Kerala is a southwestern coastal state in India which is divided into 14 districts and Thiruvananthapuram as its capital. It is a very small state yet it attracts a large number of tourists from different parts of the country and world as well. Kerala is home to the languid backwaters, leafy coastlines, sprawling tea gardens and coconut vendors who you will spot at every corner to vanquish your thirsts. Kerala is one of the paradises filled with greenery and lovely hills. It is one of the best tropical destinations one can look for since it amuses you with its spectacular Kovalam beach and also you can enjoy your hike to Munnar hills. People in Kerala speak Malayalam which is widely spoken and is also the official language of the state. Kerala has a very high percentage of literacy level though you will find a language barrier but people there are fluent in English.
Amazing art forms, handicrafts, music and dance forms are a center of attraction there. Apart from its beauty Kerala is also rich in production of pepper and natural rubber which also contributes to the country’s national income. Secondly, it also contributes to the production of coconut, tea, coffee, cashew and spices and fish industry holds a very important place in the market since it contributes to 3% of the national income.
Location
It is situated on the south western tip of Indian peninsula and stretches for about 360 miles along the Malabar Coast and the Western Ghats running in length too. The state of Karnataka borders it to the north and the state of Tamil Nadu borders it to the east and Arabian Sea to the South and west.
Weather Conditions
Kerala has an equable climate since it’s situated at the coastal region and the temperature varies from season to season and throughout the year the temperature rises from (27-32 ∞C). . Kerala has a favorable climate throughout the year but generally, the monsoon hits the state from the month of June and it continues till the month of September and also monsoon is the best season to visit since you will always remember the rains in Kerala. You can stay without any hustle in Kerala all year round just because of its moderate climate.
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Zoha Khan
(Content Creator, Go4Explore)
Places to Visit in Kerala:
Trivandrum
It is the capital of Kerala which has a distinguished British architecture and many art galleries. This city has amazing scenic places to visit and offers a huge variety of sights including incredible museums, beautifully designed palaces, sacred temples, mesmerizing beaches and backwaters.
The Napier Museum is located in the heart of the city and is a beautiful example of Indo – Saracenic architecture. This museum also has various architectural sculptures and archaeological collections too.
This city is best known for its houseboat cruises which run along the backwaters, its refreshing Lighthouse beach, the RKK Memorial Museum and the Kidangamparamba Temple.
It gives you a total different experience which you will cherish throughout your lifetime.
Kochi is a cosmopolitan city in Kerala which has a bustling commercial port. It is also called as the queen of the Arabian Sea. Because of its magnificent trade history it has been drawing traders from all around the globe for over 600 years. Kochi is best to visit during its monsoon season when sheets of rain have been persistently tearing down the settlement.
Kollam is also a thriving trading port which attracts a large number of people. Kollam still has a few numbers of Chinese populations and the town’s market is still named after them. The city is situated 72 km away from Thiruvananthapuram and houses oldest parts of Malabar Coast. The best feature of this city is that 1/3 part of the city is surrounded by backwaters of Kerala. Kollam also has various historic temples which are built according to the traditional style.
It is one of the most popular hill stations located in Idukki district, Kerala and is the largest tea growing region in South India. This place is a perfect holiday destination which attracts a large number of tourists. Surrounded by beautiful gigantic green mountains and tall lush green trees Munnar is considered the best and popular hill stations in the state of Kerala having some amazing site scenes to visit. Apart from this there is also an amazing fact about Munnar that it is home to endemic and highly endangered species like Nilgiri Thar and the Neelakurinji. Munnar is divided into Old Munnar, where the tourist information office is, where the bus station and most guest houses are located and there is this New Munnar which houses various shops selling hand -made chocolates, clothes and other antiques.
It is a small hill station which is about 5km from Munnar. Surrounded by huge tall mountains Devikulam is a place of natural beauty with a chilly climate and clouds floating over the mountain peaks. Devikulam has a beautiful lake named Devi Lake where it is believed that Lord Ram’s wife Sita used to take bath in the thermal water spring. Then there is this Pallivasal fall which is surrounded by lush rocking hills and same is the Thoovanam Falls which is clearly visible from the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Besides Devikulam is also filled with tea garden resulting into plenty of tea production and it also has spice plantation of different varieties.
Again Palakkad is mainly famous for its clear backwaters and its landscape and tranquil scenery cannot be missed. The place has been named after the Pala trees which once dominated the area. This town is also known as Gateway of Kerala and is surrounded by the mountains in the Western Ghats. Palakkad is the area which links Kerala to Tamil Nadu. Malampuzha Dam and Rock Garden are the major attractions of this place which are maintained beautifully and built aesthetically to take your breath away. Then there is the Tipu Sultan Fort which is gigantic and has a magnificent architecture and there are other numbers of attractions too like Silent Valley, Parambikulam, and Neliampathy Hills etc. Visiting these places of absolute beauty will give you countless of happy memeories.
It is 1100 meters above sea and far away from the loud city culture. This place is also filled with lush green trees and the place is quite enough so that you can enjoy the mental peace. Away from the loud city culture Vagamon is situated quite a far away from the city. Vagamon has a man-made forest built during the British era where shootings are done for a movie. The other attractive locations are the Marmala Waterfall which is an epitome of serenity and calmness. The other one is also a very popular site known as Baren hills which is again a mesmerizing site surrounded by mountains on its sides. Also, Vagamon is gaining popularity day by day because of the sport adventures and is now considered India’s topmost adventurous place with activities like trekking, rock climbing and paragliding. You can visit this place throughout the year to enjoy the greenery and the scenic beauty of the place.
Kannur is also a coastal city and was once an ancient trading port. It is a city cradled in the lap of nature and surrounded by the natural beauty of nature. Also, known as Cannanore is a beautiful city where you will find number of options to explore yourselves like beaches, monuments, ancient temples and mesmerizing picnic spots. Because of the deep footprints of the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British you will still find the aura of these people around you. You will always find a clear sky with a moderate climate with wind chasing and these are enough to attract you towards the city. The city has two beaches namely the Ezhimala and the other is Payyambalam Beach. Then there is this famous temple known as Parassinikkadavu and you can do other sites seeing in Paithalmala and Palakkayam Thattu.
This city is mainly known as sacred sites and colourful festivals and also known as the cultural capital of Kerala. This city is basically famous for fostering classical Keralan performing arts, religious sites and the renowned Onam festival and Vadakkumnathan Temple. This place is rich in Keralan culture and this city will help you know more about the South Indian culture. Also, the place is filled with number of sacred places which will revitalize you and fill your soul with spirituality. This place is sure to cast a spell on you with its colourful chants ringing with a rich Keralan culture. In the center is Vadakkumnathan Temple; dedicated to Lord Shiva and adorned with murals and the others are Tomb of Shakthan Thampuran and Archaeologgy Museum. You should try visiting this place during the festivals to witness how beautifully everything is celebrated and how peaceful it is to be among the divine deities.
This town is also a coastal area and is on the Arabian Sea and mainly known for Varkala Beach, backed by palm covered red cliffs. Varkala is so beautifully set that it has become one of the most loved backwaters spot. Varkala beach is considered one of the best Cliff beaches in Kerala which attracts a large number of tourists from all around the country and world. One of the specialties of this beach is that the restaurants keep playing amazing rock music so that you can chill yourselves. The shops near the beach sell elephant stamped trousers, silver jewelry and cotton yoga-mat bags. Varkala is also popular for its natural fisheries and if you are sea food lover then you are going to love the different varieties of sea foods served. If you want to grab some adventure fun then you can enjoy various activities like paragliding and parasailing. There is also a lighthouse in the area which you can visit during the evening. Varkala has other attractions too like Janardhana Swamy Temple, Anjengo Fort, Vishnu Temple and Sivagiri Mutt.
Kottayam is a perfect location for vacation since it is culturally rich and naturally enchanting. It is an ancient town located on a hilltop bordered with tantalizing Western Ghats on east and green paddy fields and thrilling Vembanad Lake on the west. This town is a proud town since it has achieved 100% literacy in India for the first time. Kottayam is also called the ‘City of Letters’ since it is the land of several publishing houses and print media. The town has mesmerizing landscapes and verdant fields which completely lure you. There are number of places you can visit in Kottayam like the Thriunakkera Mahadev Temple which is an abode of spirituality and divinity, Nadukani and Elaveezhapoonchira where you can enjoy the complete serenity of nature, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary which you enjoy on a house boat ride on the banks of Lake Vembanad.
It is a town in the mountainous Wayanad region of Kerala and takes its name from the very ancient Bathery Jain Temple and also is a very quaint and peaceful town. The majority of population here exists of the tribal people and they have agriculture as the prime source of their occupation. This town is visited by the tourists throughout the year because of its excellent opportunities for shopping and spectacular historical sites. It is located at an altitude of 1000 meters above the sea level and has magnificent hills interspersed with valleys, cliffs and plains. You will find a temperate climate here throughout the year with cold breeze blowing. It is a perfect picnic spot to go with your friends and family and the place is entirely filled with greenery. The valleys and hills give a magnificent view and the beauty is beyond words which will fill your soul with energy. People also love visiting the famous Jain temple and the Ganapati Temple. The jungle trails, sparkling streams and the historic caves have made this town a popular place.
Kalpetta is also a town in the mountainous Wayanad region and is a gateway to the trails of lofty Chembra Park and to Neelimala Viewpoint. Same as Sultan Bathery Kalpetta is also a town with a backdrop of majestic hills, lush green surroundings, fresh air and picturesque. It is rich in coffee production and the fragrance of coffee in the lanes of the town will refresh your tired souls. This place has a unique beauty where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape and has a moderate climate. To seek spirituality you can visit the Thirunelli Temple and to enjoy the scenic beauty Lakikidi View Point.
It is located in Mukundapuram Taluk, Thrissur district and 60km away from Kochi. Athirappily is popular for its waterfall and the rainforests and is also rich in biodiversity. The Athirappily falls are the cascade of fizzing waters that makes its way from the Anamudi Mountains. The height of the waterfall is 80ft from the ground level and its width is 330ft and is considered the largest waterfall in Kerala and also referred to as Niagara Falls of India. The waterfall descends through the verdant greenery of Vazhachal Forest. Above the fall there is a pool where you can chill and relax yourselves and swim in the chilly water. The rainforests in Athirappily are filled with charming green Sholayar Peaks peering over the rushing gush of falls. If you are a bird lover you cannot miss this place since it is the only place where four endangered Hornbill species are seen. So, make sure that you pay visit to this absolute beauty.
Information Shared by-
Zoha Khan
(Content Creator, Go4Explore)
Best time to visit- You can visit it anytime you want depending upon your taste but the most favorable time would be October to February as it would be a tolerable weather at that time. If you are planning your trip for Ayurveda treatments or rejuvenation programs then the month of June and august would be the most suitable.
->Emergency Contact Numbers-:
Ambulance-101 / 112
Women Helpline - 181
Police-100 / 112
Fire-102/ 108 / 112
Tourist Helpline - 1363
Child Helpline - 1098
Blood Needs - 104
Gas leakage - 1906
How to reach Kerala?
Well, since Kerala is a bit faraway State for the north Indians, the best way to reach it is by taking a flight to Trivandrum or Kochi since it takes 2-3 days if you travel through train. If money is an issue then you must get your flight tickets booked 3 months before in order to get them at a cheaper rate or you can also board a train if time is not an issue but the best option to reach is via flight since it’s only a 2-3 hour journey.
By Air- The connectivity via air is pretty good and you can take a flight from any of the major Airports of your state. Taking a flight to Trivandrum or Kochi would be the most convenient.
By train- The train connectivity is good too but taking a train from faraway states would not be convenient as it will consume a lot of time. If you live anywhere near Kerala then taking a train would be a good option.
By bus-The connectivity via bus is also an available option but with some restraints. You would only get a bus from nearby states and not delhi as the trip will get too long and tiring.
Information Shared by-
Zoha Khan
(Content Creator, Go4Explore)
Places to stay –
In Trivandrum –
In Alappuzha –
The resort provides you with home like facilities and a great service. The hotel is at a walking distance from the beach. You can book easily online through various websites
In Kochi –
In Munnar –
Information Shared by-
Zoha Khan
(Content Creator, Go4Explore)