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Capital
:Trivandrum
Area :38,863 sq km
Population :aprrox. 30,070,000
Languages: Malayalam,Hindi, Tamil,English
Literacy Ratio: 99%
No. of Districts:14
Cities :Kozhikode, Ernakulan, Quilon, Trivandrum, Cochin
No. of Bank Branches: 2,825
Major Ports:Cochin
Airports :Kozhikode, Ernakulan, Trivandrum
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Kerala
is sandwiched between the Lakshwadeep Sea and the Western Ghats.It is
a bustling little green-and-silver, coconuts-and-water state on the
west coast of India. It is bounded by Karnataka to the north, Tamil
Nadu to the east, and the Arabian Sea to the west. Thiruvananthapuram
is its capital.
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; Alapuzha for it's backwaters,
Trichur, the cultural capital, Kottayam for it's ancient churches, Kozhikode
for it's old world charm and the entrancing Ponmudy or Golden valley
The
highland district of Kerala with its mountains, valleys, dams, forests,
wildlife, orchids, streams, scenic points, trekking trails, sanctuaries,
hill stations and lakes, you could call Idukki - God's Own Hideaway.
A
tropical paradise of undulating palms and warm sandy beaches, Kerala
is a narrow strip of coastal territory sloping down from the Western
Ghats in a riot of green, luxuriant vegetation. Said to have been carved
out by axe-wielding Parasurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, it is still
a land of ancient charm and mystery.
Kerala
is also one of the richest states in India with forests and plantations
of rubber, cashew, and coconuts everywhere. The meeting place of many
cultures, Hindu and Muslim, Christian and Jewish, Kerala has a particularly
rich heritage of dance and drama (Kathalkali, Koothu, Mohiniattam and
other temple arts originated here) and her people are among the most
industrious and well-educated (100% literacy late) in the country.
The
climate is equable and varies little from season to season. The temp-
erature 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. The best season to visit Kerala
is between October to March.
Kerala
has several interesting interesting historical spots and adventure sport
centres, besides picturesque spots almost everywhere along the long
coast and the inland hills. It is no wonder then, with its abundance
of offerings for the discering tourist, that Kerala has emerged as one
of the leading Indian destinations of late. The region is also very
rich in terms of culture: two of the country's most important dance
forms: Kathakali and Mohiniattam have their roots in Kerala.
The
people here are of the Dravidian racial stock, almost equally divided
between Hindus, Muslims and Christians. North Kerala is predominantly
Muslim, whereas Cochin and parts of South Kerala have sizable Christian
populations. The language and culture is fairly universal.
Kerala
is a land of great natural beauty. From the majestic heights of the
Western Ghats the country undulates westward presenting a vista of silent
valleys clothed in the richest green. Among the many rivers that glide
across the plains to merge their waters with the Arabian sea, the more
important are the Periyar, the Pamba and the Bharatha puzha. The elegant
waterfalls at Athirampally near Trichur is a popular tourist spot.
Along
the coast, sand dunes shelter a linked chain of lagoons and backwaters
the still waters of which are studded with sea-gulls and country canoes
plying at a snails pace. The silence of the clear skies is broken only
by the coos of koels, a type of cuckoo, and the frequent flutter of
cranes perched on the embankments.
The
highest peak of peninsular India Annai Mudi is located in this state.
The scenic Thekkady Wild Life Sanctuary is a popular vacation destination
for nature lovers. The climate is equable and varies little from season
to season. The temperature normally ranges from 80 to 90 F in the plains
but drops to about 70 F in the highlands. The state gets its due share
of both the southwest as well as the northeast monsoons, and the rainfull
is heavy, averaging around 118 inches annually.
Kerala,
a kaleidoscope of mesmeric charms enthralls a traveller with some of
the most romantic natural resources in the world - sun. filtered glades
of palm trees, shimmering beaches, dense tropical forests, rocky coasts,
still bays, astounding rivers and an intricate maze of back waters.
Kerala
is believed to have been created when Parshuram, a rishi after killing
21 evil kshatriyas, prayed to God to give him a secluded place to perform
his penance.The Gods decided to give him the land he chose. So Parshuram
threw his axe into the sea in a wide arc and commanded the water to
recede. The land that rose dripping from the sea became Kerala, the
verdant strip of land bounded by the hills of the Western Ghats on its
eastern edge and by the Arabian sea on the western edge.
Enclosed
within is a land, criss crossed with the mossed back waters, interspersed
with rice fields, rich in wildlife, and bursting with cashew, coconut,
coffee and rubber plantations and a medley of spices like cardamom,
pepper, turmeric, and ginger.
Land
of Contrast cut of the rest of the country by the Sahyadri mountain
ranges, Kerala is replete with legends which reveal a rich culture which
is extremely well depicted in its distinctive forms of dance, drama
and temple arts. Kerala has a very cosmopolitan history graced by visitors
like St. Thomas, the Apostle who established the earliest Christian
Colony in Kerala in 52 A.D. He was followed by Syrian Christian settlers
from Alexandria whose cathedrals and churches still attract large congregations
and for which the state is called the Vatican of the East.
Vasco
da Gama landed near Calicut in 1498. Christians, Muslims and Jews all
found a welcome in Kerala, as did the early Phoenician, Greek and Roman
Traders. Standing mute witness to the multi-layered international history
are the ancient Hindu Temples standing serenely side by side the gaily
painted colonial style churches and splendid mosques. There is also
a synagogue built in 1568 in Cochin, reflecting a small but significant
Jewish presence. Palaces of Maharajas, converted into hotels and museums,
soften the harsh memories left behind by the colonizers.
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