Location:
Kerala
Main Means
Of Transport: Air, Rail,
Road
Major
Accessible Point: Kochi,
Trivandrum.
Best Time
To Visit: August to March |
Tourism in
Kerala
KERALA - GODS OWN COUNTRY
Sandwiched between the Lakshwadeep Sea and
the Western Ghats, Kerala is a bustling
little green-and-silver, coconuts-and-water
state on the west coast of India. It is
bounded by Karnataka to the north, Tamil
Nadu to the east, and the Arabian Sea to the
west. Thiruvananthapuram is its capital.
Every district in Kerala has it's own unique
culture and characteristics.
Thiruvananthapuram is known for it's beach-
Kovalam, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and
various museums and palaces; Alappuzha for
it's backwaters, Thrissur, the cultural
capital, Kottayam for it's ancient churches,
Kozhikode for it's old world charm and the
entrancing Ponmudi or Golden valley.
Capital of Kerala
Though a bit of a tongue-twister,
Thiruvananthapuram - the present official
name, is closer to it's mythological
origins. The word ' Thiru ananthapuram'
means the city of Anantha or the abode of
the sacred thousand-headed serpent Anantha,
who forms the couch on which reclines Lord
Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity.
Built on seven hills, it was the capital of
the Venad chieftains. The city has grown as
a tourist and commercial centre, with the
International airport becoming the main
gateway into Kerala. Being the state
capital, it also throbs with political
activity.
History of Kerala
Original inhabitants were animists, followed
by the Dravidians. After Alexander's
triumphant sweep over Asia Minor, the ports
of Kerala became a link between the Middle
East, the Mediterranean and China.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama made his historic
landing on the Malabar Coast. In 1723, the
East India Company signed a strategic treaty
with King Marthanda Varma. For a few
decades, Hyder Ali and his son -Tipu sultan
proved to be a thorn in the flesh of the
British, sweeping down several times into
Kerala. In 1947, it was the turn of the
British to pack their bags.
The People
Kerala also has considerable ethnic
diversity. The Malayali majority belong to
the Dravidian group (local race) of early
Indian peoples.
There is a small population of descendants
of Indo-European migrants from the north.
Certain hill tribes exhibit affinities with
the Negrito peoples of Southeast Asia. Most
Keralites are Hindus, but there are also
large Christian and Islamic, and lesser Jain
and Jewish, minorities.
The official language is Malayalam. A long
contact with the outside world has led to an
intriguing blend of cultures and given
Keralites a cosmopolitan outlook
Culture of Kerala
One aspect of the state's rich cultural
heritage is manifest in its varieties of
religious architecture: ancient Hindu
temples with copper-clad roofs, later
Islamic mosques with "Malabar gables," and
colonial Portuguese Baroque churches.
Splendid paintings, especially murals,
exhibit distinct local traditions and
styles. The land is a flourishing center of
the Kathakali dance form. The state has also
a rich theatre tradition: the only surviving
Sanskrit drama, Koottiyattam, is still
performed by the Chakkiars of Kerala. Some
principles of the Natya-Shastra are evident
in their presentations.
Occupation in
Kerala
Agriculture is the state's main economic
activity. Plantations of cardamom, cashew
nut, coconuts, coffee, ginger, pepper,
rubber, and tea account for 40 percent of
the total land.
Commercial poultry farming is well
developed. Cottage industries--for example,
the processing of coconut fibre and cashews
or weaving--employ about three-fifths of
Kerala's industrial workers. Most of those
employed by larger industrial enterprises
are engaged in food and textile processing.
Climate
The climate is equable and varies little
from season to season. The temperature
normally ranges between 27º and 32º C in the
plains but drops to about 21º C in the
highlands.
Winter - 32 to 20 º C. Kerala is strongly
buffeted by both the southwest and northeast
monsoons. Rainfall in many parts of the
state exceeds 118 inches. Best season:
October to March.
Population
33 million
Festivals of Kerala
10-day annual festival in January at
Sreekandeswaram Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.
In February, is the week-long Nishagandhi
Dance festival; Pooram festival in Thrissur
around April-May; Flavor Food Festival, at
the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds,
Thiruvananthapuram in May.
Onam Week celebrations, the annual harvest
festival of Kerala begins in August and
lasts for 10 days. Another important
festival is the annual Pongala Utsavam, to
which only women are allowed at the Attukal
Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.
Therayattam festival is held to propitiate
the gods and demons recognized by the
pantheon of the Malayalis.
Tourist Offices in
Kerala
Tourist Reception Centre In front of Kerala
Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC)
Chaithram hotel, Thiruvananthapuram, near
Rly stn.
More
Information on Kerala click here
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India
Travel Guide / States / Kerala Travel Guide
