Overview
Tucked away at the southwestern tip of India, sandwiched between the rugged mountains of the Western Ghats and the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea, lies a wisp of paradise called Kerala. Labelled - not inappropriately - as `God's Own Country`, this enchanting tropical territory fits the mythical notion of Eden and is fast turning into one of the most sought after destinations of the world. The Conde Nast Traveller rightly sums up the region thus: ‘ Kerala fits into the Western notions of Eden: the soil deep red, beaches bone white, vegetation dense green and the sea sparkling blue for much of the year’.
Kerala is a land of myriad experiences with something for everyone. There is a plethora of delightful sights on offer, each more fascinating
than the other. The labyrinthine backwaters that sensuously weave their way through the land; quaint hamlets that adorn picture postcard hills blanketed in green; miles and miles of palm fringed beaches awash with sugary sand that hem the shoreline; an astounding variety of flora and fauna; exquisitely ornate temples, churches and mosques; the balmy, salubrious climate; a cultured and courteous people; a rich and colourful tradition of festivals, arts and crafts - all add up to make Kerala an idyllic get-away destination. ‘Earth has not anything to show more fair’ - Wordsworth would surely agree. As if all this isn’t tempting enough, the region is also home to the relaxing and unhurried therapeutic touch of Ayurveda, a 5000-year-old holistic system of medicine that restores physical, mental and spiritual well-being and enhances life expectancy.
Enamoured by its resplendent beauty and enticed by its rich horde of spices, voyagers
since time immemorial had been drawn to the
shores of Kerala. Countless wars were fought
to wrestle control over this little strip of land.
Among those that braved the perils of the sea to
reach this famed coast were Roman, Egyptian,
Arab, Chinese and European traders. All those
who touched these shores left their indelible
imprint on the land, making Kerala’s society the
fascinating melting pot of multiple cultures that
it is today.
New voyagers travel to Kerala now, seeking to
re-discover the magic of this astounding region
which offers the colours, spectacle, magic,
grandeur and mystery of India - all in one state.
There is peace and relaxation for those seeking
respite in the lap of nature; there is romance
and sensuality for those seeking an intimate
hideaway; a host of activities, fun for families and
adventure sports for the brave of heart. What’s
more, one can travel from one stunning highlight
to another within a matter of hours.
However, what makes Kerala really special is the
fact that authenticity is at the heart of everything
you see. Despite growing international interest,
Kerala continues to retain its unique cultural
identity. In Kerala, less is more and there is no
room for pretension. It is impossible not to be
touched by the overwhelming warmth and
welcoming spirit of its people, which makes the
whole Kerala experience really special.
Interestingly, despite being listed by National
Geographic Traveller as one of the world’s ten
‘Paradises Found’, Kerala is still remarkably ‘unfound’
by mass tourism…so now is the time to
visit this unique and exquisite region of India.
Highlights
Discover highlight after highlight in this
scenic paradise - each one distinctive and
delightful, together making the perfect
ingredients for the holiday of a lifetime.
BEACHES
Kerala is blessed with some of the best beaches
in the world. Explore the beaches in Kovalam
and Varkala in the south, Marari in the central
region and the stunning drive-in beach at
Muzhipilangad in the north of Kerala. There
are secluded private beaches tucked away in
peaceful palm groves along the coast and yet
others which are closer to the vibrant local life.
BACKWATERS
Kerala’s rain waters surge through its hills and
mountain passes to join a network of some 40
rivers resulting in a stunning matrix of water
courses that include rivers, canals, streams,
estuaries, lagoons and other water bodies
forming the now famous backwaters. The criss
crossing waters that snake along a 400 mile
stretch from the North to the South of the state
are undoubtedly one of the most sought after
highlights of Kerala.
HOUSEBOATS
One of Kerala’s most unique experiences is
an overnight cruise along the palm-fringed
backwaters on a luxurious houseboat, known as
a ‘Kettuvallom’. Traditionally used as grain/ spice
barges, the Kettuvalloms have been ingeniously
converted into cosy houseboats. When evening
approaches, settle in to watch the splendid
sunset and count the stars in the velvety sky as
you listen to the rustling palms and the gentle
lapping of the water against the hull. Wake up
at dawn and experience the beautiful sunrise
as the river comes alive and people along the
backwaters go about their daily routines.
HILL RANGES AND TEA
PLANTATIONS
Move further in from the coast and you will find
yourself heading towards the Western Ghats.
You can only be in awe of the amazing changes
in scenery as you pass through tropical jungles,
dense forests, wildlife sanctuaries, sprawling
estates, picture perfect postcard hamlets and
undulating valleys as you head up into the
mountains.
WILDLIFE
A land of sprawling green tropical acres and
gentle waterways, Kerala’s lush topography
makes it the ideal home for a variety of rare birds
and animals. The regions many bird and wildlife
parks provide travellers with some exciting
opportunities to see wildlife in their natural
surroundings.
AYURVEDA
No book or brochure on Kerala can be complete
without a mention of the 5000 year old natural
medical science of Ayurveda which finds its
origins in Kerala. This ancient science focuses
on creating health as well as curing disease and
takes into account the patient’s entire being:
mind, body and spirit. Ayurveda has found
global popularity and year after year thousands
find comfort and healing in this ancient science
which focuses on rejuvenating the body and the
mind.
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
Over the centuries, different religions found
their way onto Kerala’s shores and were
welcomed into the folds of its society. External
influences brought different cultural practices to
the region so that in no other place will one find
religious tolerance such as the way it is practiced
in Kerala. It is not uncommon to find a church,
a Hindu temple and a mosque in the same
premises.
FESTIVALS AND ARTFORMS
The performing arts of Kerala are again very
rich, varied and colourful and employ a range
of gestures to tell stories and communicate
emotions. Kerala offers an enviable array of
performing arts most of which find origins in
folk tradition. Vibrant colours, pulsating classical
music, traditional costumes and powerful
performances mark any art form in Kerala
and will leave visitors with an unforgettable
experience.
CUISINE
Kerala’s cuisine is both exclusive and diverse and
over the centuries has developed an identity of
its own. From the northern reaches of Kasargod
to the southern coastal parts, the cuisine is as
varied as the places themselves. Be it the various
vegetarian delicacies or the mouth watering
seafood, the cuisine is something to really look
forward to.
Fact File
WHAT’S IN THE NAME
Numerous theories exist about the origin of the
word Kerala (ke-ra-laa).The most popular is that
it finds its origin in ‘kera’, meaning the coconut
and ‘Ilam’, meaning land. Simply put the “land of
coconuts”. Some attribute the name to the Chera
rulers who ruled the state in the early centuries.
Arabs who visited Kerala in earlier centuries for
spice trade christened it Malabar which is a name
by which the north of Kerala is still known.
KERALA THROUGH THE AGES
Few other places on earth will have as many
external influences and foreign imprints as Kerala.
Egyptian, Arab, Greek, Chinese and Roman ships
docked along its shores in the early centuries
as stories of the region’s spices spread far and
wide. Loaded with spices, timber and ivory these
ships sailed to Egypt from where the goods were
distributed globally. References to the Malabar
Coast in the North of Kerala are found in Greek
travelogues dating as far back as the 1st century
AD. The Chinese also frequented Kerala’s ports
in the 15th century. (The Chinese fishing nets that
one can see in Fort Cochin today are said to be a
legacy of Chinese traders).
Of all the different races that came to Kerala’s
coast, it was the Arabs who established the
strongest bond with the locals and continued to
trade with the region for a long time; keeping it a
secret from the western world.
It was not until the arrival of Vasco Da Gama,
the Portuguese explorer, in the 15th century
that Europe discovered the wealth of spices that
Kerala had. The first European to discover the
sea route to India, Da Gama failed to befriend the
local rulers on his first visit to the region. When he
returned three years later, this time using force,
he took control of the burgeoning spice trade
and thus began an era of European expansion.
(Vasco Da Gama died in 1524 and was buried at
the St Francis Church, Cochin, which at that time
was called St Anthony’s. In 1538 his remains were
taken first to Goa and subsequently to Portugal.)
The Dutch were the next to invade Kerala,
crushing the Portuguese and establishing their
supremacy till the simultaneous growth of the
British and the French powers enfeebled them.
Finally, synchronous with their ascendancy in
the rest of India, the British became the most
powerful force in Kerala. The British allowed the
kings of different provinces to rule under their
supervision and shaped many administrative
aspects of the state. Such was the progress and
development of Travancore (Province of Kerala)
even in that era, that it found mention in the
British House of Commons in 1867 as a ‘model
native state’.
India gained independence from the British in
1947. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956
elevated Kerala to statehood. Since then,
Kerala, under the rule of different progressive
governments, has grown at awe-inspiring pace
and today boasts of being one of the most
developed states in India.
LANGUAGE
The language spoken in Kerala is ‘Malayalam’,
which is believed to originate from the
Dravidian family of languages in India. Keralites
are also called ‘Malayalees’ based on the
language they speak.
POLITICS
Kerala boasts of having had the first elected
Communist government in the world. Post
its term, various political parties with different
ideologies took on the mantle of governing the
state. However the Keralite by and far has always
bought into the communist ideology - a fact that
continues to shape society in Kerala today.
Keralites are a very politically aware people and
not surprisingly, politics is one of the most popular
subjects across all age groups. It is not uncommon
to see absolute strangers in road side tea shops
and other places animatedly discussing politics.
RELIGION
Kerala is one of the only places in India where you
will find a temple, a church and a mosque in the
same precinct. A land which has welcomed all
those who came to its shores, Kerala’s tryst with
religion is a long one. Hinduism was predominant
in Kerala since early centuries as migrants from the
northern parts moved here and became powerful.
The Arabs who frequented its northern shores
introduced Islam to Kerala. (North Kerala boasts
of having the first mosque in India). Christianity
was introduced to the region by St. Thomas (of
‘Doubting Thomas’ fame) one of the disciples of
Christ. Judaism was introduced to Kerala when
Jews fleeing persecution came here in 68 AD.
Despite differences in religion, rituals and
customs, all the communities have blended into
Kerala’s culture, giving it a unique identity that
visitors are sure to find fascinating.
EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
| AVERAGE TEMPRATURES FOR KERALA |
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| max ˚C |
30 |
31 |
32 |
34 |
34 |
30 |
29 |
29 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
31 |
| min ˚C |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
Social reforms enacted in the late 19th century by
different provinces in Kerala were expanded by
post-independence governments, making Kerala
among the Third World’s longest-lived, healthiest,
most gender-equitable and most literate regions.
Kerala boasts of the highest rate of literacy
anywhere in India. Statewide literacy initiatives
have seen education reach the remotest corners
of the State. There has always been a focus on
education and the love for reading and education
is reflected in the many libraries that mark every
nook and corner of the state.
The state also enjoy a remarkably healthy and good
standard of life, and economists the world over
refer to the Kerala model of human development.
This is also the only state in India where the sex
ratio is in favour of women, which reflects the
attitude of society to the well-being of women.
GEOGRAPHY
Kerala’s 38,863 sq.km landmass (1.18% of India)
is wedged between the Arabian Sea to the west
and the Western Ghats, identified as one of the
world’s twenty-five biodiversity hotspots, to the
east. Lying between 8°18’ and 12°48’ north
latitudes and 74°52’ and 72°22’ east longitudes,
Kerala is well within the humid equatorial tropics.
Kerala’s coast runs for some 360 miles, while the
state itself varies between 35 and 120 km (22–75
miles) in width. Geographically, Kerala can be
divided into three climatically distinct regions: the
eastern highlands (rugged and cool mountainous
terrain), the central midlands (rolling hills) and the
western lowlands (coastal plains).
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Being a coastal state bordering the pristine
waters of the Arabian Sea and because of its
proximity to the equator, Kerala has a more or less
consistent weather pattern throughout the year.
The presence of the mountains of the Western
Ghats on the eastern side of the state and across
the path of the southwest monsoon creates an
important climatic zone with copious rainfall on
the windward side and a dry belt on the eastern
side. This results in Kerala being perennially green
with a very predictable and similar weather pattern
throughout the year. The temperature hovers
around 29–32 degrees (Celsius) all year round.
The months of September through to March
are considered to be the most favourable times
to travel, with the weather being sunny and
pleasant, and the temperatures being cooler
in the mountains. June and July are monsoon
months in Kerala, the showers being heavy at first
and then easing off gradually. However these
months are not to be written off when planning a
holiday to Kerala since the monsoons bring their
own magic to the region. The rains, heavy as they
are (this being a tropical region) come in short
spells leaving the region glistening in green and
giving it an aura of its own. This also happens to
be one of the best times for travellers seeking the
therapeutic Ayurveda treatment, which is said to
be most effective in these months.
It gets comparatively more humid during the
months leading upto the monsoons, namely April
and May, and just after the monsoon in August.
Climate and Weather
Being a coastal state bordering the pristine waters of the Arabian Sea and because of its proximity to the equator, Kerala has a more or less consistent weather pattern throughout the year. The presence of the mountains of the Western Ghats on the eastern side of the state and across the path of the southwest monsoon creates an important climatic zone with copious rainfall on the windward side and a dry belt on the eastern side. This results in Kerala being perennially green with a very predictable and similar weather pattern throughout the year. The temperature hovers around 29–32 degrees (Celsius) all year round.
The months of September through to March are considered to be the most favourable times to travel, with the weather being sunny and pleasant, and the temperatures being cooler in the mountains. June and July are monsoon months in Kerala, the showers being heavy at first and then easing off gradually. However these months are not to be written off when planning a holiday to Kerala since the monsoons bring their own magic to the region. The rains, heavy as they are (this being a tropical region) come in short spells leaving the region glistening in green and giving it an aura of its own. This also happens to be one of the best times for travellers seeking the therapeutic Ayurveda treatment, which is said to be most effective in these months.
It gets comparatively more humid during the months leading upto the monsoons, namely April and May, and just after the monsoon in August.
