TRAVEL SPECIAL ....MONSOONS INDIA SPECIAL

MONSOONS INDIA SPECIAL 

Enjoy the rainy side of India

    The monsoon months have a magical aura attached to them. Despite the downpour in most parts of the country, it is a looked-forward-to season by many. The rains bring relief from the sveltering heat that was prevalent just before the showers took over. The cloudy weather gives romantic couples a good excuse to escape into a wonderland of their own, where they can cosy up as daggers of lightening pierce the vast skies above. It’s the best time to take a well-deserved break from hectic schedules and get drenched in the rains. Kerala is amazing at this time of the year. Waterfalls are a top attraction of the season as are its hill stations, which get coated with a vibrant and fresh shade of green because of the rainfall. Munnar, Wayanad and Kumarakom have sprawling tea estates; adventure enthusiasts can plan a monsoon trek on these hills too. Goa is another destination that has to be experienced to be believed during the monsoons. During these months, one can actually see vast stretches of sand at popular tourist beaches in Calangute, Baga and Anjuna and not just a sea of people rushing to beach bars. Ganpatipule in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, is another gem that is best enjoyed in the monsoons. Despite having the potential, Ganpatipule has not yet reached its commercial peak, so plan a getaway here before the masses become aware of its beauty.
   
COURTING GOD’S OWN COUNTRY
    Kerala is one destination that • signifies the best of the monsoons. It livens up, with lush green landscapes that are a visual treat during the months from June till August. The Southwest Monsoon that arrives in June is known as Edavappathy among the locals; the name is given because the season comes bang in the middle of the month of Edavam on the Malayalam Calendar. Throughout the year, Kerala is known for its scenic hill stations and the ayurvedic treatments that originated here. However, one of the biggest benefits of visiting Kerala during the monsoons is to experience the same treatments in an atmosphere that makes the body most receptive to herbal oils.

    MONSOON MUST-VISITS IN KERALA:
    Magical Backwaters: Kochi, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kumarakom.
    Dashing Waterfalls: Athirapally and Vazhachal, Palaruvi, Meenvallam.
    Scenic Hill stations: Munnar, Wayanad.

MEANING BEHIND THE NAME... Wayanad is one of the major tourist attractions in all of Kerala. The name Wayanad comes from the words Vayal, which means field of paddy and Nadu, which means land.

Compiled by Sujata Reddy ETTR130614