Holiday Destinations In Kerala
Better known as God's Own Country,
Kerala is a heavenly portrait splashed with myriad of enchanting hues. Situated
in the southern tip of India, Kerala is caressed by the Arabian Sea in the
western coast of India. It is a green Venice, but unlike Venice, where man has
created most of the glory, in Kerala nature rules. This beautiful coastal state
of India is the country's ambassador to the world of travel and tourism. From
the lagoons & backwaters that meander through the enchanting landscapes, to the
rich and colourful culture & heritage that weave a tapestry of tourism delights,
Kerala is a dream holiday destination of India.
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Thiruvananthapuram:
The capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is a district surrounded by the
Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. During the British period and till a few
years ago, it was known as Trivandrum, a name that suited the English to
pronounce. A quiet, neat and clean city, it has a rich cultural heritage too.
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Kochi: In Kochi (Cochin),
dawn is not often a thing of breathtaking beauty, but just a careless smear of
tinted light where sea and sky unite. Daybreak is full of indeterminate promise.
A slow lividness at the mist-obscured harbor mouth meets the swelling untamed
surge of the ocean. Cargo-laden barges and vallams or country boats move,
ponderously slow, over the sprawling vastness of the Vembanad Kayal, Kerala's
largest lake that spreads full bosomed and silver gray in the sultry sun.
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Kottayam: The
word Kottayam is a composition of the words Kotta (meaning fort) and Akkam
(meaning inside). Kottayam is one of the exotic backwaters sites attracting
tourists throughout the year. Being a mountainous region with scenic landscapes,
backwaters, bird sanctuaries, temples and churches make this a place of tourist
attraction. Lying below the sea level, some of its nearby places are also a
treat to the eyes.
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Kovalam: Kovalam,
meaning "a groove of coconut trees," is just 10 km from the state capital of
Kerala- Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam is actually a combination of three small
beaches. Among these, the southernmost beach, named Lighthouse Beach, is the
most frequented beach in Kovalam. Earlier this beach of Kovalam was an anglers'
paradise. It still has some small villages, just a few kilometres away, which
belong to the fishing community. Gradually, this beach of Kovalam has been
transformed to a tourist spot of great interest.
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Kumarakom: The
village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is
part of the Kuttanad region. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14
acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise.
Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds
like the Siberian stork that live in flocks, in Kumarakom, are a fascination for
visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat
trip round the islands.
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Palakkad: The
tourist destination of Palakkad, known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of
valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation
projects. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats, Palakkad is the gateway to
Kerala from the north. Palakkad derives its name from the Malayalam words Pala
(the Alsteria Scholaris tree) and Kadu (forest), which goes to prove that this
place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet-scented
flowers of the Pala tree.
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Kozhikode:
Calicut or Kozhikode is situated on the southwest coast of the Arabian Sea.
Basking in the idyllic setting of the serene Arabian Sea on the west and
mesmeric peaks of the Wayanad Hills on the east, this district has all the
required ingredients to fascinate a tourist on holidays in Kerala.
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Munnar: Munnar
is a small hill station set amongst the Kannan Devan Hills. One of the most
popular hill resorts of India, Munnar is adorned with lush green surroundings,
lakes, reservoirs, forests, and tea estates. The quiet environs of Munnar
attract the traveler to relax in the lap of mother nature. Munnar also beacons
the adventure-seeking traveler, who is interested in paragliding. It has some of
the highest tea estates in the world.
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Alappuzha:
Alappuzha (Alleppey) is one of the exotic backwater sites in Kerala. Washed by
the Arabian Sea, interlocked by a number of canals and bridges, this tiny
marketplace is also famous for its Nehru Trophy Boat Race held every year.
Alappuzha attracts tourists not only by its natural beauty but also through its
locally made coir products that are of a very superior quality.
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Ponmudi: A mere
one and a half hour's road journey separates the beaches of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
from the invigorating climate of Ponmudi Hills. The name Ponmudi, a hill station
so close to the sea, in Malayalam means golden crown.
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Quilon: Quilon
(also Kollam) is a district encircled by Alappuzha in the north, Pathanamthitta
in the northeast, Thiruvananthapuram in the south, Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) in
the east and the Arabian Sea in the west.
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Varkala:A
relatively new destination in Kerala, Varkala is for those who prefer to do
absolutely nothing while holidaying. Due to a spillover resulting from the over
saturation of Kovalam, foreigners started coming to the town about six years
ago. The trend that started as a trickle became a steady flow within two years.
Today, there is a constant stream of visitors.
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Amritapuri Ashram:
At the Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Amritapuri near Quilon, South Kerala, there
is a beautiful temple that houses more than seven hundred full-time residents.
The day dawns early in Amritapuri Ashram (monastery) located in the backwaters
of Kerala.
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