Kerala at a Glance

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m 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 world. Kerala has calm and beautiful beaches. Soothing stretches of backwaters. Evergreen hill stations and astonishing wildlife, Waterfalls. Spread plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms.. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you an unique experience. And what's more, each of these charming destinations is only a short drive from each other advantage no other destination offers.

History

The history of Kerala is closely linked with commerce , especially around spice trade till recent years. Celebrated as the spice coast of India Kerala hoisted many travelers and traders from around the world including Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese , French and British. Almost all of them left their imprint on this land in some form or other.

Geography

Kerala has a sundry geographical features divided into three

  • Highlands
  • The valleys
  • The picturesque backwaters and beaches

Seasons in Kerala

Kerala has a please and equable climate all throughout the year.

The monsoons (June –September) and summer (February –May) are the seasons markedly experienced here. In the winters there will a slight drop in the temperatures.

The best time to visit Kerala is from September to March where the temperatures are not much higher. The monsoon season between June and august is the best time to visit for ayurvedic treatments

People and Life

Kerala is one of India's most progressive states in terms of social welfare and quality of life. The State boasts of one of India's highest literacy rates, highest life expectancy and lowest child mortality rates.

Popular cultural activities in Kerala

Performing arts

  • Kathakali
  • Chavittunatakom
  • Duffumuttu
  • Koothu
  • Kutthiyattam
  • Margomkali
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Oppana
  • Thiruvathirakali
  • Thullal
  • Theyyam
  • Krishnattam.

Famous Martial Arts

  • Kalari payattu
  • Velakalli

Popular festivals

  • Chettikulangara Bharani
  • Atthukal pongala
  • Onam
  • Eid
  • Pulikali
  • Nenmara vallngi vela
  • Koodalmanikayam festival
  • Thrichur pooram
  • Kuravilangadu kappal pradikshanam
  • Vaikathashtami
  • Ettumanoor ezharaponnana
  • Guruvayur Ekadasi
  • Vishu
  • Theyyam festival
  • Boat race festivals
  • Arattu at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Ambalapuzha Arattu Temple, Alappuzha
  • Makaravilaku festival at Sabarimala
  • Christmas

Famous Spiritual tour desinations in kerala

  •  Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Sabarimala Sastha Temple, Pathanamthitta
  • Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple, Ambalapuzha
  • Chottanikkara Temple, Chottanikkara
  • Guruvayur Srikrishna Temple, Guruvayur
  • Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam
  • Tali Temple, Kozhikode
  • Thirunelli Temple, Wayanad Valley
  • Vadakkunathan Temple, Thrissur
  • Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple, Kaviyoor
  • Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Mallapuzhassery
  • Sivagiri Temple, Varkala
  • Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Vaikom
  • Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple, Haripad
  • Sree Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple, Parassinikadavu
  • Lokanarkavu Temple, Villiappally
  • Thiruvalla Temple, Thiruvalla
  • Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple, Kodungalloor
  • Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Kottarakkara Ganapathy Temple, Kottarakkara
  • Pandalam Ayyappa Temple, Pandalam
  • Chengannur Mahadeva Temple, Chengannur
  • Malayalappuzha Temple, Malayalapuzha
  • Nilakkal Mahadeva Temple, Perunad
  • Paramekkavu temple Thrissur
  • Chakkulathukavu Sree Bhagavathy Temple
  • Kaladi in Ernakulam  
  • Irinjalakuda Koodal Manikyam Temple

Famous churches in kerala

  • Parumala Church
  • Malayatoor Church
  • Santa Cruz Basilica
  • Vallarpadam Church
  • St.Francis Church
  • Kadamattom Church
  • Arthunkal Church
  • Bharananganam church
  • Edappally St. George Forane Church
  • Champakkulam St Mary's Church 
  • Edathua St. George Forane Church,
  • Mapranam Holy Cross Church Thrissur
  • St. Mary’s Church Manarcad
  • St.Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Palayam
  • St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, Ernakualam
  • St. Mary's Church Kuravilangad
  • Aruvithira Church  

Famous mosques in kerala

  • Cheraman Perumal Juma Masjid, Kodungallur
  • Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque, Kasargod
  • Beema Palli (Mosque) – Thiruvananthapuram
  • Erumeli Vavar Mosque
  • Sheik Fariduddin Mosque- Kanjiramattom
  • Mampuram Mosque, Tirurangadi
  • Ponnani Juma Masjid, Malappuram
  • Korome Mosque, Wayanad
  • Mishkal Masjid – Kuttichira
  • Odathil Palli, Thalassery

Jain temples in kerala

  • Jain Temple Kochi
  • Jainimedu Jain Temple Palakkad
  • Ananthanatha Swamy Jain Temple Kalpetta
  • Bathery Jain Temple

Popular destinations

  • Alappuzha
  • Athirappalli
  • Fort Kochi
  • Gavi
  • Kovalam
  • Kumarakom
  • Munnar
  • Nelliyampathy
  • Thekkady
  • Varkala
  • Wayanad

What to see in kerala and budgeting

Kerala is a place in india where the tourist is having a wide variety of options to see according to his time in budget.Accomodation in kerala can be classified into three

  • Budget
  • Standard
  • Premium

Important Cities

  • Trivandrum
  • Kochi
  • Thrissur
  • Kozhikode

Airports

  • Trivandrum International Airport
  • Cochin International Airport
  • Calicut International Airport

How to reach kerala

Kerala is the most connected state in india. It can be reached from any part of india through Rail, Air and by Road.