Kerala,
the state known for its natural beauty, is located on the southwestern
coast of Indian peninsula. Situated in between the high western
ghats in the east and the vast Arabian sea in the west, Kerala shares
boundaries with the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The sun-kissed
beaches, varied wildlife sanctuaries, dense forest cover, tranquil
backwaters, verdant valleys, houseboat cruises, breathtaking scenery
and splendid architecture, of course make Kerala the "God's
own country." The state is known for its rich art and culture,
in fact performing and visual arts play are important part of Kerala's
life. Kerala has become worldwide famous for its interesting 'Kathakali'
a masked dance-drama, in addition other popular art forms are Koodiyattam,
Krishnanattam, Kalaripayattu. Koothu, Mohiniyattam and Ottamthullal.
Overall the state is not only famous its tourist attractions, but
also for handloom, handicrafts, metal mirror and fiber products.
Alleppey - The Venice of the East. Alleppey also
known as Alappuzha, is a small town of Kerala. The district headquarters
of Alleppey is famous for its beautiful canals, backwaters and lagoons.
A popular tourist destination, Alleppey was described as the 'Venice
of the East' by Lord Curzon. Alleppey is renowned for its coir factories,
fish and lakes. Snake boat races are the most important traditional
event in Alleppey, which usually held between August and October.
During the event the thin boats are oared by up to 120 oarsmen.
Alleppey is connected to other parts of Kerala by waterways, including
the popular tourist place Kumarakam.
Kollam Backwaters Kollam previously known as Quilon,
is a beautiful destination and a gateway to the Kerala backwaters.
The city situated at a distance of 71 Kms, from Thiruvananathapura
is an important center of the cashew nut processing and trading
industry. With Kerala Backwater the tourists can see some important
historical buildings and temples of Kollam. Kollam Backwaters, which
extend from the Ashthamudi Lake, look extremely beautiful. The boat
cruise from Kollam to Allappuzha takes around 8 hours. It is a joyful
ride, with lotuses and water lilies in the water, water birds seated
on the banks and otters splashing and playing in the water.
Kumarakon Backwaters is an enchanting tourist destination.
Situated on the beautiful Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom attracts large
number of tourists. The blue backwaters of Kumarakom and the surface
of Vembanad Lake reflect the blue sky. The attractive shades of
green vegetation like mangroves, coconut palms, and paddy fields
cover the backwaters. Channels and waterways make their route through
this green paradise. Water lilies and lotuses bloom in the water
while birds fly across the clear sky. The nature lover will surely
to be enchanted by the natural beauty of Kumarakom. See the picturesque
scenery and rest on a houseboat as you drift along the backwaters
of Kumarakom.
Kovalam Beaches a tropical paradise with a sheltered
natural bay, the azure blue waters and the sumptuous spread of green
palm groves. The sands on the Kovalam beaches are partially black
in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and thorazite. Kovalam
consists of three successive crescent beaches, separated by a high
cliff. The most popular among these is southern beach called as
the Lighthouse Beach. The middle beach is called Hawah, while the
northern most beach is Samudra.
Alappuzha Beach Situated in the Alappuzha district,
the spectacular beach is famous as a tourist spot as well as a relaxation
spot. The pier, extending into the sea here, is believed to be around
140 years old. The natural greenery , lagoons, vast lakes and many
fresh water rivers make Alappuzha a natural wonderland of Kerala.
Another attraction is adjacent Vijaya beach park which offers entertainment
facilities like boating facility, picnic spot and children's park.
Periyar wildlife Sanctuary best known for its wildlife,
is situated in the Idukki district of Kerala. Set amidst the high
mountains of the Wetern Ghats, Periyar is a protected area and a
Project Tiger reserve. The protected area covers an area of 777
Sq Kms, out of which 350 Sq Kms area of the central zone was developed
into the Periyar National Park. The park is also called by the name
Thekkady, which is situated at a distance of 4 Kms from Kumily,
100 Kms from Alappuzha, 110 Kms from Madurai and 120 Kms from Kochi.
Kochi - A Vibrant City. Kochi formerly known as
Cochin, is located in Ernakulam district of Kerala. Also called
as 'Queen of the Arabian Sea', Kochi is one of the principal seaports
of the country. Kochi presents an interesting cultural blend of
its rich history and cultural heritage. The city famous for its
scenic sites, is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. Kochi
is the ideal base for exploring the beauty of Kerala. The Arabs,
British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left several historical
marks here. Over the years Kochi has emerged as the commercial and
industrial capital of Kerala. Kochi is bordered by the Western Ghats
on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.
Ayurveda in God's Own Country The southernmost
tip of India, Kerala is famous for its Ayurvedic resorts, that draw
a large number of tourists every year. In fact, today, Kerala is
the only State in India which practices this system of medicine
with full dedication. The Ayurveda in Kerala has become very famous
among the tourists especially foreigners. Patients from all over
the world come to Kerala for Ayurveda treatment. Kerala's pleasant
climate, natural forests with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants
are best suited for Ayurveda treatment.
How To Get There??
Air: Kerala has two major airports - Cochin International
Airport and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The airlines
operate domestic and international flights from these airports.
Rail : The railheads in Kerala is well-connected
by several trains with major cities and towns of India.
Road :The state and national highways connect Kerala
with important places of the country.