Group of Bisons , Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

A herd of Bisons (Wild Ox) grazing in the grass hills of Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady.

TDY 079	TDY 080
TDY 081	TDY 082
TDY 083	TDY 084
TDY 085	TDY 086
TDY 087	TDY 088
TDY 089	TDY 090

Snake Bird at Thekkady

A Darter commonly called Snake Bird sitting on a stump submerged in the Periyar lake, Thekkady.

TDY 077

TDY 078

Original File Format: Nikon RAW - NEF (Nikon Electronic Format)

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady, April 2008

Picturesque Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and lake. Due to the unexpected 'Venal mazha' (Summer rain) in the months of March / April, this reservoir of Mullaperiyar dam is at it's full capacity and the forest foliage is lush green which are uncommon in this season. The clear blue sky also adds additional brilliance to the pictures.

TDY 065	TDY 066
TDY 067	TDY 068
TDY 069	TDY 070
TDY 071	TDY 072
TDY 073	TDY 074
TDY 075	TDY 076

Cruise ship MV Queen Victoria visits Kochi

One of the world's largest cruise vessels, Queen Victoria arrived in Kochi carrying 2000 passengers and 900 crew at 6 a.m. on 26th March 2008.It was as part of her first global voyage that the ship halted at Kochi.Commissioned in December, 2007, the vessel can carry 2,014 passengers and 900 officers and crew in its 16 decks. Queen Victoria, a 294 meter long liner, was built at Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Italy.The tourists were given traditional welcome at the port. Officers of Cochin Port Trust greeted the Captain of the ship, Christopher Rynd and exchanged plaques to mark the maiden visit of Queen Victoria to Kochi. During the ceremony the Captain said that Kochi was the most beautiful port in this part of the world.

CSQV 001

CSQV 002

CSQV 003

CSQV 004	CSQV 005
CSQV 006	CSQV 007
CSQV 008	CSQV 009
CSQV 010	CSQV 011
CSQV 012	CSQV 013

Church of Our Lady, Vallarpadam, Kochi

The Shrine of Our Lady of Vallarpadam, Kochi which belongs to the Archdiocese of Verapoly is a famous Pilgrim Center. The Vallarpadam church has now been raised to the status of a basilica. In 1524, Portuguese merchants headed by Vasco da Gama place upon a throne this miraculous picture of Our lady of Ransom at the shrine. The Vallarpadam church was bestowed a special status by Pope Leo XIII in 1888. In 1951 The Govt. of India declared the Church as a major pilgrim center of country. In the Year 2002 The Government of Kerala declared the church as important tourist center in Kerala. This holy shrine is situated in the Vallarpadam island near Ernakulum, Kerala. With the opening of the Goshree Bridge, the church is now accessible by road from Cochin city.

VLPM 001	VLPM 002
VLPM 003	VLPM 004
VLPM 005	VLPM 006
VLPM 007	VLPM 008
VLPM 009	VLPM 010

Mist covered Mountains, Peermade

Smoky Mountains!!! They look so adorable when you're above them! Valley covered with mist in the wee hours near the plantation town of Peermade which is about 32 kilometers from Thekkady.

TDY 060

TDY 061	TDY 062
TDY 063	TDY 064

Cattle Market, En route Kumily

This market is called locally 'Kala chantha' mean cattle market. I took these photographs in the morning hours en route Kumily. These cattle are being brought from Tamil Nadu state in lorries and auctioned here. Cattle traders from different parts of Kerala come here for buying these livestock.

TDY 058

TDY 059