The joy of the monsoons can be seen on everybody's face. Kids dancing in the
streets, elders enjoying rains from the balconies of their flats or the sit
outs of their homes and women preparing hot vadas and coffee are symbols of
the first monsoon rain. Also the sight of people enjoying a common umbrella on
the public place. Gone are the days of blistering heat in a tropical country !
A sharp fall in the number of tourists during the Monsoon was the
phenomenon of the past. Now Kerala Tourism is working on a new Monsoon
campaign to attract tourist during the monsoon season which starts from May
29 and ends on 16th of December ( from Rohini Njattuvela to Thrikketa
Njattuvela ). Monsoons in Kerala are the most tantalising in India. With
green ambience and plenty of rains, Kerala is the most sought after
destination during the rainy season. The state is promoting Ayurvedic or
Medical Tourism. The best season for Ayurvedic Healthcare is this season which
stretches from June to Decemeber end.
Kerala is fast capturing the attention of international tourists as the prime
destination for Monsoon Tourism. With its abundant water reservoirs of natural
lakes and waterfalls, the North East region of Kerala is also fast emerging as
a hot monsoon destination amongst local as well as international tourists.
Kerala Tourism is working on a schedule of events, which include a Monsoon
Food Festival, a Monsoon Music Festival and a Monsoon Theatre Festival to
capture the attention of the international tourist. A Monsoon Folklore
Festival is also planned, as many of Kerala's diverse arts and folk traditions
are associated with the Monsoon.
The romance of the Monsoons, with its green ambience and landscapes and its
abundant rains, which have been rhapsodized thoroughout the ages in poetry
and music, can be promoted as a "unique" tourist attraction.
Special Tourism Packages have been initiated by the Confederation of Indian
Industry to cater to the needs of the monsoon season travellers, as monsoons
in India are exquisite. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and
Sikkim have also been promoted as Monsoon Tourism attraction by the CII. These schemes
will result in the Government getting more foreign exchange and provide
employment opportunities to locals, as tourism is the numero uno industry in
the world.
The two major Monsoons
The South West Monsoon
Known locally as Kala Varsham, the SW Monsoon starts from May 29th, when the
Sun enters the 15th degree of Taurus ( Edava Pathi ). Fierce rains
characterise this period which stretches upto the end of sidereal month of Leo
or the 16th of September. Then we have the sidereal month of Virgo, which is
the No Man's Land between the two major - South West and North East Moonsoons
!\
The North East Monsoon
Known locally as Thula Varsham, the NE Monsoon starts from the 17th of October
and lasts till 16th of December. This is the Retreating Monsoon, as cold
winds, travelling at more than 20 kts, pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal
and pours over peninsular India.
