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Saturday, December 20, 2014

Discover the Arts


Visiting Kerala and not viewing a kathakali performance is like going to Italy and not eating pizza. Get there early so you can go backstage and watch the performers wear their extravagant make-up and costumes before the show begins. If you’re not pressed for time, try and catch a concert featuring classical dance forms likeBharatnatyamMohiniyattam or Kalaripayattu (a traditional form of martial arts) demonstration, and if you’re lucky, a religious performance of the flamboyant Theyyam. If you’re inspired to stay on and become a professional, you could always enroll in a short class at a dance academy.

St. Francis Church

Situated : St. Francis Church Road, Fort Kochi



Known to be India’s first European church, it curiously transformed from a Roman Catholic Church during Portuguese rule (in 1503) to a Dutch Reformist Church (in 1664) to, finally, an Anglican Church (in 1804). Popular as the resting ground of Vasco da Gama, who was buried here in 1524, it attracts hundreds of tourists from all over the world; even though his remains were sent to Lisbon 14 years later.

If you’re a fan of fans, don’t forget to see the antique, hand-operated fans used here that are worked manually with ropes on either side.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

The Spa Experience

People come to Kerala from all over the world just to soak in a traditional Ayurvedic treatment, so make sure you don’t leave without trying one. Since the practice originated here, the options are endless, but one of the most popular treatments is Shirodhara, a gentle pouring of herbal oils over the forehead to treat a variety of conditions.