Where is Kerala?
The state of Kerala is located on the Malabar Coast of Southwestern India.
It is surrounded by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka on its east and northeast and
to its west and south lie the Lakshdweep and the Maldives islands of the
India Ocean.
What is the state famous for?
Kerala is a magic network of innumerable lakes, exquisite lagoons,
beautiful canals and some exquisite beaches. Crusing along the
Kerala backwaters in luxurious
houseboats is an ethereal experience to the visitors. Set wonderfully in the
Western Ghat ranges is the
Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary which attracts myriad of visitors from far and wide.
What are the main spoken languages?
Malayalam, English and Hindi are the main spoken languages of the state.
Which
are the important cities?
The chief cities of the state are Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Alappuzha,
Kottayam, Kozhikode, Thekkady, Kollam, Thrisur, Munnar, Kannur, Idduki,
Malappuram and Palakkad.
» Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, offers its visitors a number of
places to see, explore and enjoy. The popular places include names like Sree
Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Veli Lagoon, The Government Museum, Sree Chitra Art
Gallery, Observatory, Shanghumugham Beach, Scinece and Technology Museum,
Kowdiar Palace etc.
» Cochin
the city of Cochin is known all over for Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue,
St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica Church, Bolghatty Island, Willington
Island etc.
» Alappuzha
Referred to as the 'Venice of the East', Alappuzha is gifted with a vast
network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers. It offers breathtaking
Kerala backwaters cruises. It is today known all over for its boat races,
house boat holidays, beaches, marine products and the very famous Coir
industry.
» Kottayam
Kottayam is located to the south of Cochin. It is an important cultural
centre, boasting of some very beautiful ancient churches. Cheria Palli, St.
Mary's Church and St. Joseph Monastery are some of the most prized
possessions of the place. Kottayam backwaters are simply amazing.
»
Kozhikode
With the Arabian Sea on the west and the mesmerising Wayanad Hills on the
east, Kozhikode has got everything to be an idyllic tourist destination.
Pazhassiraja Museum, Dolphin's Point, Science Planetarium, Manachira, Marine
Life Aquarium and Art Gallery are the chief attractions of the place.
Thekkady-
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady is one of the most fascinating
wildlife reserves in the world. The undulating chains of hills and spice
scented plantations of the city leave no one untouched.
Kollam- Heading 71
km north of Thiruvananthapuram, one comes to Kollam. It is the centre of the
country's cashew trading and processing industry. It is the gateway to the
magnificent backwaters of Kerala. Here one can find some interesting
historic remnants and numerous temples built in the traditional ornate
architectural style.
Munnar-
Located at the confluence of Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala rivers,
Munnar is an idyllic hill resort of the state. It used to be the summer
resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea
plantations, picturesque towns and zigzagging lanes add an unfailing charm
to the place.
Where are the main airports located?
The state has three airports in all. Trivandrum and Cochin are
international airports. There are regular flights operating from Singapore,
Colombo, Male, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Calicut airport
is the domestic airport in the state.
What
does the climate say?
The state of Kerala has a tropical climate, remaining pleasant for most
part of the year. Summers extend from April to June, and the temperature
rarely rises above 32 degrees centigrade. October to January is the winter
time. The minimum temperature in winters records 20 degrees. The southwest
monsoon arrives in the month of June continuing till September.
Which are the famous wildlife sanctuaries?
Nestled in the verdant forests of the Western Ghats are fourteen wildlife
sanctuaries in the state. The popular sanctuaries include names like
Thiruvanthapuram Wildlife Sanctuary, Kollam wildlife Sanctuary, Kottayam
Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Ernakulam Wildlife Sanctuary,
Thrissur Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary, Rajmala Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary etc.
What can be the best buys?
Best buys of Kerala include traditional handicrafts like wood carvings,
souvenir, brass ware, copper ware, bell metal products, can and bamboo
works, Coir products, sandalwood, conch shells and numerous varieties of
paintings and masks.
