Kerala

Kerala is the Emerald Land, a narrow fertile coastal strip between the high ranges of the western ghats and the Arabian Sea. Endowed generously by nature, this tropical paradise boasts of as many as forty four rivers, lakes, virgin forests, backwaters, lagoons and some spectacular stretches of beaches. When the south-west monsoon breaks over Kerala in all its fury, the highlands are coverd by mist and present a breathtakingly beautiful view of the sea, rubber,and coffee estates. Swaying enticingly in the gentle breeze are the pepper creepers which have all through history brought sea traders and fame to this legendary land. Main laungage spoken here is Malayalam and main ocupation is agriculture

Tiruvanandapuram is the capital of Kerala and is a sea-side city built on seven hills. It was also the capital of the erstwhile Travancore state under the reign of Raja Marthanda Varma and has retained its magical ambience. The city is at its best during the annual festivals held in the Padmanabhaswamy temple in the month of March/April and also in Sep/Oct.

Sight Seeing
Padmanabhapuram Palace is at a distance of 55 kms south of Tiruvanandapuram but is now a part of Tamil Nadu. The palace set amidst a wildly beautiful locale is the epitome of the Kerala style of architecture. This was the seat of the erstwhile Travancore Maharajahs and contains many old relics of historical and artistic value including some murals. But what strikes the eye is the aesthetic use of wood and black polished floors. The Council chamber, the Dance hall and the corridors fascinate the visitors.

Important places in Kerala

Beaches

Varkala  beach Wing on the western coast by the Arabian sea, Kerala has a long coastline of 580 km ; all of which is virtually patterned with sandy beaches.
Kovalam beach near Thiruvanandhapuram was among the first beaches in Kerala to attract tourists. Sight cover by back-packers and suntan-seekers in the sixties and followed by hordes of Hippies in the seventies, Kovalam is today the most visited beach in the state.
Other popularly visited beaches in the state include those at Kappad Alapula Beach, Nattika beach (Thrissur), Calicut Beach, Vadanappilly beach (Thrissur), Cherai Beach, Veypore Beach , Marari beach, Fort Kochi, in Karala.

Backwaters

The Back waters in Kerala are a chain of having a salty of shallow water separated from the sea by low sandy dunes and lakes lying parallel to the Malabar Sea coast Kettuvallam rides in the backwaters are a major tourist attraction. Backwater tourism is centered mostly around Alappula,Kollam and Kumarakom. Boat races held during festival seasons are also a big attraction in the backwater regions.
The backwater network includes large lakes such as the Vembal Lake , the largest among them, linked by 1500 km of artificial waterways, both man-made and natural and fed by several rivers, and extending virtually the entire length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low Barriet Islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western ghats range.

Hill stations

Munnar Hillscape has a famous of being one of the most beautiful states in India .Eastern Kerala consists of land encroached upon by the Western Ghats; the region thus includes high mountains,, and deep-cut valleys. The wildest lands are covered with dense forests, while other regions lie under tea and coffee plantations established around 19th and 20th centuries

The Western Ghats rise on average to 1500 m elevation above sea level. Some of the popular hill stations in the region are Munnar,Vagamon, Paithalmala, Wayannad, Peermade and Ponmudi.

Wildlife

Silent Vally National Park is located in Palakadu this place is home to the Largest population of Lion tailed Macaque. They are among the worlds rarest and most wild dangerous animals.

Other important Places to visit:
Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Zoological Gardens, , Aruvikara,

Important outstation Visits:
Dutch Palace,Mattancherry, Alwaye, Trichur, Malampuzha Dam, Guruvayoor, Cochin.

Tourist Information:
Kerala State Tourism Development
Corporation Ltd
Mascot Square
Tiruvananthapuram-695 001

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