Travel to Kerala

Kerala, popularly known as 'God's Own Country', is sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Today, the state is among the top 10 tourist hotspots in the world by virtue of its natural splendour.
Travel to Kerala

The beautiful land of Kerala exudes a benign charm. The mighty Western Ghat hills in the West roll down to the golden sun-bathed coasts along the Arabian Sea via undulating verdant woods.

A travel to Kerala would take you to its undulating backwaters gliding through the canals and estuaries. Count on some amazing spectacle as you skim past paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes and coconut groves.

The golden beaches in an eternal affair with the Arabian Sea would sweep you off your feet; the misty hills in green velvet and the alluring fragrance of the tea and coffee plantation would beckon you to a worldly sojourn as you travel to Kerala. Do not forget to pay a visit to some of the state's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. You may catch up some rare wild lives in the natural surroundings.

How to Reach Kerala
How to reach Kerala is a commonly asked question. A modern and progressive state with a cosmopolitan look, Kerala is accessible quite easily. Well connected by all major systems of transport, the place is now one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world. Cochin is the main sea-port opening out into the Arabian Sea. Travelling to Kerala is a wholesome experience, educative and enriching, rejuvenating and fulfilling.

An important tourist destination among Indians and foreigners, Kerala is very well connected by:

By Air

There are three airports in the state, located at Thiruvnanthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode, two of which are International Airports. The Karipur Airport, Kozhikode plays host to domestic airlines, while the Thiruvnanthapuram International Airport and the Cochin Airport, Nedumbassery operate both domestic and international flights.

By Road

A very strong commutation network makes Kerala easily accessible from all parts of the country. Kerala is directly connected by road to both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. National Highway no. 47, 17, 49, and an extensive system of metalled roads connect Kerala to the rest of the country. Buses, tourist taxis, and autos are the main modes of road transport here.

By Train

There are 200 railway stations in Kerala, connecting places both within and outside Kerala. One can avail of super-fast, and express trains to reach one's chosen destination. The train services link the state to all the important cities of India including the four metropolitan cities namely, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Places to See in Kerala

Kerala Backwaters
Kerala is home to some of the most wonderful and serene waterways, estuaries, lakes, canals, rivers etc. This huge interlocking network of waterways can be traveled and enjoyed on a houseboat. The backwaters of Kerala are home to some of the most beautiful and unique variety of aquatic life ranging from frogs, crabs, mudskippers, kingfishers, cormorants, darters, to turtles and corters.
Kozhikode Backwaters

Leafy plants, shrubs, Palm trees along the sides of backwaters provide the environment a green tinge. Some of the beautiful backwaters of Kerala that you can pay visit are Kollam backwaters, Alleppey backwaters, Kozhikode Backwaters, Cochin Backwaters, Kasaragod Backwaters etc. Read More.....

Kerala Hill Stations
The exotic land of Kerala houses a number of beautiful hill stations which adds to the appeal of Kerala. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city then you can check out the salubrious hills of Kerala. 
Munnar Hill Stations

Some of the beautiful hill stations are Munnar, Ranipuram, Devikulam, Ponmudi, Idukki, Pythal Mala to name a few. The mesmerizing beauty of these emerald green places is something to watch for. Read More.....  

Kerala Beaches
If you are a beach lover, then come and visit Kerala. It has almost all kinds of beaches be it sandy, coconut, rocky or promontories. Besides the clean blue water of the sea, there is also a wide range of delicious seafood cuisines to make your holiday unforgettable. 
Kovalam beach

The beaches of Kerala attract visitors from all over the world. Some of the famous beaches are Cherai beach, Bekal beach, Kappad beach, Kovalam beach, Dharmadam beach, Fort Kochi beach, Beypore beach and Alappuza beach. Read More.....   

Kerala Wildlife
Kerala Wildlife sanctuaries house a huge variety of animals, marine life and birds of all most all species. Some of the rarest species can also be traced down in Kerala. Some of these animals are Nilgiri tahr, tigers, leopards, elephants, macaque, deer, butterflies, moths, crabs, mudskippers and the list goes on. 
Kerala Wildlife
The wildlife sanctuaries that you must pay a visit are Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.  Read More.....  

Hotels of Kerala
Kerala is home to all kinds of hotels, resorts and also Ayurvedic spas. Abounding in natural beauty Kerala is known as God's Own Country. It is thronged by tourists both domestic and foreign throughout the year and to carry out the accommodation needs of all the tourists, Kerala has many hotels and resorts. From Budget to mid-range to top-end hotels Kerala has it all. The hotels and resorts in Kerala are equipped with the latest amenities of which cater to all tastes and pockets. Read More ...

Kerala Recipes
Breakfast in a Malayali household may consist of one or more of the following dishes:
  • Appam
  • Puttu
  • Idiyapam
  • Idli
  • Dosa
  • Idiyapam

A traditional festival meal, Sadya or Saddya as it is called, is served on a plantain leaf end with the narrow end to the left. It necessarily includes the following dishes:
  • Parripu (Dal)
  • Sambar (Dal cooked with a slight tempering of vegetables like brinjal, drumstick, tomatoes etc)
  • Rasam ( A clear soup)
  • Avial (Assorted vegetables cooked in a paste of grated coconut and curd, spiced with cumin and green chillies)
  • Kaalan (Curry in a curd base)
  • Theyal
  • Olan (Red beans and White Pumpkin cooked in coconut gravy)
  • Thoran
  • Erisseri (Dal and Yam spiced with Cumin)
  • Pulli Inji (Ginger pieces in a spicy tamarind pulp)
  • Pachadi (Raita)
  • Kichadi
  • Chips (Banana/ Tapioca/Jackfruit)
  • Pradhaman/Payasam

The order in which the food is served is of physiological, cultural and religious significance. On the bottom left are placed the Pappadam and Chips. Above these the pickles and Pulli Inji are placed. Now from left to right are served Thoran, Olan, Avial, Kalan, Erisseri and Pachadi. In the middle of the leaf rice is served. On it Parippu, Sambar, Rasam and Curd may be served as per the course. The Payasam/ Pradaman is served between the Rasam and Curd courses. The courses get lighter as the meal proceeds and the addition of digestive tidbits such as Pulli Inji or Lime Pickle ensure complete digestion. Pradhaman or Payasam may be of many kinds but the favorite is Pal Payasam (rice cooked in milk with jaggery or sugar). The order in which the food is served is said to signify the spiritual progress of the soul from materialism (spicy) towards spiritualism (refined and subtle).

All in all, a travel through the different districts of Kerala shall indeed prove a gastronomic delight. Maps of India brings to you a few mouthwatering recipes and authentic Malayali fare. 

Kerala Travel Map

Kerala Travel Map
 

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