Exploring Kerala: A Paradise of Nature, Culture, and Cuisine
Geography of Kerala
Kerala stretches along the Malabar Coast and borders the Arabian Sea on its western side and the Western Ghats on its eastern side. This means that Kerala presents various landscapes, including coast plains and rolling hills. On its eastern side, the Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts green landscapes.The Kerala backwaters, in fact, are a network of lagoons, lakes, rivers, and canals running parallel to the coast. Iconic backwater settings here seem to be an exotic place in itself, particularly within this region. The state is tropical in nature, and it has good rains during monsoons that is, during June to September. The climate, after these months, especially from October to March, is quite pleasant. This makes Kerala a travel-friendly state for people to visit at any time of the year.
Top Tourist Places in Kerala
From the serene backwaters to the bustling streets of its cities, Kerala is famous for an array of tourist destinations. Must-visit places in Kerala are as follows:1. Alleppey (Alappuzha): Alleppey has houseboat cruises on the backwaters of villages with coconut trees and paddy fields in view.
2. Munnar – This is the hill station one refers to when speaking of tea plantations and misty valleys, trails for trekking. Local sightseeing usually covers the Eravikulam National Park, where one can behold the rarest forms of Nilgiri Tahr.
3. Thekkady - It's a typical wildlife sanctuary which is known as Periyar National Park, take a boat ride to see elephants, bison, and other creatures in their natural environment.
4. Kumarakom - A serene village sitting on the backwaters of Vembanad Lake, houseboat cruises are also available, and bird watching at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
5. Kochi (Cochin) – This is a busy port city with so much colonial history. Kochi is known for such attractions as Fort Kochi, the Chinese fishing nets, and the Jewish Synagogue.
6. Kovalam Beach - That's a favorite of beach lovers, Kovalam is known for its clear waters, coconut trees, and a lighthouse offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.
Some Interesting Facts About Kerala
- Highest Literacy Rate: Kerala boasts of the highest literacy rate in India, almost 96 percent.- Birthplace of Ayurveda: Kerala is known to be the birthplace of Ayurveda which has been traced as a system of holistic healing over 5,000 years old.
- Spice Trade Legacy: One of the oldest spice trade centers was Kerala, especially black pepper, which has earned this state the sobriquet "Spice Garden of India."
- Snake Boat Races: The great Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held every year at Alleppey during the Onam festival. Actually, the race is more or less with traditional longboats racing through the backwaters.
Delicious Kerala Cuisine
Coconut is those free uses of rice and spices are some of the must-try dishes as follows:1. Sadya: This is an ancient feast of all vegetables, served mostly on banana leaves at every festival. The major things included here are rice, curries, pickles, and sweets like payasam Appam with Stew: Soft, spongy rice pancake served with thin mild coconut-based vegetable or meat stew.
3. Kerala Fish Curry Freshly caught fish is cooked along with this mix of spices and tamarind, which imparts tangy and spicy flavors.
4. Puttu and Kadala Curry Puttu is a steamed rice cake that forms one of the staples for preparing breakfast preparations along with spicy black chickpea curry.
5. Banana Chips: Thin slices of raw banana, fried in coconut oil, crunchy and salty are some of the most popular munchies.
Where to Stay in Kerala
Kerala has good affordable luxury resorts and budget guest houses. Here are a few of the best pick-up places:- Houseboats: Alleppey and Kumarakom have the whole backwater to stay in a traditional houseboat while cruising.
- Heritage Hotels: Heritage hotels in Kochi are excellent. Some are converted buildings belonging to the colonial era.
Hill Stations: Munnar hill stations have resorts with visions of sprawling tea plantations and valleys from above.
Beach Resorts: The beachfront resorts at Kovalam and Varkala make for excellent beach relaxation, right on the sands or by the sea.
Accessing Kerala
It is air-linked with other parts of India as well as with the world, and it is rail-linked too. It is road-linked too.- By Air: Kerala's prominent Aeropports are the historic and significant Cochin International Airport (Kochi), Trivandrum International Airport (Thiruvananthapuram), and Calicut International Airport (Kozhikode), through which all the domestic and international flights operate
- By Train: Kerala is well connected to the cities of India by railway. A few of the more comfortable traveling trains on this route include Rajdhani Express and Duronto Express
- Road: Kerala has an adequately developed road network and inter-state roads that connect it to neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
1. When going to Kerala?
The best time to visit Kerala is in the months from October till March since the weather is good with suitable tourist attractions.2. Where to go in Kerala?
The famous places for tourist destinations in Kerala are Munnar, Alleppey, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Kovalam Beach, and Kochi.3. Will Kerala be a good destination for the family tour?
- Kerala is a fun and relaxing venue and destination for all age groups, as it offers a mélange of adventure, relaxation, and cultural activities.4. How can I best visit Kerala's backwaters?
- The only way to experience the backwaters is by hiring a houseboat for at least a day stay or overnight in Alleppey or Kumarakom.5. What to eat in Kerala?
A complete multi-thematic dish exists within Kerala, relying on coconut, rice, and spices. Some of the most popular dishes include Sadya, Kerala fish curry, and Appam with stew.Kerala is just the perfect blend of nature, culture, and history. It is a place that gives one insight into themes such as scenic backwaters, serene hill stations, palate-pleasing cuisine, and a treasure trove of rich traditions. Be it chill out, stroll around, or absorb the locales' culture, Kerala is indeed a paradise waiting to be discovered.
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