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| KERALA |
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For decades it engaged the body and soul of the lotus-eating Indian tourist (leisure and business alike), who cleverly refused to tom-tom the secret of his rejuvenation to his friends back home…That was well before the world's holidaying populace discovered the joys of 'God's Own Country'…and the rest is history. Today Kerala with its lavish sun kissed beaches, swaying palms, aquamarine seascapes and tranquil waterways lined with dinky villages, is one of the top holiday destinations in the world. Dotted with vast tracts of emerald paddy fields, dense rai forests and forest clad hills Kerala is cradled between the rugged Western Ghats along the Arabian Sea in peninsula India's western coastlands. Its populace is predominantly Hindu, Christian and Muslim. The Apostle St Thomas came here to spread Christianity while Arab traders in the 7th century brought with them Islam and its cultural inputs in architecture and culinary delights. Noted for is highest literacy rate in the country, its ancient healing traditions of Ayurveda and Yoga have continue to lure the global traveler as strongly as its gorgeous beaches and labyrinthine network of waterways explored by the ubiquitous kettuvallum.
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| ACCESS |
Getting There And Around
Thiruvananthapuram the state capital and the gateway town of Kochi are served by both air and rail connections from the major metros. South of
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Kozikode, the Karipur Airport offers excellent connections to the Malabar coastal belt and the Wyanad region. Interstate and local bus services connect to all major tourist towns.
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| GRAND TOUR |
Thiruvananthapurm
The state capital offers excellent connections to hidden gems in the countryside. But while you're here do explore some of its landmark attractions such as the Kanakakunnu Palace of the Travancore royals, the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier and Kurthiramalika Palace museums. Pop into the CVN Kalari Sangham to see students training in the traditional martial art kalari - of Kerala. Set out 16km from town to the seaside resort of Kovalam. This was just a sleepy fishing village till the hippy and backpacking trvallers from the West discovered its charms in the 60s. Today its one of India's hottest beach destinations luring the well-heeled and well-travelled. On offer also are Ayurveda treatments, catamaran rides, swimming watersports. Protected by red laterite cliffs Varkala Beach, 40km from town is another popular spot. Don't forget to look into the 2000-year old Janardhan Swamy Temple. The seaside resort is also renowned for its mineral waters and spa.
Agasthyakoodam
The highest point in the Western Ghats in southern Kerala at 1,890 mt, is popular for treks and nature experiences amonst its orchid filled forest trails. Also popular here are wildlife and birding tours. Just 60 km from Thiruvanathapuram it also attracts Hindu and Buddhist devotees because of its associations with Hindu sage Agastya and Boddhisatva Avolikiteshwara.
Ponmudi
Swathed in tea estates and tropical forests this is a lovely hill station is a sumptuous summer retreat, with walking trails and picnic points scattered across the region. Its 60km from the state capital.
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Aranmula
This gem of a village by the Pampa River is the heartbeat of Kerala's snake boat racing traditions. It's at its liveliest best during the Onam festivities when the famous chandanvallam regatta sees boats of all shapes and sizes enter the race watched by thousands of onlookers. One of the five most important temples of Kerala , the Parthasarthy Temple, raised to Lord Krishna, is located here. Aranmula is also famous for its lovely metal mirrors. Traditionally an alloy of silver, bronze, copper and lead was polished to within an inch of its life to create this magical object used in festive rituals.
Kottayam
About 160km from Thiruvanathapuram, nestled between the Lake Vemband and a stunning swathe of paddy fields against the backdrop of the Western Ghats the district continues to lure visitors with its astonishing beauty. It comes as no surprise that Kottayam, the birthplace of Kerala's publishing world was the first in the state to achieve 100 per cent literacy in the state. For over 50 years the Sahitya Pravarthaka Saharkarna Sangham has nurtured the growth of Malayali literature. The town, where St Thomas the Apostle spent considerable time, has a massive Syrian Christian populace and the mid-16th century Vali Palli and Cheria Palli are two of Kerala's finest Syrian Christian churches. Its also an excellent base for exploring the backwaters of Kumarakom in Kerala's traditional rice boats.
Sabarimalai
This famous pilgrimage point in the Western Ghats has a beautiful Ayappa Temple. Ayyappa was the child of the union of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu ( who took on the womanly avatar of Mohini). The abandoned baby was adopted by the king of Pandalam, who found him by the banks of the Pamba River.
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