India Travel Information

An Introduction :
If there is one place in the riveting diversity of India where there is tangible beauty and a phenomenal thing like total literacy, it is in Kerala.

Kerala located at the southernmost tip is a 560 km long, narrow stretch of land is the India's only tropical paradise and the most advanced society. Coconut happens to be an integral part of the cuisine of the people of Kerala. Chilies, curry leaves, mustard seeds, tamarind and a safetida happen to be other vital ingredients in the hot and spicy dishes from Kerala. At the same time fish and rice seem to be the food for the daily meals. The backwaters are an attractive and economically valuable feature of Kerala. These include lakes and ocean in lets which stretch irregularly along the lengthy coastline of Kerala.

Attractions :
If we talk of tangible but inexpressible beauty and a phenomenal feature like total literacy, the first name that comes to mind is Kerala. It is known for the charisma of intriguing customs, high-intensity cultural life and educated population. From Kasargode to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala offers places that attract tourists and travelers from all over the world, justifying its appellation Kerala - God's Own Country. The tourist spots in Kerala include Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam, Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey, Kovalam, Mararikulam, Varkala and Poovar.

» Kerala Backwaters - As a tourist, while you can find hill stations at all parts of the country, the dense, lush Backwaters of the state along the 600km long coastline of dazzling beaches unique to Kerala. These Backwaters are both the basis of a distinct lifestyle and fascinating sights. The boats cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes and travel along narrow shady canals, where Coir, Copra, and Cashews are loaded into the boats.

» Nehru Trophy Boat Race - Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most famous of the boat races of Kerala and is held on the Punnamada Backwaters of Alappuzha district on the second Saturday of August. The spectacular race features magnificent snake boats or 'Chundans'. The boisterous and rhythmic boat songs or Vanchipattu work the spectators to a state of frenzy.

» Aattukal Pongala - The Aattukal Bhagavathi Temple dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathi is situated in Thiruvananthapuram city. The temple is specially famous for Pongala, an exclusive festival for women that falls in February/ March.

» Onam Festival - Onam which is the biggest festival of Kerela is celebrated in memory of the golden era of King Mahabali whose spirit is said to visit the state at the time of Onam. It is a time for sports, festivities, and ritual celebrations in Kerala. Colorful aquatic festivals are organized along the sacred rive Pampa as part of the celebrations.

» Aattukal Pongala - The Aattukal Bhagavathi Temple dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathi is situated in Thiruvananthapuram city. The temple is specially famous for Pongala, an exclusive festival for women that falls in February/ March.

Kerela is tourists' paradise. Kerala's numerous monuments speak volumes about its rich historical heritage. Legends, myths and archaeological findings combine to provide interesting evidence regarding the early history of Kerala. One can soak in the rich heritage of Kerala. With about 35 different types of tribal people in Kerala, tribal dances like elelakkaradi, paniyarkali and mankali still survive. For an unforgettable experience, back water of Kerala provide a exotic experience. Kerela has a lot to offer to its visitors in terms of culture and sight seeing.

Cuisine :
Sadya, the typical kerala feast served on a banana leaf, is a sumptuous spread of rice and more than fourteen vegetable dishes - sambar, rasam, olan, kaalan, pachadi, kichadi, aviyal, etc. Tender coconut water, 'the world's safest natural soft drink', is a refreshing nutritious thirst quencher. Kerala is a land of Ayurveda. Kerala"s equable climate, natural abundance of forests and the cool monsoon season (June-November) Are best suited for ayurveda"s curative and restorative packages. Kerala is also known as God's own country!

How to reach Kerala??
» Air - There are three airports in the state - Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. Thiruvananthapuram is also an international airport, connecting the state to many places in India and the world.

» Thiruvananthapuram International Airport - Domestic flights (direct): From/To: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai
International flights (direct): From/To: Colombo, Maldives, Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Doha, Ras-al-Khaimah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Fujairah and Singapore.

» Karipur Airport, Kozhikode - Domestic flights (direct): From/To: Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore
International flights (direct): From/To: Sharjah, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha, Ras-al-Khaimah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Fujairah

» Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery - Domestic flights (direct): From/To: Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Agathi, Bangalore
International flights (direct): From/To: Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Riyadh, Muscat

» Rail - There are around 200 railway stations in Kerala connecting most of the places in the state to places in the other parts of India and inside the state. Long-distance express trains connect important places in the state to places outside Kerala like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.

» Road - An extensive network of metalled roads connects most of the places in the state. National highways 47, 17, and 49 connect Kerala with other parts of India.