Tourist Places in Kerala
Kerala is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India. To its east and northeast, Kerala borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; to its west and south lie the Indian Ocean islands of Lakshadweep and the Maldives, respectively. The principal spoken language is Malayalam, but other languages are also spoken. Kerala is an imperfect Malayalam portmanteau that fuses kera ("coconut palm tree") and alam ("land" or "location"). Another theory is that the name originated from the phrase chera alam ("Land of the Chera"). Natives of Kerala, known as Keralites or Malayalees, thus refer to their land as Keralam. According to a legend, Parasurama, an avatar of Mahavishnu, threw his battle axe into the sea. As a result, the land of Kerala arose and was reclaimed from the waters. Kerala’s 38,863 km² landmass (1.18% of India) is wedged between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats—identified as one of the world's twenty-five biodiversity hotspots—to the east. Much of Kerala's notable biodiversity is concentrated and protected in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in the eastern hills. Almost a fourth of India's 10,000 plant species are found in the state. Among the almost 4,000 flowering plant species (1,272 of which are endemic to Kerala and 159 threatened) are 900 species of highly sought medicinal plants.
Kollam
Standing proudly as a hub that witnesses the influx of ancient traders, Kollam, today, presents itself as a serene town that welcomes its visiting guests with great warmth. The town is the main hub of cashew trading in India. But what makes it so enthralling is its secret of being the best gateway to the wonderful backwater tour of Kerala. The ferry ride between Alappuzha and Kollam is considered as one of the most magnificent experiences among Kerala’s treasure troves.
Attractions: Ashtamudi lake, Thangassery Light House, Ananda Valleswaram Temple, Pullichira Church, Chinnakkada Palli, Mahatma Gandhi Beach, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Museum, and Puthenkulam Elephant Village.
How to Reach: Kollam has its own railway station, making it quite easily accessible from all parts of the state. While for air transport, commuters have to depend on Trivandrum International Airport.
Poovar
What is more romantic then holding hand of your beloved and watching beautiful honey glaze over the sea till the sight goes! Poovar is something like that only. If you like to throng something different then head straight to Poovar. Panoramic lush vegetation views, dewy golden sand, water activities to die for and the rippling palms add magnetism to this tropical land. And that’s why it is one of the most preferred honeymoon destinations in the state.
Attractions: Poovar Beach, Kovalam Beach, the Fishing Village and Vizhinjam.
How to Reach: Trivandrum Airport and railway station are the two most easily accessible commuting points to reach Poovar from other cities.
Athirapally
Give yourself a rejuvenating treat with a visit to Athirapally, the land of majestic cascades and lush green cover. There is much more to discover in this off-beaten track of Kerala apart from the renowned Athirapally Waterfall, the largest one in the state. Dotted with several rare species of fauna, the place is really a treat to mesmerize forever for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, especially in monsoon when most of the tourist places in Kerala are said to avoid.
Attractions: Waterfalls, however, the star attraction is Athirapally Waterfall only.
How to Reach: It is good to reach Athirapally by train as three stations serve the area, namely Chalakuddy (31 km), Kochi (66 km) and Thrissur (78 km) respectively. Kochi airport located around 55 km away is the closest airbase.
Thattekad
A name that means ‘flat forest’, Thattekad is another off-beaten destination that is hardly included under Kerala travel packages by most of the travel agencies. But this evergreen low-land forest area will sure fulfill your need to experience something unique about Kerala. Being home to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, it is bliss for photographers and birdwatchers. The place also satisfies the adventure hunger of trekkers and campers.
Attractions: Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, trekking and bird watching
How to Reach: Closest railhead is in Aluva around 48 km away and Cochin International Airport is the nearby one for those who prefer air mode of commuting.
Guruvayur
Get a glimpse of Kerala’s cultural world with a tour to Guruvayur, a mythological chord that still rules the customs and traditions of Trichur district of the state. Guruvayur is one among the most sacred pilgrim centres in Kerala, especially for Vaishnav sect. The high point of the place is the historic Sree Krishna Temple. There are various other exciting yet hidden things to discover.
Attractions: Guruvayur Temple, Devaswom Museum, Institute of Mural Painting, Punathur Elephant Palace, Parthasarathy Temple and Guruvayur Festival
How to Reach: Nearest airport is of Kochi (80 km) and Calicut (100 km).
Nearest railway point is at Thrissur (27 km)
Kollam
Standing proudly as a hub that witnesses the influx of ancient traders, Kollam, today, presents itself as a serene town that welcomes its visiting guests with great warmth. The town is the main hub of cashew trading in India. But what makes it so enthralling is its secret of being the best gateway to the wonderful backwater tour of Kerala. The ferry ride between Alappuzha and Kollam is considered as one of the most magnificent experiences among Kerala’s treasure troves.
Attractions: Ashtamudi lake, Thangassery Light House, Ananda Valleswaram Temple, Pullichira Church, Chinnakkada Palli, Mahatma Gandhi Beach, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Museum, and Puthenkulam Elephant Village.
How to Reach: Kollam has its own railway station, making it quite easily accessible from all parts of the state. While for air transport, commuters have to depend on Trivandrum International Airport.
Poovar
What is more romantic then holding hand of your beloved and watching beautiful honey glaze over the sea till the sight goes! Poovar is something like that only. If you like to throng something different then head straight to Poovar. Panoramic lush vegetation views, dewy golden sand, water activities to die for and the rippling palms add magnetism to this tropical land. And that’s why it is one of the most preferred honeymoon destinations in the state.
Attractions: Poovar Beach, Kovalam Beach, the Fishing Village and Vizhinjam.
How to Reach: Trivandrum Airport and railway station are the two most easily accessible commuting points to reach Poovar from other cities.
Athirapally
Give yourself a rejuvenating treat with a visit to Athirapally, the land of majestic cascades and lush green cover. There is much more to discover in this off-beaten track of Kerala apart from the renowned Athirapally Waterfall, the largest one in the state. Dotted with several rare species of fauna, the place is really a treat to mesmerize forever for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, especially in monsoon when most of the tourist places in Kerala are said to avoid.
Attractions: Waterfalls, however, the star attraction is Athirapally Waterfall only.
How to Reach: It is good to reach Athirapally by train as three stations serve the area, namely Chalakuddy (31 km), Kochi (66 km) and Thrissur (78 km) respectively. Kochi airport located around 55 km away is the closest airbase.
Thattekad
A name that means ‘flat forest’, Thattekad is another off-beaten destination that is hardly included under Kerala travel packages by most of the travel agencies. But this evergreen low-land forest area will sure fulfill your need to experience something unique about Kerala. Being home to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, it is bliss for photographers and birdwatchers. The place also satisfies the adventure hunger of trekkers and campers.
Attractions: Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, trekking and bird watching
How to Reach: Closest railhead is in Aluva around 48 km away and Cochin International Airport is the nearby one for those who prefer air mode of commuting.
Guruvayur
Get a glimpse of Kerala’s cultural world with a tour to Guruvayur, a mythological chord that still rules the customs and traditions of Trichur district of the state. Guruvayur is one among the most sacred pilgrim centres in Kerala, especially for Vaishnav sect. The high point of the place is the historic Sree Krishna Temple. There are various other exciting yet hidden things to discover.
Attractions: Guruvayur Temple, Devaswom Museum, Institute of Mural Painting, Punathur Elephant Palace, Parthasarathy Temple and Guruvayur Festival
How to Reach: Nearest airport is of Kochi (80 km) and Calicut (100 km).
Nearest railway point is at Thrissur (27 km)
