There are various reasons to visit Kerala, the pristine backwaters, the enticing oneness with nature and the never ending stretches of clear sand and the warm sun. Ayurveda and Kerala go hand in hand. The geographical feature conferred upon Kerala makes it stand out unlike the rest of India. Ayurveda has been an ancient traditional practice of Kerala. Today there have been colossal innovations to enrich Ayurveda. The government of Kerala and the Ayurveda community initiated a program called the Global Ayurveda Festival of Kerala. The international recognition of Ayurveda in Kerala makes it a perfect setting to hold this event. This 6-day extravaganza will begin on 9th February 2012 and go on till the 14th. Held at Thiruvananthapuram the capital of the state, this festival hopes to bring out the benefits of Ayurveda and display an array of services, products and activities aimed at pursuing a healthy life. Among the many activities lined up for the event are workshops, tours, conferences, exhibitions and guest lectures by scholars in the field of Ayurveda. Why is it the best time to visit Kerala this year? Not only can you have first hand experiences and gather first hand information about Ayurveda, but also be a part of this festival and truly experience the global benefits of Ayurveda. It’s a great opportunity to learn and experience. Why Ayurveda? Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine in the world. This Indian system of medicine ensures wellness with ingredients that are one hundred percent natural and tested. What to expect in the festival? As we all know the key intent of starting this festival was to spread awareness about Ayurveda. The festival will have exhibitions of ayurvedic products, food festivals and medicinal plants used in making the products. The festival is held at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. Since eons of years Ayurvedic texts have been written in India. These texts have relevance even today hence it is important to preserve and spread Ayurveda. Global exhibitions like this help in propagating this natural medicinal system. Making the best of the festival This global international festival is a place for buyers and sellers of Ayurvedic medicines to meet face to face. If you are interested in Ayurveda or have a keen interest in taking Ayurveda to your hometown this is the place to be. The first ever Ayurveda job fair will also be conducted in the same venue. Job aspirants can walk in and find themselves a perfect job in the field of Ayurveda. Doctors, managers, nurses and pharmacists can all benefit from this festival. Centers of clinical excellence in Ayurveda will hold guided tours for interested participants to have first hand experience of Ayurveda. Getting there and other perks Thiruvananthapuram is well connected to the rest of India. There are direct flights from foreign destinations like the Middle East, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Maldives. There are also domestic flights that connect major cities across India with Thiruvananthapuram. If you are looking to travel by train you can log on to the Indian Railways website and select one of the many trains running from major cities in India. Thiruvananthapuram is well connected to major cities like Cochin, Chennai, Bangalore and Coimbatore by road. The easiest way to get around Trivandrum is in a local bus, if you want to have the real taste of the city take a ride in the auto rickshaw. You could also hire a taxi that could conveniently take you around the city. There is a lot to see in the city. You could visit the numerous museums and palaces in Trivandrum. The East Fort and the Napier Museum are something’s you should definitely not miss out. Kovalam beach just 17 kms away from the city is a marvel. Noted to be one of the finest beaches it is considered safe for swimming thus attracting many tourists each year. There is much to do in Kerala so what are you waiting for? The other home has a variety of homestay and vacation rental options for you to choose from. If you want to be notified next time, subscribe to the RSS feed or say hello via Twitter @theotherhome. You can plan your dream holiday with us, visit The Other Home.

We are one month into 2012 and its time to plan some short leaves to rejuvenate ourselves. This year, the winter season in India has got a bit stretched out. There’s a mild nip in the air that tempts one to breakaway from our demanding daily life-cycle cluttered with ringing cell phones, beeping inboxes, chaotic traffic and stress of routine life.

We, at The Other Home, bring to you a list of long weekends in 2012, for you to plan some holidays and quick getaways to visit various destinations around us. Mark the dates in your calendar right now!!

And once you decide on the dates, just leave the rest to us to help you choose the perfect destination, and plan your trip as per your needs and budget. The best part is that the decision maker is YOU. A day or two may be required to be taken off from work to convert the leave into a four or five day break, or even more. One may take a holiday to rejuvenate himself, or charge his batteries by taking rest at home.  The only thing that is required to make the best of these opportunities for relaxation is planning; and organization of related matters such as deliverables at work, social commitments, etc.

Mark 20^th February on your calendar which is a Monday. Just in case Maha Shivratri is a holiday for you, you have a lucrative three day weekend coming up.

There is something for those who would miss the opportunity in February, because, within a few days, the colourful festival of Holi comes up on March 9^th, a Friday. Club it with the weekend and plan a colourful and ecstatic trip. For those with a religious bent of mind, and a devotion for Lord Krishna, Mathura and Brindavanare suitable destinations.

Less than a month later, Good Friday on April 6^th comes up with another Friday – Sunday stretch. The weather becomes warmer around this time – its that time of the year when hills beckon you.

Work sincerely for the next three months – May, June and July, until the 10^th of August, Janmashtami – a Friday. It is not like the other long weekends you may have enjoyed till now.

Take Monday and Tuesday off; and bingo, you can extend your holiday right from close of work on 9^th toWednesday, 15^th August, Independence Day. Your productivity would be at a peak when you join work on 16^th. Better still, take Thursday and Friday off and banish your daily life for continuous 11 days; right from 9^thevening to 19^th midnight.

September allows you to sort things out at work. But October heralds the festive season. With the year is in its final quarter, its time to plan some breaks to end it well.

2^nd October, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, is on a Tuesday. Yes, if you can take just Monday off, you have four days to relax!!  If you can take two more days, take them on 22^nd and 23^rd to club them with Dussehra on 24^th. Enjoy Durga Puja, the famous festival of India, in this break. It is a festival mainly for the Bengalis and Assamese; but it unites people of all religions, cast and creed. Even if you cannot make it to Calcutta during this period, enjoy this festival anywhere, as it is celebrated in varying scales all over the country.

Make sure to take 25^th off, as Bakhra – Id is on Friday, 26^th. So you can plan a long leave from the evening of Friday 19^th to Sunday, 28^th October.

The festive season lingers in the air and in our minds till Diwali on Tuesday, 13^th November. It is a festival of lights and celebrated with energy and fervor all over India. Celebrate Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday on Wednesday, 28^th November by taking leaves on either of Monday and Tuesday, or Thursday and Friday; or better still, both.

Bid farewell to 2012 on by enjoying a year end trip by taking 24^th December off. Get in the Christmas mode right from Friday, 21^st evening and comeback to greet the New Year right across the next weekend.

Have a great 2012!!!

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