India Travel

Kerala

Welcome to Kerala, God's Own Country, a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India. Nicknamed as one of the "10 paradises of the world" by the National Geographic traveller, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, has made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Growing at a rate of 13.31%, the tourism industry significantly contributes to the state's economy.

The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, the government agency that oversees the tourism prospects of the state, has adopted the brand "God's Own Country" for its campaigns. Kerala is gifted with 42 rivers running as the life stream of the culture. This state has a variety of land scapes which can attract the tourists such as coastal regions, backwaters, Nilgiri mountains on one side, malabar highlands.

With the Arabian Sea on the west, the western ghats towering 500 - 2700m on the east and Kerala is networked by forty-four rivers. Kerala is a very easy place to simply sit back and enjoy. The name means "land of coconuts" and the palms shade nearly the entire state from the tropical sun; many call the beach at Kovalam the best in India, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush green hill stations and exotic wildlife, ayurvedic health resorts, enchanting art forms, magical festivals, historic and cultural monuments, an exotic cuisine… all of which offers a unique experience.

Popularly visited attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai and Varkala, the hill stations of Munnar, Nelliampathi, and Ponmudi, and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries such as Periyar and Eravikulam National Park. The "backwaters" region — an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that center on Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Punnamada — also see heavy tourist traffic.

Food

Most restaurants, coffee shops, eateries or cafes offer a Cosmopolitan fare for Chinese, Continental, Indian or American. You can find many who specialize in Kerala Delicacies.

Clothing

Ideally light cottons. However the cooler hill stations may warrant woolens.

Communication

Kerala has a well-knit communications network. With telephone, fax and Internet centers in almost every corner. Enabling you to get in touch with any part of the world easily.

 

Religion

58 % Hindu, 21 % Muslim and 21 % Christians.

 

Places of Tourist Interest

Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Ernakulam (Cochin)
Idukki
Kottayam
Kollam
Palakkad
Thrissur
Trivandrum
Kozhikode (Calicut)

 

Festivals & Events

In God's Own Country, there is hardly a month without an occasion to celebrate, where the myriad facets of its culture and traditions are displayed through various forms of immaculate expressions.

One can witness Kerala's unique colors during the festival of Onam, feel the captivating rhythm and speed of the Snake Boat Race or the Panchavadyam, capture the motion and feminine charm of Thiruvathira dance, or you may even fill heart with the ethereal display of light and sound during the Thrissur Pooram.

When to Go

The best time to visit Kerala is during December to May.
 

Interesting Fact

Houseboat cruising on the backwaters of Kerala is one’s really an absolutely wonderful, unforgettable experience! The houseboats of today - huge, slow moving, exotic barge used for leisure trips - are the reworked kettuvalloms of olden times.

 The kettuvallam or ‘boat with knots’- was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only - not even a single nail is used during the construction. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels.

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