‘If there is a heaven on Earth. It is here. It is here.’ Kerala – A place for spiritual adventures.
I find it incredible when thinking about the beauty of Kerala. Kerala is a state with long coastline along with stunning beaches, a rich culture and diversity, ancient heritage palaces and majestic spiritual temples, lush greenery filled with backwaters. This place is meant for all type of travelers due to its pleasing, charming and mesmerizing beaches which is the best gift for your body and soul.
Kerala is very true for ‘God’s own country’. Kerala is a hill country having its own coconut trees, spice growing plantations, Ayurvedic farm and the pleasant climate which makes the experience of the beaches more amazing. It is such a place o the planet Earth blessed with the magical beauty and charming nature. Kerala is famous for its shell necklaces, fresh coconuts, smell of fish curries touching lips, grilled tiger prawns, aromas of species. Kerala’s food is just great as always.
Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before
– Dalai Lama
Incredible Beaches of Kerala
- Alleppey Beach
- Kollam Beach
Kovalam Beach
‘The best kind of therapy is the beach therapy’
Alleppey Beach
One of the most attractive and beautiful beaches of Kerala, situated in Alleppe locally known as Alappuzha, a place well famous for backwaters and houseboats. Kerala is just incomplete without houseboat cruise. This beach is 5 years old. Also called as the ‘Venice of the East’. This beach is a great place for picnic to have some great and amazing time with families in the beautiful backwaters.
Kollam Beach
Kollam beach is sandwiched between the Ashtamudi Lake and Arabian Sea situated in shoreline of Kollam. It is the best place to explore the southern backwaters. This beach is also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach. It is completely surrounded by fishing settlements and fishing nets. The serene atmosphere and the Tangasseri breakwater engulfs the explorer to spend some time in the beach with water.
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam beach also known to be the ‘Paradise of South India’. It is one of the most popular beach with shallow waters and low tides. It is situated in Tiruvanathpuram by Arabian sea. Main attraction of this charming beach includes the Ayurvedic Salons, Healing and Spa Resorts for variety of natural Ayurvedic treatments for tourists. Water sports is the unbelievable part of the beach. It is very amazing watching the beautiful golden sun-rays and enjoying a sunbath. The evening view of this beach is eye-catching.
‘Happiness is standing on a beach and waiting for the beautiful sunset to feel its glorious magic’
Kovalam Beach is divided into three beaches
- The Light House Beach
- Crescent Beach
- Hawath Beach
The Light House Beach
The light house beach is situated in the foothills of Kuramkal Hills is famous for its beautiful architect of red and white painted light house that gives the beach a very peaceful look. And during the nights when the light falls on the beach from the light house, the view is very amazing to watch.
Crescent Beach
Crescent beach also known as Samundra beach is a quite pleasant place for leisure walk. It is very relaxing watching the waves touching the side rocks.
Hawath Beach
Hawath beach also known to be Hawa beach. It is popular for its blue waters. It is perfect place to relax in evening. Interestingly, this beach was famous as topless beach.
All the beaches have a wide variety of delicious eating options giving a magnificent view.
Thekkady : Exposure to Beautiful Nature
‘A place that will make you fall in love with it’
Thekkady is famous for Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is located bear Periyar, longest river which is the lifeline for the state. The township of the city is Kumily which is the border of Kerala and Tamil-Nadu. Periyar lake is the artificial lake constructed during the building of the Mallu Periyar Dam. Thekkady is only known for its plantations and beautiful homes. The owners of the plantations modernize their stay for relaxing comfort.
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Periyar Tiger Reserve is responsible for Eco friendly tourism. It is having beautiful resorts and 5-star hotels for home stays and small lodges for the tourists. There are few activities like camping in jungle, nature walks, Safari Ride and boating managed by KTDC (Kerala Tourism Department).
There are two types of boats available – boats with single deck and boats with both upper and lower deck. Try to get a upper deck to watch the beautiful and amazing serene beauty of nature and get capture some good photos. It is at times very disappointing if you don’t get a chance to see the elephants there. But nature’s love will make your mind and soul completely relaxed.
Thekkady consists of multi-layered forests. it is the ultimate reservoir of endangered species. Also, this heritage city is rich in tribal tradition and culture. And if you want to witness the culture of tribal then you can visit the Tribal Heritage Museum.
Kochi – Old Charm of the World
Kochi is a port city in India’s coastal state Kerala. New Kochi is called as Ernakulam. While traveling and crossing the BOT Bridge and Wellington Island, the serene view is very amazing to watch. It is very interesting to watch the multicultural flavor of people. Bastions and Mansions built by British, Portuguese and Dutch are very well constructed. Kochi is also known as Cochin.
Five main attractions of Kochi
Dutch Palace
Dutch Palace was built by Portuguese. This palace have heavily decorated walls which attracts the tourists to spend some time there. The rectangular palace is fantastic to see and exploring the Hindu sculptures depicting the stories from Ramayana.
Chinese Fishing Nets Settlements
Chinese fishing nets are situated near the Fort Kochi. These nets are fixed land installments. It is operated on a set of bamboo and teak poles on shore. This fishing technique is originated from the court of a Mongolian King which is operated by a group of 4-5 people. Children playing football near the beach is very amazing to see.
Jewish Synagogue
Jewish Synagogue is situated in Jew streets, oldest synagogue in the commonwealth of nations. The nearby streets consists of shops selling art works, hand made works, hand made and designed clothes, small antique statues and beautiful gift pieces. Blue patterned Chinese floor tiles and Belgian glass chandelier’s attracts the tourists. Presence of Jewish community can be felt near the Jewish Cemetery.
Churches – That’s our Home
Must go to church in the evening.
St. Francis Church
St. Francis Church is one of the oldest church built by Europeans is situated near Dutch Cemetery little far from the fort Kochi. Tourists are attracted by the beautiful architecture and ambiance of the church. Stepped pinnacle on the both sides of the facade is impressive to see.
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is a catholic church built by Portuguese. It is the 2nd oldest Diocese of India. Lovely and inimitable paintings on the wall of the church are beautiful to see. Ceiling of the church depict scenes of crisis of Christ through colorful paintings. Nearby shops attracts the travelers to see the local traditional items, shell necklaces, gift pieces and designed and printed dresses.
Must Visit to Lulu Mall
Lulu mall is the largest shopping mall in India situated in Edappally junction, Kochi having more than 215 outlets. It showcase the shade of modern Kerala and becoming one of the leading tourist attractions. It consists of variety of food courts, restaurants, bowling gallery, ice-skating ring and multiplexes. It also started a new initiative of e-waste collection point. It also prints its own cultural magazine ‘Lulu Happiness’.
Munnar – Doorway to Heaven
Munnar is a hill station having waterfalls and azure lakes situated in the western ghats of Kerala. It is 6000 feet above the sea level. It is also known as ‘Moon-aar’ meaning convergence point of three mountains streams – Kundala, Mudrapuzha and Nullathanni. This place redifines nature like never before. It is great in cultural and historical insight and is rich in it’s own biodiversity. It’s natural beauty and gesture of people shows Kerala’s idyllic life. The city center is crowded and accommodation is very cheap. It is amazing to see the water in lake which is tranquil, so the reflections are very clear to view. The monsoon clouds on the hills and mountain mists refreshes the mind and soul with its magical beauty. Munnar is also famous for its wildlife paradise. It’s landscape is completely full of species, rubber and coffee plantations. Tea and spice gardens are very common to see here. The beauty of its hill station attracts a large number of travelers to visit here and spend some good time in the lap of the nature.
Attractions of the beautiful Hill station – Munnar
‘Trip to Heaven’s Garden’
Devikulam
Devikulam is the green landscape having the tea gardens. The shape of garden signifies the shape of a fish eye. The natural beauty is covered by clouds with cool climate and the melodies of the migratory birds are very sweet to hear and enjoy the beauty of magic of nature.
Wayanad
Wayanad is in the northern part of Kerala. The slopping plains are having spice plantations of cardamom, black pepper. And the fragrance of nature is very pleasant.
Kundala Lake
Kundala Lake is en-route top station at Munnar. It is an artificial reservoir. During passage through the roads to reach the Kundala Lake, you can see the vast and beautiful spice gardens and its lush greenery. Boat riding is one good activity to do at Kundala Lake.
Tea Gardens – Tea Country
The landscape is covered with slopes of tea gardens spreading its lush greenery. World’s highest tea garden – Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is also located in Munnar. The fragrance of aroma of tea is just extra-ordinary.
Mattupetty Dam
Mattupetty Dam is situated in a beautiful serene town. The main purpose of this dam is to implement the storage of water for different hydro-electric projects. Gesture and scenic view of nature is very beautiful to see. Varieties of handmade chocolates, dry fruits and species shops are available to have some good yummy taste in your mouth. And Kerala’s food is great as always.
Shikara Ride
Shikara Ride is famous backwater rides through the backwaters of Kundala Lake and Vembanad Lake and finally back to destination. It is very pleasant to have a luxurious and relaxing stay in the backwaters of God’s own Country ‘Kerala’.
Food In Kerala
Kerala offers a good variety of places for delicious food and sweet mouth watering desserts. Their dishes are ranging from traditional local south Indian cuisines to the world famous International cuisines. Most of the cafes, restaurants and food places provides very good ambiance and few of them also have very beautiful gardens to enjoy the delicious food with magical beauty of nature. You can also enjoy the iconic traditional dish of Kerala served on banana leaf.
India Coffee House
India Coffee House is a must visit place in Kerala because of its unique architectural design to enjoy a freshly brewed hot coffee with the rich aroma of coffee beans. The traditional Keralite dish Appam made with rice batter and coconut is very common breakfast for most of the people in Kerala and also for the travelers. People have delicious crispy appam with egg curries or any other tasty vegetarian dishes.
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