Monday, October 8, 2007

TPM - 044 - Trichur Pooram, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 044
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 43
A close up of Caparisoned Tusker at Paramekkavu Temple.
Adhering to the medieval Peruvanam tradition, the festival is confined to the temples of Devi (goddess) and Sastha (divine combination of Shiva and Vishnu). Ten deities from the neighboring temples pay obeisance to the presiding deiety of Thrissur and only spectator of the Pooram events, Lord Siva at the Sree Vadakkunnathan temple, situated in the heart of the town.

TPM - 045 - Trichur Pooram, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 045
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 44
Principle participants are Paramekkavu and Tiruvambadi, close to the Vadakunnathan temple. Also participating and known as 'Cherupooram' are the suburban temples at Kanimangalam, Karamukku, Choorakkattukara, Laloor, Ayyanthole, Neithilakkavu, Chembukkavu and Panamukkampilly altogether 8 deities. The sprawling Thekkinkadu maidan, en circling the Vadakumnathan temple, is the main venue of the festival and usually known as Thrissur Swaraj Round.

TPM - 043 - Trichur Pooram, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 043
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 42
Pageant at Paramekkavu Temple. Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple at Trichur is one of the largest Bagavathi temples in Kerala.

TPM - 042 - Trichur Pooram, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 042
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 41
Before the advent of Thrissur Pooram, the lar temple festival during summer in Thrissur Taluk was the one-day festival held at Arattupuzha, 12 km south of the town. Temples in and around Thrissur were regular participants of this religious exercise until they were once denied entry by the responsible chief of the Peruvanam area of Cherpu, known for its Namboodiri supremacy. As an act of reprisal and also in a bid to assuage their wounded feelings, Raja Rama Varma (1751-1805), also known as Sakthan Thampuran the ruler of the Cochin state invited all these temples to bring their deities to Thrissur where they could pay obeiance to Lord (Sri) Vadakunnathan, the deity of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Further he directed the main temples of Thrissur, Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu, to extend all help and support to these temples. It is this historical background that determines the course of the Pooram program and it is specifically the ruler's antipathy to the Brahmin aristocracy to open Thrissur pooram for the common man.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

ARN - 005 - Snake Boat Race - Aranmula

Stock Image No: ARN 005
The Aranmula Boat Race takes place at Aranmula, Kerala near a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the river Pampa to watch the snake boat races. Nearly 40 snake boats or "chundan vallams" participate in the festival. The oarsmen sing traditional boat songs and wear white dhotis and turbans. The golden lace at the head of the boat, the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the center make it a show of pageantry too.

ARN - 004 - Snake Boat Race - Aranmula

Stock Image No: ARN 004
Each snake boat belongs to a village along the banks of the river Pampa. Every year the boats are oiled mainly with fish oil, coconut shell, and carbon, mixed with eggs to keep the wood strong and the boat slippery in the water. The village carpenter carries out annual repairs and people take pride in their boat, which is named after and represents their village.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

MNR - 116 - Mattupetty, Munnar

Stock Image No: MNR - 116
Mist covered Tea Plantations, en route Mattupetty , Munnar
In 2000, the Government of Kerala declared Munnar as a tourist spot. This has helped in attracting more tourists to this beautiful hill resort. Several protected wildlife areas in the area attract many tourists who support the many hotels, restaurants and transport businesses in Munnar.
Photo 29

MNR - 115 - Mattupetty, Munnar

Stock Image No: MNR - 115
Misty mountains and Tea Plantations, Mattupetty , Munnar
Munnar is almost entirely occupied by Tata Tea, one of the Tata Group of companies. The entire area is known as "high range" and rarely Kannan Devan Hills, from which the famous brand of the Tatas gets its name.
Photo 28

MNR - 113 - Kundala Lake, Munnar

Stock Image No: MNR - 113
Kundala Lake near Mattupetty , Munnar
कुंदाला लेक, मुननार, केरल
During the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants. At that time, most of the people around the area were employed as laborers for plantations throughout the area. In the early stages of development, only Tamilians and a small number of Malayalis inhabited Munnar.
Photo 26

MNR - 114 - Kundala Lake, Munnar

Stock Image No: MNR - 114
Kundala Lake near Mattupetty , Munnar
कुंदाला लेक, मुननार, केरल
The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,600 meters (5,249.3 ft) to 1,800 meters (5,905.5 ft) above mean sea level. Munnar enjoys a salubrious climate. The weather ranges between 0 °C (32 °F) and +10 °C (50 °F) in winter and +15 °C (59 °F) and +25 °C (77 °F) in summer. The tourist season is from August to May.
Photo 27

Friday, October 5, 2007

TPM - 040 - Trichur Pooram, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 040
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 39
The procession of the Thiruvambadi Pooram to the grounds of Vadakkumnatha Temple and back is not only important, but also quite enlivening. The marvellous as well as magical effect of the Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments is to be felt and enjoyed. Among the varieties of festivals celebrated in Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is the most thunderous, spectacular and dazzling. There are three temples participating in the event. It is an expression of popular fascination for sound and colour, and because of the pageantry, it appeals to all people. The images of the deities from all temples of the village are taken on elephants to the main temple.
पूरम फेस्टीवल थिरुवाम्बडी तेम्प्ले, त्रिचुर

TPM - 041 - Trichur Pooram, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 041
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 40
Thrissur Pooram is a cultural highlight par excellence, celebrated in the Malayalam month Medam (April/May) pooram nakshatram.The two century old festival of spectacular procession of caparisoned elephants and enthralling percussion performances in a never ending succession is an 36 hours marathon event of incredible beauty, a feast for the eye and the ear, unfolding between 6 a.m. to noon the other day. Different from the usual temple festival, Thrissur Pooram is participated and conducted by people across all barriers of religion and caste.
पूरम फेस्टीवल थिरुवाम्बडी तेम्प्ले, त्रिचुर

Thursday, October 4, 2007

TMA - 015 - Sambar Deer, Thenmala

Stock Image No: TMA 015
Sambar Deer at Deer Rehabilitation Centre, Thenmala Eco Tourism
हिरन पुनरदिवास केद्र, तेन्मला, कोल्लम, केरल
Sambar, is the common name for several large dark brown and maned Asian deer, particularly for the Indian species, which attains a height of 102 to 160 cm (40 to 63 in) at the shoulder and may weigh as much as 1200pounds(546 kg). The coat is dark brown with chestnut marks on the rump and underparts. The large, rugged antlers are typically rusine, the brow tines being simple and the beams forked at the tip. In some specimens the antlers exceed 101 cm (40 in).

TMA - 016 - Reservoir of Parappar Dam, Thenmala

Stock Image No: TMA 015
Reservoir of the Parappar Dam, Thenmala constructed across Kallada River, occupies the heart of Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary.

TPM - 038 - Trichur Pooram Festival, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 038
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 37
This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of the erstwhile Cochin State in the late eighteenth century. Perhaps, there is no other festival in Kerala that draws such an unbelievable number of people to a single event. However Vadakkunnathan is a mere spectator at this festival, lending its premises and grounds for the great event.
Elephant carrying Thidambu (Big shield with idol of Hindu deity) at Pooram Festival, Thiruvambady temple, Trichur
पूरम फेस्टीवल थिरुवाम्बडी तेम्प्ले, त्रिचुर

TPM - 039 - Trichur Pooram Festival, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 039
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 38
The Pooram Festival is celebrated by two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissur Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi vying with each other in making the display grander and more colourful. Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and all efforts are made by each party to secure the best elephants in South India and the most artistic parasols, several kinds of which are raised on the elephants during the display. Commencing in the early hours of the morning, the celebrations last till the break of dawn, the next day.
Elephant carrying Thidambu (Big shield with idol of Hindu deity) at Pooram Festival, Thiruvambady temple, Trichur
पूरम फेस्टीवल थिरुवाम्बडी तेम्प्ले, त्रिचुर

Key Words: India Kerala Trissur Trissur Trichur Thrisoor Hindu Temple Swaraj Round Caparisoned Elephant Tusker Festival Chenda Panchavadyam Pilgrimage Thidumbu Thidambu Tourism Thekkinkad Mathom Madathil Varavu Pooram Cultural Paramekkavu Brahmaswom Kudamattam Kudamattom Thiruvambady Elanjithara Melam Vadakkunnathan

TMA - 013 - Sculpture of Mohiniyattam dancers, Thenmala

Stock Image No: TMA 013
Sculpture of Mohiniyattam dancers at Thenmala, Quilon District, Kerala.
Sculpture Garden - Based on the theme 'Man and Nature', this garden depicts the relationship between the two in the serene backdrop of the forest.

TMA - 014 - Sway Bridge, Thenmala

Stock Image No: TMA 008
Sway Bridge at Leisure Zone of Thenmala Eco Tourism Project, Quilon District, Kerala.
An unsupported bridge, made of wooden planks and hung from ropes across the river.
तेन्मला, कोल्लम, केरल

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

TPM - 036 - Trichur Pooram Festival, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 036
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 35
Celebrated in Medom (April-May) it consists of processions of richly caparisoned elephants from various neighbouring temples to the Vadakumnathan temple, Thrissur. The most impressive processions are those from the Krishna Temple at Thiruvambadi and the Devi Temple at Paramekkavu which is quite a significant event for its devotees.

TPM - 037 - Trichur Pooram Festival, Kerala

Stock Image No: TPM 037
Trichur Pooram Photo collection 2007 : 36
Thrissur Pooram is the most colourful temple festival of Kerala, south India. Thrissur Pooram attracts large masses of devotees and spectators from all parts of the State and even outside.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

MNR - 112 - Mattupetty, Munnar

Stock Image No: MNR - 112
Mountains, Lake and Pine forest, Mattupetty , Munnar. Over a 100 varieties of high yeilding cattle are reared here at the Swiss Livestock Project.
Photo 25

MNR - 110 - Mattupetty, Munnar

Stock Image No: MNR - 110
Mountains, Lake and Pine forest, Mattupetty , Munnar. The Neelakurinji, a purple flower which blooms only every twelve years, is found in this region.
Photo 23

MNR - 111 - Mattupetty, Munnar

Stock Image No: MNR - 111
Mountains, Lake and Pine forest, Mattupetty , Munnar. Munnar was the summer resort of British Government in South India. It is 1600 m (5400 ft) above sea level.
Photo 24

Monday, October 1, 2007

TMA - 012 - Weir, Thenmala

Stock Image No: TMA 012
Weir at Thenmala, Quilon District, Kerala. The first eco tourism project in India is located at Thenmala.
डाम, तेन्मला, कोल्लम, केरल

TMA - 011 - Weir, Thenmala

Stock Image No: TMA 011
Weir at Thenmala which is a tourist place near Punalur town, Kollam district in Kerala.
डाम, तेन्मला, कोल्लम, केरल