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Sterling Govardhana Malampuzha opens in Kerala
Sterling Holiday Resorts announces the launch of Sterling Govardhana Malampuzha — a resort that redefines how travellers experience Kerala’s enchanting garden valley. This strategic opening deepens Sterling’s footprint across South India and reinforces its mission to curate ‘destinations beyond the obvious’ Cradled by the Western Ghats and within easy driving distance of Palakkad and Coimbatore, the resort transforms Malampuzha from a well-loved day excursion into a vibrant short-stay destination for families, couples and celebration seekers. Designed as an accessible nature retreat, it brings together the ease of travel, the warmth of local culture, and Sterling’s signature comfort. “Sterling Govardhana, Malampuzha isn’t just a new resort — it’s the creation of a new travel node,” said Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director s CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts. “By integrating Malampuzha into our South India grid, we are connecting markets and mindsets. This adds to our strategy — transforming high-potential locales into must-stay destinations that bridge Tamil Nadu, Central Kerala and the Nilgiris. Offering quick connectivity to Sterling in Anaikatti, Athirappilly, Guruvayur and Ooty, it comfortably ticks the requirement of a circuit travel as well” Set amid serene gardens framed by the Sahyadri hills, Sterling Govardhana, Malampuzha offers elegant rooms and suites for families and couples, complemented by open lawns and stylish indoor venues ideal for reunions, weddings and milestone celebrations. At Savoree, the resort’s signature restaurant, guests can savour Kerala’s regional culinary treasures—Paal Konchu Porichathu, Kozhi Erussery, Paneer Kurumulaku Roast and more—alongside kid-friendly favourites and global classics, all crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Satheesan, representative of Malampuzha Hotel Pvt. Ltd, added: “Malampuzha has always been a symbol of Kerala’s natural beauty and community spirit. Our partnership with Sterling is founded on a shared belief that thoughtful, design-led hospitality can spotlight such destinations responsibly while enriching local livelihoods. With Sterling’s decades of destination-development expertise, Malampuzha will evolve from a weekend stop to a must-stay experience on India’s leisure map.” At Sterling Govardhana, Malampuzha, the experience flows far beyond the rooms. Guests can drift above the valley on the iconic ropeway, wander through its whimsical rock gardens, or linger by the dam’s mirror-calm waters as dusk paints the hills. Families can lose themselves in flower-filled parks and lakeside promenades, while evenings come alive with cultural performances, photo trails and the lingering aromas of regional spices. Every moment invites travellers to slow down, connect, and rediscover the simple joy of being together in nature’s embrace. With resorts in Athirappilly, Anaikatti, Alleppey, Wayanad, Munnar, Guruvayur, Thekkady, and now Malampuzha, Sterling commands one of the most extensive networks in Kerala’s hospitality landscape. This expansion fortifies Sterling’s drive-to circuit linking Tamil Nadu, Central Kerala and the Nilgiris, reinforcing the brand’s mission to curate “destinations beyond the obvious” through its What-A Trip campaign.
Akasa Air commences operations from Kozhikode, Kerala
Old ruined sea piers in Calicut Kozhikode beach in Kerala India. Silhouettes of sea piers during the sunset Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing airline, commenced operations from Kozhikode (Calicut) connecting it with Mumbai with daily direct flights. The maiden flight on 1st October 2025 departed Kozhikode International Airport at 1955hrs and arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 2140hrs. The route fortifies Akasa’s presence in Kerala and offers travellers enhanced accessibility to the Malabar region. Since commencing operations from Kerala in 2022, Akasa Air has progressively scaled its presence in the state. The airline now operates total 28 weekly departures from Kochi and Kozhikode connecting Kerala with four key destinations across India and beyond – Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jeddah, and Abu Dhabi. In just under three years, the airline has expanded its capacity through a combination of new routes and increased frequencies, providing travellers with greater choice and convenience. Kerala continues to be a priority market in Akasa Air’s growth strategy, and the airline remains focussed on strengthening air connectivity to support the state’s travel, tourism, and trade sectors. At a ceremony held at Kozhikode International Airport to flag off the maiden flight, a ceremonial lamp was lit in the presence of Akasa Air representatives. The occasion was graced by the leadership of Kozhikode International Airport, and a special boarding pass was presented to the first passenger on the inaugural flight by senior government officials along with the Akasa Air team. This expansion complements Akasa Air’s services from Kochi and reinforces the airline’s commitment to serving India’s diverse regions with reliable and affordable air travel. Flight schedule*: Flt. Number From Departure Time To Arrival Time Operating Days Non-stop/ Through Commenced 1 October 2025 QP 1701 Mumbai 1735 hrs Kozhikode 1920hrs Daily Non-stop QP 1702 Kozhikode 1955 hrs Mumbai 2140hrs Daily Non-stop
Onam, Malayalis’ iconic festival celebrations enrich Kerala
Malayalis’ eagerly-awaited annual festival Onam stands out as one of the few celebrations in the world that blends mythology, veneration of nature and cultural expressions in a captivating tapestry. This year, the ten-day Onam season starts on August 26, bringing in its wake a zealously-preserved tradition celebrated by Malayalis since ancient times, cutting across social and economic barriers. The festival culminates with the ‘Thiruvonam’ Day on September 5. Onam is defined by its beauty, grace, charm and inclusivity. Though at its core is a Hindu myth, Onam is a festival that blurs borderlines of faith and social rankings. The festival is deeply ingrained in the socio-cultural ethos of Malayalis, whether they live in Kerala or in any part of the world. Onam, which falls in the month of ‘Chingam’ in the Malayalam calendar, comes after three months of southwest monsoon, with fresh shoots springing from the bowels of the Mother Earth. For an agricultural community, which Kerala essentially was until not-so-distant past, the season implied the paddy harvest time, mainly the principal crop rice. The Mahabali myth Onam has a legend linked to it. The region comprising Kerala was eons ago ruled by the Asura King Mahabali. So ideal was his reign that the kingdom was like a paradise on earth— no trace of theft, deception or malice of any kind. Could such a harmony allowed to be flourished in the mundane world? Of course, it made the Devas envious. They hatched plans to bring an end to the golden era. Instigated by them, Lord Vishnu transfigured into a dwarf (Vamana) and came down before Mahabali. Always keen to welcome guests, the king expressed his willingness to grant anything the visitor would request. The dwarf asked for three steps of earth. Mahabali agreed. Ahead of taking his first step, Vamana suddenly grew in size to emerge like a titan. Thus, his one foot covered the whole of earth, the second the whole of heaven. As there was no ground left, Mahabali offered his head for the Brahmin to place his foot on a third time. The emperor was stomped down to the netherworld (Patal). Resolved to his downfall, the king asked for a favour: “Can I visit my subjects once a year?” Yes, said Vishnu generously. And, that’s Onam season, the homecoming of Mahabali every year, to be welcomed by his subjects with all honours. Floral carpet The most enduring and colourful image of Onam is the tradition of laying out floral carpets to welcome Mahabali. It is also known as ‘Atha Pookkalam’ as it starts at homes on the’Atham Day’ of the zodiac almanac, 10 days ahead of the Thiruvonam. These days Onam has assumed a larger social dimension, with festivities spilling over to community cultural spaces. So, Pookkalam is laid out in schools, offices and even tech campuses. A visitor to the state during the Onam is greeted with the Pookalam, laid out with a variety of flowers adorning the front yard of homes. Members of the families, including little ones, give full play of their aesthetic sensibility in making the floral carpet. With fast-paced urbanisation turning vast swaths of land into concrete jungles, the flowers for pookkalam now mostly come from neighbouring states. Onam Sadhya, the multi-dish feast The Onam Sadhya, the multi-dish feast served on plantain leaf, is a mouth-welling highlight of the festival. Traditionally, the Sadhya used to be prepared by women at homes, with menfolk lending a helping hand to fry banana chips and fritters. The dishes, laid out in banana leaves, are classically vegetarian. Rice, sambhar, avial, rasam , olan, erissery, pappadam, fried banana chips and pickles make the list pretty long, along with savouries like sweet ‘pradhaman.’ In parts of the Malabar region (north Kerala) fish and meat are added to enliven the menu. These days, the full-course Sadhya with even the banana leaf to serve will get delivered at homes. Scores of restaurants and caterers make a roaring business during the season. Onam Sadhya is available in major restaurants and star hotels during Onam in major cities in India and also in the Middle East, USA and UK. Women at the centre of festivities Onam has been a time for people to engage in arts and sports. The season see the return of many sporting traditions. At a time when women were essentially home-makers, Onam was an occasion for them to give expression to their artistic talent, though essentially before the joint family audience. There are choreographic expressions Kaikottikali, in which the dancers clap their hands in unison while moving clockwise and anti- clockwise rhythmically. The themes are drawn on from the Hindu mythology. However, an off-shoot of this in Christian houses is called Margamkali, where the lyrics are largely Biblical. The Islamic tap-and-sing tradition of DuffMuttu and Arbanakali are also popular. Sporting season for men and children In parts of Kerala, Onam offers an occasion for men to display their physical prowess by engaging in a pastime fight called Onathallu, which has its body-fighting tactics borrowed from the martial art of Kalaripayattu. They also engage in many other rural sports like. Community cultural spaces From homes grounds , these cultural expression have moved to community spaces. The State Government organises Onam Celebrations on a grand scale for a whole week in the state capital, district headquarters and cities and towns across the state. In suburban and rural areas, local cultural outfits take the lead in organising the festival. Tourism Week Celebrations The season also see inflow of tourists to Kerala in large numbers. For hosting and taking them around the festival venues, the Tourism Department has made special arrangements. “The week-long tourism festival organised by the government showcases the best of Kerala’s classical, folk and ethnic art forms. It provides an opportunity for hundreds of artists to perform in the capital city and centres across the state,” said Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas. The Onam season also see a lot of tourist footfall in Kerala, where they can have a hands on feel of the eclectic culture of the people, the Minister added. This year, the week-long Tourism Week Celebrations, organised by the Tourism Department, will be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan at Thiruvananthapuram on September 3. The celebrations, dominated by cultural programmes, illumination of main thoroughfares and landmark buildings, will conclude with a grand colourful pageantry on September 9. Boat races Onam is also the season of boat races. Kerala has a string of sprawling backwaters. Travancore, especially the rice-bowl of low-lying Kuttanad, has been a hub for boat races. The prime attraction is the chundanvallam: snake-boats with as much as 140 feet of length and accommodating 120 paddlers. There are smaller varieties of boats, enabling women as well to contest. Ironic twist Though Onam is a festival that welcomes the return of Mahabali, in some regions the celebrations also get an ironic twist. For many, it is also an occasion to worship Maha Vishnu , who transfigured as Vamana to banish Mahabali to the nether world. As part of this tradition, clay cubes that taper towards the tip are made, and floral offerings are made at the base. These are called Thrikkakarayappan or Onathappan. They represent, Lord Vishnu, who is believed to have ended the mythological Mahabali regime. But this in no way dampens the festive spirit whose focus is the visit of Mababali.
Air India Express brings the festive flavours of Kerala to the skies
In a celebration true to its proposition of connecting people, places, and cultures, Air India Express is bringing the spirit of Onam to the skies with a specially curated ‘Gourmair’ Onam meal on international flights to and from Kerala and Mangaluru. Guests travelling between August 24 and September 6 can pre-book this festive ‘Gourmair’ offering on the airline’s award-winning website airindiaexpress.com and mobile app, up to 18 hours before departure. The Onam special meal features a traditional festive spread served on a banana leaf in custom packaging, recreating the essence of the festive feast in the sky. The ‘Gourmair’ sadya is presented in a custom-designed box inspired by Kasavu, Kerala’s timeless golden-bordered textile, a symbol of purity and tradition. The design concept extends the airline’s unique ‘Tales Of India’ initiative, featuring over 50 unique regional patterns and textiles celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of India. Guests can savour Steamed Matta Rice, Nei Parippu, Mixed Vegetable Thoran, Erissery, Avial, Kootu Curry, Sambhar, Injipuli, Mango Pickle, Banana Chips, Shakara Varatti, and the much-loved Payasam for dessert at an all-inclusive price of INR 500. As the largest airline operating between Kerala and the Middle East, Air India Express connects guests to key cities including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah with about 525 weekly flights. The airline also offers extensive connectivity between Mangaluru and the Middle East, enabling thousands of guests to fly home for the festivities. In a tribute to Kerala’s timeless elegance, Air India Express as part of its Tales of India initiative has adorned one of its new Boeing aircraft, VT – BXM, with a tail art inspired by the traditional Kasavu design as an ode to the region’s artistry and craftsmanship. ‘Gourmair’ – Air India Express’ in-flight dining menu – features hot meals, lite bites, innovative desserts, and global and regional favourites such as Awadhi Chicken Biriyani, Vegetable Manchurian with Fried Rice, Mini Idlis, Medu Vada and Upma and others. Catering to diverse preferences, the menu offers a wide selection of vegetarian, poultry, eggetarian, vegan, healthy, and diabetic-friendly options, ensuring there’s something for every palate.
Kerala Tourism partners with Malaysia Airlines for ‘Look East’ campaign
In a major push to attract visitors from East Asia, Kerala Tourism has partnered with Malaysia Airlines to roll out the ambitious ‘Look East’ campaign. The initiative was officially launched with a B2B meet and a specially organised familiarisation (FAM) trip involving tour operators and social media influencers from eight countries. Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas inaugurated the event, describing it as a strategic move to boost tourist arrivals from nations such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Laos. “This collaboration with Malaysia Airlines marks a significant step forward in realising Kerala Tourism’s global expansion strategy,” said the minister. He emphasised that the partnership opens up new possibilities for reaching emerging markets in the East. Tourism Secretary Biju K said, The ‘Look East’ campaign is designed as a mutually beneficial partnership. This is not just a promotional effort—it’s a collaborative venture involving airlines, the hospitality sector, tour operators, and local service providers.” He added that the campaign’s first phase includes hosting a 75-member delegation comprising influencers and 40 outbound tour operators from the target countries. The visitors will engage with local stakeholders, artisans, and cultural communities to gain a deeper understanding of Kerala’s tourism offerings. Malaysia Airlines’ CCO, Dersenish Aresandiran, noted Thiruvananthapuram’s growing importance as a strategic outbound hub. He announced the airline’s plan to gradually increase flight frequency to the city, aiming for daily services in the near future. “This is more than just launching a route—it’s a long-term commitment to Kerala’s tourism growth. By connecting Kerala with East Asia, Australia, and beyond, we aim to highlight both Malaysian hospitality and Kerala’s unique charm, Dersenish said. He also mentioned that the airline has flown in its top global trade partners to experience Kerala firsthand, reinforcing its commitment to promoting inbound tourism via Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines continues to upgrade its services with advanced aircraft, diverse in-flight cuisine, seamless connectivity, and free Wi-Fi. The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Smt Arya Rajendran, District Panchayat President P Suresh Kumar, Tourism Secretary Biju K, Malaysia Aviation Group’s Chief Commercial Officer Mr Dersenish Aresandiran, and Tourism Director Sikha Surendran. Highlighting the enhanced regional access, Riyas said the initiative would strengthen connectivity with countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand. He called on industry stakeholders to make full use of the opportunity to attract more tourists from these markets. The minister also noted that Kerala’s Legislative Assembly had unanimously supported the initiative, cutting across political lines—a testament to its strategic importance. Tourism Director Sikha Surendran presented an in-depth overview of Kerala Tourism, showcasing its wide range of attractions to the visiting delegation. The ‘Look East’ campaign signals Kerala’s intent to explore new and emerging tourism markets in East Asia, moving beyond its traditional visitor base.
Pandaw presents the Kochi Pandaw for its Kerala routes
Slated to launch in October 2025 is Pandaw’s new vessel for the backwaters of Kerala in South India: the ten-cabin Kochi Pandaw. Specifically designed for this particular route, the Kochi Pandaw is the river cruise line’s fourth ship in India and was built to keep up with the country’s growing demand for river cruise vessels. The Kochi Pandaw's unique design is the result of a collaboration between Pandaw managers and Kochi based specialist naval architects. Nevertheless, this vessel retains the much-loved classic Pandaw cabin and wrap round promenade decks, enabling it to keep the cruise line’s signature look. According to Pandaw founder Paul Strachan: “We have long dreamed putting a Pandaw into the wondrous Kerala backwaters, no ship in design and style could be more perfect for this than one of our smaller Pandaws, with their social atmosphere and impeccable service levels." An extraordinary river journey Once it’s up and running, the Kochi Pandaw will operate weekly an eight-day circular itinerary from Kochi port visiting the main towns and remoter areas of the backwaters with its 900 km of waterways that connect rivers with lakes. The Kerala backwaters offer an incredible diversity of culture in addition to breathtaking scenery, beaches and its own cuisine. There will be exciting visits to ancient churches, Hindu temples, artisan villages, and the legendary beaches of the Malabar coast. It is anticipated that many Pandaw regulars will combine this route with a river expedition on the Ganges or Brahamputra, where Pandaw is well established as the premier operator.
Kerala Tourism’s ‘Holiday Heist’ campaign wins PATA Gold Award
Kerala Tourism has won the coveted Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2024 for its online contest ‘Holiday Heist’ in Digital Marketing Campaign category, marking a big endorsement of its innovative initiatives to attract visitors. ‘Holiday Heist’, the month-long ground-breaking campaign was launched in July 2023 to woo tourists through an engaging and thrilling bidding game on the Tourism Department’s WhatsApp ChatBot Maya. Right from the start, it turned out to be a resounding success with travellers from across the country making a whopping 80,000 bids to visit the state’s prime destinations at unbelievably low prices. The bidding game, conducted in July 2023, also generated over 45 million impressions besides amassing a formidable 13 million plus video views. The first-ever initiative of its kind in the country, some lucky participants, through their ingenious bids, managed to secure tour packages worth over Rs 30,000 for a mere 5 rupees. Interestingly, throughout the campaign period, ‘Maya’, the Kerala Tourism ChatBot, witnessed a remarkable 5.2 lakh interactions, bubbling with shared enthusiasm, dreams, and aspirations as participants bonded over their love for travel in and exploration of God’s Own Country. The unique game revolved around the concept of ‘lowest unique bidding’, challenging participants to secure incredible tour packages with their lowest and distinctive bids. Unlike traditional auctions, strategic thinking and creativity were at the forefront, celebrating the uniqueness of each player. The exciting campaign was powered by ‘Maya’, Kerala Tourism’s official WhatsApp ChatBot. Throughout the campaign period, Maya daily unveiled new tour packages for 30 days, providing participants fresh chances to triumph in each day of July last year. The PATA Gold Award 2024 will be presented to Kerala Tourism at a function to be held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand on August 28. Tourism Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas said, “The innovative campaign redefined tour package promotions, besides inspiring strategic thinking, creativity and kindling the spirit of adventure.” He further added, “The award is a vital recognition of Kerala Tourism’s aggressive promotional campaign, through which we were able to woo back tourists post-pandemic era. We have to keep up the momentum of growth by introducing brilliant and novel concepts like this in the sector. The campaign also had instilled huge confidence among stakeholders with its phenomenal response from visitors.” Tourism Secretary K Biju said, “The campaign played a key role in ensuring a massive uptick in the number of domestic tourists.” Tourism Director Sikha Surendran said, “It is significant that this global honour has been bestowed on Kerala Tourism at a time when the state witnesses a sharp increase in arrival of holidaymakers from all key markets around the world.” Set up in 1984, the PATA Grand and Gold Awards recognise the finest contributions from the travel industry in the Asia- Pacific region with the winning projects consistently creating benchmarks for excellence and creativity.
Air Kerala gets an NOC from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Being set up as an “ultra low-cost airline”, Air Kerala plans to start out with three ATR 72-600 aircraft and grow its fleet to 20 for international expansion by 2026. Air Kerala, a new airline conceived by expatriates and businessmen via Zettfly Aviation, is set to take off next year, having received the No-objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Afi Ahmed, Chairman, Air Kerala, “The first step is the NOC, it’s one of the biggest tasks and that task is now covered,” he said. The next steps will be to focus on the technical aspects, flights, contracts for the engineering companies, with all of that expected to be fulfilled in “around six to eight months”. The company is exploring the possibility of leasing the aircraft or buying the planes. The company will require an estimated INR 60 to 100 crore Indian in funding initially, with the amount rising to INR 250 crore to INR 300 crore for growth when it expands its route network to international destinations. Ahmed, founder of Dubai-based Smart Travels, last year bought the domain name airkerala.com for Dh1 million and then decided to revive plans for the airline. Initially, Air Kerala plans to serve cities within the state of Kerala as well as across India that are not currently well-connected. The airline’s biggest selling point will be its ultra-low-cost model, Ahmed said. Another unique selling point will be “the timing” because “we will make sure that we will be on time”, he added. The company is open to a public-private partnership with the Kerala state government, in case they are keen to tie up, Ahmed said. It is also open to teaming up with expatriates, as well as external funding.“If there is somebody who wants to join with us because we are expanding … then I can [achieve] the plan a little bit faster,” he said. In terms of international expansion, the company is confident the huge number of expatriates from Kerala will support its growth. Air Kerala is not keen on focusing on only one specific city within the UAE, Ahmed said. “If we are getting an opportunity from Fujairah also, we will do it … if you look at who is leading the market, it’s [driven by] price … that’s the reason we will make sure that our costs are ultra-low.” However, final decisions on pricing and destinations will be taken at a much later stage and will depend on how its international expansion strategy shapes up. For now, the company expects to be in the red for two years after launching operations.
IndiGo connects Kerala to the blue lagoon: Announces new flights between Kozhikode, Kochi and Agatti island
IndiGo has announced three new routes between Kozhikode-Kochi, Kochi-Agatti and Kozhikode-Agatti via Kochi, starting from May 01, 2024. These flights will cater to the increasing demand for travel from these destinations and enable enhanced inter and intrastate connectivity in the country. IndiGo has recently started daily direct flights between Bengaluru and Agatti, the 88th domestic and 121st overall destination to join the extensive 6E network. With these new routes connecting Agatti to/from Kochi and Kozhikode will provide business and leisure travellers with enhanced flight options, increased accessibility, and improved connectivity to the Lakshadweep archipelago. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said: “We are pleased to announce these three new routes bolstering our connectivity with the scenic Agatti island in Lakshadweep, the latest addition to the 6E network. These routes will not only enhance accessibility to/from Kerala and beyond but with the upcoming summer holiday season, will also significantly contribute to travel, tourism, and trade in the region. As India’s leading carrier, we remain committed to delivering on our promise of providing affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences.” Kozhikode, formerly known as Calicut, is a vibrant city in the southern state of Kerala. Famous for its historical significance, beautiful beaches, and delectable cuisine, the coastal city offers a unique blend of cultural richness and natural beauty. It was a significant spice trade center and is close to Kappad Beach, where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. Some top tourist attractions in Kozhikode are the peaceful backwaters, Kozhippara falls, Thusharagiri waterfalls, Beypore, and Kakkayam. Kochi, also referred to as Cochin, is an enchanting city situated on the southwest coast of India in Kerala. Popularly known as ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, it is a flourishing port city that offers a rich blend of mesmerising natural beauty and vibrant culture. Serving as Kerala’s commercial, industrial, and financial capital, it is the crowning jewel of the state’s tourism landscape. With gorgeous beaches, a far-reaching shoreline and breathtaking backwaters, expansive tea plantations, numerous spice estates, lush greenery, striking architecture, and ancient temples, it serves as an exceptional holiday destination for travellers with diverse tastes and interests. Known for its stunning beaches, Agatti island is a 6 km long land terrain blessed with aquatic diversity. Home to the archipelago's only airstrip, it connects Lakshadweep to the rest of India and the world. Agatti is popular amongst those looking for a bit of deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, sailing, skiing, and kayaking. The island also serves as an ideal base for exploring the uninhabited and serene isles of Bangaram, Pitti, Thinnakara, Parali-I and Parali-II, which lie in close proximity. Flight Schedule: Flight No. Origin Destination Frequency Effective Departure Arrival 6E 7005 Kozhikode Kochi Daily May 01, 2024 10:20 10:55 6E 7006 Kochi Kozhikode Daily May 01, 2024 13:45 14:30 6E 7005 Kochi Agatti Daily May 01, 2024 11:25 13:00 6E 7006 Agatti Kochi Daily May 01, 2024 12:10 13:25 6E 7005 Kozhikode Agatti Daily May 01, 2024 10:20 13:00 Via Kochi 6E 7006 Agatti Kozhikode Daily May 01, 2024 12:10 14:30
Kerala Literature Festival launches India’s first residency for writers at Vagamon, Kerala
Kerala Literature Festival unveils a new haven for writers and artists—The Vagamon Residency. Nestled in the serene hills of Vagamon, this residency is designed to provide an inspiring and secluded space for creative individuals to hone their skills and immerse themselves in the tranquillity of nature. Kerala, often hailed as a tropical paradise, boasts a rich trade, religion, and culture tapestry. Recognizing the significance of literacy in its development, Kerala achieved a milestone by attaining 100% primary education through the Athulyam literacy program in January 2016. The state's vibrant reading culture is evident in the numerous libraries that dot its landscape. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Vagamon unfolds as a hill station surrounded by meadows, pine forests, and stunning landscapes. Known as Paradise, Vagamon exudes cultural and religious harmony, nestled among three hills—Thangal, Murugan, and Kurisumala. This picturesque location will host an intimate group of writers and artists from India and abroad for a residency lasting 4 to 8 weeks. "Embracing the essence of literary exploration, The Vagamon Residency stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to fostering creativity. In the tranquil embrace of Vagamon's hills, this residency beckons writers and artists from near and far to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery. We are delighted to witness the birth of a space where the written word and artistic expression find solace in nature, shaping narratives that transcend boundaries and enrich our cultural fabric," said Ravi Deecee, Chief Facilitator, Kerala Literature Festival. Kerala Literature Festival has been instrumental in fostering reading culture and nurturing budding writers through various programs. KLF will sponsor accommodation and associated costs for selected writers and artists at The Vagamon Residency. The residency is open to both published and aspiring writers. Kerala Literature Festival, Asia's largest of its kind, is set to host its 7th edition in January 2024. With over 500 global speakers, 250 sessions across six venues on Calicut beach, movie screenings, a Children’s Festival, art installations, school outreach programs, and folk cultural nights, KLF stands as a celebration of thoughts, ideas, and culture. Scheduled from 11th to 14th January 2024 on the beaches of Kozhikode, KLF 2024 will feature Authors, Novelists, Diplomats, Politicians, Poets, Advocates, Journalists, Historians, Entrepreneurs, Activists, Academicians, Chefs, Film and theatre Personalities, and celebrities from diverse professional backgrounds. The festival will be held for the first time since UNESCO's recent declaration of Kozhikode as the first 'City of Literature'. Türkiye will celebrate its 100 years of the republic at KLF 2024 and will be represented through music, dance, food, and various art forms. The UK, Wales, Spain, Japan, USA, Malaysia, Spain, and France will be the other participating countries, making it a truly global celebration of literature and culture.
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