Wedged between the Western Ghats on the East and the Arabian
Sea on the West, the narrow strip of land known as Kerala is a destination of a
lifetime.
The timeless beauty of the palm fringed beaches of Kovalam
and Varkala, the majesty of the undulating hills of Munnar and Vagamon, the
serenity of the pristine backwaters of Kumarakom & Kuttanad and the
enchanting woods and forests of Thekkady and Silent Valley will have you bowled
over.
That such a small terrain can hold diverse geographical
features and cultures is a wonder in itself.
Attractions
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<!--[endif]-->Waterfalls and Dams
A trip through the numerous forests and hill stations in
Kerala will take you to some of the best waterfalls and dams you have ever seen
in your life. The water gurgling down the rocky precipices, framed by lush
green foliage is a sight you would never want to miss. Be it the falls at
Athirappally, Soochipara, Thusharagiri or Thommankoothu, these places show you
a facet of nature that is calm, soothing and wild, all at the same time. The
beautifully landscaped road to Athirappally gives you glimpses of the milky
white waters that gush past rocks and boulders, roaring a rhythm that will make
you forget all worries. In summer these waterfalls tone down to calm cascades
where you can sit on the rocks and dip your feet in the cool waters. The calls
of the wildlife around make the setting picture perfect.
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<!--[endif]-->Pilgrimage
Kerala is famous for its numerous places of worship that
hold year-round festivals and celebrations. Be it temples, churches or mosques,
each district in the state has important pilgrim centers that are visited by
devotees all through the year. Of these the most famous pilgrim Centre is the
Sabarimala Temple in Pathanamthitta district. Mandalapooja (during November)
and Makaravilakku (during January) are the two main events of the pilgrim
season. The Guruvayoor Sree Krishna
Temple, Thrissur, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Cochin, Sree Padnamabha
Temple, Trivandrum, Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple, Thrissur are some of the famous
temples in Kerala among many others. Christianity in Kerala is believed to be
as old as the Christian era itself thus giving some ancient churches to Kerala.
The Marys Forence Church the oldest church in Kerala, Malayattoor Church bearing
the footprints of St Thomas or St Francis Churchthe first European church in
Kerala is some of the most well-known churches here. It is believed that the
Arab traders introduced Islam to Kerala, during the eighth or ninth century.
The mosques in Kerala are generally covered structures comprising a large
prayer hall in the Centre with covered verandhas on all the sides. The mosques
at Patalayini, the Jama-Masjid at Tannur, and the mosques at Ponnani,
Malappuram, Jami-Masjid at Baypore in Kozhikode district, Mithqual mosque in
Calicut, are some of the famous mosques.
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<!--[endif]-->Historic Sites
There are several myths about the origin of Kerala. One such
myth is the creation of Kerala by Parasurama, a warrior sage. According to a
legend, Parasurama, an avatar of Mahavishnu, threw his battle axe into the sea.
As a result, the land of Kerala arose. Kerala has seen the rise and fall of
many an empire the Chera Empire, Kalabhra Interregnum, and the Kulashekharas.
The arrival of Vasco Da Gama at Calicut in 1498 is another landmark in the
history of Kerala. In fact, the Portuguese had a strong impact on the
educational and cultural life of the people of Kerala. Each dynasty, each rule
and each era has left behind a legacy which is now a part of Kerala's rich
cultural heritage. Kerala has several forts, palaces, cemeteries and citadels,
some of which are very well preserved and others which still retain an
irresistible charm despite the worn down state they are in.
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<!--[endif]-->Backwaters
The coastal regions of Kerala have a network of waterways,
inlets from the sea, and estuaries of over forty rivers, lakes and natural
canals connecting coastal towns. This interlinked body of waterways is known as
the backwaters in Kerala. Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs,
frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and
cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the
backwaters in Kerala. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and
bushes are a common feature along the Kerala backwaters, coloring the
surrounding landscape, a rich green. Cruise the backwaters for an unforgettable
experience that lets you delve into nature’s magical realm.
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