Kerala

Fact File
» Location from major metros : Trivandrum-Delhi (2814 kms), Trivandrum-Mumbai (1543 kms), Trivandrum-Chennai (708 kms), Trivandrum-Kolkata (2060 km).

» Known For : Kerala is known for her backwaters, ayurveda and her cities with a serene and traditional outlook. Keralan delicacies are also a favourite among tourists.

» Climate & the best time to visit : Kerala has a tropical climate. Summers are hot but not unbearable. Mercury may rise to a high of around 35 degrees during the peak summer months. The South West monsoon brings a lot of rainfall to the state during the June-September period. Winters are pleasant as temperatures seldom drop below 20 degrees during the season. A trip to Kerala can be planned between the months of October and May.


The State
Located in the extreme south of India, the state of Kerala stores a few unique attractions that makes her one of the most visited states of the country. On the map of India, Kerala resembles a banana leaf clinging between the Western ghats and beaches of Arabian sea. Known for her mesmerizing natural beauty, the best attractions of Kerala are its backwaters-a chain of interconnected lakes and canals whose beauty could only be seen to be believed. Kerala has also preserved over the years the ancient Indian medicinal form of Ayurveda for which the state is today getting rich dividends. Visitors from many corners of the globe come to avail ayurvedic treatment here. Coupled with them are Kerala's splendid festivals laced with some mysterious rituals. All this makes Kerala a favourite of many tourists.


Attractions in Kerala
» Trivandrum : Officially known as Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala lies in the southwest coast of India. Trivandrum is a city with a classical outlook having proudly preserved most of its ancient heritage, culture and traditions. It is also a city that cherishes a rich history; trade having started here way back in 190 AD. The major attractions of Trivandrum are in the form of Shree Padhmanabhaswamy temple, Kanakakunnu Palace, Govt. Museum, Vizhinjam and Veli lagoon. Shree Padhmanabhaswamy is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the most visited religious destination of the city.

» Cochin : The port of Cochin is regarded as one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Called the commercial capital of Kerala, Cochin is a place with a rich history and active present. The Dutch Palace of the place is its best attraction. A Portugese legacy, this architectural masterpiece was modified by the Dutch and hence the name as a tribute to the Dutch. The palace has an impressive collection of rare mural paintings. The Hill Palace of Cochin also attracts tourists in large numbers. Now converted into a museum, it displays a fine collection of articles used by the Rajas of Kochi. The beach of Cochin is a great place for leisurely walks in the evenings.

» Kollam : Kollam, also known as Quilon is a popular backwater destination of the state. It may be mentioned that backwaters are a chain of interconnected lakes and canals that give a distinct identity to Kerala. And Kollam is one of the flagbearers in this field. The most popular activity in Kollam is a cruise in her magnificent backwaters. One can experience the picturesque backwaters and village life of the place from close circles in these cruises. An eight hour boathouse ride from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest and the most thrilling backwater cruise amongst all the backwater destinations in Kerala.

» Alleppey : Also known as Alapuzzha, Alleppey is another magnificent backwater destination of Kerala with facilities for boathouse cruises. The exotic boathouses come with all modern amenities and the cruises become memorable experiences. Alleppey is also the place where the famed Nehru Trophy boat race takes place during the months of August-September. The boat race is originally associated with religious festivities.

» Munnar : Munnar is a serene hill station perched in the Kannan Devan hills. Munnar's scenic beauty comprises of lush greenery, clear water lakes, beautiful reservoirs and some of the highest tea estates in the world. Munnar is also developing as a popular adventure sports destination in present times. Munnar is located in the eastern part of Kerala at an altitude of 1524 meters. » Kovalam : Kovalam is located at a short distance of 16 kms from capital city of Trivandrum. Other than its backwaters, Kovalam is also known for its beach which ranks as the finest beach of Kerala. The main reason for Kovalam standing apart from the other beaches is its breathtaking beauty, sunset cruises and water sports.

» Varkala : Varkala is another destination known for its picturesque beach. Regarded as a beach with a spiritual aura, many religious rituals take place in the Varkala waters. The beach is also known as 'Papanashini'. It is said that a dip in the Varkala waters cleanses all past sins. Varkala is also a centre for Hindu pilgrimage. There is an 800-year old Janardhana temple atop a hill. There are also temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappan and Hanuman.

It may also be mentioned that there are many centres of Ayurveda spread over the whole of Kerala where visitors come in large numbers to avail treatment. Infact, Kerala can be regarded as the only state in India which practises this system full fledgedly and with great dedication. The availability of abundance of herbs and medicinal plants in the forests of the state gives a big boost to this thriving industry. The system of treatment can be divided into two broad categories-rejuvenating and therapeutic.

How to Reach
» Air : There are three major airports in Kerala-Trivandrum, Cochin and Calicut. The airports of Trivandrum and Cochin are international ones with flights operating from many overseas destinations. Calicut Airport caters to domestic carriers.

» Rail : All the major towns and cities of Kerala are connected by a well laid broad gauge network. Express train services operate from many destinations of India to Trivandrum and Cochin-the two big stations of Kerala.

» Road : The road network of Kerala is very well laid out. Inter-state deluxe buses connect many of the destinations with neighbouring states.