For many travellers, Kerala is South India's most serenely beautiful state. A slender coastal strip is shaped by its layered landscape: almost 600km of glorious Arabian Sea coast and beaches; a languid network of glistening backwaters; and the spice- and tea-covered hills of the Western Ghats. Just setting foot on this swath of soul-quenching, palm-shaded green will slow your subcontinental stride to a blissed-out amble. Kerala is a world away from the frenzy of elsewhere, as if India had passed through the Looking Glass and become an altogether more laid-back place.

Besides its famous backwaters, elegant houseboats, ayurvedic treatments and delicately spiced, taste-bud-tingling cuisine, Kerala is home to wild elephants, exotic birds and the odd tiger, while vibrant traditions such as Kathakali plays, temple festivals and snake-boat races frequently bring even the smallest villages to life. It's hard to deny Kerala's liberal use of the slogan 'God's Own Country'.

The people

The people of Kerala are the most simple people and very down to earth. They like to live in their own world of simplicity and originality. They are known as "keralites", since they are natives of Kerala. Kerala people are very fiercely protective about their religion and ancient practices. They are proud of their culture and will go to any lengths to preserve them. The lifestyle of Kerala people is uncomplicated and they seem happy and content with simple pleasures of life.

The people of Kerala speak Malayalam. These people emphasize much on education and make it a point that the younger generation knows the religious teachings of their culture. Kerala was the only state in India that had 100% literacy rate at one point of time. Unfortunately, they have not been able to maintain it and the literacy rate has reduced a bit. Yet, most people are conversant in English and make it a point that their kids receive education at least till the primary level.

How to Reach

Kerala can be accessed by air; the state has three major international airports. One in the southern part, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, one in central Kerala, the Cochin International Airport and the other in northern part, Karipur or Calicut International Airport.

PLACES TO VISIT

Thekkady :

Thekkady is the location of the Periyar National Park, which is an important tourist attraction in the Kerala state of India

Periyar National Park :

Periyar National Park, also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve, is in the mountainous Western Ghats of Kerala, southern India. This wildlife sanctuary is home to tigers and a significant elephant population, as well as rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. In the park's north, Periyar Lake is popular for boat rides. Farther north, spice plantations surround the town of Kumily.

Fort Kochi :

Fort Kochi is a region in the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. This is part of a handful of water-bound regions toward the south-west of the mainland Kochi, and collectively known as Old Kochi or West Kochi.

Muzhappilangad Beach :

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach is a beach in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It is located parallel to National Highway 66 between Thalassery and Kannur.

Western Ghats :

Western Ghats is a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula, located entirely in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight "hottest hot-spots" of biological diversity in the world.

Eravikulam National Park :

Eravikulam National Park is a 97 km½ national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala in India. Situated between 10°05'N and 10º20' north, and 77°0' and 77°10' east, it is the first national park in Kerala.

Bekal Fort :

Bekal Fort, is the largest fort in Kerala, situated at Bekal village in Kasaragod district, Kerala and it is 65 km from Mangalore city spreading over 40 acres.

Vembanad :

Vembanad is the longest lake in India, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also counted as one of the largest lakes in India.

Mattancherry Palace :

The Mattancherry Palace is a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala which features Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi.

KERALA (KTDC) (AC Rooms) :

Winter Season Discount up to 30%