Updated 29/12/05
‘Mandapa’ programme inaugurated in Mahe
The Tourism and Arts and Culture departments of Pondicherry Government have jointly launched a weekend music programme named ‘Mandapa’ at the Water Sports Complex at Mahe, a part of the Union Territory of Pondicherry, India, for developing the complex into a tourism spot.
Pondicherry Health Minister E. Valsaraj inaugurated ‘Mandapa’ programme on December 24 at the ‘kalmandapam’, a stage set up at the Water Sports Complex. The ‘kalmandapam’ was set up here recently in the traditional style.
‘Mandapa’ programme inaugurated in MaheThe initial music event of ‘Mandapa’ was performed by noted Hindustani singer and musician Ramesh Narayanan. Hereafter, the programme will be held on Saturdays between 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Mahe Regional Administrator Krishna Kumar Singh and A. V. Sreedharan MLA and organising committee convener Dr. Mahesh Mangalat also participated in the inaugural function.
Well-known guitarist Poly Varghese, a disciple of Viswamohan Bhat, will stage ‘Ragas on guitar’ on December 31, the New Year’s Eve.
According to the organisers of ‘Mandapa’, Hindustani and Carnatic music programmes will be main attractions of the programme. Admission for the programme will be free of cost. Singers from Kerala and from other states will be able to participated in the weekend programmes.
Mahe situates between the Kannur and Kozhikode districts in Kerala. The Water Sports Complex situates on a beautiful site on the bank of Mayyazhi River in Mahe.
Updated 22/11/05
Houseboat Launched:
It is now the time for the rising of backwater tourism in the Indian state of Kerala, a region well known for its charismatic nature. The lack of adequate initiatives on the part of government and private sector had left the enchanting beauty of Kerala’s backwaters unnoticed so far.
Houseboat Launched:The wind of change has started blowing in the northern part of Kerala, generally known as Malabar. A houseboat cruise launched in Kanayankode River at Koyilandy in Kozhikode district of Kerala is now luring domestic and international tourists. The cruise was started in July 2005.
Kerala Discovery-Tour Operators offers a 35-km-long sail in the luxury houseboat through the Kanayankode River for Rs 8,000 for six persons. The houseboat offers 24-hour travel for the amount with food.
The houseboat voyage in Kanayankode River gives sights of the charming landscape of tiny islands in the river, flocking migratory birds, the calm and serene countryside of Kerala and the beautiful riverbanks thatched by coconut trees.
The houseboat operators also offer travel for 10 persons between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for Rs 6,000. The beautifully built luxury houseboat is equipped with two bath-attached bedrooms, a kitchen, a nicely located dining hall, an upper deck for sightseeing and a sun deck on the platform of the boat.
The Kerala Discovery team also provides a conference boat in the same river. The conference boat is meant for organising small meetings and conferences. The boat provides 36 seats and it costs Rs 700 per hour.
The large houseboat was built on the bank of Kanayankode River at a cost of Rs 23 lakh. It took more than five months for around 20 workers to complete the work of the houseboat.
A number of tourists from countries like US, UK, Spain, Holland, Australia and Sri Lanka have already experienced the houseboat cruise. The houseboat operators are available at 0496 – 2624231 .