Kerala tourism

by
Nidhin Kumar K V
Kasaragod
9539013243

 Kerala Tourism is famous for Sensuous Backwaters,
Serene Beaches, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Hill stations, Rich
Cultures, Ayurvedic treatments and festivals. There are
many famous destinations and attractions in Munnar,
Wayanad, Kumarakom, Periyar, Kovalam, Thekkady,
Cochin, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram to take a
visit. Tourists can visit the beautiful tea gardens,
amazing temples and for a change stay in a house boat
and also see wonderful sunset scene at beaches. While
on Kerala tour, tourists can also indulge in adventure
activities like Angling, Boating, Kayaking, Surfing, Para
Sailing and Camping. The weather remains pleasant
during winter season so October to March is the best
time to visit Kerala.

KERALA
 Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have
made it one of the most sought after tourist
destinations in Asia... an equable climate... A long
shoreline with plantations and paddy fields... Kerala
Ayurvedic health holidays.... Enchanting art forms of
Kerala.... Magical festivals of Kerala...
Kerala has a composite culture enriched through the
ages with the contribution of various people and
races. Its peculiar geographical position has helped
the process of cultural synthesis.

ABOUT THE STATE
Formed on 1st November 1956 .
 Capital of Kerala is Trivandrum.
Language spoken is Malayalam,
Official Language is English.
Kerala consists of 14 districts.
Major cities are Trivandrum, Cochin
and Calicut

LOCATION
Located on the southern coast of
India.
At 8.5074' North - East-76. 972’
Adjacent to Arabian sea in the west,
Tamilnadu in the east-south,
Karnataka in north and north-east.
Area = 38,863 Sq. Km.

GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
 Democratically elected body the governs state of
Kerala 5 years.
 140 constituency Assembly.
 Present Governor is Hansraj Bhardwaj.
 Present CM is Oommen Chandy.
 High court situates in Ernakulum.
 Current chief justice is Manjula Chellar.

RELIGION
Hindus are 56%
Muslims 24%
Christians 19%
Others (Sikhs, Jainism, Buddhism,
Jainism) 1%

EDUCATION
Literacy is 93.91% which is the
Highest in India.
Medical Colleges 5 No.s
Universities 5 No.s

Onam: Onam is a Harvest
festival celebrated in the Land of
attraction state called Kerala, Its
the biggest and most important
festival of Indian State of
Kerala. Grand Carnival of Onam
is celebrated on the Malayalam
month of Chingam every year
on the marks the homecoming of
legendary king Mahabali. The
ten days Mansoon festival is
celebrated with joy and
enthusiasm with various
festivities like special
cuisines,Vallamkali,Puli Kali
and Banquet lunches.

Vishu : വിഷു is the
Malayalam new year day
and a Hindu festival
celebrated in the Indian
state of Kerala . The
usually in the second
week of April in the
Gregorian calendar
Vishu is celebrated with
much fanfare and vigour
in all parts of Kerala It is
considered a festival of
light and fireworks

Majestic looking elephants adorned
with ornate golden nettipattoms on their
foreheads, the captivating beats of the
thunderous music of the panchavadyam
(five traditional instruments),
spectacular fireworks, teeming millions
intoxicated with the festive spirit - its all
this and more that makes the world-
famous Thrissur Pooram an
unforgettable experience for any tourist.
The festival is celebrated annually in
April-May at the Vadakkumnathan
temple at Thrissur, one of the oldest
temples in the State. The temple is a
classical example of the Kerala style of
architecture and has many murals and
pieces of art.

Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated
in South India at the end of the harvest
season. Pongal marks the beginning of
the northward journey of the Sun from
its southernmost-limit, a movement
traditionally referred to as uttarayana.
The word pongal itself refers to the
"boiling over" of milk and rice during
the month of Thai. Tamils thank the Sun
god (Surya) for the good harvest and
consecrate the first grain to him on this
'Surya Mangalyam'.

Celebrates and honors the
birth of Jesus Christ on the
25th of December. This date is
not thought to coincide with
the actual date of birth of Jesus
of Nazareth and may have been
chosen because of the fact that
ancient Roman solar festivals
were celebrated on that day.

Celebrated in autumn, The
Divine Mother (good) is
represented as trampling
underfoot the demon
Mahishasur (evil) who
terrorized the earth until he
was slain by her. Her image
everywhere is surrounded by
the images of her children

Celebrated mainly by
merchants in autumn, after
Dasehra, chiefly in northern
India. The word diwali comes
from the Hindi word deepavali
which means "row of lights."

Krishna's birth is celebrated
during summer throughout
India by Hindus. In the homes
a space is cleared to represent
the birth-room, where the
image of the baby Krishna
(eight incarnation of Vishnu,
the Preserver, came to earth to
save mankind cast in Gold,
brass or plaster, is surrounded
by all the other people in his
infancy.

Celebrated after the ninth
lunar month, called Ramadan,
by the Muslims.
They avoid food and drink
between sunrise and sunset
during Ramadan. Then they
celebrate the end of this period
of fasting with Eid ul-Fitr, a
joyous festival of feasting that
lasts for three days.

 The Palace of Shakthan Thampuran located in the district of
Thrissur is a landmark in the annals of the Perumpadappu
Swaroopam, the former ruling dynasty of Kochi. The palace
located in the heart of Thrissur town is a major attraction,
especially for those with a special interest on rulers and dynasties.
At the Shakthan Thampuran Palace, one can come across and
understand several interesting and remarkable aspects of the
erstwhile rulers of Kochi. Situated close to the famous
Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur, the Shakthan Thampuran
Palace formerly known as Vadakkechira Kovilakam was renovated
by Shakthan Thampuran in its present form. According to the
territorial expansion of erstwhile Kochi dynasty, the Shakthan
Palace was its Northern most located one. The palace, built in the
Dutch and Kerala style of architecture belongs to the few
structures of this kind in Kerala.

 Quiet, secluded, this beautiful stretch of sand and surf
is the best locale for a relaxed evening. The
Payyambalam beach is a popular picnic spot of the
local people and holds much potential for development
into a tourist resort. The rest of the land - Kannur - is
equally fascinating to explore. Being the cradle of
ageless folk arts like Theyyam and folk music, Kannur
has always remained a land of ageless charms.
However, if you decide to hide away at this beach
destination, your stay should be arranged in the town 2
km away. Comfortable accommodation is available.

 Is this a modern concept for a temple or is it the way it was
since its origin? Either way one would be surprised as soon
as one may enter the premises of the Ochira Temple,
situated on the way from Kollam to Alappuzha.
A striking feature of this temple is that like the traditional
temples, which have definitive structural layout and mode
of worship, the temple at Ochira does not have a proper
structure or an idol for the visitors to worship. The whole
concept of worship revolves around the Parabrahmam or the
universal consciousness. This unique temple setting itself is
a big attraction to hundreds of visitors coming to the temple
everyday, irrespective religious faith.
.

 The Tipu's Fort, also known as Palakkad Fort, stands in the heart
of Palakkad town. Palakkad is a small town on the lower edges of
the Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats, with patches of dense
forests and crisscrossed with rivers. One of the well preserved
forts in south India, Tipu's Fort was constructed in 1766 AD and is
today a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of
India. The sober majesty of the laterite walls of the fort reminds
one of the old tales of valour and courage. The fort was built by
Hyder Ali (1717 - 1782), the emperor of Mysore province (now
part of Karnataka State), supposedly to facilitate communication
between both sides of the Western Ghats, (Coimbatore and the
West Coast). He had captured the Malabar and Kochi regions
which come under the West Coast area. His son Tipu Sultan (1750
- 1799) a warrior as well as a linguist was known as the 'Tiger of
Mysore'. Tipu waged a series of wars against the British colonial
rule.
 .

 This idyllic hill station, situated about 8 km from
Munnar, with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna
and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita
Devi Lake, here, with its mineral waters and
picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The
lake is also ideal for trout fishing. .

 The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is located in the city of
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India. It
occupies 55 acres of woodland, lakes, and lawns. It is
the oldest zoo in Asia. 2014 zoo bought 2 african
anacondas .

 Pathiramanal, a small island on the backwaters of
Alappuzha, is a haven for hundreds of rare birds
migrating from different parts of the world. You can
reach there after 1 1/2 hours drive by motor boat or 30
minutes by speed boat from Alappuzha in south Kerala.
Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, stretching from
Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam lake,
Pathiramanal is accessible only by boat.The green
island thus forms an ideal place for a break in the
journey while on a backwater cruise. The mainland
Alappuzha has a vast network of lakes, lagoons and
fresh water rivers criss crossing it and is a district of
immense natural beauty.

 Guruvayoor is one of the most sacred and
important pilgrim centres of Kerala. Its main
attraction is the Sree Krishna Temple, considered
the Dwaraka of the South. This historic temple is
shrouded in mystery. According to belief, the
temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of
the Gods, and Vayu, God of the winds. The
eastern NADA is the main entrance to the shrine.
In the Chuttambalam (outer enclosure) is the
tall 33.5 m high gold plated Dwajasthambam
(flag-post). There is also a 7 metre high
Deepasthambam (pillar of lamps), whose
thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly
gorgeous spectacle when lit.

The square Sreekovil is the sacred sanctum
sanctorum of the temple, housing the main
deity. Within the temple there are also the
images of Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappa and
Edathedathu Kavil Bhagavathy. Renowned for its
healing powers, people make an astonishing
range of offerings here to the Lord. One of the
most popular offerings is the Thulabharam,
where devotees are weighed against bananas,
sugar, jaggery and coconuts equivalent to their
weight. Only Hindus are allowed inside the
temple.

 Sasthamkotta, situated about 29 km from Kollam town,
can be rightly called the 'Queen of Lakes'. This vast
fresh water lake flanked by hills on three sides is the
largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha
Temple, which lends its name to the town, is an
important pilgrim centre. This temple dedicated to both
Lord Ganesha and Lord Ayyappa is surrounded by hills
and forests, and the monkeys inhabiting the premises
are considered holy.

 Small village at a distance of 51 km north of
Thiruvananthapuram city and 24 km south of Kollam,
Thiruvananthapuram district, in the southern part of
Kerala.Beach is excellent throughout the year, but
during the winters, the peak season.Beach is quite with
peaceful green surroundings and less crowd, when you
can laze around, stroll by the sea water, swim or just
relax to make your days absolutely wonderful, at most
reasonable rates.
 .

 Marari offers fabulous stretch of soft sandy
beach.Mararikulam is a sleepy fishing village located
between the port city of Cochin and Alleppey.
Mararikulam is in sixty kilometers south of Cochin and
even less from Alleppey. Marari is a popular choice
with the discerning traveler who is looking for
something a little special in a natural and exotic
location.

 Kerala has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some
of the finest, most charming beaches of the world.
Kovalam consists of three successive small crescent
beaches. Kovalam beach is a strip of golden sand lying
side by side between the serene blue waters of the
Arabian sea and the rich greenery of coconut palms.
The Kovalam Beach which is in Kerala is 16 Km from
the capital city of Kerala-Thiruvanathapuram City.

 The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up
images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice
scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady is
one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spread
across the entire district are picturesque plantations and
hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and
mountain walks. Wealth of Periyar Forests
Flora: Over 1965 flowering plants including 171 grass
species 143 species of orchids. The only south Indian
conifer, scientifically known as Podocarpus
wallichianus, grows in the forests of Periyar Tiger
Reserve.

 Kottayam is a vast network of rivers and canals which
empty into the great expanse of water called the
Vembanad Lake. The lake, an enchanting picnic spot
and a fast developing backwater tourism destination,
provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences
that are truly exhilarating. The Kumarakom Tourist
Village offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages.
The serene lake comes alive during Onam with a
spectacular water regatta - the snake boat races. It is
indeed amazing to watch oarsmen, at least a hundred in
one boat, slice their way through the waters to the fast
rhythm of their own full throated singing.

 Located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram,
the capital city of the State of Kerala in India is the
Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple dedicated to Lord
Vishnu. This temple is a blend of the Kerala and
Dravidian styles of architecture. The history of Sree
Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to 8th century.
It is one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples or Divya
Desams in India. Divya Desams are the holiest abodes
of the Lord Vishnu that are mentioned in the works of
the Tamil Azhvars (saints). The presiding deity of this
temple is Lord Vishnu, reclining on Anantha, the
hooded Serpent.

 Cradled by the undulating plantation hills of Munnar,
and not far away from the Anamudi peak is Mattupetty.
Situated in the famous hill town of Munnar, Mattupetty
located 13 km from Munnar is situated at a height of
1700 m, and is a delight for nature lovers.
Mattupetty offers many fascinating sights to relish.
Besides the lush green tea plantations, and the rolling
grasslands, the Shola forests in and around Mattupetty
are ideal for trekking and are habitat to a variety of
birds. Rivulets and cascades crisscross the terrain here,
which again adds more attraction to the place.

 Hike up the rugged terrains of the Chembra Peak
located 2,100 meters above sea level on the southern
part of Wayanad. Chembra is the tallest peak in
Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking. There is a
heart shaped lake on the way to the top of the peak,
which is believed to have never dried up, is a major
tourist attraction here. With permission from the Forest
Department, one-day treks and two-day wildlife treks
are possible. You can have group treks of up to ten
people or hike on your own, accompanied by a guide.

 Cherai Beach, a picturesque beach, located on the
north-end of the Vypeen Island is ideal for swimming.
Lined with luscious green coconut groves and paddy
fields, this sandy beach is a unique combination of the
sea and the backwaters, studded with seashells of
various hues and shapes. Dolphines are occasionally
seen here. Thick coconut groves and Chinese fishing
nets on the waterfront are added attractions.
.

 Built in the typical Kerala architectural style,
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple is famous all over
India for the Palpayasam, a daily offering of
deliciously sweet milk porridge. It is also in this temple
that Pallipana is performed by Velans (sorcerers), once
in every twelve years.
Paintings of the Dasavatharam (the ten incarnations of
Lord Vishnu) are on display on the inner walls of
the Chuttambalam. Ottanthullal, a satiric art form
created by the poet Kunchan Nambiar, was first
performed on the premises of this temple. The temple
is situated in Alappuzha district

 Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera
Kerala Varma of Kochi, the Palace was renovated in 1663
by the Dutch. The palace with a Bhagavathi Temple in the
central courtyard is built like the typical Kerala style
mansion - the Nalukettu - the home of the aristocracy,
nobility and upper classes, with four separate wings opening
out to a central courtyard The themes of these murals have
been borrowed from the great Indian epics - the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata, and mythology and legends about the
Hindu gods especially Guruvayurappan. Some murals
depict scenes from Kumarasambhavam and other works of
the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. Also on display are royal
paraphernalia like weapons, swings and furniture which
offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of the royal family

 It is an ideal place for seeing the biodiversity of high
elevation shola-grassland ecosystem. Visitors are taken
to Rajamalai in forest dept vehicles and given an
opportunity to see all this. Private vehicles are not
allowed here. The National Park is usually closed at the
time of calving of Nilgiri Tahr which is usually during
the early months of every year. A sanctuary for the
endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri
Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National
Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling
grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the
Kannan devan hills.

 Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of Himalayas, stands
majestically in the core area of the national park. The slopes of the
hills abound in many kinds of rare flora which include rare
terrestrial and epiphytic orchids, and beautiful wild balsams.
Important fauna here are the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, leopard,
tiger, Indian bison, etc. Rajamalai is the tourism zone of the
National Park, where the visitors are taken in forest dept vehicles
and introduced to the shola - grassland eco system unique to this
region. There is a very informative interpretation centre at
Rajamalai. A protected area, the sanctuary is divided into three
regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area.
Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area - Rajamalai - the
region lying beyond the road entry into Eravikulam. Here one can
observe the Nilgiri Tahr at close quarters. Don't make this your
destination during the early months of the year, the park may be
closed for visitors because it is calving time of the Tahr.

 Kumarakom bird sanctuary, spread across 14 acres, has
an interesting variety of birdlife. If you are a bird
enthusiast, visit the sanctuary between June and
August, the breeding season of resident wetland birds
such as Indian Darter, Little cormorant, different
species of egrets and herons, white ibis, several species
of kingfishers, etc. Between the months of November
and May, the bushes and woods of the sanctuary play
host to some rare migratory birds. The Vembanad lake
body attracts waterfowl like pin-tailed duck, garganey
teal, spot-billed duck, birds of prey like osprey, marsh
harrier, steppe eagle, etc

 The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up
images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice
scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady is
one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spread
across the entire district are picturesque plantations and
hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and
mountain walks.
 Wealth of Periyar Forests
Flora: Over 1965 flowering plants including 171 grass
species 143 species of orchids. The only south Indian
conifer, scientifically known as Podocarpus
wallichianus, grows in the forests of Periyar Tiger
Reserve.

 The Hill Palace, Kerala's first heritage museum noted
for royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja of
Kochi, is today the largest archaeological museum in
Kerala. Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of
49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of
Kerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifully
landscaped terraced land which houses a deer park and
facilities for horse riding. Numerous species of flora
including rare medicinal plants grow here. On display
in the full-fledged Ethno-archaeological museum are
oil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone and
manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the
Kochi royal family and royal furniture including the
simhasana (throne).

 Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has
always enjoyed an important place in the maritime
history of Kerala. Today, it is famous for its boat races,
backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir
industry. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The
pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years
old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park
add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old
lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to
visitors.

 What kind of people were our ancestors? What kind of
lives did they lead? Often, the paths leading to the
answers to these questions are as fascinating as the
answers themselves. If you would like to walk a little
way along one such wonderful path of discovery, one
good place to visit would be the Edakkal caves in the
Ambukuthi Hills in North Kerala, considered to be one
of the earliest centres of human habitation. Inside the
cave you will find ancient stone scripts, pictorial wall
inscriptions of human and animal figures with peculiar
headdresses, the swastik form, symbols and cave
drawings of human figures, wheels, bows, knives, trees
and so on.

 Kerala’s only drive-in beach, the Muzhappilangad
beach which stretches across four kilometres of sand
where one can drive down the entire length. The drive
is ideal for sampling the famed Malabar cuisine from
the many eateries in the immediate hinterland. Black
rocks protect this long, clean beach from the currents
of the deep, making its shallow waters a swimmer’s
paradise.

 Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain
streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1,600
m above sea level, this hill station was once the
summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in
South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book
towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a
popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in
the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This
flower which bathes the hills in blue once in every
twelve years, will bloom next in 2018. Munnar also has
the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which
towers over 2,695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for
trekking.

 The 300-year-old Bekal Fort, shaped like a giant key-
hole, is one of the largest and best-preserved forts in
Kerala. Surrounded by a splendid beach, the historic
Bekal Fort offers a superb view of the Arabian Sea
from its tall observation towers, where a few centuries
ago huge cannons used to be placed. Today, the Bekal
Fort and its surroundings - there are backwaters and
hill destinations and water sport facilities nearby - is a
favorite shooting locale for film-makers.

 The most famous waterfalls of Kerala, Athirappalli and
Vazhachal are situated on the Chalakudy River, which
originates from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats.
At the entrance to the Sholayar ranges is the largest
waterfall in Kerala, Athirapally, which stands tall at 80
feet. Just a short drive from Athirapally, the Vazhachal
waterfall is close to dense green forests that are home
to many endangered and endemic species of flora and
fauna.

 An interesting 2 km jungle trek will lead to the largest
and most spectacular waterfall in Wayanad -
Meenmutty Waterfalls. A unique feature of Meenmutty
waterfalls is that the water drops from nearly 1000 ft
over three stages, presenting a triple-decker effect. The
falls is located on the Ooty main road in Wayanad.

 Palaruvi - literally, stream of milk - is one of Kerala's
most picturesque waterfalls, cascading down a height
of 300 feet. It is a favorite picnic spot for visitors from
all over south India. The journey to Palaruvi through
the dense tropical forest is a spellbinding experience.

 As the name suggests, land and water have struck an
extraordinary kinship at Thusharagiri (mist capped
peaks). The plantation destination that abounds in
rubber, arecanut, pepper, ginger and spices, is also a
trekkers delight. Trekkers start early morning from the
second waterfall on the hills and climb up through the
pristine dense evergreen forests teeming with exotic
birds and animals to reach Vythiri in Wayanad district
by evening.

 Located within a short driving distance of
Thiruvananthapuram, Ponmudi is an enchanting hill
resort with narrow winding pathways and cool, green
environs. Along with a beautiful array of mountain
flowers, exotic butterflies and small rivulets, Ponmudi
offers excellent opportunities for trekking. With its tea
estates and mist covered valleys Ponmudi is a fast
developing hill resort with cottages and dormitory
accommodation facilities.

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