Kerala, An Indian God’s Own Country Where Life Embraces Nature And Capital Of The World's First Martial Art
Embark upon your journey with Kochi, a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, a part of the Arabean Sea. By Supreet Kaur Gujral | YEET MAGAZINE | Published 2:15 a.m. ET, July 10, 2021
If anyone wants to witness the glimpse of beaches, mountains and anything alike atone place, visit Kerala, which is known as God’s own country.
Situated on the Malabar Coast of India, the region had been a prominent spice exporter all over the world.
With the highest Human Development Index along with the highest literacy rate, the state topped in the country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Kerala is one of the prominent tourist destinations of India, with coconut-lined sandy beaches, backwaters, hill stations, Ayurvedic tourism and tropical greenery as its major tourist attractions.
Embark upon your journey with Kochi, a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, a part of the Arabean Sea.
Kochi features a tropical climate monsoon. It attracts a large number of tourists. The tourist enclave at Fort Kochi and the presence of several historical monuments, museums as well as other natural attractions such as the Vembanad Lake and the backwaters attract a large number of tourists to the city.
The KochiPort is one of the leading ports where international cruisers call on regularly. The city also has the first marina facility in the country, Kochi Marina which attracts a huge number of yacht-totters. Kochi has been hosting India's first art biennale, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, since 2012, which attracts international artists as well as tourists.
To go a bundle on natural beauty with lush green mountains and experience beautiful sights, visit Munnar.
This town as well as a hill station is situated on a Western Ghats mountain ranges located in the Idukki district of the southwestern region of Kerala.
It is also called the “Kashmir of South India '' and is a popular honeymoon destination among the newly wedded couples and others.
Tourists can visit the worth-seeing protected areas and sanctuaries including the new Kurinjimala Sanctuary to the east along with the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjampatti Valley, and the Amaravati reserve forest of the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, the Eravikulam National Park, and Anamudi Shola National park, thePampadum Shola National Park, and the proposed Palani Hills National Park.
These protected areas are especially known for several threatened and endemic species inclusive of Nilgiri Tahr, the grizzled giant squirrel, the Niligiri wood-pigeon, elephant, the gaur, the Nilgiri Langur, sambar and neelakurinji. It is famous for tea plantations in the country.
To witness the famous Periyar National Park and those who adore wildlife, visit Thekkady Thekkady is located 4 km away from Kumily, a plantation town in Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The aforesaid sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forest and savanna grasslands. It houses herds of elephants, sambhar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary spreads across 777 km2 of which 360 km2 is a thick evergreen forest. It was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. The magnificent artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River mesmerizes the beauty of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants, deer and bison that come down to drink and rest near the lake. The sanctuary can be accessed by trekking, boating or jeep safari.
Thekkady is also considered a haven for natural spices such as cardamom, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, nutmace, clove, and ginger.
Famous for its boat races, beaches, marine products and coir industry, Alleppey is a world renowned backwater tourist destination of India. Alleppey or Alappuzha was described by George Curzon, Viceroy of India at the beginning of the 20th century, as the “Venice of the East”.
The Backwaters of Alappuzha is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kerala which attracts almost millions of domestic and international tourists to the district.
It employs a vast number of locals in the private sector. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters can be booked which connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Kollam to the South. Apart fromhouseboat services, the Kerala State Water Transport Department provides government boat services within the district and Kollam.
It was considered the best and cheapest way to explore the Backwaters of Alleppey.Other tourist attractions in and around Alappuzha are Alappuzha Beach which offers a view of the Laccadive Sea, Pathiramanal Island, Mullakkal Sree Rajarajeswari Temple, Kalarcode Mahadeva Temple, Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Pazhaveed Bhagavathi Temple, Chettikulangara Devi Temple, St. Andrew’s Basilica, Mannarasala Temple, Arthunkal, Cheriyanad Sree Balasubramanya Swamy Temple, Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, Thakazhy Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Krishnapuram Palace, Kidangamparambu Temple, Munnodi Temple, Valiya Kalavur Sreekrishna Temple, Mararikulam Mahadeva Temple, Thiruvizha Sree Mahadevar Temple, Kanichukulangara Bhagavathi Temple, Cherthala Karthyayani Temple, Varanad Devi Temple, Cheriya Kalavoor Ayyappa Temple, Edathua Church, Padanilam Parabrahma Temple, etc.
Tourists can also visit Alappuzha CSI Christ Church which is the oldest Anglican church in Central Kerala, along with Champakulam Valia Palli, and Vetticode Sree Nagaraja Swamy Temple which is the first and the oldest Nagaraja temple.
These temples and churches possess intricate details along with superb architecture.The backwaters and wetlands host thousands of migrants such as common teals, ducks, and cormorants every year who reach here from long distances. Owing to its proximity to the sea, the climate of Alappuzha is humid and hot during the summer, although it remains fairly cool and pleasant during the months of October and November.
Apart from visiting famous tourist attractions in Kerala, the culture and ethics can be witnessed through a dance form known as Kathakali and martial arts Kalaripattyam showcased since colonial era. Kerala has a never ending list of tourist destinations that will amaze any traveller around the world.
Renowned for its scenic locations and natural beauty, it is sure to enchant any lover of nature with its hills, backwaters, beaches, waterfalls and wildlife. The state has a rich heritage and thriving culture one can explore by paying its visit to the famous forts, palaces, museums, monuments, temples, and churches.