Welcome to Kerala, my home state the land of sylvan valleys, misty mountains and lulling backwaters.Strategically located at the south western tip of India, Kerala enjoys unique geographic features which has made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. The state is a breathtakingly beautiful green, greenland. Natural endowments like tranquil beaches, soothing backwaters, exhilarating hill stations, enchanting waterfalls, historic monuments, spectacular artforms, rejuvenating health packages, exotic wildlife and year-round festivals offer excellent investment opportunities in tourism related activities. All of which offer the tourists a unique experience, which enchants him throughout his life.
The National Geographic Traveler acknowledges the ravishing beauty of Kerala by acclaiming it as one of the thirteen 'Paradises Found' on earth and 50 greatest 'Places of a Life Time'. However it is the vibrant culture of its vivacious people that most attracts the travelers to these tranquil shores
Historically, Kerala have attracted
seafarers for as long as shipping was invented.
Its coast on the Arabian Sea spans coconut groves, endless spice plantations
and rice fields which captures the hearts of the Jews 2,000 years ago.Then came the Syrian Christians, Arab traders, Portuguese, Dutch, and
British.
They all came and left their mark, contributing to the rich heritage
of the place and merging with the traditional indigenous culture which
evolved during the Kulasekhara period (800-1100 AD) which centered
around Hinduism. It was an era of the renaissance when many temples
were built, the arts – music, architecture and dance flourished.
Kerala’s traditions of dance forms, which originated from temple worship, can be witnessed at regularly held performances. Lecture-demonstrations of the most spectacular of these – Kathakali – are held daily at many centres in Cochin. Kathkali, a dance drama based on the epics Ramayana and Mahanharata,
is the most spectacular of all the performing arts.Teyyam, at once an act of worship and visual feast; temple festivals complete with caparisoned elephants; Kalaripayata, the indigenous art of self defence; all are a part of Kerala’s remarkable heritage of performing arts, and can be witnessed at various centres in Cochin and Trivandrum.
Trivandrum is the gateway to other fascinating experiences.
If you are a sunseeker or surfer, head for the silvery sand and
shallow
waters at world famous
Kovalam Beach one of the best
beach resorts in India. Kovalam, which is 16 kilometres away, is
famous for its
Beaches of fine white sand,
turquoise waters and swaying palms enrapture anyone
who ventures there. Fresh seafood with ice cold coconut
water is not to be missed. And if you feel guilty about
all that eating, don’t fret. Water sports including
exciting sea rides on a catamaran is available.
After that, head to scenic Ponmudi Hill Station for a picnic or
trekking.
See the Padmanabhapuram Palace, a place of artistic and historical
relics. Further afield
at the southern most tip of India is Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the
meeting point of three
oceans, where you can watch the sunset, moonrise and sunrise over the
water
Cochin, with a fine natural harbour, has been Kerala’s center of maritime trade for innumerable centuries. Along the harbour, rows of antediluvian Chinese fishing nets indicate Kerala’s trade with China, just as buildings along the water’s edge testify to the erstwhile presence of Dutch and Portuguese colonisers. Jewtown, complete with an immaculately preserved synagogue, has a flavour all its own, while Tripunathura, at the other end of the city, has many traditional houses with central courtyards.
Kerala’s multitude of faiths – Islam, Judaism, and a host of sects of Christianity and Hinduism – all coexist harmoniously in a state that is known for its Marxist inclinations!
A five hour drive from Cochin leads into thickly forested hills, past rubber and spice plantations, and into southern India’s tea growing district headquartered at the charmingly old world Munnar.
From Kottayam to Alleppey is a world of palm fringed waterways, a route which is covered by motor launch. Elderly sailboats, long barges transporting tons of coconuts and tiny skiffs used to transport children to school are common sights on these backwaters.
