Request a call back

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race The most fascinating wa...

Boat Race kerala -The most fascinating water festival in Alleppey 

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race Kerala is conducted on the Punnamda Lake, near Alleppey which is known as “Venice of East”, On the day of this fierce Race the halcyon lake of Alleppey front is transformed into a sea of humanity with lakhs of national and international tourists around the world to witness the victorious Boat. The Boats for the race are titled as different historic names, such as Chundan,Snake Boat, Churulans, Veppu Vallams (Parunthuvalans), Odi (Iruttukuthi etc.There is a history behind the name s of each Boats which used for the race . Now, 66th The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a big challenge to show the world that Kerala is safe to travel and ready to welcome tourist with double strength.

Sending out a strong message that tourism in the flood-battered Kerala will be back on the rails in double-quick time, The Nehru Trophy Boat Race Kerala’s largest and most famous and prestigious race will begin on 10th Nov. 2018.

Being held in the wake of the devastating floods that rampaged through large swathes of the coastal state, 66th The Nehru Trophy Boat Race kerala will focus on measures that would lead to a strong resurgence of tourism, which is the mainstay of Kerala’s economy.   

The response to this 66th The Nehru Trophy Boat Race has been overwhelming with more than one lakh overseas viewers and two lakhs domestic viewers having expected to witness the race. The government planned to call off the Race due to the catastrophic effect by the natural calamity but now  it is an indication that Kerala is intact and back in double force in its normal situation.

As in its previous Races, The Nehru Trophy Boat Race will serve as a strong platform to showcase its time-tested as well as traditional Heritage of Kerala and establish firm business links by bringing together international and domestic reputed tourists viewers under one roof.

Major magnificent features of the Water Festival are its song sung by the contestants. Every year they use different verity of songs suitable for the Boat race.

Tourism in Kerala has started recovering fast from the grim blow dealt by the calamitous floods. Traffic to major destinations across the state has resumed and bookings ahead of the peak season have in its full swing.

The 66th The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is intended to send a strong signal to the world that the state has the resilience and an indomitable spirit to take in its stride any adverse challenge and move forward.  The event will send this message to the world through the delegates from as many as countries arriving to take part it.

 Special arrangements have also been made for the large media contingent reaching the city to cover the event. Media persons from abroad and from different parts of the country will be reporting the event from the spot.

The strength of The Nehru Trophy Boat Race Kerala is its public- private sector collaboration and it also serves as a forum for potential international and domestic tourists clinching business deals.

As part of its social responsibility mission State government, tourism department, snake boat owners and boat clubs started preparation for the water festival .As many as 78 boats including 24 Chundans will take part in the race.

Book your rooms at Blanket Hotel & spa before the festival and ensure that you will be a part of this Boat Race kerala water festival .

 
...

View Details
October 16, 2018 by Admin

Easter Eggs – A Tradition that has become a...

Think of an Easter egg and invariably one of the first things that comes to one’s mind is the Christian festival of Easter. According to Christian faith, the day of Easter which falls on a Sunday, marks the end of the forty day period of Lent that culminates with the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion. Traditionally, eggs symbolize fertility and new life. In the Christian context of Easter or the period of Eastertide, Easter eggs represent the empty tomb of Jesus, from which Jesus rose from the dead and also in many ancient Christian traditions, the practice of staining the Easter eggs with the colour red was done in remembrance of the blood of Christ that was shed at that time of his crucifixion. This tradition is believed to have originated from the early Christians of Mesopotamia. 
According to another view on the tradition and origins of Easter eggs by Jacob Grimm a 19th century folklorist and philologist, says that the custom of Easter eggs among the continental Germanic peoples may have stemmed from springtime pagan festivities of a Germanic goddess known in Old English as ‘Ä’ostre’ (namesake of modern English Easter) and possibly known in Old High German as ‘Ostara’ (and thus namesake of Modern German Ostern 'Easter').  In modern day business and marketing contexts, the concept of Easter Eggs has been used by companies to surprise their customers with hidden gifts, utilities that are packaged with the products or services they offer. 
The oldest tradition is to use dyed and painted chicken eggs, but a more modern and globally encompassing practice involves wrapping chocolate eggs that are edible in colored foils, or having hand carved wooden eggs or plastic eggs filled with confectionery and candy, usually chocolate. 
In addition to the coloring and decoration of eggs, there are many games that are played with these eggs as part of popular tradition with Easter celebrations across the world. One of the most famous games is the Easter Egg Hunt. This involves decorated eggs, which may be hard-boiled chicken eggs, chocolate eggs, or artificial eggs containing candy, that are hidden for children to find. These eggs often vary in size, and may be hidden both indoors and outdoors. When the hunt is over, prizes are distributed to the ones who collect the most number of eggs, or even for the smallest egg. Another game involves the rolling of Easter eggs. Traditionally played in the United Kingdom and Germany, eggs are rolled down hillsides during Easter. This tradition was brought to the New World by the the European Settlers. A famous example of this tradition can be seen at the White House during Easter, where ‘Easter Egg Roll’ event takes place on the White House lawn. 
At Blanket Hotel and Spa we invite you this Easter to explore the rare and unexplored hidden beauty of Munnar. We would like to accompany you as part of this wonderful journey of discovering Munnar.  ...

View Details
March 31, 2018 by Admin

Pongal A Festival of Harvest and Thanksgiving

India historically has been an agrarian nation. With a diverse landscape and climate conditions that aid many varieties of crops, India as a nation has been become self sufficient in terms of its food requirements due to its farming community. With such diverse cultures and crops it comes as no surprise that there are three different festivals celebrated across India to offer gratitude for a good harvest.
In North India, the festival is celebrated as Lohri or Makar Sankranti. In South India, in the state of Tamil Nadu, the festival is called Thai Pongal. The word combines two words, ‘Thai’ meaning  festivity or celebration and ‘Pongal’ meaning ‘boiling over’.  Thai Pongal or Pongal as it is popularly called is the harvest festival dedicated to appease the Sun God. A four day festival celebrated from 14th January to 17th January every year, Pongal is a festival that is very popular among tamil people across the world.
Historically, Thai Pongal is said to have originated more than a thousand years ago during the medieval rule of the Chola Empire, when the celebration of the Puthiyeedu i.e the first harvest was celebrated. It is also referred to as Tamizhar Thirunaal, the festival of Tamizhs (tamil people).
From an astronomic perspective the day marks the beginning of the Sun’s six month long journey towards the north (referred to as Uttaraayanam). Since it is a festival that signifies gratitude for a bountiful harvest, a part of this display of gratitude involves boiling of the first rice that is from the harvest to appease the Sun God.
During Pongal,  a dish also called ‘Pongal’ is prepared. This is a sweet dish that includes cardamom, raisins, green gram and cashew as its main ingredients. The process of preparing Pongal is a ritual in itself, with the dish being prepared u sing clay pots that are decorated with coloured patterns and designs. The cooking is done in sunlight to symbolify the presence of the Sun god.
Each of the days of the festival has a name and a tradtion behind them. The first day is called Bhogi. On this day people discard their old possessions (mostly clothes) and don new ones. Houses are renovated or painted to have a festive look. On the second day known as Thai Pongal, which is the main day of the festival, milk is cooked in a vessel and when it starts to bubble and overflows out of the vessel, freshly harvested rice grains are added to the pot. At the same time other participants blow a conch called the sanggu and shout "Pongalo Pongal". Kolam, a traditional work of graffiti art using rice flour is seen around the courtyards of many households.  People also decorate their homes with banana and mango leaves.
The third day, is known as Maatu Pongal. On this day, people recognize and pamper their cattle affectionately. It is on this day, that the popular game called Jallikattu is conducted.  The fourth and final day is called Kaanum Pongal which marks the end of Pongal festivities for the year. The word kaanum in this context means ‘to vist ‘or ‘to  meet’. Traditionally many families hold reunions on this day.
The festival of Pongal is beautiful and ever more important in today’s modern society because it represents unity, family and gratitude for all that one has. It is a festival that encourages people to thank nature and the earth that helps sustain life in all forms.  

 ...

View Details
January 14, 2018 by Admin

The Story of the Glorious Trinity – The Sto...

The Story of the Glorious Trinity – The Story behind the Birth of the State of Kerala 
According to Hindu mythology, the region of Kerala stretches along the Arabian Sea from Gokarnam (Gokarna, in Karnataka) to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that the avatar called ‘Parasuram’ of the Hindu Lord Vishnu created the region of Kerala when he flung his axe from Gokaranam to the Arabian Sea. The sea is said to have receded up to this point, thus forming the region of Keralam.  
From a historical perspective, the state of Kerala is the southernmost state in India. Prior to independence the region as we know it today comprised of three independent provinces. These were Malabar, Cochin and Travancore. Some historians believe that the name ‘Kerala’ is derived from the name of ‘Keralian Thamboran’  who was one of the oldest rulers of one of the provinces. Others believe that the name comes from the word ‘kera’ which means coconut tree, a tree widely seen and immensely popular in the region.   It is also interesting to note that the region of Munnar in Kerala too has its named derived from a trinity of sorts. A trinity or confluence of three rivers - Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly. 
The present day Kerala state was formed as result of the States Reorganization Act of 1956, passed by the Government of India. It was a major reform of the boundaries of India's states and territories, organizing them along linguistic lines. Kerala was formed by the merger of Travancore-Cochin state with the Malabar district of Madras State, Kasaragod of South Canara (Dakshina Kannada). At present the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts with Thiruvananthapuram as the state capital. Kerala is one of the first places in the world where a Communist government came into power by a general election in 1957. This day is celebrated officially on November 1st every year. 
‘Kerala Piravi’ is a day of great significance for the people of the state because it marks the creation of a new, single and unified identity. This is an identity that is rooted in history and tradition. Transcending the chains of religion, caste and colour and creating a mindset that the Keralites like to call ‘Keraliya Thanima’ that is the ‘essence of being a malayali or Keralite’. ...

View Details
November 01, 2017 by Admin

Say Cheers with a Cup of Tea This Women’s D...

It is said that women are the embodiment of God. The ability to preserve life and nurture it is very much a manifestation of the powers held by the Almighty. On this Women’s Day, we would like to show our appreciation for the women in our lives.  You see women have always influenced us as a society. Be it our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and friends, we have all witnessed their special powers. The greatest of these powers being the ability to give birth to life. Yes, life. The greatest gift of all and this was given to us by women. So this is our way of thanking them for not only giving life to us but also for making our lives more special and enriched.
Coming to the point of having our lives enriched by women, have you ever thought about one of life’s simplest pleasures called tea? Tea my dear friends, is one beverage that can rejuvenate our dreary spirits like no other. Imagine this, a hot cup of tea prepared by our mothers, daughters or wives and served to us at the end of a long day of work. The thought itself refreshes you doesn’t it? Well, just like many of life’s simple pleasures, tea is a seemingly simple beverage to prepare and yet it has a long story behind its journey from the tea plantations to your cup. Let us look at the Tata Tea Plantation in Munnar for example. One of the processes in the production is the process of plucking the tea leaves from the tea plants. This job is an extremely delicate job and it is one that has been traditionally entrusted to women. The women employees of the estate are experts in this delicate procedure and work efficiently to pluck the leaves. A typical day for one of these women begins at 8 o’ clock after they have completed their household chores. They pluck the tea leaves till 12 o’clock in the afternoon and continue from 1 o’clock until 5 in the evening. All this is done under the watchful eye of the estate supervisor who with his big burly mustache, half trousers and wooden cane is quite a sight to behold amidst the lush green slopes of the tea plantation. The tea leaves take about five days to grow back once they have been plucked and the women are so efficient that they find their way back to the newly budding leaves just in time. After the day is over the women head back home to their settlements which may be small but well maintained and provided by the Tata Tea management. These women together, are also strong as a community. A group or community of such women workers who formed the Penpillai Orumai which recently fought for improved wages and working conditions in the tea estates.

These women workers are a testament to the fine tasting tea that comes from the region of Munnar. It is their hard work that enables us to enjoy that warm cup of tea on a rainy day. Their days and lives revolve around the estate and its lush green slopes.  So the next time your wife or mother makes you a hot cup of tea, remember that the cup you hold in your hands is the result of the toil and dedication of many a ‘delicate’ yet ‘firm’ hand....

View Details
March 08, 2017 by Admin

Featured Posts

Your journey begins as you arrive at the Cochin International Airport.

Contact Us

Blanket Hotel & Spa
Attukad Waterfalls,
Pallivasal, Munnar-685565
+91 4868 254 600 (Front Desk : Extn No.2)
+91 9446524600, 8281507700
info@blanketmunnar.com


For Reservation: reservations@blanketmunnar.com,
booking@blanketmunnar.com
+91 8281806611, 8281806633

deceased estate cleaning deceased estate melbourne deceased estate cleaning deceased estate clearing deceased estate cleanups deceased estate melbourne deceased estate repairs