KERALA GUIDE |
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Welcome to Kerala, God's Own
Country. You are surfing 'the place to visit' in
India. Kerala is one of
the ten 'Paradises Found' by the National
Geographic Traveler, for its diverse geography
and overwhelming greenery. With
the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats
towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by
forty four rivers, Kerala enjoys unique
geographical features that have made it one of
the most sought after tourist destinations in
Asia.
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KERALA INFORMATION |
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| Kerala state (2001 provisional pop.
31,838,619), 15,003 sq mi (38,858 sq km), SW India, on
the Arabian Sea. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital. A
wet tropical climate and coastal lowlands support
cultivation of rice, coconuts, tapioca, and spices; the
interior hills produce rubber, coffee, and tea. A
densely populated state, Kerala was created in 1956 from
the Malayalam-speaking former princely states of Cochin
and Travancore and Malayalam-speaking areas formerly in
Madras state (now Tamil Nadu). About 60% of the
population is Hindu; Christians and Muslims each make up
about 20% of the remaining inhabitants. Although Kerala
has the highest literacy rate in India (1981 est. 70%),
it suffers from economic underdevelopment and
unemployment. In 1957, India's first Communist state
administration was elected in Kerala, and a Communist
coalition was again elected in 1967, 1970, and 1987.
Maoist Naxalite groups were active in the state. Kerala
takes its name from the ancient Tamil kingdom of Kerala
(Chera), which traded with the Phoenicians, Greeks, and
Romans. Some coastal areas of Kerala were hard-hit by
the Dec., 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami. The state is
governed by a chief minister responsible to an elected
unicameral legislature and by a governor appointed by
the president of India. |
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KERALA FACTS AND FIGURES |
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Kerala at a Glance ...
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Area:
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38,864 sq km |
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Capital: |
Thriruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) |
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No of District: |
14 |
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Languages: |
Telgu,Hindi,English |
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Per Capita Income: |
6,462 |
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Religion: |
Hindu,Muslim,Christian |
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Location: |
South West India |
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Main Incame: |
Tourism , Agriculture |
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Best
Time to visit: |
October to March |
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KERALA HISTORY |
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| The ancient history of
Kerala is shrouded in the mists of tradition. The most
popular legend would have it that the land crust that
forms the State was raised from the depths of the ocean.
Parasurama, the Brahmin avatar (incarnation) of Lord
Vishnu, had waged an epic series of vengeful wars on the
Kshatriyas. Came a moment when Parasurama was struck by
remorse at the wanton annihilation he had wrought. He
offered severe penance atop the mountain heights. In a
mood of profound atonement, the sage heaved his mighty
axes into the midst of the distant ocean. The waves
foamed and frothed as a prawn-shaped land extending from
Gokarnam to Kanyakumari surfaced from the depths of the
sea to form the state and hence the sobriquet - "Gods
own Country". |
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KERALA TOURIST ATTRACTIONS |
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| Thiruvananthapuram » Kochi » Kovalam Beach » Backwaters » Alappuyha » Kumarakom Resort » Aattakal
Pangala » Kerala Back waters » Bekal fort Kerala » Nehru Trophy Boat » Onam Festival |
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KERALA FAIRS AND FESTIVALS |
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The colorful mosaic of Kerala fairs and festivals is as
diverse as the land, is an expression of the spirit of
celebration, that is an essential part of the State.
Observed with enthusiasm and gaiety, festivals are like
gems, ornamenting the crown of Kerala tradition and
culture. Round the year the fests keep Kerala life
vibrant and interludes in the mundane affairs of
life.Every season turns up new festivals, each a true
celebration of the bounties of nature. The festivals
exhibits an eternal harmony of spirit. Packed with fun
and excitement, festivals are occasions to clean and
decorate houses, to get together with friends and
relatives and to exchange gifts.New attire, dance, music
and ritual, all add to their joyful rhythm. It is a time
for prayer, for pageantry and processions and time to
rejoice. The important fairs and festivals in the state
are: Onam Festival ,Thrissur Pooram ,Aranmula
Uthrittathi ,Easter,Thiruvathira Festival
,Makaravillakku at Sabarimala ,Vishu |
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HOW TO REACH |
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By Air : Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the
state, is very well connected to all major airports in
India like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Kochi
and Calicut are other two airports connected from air to
other cities in India.
By Road : Road traveling in Kerala is much
smoother because of the good condition of he roads. Also
state is connected with other parts of South India by a
number of National Highways. Major modes of road
transport are buses, tourist taxis, cars, and local
taxis and autos.
By Rail : With around 200 railway stations, it is
another convenient mode of traveling in Kerala. Railways
connect most of the places in the state to places in the
other parts of the country and inside the state.
Long-distance express trains connect to almost all
places outside the state like Mumbai, New Delhi. The
state of Kerala is a narrow strip located along Arabian
Sea in the southernmost tip of Indian Peninsula. The
natural backwaters have given birth to internal water ,
Chennai, and Kolkata.
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KERALA MAJOR CITIES |
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| Cochin » Ernakulam » Kannur » Kortayam »Kasorgode » Kozhikode » Kollom » Palakkad |
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KERALA WILDLIFE AND BIRDS |
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Kerala is bestowed with a rich repertoire of natural
bounty - mountains & hills, rivers & lakes, backwaters &
shoreline. It is natural for Kerala to be home to many
national parks and sanctuaries. The enchanting green
forest with its rich flora and fauna makes Kerala a much
sought after wildlife destination in India. The numerous
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala will
add that extra bit of excitement when you holiday in
Kerala.Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary: The Wynad Wildlife
Sanctuary is a must for tourists wishing to experience a
bit of wilderness while on Kerala travel. A part of the
Wynad Plateau, the Wynad National Park in Kerala is
famous for its tigers and leopards along with the other
wildlife that one can find during vacations in Wynad
Wildlife Sanctuary.Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: The most
renowned destination is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
at Thekkady, one of India's major sanctuary areas. The
drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds
through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick
jungles. Silent Valley National Park: The Silent Valley
contains India's last substantial stretch of tropical
evergreen rain forests and it is perhaps the only
vestige of a near virgin forest in the whole of the
Western Ghats. Elephants, tigers, wild dog, flying
squirrel and lion-tailed macaque are found
here.Thattekad Bird Sanctuary: This bird sanctuary is a
peninsular land of 25 sq. km. Formed between the
branches of River Periyar. |
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KERALA ARTS AND CRAFTS |
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Painting in Kerala can be traced back to the 9th
century, as evident from the murals in it's templesand
the practice of Kalamezhuthu - the practice of drawing
pictures of gods and goddesses on temple floors using
five different types of colour powder.Kerala has a rich
verity of folk dances. They are highly developed and
reflected and the temperaments and moods of the
localities in music and costume.An old time industrial
art is bell metal casting. One famous product is the
Aranmula polished metalmirror, made of an alloy of
copper and tin. In woodcraft, apart from the temple art
tradition, kathakali models and accessories, weaving of
mats, baskets, coir matting figure among it's
handicrafts. Since the ban on ivory trade, Kerala's
ivory carvings, especially that of the snake boat are
now made of buffalo horn.Kerala is also known for it's
jewellery. Designs range from the elaborate and
exquisite to the simple and functional.The Nagapadam or
serpent-hood pendant was originally used by Nair women.
Namboodiri women wore the cherutali necklace and Tamil
Brahmin women, the oddiyanam waist-chain. Christian
women wore the Mekka Mothiram. Though relegated to
history, contemporary goldsmiths still draw inspiration
from them for their designs. |
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KERALA SHOPPING |
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The items are of immense beauty for the simple reason
that Keralities are gifted artisans. Among Kochi's best
buy are metalware, camel-bone carvings, wood carvings,
articles made of coconut shels, baboo cane, embroidered
screwpine mats; grass mats; and several other types of
handicrafts. Kochi also has several antique dealers.
Jewellery, readymade garments, and ethnic hand-woven
textiles follow closely. The major shopping centres are
on M.G.Road which cuts across the heart of the city, and
the Marine Drive including Broadway. Shops open at 10
a.m. and close around 8 p.m. Generally all shops remain
close on Sundays. |
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