Kerala known as 'God's own Land' is
located at the south India. Kerala has some unique geographical
features that make it one of the most sought after tourist
destinations. The state is outstandingly beautiful and green. Kerala
is also blessed with placid beaches, soothing backwaters, invigorating
hill stations, bewitching waterfalls, historic monuments, spectacular
art forms, rejuvenating health packages, exotic wildlife and
year-round festivals that make this state a must visit destination t
is about 560 km long narrow stretch of land and is mere 120 km wide
from the sea to mountains. With a population of 29 million.
Kerala
is a green strip of land, in the South West corner of Indian
peninsula. It has only 1.1 8 per cent of the total area of the country
but houses 3.43% of the the country's population
Every district in Kerala has it's own unique culture and
characteristics. Thiruvananthapuram is known for it's beach- Kovalam,
the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and various museums and palaces;
Alappuzha for it's backwaters, Thrissur, the cultural capital,
Kottayam for it's ancient churches, Kozhikode for it's old world charm
and the entrancing Ponmudi or Golden valley.
Capital of Kerala:
Though a bit of a tongue-twister, Thiruvananthapuram - the present
official name, is closer to it's mythological origins. The word '
Thiru ananthapuram' means the city of Anantha or the abode of the
sacred thousand-headed serpent Anantha, who forms the couch on which
reclines Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity.
Built on seven hills, it was the capital of the Venad chieftains. The
city has grown as a tourist and commercial centre, with the
International airport becoming the main gateway into Kerala. Being the
state capital, it also throbs with political activity.
History of Kerala:
Original inhabitants were animists, followed by the Dravidians. After
Alexander's triumphant sweep over Asia Minor, the ports of Kerala
became a link between the Middle East, the Mediterranean and China.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama made his historic landing on the Malabar Coast.
In 1723, the East India Company signed a strategic treaty with King
Marthanda Varma. For a few decades, Hyder Ali and his son -Tipu sultan
proved to be a thorn in the flesh of the British, sweeping down
several times into Kerala. In 1947, it was the turn of the British to
pack their bags.
People of Kerala:
Kerala also has considerable ethnic diversity. The Malayali majority
belong to the Dravidian group (local race) of early Indian peoples.
There is a small population of descendants of Indo-European migrants
from the north. Certain hill tribes exhibit affinities with the
Negrito peoples of Southeast Asia. Most Keralites are Hindus, but
there are also large Christian and Islamic, and lesser Jain and
Jewish, minorities.
The official language is Malayalam. A long contact with the outside
world has led to an intriguing blend of cultures and given Keralites a
cosmopolitan outlook
Culture of Kerala:
One aspect of the state's rich cultural heritage is manifest in its
varieties of religious architecture: ancient Hindu temples with
copper-clad roofs, later Islamic mosques with "Malabar gables," and
colonial Portuguese Baroque churches.
Splendid paintings, especially murals, exhibit distinct local
traditions and styles. The land is a flourishing center of the
Kathakali dance form. The state has also a rich theatre tradition: the
only surviving Sanskrit drama, Koottiyattam, is still performed by the
Chakkiars of Kerala. Some principles of the Natya-Shastra are evident
in their presentations.
Kerala Occupation:
Agriculture is the state's main economic activity. Plantations of
cardamom, cashew nut, coconuts, coffee, ginger, pepper, rubber, and
tea account for 40 percent of the total land.
Commercial poultry farming is well developed. Cottage industries--for
example, the processing of coconut fibre and cashews or
weaving--employ about three-fifths of Kerala's industrial workers.
Most of those employed by larger industrial enterprises are engaged in
food and textile processing.
KERALA CLIMATE :
The climate is equable and varies little from season to season. The
temperature normally ranges between 27º and 32º C in the plains but
drops to about 21º C in the highlands.
Winter - 32 to 20 º C. Kerala is strongly buffeted by both the
southwest and northeast monsoons. Rainfall in many parts of the state
exceeds 118 inches. Best season: October to March.
