Kerala historically known as Keralam, is a state in South India on the Malabar coast. It was formed on 1 November 1956 following the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam- speaking regions. Spread over 38,863 km (15,005 sq mi), it is bordered by Karnataka to the north and north east, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With 33,387,677 inhabitants as per the 2011 census, Kerala is the thirteenth largest state by population and is divided into 14 districts with the capital being Thiruvananthapuram. Malayalam is the most widely spoken and the official language of the state. The region was a prominent spice exporter from 3000 BCE. The Chera Dynasty was the first prominent kingdom based in Kerala, though it frequently struggled against attacks from the neighbouring Cholas and Pandyas. In the 15th century, the spice trade attracted Portuguese traders to Kerala, and paved the way for the European colonisation of India. After independence,Travancore and Cochin joined the Republic of India and Travancore-Cochin was given the status of a state. In 1956, Kerala state was formed by merging Malabar district, Travancore- Cochin (excluding four southern taluks), and the taluk of Kasargod, South Kanara. Kerala has the lowest positive population growth rate in India; 3.44%, highest Human Development Index (HDI); 0.790 in 2011, the highest literacy rate; 93.91%, the highest life expectancy; 77 years and the highest sex ratio; 1,084 women per 1000 men. The state has witnessed significant emigration, especially to the Gulf states during the Gulf Boom of the 1970s and early 1980s, and its economy depends significantly on remittances from a large Malayali expatriate community. Hinduism is practised by more than half of the population, followed by Islam and Christianity. The culture is a synthesis of Aryan and Dravidian cultures, developed over millennia, under influences from other parts of India and abroad.
The production of pepper and natural rubber contributes significantly to the total national output. In the agricultural sector,coconut, tea, coffee, cashew and spices are important. The state's coastline extends for 595 kilometres (370 mi), and around 1.1 million people in the state are dependent on the fishery industry which contributes 3% of the state's income. The state has the highest media exposure in India with newspapers publishing in nine different languages; mainly English and Malayalam. Kerala is one of the prominent tourist destination, with backwaters, beaches, Ayurvedic tourism and tropical greenery its major attractions.
| Languages | : | Malayalam, Tamil |
| When to Visit | : | Nov to April |
| Climate | : | Temperature- 35c to 21c Monsoon- June to Sep/Oct |
| Festivals | : | Poorasm(April/May), Onam(Aug/Sep) Sankaranti(jan), Dassera( Sep/Oct) |
Alleppey is well known for the backwater trips on houseboats and always comes on top among the best destinations to check out in Kerala, simply because it is a exclusive encounter that you cannot get anywhere else on the globe. Alleppey was described as the one of the locations known as ‘Venice of the East’ by Lord Curzon. A houseboat vacation along the natural backwaters in Alleppey provides a chance to observe landscapes attractions like lavish paddy areas below the water levels, small chapels, fishing with netting, ducks in water, water lilies etc, sure to remain etched in your mind forever and this is among the best places to visit in Kerala in October to December. A vacation along the pathways with conventional Kerala food provided in a bananas leaves is fascinating with a meditative spell that is weaving a feeling of calmness and beauty around you . All months from Sept to May are fun to check out and go to Alleppey which has few of the best backwater trips in Kerala. Some other tourist destinations in Alleppey are Chettikulangara Bhagawathy Temple , Arthunkal Church , Krishnapuram Palace, Pathiramanal, Marari Beach, Sri Krishna Temple in Ambalappuzha etc other than the beach in Alleppey which may be among the closest encounters to Arabian Sea. All months from September to May are good time to visit and go to Alleppey which has few of the best backwater tours in Kerala.
In Kasargod district of Kerala, locates a place called Bekal with beauty engraved all over. The Bekal Fort enhanced with the Arabian Sea is definitely one of the most significant tourist attractions. Film directors’ favorite, the Fort has also done a major role in enriching various Indian movies, especially their songs. In Kerala, Bekal Fort is the best preserved and the largest among its kind. This giant keyhole shape fort with the excellence of the sea surrounding it, greenery view from the top of the fort and the cool breeze sets an exotic feel. The Anjaneya temple located at its entrance is another attraction of the Fort.
Cochin is in central kerala and it is easy to get to most of the tourist places in Kerala from Kochi , the primary reason because of which Kochi is the starting point for most of the Kerala tour packages. Though the tourist destination is known as Kochi, it is a part of Ernakulam which is a beautiful district located on the coast of the Arabian Sea and must see place to go in Kerala. Ernakulam city is quite fast and modern and the old art of city is theFort Kochi with a mix of british, portugese and dutch cultures spread all across. Though Ernakulam is also known as Cochin, the latter is an interesting city in the district often known as the commercial capital of Kerala. Ernakulam is also titled as the ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’ as it is one of the finest natural harbors in the world. In the past, Dutch, Portuguese, Arabs, Chinese and the British have visited here and left their impressions in the town. Today, Ernakulam is as a booming metropolis city in Kerala with many industrial buildings and IT hubs taking shape in and around it.
Just 8 kilometers away from the Ernakulam town is a historic place of Fort Cochin which has some beautiful impressions of the foreign heritage. The place used to be a Municipal town for more than a century and is now one of the major urban elements of the present day Cochin; Ernakulam is another and Mattancherry forms the third element. One can find old English, Dutch and Portuguese houses and buildings in both Fort Cochin and Mattancherry that take us back to those colonial periods. Besides those beautifully laden busy streets and shops, there are a few places in Fort Cochin as well as Mattancherry that attract tourists, mostly foreigners like Chinese Fishing Nets, Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Cemetery, Mattancherry Palace and so on.
Rated as among the best beaches in India even before Kerala Tourism shot into prominence Kovalam is the favorite option of many tourists in Kerala for relaxing in the sun, ayurvedic treatments and powerful strong deep massages and is also among the best places to visit in Kerala in December and January for New Year celebrations. The crescent shaped beach has a light house on its southern side, which provides an excellent view of the city especially the moon-shaped beach and the Vizhinjam mosque. Kovalam which is derived from cocnut trees is 16 kms away from Trivandrum. The mild home provide an awesome perspective of the moon-shaped beach and the Vizhinjam mosque. To the northern of Kovalam is the Samudra beach and Hawah beach is in the middle of Kovalam. The rocky formations mixes with the calm blue bay to turn the bay into a exclusive aquarelle on moonlit evenings. Three beaches at Kovalam are divided the rocky formations that is projecting out to the sea. The bigger one is known as Light House Beach and the second biggest in the Hawah beach
Kozhikode is known as Calicut located in the southwest coast of Kerala and bordered by Kannur, Wayanad,Malappuram and Arabian Sea. Calicut is the place where Vasco da Gama lands and among the territories ceded to the British East India Company by Tipu Sultan of Mysore. The city known as City of Spices and famous for its many temples and mosques along with other attractions like Thusharagiri Falls, Kuttiyadi Dam and Sea port.
If you have craved to stay in a small village in Kerala for enjoying the backwaters, sipping on tender coconut water, tasting some authentic Kerala food and experiencing the warmth of fresh air, Kumarakom is the place you should be in when you travel to Kerala. Situated near the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a sleepy little hamlet with exotic scenery and rare flora and fauna. The place offers boating, house boat cruising, fishing and sightseeing. Canals, waterways and lakes decorated with lilies and lined with coconut groves, green paddy fields and mangrove forests will be quite tempting for any visitor to have a stress relieving vacation. Kumarakom is situated near to Ayemenem town where the popular book The God of Small Things was set is the most awesome position in Kerala (arguably) providing you the most delightful Kerala food. Sailing through the relaxed wealthy waters of Kumarakom in an experience in Kerala in itself. Spread across 14 acres, the sanctuary accommodates varieties of birds including teal, wild duck, egrets, herons, cuckoo, waterfowl, darters and also migratory birds. The place offers boat trip around the islands giving you a breathtaking experience of watching the birds and the nature’s beauty. The sanctuary is open for public daily from 6AM to 6PM.
Munnar is the most popular hill station in South India and one of the best places to see in Kerala. It has exclusive views of extreme mountain slopes which are covered with about 80,000 miles of green tea farms like organic bedding over mountains which offer views of low-flying clouds and misty valleys. Munnar is usually cold and relaxed and gives you a incredible sensation, with the dense spray around you in the center of the organic tea farms. Munnar was once the summer season of the erstwhile English and English settlers found that the elevation, slope and alignment of the hills were particularly designed for the farming of tea. The modern end result is the lavish organic mountains decorated by tea gardens which is the sight to look out for in modern Munnar. There are also lot of waterfalls and hiking routes in Munnar for the adventure seeking guests. With its drowsy little bungalows, bungalows, old play areas and tea factories, Munnar is one of those unique hill stations in India with an old world colonial feel to the area.
A ‘not to be missed’ destination. Poovar Island offers you the best in visionary delights. This is the most sought after estuary in the state as it connects with lake, river and the sea. Take a boat cruise to enjoy the beauty of nature abound in the place. The golden sands and the stunning backwaters create a perfect setting for sunset. It seems that nature has played magic in this place. There are floating cottages as well as land cottages here. The place is also famous for Ayurvedic massages.
Periyar Wildlife sanctuary in Thekkady is a popular wild life sanctuary preserving various species of animals including elephants, tigers, sambars, gaurs and the very rare lion tailed macaques. The forest is situated on the banks of the lake, Periyar. Of the 777 sq kms of area, 360 sq km has been taken up bythe thick evergreen forest. Thekkady’s scenic beauty along with its wildlife has been attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world for years. Probably the best position in Kerala to see wildlife while doing a boat trip trip in Thekkady lake. From the mighty Indian elephant to the Great Indian tiger to leopards, boars, bisons, deers etc Thekkady has it all that a wild life sanctuary has. The tourism department provides going up the right into the middle of the jungles either on feet or on top of elephants. If you want some more awesome adventure,you can take the path from Moozhiyar to Thekkadi via Gavi spinning through the thickest wooded miles of Kerala. Elephants are a common sight in Thekkady and boating is the favortie past time for most tourist who visits Thekkady.
Thrissur is known as cultural capital of Kerala situated at the central of in Thrissur District. The city host many cultural, spiritual and religious festival of the state, Thrissur Pooram festival is the most colorful and spectacular among them. Puli Kali also known as Tiger dance is one of the most popular folk art performed here during Onam festival.
Thiruvananthapuram which is the capital city of Kerala is a blend of serenity and city life.Thiruvananthapuram means The City of Lord Anantha is of historical importance and has many stories to unfold. Thiruvananthapuram owes a lot to Padmanabha Swamy Temple – for the charm, fame and the name. This huge temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu situates in the heart of the city, East Fort. A mix of Dravidian and Kerala architectural style, the Padmanabha Swamy Temple is the right place for art lovers as it holds many ancient stone carvings and mural paintings. The divine idol of Lord Vishnu reclining on the Serpent Anantha is yet another treat to the eyes.
Being the largest and the most populous city in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram has people from various parts of the state living here in social, religious and cultural harmony. The city also holds India’s first IT Park and Asia’s third largest, Technopark, making it a land of technology as well. As large as it is, Thiruvananthapuram has many breathtaking locations, of which some must-visits are Kuthiramalika Palace Museum , Napier Museum , Ponmudi, Kovalam, Veli Tourist Village and ThenmalaSri Padmanabhaswamy Templewhich is the riches temple in the world is also in trivandrum.
Varkala in Kerala is a amazing beach with a little seaside and a high high cliff part which is complete of action and is among the best seaside places in Kerala . 51 miles away from Thiruvananthapuram, on its northern side, Varkala has the appeal and potential to entice guests from all over the world with its natural charm and high cliffs. The seaside is quite well-known among people from other countries as its journey and enjoyment provides many interesting activities such as sun bathing, boat riding, surfing and ayurvedic massages. Varkala also is unique as a important pilgrim of the Hindus and the beach called Papanasham which translates into was away your sins is supposed to be the best place to look at the sunset. The long unique seaside places, amazing resorts, fresh air etc attracts the guests to Varkala, who wish to have a less crowded beach vacation than that in near by Kovalam. The unique and amazing destinations of varkala is one of the best cases for the appeal of God’s Own Country. Varkala seaside is about one range long and divided into two. The northern end is for sun worshippers & the south east end is for Hindu lovers and the varkala tourist sightseeing include attractions like Varkala Beach, Janardhana Temple , Sivagiri Mutt and Kappil Lake.
To know the greener side of Kerala, one must visit Wayanad which translates to the land of paddy fields in Local language Malayalam. It won’t be irrelevant to call it the ‘Green Paradise’ if you are planning for a sightseeing in Kerala. Calm and quiet, enriched with scenic beauty, tradition and wildlife, Wayanad is a blend of nature and heaven together and is one of the best places to visit in Kerala during summer. Wayanad is also famous for the richness it holds in the tribal heritage and agricultural abundance. Observing the lifestyle of over fifty tribes dwelling in this region will be a mind-blowing experience. The place is least populated when compared to other districts in Kerala, but the exoticness and landscape make it a must visit destination in the God’s own country. Wayanad all together has many exotic locations in and around the district like edakkal caves, banasura sagar dam, Wayanad Wildlife Santuary, Lakkidi, Tusharagiri Waterfalls, Kalpetta, and Sentinel Rockfalls. Wayanad is a popular trekking destination in Monsoons and is a must visit destination in Kerala in July and August for adventure tourism enthusiasts.
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