Kerala abounds in natural beauty. This "verdant state" is a tourist paradise with everything except deserts. It is world famous for its Beaches, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Backwaters, Hill stations, Villages, Spice Sanctuaries, Plantations, perhaps, more than its Cultural heritage, Forts, Palaces, Museums, Martial Arts, Performing Arts, Ritual arts, Ayurveda and Cuisine. To top it all, Kerala has educated and friendly people!!! Kerala itself is a destination. Hence it is counted among one of the 50 must-see destinations in a lifetime. A drive of 2 to 3 hours from each destination offers another quite different and charming spot. A couple of hours' drive from a beach offers the beautiful labyrinth of the Backwaters, another takes one deep within a Wildlife Sanctuary, or way up a Hill Station... in all its natural splendor.
Kerala Backwaters
Western Ghats, the mountain ranges on the eastern side and the Arabian Sea to the west form natural boundaries of Kerala. The Western Ghats and its dense equatorial rain forests literally cover the State in green. In their journey towards the Arabian Sea the 41-odd rivers of Kerala form a wide network of canals, lakes and lagoons. This network of water bodies called the Backwaters, stretch from the south to the north of Kerala parallel to the long coastline. These form the instantly recognizable USP of Kerala.
Kettuvallom-Houseboats
The natural Backwaters are of unparalleled beauty. Backwater Tourism is now the fad for visitors, mainly after the introduction of "Kettuvallom Houseboat" cruise through the backwaters of pristine Kerala villages.
The Kettuvalloms (literally tied-boats) were the cargo boats of Kerala in the past. The onslaught of modernity pushed them out of the transportation sector. But their new role as Houseboats have brought back their prestige. Along with their ethnic style and looks, these Kettuvallom Houseboats are equipped for overnight stay with Bedroom, Toilet with WC and running water, kitchen etc. Like the old boatmen who doubled as master cooks, the kitchen serves mouth-watering traditional Kerala Cuisine.
Unlike the Kashmiri Houseboats, Kerala Houseboats offer mobility. A cruise by Houseboat on the backwaters offers spectacular view all around. Green paddy fields, palm fronds, floating duck farms, boats carrying coconut fiber, rice sacks and bricks, local fishermen, smiling children, floating grocery shops, besides the village temples, churches and local toddy shops are usual sights along cruises.
Historical Identity
The land has a history of more than 7000 years, even earlier to the Indus Valley Civilisation. The Edackal Caves on the lap of Western Ghats stand tall with its Paleolithic rock carvings.
Kerala has always wholeheartedly welcomed various religions and ideologies. In the BC the Jews were welcomed by the then Kings.With the arrival of St. Thomas in AD 52 Kerala learnt Christianity way before it reached Europe. Cheraman Perumal, a native king, went to Mecca in AD 7 and was one of the first foreigners to embrace the then new faith of Islam. Roman, Chinese, Portuguese, French, English, Dutch cultures have influenced and polished the culture of the land with their centuries-old trade contacts.
Also, it was in Kerala that a Communist Government was democratically voted to power in 1957 for the first time in the world. Kerala is also reputed to be the very first 100% literate State in the world.
And now... the unexplored beauty of Kerala with its distinguished tradition of hospitality welcomes visitors from the world over.
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