Kerala
Almost at the left tip of the peninsular
India, round Cape Comarin, lies Kerala, a strip of land embraced
by the Arabian Sea down her full stretch. Kerala with her excellent
coconut-palm frinzed beaches, lagoons, coves, breath taking
beautiful lack waters, luscious verdure, cool green crunchy
cashew nuts, colorful Kathakali, temples, synagogues and churches
is a tropical travel-destination though less visited yet highly
rewarding. Kerala came into being in 1956 comprising the erstwhile
princely State of Travancore-Cochin and Malabar coastal district
of Chennai. Today Kerala can boast of the highest literacy rate
in the country. Kerala is a cosmopolitan state in the real sense
of the term, for this land has welcomed all people with open
arms without any distinction. Here came and settled the Phoenicians,
the Romans, the Jews, the Greeks, the Portuguese, the Dutch
and the English. Kerala is characterised by rich green of the
paddy fields, coconut palms, luxuriant forests, coffee and rubber
plantations. When north India shivers in cold during Nov. to
January, Kerala remains warm, cosy and inviting.
Festivals
Kerala’ s kaleidoscopic cultural canvas unfolds itself
before the visitors in the form exotic smake boat races, magnificent
Kathakali, the lyrical Mohiniattum dances, temple celebration
and such spectacular festivals as Onam, Vishnu and Pooram. These
festivals lend joy, zest and variety to routine life. The best
season to visit Kerala is November to April. It has many attractions
to offer to the visitors.
Trivandrum
This capital of Kerala is a lovely city
sprawling over seven small hills with its beautiful parks, temples,
broad avenues, art gallery, zoological gardens and above all
the fascinating Kovalam beach, 16 km. south of the city. The
following spots in and around Trivandrum worth visiting.
Padmnabham Swamy
Temple
The family deity of the former rulers of
the State, Sri Anant Padmabham Swamy is enshrined in this temple.
Located in the centre of the city and built in 1733, this shrine
with its seven storey entrance gopuram is meant only for the
Hindus. The Hindus have to wear white Dhoties to enter it. Non-
Hindus are not allowed at all. The white Dhoti can be hired
from a nearby shop for a rupee.
Museum & Art
Gallery
The museum contains a fine collection of
bronzes, ornaments. carvings and temple cars and local objects
of art sand crafts The Art Gallery or Chi tralaya is another
interesting place here for an art enthusiast. Besides the foreign
Masters, on display here are also paintings from Indian Masters
including those of Ravi Verma.
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam, the star attraction of Trivandrum,
25 km south of the city, is an enchanting sea-resort. It is
one of the best in the world. Here silvery white sands, mellow
sun shine, dark green palms swaying so gracefully all along
the coast, perfect swimming, marvelous views of the seascape
and a lot of fun thrill the visitor. Then, there is Ashok Beach
Resort, a five star luxury hotel. perched on a rocky hill overlooking
the Arabian Sea. It offers rejuvenating Ayurvedic Massage and
Yoga facilities apart from the other luxury items. The hotel
has its own private part of the beach and an open air theatre
where Kathakali dances are performed. Kovalam is accessible
by service buses, taxis and cars.
Trivandrum is a fine shopping centre for intricately carved
ivory objects, curios, wooden dowry boxes and caskets, bronzes.
Kathakali masks, traditional fabrics and other articles of handicrafts.
Trivandrum is air-linked with Mumbai and Chennai and very well
connected with Delhi. Mumbai, Chennai, Mangalore, Ernakulam,
Bangalore and other cities by trains. There are regular buses
to Bangalore, Mysore, Chennai, Kanyakumari and other towns in
Kerala from the main bus station opposite the railway station.
There are many good 2 star hotels near Railway Station as also
good tourist homes etc. for visitors stay.
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