Athirapally Waterfalls

 

Athirapally Waterfalls

 

 

 

 

 

Athirappally Waterfalls is located 78 kms from Kochi (Cochin), located at the entrance to Sholayar ranges, this waterfall is a popular picnic spot. Affording to the onlookers, one of the most bewitching sights, Athirappally Falls is about 80 feet high and located in the forest area.   Combined with the greenery, it infuses freshness into any tired soul.  The Athirapally Falls join the Chalakkudy River after plummeting a drop of 80 feet.

 

A tranquil and much needed escape from the troubles and stress of life. Let the soothing sounds take you to some of natures most relaxing places - the beautiful waterfalls of Athirampally and Vazhachal (Prounced as vaazhachaal).

 

The charm of the Athirampally and Vazhachal nature cannot be described by words, Starting calmly from the high ranges, and crashing through gorges overhung with trees, these waterfall is one of the best places in India to re-capture a real sense of the classical idea of the 'Picturesque' - not just calm and sweet, but something wild and natural.

 

       

Vazhachal Falls

 

Perched high above in the the Sholayar forest ranges on the fringes of Kerala's famed rain forests, the waterfalls provides a restful escape for those wanting to leave the hurried pace of city life behind. wild and beautiful, unspoilt by the passing of time.

Both this waterfalls are a part of the Chalakudy river and 5 km apart on the road to hill station (valparai) which has excellent tea estate and is one of India's highest elephant density habitats and is a crucial corridor between Parambikulam and Malayattur

Perched high above in the the Sholayar forest ranges on the fringes of Kerala's famed rain forests, the Athirapalli waterfalls provides a restful escape for those wanting to leave the hurried pace of city life behind. The water plunges and joins to the Chalakudi River. The scenic attraction of Vazhachal, the other picnic spot is just a drive from Athirampally. These scintillating waterfalls in thick green forest are a part of the Chalakudy river stream.

The riparian forests of the Chalakudy River have revealed the existence of a thick riparian vegetation of more than 10 metres width for a distance of 10.5 km downstream from Peringalkuth, covering an area of 58.5 hectares. Out of this, 26.4 hectares lie within the Vazachal area, including three large islands densely covered by riparian forests.

 

The riparian forests of the area have been found to be characterised by the presence of typical riparian species of plants, in addition to evergreen and semi-evergreen species.Out of the 319 species of flowering plants identified from the study area, 24 are endemic species of the Western Ghats and 10 are rare and endangered.

 

Moreover, the Chalakudy River is known for its diversity, as it contains 85 species of fresh water fishes out of the 152 species known from Kerala. Among these, 35 are endemic species of the Western Ghats and nine are considered to be endangered.

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nearby Places of Interest

Vazhachal Waterfalls
The Vazhachal waterfall is a scenic and popular waterfall on the edge of the Sholayar forest range in Kerala. The Vazhachal is part of the Chalakkudy River. Its cool, misty waters cascading down with the backdrop of thick green forest and rocky terrain are a scintillating experience for visitors.

Charpa Falls
To the east of athirappilly is the enchanting but lesser known Charpa falls which plunges on to the road during monsoon. It is a sight to watch and enjoy.

Anakkayam
About 20 km from Chalakudy on the sholayar peringalkuthu route, Anakkayam means the "Elephant pit". It is noted for a lake with cool and placid waters. The place is a forest untouched by human encroachments and is a haven for those
who wish to escape from concrete jungles. It attracts the visitor with its bubbling streams, natural rock formations and flora.

Water Theme Parks
For those who want a little extra recreation there are two water theme parks nearby with plenty of adventure games and water sports.

Malakapara Tea Gardens
For the adventurous a family safari through the deep forest and high ranges (Western Ghats) complemented with lots of hairpin curves takes you to the fascinating sculptured beauty of Malakapara tea Gardens. Along the route if you are lucky you may end up seeing some good wildlife.
 

Thumpurmuzhi Gardens
Thumpurmuzhi is an ideal stopover with its garden, scenic splendor and a classic waterfall.

 

Peringalkuthu & Sholayar Dams

Deep in the forest on the way to Valpara are the two dams that generate hydroelectric power to the state. Entry to the dam site is with special permission only.

 

Vazhachal Forest Gardens

With the abundant flora and even herbal plantation maintained by the forest department, Vazhachal is a Botanist's treasure trove.

 

If I know what love is, it is because of you.
-J

 

 

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How to Improve Your Memory & Exercise Your Brain

How to Improve Your Memory & Exercise Your Brain

Everyone can take steps to improve their memory, and with time and practice most people can gain the ability to memorize seemingly impossible amounts of information. Whether you want to win the World Memory Championships, ace your history test, or simply remember where you put your keys, this article can get you started. Scientists believe that exercising your brain can create a ‘cognitive reserve’ that will help you stay sharp as you age.

1. Convince yourself that you do have a good memory that will improve. Too many people get stuck here and convince themselves that their memory is bad, that they are just not good with names, that numbers just slip out of their minds for some reason. Erase those thoughts and vow to improve your memory. Commit yourself to the task and bask in your achievements — it’s hard to keep motivated if you beat yourself down every time you make a little bit of progress.

2. Keep your brain active. The brain is not a muscle, but regularly “exercising” the brain actually does keep it growing and spurs the development of new nerve connections that can help improve memory. By developing new mental skills—especially complex ones such as learning a new language or learning to play a new musical instrument—and challenging your brain with puzzles and games you can keep your brain active and improve its physiological functioning.
3. Exercise daily. Regular aerobic exercise improves circulation and efficiency throughout the body, including in the brain, and can help ward off the memory loss that comes with aging. Exercise also makes you more alert and relaxed, and can thereby improve your memory uptake, allowing you to take better mental “pictures.”
4. Reduce stress. Chronic stress, although it does not physically damage the brain, can make remembering much more difficult. Even temporary stresses can make it more difficult to effectively focus on concepts and observe things. Try to relax, regularly practice yoga or other stretching exercises, and see a doctor if you have severe chronic stress.
5. Eat well and eat right. There are a lot of herbal supplements on the market that claim to improve memory, but none have yet been shown to be effective in clinical tests (although small studies have shown some promising results for ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine). A healthy diet, however, contributes to a healthy brain, and foods containing antioxidants—broccoli, blueberries, spinach, and berries, for example—and Omega-3 fatty acids appear to promote healthy brain functioning. Feed your brain with such supplements as Thiamine, Vitamin E, Niacin and Vitamin B-6. Grazing, eating 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals, also seems to improve mental functioning (including memory) by limiting dips in blood sugar, which may negatively affect the brain.

6. Take better pictures. Often we forget things not because our memory is bad, but rather because our observational skills need work. One common situation where this occurs (and which almost everyone can relate to) is meeting new people. Often we don’t really learn people’s names at first because we aren’t really concentrating on remembering them. You’ll find that if you make a conscious effort to remember such things, you’ll do much better. One way to train yourself to be more observant is to look at an unfamiliar photograph for a few seconds and then turn the photograph over and describe or write down as many details as you can about the photograph. Try closing your eyes and picturing the photo in your mind. Use a new photograph each time you try this exercise, and with regular practice you will find you’re able to remember more details with even shorter glimpses of the photos.
7. Give yourself time to form a memory. Memories are very fragile in the short-term, and distractions can make you quickly forget something as simple as a phone number. The key to avoid losing memories before you can even form them is to be able to focus on the thing to be remembered for a while without thinking about other things, so when you’re trying to remember something, avoid distractions and complicated tasks for a few minutes.

8. Create vivid, memorable images. You remember information more easily if you can visualize it. If you want to associate a child with a book, try not to visualize the child reading the book – that’s too simple and forgettable. Instead, come up with something more jarring, something that sticks, like the book chasing the child, or the child eating the book. It’s your mind – make the images as shocking and emotional as possible to keep the associations strong.

9. Repeat things you need to learn. The more times you hear, see, or think about something, the more surely you’ll remember it, right? It’s a no-brainer. When you want to remember something, be it your new coworker’s name or your best friend’s birthday, repeat it, either out loud or silently. Try writing it down; think about it.

10. Group things you need to remember. Random lists of things (a shopping list, for example) can be especially difficult to remember. To make it easier, try categorizing the individual things from the list. If you can remember that, among other things, you wanted to buy four different kinds of vegetables, you’ll find it easier to remember all four.

11. Organize your life. Keep items that you frequently need, such as keys and eyeglasses, in the same place every time. Use an electronic organizer or daily planner to keep track of appointments, due dates for bills, and other tasks. Keep phone numbers and addresses in an address book or enter them into your computer or cell phone. Improved organization can help free up your powers of concentration so that you can remember less routine things. Even if being organized doesn’t improve your memory, you’ll receive a lot of the same benefits (i.e. you won’t have to search for your keys anymore).

12. Try meditation. Research now suggests that people who regularly practice “mindfulness” meditation are able to focus better and may have better memories. Mindfulness (also known as awareness or insight meditation) is the type commonly practiced in Western countries and is easy to learn. Studies at Massachusetts General Hospital show that regular meditation thickens the cerebral cortex in the brain by increasing the blood flow to that region. Some researchers believe this can enhance attention span, focus, and memory.

13. Sleep well. The amount of sleep we get affects the brain’s ability to recall recently learned information. Getting a good night’s sleep – a minimum of seven hours a night – may improve your short-term memory and long-term relational memory, according to recent studies conducted at the Harvard Medical School.

14. Build your memorization arsenal. Learn pegs, memory palaces, and the Dominic System. These techniques form the foundation for mnemonic techniques, and will visibly improve your memory.

15. Venture out and learn from your mistakes. Go ahead and take a stab at memorizing the first one hundred digits of pi, or, if you’ve done that already, the first one thousand. Memorize the monarchs of England through your memory palaces, or your grocery list through visualization. Through diligent effort you will eventually master the art of memorization.

 

If I know what love is, it is because of you.
-J

 

 

What's New With The iPhone 3G

 

 

For all you mobile maniacs out there, here's the scoop - the 3G Apple iPhone or the iPhone 3G as it’s being called, has now been officially launched. The reports I have, all seem to state that the attendees at Steve Jobs’ Keynote speech were somewhat thrilled and relieved that the speculation and rumor mongering of what the new iPhone would look like and would incorporate was now put to rest.

Before I begin telling you all about the iPhone 3G, I’d just like to say that when it comes to quite a few of the updates – it’s about bloody time Steve! Without further ado let me clue you in on some of the more relevant features that make up the new and improved iPhone 3G.

Design
First off, Apple has refurbished the design a bit and the iPhone 3G is now slimmer than the last model. They’ve also added a new color to the line up – White - but that’s only available with the 16GB model. The other models will now have a glossy black rear casing, and I’m tempted to wonder, why go with a finger print magnet? The earphone socket has also been adjusted to accommodate normal 3.5mm pins, so users can simply plug in any headphone of their choice. Instead of a simple flat back it now also tapers a bit to give it a sleeker look and feel. Everything else design-wise hasn’t changed too much. Considering the fact that the new handset supports 3G and should support Video calling, there still doesn’t seem to be a secondary camera located in front, so i guess that's not happening anytime soon then.

Features
Not only is the new iPhone 3G going to be faster than the previous model it’s also going to have a better battery life, which according to Apple would be 5 hours of talk time. One of the few rumors I’m happy to say are true, is the fact that the new iPhone 3G is going to be equipped with an integrated GPS unit along with a few other location-based services to help enhance that feature especially with Google Maps live tracking and photo Geotagging.

Some of the ‘bugs’ that have been fixed include an option for deleting emails in bulk, a new Contact Search feature for looking up names in the address book and complete support for viewing Microsoft as well as iWork documents. It will also have a new scientific calculator. But the best part with the handset, at least for the business users, is the total enterprise support that the iPhone 3G comes with. Besides just that, it will also support Push email, Push contacts, Push calendar, Auto-discovery of Exchange servers, Global address lookup, and a Remote Wipe security feature. Wowee!

 

 

KS Ravikumar's choice - Vikram & Surya?

Although speculations are rife about KS Ravikumar's next project, credible sources confirm that the director has finalized his next project with Sarath kumar for which the story and script are ready. This means that the winning team of such movies as Naataamai and Natpukaaga will join hands for this venture. 
   

 

Talks are also on for two more possible ventures with Surya and Vikram. KSR is said to be holding discussions with Gnanavelraja of Studio Green for a project with Surya in the lead. Studio Green's production credits include the Surya - Jo starrer Jillunnu Oru Kaadhal.

 

That apart, if rumors can be believed, KSR is also busy making plans with producer Mohan Natarajan of Rajakaliamman pictures for another venture with Vikram and Nayan in the lead.

 

 

THE DASAVATHARAM INVESTIGATION

This might be the toughest jigsaw ever. We have so many pieces and yet no clue as to what fits in where. So, we have no idea of what the big picture looks like. Let's assume each role that Kamal does in Dasavatharam as one piece of the jigsaw and try to put all of them together piece by piece using all the information, rumors and imagination that we have. We may not get to the heart of Dasavatharam but the effort might be worth it.

Clue 1:

The first press release. This referred to the ancient tussle between Kulothunga cozhan and the Vaishnava saint Ramanujan. Dating back to the 14th century, legend connects their tussle to the revered idol at Srirangam in Trichy, an idol that was supposedly drowned in the sea along with the saint who was labeled a heretic. By the look of things, Kamal plays Ramanujan here, who is chained to the idol and dragged along with it.

Clue 2:

The stills: Among the first set of official stills of Dasavatharam to be released were two frames with Kamal and Asin, where Asin was shown holding something that looked like a small idol. Another still shows a priest carrying the same idol. Now this leads to the question: Was this the idol that was drowned along with Ramanujan in the 14th century, went on a long journey through the length and breadth of India and finally returned to Srirangam? There have also been a few SMSs circulating with stills showing Mughal looking kings holding the idol. This makes sense as the idol of Srirangam is said to have passed through the hands of the Mughals during its long journey.

Clue 3:

The latest stills: All of you have seen it and by now would be quite sure that Kamal indeed plays Ramanujam. But these set of stills show Kamal being chained to a larger than life-size idol and being drowned. Now, this is certainly not the idol that we saw Asin holding, nor can this be the idol that according to legend went on a long journey across India. Here the jigsaw fails to connect.

Clue 4:

The next press release: This revealed a scene that was shot which involved lyricist Kapilan. Kamal and Kapilan together protest and stop illegal sand quarrying from a river bed, Kapilan recites a verse describing his feelings- that's what the scene is all about. The theme of the scene is definitely very contemporary and could have found a place in Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth. But what puzzles us here is what such a theme or track is doing in a movie that has stills indicating a mythological/legend/ drama? What would environmental concerns be doing in such a movie?

Clue 5:

The stills again: All of you might have seen Kamal in the trailer (and the stills) in a body suit, fully covered in a sophisticated research facility. Now, it is easy to believe that he is training to be an astronaut in the movie but the more distinct possibility is that the research facility we saw is a high-tech bioscience laboratory. And, we have heard a few things about biological weapons and warfare in connection with Dasavatharam. So, is one of the Kamals involved in a biological warfare research lab and how does this form a part of a movie that has its origins in the 14th century. And, after the audio release function Jackie Chan had said something about the movie in which we had heard the word 'pollution' and allied terms. Now, we have environmental conservation, biological warfare and pollution control all jostling for space in the same movie.

Clue 6:

The tsunami: The tsunami scene is one of the highlights of Dasavatharam. When does it happen, why and how? From the stills it does look like it is from the 14th century when the movie begins. How do the seismic waves originate? Some opinions have been floating around that it is the wrath of the Lord of Srirangam who had been drowned that causes the giant waves. But, looking at the above sub plots of pollution control and environmental conservation, a deeper message cannot be ruled out here.

Clue 7:

Big or small: Does the story revolve around the big idol or the small idol, both of which are present in the movie? Well, some ingenious brains have been working up some great theories. One such theory says that the giant idol that was drowned in the sea was made of a very powerful/valuable stone and vested foreign interests are trying to get their hands on it. That sort of explains why we see Kamal fighting a foreigner in the trailer. But the question remains, is the fight for the big idol or the small one?

Clue 8:

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was reportedly not very happy with the depiction of the Vaishnava-Shaiva conflict of the 14th century (without even seeing the movie). But the production house has issued a clarification stating that the movie in no way hurts the feelings of devotees.

Clue 9:

This one adds to the confusion: the other roles played by Kamal. The old lady, the Sardar, George Bush-what are these characters doing in a movie that involves Srirangan?!

Clue 10:

The unpredictability: We have heard a lot, assumed a lot, seen a little and yet nowhere near to knowing what Dasavatharam is. We feel that it might be two perspectives: the spiritual and the scientific, with a contemporary message. But then, the man behind this is Kamal and when Dr. Kamal Haasan is at work, nothing is predictable.

Courtesy BehindWoods