Thursday, July 23, 2009

Glimpses of Kerala in Monsoon

On Sunday I took a trip to Palakkad district in Kerala. I drove from Coimbatore to Kozhinjampara, Chittor, Tattamangalam, Kollengode, Payyalore, Kunissery, Chathapuram,Kalpathy & Lakshminarayanapuram. I visited the Brahmin Agraharams in the villages in most of these places. The sky was heavily overcast & it was raining intermittently - in fact Kerala had been lashed by heavy rains for the past two weeks . The journey took me through interior Kerala countryside. There was lush greenery everywhere. One could see abundance of coconut palms, banana plantations, inundated paddy fields, rivers, ponds, paddy birds & glimpses of the Western Ghats (mountains). The atmosphere was exhilirating and energising. The scenery was magnificent & breathtaking. I could not resist the temptation of stopping my car ever so often to inhale the fresh air & take some memorable shots.

42 comments:

  1. Fantastic captures, Ram! Such rich, rich green! What a lovely trip! Thank you so much for sharing the beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful photographs. I enjoyed this post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a gorgeous place. You took some wonderful photographs both of the landscapes and people.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Some really nice shots, Ram. The first three of the paddy fields are so memorable. I also love the look of those mammoth swaying coconut palms Those lush, verdant leaves are such a tropical delight.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I enjoyed this wonderful post.I have been to all the places in Kerala like Palakkad, Chairtala, Thrissur, Kannur, Calicut etc etc. While reading your lovely post and the wonderful photos I was thinking of my college days which I have spent in Kerala.I appreciate for your beautiful photography.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those are some beautiful shots mama :) :) I think Kerala is one of the most aboslutely beautiful palces on earth... no other place can beat it!!

    (Although this feeling could partly be because I am originally from Kollengode) Nice to know that you went there too :) :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. wonderful pics. Kerala is an awesome place. In fact India is an awesome place..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Absolutely Stunning!... Kerela is the one place I've been dreaming and still dreaming to visit :( Hope the dream come true very soon! Pics are just awesome Sir :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. kerala indeed look its best during monsoon. i just luv driving around the hilly reaches (wayanad or idukki) during that time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful shots! The simple beauty of paddy fields never cease to attract me. So, when will the rains cease? Guess a lot of activities are curtailed.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The green scenes are cool to the eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great captures.
    Looks like our rice paddies.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kerala is so beautiful and green. Great pictures, my favorites are of the people working in the paddies.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The most vivid green that I have seen in a picture, lovely work.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Ram!

    Did I tell you I am from Kerala ? I was born in Trivandrum and these gorgeous photos make me HOMESICK!!!

    Brilliant images. You've captured the essence of the monsoon!

    ReplyDelete
  16. That was a great tour of the area. The green fields were most impressive.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ram, thanks for sharing these amazing sceneries! From your fine images one can really feel the exhilirating and energizing atmosphere and the fresh air of those charming places.
    About the flowers of my post, yes, they may be hibiscus or perhaps red geranium.
    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I initially thought I would specifically mention those shots I loved most, but later realised all of them are beautiful.
    I specially liked the 4th pic and the one of the houses of the village. Vey quaint and charming.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Ramu
    I envy you for this trip and the photos. Wish I was there, specially that road and the houses along it in the village. Wish I could settle there and then Simbly do nothing.
    Girish Bhatnagar

    ReplyDelete
  20. Good morning, Ram and Thank you for visiting my blog! These are such beautiful images of a wonderful place I might never get to see if not for you! Visit me again anytime. xxx kim

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gods own country is always beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wonderful trip you had for all of us! I like the coconut palms, but, alas they will no grow here. I also like the pictures with people in them. Good work.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Simply fantastic picures, Ramu.
    Reminds me to echo who poet who rhapsodied about England: "Oh to be in Kerala now that Monsoon is there!" ( Oh to be in England now that spring is there! That is what he said.) Glad you are taking time off to soak in nature in its pristine beauty.
    Lakshmi

    ReplyDelete
  24. These photos are fascinating. They transmit a lot of the lushness, the colourfulness and the breathtaking scenery mentioned in the text. To experience the sounds and scents, I guess we still have to go to Kerala.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Good morning from California. Thank you for visiting today (via Ash's blog) It's always nice to make new friends.

    I enjoyed going through your blog. Such a fantastic and personal record of your country as seen through the eyes of a countryman, not a tourist.

    I'm happy to read that you have been to the Grand Canyon. It is one of those not to be missed places on the planet.

    Be well,
    Annie

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Ram:)

    Gorgeous photos! Spellbinding! Breathtaking!

    Kerala looks fantastic through your lenses. Not that I have not seen Palghat in the rains but through your photos it is amazing. No wonder Kerala is called GOD'S OWN COUNTRY.

    But the scene in Kochi is not the same. It becomes ugly during the rains like any other city. Water logging, pot holes on the road, traffic congestion, scramble to get into the bus, pollution etc.

    I had some good friends from Kalpthi- Venkata Seshan, Anantha Raman and Gopalsamy. I have lost touch with them.

    As regards your query in my post, the Dutch Palace is in Mattancherry and the Dutch Cemetery is in Fort Kochi. The rain is taking some rest now:)

    Have a wonderful day Ram:)
    Joseph

    ReplyDelete
  27. You have captured amazing images. my first time on your blog, it is gorgeous
    xoxo
    Bunny
    I travel a lot and just love these pictures!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. @Sylvia: Thanhs for your generous comments.
    @Valerie: Thanks for visiting. Please visit often
    Carver: Thanks for your appreciation
    Prospero:Glad you like the photographs.
    @Phillip: Thank you friend.You shall be my guide when I travel to Cyprus !
    @Babli: I am happy that your nostalgic memories about Kerala were kindled.
    @Ishwarya:Are you a Kerala Iyer too ?
    @JD:Thanks.Keep visiting often.
    @Sowmi:Thanks.I offer to be your guide for Kerala !
    @USansandeep: Thanks.Looks like you have travelled a lot in Kerala.
    @Sunshine Girl: Thanks for your appreciation.
    @Regina:Thanks for visiting.Please visit often.
    @Mojo Arasu:Thanks
    @Diane: Thanks.I am glad you like the pics.
    @wvisview:Thanks for visiting. Please visit often.

    ReplyDelete
  29. @Ash:I presumed you are a Keralite.Didn't know you hail from Trivandrum.Coincidentally I am from Trivandrum too !
    @Janie: Thanks for your nice comment.
    @G: Anna.Thank you for your comment.
    @Pietro:You are very generous with your appreciation!
    @Raji: Thanks.
    @Aparna: Glad you like them all
    @Girish: How is life post Railways? You are welcome to Kerala anytime. I can be your guide.
    @Kimberley: Thanks for dropping by.Please visit often

    ReplyDelete
  30. @Lazyclick:Yes you are right!
    @Leo: Why dont you plan a trip to Kerala ?
    @Lakshmi: That was very apt Quote from an English poet
    @Flowergirl:Thanks for visiting
    @AB: Thanks for your generous comments
    @Annie:Thank you for visiting & your nice comments.
    @Bunny The Paris House: Thanks for visiting and your gracious comments

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have travelled to India more than 10 years ago. It was an unforgettable trip. Your blog inspired me to travel India again..

    ReplyDelete
  32. Kerala is a place, that's amazing in all seasons... In monsoon it's an added feather to the cap... Lovely place and a lovelier post...
    Ram Sir, you're too good... :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Th green rice fields rmember me of the ones I saw in Bali; fabulous green!

    ReplyDelete
  34. could you please tell me the locality of each photo please?
    i could identify only Payyalore Sri Krishna Temple and the agraharam. thank you very much for the nice photos.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Cannot wait to come back to India and make a trip down south ! What a fantabulous collection of photos there ! Could almost smell the fresh air !

    ReplyDelete
  36. Fabulous photographs of verdant fields and some inundated crops that makes one yearn to visit these places.It is good to note many well known villages retaining their old world charm in your itinerary.I wish you had given caption for the two agraharam pictures.Thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  37. WE ARE URGENTLY IN NEED OF KIDNEY DONORS,WITH THE SUM OF [$800,000USD,]{800,000 USD}CONTACT USNOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.EMail fortishospital123@outlook.com} orWHATSAPP us now,(+12899600524.)Dr S.K Wangnoo OF FORTIS HOSPITAL INDIA. I AMASPECIALIST IN ORGAN SURGERY,will also buy and sell.TRANSPLANT OF ANY TYPES 0F 0RGAN We need your urgent responds..

    ReplyDelete
  38. Greeting from APOLLO HOSPITAL, urgently contact us now as we have a lot of patients who are here for kidney transplant, and we shall offer you ($800,000.00USD) for your Kidney. Our Hospital is specialized in Kidney Surgery/transplant and other organ treatment, we also deal with buying and transplantation of kidneys with a living and healthy donor. If you are interested in selling your kidney, contact us via Email: (apollohospital62@gmail.com), WHATSAPP NUMBERS [+12899600524. Urgent response needed

    ReplyDelete

RAMAL RAMANATHAN'S 95th BIRTHDAY

Wedding Studio Photo Appa's 90th Birthday Ayushhomam at Coimbatore: 2006 Wedding Photo Photos clicked on Birthday at Coimbatore Special ...