Fruits Giving Plants Of Kerala

Kasumavu (Cashew)

The cashew is a tree which is native to northeastern Brazil. They are grown mainly for the cashew nuts and cashew apples. While processing cashew we obtain the cashew nutshell liquid which is rich in anacardic acids. This can be used effectively against tooth problems as they are harmful to the gram-positive bacteria. They also act against many other gram-positive bacteria. The cashew nut is a favourite snack of all and they are consumed as such or lightly salted or sugared. These cashew nuts are also covered with chocolate and sold and they are very costly too.

Padmasana---A Yoga Asana

Posture
This Asana is performed in Padmasana Position. 

Pre Position
Padmasana Position. 

Procedure

1.	Inhale and take both the hands back and keep the palms facing outside interlocking the thumbs. Keep both the hands straight.
2.	Exhailing bend in the waist and rest the forehead on the floor. Continue smooth breathing.

Position
In this Asana one has to sit in Padmasana and bend in the waist fully. In this process the abdomen gets folded and that is expected, too. Further in order to get the abdomen folded properly, one should try to set the forehead on the ground quite away from the body. Once the bending process is over, continue smooth breathing.

After some practice, while bending in the waist, keep the back bone straight to experience its nice results. After taking the position, try to relax the body. 

Releasing

1.	Exhale and inhaling be straight in the waist.
2.	Restore the hands on the knees and take up Dhyana Mudra.

Duration
It should be retained at least for one minute to get its benefits. After sufficient practice this duration can be extended upto five minutes and not beyond that.

Internal Effects
As the belly gets folded in this Asana, there comes tremendous pressure on intestines, liver, spleen, certain glands, etc., and this pressure improves their functioning and removes complaints regarding digestive system & constipation. This Asana is also used to awaken the kundalini shakti, which, however, requires its prolonged practice.

Precaution
One should take care while bending in the waist. Bending process should be slow and should go with the exhailing process or else one may suffer from air or gas accumulation in the belly. The people with back problem should practice this Asana only after consulting some Yoga Expert.

Kerala Major Festival

Chettikulagara Bharani :

Get hold of a chance to enjoy all the folk arts of south Kerala during the Chettikulangara Bharani festival. This annual festival held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham at the Chettikulangara temple is one of the most well-known festivals of Kerala. The festival and the temple are dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. Almost all the folk art forms of South Kerala are presented at the temple during the festival. For the Kathakali buffs the all-night Kathakali performance is a golden opportunity.

One of the most spectacular events that pulls a large crowd during the festival is the kettukazhcha, a ceremonious procession of brightly decorated structures among which the tall and bigger ones are assumed as horses and smaller ones as chariots. Other highlights of the festival include Kuthiyottam, Patayani, Kolkali and Ammankudam. 

Medicated Steam Bath

Medicated Steam Bath

Treatment Category : Body Care

Medicated Steam Bath is a type of Swedana Karma (Sweating Process) in which the Tridosha balance is accomplished by making the body sweat. 

In this process, certain herbal leaves are boiled and the steam thus produced is passed over the entire body. This helps in opening up the sweat pores, removing impurities from the body, getting rid of excess fat, toning the body etc.