Bekal fort - Kasaragod, Kerala

Bekal fort is located about 65 km from Mangalore in the Bekal Village of Kasaragod district of Kerala, around 16 km south of Kasaragod. It is the largest fort in Kerala, spreading over 40 acres.  Narrating a story of its past, the fort stands in its full glory and grandeur. This historic fort is surrounded by a beautiful beach offering an enchanting view of Arabian Sea from its high observation tower where once canons were placed. The tower has been fitted with  peepholes too. The beautiful walkway, illuminated beach and grand architecture of the Bekal Fort make this place a favourite among the masses. Bekal Fort was built by Shivappa Nayaka of Keladi in 1650 AD, at Bekal. 

The fort is built using laterite slabs and with a polygonal shape, the fort rises 130 feet above sea level. 

Purple swamphen (Western swamphen) Kerala, India

The Purple swamphen (western swamphen) is a "swamp hen" in the rail family Rallidae. From its French name talève sultane, it is also known as the sultana bird. This chicken-sized bird, with its large feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily recognisable in its native range. It used to be considered the nominate subspecies of the purple swamphen. 

Apple trees - Kashmir

Kashmir Valley is a valley located between the Karakoram and the Pir Panjal Range in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is around 135 km long and 32 km wide, formed by the Jhelum River. Kashmir Valley is one of the three administrative divisions in Jammu and Kashmir state other being Jammu and Ladakh and consists of Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Bandipore, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Srinagar districts.  Kashmir Valley has a moderate climate, which is largely defined by its geographic location, with the towering Karakoram Range in the north, Pir Panjal Range in the south and west and Zanskar Range in the east. It can be generally described as cool in the spring and autumn, mild in the summer and cold in the winter. Srinagar is its main city in Kashmir Valley and also the summer capital of the state. Other main cities are Handwara, Sopore, Baramulla, Anantnag and Shopian. Kashmir valley is a popular tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Among the popular tourist places in the valley are Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam, Dal Lake that has popular house boats. Tourism is one of the main sources of income for vast sections of the Kashmiri population. Kashmir Valley‘s economy is centred around tourism and agriculture. Traditionally the staple crop of the valley is rice, it forms the chief food of the people. In addition, Indian corn, wheat, barley and oats are also grown. Given its temperate climate, it is suited for crops like asparagus, artichoke, seakale, broad beans, scarlet runners, beetroot, cauliflower and cabbage. Fruit trees are common in the valley, and the cultivated orchards yield pears, apples, peaches, and cherries. The chief trees are deodar, firs and pines, chenar or plane, maple, birch and walnut, apple and cherry.

View from Kongdoori, Gulmarg, Kashmir

Gulmarg is a town, a hill station, a popular skiing destination in the Baramulla district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Situated around 52 kms from Srinagar. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal Range in the western Himalayas. The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest in the world reaching 3,979 metres. The two-stage ropeway ferries about 600 people per hour between Gulmarg and a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak 4,200 metres. The first stage transfers from Gulmarg at 2,600 metres  to Kongdoori at 3,080 metres. The second stage which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes passengers to a height of 3,950 metres on the Apharwat Peak 4,200 metres . Best time to visit Gulmarg is March to October.   

Nanga Parbat view from Gulmarg

Nanga Parbat view from Gulmarg, Kashmir. Gulmarg is a town, a hill station, a popular skiing destination in the Baramulla district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Situated around 52 kms from Srinagar. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal Range in the western Himalayas. The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest in the world reaching 3,979 metres. The two-stage ropeway ferries about 600 people per hour between Gulmarg and a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak 4,200 metres. The first stage transfers from Gulmarg at 2,600 metres  to Kongdoori at 3,080 metres. The second stage which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes passengers to a height of 3,950 metres on the Apharwat Peak 4,200 metres . Best time to visit Gulmarg is March to October.   

Life In Kashmir -6

Kashmir Valley is a valley located between the Karakoram and the Pir Panjal Range in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is around 135 km long and 32 km wide, formed by the Jhelum River. Kashmir Valley is one of the three administrative divisions in Jammu and Kashmir state other being Jammu and Ladakh and consists of Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Bandipore, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Srinagar districts.  Kashmir Valley has a moderate climate, which is largely defined by its geographic location, with the towering Karakoram Range in the north, Pir Panjal Range in the south and west and Zanskar Range in the east. It can be generally described as cool in the spring and autumn, mild in the summer and cold in the winter. Srinagar is its main city in Kashmir Valley and also the summer capital of the state. Other main cities are Handwara, Sopore, Baramulla, Anantnag and Shopian. Kashmir valley is a popular tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Among the popular tourist places in the valley are Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam, Dal Lake that has popular house boats. Tourism is one of the main sources of income for vast sections of the Kashmiri population. Kashmir Valley‘s economy is centred around tourism and agriculture. Traditionally the staple crop of the valley is rice, it forms the chief food of the people. In addition, Indian corn, wheat, barley and oats are also grown. Given its temperate climate, it is suited for crops like asparagus, artichoke, seakale, broad beans, scarlet runners, beetroot, cauliflower and cabbage. Fruit trees are common in the valley, and the cultivated orchards yield pears, apples, peaches, and cherries. The chief trees are deodar, firs and pines, chenar or plane, maple, birch and walnut, apple and cherry.