|
TRAVEL GUIDE TO KERALA
 Kerala,
the land of green magic, is a narrow, fertile strip on the south-west coast
of India, sandwiched between the Lakshadweep Sea and the Western Ghats. The
landscape is dominated by rice fields, mango, cashew nut trees and coconut
palms. The Western Ghats, with their dense tropical forests, misty peaks,
extensive ridges and ravines, have sheltered Kerala from invaders, but at
the same time, have encouraged maritime contact with the outside world.
Kerela The Historic Trade Centre
People from distant lands have been coming to Kerala since ancient times.
They came in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory. Long before Vasco da
Gama led the Portuguese to India, the coast had been known to the
Phoenicians, the Romans, the Arabs and the Chinese. Enduring contact with
people from overseas has resulted in the successful blending of various
cultures, which gives the state a cosmopolitan outlook.
Munnar
 Munnar
is a hill station, located at an altitude of 1,600m, 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 is the 'Neelakurinji'.
Mattupetti
Situated at a height of 1,700m, Mattupetti is famous for its highly
specialised dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100
varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into
three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm.
The Mattupetti Lake and dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a very
beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala
lake are other attractions in the vicinity. DTPC Idduli provides boating
facilities on the Mattupetty Dam. Speed Launch and slow speed motor boats
are available on hire.
Ponmudi
The enchanting bounty of nature can be witnessed in the quiet surroundings
of Ponmudi. Perched at an altitude of over 100m above sea level on the
Western Ghats, the shimmering green waters of the winding streams and
verdant woods of Ponmudi do not spare anybody. Trekking is a passion with
the visitors to Ponmudi, lying within easy driving distance from
Thiruvananthapuram.Lush green woods, lazily meandering streams and countless
varieties of butterflies lend a strange magic to Ponmudi.
Kerela's greenery is probably the most attractive feature of the this”God's
Own Country”, but you'll get short of words when its comes to
expressing your boat cruise experience on the backwaters of Kerala.
Mirror-still lagoons, picture book lakesides, palm-fringed canals and tiny
shimmering rivulets, that's backwaters of Kerala.
Trivandrum 
The backwaters form a specially attractive and economically valuable
feature of Kerala. They include lakes and ocean inlets which stretch
irregularly along the coast. The biggest backwater is the Vembabad lake,
some 200-sq-kms in area, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Kochi port.
The Periyar, Pamba, Manimala, Achenkovil, Meenachil and Moovattupuzha rivers
drain into this lake.
Kollam
Alumkadavu a quiet spot in the town Karunagapally hardly 23-kms north of
Quilon, has become a hot point of Kettuvallam building. Today, this
backwater village is famous for its houseboats, with furnished bedrooms,
modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling
Alappuzha ( Alleppey )
Alappuzha or Alleppey, the coastal township is unique because of its
network of canals that meander through the town and its vast stretch of
beach on the Arabian sea provides comfort to the soul. Mariners over
centuries have known the Alappuzha beach as a safe anchorage area even when
the sea is rough. The coastal belt is like a sandy sea shore which has
extended inland. The beach is also known for its mud bank phenomena
 Kottayam
Kottayam, among the State's more mountainous districts, provides some of
Kerala's finest natural scenarios, sandwiched as it is between serene
palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western Ghats having rubber,
tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantation on the east.
Kerala is blessed with a 600-km long coastline that extends its length to
11 of the 14 districts of Kerala. On Kerala's beaches, you can bathe in the
glory of the sun or bask in the splendour of the sunset and refersh yourself
with a sip of tender coconut milk.
Alappuzha Beach
Alappuzha beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of
Alappuzha. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is around
140-years-old. With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes,
lagoons and several freshwater rivers criss-crossing it, Alappuzha is a
district of immense natural beauty.
Kovalam Beach
On the Malabar coast along the Kerala shore line is a small village, called
Kovalam. A sleepy town that suddenly came on the tourist map when its
fabulous beaches were discovered. Today Kovalam has become one of the most
popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and
truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look.
Varkala Beach
Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as an important Hindu centre of
pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the
coastline. Varkala's beautiful beachside has a more than 2,000-years-old
shrine of Lord Vishnu. This beach of Kerala is rich in mineral water springs
that are known for their medicinal value
Kappad Beach
Kappad is a historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on 27 May, 1498 with
170 men in three vessels - a site which witnessed an event that changed the
course of Indian history.16-kms away from Kozhikode (Calicut), the pleasant,
calm beach, locally known as Kappakadavu, is studded with rocks and caressed
by friendly waves.
When it comes to temples, probably Kerala's temples are not that well known
as other South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
But they are still every bit worth a visit and carry their own way of
expressing the depth of religious faith.
Guruvayoor Temple
Guruvayoor, where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the
most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. In Kerala, this is
probably the only temple that hosts the maximum number of marriages and rice
feeding ceremonies.
Guruvayoor, where the famous Sri Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the
most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. The walls of the
sanctum sanctorum are inlaid with exquisite mural paintings and carvings.
 Kalpathy
Temple
The Vishwanatha Swamy shrine, the oldest Shiva temple is situated 3-kms
from Palakkad. The annual chariot temple is a gala event that is celebrated
at this temple site. The annual 'Ratholsavam' or Chariot Festival at Sree
Viswanantha Swamy temple lasts for seven days.
Sabrimala Temple
Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the
Western Ghats. This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The sanctum
sanctoram nestles 914m, amidst the virgin forest wilderness of the Western
Ghats.
The main pilgrimage is undertaken between November and January. Regardless
of caste, creed, colour, they wear black Dhotis and carry on their heads,
bundles containing traditional offerings like coconut filled with ghee,
camphor and rice.
Thriprayar Temple
Thriprayar Temple, located south of Thrissur is one of the important
temples dedicated to Lord Rama. The exquisite wood carvings, sculptures and
Mural Paintings are an interesting sight.
More
Information on Kerala click here
Intro
| Hill Stations in Kerala |
Kerala Backwater |
Kerala Beaches | Temples
in Kerala
|
India
Travel & Tours Guide |
|
Hotels of India |
|
Hotels
in India
- India Luxury
Hotels, Luxury Hotels in India, India Heritage
Hotels, Deluxe Hotels in India, Budget Hotels in
India, Cheap Hotels in India, Hotels Booking &
Reservation in India. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travel
Destinations of India |
|
India
Travel
- India Travel
Destination, Travel Destinations in India, India
Tourist Destinations, India Destinations Guide,
India Travel Guide, India Touirsm Guide, India
Tour Guide. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tourist Attractions of India |
|
Tourist Attractions in India
- India Tourist Attractions, indian travel tips,
Places to See in India, Popular Attractions of India |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Best India Tour Itineraries (India Travel & Tours
Package) |
|
India Popular Tour Packages
-India
Travel Package, Indian Travel Packages,India Tour
Packages, India Tours Package, Travel Packages in
India , Package Tour India, Package Travel India. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OnlineTourismIndia.com |
|
|
French
Español
Italiano
Deutsch
Português
