Kerala

Edged by a thread of unbroken beach line, the Kerala's heart is composed of intensely green paddy fields and a unique network of rivers and lagoons. Upland Kerala, relatively little visited, is composed of hills thickly wooded with teak and rubber. Trivandrum which is also the state capital has an exceptionally fine museum set in an amusement park. Kovalam, one of the most popular beaches in the country. Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple in Trivandrum, and Padmanabhapuram Palace are important monuments. Cochin has been Kerala's center of mariTime trade for innumerable centuries. Jew town, complete with an immaculately preserved synagogue, has a flavor all its own, while Tripunathura, at the other end of the city, has many traditional houses with central courtyards. Kerala's multitude of faiths - Islam, Judaism, and a host of sects of Christianity and Hinduism - all coexist harmoniously. Kerala's traditions of dance forms, which originated from temple worship, can be witnessed at regularly held performances. A five hour drive from Cochin leads into thickly forested hills, past rubber and spice plantations, and into southern India's tea growing district headquartered at the charmingly old world Munnar. From Kottayam to Alleppey is a world of palm fringed waterways, a route which is covered by motor launch. Elderly sailboats, long barges transporting tons of coconuts and tiny skiffs used to transport children to school are common sights on these backwaters.

Trivandrum

Trivandrum, the capital of the state of Kerala, is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. The city gets its name from the word, Thiru Ananthapuram meaning the city of Ananth or the abode of the sacred serpent Anantha, on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity, reclines.

Altitude: Sea level
Temperature: (deg C)-Summer - Max.36.2, Min.20.6. Winter - Max.35, Min.18.
Rainfall: 170 cms (May to November)
Best Season: October to March.

Places Of Interest:
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Zoological Park, Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Science & Technology Museum, Veli Lagoon, Shanmugham Beach, Aruvikkara Dam and Neyyar Dam, SMSM Institute.

Excursions:
Kovalam- 16 kms, Kanniyakumari- 87 kms, Padmanabhapuram Palace- 54 kms, Ponmudi- 61 kms Quilon- 72 kms, Suchindram Temple- 99 kms, Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary)- 272 kms, Varkala- 55 kms.

Reach -
By Air: Connected to Bombay, Madras, Cochin, Delhi & Colombo.
By Rail: Connected to Calcutta and other important cities.
By Road: Calicut- 448 kms, Cochin- 223 kms, Kanyakumari- 87 kms, Madurai- 417 kms, Periyar- 272 kms, Ponmudi- 61 kms, Quilon- 73 kms, Varkala- 55 kms.

Kovalam

On the Malabar Coast along the Kerala shore line is a small village, called Kovolam is 16 kms away from Trivandrum, a sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool free from high waves and surge. The beach resort here is of international standard. Today Kovolam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovolam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a paradise of nature.

Alleppey

Alleppey situated in south of Cochin, is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala. It has a large network of canals which passes through the town, provides its lifeline & has a long sandy beach. It is also the center of the famous coir products of Kerala. Nehru Trophy Boat Race - the most colourful snake-boat race in Kerala - is held here on the second Saturday of August every year.

Altitude: Sea level
Temperature: (deg C)-Summer- Max 35, Min 22.5. Winter- Max 32, Min 22.
Rainfall: 254 cms
Best Season: October to May.

Places of Interest:
Backwater Cruise

Excursions:
Ambalapuzha- 14 kms, Haripad- 33 kms.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest Airport Cochin- 64 kms is connected to the major cities.
By Rail: Nearest railhead, Cochin- 64 kms is connected to major cities in India.
By Road: Cochin- 64 kms, Calicut- 289 kms, Trivandrum- 159 kms, Quilon- 85 kms, Haripad- 33 kms, Thekkady- 253 kms, Kottayam- 130 kms.

Quilon (Kollam)

The present day Quilon is famous for its varied modern industries, Cashewnut Processing & Research, fisheries etc. for the tourists coming from Trivandrum, Quilon is the beginning of the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. Quilon like Alleppey is also surrounded by beautiful coconut palms presenting a panoramic view cruising on this lake is very interesting.

Altitude: Sea level
Temperature: (deg C) Summer- Max 35, Min 25, Winter- Max 33.5, Min 24.
Rainfall: 279 cms.
Best Season: October to March.

Places Of Interest:
Thangassery Light House and Backwaters.

Excursions:
Chavara- 16 kms, Kundara- 13 kms, Courtallam (Health Resort)- 104 kms, Alleppey- 85 kms.

Reach -
By Air: The nearest Airport Trivandrum- 71 kms is connected to Bombay, Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Madras, Male & Colombo.
By Rail: Connected to major cities in India.
By Road: Chavara- 16 kms, Trivandrum- 71 kms, Varkala- 37 kms, Alleppey- 85 kms, Kottayam- 110 kms, Thekkady- 198 kms, Ernakulam- 152 kms, Kundara-13 kms, Trichur- 229 kms, Palghat- 308 kms, Calicut- 374 kms, Cannanore- 461 kms, Kasaragod- 575 kms.

Kottayam

Kottayam situated in South of Cochin is a cultural Center with beautiful Old churches. Though a busy commercial city, on its west, it has beautiful backwaters & on its eastern parts it is full of greenery. At Vembanad Lake in Kumarakam tourists can enjoy the beautiful backwater trips.

Area: 15.54 sq. km.
Altitude: Sea level
Temperature: (deg C) Max Min Summer- 35 Deg 22.5 Deg. Winter- 32 Deg 22 Deg
Rainfall:176 cms.
Best Season: October to March.

Places of Interest:
Valiya Pally, Thazhathangadi Mosque and Kumarakam.

Excursions:
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady)- 114 kms, Ettumanoor- 13 kms, Vaikkom- 48 kms.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest Airport is Cochin- 76 kms.
By Rail: Well connected with major cities.
By Road: Cochin-76 kms, Madurai- 248 kms, Kanyakumari- 267 kms, Thekkady- 114 kms, Trivandrum- 180 kms.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Periyar wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady is an important tourist attraction. It is situated on the Periyar lake in the hills of Western Ghats and is the finest sanctuary for viewing & photographing Indian wild elephants.

Altitude: 900 m to 2000 meters
Temperature: (deg C) Summer- Max 29, Min 18. Winter- Max 21, Min 15.5.
Rainfall: 203 cms (June to October)
Best Season: September to May.

Places of Interest:
Indian Wild Elephants, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Tigers, Panthers, Wild Dogs, Bison, Spotted deer, Leopard, Musk deer. Wildlife can be seen in its natural habitat by cruising on the lake in motorboats.

Excursions:
Forest Arubi creek- 16 kms, Crusoe Island- 19 kms, Manakkavala- 10 kms, Mullakudy- 29 km Pavarasu 19- kms, Periyar Dam- 12 kms, Thannikudy- 38 kms, Peermade- 40 kms.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Madurai- 140 kms connected with Madras, Trichy & Bangalore.
By Rail: Bodinayakanur- 67 kms, Kottayam- 114 kms.
By Road: Cochin- 190 kms, Idikki- 66 kms, Kodaikanal- 160 kms, Madurai- 145 kms, Munnar- 113 kms, Trivandrum- 272 kms, Kottayam- 114 kms.

Cochin (Kochi)

Cochin, the commercial hub of Kerala, is a town of great historical importance. It has a fine natural harbour around which the city has grown. The Fort Cochin area, where the Portuguese settled in the 16th century, has been declared as Heritage Zone.

Climate: (deg C) Summer Max 35 deg Min 22 deg. Winter Max 32 deg Min 20 deg.
Rainfall: 254 cm (June to October)
Best Season: October to March.

Places Of Interest:
Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St.Francis Church, Bolghatty, Gunda and Willingdon Islands, Kerala History Museum, Hill Palace Museum, Parishath Taamburan Museum, Chinese Fishing Nets, Santacruz Cathedral (Basilica).

Excursions:
Alwaye- 21 kms, Kalady- 45 kms, Alleppey- 64 kms, Trichur- 80 kms, Kottayam- 76 kms, Guruvayur- 109 kms, Munnar- 136 kms, Idikki- 138 kms, Palghat- 163 kms, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady)- 190 kms, Sabarimala 209- kms, Calicut (Kozhikode)- 218 kms.

Reach -
By Air: Connected with Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Goa, Bangalore and Trivandrum.
By Rail: Connected with all the major cities.
By Road: Alleppey- 64 kms, Bangalore- 565 kms, Kanniyakumari- 309 kms, Kodaikanal- 444 kms, Madras- 694 kms, Madurai- 324 kms, Thekkady- 190 kms and Trivandrum- 223 kms.

Trichur (Trissur)

Trichur, 78 kms north of Cochin on National Highway 47 lies at the base of a hillock, crowned by the famous Vadkkumnathan (Shiva) temple. This former capital of Cochin state was captured by Zamorin and later by Tipu Sultan in the second half of the 18th Century. The famous pooram festival is celebrated at the Vadakkumnathan Temple every year during April-May. The Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy are located in Trichur. The Vadakkumnathan Temple is a classic example of the Kerala Style of architecture. The temple contains the sacred shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathy, Sankaranayana, Ganapathi, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna.

Altitude: Sea level
Temperature: (deg C)-Summer- Max 35, Min 22.5, Winter- Max 32.3, Min 20.,
Rainfall: 254 cms.
Best Season: October to March.

Places Of Interest:
Vadakkumnathan Temple, Town Hall, Zoo, Aquarium, State Museum, Art Museum.

Excursions:
Guruvayoor- 32 kms, Cheruthuruthy- 29 kms, Peechi Dam- 23 kms, Tiruvilwamala Temple- 29 kms, Cranganore (Kodungallor)- 36 kms, Triprayar- 25 kms, Irinjalakuda- 21 kms, Kalady- 55 kms.

Reach -
By Air: The nearest airport is Cochin- 78 kms connected with Bangalore, Bombay, Delhi, Goa, Madras, Trivandrum.
By Rail: Directly connected with Bombay.
By Road: Cochin- 78 kms, Coimbatore- 114 kms, Kalady- 55 kms, Kanyakumari- 376 kms, Madras- 720 kms, Palghat- 67 kms, Palani- 229 kms, Rameswaram- 222 kms, Udhagamandalam (Ooty)- 202 kms.

Guruvayur

Guruvayur is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centers of Kerala, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the Country. Its chief attraction is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna known as 'Guruvayurappan'.Guruvayur, with its temple dedicated to Shri Krishna, is one of the most popular pilgrim centres of India. It is at this temple that Melpattur Narayana Bhattathiri composed his renowned Sanskrit devotional poem Narayaneeyam.

Altitude: Sea level
Temperature: (deg C)-Summer- Max 35, Min 22.5. Winter- Max 32.3, Min 20.
Rainfall: 254 cms.
Best Season: October to March.

Places Of Interest:
Guruvayur Shree Krishna Temple and Punnathur Kotta.

Reach -
By Air: The nearest airport Cochin- 100 kms, is connected with Bangalore, Bombay, Delhi, Goa, Madras, Trivandrum.
By Rail: Nearest rail head is Trichur- 29 kms.
By Road: Cochin-100 kms, Coimbatore-142 kms, Trichur- 29 kms, Kalady- 65 kms, Palghat- 95 kms, Malampuzha- 109 kms, Palani- 247 kms, Trivandrum- 294 kms, Ootacamund- 230 kms.

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