Kerala

About Kerala :

Kerala, a state on India’s tropical Malabar Coast, has nearly 600km of Arabian Sea shoreline. It’s known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Inland are the Western Ghats, mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations as well as wildlife. National parks like Eravikulam and Periyar, plus Wayanad and other sanctuaries, are home to elephants, langur monkeys and tigers.

Notable bird sanctuaries include forested Thattekkad, and Kumarakom, which encompasses a lake. Near the coast, visitors can rent canoes, motorboats and houseboats to explore the weblike network of jungle backwaters. Beaches dot the seaside, from cliff-lined Varkala to bustling spots like Kovalam. Kerala’s many upscale seaside resorts include specialists in Ayurvedic treatments. Architectural highlights include Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, the site of elephant races that occur during a religious festival.

Destination:

1. Munnar
2. Thekkady
3. Kochi
4. Allepey
5. Kovalam
6. Kumarakom
7. Wayanad
8. Athirppilly

1. Munnar :

Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it’s surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Eravikulam National Park, a habitat for the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri tahr, is home to the Lakkam Waterfalls, hiking trails and 2,695m-tall Anamudi Peak.

The Tea Museum at the Nallathanni Estate presents the region’s history of tea production. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is an ecotourism site that protects numerous animal species. Northeast of town, Top Station is a 1,700m-high overlook and trekking site with views over the mountains. Fields of blue Neelakurinji flowers bloom there once every 12 years. En route to Top Station, reservoirs at Mattupetty Dam and Kundala Dam are popular for boating and picnicking. Aside from Lakkam, the region’s many picturesque waterfalls include Attukal and Chinnakanal.

2. Thekaddy : 

Thekkady is located about 257 km (160 mi) from Trivandrum, 141 km from Madurai City and Madurai Airport, 145 km from Cochin International Airport and 114 km from Kottayam railway station. Thekkady is located near to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 777 km² (300 sq mi), of which 360 km² (140 sq mi) is thick evergreen forest. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants, deer and bison that come down to drink in the lake. The sanctuary can be accessed through a trekking, boating or jeep safari.

3. Kochi :

Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India’s coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries.

St. Francis Church was the original site of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama’s burial when he died in Kochi in 1524. Santa Cruz Basilica is known for its pastel interior, including an imitation by Fra Antonio Moscheni of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Paradesi Synagogue, founded in 1568, features imported Chinese blue-and-white ceramic floor tiles. The surrounding quarter, once home to a large Jewish community, is now filled with antique shops and old spice warehouses. Mattancherry Palace built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later renovated by the Dutch, showcases vivid Hindu murals.

4. Alleypey :

Alappuzha (Alleppey) is known as ‘the Venice of the East’. Offering the best tourist places in Alleppey, this charming place is the hub of Kerala’s backwaters and is home to a huge network of backwaters and more than thousand houseboats. The houseboats you find in the backwaters of Alappuzha are in fact a reworked version of the Kettuvallams of olden times. Kettuvallam is a Malayalam word, ‘Kettu’, means living structures and ‘Vallom’ means boat. In the olden days, kettuvallam or boat with a thatched roof that covers over wooden hulls was used to carry tons of rice and spices.

The modern houseboats are equipped with all the comforts of a good hotel room like air conditioners, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. An uninterrupted view of life in the backwaters fringed with coconut trees can be enjoyed from a houseboat. A perfect place to unwind with its laidback canals and lush greenery. The Alappuzha beach with a 137-year-old pier extending into the sea and an old 17^th-century lighthouse built by the Portuguese add to the magic of the place. It is famous for its boat races, marine products, and coir industry.

So get ready to wander around this small but chaotic city center and bus-stand area, with its modest grid of canals. Head west to the beach or in practically any other direction towards the backwaters and Alleppey becomes elegant and greenery-fringed, waning into a watery world of hamlets, punted canoes, toddy shops and, of course, houseboats. Float along and gaze over paddy fields of succulent green, curvaceous rice barges and village life along the banks. Indeed, it is here that nature has spent upon the land her richest bounties.

5. Kovalam :

Kovalam is a small coastal town in the southern Indian state of Kerala, south of Thiruvananthapuram. At the southern end of Lighthouse Beach is a striped lighthouse with a viewing platform. Palm-backed beaches also include Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach. Heading south, Vizhinjam Juma Masjid mosque overlooks the busy fishing harbor. Inland, Sagarika MarineResearch Aquarium displays technology used in pearl production.

6. Kumarakom :

Kumarakom is a village on Vembanad Lake in the backwaters of Kerala, southern India. It’s laced with canals, where houseboats ply the waters. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to many species including cuckoos and Siberian storks. Nearby, the Bay Island Driftwood Museum displays wooden sculptures. In the lake, Pathiramanal Island is a haven for rare migratory birds. Ancient Thazhathangady Mosque is east of Kumarakom.

7. Wayanad :

Wayanad is a rural district in Kerala state, southwest India. In the east, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a lush, forested region with areas of high altitude, home to animals including Asiatic elephants, tigers, leopards and egrets. In the Ambukuthi Hills to the south, Edakkal Caves contain ancient petroglyphs, some dating back to the Neolithic age.

The town of Sultan Bathery is named after its nearby ancient Jain Temple, which was used as an ammunition battery, or armory, by Tipu Sultan’s army in the 18th century. Wayanad is also known for its trekking routes. The trail to the its highest peak, Chembra, passes a heart-shaped lake en route to the summit. In the district’s western area, Banasura Sagar Dam, built of huge stones and boulders, has created a massive reservoir. Surrounded by hills, the reservoir is dotted with small islands. Nearby, a jungle trek leads to the powerful Meenmutty Waterfalls, where water cascades over 3 steep tiers of rock.

8. Athirappilly :

Athirappilly is a first grade Grama Panchayath with 489.00 km² area in Chalakudy Taluk, Thrissur district in Kerala, India. It is located 60 km from Thrissur city, 70 km northeast of Kochi city, 55 km northeast of Cochin International Airport, and 30 km from Chalakudy town.

• Things to do in Kerala

1. Thekkady

Thekkady is the location of the Periyar National Park, which is an important tourist attraction in the Kerala state of India

2. Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is a 97 km² national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala in India. Situated between 10º05’N and 10º20′ north, and 77º0′ and 77º10′ east, it is the first national park in Kerala.

3. Athirappilly Falls

Athirappilly Falls, is situated in Athirappilly Panchayat in Chalakudy Taluk of Thrissur District in Kerala, India on the Chalakudy River, which originates from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges. It is the largest waterfall in Kerala, which stands tall at 80 feet.

4. Fort Kochi

A charming seaside area, Fort Kochi is known for its Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial architecture, and elaborate bamboo fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach. St. Francis Church was the original burial site of explorer Vasco da Gama. Upscale eateries and chic cafes serve Keralan specialties, and quaint shops sell cotton clothing and handmade souvenirs. Heritage buildings house contemporary art galleries.

5. Mattupetty Day

Mattupetty Dam, near Munnar in Idukki District, is a storage Concrete Gravity dam built in the mountains of Kerala, India to conserve water for hydroelectricity. It has been a vital source of power yielding along with other such dams, huge revenue to the states.

6. Varkala Beach

Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasham Beach is a beach in Varkala municipality of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, along the Arabian Sea, part of the Indian Ocean. The word Papanasham means wash away sins. It is believed that a dip in the waters of Papanasham Beach washes away all the sins in one’s life.

7. Vembanad Lake

Vembanad is the longest lake in India, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Vembanadu Lake in Kottayam, Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad and Kochi Lake in Kochi.

8. Periyar River

Periyar is the longest river and the river with the largest discharge potential in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the few perennial rivers in the region and provides drinking water for several major towns. The Periyar is of utmost significance to the economy of Kerala.

9. Cherai Beach Kerala

Cherai Beach is a beach located in Cherai, a suburb of the city Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. One of the most visited beaches in the state, it is situated at around 25 km from downtown Kochi and 20 km from Cochin International Airport.

10. Anamudi

Anamudi is a mountain located in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and South India, at an elevation of 2,695 metres and a topographic prominence of 2,479 metres. It lies on the border of Devikulam Taluk, Idukki district and Kothamangalam Taluk, Ernakulam district.

Tourism in Kerala :

Kerala, a state situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives and beautiful backwaters. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, have made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Growing at a rate of 13.31%, the tourism industry is a major contributor to the state’s economy.

Until the early 1980s, Kerala was a relatively unknown destination, with most tourism circuits concentrated around the north of the country. Aggressive marketing campaigns launched by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation—the government agency that oversees tourism prospects of the state—laid the foundation for the growth of the tourism industry. In the decades that followed, Kerala Tourism was able to transform itself into one of the niche holiday destinations in India. The tag line Kerala – God’s Own Country was adopted in its tourism promotions and became a global superbrand. Kerala is regarded as one of the destinations with the highest brand recall. In 2010, Kerala attracted 660,000 foreign tourist arrivals.

Kerala is an established destination for both domestic as well as foreign tourists. Kerala is well known for its beaches, backwaters in Alappuzha and Kollam, mountain ranges and wildlife sanctuaries. Other popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Varkala, Kollam and Kappad; backwater tourism and lake resorts around Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam; hill stations and resorts at Munnar, Wayanad, Nelliampathi, Vagamon and Ponmudi; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar, Parambikulam and Eravikulam National Park. The “backwaters” region—an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam, also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace, Hill Palace, and Mattancherry Palace, are also visited. The city of Kochi ranks first in the total number of international and domestic tourists in Kerala. To further promote tourism in Kerala, the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival was started by the Government of Kerala in 2007. Since then it has been held every year during the December–January period.

The state’s tourism agenda promotes ecologically sustained tourism, which focuses on the local culture, wilderness adventures, volunteering and personal growth of the local population. Efforts are taken to minimise the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people.

Food of  Kerala :

Kerala is the land of exotic spices, so do not be surprised by the spicy curries and dishes of this state. Kerala cuisine is a blend of both vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes but spiciness and taste assuring that it lingers long in your mind. Along with the spicy curries and biriyanis there are desserts like payasam, halwa of different varieties. What more to say? There is even a street in Kozhikode district named ‘Mittayi theruvu’, meaning Sweet Street with hundreds of shops selling all kinds of sweets including the famous Kozhikode halwa in various flavours and textures.

Breakfast is grand in Kerala cuisine; there are dishes like appam, idiyappam, dosa, puttu, pathiri and many more for breakfast that goes along with any vegetarian and non vegetarian curries. Tea is important for malayalees they take a cup of tea two times a day at morning and evening. Major staple food of Keralites is rice; a bed of rice is what they have for lunch or dinner any curries, side dishes and fries are accompanied with it.

Main component of all savory dishes would be coconut which is added as grated, chopped, grinded and as coconut milk, this is of no wonder from the rich wealth of coconut trees in Kerala. Another special mention is the curry leaves, goes into all the major dishes the scent of these leaves will give that Kerala touch to any dishes. Turmeric, Tamarind, Cumins, Fenugreek are all the exotic ingredients added in the Kerala dishes giving it the punch of spiciness to form balanced curries.

In Kerala, not all the restaurants might have attractive interiors and lighting but ask around the locals to choose a place where they serve tasty food and give it a try. The dishes are mainly served on banana leaf usually should be ate using hands, just go with it and trust the age old cuisine for nothing will go wrong.

Best time to visit Kerala?

There are three distinct seasons in Kerala and all these seasons are suitable for visit based on why you are visiting Kerala:

1. Peak Seasonfrom September to March when the climate is cool and comfortable and the best time to visit for a holiday in Kerala
2. Off seasonin Kerala which is the hot, humid summer season from April to May.
3. Monsoon Season from June to August suitable for Ayurveda with rains intermittently

Kerala is actually a very rainy state, which no doubt contributes to its lush greenery. Rain is commonly received during nine months of the year there and monsoons in Kerala starts from June.

Kerala serves as a welcoming haven for tourists in search of culture, backwaters and seaside respite. As with any destination, determining the good time to travel to Kerala depends on a wide variety of factors, including the personal preferences of individual visitors. For Eg- Most families find that the best time to visit Kerala is from September to March which is the peak season in Kerala while people who are looking for ayurvedic treatments prefer monsoon season from June to August , the best time at which the weather is cool and comfortable for ayurveda treatment .

What is Kerala famous for?

Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler,Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives and beautiful backwaters. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, have madeKerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Climate

Compared to other Indian states, Kerala lies closer to the equator. Yet Kerala is bestowed with a pleasant and equable climate through out the year. This is because of the land’s nearness to the sea and the presence of the fort like Western Ghats on the east. Kerala would have been a dry land because of the dry winds blowing from the north, but for the Western Ghats which prevent this wind from entering the land. Kerala receives copious rain (average 3000 mm a year )each year. The temperature in Kerala normally ranges from 28° to 32° C (82° to 90° F) on the plains but drops to about 20° C (68° F) in the highlands. The Highlands of Kerala, which is an area of major tourist attraction, enjoys a cool and invigorating climate the year-round . Owing to its diversity in geographical features, the climatic condition in Kerala is diverse. It can be divided into 4 seasons – Winter, Summer, South-West Monsoon and North-East Monsoon.

Transport

Kerala is known for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. A wide and well connected network of roads ensures that this diversity doesn’t hinder the comfort of local people and tourists. Being a popular tourist destination, there are facilities of luxury coaches and tourist taxis for visitors. Apart from roadways, ferry boat and railways are the other important modes of transport in Kerala. Ferries are the best way to enjoy pleasure rides while seeing the breathtaking views of backwaters of Kerala.

Taxi
Taxis are the best way of covering short distances in Kerala. Taxies generally include cars like Ambassadors and Tata Indica. Cars are also available on rent. The cabs can be helpful in enjoying the scenic natural beauty of the state. These taxi services can be expensive, but would definitely offer great comfort and luxury to travel on the roads of Kerala.

Auto Rickshaw
Auto rickshaws are integral part of the local transportation system of Kerala. There are plenty of auto rickshaws available in the state. The three-wheeler rickshaws are great in traveling around the cities and towns. Compared to taxis, autos are cheaper for short routes.

Local Buses
There is large fleet of buses belonging to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). Private bus operators also offer easy and cheap transportation between cities and towns within the state as well as the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Buses are available at regular intervals. There are facilities of air-conditioned Volvo buses available in the metro cities of Kerala.

Railways
There is a well connected network of passenger trains connecting major cities across the state of Kerala. Express trains are also available, but only from major stations. Railways connectivity is better in the southern side as compared to the northern region.

Airways
Kerala has considerable number of airports, which connect it with other major cities of the country. The major airports of Kerala are located in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum International Airport), Cochin (Nedumbassery Airport) and Kozhikode (Calicut International Airport).

Ferry Boat
Being a coastal state, many cities in Kerala also use ferries and boats for transportation. There are nearly 16 ports in the state, of which Kochi is the most important port. Inland water system is available in the coastal districts, including Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam.