THEKKADY- Traditional Trials

1.   This is an effort to experience the traditional life style of unique tribal community in Thekkady.  It explores the original life of Mannakudi and Paliyakudy , their life style, art forms, indigenous traditions and customs.

For booking, Contact us Gramika Tours :09995809975, 09745482028, 0471-3084500

Timings	09.00am to 06.00 pm
Tariff	50us$ per pax (2500 INR) (minimum 2 pax)
Package include	Cost of transportation, Guide fee, Community contribution,& development fund, refreshment and complementary gift pack
Package does not include	Boating, cycling, additional beverage and purchases
Package highlights
Ø  Garland Making Ø  Bamboo craft making Ø  Fishing nets Ø  Kannadi Paya (Mirror mat) Ø  Traditional temple Ø  Community Office Ø  Tribal Cooking Ø  Handicraft unit Ø  Local garden Ø  Honey bee farm Ø  Tribal anganavadi Ø  Traditional musical instruments Ø  Mariamman temple

Making of garlands

Our journey begins at the garland making unit in Mannakudi. The women members from 5 families of the Mannakudi tribal colony make garlands with flowers like chethi, holy basil plant, jamanthy etc available at the premises of their houses. The tourists are taken to these houses and the process of garlands making will be demonstrated to them. Variety of flowers and other materials used for making different garlands and the exquisite skills of garland making will also be on display. Such garlands are offered at the temple as a sign of devotion. Amongst many flowers used for garland making the most popular ones are Arali (Nerium), Mulla (Jasmine), Pichhi (a kind of Jasmine) and they are delicately woven with Thulsi (the holy basil- Ocimum Sanctum) leaves. You can try your hands in garland making with the help of the workers in the flower shop.

Bamboo craft making

Next stop over is a bamboo craft making unit. Bamboo craft making in the traditional style is introduced to the tourist by Smt. Radha Nayan and papathi. They carve out a variety of utensils, souvenirs and craft from the bamboo.

Fishing nets

Then we move towards the fishing net making unit. Around hundred families in Mannakudi are involved in fishing. Weaving of fishing nets and tying fishing lentos are introduced to the tourist by Biju & Mani in this colony. 

Kannadi Paya

The next stop over is at a unit where the tourist will be introduced to the Weaving of ‘Kannadi Paya’ (mat which resembles mirror) in the traditional style. Kannadi Paya is made with the layer of a biotype of bamboo. The same is exhibited to the visitors by Smt. Devi Suryan and Smt. Raman.

Temple visit

Our next visit is to a traditional temple organized at the Tribal Head’s hut which is worshipped and managed by tribals. The tourists get an opportunity to comprehend the rituals, mode of worship and religious ceremonies of tribals.

Cooking, the tribal way

The tourists are introduced to the tribal cooking process which is arranged at Wilson’s house at Mannakkudy. Wilson along with five others lead the process. The tourist will get an entirely new experience of traditional tribal food like Katti and Mulaarichoru.

Community office

We proceed further to visit the community office of the tribals at Mannakkudi which is built in traditional style. The community office act as a tribal knowledge centre from where information on the lifestyle, food, activities etc of the tribal community can be gathered. 

Handicraft unit

The next stop over is at a handicraft unit which is maintained and well organized by Smt.Valli Wilson. The products made out of bamboo and coconut shells like jug, tea tray, models of different houses, watch tower, hair clips using etc. are displayed . The making of the same can be seen and the tourists have an opportunity to own these products.

From there we move to visit to the nearnest garden which has been beautifully arranged by Smt. Kunjamma.

Honey bee farm

The tourists are now introduced to a honey bee farm owned by Smt. Meenakshi Rajan . She will be explaining the whole process of farming right from the beginning till honey collection.

Tribal Crèche.

A visit to the tribal nursery in Mannakudi or the Anganvadi in paliyakudy is the next. Tourist can interact and spend few minutes with the children and understand the operational structure of the Creche.

Traditional musical instruments

Traditional musical instruments used for the conventional art forms are introduced to the tourists and also they are given an opportunity for playing the musical instruments are organized in Paliyakudy

Mariamman Kovil

The tour comes to a meaningful end at the Mariamman temple which is religiously workshiped by Paliyan in Paliyakudy. The tourists get an opportunity to know more about their festivals and their customs and rituals.