Know Kerala   KERALA, the tourists paradise- better  known as Gods Own Country, is currently the most sought after tourist destination in the Asian continent. This tiny state at the south-west of India , well guarded   by  the Arabian  sea in the West and   Western Ghats towering 2500 meters (8250 feet) in the East , enjoys unique geographical features . An equable climate most cherished by the tourists, Kerala is identified with  beautiful beaches and the incessant blue waves embracing the silver sands ,green groves of coconut palm trees,  winding roads leading to mist clad  hill stations and  exotic wild life and above all  a tranquil stretch of backwaters. The State is divided into three regions - the coastal lowlands, the fertile midlands and the highlands. The lowlands of Kerala are networked by endless backwaters and the deltas of forty-four rivers. The midlands are rich with cashew, coconut, arecanut, tapioca, banana, ginger, pepper , cardamom , sugarcane and vegetable plantations apart from abundant  paddy fields producing rice.  The forested highlands grow cash crops like rubber, tea, coffee , spice plantations and have wildlife reserves.        Kerala with Trivandrum as capital, has an area of 38863 sq km and a population of 318386190 . The local language is Malayalam.

Important Festivals/Things/Places

Onam: Onam, the national festival of Kerala, is held during  August-September every year. Kerala folk  celebrate  Onam to   welcome the legendary king Mahabali, who returns to see the welfare of his beloved people, after being banished from Earth by Vamana, an incarnation of Vishnu. The celebration lasts for three days:  decorations with refreshing flower arrangements (Pookkalam) are made in front of each house , gifts of new clothes are exchanged and a grand feast is prepared on Onam days, with traditional dishes and sweets. Cultural dances performed include Kathakali and Mohiniattam .Snake boat race, a popular tourist event is held every year during Onam at Alleppey.

Snakeboatrace The races of the giant snake boats or Chundanvalloms, which carry more than  100 rowers,4-5 amarakkarans (controllers with longer oars) at the end of the boat and 4-5 cheering Nilakkars (cheering  mates of the clubs) as they compete against teams from neighboring villages, are a thrilling sight to watch. The Nehru trophy boat race at Alleppey  happens every year on the second Saturday of August in the serene backwaters of Alleppey.  The chants of the oarsmen as they row in rhythm, the cheers of the crowd and the spirit of competition make for an unforgettable and exciting Onam event.

Thrissurpooram Thrissur Pooram, a two-centuries old temple festival , is indeed a colorful and vibrant show of culture known for its unique pomp and pageantry. Celebrated in the month of Medom (April-May)every year, it consists of processions of richly caparisoned elephants from various neighbouring temples to the Vadakumnathan temple, Thrissur. It is both an intense religious event and a colorful tourist attraction in Kerala . This 36 hours marathon event of incredible beauty is a feast for the eye and the ear, unfolding between 6 a.m. to noon the next day. The Pooram Festival is celebrated by two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissur Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi . Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and all out efforts are made by each party to secure the best elephants and the most artistic parasols, several kinds of which are raised on the elephants during the display. One will be spellbound to see a wide array of elephants accompanied by the fabulous performances by musicians and percussion artists. The marvelous as well as magical effect of the Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments is to be felt and enjoyed. T he procession of the Thiruvambadi Pooram to the grounds of Vadakkumnatha Templeand back is not only important, but also quite enlivening. The Pooram Festival is also known for a grand display of fireworks in the night.

Traditional Dances Kerala has evolved from very ancient days its typical dance forms, which are highly expressive of the way of living and the outlook of its people.   (1)  Mohiniyattam : is a typical dance form of Kerala which has had a chequered history. Literally it means the dances of the enchantress. Mohiniyattam, even the costumes and the make up having a distinctiveness of their own. In fact, Mohiniyattam as a dance form has been developed in Kalamandalam to such a perfection as to attract the attention of students and teachers of art from other parts of India and even abroad.   (2) Kathakali : Another Classical Dance of Kerala Kathakali is the most refined and the most scientific and elaborately defined dance drama of Kerala. The stories are selected from epics and mythologies and the actor expresses himself through mime, hand gesture, eye movements and highly complicated steps. Kathakali is a unique combination of the insight of an actor, dancer, singer, drummer, sculptor, designer and dreamer

Wild Life Sanctuary Thekkedy Thekkady, is one of the most   fascinating tourist destinations in Kerala. The journey to Thekkady itself is quite enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, green plantations and thick jungles  The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hill and spice scented plantations. One can experience the most enchanting holiday in the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats  The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary at Thekkady is a 777 sq. km reserve on the western slopes of the Western Ghats  is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district with picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. It is a pleasant place to escape from the madding crowds of the cities and towns and a beautiful  place to enjoy a jungle walk with an opportunity to see the wild animals . Worth mentioning  among the denizens of Periyar are the tigers, the majestic Asiatic wild elephants and the distinctive Nilgiri langur. Other animals include the wild boar, wild dog, bison, bear and leopards. Amongst the avifauna, the most profuse are herons, egrets, darters, kingfishers and the great Malabar grey hornbill. A cruise through the waters of Periyar lake around which the wild -life sanctuary is situated, offers a  enchanting experience. A study of the Periyar Tiger Reserve conducted by the Kerala Forest Research Institute has revealed the richness of diversity of the park. The reserve was found to have some 1965 species of plants signifying that it is easily among the richest areas in plant variety in the world. A parallel could be drawn only with the Agasthyamala region where 3800 species of plants were recorded. The high degree of endemism exhibited by the Reserve makes it all the more important from the point of view of bio-diversity conservation. About 150 species of plants, which have been placed under various threat categories by the World Conservation Union, have been identified from the Reserve. The park encompasses a 26 Sq. KM artificial lake created by the British in1895. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between September and May.

Beaches If you want to enjoy a vacation in a beach without being deluged by crowds, the beaches in Kerala are the perfect choice. Kerala with its 600km (375 miles) long shoreline is blessed with some of the most beautiful and unexploited beaches of the world. Dotted with coconut palms and the world's most famous natural harbors, coves and lagoons, it makes for an enchanted getaway. Beach Holidays covering Kovalam beach, Varkala Beach, Alleppey Beach would be a wonderful experience .

Kovalam The name Kovalam is synonymous with coconut trees. Kovalam , the Paradise of the south with its shallow sea and calm bay of blue waters offers an excellent tourism environment for swimming as well as for  leisure..Kovalam Beach comprises of three successive small crescent beaches. The southern most one known as Lighthouse Beach , is where most of the visitors spend their time. The middle beach  called Eves beach also called Hawah beach acts as a base for the local fishermen engaged in fishing. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times. It is dotted with few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels.  The palm-fringed bays of Kovalam in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The unforgettable image of Kovalam is that of the coconut-palms-lined high rock promontory that cuddles the calm and wide expanse of the blue waters. Kovalams scenic beauty and serenity is supplemented by availability of beautiful accommodation   Varkala   The Varkala beach located on the shores of Arabian sea offers a magnificent view of sunrise and sunset. This secluded beach known as Papanashini beach, is a beautiful picnic spot.  The High cliffs with mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline giving the visitors a spectacular view. The best time to visit the beach is when the beach extends up to the very cliff face giving an additional 500 meters (1650 feet) of serene beach space. This happens during the months of December/ January/February.There is a mineral water spring near the beach which is believed to have medicinal properties.

Backwaters Kerala lies in its backwaters that are unique in the entire world. The coastal regions of Kerala have a network of waterways, inlets from the sea, estuaries of over forty four rivers, lakes and natural canals connecting the coastal towns. This interlinked body of waterways is known as the backwaters of Kerala. Over 900 Km (560 miles) of the Kerala backwaters are navigable and have been used for centuries by the local people for transportation.                      The backwaters of Kerala have a unique ecosystem - freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea in the backwaters in Kerala. Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters in Kerala. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the Kerala backwaters, providing a green colour to the surrounding landscape.                   The backwaters in Kerala are the source of the local people's livelihood. The    occupations of the people are boat building, prawn cultivation, sand mining, coir manufacture, limestone collection (by the specialist divers), rice farming and duck rearing. The fish caught from its waters, the paddy, coconut and other crops harvested along its banks, the boats they build and use to transport them across the labyrinthine backwaters in Kerala, are all an integral part of their traditional way of life. Some of the scenic  backwater destinations that one can see on Kerala tour  are Kumarakom, Alleppey and Cochin.

HOUSE BOAT CRUISE IN THE BACKWATERS Kumarakom                                                                                                   Kumarakom, situated on the banks of beautiful Vembanad Lake , a beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and lagoon fringed by coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals, has blossomed into  a beautiful backwater holiday destination for nature lovers and has become an icon of Kerala tourism. Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the Karimeen (Pearl Spotted Fish) and the Chemmeen (Shrimp), which are the most favored sea food items for the tourists. Kumarakom is also a habitat to several migratory birds which are attracted by the availability of a safe nesting area provided by the trees and  ample food and clean water  delivered by the Vembanad Lake . The exclusive attraction  is therefore   the Bird Sanctuary which spans 14 acres (57,000 Sq. meters) where one can spot several  avian species such as water ducks ,cuckoos and migratory Siberian storks.     The  scenic beauty of the waterways, the bird sanctuary and the resorts along the backwaters providing beautiful accommodation and exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing ,angling and swimming that are truly exhilarating, make Kumarakom one of the most beautiful sought after Kerala backwater destinations.              One can enjoy the backwaters of Kumarakom sailing in the local houseboats called Kettuvallam which are unique to Kerala.     Allepey                                                                         Hailed as the Venice of the East, Alleppey with its rich heritage is the nerve center of backwater tourism in Kerala.   With the Arabian sea in the west and a vast network of of lakes, lagoons, and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it , Alleppey is a place of immense natural beauty .Alleppey is a center of coir industry, the coir workers present an interesting sight as they soak coconut fibre in pools, beat them hard, extract the strands and wind them on long spindles stretched between coconut trees  to form coir.   Alleppey is famous for its Snake Boat race held during Onam to compete for Nehru trophy instituted by late Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Large snake boats called Chundanvalloms propelled by  teams of 100 oarsmen rowing their snake boats, their bodies swaying in unison to the rhythm of throat-slicing singing, is one of the most exhilarating water sports of the country.   A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad.  This land of lush paddy fields characterized by green landscape is called the Rice Bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Cochin                                                                                                                Cochin , a vibrant city on the south-west coast is the most visited Kerala backwater destination .From time immemorial, Cochin is known as the Queen of Arabian sea.   It is a historic place where many colonial rulers of the past have left their  impressions. The Portuguese led by Vasco da Gama arrived here in 1502 and later the Dutch and the British. The descendants of the Jews who arrived in ancient days still live here ..Over the years Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. This historic port city is known for its natural harbor .Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin ,   Mattancherry Palace built by the Dutch , St Francis Church and the Chinese Fishing Nets are the popular tourist attractions .   Synagogue:This is one of the oldest synagogues in Asia  built at   Mattancheri near Cochin . This historic synagogue was built by a thriving Jewish community in 1568 A.D. Also known as the Paradesi synagogue or Foreign Synagogue, it was later rebuilt by Dutch after it was partially destroyed in the war of 1662 AD. Now the community has dwindled in numbers, however the synagogue is beautifully preserved. One can see the religious scrolls of the original Old Testament and the beautiful hand-painted tiles from China , which decorate the synagogue.   Dutch Palace : Situated on an island off the coast of Cochin , and accessible by boat, the palace was built by the Dutch in 1744. Previously used as the residence of the Governor by the Dutch and the British, the palace is now a heritage hotel in Cochin and is famous for its canopied garden.   St Francis Church: This Portuguese church is the first European church to be built in India . Vasco do Gama, the Portuguese explorer was laid to rest here in 1524. Later his body was moved to Portugal . His sepulchre can be seen in this historic church. Chinese Fishing Nets in Cochin Harbor : The fishing nets in Cochin harbor are a beautiful sight. Suspended from a wooden framework these cobweb-like structures form a delicate silhouette as the sunset paints the twilight sky in shades of ochre and crimson.

Forest and Wild life Hill Stations Holidays Much of Kerala's exotic appeal is centered in the highland area of the Western Ghats . Rising to an average height of 1520 meters (5000 feet), the tropical forests of the Ghats house rich flora and fauna. Much of the highland area of the Western Ghats is enviable for its serene and tranquil surroundings, wonderful treks, aromatic plantations of tea, coffee, rubber and fragrant cardamom and  tropical forests.The major hill stations are Munnar, Devikulam, Wagamon,Peermade, Pothamede etc.

Journey through hill stations   MUNNAR                                                                                               Munnar, the most popular hill station in India is located at a height of 1800meters(6000 feet) above sea level. Known for its cool climate and tea plantations, this serene and tranqueled hill station houses many colonial bungalows, tea factories, wild life sanctuaries, lakes etc, and was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile  British rulers in the colonial days. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three main streams- Mudrapuzha, Nalathanee, and Kundala. Sprawling tea plantations, winding roads, beautiful bungalows make this a popular hill station attraction. The tourist is greeted with miles and miles of unending tea plantations with aroma of fresh tea on entering into Munnar. These hills are famous for the blue flowers of Neelakuringee that  blossoms once in 12 years. The last time  this occurred was  in 2006.   DEVIKULAM                                                                                         Located 15 K Mts. (10 miles)  south west of Munnar, this beautiful hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain breeze offers a rare experience to tourists.  An irresistible display of natural greenery, the slope of Devikulam accent to almost 1000 meters (3300 feet) adorned with  silent clusters of tender red and blue gum trees .   WAGAMON                                                                                           Nestling in a sweep of verdant hills, tea plantations and picturesque  valleys, Wagamon situated at an elevation of 1100 meters(3600 feet)above sea level is also a trekkers delight. A stunningly beautiful stretch of gentle hills, valleys, waterfalls, beautiful meadows and tea gardens make this place an attractive tourist location.   PEERMADE Peermade is on the way to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This pleasant hill station was once the summer retreat of the Maharajas of Travancore. Here you will find sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber and eucalyptus plantations side by side with natural grasslands and pine forests POTHAMEDU  Pothamedu,   one of the major plantation hubs of Munnar offers an  excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks.