Kerala Tourist Spots
Cochin
Cochin
Cochin, formerly known as Kochi, gained its importance in the world trading routes after the world famous port at Kodugallur (Cranganore) were destroyed by the massive flood, giving the way to the then Kochi, the nearby city, to rise to be one of the busiest ports in the region. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime
Munnar
Munnar is one of the most popular hill-resort towns in Kerala and in southern India. Munnar is located on the Western Ghats, situated in the Idukki district. The name Munnar is believed to be derived from the Malayalam words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. A drive from Udumalpet to Munnar gives one unforgettable views of the Western Ghats. Chinnar is 25 km from Udumalpet and is home to the Indra Gandhi wildlife sanctuary which is famous for known for the elephants that inhabit the area
Ernakulum
Ernakulam refers to the western part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. The name 'Ernakulam' is derived from the name of a very famous temple of Lord Shiva called the Ernakulathappan Temple. It is also said that the word Ernakulam was drawn from Malayalam words 'Ere naal Kulam', which mean 'Pond for a long time'. Ernakulam is the commercial capital of the state of Kerala.The Kerala High Court is situated in Ernakulam. Majority of islands in Kerala are in Ernakulam district which was from different parts of old Cochin Travancore Malabar area. The main islands of this district are Willington Island, Valiya Kadamakkudi, Cheriya Kadamakkudi, Ponjikkara, Ramanthuruthu, Chendamangalam, Vallarpadam, Panangad, Kumbalam, Cheppanam, Pizhala, Nettoor, Kankattuthuruthu, Cheranelloor, Korampadam, Chathanadu and World's most populated Vypeen Island. All these islands are populated areas.
Periyar
Periyar is a protected area, and a nature reserve in the South Indian State of Kerala, set high in the mountains of the Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. It lies in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta. The protected area covers an area of 925 km, out of which a 350 km part of the core zone was made into the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, sometimes dubbed the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The park is often called by the name thekkady also. Thekkady is located four km from Kumily, approximately 100 km east of Kottayam, 110 km west of Madurai and 120 km southeast from Kochi. Periyar is one of the most popular national parks in southern India, but these days this is more for its tranquil feel than sightings of wildlife, which many people complain can be few and far between at times. The park is known for its elephants, and 30 minute elephant rides through the jungle are offered.
Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam (16 kilometres (10 mi)), in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres, and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction.
Alleppey (Houseboat)
Alleppey or Alappuzha is a pleasant little market town consisting of a number of islands surrounded by a network of lakes, lagoons and water bodies, thus making it one of the most bewitching backwater destinations in Kerala. Housing silvery beaches lined with swaying palm trees, this tiny heaven is packed with umpteen tourist attractions that make it hard to forget even after your dream vacation is over. Alleppey is also home to a varied species of plant and animal life. Alleppey is also known for its spectacular snake - boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. This competition - the Nehru boat race takes its name from India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated in 1952. It is excitement all around as snake - boats , each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists and the local population alike. The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey give one first hand experience of the life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years
Idukki
Idukki is well known for tourism in state of Kerala. There are lots of place to see in Idukki and its Natural Wild Beauty is notable. A mosque in Vagamon. Adimali it is the spice city of kerala It is the land of waterfalls Adimali is known as the gateway of highranges munnar is just 30 km from adimali valara, cheeyappara, adimali water falls are main tourist locations. A Landlocked District, Idukki Is One Of The Most Nature Rich Areas Of Kerala. High Ranges And Wooded Valleys Are Girded By Three Main Rivers - Periyar, Thalayar And Thodupuzhayar And Their Tributaries. The River Pamba Also Has It Origin Here. As A Tourist Destination, Idukki Offers Diverse Attractions Like Wildlife Sanctuaries, Hill Stations, Spice Plantation Tours Mountain Treks, Elephant Rides Etc.
Trivandrum
Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland. Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the "Evergreen city of India", the city is characterized by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. Thiruvananthapuram means "City of Lord Anantha" in Sanskrit and Malayalam. The name derives from the deity of the Hindu temple at the centre of the city. Anantha is the serpent Shesha on whom Padmanabhan or Vishnu reclines. The temple of Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple remains the iconic landmark of the city.
Kovalam
Kovalam was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the hippy era. It still has a high status among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and Israel. Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists. There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.
Kanyakumari
The name of this place has been christened after the virgin goddess Kanyakumari Amman. Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. This place is also a popular pilgrimage. The tourists who visit this southern most tip of India would certainly enjoy the exuberant scenes of the sunsets, the sunrises especially on full moon days. The nature of the sand in the beaches of Kanyakumari is unique as it is multicolored. Lakhs of tourist, round the year are lured by the serene beauty of this place and the spectacles of sunrise and sunset. Though sunrise can be viewed throughout the year, sunset is visible only from October 15 to March 15 from this southernmost tip
Munnar
Munnar is one of the most popular hill-resort towns in Kerala and in southern India. Munnar is located on the Western Ghats, situated in the Idukki district. The name Munnar is believed to be derived from the Malayalam words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. A drive from Udumalpet to Munnar gives one unforgettable views of the Western Ghats. Chinnar is 25 km from Udumalpet and is home to the Indra Gandhi wildlife sanctuary which is famous for known for the elephants that inhabit the area
Ernakulum
Ernakulam refers to the western part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. The name 'Ernakulam' is derived from the name of a very famous temple of Lord Shiva called the Ernakulathappan Temple. It is also said that the word Ernakulam was drawn from Malayalam words 'Ere naal Kulam', which mean 'Pond for a long time'. Ernakulam is the commercial capital of the state of Kerala.The Kerala High Court is situated in Ernakulam. Majority of islands in Kerala are in Ernakulam district which was from different parts of old Cochin Travancore Malabar area. The main islands of this district are Willington Island, Valiya Kadamakkudi, Cheriya Kadamakkudi, Ponjikkara, Ramanthuruthu, Chendamangalam, Vallarpadam, Panangad, Kumbalam, Cheppanam, Pizhala, Nettoor, Kankattuthuruthu, Cheranelloor, Korampadam, Chathanadu and World's most populated Vypeen Island. All these islands are populated areas.
Periyar
Periyar is a protected area, and a nature reserve in the South Indian State of Kerala, set high in the mountains of the Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. It lies in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta. The protected area covers an area of 925 km, out of which a 350 km part of the core zone was made into the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, sometimes dubbed the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The park is often called by the name thekkady also. Thekkady is located four km from Kumily, approximately 100 km east of Kottayam, 110 km west of Madurai and 120 km southeast from Kochi. Periyar is one of the most popular national parks in southern India, but these days this is more for its tranquil feel than sightings of wildlife, which many people complain can be few and far between at times. The park is known for its elephants, and 30 minute elephant rides through the jungle are offered.
Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam (16 kilometres (10 mi)), in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres, and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction.
Alleppey (Houseboat)
Alleppey or Alappuzha is a pleasant little market town consisting of a number of islands surrounded by a network of lakes, lagoons and water bodies, thus making it one of the most bewitching backwater destinations in Kerala. Housing silvery beaches lined with swaying palm trees, this tiny heaven is packed with umpteen tourist attractions that make it hard to forget even after your dream vacation is over. Alleppey is also home to a varied species of plant and animal life. Alleppey is also known for its spectacular snake - boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. This competition - the Nehru boat race takes its name from India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated in 1952. It is excitement all around as snake - boats , each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists and the local population alike. The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey give one first hand experience of the life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years
Idukki
Idukki is well known for tourism in state of Kerala. There are lots of place to see in Idukki and its Natural Wild Beauty is notable. A mosque in Vagamon. Adimali it is the spice city of kerala It is the land of waterfalls Adimali is known as the gateway of highranges munnar is just 30 km from adimali valara, cheeyappara, adimali water falls are main tourist locations. A Landlocked District, Idukki Is One Of The Most Nature Rich Areas Of Kerala. High Ranges And Wooded Valleys Are Girded By Three Main Rivers - Periyar, Thalayar And Thodupuzhayar And Their Tributaries. The River Pamba Also Has It Origin Here. As A Tourist Destination, Idukki Offers Diverse Attractions Like Wildlife Sanctuaries, Hill Stations, Spice Plantation Tours Mountain Treks, Elephant Rides Etc.
Trivandrum
Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland. Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the "Evergreen city of India", the city is characterized by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. Thiruvananthapuram means "City of Lord Anantha" in Sanskrit and Malayalam. The name derives from the deity of the Hindu temple at the centre of the city. Anantha is the serpent Shesha on whom Padmanabhan or Vishnu reclines. The temple of Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple remains the iconic landmark of the city.
Kovalam
Kovalam was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the hippy era. It still has a high status among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and Israel. Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists. There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.
Kanyakumari
The name of this place has been christened after the virgin goddess Kanyakumari Amman. Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. This place is also a popular pilgrimage. The tourists who visit this southern most tip of India would certainly enjoy the exuberant scenes of the sunsets, the sunrises especially on full moon days. The nature of the sand in the beaches of Kanyakumari is unique as it is multicolored. Lakhs of tourist, round the year are lured by the serene beauty of this place and the spectacles of sunrise and sunset. Though sunrise can be viewed throughout the year, sunset is visible only from October 15 to March 15 from this southernmost tip
