Read this Neelambari Resort travelogue, written by Sandhyaa Venkatachalam. During her eco-vacation in Arattupuzha, Kerala at Neelambari, she had a great experience as a traveler, which is beautifully narrated by herself with a lot of minute details.
When typical touristy experiences in the ‘God’s own country’ begin to seem ‘déjà vu’, and when you can’t help but feel ‘been there, done that’ with backwaters, beaches, forests, and mountains; yet still crave for an unconventional vacay that could graciously serve the best of Kerala’s entrancing nature, culture and gourmet all on the same platter, then that’s when you should know that ‘Neelambari’ is calling with exactly that level of difference which you have been hoping for!
Easy to locate with GPS, be ready to surprise yourself, at about a 12KM diversion to the south of Thrissur town; in the bosky, rural, riverain turfs of ‘Arattupuzha’, where a claret-red colored eco-tourism resort is ensconced.
The vernacular style of construction fantastically shows off “tradition & aesthetics” at every nook and corner of this resort, which fetches an appeal to its façade and exteriors; that in turn presents a warm impression on all its guests!
Genuine efforts to incorporate the ABC(s) of Kerala’s rich architectural know-how combined with Vaastushastra (Vedic science of building layouts), are gracefully reflected all over the facility: right from the usage of local materials, wood carvings, long sloping tiled roofs, mural works, small stone sculpts and even to brick-house designing!
ALSO READ: “Mysooru Dasara, Yeshtondu Sundara!” – Mysuru Dussehra, How Beautiful It Is!
On the one hand, where constituents of the structure such as Koothambalam {performing arts theatre} connected to the reception, and Nalukettu {courtyard} in the lounge-cum-dining section, with wooden window-frames made of curved, contoured & horizontal slats for ventilation {to let in natural light and breeze} exude an old-world charm; on the other hand, uncompromised amenities conforming to present-day comfort levels in the cottages i.e. air-conditioned rooms, new-age furnishings, ample porch area in front of the respective rooms, manicured gardens all around, and a tree-house in the play-zone for kids, totally win the hearts of people!
As much as programs inside the premises are mostly about yogic rejuvenation, ayurvedic healing, and immersing in Kerala’s famous art forms; those that are planned outside very much revolve around the appreciation of natural beauty, relaxation in the peaceful countryside and interactions with the localities.
ALSO READ: Rann Utsav Kutch – The Colorful Travel Experience Shared!
If you wish to nurture yourself indoors:
- Engage in a mesmerizing Kathakali rendition and other classical performances like Koodiyattam & Mohiniattam in Koothambalam, for the focal point of bringing Neelambari into being, is to acquaint and entertain visitors with Kerala’s sui generis folklore, ideology, social mores, and artistry
- Participate in restorative yoga and meditation lessons conducted in the exclusive hall area above the theatre
- Request for a therapeutic spa/massage session from expert practitioners who effectively blend ancient medical treatments with modern curative tactics
- Simply unwind with a book on Kerala’s remarkable history available from their ‘mini-library’
- Attend a basic workshop to learn the nuances of Kerala’s mural paintings!
- Neelambari exhibits a great deal of enthusiasm in patronizing and popularizing this particular style of art, as is evident from the large mural paintings on the walls, in each of the cottage rooms, in the yoga hall, and in the performance theatre, depicting scenes from Indian mythological tales such as Gajendra Moksham, and Sanskrit poems like Geeta Govindam.
If you would rather venture outdoors, then:
- Pedal your way into the leafy & luxuriant farmsteads in the bucolic neighbourhood to explore banana plantations, coconut groves, and paddy fields
- Go kayaking/canoeing on the line-of-life of Arrattupuzha – river Karuvannur (meandering through most of the village) within a stone’s throw from the resort
- It is where you can completely drench yourself in the tranquility spesh during sunrise/sunset with the rippling reflections of the sky, clouds, trees, boats & the sun.
- Go on pleasant sightseeing escapades at short driving distances!
- Athirapally waterfalls, Chimany wildlife sanctuary, Chettuva mangroves, and Snehatheertham beach, Peruvanam Mahadev temple, Sastha temple {famous for Pooram celebrations}
Albeit, no travel episode is complete without gourmandizing on scrumptious indigenous meals!
Neelambari emphasizes on using earthen vessels for cooking in order to accentuate the authenticity of Keralite flavors, often dictated by banana, red rice, coconut, tapioca, and fish.
The menu always consists of mouth-watering delicacies like appam & kadala curry, idiyappam, puttu, pumpkin erissery, ethakka appam, ada pradhaman, moru curry and so many more!
ALSO READ: Banyan by the Ganges – Exploring the Mellow Riverside Himalayan Retreat in Vyasghat, Devprayag!