Temple festivals 2

The other festival on the same day was near my house - the pongala at the Jagathy Mudippura Devi temple. Being a working day, I missed the pongla but could catch a glimpse of the function at night when the goddess was taken around in an elephant.

Sorry, I missed the elephant.

Gavi, Eco tourism

Gavi

Gavi is still unspoilt tourist spot. It is about 200 Kms from Trivandrum. It is 26 Km from Vandipperiyar which is a small town between Mundakkayam and Kumili (for Thekkadi) .
The Kerala Forest Development Corporation offers eco tourism packages to this lovely spot. http://www.gaviecotourism.com/index.html
The booking for the package can be done at their counter in Kumili and also on the website. However, on has to buy the entrance passes at the Vandiperiyar Forest checkpost as this comes under the Periyar tiger Reserve.
The package includes, breakfast, lunch and dinner, overnight stay, trekking, boating and a jeep safari. Overall, it was well organised and the staff was very friendly and helpful. I also liked the Forest department involving the local community in all the activities as guides, maintenance staff etc. Since we went during the off-season, we could see only a few elephants and bisons. Despite all precautions, including leech socks and  liberal appilcation of salt, we were bitten by leeches during the trek. Beware, medical facilities are very limited and telephone cennectivity is very poor.Overall we were satisfied, but I came away with the feeling that tourism is being emphasised at the cost of ecology and safety.
More pictures can be viewed at:  Gavi Pictures


Reception area

Herd of elephants

Elephant display at East Fort

This life like display of elephants with full regalia was to promote a jewellery showroom in East Fort neat the Anandapadmanabha swamy temple.