 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|||||
|
Indian States
Information Kerala
Kerala is the spice coast of India. Edged by a thread of unbroken beachline, the state's heart is composed of intensely green paddy fields and a unique network of rivers and lagoons that comprise its famed "backwaters". The landscape is dominated by rice fields, mango and cashewnut trees, and coconut palms. Upland Kerala, relatively less visited, is composed of hills thickly wooded with teak and rubber. It is here that Kerala's most precious spices - cardamom, pepper and nutmeg - are grown in carefully nurtured plantations. The present-day state of Kerala was created in 1956 from Travancore, Kochi and Malabar (formerly part of Madras state). Kerala is one of the most progressive and literate states in India. To visitors, Kerala really is "God's own country", offering exquisite beaches, lazy trips along peaceful lagoons and canals, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, and healing via the ancient Indian medical system, Ayurveda. Places to Visit Kochi (formerly Cochin) Kochi, center of Kerala's maritime trade for innumerable centuries, is the fine natural harbour created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks, whose quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside, the calmer the waters are within the harbour. Vasco-da-Gama placed it on the world map. Along the harbour, rows of antediluvian Chinese fishing nets indicate Kerala's trade with China, just as buildings along the water's edge testify to the erstwhile presence of Dutch and Portuguese colonisers. Jewtown, with an immaculately preserved synagogue, has a flavour all its own, while Tripunathura, at the other end of the city, has many traditional houses with central courtyards. Alleppey The coastal town of Alleppey on the Arabian Sea is known as the Venice of the East, for the numerous canals that meander through the town. This town holds a thrilling snake-boat race every year in August. It is also known for its cashew nuts, coir trade, rice, pepper crops and coconuts. Kerala Backwaters The backwaters of Kerala are what have given it the sobriquet "God's Own Country". As you meander through these on a houseboat you drift into a timeless land replete with picture-postcard towns and ancient trading posts. The huge coconut trees provide an apt backdrop and perhaps you can even eavesdrop on the strains of an oarsman's song. A network of lakes, rivers and canals fringe the coast of Kerala. These backwaters, while a great inland thoroughfare on water, offer an alternative lifestyle. The criss-crossed, palm-fringed lakes traversed with Chinese fishing nets are very popular cruises, especially between Kollam and Allappuzha. The backwaters have become important attractions though they are threatened by population growth and industrial development. Of the 29 major lakes on the backwaters, seven drain into the sea. Stretched over a total expanse of 1500 kms, the backwaters have a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. A great way to explore the hinterland is to go through the villages. A guide takes a group of people through the villages on an open boat or covered kettuvellum. The tour lasts from two to six hours. It's a fascinating experience to wander from village to village, learn how the village economy runs, and watch coir making, boat building, toddy tapping and fish farming. Some of the best village tours operate out of Kochi, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. On the backwaters you have the major towns Allapuzha and Varkala and Quilon. Quilon is nestled among cashew plantations and red-roofed wooden
house set among winding streets. It has Portuguese and Dutch and English
influences. The boat cruise here consists of passing through the cashew
processing factories. There are lots of birds to watch out for - Brahminy kites,
egrets, kingfishers, and bee-eaters. You can tickle your taste buds with some
sumptuous seafood. Prawn farming, fish catching, copra drying and matchstick
making are the main occupations here. After the cruise you can get off at the
Government Guest house at Ashtamudi center by the water's edge. There are large
Chinese pickle jars, old lithographs of British times, old willow pattern plates
that give you feel of its past. Matha Restaurant near the jetty is really cheap
and serves up spiced chicken to the local laborers. Jala Subhiksha is Kollam's
floating restaurant. The KTDC Yatri Niwas is a great riverside hotel with a
pleasant water front lawn. Palm Lagoon is an idyllic resort offering cottages on
the shores of Ashtamudi Lake. There are more backwater tours and ayurvedic
massages. Allapuzha Kottayam As you take a cruise do make it a point to go to Changanacherry and from there to Aranmula near Kottayam. You can enroll at the art village, Vijnana kala Vedi center, to learn woodcarving, dance, martial arts like Kalaraipayattu, and traditional medicine. You can fashion your own course though one month's training is preferred. You can take in an authentic all-night Kathakali performance at Thiruvalla. There are daily cruises from the Alleppey Tourist Development Corporation on alternate days. Many hotels in Komala Road Allapuzha book these. Cruises some of them by private operators start at 10.30 a.m. and reach by 6.30 p.m. The two stops are a midday lunch stop and a brief tea stop at Ayirmthengu or the coir village a mandatory stop. Amrithapuri Kettuvelloms and Speedboats |
Our Travel Network
[India
Palace on Wheels]
[Indian
Tigers] [Car
Rental in Rajasthan] [
Tour Operator India]
[Indian
Wildlife Tour] [India Travel Club] [India
Travel Guide]
[Hotels in India] [Rajasthan
Hotels] [Indian
Heritage Hotels]
[Hotels
in Rajasthan] [Rajasthan
Heritage Hotels]
[Travel
Agents in India]
[Indian
Himalayan Journeys]
Click
Here Our International Travel Agents & Hoteliers
Rajasthan Hotels Directory
Copyright © 2004 -2011,
All Rights Reserved
Conceptualized & Developed by
travel-in-rajasthan.com
Kerala,
[Capital Trivandrum]
a narrow, fertile strip on the south-west coast of India, is sandwiched
between the Lakshadweep Sea and the Western Ghats, whose dense forests and
extensive ridges have sheltered Kerala from many mainland invaders. At the
same time, the state's long coastline has encouraged maritime contact with
the outside world. Such contact has resulted in an intriguing blend of
cultures. With foreign influences as disparate as Chinese, Portuguese, Arab
and Dutch, Kerala's multitude of faiths - Islam, Judaism, and a host of
sects of Christianity and Hinduism - all coexist harmoniously in a state
that is known for its Marxist inclinations! Christianity has been in Kerala
for as long as it has been in Europe.