Today is the day when the Thrikketta Njattuvela
or the solar transit of Alpha Scorpi starts ( December 2nd ). This is
the Retreating Monsoon or the Thula Varsha and this Njattuvela may signal the
end of the Monsoon season. The Monsoon season gives a boost to the travel and
tourism industry of Kerala.
The word Monsoon itself makes one happy. The
intoxicating smell of the dry parched earth drenched, the splashing waters
makes monsoons the favourite season in Kerala. Kerala has been defined as
Tropical Wet by the German climatologist Koppen and Monsoon is a refreshing
change from the long summer months, when scorching heat and dust ruled the
roost. The farmers get relief from the draught like situation and the promise
of the rains which heralds prosperity. Enjoy the monsoons of Kerala under
Monsoon Tourism.
Never to be wasted indoors is this enchanting
seasons of raindrops and rainbows. Monsoon gives everything to you in fresh as
the special season of the year. Monsoon is not all packed up in rain coats. On
the contrary, they are fun time. Splashing and swimming in knee deep waters
and getting wet are some of the pastimes intended for you by the grace of the
monsoons. You can take out an Ayurvedic Vacation during Monsoon. Monsoon is
the season recommended by Ayurveda for Rejuvenation Therapy. You can
rejuvenate your soul and replenish your body during the Monsoon season.
Monsoon is the true season for rejuvenation, when people take ayurvedic
remedies, detoxificaton etc to purge the body of toxins and rejuvenate the
tissues. Various diseases can be cured, if the body is detoxified and
rejuvenated, averrs Ayurveda.
The
joy of the monsoons can be seen on everybody's face. Kids dancing in the
streets, elders enjoying rains from the balconies of their flats rather than
sheltering inside in blankets or playingParty
Pokeras may be expected, or
the sit outs of their homes and women preparing hot vadas and coffee are symbols
of the first monsoon rain. Also the sight of people enjoying a common umbrella
on the public place. Gone are the days of blistering heat in a tropical country
!
A sharp fall in the number of tourists during the Monsoon was the
phenomenon of the past. Now Kerala Tourism is working on a new Monsoon
campaign to attract tourists during the monsoon season which starts from May
29 and ends on 16th of December ( from Rohini Njattuvela to Thrikketa
Njattuvela ). Monsoons in Kerala are the most tantalising in India. With
green ambience and plenty of rains, Kerala is the most sought after
destination during the rainy season. The state is promoting Ayurvedic or
Medical Tourism. The best season for Ayurvedic Healthcare is this season which
stretches from June to Decemeber end. To guide the foreign tourists, guides
should be deployed, those who have undergone courses in travel and
tourism.
Kerala is fast capturing the attention of international tourists as the prime
destination for Monsoon Tourism. With its abundant water reservoirs of natural
lakes and waterfalls, the North East region of Kerala is also fast emerging as
a hot monsoon destination amongst local as well as international tourists. Farm Tourism, Houseboat Tourism also are on the rise.
Kerala Tourism is working on a schedule of events, which include a Monsoon
Food Festival, a Monsoon Music Festival and a Monsoon Theatre Festival to
capture the attention of the international tourist. A Monsoon Folklore
Festival is also planned, as many of Kerala's diverse arts and folk traditions
are associated with the Monsoon. Monsoon Tourism is gaining world wide
popularity like Spiritual Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Adventure Tourism,
Medical Tourism and Eco Tourism.
The romance of the Monsoons, with its green ambience and landscapes and its
abundant rains, which have been rhapsodized thoroughout the ages in poetry
and music, can be promoted as a "unique" tourist attraction.
Special Tourism Packages have been initiated by the Confederation of Indian
Industry to cater to the needs of the monsoon season travellers, as monsoons
in India are exquisite. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and
Sikkim have also been promoted as Monsoon Tourism attraction by the CII. These schemes
will result in the Government getting more foreign exchange and provide
employment opportunities to locals, as tourism is the numero uno industry in
the world. The monsoons boost the travel and tourism of Kerala and jobs
in travel and tourism are on the rise.
The two major Monsoons of Kerala
The South West Monsoon
Known locally as Kala Varsham, the SW Monsoon starts from May 29th, when the
Sun enters the 15th degree of Taurus ( Edava Pathi ). Fierce rains
characterise this period which stretches upto the end of sidereal month of Leo
or the 16th of September. Then we have the sidereal month of Virgo, which is
the No Man's Land between the two major - South West and North East Moonsoons
!
The North East Monsoon
Known locally as Thula Varsham, the NE Monsoon starts from the 17th of October
and lasts till 16th of December. This is the Retreating Monsoon, as cold
winds, travelling at more than 20 kts, pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal
and pours over peninsular India.
