Kerala, the states in the Republic of India. From the majestic heights of the Western Ghats the state undulates westward presenting a vista of silent valleys clothed in the richest green of the land with the pristine beauty of its fertile plains, immaculate beaches, cliffs, rocky coasts and a labyrinth of backwaters and canals, Kerala emerges as a point of convergence.

The wilder side of Kerala has in store some of the best wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state with a variety of plant and animal life unique to Kerala. Art forms of Kerala range from Kalaripayattu, the martial art believed to be the origin of various other oriental ones, to Kathakali, one of the dance forms of Kerala considered to be amongst the oldest Indian dance styles.

Kerala the best in overall composite ranking, which is clearly evident from the high rate of literacy (almost 100%), the lowest birth and death rates rendering the highest physical quality. The state with its impeccable track record in law & order has a peaceful, progressive society with a unique culture This is a humble attempt to present Kerala with its vitality and liveliness in the brilliance of yesterday Truly God's Own Country.

Kerala at a glance

 Location               : Southwestern tip (on the India Map)
 Area                     : 38,863 sq.km.
 Capital                 : Thiruvananthapuram
 Language             : Malayalam, English is widely spoken
 Time                     : GMT + 5:30
 Currency              : Indian Rupee
 Tropical summer   : 24-33?c (Feb-May)
 Monsoon              : 22-28?c (June-Sept)
 Winter                  : 22-32?c (Oct-Jan)

Education

Literacy Rate: 90.92 per cent (national average: 65.38 per cent)
Male Literacy Rate: 94.20 per cent
Female Literacy Rate: 87.86 per cent

Backwaters

Kerala is known for its panoramic backwater stretches, lush green paddy fields, highlands and beaches. The entire state of Kerala is blessed with plenty of rivers and the resources of many are still untapped. The waterways of Kerala play a main role in the economy of the state, links remote villages and islands with the main land. The water ways provide a cheap and economical mode of transport. It is incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages. The scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of breath-taking greens and deep blues. Boat rides, houseboat cruises and holiday packages are available for tourist and others at nominal rates.

Beaches
Kovalam

"Kovalam" means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. The crescent-shaped beach has three parts. The southern most beach, and the most popular, is light house beach. It offers an amazing sight of Vizhinjam mosque. The northern Samudra is a laidback one and time seems stands still here. The middle, hawah, in the early day, is a beehive of activities with fishermen setting out for sea. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights. It is warm and clean filled with the coconut trees and the white sandbed as the sea breeze gently plays with the waves. Swimming and bathing are very refreshing and exhilarating in the waves. One can walk into the sea for about 100 meters without loosing ground. This cove is also the safest place for swimming. At many coastal places there are beautiful patches of coral reefs. The underwater views, which are visible during snorkeling, are really marvelous.

Azure water and favorable climate make Kovalam a favorite year-round spot for swimming. Sea here is pacific and shallow where you can take a dip in the saline waters. The clean white sandy beach will arouse a temptation irresistible: to lie idle on the sands and tan your body. You could get into any of the Ayurvedic massage centre and indulge in a rejuvenating herbal, body-toning massage and holistic therapies.

Varkkala

It is a beautiful beach resort and pilgrim centre 40 km north of Thiruvananathapuarm. SIVAGIRI MUTT here devoted to SRI NARAYANA GURU who preached 'One caste, One religion, one God for man' is a pilgrim center for the Guru's followers. There are YOGA and MASSAGE centers offering traditional Ayurvedic and Swedish massage and Swedish Massage techniques

Alappuzha

Alappuzha beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alappuzha. Its beautiful garden on the shore gives an exclusive sight. Imposing buildings of a colonial past overlook the shore. The pier, which extends into the sea is more than 140 years old and is a rare sight. Dense Palm groves at one end and an ancient towering light house at the other, Vijay Park and Sea view park are all spectacular sights one should never miss. Boating Facility is available in both Parks.

Hill Stations
Munnar

Munnar hills is siatuated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft above sea level. and is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. This beautiful hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi , which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking. The high ranges of Munnar were earlier known as Kannan Devan Hills,named after a certain Kannan Devan,who had been land lord in the Anchanad Valley on the eastern side of the district. The main cultivation crops in Munnar are Tea and Coffee

Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands in Munar is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. .

Art

Kerala, the God's Own Country, is one of the most colorful and culturally rich states of India. Kerala has a very rich cultural heritage, which dates back to thousands of years. The cultural richness of fascinating Kerala can be viewed in its beautiful dances, martial arts forms and other performing arts. The people of Kerala are known for their liveliness and vibrancy and love to celebrate their happiness in the form of folk dances and music. There are several dance forms in Kerala including Kathakali and Mohiniattam, which are appreciated all over the world. Other famous dances of Kerala are Bharathanatyam, Theyyam and Chakyarkoothu. Visit Kerala and enjoy its colorful dances of on Kerala Cultural Tour with Kerala Backwaters.

Kathakali

Is Kathakali a stylized dance-drama? Is it a pantomime? Can it be called a classical ballet? One of the world's top-ranking poets and Nobel Laureates Rabindranath Tagore was instantly impressed by the aesthetic range and the narrative techniques of Kathakali when Kalamandalam presented a programme in Santiniketan. Along with Manipuri Tagore included Kathakali in the curriculum of Viswabharati. Kathakali was born only in the 17th century. But in less than four centuries it grew up to represent India's cultural heritage to the world outside. An eclectic art Kathakali evolved its classicism receiving inspiration from most of its predecessors such as Koodiyaattam, Krishnanaattam, Raamanaattam, Theyyam, Mudiyeettu and martial arts like Padayani and Kalarippayattu.

Thiruvathirakali

Thiruvathirakali is a classical dance form, which is a pointer to the old customs followed in the Nair tharawads (joint families). In this dance form, the women of the house dance elegantly around the ceremonial lamp or floral decoration on festive occasions to the accompaniment of the Thiruvathira pattu (song).

Theyyam

Theyyam is one of the most outstanding ancient dance form of Kerala. It has its origin in the northern parts of the state. It is a very fascinating ritual practiced for centuries by the tribal people and the villagers of Northern Kerala. This folk art form is also called Thirayattam, because every thira or village performed this ritualistic art at the village temple. The Theyyam or Kolam (a form or shape), represents a mythological, divine or heroic character. There are over 350 Theyyams in northern Kerala.

Thullal

Thullal is a considerably simplified single-actor performing art that enjoyed much more popular appeal than Kathakali, the so called ‘total theatre’. Kunchan Nambiar who lived in the 18th century composed dozens of tullal stories, adding to the literature of the local language, Malayalam, a new genre which consisted of narrative poetry replete with social criticism surcharged with pungent satire and sarcasm. These compositions were singularly suitable for presentation on the stage attracting even the unsophisticated illiterate through highly rhythmic recitation enlivened by closely accompanying percussion instruments and agile dance involving mono-act. Thullal has three varieties - Seethankan, Ottan and Parayan. The distinction between them lies mostly in the make-up and costumes and to some extent in the meters and the rhythm used. Thullal often reflects the literary, artistic and cultural life of the medieval Kerala. In Thullal, episodes from the Indian epics are retold in simple Malayalam couplets that are interconnected and resemble blank verse. The stylized singing of the lines carries with it the beauty of the dravidian meters. Thullal is a solo performance. As a semi-stylized dance-theatre, Thullal is a more popular entertainment than other temple arts. In the present day it has turned out to be an effective medium of even election-campaign. The performer establishes easy rapport with the audience through verbal acting which is full of humor and social references.

Festivals and Monuments

Onam is the national festival of the Malayalees. It is a festival quite unique to Kerala. Like all other traditional festivals, the promotion of amity and social cohesion is the aim of celebrating Onam. There is a popular myth associated with Onam. The Gods became jealous of the goodwill enjoyed by the Asura King Mahabali, the benevolent king of Kerala. So they plotted a way to get rid of him. Lord Vishnu came down to earth in the guise of Vamana, a midget. He took advantage of the good king’s benevolence and tricked him into leaving his kingdom and kicked Mahabali to the nether world. But as a courteous gesture, Lord Vishnu gave Mahabali permission to visit his kingdom and people once a year. This visit of Mahabali marks Onam, the festival of plenty.

The main feature of the festival of Onam is a vociferous welcome to King Mahabali.In millions of households in Kerala. Onam is symbolized by icons that are literally earthy. Made of clay or mud, these conical objects are adorned with flowers and worshipped as Thrikkakara Appan, symbolizing the vamana avatharam of Lord Vishnu, which is central to the Onam legend. That Onam is being celebrated in Tirupaty also confirms the fact that Onam was popular in the southern region before becoming confined to Kerala after the 10th century AD. Mangudy Marudanar, one of the noted poets of the Sangam Age, is said to have described the Onam celebrations in the Pandyan capital of Madurai in one of his poems.

Vallamkali or Boat Races

This is a typical keralite festival of boat races. It is held in August in the Punnamada Kayal, which commemorates the visit of former Prime Minister, Late Jawaharlal Nehru to Alleppey.

Similar boat races are held also at Aranmual and Champakulam, which has a religious significance. The later commemorates an episode involving the idol of Sri Krishna, which was lifted from Kurichi by the Chempakasseri Raja's men for consecration in the Ambalapuzha. The idol had to rest in the house of a Syrian Christian at Chempakulam. Therefore, even today the flag and coir rope required for the Chempakulam boat race is supplied from the local Kallurkad Church.

Ayurveda-A Oldest Medication in the World

Ayurveda is believed as the oldest treatment method in the world (more than 3500 years old). The Plants are used for preparing as medicines. Nowadays Ayurveda has become very popular among the tourist especially foreigners. Patients from all over the world are coming here for Ayurveda treatment. The literal meaning of Ayurveda is 'Science of Life'. Now the traditional knowledge has been improved through scientific research and is taught in various Ayurveda Colleges in Kerala. A graduate doctor in Ayurveda, takes 5 years of courses at college besides six months of internship and is considered on par with doctors of modern medicine