Leuven Carnival - 2013

it was tool cold but to keep up the spirit I went to leuven carnival.
I don't know how it is started or what is the history behind it.

I copied the following from wiki, which says about leuven histroy not carnival.

"The city has a long and interesting history, being founded probably in the 9th century. It was particularly interesting because of the location, at the river Dijle and close to Brussels. Most of the city was thrashed and burned to the ground by the German invasion in World War I, and was again damaged during World War II. The historic centre itself however has been preserved and historic buildings like the University Library have been restored, partly with foreign relief funds."

I didn't get any information about the carnival history, may be i should ask some locals.

anyway now posting some photos of leuven carnival 2013

After the carnival they immediately cleans the road. This is very much appreciable. This vaccum cleaners swallows candies from road.

Natural Decoration

Nature knows everything.. See this image you can see how nicely these snow flakes are attached to the leaf's edges. It is beautiful.

i took these photo near from my office..

Trip to Shivapuram - Marthandam

Shivapuram is place which is around 40KMs from Trivandrum. This place is near to Marthandam. I am not remembering the exact route information.  It is difficult to reach this place. We went on car, but Bike is better.

There is an estate near to this place it is called 'vaikuntam' . The worker told us like it  is around 1000 acre and belongs to a single person!. We were shocked to hear that.. 1000 acre.. he can make a small country
if needed.. Lucky Fellow..

Kottur Elephant Rehabilitation Centre

This is a very enjoyable place for elephant lovers like me. You can see baby elephant there.
It is a good time pass to watch them. When i went there there i saw a 11 month old baby elephant. So Cute.

See some photos.
This is one is older and always shaking his head. I didn't understand why it is doing like that.

This is where elephants are trained. ( I didn't see any live action)

See this video: an is elephant shaking it's head. It is very funny.

How to Reach

Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 35 kms

The ideal time to visit the place is between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., By this time the elephants will complete bath and its meals. The elephants are fed with balls of cooked rice and jaggery.
It is quite interesting to watch it. Elephant ride is also provided there. But didn't get more details.

Neyyar Tourisam

Last week I went to Neyyar Dam and Kottur Elephant Rehabilitation Center.

Some information about Neyyar Dam (From net)
It is around 40 to 45 km from Trivandrum Central. At Neyyar dam I don't think Dam will be an amazing factor. It is very small compared to Other Dams in small. If you are visited Idukki Arch Dam , then it is nothing. :) . The official said there is lion safari and crocodile safari. But when we went there they said it is lunch time, For lions!.

Neyyar Dam - Full view

Powerful water coming through a Pipe

Soiled plates and other wastes

It is sad to these kind of wastes even in these kind of protected places. I think official must be punished for this.

There is also an Aquarium on that same compound. It is worth to visit. Ticket fee is just 20rs. But you can see some fishes.


Getting there:
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (38 km)
Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central (30 km away)

Contact: 
The Wildlife Warden,
Thiruvananthapuram Wildlife Division,
Vattiyoorkavu P.O.,
Thiruvananthapuram.
Tel:  +91 471 2360762

Asan Smarakam - Trivandrum

Asan Smarakam is memorial to Kumaran Asan. It is located at Thonnakkal, the birth place of the poet. The small, thatched home in which Kumaran Asan was born has been protected as part of the monument. The memorial has also a fine collection of the manuscripts of some of Kumaran Asan’s finest poems and the awards he had received.

The above photos is taken from Kumaran Asan Smarakam, Thonnakkal. If you don't know who is Kuraman Asan, here it is from wiki

Mahakavi Kumaran Asan   was one of the triumvirate poets of Kerala, South India. He was also a philosopher, a social reformer and a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru.

Kumaran Asan initiated a revolution in Malayalam poetry in the first quarter of the 20th century, transforming it from the metaphysical to the lyrical. Deep moral and spiritual commitment is evident in Asan's poetry. His works are an eloquent testimony of poetic concentration and dramatic contextualization.

In the building shown in above picture you can see different photos and manuscripts. its a calm place surrounded with a garden. Entry fee is 10Rs. 

The above two pictures are taken from the art gallery. 

It is believed that in the hose shown below once Narayana guru was lived in. I don't know whether its true or not. In modern days this can't be called as house.

Dispersed Rose flower

took from a wedding reception. There is nothing much to tell about this. Felt nice in mobile .But in pc it not so impressive. just an another random snap. anyway posting it. I don't like red roses. 

Cologne Tourism: Flora & Botanical Garden

 This is photo is taken at Flora & Botanical garden , Cologne. I must say this place is very nice with lot flowers and different kind of tress. If you are a nature lower , its good place to visit. Some Japanese style garden are also there. I went there on November, and at that time place was very calm. The only thing is you better keep some mineral water with you. I didn't find any shops there in garden itself. I will try to post some more photos taken using my galaxy s2 mobile. 

Some information from net

The south section of the garden, known as the Flora, was created first, in 1864. It was laid out by Peter Joseph Lenné, a renowned Prussian gardener who also designed the gardens of the Sanssouci Park in Potsdam and the Tiergarten in Berlin. The gardens were arranged symmetrically in a variation of styles, from very formal to landscaped.

Botanical Garden :  In 1914 a new botanical garden was created near the Flora garden. This garden replaced a scientific botanical garden in the south of Cologne that had to make way for increasing traffic. Ironically, the latter was created to replace an older historic botanic garden in the city center that was demolished in 1857 to make way for new construction. 

Beautiful Leafs

Just some leafs. ;) . This photo is taken at a place near Thenmala. I think the original view is more beautiful than this picture. May be Galaxy s2 camera is not enough  ? . i tried different modes with no luck. 

I remember i have read some like this in some books. "The leaves are green, the nuts are brown, They hang so high they won't come down. Leave them alone till frosty weather, Then they will all come down together."  :)

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram palace, Marthandam (padmanabhapuram palace kanyakumari) is good place for someone who like old style buildings/palace.
This palace is very old. To me Kuthiramalika palace is much cleaner and better looing.