Beautyful places to vist in kearala-Chalakudy

Chalakudy is a city and a municipality in Thrissur district in the state of Kerala, India.
Athirappilly is thirty kilometres from Chalakudy, which is en route to the waterfalls there. Also on this route are two water theme parks: Dream World and Silver Storm.
The name "Chalakudy" is derived from the word "Shalakudy", meaning a place where sacrifices are made

Interesting places around Chalakudy

Chalakudy River (half a kilometre from town, to the south on NH-47 highway); it has one of the highest fish diversities in India(second in the whole india)

Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor. Christian prayer centre, situated near the railway station.
Popular Mission Center, Potta - previously known as Divine Retreat Centre, Potta. A brother concern of Divine Retreat Center (1km North of Town on NH-47 highway).The annual Potta Bible Convention takes place here in January every year, which attracts 1 million Christians from all over the world.

Dream World Water Theme Park (10km east of Town; en route to the Athirappally water falls).
Thumboormuzhy Check Dam & Garden (15 km east of Town; en route to the Athirappilly waterfalls).
Oil palm Plantation (17km from Town; en route to the Athirappilly waterfalls.
Silver Storm Water Theme Park (19km east of Town; en route to theAthirappilly waterfalls).
Athirappilly Waterfalls (33km east of Town).
Ezhattumukham (7km from Athirappilly; on the Angamaly route via Vettilappara bridge).
Charpa Falls ( The enchanting but lesser known Charpa falls, which plunges on to the road during the monsoon, is a sight to watch and enjoy.) (31km east of Town; after Athirappilly waterfalls).

Vazhachal falls and Resorts (35km east of Town; after Athirappilly waterfalls).
Anakkayam ( About 37km from Chalakudy on the Athirappilly route, Anakkayam means the "Elephant pit". It is noted for a lake with cool and placid waters. The place is a forest untouched by human encroachments and is a haven for those who wish to escape from concrete jungles. It attracts the visitor with its bubbling streams, natural rock formations and flora).
Peringalkuthu Hydro Electric Project Dam (39km from Town; in the direction of the Athirappilly water falls).
Sholayar Dam Hydro Electric project.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.
St. Mary's Forane church in Chalakudy is one of the piligrim centers held sacred in the name of Mother Mary. Many piligrims visit the church and the holy land.
OMPH church, West Chalakudy .
St. Antony's church Perambra -Thrissur
St. Mary's church Koratty

Kannampuzha Temple

How To Reach
Chalakudy is conveniently connected by air, rail and road. Located very close to the National Highway 47, it is 30 km south of Thrissur, 45 km north of Ernakulam, and 22 km from Cochin International Airport (Nedumbassery), which is accessed by many major airlines, including British Airways. Chalakudy railway station is just two kilometers away, Enquiry number ( 0480-2701368).
Chalakudy Town –Vazhachal road (state highway- 21) is a rubberised two- lane road.

courtsey-Anil Devassye

ARTFORMS

Performing Art Forms of Kerala
Kathakali :

Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. It is said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas.
Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu or the beating of drums in accompaniment of the Chengila (gong). The riches of a happy blending of colour, expressions, music, drama and dance is unparallelled in any other art form.

Kathakali Make-upCostume is elaborate with the face painted up. Great importance is laid on the Vesham or make-up which are of five types - Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Kari and Minukku.
The pomp and magnificence of Kathakali is partly due to its decor part of which is the kireetam or huge headgear and the kanchukam the over sized jackets, and a long skirt worn over a thick padding of cushions. The identity of the actor is completely mutilated to create a super human being of larger-than-life proportion.
Pacha (Green) Pacha Vehsam or the green make-up portray noble protagonists.

Kathi (Knife) Kathi Vesham portrays villainous characters.

Thadi (Beard) There are three types of bearded or Thadi Veshams."Vella Thadi" or White beard for superhuman monkeys like Hanuman."Chuvanna Thadi" or Red beard is for evil characters."Karutha Thadi" or Black beard for the hunter.

Kari (Black) Kari Vesham is used for she-demons.

Minukku (Prettying Up) The "Minukku Vesham" is used for female characters and sages.

MudraMudra is a stylized sign language used to depict an idea, a situation or a state of being. A Kathakali actor enacts his ideas through mudras. For this he follows a systematic sign language based on Hastalakshana Deepika, a treatise on the language of hand gestures.

Kathakali MusicThe orchestra is formed of two varieties of drums - the maddalam and chenda; the chengila which is a bell metal gong and the ilathalam or cymbals.

Kathakali TrainingStudents of Kathakali have to undergo rigorous training replete with oil massages and separate exercises for eyes, lips, cheeks, mouth and neck. Abhinaya or expression is of prime importance as is nritya or dance and geetham or singing.
Together with highly evocative facial expressions, the mudras and the music both vocal and instrumental, Kathakali unfolds stories from a bygone era in a lofty style reminiscent of the Greek plays. Kerala Kalamandalam , is the prominent institution imparting Kathakali training in the traditional way.

The Monsoons in Kerala do not take the pattern of incessant rains continuing for weeks. Virtually it rains for a few hours with sunny interludes. Occasionally the rains might stretch on for a few days but the respite of sunshine is never far away. People look forward to seeing the sun peep through the wet palm fronds and rain drenched green. These golden interludes provide an equilibrium to life's natural flow. Kerala has mainly two rainy seasons. The Southwest Monsoon that arrives in the month of June is called Edavappathy, as it comes in the middle of the month of Edavam on the Malayalam Calendar. Mid October witnesses the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon. In the Malayalam calendar this month is called Thulam and hence the name Thulavarsham meaning the 'The Rains in Thulam'. Now the gathering rain clouds are from the Bay of Bengal. These bearers of rain hurry to Kerala through the Palakkad Gap in the Western Ghats. The swirling, jostling, billowing dark messenger of life sailing on the wings of northeast winds is a breathtaking sight to behold. The art forms of Kerala demand the utmost dedication and training. These native art forms require complete control over each nerve of the body. As part of this training the artists undergo ayurvedic therapies. Special herbal oils and medications are applied on the body of the artist during the Monsoon time to ensure muscle flexibility and dexterity of movement. As nature recoups with the rains, it is rejuvenation time for humans too. According to Ayurveda, Monsoon is the best season for rejuvenation therapies. During the Monsoon season, the atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy.

ABOUT KERALA

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil streches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.
Kerala, India's most advanced society : A hundred percent literate people. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest state.
For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the State.

KERALA AT A GLANCE

Location:Southwestern tip of India.
Area:38, 863 sq km.
Population :3,18,38,619
Capital:Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Language:Malayalam;English is widely spoken.
Religion:Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Time:GMT +5:30
Currency:Indian Rupee
Climate:Tropical.
Summer:February - May (24 - 330C)
Monsoon:June - September (22 - 280C)
Winter:October - January (22 - 320C)