Posted on by sphere of humanity

Explore Alleppey

By  Theerdha G pillai and Krishnaveni U.R

 

The place of honest and straightforward people whose regional language is Malayalam. The district Alappuzha of Kerala is known for its backwater. Today it’s known as  “Alleppey backwater” which attracts thousands of tourists. Lord Curzon named Alappuzha as “the Venice of the East”. The foodie world of karimeen and mutton biryani and many more spiciness opens in Alappuzha. Recently, the flood and droughts mainly affected in the district  as it is covered by backwater. Therefore, Alappuzha peoples are generally  hardworking and gone through many survival aspects. The district shows a moderately warm climate in general.

Let’s get into a little background before the exciting journey. The story behind the name “the Venice of the East” is interesting in the late 19th century when Lord Curzon the viceroy of the Indian empire made a visit to the state Alleppey (earlier). He is fascinated by the conjoined beauty of the coconut plains and the backwaters. He exclaimed:

“Here nature has spent upon the land richest bounties”

“Alleppey the Venice of the east!”

Alappuzha is well known for its trade relations during the middle ages with Greece and Rome.

The early Chiras, who had their home in Kuttanad  were called Kuttuans , named after this place. The district is also known for the archaeological antiquities such as stone inscripts, monument temples, churches, rock, cut caves etc. Religions and cultures flourished under the 2nd chera empire. And also played a role in the freedom struggle of the country “punnapara and vayalar”in 1946 against the Congress ministry thus gave a strong birth for the Communist party too!.

*A little background check is good for   enjoying the trip to its fullest.

 So, let’s start the next half of this Travelogue.

There are even new restaurant recently serving meals at Rs. 25 at Mannancherry by the state Government. An interesting fact is that Alappuzha now has more than five hotels including one serving free food four times daily. Talking about the places, the tourists review show’s the shops like Gafoor store which is a place for chilling snack time, the Cafe Catamaran- gives another impression of Alappuzha, the Pulickattil-the handicraft shop, the Ambalappuzha temple which is a great sight of Alappuzha tradition which are some examples of the people’s choices. It is a must to watch the boat racing or at least to get the ride of House boating of Alappuzha, if you are currently in the destination or seeking for Alappuzha as a visiting point.

 The story of Nehru escorted in a huge snake boat given a boost up for boat racing for the people hence on 1st July 1969 the trophy of boat racing is renamed as “Nehru trophy”. The race gives the spirit and refreshment of Alappuzha just like the Alleppey beach, which is our next important spot. The beach is not a place of swimming because the current is very strong and the water is very deeper. But still, don’t miss the sight. There are mainly two main Indian Coffee Houses, one in the centre (Mullackal Road) and another at Alleppey beach. They serves the cheap, tasty and intact the original south Indian food, ice-cream and their signature Coffee which can match up a perfect evening vibe.

Posted on by sphere of humanity

From the land of Cashews to the city of Nizam

By Sandra Vasanth and Safa Salim

Hyderabad-the pearl City of India has its own place in my heart since childhood. I don’t know the exact reason for that though. Maybe it is because of the mesmerizing movie scenes depicted from there ?

Somehow I happened to know about the Ramoji film city. So to me, Hyderabad was merely Ramoji. So with much hurdles and pleadings, Appa finally agreed to take us there.

There was a very good welcome in the Rajiv Gandhi airport. But the excitement soon had a dull phase. The place welcomed us with its unbearable heat and hot winds stabbing directly to our face. We waited there till our Uber arrived. The first thing I would appreciate in Hyderabad is it’s clean,smooth roads. Despite the roads that bursts at the seams in Kerala, Hyderabad roads deserved much appreciation. The Uber stopped before Amrita castle. After the security check,we were allotted our rooms. If there is a heaven on earth ,I would like to call the room no 503 of Amrita castle as one(The AC which was used rarely when guest arrived there in home was now pathetically recalled).The Stay was itself another wonder.The resort occupied room in tunnels and we called it “tunnel of fireflies”.


Wherever you go,you will find a Malayali there. We too found one-Johnson uncle,a name we used to hear ever since the trip was planned. Uncle took us to the heart of the coral city. The city took us back to a time when beauty and craftsmanship went hand in hand.Uncle just like a guide,was talking about Hyderabad continuously about its History and Geology. In fact there was a lot to talk about his 36 years of experience in the city. 

Numberless bangles,clothes, streetfood, colours, waved their palms at us. Various “akka,akka” resonated in our senses. We pretended to neglect all these considering our wallet and we gathered the courage to walk forward regardless of these attractions. Amma was thoroughly missed during all these times.     Whenever Hyderabad strikes in anyone’s mind,it would be Charminar! This is considered as the centre base of the city, built around 1591. Some people say there’s an underground tunnel connecting Golkonda fort to Charminar,possibly intended as an escape route for the Qutub shahi rulers.     

Golkonda fort-An outstanding example for brilliant engineering and magical architecture.

Infact the stunt scenes of “Aadhi” the malayalalm movie,are shot from here.     Salar-Jung museums:One of the three National Museums of India.Endowed to the nation after the death of Salar Jung.

HITEC city-Hyderabad information technology and engineering consultancy city abbreviated as HITEC CITY.     

Snow world- A paradise founded for the unbearable heat outside,this is how I would like to define the creation. Falling in white flakes,absolutely phenomenal dusting of snow,blanket of snow and music played in between takes everyone in euphoric feel.

Altogether,a Paisa-Wasul experience.     

RAMOJI FILM CITY-A magical realm filled with excitement and wonderful surprises at every turn.
As the world’s largest integrated film city and India’s only thematic holiday destination with magic of cinema.   
 It leaves all the visitors with some memorable experiences.To help u from sunburn,the medical team before kickstarting the journey provide you with pills to withstand the unbearable heat(Imagine the climate there!).     Overall a must visit place and should not be missed if one goes to Hyderabad. 


PS: Not spoiling the thrill by giving more details.Go enjoy the fantasy land all by yourself.   

 Birla Mandir,Qutub shahi tombs,Necklace road,Lumbini park are other attractions here.
Well,the place has everything which a person wants.

You have good place to chill,you have great places to explore,you have water parks,great restaurants,some lakes here and there.

Well,if you are a night owl,this place will cover you up.

You have good places to eat even if it is midnight.Some good stretches of roads to drive on.Then for the food lovers,the place is a heaven,you just need to know where to go.Some of the must eat things if you are going to Hyderabad are:the famous bawarchi biriyani,kurbani ka meetha,the haleem you could grab during ramzan,irani tea,famous icecream etc.   

 Gokul chat in koti,dhai puri and dhai pappdi are must try.

Another spot for foodjoints is sindhi colony near paradise.The dosa centres which opens between 2am and 5am to soothe your tastebuds.And if I continue more, I will run out of space telling about the place.   

 Despite the beauty the place offers,traffic and pollution are very bad here.Terrible autowalah baiiyas who honk,drivers who drive on wrong side-because of the median they argue,lack of civic sense in general,I might be stretching out on a limb here when I say this and even offend a few but it’s the bitter truth.   

 All these being said, I still believe Hyderabad as one of the most hospitable cities to live notbwithstanding the recent telungana agitations,where people from different   religions and states who speaks differet languages live in harmony.