Called God's Own country, it is a bed of lush green palm trees, mountains, forests, breaking rarely, only to give way to the serene backwaters and finally to that vast body of endless water, the Arabian Sea this is how Kerala greets a visitor flying down towards the Trivandrum international airport.

This is in sharp contrast to the concrete jungle customary to any other place around the world. Kerala soothes a traveller with her, shimmering beaches, sea filtered glades of palm trees, green lowlands, mountains, lakes and some of the most romantic natural resources in the world. Kerala, the impossibly green God's own country is according to Dravidian mythology said to have been created when God Parashurama, bidding a farewell to his arms, asking ''forgiveness for his sins, threw his axe from heaven which landed on Southern India to form this narrow verdant strip of land surrounded by the rolling hills of the Western Ghats carpeted with cardamom, pepper, turmeric and ginger, making Kerala the spice capital of India.

When India became free, three Malayalam speaking provinces were in the place of Kerala. They were two princely states, Travancore and Cochin, and Malabar which was under the direct administration of the British. The formation of linguistic states led to the amalgamation of these three provinces into one state called Kerala. On 1st July, 1949, the states Travancore and Cochin were integrated to form Travancore-Cochin State. But Malabar still remained in the Madras Province. The States Re-organization Act of 1956 united Travancore-Cochin State and Malabar to form the State of Kerala on 1st November, 1956.

Kerala is a tiny strip of land, in the south west corner of Indian peninsula. It has only 1.1 8 per cent of the total area of India but 3.43% of the total population of the country is in Kerala.

Kerala may be divided into three geographical regions: (1) High lands, (2) Midlands and (3) Lowlands. The Highlands slope down from the Western Ghats which rise to an average height of 900 m, with a number of peaks well over 1,800 m in height. This is the area of major plantations like tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom and other spices.

The Midlands, lying between the mountains and the lowlands, is made up of undulating hills and valleys. This is an area of intensive cultivation. Cashew, coconut, areca nut, cassava (tapioca), banana, rice, gin get, pepper, sugarcane and vegetables of different varieties are grown in this area.

The Lowlands or the coastal area, which is made up of the river deltas, backwaters and the shore of the Arabian sea, is essentially a land of coconuts and rice. Fisheries and coif industry constitute the major industries of this area.

The National Geographic Society publication has listed Kerala among the world's '50

greatest places of a lifetime', the only other Indian name in the list is Tajmahal

Cut off from the rest of India by the towering Sahyadri mountain ranges, Kerala, as can be guessed from the story of its creation, is replete with legends which reveal a rich culture extremely well depicted in its distinctive forms of dance, drama and temple arts.

The Hindu heritage of the state stands out in a maze of varied cultures that have influenced Kerala with travellers and missionaries from different parts of the world touching its coast and leaving their marks. Thus Kerala has a very cosmopolitan history graced by visitors like St.Thomas the Apostle who landed here in 52 AD, Syrian Christian settlers from Alexandria whose cathedrals and churches still attract large congregations throughout the state, and Vasco da Gama who landed near Calicut in 1498. Christians, Muslims and Jews all found a welcome in Kerala, as did the early Phoenician, Greek and Roman traders. Standing mute witnesses of this multi layered international history are the ancient Hindu temples sitting serenly near gaily painted colonial style churches and beautiful splendid mosques. There is also a synagogue built in 1568 in Cochin, reflecting a small but significant Jewish presence.

Palaces of Maharajahs, converted into hotels and museums, crumbling Portuguese ruins by the sea side soften the harsh memories left behind by colonizers, while British residences and English town squares remind one of the more recent days of the Raj.

Deep within all these highly developed and refined art forms beat the generating spirit which gives them their existence : an extraordinarily rich folk theatre, a theatre which evolved out of the religious beliefs of its participants and despite its highly dramatic presentation, is less a theatrical performance than an act of worship. The spectacular theyyams of Malabar demonstrate this concept when the fantastically costumed good actors dance before small shrines, possessed with the spirit and power of their ancient Dravidian deities.

From January 17 to 20 each year the grand elephant extravaganza and another of Kerala's speciality, a boat race is held in Alleppey which is called the 'Venice of the East'. This competition the Nehru Boat race - takes its name from India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru who inaugurated it in 1952. It is excitement all around as snake boats, each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind.

A Payipad Jalotsavam is held in memory of the Parthista ceremony of Haripad Subramanya Temple and therefore has a religious significance. It is celebrated for three days, commencing from the Onam festival day. Snake boat processions are taken out on the first two days. The competitive boat race takes place on the third day.

Aranmula Boat Race is held on the last day of the Onam festival at Aranmula where the Parathasarthy (Lord Krishna) was installed in the ancient Krishna temple, on this day called Uthirittathy. Held in August/September, the actual day of the race depends on when Uthirttathy falls as per the local calendar. Caparisoned elephants with beaded umbrellas, processions of decorated floats and highly ornate boats make this a lovely event to witness.

Cochin Trophy Boat Race was first held in 1979 and thereafter annually in August/September organized by the collector of Ernakulam under the directive of the State Government.

Malayattur Perumal (March/April) - Thousands of devotees undertake a trip to the Catholic Church on the Malayattur hill dedicated to St. Thomas to participate in the annual festival - St. Thomas' Day, celebrated for seven days from Sunday following Easter.

Ulsavom at Guruvayur February/March) celebrated at Guruvayur temple for 10 days (starts with an elephant race). A colourful elephant procession and Krishnattam dance recitals mark the occasion.

At Cochin (January/February) celebrated in Ernakulam Shiva Temple for eight days. A procession of elephants is taken out withgreat pomp and performances of folk dances and music are staged.

Vishukani (April/May) It marks the sowing sea-son for paddy. On Vishukani everyone makes it a point to look first thing in the morning, at 'Vishnukani', a large vessel containing grains, cash, jewels, jack fruits etc., placed before a lighted bell metal lamp. This is believed to ensure a prosperous year ahead. Fire crackers are burst to ward off evil spirits.

Sukla Paksha Ekadssi (November / December) Concerts of famous classical musicians are held at the Guruvayur temple.

Handicrafts is an intrinsic part of the traditional Kerala and many a fair or exhibition are conducted from time to time for handicrafts, and form good soveineirs.

Kerala's most important natural resources are the coconut palms. No part of this tree is wasted and a flourishing coir industry exists because of its plentiful presence, Coir products, woven from coconut husk fibre are a Kerala speciality. In Cochin on the Gundu island the entire process of mats and carpets being made, can be watched.

Kerala is also famous for intricate rosewood and sandalwood carvings, ivory work (which carries on a centuries old artistic tradition), brass and 'bell metal' lamps (Aramula is the centre of bell metal mirror crafts). Besides coir and cane, bamboo and straw are also used to make a number of interesting and useful things. Also found are horn products, wooden toys anc lacquer ware. Amongst Indian khadi (hand spun and hand woven and handloom (hand woven) textiles, Kerala's fabrics are unique. The greatest skill goes into the traditional sari and lungi lengths which can be stitched into other garments. The northern city of Calicut, owes its origin to the English word Calico and local weavers still make exceptionally soft polished cotton, so tightly woven and delicately coloured that they can easily pass for silk.

Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. Forty-four rivers (41 west-flowing and 3

east-flowing} criss-crossing Kerala along with their countless tributaries, but these rivers are comparatively small and being entirely monsoon-fed, and will turn into rivulets in summer especially in the upper parts of Kerala.

The backwaters are an attractive and economically valuable feature of Kerala. These include lakes and ocean in lets which stretch irregularly along the lengthy coastline of Kerala. 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. The Periyar, Pamba, Manimala, Achenkovil, Meenachil and Moovattupuzha rivers drain into this lake. The other important backwaters are Veli, Kadhinam kulam, Anjengo (Anju Thengu), Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor. Ashtamudi (Quilon),

No trip to kerala is complete without a cruise on a kettuvellam through the lush backwaters.

Beaches

Kerala's dramatic malabar coast is a continuous stretch of unspoilt, white sanded bays. Mythically, Kerala's bond with the sea is that of child and mother. Sea waters continue to sweep lovingly the land and create exquisite compositions of sand and surf.

Some of these beaches have achieved international fame, yet remain strangely unspoilt and bewitching. India's most spectacular beach resort, Kovalam is just 16 km from thiruvananthapuram. A sheltered natural bay, its setting has an illusory quality about it. A sheet of silvery sand curves into an arc, that is bordered on one side by azure blue water and on the other by a sumptuous spread of green palm groves.

A very special feature of Kerala's beaches is the herbal body toning massage which has made Kerala a tropical paradise where one can truly indulge oneself. Body massages here are not just a relaxing exercise but are also used for treating a number of ailments. Ayurvedic massage using aromatic and medicinal oils to tone up the nervous system, has been practised in Kerala for centuries. Interest has been revived in this form of medicine and packages can be built around a rejuvenation programme'.

Much of Kerala's exotic appeal is centered in its mountainous region, the highland area in the Western Ghats. South India's highest peak Anaimudi is here, as is the mysterious 'Neelakurunji' flower that blooms once in 12 years and stains the hills a magical violet. Here is also the home of the magnificent wild tusker and the curly horned gentle ibex, of botanical treasures such as the orchid and the eucalyptus and a multitude of gorgeous winged creatures.

The dense green hills and the scented shores of Kerala gleams alluringly, beckoning to distant travellers, as she has done for more than three milleniums.