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Sandwiched between the Lakshwadeep Sea and the Western
Ghats, Kerala is a bustling little green-and-silver, coconuts-and-water
state on the west coast of India. It is bounded by Karnataka
to the north, Tamil Nadu to the east, and the Arabian Sea
to the west. Thiruvananthapuram is its capital. Sandwiched
between the Lakshwadeep Sea and the Western Ghats, Kerala
is a bustling little green-and-silver, coconuts-and-water
state on the west coast of India. It is bounded by Karnataka
to the north, Tamil Nadu to the east, and the Arabian Sea
to the west.
Thiruvananthapuram is its capital. Though a bit of a tongue-twister,
Thiruvananthapuram - the present official name, is closer
to its mythological origins. The word ' Thiru ananthapuram'
means the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred thousand-headed
serpent Anantha, who forms the couch on which reclines Lord
Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity. Original inhabitants
were animists, followed by the Dravidians. After Alexander's
triumphant sweep over Asia Minor, the ports of Kerala became
a link between the Middle East, the Mediterranean and China.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama made his historic landing on the
Malabar Coast. In 1723, the East India Company signed a
strategic treaty with King Marthanda Varma. For a few decades,
Hyder Ali and his son -Tipu sultan proved to be a thorn
in the flesh of the British, sweeping down several times
into Kerala. In 1947, it was the turn of the British to
pack their bags.
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Important Tourist Cities
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Alleppey
(Alappuzha) |
The
town was founded by Raja Keshawadasan, Divan of Travanacore
in 1762. With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network
of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it,
alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred
to as the venice of the east by travellers from across the
world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal
and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the
town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history
of Kerala. Today, Alappuzha (Alleppey) has grown in importance
as a backwater tourist center, & also famous for its boat
races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir
industry
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Cochin
(Kochi) |
Undoubtedly
the commercial hub of Kerala, the city of Cochin is where
ancient civilization gracefully mingles with modern life.
Right from the early years, Cochin has had cultural and trade
relations with the outside world. She had also experienced
pulsating episodes of European colonial rivalry. An interesting
point to note is that Cochin is probably the only city in
India formed from parts of three different states, viz. the
two princely states of Travanacore and Cochin, and the British
Malabar. Today with a natural, all-weather harbour, an international
airport, and replete with serene backwaters, beautiful lagoons,
wooded isles, and a magnificent seascape, Cochin is indeed
the Queen of the Arabian Sea.
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Calicut
(Kozhikode) |
Once
the capital of the powerful zamorins and a prominent trade
and commerce center, Kozhikode (Calicut) was the most important
region of Malabar in the days gone by. Today, lush green countrysides,
serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers,
hills, a unique culture and a warm, friendly ambience make
Kozhikode (Calicut) a popular destination.
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Ernakulam |
Facing
the backwaters studded with islands, Ernakulam, the district
headquarters, is an important commercial and residential area.
Though not of as much touristic importance as its twin city
Kochi, Ernakulam nevertheless has its own share of interesting
places.
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Kannur |
Kannur,
the headquarters of this district, is one of the most important
sea coast towns of Kerala. Kannur is mentioned in Marco Polo’s
travels as “a great emporia of spice trade.” Kannur
is today a pleasant town with an excellent beach and many
historic monuments. The town also boasts of a thriving handloom
industry.
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Kollam |
Kollam
is located 71 kms to the north of thiruvananthapuram, kollam
is the centre of the country's cashew trading and processing
industry. One of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast, kollam
was one the port of international spice trade. Thirty percent
of this historic tous is covered by the renowned asthamudi
lake, making it the gateway to magnificent backwaters of kerala.
The eight-hour boat trip between kollam and allappuzha is
the longest and most enchanting experience on the backwaters
of kerala. The district also has some interesting historic
remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional
ornate architectural style.
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| Kottayam |
Kottayam
bordered by the lofty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad
Lake and paddy fields of kuttanad on the west, kottayam is
a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches,
lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive rubber plantations
and a totally literate people have given this district the
enviable title: the land also boasts the first malayalam printing
press which was established by benjamin bailey, a christian
missionary, in 1820 A.D.
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| Kumarakom |
Bordered
by the lofty western ghats on the east and the vembanad lake
and paddy fields of kuttanad on the west, kottayam is a land
of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches,
lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive rubber plantations
and a totally literate people have given this district the
enviable title: the land also boasts the first malayalam printing
press which was established by benjamin bailey, a christian
missionary, in 1820 A.D.
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| Munnar
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Munnar
is situated at the influence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha,
nallathanni and kundala, 1600 m above sea level, this hill
station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile british
government in south india. Sprawling tea plantations, picturebook
towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular
resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and
grasslands here is the neelakurinji. This flower which bathes
the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006.
Munnar also has the highest peak in south India, anamudi,
which towers over 2695m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
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| Palakkad
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The
district of palakkad known as the granary of kerala, is a
land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams,
dams and irrigation projects. Situated at the foot of the
Western Ghats, this is the gateway to kerala from the north.
Palakkad derives its name from the malayalam words pala (alsteria
scholaris) and kadu (forest) which goes to prove that this
place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with
the sweet scented flowers of the pala tree.
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| Periyar
(Thekkady) |
The
very sound of the word thekkady conjures up images of elephants,
unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. In
the periyar forest of thekkady is one of the finest wildlife
reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are
picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities
for treks and mountain walks
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| Trivandrum |
Thiruvananthapuram
(known as Trivandrum) the capital of Kerala. Located at the
South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian Sea
on the West and Tamil Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands
on the Western Ghats in the Eastern and North Eastern borders
give some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shorline,
with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments,
backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this
district a much sought after tourist destination.
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| Thrissur |
Thrissur,
with its rich history, cultural heritage and archeological
wealth is called the cultural capital of kerala. From ancient
times, this district has played a significant role in the
political history of south India. Many rulers and dynasties
beginning with the zamorins of kozhikode, tipu sultan of mysore
and europeans including the dutch and the british have had
a hand in moulding the destiny of this region. Raja Rama Varma
popularly known as sakthan thampuran was the architect of
the present thrissur town.
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| Wayanad |
Wayanad
is one of the districts in Kerala that has been able to retain
its pristine nature. Hidden away in the hills of this land
are some of the oldest tribes, as yet untouched by civilisation.
Wayanad is known for its picturesque mist clad hill stations,
sprawling spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural
traditions. The leading tourist centres of south India like
Ooty, Mysore, coorg, Kozhikode (Calicut), and Kannur are around
this region.
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