Welcome to Kerala, God's Own Country.
Kerala is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India. Nicknamed as one of the "10 paradises of the world" by the National Geographic traveller, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, has made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. With the Arabian Sea on the west, the western ghats towering 500 2700m on the east and Kerala is networked by fortyfour rivers. Kerala is a very easy place to simply sit back and enjoy. The name means "land of coconuts" and the palms shade nearly the entire state from the tropical sun; many call the beach at Kovalam the best in India, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush green hill stations and exotic wildlife, ayurvedic health resorts, enchanting art forms, magical festivals, historic and cultural monuments, an exotic cuisine… all of which offers a unique experience.With the Arabian Sea on the west, the western ghats towering 500 2700m on the east and Kerala is networked by fortyfour rivers. Kerala is a very easy place to simply sit back and enjoy. The name means "land of coconuts" and the palms shade nearly the entire state from the tropical sun; many call the beach at Kovalam the best in India, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush green hill stations and exotic wildlife, ayurvedic health resorts, enchanting art forms, magical festivals, historic and cultural monuments, an exotic cuisine… all of which offers a unique experience. Popularly visited attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai and Varkala, the hill stations of Munnar, Nelliampathi, and Ponmudi, and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries such as Periyar and Eravikulam National Park. The "backwaters" region — an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that center on Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Punnamada — also see heavy tourist traffic. Food
Most restaurants, coffee shops, eateries or cafes offer a Cosmopolitan fare for Chinese, Continental, Indian or American. You can find many who specialize in Kerala Delicacies.
Clothing
Ideally light cottons. However the cooler hill stations may warrant woolens.
Communication
Kerala has a wellknit communications network. With telephone, fax and Internet centers in almost every corner. Enabling you to get in touch with any part of the world easily.
Religion
58 % Hindu, 21 % Muslim and 21 % Christians.
Places of Tourist Interest
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Ernakulam (Cochin)
Idukki
Kottayam
Kollam
Palakkad
Thrissur
Trivandrum
Kozhikode (Calicut)
Festivals & Events
In God's Own Country, there is hardly a month without an occasion to celebrate, where the myriad facets of its culture and traditions are displayed through various forms of immaculate expressions.
One can witness Kerala's unique colors during the festival of Onam, feel the captivating rhythm and speed of the Snake Boat Race or the Panchavadyam, capture the motion and feminine charm of Thiruvathira dance, or you may even fill heart with the ethereal display of light and sound during the Thrissur Pooram.
When to Go
The best time to visit Kerala is during December to May.
How to Reach
By Air: The International airports at Thiruvananthapuram , Kochi (Cochin) & Kozhikode facilitate easy access by air. Direct flights operate from Singapore, Colombo, Maldives, Kuwait, Muscat, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha and Bahrain. By Rail: All major tourist destinations and important cities of India are wellconnected by rail to Kerala. Interesting Fact
Have you ever gone houseboat cruising on the backwaters of Kerala? If you haven’t, make sure you do. This one’s really an absolutely wonderful, unforgettable experience!
The houseboats of today huge, slow moving, exotic barge used for leisure trips are the reworked kettuvalloms of olden times. The original kettuvalloms were used to carry tonnes of rice and spices a standard kettuvallom can hold up to 30 tonnes from Kuttanad to the Kochi port.
The kettuvallam or ‘boat with knots’ was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only not even a single nail is used during the construction. The boat is made of planks of jackwood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallom can last for generations.
Write about Kerala
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