Sree Sankara Memorial Tower, Kaladi

Sree Sankara Memorial Tower, Kaladi, Ernakulam district, is a tall eight-story memorial built by Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. The entrance to the memorial, guarded by two elephant statues, leads to the Paduka Mandapam with two silver knobs representing the 'padukas,' or wooden sandals of the Teacher. The walls of the memorial feature framed relief paintings narrating the story of Adi Sankaracharya. Several large statues of Ganapati, Adi Sankara, and others are also housed in this memorial. Adi Sankara's shrines in Kalady are open to all pilgrims irrespective of religion and caste. Visitors can review the life of Sankara Acharya as they climb to the top. Sankaracharya was the greatest reformer of the Hindu Renaissance that took place in Kerala in 8 c. AD. He taught Advaita Vedanta that postulates the indivisibility of the individual soul and the Brahma or the Cosmic Soul. Adi Shankara was the founder of the Dashanami monastic order and the Shanmata tradition of worship. Adi Shankara quotes extensively from the Upanishads and other Hindu scriptures in forming his teachings.

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Cruise ship MV Seven Seas Voyager on her visit to Kochi

Images of Cruise ship MV Seven Seas Voyager which called at the Kochi port on Sunday 23rd march 2008. Seven Seas Voyager is a cruise ship owned by Regent Seven Seas Cruises. These photographs were taken on 24th March 2008 when she left Cochin for Mumbai.
The ship arrived at the Ernakulam Wharf of the Cochin Port Trust. Kerala's popularity as `God's own country' and Kochi's strategic location as a port near the international shipping route are said to be the main attractions for cruise ships. The unique feature of the vessel is that it has only suites, with a balcony attached.

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Chinese fishing nets, Cherai, Kerala

Chinese fishing nets that adorn the embankment at Munambam harbor, near Cherai.

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Fisherman with his dugout, Cherai

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Fisherman with his dugout propelling through a narrow canal at Munambam, Kerala.

Munambam fishing harbor, Kerala

CHRI 044 Country fishing boats moored at Munambam fishing harbor.

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Munambam fishing harbor, Cherai, Kerala

The Munambam fishing harbor is situated about 5 km north of Cherai beach and is the northern tip of Vypeen island. Munambam is surrounded by Arabian Sea at west, end of Periyar river at east and the mouth of sea at the north side. To protect the harbor mouth, two ramparts are constructed into the sea to about half kilometer using granite stones and concrete blocks. A lot of Chinese fishing nets which looks like huge spider webs adorn these earthworks.

CHRI 018 The southern embankment that stretches out into Arabian sea at Munambam harbor mouth. At a distance, you can see the Chinese fishing nets.

CHRI 019 A fishing boat entering the harbor from sea. The northern embankment is seen on the other side of the backwater.

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Two local fishermen in their small country canoes.

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The large expanse of granite stones used for the construction of the dike, Munambam, Cherai.

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The tip of the embankment is protected by huge four legged concrete blocks.

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Dolphin sighting is usual here. This image is cropped from original.

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Boys sitting on concrete blocks observing the Arabian sea, Munambam.

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A boat setting out to Arabian sea. A sight from the embankment.