Kerala is one of the most beautiful states of India, sandwiched between the Lakshwadeep Sea and the Western Ghats (mountains). The country is full of rice fields, mango and cashew trees and above all, coconut palms. Enjoy this insightful full-day journey into rural India with a visit to the village of Vaikom and experience first-hand the lifestyles, traditions, art and culture of the villagers.
We begin with a brief stop at Vaikom's famed Shiva Temple, believed to be the oldest in the country. Continue to the Khadi weaving center where the lovely khadi cloth is woven by hand using handspun cotton yarn. Cotton weaving is the heart and soul of Indian textiles and there are 23 different varieties of cotton found in India. Traditional cotton weaving is used in producing a wide range of items such as saris, bed sheets, napkins, shirts and summer wear.
Later, proceed to visit the local coir factory, where the course fibrous material of the coconut husk is converted into colorful carpets without the use of modern machinery.
Our lunch is arranged in the cool gardens of a local home set in the heart of the village. Post lunch, there is an opportunity to visit a nearby school as well as a local handicraft center where there will be demonstrations of the various trades and skills ofthe people in this region.
Please note: Order of sites visited may vary. School is closed during the holidays. A delicious box lunch is prepared by Taj Malabar hotel.