Seasons change. But the irresistable charm of Kerala never changes. Welcome to the God's Own Country.

Kerala - a symphony composed in the strings of beauty and a land endowed with myriad of boons and bounties that bestowed it the glory of being god's own country. The rural life in Kerala, untouched by the mighty hands of industrialization and much of the repulsive transformation of urban sophistication, offers a paradisal experience to the traveller. The serene backwaters, swaying coconut farms, soothing paddy fields, spice scented valleys tucked away in the mountain folds, everything makes the village life of Kerala a memorable experience. Far from the tumult and turmoil of the cities these villages usher us into a world were contentment and peace prevail.

 

Cozy Climate, Verdant Land.

Located in the southwest corner of the Indian peninsula, Kerala is known for its pleasant climate and unique topography. The lush green landscape punctuated by the rivers, backwaters, beaches and hills sets it apart from the great Indian landmass.  The topography of the state could be divided into three distinct geographical areas- the costal region marked by the beaches, the middle region with its backwaters, rivers and lagoons and the high ranges known for the evergreen forests and hill stations. Kerala has over 25% of the Indian plant species.  The thick forests in the Western Ghats have some of the rare species of plants, trees and animals. Apart from the bio-diversity, the High range  also happens to be the home for the plantation crops like tea, coffee, and spices like pepper, cardamom, clove, turmeric , ginger  etc.  Some of the best hill resorts in the country are located here.

The geographical diversity of the state corresponds with the diversity in climate. The High Ranges have a cool and bracing climate throughout  the year. While the plains are hot and humid during the summer months.  Basically the State enjoys four types of climate- winter, summer, South West monsoon and the North East monsoon. The state has divided its tourism resource broadly into six categories – beaches, backwarers, High Ranges, health and eco and agro- based tourism. Perhaps no other location in the world  provides such a wide scope for developing investment synergies like the tourism sector as Kerala.

 

Traditional in value, cosmopolitan in vogue

Modern Kerala with a population of over 30 million is known for its distinct culture and tradition.  One of the very few regions in the world to have had a matriarchal tradition points to the uniqueness of its culture. And yet the native traditions have integrated well with the foreign influences  leading to one of the finest examples of religious and cultural synthesis.  Temples, churches and mosques located at short distances from each other in the state vouches for the religious tolerance and pluralism embedded in Kerals’s culture throughout  its history.  The multi religious tradition has also contributed to its language, cuisine, architecture and costumes making modern Kerala one of the most cosmopolitan state in the Indian union.  Perhaps this legacy has helped contemporary Keralites to emerge as a highly successful expatriate community amongst the Indian diaspora  spread across the world.

The vibrancy of the regions cultural traditions is validated by the splendour of its globally acclaimed classical art forms like Katha Kali, Koodiyattam and Mohiniyattam. The versatility of Kalari Payattu, Kerala’s  renowned martial art- considered as the mother of all modern martial art forms- is well acknowledged internationally. The state has also made unique contributions to the cultural canvass of modern India. The history of modern oil painting and political cartooning  in India is closely connected with Kerala.  The cultural landscape of contemporary   Kerala is marked by some of the finest writers in the Indian subcontinent, globally acclaimed film makers, theatre personalities, painters and proponents of classical art forms.

 

Kerala, India's Best.

A hundred percent literate people. World- class healthcare system, India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Best law and order conditions. India's most affluent state- peaceful and pristine. Kerala is also India's cleanest and greenest state.

 

Idukki District in Kerala.

wherever you might be in God's own country, just look high to the east, above and beyond the paddy fields and the palm tops. Pitched and standing like pavilions against the horizon will be rows of faint blue smudges, fading into the sky. These are the highlands of Kerala, and they are another world.

 

Kerala's largest district, Idukki is one of the most nature-rich areas of the State. A landlocked region, here, high ranges and wooded valleys are girded by three main rivers - Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar - and their tributaries. Powering Kerala with one-third of the State's electricity, Idukki is also famous for its gigantic arch dam. An astonishing 50 percent of its total area is covered by forests. As a tourist destination, the place offers diverse attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation tours, mountain treks, elephant rides etc. Idukki's numerous trekking trails and spectacular landscape dotted with rich flora and fauna make it a dream destination for nature enthusiasts.

 

 

Periyar Wild life Sanctuary

Explore Periyar; the intimate and strange, The wild and distant.

 

The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.

 

Periyar is a designated tiger reserve, one of a handful scattered across India. The pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs The sanctuary surrounds the waters of an eponymous lake, covering 777 square kms. of mixed grassland and vegetation, including some of the most pristine tropical rain forests in the world. While there are 40 tigers around (according to the last census), they're shy animals, so don't bank on seeing one. But elephants, definitely - herds and herds of them. Not to mention monkeys like the Nilgiri Langur and the Lion-tailed Macaque, deer like the Sambar, Gaur, bisons, black bears, bats, flying squirrels, flying snakes (harmless, really), and over a 143 species of Orchids