Houseboats on Vembanad lake, Kerala
© artherng/Getty Image
A green escape. Van Mahotsav
Every July, India celebrates its bond with nature through Van Mahotsav. The name comes from Sanskrit: 'Van' meaning forest and 'Mahotsav' meaning grand festival. This green tradition started in July 1947 by an Indian historian and botanist, Mohinder Singh Randhawa. In 1950, Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi, then Minister of Food and Agriculture, made it an annual event in the first week of July, officially naming it Van Mahotsav.
The spirit of celebrating nature shines through Vembanad lake in Kerala, captured in today's image. Spanning 2,033 square kilometres across the Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, it is locally known as Vembanad Kayal. This broad stretch has calm waters and flourishing coconut palms lining its shores like quiet sentinels. Along these edges, traditional houseboats, or kettuvalloms, drift gently, offering a perfect way to connect with nature's peaceful beauty and enduring charm.
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