
Alleppey

The Kerala tourism department boasts that the state is God's Own Country. Once you visit, you will see where this claim comes from. The state really is blessed with great natural beauty, and diverse ecology.
With tourism being one of the most important source for the state's coffers, a wide of range of accomodation and tour packages are available for tourists across the world, suiting individual tastes, cultural preferences and all options that fits everyone's pocket.
Almost all major cities have hotels ranging from Tourist lodges to 5 star hotels and theme resorts. In addition to this, there are youth hostels, home-stays, travel dormitories and small lodges catering budget tourists, determining their necessity.




The most important tourist attraction in Alleppey is the leisurely boatcruise through the stretch of backwaters fringed by coconut palms. Alleppey, one of the exotic sites of backwater tourism in the state of Kerala is better known as the "Venice of the East" for its labyrinth of lakes, lagoons and freshwater rivers crisscrossing it. This tiny town in Kerala attracts tourists especially during the time of the annual boat race. For tourists Alleppey is the pivotal point for boat cruises into Kerala's famed backwaters and the state's lush rice bowl, Kuttanad. The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey give one a firsthand experience of the simple life style of the people which is a far cry from the bustle and ratrace of people in the cities in India.





Once the capital of the powerful Zamorin rulers of North Kerala and a prominent trade and commerce centre, Calicut was the most important region in Kerala in ancient times. The great voyager, Vasco Da Gama, landed here in 1498 putting it on the world map and paving the way for the west and for the many traders and invaders who followed suit.





The Queen of Arabian Sea' is verily the brightest stone in the diadem of the fascinating land that is flanked by the Western Ghats on one side, the Arabian Sea on the other, and strewn with rivers, lagoons, backwaters and rich vegetation in between. The natural endowments, together with its strategic geographic position makes Cochin very unique. Cochin has retained its eminence in the fields of commerce and industry , even in a modern, changed world order. Cochin supports the secularism - giving proper place to Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. Cochin also has a population of Jains, Jews and Sikhs. Cochin has had cultural and trade relations with the outside world.





With the Western Ghats in the east and the Lakshadweep Sea in the west,Kannur is an area bounded by a wealth of natural beauty. Known even to theearly Romans and Greeks, Kannur was reputed for its exports to the outsideworld since early centuries. Whilst its reputation as a business district wasovershadowed by neighbouring Kozhikode.





Kasargod is the northernmost district of Kerala and is globallyrenowned for its coir and handloom industries. It is a land of richhistory and once a seat of great military importance. It is a land whichabounds in forts, beaches, rivers and hills. It prides itself in having thelargest and the best preserved fort in Kerala. Kasargod also boasts the only lake temple in Kerala.





Kollam was once an international emporium of trade and even today it is a prosperous commercial center. Kollam edges with theis located on the edge of the famous Astamudi. Kollam was one of the early centers of Christian activity in Kerala. The popularity of Kollam has been established by the time-honoured proverb once you see Kollam; you will not need your home any more.





The Lakshadweep or Laccadives, as they were formerly called, are a string of little-known islands, lying 250 or so miles off the Malabar coast of India.The name of India's tiniest Union Territory means "100,000 islands" in Maylayam, the local language; but in truth, there are 36 isles in this archipelago, 10 that are inhabited. In these palm-laden coral islands, a northern extension of the Maldives, diving reigns supreme. Both Kavaratti and Kadmat have full-service scuba facilities, and the latter also has a center for kayaking, water skiing, yachting and wind surfing. Teardrop-shaped Bangaram woos couples with its uninhabited white sands.





Malappuram literally means ‘a land atop the hills’ and is situated 50 kms southeast of Kozhikode. Bounded by the Niligiri Hills on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west, Malappuram is enriched by three great rivers flowing through it - the Chaliyar, Kadalundi and the Bharathapuzha.





Once the summer capital of the British during the times of the Raj, Munnar is most famous for its sprawling tea plantations, picture postcard towns, winding lanes and hills. Munnar derives its name from the Malayalam words mun (meaning three) and aaru meaning(stream) because its located at the confluence of three streams.





The district of Palakkad, also known as the rice granary of Kerala, is a land of hillocks, valleys, rivers, forests, mountains and meandering streams. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats, this is the gateway to Kerala from the north. It was through this passage that, time and again, conquests and trade took place





Sabarimala: A wellknown pilgrim centre of South India. The holy shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 914 metre above sea-level. It is 191 km away from Thiruvanathapuram and 210 km from Kochi. Over 2 million pilgrims go to this Hindu shrine every year. The devotees going to the shrine have to wear only black robes.Pandalam: This is a small town which turns active during Sabarimala pilgrimage season, as otherwise a sleepy town. Pandalam is the birth place of Lord Ayyappa. Pamba: Pamba’s importance lies in the river known as Pamba Nadhi (river). It is here the lakhs of pilgrims make themselves clean before ascenting to the Sabarimala temple located on a hill. It is estimated, minimum 3 million pilgrims dip in Pamp every year during Makara Vilakku (the festival of lamp in Makaram.





The lush green forest of Periyar has a beautiful lake right at the center, which meandersalong the contours of the wooded slopes, serving as a perennial source of water for the wildlife population. Teeming with wild elephants, Periyar is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world, where you can witness herds of playful elephants roamingfreely or bathing and swimming at the Periyar Lake. The population of tigers at Periyar is also on the rise, and these tigers, along withthe some elusive species like Nilgiri tahrs (a kind of a wild goat), form an integral part of the various tourist attractions in Periyar.





Trichur, also known as the cultural capital of Kerala, is steeped in history, cultural heritage and archaeological wealth. Many rulers and dynasties including the Europeans, the Dutch and the British have had a hand in moulding the destiny of the region.The great ruler, Raja Ravi Varma, also known as ‘Sakthan Thamburan’, is known as the architect of modern day Trichur town





Two nearby places worth visiting while in Trivandrum, India are Veli and Shankhumuggam; the former has been converted into a superb tourist village while the latter boasts of lovely temples and a huge statue of a mermaid presently being worked upon by a famous sculptor. An absolute must is Kovalam that lies barely 18 km away Trivandrum. The beach is considered one of the finest in the world and provides ingredients for an ideal holiday excursion from Trivandrum.





With an altitude ranging up to 2,000 meters above sea level, Wayanad, situated on the southern tip of the Deccan plateau, is an area which offers breathtaking locations. Mist-clad hills, lush green paddy fields, luxuriant sub-tropical rainforests, sprawling spice plantations, valleys and hills mark this beautiful place. Hidden away in the hills of this land are some of the oldest tribes as yet untouched by civilization.

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