athira holidays

12/01/2019

Kerala is the most welcoming place in India, according to a poll conducted by a leading digital travel platform.

29/11/2018

Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ redux as Kathakali

When the East meets West 😇 a cliche apt here!

If you happen to be in the capital city.....organised by Alliance Française de Trivandrum, it will be staged at Levee Hall, East Fort, on November 30 at 6.30 pm. Entry is free

French choreographer Annette Leday and Australian playwright David McRuvie bring back their Kathakali adaptation of the Bard’s famous tragedy

10/09/2018

TheBetterIndia

Indian-ness....the simplicity...the joy💓

India on their mind!

09/09/2018

Kerala Tourism

Kerala Tourism

Time for some Adventure and excitement at - Jatayu Adventure Centre.

03/09/2018

athira holidays's cover photo

03/09/2018

What joy it is to have the sun back and bright! Boys doing somersaults in the local village pond in Kerala 💓

(image disclaimer: For illustrative purpose only)
Photo credit-Prasanth Chandran/Flickr

15/11/2017

colourful displays walking down the streets for a local temple festival..

pic credit: Yunus Hisham Ali

08/11/2017

Google doodle dedicated to 'Nritya Samragini' ( the empress of dance remarked by the great Rabindranath Tagore) Padma Shri Sitara Devi, the great Kathak dancer, on her 97th birth anniversary.

Kathak , one of the main genres of ancient Indian classical dance is believed to have originated from the travelling bards of North India referred to as Kathakars or storytellers. These Kathakars wandered around and communicated legendary stories via music, dance and songs.

A Kathak performance may include a dozen classical instruments depending more on the effect and depth required for a particular performance. However some instruments are typically used in a Kathak performance like the tabla that harmonises well with the rhythmic foot movements of the dancer and often imitates the sound of footwork movements or vice-versa to create a brilliant jugalbandi.

Source: http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-dance/classical/kathak.html

20/10/2017

Thirayattam by Manoj & team (Alanallur) in Bangalore

The Poothan & Thira is a ritualistic artform of Valluvanad, the lands extending from the Bharathapuzha River in the south to the Pandalur Mala in the north.

It is believed to be performed since ages in the villages to cleanse them of evil spirits. Even though primarily a temple artform, it isn't restricted to temple premises and is enjoyed by the whole village during the Poorams or festivals.

The dancers wear mighty wooden head gears with forms of the goddess kali embossed on them and represent Poothan, Shiva's lieutenant, and Thira, the goddess Kali. A magical mood is created when the dancers move vehemently to the thunderous beats of drummers- wherein onlookers are transformed to a mesmerizing trance like feeling. The dance form is a less known one except to the people of the regions where in they are played/ performed.

These days many youngsters have been seen taking a liking to the artform and undergoing formal training in the art. Manoj and team from Alanallur are one such group who have been conducting stage shows to keep the art alive. Below is a link to one such performance by them, recently conducted in Bangalore.

An incredible​ performance by Manoj & team during Onam celebrations in Bangalore. A big salute to the young and highly talented Artists who has taken this aw...

17/11/2016

fun, fun & lotsa fun!!!

17/08/2016

goa, andaman, sri lanka, thailand – Facebook Post by RENUKA RAGHAVAN

goa, andaman, sri lanka, thailand – Facebook Post by RENUKA RAGHAVAN

Vacation we undertake flight & hotel bookings  get in touch with us for cheap rates but quality service!  [email protected] goa? andaman? sri lanka?thailand?

03/08/2016

Nehru Trophy Boat race, snake boat race at Punnamada Backwaters in Alappuzha | Kerala Tourism

Let the race begin!!

Nehru Trophy Boat race, where magnificent chundan valloms (snake boats) compete for the prized trophy, is held at Punnamada Backwaters in Alappuzha. The event is on the second Saturday of August every year.

25/07/2016

HURRY UP PEEPS!!!OFFER VALID ONLY UNTIL SEPTEMBER END!!

28/06/2016

BUDHANILKANTHA TEMPLE, NEPAL

Visit the holy Budhanilkantha Temple to offer prayers at one of the most-loved Vishnu temples of the valley. Observe the intricate artwork that went into the sculpting of the magnificent 5th century of image of the sleeping Vishnu almost alike in features to the Buddha. You could combine the trip with visit to the Shivapuri National Park just above it. Transportation options are aplenty, but you could also bike all the way to Budhanilkantha and hike onward.
Budhanilkantha, situated at the foot of the Shivpuri Hills in the northern-most part of the Kathmandu Valley, is about 8 km from the city. The shrine with probably the largest stone statue of Lord Vishnu in Nepal is reclining on a bed of Nagas or serpents in the middle of a small pond. The 5-m long granite image carved out of a single rock dates back to the Lichchhavi period.
According to folklore, a farmer was working on his field one day when his plough struck a boulder, and to his surprise and alarm, blood started oozing out of the cut in the stone. Upon digging around the huge boulder, he unearthed the magnificent image of the reclining Vishnu that had remained buried in the ground. A big mela (fair) is held at Budhanilkantha on the auspicious two main Ekadashis, Harishayani and Haribodhini,marking the 4-month period when Lord Vishnu is believed to retire to sleep.

source: www.welcomenepal.com

23/06/2016

Bring out the child in you! Come, enjoy the season of wonder & joy!!
The Monsoons in Kerala do not take the pattern of incessant rains continuing for weeks. Virtually it rains for a few hours with sunny interludes. Occasionally the rains might stretch on for a few days but the respite of sunshine is never far away. People look forward to seeing the sun peep through the wet palm fronds and rain drenched green. These golden interludes provide an equilibrium to life's natural flow.

Kerala has mainly two rainy seasons. The Southwest Monsoon that arrives in the month of June is called Edavappathy, as it comes in the middle of the month of Edavam on the Malayalam Calendar.

As nature recoups with the rains, it is rejuvenation time for humans too. According to Ayurveda, Monsoon is the best season for rejuvenation therapies. During the Monsoon season, the atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy.

source: www.keralatourism.org

22/06/2016

Bhutan - The Land of the Thunder Dragon

Happiness is a place, its Bhutan!

The official video of the Tourism Council of Bhutan

03/06/2016

10 Impossibly Colorful Places You Wont Believe They're Real

So much of vibe there!!!

http://www.hellotravel.com/stories/10-impossibly-colorful-places-you-wont-believe-theyre-real

Just north of Venezuela is the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao. The legend goes that when the Dutch still ruled the island in the 1800s the governor at the time suffered from migraine headaches. Migraines he attributed to the blazing Caribbean sun. And he decreed that the residents paint buildings...

23/05/2016

Most Memorable Places to Propose

when love beckons ;)

With all the ways to pop the question, what’s a guy -- or gal -- to do to make it memorable? Don’t fret, we found 5 of the most romantic and memorable destinations to propose.

08/05/2016

Where would you want to travel on your next vacation & why?

15/03/2016

30 Travel Bloggers That Absolutely Love Kerala!

😀

I spent an unforgettable 15 days in Kerala on a trip of a lifetime with Kerala Tourism.  We had so much fun exploring and getting to know this part of India.  Here's proof that 30…

23/02/2016

Kerala at first glance

what more ! welcome to Kerala ! Namaste !!

It only took a few seconds for Kerala to obliterate my expectations. Kerala is one of 30 states in India, but to lump it in as “just another state in India” is to do a disservice to this state and its 33 million residents. If you had asked me where Kerala was last September, I couldn’t have g

22/02/2016

photo credit: http://lighthouseinsights.in/the-incredibleindia-google-plus-campaign.html/

22/02/2016

athira holidays – athira holidays – Your Travel Partner

Dear friends,

It’s with great excitement that we post this message, today.

20 years since our first biz, it has indeed been a joyous journey!

With an immense sense of gratitude we launch our updated website www.athiraholidays.com which features ways of better understanding the way we work, the activities we undertake and the plans we have to take our company forward. A humble reminder to all our well wishers that we are thankful for all your support and prayers that has helped in keeping our boat sailing.

Starting off primarily as an inbound operator bringing in foreign guests to South India, we have spread our wings taking slow and careful steps. Since the past few years we have been conducting tours to the various other parts of India and this updated site is a formal announcement to that and much more.

In this new site, we have deliberately given space for testimonials or client feedback to show you what our clients have to say about us as we believe in word of mouth publicity rather than pompous self praise .In addition, we’ve added a link to our page where you see our regular updates on matters we find interesting and anything we wouldn't want earnest travelers to miss out!

We hope you’ll like the new look with the improved navigation and request you to continue supporting us ,as you’ve always done, in the future too!

Thank you ,

22/02/2016

Kochi airport to open new terminal | Travel Daily India

http://www.traveldailymedia.com/232982/kochi-airport-to-open-new-terminal/

Good news peeps!! Adieu to the long waits at the counters! :)

Kochi International Airport will expand this week with the opening of a third terminal. The brand new…

12/05/2015

Myanmar - The Golden Land.

Myanmar - The Golden Land.

This is Myanmar through my eyes. Warm smiles, gentle greetings & beautiful sights. I hope you enjoy! Directed & Edited by Ben McNamara // www.twohumans.travel…

12/05/2015

15 China Travel Tips For First-timers | Trekeffect

15 China Travel Tips For First-timers | Trekeffect

Traveling to China for the first time? Here are 15 tipsthat will help you experience a memorable, safe and convenient trip to this fascinating country.

22/04/2015

'Happy Earth Day to youuuu....Happy Earth Day to youuu....happy earth day, happy earth day, Happy Earth Day to youuuuu!!!!

As the quote goes, ' we haven't inherited the earth from our ancestors, we have borrowed it from our children'! Keep it safe! Keep it healthy!!

21/04/2015

Kerala, India: They don’t call it ‘God’s Own Country’ for nothing

sincerely from a traveler!

Kerala, a state in southwest India, is an oasis of both natural beauty and religious coexistence.

20/04/2015

how cool is that !!!

And they are back... E-rickshaws are set to hit Delhi's roads again Read more about this last-mile saviour thne.ws/1yJx2Jn

20/04/2015

12 Essential Smartphone Apps Every Traveler Should Have | Trekeffect

You haven't heard from us since sometime....well....we've been meditating!!! Only if you could call that a break! :D

Found something interesting for you travelers, mark them down
:)

From Google Maps to Instagram, there are dozens of helpful smartphone apps that can come in handy for your future travel escapades.

20/03/2015

A thousand kilos of curry

the blessed meal! :)

The annual feast of St. Joseph in Kanamally is a century-old tradition that sees the entire village come together to prepare a meal for over one lakh people

05/03/2015

The Kerala Blog Express , yet again!! :)

Snaps from -2; Day 2 at Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, Kottur

23/02/2015

How often have you got lost??

13/02/2015

a destination for him....for her....and for the two of them....this valentine's day, TRAVEL together !!!