Popularly known as God’s Own Country. kerela is a sight to behold. Full of lush green landscapes, mystical coastal greenery and serene backwaters, the state offers a rejuvenating stay. Kerala or Keralam in Malayalee means’ the land of coconut trees.’ Streching from some of the highest mountains of the Western Ghats to the lush coastal plain, Kerala captures a rich diversity of natural beauty.
Tucked away in southwest corner of India, Kerala is a verdant wedge on the Malabar Coast that has attracted traders and visitors from time immemorial. A tropical paradise, Kerala’s sun-kissed beaches. its placid backwaters and swaying coconut palms are a permanent invitation to the holidaymaker in search of leisure; so are its boat races, wildlife and Kathakali, that trips through peaceful lagoons and canals, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries and complex cultural customs. High levels of education and health care have given Kerala an enviable reputation elsewhere in India. The state’s sheltered location has allowed many distinctive customs, are forms and festivals to thrive. Kerala’s biggest cultural celebration is the harvest festival Onam, when the state celebrates the golden age of mythical king Mahabali Kerala for four days in late August or early September. It includes elephant processions, cultural performances boat races for the public, and feasts and floral decorations in the home.
In this entrancing state, a mere strip of south western India hugged by the coast on one side, by hills on another, a fascinating voyage of discovery awaits travellers. Splendid festivals with mysterious rituals, full of colour and open to participation, herds of elephants, leading processions, or in the wild; exotic handcrafts and seafood preprations fresh from the Arabian sea; cosmopolitan cities where the past is always at hand, and small towns where time has stood still; all this and more makes Kerala the ideal holiday destination, far removed from the cares of the everyday world.
Table of Contents
Highlights: Thiruvanthapuram, Coachin, Beaches Backwaters, Hill Stations, Ayurveda, Kathakali, Festivals, Cuisine.
Thiruvananthapuram
Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram as it is now known, first became the capital of the Raja of Travancore in 1750. The name is derived from ‘Tiru-Ananta-Puram,’ the abode of the sacred serpent ‘Anantha’ upon whose coils lies Vishnu in the famous Padmanabhaswami temple. Built over seven forested hills, Thiruvanathapuram is a beautiful city of magnificent structures created in an amazing architectural style. The Characterstics red-tiled roofs in cool, green gardens, narrow winding lanes, intimate corner cafes and friendly efficient people are absolutely endearing. While the city is modernizing and familiar problems such as air pollution are appearing, it is still of India’s most pedestrian-friendly cities.
Sree Chitra Art Gallery
Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Closed on Monday and Wednesday forenoons. This art gallery is located near the Napier Museum and displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Sveltova and Nicholas Roerich. The exhibition also includes other exquisite works of art from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of Art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.
The Zoological Park
Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Closed on Monday One of the first zoos in India, it is located in a well-planned botanical garden. With huge trees like fragipani and jacaranda dotting the sprawling lawns and wild fowl swimming in the lake, it is a small jungle in the heart of the city. A reptile house with different species of snakes is also located in the premises. This garden set amoung woodland and lakes, open 9 am to 5.15 pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
The Kanakakunnu Palace
800mts. northeast of the Museum now belongs to the Government. It is well worth being taken around by the interesting and knowledgeable guide. The palace and its sprawling grounds today serve as a venue for many cultural meets and programme.
Veli Tourist Village
Open 8.00-6.00 pm This spot has sprung up where the Veli lake meets the Arabian Sea. It offers boating facilities like pedal boats and paddle-boats on hire to explore the charms of the lagoon in a leisurely manner. For a quick ride over the waters, speedboats are avilable for hire. Children enjoy climbing over huge sculptures that dot the landscape. The well-designed Veli Tourist Park contains fine sculptures by local artist Canai kunuram. The sculptures portray a distinctive sense of balance and harmony sometimes combined with the erotic. The park, well worth a visit, is on the shores of Veli Lagoon, 8kms. west of the city-centre.
Meenmutty Falls
Meenmutty Falls is a waterfall located 45kms from Thiruvanathapuram. The falls are located near the Neyyar Reservoir area. No transportation is available so visitors have to trek 2km through the dense forests to reach the falls. It is very beautiful fall with beautiful surroundings. The Kombaikani Falls lie 2 kms. upstream of the Meenmutti Falls on the trek path to Agastyakoodam.
The Neyyar Dam
Neyyar dam is a gravity dam on the Neyyar River in Thiruvanathapuram, located on the foot of the Western Ghats about 30 km from Thiruvanathapuram. Lying against the southern low hills of the Western Ghats, Neyyar Dam has a scenic lake and a popular picnic spot. It has a watch tower, crocodile farm, lion safari park and a deer park. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir. Teeming with wildlife, it gives shelter to elephants, gaurs, sloth bears and Nilgiri tahrs.
Koyikkal Palace
Nedumagad 18 kms Located on the way to the Ponmudi hill station and Courtallam waterfalls, this ancient palace dates back to the 15th century. The Folklore Museum set up in 1992 is a treasure house of quient musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk arts etc. Displayed in the Koyikkal Palace, they focus attention on the cultural background of the state.
Sree Mahadeva Temple
Situated in Kashakuttom, this ancient temple is believed to the from the 14th century. Another old temple in the district is the Mitramandapuram Temple on the outskirts of the city.
Aruvikkara Dam
This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana river. Near the Durga Temple here, is a stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors. This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana river. Near the Durga Temple here, is a stream full of fish that fearlessely come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.
Cheeyappara Waterfalls
The Cheeyappara Waterfall is on the Kochi – Madurai Highway, between Neriamangalam and Adimali. It is in Idukki district. The Cheeyappara Waterfall cascades down in seven steps. This is also a great place for trekking.
