palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala.

Houseboat industry comes of age - a report

Alappuzha, A decade after an innovative entrepreneur at Alumkadavu in Kollam district converted a traditional boat used for transporting goods ('kettu vallam') to a houseboat with facilities for the stay of tourists, the industry has come of age.

From two boats in the early Nineties, the number of houseboats has now gone up to about 200.Meanwhile,the small single - room houseboat has been replaced by large houseboats with several rooms. Many of the present houseboats are air - conditioned . In no time, Alappuzha has emerged as a hub of the house boat industry with a majority of them operating from here.

Recounting the growth of the industry, the Houseboat Owners Association secretary, Tomy Pulikkattil, says it is only natural that Alappuzha has become the nerve center of the industry because of the potential of the Vembanad lake and canals of Kuttanad as venues for boating.
"At first, traditional boats used to be converted into houseboats, but now very big ones are specially built as houseboats", Mr. Tomy says. While most of the houseboats of the initial days used to be poled, the present ones are fitted with engines. The earlier outboard engines have been replaced with inboard engines which use diesel as fuel.

Mr. Tomy says that the concept of rooms of houseboats has undergone a revolutionary change over the last few years. The small dingy rooms have been replaced by spacious air-conditioned rooms which could match the comforts of a hotel room. Some of the houseboats operating from Alappuzha have even five bedrooms. The latest innovation in the industry is a very big houseboat with a conference hall having a seating capacity of 150 and several bedrooms. The boat will be launched soon.

According to Mr. Tomy, the industry provides direct employment to around 500 persons now. "The number of persons being provided indirect employment is more than 2,000".

He says that more than new 10 houseboats are launched every year. During the season, which extends from December to March , the number of tourists exceeds 500.The number is around 100 during off-season.

Earlier a majority of the people who hired boats were foreign tourists, but now tourists from North India exceed them. The number of Keralites who hire houseboats has steeply increased of late.

The Tourism Department has introduced ratings for houseboats last year based on the facilities offered. According to the association, around 25 houseboats have been awarded 'golden star', the highest grading. And efforts are on to raise the standards of more houseboats.

HILL STATIONS IN KERALA

Thiruvananthapuram:
Ponmudi
Situated at an attitude of 915 m above sea level, Ponmudi is a beautiful hill station known for its pleasant climate, tea plantations and enchanting scenery. The deep forest trails are ideal for hiking and trekking.

Pathanamthitta:
Charalkunnu
This picturesque hill station offers a panoramic view of the nearby valleys. A camp house on the hill provides comfortable lodging.

Kottayam:
Wagamon
This hill station (60 km from Kottayam), at an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level, is a trekker's delight.

Elaveezhapoonchira
Easily accessible from Pala town Elaveezhapoonchira is a picturesque picnic spot located in the most of beautiful hillrocks.

Idukki:
Munnar

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, Kundala. 1600 m. above sea level, this hill station was the summer resort of the British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station.

Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi - which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.

Peerumed

Situated Situated amidst rubber, tea, coffee, and pepper plantations is this dainty little hill station of Peerumed, an ideal stopover on the way to Thekkady. Surrounded by rolling hills and valleys, Peerumed is well known for its waterfalls, open grasslands and delightful trekking trails. This pleasant hill station was once of the summer retreat of the Maharajas of Travancore

Palakkad:
Nelliyampathy
This fascinating hill station is at a height of 467 to 1572 m above sea level. At least 10 hair pin bends have to be negotiated on the ghat road that passes through the breathtaking evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges. Seethakundu at Nelliyampathy offers a panoramic view of about one third of Palakkad.

Attappady
A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attappady is of great interest to anthropologists. This is the habitat of many tribes like the Irulars and Mudugas. The Malleeswaran peak is worshipped as a gigantic Sivalinga by the Adivasis who also celebrate the Sivarathri festival with great fervour. A PWD Rest House, a VIP Guest House and a few private hotels offers accommodation at Agali.

Dhoni
It takes a three hour trek from the base of the Dhoni hills, to reach this reserve forest area with its small, beautiful waterfall. This hill country is the delight of trekkers. The community hall at Kalikatty is used as a camping base for trekkers.

Kozhikode:
Peruvannamoozhi Dam
The picturesque dam sight has a crocodile farm and birds sanctuary here. Boating facilities are also available here.

Tusharagiri
Famous for its trekking tracks, it is located, near Vythiri in Wayanad. Trekkers start early morning from the second waterfall and climb uphill through the pristine, evergreen dense forests populated with exotic birds and wild animals to reach Vythiri by evening.

Wayanad:
Pakshipathalam
This place can be accessed only be trekking. Rare species of birds can be sighted from the watch tower of this bird sanctuary.

Chembra Peak
At 2100 m above mean sea level. Chembra is the highest peak in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking.

Lakkidi
Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad, is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamarassery Ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads ti this hill station.

Kannur:
Pythal Mala
This enchanting hill station situated 4,500 ft. above sea level near the Kerala - Karnataka border, is rich in flora and fauna. It is a six Km trek to the top of the hills.

Ezhimala
The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby (286 M high). A Naval Academy is being developed here.

Kassarkod:
Ranipuram
Situated 750 meters from sea level, Ranipuram is famous for its trekking trails and varied vegetation - evergreen shoal woods, monsoon forests and grasslands (55 kms from Kassarkod)

BACKWATERS IN KERALA

Backwaters are unique to Kerala and the area, over the last couple of years has seen unprecedented tourist interest. The backwaters are essentially inland lakes connected by a network of canals. The backwaters stretch to almost 1900 km even though Kerala's coastline is only 700 km.

Backwater Sceneries

Backwaters of Kumarakom between Alappuzha and Kottayam is a popular tourist destination. Backwaters of Kuttanad region, the rice bowl of Kerala, is also very famous. The life style in the area is unique as 3/4 of the year, the land is flooded. This area is probably the one and only place in world where farming is done below sea level. The Kollam Alappuzha backwater trip is a tourist favorite. This slow journey by boat takes almost seven hours. One can see villages life at close quarters besides the farming and fishing activities.

Sunset View	Sunrise View

Kettuvallam (House Boats) :- Large boats of over 60 feet in length covered with sheets made up of coconut leafs or palm leafs. Now these are converted into floating luxury dwelling units. These houseboats come in all shapes and sizes. The houseboats are generally powered by a small outboard engine, allowing one to cruise along the the backwaters. Now lot of facilities are providing in houseboats like rooms, kitchen, dormitories, conference rooms, etc.

There are motorboats are available for hire to travel through the backwaters. The major places for backwater activities are Kollam, Cochin, Alappuzha, Vaikom and Kumarakom. Snake boat race through backwaters are a major tourist attraction.

Tour India House Boats
Tariff Range: [Single Cabin Boats: USD 170.00][Two Cabin Boats Each Cabin: USD 142.00][Two Cabin Boats Both Cabin: USD 256.00][Exclusive: USD 228.00][Three Cabin Boats: USD 343.00][Cruiser Boats: USD 129.00]
TourIndia, a specialist tour operator started a team of young people about 25 years ago. TourIndia has pioneered the development of backwater tourism by introducing first Kettuvallam (Rice Boat) for comfortable cruise in the canals. These house boats are known for its unique design use of local material like bamboo poles, coconut finer ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc.

WILDLIFE IN KERALA

Kerala has about 30% of its land cover accounted by forests. The forests of Kerala are famous for elephants and tigers. Also there are a lot of animals are there like sambar, deer and wild buffalos. Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary, Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park are the major Wild Life centers. Kumarakom, Thattekad, Myladumpara are the main Bird watching centers.

The major tourist activities that can be undertaken in the wild life parks are wild life tours. One can really feel the smell of an Elephant in these tours. Elephant rides, staying at jungle lodges, tree houses, fishing camps etc. are other facilities available there. Guides are available in the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary for treks in the forest. The Parambikulam forest authorities organize wild life tours in the park.

Elephants In Kerala

In Kerala one can see elephants in the streets. Elephants are used for lot of activities in Kerala like Temple Processions, lifting heavy timber trees and woods. Elephants have always found a place in the life of the Keralites. No Temple festivals are completed without an Elephant. They are loved and well cared by the people of Kerala. Certain organizations like the forest department which own elephants, enroll them as employees.
These 'Elephant Employees' earn salaries (with which it is feed). They are even pensioned off after a certain age.

An Elephant is believed to be a quite intelligent animal, a well trained elephant can understand almost 40 commands. It is also believed to have a very good memory. As a 'supposed to be real life story' goes, a trained elephant in a camp ran away to the forest, the big guy returns to the camp after four long years and joins for work without forgetting a single command.

Wild Life Sanctuaries

Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary	Eravikulam National Park
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary	Nagarhole (Karnataka)
Nelliyampathy	Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary	Myladumpara
Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary

BEACHES IN KERALA

Beaches are one of the most important tourist attraction in Kerala. Though Kovalam is the most popular beach in Kerala, there are many other beaches which are almost as good. The long coastline lined with the swaying coconut palm trees and dotted with an occasional fishing hamlet is fast developing into one of the world's best string of beaches. Though infrastructure is yet to come up in many of the beaches, the advantages in those beaches are many, the most important being, less crowded.

Here is the list of some important beaches in Kerala.
Sl. No.	Beach	Air Port	Rail Way Station
1.	Kovalam	Trivandrum	Trivandrum
2.	Shangumugham	Trivandrum	Trivandrum
3.	Veli	Trivandrum	Trivandrum
4.	Varkala	Trivandrum	Kollam
5.	Kollam	Trivandrum	Kollam
6.	Alleppey	Cochin	Alleppey
7.	Fortkochi	Cochin	Cochin
8.	Cherai	Cochin	Cochin
9.	Calicut	Calicut	Calicut
10.	Kappad	Calicut	Calicut
11.	Thalassery	Calicut	Thalassery
12.	Muzhaplangadu	Calicut	Thalassery
13.	Payyambalam	Calicut	Kannur
14.	Bakel	Calicut	Kassarkod

Bekal: Spectacular beach destination

Everything about Bekal is spellbinding. The 300 year old Bekal Fort exuding an irresistible old world charm. Enchanting landscapes of beaches, backwaters and hill stations. Mesmerising art forms. Magical traditions... This quiet little seaside village in the northernmost district of Kerala has every ingredient that would go into the creation of an international standard beach destination.

Bekal enjoys the advantages of Kerala : Making Bekal even more exclusive is that it is backed by all the intrinsic advantages of Kerala - God's Own Country. Kerala is the breathtakingly beautiful land at the southwestern tip of India that enjoys unique geographic features, a pleasant climate and a rich cultural heritage. Besides, Kerala is also well connected to the rest of the world - Three international airports, good railway network (now with the Konkan railway line, Bombay will be just 15 hours from Bekal) and modern communication facilities.

ART& CULTURE OF KERALA

Kathakali : A very popular dance form with the tourists visiting Kerala. It is actually a dance drama performed by mostly male artist. The actors convey the message of the story through very expressive facial movements and mudras (hand gesture).

The background singers provide the dialogue. The face of the Kathakali artist is colorfully painted to suit the role. The painted face is often mistaken for a mask. Kerala Kalamandalam situated near Thrissur is a major Kathakali training centre. There are many Kathakali centers in Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin. The painting of the Kathakali face can be seen at most centers if you can visit the centre at least one hour before the performance.

Theyyam	Theyyam	Chendamelam

	The other dance forms popular in Kerala are Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattom, Ottamthullal, Margam Kali and Chavitu Natakom. Oppana is also very popular in Malabar region.
Oppana		Ottan Thullal

Thiruvathirakali	Theyyam	Mohiniyattom

Kalaripayattu: The martial art form of Kerala is believed to be the predecessor to the more famous Karate and Kungfu. Available historic evidence prove practice of Kalari as far back as the 12th Century AD. There is a branch of medicine called Kalari Chikilsa, which has developed as an offshoot of Kalaripayattu, is mainly deals with cure of injuries and sprains.

Kalaripayattu can be seen in the various training centers in the state. C.V.N. Kalari is a famous Kalari training centre. They have training centers in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode besides other places.