Gir Wildlife Sanctaury

About Gir Wildlife Sanctaury

In the southwest of the peninsular state of Gujarat, lies the 116 square-mile Gir sanctuary created to protect the last wild population of Lion outside the African regions. Since 1913 when the Lion population over here fell drastically to just 20 animals, the numbers have increased to around 300. The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African cousin is and its mane is also smaller.

Flora in Gir National Park
The Gir National Park is a mixed deciduous forest with teak, flame of the forest, some Acacia and Banyan trees. A distinct belt of vegetation is found along the main rivers and streams. Species like the Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are found here. These trees are mostly broad leaved and evergreen, giving the area a cool shade and the moisture content.

Major Wildlife Attractions in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
In India the Lion population is spread across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. But Gir is not just about Lions, the second most commonly found predator in the Gir is Leopard. Infact, Gir national park is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India, and especially in the hotter season they can sometimes be seen at night close to the lodges.

Other animal residents of the Gir national park are Sambar Deer, Chital Spotted Deer, Nilgai Antelope, Chowsingha Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur Monkey, Jackal, and Hyena and numerous birds like Paradise Flycatcher, Bonneli's Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woodpeckers Flamingo etc.

CULTURE IS THE ART OF LIVING

 CULTURE IS THE ART OF LIVING

It refers to the intellectual development evolved out of the physical and mental training acquired in the course of the ages in a country.The culture of India (or) Indian culture can be best expressed as comprising the following

Humanity - The mildness of the Indians has continued till date, despite the aggressiveness of the Muslim conquerors and the reforming zeal of the British, the Portuguese and the Dutch. The Indians are noted for their humanness and calm nature without any harshness in their principles and ideals.

Tolerance - Gandhiji’s satyagraha principle or Ahimsa - freedom without taking a drop of blood, worked wonders and gave credit to India in the international arena. Swami Vivekananda in his famous Chicago Speech on the 11th of September, 1893 spoke of this.

Unity - India is a conglomeration of men and women of various castes and creed. It is a fusion of old traditional values and the modern principles, thus satisfying all the three generations in the present India. The Elite businessman and the common vendor on the road share the same news and worship the same deity .

Secularism - India is a secular coun country as stated in its Constitution. There is freedom of worship throughout the length and breadth of India without any breeches or violations of any other’s religious beliefs. The Hindus, The Muslims, The Christians, and The Sikhs in times of calamity and during festivities come openly together to share their thoughts despite their religious affinities. The catholicity of the Indian culture can be best understood by the fact that hundreds of Hindus visit the Velankanni shrine or the Nagore Dargah in Tamilnadu.

Closely knit Social system - The Indian Social System is mostly based on the Joint family System, but for some of the recently cropped nuclear families. The families are closely knit with Grandfathers, fathers, sons and grandsons sharing the same spirit, tradition and property. 

Cultural Heritage

India’s one billion people have descended from a variety of races. The oldest ones are the Negroid aboriginals called the Adivasis or First settlers. Then there are the Dravidians, The Aryans, the Mongols, The Semites and innumerable inter-mixtures of one with the other.

The great Epic, The Mahabharata and the sacred text, the Bhagavad-Gita teaches the Indians that survival can only be in terms of quality of life. It provides a framework of values to make the Indian culture well- groomed.

Swami Vivekananda (1863- 1902) laid stress on physical development as a prerequisite for spiritual development, which in turn leads to the development of the culture of the country. For the past 1000 years various foreign invasions like that of the Huns, the Kushanas, The Arabs, The Muslims, TheDutch, The French and the British took place. So the Indians were exposed to cultures that were totally alien to them. Several attempts were made by the Indian rulers like the Pallavas, the Chalukyas, the Palas, the Rashtrakutas, the Cholas, and the Vijayanagar Emperors to give the Indians an administration, which was in consonance with the cultural heritage of the country.

Later, religions became an important part in the culture and places of worship became community centers. The innovations in religious thinking brought two popular beliefs in India, namely Buddhism by the Buddha and Jainism by the Saint Mahavir. Then there was a socio-religious shift or orientation in the Indian culture.

Later in the century Westernization of Indian culture began , but it was stemmed by the efforts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dayananda Saraswathi, Swami Vivekananda, Narayana Guru, Maharisi, Aurobindo, etc. Then there took place a Renaissance, that emphasized the need to recognize the country’s own culture while ushering in an age of modernity. 

If India’s culture tended to become tolerant, accommodating, open-minded, deeply but not ostensibly spiritual and concerned with the common human welfare, then it is due to the great and relentless efforts of our great ancestors and leaders. Thanks to them our country has achieved a common culture, despite a staggering pluralistic society.

Sanctuary in Kerala

•  Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in Kerala – it provides home to exotic birds like waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, the migratory Siberian cranes, Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle.
•  Periyar Tiger Reservior in Kerala – this wildlife sanctuary boasts of Nilgiri langoor, Nilgiri tahr, bison, deer, antelope and elephants.
•  Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala – it features rare birds like the Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black winged Kite, the Night Heron, Indian roller, cuckoo, common snipe, crow pheasant, jungle nightjar, kite, grey drongo, Malabar trogon, woodpecker, large pied wagtail, baya sparrow, grey jungle fowl, Indian hill myna, robin bird, jungle babbler and darter.
•  Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary – it shelters elephant, tiger, Panther, jungle cat, civet cat, monkeys, wild dog, bison, deer, bear, monitor lizard, snakes, peacock, babblers, cuckoos, owl, wood pecker and jungle fowl.
South India Tour Travel offers interesting information on popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, Kerala National Park and many more around South India. To obtain in-depth details on your favorite destinations keep surfing this site.

Music in Kerala

Songs Of Christian Art Forms

The songs accompanying Christian art forms like the 'Margom Kali' and the 'Chavittu Natakam' have a distinct language and style of their own. Their music too is an important tributary of the folk tradition of Kerala.

Film Songs

Since the beginning of Malayalam Cinema in the nineteen forties, nearly ten thousand film songs have been composed for over 2500 films. Songs are an integral part of movies here and incorporate a wide array of folk and classical tunes.

Regularly aired over the radio, television and public address systems, film songs have become deeply ingrained in the minds of the malayalee masses. The memorable contributions of lyricist like Vayalar, O.N.V. and P.Bhaskaran and music composers like Devarajan, K. Raghavan. Dakshinamoorthy and Baburaj have greatly enriched the vibrant traditions of Malayalam Film Music.

Folk Songs

Kerala has a rich tradition of folk songs and ballads, most of which are sung in local dialects. With the changing times, these songs have waned in popularity. Passed down successive generations by a vibrant oral tradition, the authorship of most of these songs is obscure.

Kathakali Music

Lyrics are sung by two vocalists. Two varieties of drums form the orchestra, the Maddalam and the Chenda. In accompaniment are the Chengila, a bell metal gong played by one vocalist and the Ilathalam or Cymbals played by the other.

Lullabies

Kerala has a wealth of lilting folk Lullabies. Nurtured down the generations, they have cast an influence even over the mainstream Malayalam poetry.

Work Songs

Songs to alleviate the burden of labour. The work songs of Kerala can be categorized as harvest songs, hunting songs, boat songs and weavers' songs.

Songs Of Temple Art Forms

Mostly eulogies of the goddess Devi, they are rendered while drawing the deity's figure on the ground (Kalamezhuthu). They are also sung in accompaniment to ritual performances like Mudiyettu, Kolam Tullal, Patayani, Theeyattu, Pulluvan Pattu and Paana.

Mappilappattu

Sung by the Muslims of north Kerala. They are written and rendered in a lingo called arabic-malayalam.

Sopana Sangeetham

The word 'Sopana' means a flight of steps leading upto the sanctum sanctorum of a temple. Devotional recitals rendered on these steps became 'sopana sangeetham'. Besides, the musical notes (ragas) too have an ascending and descending order. Even though over fifty instruments can accompany Sopana Sangeetham, Edakka is most commonly used.

Tribal Music

There are as many as 47 sects of tribals in Kerala, each having a unique culture and heritage of its own. Rich art forms and music are integral parts of tribal music.

Carnatic Music

The classical music of South India. It became popular in Kerala under the patronage of Swathi Thirunal, a monarch of the erstwhile state of Travancore. The vocalist is usually accompanied by an orchestra of mridangam, violin, ghatam and moorchang.

Kerala Distance Calculator

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The Muzhapilangad beach

The Muzhapilangad beach which stretches across four kilometres of sand is a drive-in beach where one can drive down the entire length.

Calm and serene, the place is secluded and remains unexplored. Huge black rocks scattered here protect this long beach from the deep currents, and form a tranquil pool of shallow waters that is a swimmer's paradise.

The palm groves fringing the beach is a cool hideaway from the tropical sun

Vagamon

Location :

The district of Thekkady is nearly on the border of with the state of Tamil Nadu, and is well joined by bus to both Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is the main attraction for the visitors staying at the wildlife resorts in Thekkady.

Attractions :

Teekoy is a small village located on the hills of Wagamon along the banks of the Meenachil river. Teekoy also has a waterfall of its own-the Marmala waterfalls which gurgle and cascade down rocks and slopes. A drive upto this little village is bound to be an enchanting experience, with magnificent views all around. Parts of the village are covered by rubber plantations which is also the main occupation of the inmates. Teekoy is also famous for its trekking routes. Ayyampara is one of the favorite spots of tourists in Teekoy where there is always a pleasant breeze in the evenings. The view from the top of the Illickan mountains nearby is breathtaking, to say the least. On a night with a clear sky, you can even see upto the Aleppey port, 75 km away! It is believed that at the top of the hill, a rare plant called ‘Neelakoduveli’ grows, which is supposed to possess life-giving properties.

Thangalpara is a popular Muslim pilgrimage destination situated on the Thangalpara hill. It is believed that the Mausoleum of Sheik Fariduddin stands here. The unique feature of the three hills here is that they house shrines of the three religions of Kerala-Hindu, Muslim and Christian.