RAJASTHAN TOURISM Places to See Kerala

Kerala

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Introduction:

Kerala is the first state of India to be declared full literacy in one town and later the whole state in 1991. Kerala is also popular for its commercial crops like tea, rubber, coconuts, coffee, cardamom, pepper, cashew, nutmeg and many more. Kerala is also known as the Spice Garden of India. It is a beautiful coastal state with beautiful palm trees lined up the beaches. It has thick jungles; the hills are all covered green with plantation. A popular Malayalam saying says that god has made Kerala with a green thumb quoting its greenery. The National Geographic Traveler quoted Kerala as the most verdant state of India and one of the worlds 50 must see destinations.


History:

The history of Kerala is found recorded in the inscriptions of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire. There were four independent kingdoms ruling in the south of the Ashokan Empire, which are the Cholas, Pandyas, Keralaputrasand and the Satiyaputras. The Keralaputras or the Cheras ruled the area of present day Kerala over Malabar, Cochin, and North Travancore. These kingdoms have friendly relations with the Mauryan Empire. The information of Kerala was very scarce during the Mauryan age. It is from the legends and myths of the Sangam Literature that the history of Kerala emerges. The Kalabhras rule after Sangam Age was the era of darkness. After four centuries several kingdoms like Rastrakutas, Pandyas, Challukyas and Pallavas uprooted them.


Travel information:

Kerala is in the southwest tip of Indian mainland. English is widely spoken in this area while their local language Malayalam. Kerala has a fine tropical type of climate. The temperature throughout the year ranges from a minimum of 22 degree Celsius to 33 degree Celsius maximum. Even though tourist visit throughout the year, December to May is regarded as the best season to visit. It is easy airline access to all the important cities of the world and India. Trivandrum, Cochin and Calicut are the international airports of Kerala. There is excellent railway and road service too.

Places to See

Quilon
Kollam (earlier Quilon), 72 km off Thiruvananthapuram, is a trade-nerve in Southern Kerala. Its trading-tradition dates back to early centuries when Chinese, Greeks, Arabs and Romans haunted the shore for ship-loading Kerala spices and produces. Today Kollam is the major cashew trading and processing centre in the country. Also a hub of marine industry.

Kollam, where past rubs shoulder with present, is a Kerala-in-miniature with its all features; sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest and vast green fields.

Periyar
The pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.

In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined Mangaladevi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters.

Lake Palace and Aranya Nivas are two idyllic accommodation options set in the sylvan lake side background. The romantic Lake Palace, formerly a summer retreat of the Maharaja of Travancore, is built on a small island accessible only by boat. Aranya Nivas(Jungle Retreat) a stone lodge with rubble masonry and colonial style of architecture at the head of the lake is a premium property of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Trivandrum
Located at the southwestern tip of India, Thiruvananthapuram district 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 northeastern borders give Thiruvananthapuram some of the most enchanting picnic spots. A long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala.

Kovalam
Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches.It has been a favourite haunt of tourists,especially Europeans,since the 1930s.A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse-sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages,special cultural programmes, Catamaran cruising etc.The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes.Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night.The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has developed Kovalam as an integrated seaside resort.The beach complex includes the Ashoka Beach Resort (owned by ITDC),a string of budget cottages,Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres etc.Thiruvananthapuram,the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle.But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city.Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery,the Padmanabhaswamy Temple,Ponmudi hill station etc.SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts emporium,is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles.To know more about the crafts on sale here see Treasure Chest from the Archives dated 14 January '99 to 15 July '99.


Alleppey
Alappuzha ( Alleppey ) is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerela as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips.

An enchanting backwater destination, Alleppey offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Alappuzha. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-this-world experience at Alleppey.

A picturesque world of backwaters, thatched houseboats, Cormorants, Chinese fishing nets and swaying palms - An ideal getaway. Nature has composed its magic to perfection here. A million verdant coconut palms lining the rivers lean to examine its reflections on the glassy rivers. Everywhere, nature is at its best. Blooming forth in perfumes of flowers. In the riot of colors of multi-hued birds. In the fresh, succulent and bountiful freshwater fishes.