#Ayyanar on an Elephant

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THE TOP BEST-LOCATIONS IN KERALA

MUNNAR

Munnar is a town in Kerala state, India, which is part of the Western Ghats mountain range.There are many of options to suit your budget, ranging from luxurious to reasonably priced lodging.Organising a trip with friends, family, or on your own? There is something for every type of tourist in Munnar.There is something for every type of tourist in Munnar. You can visit these two hill stations that are close to Munnar.Munnar offers a superb holiday experience with virgin woods, savannah, rolling hills, picturesque valleys, lots of streams, large splashy waterfalls, extensive tea estates, and winding walkways.Another reason to travel to Munnar is to see the unique plant known as Neelakurinji, which blooms just once every twelve years.

The BEST Tourist Places Near Munnar, Kerala

Situated roughly 90 miles distant from Munnar,

Thekkady is a hill station that is often overlooked. 

The hill area is home to the Periyar National Park, one

of the biggest tiger sanctuaries in the country.

 tiger reserves in the nation, is located in the hill station.

It's a fantastic location for all of you nature

 lovers and adventure seekers.The herds of bison, deer, and wild elephants that visit Periyar to drink from the lake are its main draws. Jeep safaris, boats, and trekking are the three ways to get to the refuge. Natural spices including black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, nutmace, ginger, and clove are thought to thrive in Thekkady.

Idukki is a hill resort with activities to suit all 

types of visitors.The hill station is open all year

round,which is its best feature.Anamudi, one of

the highest peaks, is a popular place to hike.

Nestled amidst lush green woods, rare fauna, 

picturesque valleys, and vast plantations, Idukki is one of Kerala's most picturesque hill stations. The area is incredibly serene and blessed with breathtaking natural beauty. 

Another must-see hill station close to Munnar

Is Vagamon. Vagamon is highly worthwhile

Because it has a beautiful waterfall, breathtaking

peaks,and a national park.Popular activities in this

area include trekking and camping, and the

man-made forests can easily pass for real ones. This is where Thangal, Murugan, and Kurisumala are located. Kolahalamedu, the highest point in Vagamon, is home to enormous pine trees with branches coated in needles.

Peerumedu is a fantastic hill station

approximately 110 km from Munnar.

It is open for visits from April to June

and from September to November. 

If you enjoy taking photos of the

landscape or yourself, this is the ideal

place to capture the greatest light on them. Drawing a lot of visitors with its rolling hills of tea, coffee, and spices, pine forests, grasslands, sparkling streams, and thundering waterfalls. Purchase premium tea, coffee, and spices directly from the plantations here.

DEVIKULAM

Devikulam is a fairly small hill station in the Keralan district of Idukki, around 5 km away from Munnar. Devi Lake is a pilgrimage site because it is thought to be the location where Goddess Sita took a bath. Aside from that, though, the waterfalls at Pallivasal and Thoovanam are also popular tourist destinations.Top sites for anyone interested in learning more about Hindu mythology and mysticism are Mangalam Devi Temple, Mariamman Temple, and Ayyanar Temple.

MALAMPUZHA

Down south, Malampuzha is well-known as one of Kerala's biggest dams. It was constructed after independence and is close to Palakkad. Malampuzha Gardens are a popular spot in the neighbourhood, so you should definitely snap a lot of photos there.The biggest weekend and vacation visitors to Palakkad are drawn to the garden complex at Malampuzha. At the location of a sizable irrigation dam constructed across the Bharathapuzha River is a well-known picnic area and popular tourist destination.

A lesser-known hill station close to

Munnar is called Nelliyampathy.

It is ideal if you wish to escape 

Kerala's traditional tourist attractions 

and located roughly 182 km from Munnar. 

The finest place to go on vacation.Kesavan Para, a viewpoint overlooking surrounding tea plantations, is to the west. The 19th-century Pothundi Dam is located much further west. The Seetharkundu Viewpoint is located northeast and has adjacent waterfalls. 

is where cardamom, tea, and coffee farms stretching across 

acres of land are combined with a wildlife sanctuary.

KALARI KSHETRA

The cultural centre Kalari Kshetra is situated atChithirapuram, close to Munnar, Kerala, and is accessible by bus at a distance of 10 km. Keralan tradition has a temple called Kalari Kshethra. From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., we have an old Kathakali show; from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., there is another Kalrippayattu show, which is an ancient combat method that has influenced martial arts.Among the must-see locations in Munnar, it is one of the best venues to see Kerala's rich cultural legacy.To understand the essence of the old art forms, one can choose between courses, classes, and performances offered by the centre.

The Attukal Waterfalls, between Pallivasal

and Munnar, gushes over the hills to 

display their tumbling power to everyone 

in the vicinity. Known by another name, 

Attukad Waterfalls, the froth created by the 

force with which the waters roll over the

rocks turns them white. The constant erosion 

that forms the rocks has left them relatively smooth.

MATTUPETTY DAM

Constructed in the mountains of Kerala, India, 

Mattupetty Dam (also known as Madupetty Dam) 

is a storage concrete gravity dam used for 

hydroelectric power generation close to Munnar 

in the Idukki District. For Idukki District, 

it has been a crucial source of electricity and 

significant money.The picturesque surroundings 

and verdant valleys combine to create an enthralling 

sight. The most exquisite feature of the dam is the 

 way the tea gardens mirror themselves into the river.

The district Tourism Promotion Council of Idukki (Munnar) organises water sports events, such as speed boating, so you may take advantage of the beautiful natural surroundings of this magnificent dam.

ALAPPUZHA

Kerala's maritime heritage has traditionally accorded significant importance to Alappuzha, sometimes known as the Venice of the East. Boat races, backwater vacations, beaches, marine items, and the coir industry have made it famous today. Picnics are often held at Alappuzha Beach. Standing over 137 years, this pier leads out to sea. An additional draw to the beach is the entertainment options available in Vijaya Beach Park. All tourists are fascinated by the neighbouring historic lighthouse.

ALEPPY BACKWATERS 

While searching for the most popular backwater destinations in Kerala, Aleppy is one such destination that must not be missed in any ways! Located on the banks of the prismatic Vembanad lake, this gorgeous city is the ‘Mecca’ for the backwater vacationers on a Kerala trip!

Fringed with lush coconut groves, adorned with endless lagoons, and embraced by the charm of silent backwaters, Alleppey is a paradise for the visitors! Owing to the swaying beauty and enchanting charm of this city, it is also often called the ‘Venice of the East’, and is one of the most popular backwaters destinations in Kerala.

Whether leisure seekers, honeymooners, adventure seekers, or visitors from any walk of life, everyone can visit this wonderful destination and curate pleasant memories with their friends and families. And while visiting Alleppey, visitors should not miss out the houseboat cruises across the Vembanad Lake and enjoy the pristine beauty of the backwaters.

PUNNAMADA LAKE

Punnamada Lake (also called Punnamada Kayal) is a part of the Vembanad Lake, which is the biggest lake in Kerala. Vembanad Lake spans to a number of districts in Kerala. Hence, it is called by different names at different parts of Kerala. When the lake reaches Kuttanad, it is called Punnamada Lake or Punnamada Kayal. The Port of Kochi is located around two islands the Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam which lie in this lake. The lake is called Kochi Lake in this part of Kerala. The famous Annual Nehru Trophy Race of Kerala is also conducted on parts of Punnamada Lake. The Kochi Lake is a portion of the Vembanad Lake, which is located in and around the Kochi Mainland.

Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum

Mr. Revi Karunakaran will always be cherished for his enthusiasm and the significant contribution he made to the development of Kerala's coir sector. A man with a keen eye and a passion for many different kinds of art is demonstrated by the museum erected to display his collection of works. One of Alappuzha's main attractions is the museum. The collections of crystal and ivory are among of the biggest of their kind. In addition to a 200 square foot mural painted entirely with vegetable dyes, the catalogue features a dazzling assortment of Tanjore paintings. Its distinctive 'Kerala Room' contains approximately 3800 artefacts that illustrate the development and progress of our culture.It is a place that exudes a passion for art and everything that is noteworthy in contemporary culture.

ALAPPUZHA BEACH 

Kerala, India's Alappuzha Beach is a popular tourist destination located in the town of Alappuzha.A 150-year-old pier that stretches out into the water is located on the beach.Annually, Alappuzha Beach hosts a number of events, including the Sand Art Festival and the Alappuzha Beach Festival.

CONCLUSION

The hill stations of southern India are well-known, and Kerala is referred to as God's Own Country for very specific reasons. Whatever your taste in culture, cuisine, backwaters, or lush nature, Kerala has it all.

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MWW Artwork of the Day (1/12/19) Classical India (Aravidu Dynasty, 1542-1646) Ayyanar on an Elephant (16th c.) Stone sculpture Government Museum, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Ayyanar is a Tamil village god, worshiped predominantly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Tamil villages in Sri Lanka. He is primarily worshiped as a guardian deity who protects the rural villages. His priests are usually non-Brahmins, who belong to mostly the potter caste, but other caste members also officiate in his temples. The temples of Aiyanar are usually flanked by gigantic and colorful statues of him and his companions riding horses or elephants. There are number of theories as to the origins of the deity as well as the etymology of the name. He is associated with god Aiyanayake by the Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka.  (Wikipedia extracts)

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*Online Exhibition Series-61* (12th August, 2021) From Kumhar Para open air exhibition *Votive Terracotta Horse- AIYYANAR DEITY* यूट्यूब की लिंक / Youtube link- https://youtu.be/Wh625leWbrU वेबसाइट की लिंक / Website link - https://igrms.com/wordpress/?page_id=4120 Ayyanar is a village God worshipped by the folk people in Tamil Nadu. He is primarily worshiped as a guardian deity who protects the villages from unwanted external elements and threats. The temples of Aiyanar are usually flanked by gigantic and colorful statues the God and his companions riding Horses and Elephants. The display of votive figures and clay idols in an Aiyanar temple reflects the social hierarchy that exists in the villages. The Gods are ranked according to the social and economical hierarchy in the village. The Gods with highest position are vegetarian, while those considered with lower rank are believed to be non-vegetarian. An Ayyanar temple is often not a building, but assemblages of one or more figures revered as the ancestral and local deities belonging to various groups of communities. Museum attempted to honour the living legends that preserved this ancient tradition of producing terracotta offerings from Puddukottai District of Tamil Nadu with an installation of an AIYYANAR complex in its premises. Seven artists from the village were invited by the museum to demonstrate the ritual art and to enhance and extend the span of the existing Aiyyanar complex with their proficient hands. A glimpse of museum’s effort towards conservation of culture and devotion of artists is here for you through a short video and photographs. https://www.instagram.com/p/CSdZVOJDaUj/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Ayyanar Horse Temple [ Sivaganga,Tamil Nadu, India ]

Aiyanar or Shasta is a Hindu deity particularly praised by the Malayalis and Tamil speaking community of India and Sri Lanka. Sinhalese worship him in the name of Ayyanayake and in. He is primarily worshiped as one of the guardian folk deities of Tamil Nadu. The village temples of Ayyanar are usually flanked by gigantic and colorful statues of him and his companions riding horses or elephants. He is primarily worshiped as a guardian deity who protects villages from external threats. Horses are a must in every Ayanar temple in every villages... big horses are fixed fixtures in temples. In Ayyanaar Temples, horses are sculpted with great care.

[tramptravellercom]

Ayyanar Horse Temple [ Sivaganga,Tamil Nadu, ndia ]

Ayyanar is believed to be a savior who carries bow and arrows and comes riding on elephant or horse to save his devotees. His name, shape as well as stories related to him are different in different places. However, Ayyanar has his ancient Dravidian characteristics wherever he is. In some places, he is seen as Sastha, the synonym of Buddha. The Sinhala Buddhists of Sri Lanka worship Ayyanar in the form of Ayyanayake, a folk deity. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Ayyanar is considered as the Tamil adaptation of Aiyan who was the chief deity of Ay chieftains who ruled over these places. The first references to Ayyanar were discovered from the stones of the Nayaks from Arcot in Tamil Nadu. Anyway, Ayyanar Temples can be seen in most of the isolated places in almost all of the Tamil villages. Horses are mandatory in each Ayyanar Temple in the villages.  Carvings of big horses are erected as mounts and huge images of Ayyanar carved on top of the horses. These temples are commonly known as Ayyanar Horse Temples.