No other Southern state perhaps, introduces the traveller to the colourful, the exquisite and the varied delights of South India quite as charmingly as.... Kerala does.

Kerala has been nominated as one of the top 50 tourist locations in the world. This nomination by the National Geographic magazine can be attributed to a melange of reasons. One reason is its great natural beauty. Primarily an agricultural state, Kerala has been blessed by a generous climate. Palms grow in an unbroken stand from one end of the state to the other. Paddy fields stun the beholders with their green fluorescence. The countryside undulates down from the Western Ghats as plentiful rivers and streams radiate through the bountiful plains. The entire countryside is a poem in greens, fragrant with the smell of the earth and the rain. Along the coast, sand dunes shelter a linked chain of lagoons and backwaters. Country canoes ply on still waters and you look up at the skies raucous with sea-gulls and koels.

The climate is tranquil and temperate, the temperature normally ranges from 80 to 90 F in the plains but drops to about 70 F in the highlands. The rains are frequent and heavy, the air is moist and soft on the skin.

Kerala has a lot of activities for the tourist. The temple festivals with chentai, elephant processions and fireworks are frequent. Dance festivals of the ancient dance forms like Kathakali, Theyyam and Mohiniattam are there for the aficionado. Courses in indigenous martial art forms like Kalaripayyatu can be taken. The elegant snake boat races are colourful and exciting. Beaches like Kovalam provide beach sport conveniences. Kerala's wildlife sanctuaries (like Thekkady) are popular vacation sites for nature lovers. Trekkers can explore at leisure the gentle rolling slopes of the Ghats.

Kerala is an educationally advanced state, and has the highest rate of literacy (100%) among Indian states. Though political unrest, processions, strikes and bandhs are commonplace, Kerala has a long tradition of religious amity.

Kerala is also very well connected by rail, road, air and water. As long as one wants to go somewhere nice to have fun, has money, an umbrella and lots of time, Kerala is THE place to be.

Post Comment

Name : Email : Password : Comments :