Kerala has been aptly dubbed ‘God’s Own Country’. This picturesque destination is sandwiched between the Western
Ghats mountains and the Arabian Sea,
dotted with magical backwaters, lush greenery, wildlife, pristine beaches, rich art and culture, spice and tea
plantations, Ayurvedic therapies and tantalizing cuisine....
Here’s why Kerala should be your next travel destination.
The backwaters:
The Kerala backwaters are a beautiful, blissful location.
Quaint houseboats glide across palm-fringed emerald waters, you can spot unique flora and fauna,
go kayaking, and in between indulge in lip-smacking food cooked by talented on-board chefs.
The best places to head to catch a backwater cruise are Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kasaragod and Kuttanad.
Wildlife and bird watching:
With more than 25 wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, Kerala is a perfect place to spot wild animals,
migratory birds and raw nature while on a wildlife safari. Some popular places are the Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary , Parambikulam Tiger Reserve ,
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary , Mathikettan Shola National Park and Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Tour the spice, coffee and tea plantations:
The spice, coffee and tea plantations in Kerala offer picturesque vistas and delicious tastes.
There are many coffee, tea and spice plantations spread across the state, with the best ones at Munnar, Wayanad
and Thekkady.
You can sample different teas or enjoy a refreshing cup of coffee while soaking in the natural beauty.
Beach hopping:
Kerala boasts many sprawling, pristine beaches with extraordinary views. Laze around, take a romantic stroll,
indulge in water sports, and enjoy the mesmerizing sunsets. It’s all a perfect backdrop for a selfie.
The best beaches in Kerala are at Kovalam, Kappad, Kannur, Varkala, Cherai, Marari and Bekal.
Adventure activities:
If you’re into adventure, you never need to have a dull moment in Kerala.
The beautiful beaches offer numerous water sports, plus you can go on a wildlife safari,
biking, tree climbing, bamboo rafting, mountain climbing, fishing, and jeep rides in the forest.
Rich art and cultural heritage:
There’s more to Kerala than ‘just’ natural beauty, though.
Kerala has a well-preserved art and cultural heritage, such as Kalaripayattu (traditional folk art)
and Kathakali (17th century classical dance) which can be witnessed at Kerala Kathakali Center,
Kerala Kalamandalam, Folklore Museum or Kadathanadan Kalari & Navarasa Kathakali Centre. Chakyarkoothu (comedy
satire) can be witnessed at temples in Kerala.
Mohiniyattam, a 16th century classical dance, and Theyyam, a thousand year old form of worship, are mostly
staged in the temples of North Kerala in front of the village shrine.
Greenix Village in Fort Kochi hosts Mohiniyattam dances, Theyyam performances and kalarippayat martial art.
Rejuvenate and relax with Ayurveda:
Kerala is the land of Ayurvedic treatments. ‘Ayur’ literally means ‘life’ and ‘Veda’ means science or knowledge.
‘Ayurveda’ means the ‘science of life’- it is one of the oldest forms of traditional medicine that has been
practiced in India for thousands of years.
It emphasizes a holistic approach to good health and living. Some Ayurvedic treatments include massage,
application of oils, yoga, etc.
After a long tour of Kerala, it’s best to relax and unwind with some soothing Ayurvedic therapies and massages
that not only give your body
and mind peace and relaxation, but also cure several ailments.
Many accommodation options in Kerala have an attached Ayurvedic center or spa.
Explore the hill stations:
When you’ve had enough of beaches, head up to the cooler hill stations.
In Wayanad you can spot an exotic variety of flora and fauna, plus take a tour of the tea, coffee, rubber and
spice plantations.
Munnar is famous for its rolling tea gardens, the tea museum that depicts the history of tea plantations in
Kerala, and neelakurinji,
a flower that blooms once every 12 years. In Athirapally, witness the glory of 80-foot high waterfalls.
At Thekkady, go for a nature walk through the varied habitats or take the Jungle Jeep Safari to explore the
diverse forest.
The food:
One of the best ways to experience Kerala’s culture is through its gastronomic delights.
The coastal state is known to serve the freshest seafood in the country. Savour a meal served on a green banana
leaf,
along with refreshing toddy (palm wine). Other must-try items are appam with stew, puttu, ghee roast dosa with
sambhar and Karimeen Pollicahthu.
Enjoy colourful festivals:
Kerala enjoys festivities and merriment throughout the year. Make sure to witness one of the many festivals that
the state holds annually.
Highlights include the Kerala boat festival (July-September), which is all about team spirit; Onam
(August-September),
a 10-day harvest festival celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, who brought prosperity and happiness under his
rule;
and Theyyam (April-December), an 800 year old ritual dance of the gods, in which the mythological stories and
tales of India are depicted.
All of these festivals depict the state’s rich culture, tradition and beliefs.
