Kerala - God's Own Country referred as the “Spice Garden of India”, Kerala is a
beautiful state with an excellent landscape of palm-lined beaches, thick
jungles, plantation-covered hills, and enthralling rivers and lakes. It is
considered to be one of the cleanest and the most peaceful parts of India, with
the state remaining a major source of India's bananas, rubber, cardamoms,
coconuts, cashews, and ginger.
Kerala, a state
situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, is one of the
most popular tourist destinations in the country. Named as one of the ten
paradises of the world by the National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is famous
especially for its eco-tourism initiatives. Its unique culture and traditions,
coupled with its varied demography, has made Kerala one of the most popular
tourist destinations in the world. Growing at a rate of 13.31%, the tourism
industry is a major contributor to the state's economy.
In the decades
that followed, Kerala Tourism was able to transform itself into one of the
niche holiday destinations in India. The tag line Kerala- God's Own Country was
adopted in its tourism promotions and became a global super brand. Kerala is
regarded as one of the destinations with the highest brand recall. In 2010,
Kerala attracted 0.66 million foreign tourist arrivals.
Kerala is an
established tourist destination for both Indians and non-Indians alike. Kerala
is popular for her beaches, backwaters, mountain ranges and
wildlife sanctuaries. The city of Kochi ranks first in the total number
of international and domestic tourists in Kerala. Other popular attractions in
the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai and Varkala;
backwater tourism and lake resorts around Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom and
Alapuzha; hill stations and resorts at Munnar, Wayanad, Nelliampathi,
Vagamon and Ponmudi; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar and
Eravikulam National Park. The "backwaters" region—an extensive network
of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kumarakom,
and Punnamada—also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as the
Padmanabhapuram Palace, Hill Palace, Mattancherry Palace are also visited. To
further promote tourism in Kerala Grand Kerala Shopping Festival was started by
the Government of Kerala in 2007. Since then it has been held every year during
the December-January period. The city of Kochi ranks first in the total number
of international and domestic tourist arrivals in Kerala.
Tourism in Kerala
Backwaters
The Kerala Backwaters are a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km of waterways, and sometimes compared to the American Bayou. In the midst of this landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which serve as the starting and end points of backwater cruises. Know more..
Hill Stations
The high ranges and hill stations are the favorite spots of nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Expansive plantations of tea, coffee, rubber and fragrant cardamom and other spices, for which Kerala is famous for, are cultivated on the slopes of these hill stations. Know more..
Beaches
Beaches in Kerala are spread along the 550-km Arabian Sea coastline. Kerala is an Indian state occupying the south-west corner of the subcontinent. The topography of the coastline is distinctive and changes abruptly as one proceeds from north to south. The long coastline of Kerala is inextricably entwined with the culture, life and traditions of the state. Know more..
Art forms
One of the most revered places for the traditional art forms of Kerala, the Kalamandalam is the cradle of Kathakali training in India. Besides a major centre for Kathakali training, Kalamandalam also imparts training in other performing art forms like Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Thullal and Nangiarkoothu. Know more..
Festivals
The major festival in Kerala is Onam. Kerala has a number of religious festivals. Thrissur Pooram and Chettikulangara Bharani are the major temple festivals in Kerala. Know more..
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