KERALA – Where Gods reside
A Glimpse
Kerala, India's most literate state, is one of its kind. Shaded beneath the waving palm trees and the cool sand, it sits between the azure-hued Nilgiris of the Western Ghats & the foamy waters of the Arabian Sea. The state is filled with beaches cut straight out of magazines, unique backwaters, aesthetic religious buildings dedicated to every religion. It shares borders with Tamil Nadu & Karnataka and is home to the age-old practice of Ayurveda. According to National Geographic Channel, Kerala comes under "ten paradises of the world' and it is in every way, justifiable.
What to expect
When you're in Kerala, expect to get refreshed by the salty ocean breeze. Hop in the Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary to bath, feed and interact with elephants. Spend a lazy afternoon in a luxurious houseboat in Alleppey backwaters. Witness the snake boat races in Alappuzha from July to September or reserve yourself a treehouse in Munnar and go for rock climbing and mountain biking. Trek through the spice and coffee plantations in Munnar and Wayanad. Don't forget to attend the exclusive Kathakali, Mohini Attam & Theyyam performances held across Kerala. They're the dance forms that originated here. Watch the Tigers in the Periyar Jungle Safari. And lastly, relax on the beaches of Kerala watching the sunset to make your vacation memorable.
Culinary Encounters
Sadya is the traditional meal of Kerala, served during special occasions. It is an extensive platter of steamed rice served with lentils, elaborate gravy dishes, bananas, pickles, pappadams & payasam. Payasam is a rich rice pudding slow cooked in full cream milk with dry fruits and coconut chunks. Also, check out on rice noodles served with egg curries. The locals of Kerala eat steamed tapioca for breakfast. For breakfast, they also love rice cakes stuffed with coconut and served with chickpea gravy. Also, don't miss out on the signature Kerala biryani and fish curries prepared with exotic spices. Stir fried mussels are also popular here. And of course, the buttered Dosa, golden and crispy for your liking.
Places you cannot miss
Silent Valley National Park
How to Reach
Kerala is connected to the rest of the country through 500 chains of train routes. Direct trains to Kerala can be booked from Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata & Mumbai.
A wide range of state-run buses and private, air-conditioned buses ply to Kerala from Bangalore, Chennai and other cities from the neighboring states of Karnataka & Tamil Nadu.
NH66, NH544, NH766, NH 85, NH183, NH744, NH966 run from this state as well.
Kerala has three airports in Kochi, Kozhikode, and Trivandrum that run domestic and international flights.