| Click on the items below and, then, on the related entries on the right side of the screen, to learn more. | | Kerala | | Hill Stations | | Wildlife sanctuaries | | Spices Cuisine | | Beaches | | Arts | | Religions | | Pilgrimage | | Monuments | | Ayurveda | | Waterfalls | | History | | Kovalam Holidays |
|
|
|
|
Kerala With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil streches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.
Kerala, India's most advanced society : A hundred percent literate people. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest state.
For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the State. Kerala is on the southernmost tip of India. It stretches along the coast of the Arabian Sea and is separated from the rest of the sub continent by the steep Western Ghats. The breadth of the state varies from 32 kms in the extreme north and south to over 120 kms in the middle.
One of the paramount criteria that contribute to the overall satisfaction and pleasure of a traveler reaching a destination of his/her choice is the kind of accommodation that is available at that place. Kerala Gods Own Country has gone beyond contemporary tourist destinations, when it comes to facilities and options to accommodate tourists.
You may enjoy seeing things that are the ultimate feast for your eyes, and indulge in activities that can easily brighten up your spirits; but when it is time to relax, you need the best and the ideal of settings to rejuvenate your body and to make your mind serene.
Sun blanched white seashore. Endless beaches. Incessant blue waves mostly calm but sometimes boisterous clamouring and vanishing among white splashes. Green groves of coconuts just stop short and border the beaches with frills.
Lurking in the backdrop a network of lagoons and backwaters. Boats and country crafts moving along. . Quite a lot of rivers and countless rivulets flowing through hills and paddy fields of the midland, emptying themselves into the backwaters. And the far off dark blue mountains. This is what the eyes meet about Kerala. An excellent colour scheme and art work of Nature.An occasional boatsman rowing and singing with cargo or people. A tiller or a mower and women planting seedlings. Women at work spinning coir. Dense plantations further eastward. Kerala is all these and more..
Better known as 'Gods Own Country', Kerala offers you a host of exciting holiday options. Spread out across the year are specially designed packages that highlight the State's attractions, and prove beyond doubt that the season never ends in this breath takingly beautiful land.
| Kerala | With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil streches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.
First settled in the 10th century BCE by speakers of Proto-South Dravidian, Kerala was influenced by the Mauryan Empire. Later, the Cheran kingdom and feudal Namboothiri Brahminical city-states became major powers in the region.[1] Early contact with overseas lands culminated in struggles between colonial and native powers. The States Reorganisation Act of November 1, 1956, elevated Kerala to statehood. Social reforms enacted in the late 19th century by Cochin and Travancore were expanded upon by post-independence governments, making Kerala among the Third World's longest-lived, healthiest, most gender-equitable, and most literate regions. However, Kerala's suicide, alcoholism, and unemployment rates rank among India's highest.[2] A survey conducted in 2005 by Transparency International ranked Kerala as the least corrupt state in the country.[3]
The etymology of Kerala is widely disputed, and is a matter of conjecture. The prevailing theory is that Kerala is an imperfect Malayalam portmanteau that fuses kera ('coconut palm tree') and alam ('land' or 'location' or 'abode of'). Another theory is that the name originated from the phrase chera alam (Land of the Chera). Natives of Kerala—Keralites or Malayalees—thus refer to their land as Keralam. Kerala's tourism industry, among others, also use the phrase God's own country. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala
|
| Hill Stations | The hillstations in Kerala offers some of the best spectacular views of the nature. Almost in all the district the hills gives the tourist an energising atmosphere.
Trekking, rock climbing and other adventures activities can be enliven in ones journey to these hills stations of Kerala.
|
| Wildlife sanctuaries | Nestled in the lush forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala are fourteen wildlife sanctuaries. And skirting these exotic destinations are some of the most delightful trails in the country. Some of them adventurously exciting, others enchanting in equal measure. All washed in the spice-scented air of endless acres of plantations.. tea, coffee, cardamom, vanilla, pepper, oranges, mangoes....
Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki , Kannur , Palaghat , Trichur ,Kollam and Wayanad offers some of the best wildlife sanctuaries and trekking trails of Kerala.
|
| Spices Cuisine | The story of Kerala's spices dates back to many thousands of years into the past. Kerala's claim to fame in the ancient world rested mainly with her fabulous riches brought about due to total monopoly over spices.
The ancient port of Musiris was the centre of the world trade many aeons ago - the spice trade being central to its legendary fame. It can be said that the Western colonisation itself a fallout of the race to control the spice trade from Kerala. Vasco Da Gama's arrival was just the culmination of the western world's rush to find the sea route to the Indies and its spices trade.
Within the last decade the international trade in spices has grown to an estimated 500,000 tonnes of spices and herbs valued at more than 1500 million US dollars. It is a matter of pride for the tiny state of Kerala that the bulk of this trade is still from Kerala. Some spices that have made Kerala a household word in the spices world are listed below.
|
| Beaches | Most of India's finest Beaches are in Kerala. For virtually Its entire 600 km length , the Kerala cost is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms. Each year Greater numbers of visitors arrive here in search of the tranquil , palm fringed beaches.
|
| Arts | Kerala is famous for its art, poets and musicians, its traditional dance forms, and its distinctive architecture. Craft workers in Kerala continue the ancient arts of woodcarving and wall-painting.
For ages, the rich and vibrant culture of Kerala has intrigued people worldwide. The songs and dances of the people, their ballads, their rituals and their intellectual pursuits. Truly, the real treasures of Kerala lay in the cultural heritage of its people.
Kerala has its own typical art forms which reflect the life and outlook of the people. From the renowned Kathakali, considered to be the complete art form as its synthesises all that is best in the fields of drama, music and dance, to the folk dances which are reflections of the rhythmic impulses of a sensitive people.
Kathakali, krishnanttom, kolkkali, oppana, thiruvathirakali, koodiyattom, thullal, mohiniyattom, duffmuttu are popular performing art forms of Kerala
|
| Religions | Kerala hailed, as God's own country, by many, deserves this accolade because of many features geographical and sociological. A long coastline in the west and mountains on the east forming clear natural boundaries. Religion has played a crucial role in Kerala's culture. There are mainly three religions in Kerala - Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. As far as the religion of Kerala is concerned, the origins could be traced to Hinduism.
Then came in the Islamic faith and Christianity with its various sects. The other Indian religions like Buddhism; Jainism had some influence among the Hindus and was found scattered with their migration to Kerala.
According to the 1991 census 57.38% of the population of Kerala are Hindus, 23.33 Muslims and 19.32 Christians. The earliest settlers of Kerala were the Proto-Australoids, the Mediterranean, Dravidians, and the Aryans in 321-297 BC.
Nowhere in India, or may be in the entire world, you can witness such tolerance and co-operation and religious amity as seen in Kerala. Only in Kerala one can find person's of different community come together and celebrate each other's festival with pomp. Onam, the traditional festival of Hindus, Christmas and Ramzan - all these festivals are celebrated by all the community in Kerala.
|
| Pilgrimage | Kerala Pilgrimage Centres pictures the secular co-existence and religious harmony. There are several pilgrimage destinations all over Kerala. Some of the popular pilgrimage destinations in Kerala, South India are the Attukal Bhagavathy temple (Trivandrum) that is referred to as the Sabarimala of women, Guruvayoor temple (Trichur) is known as the Kasi of South India. The temples, mosques and churches located in different parts of Kerala, South India offers the holistic feeling one carves for.
Experience an enigmatic cleansing process in the presence of the divine and come back with a calm and balanced state of mind, ready to tackle everyday pressures. Feel the spirit of goodness, happiness and the joy of life percolate into you during your tours to the pilgrimage destinations located in Kerala, South India.
|
| Monuments | Kerala has a rich repertoire of historic and cultural monuments. In regions like Fort Kochi which was a trade centre for centuries, the architecture is a curious mix of typical Kerala ,European, Chinese, Jewish and Arabic styles. But the most prevalent architectural style is the traditional Kerala style-nalukkettu or ettukettu (four or eight sided structures with a centre courtyard and verandah opening out to it). The low sloping roofs and brick walls were designed to match the climatic conditions and texture of the land.
|
| Ayurveda | Ayurveda (Devanagari: आयुर्वेद ) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is presently in daily use by millions of people in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and indirectly through it being the major influence on Unani, Chinese and Tibetan Medicine. The word "Ayurveda" is a tatpurusha compound of the word āyus meaning 'life' or 'life principle', and the word veda, which refers to a system of 'knowledge'. Thus Ayurveda roughly translates as the 'knowledge of life'. According to Charaka Samhita, 'life' itself is defined as the 'combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul, the factor responsible for preventing decay and death, which sustains the body over time, and guides the processes of rebirth'
According to this perspective, Ayurveda is concerned with measures to protect 'ayus', which includes healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Ayurveda is also one among the few traditional systems of medicine to contain a sophisticated system of surgery (which is referred to as 'salya-chikitsa'.
|
| Waterfalls | Waterfalls in Kerala are numerous. As one travel to the dstinations in Kerala, one can pass through narrow waterfalls and bewitching waterfalls. Spend time here and get the refreshing and cool atmosphere to revitlise yourself.
|
| History | During Neolithic times, humans largely avoided Kerala's rainforests and wetlands. There is evidence of the emergence of prehistoric pottery and granite burial monuments in the 10th century BCE that resemble their counterparts in Western Europe and the rest of Asia. These were produced by speakers of a proto-Tamil language.[4] Thus, Kerala and Tamil Nadu once shared a common language, ethnicity and culture; this common area was known as Tamilakam. Kerala became a linguistically separate region by the early 14th century. The ancient Cherans, whose mother tongue and court language was Tamil, ruled Kerala from their capital at Vanchi and was the first major recorded kingdom. Allied with the Pallavas, they continually warred against the neighbouring Chola and Pandya kingdoms. A Keralite identity—distinct from the Tamils and associated with the second Chera empire—and the development of Malayalam evolved between the 8th and 14th centuries. In written records, Kerala was first mentioned in the Sanskrit epic Aitareya Aranyaka. Later, figures such as Katyayana, Patanjali, Pliny the Elder, and the unknown author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea displayed familiarity with Kerala.
|
| Kovalam Holidays | Location :Just 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, south Kerala.
Best time to visit: September to March, though it is an all year destination.
Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches.It has been a favourite haunt of tourists,especially Europeans,since the 1930s.A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse-sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages,special cultural programmes, Catamaran cruising etc.The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes.Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night.The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages,Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres etc.
Thiruvananthapuram,the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle.But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city.Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery,the Padmanabhaswamy Temple,Ponmudi hill station etc. SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts emporium,is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles.To know more about the crafts on sale here see Treasure Chest from the Archives dated 14 January '99 to 15 July '99.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station :Thiruvananthapuram central,about 16 km
Nearest airport :Thiruvananthapuram International Airport,about 10 km.
Location :Just 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city,south Kerala.
Best time to visit: September to March, though it is an all year destination.
|
|
Alleppey (Alapphuza, Allaphuza)Alleppey
How to get there
Air: The nearest airport is Cochin, 64 km to the north; Trivandrum International Airport is 159 km to the south.
Rail: Alleppey has recently been linked to Cochin by rail. The Alleppey Railway Station is 5 km from the central bus stand and the boat jetty.
Road: Alleppey is on the NH 47 highway and is connected to all-important towns in south India by public state transport buses.
Houseboat Boat / Motorboat:
Alleppey is linked by boat services through the backwaters to Quilon and Changanassery, Kottayam, Cochin, Kumarakom, Kavalam and Chengannur, Kuttanad places.
The Venice of East,Kerala; One of the beautiful backwater houseboats places in the world. To label Alappuzha (The Malayalam name for Alleppey) The 'Venice of the East' might today appear a far-etched clichés of travelogue writers, but this quaint little town is certainly the Venice of the East, Alleppey (Alappuzha). Nowhere else will you find, spread out across the center of town, a unique crisscrossing network of canals & lagoons on which thatch covered country boats punt (houseboats) along leisurely. The proximity of lakes adds to the Venetian ambience.
But when Raja Kesavadasan, the Dewan of Travancore (king), founded the town in 1762, there was just one canal through the strip of sand between the backwaters and the sea. This soon grew into a bustling waterway, with shops, factories and commercial establishments springing up on either bank of the canal. This attracted merchants from other parts of the country from Europe, America and some other business countries.
By the mid-19th Century, the sea had receded a mile, offering more land along the sand strip. Trading vessels soon began to call on Alleppey (Alappuzha). In 1859 the first organized coir factory & products was started here and began producing matting from coir yarn on a loom developed by an English sea captain. Soon other British company -owned weaving establishments followed.
Meanwhile, in 1816, the Church Missionary Society set up its local headquarters in Alleppey(Alappuzha). (Christ society of India ) and three years later the first Anglican Church was built. In 1851 Alleppey had the honor of housing the first post office in the erstwhile Travancore State (kerala). The commercial importance of Alleppey (Alappuzha) began to decline after the late 1920s with the development of Cochin (queen of Arabia) into a major port.
However, today Alleppey(Alappuzha) is still a major center for trade in coir products, copra (dried coconut meat) and coconut oil for cooking and Ayurvedic products. Thanks to its long beach coast, Alleppey(Alappuzha). is also a center for fishing and marine products processing activities, have a good beach and looking to development for Tourist Ships.
Govt is taking steps for promoting tourism in Alleppey (Alappuzha).
For tourists Alleppey(Alappuzha) is the pivotal point for trips into Kerala's famed backwaters (houseboats & motor boats) and the state's lush rice bowl, Kuttanad, Between Quilon to the south and Kottayam to the east lie some of the most entrancing scenery of palm-lined banks, islands, quiet water-bound villages and lit
tle boats taking the local people to and fro-everything framed in green.
Apart from the boat trips through the town's many canals and lakes, and the Mullackal Bhagavathi Temple in the heart of town, Alleppey(Alappuzha) offers glimpses of the coir manufacturing process-from the coconut husk to the final rope / coir yarn stage. There are also several shops selling coir matting and carpets, often at prices cheaper than elsewhere.
The long sandy beach at Alleppey (Alappuzha) has a lighthouse and a pier jutting out into the sea, once active in the unloading of goods from cargo ships calling at Alleppey(Alappuzha). Children can romp in the Vijay Beach Park.
Kerala Snake boat race
The not-to-be-missed spectacle in Alleppey(Alappuzha) is, of course, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race which began in 1952 on the occasion of the visit of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to Alleppey(Alappuzha), It is now a major event held on the second Saturday of every August and features the gigantic snake-boats of Kerala, the chundans, once the battleships of the Malayalee kings of yore.
Today the Boat Race has grown into Alleppey (Alappuzha) single most important tourist event, with each boat being sponsored by a different village. Competition is severe as the boats, with over 120 rowers in each, race to the finish to the accompaniment of rousing music. World famous snake boat race is in Alleppey (Alappuzha) is on second Saturday of August on every year.
Houseboats construction
Now Alleppey (Alappuzha) is becoming famous for houseboat building, more than 50 houseboats are building per year. One houseboats cost Rs.25,00,000/-(euro) Houseboats are moving into the venbanad lake with the tourist, it can go to kottayam, cochin, kumarakom, changanassery, thanner mukkam, muhamma, kollam (quilon), kayamkulam etc….
Grant Jepson, 40, British Nationalist, Marine engineer, he had an experience in 25 years in boat building in Europe: Holland , England, Indonesia etc.... he came as a tourist in kerala on 2002 and traveled in a houseboat at Alleppey (Alappuzha),He taken a key Interested to build a houseboat in Alleppey (Alappuzha), but it is building a Eco friendly, Green Palm and unique houseboat, 100% pollution free. The Govt. of India is supporting visa for his new venture....
A traveler can use Alleppey (Alappuzha) as a base to make excursions to nearby historical sites and scenic spots. Pathiramanal, (near kumarakom) a beautiful little island in the Vembanad Lake; it is the largest lake in the Asia, which can be reached only by boat, is set to be developed as a major tourist spot. The Sri Krishna temple at Ambalapuzha, 14 km from Alleppey (Alappuzha), is among kerala's more famous ones, boating through of the typical temple architectural style of the state. It is equally famed for its palpayasam, a sweet milk porridge offered to the diet. The temple's main festival occurs in March/April. It was in this temple that the 16th century poet Kunjan Nambiar staged his first Ottan Thullal, a solo dance performance with a high social content.
Close to Ambalapuzha, the village of Karumadi is famous for its Karumadi Kuttanm a black granite figure of Budha, said to belong to the 9th or 10th Century. During his visit to Kerala in 1965, the Dalai Lama worshipped at this shrine.
Arthinkal, from Alleppey (Alappuzha) 25km, known for the St. Andrews Church established by Portuguese missionaries in 1951, is near Sherthallai, north of Alleppey (Alappuzha). The feast of St. Sebastian is held here every January.
On the Pamba river is Chambakulam, (Rajeev ghandi snake boat race) the site for the famous boat regatta held during August/September that has traditionally involved the participation of all communities.
The 18th Century Krishnapuram Palace(45 km from Alleppey( Alappuzha), built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a double-storied structure, which displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormer windows, and narrow corridors. It houses one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala, called the Gajendra Mokshm. It measures 14 feet by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor, a walking distance from the palace pool. Inside is also a museum of antique sculptures, painting and bronzes. Situated 45 in from Alleppey (Alappuzha) on the way to Quilon Krishnapuram are easily accessible by bus from Alleppey.
A short distance from Alleppey (Alappuzha) is Punnapra, a village that has gone down in history as the scene of a battle between the Communists group and the Travancore State Police in the Punnapra - Vayalar Communist Uprising of 1946.
Mannarasala, 32 km from Alleppey (Alappuzha), is a very important center of serpent worship in Kerala, Built in a cool grove of trees and shrubs, this temple is said to contain 30,000 images of snake-goods, which line the path to the temple. | Backwaters Local folklore has it that Kerala was 'reclaimed' from the sea by the warrior sage Parasuraman by a throw of his battle-axe. Whatever the truth behind the legend, the fact remains that Kerala is a land with a huge necklace of canals, lagoons, lakes and rivers. These water bodies are loosely known in the local parlance as the backwaters. This peculiar landscape has had a distinct impact on the lifestyle of the people who live along the banks of these backwaters. Kerala uniqueness lies in its backwaters - found nowhere else in the world.
They form a beautiful and economically viable feature of Kerala. The 41 West-flowing rivers of Kerala form a backbone to this magnificent gift of nature. In the olden days, this water highway stretched from the South of Kerala right up to the northernmost part of the state. But situation has closed many of these waterways now.
There is an ongoing project to reopen the old waterways, especially for the tourism industry. The backwaters are a gateway for the visitor to see first hand the unhurried village life of rural Kerala. The life is tough and traditional work is highly labour intensive - a reason for the strong Communist sympathies of the rural folks. Here one meets the people engaged in country boat building, prawn cultivation, sand mining, coir manufacture, limestone collection (by divers who are specialists in this field), rice farming and duck rearing.
Such unhurried life holds a certain fascination for the visitor to these places. It is small wonder then, that this place is also a strong magnet for the millions of tourists who come here from all over the globe to encounter the unbelievable beauty of the place and the life of the millions besides these backwaters.
kerala backwatersThe journey normally begins at Alapuzha, because of its large network of canals. The journey winds through the small canals out into the Vembanad Lake. This place is also called Kuttanad, once the rice bowl of Kerala. Interestingly, this place is one of the few places below sea level. Using a clever system of dykes and bunds, cultivation of paddy goes on.
One beautiful backwater holiday destination is Kumarakom, which was 'discovered' barely a decade ago. The lagoon here, with its spectacular view and fringed by coconut groves, has been featured in travel books all over the world. A 14-acre bird sanctuary adds to the natural beauty of Kumarakom.
Water ducks, cuckoos, Siberian storks etc are regular visitors here. Years ago, an Englishman Henry Baker had constructed his bungalow here. This has now been taken over and converted to heritage hotel by the Taj group and is one of the finest around. Not far from here is another heritage resort - Coconut Lagoon - also rated as one of the finest anywhere in the world by travel writers.
And not surprisingly, the entrepreneurs among the people here have introduced a spruced up version of the 'kettuvallam' (covered canoes) with all the modern trappings of luxury. These 'houseboats', around 200 in all, are a world apart and unique to this region. With the tourism flow into Kashmir at low ebb, these have to some extent replaced the houseboats of the Dal Lake. These regal house boats run by private tour operators do not come cheap, but the experience will leave one with a true sense of the wonder that is Kerala.
Back to the backwater cruise. You could go to Kollam through a maze of rivers, lakes and lagoons. The sights are truly out of this world. The last part of the trip is through the Kayamkulam Lake and then to the Ashtamudi Lake in all its pristine glory. Or you could go the other way around and go to Kochi, the commercial Capital of Kerala. This trip is also through myriad lagoons, rivers and lakes.
kerala backwatersIn the monsoon months, these backwaters reverberate with the sound of the traditional snake boat races, featuring the 130 feet long Chundan boats. It is believed that these boats were designed for ancient Naval battles fought in these backwaters. Local chieftains of the then kingdoms of Vadakkumkoor (Northern Kingdom), Thekkumkoor (Southern Kingdom) and Chempakassery all maintained their chundan boats.
Today these are still being used in another 'battle', when up to 16 of them, with over a hundred rowers each, vie for top honours on the day of the races. The most important of these races is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race held on the second Saturday of August.
The Aranmula boat race is more traditional and is associated with temple festival there. The Parthasarathy temple of Aranmula (Aranmula is famed for the metallic mirror, used by royalty of pre independent India.) is on the banks of the holy river Pamba. It is believed that Lord Krishna and Balarama visited this place after the battle of Kurukshetra.
Legend has it that since Balarama found a high ground to escape the floodwaters and rested there, Lord Krishna in a fit of jealousy created a more elevated spot and rested there. Hence this temple has two sanctum sanctorums -one for Lord Krishna and one for Balarama at a lower level. The boat carnival starts on the day of Thiruonam, the most auspicious day of the Kerala festival, Onam.
Besides these backwaters of central Kerala, there are also other water bodies elsewhere. They are Veli (in South Kerala), Kadinamkulam, Edava, Anjengo, Madayara, Peravur, Ashtamudi, Kayamkulam, Kodungalur, Chetuva and Valiyaparamba (in North Kerala). | Idukki How to get There
Air : nearest airport : Madurai (Tamil Nadu) 140 kms, Kochi (Nedumbassery - 185 km), Thiruvananthapuram (265 kms).
Rail : nearest railway station is Kumarakom 114 kms. Madurai station is about 136 kms.
Road : an excellent road network from kumily (4 kms) links the to all major towns and cities in india.
This beautiful High range district of Kerala is geographically known for its Mountainous Hills and Dense Forests.
For the people of Kerala, Idukki is always associated with Power Generation. About 66% of the State's Power needs come from the Hydroelectric Power Projects in Idukki.Idukki accounts for 12.9 percent of the area of Kerala and only 3.7 percent of the population of Kerala. About 50% of its area are Reserved Forests
.This district’s name, ‘Idukki’ is supposed to be derived from the Malayalam word ‘idukku’, which means a narrow gorge. That could well be true, for narrow, steep-sided valleys are not strange phenomena in this hilly district, flanked by the Western Ghats in the east. The river Pamba originates in the mountains of Idukki.
With high ranges of altitude varying from 2500 feet to over 5000 feet above sea level, Idukki is the district where forests and wildlife abound. About 1500 sq ft of its area is reserved forest, much of which is home to a variety of flora and fauna. These forests are a source of teak wood, rose wood and sandalwood. They are also home to wildlife like tigers, deer, bisons and monkeys. Streams, valleys and hills combine to make Idukki district an ideal year-round holiday destination.
For the people of Kerala, Idukki is always associated with power generation since about 60 per cent of the state’s power needs come from the hydroelectric power station at Moolamattom, the biggest in the state. The famous Idukki arch dam, the first of its kind in India, is built between two huge granite hills across the river Periyar.
A landlocked district, Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala. Three main rivers gird high ranges and wooded valleys - Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar - and their tributaries. The River Pamba also has its origin here.
As a tourist destination, Idukki offers diverse attractions like Wildlife sanctuaries, Hill stations, Dams, spice plantation tours, Mountain treks, Elephant rides etc.
Tourist Place: Munnar & Thekkady/Periyar/Kumily
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower that bathes the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m.
PLACES TO VISIT:
Pothamadu:(6 km from Munnar)
Pothaamedu offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom.
plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenary here are ideal for trekking and Long Mountain walks.
Devikulam:(7 km from Munnar)
This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Pallivasal: (8 km from Munnar)
This is the venue of the first Hydroelectric Project in Kerala and a place of immense scenic beauty.
Attukal: (9 km from Munnar)
A panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills, Attukal, located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for the eyes. The place is also ideal for long treaks.
Pothamadu:(6 km from Munnar)
Pothaamedu offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenary here are ideal for trekking and Long Mountain walks.
Devikulam:(7 km from Munnar)
This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Pallivasal :(8 km from Munnar)
This is the venue of the first Hydroelectric Project in Kerala and a place of immense scenic beauty.
Attukal: (9 km from Munnar)
A panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills, Attukal, located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for the eyes. The place is also ideal for long treks.
Nyayamakad:(10km from Munnar)
Located between Munnar and Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. The waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 metres. The enchanting surroundings make an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.
Chithirapuram:(10 km from Munnar):
With its sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts, Chithirapuram still exudes an old-world charm.Home of the Pallivasal Hydel Power Project, this hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantations.
Mattupetty:(13 km from Munnar):
Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty is known for its highly specialised dairy farm-the Indo Swiss Livestock Project. Over 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into 3 of the 11 cattle sheds at the farm.
The Mattupetty lake and dam:
Just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake are other attractions in the vicinity. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty Dam. Speed launch and motorboats are available on hire.
Lock Heart Gap: (13km from Munnar):
This is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking. The fresh mountain air, the mistclad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of visit.
Rajamala: (15km from Munnar):
This is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri tahr. Half the world population of the rare mountain goat (Hemitragas bylocres) which is fast becoming extinct is now found here. The Nilgiri tahrs are today reduced to small herds found in the Eravikulam-Rajamala region. The total number of Nilgiri tahrs in Rajamala is estimated at 1317.
Echo Point:(15 km from Munnar)
This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Stations from Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park: (15 km from Munnar)
The 97 sq. km. park is situated in the Devikulam taluk and is home to the Nilgiri tahr. The Anamudi peak (2695m) is located in the southern region of the park.
Power House waterfalls: (18 km from Munnar)
This waterfall on the way to Thekkady from Munnar cascades down a steep rock, 2000m above sea level. The spot is enriched with the scenic western mountain ranges, and is an ideal place for a break on the way to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady.
Kundala: (20 km from Munnar)
Kundala is a picturesque town on the way to Top Stations. The Golf Course, which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd., is located here. The Kundala artificial dam is another attraction. Aruvikkad waterfalls are also near Kundala.
Anayirankal: (22km from Munnar)
It is a lush green carpet of tea plants. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Tata Tea Plantations and evergreen forests surround the Anayirankal Dam. It is an ideal picnic spot.
Top station: (32 km from Munnar)
1700 m above sea level, this is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. The rare Nilakurinji (strobilanthus) belongs to this region. This plant blooms wants every 12 years bathing the hillsides in bright blue. Top Station also offers a panoramic view of the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu.
Marayoor: (40 km from Munnar)
This is the only place in Kerala that has natural growth of sandal wood trees. The sandal wood factory of the forest department, the caves (Muniyaras) with murals and relics from the new Stone Age civilisation and the children's park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree are of great interest to tourist's. Thoovanam waterfalls and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also near by.
Cheeyappara:
The Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are located between Nariamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi Madurai highway. The Cheeyappara waterfalls cascade down in seven steps. It is a real feast for the eyes. This is also a great place for trekking.
Meenuli :
It is noted for two acres of evergreen forests upon a huge Rock. The rock is more than 500 acres in area and is an ideal spot for mountaineering.
Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary: (60 km from Munnar)
Situated on the Tamilnadu Boarder, The Chinnar wild life sanctuary is spread across 90.44 Sq.km.
Thekkady/Kumily/Periyar
The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. Thekkady is the spice town and also home to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The nearest airport is at Cochin and the journey takes around 5 hours.
Set amidst the splendour of the mountains, the Man-make Lake Periyar provides the ideal way to see the Wildlife Sanctuary, on a safari cruise. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to see some of the wildlife. The partially submerged trees, scattered across the lake, provide ideal look out posts for a variety of birds.
The unique combination of climate, soil and terrain here, makes this one of the few places where so many varieties of spices can be grown. Here you will find pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and ginger, to name a few. The tea and coffee plantations add to the scent in the cool air. A walk through the plantations is a fascinating experience as you learn the peculiarities and special needs of the plants.
Some 15 kms to the east of the town, you will find yourself down in the lowlands of neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Here the fields are full of produce such as tomatoes, cabbages, sunflower, beans, papaya and acres of vineyards. A short ride along the narrow country lanes on an ox-cart adds to the understanding of true, simple rural life. Small ancient temples can be seen and a drive through the tamarind forests reveals a vast difference between these lowlands and the lush vegetation of Kerala.
Back in Thekkady, there is excellent trekking available, through dense forests and plantations. We offer short 2-hour treks, half day and full day treks and an expert of our local guides accompanies you. One of the most rewarding treks is up to the summit of Cross Mountain, named because of the solitary cross-planted here long ago. You will find the most magnificent views with each direction offering a contrasting panorama - the lowlands to the East, the plantations to the North and South, and the lake and valley to the West. This can be a half-day, hard trek or take a short jeep drive, followed by a 15-minute hike to the top. Palm grove rafting and visit to a tribal village and the delights of Thekkady.
Away from the Thekkady/Kumily/Periyar, with a wide variety of fauna and flora to discover. The Spice Garden has a small brook running through the garden and both offer total tranquility .
Thekkady/Kumily/Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (also called Periyar Tiger Reserve) is nestled along the Western Ghats Mountains ranges of Kerala in South India. The main objective of this programme is to create awareness about the need for conservation of rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
Detailed Information:
Home to some 35 species of mammals, 265 species of birds and hundreds of species of butterflies, reptiles and plant life, Thekkady/Kumily/Periyar is quite exclusive. Tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grasslands make up the interior of the sanctuary. Now in an exciting fusion of local community involvement in tourism management, Kerala Travels, the oldest Travel House of Kerala, has introduced the National Award winning 'Thekkady Tiger Trail' - an innovative programme of trekking and camping within the confines of this magnificent sanctuary.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:
One of the worlds's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuary, Thekkady/Kumily/Periyar is noted for its geomorphology, wildlife and science beauty. The Periyar Tiger Reserve attracts travellers from all over the world. 360 sq.km. of the 777 sq km sanctuary is covered by evergreen forests. The 26 sq km artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar /dam across the Periyar River offers boating facilities. This is the only sanctuary in India where the wild elephant can be observed and photographed at close quarters from the safety of a boat. A boat cruise on the lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve.
The Sanctuary Watch Towers:
There are two watchtowers in the interior of the Periyar forest. Reservations can be made at Forest Information Centre, Thekkady, and Plantations: Tea, Cardamom, Pepper and Coffee plantations surround the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary. Twelve Varieties of spices grow in the neighbouring villages, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, cumin seed, garlic, starriness etc.
REACHING THEKKADY:
The best months to visit Periyar are from August to May when there is a pleasant climate here. If you are planning to travel by air, the nearest airports are Madurai, at a distance of 140 kms, Kochi (185 kms), Thiruvanthapuram (253 kms). Thereafter you can hire a taxi or take a K.S.R.T.C. bus to your destination. You can also travel by train or road from Kottayam, 110 kms from Thekkady. By road it takes almost 3 hours from here. In Kerala, all tourist cars charge both way fares, irrespective of whether you are planning to return to your starting point in the same vehicle or not.
Set amidst the high altitudes of the Western Ghats and named after the Periyar river, the sanctuary is rich in evergreen forests, flora and fauna. It is the natural habitat of a vast species of terrestrial, aquatic and arboreal animals.
Access :
Air : nearest airport : Madurai (Tamil Nadu) 140 kms, Kochi (Nedumbassery - 185 km), Thiruvananthapuram (265 kms).
Rail : nearest railway station is Kumarakom 114 kms. Madurai station is about 136 kms.
Road : an excellent road network from kumily (4 kms) links the to all major towns and cities in india
WHAT TO SEE AT THEKKADY /Kumily/Periyar:
Besides the all important boat ride, visitors to the sanctuary can also take elephant rides or go trekking through the forest with a trained guide. Later, you can visit the spice gardens and tea, coffee and cocoa plantations nearby.
Other places of interest include the Mangladevi temple and the Mullaiperiyar Dam. Besides, Kumily has a good market for tourists, offering handloom fabrics, spices, rosewood and sandalwood items, batiks, silks and antiques.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:
Lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq.km, of which 360 sq.km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world.
The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar adds to the charm of the park. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attractions of Periyar, however, are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.
Entry timing: 0600 - 1800 hrs.
Kurisumala
A place for adventure tourism and trekking. This will offer a panoramic view of Kumily town and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kumily (4 km from Thekkady)
This plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady, is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar Sanctuary. An important shopping centre ans spice trade centre, the main bus station and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar region are in Kumily
Murikkady (5 km from Thekkady)
Washed in fresh spice-scented air, Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations.
Pandikuzhi (5 km from Kumily)
This picturesque spectrum of exotic flora, fauna and gurgling streams is cradled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu border. A popular picnic spot, Pandikuzhi offers great opportunities for trekking and is a photographer's delight.
Mangala Devi Temple (15 km from Thekkady)
This ancient temple is hidden in the dense woods at the top of a oeak 1337 m above sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day. The peak commands a panoramic view of the eastern slopes of the Ghats and some hill villages of Tamil nadu. Permission to visit the area can be abstained from the Wildlife Warden.
Chellarkovil (15 km from Kumily)
This sleepy little village with its breathtaking view of the plains and cascading waterfalls is a feast for the eyes. The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Cumbum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Vandiperiyar (18 km from Thekkady)
The River Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories. The Government Agriculture farm and Flower Garden have a delightful array of roses, orchids and anthuria.
Vandanmedu (25 km from Kumily)
This is one of the world's largest auction centres for cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a heady experience.
Pullumedu(43 km from Thekkady, 26 km from Periyar)
The winding journey to this hill town, along the Periyar River, offers a stunning view of the rolling hills draped in lush greenery. Velvet lawns, rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu which can be accessed only by jeep. The famous Sree Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala and the Makara Jyothi illumination at the shrine are visible from here. Since it is part of the restricted forest zone, special permission to visit Pullumedu has to be obtained from the Wildlife Preservation Officer, Thekkady Ph:04869-222027 or the Range Officer, Vallakkadavu Ph:04869-252515.
Ramakalmedu (40 km from Thekkady and 75 km from Munnar)
Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu an enchanting retreat. The hills top also offers a Panoramic view of picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the Eastern slop of the western ghats.
Access to Thekkady:
Air : nearest airport : Madurai (Tamil Nadu) 140 kms, Kochi (Nedumbassery - 185 km), Thiruvananthapuram (265 kms).
Rail : nearest railway station is Kumarakom 114 kms. Madurai station is about 136 kms.
Road : an excellent road network from kumily (4 kms) links the to all major towns and cities in india. | Kerala Kerala, India's most advanced society : A hundred percent literate people. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest state.
For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the State.
Kerala is on the southernmost tip of India. It stretches along the coast of the Arabian Sea and is separated from the rest of the sub continent by the steep Western Ghats. The breadth of the state varies from 32 kms in the extreme north and south to over 120 kms in the middle.
One of the paramount criteria that contribute to the overall satisfaction and pleasure of a traveler reaching a destination of his/her choice is the kind of accommodation that is available at that place. Kerala – God’s Own Country has gone beyond contemporary tourist destinations, when it comes to facilities and options to accommodate tourists.
You may enjoy seeing things that are the ultimate feast for your eyes, and indulge in activities that can easily brighten up your spirits; but when it is time to relax, you need the best and the ideal of settings to rejuvenate your body and to make your mind serene.
Sun blanched white seashore. Endless beaches. Incessant blue waves mostly calm but sometimes boisterous clamouring and vanishing among white splashes. Green groves of coconuts just stop short and border the beaches with frills.
Lurking in the backdrop a network of lagoons and backwaters. Boats and country crafts moving along. . Quite a lot of rivers and countless rivulets flowing through hills and paddy fields of the midland, emptying themselves into the backwaters. And the far off dark blue mountains. This is what the eyes meet about Kerala. An excellent colour scheme and art work of Nature.An occasional boatsman rowing and singing with cargo or people. A tiller or a mower and women planting seedlings. Women at work spinning coir. Dense plantations further eastward. Kerala is all these and more..
Better known as 'Gods Own Country', Kerala offers you a host of exciting holiday options. Spread out across the year are specially designed packages that highlight the State's attractions, and prove beyond doubt that the season never ends in this breath takingly beautiful land. | Kochi (Cochin) About Cochin ( Kochi )
Set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, the port city of Cochin (Kochi) reflects the eclecticism of Kerala perfectly. With a rich past and a bustling present, it has been the business hub of the region from the very early days.
Cochin consists of mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbour, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern peninsula, and Vypeen Island north of Fort Cochin, all linked by ferry.
The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people. The oldest church in India, 500-year-old Portugese houses, old tiled houses built in the Chinese pagoda style, the famous Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish community whose roots go back to the Diaspora, synagogues and mosques all tell the fascinating story of this harbour town.
The harbour is still at the heart of the city and pepper, sea food, rubber and coir are exported from here. Despite this, Cochin is an attractive city with serene back-waters, lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms and picturesque islands.
The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village grafted onto the troppical Malabar coast. Cochin is one of India's largest ports and a major naval base.
What to See
Bolghatty Palace - Once a mansion of the British Resident and now a hotel, is in palm fringed Bolghatty Island.
Mattancherry Palace - The palace (Dutch Palace) was built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Cochin Raja, Veera Kerala Varma. The Dutch renovated it after 1663, and hence the palace has another name, 'Dutch Palace'.
The most important feature of Mattanchery Palace is the murals in the bedchambers and other rooms, which depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kumara and Durga. These murals are some of the most beautiful and extensive, and are one of the wonders of India.
Jewish Synagogue - Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. A stone slab from Kochangadi synagogue (built in 1344, and has then disappeared), inscribed in Hebrew, can be found on the inner surface of the wall. The synagogue has hand-painted, willow pattern floor tiles brought from China.
St. Francis Church - Built in 1503 by Portugese Franciscan friars, this is India's oldest European-built church. The original structure was wood, but was rebuilt in stone in mid-16th century. Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India, died in Cochin in 1524 and was buried here for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Portugal. The tombstone still stands.
Chinese Fishing Nets - Lined along the sea-front, these fishing nets exhibit a mechanical method of catching fish, introduced by Chinese traders from the court of Kublai Khan. These nets are also seen along the backwaters between Cochin and Kottayam, and between Alleppey (Alappuzha) and Quilon (Kollam). They are mainly used at high tide.
Parishath Thampuran Museum - Housed in what was previously Durbar Hall, constructed in traditional Kerala style, the museum contains collections of 19th century oil paintings, old coins, sculptures and Mughul paintings and exhibits from the Cochin Royal family.
Commercial City
Maybe it's Kochi's cosmopolitan lineage, its sophistication and dynamism, which has helped it become the commercial capital of Kerala (one of the 50 most sought after tourist destinations in the world). From a thriving port to a flourishing spice trade, from industrial entrepreneurship to fine arts, even some great cuisine, there is so much to savour here.
The Mahatma Gandhi Road (earlier known as the Seventy-feet Road), branching off from Banerji Road in its north end right upto Thevara Junction, approximately four kilometers down south, cuts through what is today the city's main commercial district. A bustling shopping centre where one can buy almost all kinds of goods on sale, including textiles, ready-made garments, jewellery, handicrafts, electronic goods, books, footwear, toys, etc. There are also half-a-dozen cinema houses for your entertainment. Minus the dazzling range of shops, buildings on either side house banks, finance firms, insurance companies, hospitals, airline offices, travel bureaus, hotels, and restaurants. By nightfall, the city's main artery brightens up with colourful neon signs and is enlivened by busy shoppers or people coming out to enjoy themselves. Both, the Ernakulam Junction railway station and the KSRTC bus station are located centrally, east of M G Road. The Cochin Shipyard is located south, overlooking Willingdon Island.
Kerala Tourist Development Corporation's daily conducted boat cruises around Cochin harbour visit Willingdon Island, Gundu Island, Mattanchery Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin, St. Francis Church, Chinese fishing nets and Bolgatty Island. Tourists can also watch Kathakali performances, as well as displays of Kalaripayattu.
FACTS & FIGURES
Area : 8,700 sq km
Population : 1,600,000
Languages : Malayalam and English
CLIMATE
Being situated very close to the sea, Kochi has a moderate climate, with heavy rains during JuneAugust due to the southwest monsoon. Winter starts from December and continues till February. In summer, the temperature rises to a maximum of 35C and 25C in the winters. Annual average rainfall is 310 cm.
Where to Stay
KTDC Hotel, Bolghatty Island.
Bharat Tourist Home, Darbal Hall Road, Ernakulam.
Taj Malabar Hotel, Willington Island
Casino Hotel, Willington Island
Hotel Sealord, Ernakulam
The International Hotel, Ernakulam
Hotel Taj Residency
Hotel Avenue Regent
Hotel Le Meridien
Grand Hotel
HOW TO REACH
There are Indian Airlines and Jet Airways direct services to Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Goa, Bangalore, and Trivandrum from Cochin.
Cochin is connected by rail to most of the important cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.
Cochin is connected by road with several tourist centers in India. It is 565 km from Bangalore, 223 km from Coimbatore, 848 km from Goa, 694 km from Madras, 470 km from Mysore, and 312 km form Ootacamund.
Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available for local transport. Tourist taxis, both air-conditioned and ordinary, can be hired for a day. | Kollam (Quilon) How to get there Thenmala
Air: The nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport, 71 kms away. From Trivandrum there are several KSRTC buses, which go to Quilon and beyond.
Rail: Quilon Junction is an important station in the Southern Railways network in Kerala and connects Quilon to almost all-important centers in the rest of the country. Cochin is about 156 km north of Quilon and takes 3 to 4 hours by train. There are also meter- gauge trains from Quilon to Chennai via Madurai, which offer a rather different and interestingly scenic journey. A Tourist Information counter functions as the railway station.
Road: Quilon is an important transit point for buses on the NH 47 highway fro Trivandrum to the northern towns of Kerala. Buses are frequent and fares reasonable. The trip to Trivandrum takes under two hours and to Cochin, about one hour.
Boat/ Ferry: The boat jetty is adjacent to the KSRTC central bus stand, about 3 km away from the Railway Station. There are daily ferry services through the scenic backwaters to Alleppey (10.30 AM departure for the 8 hour trip) and more frequent ones to smaller destinations, via, Guhandapuram (one-hour journey) and Muthiraparamb (2½ hour journey.)
Local Transport: Private and KSRTC buses, Yellow-top and tourist taxis, Autorickshaws.
Not just cashew and fish
An ancient seaport town dating back to the 9th Century A.D., Kollam (the Malayalam name for Quilon) has given its name to the Malayalam ear Kollavarsham, which began in 825 A.D and is said to be calculated from the date of the founding of this town. That year Persian immigrants set up a township in Quilon and built a church there, having received a charter of privileges from the Raja of Venad. According to one historical view, in that year King Udaya Marthanda Varma of Venad convened at Quilon a grand assembly of Kerala’s learned men in order to introduce a new era which, the assembly resolved, would be adopted from the Chingam (Malayalam month) of the year.
In Quilon, over the century’s merchants from all over the world gathered and contributed to the city’s reputation as a centre of a flourishing mercantile community. This is borne out by the testimonies of Arab, Chinese. Jewish and European travelers (Marco Polo, amongst others). It was also in Quilon that in 1330 A.D Friar Jordams was consecrated Bishop of the Roman Catholic See in India.
The town’s commercial importance led the Portuguese to set up a factory here in 1502. This passed into the hands of the Dutch in 1661 and later, in 1795, to the British. Today the red-tiled roofs that dot Quilon’s low skyline is a reminder of the architectural influences of the Dutch and British villas. Further, the Chinese fishing nets along the Ashtamudi Lake are testimony links with China.
Today this town, which is 71 km from Trivandrum, is fairly important for the state’s trade and commerce and is the center of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry. It is also an important hub for the state’s marine processing industry. It is also an important hub for the state’s marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being the centre for trawlers and ice plants.
A particularly picturesque town standing on the banks of the Ashtamudi lake (‘‘the lake with eight creeks’’), Quilon’s contemporary fame among today’s travellers is as the inviting gateway to Kerala’s exceedingly beautiful backwaters. The long 8-hour bout trip from Quilon to Alleppey is the best and most comprehensive introduction to the delights of Kerala’s backwaters, as the journey meanders through lakes, canals and waterbound villages. The famous ‘Cheena Vala’ or Chinese fishing nets can also be seen along the backwaters.
As a typical southern Kerala town, Quilon offers a tranquil, rural atmosphere, punctuated by the bustle of trade and commerce in its many busy and crowded market streets and junctions. On the outskirts of the town are cashewnut-processing factories. Next to the Government Guest House at Asramam, 3 km away from the central bus stand, is an Adventure Park which delights children. The Quilon District Tourist Promotion Council organizes backwater cruises from there and, during the season, conducted cruises to Alleppey.
There is a beach with a small park at Quilon, popular as an evening retreat for the locals.
On the route Shenkottah, 70 km from Quilon, is Ariankavu which holds a shrine devoted to Lord Sastha. The main festival of this temple is in December. Five km from Ariankavu is the waterfall at Palaruvi at a height of 300 feet. There are frequent buses to Ariankavu and at Palaruvi there is a PWD Inspection Bungalow where rooms are sometimes available.
On the same route, 64 km from Quilon, Kulathupuzha is in the forest range and is famous a similar shrine. The most important temple festival here is the Vishnu Mahotsava in April/May.
Mayyanad, a small town about 10 km south of Quilon, is known for its 9 temples, the most famous of which is the shrine of Lord Subramanya, said to have been consecrated by Sri Sankaracharya.
A very important pilgrim center 34 km north of Quilon, Oachira is famed for its ‘Oachira Kalli’ festival in mid-June.
Sasthamkotta, Kerala’s largest freshwater lake, is 29 km from Quilon and on the right bank of the Kallada River. This is a small town with a temple dedicated to Lord Sastha. An hour’s bus ride from Quilon, Sasthamkotta has a PWD Rest House where accommodation is available.
Five km and a 15 minute bus trip from Quilon town, Thangassery is historically important, as become evident by the ruins of the Portuguese/ Dutch fort there as well as the 18th Century church. The 3 km long beach has a lighthouse which is open to visitors between 3.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m.
Thirumullavaram , just 6 km north of the centre and easily reached by b
us, is a beautiful and quiet little beach ideal for swimming or lying in the sun.
Conducted Tours: The Quilon District Tourism Promotion Council, Tel: 742558 which functions from the Government Guest House at Asramam where it maintains the adventure Park and boating facilities, arranges on request a one-day city tour by coach for a group of ten or more persons. For larger groups the Council will arrange a backwater cruise to Alleppey.
The State Forest Department has come up with a project to develop Sasthamcotta in Kollam district, as an eco- tourism destination. The Minister for Water Resources and Forests, Mr. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan inaugurated the eco- tourism office at Sasthamcotta. In his address, the minister said that the project would be implemented with public support. The department is preparing the master plan for the project. The fresh water lake at Sasthamcotta would also be protected as part of the project. | Kottayam How to get there
Rail: Kottayam Railway Station, 2 km from the town centre, is linked to most major Indian cities.
Road: Motorable roads connect Kottayam to important all Kerala & south Indian cities. There are two bus stations: the central KSRTC station that operates most long-distance services, and the private bus station near the railway station.
Ferry: The main ferry station is about 3 km from the railway station and offers ferry services that pass through the scenic backwaters to the following places: Alleppey, Mannar, Champakulam, Kavalam, Mankombu , Ambalapuzha, Kuttanad villages.
Bordered by the lofty and mighty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake andPaddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics.Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, hills and hillocks, extensive rubber plantations, places associated with many legends and a totally literate people have given Kottayam District the enviable title: The land of letters, legends, latex and lakes. Kottayam Town is the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy (a remarkable feat achieved as early as in1989).
English education in South India did actually start at the Old Seminary here at Kottayam in 1813. The first printing press in Kerala was established (CMS Press) here in 1821 by Rev. Benjamin Baily. The first college in the State (CMS College) was also started here at Kottayam in 1840. Maiden printed Malayalam-English and English-Malayalam Dictionaries were published from Kottayam in 1846 and 1847 respectively. The first and only Co-operative Society of writers, authors and publishers (SPCS), for publishing books and periodicals was set up here in 1945. Kottayam is the hometown of a vast number of books and periodicals and is the center of publishing business in the State. Kottayam is the first town in India selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests; Government of India to be transformed as an Eco City. The Sri K R Narayanan, the former President of India hails from Kottayam District.
The beauty of plantations and backwaters:
Kottayam, among the state’s more mountainous districts, provides some of Kerala’s finest natural scenes, sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters (kumarakom) on the west and the Western ghats on the east. Much of this beauty is laid out in all its glory along the road, which winds from Kottayam to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady through plantations of rubber, tea, coffee and pepper. Kottayam is also an important commercial center, thanks to its strength as a producer of cash crops. Most of India’s natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board, one of the country’s primary commodity boards.
As the headquarters of several ecclesiastical heads of Christian churches like those of the Syrian Christian community, Kottayam is proof of the cultural and religious plurality of Kerala. Today, as reminders of this facet can be found ancient churches like the Valia Palli, the Cheria Palli (1579) and the St. Mary’s Church at Manarcad (1585).
A small village 12 km west of Kottayam town, on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a bird sanctuary known for local varieties like the water fowl, cuckoo, owl and the water duck as well as migratory Siberian storks. The sanctuary is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the best months to bird-watch are between June and August.
Within the 101 acres of beautifully wooded grounds is the Kumarakom Tourist Complex, built around the 50-year old ‘Baker’s Mansion’, formerly a small and pretty hotel run by the KTDC, but now redone in greater style by Taj Kerala Resorts Ltd. Boats are available on hire for backwater cruises around the lake.
An important Syrian Christian centre, the town of Mannanam, 8 km from Kottayam, sites the St. Joseph’s Monastery, associated with the name of Fr. Kuriakose Elias of Chavara (1805-71), one of the saintly figures of the Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala. Established in 1844, this is one of the oldest printing presses in Kerala. It printed the Nasrani Deepika, one of Kerala’s oldest newspapers.
Kottayam is equally known for its cultural achievements. It was the first town in India to attain total literacy, an event that triggered a mass movement to make Kerala the country’s first totally literate state. Kottayam is also the mecca of Kerala’s publishing scene, home to dozens of Malayalam newspapers and magazines, including the state’s earliest, The Deepika (founded in 1887) as well as the country’s largest selling daily and weekly from the Malayala Manoram group. Kottayam is also the birthplace of a unique institution, the Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham, perhaps the first-ever co-operative of writers.
Situated in the heart of Kottayam town; the Thirunakkara Mahadeval Siva Temple, built in the indigenous style and featuring several wall paintings, attracts a large number of devotees for its annual festival in the third week of March.
The Valia Palli (St. Mary’s Church) build in 1550 A.D. for the Knanaya Orthodox Syrians, is situated in Thazhathangadi, 2 km from the town centre. It is famous for its 8th century Persian cross and the Pahalavi inscription on it.
Located near the Valia Palli, the smaller church of Cheria palli (St. Mary’s Church), built in 1579 A.D., has some murals and paintings of Biblical and other themes.
Ayyampara, 43 km from Kottayam, is a little known scenic spot of rocky plains where a 100-acre are of flat rock makes a natural granite stadium to enjoy the sunset and the view of the town below. It is a good base for trekking.
The town of Bharananganam is an important Christian pilgrimate centre as the place where the mortal remains of Sister Alphonsa (1916-1946) was interned in a chapel next to the St. Mary’s Church. This 1000-year old church features an attractive Grotto of Virgin Mary.
A Hindu pilgrimage centre, Ettumanoor, 13 km away, is famous for its legendary 16th century Shiva Temple, a good specimen of Kerala’s indigenous style of temple architecture, incorporating clear-cut wood carvings and mural paintings including an exceptional one of Of Shiva as Nataraja trampling under foot the spirit of evil represented by a demon. The annual 10-day festival of the temple occurs in February / March.
A small village 12-km west of Kottayam town, on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a bird sanctuary known for local varieties like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl and the water duck as well as migratory Siberian storks. The sanctuary is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the best months to bird-watch are between June and August.
Within the 101 acres of beautifully wooded grounds is the Kumarakom Tourist Complex, built around the 50-year old ‘Baker’s Mansion’, formerly a small and pretty hotel run by the KTDC, but now redone in greater style by Taj Kerala Resorts Ltd. Boats are available on hire for backwater cruises around the lake.
Vaikom, 40 km from Kottayam, is famed for Parasurama, the mythical creator of Kerala, constructed the Siva temple which, legend, says. The 12-day Ashtami festival in November / December is renowned for its elephant processions, religious discourses and performances of traditional dance and music. In contemporary history, Vaikom’s prominence derives from the satyagraha of 1925, blessed by Mahatma Gandhi and aimed at throwing open the temple’s doors to Harijans(backward caste).
Kottayam is an important commercial centre of Kerala, India, thanks to its strength as a producer of cash crops. Most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board, One of the country's primary commodities board. Kottayam, among the state's more mountainous districts, provides some of Kerala's finest natural scenes sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western ghats on the east.
The Valia Palli (St. Mary’s Church) build in 1550 A.D. for the Knanaya Orthodox Syrians, is situated in Thazhathangadi, 2 km from the town centre. It is famous for its 8th century Persian cross and the Pahalavi inscription on it.
Located near the Valia Palli, the smaller church of Cheria palli (St. Mary’s Church), built in 1579 A.D., has some murals and paintings of Biblical and other themes.
Ayyampara, 43 km from Kottayam, is a little known scenic spot of rocky plains where a 100-acre are of flat rock makes a natural granite stadium to enjoy the sunset and the view of the town below. It is a good base for trekking.
The town of Bharananganam is an important Christian pilgrimate centre as the place where the mortal remains of Sister Alphonsa (1916-1946) was interned in a chapel next to the St. Mary’s Church. This 1000-year old church features an attractive Grotto of Virgin Mary.
A Hindu pilgrimage centre, Ettumanoor, 13 km away, is famous for its legendary 16th century Shiva Temple, a good specimen of Kerala’s indigenous style of temple architecture, incorporating clear-cut wood carvings and mural paintings including an exceptional one of Of Shiva as Nataraja trampling under foot the spirit of evil represented by a demon. The annual 10-day festival of the temple occurs in February / March.
Vaikom, 40 km from Kottayam, is famed for the Siva temple which, legend, says, was constructed by Parasurama, the mythical creator of Kerala. The 12-day Ashtami festival in November / December is renowned for its elephant processions, religious discourses and performances of traditional dance and music. In contemporary history, Vaikom’s prominence derives from the satyagraha of 1925, blessed by Mahatma Gandhi and aimed at throwing open the temple’s doors to Harijans. | Kozhikode (Calicut) Once the capital of the powerful Zamorins and a prominent trade and commerce center, Calicut (Kozhikode) was the most important region of Malabar in the days gone by. Today, lush green country sides, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience make Calicut (Kozhikode) a popular destination.
The Past: In northern Kerala lies the area, which the legendary traveller Marco Polo described in 1320 A.D. as the ‘‘great province of Malabar.’’ Much of this richness today lies buried in the glory of a past grandeur, a past replete with the trading visits of European voyagers calling on the ancient port of Calicut (Kozhikode) on their regular journeys of commerce, lured by timber, ivory, pepper, ginger, cinnamon and other spices.
The Arab Traveller Abdur Razzak also praised Calicut (Kozhikode) commercial glory in 1443 A.D.: ‘‘Calicut (Kozhikode) is a perfectly secured harbour, which, like that of Ormuz, brings together merchants from every city and from every country.’’ Interestingly, Calicut has also lent its name to ‘calico’, the fine variety of handwoven cotton clothe said to have originated in this place.
How to get there:
Air: Calicut Airport, at karipur, 23 km from the city.
Rail: Calicut Railway Station in linked by rail to major cities.
Road: Government-run and private bus services connect Calicut to several tourist and business centres in South India.
Tusharagiri Waterfalls:
As the name suggests, land and water have struck an extraordinary kinship at Thusharagiri (mist capped peaks). The plantation destination that abounds in rubber, arecanut, pepper, ginger and spices, is also a trekker’s delight. Trekkers start early morning from the second waterfall on the hills and climb up through the pristine dense evergreen forests teeming with exotic birds and animals to reach Vythiri in Wayanad district by evening.
Peruvannamuzhi:
The Peruvannamuzhi damsite set amid hills is a beautiful picnic spot. The reservoirs here provide facilities for speed and slowboat cruises. Uninhabited islands, a bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm add to the charm of the place.
Tali Temple:
Built in the 14th century by Swamy Thirumulpad, the Zamorin, within his palace complex, this temple was the venue of Revathy Pattathanam, the annual cultural and intellectual event. The Tali Temple is a fine example of the total integration that can exist between wood and laterite, which is a remarkable feature of the Kerala style of architecture
Pazhassiraja Museum:
A veritable treasure trove for historians and connoisseurs of art, the Pazhassiraja Museum is located in Kozhikode - the land of spices, which lured navigators from time immemorial down to the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498. The Art Gallery adjacent to the museum displays the acclaimed paintings of Kerala's cherished artists, Raja Ravi Varma (1848 - 1906) whose works brought international repute to the State and his uncle Raja Raja Varma.
The museum is managed by the State Archaeology Department and has on display mural paintings, antique bronzes, ancient coins, models of temples, umbrella stones, dolmenoid cists (quadrangular burial chambers with capstones), and similar megalithic monuments. The art gallery has the oil paintings and other works of Raja Ravi Varma. For more information on Ravi Varma's works, refer 'The prince among painters and a painter among princes’.
The museum and the art gallery are named after the great Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma of the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam royal family. Pazhassiraja led the famous ‘Pazhassi Revolt’ (against the British East India Company during the second half of the 1700s). Nicknamed the Lion of Kerala, Pazhassiraja is also credited with introducing guerilla warfare in the hills of Wayanad to resist the increasingly intolerable British colonialism. This great freedom fighter was shot dead in an encounter on 30 November 1805.
Krishna Menon Museum:
Krishna Menon Museum situated at East Hill is five km by bus from the Railway station / city bus station. Lying adjacent to pazhassi raja Museum, a storehouse of knowledge
Beypore:
Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala, was an important trade and maritime centre Beypore was much sought after by merchants from Western Asia for its ship building industry. The boat building yard here is famous for the construction of the Uru (the Arabian trading vessel), which boasts a tradition of over1500 years.
S M Street:
Sweet Meat Street is the busiest street in Calicut (Kozhikode) and derives its name from the times when the street was lined with sweetmeat stalls. Kozhikode is famous for its 'Halwa' and Sweets.
Kappad Beach:
Situated 16 km from the city.
For the people of Calicut (Kozhikode), this pleasant stretch of rock studded beach is Kappakkadavu. To the tourist it is one of the most charming of Kerala's beaches. Kappad finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar Coast. Here, 501 years ago, 170 men led by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) sailed in and stepped into Kerala to create a new chapter in history.
The story of a long and tumultuous socio-political relationship between India and Europe. It was the spices and wealth of Malabar that first brought the Arabs, the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English to Kerala. Kappad has witnessed many such landings. Calicut (Kozhikode) was then the most important trade center of the Malabar region and the Zamorins who ruled this mighty land were powerful and shrewd.
Though the Portuguese were welcomed in Kozhikode they were not too well encouraged or entertained for long by the Zamorins, which might be the reason they shifted their base to Kochi and Kollam down south. Today only a little stone monument is left at the Kappad beach to speak of its great historic importance.
On the rocks nearby is a temple believed to be 800 years old. To the tourist, however, this little sea faring town is a haven. The best route to Kappad is along the backwaters. Unspoiled and uncrowned, the picturesque backwaters of Kozhikode offer a bewitching experience. A ride down the backwaters through the Korappuzha River brings you to the beach.
Dolphin point:
Here one can see in the early hours of the morning dolphins playing in the sea. The beach, 2 km from Calicut (Kozhikode) town centre is along stretch of tree lined sand popular with the local people because of the Lions Club park, the Light House and the two piers - and, of course, the opportunity to enjoy in the evening breeze.
Malabar Houseboats:
For luxury boating and exploring pristine back waters of Calicut (Kozhikode), House Boats can be availed. The novel concept and excellent hospitality in this floating palace is worth enjoying, with family and friends. These are the first fully newly built HouseBoats of Kerala. These are stationed at Purakkattiri, close to Purakkattiri Bridge on Ullery - Perambra road. 10 kms. from Kozhikode.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary:
The sanctuary at Kadalundi is a Haven for migratory birds. Terns, Gulls, Herons, Sand pipers, Whim brels.
Other such migratory birds flock from the month of November and returns only by the end of April. It is 25 kms. from Kozhikode. The ideal season to visit is from December to April in the early hours of the day. BEYPORE It is one of the important ports and fishing harbor. Ancient Beypore had been the centre of ship building industry where merchants from West Asia and Middle East regularly placed orders for huge wooden crafts, locally called as URU's. This art is a mnemonic tradition of almost 1500 yrs old. It is 15 kms. from Kozhikode, City buses are available.
Thusharagiri water falls:
68 km from calicut(Kozhikode) city via kodancheri brilliant for the famous eye catching water falls which exhilarates you. Accommodation not available. Buses to kodancheri are available from Calicut (Kozhikode) bus station. | Malappuram How to get there
Air: The nearest airport is at Calicut, 36 km away. Cochin Air port is 169 km and Trivandrum International Airport is 395 km to the sough.
Rail: The main railway station is at Calicut. There is another smaller station at Tirur, 44 km south of Calicut.
Road: motor able roads to several towns in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu link Malappuram.
Local transport: For local transport there are buses, taxis, and auto rickshaws.
Heroic symbol of the freedom struggle
The district of Malappuram, which literally means a terraced place atop hills, was carved out of the districts of Calicut and Palghat in 1969. Malappuram figures prominently in history as the place, which frequently questioned British Colonial authority. Most of the famous Mappilla revolts of Malabar, which took place between 1792 and 1921, occurred in areas now under Malappuram district. In fact, it was to tame the Mappillas that the Malabar Special Police, symbol of British colonial oppression and tyranny, was formed in 1852.
Home of the Valluvanad dynasty of chieftains who ruled over the are in ancient and medieval items. Malappuram has always enjoyed the status of a military headquarters. The Zamorin of Calicut, for instance, consolidated his conquests and built a palace at the then important Malabar seaport of Ponnani in Malappuram.
Although Malappuram lags behind the state’s other districts in terms of standards of literacy and education, paradoxically, the district has contributed in no small measure to Kerala’s cultural traditions. It has been a center for Vedic learning and teaching and Ponnani enjoyed a similar status as an important center for education in the philosophy of Islam. Celebrated Mappilla poets and the famous dance, ‘opana pattu’ of Mappilla women originated here.
The father of Malayalam literature, Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the classical epic poet, was born in Trikandiyoor in this district. Also born in this district was VallatholNarayana Menon, often called the poet laureate of Kerala.
Among contemporary personages, the Marxist political leader E.M.S. Namboodiripad, was born at Elamkulam in Perinthalmanna, a taluk of Malappuram district.
The Chaliyar and Kadalundi rivers are two of the six, which flow through this district. On top of the hill overlooking the Kadalundi river is the old Haig barracks, founded by the British, now the headquarters of the district administration.
At the foot of the Cantonment Hill is the maidan called Kottappadi (‘fort gate’), though today there are only traces of the old fort built by the British to protect Malappuram from the occupation of Malabar by Mysore.
The Jama-at mosque here is important to Kerala’s Muslims. The annual ‘nercha’ festival of the mosque is celebrated for four days in April. Adjoining the mosque is a mausoleum of the Malappuram Shaheeds whose brave exploits have been immortalized in Mappilla was ballads.
An important religious centre for both Muslims and Hindus, Angadippuram has the Tirumandhankunnu Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga as well as the Puthanangadi Mosque which has Arabic inscriptions engraved on one of its planks.
Further away is the small town of Kottakal, 12 km southwest of Malappuram and 168 km from Cochin, home of the famed Kottakal Arya Vaidyasala, pioneering center for Ayurveda, Kerala’s traditional system of health and medicine. Among the best run Ayurvedic centers in the state, this institution runs an Ayurvedic research center, a nursing home and a hospital.
On the way to Malappuram, 18 km east of Manjeri, is Kondotti a prominent pilgrim centre for Muslims. The Valia Nercha festival at the 500-year old Pazhayangadi Mosque, celebrated for three days in February-March, draws large crowds.
Those interested in nature and wild life should head for Nilambur, an extensive forest area well known for its bambooms. It is home to the world’s oldest teak plantation, known as ‘Canolly’s Plot’.
Further back in time, the small coastal fishing town of Tanur was one of the earliest settlements of the Portuguese. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited the place in 1546 and converted the local chieftain to Christianity. About 3 km south of Tanur town is Keraladesapuram Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and said to be one of Kerala’s oldest temples.
The birthplace of Thunchath Ezhuthachen, now called Thunchan Parambu, is in Tirur. It is the hallowed ground where hundreds of Malayalee children are initiated into the wonders of writing when they first trace the letters of the Malayalam alphabet in sand taken from threat revered spot.
On the banks of the river Bharathapuzha, 8 km south of Tirur, is Tirunavai, a place of historical and religious significance. In olden days, the Mamamkam festival here was a grand assembly of the rulers of Kerala, held once in 12 years. Believed to have been founded by Cheraman Perumal, it was last performed in 1755. Today the Sarvodaya Mela is held in the Nava Mukunda Temple every January. This temple is said to be founded by the nine great saints and is also called the Benares of the South. | Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) How to get there
Air: The Trivandrum International Airport services flights of Air India, Indian Airlines,Air Lanka, East-West Airlines and private charters like Goa Way. Flights are operated to Cochin, Mumbi, Chennai, Coimbatore, Goa Delhi and Bangalore. There are also international flights to Colombo in Sri Lanka, Male in the Maldives and destinations of the Gulf countries in the Middle East.
Rail: Trivandrum Central Railway Station is connected to most important Indian cities and towns, including the southernmost tip of the subcontinent, Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin).
Road:
Motor able roads link Trivandrum ti several important tourist and business centers in India. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) as well as corporations belonging to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu operate bus services of various classes. Though these are the major operators, there are also private bus and other feeder services to destinations within and outside the state
Local Transport:
Taxis (ordinary yellow-top cabs superior ‘tourist taxis’ and chauffeur-driven cards on heir from craniates), buses and auto rickshaws. For the adventurous, cycles are also easily available on hire. Tourist coaches can be hires from the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). For further information, contact: Trivandrum District Truism Promotion Council Tel: 2435397. The KSRTC operates bus services to point within the city and its suburbs.
Laid- backs the capital -
The former name for Kerala’s capital city, Trivandrum, may be more easily pronounceable but the present official name, Thiruvanathapuram, is closer to its mythological, origins. The word ‘Thri Ananthapuram’ means the city of Anatha or the abode of the sacred thousand-headed serpent Anantha, who forms the couch on which reclines Lord vishnu, the preserver in the Trinity of Hindu gods.The name also reflects the city’s best-known temple and a famous landmark, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, dedicated to Padmanabha or Lord Vishnu and – so goes legend– built in stages to house an idol discovered in a forest by a devotee. The historical importance of the city and this temple can be gauged from the fact that in 1750 when it was the capital of the Venad chieftains of the erstwhile state of Travancore, its renowned ruler Maharajah Marthanda Varma dedicated the entire state to the deity of the temple. It was only as servants of the deity that the King and his successors held possessions as well as the right to rule. Built on seven hills, and liberally covered with the green of low-lying paddy fields and coconut palms, Trivandrum has not lost this holy glory, having accepted diverse and religious traditions in its warm and hospitable embrace.
The city has recently grown as a tourist and commercial center, with the Trivandrum International Airport becoming the main gateway into Kerala for a substantial number of visitors and tourists.Nonetheless, it still retains a leisurely and laid-back ambience, helped along by the great diversity of quaint colonial and traditional Kerala buildings.The visitor who allows himself to slowly amble through he various by -lanes that snake off the main M.G. Road can discover the city’s visages– from shops, restaurants and hotels to bus-stops, banks and post offices.Being the state capital, Trivandrum throbs with political activity. This, fortunately, is not at the cost of the city’s long tradition of being a generous host to culture and the arts. That is why travelers are always advised not to miss the Government Art Museum, formerly called the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery and the CVN Kalari (a centre for traditional martial arts) among the other cultural institutions, universities and libraries located in Trivandrum.
Trivandrum is also the ideal stop-over en route to nearby destinations like the famed Kovalam beach, a half-hour 16 km, drive away, the Neyyar Dam and minor wildlife sanctuary (32 km), the Ponmudi hill resort (61 km), Varkala mineral springs (55 km) and popular local tourist sports like the Veli Tourist Village and the Aukulam Lakeside complex.Located in a beautifully landscaped 80-acre plot, the Government Art Museum forms part of a park-like complex in the heart of the city, which also houses the Sri Chitra Art Gallery and the Zoologcal Gardens. The building is an architectural delight, combining styles of traditional Kerala architecture with Chinese and Mughal touches. Its 19th Century British architect, Chisholm, is said to have stirred in a dash of Brighton as well. The intriguing blend of colors– pink and blue, banana yellow and cherry red– merge with red and white lattice work and mock friezes to create a unique spectacle, best viewed on weekends when the entire building is majestically spot lit. Inside the museum are varied period collections of bronze statues, treasures, costumes, masks, ancient jewelers, musical instruments and models, including one of the Nair joint-family residence, the ‘tharavad’.The Sri Chitra Art Gallery, also in a traditional building, houses a rich collection of paintings of the erstwhile Travancore ruling family, including portraits of maharajas and British residents by Raja RaviVarma. Also included are representative pieces of medieval and modern art of the Rajput, Mughal, Tanjore and Bengal schools and selection of the work of the Russian painter Svetosku Roerich.The Zoological Garden, called ‘‘one of the best laid-out zoos in Asia’’, is set in pleasant surroundings, amidst lawns and lakes. Its animals and birds and the snake collection in the nearby Reptile House attract scores of delighted visitors.Located on a hill opposite the Kanakakunnu Palace, another attraction worth a visit, is the Government Observatory which offers a lovely view from its roof terrace.
SITE SEEING TRIPS
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. conduct coach tours from Trivandrum. Four Details and Reservation contact: Tourist Receptions Centre, KTDC Thampanoor Trivandrum -1 Ph : 2330031 Adjacent to the airport, the Shanghumugham Beach is popular with local people and features an indoor recreation club, a roller skating rink, a children’s traffic training park, a starfish-shaped restaurant and an aquarium.About 11 km from the city is the Veli Tourist village, a well-developed tourist spot where the lake merges with the sea. Kerala’s famous sculptor Kanai Kunhiraman whose exuberant sculptures dot the greenery has landscaped its gardens. They combine to offer an ideal setting for picnics and day trips. There is a pontoon bridge to the beach, a wading pool for kids, pony rides, a floating restaurant and facilities for minor aqua sports from 10 am to 5 pm. Limited accommodation, mainly of the dormitory type, is available at the Veli Youth Hostel. The Office / KTDC restaurant can be contacted at telephone number: 2475385Located at PMG Junction, near the Mascot Hotel, Science and Technology Museum is an interactive educative experience for students and youth as well as as other inquisitive minds. Closed on Mondays, on other days it is open from 10 am to 5 pm and the entrance fee is Rs. 1 Situated at Thycaud in the city, the Chacha Nehru Children’s Museum displays dolls, maks and paintings and is open 10 am to 5 pm.The SMSM Institute is the handicrafts emporium of the Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala, situated behind the government secretariat and near the British Library. It sells a wide variety of handicrafts, carvings and curios. Open 9 am to 8 pm with no lunch break. The samadhi of the saint Sri Narayana Guru is at Varkala, 55 km from Trivandrum. It is also the site of the Janardanasaway (Vishnu) Temple. The other attrition is the mineral springs believed to be able to restore health. The ancient seat of the Travancore rulers, the 16th century Padmanabhapuram Palace of elaborate woodwork is 55 km from Trivandrum in the state of Tamil Nadu en route to Kanyakumari. It contains historical relics including ancient swords and pistols, original rosewood furnishings and wall paintings. The floors are made of a mixture of eggshell, coconut shell and charcoal and beneath can be found underground hiding spots and narrow escape tunnels used buy ancient kings to flee from enemies. The palace is closed on Mondays.
Places to visit :
Kovalam Beach
16 kms away this Internationally renowned Beach Resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The Southernmost, known as the Lighthouse beach, is the most popular Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all budgets.Kovalam, the world - renowned beach endowed with a sheltered bay safe for swimming, during the off-monsoon months . It takes about half an hour to reach Kovalam from Trivandrum. Apart from the five-star Ashok Radission Hotel, there are several hotels of various standards to suit every budget. Seaside restaurant stalls serve a variety of cuisine
Padmanabha Swamy Temple
The temple is located inside the East Fort.Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, & a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its Mural Paintings and Stone Carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu Temples in India, the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on anantha the serpent.The imposing seven storied tower makes it the most impressive landmark in the city. There are innumerable pillars, intricate carvings and, mural paintings. The temple is an excellent example of the Dravidian style of architecture.Only Hindus are allowed entry inside and the dress regulations are strictly followed.
The Government Art Museum
Open from 10 AM to 5 PM on all days except Monday. Located in a park like complex with the Sree Chitra Art Gallery and the Zoological Gardens it was formerly known as the `Napier Museum` named after a former Madras Governor General, John Napier. It is a gem of architectural exuberance, combining traditional Kerala styles with good doses of Chinese and Mughal Influences. It has an excellent collection of bronze images, historical ornaments, ivory carvings and temple chariots
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum -
The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore, who was a great poet,musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family.
.The Napier Museum - Built in the 19th century, the indo - saracenic structure boasts a 'natural' Airconditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plaxtic is banned in the museum premises.An architectural splendour, the Napier Museum combines traditional Kerala style with the Chinese and Mughal influences much evident in its architecture.The 19th century English architect, Chisholm, designed the building, which houses a rare collection of archaoelogical and historical artifacts.
Sree Chitbra Art Gallery - Located near the Napier Museum. This are gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of Art In India. Other places of interest 1.. The zoological park , priyadarshini planetarium , observatory, shankhumugham beach & connemera market.
Akkulam Boat Club
The Akkulam Lakeside Boat Club is another popular local destination for city dwellers who wish to get away from it all. About 13 km from the city, it has a large children’s park, a small snack bar and facilities for boating between 10 am and 5 pm. The Boat Club telephone numbers is 443043..
Ponmudi
An ideal hill resort situated just 54 kms from Thiruvananthapuram is an enchanting one for tourists. Best accomodation and restaurant facilities are available here.Ponmudi is a small little hill resort (altitude: 325 meters) within easy driving distance (61 km) from Trivandrum. Mountains and tea plantations provide the setting for some beautiful hiking trails. Accommodation is available in a guesthouse with 24 rooms and ten stone cottages perched on the hillside. Bookings can be made at KTDC, Trivandrum. Close to Kanyakumari (74 km from Trivandrum), the Suchindram Temple has an impressive gopuram and a statue of Hanuman, apart from beautiful carvings and sculptures.The salubrious hill station of Ponmudi is at a distance of 61 kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The enchanting bounty of nature can be witnessed here in the quiet surroundings.Perched at an altitude of over 100 m above sea level on the Western Ghats, the shimmering green waters of the winding streams and verdant woods of Ponmudi do not spare anybody. Trekking is a passion with the visitors to Ponmudi, lying within easy driving distance from Thiruvananthapuram.One will find oneself compulsively pausing every now and then to drink in deep the spectacular sweep of the hill ranges, tea-estates and the mist-covered valleys, peppered with little toy-like stone cottages painted a pretty violet, pink, or white with pointed and peaked roofs.There are a good number of shops on the beach. Shops sell Blankets, Goods, Jewellery and ornaments mainly from Kashmir, Rajasthan or Nepal. Spices, the specialty of Kerala, are also available here.It takes 2 hours by road, driving 65 kms northeast from Thiruvananthapuram, to get to Ponmudi. Bus services are frequent. It is a Pretty picnic spot, endowed with natural springs, a little further down the hill. Golden Valley is a little, scenic viewpoint.
Aruvikkara
16 km north of Thiruvananthapuram and gifted with lavish scenic beauty is Aruvikkara, with an ancient temple dedicated to Durga on the banks of the river.
Science and Technology Museum
Located near Mascot Hotel, the Museum is of high educative value for students of science and technology.
Agasthyakoodam
This is a prominent peak in the Sahyadri ranges and can be approached on foot from Bonacadu which is 61 km away from Thiruvananthapuram.Agastyarkoodam Peak is a spectacular peak in the Western Ghats that rises to a majestic height of about 1868 m in the form of a sharp cone.
Varkala Beach
Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. The 2000 year old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions here. High cliffs border the excellent beach. It's a beautiful beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. Varkala beach is rich in mineral water springs that are known for their medicinal value. A dip in the holy waters of Varkala beach is believed to purge the body and the soul of all the sins hence the name 'Papanashini' for this shore. At the break of dawn following the new moon in the Malayalam month of 'Karkidakam', thousands offer 'Vavu Bali', a ritual believed to help the souls of ancestors rest in peace.
Beema Palli
An important Muslim pilgrim centre, it is dedicated to Beema Beevi, a pious Muslim lady believed to have possessed divine powers. Devotees of all faiths visit the mosque.This is situated on the coast, nearly 5 kms south of Trivandrum ci |
|