TOURISM-KERALA.org

ADVENTOURS BOAT RACE IN KERALA

Duration : 16 Days/15 Nights

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Day 01- PICK UPCHENNAI AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO HOTEL (30 KMS - 30Minutes)
Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel. We stay at the Ideal Beach Resort.

Day 02 - MORNING KANCHIPURAM SIGHT SEEING. AFTERNOON MAMALLAPURAM SIGHT SEEING (150 KMS /06HRS)
Morning after break fast will drive to excursion to temple town of south India (kanchipuram). On arrival at Kancheepuram we visit the three famous temples namely VARADARAJA PERUMAL, EKAMBARESHWAR AND KAILASANATHAR. The Varadaraja perumal temple is dedicated to god VISHNU and was built in the 7th century. The major attraction here is the 100-pillared hall, were the wall sculptures depict the historical events of the temple. After visiting this temple we go to visit the Ekambareshwar temple. Ekambareshwar temple is dedicated to god SHIVA and is one of the largest temples of Kancheepuram. The temples name is said to be derived from "Eka Ambar Nathar" (Lord of Mango Tree). The temple houses a mango tree about 3500 years old and its believed so that the four branches of this tree represent the four VEDAS (sacred Hindu texts). Further on we move to the Kailasanathar temple, which are the oldest and the most beautiful temple of Kancheepuram. Pallava king built the temple in the 7th century giving great importance to the Dravidian architecture. We will have break for lunch at Beach resort in Mamallapuram. Afternoon sight seeing to Mamallapuram where you visit the Famous world heritage monuments of The Shore Temple (built in 7th century), The Arjuna`s Penance (Bass Relief), Five Rathas (symbolizes equality of men & women) and many cave temples. Dinner at Ideal Beach Resort with cultural events.

Day 03 MORNING DRIVE TO TANJORE (VIA - G.K.PURAM & DHARASURAM) (240 KMS / 06 HRS)
Morning after breakfast will drive Tanjore, en route visit to Gangaikondacholapuram & Dharasuram. Gangaikonda Cholapuram (famous Shiva temple) with its beautiful high towers full with many small sculptures depicting stories of old epics. Proceed to Kumbakonam for lunch break in village resort after lunch will drive to Darasuram temple (built in memory of the White elephant - AIRAVATH from the gods family), the temple has its original name as "Airavatheshwar temple". Further head to Tanjore and Check-in to hotel Parisutham and Dinner l served on poolside .

Day 04 MORNING TANJORE SIGHT SEEING (3 HRS) & AFTERNOON TRICHY SIGHT SEEING (110 KMS - 05 HRS)
Morning visit the world famous Brihadeshwar temple (houses one of Asia's biggest nandi -the bull). The temple built by the cholas is very special for its architecture. The most exiting is that the temple does not have a shadow falling on ground at any time of day but falls on its own body. Then visit the Bronze gallery at palace museum and proceed to hotel for lunch break after lunch will drive to Trichy the town situated on the bank of river Cauvery. Srirangam temple is one of the largest temple complex in India, lies on an island on the Kauvery River, on the northern side of this chaotic city. The most important entrance gate is more than ninety metres high. Twenty thousand people live and work within the labyrinths of the temple and every day there's a large stream of pilgrims. There are seven temple walls around the complex. You can find all kinds of shops within the walls, as well as the houses of Brahmans and other temple people. The building only begins to look like a temple when you are inside of the fourth wall, outside of that it looks more like a city. The holiest of holy places in the temple has a gold roof. Festivals are almost continually celebrated in the temples and along the shores of the river. We will drive back to hotel. Evening live south Indian classical music performance over dinner.

Day 05 TAJORE TO MADURAI (180 KMS / 04 HRS)
Morning after breakfast will drive to Madurai. The name Madurai reminds the city of the legend that a drop of sweet nectar from the hair of the god Shiva fell to earth here. 'Madhurai' means 'sweet' in Sanskrit. It is possible that Madurai is the oldest city in India. There is proof that three thousand years ago there was already a considerable settlement here and the Roman emperors had an ambassador here. On arrival at Madurai check in to Taj garden retreat. Afternoon leisure. Dinner at hotel.

Day 06 - MADURAI SIGHT SEEING
Morning after breakfast will visit Sri Meenakshi temple. The city completely revolves around the Meenakshi Temple, where thousands of priests and worshippers come daily, temple elephant people are blessed and astrologists read the stars and hands. You can also get your fortune read by parrots that pick tarot cards out of a pile. All the believers bathe themselves in the temple baths. The temple also has a museum with beautiful bronze statues. In the evening sermons are held within the walls of the temple and concerts are often given in honor of the gods. The one thing that you must not miss is the evening ceremony with a fanfare, where the god Shiva is lead to the bedroom of his wife, Meenakshi. Madurai is also a great place to look for bronze statues, carpets or other souvenirs. Over night at theTaj Garden Retreat hotel.

Day 07: MADURAI TO PERIYAR (160 KMS / 04 HRS)
Checking out from the hotel after breakfast travel to a lower lying part of the mountain range where tropical rainforest still holds its own in the Periyar National Park. Just before the end of the four-hour journey you pass a real border with barriers: the border with the federal state of Kerala. Afternoon Plantation tour, this tour is to introduce you to the numerous variety of spices that this country is famous for. A good explanation of the native spices, tea and coffee will given by the guide who will be accompany the tour. If you are interested a visit to the local tea factory can be organized. Dinner at Spice Village Resort.

Day 09 - MORNING BOAT TRIP AT PERIYAR LAKE AND AFTERNOON LEIUSRE.
Morning will take boat trip at Periyar Lake; this is the best place to observe the game. There are many animals to see, including herds of elephants, bison's and packs of wild boars that roam through the woods and parade along the shores of the lake just before sunrise and sunset. Afternoon leisure. Dinner at Hotel.

Day 10 - PERIYAR TO KUMARAKOM (120KMS/03 HRS)
Depart from hotel after breakfast we drive through magnificent mountain country with jungle, palm forests and all sorts of plantations for tea and coffee. We slowly descend to a green area where cocoa, rubber and spices grown. On arrival at Kumarakom check in to hotel and leisure. Dinner at Coconut Lagoon Lake Resort.

Day 11 -MORNING VISIT BOAT RACE & EVENING DRIVE TO COCHIN (65KMS / 02 HRS)
You will watch the boat race on a private boat.

Snake Boat Race: This most colorful water sport in Kerala, is conducted at PUNNAMADA LAKE in Alappuzha on the second Saturday of every August. This prestigious cultural event of Kerala, which has been drawing people from all over the world. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a festival for the people of Alappuzha. Though it is a festival, the attraction about this is the sportive sprits among the participants of the race. Several Boat races are taking place in several parts of Kuttanad and other parts of Alappuzha. But today despite all the other water festivals and functions this particular event has gained popularity and attraction for many people.

How it all started: Started in the year 1952 this event was kicked started by the then prime minister Shri .Jawaharlal Nehru also known as Punditji. In the year 1952, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore - Cochin. On his way to Alappuzha from Kottayam the people of Alappuzha, escorted by the huge snake-boats, gave him a roaring reception. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat popularly known as Chundan, Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner. The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words of Punditji are inscribed above his signature. "To the winner of the boat-race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin". This trophy was later christened, 'Nehru Trophy'. The first race was an 'impromptu' one held in the honour of Panditji. During that period occasion Ten Snake boats were present and Nedubhagam Chundan won the race. In order to commemorate the occasion every year "Nehru Trophy Boat Race" is conducted in all respect by the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society.

What are Snake boats The boats of Kerala are known after their shapes, sizes or purposes. The Chundaanvallam is so called because of its pointed prow. The term snake boat comes from its stern, which represents the raised, the hood of a nake and its length . The front end of this type of boat will be tapering in shape and the rear end will be very high from the water level. They have a length of about 60-65 meters and a capacity carrying hundred to hundred and ten people during the race time. The stern is majestically caparisoned and decorated with a flag and brass ornaments. Silken parasols are arrayed along the entire length of the boat. There will be almost 95 oarsman, 5 Amarakkar (Controllers) and 10 'Nilakkar' (persons supposed to enhance the vigour and enthusiasm of the articipating oarsman). It has got a resemblance to the shape of a snake, when it advances in a competition and hence became popular as snake boats. Snake boats are the traditional battle vessels of Kerala known as Chundan vallams. They were originally designed as a naval vessel used for battle

Magnificent fiestas that brings alive the tranquil backwaters. Snake boat races are held in connection with ONAM festival. Scores of long snake boats and other smaller crafts participate in these events. The largest team sport in the world, the snake boat races are preceded by colorful water parades. Usually a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, 25 singers and 100-125 oarsmen who row in unison to the fast rhythm of the Vanchipattu (Song of the boatman). Thousand of people crowd the water's adge to cheer the huge black crafts as they slice through the waters to a spectacular finish. The oldest of these events have curious legends and myths attached to their origin. Myths closely linked to the rustic people and their beliefs. After boat race visit will drive two hrs to reach Cochin. On arrival at Cochin check in to hotel. Dinner at Hotel.

Day 12 COCHIN SIGHT SEEING (30 KMS - 06 HRS)
Morning after breakfast will visit to Dutch palace; it is very beautiful murals, which depict different episodes in Hindu myths and a 16 the century Jewish synagogue and the only Jewish neighborhood in India. The Jewish community originally consisted of black and white Jews. In the Dutch cemetery and in two churches you can see many Dutch gravestones. The ten-meter high Chinese fishnets that Marco Polo mentioned are wonderful to see. In Kerala this method of fishing using the nets, which originates from the 11th century, can still be seen. The Bolgatty palace on the island of the same name is the stately official residence of the former Dutch governor of Cochin and is a great place for lunch under the tropical trees of the lagoon. Evening leisure. Dinner at hotel.

Day 13 - DRIVE TO ALLEPPEY AND CHECK IN TO HOUSE BOAT STAY ON FULL BOARD BASIS (65 KMS / 02 HRS)
Morning after breakfast will drive to Alleppey and check in to houseboat on full board basis. We will having lunch in House boat, The house boat will take you through the backwaters, this trip you will enjoy with a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. You can sunbathe on the roof or observe the landscape from the protection of the cabin. The population's whole life takes place here on the water. The people sail, fish, swim and bathe here. They do their washing and their washing up. They are so adapted to the water that you can see people talking for an hour, while they are up to their necks in water. Peddlers take care of the supplies and the public transport goes on the water. Countless water birds wait for their chance to catch a fish. The trip goes through a wonderful area full of palm trees, rice fields and floating water plants that surround the boat like emerald Green Island. Also the trip will take you to the narrow canals and through the legendary Punnamada lake/ Virgin village to know at first hand the fascinating local life / paddy fields / historical places like a visit to the 400 year old church / village temples / stop at the Snake Boat (110 ft. long) / stop at toddy tapers place (coconut beer) / Kuttanad Village / Chavara fishing area / night stay at middle of the romantic lake at Vattakayal. Dinner will served as desired by you.

Day 14: PICK UP FROM HOUSE BOAT AND TRANSFER TO MARARAI BEACH (35 KMS - 01 HRS)
Morning after breakfast will pick you up from houseboat and transfer to Mararaibeach. Where you can unwind, eat some good food, swim and sunbathe. Dinner at Mararai Beach Resort.

Day 15 - LEISURE DAY - MARARAI BEACH.

Day 16 - THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST.
Today the tour ends after breakfast, will drop you Cochin airport / Cochin railway station according to your travel plans.