Kerala is a land of vivid, vibrant colours and breathtaking surprises.Kerala is bestowed with all natural serene beauty, with the mighty Sahyadri protecting it at one end with its dense forests and hazy peaks and the Arabian Sea at the other.

Kerala is renowned for its rich resources in spices, sandalwood, cardamom, cinnamon, oilseeds, tea coffee and rubber. The fertile soil of the Kerala midland has tapioca, banana, coconut, mango, cashew nut, pepper and ginger growing.

The culture of Kerala has persisted through the ages precisely for the reasons of antiquity, unity, continuity and universality of its nature. In its widest sense it embraces the highest achievements of the human spirit in every sphere of life.

Sandwiched between the deep azure Arabian Sea on the west and the luxuriant Western Ghats, Kerela's breathtaking scenic beauty is beyond compare.

The maze of canals, lagoons, lakes and rivers contribute to the magic of Kerala. Forty-one rivers meander through the hills and verdant plains, countless waterfalls and rapids fill the environment with resonating sounds. Lush paddy fields sway in the cool breeze.  These are the treasure's of Kerala - God's Own Country.

Facts

History

In 1498, Vasco da Gama made 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 state of Kerala, created under the State's Reorganisation Act, consists of the previous state of  Travancore-Cochin, except for four taluks of the Trivandrum district and a part of the Shencotton taluk of Quilon district. It took over the Malabar district and Kasaragod taluk of South Kanara from Madras State.

Its unique geographical position and peculiar physical features have given a distinct individuality to  Kerala. Hence it has played a vital role in the commercial and cultural history of India.

General Information

Temperature (deg C): Summer - Max.36.2, Min.20.6; Winter - Max.35, Min.18.
Rainfall : 170 cms (May to November).
Best Season : October to March.

Places of Interest

Athirapilly and Vazhachal Waterfalls

Athirappalli and Vazhachal, the two scenic and popular waterfalls on the edge of the Sholayar forest ranges are just 5 km apart. Athirappally Falls is about 80ft. high and located in the forest area. Combined with the greenery, it infuses freshness into any tired soul. 

The Enchantingly Placid Backwaters
Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is an intricate network of innumerable Lagoons, Lakes, Canals, Estuaries and the Deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi Port.  The Astamudi lake,  literally having eight arms, which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.

Traditional Houseboat (Kettuvallom)

The most exciting thing on the backwaters of Kerala, however,  is the kettuvallom ( traditional houseboat ) which has become the most popular tourism product in India today.  In a land as water bound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters is the most amazing spectacle in the world.  Even more enchanting is a holiday in the houseboats of Kerala.

Bekal Fort

Bekal fort, which is the largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala is the most important monument of the region.

Edakkal caves 

Situated on Ambukuthi Hills, Edakkal caves are 10 kilometers from Sultanbathery, in Wayanad district. Formed by a large split in a huge rock, the two natural rock formations represent the world's richest pictographic gallery of its kind. Edakkal rock engravings stand out distinct among the magnitude of prehistoric visual archives of paintings and graphic signs all over the world.

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 (the ritual first meal for infants).

Kovalam Beach

On the Malabar coast along the Kerala shore line is a small village, called Kovalam. This sleepy town 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. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay.

Munnar

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. This hill station, located at an altitude of 1600 m above sea level, 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. 

Nelliampathy

Located at a distance of 52 kms from Palakkad, the cool hills of Nelliampathy, nestling atop the Western Ghats, offer a breathtaking view of the misty mountains and enchanting valleys interspersed with sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom and orange plantations. The bracing climate and green magic of nature enhance the exhilarating experience.

 Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat.

The forest here, slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here.

There are boat services which takes the visitor around the lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and June.

Ponmudi

The salubrious hill station of Ponmudi is at a distance of 61 kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The enchanting bounty of nature can be witnessed here in the quiet surroundings. Trekking is a passion with the visitors to Ponmudi, lying within easy driving distance from Thiruvananthapuram.

One will find oneself compulsively pausing every now and then to drink in deep the spectacular sweep of the hill ranges, tea-estates and the mist-covered valleys, peppered with little toy-like stone cottages painted a pretty violet, pink, or white with pointed and peaked roofs

St. Francis Church

St. Francis Church is a granite church set on quiet lawns amidst the bustle of Fort Kochi. The impressive façade with multi curved sides became the model for most of the churches in India.

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. It's a beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. This beach is rich in mineral water springs that are known for their medicinal value.

 

How to get There

Air : Trivandrum and Cochin airports are linked with International airports. Trivandrum is connected by Indian Airlines flights with Bombay, Madras, Cochin, Delhi and Colombo.
Other private Airlines such as Goaway, East West, Continental Airways  operate flight to Trivandrum from Bombay and Goa.

Rail : Trivandrum is directly connected by rail to Calcutta as well as all the  major cities in India.

Road : Trivandrum is connected by road to several tourist centres in India as: Calicut 448 kms, Cochin 223 kms, Kanyakumari 87 kms, Madurai 417 kms, Periyar 272 kms, Ponmudi 61 kms, Quilon 73 kms, Varkala 55 kms.

Bus : Regular bus services connect Trivandrum to various places in Kerala as well as to Madras, Madurai Kanyakumari etc.