My Travel Space..

KOLLENGODE- THE PRISTINE BEAUTY

That's what I call a Green Carpet Welcome!

My native Kerala has always been my favourite destination forever. Ever since I remember any sought of traveling in my life, it has always been to Kerala. Palakkad, Kollengode to be exact. This trip has been the stepping stone to all journeys in my life till now. 

Kollengode

Palakkad, known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of palms and paddy fields, and Kollengode enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad.Kollengode relatively being a small village is lost and not recognised as much as it should have been.

Let me give you a snippet of its mesmerizing beauty.

The village gets its name from the blacksmith (Kollen) community who live there. The paddy fields, takes the major chunk of the place. Amidst this goes the narrow roads , which seem endless while travelling. A ride, I bet the bike riders would never love to miss.

The divinity the place has, is molded with several temples and shrines. You can feel the music and the divine presence even along the roads. the lighted temples are the perfect places for all in seek of contemplation, entering Nirvana. The number of temples in this small village is innumerable.

Kollengode is a village, but never in the literal sense. The people here have their own big world in their small place. Kollengode has its own kind of festivals and celebrations that are not celebrated in the other ends of Kerala. "Desa Vilakku" is the festival followed by the "Aarattu" which is honored by giving a sacred bath to Lord Ayyappan. "Kummatti is another festival celebrated to mark the harvest festival. People here have their own rituals. One of them is "Kathiru", which means freshly grown paddy. What is fascinating is the way they make a ball of paddy, which is nearly a size of a football and throw it in the air. People there believe that this would bring good luck for an year to those who are able to catch it. Doesn't that sound very interesting? 

Kollengode Palace

One thing Kollengode is known for is the Kollengode Palace, which is known for its traditional and contemporary architecture. It is now used as an Ayurvedic Spa, which includes treatments lasting for two to three months. The aura of the Palace, goes beyond words. One needs to see it to feel the aesthetic sense and the artistic beauty of the palace.  
The pictures itself says it all. A place that many aren't aware of. Its worth a visit to this peaceful and beautiful place. 

Kollengode, for those who don't know and is a travel buff like me, it is worth a visit. So people don't think too much, its time to explore those hidden beauties. I have found one, hope you see one soon!