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Clichés and ratings run
wild in aggrandizing Kerala – the Gods Own Country, Land of
Coconuts, State of Enlightenment (National Geographic), one of
the 6 destinations of the millennium (Khaleej Times), one of the
50 must-see destinations of a lifetime (National Geographic
Travel), but for once it is also a place that justifies the hype.
The glossy photos in travel magazines and online travel guides
don’t lie – Kerala, the surreal tropical paradise, is
truly enigmatic and beautiful.
The state of Kerala sits in sharp contrast to the rest of India
with its highest literacy rate, women outnumbering the number of
men, newspaper readership among the highest in the world,
world-class health care systems and being the most developed
society in India. This petite state synonymous with wellness is
popularly referred to as the ‘Land of Ayurveda’.
With the Arabian Sea in the west, Western Ghats towering 500-2700
meters in the east and a network of 44 rivers cutting across the
state, it is Kerala’s unique geographical features that
make it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in
Asia. The state is divided into 14 districts, all of which offer
unique combinations of - shimmering backwaters, bio-diversity
hotspots, tropical forests, golden sand beaches, historic
monuments, Wildlife Reserves et cetera. Cosmopolitan Magazine, in
apt recognition of the state’s romantic charms, rates
Kerala as one of the top 10 love nests in India.
Kerala Backwaters :
Backwaters are an amazing phenomenon of Kerala - a necklace of
lagoons lakes, canals and rivers that run through the length of
this beautiful land. In fact much of Kerala's uniqueness lies in
its backwaters - found nowhere else in the world.
Visit to the backwater destinations of Kumarakom, Kollam and
Kozhikode can be a most rewarding experience. The lagoons at
these destinations with their spectacular view and fringed by
coconut trees have been featured in travel books all over the
world. No journey to the backwaters is complete without a stay on
board a "Kettuvallam" or a houseboat which takes you on a journey
through the length and breadth of the lagoons and waterways !
Kerala Hill Station Tour :
The Western Ghats mountain ranges make up an impressive fortress
all along Kerala. These mountains ranging from the southern tip
of Kerala all the way to Mumbai, on the western coast of India
have been a natural barrier in the eastern border of Kerala and a
helping hand to reap the bounties of both the Southwest and the
Northeast monsoons.
The hill stations of Kerala have drawn the attention of tourists
for their agreeable climate and proximity to the wildlife
sanctuaries. These hill station ranges are also home to most of
world's spices and have over the centuries attained a certain
mystique. The principal hill stations are at Wayanad in North
Kerala, Munnar and Thekkady in Central Kerala and Ponmudi in
South Kerala !
Kerala
Wild Life Tour : The elephant is the symbol of Kerala,
signifying the deep links that the forests have on the lives of
the people of Kerala. These forests have been closely associated
with the customs, traditions, and social life of Kerala for
centuries. The forests here are indeed some of the most
magnificent and varied found anywhere in the world.
A number of excellent Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks
have been created to protect the forests and the multitudes of
animals therein. Periyar Tiger Reserve, Silent Valley National
Park, Eravikulam National Park … are some among the best
managed sanctuaries in India !
Kerala
Culture : Isolated from the rest of India by the
mountainous belt of the Western Ghats but with a long coastline
open to foreign influences, Kerala has evolved as a unique
culture. Western and Eastern influences have helped shape it's
uniqueness in culture, art forms, music, dance and the very ethos
of the people of Kerala. Art forms of Kerala range from
Kathakali, one of the dance forms of Kerala considered to be
amongst the oldest Indian Dance styles to the graceful
Mohiniyattam. The vibrant and distinct music of Kerala so closely
related to temple festivals and the elegant snake boat races have
always been the favorite of tourists visiting Kerala.
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