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About Kerela |
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Kerala, the god's own country is located on the southwestern
part of India on the Malabar coast. Kerala is one of the
well-known tourist destination in India. Kerala offers
everything to the tourists which ranges from an equable
climate, serene beaches, backwaters, hill stations, exotic
wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, plantations, paddy fields,
Ayurveda packages, art, culture, music, dance, festivals,
historical monuments, exotic cuisine and houseboat cruise. It
was formed on 1 November 1956 as per the States Reorganisation
Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions. Kerela
spreads over 38,863 km2 (15,005 sq mi) it is surrounded by
Karnataka to the north and north east, Tamil Nadu to the east
and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With
33,387,677 inhabitants as per the 2011 census, Kerala is the
twelfth largest state by population and is divided into 14
districts. Malayalam is the most widely spoken and official
language of the state. The state capital is Thiruvananthapuram,
other major cities include Kochi, Kozhikode, Kollam and
Thrissur.
Thiruvananthapuram or commonly known as Trivandrum is the
cosmopolitan and capital city of Kerala. Kerala is enclosed by
the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats in the east and
is networked by forty four rivers. It extends along the coast
of the Arabian Sea and is separated from the rest of the sub
continent by the steep Western Ghats.
Today, Kerala is the India's most advanced state with the
highest literacy rate. Kerala is also the most cleanest and
quiet state in India. For administrative purposes, the state
of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. English and
Malayalam are the most common languages which are usually
spoken in Kerala. Hinduism, Christianity and Islam religions
are found in Kerala. The climate of Kerala is pleasant for
most of the part of year. In summers, the temperature is about
24 to 30 degree Celsius and in winters it is about 22 to 32
degree Celsius.
The region was a prominent spice exporter from 3000 BCE to 3rd
century. The Chera Dynasty was the first powerful kingdom
based in Kerala, though it frequently struggled against
attacks from the neighbouring Cholas and Pandyas. During the
Chera period Kerala remained an international spice trading
center. Later, in the 15th century, the worthwhile spice trade
attracted Portuguese traders to Kerala, and finally paved the
way for the European colonisation of the whole of India. After
independence, Travancore and Cochin joined the Republic of
India and Travancore-Cochin was given the status of a state.
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People of Kerala |
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The
majority of the people in Kerala are Dravidians. The main
religion in Kerala is Hinduism with considerable percentage of
Muslims and Christians. Christianity has a long history in this
state, as it is supposed that the first missionary from Europe
landed on the coast of Kerala in the first millennium. There is
highest literacy rate in Kerala which has resulted in high
health care and health awareness among the people. The women in
the state enjoys high social status in the society. Higher
education and equal opportunities have further strengthened the
women's status in the society. |
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Flora and fauna |
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Most
of the biodiversity is protected and concentrated in theWestern
Ghats. Out of the 4,000 flowering plant species 900 species are
medicinal plants; 1,272 of which are widespread to Kerala and
159 threatened. Its 9,400 km2 of forests comprise tropical wet
evergreen and semi-evergreen forests (lower and middle
elevations-3,470 km2), tropical moist and dry deciduous forests
(mid-elevations-4,100 km2 and 100 km2, respectively), and
montane subtropical and temperate (shola) forests (highest
elevations-100 km2).
Altogether, 24% of Kerala is forested.Two of the world's Ramsar
Convention listed wetlands-Lake Sasthamkotta and the Vembanad-Kol
wetlands are in Kerala, as well as 1455.4 km2 of the vast
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Subjected to widespread clearing for
cultivation in the 20th century, much of the remaining forest
cover is now protected from clear felling. Eastern Kerala's
windward mountains shelter tropical moist forests and tropical
dry forests, which are widespread in the Western Ghats.
Kerala's fauna are prominent for their diversity and high rates
of endemism: it includes 102 species of mammals (56 of which are
endemic), 476 species of birds, 202 species of freshwater
fishes, 169 species of reptiles (139 of them endemic), and 89
species of amphibians (86 endemic).These are endangered by
widespread habitat destruction, including landslides, soil
erosion, salinisation, and resource extraction. In the forests,
sonokeling, Dalbergia latifolia, anjili, Erythrina, mullumurikku,
and Cassia number among the more than 1,000 species of trees in
Kerala. Other plants include bamboo, wild black pepper, wild
cardamom, the calamusrattan palm, and aromatic vetiver grass,
Vetiveria zizanioides. Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Indian
Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Common Palm Civet and Grizzled Giant
Squirrel are also found in the forests. Reptiles include the
Mugger Crocodile viper, python, and King Cobra.
Kerala's birds include legion-Malabar Trogon, the Great
Hornbill, Kerala Laughing thrush, Darter, Southern Hill Myna and
various symbolic species. In lakes, wetlands, and waterways,
fish such askadu; vicious catfish and Choottachi; Orange
chromide-Etroplus maculatus are found. |
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Culture of Kerela |
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The culture of Kerala is composite and cosmopolitan in
nature and it's an integral part of Indian culture. It has
been intricated through centuries of contact with
neighboring and overseas cultures. However, the
geographical insularity of Kerala from the rest of the
country has resulted in development of a unique lifestyle,
art, architecture, language, literature and social
institutions.There are around 10,000 festivals celebrated
in the state. The Malayalam calendar, a solar calendar
started from 825 CE in Kerala, finds common custom in
planning agricultural and religious activities. |
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Climate of Kerela |
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Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the
seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon and
northeast winter monsoon.Around 65% of the rainfall occurs from
June to Augus t corresponding to the southwest monsoon, and the
rest from September to December corresponding to northeast
monsoon.
Southwest monsoon
The moisture-laden winds, on reaching the southernmost point
of the Indian Peninsula, because of its topography, become
divided into two parts: the "Arabian Sea Branch" and the "Bay of
Bengal Branch".The "Arabian Sea Branch" of the Southwest Monsoon
first hits the Western Ghats in Kerala thus making the area the
first state in India to receive rain from the Southwest Monsoon.
Northeast monsoon
The distribution of pressure patterns is reversed during
this season and the cold winds from North India pick up moisture
from the Bay of Bengal and precipitate it in the east coast of
peninsular India. In Kerala, the influence of the northeast
monsoon is seen in southern districts only. Kerala's rainfall
averages 3,107 mm (122 in) annually. Some of Kerala's drier
plain regions average only 1,250 mm (49 in); the mountains of
eastern Idukki district receive more than 5,000 mm (197 in) of
or graphic precipitation: the highest in the state. In eastern
Kerala, a drier tropical wet and dry climate prevails. During
summer, the state is prone to gale force winds, storm surges,
cyclone-related heavy downpours, occasional droughts, and rises
in sea level.The mean daily temperatures range from 19.8 °C to
36.7 °C. Mean annual temperatures range from 25.0–27.5 °C in the
coastal lowlands to 20.0–22.5 °C in the eastern highlands. |
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Tourist Attractions in Kerela |
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The
most popular tourist attractions in the state are beaches,
backwaters and hill stations. Main beaches are at Varkala,
Kappad, Kovalam, Bekal and Muzhappilangad. Popular hill stations
are at Wayanad,Munnar, Peermade,Wagamon, Nelliampathi and
Ponmudi. Kerala's ecotourism destinations include 12 wildlife
sanctuaries and two national parks: Parambikulam Wildlife
Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary,
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary,
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary,
Eravikulam National Park, and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary are
the most popular among them.The "backwaters" are widespread
network of interlocking rivers (41 west-flowing rivers), lakes,
and canals that center around Kumarakom, Kollam, Alleppey, and
Punnamada (where the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in
August).
Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Mattancherry Palace are two
prominent heritage sites. According to a survey conducted among
foreign tourists, Elephants, fireworks display and huge crowd
are the major attractions of Thrissur Pooram. Nemmara Vela is
also famous for the fireworks.
Boat Races in Kerala
The boat races are the another main attraction in Kerala. The
boat races indicates the excellent team spirit, integration and
unity of the people. These boat races are the event of great
excitement of the exciting people. The snake boat races of
Kerala are the wonderful festivals that brings alive the quiet
backwaters. The well-known boat races are Nehru Trophy Boat
Race, Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallom
Kali. |
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History of Kerala |
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The
history of Kerala is very distinct. According to the legend, the
Lord Vishnu descended from the heavens in his embodiment of
Parashuram. After slaying the evil kings 21 times over to revoke
their force from earth, he did sacrament for waging the terrible
war, and threw his axe into the sea. The area where the axe
landed, from shaft to blade, Kerala rose from the sea. Kerala
was visited by the rulers from the other countries like Greece,
Rome, Arabia, China. The Portuguese were forced out of the area.
In 1795, the Dutch too had to move out, and the British traders
were become the strongest power in India by that time. The
Phoenicians started the sea trade, and in 1000 BC Kerala was
visited by King Solomon's ships that travelled to `Ophir', the
modern Puvar, south of Trivandrum. In all this period of
prosperity and strife, the region's identity existed as the
Malabar Coast and Cochin Travancore. It was only in 1956 that it
gained recognition as an independent state, Kerala.
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Cuisine of Kerela |
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Kerala cuisine has a multitude of both vegetarian and
non-vegetarian dishes prepared using fish, poultry and meat.
Cooking spices have been cultivated in Kerala for millennia and
they are characteristic of its cuisine.Rice is a dominant staple
that is eaten at all times of day. Breakfast dishes are normally
based on the rice preparations idli, puttu Idiyappam, or
pulse-based vada or tapioca. These may be accompanied by
kadala,chutney, payasam, payar pappadam, Appam, egg masala and
fish curry.Lunch dishes comprise curry and rice along with rasam,
sambar and pulisherry. Sadhya is a vegetarian meal, often served
on a banana leaf and followed with a cup of payasam. Popular
snacks include banana chips, tapioca chips, yam crisps,
unniyappam andkuzhalappam.Non-vegetarian dishes, including those
with beef and pork, are famous in the state.Sea food
specialities include karimeen, prawn, shrimp and other
crustacean dishes. |
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Geography of Kerala |
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Kerala is surrounded by the Arabian Sea in the west,
Karnataka in the north and northeast, and Tamil Nadu and
Western Ghats in the east. Geographically, Kerala is a part
of the coastal belt and the Western Ghats runs along the
Kerala. Kerala is networked by forty four rivers. Due to
these unique geographical features, Kerala is one of the
most well-known tourist destination in India. The coastal
belt of Kerala is lined with sandy and sunny beaches, palm
lined shores and serene backwaters. The hill ranges of
Kerala have wildlife sanctuaries, tea estates, hill stations
and spice plantations. The rain bearing clouds of the
south-west monsoon brings heavy rainfall to Kerala from May
to September. The location of Kerala gives it a unique
climatic and geographic features. |
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How To Reach Kerela |
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By
Rail
Railway connects different places within and outside Kerala
as there are about 200 railway stations present in Kerala. For
long distances there are super fast trains, express trains which
connect Kerala to Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. Apart
from these, there are speed-boats, public ferry services,
houseboats or ?ketuvallams? to reach different destinations of
this striking place.
By Road
Kerala is linked by road to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka through
national highway. You can hire buses, tourist taxis, and autos
which are the main mode of road transport. Kerala is linked with
other states through metalled roads.
By Air
Thiruvnanthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode have three separate
international airports. Thiruvnanthapuram is the capital of
Kerala which is linked to the other cities of Kerala. |
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