KERALA
Main Means Of Transport: Air, Rail, Road
Major Accessible Point: Kochi, Trivandrum.
Best Time To Visit: August to March
KERALA - GODS OWN COUNTRY
Sandwiched between the Lakshwadeep Sea and the Western Ghats, Kerala is a
bustling little green-and-silver, coconuts-and-water state on the west
coast of India. It is bounded by Karnataka to
the north, Tamil Nadu to the east, and the
Arabian Sea to the west. Thiruvananthapuram
is its capital.
Every district in Kerala has it's own unique culture and characteristics.
Thiruvananthapuram is known for it's beach-
Kovalam, the
Sri
Padmanabhaswamy Temple and various museums and palaces;
Alappuzha for it's backwaters,
Idukki for its pleasant hills and natural
beauty, Thrissur, the cultural capital,
Kottayam for it's ancient churches,
Kozhikode for it's old world charm and
the entrancing Ponmudi
or Golden valley.
Capital of Kerala
Though a bit of a tongue-twister, Thiruvananthapuram - the present
official name, is closer to it's mythological origins. The word ' Thiru
ananthapuram' means the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred
thousand-headed serpent Anantha, who forms the couch on which reclines
Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity.
Built on seven hills, it was the capital of the Venad chieftains. The
city has grown as a tourist and commercial centre, with the International
airport becoming the main gateway into Kerala. Being the state capital, it
also throbs with political activity.
History
of Kerala
Original inhabitants were animists, followed by the Dravidians. After
Alexander's triumphant sweep over Asia Minor, the ports of Kerala became a
link between the Middle East, the Mediterranean and China.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama made his historic landing on the Malabar Coast. In
1723, the East India Company signed a strategic treaty with King Marthanda
Varma. For a few decades, Hyder Ali and his son -Tipu sultan proved to be
a thorn in the flesh of the British, sweeping down several times into
Kerala. In 1947, it was the turn of the British to pack their bags.
The People
Kerala also has considerable ethnic diversity. The Malayali majority
belong to the Dravidian group (local race) of early Indian peoples.
There is a small population of descendants of Indo-European migrants from
the north. Certain hill tribes exhibit affinities with the Negrito peoples
of Southeast Asia. Most Keralites are Hindus, but there are also large
Christian and Islamic, and lesser Jain and Jewish, minorities.
The official language is Malayalam. A
long contact with the outside world has led to an intriguing blend of
cultures and given Keralites a cosmopolitan outlook
Culture
of Kerala
One aspect of the state's rich cultural heritage is manifest in its
varieties of religious architecture: ancient Hindu temples with
copper-clad roofs, later Islamic mosques with "Malabar gables,"
and colonial Portuguese Baroque churches.
Splendid paintings, especially murals, exhibit distinct local traditions
and styles. The land is a flourishing center of the
Kathakali dance form. The
state has also a rich theatre tradition: the only surviving Sanskrit
drama, Koottiyattam, is
still performed by the Chakkiars of Kerala. Some principles of the
Natya-Shastra are evident in their presentations.
Occupation in Kerala
Agriculture is the state's main economic activity. Plantations of
cardamom, cashew nut, coconuts, coffee, ginger, pepper, rubber, and tea
account for 40 percent of the total land.
Commercial poultry farming is well developed. Cottage industries--for
example, the processing of coconut fibre and cashews or weaving--employ
about three-fifths of Kerala's industrial workers. Most of those employed
by larger industrial enterprises are engaged in food and textile
processing.
Climate
The climate is equable and varies little from season to season. The
temperature normally ranges between 27º and 32º C in the plains
but drops to about 21º C in the highlands.
Winter - 32 to 20 º C. Kerala is strongly buffeted by both the
southwest and northeast monsoons. Rainfall in many parts of the state
exceeds 118 inches. Best season: October to March.
Population
33 million
Festivals of Kerala
10-day annual festival in January at Sreekandeswaram Temple,
Thiruvananthapuram. In February, is the week-long
Nishagandhi
Dance festival; Pooram
festival in Thrissur around
April-May; Flavor Food
Festival, at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, Thiruvananthapuram in
May.
Onam Week celebrations, the annual harvest festival of Kerala begins in
August and lasts for 10 days. Another important festival is the annual
Pongala Utsavam, to
which only women are allowed at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple,
Thiruvananthapuram. Therayattam festival is held to propitiate the gods
and demons recognized by the pantheon of the Malayalis.
Tourist Offices in Kerala
Tourist Reception Centre In front of Kerala Tourism Development
Corporation (KTDC) Chaithram hotel, Thiruvananthapuram, near Rly stn.
Tourist Facilitation Centre Museum Rd,
Thiruvananthapuram, opp. Museum
and zoo.
| Related Tours:- |
| Ancient Memories of South India |
(Check all that apply)
Know more about this Package !!!
279/A, Masjid Moth, South Extention - II
New Delhi - 110 049 (INDIA)
Tel : +91-11-4164 3999 / 2626 2004
Fax : +91-11-2625 9695
Email : info@indiainfoweb.com
Home | Attractions | Destinations | Hotels | Tour Packages | Travel Agents | Help DeskDisclaimer | Privacy Policy | Old Site | Feedback / Contact Us
Copyright © 2007 India Infoweb. All Rights Reserved.