Travel back in time ~ Kalaripayattu,the traditional martial art of Kerala

Probably one of the oldest fighting styles in the world, Kalaripayattu is the traditional martial art practiced in Kerala and is known to be in practice for more than five hundred years.

The word ‘Kalari’ refers to the place of practice and ‘Payattu’ means practice. Kalari is to be considered as a Temple and one has to enter bare foot placing the right leg first into the Kalari.

A one hour evening performance of Kalaripayattu in Munnar, started with a pooja(prayer) and One should worship the Poothara, Ganapatithara and 

Guruthara. Lamps are lit at Poothara(A platform where flowers are kept).Poothara is a seven-step raised platform with a lotus-shaped kumbha.

Ganapatithara and Guruthara are the places where one worships 

Ganapati.The Kalari is protected by various other deities .Lamps are lit around the Kalari.

This is followed by the amazing display of flexibility and various form of exercises performed by the artists showcasing their fighting skills with weapons like swords,spears and shield,metallic belt kind of weapons ,dagger,sticks and with bare hands.There is also a display of fire.

It is believed that this style of martial art has been adapted into other martial arts like judo, karate. 

At the end of the Kalari session, one should worship the Poothara, Ganapatithara and Guruthara and move backwards up to the entrance. 

Read Kalaripayattu Wiki for more details.The cost per person for the show was Re 200/-. and we definitely experienced the breath taking moments.Don't miss this if you happen to be at this part of the world.

A day trip to Lepakshi

Lepakshi is a small village near Hindupur in the Anantapur District,Andhra Pradesh and about 120 km north of Bangalore - Hyderabad highway. The name Lepakshi in telugu means (Le- Get up, Pakshi-Bird)Le-Pakshi.

Kalyana Mantapam

This place is famous for the Veerabhadra temple built by Viranna and Virupanna and memics Hampi's Vithala temple and definitely has the influence of Vijayanagar architectural style.

A huge monolithic Nandi Statue said to be the biggest monolithic Nandi in India is on the main road, about 200 metres from the temple. On the walls of this temple, several stories like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are sculpted. The paintings on the roof are nicely done.The Naga Lingam,the Hanging Pillar,Durga Paadam ,Kalyana Mantapam are some of the other notable attractions here.The Kalayana Mantapam was left un completed after the death of Virupanna. Only the pillars and sculptures were done with an open Mantapam.We wanderered around the temple taking pictures.There are lots of stories related to this temple.Hire a guide who will be telling all the stories surrounding Lepakshi. Avoid walking mid afternoon in case of hot weather or try wearing socks since one is not allowed inside with their slippers.

Reaching Lepakshi from Bangalore:Take Bangalore – Hyderabad highway and drive till AndhraPradesh border. Just 13kms after the border, you need to turn left at a village called Kondikonda and drive for another 14kms.There are no options for a good restaurant around Lepakshi.

This place is not much crowded surprisingly and makes a perfect day trip.Sharing some of the pictures of our trip.

Have fun and travel safe :)