This one-day tour organized by The TalkShop for students of Chinmaya Vidyalaya aims to explore the religious, literary, and commercial traditions of Alappuzha District in Kerala. The tour will include visits to two famous temples, a church said to be established by St. Thomas, the home of a famous Malayalam author, a coir manufacturing unit, and Alappuzha beach. The tour will depart at 6:15 am and return by 8:30 pm, making stops at various sites, including temples, churches, museums, and businesses. The tour aims to sensitise students to Kerala's socio-cultural traditions.

1. Rediscovering Kerala
A one day tour organised for students of
Chinmaya Vidyalaya
by
The TalkShop
On 17th February 2010
Departure: 6:15 am
Return : 8:30 pm

2. Introduction
Kerala is a rich and varied tapestry of commerce, literature and history, that is often hidden from the
eyes of the casual observer. Talkshop Tours aim to bring alive the world we live in. This tour
explores the religious, literery and commertial traditions of Alappuzha District.
Beginning with a drive through the ricebowl of kerala, the tour includes visits to two of the most
famous temples in the district as well as one of the churches said to be established by Jesus Christ's
disciple St. Thomas in AD 52. The trip also includes a visit to Thagazhy's residence, the man who
gave to Malayalam, epics like Chemeen and Kayar. After lunch ending with the famous
Ambalapuzha pal payasam, the students visit the Punnapra­Vayalar monument, an important part of
the historical landscape of kerala. Coir being the principal industry of the region, no trip is complete
without a visit to a coir manufacturing unit. The tour comes to a close with a visit to Alappuzha
beach, the pier and lighthouse that served Allepey as a major port along the spice route which began
in the hills, through Kottayam via Alappuzha to Europe.
After sunset and dinner at Indian Coffee House, another icon of the cultural landscape of Kerala, the
return trip takes a direct route via Changanassery.
The tour programme has been researched and developed by Dr. Mathai Baker Fenn with the aim of
sensitizing young students to the socio cultural traditions of Kerala. He will also be accompanying
the tour. Photographs will be available for free download via the internet. Those who require printed
copies should place their orders within 5 days after the tour. More details to be provided later.

3. Map of the Talk Shop Tour­ Rediscovering Kerala
First stop – Chakkulatthu Kavu Temple (timings are approximate)
­ Chinmaya Vidyalaya (Dep 6:15 am)
chingavanam­kinady­kavalam­kidangara­Chakkulathu Kavu
Arrive 7:30 am – dep 8:15
− Niranam Church (Arrive 8:45 – Dep 9:10)
− – Thakazhi Museum (Arrive 9:40 – Dep 10:10)
− – Karumadi Kuttan (Arrive 10:40 – Dep 10: 55)
− – Thottapalli (Arrive 11:35 – Dep12:00)
− – Ambalapuzha (Arrive 12:15 – Dep 1:15 after Lunch)
− – Punnapura Vayalar (Arrive 2:15 Dept 3:00)

4. − Coir Unit (Cocotuft, Chertala, Arrive 3:30 Dep 4:30)
− Alappuzha Beach (Arrive 5:30 Depart 7:00 after sunset and dinner)
–
− Chinmaya Vidyalaya (Arrive 9:00)
Things to bring along
1. Participants are advised to wear the school uniforms for the trip.
2. A spirit of adventure and fun
Optional
3. Extra pair of cloths
4. Thorthu
5. Cap
6. Pocket money
Contact Details:
The Talkshop:
Anita Sajit – 9847534345 email: anita@thetalkshop.in
School :
Due to intermittent coverage, phones may not always be reachable.