Location: South India
Famous For: Backwaters, Beaches, Ayurveda
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Places of Interest: Cochin, Allappuzha, Kollam backwaters, The
Periyar wildlife Sanctuary.
Temperature: summer - Max.36.2, Min.20.6, and winter - Max.35,
Min.18
Rainfall: 170 cm (May to November).
Ideal Time to Visit: September- April
Language: Malayalam, English
An Over All View Of Kerala
Kerala often referred as 'God's Own Country' is one of the ten 'Elysian
fields' found by the National Geographic Traveler, due to its diverse
location and awesome green meadows. Kerala a green heaven is situated in
southwest part of India and is stretched between the Lakshadweep and Western
Ghats. Embellished with incredible blue beaches, lush green fields with
hilly terrain, coconut trees, tranquil backwaters and treasures of flora and
fauna with absolute netting of rivers and lagoons. Kerala makes an exotic
abode for die-hard nature lovers a perfect tourist spot.
It is here that Kerala's most precious spices are grown in safe nourished
plantations: cardamom, pepper and nutmeg.
Historic Perspective
Kerala luxuriate in exotic geographical features with the Arabian Sea in
the west, the western Ghats elevated 500-2700 m in the east and networked by
44 rivers that have made it one of the most sought after tourist
destinations in Asia.
Kerala enjoys strong diversified influences of Chinese and Portuguese, Arab
and Dutch, in its art and architecture, in its people and its buildings. The
state's opulent cultural legacy is visible in a plenitude of religious
architectural stupefaction. A sojourn to splendid Hindu temples made
centuries ago, to Islamic mosques with Malabar gables and colonial
Portuguese Baroque churches, one will be left mesmerized seeing so much
diversification, a state so unique in itself and so sumptuous culturally.
The backwaters trips on the house boats, the bequest of ayurveda, the
marvelous beaches and the hill stations full of nature's brilliance are the
charms that make a tourist come here time and again.
Charms Of Kerala State
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Thiruvananthapuram the state capital of Kerala has a well formed
international airport and consists of some extraordinarily elegant museum
set in an amusement park and all the main official head quarters of Kerala
state. Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, and Padmanabhapuram
Palace, a short drive away, are important monuments.
Kovalam
Lying at a distance of 16 km is Kovalam, one of the most popular cities of
Kerala. The city is known world wild due to its some of the renowned
beaches. Kovalam beach is one of the prestigious beaches of India very
popular among foreign and domestic tourists. Visitors normally take a halt
at Kovalam, driving into Thiruvananthapuram for sightseeing trips.
Cochin
In the heart of Kerela lies Cochin, the city of excellent harbor a center
of seafaring trade for many centuries. The structures constructed along the
water's edge certify to the erstwhile presence of Dutch and Portuguese
pioneers. The rows of ancient Chinese fishing nets along the seashores
witness Kerala's trade with China. Another attraction of the city is a small
Jewtown, with its uniformly conserved churches, while Tripunathura, at the
other end of the city, has many traditional houses with central courtyards.
Backwater Journey
The backwater tours along the coastal lagoons provide a virtuous spectacle
of the captivating charm of ancient Kerala. Vembanad Lake is the largest
backwater stretch in Kerela that course through 3 towns and confluence into
the sea at the Kochi Port.
Alleppey
It is the hatchway to the interior waterways of Kerala. The kettuvallom a
traditional houseboat is becoming very popular among the tourist that takes
one through small canals passing paddy fields and villages giving a perfect
panoramic beauty. The visitors can enjoy the subliminal image of the amazing
rural life of Kerala. Backwater boat cruises are guided by Alleppey Tourism
Development Co-operative Society. Other major backwater stretches are
Vembanad Lake and Astamudi Lake. Around Allappuzha, Kollam and Koyalam
famous backwater tours are conducted.
Important cruises: Alleppey-Kottayam 29 km 3 and 1/2 hours,
Alleppey-Ernakulam (Alternate day's) 74 km 7 to 8 hours,
Alleppey-Champakulam 16 km 1 and 1/2 hours.
Prestigious Beaches of Kerala
Kerala nestling at the coast of Arabian Sea have some splendid beaches.
Kerela beaches are famous and are recognized for the yoga, transcendental
meditation and other health activities. The beaches are also boon for
adventure lovers as they offer diversify opportunities of yachting, diving
in deep waters or riding the motorboats.
Kovalam Beach
The palm periphery Kovalam beache, 12kms from Thiruvananthapuram, provide
an ideal beach holiday for the tourists. The beach consists of 3 adjoining
beaches- the southern most, known as the lighthouse beach, is the most
popular among the visitors.
The Shanghumukham Beach
The beach is 8km from Thiruvanthapuram and is nearest to the
Thiruvanathaputram airport. It is a desired rendezvous for sunset viewing. A
recreation club and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major
attractions here.
Varkala
Varka lies at 41 kms from Thiruvananthapuram City. It is famous for its
mineral springs and spa. Varkala is also significantly an important Hindu
center of pilgrimage, a 2000 year old Shree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the
nature care center are the great source of attractions among the visitors.
Somatheeram
Somatheeram is an ideal beach resort with ayurvedic facilities available
for all kind of ayurvedic treatments. All the year round the visitors
thronged the place.
Besides these, Kerala also has the beautiful beaches of Kappad and
Pallikere in Malabar, which have the charm of their own.
Ayurveda
in Kerela
Ayurvedic centers like hospitals, health resorts and Nature cure
Federations provide Ayurvedic treatments and recreational holidays all over
India.
Besides being an idle beach resort with its backwater attractions Kerela
also stock a natural recovering to your illness. The forests of Kerela
treasure the variable medicinal herbs that aided in flourishing of Ayurveda
in India. Kerala's tranquil weather, lush green forest and the cool pleasant
rainy season are best suited for Ayurveda's remedial and curative packages.
With having no side effects, Ayurveda is fast emerging as a natural cure for
various ailments and has received popularity throughout the world.
Kottackal Ayurvaidya Sala is a renowned center of Ayurvedaic treatment
worldwide.
Prime Treatments in Ayurveda: Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi, Vasthi, Sirovasthi
and Abhyangam are quite popular treatments.
Kerala A Wild Life Paradise
Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary
The Sanctuary at Thekkady is a major tourist attraction. It is the foremost
sanctuary for watching wild animals in their natural habitat and for
photographing.
Best Season: September to May
Distance: Thiruvananthapuram 272 kms by road Periyar to Cochin 190 kms,
Wildlife Attractions: Indian Wild Elephants, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild
Boar, Tigers Panthers, Wild Gogs, Bison, Spotted deer and Leopard.
Excursions
Kerala makes some of the excellent excursions to near by places. Amidst
thickly dense hills of Cochin are rubber and spice plantations, it is a 5
hour drive from Cochin. Another world of palm fringed waterways is a route
from Kottayam to Alleppey. Sailboats and tiny skiffs are used to transmit
coconuts and children to school are lovely sights on these backwaters.
Some of the other important excursions are- Calicut 448 kms, Cochin 223
kms, Kanyakumari 87 kms, Madurai 417 kms, Periyar 272 kms, Ponmudi 61 kms,
and Varkala 55 kms.
Festivities
Whole
Kerala emerges out to be totally new at the time of Onam celebration, with
lot of cultural activities and legendary boat races.
Boat race: Boat races are an exceptional charm of Kerala. The
popular snake boat race take places in the backwater of Kerala and is
organized to celebrate the harvest festival Onam. A perfect combination of
festival sprit and culture, an event not to be missed.
Christmas: All communities in kerala celebrate Christmas with equal
enthusiasm.
Getting around
By Air: Two international airports one at Thiruvananthapuram and
the other at Kochi connect Kerala to all the important cities. The nearest
airport is at Thiruvananthapuram. Air-India and Indian Airlines flights
connect the city to all the other major cities in India. Private Airlines:
Continental Airways operate flight to Thiruvananthapuram from Mumbai and
Goa.
By Rail: Thiruvananthapuram is directly connected by rail to all
the major cities in India.
By Road: Thiruvananthapuram is connected by regular bus services to
several parts of India. Important distances are: Cochin 223 kms, Kanyakumari
87 kms, Periyar 272 kms.
