Memorable glimpses of the wonders of nature in Kerala

Kerala state is known for its rich flora and fauna that can be seen all over with other beautified spots like the beaches, tree houses of Kerala, hill stations of Kerala, elephants in Kerala etc. The location of the state itself is quite inviting for the visitors since towards the west lies the Arabian Sea with Western Ghats rising up from 500 mts to 2700 mts towards east and is bounded by a total of almost 44 rivers. These inimitable features of the state make it worth a visit and hence every year thousands of visitors come to spend the most relaxing time. The climatic conditions in the state remain equable throughout. The picturesque beauty along the shorelines of Kerala beaches adds another reason for visit to the state. Kerala is also known for its Ayurvedic treatments. The cuisine of Kerala is also finger licking. Altogether, the uniqueness of Kerala makes it place worth visiting at least once. The state also has the highest literacy rate.

Tree Houses in Kerala

Tree houses in Kerala are considered to be another attraction for the visitors since the cottages built on top of trees provide a unique experience. The serene beauty of the nearby places provides the stay on the tree houses more memorable. There are numerous tree houses in Kerala that are spread all over the places.

Elephants in Kerala
Elephant is declared as the animal of the state of Kerala. Having an Elephant during any processions is considered to be auspicious. Almost all the temples in the state of Kerala have their own elephants while many of the individual people also own elephants. During any of the festive celebrations the Elephants in Kerala are used to take the deity idol and these elephants are ornate with caparisons that are gold plated with bells hanging around the neck and back.

Hill Stations in Kerala

The other beauty of the state is its serene hill stations in Kerala that give picturesque view to the tourists.

Festivals in Kerala

Boat Festival

The major festival celebrated by the state is the ‘Boat Race’. The backwaters in Kerala are the venue for conducting these Boat Races every year that is witnessed by large number of tourists from all parts of the world. The boat race is celebrated in the state since last 400 years. Few of the major boat races organized at different places in the state are Nehru Boat Race, Champakkulam Boat Race, Payippad Race and the Aranmula Boat Race.

Kerala: The land of festivals and native music

Kerala has a unique tradition and has some special festivals which are limited to the state. If you are planning a trip to Kerala, it is always advisable to visit during the Onam festival which is the state festival and usually falls in the month of Aug-Sep. The whole state bears a festive look and the festival has great prominence like Diwali in north India. The festival is celebrated for 10 days, with most of the government offices remaining closed for four days. The festival marks the return of king Mahabali back home to visit his people. Onam is a festival of prosperity and harmony. Onam in the modern era is a grand shopping festival with special promotions and mega discounts being offered. Tourists visiting the state during Onam period can taste the delicious Onam feast which is part of the festival.  

Kerala music

The next prominent festival of the state is Vishu which marks the New Year for Keralites and usually falls in mid April. 
The presence of a strong Christian community and numerous churches in the state makes some of the Christian festival very special in the state. Christmas is celebrated with great enthusiasm by people of all faiths. Christmas Carole and feasts are the special attractions.

New Year is celebrated with great enthusiasm unlike any other Indian cities. However, the Cochin Carnival, a tradition started by Portuguese is the main attraction.

Muslim community celebrates Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha. Non-vegetarian food lovers should definitely taste the Malabar Biryani which is a popular native biryani. The state also provides excellent sea foods. 
Apart from religious festivals, there are certain temple festivals dedicated to local deities that showcase the native traditions of Kerala. Thrissur Pooram which is popular among these attracts thousands of tourists including foreigners. The parade of elephants, Panchavadyam (native music), and dance forms makes these festival very popular.

Kerala music

The state has few popular music schools which teach traditional Kerala music and dance forms, Kalamandalam being the most prestigious. The state has rich traditions of Carnatic music and Sopanam which originated in the temples is a popular form.
Some of the native music instruments like Chenda, idakka and chengila are used in traditional music and dance.
Visit the state to be part of the cultural heritage and musical symphony.

The Real Essence of Kerala – Venice of the East

The Flavour of Kerala

The real flavor of Kerala comes out in full bloom during the festivals and charismatic boat races. Boat race in Kerala is an experience that one should not miss while in the state. This is a race that is symbolic of the state and you will not get to witness anything like this in other Indian states. Festivals in Kerala too are a grand affair where the entire state is decorated in its full glory. When the manual adornments join hands with nature’s endowments, the result is nothing short of a visual treat.

Boat race in Kerala

The Unparalleled Boat Race

Come to Kerala in August every year, it becomes the cynosure to all eyes due to the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race conducted in the state. Alleppey, the proud owner of magnificent backwaters play host to the boat races. It is home to numerous other boat races too, however the Nehru Trophy race is “The Race”, purely because of the popularity and the hundred odd pairs of hands that manoeuvre the oars in rhythmic fashion. Set against the breath-taking background of palm and coconut trees, the backwaters are filled with more than a dozen teams who stride on their boats with a song on their lips and passion in their hearts. It would be apt to say that the Nehru Trophy Boat Race rings a bell in many Keralite’s mind than the cricket tournaments in other parts of the country are crazy about. These races have earned such popularity that corporates sponsor for the race expenses and the prizes. Next time when you plan your trip to Kerala, ensure you are here during the second week of August, to watch this marvel on water.

Festivals – Congruence of Religion, Tradition and Values 

Two of the main festivals of the state are Onam and Vishu. Onam, celebrated during the month of September is when the entire state wears a floral look that is soothing to the eye. Celebrated as a ten day festival, every Keralite has a delicious floral carpet in front of her home to welcome King Mahabali who visits the state every year and blesses his people. Food and flowers complete this festival. During the tenth day, every home in Kerala enjoys a sumptuous lunch known as Onam Sadhya. Sometimes there are around 27 different types of dishes spread out on a big banana leaf. Sounds tasty, doesn’t it? Vishu on the other hand, is more subtle of the two and marks the beginning of a New Year for the Malayalees. In every house elders bless the youngsters and hand them over some money on a beetle leaf. This is known as Kaineetam. Crackers mark the celebration of Vishu.