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

DRESSING STYLE

CUISINE

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, standsmajestically in the core area of the national park. The slopes of thehills abound in many kinds of rare flora which include rareterrestrial 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 theNational Park, where the visitors are taken in forest dept vehiclesand introduced to the shola - grassland eco system unique to thisregion. There is a very informative interpretation centre atRajamalai. A protected area, the sanctuary is divided into threeregions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area.Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area - Rajamalai - theregion lying beyond the road entry into Eravikulam. Here one canobserve the Nilgiri Tahr at close quarters. Don't make this yourdestination during the early months of the year, the park may beclosed 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

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.

The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures upimages of elephants, unending chains of hills and spicescented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady isone of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spreadacross the entire district are picturesque plantations andhill towns that hold great opportunities for treks andmountain walks.

Wealth of Periyar ForestsFlora: Over 1965 flowering plants including 171 grassspecies 143 species of orchids. The only south Indianconifer, scientifically known as Podocarpuswallichianus, grows in the forests of Periyar TigerReserve.

The Hill Palace, Kerala's first heritage museum notedfor royal collections of the erstwhile Maharaja ofKochi, is today the largest archaeological museum inKerala. Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of49 buildings in the traditional architectural style ofKerala, sprawled over 52 acres of beautifullylandscaped terraced land which houses a deer park andfacilities for horse riding. Numerous species of floraincluding rare medicinal plants grow here. On displayin the full-fledged Ethno-archaeological museum areoil-paintings, murals, sculptures in stone andmanuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of theKochi royal family and royal furniture including thesimhasana (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.

END

OF

PART 1