Kerala is not just a destination to hang out but more than that is an emotion beyond definition with overflowing heavenliness and unique cultural legacy. It gives you a feeling of being in heaven with natural wonders like sparkling backwaters, bewitching beaches, spellbinding hill stations, captivating waterfalls, and exotic wildlife, all coming under a single roof. And these make Kerala rightfully to be called “God’s Own Country“.
Formed on 1 November 1956, Kerala is one of the most picturesque states in India which is bordered by Tamil Nadu to the east and south, Karnataka to the north and northeast, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. Captivating backwaters that flow into the majestic Arabian sea extends virtually half the length of this small state of India. Kerala experiences a moderate and pleasant climate throughout the year. This quaint little state is divided into 14 districts which are home to numerous historical sites and attractions to fascinate the tourists.
Thiruvananthapuram which is commonly known as Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala state. The official and most widely spoken language of Kerala is Malayalam. Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India and the people of Kerala can speak and understand basic English. So, you will find no problem in communicating with the people of Kerala. The ancient legends say that the land of Kerala was reclaimed from the sea by the ax-wielding warrior sage Parasurama who was the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The rich cultural heritage of Kerala is truly unique from any other Indian culture and is worthy of praise. And this rich cultural legacy has reflected in each and every entities that you witness in Kerala.
Be it a short trip or a long itinerary, a relaxing stay or an adventure tour, whatever your travel preference, Kerala Tourism Holiday has the right Kerala vacation tours for you to choose from.
What to see in Kerala?
Kerala is soaked in the blanket of greenery and everywhere you go you will be greeted with a dozen shades and hues of green. Kerala is full of ancient treasures like architectural monuments, heritage sites and magnificent historical forts and palaces that reflect its long history. The presence of numerous temples, churches, mosques, and the Jewish synagogue shows how spiritual Kerala is. The incredible natural beauty of Kerala can be witnessed in the form of misty mountains and appealing valleys having gushing waterfalls, playful streams, elegant rivers, serene backwaters, sprawling plantations and paddy fields, pristine beaches, exotic wildlife sanctuaries, and breathtaking hill stations.
The vibrant festivals of Kerala like Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Theyyam, etc as well as the stunning traditional art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Kalaripayattu needs a special mention when you talk about what to witness in Kerala. Tourists also love to be a part of the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race held every year in Kerala.
What to experience in Kerala?
When you are in Kerala, you will experience a unique lifestyle that perfectly blends with tradition and modernity, beyond that, the unconditional love and hospitality of the people of Kerala.
A houseboat cruise with the view of picturesque sceneries, swaying palm trees and velvety green rice fields offers you a heavenly experience. The golden-red rays of the sunset that transfigures the color of the sky and sea is a feast for the eyes. A leisurely stroll amidst the rolling tea gardens is an unforgettable experience. Through traditional Ayurveda Therapy, one can experience pure relaxation and rejuvenation.
Flavors of Kerala:
Kerala is known for its delicious spicy and tangy cuisines. Savoring the authentic Kerala cuisines is the best way to explore the culture of Kerala. Locally-grown aromatic spices and coconut form the main ingredients of most of the Kerala recipes. Therefore, most of the dishes are often hot and spicy and have a coconut-based taste which is too delicious to eat. Rice and fish are the most common dish of Keralites.
The traditional vegetarian feast- the Sadya which is served on a banana leaf is the hallmark of Kerala cuisine. The Sadya comprises of rice, a tantalizing assortment of flavors of curries, chutneys, various side dishes, Pappad and Payasam. Kerala is also known for its variety of seafood recipes like fish molly, prawn curry, Karimeen pollichethu, etc. Appam with Stew, Erissery, Aviyal, Dosa, Sambar, Chicken Roast, Idiyappam, Puttu, and Kadala curry are some of the authentic breakfast dishes of Kerala. Pazham Pori (banana fritters), Paripu Vada (lentil/dal Fritters), pakoras, samosas, banana chips, jackfruit chips, etc are the variety of snacks you must try. You can also get varieties of tea and coffee like masala tea, ginger tea, masala coffee, etc in Kerala.
Where to stay:
Kerala offers a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from hotels, cottages, and homestays that offer cozy and secure sojourn. For your comfortable stay, you can choose from budget type, economy, standard, deluxe to the luxury type of accommodation. For an offbeat experience, you can stay in a houseboat or treehouse and feel the pleasure of being pampered by nature.
KeralaTourismHoliday offers you the widest range of customizable Kerala tour to suit every kind of travelers and explore the main Kerala sightseeing places with a variety of experiential tours and activities included in our Kerala tour packages.
Some interesting facts about Kerala:
- Kerala is fondly called “Land of Coconuts” as you can see a lot of coconut trees everywhere in Kerala.
- Kerala is ranked eighth on the list of “12 Destinations to Watch” in 2017 by The Association of British Travel Agents and also found a place among the “10 best destinations in the world” by Lonely Planet in 2014.
- The National Geographic in 2012, has listed Kerala as one of the 50 top destinations to be visited in a lifetime and also as one of the ten paradises of the world.
- Kerala is crowned as the best state in India in terms of healthcare performance according to the recent Health Index Report.
- Kerala is honored as the first “Complete Digital State” of India.
- World’s first Ayurvedic Resort, Somatheeram is in Kerala.
- Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India.
- Kerala is the abode of the famous Padmanabha Swamy Temple which is the richest Hindu temple in the World.
- Elephants are the beloved symbol of Kerala and are also featured in the state emblems. Keralite’s love for elephants is worth inspiring.
- Kerala produces and exports various spices like cardamom, pepper, clove, nutmeg, star anise, tea, vanilla, etc and hence nicknamed as the “Spice Capital of the World“.
- The Anamudi Peak in Kerala having a height of 2695 meter, is the highest point in India.
Way to reach:
Kerala is easily accessesable by Air, Rail, Road and Water.
By Air:
Kerala is the only state in India that has 4 International airports. And they are Cochin International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Karipur International Airport and the newly inaugurated Kannur International Airport.
By Rail:
Kerala has around 200 railway stations and is well-linked to all major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, etc via rail.
By Road:
Kerala has a good network of roadways which directly connects the neighbouring states of South India like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Kerala State Transport buses and private buses also run to and from various parts of the state.
By Water:
One can even reach Kerala via Ship also. Prominent history of Kerala speaks about many seaports. The major ports of Kerala are The Port of Kochi and Vizhinjam International Seaport that serve as the major marine sea routes to Kerala from various countries. Kerala is also known for its picturesque backwaters which serve as a favourite tourist attraction as well as a popular and old means of transportation. One can make use of public ferry services, houseboats and speed-boats to travel in Kerala. Passenger boat service is operated along the waterway from boat jetties at Kollam, Alappuzha(Alleppey), Fort Kochi, Ernakulam, etc.
If you are looking for a memorable trip to Kerala, Kerala Tourism Holiday’s tour packages are the right choice for you.
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Visit our website www.keralatourism.holiday, to know more about Kerala travel such as the best time to visit Kerala, how to reach Kerala, things to do in Kerala and so on.