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Kerala Adventure Tourism
If you love thrill and excitement in your life, join us in our trail of adventure in Kerala. Kerala Adventure is inviting to those who love to take challenges in their lives. Come and discover the unexplored and not ventured portions of Kerala with the Kerala Adventure. Kerala offers a number of adventure tourist destinations that ranges like mighty mountains, dense forests and rippling rivers. The choice of adventure activities in Kerala is vast and you have the option from camping, canoeing, kayaking, mountaineering, mountain biking, parasailing, rafting, trekking and wildlife safaris.
Some of the Adventure Tourism in Kerala are:
| Boat Races |
Nehru Trophy Boat Race :
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The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most colorful water sport in Kerala. It is organized at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha every year on the second Saturday in the month of August. People from all over the world come over here to witness this prestigious cultural event of Kerala. The trophy was named as Nehru Trophy because the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru handed it over to the winners of the first boat race. The event was an impromptu and was held in the honor of the Prime minister who visited Alappuzha in 1952.
In the year 1952, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin. On his way to Alleppey from Kottayam He was given a roaring reception by the people of Alleppey on his way from Alleppey to Kottayam. After enjoying the sail in the snake boat known as Chundan, Pandit Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner.
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is celebrated, as a festival by the people of Alleppey and the main attraction of the festival is the sportsman's sprit of the participants of the race. The event is enjoyed equally by the locals as well as the tourists both Indian and foreigners.
The trophy is a replica in silver of a snake-boat and is placed over a wooden abacus. Panditji's signature along with the following words is inscribed on the trophy: "To the winner of the boat-race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin". This trophy was later given the name of the 'Nehru Trophy'. Nehru Trophy Boat race has become a very popular event over the years and all the boat clubs desire to win the prestigious Nehru Trophy.
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Champakulam Moolam Boat Race :
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The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is the oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala. It is closely associated with the Sri Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The boat race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the Moolam day of the Malayalam calendar month Midhunam. It is also the day of the installation of the deity at the Temple.According to the local legends, the Maharaja Devanarayana of Chempakasseri built a temple at Ambalappuzha at the instruction of the royal priest. But as the deity was being installed, he was informed that the idol was not auspicious. The minister suggested to the disturbed king to bring down the idol of Sri Krishna, presented to Arjuna by the Lord himself, from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. The minister with a few others went to Kurichi, met the authorities and returned with the idol. On the way back they had a night halt at Champakulam. The next morning, the boats from the entire region gathered to escort the idol in a ceremonial procession through the lake to the Temple.
This practice has continued over the years and is performed with the same enthusiasm. An exotic procession of water boats decorated with colorful parasol is carried out just before the race. The race is organized at several stages for various categories of boats.
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Aranmula Boat Race :
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The Aranmula Boat Race is a two day water carnival rather than a sports competition. It is held during the festival of Onam. According to the local beliefs, this event is performing of a very famous legend. The story thus goes that once a devout Brahmin made votive offering of feeding one pilgrim a day. One day Sri Krishna himself made an appearance to him. Overwhelmed, the Brahmin vowed to offer 51 measures of rice and all the ration for the thiruvona sadya or the sumptuous Onam feast at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.
Once the rivals from another village stopped the thiruvonachilavu thoni or the boat carrying the offerings. But the villagers of the Brahmin's own village came to the rescue on snake boats. Since then, a fleet of about 48 palliyodam representing the nearby backwater villages carried the offering. A palliyodam is a large, luxurious snake boat used especially by the gods and the royalty.
Today, only 26 colorful snake boats participate in the event. An imposing idol of Sri Krishna is taken out in procession around the lake where the children are dressed as nymphs and princesses. On the second day of the event, snake boats is decorated with silken parasol and full of helmsmen, oarsmen and singers assemble near the temple early in the morning. From there, they move on in pairs thereby creating a magnificent spectacle. The proper boat race is held in the afternoon.
Kerala Hub offers tour packages, tour booking, hotel packages and hotel booking for beaches resorts in Kerala. To book a hotel or tour, or for more information, please fill up the form below. Boat Races in Kerala
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| Water Sports |
Catamaran Sailing :
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Catamaran sailing in Kerala is a relatively new adventure sport. You can experience catamaran sailing sport of Kerala in the famous beaches. As an incentive to promote tourism in Kerala, catamaran sailing has been introduced in the recent times as another addition to the list of adventure sports. Read on further to know what catamaran sailing is all about.
A catamaran is basically a small, wooden yacht with twin hulls joined together. People usually prefer catamaran sailing across the backwaters of Kerala since they are more docile and placid than the sea, which cannot be predicted. Nowadays, motorized catamarans have been introduced and are pretty popular along with the ones that have the traditional propelling with the oar, thus giving the tourists who have come to Kerala, some more variety to indulge in.
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Canoeing :
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Canoeing in Kerala is an ideal way to relax and unwind. Kerala is the land of beautiful lagoons and meandering rivers and the best way to explore the mesmerizing scenery is by taking up the canoeing sport in Kerala. In Kerala, canoeing is a viable option to explore the backwaters closely. You can rent canoes at nominal charges and go sailing on the placid backwaters of Kerala.
In earlier times, canoeing used to be a popular mode of transportation in Kerala. Today, it is finding immense popularity as an adventure sport. A canoe can accommodate 2 people and is built in a way that it tapers at both ends. This ensures smoother sailing on rough waters and makes sure the canoe cuts through water without much difficulty. The canoes can be used in any kind of water, whether placid or rough.
The thrill that you will experience when cool water splashes on your face is unmatched. Canoeing in Kerala is a pleasure an absolute if you have plenty of time at your disposal. So get set to pack your bags and check out the backwaters of Kerala while canoeing through the meanders that give an enchanting look to this paradise.
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Kayaking :
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Kayaking in Kerala is probably the best way to explore the backwaters. Not only will you enjoy kayaking sport in Kerala, but also it is very environmental friendly. While in Kerala, kayaking should be your primary option to explore the serene backwaters. You will come in touch with the typical Kerala lifestyle and will see how people lead their lives in complete simplicity. There will be kayak guides to accompany you during your trip so that you don't lose your way.
The whole experience of kayaking in the untouched backwaters of Kerala is something that should not be missed, no matter what. How many times can you actually feel like you are exploring something so beautiful and serene on a kayak all by yourself! One thing that can be guaranteed is that your connection with nature will be something that will transform you into a new person altogether. The joy of exploring backwaters on a kayak is something that cannot be explained by mere words. You have experience it, to know it.
The most popular stretch for kayaking in Kerala is near the city of Alleppey. You will find unending bends of lagoons and streams that are so calm that you can see your reflection in the water. One can also experience kayaking at the Kovalam beach on the soft bouncing waves. The hospitality of the people and never seen before parts of Kerala's backwaters will make this experience one that you shall never forget.
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Para Sailing :
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Para sailing in Kerala is a water sport that should not be missed. It is an experience in itself. Imagine yourself soaring high up in the sky and seeing a bird's eye view of Kerala. Parasailing sport of Kerala is quite popular and one of the most sought after sport of Kerala. Not just in Kerala, para sailing is a much sought after sport in most of the coastal places in India. Read on further to know more about this sport.
In para sailing, a rope about 300 feet long is attached to the parasail harness and the other end is attached firmly to a speedboat. As the speedboat zooms off into the ocean, the sailor is hauled up in the air. Since the sailor is firmly attached to the rope, he has little or no control over the chute. The speedboat controls the momentum and height and the person flying the parasail controls the parasail sideways. One can take pleasure of viewing the clear skies and the stunningly magnificent aquamarine water below while para sailing.
The best season to enjoy para sailing in Kerala would be October to March. It is the best time to enjoy any water sport in Kerala. The skies are clear and cloudless, as the rain clouds would have poured already. The temperature and flow of wind is just ideal to enjoy para sailing. The water in the sea is also calm and placid and you have a very fine experience. This sport is available in Kovalam and Alappuzha beaches in Kerala.
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Scuba Diving :
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In Kerala, scuba diving is another popular activity among all keen water sports enthusiasts. Mostly, it is the tourists who throng the beaches to indulge in scuba diving sport of Kerala. Scuba diving in Kerala is promoted for tourism and make tourists aware of the beautiful paradise known as Kerala. The beaches of Kerala are still untouched by time and the under water life is still unexplored and enjoyed by people. Scuba diving sport of Kerala has been promoted to make people aware of the rich variety of life underwater.
Scuba Diving is an adventure sport that calls for some basic training and physical fitness. The diver is dressed in a swimsuit and is supposed to carry a breathing apparatus with cylinders of compressed gas on his/her back. It is from this breathing apparatus that air passes to a mouthpiece through which you are supposed to breath. The eyes are protected by eye-goggles and the head is covered with a cap and the scuba diver sets out to explore the fascinating life beneath the sea. In fact the term SCUBA refers to Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus that is carried by the diver.
You can go for scuba diving in the Varkala Beach in Kerala. However, there are certain precautions and strict guidelines that you must follow in order to be safe and enjoy your dive to the fullest. It is usually not allowed to go beyond a certain point in the ocean, as there is a danger of drowning or sudden storm. All said and done, one must go for scuba diving in Kerala and enjoy the underwater life of Kerala.
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Snorkeling :
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Most tourists can also go for snorkeling in Kerala. Recently introduced to promote tourism in Kerala, snorkeling can be experienced by those who are interested in adventure water sports. You can always head off to the beaches and enjoy snorkeling. The important gear for snorkeling is provided by the authority that promotes this sport. You can rent the essential gear for this sport for nominal charges and enjoy snorkeling sport of Kerala.
Most beach resorts in Kerala also provide this facility. Snorkeling is basically floating on the surface on shallow water with your head down, while gazing at the fascinating underwater life forms. The Arabian Sea off the coast of Kerala has rich underwater life forms that both intrigue and fascinate enthusiast divers. Snorkeling basically involves carrying a snorkel that is, a breathing tube attached to a mouth-piece through which a person breathes.
Snorkeling is a major tourist attraction at Kovalam beach, Alappuzha beach and Varkala beach in Kerala. Though there are risks involved with this sport as any other, the fascinating underwater life is what attracts tourists in large numbers. Coast guards are always there at your service, keeping a strict watch over those in water and quick to help in case of emergency. So enjoy snorkeling to the fullest and get a glimpse of the fascinating underwater life forms.
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Wind Surfing :
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The breezy climate and placid seas make wind surfing in Kerala an ideal sport to indulge in. Most tourists try their hand at windsurfing sport of Kerala to feel the adrenalin rush in their bodies. The very thought of rushing on the surface of turquoise blue water of Kerala has people scurrying to the beaches where this sport is a popular form of recreation. Our suggestion: while in Kerala, wind surfing should be in your itinerary!
Windsurfing involves surfing as well as sailing. A surfer has to place himself/herself firmly on a surfboard that has a sail, which is supposed to be maneuvered with much skill. You have to be alert of the changing patterns of the wind and the sea current. This is the main aspect while surfing as it is the deciding factor of maneuvering the surfboard. The skill of the surfer comes into light while he/she tries to maneuver the surfboard while maintaining a delicate but firm balance.
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| Kerala Travel Informations |
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