Located in southern state of India, Kerala is the most sought after tourist destinations not only in India but also in Asia. The footfall in Kerala is increasing day by day in the God's Own Country. You will find everything here ranging from pristine beaches lined up with palm trees, serene backwaters, lush green hill stations, exotic wildlife to magical festivals.

Kerala is a perfect place to spend memorable vacations in the lap of nature. Arabian Sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other, give this state a perfect climate.

Facts

• Kerala has been listed in the National Geographic Traveller's 'ten paradises of the world'.
• It is the only state in India with highest literacy rate.
• It has the India's lowest infant mortality rate.
• It is the largest producer and exporter of black pepper in the world.
• Kovalam beach located in the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram, is rated as one of the top ten beaches of the world.

People, Culture and Lifestyle

People of Kerala often called as Keralites are the most down to earth people in India. They believe in "Simple living and high thinking". People belonging to lot of communities live here in peace and harmony and celebrate different festivals with same zest and joy. Different art forms and customs of Kerala have kept its culture, traditions, and moral values intact. Music, Dance and literature are an integral part of Kerala's culture.

Multiple dance forms of Kerala with bright makeup, heavy costumes and jewelry is a visual delight. Kathakali and Mohiniattam are two main dance forms of Kerala. Any celebration in Kerala is incomplete without its traditional music and folk songs.

Almost every month a festival is celebrated in Kerala which is marked by family get together and feasts. Food in Kerala is a healthy mix of vegetarian and non vegetarian food topped up with aroma of herbs, spices and coconut.

Dance Forms

• Kathakali - It is one of the main traditional dance forms of Kerala. It is a unique combination of music, acting, dancing and literature. The epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and other puranas are enacted with this dance form. The dancers depict the entire story with their facial and hand movements along with classical dance steps. A special kind of colorful makeup is done on the dancer's face. Traditional folk music of Sopanam is played in the background during the dance performance.
• Mohiniyattam – It is another classical dance form of Kerala. In ancient times, this dance was performed only in temples by davadasis. This dance form has a great resemblance to Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi. The mudras (gestures), torso movements and facial expressions are most important elements of Mohiniyattam. The traditional attire worn during this dance is a white saree with a golden boder. The getup is incomplete without heavy gold ornaments.

Weather

Kerala is an all-season destination owing to its proximity to the Arabian Sea which gives it a nice and pleasant climate throughout the year.

• Summers - March to May
• Winters - September to March
• Monsoon - June to August

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Kerala is during monsoons when it becomes a scenic paradise. This is also the time of Onam, the grandest festival of Kerala. Since Kerala is the land of Ayurveda and as per the Ayurvedic beliefs, rains can rejuvenate the body and accelerate the healing process, so, monsoon is also the best time to get these magical ayurvedic therapies.

Getting In

Kerala is well connected with all major cities in India. So, travelling to Kerala is not a tough job.

By Air

There are three international airports in Kerala: Kochi, Kozhikode and Thirivananthapuram. Flights from all the public and private airlines regularly operate between the major states and cities to these airports. Some of the international flights are also directly connected to these airports.

By Rail

Kerala is well connected through trains with states of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

By Road

Kerala is directly connected by road to states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Tourist Attractions

Beaches

The beaches of Kerala are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kerala. Fringed with swaying palm trees, these beaches spread across the long coastline of Arabian Sea.

Kovalam beach is an internationally renowned beach located at a distance of 10 km. from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. Glittering ocean, miles of white sand and swaying coconut trees make you feel calm and relaxed. Kovalam is a combination of three beaches, the Lighthouse beach which is known for its 35 meter tall ancient lighthouse, the Hawah beach and the Samudra beach where the local fishermen carry on with their trade. Visitors can enjoy various activities like swimming and sunbathing on this excellent beach.

Varkala beach, located at a distance of around 50 km. from Thiruvananthapuram is known for its holy waters. The dip in waters of this beach can make you get rid of all of your worldly sins. The Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple near this beach is the main tourist attraction here.

Beach in Kozhikode holds a historical significance as it was near this beach where Vasco Da Gama landed in search for the spices. Watching sunset from the Kozhikode beach is the most divine experience. Children's park near this beach is a great attraction for kids.

Another beautiful beach in Kerala is the Cherai Beach which is also regarded as the swimmer's paradise. This beach is unique in itself as it is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the Western side and backwaters on the Eastern side. Cherai beach is also the most cleanest of the beaches. You can also get a sight of few dolphins occasionally from the shore of the sea.

Backwaters

The main tourist attraction in Kerala is its backwaters. These backwaters not only lure the Indian tourists but also the international tourists. You will find lot of hill stations, wildlife parks, and beaches at various other places on earth, but, backwaters are found nowhere else. They are unique to Kerala and exploring the beauty of these backwaters on a Kerala Houseboat is a unique experience in itself.

Alappuzha, also known as the 'Venice of the East', is one of the main centers to explore the beauty of backwaters in Kerala. Watching the serene waterways fringed with palm trees and paddy fields spread across acres of land here is the most memorable experience.

Places near Alappuzha

• Karumadi Kuttan - Located in the Karumadi village, 3 km. from Alappuzha, Karumadi Kuttan is the famous black granite statue of Buddha dating back to 9th or 10th century. What makes this statue unusual is its color because color of granite is normally grey.
• Pandavan Rock - This is the place near Allepey where the pandavas from the Mahabharata stayed during their exile period. These caves are frequented by tourists to enjoy picnics.

Kumarakom in Kerala is another developing backwater tourism destination. Mangrove forests, coconut trees and green hills make Kumarakom an ideal place to go for some backwater experience in the Vembanad Lake. Apart from just enjoying the backwaters, Vembanad Lake also offers opportunities like canoeing, wind sailing and water skiing to the tourists. You can also take a fishing rod and catch some fishes in the fresh water. Tourists can also visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (spread across 14 acres of land) nearby which houses some exotic bird species and therefore it also an ornithologist's paradise.

Places near Kumarakom

• Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls and Pathiramanal Island - This is a beautiful picnic spot located at around 2 km. from Kumarakom. From these falls, you can take a boat ride to the Pathiramanal Island, spread across 10 acres of land on the Vembanad Lake. Here, you can get an opportunity to see a wide variety of migratory birds from different parts of the world.
• Kottayam - This is an ancient town famous for its 700 years old church called the 'Cheria palli' which has exceptionally beautiful paintings all over the altar.

Lots of travel and tour operators in Kerala offer boat cruises on these backwaters. With these cruises you also get an opportunity to spend a night in the houseboat at a village nearby and experience the tranquility of the backwaters.

Hill Stations

Kerala is not just a state of backwaters and beaches; it has got many hill stations too.

Munnar is one of the most popular hill stations in Kerala. It once used to be the summer resort of the British Administration in Southern India. The beauty of Munnar lies in its pristine valleys and vast expanses of tea plantations. It is a perfect place for nature lovers and honeymoon couples.

Places near Munnar

• Marayoor - When in Munnar, do visit the nearby village of Marayoor which is located at a distance of around 40 km. from Munnar. Marayoor is quite unexplored and not many tourists visit this place. You would be amazed to know that it is the only place in Kerala to have Sandalwood trees. It is also an excellent place to go for some trekking. The trekking trails of Marayoor are lined up with some beautiful waterfalls.
• Kundala - Another picturesque place near Munnar is Kundala (around 20 km. from Munnar). The main attraction of this place is the Asia's first arch dam built on the Kundala Lake. You can indulge into boating at this lake; Kashmiri Shikara boats and Paddle boats are easily available for baoting. Kundala is also famous for its cherry blossoms and Neela Kurunji flowers which bloom only once in 12 years.

Located amidst the Western Ghat Mountains, Wayanad is another hill station in Kerala with immense beauty. This hill station is home to some hidden mountain caves and two of India's best wildlife sanctuaries.

Places near Wayanad

• Edakkal Caves - Edakkal Caves, located in the Wayanad district, have attracted lot of archaeologists and historians. According to scientists, these caves are actually a fissure is the rock created due to changing climatic conditions. According to mythological beliefs, this fissure was created when Lord Rama shot an arrow in the mountain that penetrated the mountain and created a deep fissure. Walls of these caves have carvings of human figures, animals, symbols etc. belonging to Neolithic and Mesolithic age. Excavations at the Edakkal Caves indicate its links with Indus valley and Harappan civilizations. To reach these caves, one has to trek up the Ambukuthi Hill which can take about 45 minutes.
• Banasura Sagar Dam - Constructed on the Banasura Lake, the Banasura Sagar dam is the largest earth dam in India. It is an ideal place for picnics where tourists can also enjoy boating in the dam reservoir. This dam is also the starting point for trekking to the Banasura Hills.
• Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary - Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctaury is one of the two best wildlife sanctauries on India. This sanctaury is a home to Elephants, Deer and Wild Gaurs. When visting the Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary, go for a jeep safari and do enjoy a night camp stay in the deep woods.

A very little known hill station in Kerala is Neeliyampathy located in the Palakkad district. Tea, coffee, cardamom, and orange cultivation are most popular in these hills. The Neeliyampathy hills are also popular amongst adventure buffs and trekkers.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Almost 29 percent of the land area in Kerala is considered to be the forest area and from this 29 percent, almost 25 percent of the forest area is covered by the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Government is taking extreme measures to conserve the forests and preserve the endangered species.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated on the banks of the artificial Periyar Lake, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the most famous and attracts thousands of tourists every year. Though it is a Tiger Reserve but, it is mostly famous for its wild elephants. This sanctuary is home to the most rare and endangered flora and fauna endemic to Kerala. Apart from tigers and elephants, you can also spot other wild animals like Niligiri Langurs, Cobras, Flying Squirrels, Gaurs and many more.

Tourists can enjoy various activities like boating on the Periyar Lake, taking an elephant ride, bird watching, trekking to the Mangaladevi temple and doing some wildlife photography.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Tholpetty and Muthunga Wildlife Sanctuaries are the two major centers of eco-tourism in the Wayanad District. Plantations of teak, rosewood, eucalyptus and silver oak cover almost one third part of the Wayanad Sanctuary.

Visiting the Wayanad Sanctuary gives you an opportunity to watch herds of elephant deer roaming around freely.

Festivals

Kerala is a state of festivities. Lots of festivals are celebrated here with great pomp and glory. Due to the diversity of cultures in Kerala, numbers of festivals are celebrated here throughout the year. Kerala also enjoys number of holidays owing to these festivals which are a preserver of the state's art and culture. None of the festivals in Kerala is complete without a sumptuous feast and an art event.

Onam

Onam is the most popular, biggest and the state festival of Kerala which is celebrated for almost 10 days during the months of August and September. The celebrations of this festival can be compared to the Diwali festival which is celebrated in Northern India. It is also called the harvest festival as it is celebrated during the harvest season. Cultural programs consisting of music, dance and boat races are an integral part of the Onam festival.

As per the mythological beliefs, the king of Malayalis (Lord Mahabali) returns to Kerala during this festival to see if his people are living a good life. Special pooja is performed at the Thrikakkara temple in Kochi City (ancient capital of Lord Mahabali) and a colorful parade is carried out here at the start of Onam. Despite of being a Hindu festival, it is celebrated with great zest and joy by people of all the communities living in Kerala.

Onam is also a shopping festival and lot of companies and shops come up with huge discounts. There is a heavy rush on shops on the eve of Onam.

During Onam, people feast on delicious vegetarian food and sweets served on traditional banana leaf.

Vishu

Vishu is a New Year festival according to the Malayalam Calendar. Since the festival marks the beginning of the New Year, it is believed that seeing some auspicious things first thing in the morning will make the New Year prosperous for you. That is the reason, night before the Vishu festival, a collection of some auspicious articles called the Vishukkani is kept in the pooja room. Vishukkani consists of raw rice, beetle leaves, yellow flowers, an image of Lord Vishnu and gold coins. People wake up at dawn and with their eyes closed, they walk up to the pooja room to see the Vishukanni first thing in the morning. Another important custom of this festival is giving money (called Vishukkaineetam) to children and needy.

The food consumed on Vishu consists of Veppampoorasam which is a bitter preparation of neem and Mampazhappulissery, a sour mango soup.

Christmas

Christmas is also one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Kerala. Parades are carried out from some of the major churches in Kerala. Special masses and Christmas feasts are common in churches during the Christmas celebrations. Lot of hotels also arrange for special christmas buffets.

Thrissur Pooram

This is the most famous temple festival celebrated in Kerala in the city of Thrissur during April-May. More than 3 lac people participate in the festival. During this festival, parades of around 50 heavily decorated elephants along with 200 musicians are carried out from two temples. Heavy temple decors and fireworks during the celebrations are great to watch. The fireworks last for more than 5 hours.

Things to Do

Stay in Houseboat

Staying in a Houseboat (or Kettuvalloms) in Kerala backwaters is a lifetime experience. With the houseboat cruise, you will feel more close to the Mother Nature as the boat sails through the canals and the waterways. As the boat sails, you will get to see lot of men and women fishing in the backwaters. You can buy the fresh seafood from these people and get it cooked from the chef accompanying you on the boat. On your way, you will pass through lush green paddy fields and some coir making villages. If you want, you can get your boat docked at these villages and indulge in some chit chat sessions with the villagers. Take some pictures to capture these beautiful memories.

Various travel and tour operators in Kerala can be contacted to arrange for your stay in these houseboats. The eco-friendly material like bamboo mats, bamboo poles and coir ropes which is used to make these boats give them a unique design. The houseboats are available for both couples and for groups. Also, a wide variety of houseboats is available ranging from the low budget to air conditioned deluxe floating palaces with private decks and Jacuzzi on the roof.

All the houseboats have fully furnished rooms and a fully equipped kitchen. A well trained staff including the cook, a sailor and a helper would accompany you on the boat. Experience of relishing the authentic Keralite food served in the boat is just awesome. You can also go out for some fishing in the backwaters. Ask for the fishing rod from the staff on the boat, try out some fishing and get the fish caught by you cooked by the chef.

In the evening, the houseboat is docked at a nearby village to give you an experience of spending the night floating on the water under twinkling stars.

Things to keep in Mind before Hiring a Houseboat in Kerala

Backwater tourism has become a big business in Kerala these days. Most of the tour and travel agents make fool of tourists so, it is essential to check for few things before hiring a Houseboat.

1. Check for the condition of the houseboat to make sure that it is not too old and is maintained properly.
2. Check whether the houseboat has been certified for quality by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.

Get an Ayurvedic Massage

Kerala is also known as the land of Ayurveda. So, a trip to Kerala is incomplete without getting an ayurvedic massage. Ayurveda is a branch of medicine which originated in India around 5000 years back. The modern medicine and treatment techniques have lot of harmful side-effects which are not there in Ayurveda. This is the reason why ayurveda is getting popular day by day across the world. Ayurvedic massage not only treats various health problems but also rejuvenates your body and soul.

Various ayurvedic centers and resorts are spread throughout Kerala to provide relaxing ayurvedic massages. Lot of tourists from all over the world travel to Kerala to specially get ayurvedic treatments for problems like arthritis, frozen shoulders, stiffness in joints, migraines, headaches, jaundice, asthma etc.

Ayurvedic Massages

• Abhyangam - In this massage, medicated and herbal oil is applied on the body to give you relief from muscle pains and fatigue. It also helps tone up the muscles and provides a healthy skin.
• Shirodhara - In this treatment, a fine stream of warm herbal oil or buttermilk is poured on your forehead. This treatment is effective for relieving tension, headache, migraines and insomnia.
• Kadi Vasti - This therapy involves giving oil fomentation on the back region to relieve you from spine problems and problems caused by disturbed menstrual cycles.
• Abhyanga - Whole body is massaged with herbal oil. This treatment relaxes and rejuvenates the body by improving the blood circulation.
• Pizhichil - This therapy uses herbal oils in large quantity to massage the body. Pizhichil is effective for ageing process and relieves you from joint pains and arthritis.
• Udwarthanam - In this therapy body is massaged with herbal powders to reduce body's extra fat content. It also improves the skin complexion.

Watch a Boat Race

Boat races are an integral part of Kerala's tradition and festivities. These races are held at various locations throughout the state. The Snake Boat Race is the most impressive and famous amongst all boat races. The Snake boat is called the Chundanvallam in the local language and is rowed by almost 90 to 100 rowers at a time. Also, the snake boats are around 100 to 120 feet long. Watching all these rowers rowing the boat with perfect synchronization is a treat to eyes.

The most famous of the Snake Boat races is the Nehru Trophy boat race which is held annually on the second Saturday of August at the Alleppey's Punnamda Lake. It came to be known as the Nehru Trophy boat race because Pandit Nehru got so impressed with the race that he awarded the Nehru Trophy to the winners. Since then, this race is held annually and winners are awarded with the Nehru Trophy.

Boat races are also a common sight during different festivals in Kerala. The boats are colorfully decorated with flowers and garlands. Attending and cheering any boat race is a unique experience for every tourist in Kerala.

Experience a Stay in Serviced Villas

In spite of getting confined to one room of a hotel, try out the luxury service villas available in both traditional Kerala and modern styles. The service villas are fully independent and furnished houses well equipped with kitchen and a cook. These villas have been taken up as an initiative by the department of Kerala tourism to provide a comfortable and affordable stay to tourists at various locations in Kerala.

Most of these villas are located in areas close to nature and away from hustle bustle of the crowded cities.

Experience an Elephant Safari

Forest department of Kerala organizes Elephant safaris at various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala. Elephant Safari at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the most famous one and a fun activity for both kids and adults. As these elephants take you through the spice plantations of cardamom, coffee and pepper, you are bound to get refreshed with the breeze of spice scented air.

Watch a Kathakali Performance

Kathakali dance is a symbolic dance of Kerala. Coming back from Kerala without watching a Kathakali performance is not a good idea. The Kathakali Center at Fort Kochi is the best place to experience a Kathakali performance and know about the history of this beautiful dance form. Watching the colorful costumes and faces with great eye, lip and hand movements is a wonderful experience for anyone living outside Kerala.

If you go the center a bit early, you can also see the artists getting ready and putting on the makeup. You are also allowed to click some memorable pictures here.

Go Fishing with the Chinese Fishing Nets

The Chinese fishing nets are symbolic to Kerala and are a popular tourist attraction. To watch these nets operate, you will have to visit Kochi, the only place in India where these nets are used for fishing. You will easily see a number of Chinese fishing nets lined up near the beaches of Fort Kochi. Unique thing about these fishing nets is that they are massive in size (10 meters in height) and are operated by at least six fishermen at a time. They are set up on bamboo poles fixed in land and are horizontally immersed in water for few minutes. The fishermen pull these nets back when they are sure that sufficient fish have been trapped.
The view of lined up Chinese fishing nets during sunset is amazing and is the most photographed scene in Kerala.

You can try your hand at fishing using these Chinese fishing nets by requesting any fisherman operating the net; they will easily allow you to do so expecting a decent tip from you. You can also buy your fresh catch and get it cooked from the seafood selling vendors nearby.

Live on a Tree Top

Living in a tree house is a must have experience in Kerala. The tree houses are wooden houses located on tree tops and are made of eco friendly material like bamboo poles, coir mats, and hay straws. Depending on the resort which is providing you a stay on the tree tops, your tree house may or may not be well equipped with modern amenities like electricity, attached bathrooms, TV, telephone etc. Some resorts do not believe in providing any modern amenities inside the tree house as it might defeat the purpose of staying at a peaceful place close to nature.

Sleeping in the tree house in the middle of the woods and hearing the chirping sound of birds is an extra ordinary experience. Also, the panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and forests are a treat to eyes.

If you plan to live in a tree house when in Kerala, make sure you do not plan the trip in Monsoon season as the trees around can be full of leeches. Stay in tree houses is a perfect idea for honeymoon couples.

Take a Stroll through the Tea Gardens in Munnar

Take a walk or cycle upto some tea estates while passing through beautiful waterfalls on the way. The cool and pleasant breeze will certainly refresh you. Take a tour of the tea gardens, see how the tea is actually produced and you can also taste some of the tea here.

Shopping in Kerala

Shopping is an integral part of any trip. Kerala offers lot to its tourists as far as shopping is concerned.

Kerala is famous for its local handicrafts, ivory and earthenware products. The wooden kathakali faces can be bought for friends and relatives back home. Small figurines of houseboats are also available on the handicraft emporiums. Products made of coir; sandalwood and rosewood are also very common.

As gold is an important part of Kerala's culture and loads of gold is exchanged during weddings, you will find lot of jewellery shops in every city of Kerala. You will also find big hoardings of jewellery brands and shops on every street. Buying 22kt gold from Kerala is not a bad idea but, do check for prices before buying the same.

Shopping for spices such as cardamom, pepper and turmeric should not be missed out. The famous banana chips can be found at every nook and corner.

Getting a traditional silk saree from the state emporium can be a great idea.

Do not forget to buy tea from the tea estates of Munnar.

Food

Food of Kerala consists of lot of aromatic spices. Traditionally the food is served on the banana leaf and should be eaten with hands without using any spoons or forks. Due to the abundance of coconut, you will find that almost every dish has coconut in one or the other form: coconut oil, grated coconut, coconut milk etc. Seafood is the most common here as there is abundance of water. Rice is the staple food which is served with variety of curries both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

Famous Kerala Dishes

1. Dosa - A salted pancake made from the batter of rice and lentils. It is commonly served with coconut chutney and sambhar or rasam.
2. Rasam - A spicy lentil soup flavored with tamarind, lemon and pepper.
3. Appams - Bowl shaped pancakes made from rice flour and grated coconut. They are generally served with spicy chutney, kadala curry, mutton curry or egg roast.
4. Fish Curry - This is the most common dish available in Kerala. The fish is marinated in spices and cooked with tamarind and coconut milk.
5. Puttu - It is a famous breakfast dish and has been listed by National Geographic Traveller as one of the best breakfast dishes. These are basically steamed cylinders of ground rice layered with coconut and are usually served with papadum, fish curry, or chicken curry. Best puttus are served in villages of Kerala.
6. Idlis - These are steamed round cakes two to three inches in diameter and are made by steaming a batter of fermented de-husked black lentils and rice. They are mostly served with coconut chutney and sambhar.