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Kerala, the land of exotic beauty and charm, believed to be the
land of the Gods, has mesmerized many a traveler from near and
far, since time immemorial. Laced with emerald green coconut
trees, this vastly coastal State is indeed a treat to t he
eye. Add to it, the splash of backwaters, the mist-clad
mountains, and the rustic life in picture book towns, the
glorious art forms, and the ancient science of
healing.....and...you are only beginning to unravel this
mystical land of Kerala, ever full of surprises!
Kerala has some of the pristine hill stations in India, with the
entire Western Ghats dotted with evergreens, rolling grasslands,
sholas and stretches of rejuvenating fragrance of tea and coffee
plantations. The wilder side of Kerala has in store some of the
best wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the country with
a variety of plant and animal life unique to Kerala.
Glistening brooks and cascades that interstice the hills finally
roll down to the coastal plains of Kerala where they laze
through verdant stretches of paddy fields, coconut trees and
feeds some of the splendorous expanse of backwaters and lakes.
Let yourselves cast away amidst the serene environs of a
backwater islet, treat your body and soul to 'Ayurveda' - the
sacred knowledge of life. Take a backwater cruise on a country
boat with palm fringed land on either side and experience the
many faces of the backwater life of Kerala.
Crave for Sun & Sand! Come and embrace the golden sands of its
immaculate beaches, pep up your spirits under the tropical sun
and feel the pulse of its coastal life. You can also enhance
your gastronomy skills or give a break to your taste buds and
savor some of the ethnic dishes of the land.
The cultural mosaic of Kerala is studded with landmark
monuments, palaces, forts, memorials, and places of worship
portraying the socio-cultural and historical evolution of the
land with indelible marks left by travelers from far-flung
lands. Be part of its many festivals and celebrations to
understand its significance, emotions and traditional practices
of Kerala.
Location
The beautiful state of Kerala is positioned on the tropical
Malabar Coast in southwestern India. The state shares its
boundary with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka on its east and
northeast. The Lakshadweep and the Maldives islands lie to its
west and south respectively.
Climate
Kerala experiences a tropical climate. The state, however,
remains pleasant for most part of the year. Summer time begins
in the month of February and continues till May. The maximum
temperature records 33 degrees centigrade. Monsoon begins in
June and continues till the month of September. The month of
October marks the beginning of winter season. During this
period, minimum temperature records 20 degrees centigrade.
September to February is the ideal time to pay a visit to the
state.
Kerala Cities
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala.
The city features some popular attractions like Sree Padmanabha
Swamy Temple, the Veli Lagoon, the Government Museum, Sree
Chitra Art Gallery, Observatory, Science and Technology Museum
etc.
Cochin
Kochi or Cochin houses some of the oldest structures of the
state. Attractions include the Dutch Palace, the Jewish
Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica Church, the
Bolghatty Island and the Willington Island.
Alappuzha
Rightly referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzah has got
a huge network of lakes, lagoons, fresh water rivers and canals.
It is popular for houseboat cruises and its Coir industry.
Kozhikode
Tucked between the waters of the Arabian Sea and the Wayanad
Hills, Kozhikode is an idyllic tourist destination. There are
attractions like the Pazhassiraja Museum, the Dolphins Point,
the Science Planetarium, the Marine Life Aquarium and the Art
Gallery.
Thekkady
Thekkady attracts hordes of tourists and travelers to its world
renowned Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is popular
for Indian elephants that can be seen frolicking by the Periyar
Lake. Rolling hills and spice scented plantations make it an
ideal tourist destination
Kerala Backwater
The Backwaters in Kerala are the devices more the enchanters of
Kerala. Backwaters are ahead and behind made up by the ponding
of sea to the beach by the movement of the waves. They are
usually formed in the form of lagoons, of lakes and estuaries.
The Backwaters in Kerala is a network of exquisite channels,
lakes, lagoons and deltas of approximately 44 rivers emptying in
the Arab sea. The principal mode of transport on these
backwaters is by houseboats bus more 900km of this world of
water is navigable.
Kumarakom Backwater (10 km from Kottayam):
A voyage north of Alappuzha takes you to the rich green, sleepy
little village of Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake.
An enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater
tourism destination, Kumarakom provides boating, fishing and
sight-seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. An
exclusive attraction of this much sought after backwater resort
is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise
and a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian
stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. A cruise along the
Vembanad Lake is the best way to view the bird life.
Alappuzha Backwater
Alappuzha is one of the major cente rs
for backwater tour in Kerala. The intricate network of canals
through this town has earned it the sobriquet "The Venice of the
East". Small but long country boats are the taxies of the water.
The coir workers present an interesting sight as they soak
coconut fiber in pools, beat them and wind the strands on long
spindles stretched between an endless lines of coconut trees.
Kozhikode Backwater
In north Kerala, the cool backwaters of Kozhikode lay waiting to
be explored. This old commercial town attracts travelers for its
history, wonderful backwaters and leisure sports.
Kochi Backwaters
More popular as the Queen of Arabian Sea, kochi is a cluster of
islands on the vast expan se
of the Vembanad Lake. Some of these picturesque islands are
Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu, and VallarpadamIt has a fine natural
harbor around which the city has grown.
Kottayam Backwaters
Kottayam is a beautiful Kerala backwater destination Kottayam -
"the land of lakes, latex and letters", that's what it is
famously called. Interspersed with a network of canals and
lakes, Kottayam is also known for its toddy tappers. This is one
place where you will find that even one person is not
illiterate. The beautiful Vembanand Lake and its associated
backwaters border Kottayam district on the West. Kottayam is
located in an area of great natural beauty and you're sure to be
enchanted by the scenery around Kottayam on Kerala tours with
Kerala Backwater.
Festival of
Kerala
The colorful mosaic
of Kerala fairs and festivals is as diverse as the land, is an
expression of the spirit of celebration, that is an essential
part of the State. Observed with enthusiasm and gaiety,
festivals are like gems, ornamenting the crown of Kerala
tradition and culture. Round the year the fests keep Kerala life
vibrant and interludes in the mundane affairs of life.
Every season turns up new festivals, each a true celebration of
the bounties of nature. The festivals exhibits an eternal
harmony of spirit. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals are
occasions to clean and decorate houses, to get together with
friends and relatives and to exchange gifts.
Onam Festival - The 10 day Onam festival is kerala's most
important festi val,
honouring King Mahabali, a mythological king of ancient Kerala,
whose period was reckoned as the golden age in the history of
the state. He was the embodiment of virtues, goodness, so was
his regime which was marked by equality and harmony among
people.
Thrissur Pooram - The most spectacular spectacle in the
state. This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the
Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state. Celebrated in Medom
(April-May) the festival parades the fulgent faces of Kerala
culture. With every passing year Tthrissur Pooram, the temple
festival, attracts large masses of devotees and spectators.
Aranmula Uthrittathi - The famous snake boat carnival on the
Pampa, held annually at Aranmula on the day of Uthrittathi
asterism, in connection with the Onam festival is to commemorate
the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna on that day. The deity
is supposed to be in all the boats that take part in the
carnival and all of them are expected to arrive a t their
destination simultaneously.
Easter is the oldest Christian festival, as old as Christianity
itself. The central tenet of Christia nity
is not the birth of Jesus, but his resurrection. Easter is
derived from this paschal mystery and from the events of Good
Friday.
Thiruvathira Festival - The festival falls on the asterism
Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January).
On thiruvathira morning, devotees throng Shiva temples for an
early worship which is reckoned as highly auspicious.
Accessibility
The state of Kerala has three airports located at
Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Cochin. These airports operate
numerous domestic and international flights connecting to
different parts of the country and the world. Kerala boasts of
200 railway stations that link the state to all the major cities
of the country. The state has a fabulous road-network as well.
Shopping
The state is home to a number of skilled and gifted craftsmen
and artisans. There is a lot to take back home including
exquisite wood carvings, souvenirs, brass ware, bell metal
products, coir products, can bamboo works, sandalwood, conch
shells, paintings etc.
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