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Destinations : Kerala
Kerala is on the southernmost tip of India. popularly known as ‘God’s Own Country’,the land presents vistas of greenery from the majestic heights of Western Ghats with its exotic hill stations undulating west ward to endless miles of placid back waters, whispering green coconut corridors long shore line, golden beaches with hot sunshine and warm sea, enchanting art forms, historic and cultural monuments.
Kerala has a host of colourful magical festivals and is a land of rich cultural heritage. Kerala is also an ideal destination of health holidays., The landscape is dominated by rice fields, mango and cashewnut trees and, above all, coconut palms. The equable climate with copious shower has ensured a never-ending supply of fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, nuts, and spices.
People have been sailing to kerala in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory for at least 2000 years. Kerala is one of the ten 'Paradises Found' by the National Geographic Traveler, for its diverse geography and overwhelming greenery.
Location Southwestern tip of India Area 38, 863 sq km Population 3,18,38,619 Capital Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Major Cities Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi (Ernakulam district) and Kozhikode. Language Malayalam;English is widely spoken. Religion Hinduism, Christianity, Islam Time GMT +5:30 Currency Indian Rupee Climate Tropical. Summer February - May (24° - 33°C) Monsoon June - September (22° - 28°C) Winter October - January (22° - 32°C)
Population 318.39 lakhs as per the latest 2001 Census (31.839 Million) Density of Population 819 per sq kms Kerala's Share in the National Population 3.1 per cent District Average 22.74 lakhs (2.274 Million) Sex Ratio 1058 women for 1000 men
Literacy Rate 90.92 per cent. Male Literacy Rate 94.20 per cent Female Literacy Rate 87.86 per cent
Transport
Air: There are three international airports in the state. They are at Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Nedumbassery (Kochi) and operate international flights and domestic flights.
Road and Rail : The state is well connected by rail and road.
Seaports Major : Kochi Major Beaches Kovalam,Cherai, , Fort Kochi, Varkala ,Kappad and Bekal Major Wild Life Sanctuaries Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani, Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara, Neyyar. Bird Sanctuary Thattekad, Kumarakom Major Hill Stations Ponmudi, Peerumade, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad Farm / Cash Crops Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut and rice Exports Marine, Coir, Handicrafts, Spices, Food and other Products Major Industries Tourism, Information Technology, Fertilizer, Oil Refining and Power Generation, Ship Buildings, Machine Tools, Electronics, Cables, Rubber.
Accommodation & Food
Luxury hotels, medium type hotels as well as low budget hotels are available. Sadya, the typical kerala feast served on a banana leaf, is a sumptous spread of rice and more than fourteen vegetable dishes - sambar, rasam, olan, kaalan, pachadi, kichadi, aviyal, thoran etc., Pickle, crisp pappadam and banana chips topped off with payasam, the deliciously sweet dessert cooked in milk
Climate
Climate is pleasant. No warm clothes are required except on the highranges during winter. Kerala has three major seasons, Summer (February - May) Winter (October -January) and the Monsoon (June - September).
Dress
Dhoti and shirt is the common dress for men and Sari for women. Mundu and chatta among the christian women, and mundu, rawka and neryiath, is common among the hindu women. Pants among men and churidar among women are also
common.
Fairs and Festivals of Kerala
There are colourful fairs and festivals attached to hindu temples, muslim mosques, and christian churches. There are also national and regional festivals, like onam, boat race etc.
Geography
Kerala lies along a 590 km. Sun drenched, palm fringed, coast line of the arabian sea from Cannanore to Thukkalai, (near cape commerin) with sandy beaches on the west, the Sahya mountains of the Western Ghats on the east, surrounded by tamil nadu on the south and east and karnataka on the north. Kerala has three distinct physiographical featurers, the highlands, the middle lands and the low lands with a total area of about 38863 sq, km. I.e. 1.04% of the total area of India.
Languages
Malayalam is the main language. Kannada in the northern districts and tamil in the eastern and southern districts are common. English and hindi are also in common use.
Cuisine of Kerala
Sadya, the typical kerala feast served on a banana leaf, is a sumptous spread of rice and more than fourteen vegetable dishes - sambar, rasam, olan, kaalan, pachadi, kichadi, aviyal, thoran etc. The culinary skills of the various communities of kerala has given us a cuisine of great variety.Every dish prepared in kerala has coconut and spices added to it. Tender coconut water, 'the world's safest natural soft drink', is a refreshing nutritious thirst quencher.
Arts & crafts of Kerala
Wood, cane, fibre and coconut shell craft. Kathakali models in wood, painted in the vibrant colours of the art form are popular souvenirs, as are rosewood elephants, miniature models of snake boats, baskets, trays and furniture made of cane, coconut shell cups, vases abd sooons.
The Aranmula Kannadi, the unique metal mirror craft of kerala has no parallel in the world.
Rivers in Kerala
There are in total 44 rivers in kerala .Out of it 41 flow towards the west, while 3 of them make their way to the east.
Travel Tips
Visas
Carry your visa for entry to India/Kerala on your holiday.
For further clarifications, contact the Indian High Commission.
For visa extension, contact Office of the Commissioner of Police, Thiruvananthapuram.
Money
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring.
Banks
Banks are open for transaction from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs on all days except Sundays.
Best time to visit
High season: October to April
Rejuvenation programmes: May to September
Travel wear
Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc
Credit cards
Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centres honour major credit cards.
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Drugs
Heavy punishments including imprisonment are imposed for possession of narcotic drugs.
Food
All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisine including Continental, Chinese, Indian and typical Kerala fare.
Emergency numbers
Police control room: 100
Fire station: 101
Ambulance: 102
Time
(Hours fast (+), slow (-) on IST)
USA: -10.30, Germany: - 4.30, Canada: - 10.30, France: - 4.30, Australia: + 4.30,
Spain: -4.30, UAE: - 1.30
Water
Tap water is purified and quite safe to drink. It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Mineral water is available in sealed bottles.
Temple codes
Footwear inside the temple and entry into the sanctum sanctorum are banned in all the temples.
Other customs and codes of conduct and dress in temples across the state vary from one another.
Some temples do not permit entry to non-Hindus, while some do. Shirts for men and pants are banned in some temples and allowed in some others. Where they are banned, men have to be in mundus and women, in saris, half-saris or long skirts.
Nudity
Nudity is not allowed in any Kerala beach.
Demonstrativeness in public
Behaviour demonstrating affection in public like kissing is not an accepted practice in Kerala.
Malayalam for Travellers
English Pronunciation in Malayalam Hello namasthe / namaskaaram Welcome swaagatham(formal) / Varu (informal) How are you? sukhamalle? Fine sukham thanne Glad to meet you kandathil santhosham What is your name? perenthaa? Come in akathekku varu Sit down irikku Stop nilku Thank you nanni Goodbye poyi varaam / Veendum Kanam
Kerala - One of the 50 must see destinations of a lifetime - " National Geographic Travel "
Kerela - One of the 10 paradises of the World - " National Geographic Travel "
Kerala - One of the 100 great trips for the 21st century - " Travel and Leisure "
Kerala - One of the ten hot spots for the millennium - " Emirates In-flight Magazine "
Kerala - One of the ten love nests in India - " Cosmopolitan "
Kerala - One of the six destinations of the millennium - " Khaleej Times "
Kerala Tourism - Prestigious International Award for Leisure Tourism for the year 2000-2001, by Pacific Area Travel Writer's Association ( PATWA )
Kerala Tourism - the best State that promoted tourism in India in the year 2001 - " Outlook Traveller " and TAAI
Kerela Tourism - Best Performing State Award for the year 1999 - 2000 - " Government of India" 'State of Enlightenment' status accorded to Kerala by the " NGT " in its April issue
