A typical Kerala backyard - what to expect

Plantains are a popular item in any backyard right across Kerala. From large Nendran to tiny Kadali, there are many varieties of bananas.

Nendran bananas are used for making banana chips and fried bananas.

Here is guava. The plants grow without much attention and a common find in the back yard if not the front yard.

This red version of coconut tree is well liked by people. They are ideal as tender coconuts for drinking.

Pile up of coconuts is a common sight. There are two reasons. Firstly, households use fresh coconuts for curries and other food. So, after harvesting, they need to keep some coconuts aside. Secondly, over the years the price of coconuts have crashed so much, there is no point in rushing to sell.

In the picture is a backyard shed with a pile up of coconuts next to it.

Pepper vines needs support, so they are grown on large trees.

Colocassia has another name - elephant ears. And you know why. The corms (root tubers) and the leaves are used to make dishes.

Colocasia is called Chembu in Kerala. Chembu Puzhukku (stew) with congee is a traditional diet.

Egg plant is known as Brinjal in India. That is the name in Indian English. You say egg plant and no body knows what you are talking about. The name in malayalam is Vazhuthana.

The red soil is so fertile that plants grow well.

Yam include several species. The one in the following picture is called Chena in Kerala. The tuber is circular and weighs several kilos when fully grown. It is used in curries. Chena mezhukkupuratti (kerala style stir fry) is also popular.

Pappya grows without any nurturing, produces well and has a variety of uses. No need to tell you about ripe pappaya as a fruit. Unripe pappya is great for curries and other dishes.

Chillies, basil, muringa (moringa, drumstick), mango trees, ginger and vegies such as tomatoes are usually grown.

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Guruvayoor anathavalam - the elephant park in Central Kerala

Anathavalam (also Anakotta, Punnathurkotta) is an elephant park located a couple of kms from Guruvayoor.

 What you see scattered around the elephant is palm leaves. Elephants feed on them.

A constant supply is necessary lest the giants turn hungry and angry.

Over the years, Anakotta has become a very busy tourist spot.Where else could you get the opportunity to see dozens of elephants in close range?

You may wonder who owns the place? It belongs to Guruvayoor temple.

 The temple did not start Anakotta as a tourist place. Tourism is just a bye product.

Elephants are intelligent creatures and have a special status in temple rituals. Several temples own elephants.

Guruvayoor is one of the major temples in India. They own far more elephants than any other temple. They usually have 60 - 90 elephants.

 

If you are visiting Guruvayoor, you can easily reach Anathavalam (Elephant Park) by hiring a 3 wheeler. It is just about 5 minutes ride from Guruvayoor West Nada. Add a couple more minutes for East Nada.

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Who else is there in the garden?

Of course gardens are about the flowers, the attractiveness of well cut shapes, imaginative statues, the occasional fountain and even a miniature waterfall. A herb section is an added advantage.

What more?

Here are some pictures from Kerala.

The beauty of contrast.

Here is the garden version of 'match made in heaven'-

Action time.

This flower looks good, to set down and explore.

Another flower, another great find of the day. Do you think it is not colourful?

Look again-

Again the magic of colours-

An example of being down to earth.

Supposed to be around dry leaves.

If you are confused what it is, then the purpose is achieved.

Do you think I am alone?

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God's own farms

You may think I am exaggerating. Well, drive through Wayanad and you will know why I used such a title.

At Idukki, visitors get surprised by the richness, the quality and the variety of the produce.

Travel through Kerala and you will come across plantations and paddy fields quite often.

Here is an arecanut farm-

As you can see, Areca trees are tall and without branches. The climbers, after getting on top of one tree, swing and get to the next one.

Arecanut is one of the ingredients of Pan, the chewing stuff.  Often used with betel leaves, they are also called betel nuts. Here is the close up-

Arecanut plantations fringing paddy fields are a  common sight in central kerala. Places such as Changaramkulam in central Kerala has active arecanut markets.

Here is another paddy field with adjoining banana plantation.

You will see banana plants in every Kerala backyard.

While banana plants are seen everywhere, not so common sight is these pine farms. There are certain pockets where they are grown.

Can you guess what it is?

Here we go-

Here is a couple of snaps from fruit plantations.

Kerala is the land of spices. Idukki is the best place to visit spice gardens. Pepper is one of the leading plantation crops. A couple of pepper vines are usually part of the backyard, any where in Kerala.

Rubber plantations are a common sight in the high range area. They were planted aggressively many decades back, when the fortunes of this cash crop was on the rise.

Rubber tapping is a regular process. See rubber milk stuck to the persons hand-

Here is a different type of farm. The slope is cut into a series of flat surfaces. This photo is from Koviloor in Idukki. Small plants and herbs are grown in terrace farms.

 Marayoor is a village near Koviloor, known for its sugarcane plantations. These plantations support the local jaggery industry.

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