KERALA TOURISM

The Marvel Called Kerala

 Wedged between the Western Ghats on the East and the Arabian Sea on the West, the narrow strip of land known as Kerala is a destination of a lifetime.

1. The timeless beauty of the palm fringed beaches of Kovalam and Varkala, the majesty of the undulating hills of Munnar and Vagamon, the serenity of the pristine backwaters of Kumarakom & Kuttanad and the enchanting woods and forests of Thekkady and Silent Valley will have you bowled over.

That such a small terrain can hold diverse geographical features and cultures is a wonder in itself.

KERALA, GOD'S OWN COUNTRY

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, each of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.

Kerala, India's most advanced society: With hundred percent literacy. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest state.

For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the State. 

                                                       

KERALA TOURISM MAP 

 14  district in keralas 

1. THIRUVANATHAPURAM
2. KOLLAM
3. PATHANAM THITTA 
4. KOTTAYAM
5. ALAPUZHA
6. IDUKKI
7. ERNAMKULAM
8. THRISSUR 
9. PALAKKAD
10. MALAPPURAM
11. CALICUT
12. WAYANAD
13. KANNUR 
14. KASARAGOD

  

                           

THIRUVANTHAPURAM

 his capital city of Kerala is a beautiful place lying on the southern shores sprawled over seven small hills. It is famed for its beaches and coconut farms. Cleansed by cool, clean breeze, Trivandrum is a calm and pleasant spot for the tourists. Earlier it was noted only for its role in spice trade, but it is fast catching up as a popular tourist destination now.

Still untouched by the industrial development, Trivandrum has retained its pristine glory and verdant surroundings. The people are well educated and more cultured than in most other state capitals in the country.Trivandrum is well connected with Delhi, Bombay and Bangalore by train. Besides there are daily flights to Trivandrum from Bombay and Chennai

   Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram as it is called in Malayali is the capital city of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram, the name itself recalls to the mind Sri Padmanabhaswamy and his repose on the five headed serpent Sesha naga. The city is certainly his abode; his temple being the predominant landmark. It is this sentiment that has helped the city retain its olde worlde charm in the face of rapid political and technological progress. The city is steeped in history and culture. The palaces and the museums are a constant reminder of its golden and eventful history. 

 

 

A Little More On The Places Of Interest:

SRI PADMANABHASWAMY TEMPLE

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple - The imposing 18 feet long idol of Lord Vishnu in his Sheshashayana (recline on the serpent, Shesha) is reminiscent of Sage Vilvamangalam's first spectacle. The sprawling temple holds the key to the city's very essence.  Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most famous Lord Vishnu Temples in Kerala, South India. Also known as Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple, this Mahavishnu Temple is located inside East Fort, in Thiruvananthapuram - the capital city of Kerala, India. Lord Vishnu is enshrined here in the Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yognidra), lying on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake. According to traditions, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Kshetram is believed to have been worshipped by Chandra (Moon God) and Lord Indra (the head of the Devas). 

EAST FORT 

•   EAST FORT

• East Fort - Preserved inside its walls, the East Fort holds the heritage of the royal family of Travancore and their golden history resounds in the premises. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is situated inside the confines of this fort.  The East Fort area in the Capital City of Thiruvananthapuram bears a lot of historic significance. The East Fort houses several magnificent palaces, palatial houses, and agraharams (Brahmin houses). Standing out is the Padmanabha Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Fort has stood witness to many events in the annals of the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom, and also to the development of the Capital City of Thiruvananthapuram.
  
  The entire East Fort area has been declared by the State Government as a heritage site. For a visitor, the imposing gateway of the East Fort, painted in white and located on the eastern side, facing the famous Chalai bazaar is the usual way to get inside the Fort. Built in AD 1747 by King Marthanda Varma, the East Fort is the most prominent of the forts. One can also find two mandapams (platform with a roof supported by pillars) at the top, which were once used to announce royal proclamations. 
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SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM

•  SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM
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• Science & Technology Museum - In the year 1984, the government decided to build the Science and Technology Museum in the heart of the city with an aim at inculcating the younger generation's scientific temperament and spirit of enquiry.  ocated close to the Napier Museum, this is a study-cum-recreation centre which appeals to children & students of science. Home to an array of exhibits on all disciplines of science, technology & electronics, the museum is aimed at instilling a scientific awareness among commoners. There are several interactive & animated exhibits along with a rare collection of electronic components, bio - medical film shows. 
  
  All in all a very informative & educative museum it is a must visit for children who can make the most of the interactive models & film shows to aid in their learning. 
  
  The museum is also home to one of the country's most sophisticated, horizontal domed planetariums. A 40-minute science-related show is conducted daily at 12 noon in English. Ticket rates for star gazing are: Adults Rs 15, Children (between 3 and 10 years) Rs
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•  GOVERNMENT MUSEUM
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• Government Museum - In 1857, the Government built this repository of art and architecture. Also called Napier Museum, it houses innumerable artifacts such as ivory carvings, paintings, bronze and stone carvings and idols.  Government Museum at Trivandrum for the year 1944-45 is prefaced by statements which imply an unusually strong official confidence in a museum’s service. It is somewhat startling to read, for example, that this Museum “has . . . enlarged the minds of the visitors by multiplying their interests, trained their tastes and tended to develop in them an appreciation of the beautiful”. Nevertheless, the attendance figures brought forward to support these and other claims certainly indicate a service which is of strong appeal to the people. It is noteworthy that during the year the smallest number of visitors to the Museum on any one day was 589, while the largest number was 12,947. Casts (made by a member of the staff) of sculptures in the temple at Suchindrum are now on exhibition in the Museum ; they are described in detail on p. 2 of the report. Dr. J. H. Cousins has prepared a new guide to the Art Museum, which is issued free to visitors, and a small catalogue of the metal images is also available.
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SRI CHITRA ARTS GALLERY 

• Sri Chitra Arts Gallery - This houses a collection of famous and ancient masterpieces including Raja Ravi Verma's original oil paintings and ancient Tanjore miniature paintings among others.  Sree Chithra Art Gallery is situated adjacent to the Napier museum and has an explicit collection of Raja Ravi Varma paintings. Also on display are exquisite Mughal, Rajasthani & Rajput. The Tanjore and Balinese paintings popular for their intricate & elegant stone work with rich colors used in the paintings reflect the jewels of Indian art. 
  
  The Sree Chithra gallery has an international appeal to art lovers with its display of Tibetan, Chinese & Japanese art works. The section on miniature paintings is sure to leave you awe inspired. 
  
  It is recommended to schedule a good two to three hours to visit this gallery to see & appreciate the various facets on display.
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ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN

• Zoological Gardens - The zoo and marine aquarium of Trivandrum is a recreational and educative project. The natural habitat of the wild creatures has been simulated by planting tall trees, shrubs and foliage. A lake serves as the home for all the marine creatures housed there. 
  Zoological Gardens or the Zoological Park is one of the prime destinations in Thiruvananthapuram city. Situated in the vicinity of Napier Museum, Zoological Gardens was established in the year 1857 by the then Maharaja of Travancore. The Zoological Gardens, regarded among the oldest Zoos of India, covers about 55 acres of land and is home to more than 75 different species such as lion tailed macaque, nilgiri langur, nilgiri tahr, indian rhino, asiatic lion, royal bengal tiger, giraffe, hippo, zebra, cape buffalo, etc. Different species of snakes can also be found in the reptile house of the Zoological Gardens.
  
  Timing: 10 am to 5 pm (Closed on Mondays)
   PUBLIC PARK AND OBSERVATORY
• Public Park and Observatory - The public park of Trivandrum is the symbol of human protest against pollution and contamination of natural habitat due to urbanization. Such clean air and greenery in such an advanced city, what a wonder! 

KOVALAM

 Kovalam - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own countryKovalam offers an excellent diversity with Kovalam beach to suit all desires and occasions. Three curve shaped beaches, alienated by stony outcroppings, from the major attraction of this coastal resort.

Backed by precipitously mounting headlands and covered by fertile coconut palms, the beaches, especially the southern most part of lighthouse beach.

PONMUDI

 Ponmudi (The Golden Peak) is a hillstation in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala in South India. Its located 61 km north-east of Trivandrum city at an altitude of 1100 m. It is a part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea.
 Ponmudi is connected to Trivandrum by a narrow winding road offering scenic views on the way to Ponmudi. The climate is pleasant year-round. Trivandrum serves as a base for trekking and hiking. There are also tea gardens in the area. There are 22 hairpin curves in the short route which makes the travel a definitely thrilling experience.

Other attractions near Ponmudi include Golden Valley and a number of rivulets and rapids, some even across the road. The lush forest area has tropical vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabit the hills. The Golden Valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar River. Flowing though a wilderness area, it has rounded pebbles, cool water, fish, and lush green trees.

Another attraction in the region is Agasthyarkoodam, one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, with the highest peak at 1868 m. This peak is famous for its wilderness, and can be accessed only with the Forest Department's permission. Meenmutty Falls is also a famous attraction in the area.

Hotel Golden Peak in the upper sanitorium under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation(KTDC) is the only hotel available for stay in Ponmudi.Due to its proximity to the main city of Trivandrum and lack of accommodation options tourists usually prefer to stay in the city and make a one day trip to Ponmudi though the early morning scenery especially during the winter season is worth feeling.^[1]Moreover KTDC facility will not be available always since it is the only hotel on top. They have a reservation facility in the KTDC website - www.ktdc.com/golden-peak.php.

[edit]Directions

Winter evening in Ponmudi

• Nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport.
• Nearest railway station is Trivandrum Central.
• Nearest Bus Stations Nedumangad and Vithura. KSTRC buses to Ponmudi from either Thiruvananthapuram (Thampanoor) or from Nedumangad (Ponmudi is the nearest hill station 65 km from Thiruvananthapuram^[2]).
• There are sign boards along the route from Trivandrum, which lead the traveler to Ponmudi.
• Ponmudi is near to Braimore, which is also a tourist place.
• In Ponmudi there are lots of peaks, one of which is Motta peak, which is famous for trekking.
• Ponmudi is under Peringammala Village, around 36 km from Peringammala.
• A deer park and a wireless station is also there in Upper sanitorium.

KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) operates daily bus service from Trivandrum to Ponmudi.Some of the services go up to upper sanitorium and usually takes up to 4 hours to reach(one way).The services are sometimes disrupted by landslides and bad condition of roads.It is an advengre game for bike raceing.