On a Nature Trail to God's Own Country: Kerala

Arti May 06, 2013

27. 03. 2013:

Palm trees extend upwards at every stretch, neatly framed against an implausibly blue sky. Soft turquoise-blue waters cut through them, every now and then. As the local train from Calicut to Kannur chugs its way through the humble settlements, the muddy tracks and the tranquil streams... the quaint countryside of the city, the traveler in me peeps out of the window and scans the landscape; the place is a quiet retreat with no trace of chaos or commotion. Keeping in tune, I quietly slide my hand in my bag, bring out my pen and diary and start scribbling.

Postcard from Kerala - God's own country
Kerala: God's own Country


An extract: 

Nature rules here...

Pristine, pure, untouched and unscathed. Though it’s been only a while since I landed foot in this natural wonderland but I am already having a blessed feeling. No wonder, this is India untravelled, that part of sacred India where none other but the God’s reside... Swagatham, as the locals say,

Yes! I am in Kerala ... God’s own country...


Rewind: How I came to Kerala

A treasured post dedicated to my grandpa coupled with all your kind wishes had helped me secure a packaged 4D / 3N nature trail for 2.

This prize trip (organized by Shivya of India Untravelled), courtesy IndiBlogger and Kissan, meant we were left with a booklet showcasing 6 nature trails from different parts of offbeat India out of which one had to be picked. Flipping through our options ranging from an opportunity to experience the snowy Spiti valley or the royalty of Raison in Himachal Pradesh to the mountains of Sikkim in the North East, we soon realized what a tough job we had at hand. All the destinations were highly alluring and it was a difficult task to choose just one. After a lot of discussions, we decided to settle down for Kannur and Wayanad in Kerala, a quiet retreat in nature.

A trip down south after a long long time and a long awaited one at that... Ah! Excited that I was, I instantly got down to researching more on it.

( ... To be contd.)

PS: The 'One Picture From My Photo Album' Contest closing dates are extended! Now you can blog and stand a chance to win a shopping voucher worth $100 till the 16th of May. Please read more about it here.
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Arti

Posted by Arti

Hi there! I am Arti - constantly on the road, both figuratively and literally, unwrapping my unique gift called life. My blog, which focuses on spiritual journeys, is all about my love of sharing, exploring and learning; a continuous journey where I strive to seek the truth, discover myself, the world, my place therein and experience the real treasures of life along the way. I hope to help those planning to make a trip to these places or simply provide a virtual tour to the rest. If you have any queries, do leave a comment, I will be pleased to help! You can also contact me at - 22arti@gmail.com

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38 Comments

  1. Ginny HartzlerMay 6, 2013 at 9:50 PM

    How wonderful!! How long will you be staying?

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  2. Divya ShivaramanMay 6, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    Being a keraliate...no place is beautiful than this "God's own country"

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  3. desi TravelerMay 7, 2013 at 12:04 AM

    Great... have a good time Arti. Looking forward to post about Gods' Own Country

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    Replies
    1. Mareta KusumaningrumMay 7, 2013 at 12:52 PM

      Wahhhh kerala have niece journey arti, greet from north india :)

      Delete
  4. D.NambiarMay 7, 2013 at 5:45 AM

    I'm sure you'll be pleased with this trip. So happy for you. Waiting to hear more. Enjoy your trip. Arti.

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  5. Rahul BhatiaMay 7, 2013 at 8:21 AM

    Gods own country has a magical touch to sooth the spirits and calm the nerves! Await to read more about your trip, Arti:)

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  6. ArtiMay 7, 2013 at 8:37 AM

    @All: I am already back from the trip, was there in the last week of March for about 5 days. Now, looking forward to sharing it all virtually, here with all of you :)

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  7. rupam sarmaMay 7, 2013 at 8:38 AM

    Arti, Nice to read your new post.Great, wating for more post and photography from your yatra.

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  8. P.N. SubramanianMay 7, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Oh! so finally you could make it. Have a wonderful time and let us know what you experienced.

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  9. ChondrymaMay 7, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    Made me remember my trip in 2009, wanna visit again now...

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  10. TeamgsquareMay 7, 2013 at 9:59 AM

    Wonderful . Kerala is always beautiful to visit .

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  11. The Chair SpeaksMay 7, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    It was tranquil when I visited Kerala as I stayed in an ashram.
    Thanks for bringing back memories.

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  12. AnonymousMay 7, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    What a lovely place! Enjoy.

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  13. Rentech DesignsMay 7, 2013 at 1:00 PM

    I love if you post more photographs.

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  14. My Unfinished LifeMay 7, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Kerala is indeed magical & happy place.....

    Thank god the contest date is extended , was travelling and missed the last one!! :)

    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com/

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  15. Saru SinghalMay 7, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    Your grandpa post is the one I was talking about. Beautiful lines on Kerala you scribbled on paper. The date for the contest is extended and I'll search my laptop for any scanned pictures. I lost all my photos in flood. :(

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  16. Felicity Grace TerryMay 7, 2013 at 7:26 PM

    Oh my goodness, wish I was here.

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  17. RuprekhaMay 7, 2013 at 8:30 PM

    God's own country indeed! Kerala is one picturesque state of our country. Your shots are of course always perfect!

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  18. Santosh BsMay 8, 2013 at 1:06 AM

    Bigger pictures please... :)

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    Replies
    1. ArtiMay 9, 2013 at 5:52 PM

      Blowing up the images by one size leads them to shoot out of the main window area :(

      Delete
  19. BarbMay 8, 2013 at 2:37 AM

    Arti - another wonderful trip. I'll await the photos of India less traveled - God's country. Glad you're "scribbling" again!

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  20. Abeesh ThomasMay 8, 2013 at 2:26 PM

    "Pristine, pure, untouched and unscathed" - I resonate with your feelings. I have shared my experience here:

    http://www.thomasabeesh.com/1250/trip-to-aymanam/

    ReplyDelete
  21. Vineeta YashswiMay 8, 2013 at 3:01 PM

    Lovely...

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  22. betchaiMay 9, 2013 at 12:51 AM

    oh it is so peaceful Arti, what a very inspiring experience it must be for being there.

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  23. AVCr8teurMay 9, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    What a lovely and tranquil location! I can almost see myself on this river with the warm and soft breeze blowing in my hair.

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  24. UnknownMay 9, 2013 at 5:08 PM

    Hey great experiance Kerela gods own palace , but how many days u have stayed ... all though its a nice post thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. ArtiMay 9, 2013 at 6:21 PM

      Thanks, subhradeep. I stayed in Kerala for 3 days but kept wishing I had more.

      Delete
  25. Here I Am CarrieMay 9, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Well the photo finally showed now having problems commenting. My internet is not working well right now. What a paradise this place looks like. Looking forward to seeing more.

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  26. stardustMay 9, 2013 at 7:25 PM

    This is the first time for me to see the scape of the winding river lined up with numerous palm trees. I hear the merry ripples along the shore and feel soft, warm breeze on my skin. Enjoy your trip, Arti.

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  27. smMay 9, 2013 at 7:53 PM

    yes Gods own country
    beautiful photo

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  28. Andi of My Beautiful AdventuresMay 9, 2013 at 8:47 PM

    Now you're making me miss Kerala sooooo badly!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. PanchaliMay 10, 2013 at 1:19 AM

    I was there a couple of years back and enjoyed every bit of my stay in God's own country. It is so scenic...would love to go back again.
    Thanks Arti for sharing...

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  30. TomokoMay 10, 2013 at 7:26 AM

    Hello, Arti
    You are traveling in such a peaceful and beautiful place! Those palm trees extending along the river is one that I have never seen in person. I had to enlarge it to enjoy much more!
    Have a good weekend
    Tomoko

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  31. BGTMay 10, 2013 at 9:59 AM

    Nice to know you had been to Kerala Arti.. Am sure we are in for a sacred treat from Arti's Diary! :) Being a Keralite, I am going to cherish the next few posts from you end.. :)

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  32. AnonymousMay 11, 2013 at 10:08 AM

    It sounds very nice place. The nature is wonderful.

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  33. Mary {The World Is A Book}May 13, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    I have always heard wonderful things about Kerala. Your picture is a already a beautiful preview of your trip. Looking forward to reading about your experiences and posts, Arti.

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  34. R Niranjan DasMay 13, 2013 at 11:05 PM

    Glad that you are on a lovely less explored destination. Waiting for the stories.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/05/haziness.html

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  35. Found In FolsomMay 23, 2013 at 4:20 AM

    How cool...congratulations on winning the trip..heard a lot about Waynand..have to visit it one day.

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Delighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!

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