KERALA

Caressed by the Arabian Sea on the western side and the misty mountains of the Western Ghats in the east, Kerala with rich diversity in nature, culture and lifestyle, enjoys a unique position among the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. Lush green coconut groves, sunny beaches, labyrinthine backwaters, spice gardens of the higher ranges and stunning colors of an ancient culture - all promise to give the visitor a mesmerizing and ever cherished experience of life.

In 1956, when the states were reorganized, Kerala was formed after tying the princely states of Travancore and Cochin with Malabar, a province under Madras state. Kerala is a 560-km long, narrow stretch of land. At the widest, Kerala is a mere 120 kms from the sea to the mountains. Travelling from one end to the other, one can witness the rare spectacle of the long and almost uninterrupted coastline merging effortlessly into velvety paddy fields, lush palm groves and to the mighty heights of the Western Ghats. Kerala may be divided into three geographical regions; Highlands, Midlands and Lowlands. The Highlands slope down from the Western Ghats which rise to an average height of 900 m, with a number of peaks well over 1,800 m in height. This is the area of major plantations like tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom and other spices. The Midlands, lying between the mountains and the lowlands is made up of undulating hills and valleys. This is an area of intensive cultivation. Cashew, coconut, areca nut, cassava (tapioca), banana, rice, ginger, pepper, sugarcane and vegetables of myriad varieties are grown in this area. The Lowlands or the coastal area, made up of river deltas, backwaters and the Arabian Sea coast, is essentially a land of coconuts and rice. Fisheries and coir industry constitute the major industries of this area.

According to legends, sage Parashurama, reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, reclaimed this narrow stretch of land from the Sea-God, Varuna. Parashurama then donated the entire area to Brahmins (priests) as display of repentance for killing the Kshatriyas (ruling class) in long drawn battles throughout his life. This mythological story has some historical truth in it. Scientific evidence suggests that the land was indeed under the sea till a few centuries ago. Some historians believe that Parashurama was a sage from the Indus Valley Civilization and had brought Brahmins from the Godavari basin and settled them in Kerala before he himself renounced the world. Parashurama also established Sastha temples and Bhagawathi temples on the higher ranges and coastal areas of the state, respectively, for protecting the land and its people. The most famous among the Sastha temples, is the hill shrine of Sabarimala in central Kerala.

Kerala has only 1.1 8 per cent of the total area of the country but houses 3.43% of the country's population. It has an area of 38,863 sq. kms, divided into 14 districts for administrative reasons. The capital is Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and the language is Malayalam, which originated from Sanskrit and Tamil. The social life and customs are deep rooted in the age-old traditions, yet Kerala has come up as one of the most advanced and progressive states of India. Each district has distinct social characteristics and cultural manifestations.

Kerala has over 25% of India's 15,000 plant species. Among them include endangered and rare species, flowering plants, fungi, lichens and mosses. The state's forest wealth includes tropical wet evergreen, semi-green, tropical and deciduous. Teak, Mahogany, Rosewood and Sandalwood are common. The forests abound with orchids, anthirium, balsam, and medicinal plants, banyan figs, bamboo as well as 40,000 years old grasslands. Mangroves are seen in coastal areas and low morass lands. So fertile is the state, thanks to rivers and dams that are replenished by copious rain in the Western Ghats. Kerala is an enchantingly beautiful, emerald green land, flanked by the Western Ghats on one side, the Arabian Sea on the other, and strewn with rivers, lagoons, backwaters and rich vegetation in between.

For tourists, Kerala offers Nature on a platter. Sandy beaches of Kovalam, blue lagoons at Veli, hill stations at Ponmudi and Munnar, backwaters of Kollam and Alappuzha, green plantations in the high ranges, wildlife, high mountain peaks, picturesque valleys, magnificent forts and intricately decorated temples - whatever one can ask for.

KOCHI (COCHIN)

One of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi, earlier known as Cochin, has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings and structures representing different regions of the world. A city of peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala’s commercial hub. In Cochin, it is very common to see a Mercedes Benz and a temple elephant waiting patiently at the same traffic light. It is an extraordinary blend of two quite disparate cultural traits.

Foreign influences in Cochin provide an interesting study. In the backwaters one may glimpse a fisherman wearing a Chinese conical hat; around the harbour are traditional Dutch buildings; Malayalam hymns emanate from Portuguese churches. Cochin consists of mainland Ernakulam, the manmade island of Willingdon and natural island of Bolgatty Vypeen Ramanthuruth Vallarpodam and Gundeu. Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern peninsula, and Vypeen island north of fort Cochin, are all linked by ferry.

Cochin has eccentricities inherent in its nature, like a circular Hindu temple (of a kind not seen outside Kerala). There is a Jewish synagogue here, built in 1568. Surrounding the synagogue is a Jew town, the city’s nerve center for its all important spice trade. And there is Fort Cochin, said to be the oldest European settlement in India. Alleppey, the center for the annually staged Nehru boat races, is only 64 km away. Cochin is also a springboard for travelling to the Lakshadweep Islands.



BEACHES OF KERALA

Kerala enjoys an extraordinary kinship with the sea. Most of India's finest beaches are in Kerala. For virtually its entire 900 km length, the Kerala coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms. The palm-lined beaches of Kerala are renowned for the gentle surf and azure blue waters. Each year greater numbers of visitors arrive here in search of the tranquil, palm fringed beaches. Though extremely popular worldwide, the beaches remain strangely unspoilt and bewitching. Kerala beaches have a unique character. The cool, saline breeze blowing on the coconut groves along the coast would function as a balm to an agitated soul. You will find the communing with air, water and sand at the beaches of Kerala a supreme rejuvenation. The Ayurveda, yoga and meditation centers on the beaches of Kerala are the other tourist attractions. Swimming on the beaches is not always safe, as the undertow can be very strong, therefore it is essential to follow the warnings of the safety flags. However, days can be spent here just lolling around on the sands or retreating under the awnings of the beach cafes.

Kovalam Beach: It is a world famous beach 16 kms south of Thiruvananthapuram. "Kovalam" means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. The crescent-shaped beach has three parts. These beaches are separated by rocky headland. The southern most beach and the most popular, is Lighthouse beach. It offers an amazing sight of Vizhinjam mosque. The northern beach, Samudra is laidback and time seems at a standstill here. The middle; Hawah, early in the day is a beehive of activities with fishermen setting out for sea. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights.

Alappuzha (Alleppey) Beach: It is quite a popular tourist spot, known to provide relaxation. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is around 140 years old. Blessed with nature's green beauties such as lagoons, vast lakes and numerous fresh water rivers, Alappuzha is a natural wonderland of Kerala state.

Varkala Beach: 42 km away from Thiruvanathapuram, Varkala is the best spot along the Kerala coast for watching sunset. The sight of the sun melting into the sea would blossom your poetic sense. During monsoon, bellowing waves engulf the beach lying beneath towering cliff and mineral water springs. The mineral water gushing from the hills is believed to have medicinal properties. The Varkala sands has become an ideal spot for confluence of cultures, exotic and alien. Sree Narayana Guru (1855-1928), saint, social reformer, philosopher and leader of Ezhava community, made Varkala his headquarters. The 2000 year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are other main attractions in Varkala.

Cherai Beach: Cherai is one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala bordering the northern end of Vypeen Island. The place is a unique combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms and paddy fields. The backwaters are a combination of lakes, lagoons, canals and estuaries. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction.

Chowara Beach: A virgin beach situated 9 kms south of Kovalam beach is the hot spot these days for the traveller. It offers a harmonious combination of nature where you can enjoy lush greeneries, whispering sea breeze and the murmering surf. And it is a "must visit" destination having heritage and Ayurvedic resorts like Somatheeram, SuryaSamudra and Manaltheeram.

Bekal Beach: Bekal is flanked on two sides by long ravishingly beautiful palm fringed beaches, the Bekal fort stands proud on a promontory. Bekal fort is the best preserved fort in Kerala. The seashore fort along with its premise is being designed into a major tourist resort. The fort, in its domineering position on a promontory, offers a panoramic view of palm-fringed beaches on both flanks. .

Kappad Beach: The beach here is spectacular. History comes alive where a small monument commemorates the landing of Vasco da Gama in 1498. With the legends woven around its historic origins and traditions that cast their own spell, the scenic beauty of Kappad is no less enchanting. Set amidst picturesque fishing villages and rock formations, this beach is truly beautiful.


HILL STATIONS OF KERALA

Kerala, the verdant paradise overflows with many natural splendour. Much of its exotic appeal is centered in its lofty hills and mountainous region. The highland area in the Western Ghats which rise to an average height of 1520 metres, with a number of peaks towering over 2000 metres. Rich loamy plantations of tea coffee and rubber and fragrant cardamom thickly fill this entire belt and together with the forest, marshes, velvet valleys and hills. Feel intoxicated by the heady fragrance of cardamom, pepper, ginger etc.

Munnar: Munnar is a hill station and one of the highest tea-growing areas in the world (1600m). The word "Munnar" means three rivers. 3 mountain streams (Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala) join together here. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and a mild cold climate throughout the year makes it a favourite tourist place. The stay can be combined with a visit to Eravikulam National Park or Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Devikulam: Literally means the “ lake of goddess”, Devikulam is situated at a height of 1500 metre above sea level. With its lush greenery, salubrious climate, rare flora and fauna, this gorgeous hill station symbolizes nature in her pristine glory.

Rajamala: The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, Rajamala is 2695m above sea level. Half the world’s population of the rare mountain goat which is fast becoming extinct can be seen in this region.

Ponmudi: It is a picturesque hill station in Kerala which is a mere two hours road journey from the beaches of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). And true to its meaning in Malayalam, “golden crown”, Ponmudi truly glitters amongst the hill resorts of India. On the way to Ponmudi, the thick tropical forest greets one at the foot of the Ponmudi hill range. The road passes under a canopy of thickly matted foliage. The forest recedes gradually giving way to neatly clipped tea bushes.

Peermade: It is one of the most fertile and scenic parts of the western mountain ranges with vast expanses of tea plantations, interspersed with waterfalls and open grasslands. The temperature falls to five or ten degree Celsius on a fairly warm day here.

Nelliyampathy: It is a bewitchingly beautiful hill station, 1600 metres above the sea level with evergreen forests and orange plantations all around. The bracing climate and the green magic of the nature enhance the exhilarating experience.

Attapady: With its beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forest, Attapady is of great interest to anthropologists. Situated on the north-eastern side has the largest tribal settlement in Kerala.

Pythamala: It is a serene hill station tucked away at a height of 1400 metres near the Kerala-Karnataka border is blessed with an abundance of flora and fauna. It is an ideal area for hikes and trekking.


BACKWATERS OF KERALA

Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. The backwater is a term used to describe a network of waterways stretching across almost 2,000km of Kerala's lowlands from Cochin to Quilon (Kollam). Forty-four rivers (41 west-flowing and 3 east-flowing} crisscross the state physique along with countless runlets. During summer, these monsoon-fed rivers will turn into rivulets especially in the upper parts of Kerala. Backwaters are an attractive, economically valuable feature of Kerala. These include lakes and ocean inlets which stretch irregularly along the Kerala coast. The biggest among these backwaters is the Vembanad lake, with an area of 200 sq. km, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port. The Periyar, Pamba, Manimala, Achenkovil, Meenachil and Moovattupuzha rivers drain into this lake. The other important backwaters are Veli, Kadhinam Kulam, Anjengo (Anju Thengu), Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor. Ashtamudi (Quilon). The splendid monsoons of Kerala, twice a year are often frilled with uncontrollable fury and forces of Mother Nature.

The backwaters of Kerala have played an important role in the economy of the state. Rice boats, and small ships used to trod these waters carrying coconut, rubber, rice and spices to various trading centers within the state. Even today these waterways link remote villages and islands with the mainland. It’s an incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in the country boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala’s villages. One can travel from place to place by boat along these backwaters in a variety of watercraft getting a close up view of the countryside. Quiet lagoons and rural Kerala preserved through the ages, completely hidden from the road.

For many years the backwaters remained Kerala's best-kept secret. It is now a major tourist attraction. The best way to enjoy the Kerala backwaters is to take a cruise on a Kettuvallam (houseboat). A cruise along the palm-fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In the world of simple pleasure, you'll skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. Kettuvallam, means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallam. Jack wood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shell. All houseboats have clean bathrooms that stress on hygiene. Houseboat holidays of Kerala are increasingly becoming popular among visitors.

In the monsoon months, the backwaters reverberate with the sound of the traditional snake boat races, featuring the 130-feet-long Chundan boats. Up to 16 of them, with over a hundred rowers each, compete for the honours during the races. The most important of these races is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. The Aranmula Boat Festival of the Parthasarathy Temple of Aranmula on the banks of the holy River Pamba, is the more traditional race. The boat carnival starts on the day of Thiruonam, the most auspicious day of the Kerala festival, Onam.

Alappuzha Backwaters: Alappuzha is one of the major centres for backwater tour in Kerala. The intricate network of canals through this town has earned it the sobriquet "The Venice of the East". Small but long country boats are the taxies of the water. The coir workers present an interesting sight as they soak coconut fibre in pools, beat them and wind the strands on long spindles stretched between endless lines of coconut trees.

Veli Aakulam Backwaters: A short distance from Thiruvananthapuram, is the Veli Aakulam lagoon. Water sports, a floating restaurant, an amusement park, speedboats and other facilities make this a hot-spot tourist destination in Kerala. The east end of the lake is flanked by two scenic hillocks.

Kollam (Quilon) Backwaters: A picturesque town standing on the banks of the Lake Ashtamudi is the gateway to the exceeding beautiful backwaters of Kerala. The long 8 hrs boat trip from Kollam to Alleppey is the best and most comprehensive introduction to the delights of Kerala's backwaters as one passes through lakes, canals and water-bound villages. The famous "Cheenavala" or Chinese fishing nets can also be seen along the backwaters.

Kumarakom Backwaters: A small village 12 kilometres west of Kottayam town, on the banks of the beautiful Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is 14-acre bird sanctuary known for local varieties of water fowl, cuckoo, water ducks, and migrating Siberian storks. Just 80 kilometres from Kochi (Cochin), this area has unique Kettuvallams, boat racing, motorboat and water sport facilities. The houseboats, plied by local oarsmen are simply furnished with a living room, bedroom with attached bath and a raised central deck for lazing on cushions while watching the world go by.

Kozhikode (Calicut) Backwaters: Unexplored and unspoiled are the backwaters of Kozhikode, which holds great promises of enchanting holiday options. Elathur, the canal and the River Kallai are favourite haunts for boating. Kadlundi, with its beautiful bird sanctuary is a charming site. Korapuzha, the venue of the Korapuzha Jalotsavam is fast becoming a popular water sport destination.
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Alumkadavu Backwaters: Alumkadavu, in the town of Karunagapally hardly 20 kilometres north of Kollam, is where Kettuvallams are built. These huge, long and tapering barges were traditionally used to carry tonnes of goods, with a portion covered with bamboo and coir serving as a rest room and kitchen for the crew. Gliding down the calm and serene backwaters in a Kettuvallam, embraced by green leaves and palm, see a rural Kerala preserved through the ages, completely hidden from the road and it is not surprising that this is called God's Own Country.

Ernakulam - Kochi Backwaters: Famous for its natural harbour, one of the best in the world, Kochi has earned the sobriquet "Queen of the Arabian Sea". All the islands that make up Kochi are well connected by ferry. The Chinese fishing nets, a method of fishing established in Kochi during the times of Kublai Khan line the waterfront.

Besides these backwaters, other equally beautiful water bodies elsewhere are Veli (in South Kerala), Kadinamkulam, Edava, Anjengo, Madayara, Peravur, Ashtamudi, Kayamkulam, Kodungalur, Chetuva and Valiyaparamba (in North Kerala).

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