Kerala - God's Own Country
There are many attractions in Kerala with varied features, be it beaches which stretch from north to south for almost 650kms. There are 44 rivers, of which 3 are east flowing and 41 flowing to the Arabian Sea in the west. The Western Ghats which is the icing on the cake as far as Kerala is concerned is the most visited mountain or hill station in the south of India. It's also regarded as a world heritage site as per UNESCO as it plays a vital role in the monsoon weather pattern. The Western Ghats is also home for many endangered species and animals which are for seeing an extinction is now capitalizing its presence in this thick forest mountain area. The western ghats/mountains are considered to be older than the great Himalayas as per geologist and UNESCO. The western ghats in the Kerala region are listed as the heritage site by UNESCO. Munnar, Thekkady, Gavi, Wayanad, Idukki, Rajakkad, Ponmudi, etc, are some of the must-visit places surrounded by mountains and forests. During winter, Munnar has seen its temperature going down to 0°C (0-degree Celsius).
Though Kerala destinations have been regarded as the most preferred tourist or sightseeing destinations in India by international tourists, lately there has been an incredible rise among the domestic tourists. This is due to the infrastructure development and new addition of an international airport in Kerala and other connectivity be it road or rail. Kerala is blessed with its natural resources which is a treat to the eyes and experience the varied culture, food, hospitality, tradition, etc. various cultural forms like kathakali, Ottanthullal, Mohiniyattam, Thiruvathira kali, Kalaripayattu(martial art) is a visual treat for the tourists. Alleppey is famous for the snake boat race held on the Vembanad making Alleppey world famous. Kovalam beach is popular among international tourists. The famous, Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, plays a distinct place as a cultural site.
Best Time To Visit Kerala
Kerala has three main seasons; summer, monsoon, and winter. However, tourists plan their visit around the year.
- High season: The peak season of Kerala falls between September and March. During this time the weather is pleasant as the humidity and the heat is reduced. The Winter season is during November and January, this is the ideal time to enjoy the clear sky and to cruise through the backwaters of Alappuzha and Kumarakom.
- Off-season: The summer season is during April and May. During this period the humidity and heat are high. This is not the ideal time to explore beaches, backwaters, or cities. Even hiking and trekking during this season are dangerous. Visiting Wayanad and Munnar are the main choices in this season, as the climate will be cool and calm in the mountain regions.
- Ayurveda season: June, July, and August, the monsoon period is perfect for Ayurvedic therapy. The temperature during this period favors Ayurvedic massage and follows the recommended diet chart.
How To Reach Kerala
- By Air: Kerala has four international airports that connect with the rest of the country. The airports, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram has flights operated by the major international and national airlines with flights to either of the cities. Emirates Airlines, Etihad, SriLankan, Malaysia Airlines Qatar Airways, aside from Air India, Vistara, AirAsia, GoAir, and each have flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Kuwait to Kerala.
- By Rail: The major railway stations in Kerala include Shoranur Junction Railway Station, Ernakulam Junction Railway Station, Kannur Railway Station, Kollam Junction Railway Station, and Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.
- By Road: State-run buses connect Kerala with its neighboring states. The government-run buses and individual-owned Volvo AC seater, sleeper, and multi-axle buses are available to reach Kerala from other parts of the country.
