Kerala is an enchanting kaleidoscope full of breathtaking surprises. It is a small strip of land sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the mighty mountains of the Western Ghats. Kerala State was formed on 1st November 1956, with Thiruvanthapuram its capital city. Kerala is gifted with exotic ingredients-For beach lovers, the choice of beaches are many where you can swim and surf on peaceful beaches. If you are Nature lover, cool high mountains, boating through the silent lake, a walk through plantation are waiting for you. Kerala, the land of lagoons, long stretches of lush vegetation, wildlife sanctuaries, cool enchanting backwaters and so on makes it a perfect vacation paradise.
Apart from exotic scenery, Kerala is famous for its colourful festivals and events. The Nehru Boat Race held at Alappuzha has attained popularity all over the world. Onam is the most important festival of Kerala; children go around collecting flowers for the decoration in front of their house. It’s an occasion for family get-together for the Keralites.
Kerala has enriched the cultural heritage of India in the field of Arts, Music and Dance. Kathakali is the famous classical dance drama of Kerala. The Ayurvedic treatment and yoga are the added attractions of Kerala. Soak your soul and mind in the ecstasy of celestial blessing of nature, rejuvenate your body and mind.
Keralas tempting cuisine is mildly flavoured and gently cooked. The breakfast menu starts with pootu, dosa, idilli, palappam etc. For lunch the items are served on banana leaf starting with rice, sambar, pachadi, aviyal, pickles, pappad and so on. Desserts (Payasam) are essential part of the meal. Payasams are thick fluid made of milk, coconut milk, nuts and raisins. No lunch is complete without having a banana.
Kerala is an ideal place for shopping. You can take home ivory carvings, eye-catching handloom sarees, gold ornaments, spices etc. The handicrafts of Kerala are known for the unique style. Kerala is also a busy exporting factor of tea, rubber, cardamom, coffee, and cashew nuts. No wonder Kerala is known to be God's Own Country.
TOUR DESTINATIONS
ALLEPPEY : Built in the 9th century AD, Alleppey, called Alappuzha lies on the edge of the great Ashtamudi Lake. With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast labyrinth of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater rivers criss-crossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Related to the Venice of the East by travellers from around the world, this Backwater Country is also home to diverse range of animals and birds. It has always been honored a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala for its proximity to the sea. Alleppey has earned fame in the commercial world as the world's premier supplier of coir.
Today, Alleppey has emerged as a Backwater Tourist Centre, beckoning thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alleppey is also famous for its Boat races, Houseboat Holidays, Beaches, Marine Products and Coir Industry. Every year, during August-September, Alleppey wakes up to the pulsating Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race, a water sport unique to Kerala.
COCHIN : Originally built by the Portuguese, Kochi (Cochin) has a natural harbor with lagoons and canals and fishing hamlets. Kochi (Cochin), the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is situated on the west coast of India in the beautiful state of Kerala. Kochi can be regarded as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. Kochi is the most important city in Kerala. It is the second most important city (after Mumbai) on the western coast of India.
THEKKADY :Thekkady in the south Indian state of Kerala is one very appealing town of India with vast forest areas and some finest nature views. The very sound of the word Thekkady recollects images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. Periyar forest in Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are bewitching plantations and captivating hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
MUNNAR : Munnar is a beautiful hill station covered with endless stretches of tea plantations and is 133 kms from Cochin, with an altitude ranging between 1600 & 1800 mtrs above sea level. Munnar boasts of the highest peak in south India 'Anamundi' rising about 2695 mtrs high. Munnar was the favourite summer resort of European settlers for centuries. The name 'Munnar' means 'Three Rivers' and they are actually three mountain stream, Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, confluence at the heart of the town, meeting all the water requirements of the settlers and visitors. Dense forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and major cash crop plantations dominate most of this region. Munnar abounds in animals like elephants and Nilgiri Tahrs and rich biodiversity teeming with flora and fauna. Among the exotic flora found in the forests here is the "Neela Kurinji", a flower which bathes the hills in blue every 12 years, will bloom next in 2018 A.D.
VARKALA : Varkala is a seaside resort and spa. Its is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. According to a myth saga Narada was approached by a group of mendicants who confessed to having sinned .Narada threw his valkkalam (cloth made of the bark of a tree) into the air and the place where it landed was subsequently named Varkala.The mendicants were directed by Narada to offer their prayers in the newly created place by the seashore. The place where they prayed for redemption came to be known as the Papanasham Beach (Papanasham means redemption from sins).The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple is on beach road. The specialty of this temple is that there is a huge banyan tree and shrines. To visit Varkala is to see cliffs, sunset and relaxing in beach.
TRIVANDRUM : Also known as Tiruvananthapuram, the seaside capital of Kerala state, Trivandrum is surrounded by numerous hills and hilloks on which stand building and parks. Trivandrum literally means the 'Holy city of Ananta' and is a city of magnificient buildings of ancient and modern Architecture. Trivandrum is one of the most beautiful cities of India. Perched on undulating terrain of low coastal hills near the southern edge of the Indian mainland, clean and green Trivandrum, is an ancient city with trading tradition dating back to 1000 BC.
KOVALAM : Kovalam is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum, Kerala's capital city. Kovalam is an evergreen and pleasant climatic beach resort. It is a dreamy place for tourists all over the world. Today Kovalam beach is known as the "Paradise of the South". Kovalam is India's one of the best beaches for the travelers in the south of India. It consists of a number of small, palm fringed bays separated by Rocky Headlands. Kovalam is endowed with unusual beauty. The sheltered beach is ideal for sea bathing and is safe even during the toughest weather. The scenery around is enchanting and the drive to the beach through palm groups, refreshing. Ayurvedic massage parlours, yoga centers and water sport facilities, makes Kovalam a popular haven for tourists from all over the globe.