Alleppey
George and Sumi Tharakan, your hosts at Parayil Homestead, are custodians of a weighty legacy that dates back more than a century. Heirs to an ancient, aristocratic lineage, they will regale you with tales of the past. One such quaint tale pertains to the surname George carries; Tharakan. It was believed to have been bestowed upon the family by the kings themselves, in recognition of their role as financiers to royals. Parayil Homestead is an imposing yet elegant home in a serene setting amidst fruit trees and coconut groves that stretch as far as the eye can see. The house itself is built around a central, open air courtyard, in the signature nalukettu style preferred by aristocratic families. Parayil Homestead is a fine example of Kerala architecture, with its antique woodwork and its plethora of hidden attics and ancient granaries. Rooms are large and spacious, almost like suites - reminiscent of a time when space was not constrained. The entire home, from its wood detailing to its red oxide flooring, breathes history.
Address
Parayil Homestead, Ezhupunna P.O. Alleppey 688 548, Kerala
info@thegreenappleexperience.com | www.parayilhomestead.com
Experience
On arrival at Parayil Homestead, you will be greeted with a welcome drink. Your room with its antique furniture and simple furnishings will take you back to a different era. Modern comforts will pamper you, but subtly. You'll participate in a way of life that is relaxed and rewarding.
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Gallery
Facilities and Services
Facilities and Services
No. of Rooms: Four. A/c.
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Twin beds with attached bathroom.
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Locker service available
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Coffee/Tea in the room
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Mosquito proofed
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Laundry service available
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Telephone (Land phone and Mobile) and the Internet facilities are available at Parayil Homestead
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Unique Experience: Syrian Chritian Heritage Bungalow
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Cuisine:
Syrian Christian cooking has grown in popularity far from its traditional roots, the Central Travancore region of Kerala. Dishes like Meen Pollichathu, Appam and Chicken stew, have made it to countless fine dining menus. Come to Parayil Homestead and taste this regional cuisine in its purest form - prepared by the lady of the house, who like others in the area, have grown up with these recipes, handed down over generations. Seafood and fish especially will be the highlights, since the home is deep in backwater country. You can join the family for meals or dine at your convenience.
Activities
To make the stay their stay at Nelpura a thrilling experience, guests have ample opportunities to engage in various activities.
Country boat cruises:
Alleppey is synonymous with the beautiful, luminous backwaters. An entire way of life has evolved around these waterways, and you'll enjoy a wonderful view
of this life from your vantage point on a country boat.
Village Walk:
Visit the nearby village. You'll be able to interact with the local people and witness life in this rural setting.
Canoe rides:
The locals ply canoes through the narrow canals crisscrossing the village, to get from place from place. Being punted along in one is an
unforgettable experience; like something out of an exotic story.
Visit ancient temples and churches:
Across India, places of worship have also been places of social engagement. Visit the beautiful 500 year old temple in the vicinity or the local church. This provides an opportunity to participate in the cultural activities of the village.
Location and Access
Located in a quaint village called Ezhupanna in Alleppey district, also known as the Venice of the East, Parayil Homstead takes you far from the chaos of urban life, yet keeps you well connected to the city.
By Road
100 km from Cochin International Airport, along a scenic route. 175 km from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (approximately 3 hours 30 minutes by road).
By Rail
From Cochin, any south-bound train via the Alleppey route (enjoy picturesque scenery as the route flanks the backwaters and the sea on its way). Alight at Alleppey Station. On prior appointment, tourists will be picked up from either the Railway Station or Bus Station in Alleppey.
Nearest tourists destination:
Alleppey: (12 km)
Rightly dubbed the Venice of the East, Alleppey is a historic town crisscrossed by natural canals big and small. These canals form a network of waterways that connect the town to other important cities. Along the sides of these canals, one sees people go about their daily lives much as they have in centuries past. Alleppey is also justly famous for its snake boat races.
Kumarakom: (62 km)
An idyllic isle in the timeless Lake Vembanad, Kumarakom is home to a rare ecosystem. Known as a bird sanctuary, it attracts flocks of migratory birds. Kumarakom is connected to important parts of the state by a network of backwaters.
Kottayam: (64 km)
Situated in the basin of the Meenachil River and the Vembanad Lake, Kottayam is a beautiful town with a serious purpose. The birthplace of activism in the state, the first district in Kerala to achieve total literacy, and home to several of its newspapers, Kottayam richly deserves its reputation as a land of letters. It is also known as the land of latex, as it is the trading centre for rubber.
Varkala: (132 km)
With cliffs towering over its sandy beaches, Varkala is truly a locale of awe-inspiring majesty. These rugged cliffs are of great geological significance, and are called the Varkala Formations. The beautiful beach below is named Papanasam' or 'destruction of sin' as its surging waves are believed to wash away a multitude of these. Rather like a mini-Goa, this laidback destination has a plethora of shacks and stalls by the beach. The Janardana Swami Temple is worth a visit, especially for its historic bell salvaged from a shipwreck and gifted by the ship's Dutch captain, in gratitude over the miraculous escape of its crew.
Kovalam: (186 km)
Long before Kerala earned its fame as God's own country, Kovalam was attracting travellers in droves. Three breathtaking beaches - Lighthouse, Hawah and Samudra - separated by rocks, unite to form a distinctive crescent, that has been welcoming beach lovers since the 1920s when Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi opened the first hotel by its golden sands. Today, Kovalam is a coveted destination, quite unmatched for natural beauty.
Tariff
No. of Rooms: 4
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Category of Rooms: A/C Superior Room
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Plans: (APAI)
Summer* Winter*
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Rack Rates: Rs. 6000/- Rs. 7500/-
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We serve excellent meals and you can experience the art of cooking!
Culinary FIT Group **
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Meals: Rs. 900/-
Rs. 750/-
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Cooking Class: Rs. 1250/-
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*Summer: April 2011- October 2011 Winter: November 2011 - March 2012
**Group: Min Size 10
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Your gracious hosts at Parayil Homestead, George Tharakan & Sumi George welcome you to a unique experience of moments spent in a mansion with the weight of history within its walls. Built more than a century ago, this is an elegant, traditional country home that retains the grandeur, history and lineage of an aristocratic family. Legend has it that the term 'tharakan,' which George uses as his surname to this day, is a title given to them by the ancient kings, as the Parayil family were the traditional financers to the kings.
Here in Parayil Homestead you'll find antique woodwork, ancient granaries, and isolated attics! Ancestral stories abound, and so does the rustic essence of traditional Kerala architecture now lovingly restored and unobtrusively modernized, the Parayil Homestead give you a look into the pages of its history.
