Gods own Country
Kerala, known as Gods Own Country, is the land of lagoons and palms ,the land of elephants and
tigers, and the land of rich cultures and traditions, and has been one of the
most sought after places by travelers from all around the world. It is without
doubt one of the most beautiful places on the planet and that why they call it
'Gods Own Country'. The cultural life of the people of Kerala is equally
beautiful and is a major factor in attracting the tourists. So here we have
selected for you the top ten destinations in Kerala.
1.Munnar - The Kashmir of the South
Munnar is without doubt
the most beautiful place in Kerala. Located at 1600 m above sea level, this was
once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. The
lush green mountains adorned by tea and coffee plantations are a sight to
watch. Munnar gives you a heavenly feeling, with the thick mist surrounding you
in the middle of the plantations. The nearby mountains present a spectacular
view. There are also some waterfalls and trekking paths for the adventurous traveler.
The Indo Swiss dairy farm project, the lake and the dam are other sights to
watch. With its sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts,
Chithirapuram,10km from Munnar, still exudes an old world charm.
How to reach there?
Nearest Airport- Cochin 105Kms
Nearest Railway Station – Aluva
2. Wayanad - Nature at her most
beautiful self
If Munnar presented to you beauty which is partly man-made,
Wayanad shows you how beautiful nature can be without human interference. The
mountains, the winding lanes and the thick forests on either side give you an
ethereal experience. In the Muthanga wildlife sanctuary at the heart of
Wayanad, animals like the Indian elephant, spotted dear, bison are easily spotted
in their natural habitats, others animals like tiger and leopard can also be
seen if you are lucky. The Edakkal caves give you paintings that are some 4000
years old. The Bamboo forests are an excellent picnic spot. For the adventurer,
trekking in Muthanga, Edakkal and Pakshipathalam can be a lifetime experience. Homely
stay at the resorts in Wythiri, away from the hustle and bustle of the cities
can be a refreshing experience. Other places of interest are Jain temple, Meenmutty
waterfalls, Kuruva islands and the Soochipara waterfalls.
How to reach there?
Nearest Airport - Calicut 109 Kms
Nearest Railway staion - Calicut
Road : N H 212 (Kozhikode-Mysore) passes via Kalpetta and
Sulthan Bathery.
3. Anathapuri - The land of the
Kings
Thiruvananthapuram ( Trivandrum ) is a must have destination for
every tourist visiting Kerala , because it offers you a bunch of places of
interest. Kovalam, one of the finest beaches in the whole of India,is only a
half an hour ride from the city. Another wonderful beach and pilgrimage centre,
Varkala is also easily accessible by road. Kanyakumari is the only place in
India where you can see both sunrise and sunset and it is only a two hour ride
away from Trivandrum. The hill station Ponmudi,61 Km from the city ,offers you
a day full of beautiful sights. The Ananthapuri temple right in the heart of
the city is a historic monument and is a magnificent portrait. The city is
connected by air, rail and road to all Metros.
4.Kumarakom- Haven of Serenity
If you are looking for a place to relax, to relieve the tension
that has builded up from your workload, to just enjoy peace and silence, this
is the place to be . Located close to Kuttanad ,known as the Venice of the
East, with its mangrove covered lagoons and houseboats made on bamboo, serving
you the most delicious Kerala food , this place just amazes any visitor.
Sailing through the calm waters of Kumarakom or enjoying an ayurvedic massage,
life just slows down for you. Kumarakon is also a bird watchers' paradise.Many
different species visit this place all round the year. The resorts organize
many cultural programmes exclusive to kerala like Kathakali for their visitors
and also arrange spicy Indian food. So if you want to take a break from work
and relax, Kumarakom is the place for you.
How to reach?
By Road From the Cochin International Airport it is an 85 Km
delightful ride by road to the Muhamma boat Jetty.
By Rail Nearest Railway station- Kottayam - 16Kms
By Water If you have arrived at Trivandrum International
Airport, come to Quilon by road or rail (takes just about one hour). From
there, you can take the regular ferry service to Alleppey - a long and
delightful ride on Kerala's backwaters. From Alleppey, it's just a short ride
to Kumarakom.
5. Thekkady - A showcase of the
Wildlife of Kerala
Thekkady is probably the best place in Kerala to observe
wildlife and hence nature. From the mighty Indian elephant to the Great Indian
tiger, this place has it all. Elephants, deers, boars, bisons and lion tailed
macaques are a common sight in the reservoir area. With some luck, other
animals like tiger and leopard can be observed. The tourism department offers
trekking right into the heart of the forest either on foot or atop elephants. The
resort located in an island in the centre of the lake is the ideal place to
observe animals.If you are more adventurous, you can take the road from
Moozhiyar to Thekkadi via Gavi winding through the thickest forests of Kerala. Elephants
are a common sight on this path. Boating through the lake is a very pleasant
experience and you can observe many waterbirds at close range. This place is
ideal for wildlife photography. The best time to visit is between September and
March.
How to reach?
Nearest Airport- Cochin -190 Kms
Nearest Railway station -Kottayam-110 Kms
6. Cochin - The Queen of Arabia
Cochin is the main gateway to South India for
foreign visitors and it offers many places of interest to tourists. It gives
easy access to almost all tourist places in Kerala. It is connected by air,
road and rail to all major places. The merging of the backwaters with the sea
gives lot of opportunities for boating and rafting. The ride through the
lagoons in Kerala style houseboats is an unforgettable experience. The famous
Bolgatty Palace and the Jewish Synagogue are situated on the banks of the
lagoons.There are also places of pilgrimage like the Santa Cruz Basilica and
the St.Thomas Church at Malayattoor. The Thripunithura Palace is one of the
biggest of its kind in the whole of Kerala. The Chinese fishing nets in the
lagoons are an enchanting sight. Being the only metro in central Kerala, it
also gives you great opportunities for shopping.
7.Thrissur- The cultural capital of Kerala
Thrissur or Trichur is
famous for the Thrissur Pooram, one of the biggest festivals in the whole of
India. The sight of a hundred adorned elephants on either sides of the famous
Vadakkunnatha Temple during the festival is a must watch scene for anyone visiting
Kerala. The festival takes place around April-May. The city is also famous for
many of the traditional art forms of Kerala like Kathakali. The Guruvayur
temple located near the city is a famous pilgrimage spot. The two major
waterfalls of Kerala, Athirappally and Vazhachal, which have been the locations
for many Bollywood films , are only a few hours ride from the city. Anakkayam ,
20 Kms from Chalakkudy is on the shore of the famous Chalakkudy river and the
place is breathtakingly beautiful with its rushing waters, chiseled rocks and
silent streams.
How to reach?
The city is well
connected by road and rail.
Nearest Airport - Cochin -60Kms
8.Vagamon - Enchanted Meadows
Vagamon is a
pilgrimage spot , a picnic spot and at the same time a place for adventure. Situated near the Kerala-Tamilnadu boundary, in
the district of Kottayam, the main attraction of this place is the hillocks
stretching over a large area,with only grass and a beautiful lake among the
hillocks. This is the ideal family picnic spot. During the winter, the hillocks
are covered by thick mist, so thick that you cannot see a person standing 5feet
away. Being within that mist, in such beautiful landscape is an inexplicable
feeling and it must be experienced. The nearby pine forests are an ideal place
for romantic couples. The Kurishumala church atop a hill is a famous pilgrimage
place and the trekking to the church is a very adventurous task.
How to reach?
Nearest Railway
station - Kottayam - 75Kms
Nearest Airport -
Cochin-100Kms
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9.Kollam(Quilon)- The land of Cashews
Kollam( The Portuguese
called it Quilon) is a mixture of hills, backwaters, religion and culture. The
Ashtamudi lake is the largest in Kerala and boating in the lake is a tranquil
experience. The Thankasseri lighthouse built by the Portuguese is a famous historical
monument. The Thenmala hills on the farside hosts the first ecotourism project
in Kerala and the butterfly part is just awesome. Palaruvi falls near Thenmala
is believed to have herbal ingredients mixed with the water.The place also has
an adventure zone offering rock climbing and mountain biking.For the traveller
seeking religious refuge, the Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram in Vallikkavu is
world famous.
How to reach?
Kollam town is well
connected by road and rail to all major cities.
Nearest Airport-Trivandrum-70Kms
Distance to Cochin-120Kms
10.Agastyakoodam- the abode of biodiversity
Agastyakoodam (Agastya Malai), a towering
forested peak of 1868 metres, and adjoining forests in the tail end of Western
Ghats form the most diverse and unknown ecosystem in Peninsular India. These
forests, falling in the Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts of Kerala and
the Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu habours many endemic species of plants that are unique
to peninsular India. The undulating hills of these area, especially those at
lower elevations, are also known for their abundance of medicinal plants. A
sizable proportion of around 2000 medicinal plants used in the traditional
systems of medicine are found here. Trekking to the top of the hill, you can
observe many rare fauna and flora in their natural habitat. This place never fails
to satisfy the adventurous traveller. The place can be accessed from Trivandrum
by road.
