Capital : Thiruvananthapuram
(Trivandrum) Famous For : Backwaters, Beaches, Ayurveda
Temperature : Summer - Max.36.2, Min.20.6, and Winter -
Max.35, Min.18 Rainfall : 170 cm (May to November)
Ideal Time to Visit : September- April Language :
Malayalam, English Kerala is on the southernmost tip
of India. It stretches along the coast of the Arabian Sea and is
separated from the rest of the sub continent by the steep Western
Ghats. The state lies between 80 18 ' and 120 48 ' north latitude
and 740 52' and 770 22' east longitude. The breadth of the state
varies from 32 kms in the extreme north and south to over 120 kms in
the middle. The backwaters of Kerala are unique attraction to
tourists. The biggest among these backwaters is the Vembanad lake,
with an area of 200 sq km, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at
Cochin port. Backwaters, historical structures, culture, wildlife,
and natural beauty, the state has all these and more.
Major Cities in Kerala
- Kannur
Part of the famous Malabar region, Kannur has
historically always been in the thick of action. Kollathiri
Rajas, Pazhassi Rajas, Ali Rajas, The Portuguese, The Dutch, The
French, The British, then the freedom struggle etc are all part
of its history. Forts, Temples, Beaches and the temple festivals
make Kannur worth visiting.
- Munnar
Munnar, a misty, lush green hill station up in
the Annamalai range of Kerala, is a tea plantation centre. Tea
gardens, some of the highest in the world stretch up the sides
of the hills and are interspersed with pockets of forest rich in
wildlife.
- Malappuram
Malappuram (literally, a land atop hills) is
situated 50 km south east of Kozhikode. Bounded by the Nilgiri
hills on the east, the Arabian sea on the west and Thrissur and
Palakkad districts on the south, Malappuram is enriched by three
great rivers flowing through it - the Chaliyar, the Kadalundi
and the Bharathapuzha. It was a famous centre for Hindu-Vedic
learning and Islamic philosophy.
- Idukki
The unspoiled natural queen of Kerala, a tourist
paradise, "Idukki". This is the most gifted district
of Kerala. About 1500 Sq.Km. of its area is reserved forest,
much of which is home to a variety of flora and fauna. This
forest area house wild life like, tigers, deer, Indian bisons
and monkeys. Streams, valleys and hills combine to make Idukki
an ideal year-round holiday destination.
- Thekkady (Periyar)
Thekkady, 115 km from Kottayam, is the one of best known wild
life centres in India. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary here,
offers a fairly good chance of seeing the great Indian tiger in
its natural habitat.
- Trivandrum
At the southern end of the state,
Thiruvananthapuram is a district surrounded by the Arabian sea
and the Western Ghats. The district headquarters, also of the
same name, is the Capital of the state. During the British
period and till a few years ago, it was known as Trivandrum, a
name that suited the English to pronounce. A quiet, neat and
clean city, it has a rich cultural heritage too.
- Alleppey
Alleppey is well known for its boat races,
houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alleppey is a lovely
backwater destination, offering visitors many other leisure
options like - boating and fishing, very popular with the
tourists. With calm backwaters, beautiful houseboats,
Cormorants, Chinese fishing nets and swaying palms - Alleppey is
a perfect relaxation your senses.
- Cochin
Cochin is the commercial capital of Kerala, and
is sometimes referred to as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'.
Cochin proudly boasts a rich cultural heritage, but is one of
the most fast paced and modern cities in India. It is also one
of the finest natural harbours of the world and a major Indian
port.
- Calicut
Vythiry (Wyanad)
- Parambikulam
- Meesapulimala
- Chinnar
- Eravikulam
Backwater in Kerala
- Backwaters of Alappuzha
Earlier known as
Alleppey, Alappuzha is today referred as the 'Venice of East'.
Alappuzha is an important backwater destination attracting
several thousand-foreign tourist every year.
- Backwaters of Ernakulam
Ernakulam is just about
the center of Kerala. It is basically a collection of islands
and narrow peninsulas. Ernakulam is the commercial centre and
forms the main land.
- Backwaters of Kasargod
Famous for Backwater,
Kasargod is a very popular destination for its location. With
the Sea to the West and Western Ghats to the North and East,
Kasargod is the northern-most district of Kerala..
- Backwaters of Kollam
Kollam is located 71 km to
the north of Thiruvananthapuram, this historic coastline
district known for its marine and cashew industries was one of
the oldest ports on the Malabar coast and a major international
trading point in day gone by.
- Backwaters of Kottayam
Kottayam, among the state’s
more mountainous districts, provides some of Kerala’s
finest natural scenes, sandwiched as it is between serene
palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western ghats on the
east.
- Backwaters of Kozhikode
Kozhikode was once the
capital of the powerful Zamorins, a prominent trade and commerce
centre and the land of the Malabar Mahotsavam, now became the
most important region of Malabar in the days gone by.
- Backwaters of Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a cluster
of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water
world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here,
which is spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of migratory
birds and an ornithologist's paradise.
- Backwaters of Thiruvananthapuram
The
southernmost district of the State, Thiruvananthapuram is
bounded by the wooded highlands of the Western Ghats on the east
and northeast, and the Arabian Sea on the west.
Beaches in Kerala
- Kovalam Beach
- Chowara Beach
- Shanghumugham Beach
- Varkala Papanasam Beach
- Bekal Beach
- Alleppey Beach
- Quilon Beach
- Cherayi Beach (Kochi)
Wildlife in Kerala
- Shenduruni Wildlife Sanctuary
(66 km from town
on the Kollam-Shencotta road) : Main attractions: Elephatns,
tigers, leopards, bears, lion tailed macques.
- Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
(50 km from
Thiruvananthapuram) Main attractions: Elephants, sambar deer,
leopards and lion tailed macques.
- Neyyar wildlife Sanctuary
(30 km from
Thiruvananthapuram) Main attractions: Elephants , gaurs, sloth,
bears, Nilgiri tahrs, lion safari park.
- Trekking Trails
Agasthyarkoodam
(Thiruvananthapuram), the second highest peak in Kerala, at a
height of 1890 m above sea level. (Rcommended JUN-SEP for
trekking: December to April)
- Silent Valley National Park
(40 km from
Mannarghat): Main attractions: Elephants, tigers, wild boars,
flying squirrels, lion tailed macaques and king cobras.
- Periyar Tiger Reserve
One of the world's most
fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, Thekaddy is noted for
its geomorphology, wildlife and beautiful landscape. This
sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978, Entry to the
Periyar Wildlfie Sanctuary: 0600-1800 hrs
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Kumarakom Bird
Sanctuary, situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake is known
for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as
waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian
Cranes can be viewed here.
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the well known
wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a
large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the
Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching
the animals in their natural habitat.
Fair & Festivals in Kerala
- Thrichenganoor Mahadeva Temple
- Thaipooya Mahptsavam
- Danaha Perunal
- Gramam
- Mamangam
- Athachamayam
- Onam
- Soorya Dance Festival
- Kothamangalam Marthoman Church
- Sabarimala
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- Nishagandhi Dance Festival
- Attukal Pongala Utsavam
- Malabar Mahotsavam
- Sivaratri
- Kalavayal (Cattle Fair)
- Trissur Pooram
- Ochirakali
- Mannarasala Aayilyam
- Parumala Perunal
- St. Mary's Forane Church, Bharananganam
- Sree Krishna Temple
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Hill Stations in Kerala
- Munnar
Munnar is a hill station, located at an
altitude of 1,600m, was once the summer resort of the erstwhile
British government in South India.
- Mattupetti
Situated at a height of 1,700m,
Mattupetti is famous for its highly specialised dairy farm, the
Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high
yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three
of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm.
- Ponmudi
The enchanting bounty of nature can be
witnessed in the quiet surroundings of Ponmudi. Perched at an
altitude of over 100m above sea level on the Western Ghats, the
shimmering green waters of the winding streams and verdant woods
of Ponmudi do not spare anybody.
Temples in Kerala
- Sabarimala Temple
- Guruvayoor Temple
- Sri Padmanabh Swamy Temple
- Vadukkumnathan Temple
How to Reach
- By Air
Two international airports one at
Thiruvananthapuram and the other at Kochi connect Kerala to all
the important cities. The nearest airport is at
Thiruvananthapuram. Air-India and Indian Airlines flights
connect the city to all the other major cities in India. Private
Airlines: Continental Airways operate flight to
Thiruvananthapuram from Mumbai and Goa.
- By Rail
Thiruvananthapuram is directly connected
by rail to all the major cities in India.
- By Road
Thiruvananthapuram is connected by
regular bus services to several parts of India. Important
distances are: Cochin 223 kms, Kanyakumari 87 kms, Periyar 272
kms.
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