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Kerala is a green strip of land, in the South West corner of
Indian peninsula. It has only 1.1 8 per cent of the total area
of the country but houses 3.43% of the the country's population
Every district
in Kerala has it's own unique culture and characteristics. Thiruvananthapuram is known for it's beach- Kovalam, the Sri
Padmanabhaswamy Temple and various museums and palaces;
Alappuzha for it's backwaters, Thrissur, the cultural capital,
Kottayam for it's ancient churches, Kozhikode for it's old world
charm and the entrancing Ponmudi or Golden valley.
Capital of Kerala:
Though
a bit of a tongue-twister, Thiruvananthapuram - the present
official name, is closer to it's mythological origins. The word
' Thiru ananthapuram' means the city of Anantha or the abode of
the sacred thousand-headed serpent Anantha, who forms the couch
on which reclines Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu
trinity.
Built on seven hills, it was the capital of the Venad
chieftains. The city has grown as a tourist and commercial
centre, with the International airport becoming the main gateway
into Kerala. Being the state capital, it also throbs with
political activity.
History of Kerala:
Original inhabitants were animists, followed by the Dravidians.
After Alexander's triumphant sweep over Asia Minor, the ports of
Kerala became a link between the Middle East, the Mediterranean
and China.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama made his historic landing on the Malabar
Coast. In 1723, the East India Company signed a strategic treaty
with King Marthanda Varma. For a few decades, Hyder Ali and his
son -Tipu sultan proved to be a thorn in the flesh of the
British, sweeping down several times into Kerala. In 1947, it
was the turn of the British to pack their bags.
People of Kerala:
Kerala also has considerable ethnic diversity. The Malayali
majority belong to the Dravidian group (local race) of early
Indian peoples.
There is a small population of descendants of Indo-European
migrants from the north. Certain hill tribes exhibit affinities
with the Negrito peoples of Southeast Asia. Most Keralites are
Hindus, but there are also large Christian and Islamic, and
lesser Jain and Jewish, minorities.
The official language is Malayalam. A long contact with the
outside world has led to an intriguing blend of cultures and
given Keralites a cosmopolitan outlook
Culture of Kerala:
One aspect of the state's rich cultural heritage is manifest in
its varieties of religious architecture: ancient Hindu temples
with copper-clad roofs, later Islamic mosques with "Malabar
gables," and colonial Portuguese Baroque churches.
Splendid paintings, especially murals, exhibit distinct local
traditions and styles. The land is a flourishing center of the
Kathakali dance form. The state has also a rich theatre
tradition: the only surviving Sanskrit drama, Koottiyattam, is
still performed by the Chakkiars of Kerala. Some principles of
the Natya-Shastra are evident in their presentations.
Kerala Occupation:
Agriculture is the state's main economic activity. Plantations
of cardamom, cashew nut, coconuts, coffee, ginger, pepper,
rubber, and tea account for 40 percent of the total land.
Commercial poultry farming is well developed. Cottage
industries--for example, the processing of coconut fibre and
cashews or weaving--employ about three-fifths of Kerala's
industrial workers. Most of those employed by larger industrial
enterprises are engaged in food and textile processing.
KERALA CLIMATE :
The climate is equable and varies little from season to season.
The temperature normally ranges between 27º and 32º C in the
plains but drops to about 21º C in the highlands.
Winter - 32 to 20 º C. Kerala is strongly buffeted by both the
southwest and northeast monsoons. Rainfall in many parts of the
state exceeds 118 inches. Best season: October to March.
Festivals:
10-day annual festival in January at Sreekandeswaram Temple,
Thiruvananthapuram. In February, is the week-long Nishagandhi
Dance festival; Pooram festival in Thrissur around April-May;
Flavor Food Festival, at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds,
Thiruvananthapuram in May.
Onam Week celebrations, the annual harvest festival of Kerala
begins in August and lasts for 10 days. Another important
festival is the annual Pongala Utsavam, to which only women are
allowed at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.
Therayattam festival is held to propitiate the gods and demons
recognized by the pantheon of the Malayalis.
Backwaters
Kerala's backwaters and lagoons stretch over 1900 km. Kerala
lives along these backwaters. They snake over the state
physique, bestowing paddy fields with good harvests, and provide
the whole village with drinking water and other facilities. The
backwaters refer to the large inland lakes of Kerala. Today
these backwaters act as vital water ways for the transport of
people and produce. They are often the only link between remote,
isolated villages and crowded town pockets. It's an incredible
experience to float on these soothing waters in a country craft
to absorb this unusual representation of Kerala
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Kerala
Beaches
Beaches,
touristy and unexplored, galore along the 600 km Kerala coast. A
bunch of them have historical significance too. Kodungalore
coast near Kochi had been where St.Thomas, the Apostle of Christ
and first missionary in Indian coast, landed. Vasco De Gama, the
first European voyager, stranded at Kappad near Calicut
heralding the European invasion.
Sea has always been an inspiration for Malayali literati and
filmmakers. Keep your ears close to the pages of Malayalam
novels. You can hear roaring of sea and the poignant life on the
coastal Kerala. Ace novelist, late Thakazhi had set, Chemmeen,
his masterpiece, against the background of sea. Many films have
coastal life as background screen.
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Kerala Hill Stations
Inhale
the bracing mountain air, relax in peace, stroll down winding
paths, marvel at the beautiful views, enjoy the profusion of
flowers in bloom. Kerala's exotic appeal is centered in the
highland area of the Western Ghats. Rising to an average height
of 1520 m, it houses rich flora and fauna.
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Kerala
Wildlife Tours
Elephant Shake hands Discover the elephant's point of view.
Feast your eyes on the most exotic of wildlife. And realize that
there's much more to life when a deer stops to look at you. When
a monkey decides to renew acquaintance. When a blue-winged
Parakeet sings for you
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