Kerala Trip Planner
Kerala Trip Planner - The state of Kerala
derives its name from the word “Kerala” which means “Lands of Coconuts.”
in Malayalam language.The landscape is dominated by rice fields,mango,
cashewnut trees and coconut palms.No doubt Kerala tours takes you to this
“God’s Own Country” within India. 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.
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, 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 Gamamade 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 in Kerala - 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.
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) Chaithramhotel,
Thiruvananthapuram, near Rly stn. Tourist Facilitation Centre Museum Rd,
Thiruvananthapuram, opp. Museum and zoo.
