All You Bangaloreans, 7 Places You Can Go To If You Like A Quiet Diwali

1. Anamudi, Kerala                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Escape to this serene peak to enjoy nature at its full glory. 

HolidayIQ Traveller Namita says, "Anamudi peak in the Eravikulam National Park is the highest peak in south India. Drive up to the hilltop is little scary by the park's vehicle but it is worth going. Surrounded by tea gardens and Nilgiri Tahr the views are just amazing. We really feel that we can touch the cloud. Must visit for every tourists."

2. Beypore Beach, Calicut

                       

This beach is synonymous with tranquility. Catch a lovely sunset at this place when you need a break. There is a boat building yard at this beach which is known for the construction of Uru, the traditional Arabian trading vessel.

3. Kadmat Islands, Lakshadweep

                      

This island is one of the most peaceful places among the Lakshadweep group of Islands. Flock here to enjoy and relax in style. 

HolidayIQ Traveller Sehdev says, "Kadmat is one of the Islands of Lakshwadeep. The water is crystal clear.. you can see the fishes and the sea floor almost 30 feet deep. Best place just to relax. But not a good place to stay for days to gather since the facility for stay is not so amazing."

4. Kuruvadweep, Wayanad

                 

HolidayIQ Traveller Santosh tells you why you need to be here to be able to experience the calmness of Wayanad, "One of the best places I have ever visited in my life. Never miss this place if you visit Wayanad. The dweep is an island where there is nice greenery. I have never seen such a place which is so cool and calm during day time. There is no food/Water available so one has to carry food if required.One of the best places I have ever visited in my life. Never miss this place if you visit Wayanad. The dweep is an island where there is nice greenery. I have never seen such a place which is so cool and calm during day time. There is no food/Water available so one has to carry food if required."

5. Nelliyampathy

               

The entire Kerala celebrates a very low-key Diwali and Nelliyampathy is a wonderful place to be in if you want to experience just that and take some refuge. 

HolidayIQ Traveller Anand says, "A great place to visit in Kerala. Just 75-80km from Thrissur Railway station. Like any other hill stations there are some viewpoints and some nice greeneries to visit. I took this photo from Seetharkundu viewpoint. I personally prefer bike journey in hill stations than car or bus. Compared to other hill stations like munnar Ooty and Kodaikanal, nelliyampathy is less crowded."

6. Ponmudi                       

A place you need to have on your list if a relaxed vacation is your idea. 

HolidayIQ Traveller Abhi says, "Ponmudi is, indeed, one of the most beautiful hill-stations in Kerala. I was taken aback by its scenic beauty and the serenity of the place. Unlike other hill-stations that are either over-crowded with people, Ponmudi is calm and peaceful. There are not many shops or hotels. "

7. Thenmala

                                                                                  

If you want fun and adventure minus the rush and noise, you should definitely check this place out. 

HolidayIQ Traveller Subash says, "It is an awesome place to visit. The natural beauty makes the place more attractive. The main places to visit are Thenmala Dam, Adventure Zone and Echo Point. Also there are many adventurous things you can do here like boating and trekking."

How to Make your Diwali Eco Friendly

Deepavali, meaning a ‘series of light’, we say, is the triumph of good over evil and of right over wrong. Traditionally, this festival widely celebrated in India across communities, is a time of family bonding, conversations and thinking beyond oneself. Lamps are lit, sweets made, shared, and savoured, gifts exchanged and relationships nurtured.

However over the recent years, this auspicious day has also turned out to be a strain on living standards. As the celebrations ensue, we are coerced into shopping, spending and wasting more during this festive occasion. Air quality levels dwindle to dangerous numbers, vehicles are jam-packed on the road, plastic and food waste increased by mounds and strewn across the streets. Rather than goodness prevailing, there are signs of distress on the things that we value – people, animals and the environment.

If we stop to think about the far reaching consequences our actions bring on this day, we may be able to create some positive changes that will benefit every being and lead to brighter festival.

1. Use oil diyas instead of candles

Diyas can be re-used multiple times and are made from earth-friendly material. Try to avoid the painted ones that have chemical colours smeared over them.

Candles, on the other hand, are for one-time use, require energy in their creation, are petroleum-based, and release toxins during burning to affect the air quality. Some of the toxins are benzene, formaldehyde and lead which are harmful to human and environmental health.

2. Make your rangoli with flowers, natural colours, or rice flour

Kolams or rangoli was a way of sharing our food and life with insects and birds. Even today, in villages down south, the Kolam is made with either rice paste or dry rice flour and becomes a feast for ants and small birds.  If you have to include colours, try using turmeric, coffee powder, and kumkum for yellow, brown, and red. You can also use flowers such as chrysanthemum, roses, lotus, and some leaves to brighten it further. Not only is this eco-friendly, you can clear it the next day and put it into your compost bin directly as compared to a chemical-coloured rangoli.

3. When buying sweets re-use existing carboard boxes from home

A “kuch meetha ho jaye” feeling becomes overwhelming during the festive season. Sharing sweets and spending time with the neighbours is a common ritual of the day. While it is convenient to pick up good sweets from a neighbourhood store, spare a thought for the packaging that comes along with it. You can avoid this by either making simple sweets at home and distributing them or carrying available packaging and plastic packets from home.

4. Give a handmade gift

Enthusiastic about giving and receiving gifts? Choose gifts that are made from natural materials like a jute or cloth bag, cloth purse, a cotton kurta, or a saree. I bought a kid’s backpack completely handmade with cloth for my niece from The Green Bazaar last time. She loved it. You can also make gifts if you have the time for them – they are personalized and add a touch of love to the person it is given to.

5. Wrap your gifts in newspaper

Make it trendy to pack your gifts in newspapers instead of shiny plastic wraps. These wraps combine plastic and metal, thus making it difficult to recycle. For children’s gifts, you can use the comic strips section of the newspaper to make it fun and interesting. Calendars with pictures can also be used.

6. Shop for your festive needs at your nearby local shop rather than the online store

My neighbour had once ordered for a cricket bat for her son over the internet. The bat arrived safely tucked in a cardboard box 5 times its size and stuffed with plastic bubble packaging. The next day, this ended up in the garbage truck. The same bat is available at our corner store but for a slightly higher price. But as consumers, we tend to evaluate only the cost that we pay at that instant and not the long-term environmental cost.

The plastic packaging will most probably end up in a landfill or get burned somewhere midway and will result in toxins being released into the air. This has an indirect effect on human health but we are unwilling to consider this during our shopping.