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The state of Kerala stretches for 550km along India’s southwest coast, divided between the densely forested mountains of the Western Ghats inland and a lush, humid coastal plain of rice paddy, lagoons, rivers and canals. Its intensely tropical landscape, fed by the highest rainfall in peninsular India, has intoxicated visitors since the ancient Sumerians and Greeks sailed in search of spices to the shore known as the Malabar coast. Equally, Kerala’s arcane rituals and spectacular festivals – many of them little changed since the earliest era of Brahmanical Hinduism – have dazzled outsiders for thousands of years.
2. Cleanest State of India
3. The first state to receive rainfall in India
4. The wealthiest Hindu temple in the World is in Kerala
5. The Paradise of Ayurveda
6. Highest female to male ratio
7. Highest gold consumption in the country
8. Highest literacy rate
9. The only state with the highest number of festivals being celebrated
10. Home to a vast variety of herbs
11. The second least corrupt state in India
12. The largest rubber producers in the nation
13. The first state to have implemented education reform bills
14. National Geographic had declared it as Paradise of the world amongst ten others
15. Highest media exposure is enjoyed in Kerala
16. Kerala shares a special bond with its elephant
17. The backwaters cover almost half of the length of Kerala
21. It is also known as the spice coast of India
22. Highest per capita of alcohol consumption
23. First Church, Mosque and Synagogue of India are in Kerala
24. India's first coir factory was set up in Kerala
26. Home to one of the world’s hottest hotspot
27. Highest Point in India, Anamudi Peak (excluding Himalayas
29. Home to world’s oldest teak trees
The period from December to February is generally considered to be the best time to visit Kerala, especially if you’re planning some beach time – the skies are blue and the humidity isn’t too fierce. From March the heat builds up until the skies open in June for the state’s first monsoon, which lasts until August and is more intense than October’s “retreating” monsoon. A word of warning, however, for budget travellers. Kerala’s accommodation is pricey (though it tends to be of a high standard) and in high season cheap places to stay are thin on the ground everywhere, but especially in the hill stations and backwater areas, where it’s not uncommon to pay upwards of ₹2000 for a room in a modest guesthouse. March, April and May are good months to negotiate discounts and the best time to hike in the cooler climes of the Western Ghats.
Summer is noted for its festivals, including the traditional snake boat races held during monsoon.
1. Alleppey – The Backwater Hot Spot
2. Munnar – Perfect For A Romantic Honeymoon
3. Kumarakom – One Of The Most Tranquil Places
4. Wayanad – The Land Of Heavenly Trails
5. Thekkady – For The Love Of Wildlife
6. Kovalam – For Some Beach Fun
7. Vagamon – Solitude Guaranteed!
8. Bekal – Nothing Less Than Heaven On Earth!
9. Kozhikode – For Authentic Malabar Cuisine
10. Varkala – One Of Kerala’s Most Scenic Seasides
11. Kannur – The Picture Perfect Coastal Town
12. Kasargod – A Coastal Paradise In Kerala
13. Kizhunna Beach – For Complete Solace
14. Idukki – The True Gem Of Kerala
15. Munroe Island – For An Exciting Canal Cruise
16. Kavvayi Backwaters – The Stunning Backwater Landscape
17. Kuttanad – Rice Bowl Of Kerala
18. Thrissur – Experience Rich Cultural Heritage
19. Palakkad – A Nature’s Delight
20. Malappuram – Vedic Learning And Islamic Philosophy Centre
21. Poovar – The Tropical Stay Paradise
22. Ponmudi – The Golden Peak
23. Guruvayur – A Spiritual Spot
24. Ashtamudi – Impeccable Beauty
25. Marari – Gorgeous Beach Location
26. Cochin – Major Port City
27. Malampuzha – India’s Spice Capital
28. Nelliampathy – God’s Own Village
29. Sabarimala – The Mecca Of India
30. Kollam – Treasure Trove Of Natural Marvels
31. Thalassery – The Most Beautiful Coastal Town
32. Nilambur – The Land Of Teak Plantations
33. Kalpetta – That Quaint, Little Town
34. Peerumedu – An Escape For Every Kind Of Traveler
35. Mannarkkad – Doorway To Silent Valley
36. Vythiri – The Resort Town
37. Thenmala – The Planned Ecotourism Land
38. Kottayam – The Cultural Hub
39. Kumily – The Divider
40. Ponnani – Culturally Harmonious Land
41. Pathanamthitta – A Land For Pilgrims
42. Devikulam – Home To Lake With A Legend
43. Tholpetty – Habitat Of Wildlife
44. Cherai – Known For Its Beachy Nature
45. Kodanad – Ideal Place For Families
46. Thodupuzha – Covered By Green Vegetation
47. Kattappana – Perfect For A Road Trip
48. Paravur – A Pleasant Town
49. Parunthumpara – The Eagle Rock
50. Marayoor – Encounter Rich Heritage
51. Anamudi
52. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
53. Valara Waterfalls
54. Alleppey Beach
55. Krishnapuram Palace
Huge amounts of money are lavished upon many, varied, and often all-night festivals associated with Kerala’s temples. Fireworks rend the air, while processions of caparisoned elephants are accompanied by some of the loudest (and deftest) drum orchestras in the world. Thrissur’s famous Puram festival is the most astonishing, but smaller events take place throughout the state, with everyone welcome to attend. Between December and March it’s possible to spend weeks hopping between village thymus in northern Kerala, experiencing rituals little altered in centuries. The snake boat races in June, August and September are an incredible sight, while Christmas sees paper lanterns and fairy lights decorating homes and churches. Kerala’s Hindu festivals are fixed according to the Malayalam Calendar, so dates change from year to year
• Swathi Sangeetotsavam (Jan)
Held in honour of composer Sri Swathi Thirunal (maharaja of Travancore 1813–46), free evening performances of Karnatic and Hindustani music take place on the raised porch of Thiruvananthapuram’s Puttan Malika Palace, with spectators seated on the lawn.
• Maha Shivrati (Usually early March; the moonless night)
The night of the worship of Shiva is an all-night vigil at temples across the state. A shivalingam rises out of the banks of the River Periyar near Kochi, attracting thousands of devotees.
• Vishu (Mid-April)
A festival of lights and fireworks on Hindu New Year’s Day. On this day it’s believed that the first object seen is auspicious, so items including rice, fruit, flowers and gold are set out in homes.
• Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race (Second Sat in Aug)
The most spectacular of the boat races attracts huge crowds to Punnamda Lake near Alappuzha. Following a grand procession, the magnificently decorated longboats – each carrying more than one hundred oarsmen rowing to the rhythmic vanchipattu (“song of the boatman”) – compete in knockout rounds. Similar races can be seen at Aranmula (Aug–Sept) and Champakulam (June–July).
• Onam (Ten days in Aug or Sept)
Kerala’s harvest festival is marked by singing, kathakali, pookalam (floral “carpets”), traditional food and in Thrissur, pulikali (the dance of the tigers). Four of the days are state holidays.
Items locally produced or exclusively available in Kerala make them must buy items here. These items specifically include:
Spices like cardamom, cloves, black pepper, star anise, cinnamon and turmeric
Aroma oils and essential oils
Cashew Nuts
Tea & Coffee
Coir products like rugs, mats, wall hanging etc.
Handicraft items like Kathakali mask, Nilavillaku oil lamps, sandalwood caskets, model snake boats etc.
Handloom textile- silk and cotton
Some famous local markets you must definitely visit for some satisfying Kerala shopping are:
• Connemara Market in Kochi
• Mattupetty Dam Market in Munnar
• Mattancherry Spice Market in Kochi
• Kovalam Fish Market
• Chalai Market in Trivandrum
• Broadway Street market in Kochi
• Local Town Market of Munnar
• Sarwar Market in Trivandrum
• Puttu and Kadala Curry -
• Appam with Stew - One of The Most Popular Kerala Food Items
• Idiyappam
• Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu (Spicy Chicken Fry)
• Kerala Prawn Curry
• Naadan Beef Fry or Kerala Style Beef Fry
• Malabar Parota
• Kerala Style Fish Molee
• Banana Fritters
• Palada Payasam
• Sadhya
• Erissery
• Thalassery Biryani
• Naadan Kozhi Curry
• Erachi Varutharacha Curry
• Ada Pradhaman
• Chatti Pathiri
• Coconut Toddy
• Kappa and Meen Curry
• Mussel Stir Fry
• Thattu Dosa with Chutney
• Banana Halwa
