Kerala - Overview

Kerala - The Gods Own Land, on India's southernmost tip is the latest spot to open up to mass tourism and judging by the number of repeat bookings for next year, its future as a winter sun holiday hot spot is assured.Kerala, retaining the distinctive charm of India, differs from the rest of the sub-continent in a number of ways. Its population of 26 million has the highest literacy rate in India, the landscape is lush and fertile, supporting coconut, mango, papaya and all manner of exotic fruit. Its history is different too having been colonized by Chinese traders, Portuguese settlers and finally the British, resulting in a cultural blend in India.

Beaches in Kerala

Kerala offers some of the finest beaches in India. The entire length of Kerala coast almost is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promonotories and coconut palms. The palm-lined beaches of kerala are famous for its gentle surf and azure blue waters. To this must be added the delectable seafood cuisine,abundant sunshine and a friendly people to make an memorable holiday. Visitors throng to these places every year in search of the tranquil, palm fringed beaches that Kerala has in abundance..

The finest beaches are at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Malapuram, Kozhikode and Kasargod

Kerala the land of ayurveda

A perfect ancient science of life-Ayurveda.The literally meaning of the word Ayur means life and Veda means the science or knowledge. Ayurveda briefly explains the knowledge of the do’s and don’ts one has to follow, which favours the well being of each individual to lead a healthy, happy, comfortable and advantageous life both physically, mentally and socially. Ayurveda also emphasizes that prevention is better than cure.

The practice of herbal medicine dates back to the very earliest periods of known history. There is evidence of herbs having been used in the treatment of diseases and for refreshing body systems in almost all ancient civilizations-the Indian, the Egyptian, the Chinese and even the Greek and Roman civilizations. Plants were the mainstay of medicine and credited with spiritual and almost supernatural powers of healing . Herbs are used in many different ways. The ultimate objective of their use is that they should interact directly with our body chemistry.

Kerala with its best natural abundance of forests has very rich source of herbs and medicinal plants, which are best suited for Ayurveda’s curative and restorative programs. In fact, today Kerala is the only state in India, which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication. Rejuvenate your body, mind and soul by taking Ayurveda treatment atleast once in your life time.

In India, the records indicate, that herbs have been in use for treating diseases since ancient times.

A firmly ample information about herbs has been recorded in Charaka Samhita and Shusruta Samhita -the two most important works on Ayurvedic system medicine.

Hillstations

The hillstations in Kerala offers some of the best magnificent views of the nature. Almost in all the district the hills gives the tourist an energising atmosphere.
Trekking, rock climbing and other adventures activities can be liven up in ones journey to these hills stations of Kerala

SOME OF THE HILLSTATIONS ARE AT

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Palakkad, Malapuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasargod

House Boat

House Boats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel but none of those hassles: well-furnished bedrooms, modern hygienic toilets, cosy living rooms, beautiful kitchen and in some cases even a balcony for angling. Most House Boat are powered by remarkably unobtrusive outboard engines: some are poled by experienced oarsmen.A ride in a House Boat is the most stunning experience you could ever float into, or get floated into. And, nothing like it, if it rains while you are cozy inside the luxurious House Boat. It will be the most charming moment of your life. You could watch millions of drops of water splashing and pounding on the rhythm of the falling rain like you never had in all your life.

The Kettuvallam is a large floating structure with high load carrying capacity. Kettuvallam is made completely of jackwood plants tied (ketu) together with strong coir rope to form a huge barge (vallam). The boat is constructed without using a single nail and is coated with a special resin obtained from boiling cashew kernels. Each a masterpiece of intricate craftsmanship, the 'kettuvallam' lasts, not for years, but for generations.

Alleppey is the citadel of House Boats: There are some 120 of them, well maintained and perfected as luxury liners here

Wildlife in Kerala

Kerala are fourteen wildlife sanctuaries. And skirting these exotic destinations are some of the most delightful trails in the country. Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki , Kannur , Palaghat , Trichur ,Kollam and Wayanad offers some of the best wildlife sanctuaries and trekking trails of Kerala.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
idukki and Kulamavu - extending up to 33 sq. kms - forms part of this wildlife sanctuary.
Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild dogs, Jungle cats, Tiger, Wild boar etc are found here, as also Jungle fowl, Myna, Laughing thrush, Black bulbul, Peafowl, Wood pecker and the King fisher.

KOLLAM – Quilon
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
The Shendurney river is the only Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollam district.. The sanctuary covers a total area of 250 sq kms and is acclaimed the world over for its bio-diversity.accommodation, spices etc.

The Parappar dam has been built across the Shendurney River and serves the purpose of irrigation in Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - Kottayam
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kottayam is one of the best destinations of wild life sanctuaries in Kerala.Main attractions : Local Birds like the water fowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, herons and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian duck.

Bird watch - The best time for bird watching in Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is between June and August.(Migratory birds : November - February)

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary

Ernakulam, Kerala The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary was designed by Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist . He is reported to have identified 167 birds and his student , Dr. Sugathan, 207. In addition, theBombay Natural History Society has identified 253 species here.Main attractions: Birds: Indians rollers, cuckoos, common snipes, crow, pheasants, jungle nightars, kites, grey drogos, Malabar trogons, woodpeckers, large pied wagtails, baya sparrows, grey jungle fowls, Indian hill mynas, robins, jungle babblers sun birds, and darters

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary - Kohikode
The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is a Haven for migratory birds. Terns, Gulls, Herons, Sand pipers, Whimbrels and other such migratory birds flock from the month of November and returns only by the end of April. It is 25 kms. from Kozhikode. The ideal season to visit is from December to April in the early hours of the day.

Thiruvananthapuram
Agasthya Vanam Biological park
Agasthya Vanam Biological park has been set up for the regeneration, conservation, and propagation of a variety of wild animals, birds and plants. Though the area selected has negligible tree growth and wildlife, it has water sources in abundance and the soil is suitable for large scale afforestation.

Festivals of Kerala

Every year, in the lush villages around Kovalam (18 km from Thiruvananthapuram), mid January is the time for cultural events. The traditional thatch houses are decorated during this ten day long festival and are the venue for folk dances, music and festivities.

Onam

Onam the harvest festival, is celebrated annually throughout Kerala during August-September. Kerala’s most important festival is celebrated in the honour of the ancient asura king Mahabali. The occasion also heralds the harvest season. The decorating of houses with carpets of flowers, a sumptuous lunch and songs in praise of the golden reign of Mahabali, mark the ten day long festivities. A major attraction of the Onam celebrations are the famed snake boat races along the backwaters at Champakulam, Aranmula and Kottayam.

Onam heralds the harvest festival and is also according to folklore the time of the year when the king Mahabali, the legendary ruler of an ancient golden era in Kerala, returns from the depths of the nether world to visit his beloved subjects. It is an unusual festival, in the sense that it reverses the memory of the local 'asura' (demon) king, Mahabali (who is also affectionately called Maveli or Onathappan), whom Lord Vishnu coming down to earth as Vamanan, a Brahmin boy, cleverly exploited the very benevolence of this great king to oust him from his kingdom.
So attached was the king to his country and subjects, that he asked for and was granted permission to visit his subjects once every year. Onam is considered to be that day on which King Mahabali comes top visit the beloved subjects of his kingdom. Houses are cleaned, everyone wears the new Onam clothes (Onakkodi) they have received and floral decorations are put to give a fitting welcome to the beloved ruler during whose rule the kingdom was said to have been at its glorious.

Legend has it that the gods became envious of the king because he was so well adored and loved by his subjects that Indran, the king of the devas felt that his position was under threat due to the immense popularity enjoyed by Mahabali among his subjects. So he requested Lord Vishnu's help whereby the lord devised a scheme to get rid of Mahabali and sent him into exile in the nether world. Lord vishnu came down to earth in the guise of Vamanan, a poor Brahmin boy and requested the ever benevolent king for three foot measures of land to meditate upon. The king asked Vamana to measure and take the same from anywhere he wanted. On getting the king's permission. Lord Vishnu transforms into his cosmic form and covers the earth and all the other worlds in his first two root measures and asks the king where he should get his third foot measure of space from.

The king being a man of great honour could not even think of going back on his word and offered his own very head whereby lord Vishnu' put his foot over the king's head and pushed him down to 'patalam'. Before being sent down, the king requested Lord Vishnu permission to visit his country and people and was given permission to return to his people one each year. It is this occasion of Mahabali's annual visit that is celebrated as Onam.

Onam is a great time to be in Kerala, as this beautifully lush green region combines a celebration of its warring and seafaring traditions with festivities honouring the ancient asura king Mahabali, Kaikottikkali is a folk dance form performed by the women all over the State during Onam with clapping of hands by the performers.

While caparisoned elephants go out in procession, beautifully decorated snake boats races on the backwaters and cultural events lend colour to the festivities.

Pooram
The colourful Pooram festival is held in Thrissur at its fine Vadakkumnathan Temple in the month of May. Processions of beautifully caparisoned elephants provide a magnificent spectacle. The festival is rounded off at night by dazzling firework displays.

Vishu

Vishu occupies a unique position in more than one respect.This day is celebrated in almost all places in India by the Hindus albeit by different names. In Bihar this day is called Bihu, in Punjab Baisakhi and in Tamil Nadu Puthandu.

Though this is not the New Year's Day in the Malayalam Calendar, people of Kerala consider Vishu the beginning of a new year Vishu Kani’ - a display of grain, fruits, flowers, gold, new cloth and money, is viewed early in the morning to ensure a prosperous year ahead. Firework displays and the buying of new clothes are a part of the festivities.