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Kerala Attractions
Kerala, in southwestern India is a very popular tourist destination. Tourists from all over the world travel to Kerala to enjoy an Indian holiday on the beaches, backwaters and hills of Kerala. Traveler's come to see Kerala's wildlife sanctuaries, historic cities and temples. Stressed out urban dwellers rejuvenate themselves at the ayurveda spas and resorts in Kerala. On their Indian Holiday they discover why Kerala is truly "God's own country."
Tourist Attractions in Kerala are :
Alappuzha :
Alappuzha or Alleppey is a market town located along a network of canals and surrounded by coconut trees. Alappuzha is a one of the better starting points for exploring the backwaters. The waterways surrounding the town are still in use and service the coir industry, which has been in existence since the 19th C.
The famous Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race takes place annually in August on Vembanad Lake in Alleppey. Each boat has a crew of up to 100 rowers and is avidly watched by thousands of spectators.
The Mullakal Devi Temple in Alappuzha participates in a festival each December that is celebrated with dance, music, and rituals. There is also a modern Jain shrine built next to the older shrine.
Kannur :Kannur, or Cannanore, was an important spice-trading port that had visitors such as Marco Polo and various colonial powers including the Dutch, Portugese and British.
Kannur has some excellent beaches, none that are particularly well known but the most popular is Payyambalam Beach.
Theyyam is a ritualistic art form that was developed from folk dances. Kannur is one of the best places in Kerala to see theyyam performed. It is performed to ward off poverty and illness, and as an offering to deities. The theyyam season runs from October to May.
Kasargode :Kasargode is a district in northern Kerala bounded by the Western Ghats to the east and Arabian Sea to the west. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word for 'land of lakes' which refers to the twelve rivers flowing across its terrain.
Kasargode has a large Muslim population and it is noted for the many mosques. As it develops into a tourist destination, Kasargode also offers engaging temples and beautiful beaches.
The cultural heritage of Kasargode is found in the famous art forms of Yakshagana, Bombe-yattu and Theyyam. The art forms of pulikkali and oppana are added to many of the festivals and celebrations.
Kochi :Kochi has a natural harbor and is located at the entrance to the backwaters near the Arabian Sea, which gives it a rich maritime heritage.
Kochi was settled by the Portugese in the 16th C, becoming one of India's first European colonies. Some of the historical sights include the oldest church in India, mosques, 500 year old Portugese houses, a16th C synagogue and a Portugese palace.
Fort Cochin and Mattancherry are a blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and English country village. The Chinese fishing nets are also distinct to Kochi - only found here! A whole stretch of the coast along Fort Kochi and Vypeen are dotted with these nets.
Kollam :Kollam is a bustling market town that was once an important trading city. The Portuguese were the first to establish a trading center at Kollam in 1502. The name of the town has changed frequently over time, it has been known as Desinganadu, Kollam, and Quilon.
The town of Kollam is surrounded by coconut and cashew plantations situated on Ashtamudi Lake. The tropical climate means that summer lasts from March to May and then the monsoon season begins, lasting from June to September.
The busy main streets of Kollam lead to quiet winding alleys lined with old wooden houses and red-tiled roofs. Kollam is also a popular gateway for boat trips on the backwaters.
Kovalam :Kovalam is Kerala's most popular beach resort with development causing it to become "the paradise of the south". Even with the development occurring, Kovalam has retained its charm and the beaches have stayed cleaned.
Kovalam is a popular haven for tourists to enjoy the scenic beauty, a variety of accommodations and many restaurants that offer western style and Indian food. Ayurvedic massage parlors, yoga centers and water sport facilities also draw travelers one of India's most visited beach resorts. Surfing, swimming and snorkeling are among the desirable water sports.
Kozhikode :Kozhikode, or Calicut as it is also known, is a prosperous town that played a significant part in the spice trade. Kozhikode became the capital of the Zamorin dynasty in the 10th C and it became famous for its textiles, calico cotton is believed to have originated there.
Today, Kozhikode is an important commercial center for the timber trade and boat building. Some of the prime attractions include Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Tusharagiri, Thali Temple and several mosques. The town is the perfect starting point for excursions to the sanctuary.
Kozhikode experiences a humid climate with a very hot season from March to May.
Munnar :Munnar is a small town that has developed into a hill resort set amid Annamudi, South India's highest mountain peak. Munnar was established by the British and has become the commercial center for some of the world's highest tea-growing plantations. Tate Tea controls most of the tea production around Munnar and is one of India's largest producers
The town of Munnar still has many of the colonial buildings such as old bungalows and much of the recreation focuses around the clubs, which were set up for the British planters.
Thrissur :Regarded as Kerala's cultural capital, Thrissur has many famous temples, churches, art colleges and schools for performing arts. The most prominent feature in Thrissur is the Vadakkumnathan Temple, which has Shiva as its presiding deity. The temple is admired for its architecture and detailed woodcarvings.
Festival season runs from November to mid-May and Thrissur is the ideal base for discovering Kerala's spiritual celebrations. Thrissur is also a good base for pilgrims traveling to Guruvayur, one of India's most important pilgrim centers. Near Guruvayur is 'Punnathur Kotta', the place where the temple elephants are cared for.
Thiruvananthapuram : Thiruvananthapuram, also called Trivandrum, is an ancient city whose name means 'the city of the sacred serpent'. The capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is a beautiful seaside city built over seven hills.
Thiruvananthapuram and its beaches are a top tourist attraction and the well- connected transportation system is very helpful in getting travelers to their destinations by air, rail and road.
The city of Trivandrum is a mix of modern and traditional architecture, which is visible in the Legislative Assembly, the Museum Complex, the temples and Palace. The narrow winding lanes allow visitors to take in the ambience of old Kerala through the pagoda-style buildings and red-tiled roofs.
Varkala :Varkala is located in a cliff-top setting with excellent beaches and a peaceful resort setting. Varkala's main beach, Papanasam is a long, golden beach with red laterite cliffs as a backdrop from which mineral water springs forth. Papanasam is a holy beach, which means 'destroyer of the sins' and the mineral water that flows is known for their medicinal qualities.
The town of Varkala is also famous for Janardhana Temple, which was rebuilt in the 13th C. There are several smaller shrines that date from an earlier period located around the temple.
Wayanad :Wayanad District is a land of forests located in northeast Kerala with a high tribal population. The principal tribes consist mainly of Paniyas, Adiyas, Kattunayakan, Kurumar and Kurichiyans. The main attractions of Wayanad District are the scenic beauty and wildlife.
Other important tourist destinations within Wayanad District are Chembra Peak, the highest hill in Wayanad; Edakkal Cave for its prehistoric carvings; Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary and Sentinel Rock Waterfalls.
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