Kerala

India's most idllic state, Kerala - better known as God's Own Country - is today one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. Sechduled beaches, palm fringed backwaters, mist clad hill stations, lush tropical forests, waterfalls, exotic wildlife, monuments, art form and festivals give it a distinctive charm. All which offers a unique experience. God's Own Country : with the Arabian Sea inthe west, the western ghats towering 500 - 2700 m in the east and networked by forty rivers, Kerlala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destination in Asia.

Kerala is a captivatingly beautiful, emerald green land, bordered by the Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. Kerala can be called tourist bliss. There are many matchless reasons to call Kerala a paradise. A calm environment, sun kissed beaches, emerald backwaters, tranquil hill stations, out of the ordinary wildlife and spectacular waterfalls makes Kerala a true heaven on Earth. In the words of Sreedhara Menon "Its unique geographical position and peculiar physical features have invested Kerala with a distinct individuality."

History
Archaeologists deem that the initial populace of Kerala was the colony of the hunter-gatherers, the ting Negrito people. The Dravidians drifted to the southwards, carrying their civilization with them, though leaving their substantial cultural contribution on their successors, the Aryans (Indo - Iranians). But Kerala is still strappingly predisposed by the Dravidian culture. Jewish and Arabs trade's were the first to come to Kerala sailing in the ships to set up trading stations. Portuguese exposed the sea route to India from Europe when Vasco da Gama landed with his ship near Kappad in Calicut in AD 1498. The first recorded history of Kerala appears in the inscriptions of the Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka (269-232 b.c.)

Geography
The lovely land of Kerala is strewn in the area of 38863 Sq. Kms. This is just 1.3 percent of the total area of India. It is situated at the southern west tip of India. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are the neighbouring states of Kerala. Kerala is sandwiched between the tall mountains and deep sea. Kerala is located on the southwestern tip of India with the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats towering 500-2700m on the east. The State is divided into three regions - the coastal lowlands, the fertile midlands and the highlands. The lowlands of Kerala are networked by endless backwaters and the deltas of forty-tour tivers. The midlands are rich with cashew, cocunnut, arecanut, tapioca, banana, rice, ginger, pepper, sugarcane and vegetable plantations. The forested highlands abound in tea, coffee, rubber and spice plantations and wildlife reserves.

People/Population
The population of Kerala is about 3,1838,619. The male population and female population have not much of a difference. The female population is about 16,369,955 and the male population is approximately 15,468,664.The over all literacy rate in Kerala is maximum as compared to other states of India. The literacy rate in Kerala is about 90.92%.
Capital : Thiruvananthapuram (a.k.a. Trivandrum)
District Area : 38,863 sq.km / 15,005 sq. miles
Sex Ratio : 1058 females : 1000 males
Literacy : 100%
Best time to visit : Pleasant round the year
Temperature : Summer: 35°C Max.
Winter: 20°C Min.
Climate : Tropical
Rainfall : 3107 mm
Clothing : Light cottons
Local Languages : Malayalam, English is widely spoken
Religion : Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Alleppey (a.k.a. Alappuzha)
The town was founded by Raja Keshawadasan, Divan of Travanacore in 1762. With the arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the venice of the east by travellers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, Alappuzha (Alleppey) has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, & also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.
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Cochin (a.k.a. Ernakulam or Kochi)
Ernakulam (Cochin) is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea with Kumarakom and Allapuzha districts on the South, Idukki on the East and Thrissur on the North. The commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Kochi, in ernakulam, is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. With one of the finest natural barbours in the world, this was once a manor centre of commerce and trace with the british, arabs, chinese, portuguese, dutch etc.
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Munnar
Munnar is situated at the influence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, nallathanni and kundala, 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile british government in south india. Sprawling tea plantations, picturebook towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2007. Munnar also has the highest peak in south india, anamudi, which towers over 2695m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
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Kumarakom
Bordered by the lofty western ghats on the east and the vembanad lake and paddy fields of kuttanad on the west, kottayam is a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive rubber plantations and a totally literate people have given this district the enviable title : the land also boasts the first malayalam printing press which was established by benjamin bailey, a christian missionary, in 1820 A.D.

Thekkady (a.k.a. Periyar)
The very sound of the word thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. In the periyar forest of thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in india, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
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Kovalam
Kovalam is the only beach resort of Kerala, and is very popular with the Indian as well as international tourists. Industry is relatively small scale in this area and the prices low. The beach is just a few minutes walk from the village.
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Varkala
This is another good beach 50 km from Trivandrum. The Papanasan beach here is not as crowded as the one in Kovalam. The Janarathama temple here is believed to be 2000 years old. Kollam is 31 km from Varkala.

Thiruvanthapuram (a.k.a. Trivandrum)
Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivendrum) the capital of Kerala. Located at the South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West and Tamil Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the Eastern and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shorline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination.

Kanyakumari
At the southern most tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, liles Kanniyakumari, an important pilgrim centre. Kanniyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days, The beach itself is a beautiful sight with lmuklti-colouted sand. There is a lightoused form where one can get a panoramic view.
FESTIVALS

Onam
Onam is celebrated in Kerala when the August monsoon rains give way to the pleasant warmth of autumn. Onam is the celebration of the return of Mahabali, the once and future king. This king ruled "when all men were equal, when no one was poor, when there was neither theft nor dread of thieves".

Vishu
Vishu falls on the first of Medam (March-April), which is the Malayali New Year's Day. Since it is considered propitious to view good things on this day for year round good fortune, Vishu morning is an important time in Kerala.

Thrissur Pooram
The most spectacular festival of Kerala is Thrissur Pooram. Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state, introduced this festival. Celebrated in Medom (April-May) the festival parades the fulgent faces of Kerala culture. With every passing year Tthrissur Pooram, the temple festival, attracts large masses of devotees and spectators to Kerala.

Makaravilakku at Sabarimala
For centuries, Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta has been a major pilgrim centre in Kerala attracting lakhs of devotees from all over India, more so from southern States. The presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, a considered symbol of unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites.

Kerala Boat Festivals
On the great waterways of Kerala, fierce Vallom Kallies (boat races) and water carnivals erupt every year in a dramatic spectacle and hold tens of thousands of people spell-bound, cheering the action, laying bets, goading the boatmen to row faster.

Easter
Easter is the oldest Christian festival, as old as Christianity itself. The central tenet of Christianity is not the birth of Jesus, but his resurrection. Easter is derived from this paschal mystery and from the events of Good Friday. Planning your trip to Kerala for Easter and Good Friday is an excellent idea.

Theyyam
Theyyam is one of the popular festivals of Kerala. This also is an excellent time to plan your trip to Kerala. It is the worship of the deity; on the other hand, the dancer is also the deity. Theyyam celebrates primarily the Mother Goddess. Animals, serpents, and trees also figure in worship.


ADVENTURE SPORTS
The Native people of Kerala are lovers of sports. They enjoy various types of water sports available in the state. Kerala is a place that boosts of hosting 44 rivers, umpteenth number of lakes and lagoons. It is rather inevitable that such a water filled place is a hub for numerous water sports. The adventurous water sports offered by the Fascinating Kerala are Canoeing, Scuba Diving, Catamaran Sailing, Para Sailing, Kayaking, Snorkeling and Wind Surfing.
Located near the Tropic of Cancer, most of Kerala has a hot and humid climate with a more than average rainfall as compared to other provinces of India. Kerala experiences a tropical climate in almost all the parts of the land. The temperature remains moderate throughout the year with the maximum temperature reaching to about 32°C and minimum of 20°C. Due to the proximity of the sea the temperature never touches the extremes. Most of the year the temperature is pleasant. Also, Kerala does not have a dry spell as in rest of the India.

The weather of Kerala can be divided into 4 seasons, which are winter, summer, south west monsoon and north east monsoon. The summer season in Kerala stretches from the months of February and continues up to May. Temperature remains almost on a constant high throughout the season which is also accompanied by lightning and heavy rainfall.

Summer in Kerala is followed by the South West Monsoon, which lasts from the end of May to September and is characterized by extremely heavy rainfall which brings a welcome relief from the oppressive heat of the summers. October sees the advent of the northeast monsoon which basically signifies the end of the monsoons and is followed by the winter season which arrives in Kerala around the middle of December remaining in the state till around February. During the winter season the temperature drops a little bit. Winters are definitely the best time to visit Kerala if you are planning a holiday in Kerala.
By Air
Reaching to Kerala is not a difficult thing. Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, is connected to most of the major airports in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore. As the Thiruvananthapuram is an international airport, there are considerable connections to gulf countries also from this airport. Kochi and Calicut are other two airports connected from air to other cities in India.

By Railway
Rails are another good way of moving inside and from the outside Kerala. There are around 200 railway stations in Kerala connecting most of the places in the state to places in the other parts of the country and inside the state. Long-distance express trains connect important places in Kerala to places outside the state like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata.

By Road
Roads in Kerala are in much better shape than other states in India. Major modes of road transport are buses, tourist taxis, cars, and local taxis and autos. State is connected with other parts of South India by a number of National Highways. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are some of the neighboring states that are easily connected to Kerala through roads.

By Water
From Cochin (Kochi), there are regular ships venturing towards the Lakshadweep Islands. Inside, backwaters of Kerala act not only as a popular transportation medium but are tourist attractions in themselves. These internal water navigation systems are today the single most popular travel product of Kerala.