Doors of Kochi: Stories Hidden Behind Weathered Wooden Frames

The first thing that catches your attention in Kochi is not the sea. It is the doors. Old wooden doors with fading turquoise paint. Tall colonial arches with brass knockers shaped like lions. Tiny tiled entrances hiding cafés. Portuguese-style windows opening into courtyards scented with cardamom and fish curry. Some are cracked by monsoon moisture. Some are freshly painted in impossible shades of yellow and blue. Some stand abandoned, yet still dignified.

The first thing that catches your attention in Kochi is not the sea.

It is the doors.

Old wooden doors with fading turquoise paint. Tall colonial arches with brass knockers shaped like lions. Tiny tiled entrances hiding cafés. Portuguese-style windows opening into courtyards scented with cardamom and fish curry. Some are cracked by monsoon moisture. Some are freshly painted in impossible shades of yellow and blue. Some stand abandoned, yet still dignified.

The Doors of Kochi are not merely architectural details. They are fragments of memory. Walking through the lanes of Fort Kochi feels like moving through a living museum where every doorway seems to hold a story — of traders, sailors, artists, migrants, fishermen, spice merchants, colonial families, wandering backpackers, and local residents who still sit outside these homes every evening discussing politics and rain.

The Doors of Kochi are not merely architectural details. They are fragments of memory.

Walking through the lanes of Fort Kochi feels like moving through a living museum where every doorway seems to hold a story — of traders, sailors, artists, migrants, fishermen, spice merchants, colonial families, wandering backpackers, and local residents who still sit outside these homes every evening discussing politics and rain.

For photographers, Kochi offers something rare: visual depth without artificiality.

Nothing here feels staged.

The peeling paint, rusted hinges, handwritten signs, tangled electrical wires, cats sleeping beside doorsteps, and soft coastal light together create an endlessly rewarding photography destination.

The peeling paint, rusted hinges, handwritten signs, tangled electrical wires, cats sleeping beside doorsteps, and soft coastal light together create an endlessly rewarding photography destination.

This is not just a guide to photographing the Doors of Kochi. It is a slow journey through history, textures, conversations, and the quiet poetry hidden in everyday architecture.

Why Visit Kochi for Door Photography? The city has layers Kochi is unlike most Indian cities. It feels assembled from different civilizations. Arab traders came here long before Europeans arrived. Then came the Portuguese, Dutch, British, Jews, Syrians, Gujaratis, Konkanis, and Malayali communities — all leaving visual fingerprints on the city’s architecture. You can see this layered identity directly in the doors.

Why Visit Kochi for Door Photography?

The city has layers

Kochi is unlike most Indian cities. It feels assembled from different civilizations.

Arab traders came here long before Europeans arrived. Then came the Portuguese, Dutch, British, Jews, Syrians, Gujaratis, Konkanis, and Malayali communities — all leaving visual fingerprints on the city’s architecture.

You can see this layered identity directly in the doors.

A single street may contain:

  • Dutch-style pastel homes
  • Portuguese-era arches
  • British colonial facades
  • Traditional Kerala wooden carvings
  • Jewish quarter entrances
  • Modern artistic reinterpretations

Very few places in India offer this kind of visual variety within walkable distances.

The textures are extraordinary Photographers often chase grand landscapes and dramatic monuments. Kochi rewards patience instead.

The textures are extraordinary

Photographers often chase grand landscapes and dramatic monuments. Kochi rewards patience instead.

The beauty lies in details:

  • Rust patterns
  • Salt-weathered wood
  • Hand-painted house numbers
  • Old locks
  • Coconut shadows on walls
  • Monsoon stains
  • Moss growing around hinges

Every frame feels tactile.

Light behaves beautifully here Fort Kochi receives soft diffused coastal light for much of the day. Even harsh afternoon sunlight becomes photographable because narrow streets create natural shadows and contrast. Golden hour near Princess Street and Napier Street can turn ordinary walls into cinematic compositions.

Light behaves beautifully here

Fort Kochi receives soft diffused coastal light for much of the day. Even harsh afternoon sunlight becomes photographable because narrow streets create natural shadows and contrast.

Golden hour near Princess Street and Napier Street can turn ordinary walls into cinematic compositions.

Historical and Cultural Significance of the Doors of Kochi More than entrances Traditionally in Kerala, doors represented social status, craftsmanship, and spiritual protection. Older homes often had:

Historical and Cultural Significance of the Doors of Kochi

More than entrances

Traditionally in Kerala, doors represented social status, craftsmanship, and spiritual protection.

Older homes often had:

  • Teakwood entrances
  • Intricate carvings
  • Brass detailing
  • Symbolic motifs
  • Elevated thresholds to prevent flooding during monsoons

In Fort Kochi, however, these Kerala influences merged with European aesthetics.

Portuguese homes introduced:

  • Arched frames
  • Symmetrical facades
  • Colored shutters

Dutch structures brought:

  • Simpler geometry
  • Functional design
  • Thick wooden panels

British influence added:

  • Victorian proportions
  • Numbered residences
  • Decorative ironwork

Today, the Doors of Kochi silently document centuries of migration and trade.

Rare fact: Spice trade shaped architecture Many wealthy spice merchants once used oversized entrance doors to display prosperity. Wider entrances also allowed movement of spice sacks and goods from storage courtyards. Certain homes near Jew Town still feature unusually tall wooden doors because cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon shipments frequently passed through these buildings.

Rare fact: Spice trade shaped architecture

Many wealthy spice merchants once used oversized entrance doors to display prosperity. Wider entrances also allowed movement of spice sacks and goods from storage courtyards.

Certain homes near Jew Town still feature unusually tall wooden doors because cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon shipments frequently passed through these buildings.

My First Morning Photographing the Doors of Kochi I woke before sunrise in Fort Kochi because locals had warned me about two things: The humidity The crowds At 6:15 AM, the streets were almost empty except for cyclists, fishermen, and tea vendors. A pale blue door near Bastion Street caught my attention first. The paint had peeled away in layers, revealing older shades beneath — blue over green over white. It looked like time itself had been painted repeatedly on the same surface.

My First Morning Photographing the Doors of Kochi

I woke before sunrise in Fort Kochi because locals had warned me about two things:

  1. The humidity
  2. The crowds

At 6:15 AM, the streets were almost empty except for cyclists, fishermen, and tea vendors.

A pale blue door near Bastion Street caught my attention first. The paint had peeled away in layers, revealing older shades beneath — blue over green over white. It looked like time itself had been painted repeatedly on the same surface.

An elderly man opened the door slowly and smiled.

“You are photographing doors?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Then Kochi will keep you busy for many days.”

He laughed and disappeared inside.

That moment changed how I photographed the city.

I stopped looking for perfect symmetry and started searching for stories.

Exploring the Most Photogenic Doors of Kochi Fort Kochi Streets Why photographers love it Fort Kochi’s streets feel visually balanced. The roads are narrow enough to create intimacy but wide enough for layered compositions.

Exploring the Most Photogenic Doors of Kochi

Fort Kochi Streets

Why photographers love it

Fort Kochi’s streets feel visually balanced. The roads are narrow enough to create intimacy but wide enough for layered compositions.

Best areas:

  • Princess Street
  • Napier Street
  • Peter Celli Street
  • Bastion Street

Look for:

  • Contrasting wall colors
  • Bicycles parked near entrances
  • Window-door symmetry
  • Shadows from overhead trees

Best timing

  • 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
  • 4:30 PM – sunset

Morning offers emptier frames. Evening offers warmer tones.

Jew Town Jew Town has some of the most atmospheric Doors of Kochi. Many buildings here contain: Antique stores Spice warehouses Jewish heritage homes Colonial trading offices

Jew Town

Jew Town has some of the most atmospheric Doors of Kochi.

Many buildings here contain:

  • Antique stores
  • Spice warehouses
  • Jewish heritage homes
  • Colonial trading offices

The doors often appear darker, older, and more mysterious than those in Fort Kochi.

Photographically, this area works beautifully for:

  • Moody monochrome images
  • Texture studies
  • Minimalist compositions


Mattancherry Mattancherry feels more chaotic and lived-in. Unlike Fort Kochi’s curated artistic vibe, Mattancherry is intensely functional. You will find: Spice carts Scooter traffic Workers unloading sacks Street-side tea shops

Mattancherry

Mattancherry feels more chaotic and lived-in.

Unlike Fort Kochi’s curated artistic vibe, Mattancherry is intensely functional. You will find:

  • Spice carts
  • Scooter traffic
  • Workers unloading sacks
  • Street-side tea shops

This creates stronger human storytelling opportunities.

A red doorway partially hidden behind hanging pepper sacks can become a far more powerful image than a perfectly clean tourist façade.

Hidden Portuguese Lanes Some of the best Doors of Kochi are found away from popular walking routes. Look for: Narrow unnamed lanes Homes with tiled roofs Buildings close to churches These quieter sections often reveal:

Hidden Portuguese Lanes

Some of the best Doors of Kochi are found away from popular walking routes.

Look for:

  • Narrow unnamed lanes
  • Homes with tiled roofs
  • Buildings close to churches

These quieter sections often reveal:

  • Elderly residents
  • Open kitchens
  • Drying fish nets
  • Hand-painted crosses above doors

The emotional depth here is remarkable.

Stories Through Doors: Human Moments That Stay With You The woman watering plants One evening near Napier Street, I noticed a pale green doorway framed by hanging plants. I waited for pedestrians to clear the frame. Just then, an elderly woman stepped outside holding a metal watering can. She looked directly at me and asked softly:

Stories Through Doors: Human Moments That Stay With You

The woman watering plants

One evening near Napier Street, I noticed a pale green doorway framed by hanging plants.

I waited for pedestrians to clear the frame.

Just then, an elderly woman stepped outside holding a metal watering can. She looked directly at me and asked softly:

“Why photograph this old house?”

I showed her the image on my camera screen.

She stared at it for several seconds.

“We never see it like this,” she said.

That sentence stayed with me throughout the trip.

Photography often reveals beauty to the very people who live inside it.

The carpenter restoring old frames Near Mattancherry, I met a carpenter repairing damaged teakwood doors. He explained how older Kerala homes used dense teak because coastal humidity destroys softer woods quickly. “New doors survive less,” he told me. “Old wood survives more.” That philosophy seems true for Kochi itself.

The carpenter restoring old frames

Near Mattancherry, I met a carpenter repairing damaged teakwood doors.

He explained how older Kerala homes used dense teak because coastal humidity destroys softer woods quickly.

“New doors survive less,” he told me. “Old wood survives more.”

That philosophy seems true for Kochi itself.

Hidden Gems Most Tourists Miss Koonan Kurishu area Most tourists remain near Chinese Fishing Nets. Walk further inland and you discover quieter residential lanes with exceptional architectural textures. The doors here are: Less restored More authentic Better for storytelling photography

Hidden Gems Most Tourists Miss

Koonan Kurishu area

Most tourists remain near Chinese Fishing Nets. Walk further inland and you discover quieter residential lanes with exceptional architectural textures.

The doors here are:

  • Less restored
  • More authentic
  • Better for storytelling photography

Vasco da Gama Square side lanes Instead of photographing only the fishing nets, explore the side streets nearby. You may find: Faded blue churches Abandoned Portuguese structures Old tiled homes Fishing community residences The visual density is incredible.

Vasco da Gama Square side lanes

Instead of photographing only the fishing nets, explore the side streets nearby.

You may find:

  • Faded blue churches
  • Abandoned Portuguese structures
  • Old tiled homes
  • Fishing community residences

The visual density is incredible.



Local ferry neighborhoods Take a ferry toward smaller residential pockets around Kochi. The tourist crowds disappear almost immediately. These neighborhoods offer: Everyday life Authentic coastal homes Untouched architecture More approachable residents

Local ferry neighborhoods

Take a ferry toward smaller residential pockets around Kochi.

The tourist crowds disappear almost immediately.

These neighborhoods offer:

  • Everyday life
  • Authentic coastal homes
  • Untouched architecture
  • More approachable residents

Best Photography Spots for the Doors of Kochi Location Best For Ideal Time Princess Street Colorful colonial doors Early morning Napier Street Artistic compositions Golden hour Jew Town Texture photography Afternoon Mattancherry Human storytelling Morning Bastion Street Symmetry

Best Photography Spots for the Doors of Kochi

LocationBest ForIdeal Time
Princess StreetColorful colonial doorsEarly morning
Napier StreetArtistic compositionsGolden hour
Jew TownTexture photographyAfternoon
MattancherryHuman storytellingMorning
Bastion StreetSymmetry and shadowsSunrise
Residential back lanesAuthentic momentsAnytime
Near old churchesHeritage architectureEvening

Photography Tips for Capturing the Doors of Kochi Shoot after rain Monsoon moisture deepens colors dramatically. Wet walls reflect light beautifully, and textures become more pronounced.

Photography Tips for Capturing the Doors of Kochi

Shoot after rain

Monsoon moisture deepens colors dramatically.

Wet walls reflect light beautifully, and textures become more pronounced.

Use a prime lens A 35mm or 50mm lens works extremely well here because: Streets are narrow Distortion remains minimal Human interaction feels natural

Use a prime lens

A 35mm or 50mm lens works extremely well here because:

  • Streets are narrow
  • Distortion remains minimal
  • Human interaction feels natural

Include people occasionally A solitary doorway can look beautiful. But a doorway with: a bicycle, a tea vendor, a cat, or a resident sitting outside suddenly becomes a story.

Include people occasionally

A solitary doorway can look beautiful.

But a doorway with:

  • a bicycle,
  • a tea vendor,
  • a cat,
  • or a resident sitting outside

suddenly becomes a story.

Don’t over-edit colors Kochi already contains rich natural tones. Over-saturation ruins the authenticity. Keep: textures realistic, shadows soft, colors balanced.

Don’t over-edit colors

Kochi already contains rich natural tones.

Over-saturation ruins the authenticity.

Keep:

  • textures realistic,
  • shadows soft,
  • colors balanced.

Observe light direction Morning light creates side illumination in many Fort Kochi lanes, emphasizing texture. Afternoon often creates flatter images unless you intentionally use shadows.

Observe light direction

Morning light creates side illumination in many Fort Kochi lanes, emphasizing texture.

Afternoon often creates flatter images unless you intentionally use shadows.

Local Food Experiences Between Photography Walks Photography in Kochi inevitably leads to food because the city smells constantly alive. You notice: fried pearl spot fish, curry leaves crackling in oil, cardamom tea, fresh appams, roasted spices.

Local Food Experiences Between Photography Walks

Photography in Kochi inevitably leads to food because the city smells constantly alive.

You notice:

  • fried pearl spot fish,
  • curry leaves crackling in oil,
  • cardamom tea,
  • fresh appams,
  • roasted spices.

What photographers should try

Appam and stew

Soft appams with coconut-based stew are perfect before early morning walks.

Kerala fish meals

Served traditionally on banana leaves with:

  • rice,
  • fish curry,
  • thoran,
  • pickle,
  • papadam.

Kappa and meen curry Tapioca with spicy fish curry is deeply local and wonderfully comforting after long humid walks. Ginger chai from roadside stalls Small tea shops become excellent observation points for street photography. Sit quietly. Watch life unfold.

Kappa and meen curry

Tapioca with spicy fish curry is deeply local and wonderfully comforting after long humid walks.

Ginger chai from roadside stalls

Small tea shops become excellent observation points for street photography.

Sit quietly.

Watch life unfold.

Local Conversations That Reveal Kochi’s Soul

Kochi rewards curiosity.

People often ask photographers questions:

  • “Which country?”
  • “Why this street?”
  • “What camera?”
  • “Why old doors?”

These interactions matter because they change your relationship with the city.

One resident told me:
“These houses survive because someone still loves them.”

That line explains Fort Kochi better than any guidebook.

Best Time to Visit Kochi for Photography October to March This is the best season for: walking comfortably, photography, cultural exploration. Humidity reduces slightly, and the skies remain photogenic.

Best Time to Visit Kochi for Photography

October to March

This is the best season for:

  • walking comfortably,
  • photography,
  • cultural exploration.

Humidity reduces slightly, and the skies remain photogenic.

Monsoon season (June–September)

Underrated for photographers.

Yes, rain interrupts plans.

But monsoon transforms Kochi into:

  • deeper greens,
  • reflective streets,
  • dramatic skies,
  • richer textures.

Carry weather protection for cameras.

Summer (April–May)

Very humid.

Photography is still possible, but morning and evening become essential.

How to Reach Kochi

By Air

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport.

It connects well with:

  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Bengaluru
  • Chennai
  • international Gulf destinations

By Train

Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town are major railway stations with excellent connectivity.

By Ferry

Local ferries are inexpensive and highly photogenic.

They also provide authentic glimpses into everyday Kochi life.

Where to Stay in Kochi

Fort Kochi

Best for:

  • photographers,
  • walkers,
  • café culture,
  • heritage stays.

Look for:

  • restored colonial homes,
  • boutique guesthouses,
  • homestays.

Mattancherry

More local and budget-friendly.

Ideal for:

  • cultural immersion,
  • street photography,
  • longer stays.

Ernakulam

Better for:

  • business travelers,
  • luxury hotels,
  • transport connectivity.

But less atmospheric for photography.

Budget Tips for Photographers

  • Walk instead of taking autos inside Fort Kochi.
  • Use ferries whenever possible.
  • Stay in heritage homestays instead of chain hotels.
  • Eat at local cafés and messes.
  • Carry reusable water bottles.
  • Photograph early to avoid expensive crowd-heavy tours.

Suggested 2-Day Photography Itinerary

Day 1

Morning

  • Sunrise near Chinese Fishing Nets
  • Bastion Street
  • Princess Street doors

Afternoon

  • Jew Town textures
  • Spice markets
  • Café break

Evening

  • Napier Street golden hour
  • Street portraits

Day 2

Morning

  • Mattancherry local life
  • Residential lanes

Afternoon

  • Ferry rides
  • Hidden neighborhoods

Evening

  • Rainy street photography if possible
  • Blue hour architecture shots

Responsible Travel Tips

  • Ask permission before photographing residents.
  • Avoid blocking entrances.
  • Support local cafés and artisans.
  • Do not treat residential neighborhoods like museum exhibits.
  • Respect religious spaces.
  • Dress modestly in quieter residential areas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Only photographing Chinese Fishing Nets

Kochi is much richer beyond that landmark.

Ignoring midday breaks

Humidity drains energy quickly.

Rushing through Fort Kochi

The city rewards slow observation.

Carrying too much gear

Minimal setups work best in Kochi’s narrow streets.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Doors of Kochi

Why are the Doors of Kochi famous?

The Doors of Kochi reflect centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Kerala architectural influences. Their textures, colors, and craftsmanship make them highly photogenic.

Which area in Kochi is best for photography?

Fort Kochi is the most popular photography district, especially around Princess Street, Napier Street, and Mattancherry.

What is the best time to photograph Kochi?

Early mornings and golden hour evenings provide the best light and fewer crowds.

Is Kochi good for street photography?

Yes. Kochi offers excellent opportunities for street photography because of its layered culture, coastal atmosphere, heritage architecture, and approachable residents.

Can beginners photograph the Doors of Kochi?

Absolutely. Even smartphone photographers can capture compelling frames because the city naturally offers color, texture, and depth.

Final Thoughts The Doors of Kochi are not famous monuments. They do not appear on postcards as aggressively as palaces or beaches. Yet they may become your strongest memories of the city. Because doors symbolize transition. And Kochi itself feels suspended between worlds:

Final Thoughts

The Doors of Kochi are not famous monuments.

They do not appear on postcards as aggressively as palaces or beaches. Yet they may become your strongest memories of the city.

Because doors symbolize transition.

And Kochi itself feels suspended between worlds:

  • sea and land,
  • Europe and Kerala,
  • commerce and art,
  • decay and preservation,
  • memory and reinvention.

As a photographer, you eventually stop searching for perfect doors.

You begin searching for imperfect ones.

Doors with cracks.
Doors with stories.
Doors still carrying traces of rain, migration, family histories, and everyday life.

That is where Kochi becomes unforgettable.


Related Blogposts:

Soochipara waterfalls - Just another touristic place in Wayanad || Kerala Diaries


On the very first day of our stay in Wayanad, our host suggested us to trek to Edakkal Caves. 'Trekking' word did the magic and we decided to go there next day only. This Photo Journey shares some of the photographs and information around the trek & caves.We requested Sunil (our host at Treasure Trove to arrange an auto for the day. We left in the morning after breakfast and Edakkal is 15 kilometers from Meenangadi, the place where we were staying.We drove through some beautiful landscapes and beautiful sights. The mountain in above photograph looked beautiful and was shot from moving auto only. Later we realized that Edakkal caves offer another great view of the mountain from the hill top.We took some breaks on the way and soon we came a cross a diversion which lead us to 4 kilometers climb in auto, till the parking of Edakkal Caves. There is a small market at the base, where all vehicles need to be parked and then the trek starts for Edakkal Caves.The trek is concrete, but quite steep. Initially we were in hurry but realized that we should go slow. We enjoyed trekking to Edakkal caves and took some breaks on the way.After walking for 30 minutes we reached a counter where we had to buy entry tickets for the caves. Ticket costed 20 Rs per person and 30 Rs for camera. Please do read message in above photograph. One needs to deposit 20 rs if you want to take water bottle beyond this point. They paste a sticker on the bottle and you can get back the money when you come back. This model really works in Kerala and they have implemented it in most of the tourist destinations in Kerala.These stickers are pasted on the bottles. People bring back their empty bottles to the counter and get back the deposited money.These stairs start from the ticket counter till main caves of Edakkal.There are various shops on the way to have some snacks or buy stuff for home. Lot of Kerala products are sold in these shops - tea, coffee, spices, coconut products, herbal soaps etc.There are good number of stairs from ticket counter till caves. The main cave is on the top of this hill and one needs to trek through other smaller caves. There are folks around this hill who ensure smooth movement of crowd. This is quite a crowded place and discipline is important. Mostly people walk in queue and ensure that things happen smoothly.This is the entry to first cave at Edakkal. Above photograph is clicked from the cave. It was good to see a disciplined movement of folks and of-course credit goes to the local administration for appropriate arrangements in terms of marking & people to help.Now the trek continued through caves and few more steep climbs till we hit the final cave. Steel stairs are installed inside these caves. Edakkal caves lie at around 1200 metres above sea level on Ambukutty Mala, beside an ancient trade route connecting the high mountains of Mysore to the ports of the Malabar coast .Kids expressions in above photograph shows the level of next climb :). Yes, it was getting steeper. Next few climbs exposed everyone to some of the beautiful sights of Wayanad.Finally we hit the main cave which has varied designs carved on all the rocks. Edakkal Caves are two natural caves which are approximately 24 kilometers from Kalpetta in the Wayanad district of Kerala. This lies around India Western Ghats.Inside the caves are pictorial writings. These signs are believed to date to at least 6000 BC, from theNeolithic man, indicating the presence of a prehistoric civilization or settlement in this region. The Stone Age carvings of Edakkal are rare and are the only known examples from south India.Check out wikipedia to know more about Edakkal caves.These are the stairs to come down on the back journey from Edakkal caves to the base. It was a nice experience to be there at Edakkal caves and enjoyed some of the amazing views from the top of this hill. It's a proper tourist spot so it's always crowded.



A Daunting Trek to Edakkal Caves in Wayanad || Kerala Diaries



After trekking to Edakkal caves in Wayanad, we headed towards Curuva Island in an auto. The word ‘Island’ made us visit there. After inquiring more, we got to know that it’s maintained by Forest department and good place to find different kinds of birds. One needs to use bamboo rafts to reach the Island and same rafts are used to come back.It took approximately 1 hr to reach Curuva Island from Edakkal Caves. It shouldn’t take more than 45 minutes in a car.The drive was beautiful through dense forests and coffee plantations.Our Auto-Rickshaw driver are quite fast as he wanted to ensure that we have enough time to explore the Island. It gets closed at 5pm, so you need to be back from the Island by then.We reached the entry counter of Curuva Island and bought our tickets from the counter of Kerala Forest and Wildlife conservation department. Single ticket costs 80 Rs which included to and fro in bamboo rafts. Camera ticket costs 40 Rs and you are also supposed to pay vehicle parking at same counter, so it was just 30 rs for the Auto-Rickshaw we were using.There is some walk from this counter to the water-body from where we needed to take Bamboo raft. It was around 200 meters away from the ticket counter. There are long queue at the port and we waited for approximately 20 minutes to board on the raft and reach the island. In this queue, a guard comes to check your bags and ensures that you don’t have any plastic item to carry to the island. If you want to carry a water bottle, get a sticker pasted on it for 20 rs and money is refundable by the showing the bottle on you back journey. I liked this model implemented by Kerala Tourism and it works. A good thing for other state tourism departments to learn. A ride on bamboo raft was something special, although our expectations were very high :). One raft was carrying approximtaley 50 folks at a time and I had always seen bamboo rafts carrying 4-6 folks. We wanted to do a ride on such raft, but time didn’t allow and such sights were located far from our homestays. I have used safety jackets at various places so far, but these were one of the best ones. Similar experience was there at Banasura dam as well.Bamboo raft hardly took 10 minutes to hit the other side. We got off the boat and put our safety jackets in designated basket. There was a huge bamboo bridge on the other side. After walking for a while, you see two small pathways – one takes you inside island and other leads you to the other port. We headed towards the core of the island where everyone was going. Btw, Curuva Island is again a typical touristic place and hence crowded. There was lot of noise on the island and we realized that we should forget about finding any birds around. And we were right. We didn’t see a single bird, although various sounds were coming from the other part which was restricted.After a while we hit a region of this island which had various water streams. And whole of this region of the island was full of people having fun in water. We were little disappointed, because we were expecting it to be a peaceful place which is close to the nature. Unfortunately it was opposite. But most of the folks were having fun, so it's definitely a good place for folks who want to enjoy in water splashes. Idea is to go there with right expectations :). Hope that readers of Photo Journey would benefit from this information.We had a round of the island and then headed back towards the rafts to head back to Meenagadi (our homestay). It was not so experience for us, probably because of very high expectations. This was a learning for us to be more informative about such places. During this trip, we had hardly any pre-planning except our travel and stay. Many times we intensionally keep things open but they may end up with such experiences. It was another experience, I would say :)Time to go other side of the water body and head towards our homestay…Curuva(Kuruva) Island - A potential paradise for nature lovers




During december we were in Wayanad region of Kerala and planned a day visit to Suchipara Waterfalls. When we drive towards the waterfalls, one need to cross through these beautiful tea gardens. We had various breaks on our way and this Photo Journey shares more about this region of Wayanad.Although Wayanad is full of Tea gardens and coffee plantations, but this part around Suchipara waterfalls is very special. The landscapes are very beautiful and can't be compared with other gardens. This part is relatively hilly.Usually we don't click our own photographs but these lush gardens made us click some of our shots. Our auto-rickshaw driver also requested me to click him photograph :), although he requested us not to post on facebook because he doesn't post any photograph with his auto-dress. This Photograph is only for his family to show that how Suchipara looks like these days.Yes, we were travelling in Auto-rickshaw. 4 days spent in Wayanad and throughout we used Auto-rickshaw for tarvelling. They are cost effective and you enjoy the pleasant weather of Wayanad region.Wayanad is one of the highest producers in India and there are various regions which produce Coffee as well. The place where we were staying was a coffee farm.Lush green tea gardens around Suchipara Waterfalls, Wayanad || Kerala Diaries







The first thing that strikes you during a Kathakali Dance performance is not the music. Not the elaborate costumes either. It is the eyes. Under warm stage lights in Kochi, a performer slowly turns his face toward the audience. His eyes widen dramatically, then narrow with impossible precision. Every movement feels amplified. Every glance carries meaning. Even before the drums begin, the story has already started.Kathakali Dance in Kochi: Behind the Makeup, Music, and Mythology




There are some places in India that stay with you long after the journey ends. In the historic coastal city of Kochi, the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets are one such experience. Standing silently against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea, these massive cantilevered fishing structures are more than just fishing equipment — they are living symbols of history, trade, culture, and the rhythm of coastal life in Kerala.Chinese Fishing Nets in Kochi – The Timeless Symbol of Kerala’s Coastal Heritage




The first thing that catches your attention in Kochi is not the sea. It is the doors. Old wooden doors with fading turquoise paint. Tall colonial arches with brass knockers shaped like lions. Tiny tiled entrances hiding cafés. Portuguese-style windows opening into courtyards scented with cardamom and fish curry. Some are cracked by monsoon moisture. Some are freshly painted in impossible shades of yellow and blue. Some stand abandoned, yet still dignified.Doors of Kochi: Stories Hidden Behind Weathered Wooden Frames



Artist we met in Kerala - Tanish Daniels || Kerala Diaries








If you land in Bangalore, you can catch a KRSTC bus running regularly to Kozikhode or directly to Wayanad. Some kerala transportation buses are also available. It is highly recommended to plan it well and know about bus timings before hand, to plan your trip well. Let's also talk about travel by Rail/train. Nearest railway station is Kozikode and beyond that you need to either take a taxi or bus. Related Post : Journey from Delhi to Wayanad via Bengaluru, Mysore, and Sultan Battery || Kerala DiariesHow to reach Wayanad and main places to explore, along with interesting things to do




I had always heard about Wayanad as one of the biggest tea producers in India, but when I actually visited this beautiful place I realized that coffee is also produced in abundance. Wherever we went in Wayanad, we found acres of lands covered by coffee plantations. This Photo Journey shares some information about coffee plantations in Wayanad region of Kerala. Coffee production in India is dominated in the hilly terrains of South Indian states. Karnataka produces the max followed by Kerala. Indian coffee is said to be the finest coffee grown in the shade rather than direct sunlight anywhere in the world. Our host at Meenangadi had huge coffee farm around his homestay and he shared the fact about coffee in shadow. Most of the the plants were in shades of various trees including black pepper, jackfruit, coconut & rubber trees.Above is the view from out cottage at Treasure Trove which was surrounded by coffee plantations all around. After coming back from Wayanad, I read more about Coffee plantations in India and got to know that we have approximately 2.5 lac coffee growers and majority of them are small growers. Major part of the coffee grown in India exported to Germany, Russian, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, United States, Japan, Greece, Netherlands, France and Italy.There are two methods to process Coffee - dry processing and wet processing. Dry processing is the traditional method of drying in the sun which is favoured for its flavour producing characteristics. This what we witnessed during our stay in Wayanad. Indian coffee, grown mostly in southern India under monsoon rainfall conditions, is also termed as “Indian monsooned coffee. Two well known species of coffee grown are the Arabica and Robusta.Drawn by the aroma into the Coffee Plantations of Wayanad || Kerala Diaries




I did a post on main places to explore and things to do in God's Own Country - Kerala and one of the followers mentioned on Facebook that it's unfair not to mention food of Kerala. And I agree, so thought of compiling this post about Food of Kerala. I am sure that some of the following names would sound familiar - Puttu and Kadala Curry, Thalassery biryani , Appam with Stew, Dosa Ghee Roast with Kerala styled Sambar , Idiyappam with Egg Curry, Spicy Chicken Fry (locally known as Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu), Kerala Prawn Curry, Mussel Stir Fry (popularly known as Kallumakkaya Ularthiyath ) , Pumpkin (Erissery) and Lentil Stew, Naadan Beef fry or Kerala Style Beef Fry and Malabar Parota, Kerala style Fish Molee and Kerala rice(boiled rice) along with sambar, parippukari with ghee, pachadi, kichadi, aviyal, puliyan, kuttukari, Kalan, Olan, Injikkari, rasam, pappadam, pickle, raita, sweetners(two or three different types), payasam.I clearly remember the Theayyam feast we enjoyed at Kannur. After spending whole day at Theyyam temple, one of the priest invited us to join for the feast. Everyone is invited to have lunch at temple and some of the popular food items are served on banana leaf. The same day we were wondering about the banana trees which would have lost those leaves. Hundreds of folks had lunch at the temple during Theyyam festival. Whenever anyone talk about Kerala food, that feast come to my mind. So my recommendation is to find a community event where you can enjoy authentic Kerala food.If you have visited Kerala you would know how Kerala rice look like and if not, just have a look at above photograph. These are very light as compared to rice we get in North India.If you are visiting Kerala, it's recommended to buy some spices to bring back home for family and friends. Patimugam is something which we liked and bought in abundance. The pink colored water served with food is basically boiled water by putting Patimugam in it. Travellers very well know that food of any place is very much inspired by it's weather and local ingredients. You can very much guess the major ingredients of Kerala food. Coconuts grow in abundance in Kerala and hence coconut cream & coconut milk are widely used in dishes for thickening and flavouring. Owing to the weather of Kerala and the availability of spices, the Kerala cuisine is richly spicy especially the hot ones - chilli , black pepper , cardamom , cloves , ginger and cinnamon.Kerala's long coastline, various rivers, backwaters and strong fishing industry have contributed to many sea & river food based dishes. Rice and cassava (Tapioca) form the staple food of Kerala. All main dishes are made with them and served along with Kootan; the side dishes which may be made from vegetables, meat, fish or a mix of all of them. The main dish for lunch and dinner is boiled rice.If you love cooking and prefer healthy food for your family, you may want to check this brilliant blog by Sangeeta . And here is a recipe for Chicken stew Mughlai Style.Let me give another tip to fellow travellers for exploring authentic food of Kerala. Prefer staying in Home Stays and do proper research. We were lucky to have great experience of home stays in Kerala. If you plan to explore Wayanad, here are 2 recommendations - Treasure Trove and Bamboo Village.As you can see, banana leaves are used in different forms. Apart from serving food on banana leaf, it's also used for cooking. At our homestay, we used to get home cooked snacks with evening tea. What an awesome stay it was. I wish to go there right now. Non-veg was main part of all our meals at Kerala. I found it interesting when fish and chicken vendors sell various types of fish on bicycle. While staying at Bamboo village, we met some vendors who were selling 4-5 types of small fish and almost every villager was buying fish. Banana is other main ingredient of Kerala food. In fact, unripe banana are also used in various ways. Banana pakoras, boiled banana, banana chips etc. I am sure that banana must be used in 10 other forms in Kerala. I didn't like boiled banana which was served to us in breakfast. Either I ate it in wrong way or I could relate to it's taste.Food Trail in God's own country, Kerala (India)




India is also referred to as 'God's Own Country'. Kerala is a coastal state in India and has rich traditions, culture and lush unspoiled tropical beauty with unmatchable landscapes. Kerala is popularly known for its landscapes, backwaters, food, elephants, Theyyam & various types of spices. Kerala is perfect destination for folks visiting India and even for Indians who want to spend some time at peace & slow pace of life. Kerala has options for different types for tourists and travellers. This post lists some of the popular places to explore and things to do in Kerala state of India. Munnar - Usually I hate to do comparisons of places because it's usually unfair, as every place is unique. But I would like to call out that Munnar is popularly known as Kashmir of South India. Munnar is one of the key destination in Kerala which attracts lot of domestic and foreigner tourists to Kerala. It's a beautiful hill station which has lush green tea estates apart from spice plantations.Some of the popular places to explore in Munnar are Eravikulam National Park, Indo Swiss Dairy Farm, Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary, Anamudi, Tata Tea Museum, Idukki Arch Dam.Thekkady - Thekkady is one of the most important tourist destinations in Kerala state of South India. Thekkady is located in the famous Periyar National Park. The Periyar National Park is home to a large number of Indian elephants, lion-tailed Macaques, Nilgiri Langurs, Indian bison and Bengal Tigers. Mullaperiyar Dam around the area on the Periyar River and formed an artificial lake for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.Kovalam Light house beach in Kovalam is must visit place. And I am sure that you must have seen some exceptional photographs of lighthouse beach. Just notice the lighthouse in above photograph and you would be able to recall other photographs from same place and beach. Kovalam is also known as beach town of Kerala. It is also known as the paradise of the south and beaches of KOvalam are considered some of the best beaches in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. Alleppey - Alappuzha is an important backwater tourist destination in Kerala. Alleppey is one of the most preferred place for tourists, which attracts several thousands of foreign tourists each year. If you have ever watched boat races, Alleppy is the place to host these events. Apart from boat races Alleppy is also popularly known for beaches, marine products and coir industry. Allapuza Backwaters is a must experience thing in Kerala.Some of the other interesting other places around Alleppy include Statue Of Karumadikuttan, Mannarasala Sri Nagaraja Temple and Revi Karuna Karan (RKK) Memorial Museum.Wayanad - Wayanad is north Kerala and popular for it's tea & coffee plantations. Hilly region of Kerala which has plenty of natural things to explores. Lakes, Waterfalls, caves, tea estates, adventure activities, home stays, wildlife and lot more. Kalpetta, Pookot Lake , Edakkal Caves , Pakshipathalam, Lakkidi, Sulthan Bathery, Banasura Sagar , Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Neelimala view point , Meenmutty falls and Curuva Island are some of the popular places to explore in Wayanad. On our blog, we have shared about some of the best home-stays in Wayanad and incredible experience of Bamboo village. Check out more on the blog and I am sure that you would definitely plan for this region of Kerala.Vagamon hill station is located on Idukki - Kottayam border area. A best place to spend time during summers of Kerala. Vagamon is immensely beautiful with many points of tourist interest, which offer great landscapes. The meadows, forests and hills surrounded by fog/clouds make this place more interesting. ( Cochin ) / Ernakulam - If you are taking flight to south Kerala, most likely you would be hitting Kochi first. Kochi is located in Ernakulam district of Kerela, which was earlier known as Cochin. Kochi is also an important seaport in India. Ernakulam is popular for shopping options in Kerala. I haven't really done shopping in Kerala but this is well known fact about Ernakulam. Some of the popular places to explore around Cochin include Jewish Synagogue, Cherai Beach, Marine Drive, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Fort kochi & Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry Palace, Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary, Ezhattumugham Nature Village and Athirappally Falls. Thiruvananthapuram - Poovar is a small village in the Southern tip of Trivendrum. Around Poovar beach you can explore mangroves, floating restaurants, varieties of birds and biodiversity. The beach is pristine with golden sand with no or less people. Solitude’s comfort, you see! Fisherman waiting to trap the fishes in their giant nets at one corner and eagles and crows waiting for the fishes to be their fodder. Nature, oh nature, vicious circle, it is Some of the interesting places to explore around Thiruvanantpuram are Priyadarshini Planetarium, Vizhinjam Rock Cut Temple, Kuthiramalika, Kanakakunnu Palace. A photograph of Coffee plants from Kerala state of India. some of the old temples. Some of the temples around Kannur celebrate Theyyam festival and lot of foreigner tourists visit Kannur for Theyyam. Thottada beach is one of the popular and isolated beach in Kannur. Riding around these beaches and backwaters can be interesting.Kumarakom Houseboats Kumarakom is most popular tourist spot located near the Kottayam city and famous for its houseboats in backwaters of Vembanad Lake. Vembanad Lake is the largest freshwater lake of Kerala and longest lake in India. Kumarakom is a famous Bird Sanctuary and home to a wide variety of local and migratory birds.One of the most important recommendation is to try Kerala food when you are in Kerala, but be careful about the quantity you order. Usually lot of curries are served, so it's recommended to order the minimum portion from menu and then decide, if you need more.Main places to visit and things to do in Kerala, India


Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Post Today !

Image

How to reach Kasol/Malana and top things to do around this stunning hill-station of Himalayan State of India

If you are a regular visitor of Travellingcamera , you must have noticed that title of this Photo Journey is not really matching with what we usually share. This post is inspired by lot of queries which come to us, especially in summer.  One of the mostly asked thing is the options to reach Kasol and Malana . Here we are trying to share some details the option to reach Kasol/Malana, places to stay , things to do and lot more.  Related post -  Kasol: A beautiful Himalayan hotspot
Image

Main places to see & Top things to do around Dalhousie : Stunning Hill Station in Himalayan State of India

  Dalhousie is one of the most popular Hill Stations in Himachal  and there is lot to explore around Dalhousie. This is small and very well maintained town in Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh . This Photo Journey shares some of the exciting places around Chamba and how to plan a good one day tour through Khajjiar, Chamba & Chamera etc. CHAMERA HYDROLIC PROJECT Chamera Hydroelectric Project is located in Banikhet, 7 kms from Dalhousie. The water body near the lake is very scenic and is a popular boating spot. Chamera Dam is around 40 kilometers from Chamba Town. It takes approximately 1.5 hrs to reach the place is road condition is good. Overall it’s a little dry terrain as compared to Dalhousie and Khajjiar. And temperature also goes up as we go towards Chamera Dam.  As you move out from Chamba town, you follow Ravi river for some time and then take right. After 45 minutes of drive, you get a glimpse of Chemera Dam.