Kerala is the southern most state of India. It shares it's
boundaries with Karnataka in the north and Tamil Nadu in the east, It is
hugged by the Arabian Sea in the west.
Kerala is a tourist paradise with exotic palm fringed beaches, spectacular festivals,
monsoon washed forests, lush plantations, friendly people and a 3000 year old history. In
this entrancing place where the land rises from the coast to end up in the misty hills of
the western ghats covered with dense tropical forests, the landscape is dominated by rice
fields, coffee, rubber and tea plantations all dotted with coconut palms, where time
stands still for a visitor with the silence of the clear skies breached only by the cry of
the wild.
There is so much that is unique to Kerala that the only way to experience its natural
beauty, history and culture is through traveling in the state and discovering a new facet
every day.
Tourist Activities Offered
- Beaches & Beach Resorts
- Sight Seeing
- Historical Monuments, Places of Worship, Palaces etc.
- Wild Life and Bird Sanctuaries
- Animal Safaris
- Fairs and Festivals
- Traditional Art, Culture and Handicrafts
Best time to visit
September to May
Languages Spoken
Malayalam and English
Places to Visit
 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
KOZHIKODE THRISSUR KOCHI KOTTAYAM
PERIYAR WILD LIFE SANCTUARY
ALAPPUZHA KOLLAM VARKALA
KOVALAM
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Land and People
According to Hindu mythology the present state of Kerala came into being when Lord
Vishnu descended from the heaven in the guise of Parshurama to slay the evil
demons, there after he did penance for his wars with the evil forces and threw his
principal weapon, the Axe into the sea. The place where the Axe landed rose from the sea
to form the present state of Kerala.
The state of Kerala was formed in the year 1956 from the union of the princely states of Travancore,
Malabar and Kochi, it covers an area of 38864 Kms.
Kerala's history is largely the result of its geographical position. The narrow strip of
land had natural defenses in the hills of the western ghats leaving it open to access only
from the sea.
Kerala then known as the Malabar coast, was renowned for its spices, sandalwood and
ivory due to which travelers from all over the world came to trade and gain control over
this rich land. Almost all the foreign influences have left their imprint on this land in
some form or the other.
It is believed that Kerala's spice trade dates back to three thousand years.
Pepper is the king of Kerala's spices, but the state also produces cardamom, cinnamon,
nutmeg, mace, ginger and turmeric. It also has a rich cultivation of cashew trees.
The regular contact with outside influences due to the spice trade has enabled the
blending of cultures to give a cosmopolitan look to Kerala. The majority of the population
here are Hindus, though Muslims and Christians are also native to
Kerala living in close harmony with each other. It is believed that Christianity took
roots here around the year 50 AD.
It is also believed that in the year 587 BC Jews migrated to Kerala from Jerusalem.
Today there are isolated pockets of Jewish communities especially in and around the town
of Kochi. |
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