World Of Tourism

Tourist Places in Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Trivandrum (official name Thiruvananthapuram), lying on the southwest coast of India, is the capital to the state of Kerala. The city extends from latitude 8°29' N to longitude 76°59' E. The place is well connected to most of the other major cities of India through rail, road, and air network.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Kochi

In Cochin or Kochi, dawn is not often a thing of breathtaking beauty, but just a careless smear of tinted light where sea and sky unite. Daybreak is full of indeterminate promise. A slow lividness at the mist-obscured harbor mouth meets the swelling untamed surge of the ocean. Cargo-laden barges and vallams or country boats move, ponderously slow, over the sprawling vastness of the Vembanad Kayal, Kerala’s largest lake that spreads full bosomed and silver gray in the sultry sun.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a small village on the western coast of India in the state of Kerala. Washed by the waters of the Arabian Sea, the place is almost equidistant from Alleppey and Quilon, both of which connect the Kerala backwaters. The place is connected by rail and road with other cities in the region as well as other parts of the country.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Kottayam

The word Kottayam is a composition of the words Kotta (meaning fort) and Akkam (meaning inside). Kottayam is one of the exotic backwaters sites attracting tourists throughout the year. Being a mountainous region with scenic landscapes, backwaters, bird sanctuaries, temples and churches make this a place of tourist attraction. Lying below the sea level, some of its nearby places are also a treat to the eyes

Tourist Places in Kerala - Kovalam

Kovalam, meaning "a groove of coconut trees," is just 10 km from the state capital of Kerala- Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam is actually a combination of three small beaches. Among these, the southernmost beach, named Lighthouse Beach, is the most frequented beach in Kovalam. Earlier this beach of Kovalam was an anglers' paradise. It still has some small villages, just a few kilometres away, which belong to the fishing community. Gradually, this beach of Kovalam has been transformed to a tourist spot of great interest. Kovalam is an ideal place for a sunbath during the winter. Tourists to Kovalam can also experience the typical Kerala massage from the parlours available a few kilometers away along the Kovalam beaches.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Kumarakom
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary in Kumarakom is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live in flocks, in Kumarakom, are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Palakkad

The tourist destination of Palakkad known as the granary of Kerala is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation projects. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats, Palakkad is the gateway to Kerala from the north. Palakkad derives its name from the Malayalam words Pala (a tree Alsteria scholaris) and Kadu (forest), which goes to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet-scented flowers of the Pala tree.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Kozhikode
Calicut or Kozhikode is situated in the south Indian state of Kerala on the southwest coast of the Arabian Sea. The district extends from latitude 11°15' N to 75°49' E. Basking in the idyllic setting of the serene Arabian Sea on the west and mesmeric peaks of the Wayanad hills on the east, this district has all the required ingredients to fascinate a tourist.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Munnar
Munnar is a small hill station set amongst the Kannan Devan hills. It is famous for its lush green surroundings, lakes, reservoirs, forests, and tea estates. The quiet environs of Munnar attract the traveler to relax in the lap of Mother Nature. Munnar also beacons the adventure-seeking traveler, who is interested in paragliding. It has some of the highest tea estates in the world.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Alappuzha
Alappuzha (Alleppey) is one of the exotic backwater sites of India’s southern state Kerala. Washed by the Arabian Sea, interlocked by a number of canals and bridges, this tiny marketplace is also famous for its Nehru Trophy boat race held every year. Alappuzha attracts tourists not only by its natural beauty but also through its locally made coir products that are of a very superior quality.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Kannur

Cannanore or more appropriately Kannur as it is known today is a place with a rich history right from the time of the Aryan migration. The word Kannur may have evolved from a village named Kannathur around which the modern town of Kannur grew. Or according to some it is a combination of Kannan (Lord Krishna), a deity in the Hindu pantheon and Ur meaning a place or an abode. With the advent of the Europeans, the name underwent yet another change - Cannanore!

Tourist Places in Kerala - Ponmudi

A mere one and a half hour’s road journey separates the beaches of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) from the invigorating climate of Ponmudi Hills. The name Ponmudi, a hill station so close to the sea, in Malayalam means golden crown.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Quilon

Quilon (also Kollam) is situated in the southwest corner of India in the state of Kerala. The district is encircled by Alappuzha in the north, Pathanamthitta in the northeast, Thiruvananthapuram in the south, Tirunelveli (Tamilnadu) in the east, and the Arabian Sea in the west. It extends latitude 9°28' and longitude 76°17' north.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Nilambur

Nilambur is a beautiful town in the Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated on the banks of the Chaliyar River. It is at a distance of about 70 km from Calicut and 100 km from Ooty (Uddagamandalam). Nilambur is a small sleepy town has a surprise in store for its visitors.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Varkala

Varkala, a new destination in Kerala, is for those who prefer to do absolutely nothing while holidaying. Due to a spillover resulting from the over saturation of Kovalam, foreigners started coming to the town about six years ago. The trend that started as a trickle became a steady flow within two years. Today, there is a constant stream of visitors. However, because of the area’s comparative inaccessibility, a large influx of ‘outsiders’ has not happened here. At the Varkala platform, there is no indication that this town is on many a tourist itinerary.

Tourist Places in Kerala - Amritapuri Ashram
At the Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Amritapuri near Quilon, South Kerala, there is a beautiful temple that houses more than seven hundred full-time residents. The day dawns early in Amritapuri Ashram (monastery) located in the backwaters of Kerala. At 4.30 a.m. in the morning, most residents are up and begin to involve themselves on various activities.

Kerala is a destination growing in popularity in India. It is equipped with many fascinating sights such as the palm-fringed beaches, enchanting backwaters, beautiful hilltop villages, incredible temples and palaces and historic churches. Not only this beautiful country is also known for personal care, holistic Ayurvedic treatment that gives a freshness to the body, mind and soul. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Kerala to enjoy the holiday splendor. It is the ideal destination for nature lovers, travelers, honeymooners and tourists.

An ideal holiday destination in Kerala Backwaters are the tourist attraction more popular. Standing water is the unique product of Kerala and enjoy a pleasant stay in the houseboat or cruise cruise Kettuvellam. Houseboats are in fact the country boats, which are used as a form of transport in the backwaters of Kerala impressive. Some of the famous backwater destinations of the state are Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kovalam, Kollam, Cochin, Kottayam, backwaters, etc. Enjoy the road in the enchanting backwaters of Kerala, is the incredible experience of visiting Kerala.

tourism kerala Offers beautiful beaches in the resort of Kerala are very popular with tourists, beach lovers, honeymooners and nature lovers. Kerala has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, offers a paradise for tourists to enjoy a moment of his life in a charming way. The beaches of this state is ideal for beach sports, water sports, adventure and more than anything else is the best place to relax on their journey to Kerala. Some of the most beautiful beaches of Kerala, Beypore Beach, Bekal, Kazhikode beach, the beach of Fort Cochin, Alleppey beach, Cherai beach, etc., in a holiday in Kerala to explore the charm of these beaches will certainly be unforgettable, and the charm of his incredible journeys Kerala.
Besides beaches and backwaters, Kerala is also famous for its parks and sanctuaries for exotic fauna. The slopes of the hills and lush forests of the Western Ghats of Kerala offer an ideal location for many national parks and sanctuaries in Kerala. There are several tropical parks and sanctuaries in Kerala, which house thousands of birds and wildlife. Some of the most protected areas of Kerala are a nature reserve Idduki Chinn, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife Refuge pepper, Silent Valley National Park, Thattekkad bird sanctuary, nature reserve Parambikulam, where tourists can enjoy the morning and afternoon, elephants and jungle safari in the forest explore the rich flora and fauna of Kerala. From among the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the best known among nature lovers and lovers of wildlife. You can enjoy backwater cruise at the same time can the perspective of some of the animals in their natural habitat to achieve. Water view drinking and bathing elephants in the water is very common in the plantation.
Now there are many other interesting tourist attractions in Kerala, the study worth a visit. Ser lo que no se pierda, sino para su rejuvenecer mente, cuerpo y alma con un tratamiento ayurvedico mágico. Certainly not the same person, one of the magic of Ayurveda to apply your body is exhausted. You can enjoy all the fascinating charm of Kerala, the reservation of the Travel Package Kerala, your travel agent. Book your travel package of your choice and explore the breathtaking beauty of this model of God, country, Kerala, in a memorable way. Once you love to enjoy the tours in Kerala, in Kerala, over and over again for an unforgettable vacation.

Ayurveda has become a hit among tourists who are opting for a holiday in Kerala to enjoy the immense health benefits of ayurvedic treatments and massages.

Most of the resorts and hotels display the famed Indian Ayurveda for spa, medicines, therapy and special massages to lure the tourists.

They wish to try a form of medicine that ensures lasting results like Ayurveda does.

The Managing Director, Faizal of Emarald Group, owning a number of hotels and resorts in India, promoted by NRI's is already in the process of tying up with Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Coimbatore in all its chains, starting with Silent Valley Resort in Pulamanthole, Malappuram district of Kerala.

Hordes of tourists flock Kochi in Kerala which is the only place where Ayurveda is practiced with dedication. The climatic condition of Kerala is much suited for the traditional Ayurvedic treatment.

"This is a special Ayurvedic resort, specialty of this resort is that lot of foreign and domestic tourists come here because it is an isolated place. People visit this place to rejuvenate themselves," said Faizal the Managing Director of Emerald Group.

Apart from treatments and rejuvenation therapies, such centres have got highly qualified physicians, therapists and well-equipped pharmacy.

Faizal informed that the number of medical tourists from gulf countries are on the rise who visit India for 7, 15 or 21 days treatment or rejuvenation package.

Many upcoming and existing resorts, hotels
and heritage homes are lined up to open specialised ayurveda centres, only because it has now become a catch word to attract tourists, says Krishna Kumar, MD of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Coimbatore Ltd., the company which has number of offers to franchise with such centres in the country and abroad.
source:http://www.medindia.net/news/

South India is one of the most visited destinations of the country. The superb sculptures, dance forms and the temples give evidence of the rich cultural heritage of South India. The tours around South India will help you discover the true spirit of this part of the country. You can visit various places, which are rich in scenic beauty, monuments, temples, beaches, wild life, hill stations and Ayurveda centers. You will find several places to visit during your South India tours.

Some of the major places, which you can visit during the South Indian tours are the following:

Bangalore

Bangalore, also known as the garden city of India, is known for its modern architectural edifices and historic buildings. Vidhana Soudh, which is beautiful post independence architecture, is located in Bangalore. This structure now houses the State legislature and Secretariat. The guided tour in Bangalore will take you to the Tipu Sultan Palace, which gives an insight into the Mughal lifestyle. This palace has now turned into a museum. The ISKCON temple is another impressive structure that shows the blend of Dravidian and modern architecture. Another important place which you can cover in Bangalore during the South India tours is Lal Bagh Garden.

Mysore

This city with rich heritage, grand palaces, beautifully laid pout gardens, impressive buildings and sacred temples has a quaint charm around it. Maharaj Palace, the Amba Villas Palace and Chamundi Hill are the major attraction of Mysore. Brindavan Gardens can not be missed during the visit to Mysore. The beautiful lush green garden with musical fountains is sure to enthrall you.

Nagarhole

Another important tourist destination, Nagarhole, is greatly frequented by the travelers. Kabini River is the major attraction. You can go for boating on this river and have a great time. You can book a jeep or van to go on a wildlife tour to the national park.

Conoor

Conoor is a popular getaway for the tourists. This romantic hill station in the Nilgiris, is marked with tea plantations. You can spend some time bird watching and visiting the botanical gardens.

Cochin

Visit this natural harbor city, which happens to be one of the most important places to visit during South Indian tour. Here, you can enjoy the scenic view of the rougher seas and the beauty of the natural harbor. The major attractions include Portuguese churches, Hindu temples and mosques. Chinese fishing nets are the major draw of this place.

Kerala

This city of scenic beauty, absolute serenity and peacefulness is the land of backwaters and swaying coconut trees. You can spend your small trip on the house boats that lay afloat on the waters of the lake. Kerala Ayurveda is also an important aspect of this city. There are various Ayurveda resorts which are worth visiting the tour.

Madurai

This historic city is also marked by the presence of Meenakshi Temple, Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock Temple.

Mahabalipuram

This city of 1000 temples was the capital of the Pallavas. These temples have 124 existing shrines, which are dedicated to various deities. The paintings on the walls tell us about the rich cultural past. You can visit the temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy. The rock temples and pagodas are tourists´ delight.

There are several other destinations, which are counted as major places to visit during the South Indian tour. Tanjore, Periyar, Kanchipuram are other major tourist destinations that are worth visiting.
Source:http://www.americanchronicle.com

Kerala is a globally famous tourism destination. It is the Indian state situated at the southern tip famous among tourists for its unique cultural and geographical features. The state is blessed with exceptional natural beauty. It enjoys lush green surroundings and delightful ambiance. Due to its copious natural beauty, it is also phrased as the God’s Own Country in tourists’ jargon. Backwater tourism is the sizzling side of Kerala tourism. Tourists from all over the world come to Kerala to visit its scenic backwaters, which provides them wonderful opportunity of eco tourism and houseboat stay. Backwaters are the huge network of lagoons, lakes, rivers, waterways, canals, inlets, etc.

Shorelines of the backwaters are dotted with palm coconut groves and other busy plants, which provide green hues to backwaters. One can see several unique species of aquatic animals, water birds, reptiles etc, in and alongside the backwaters. There remain several villages dotted alongside the backwaters which are also worth visiting on backwater Kerala tours. Some of predominant and worth visiting backwater destinations are Fort Kochi, Fort Bekal, Alleppey, Kollam, Kumarakom, Kozhikode, Kottayam, Thiruvallam, Trivandrum, etc. All these destinations are known for unique, serene and scenic backwaters and several other attractions like temple, palaces, forts, Ayurvedic resorts, houseboats, etc. All these destinations are serving as the starting and ending points of houseboat Kerala tour.

A houseboat cruise takes you into the unique world of wonderment, where unique peaceful ambiance delights you. Kerala houseboats are a marvelous example of traditional Kettuvalloms, which were used as country craft. Houseboats are made up of eco-friendly materials. And interestingly no nails are used. Today house boats are luxurious accommodation on backwaters. A houseboat stay provides excellent accommodation like luxurious hotels. Alleppey and Kumarakom are two predominant destinations of the state which are very popular among tourists as starting and ending points of houseboat cruise.

Alleppey backwaters are dotted with several house boats and houseboat cruise operators. Alleppey houseboats are very popular attraction and provide wonderful opportunity for unique house boat stay experience. Besides Alleppey, Kumarakom is also very popular among tourists from all over the world. The prime attractions are Kerala houseboats and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Kumarakom is an ideal destination for houseboat cruise. A sunset houseboat cruise on scenic Vembanad Lake is a delightful experience of backwater tourism. Alleppey and Kumarakom boat cruises are also very popular among honeymoon couples. They provide honeymoon couples truly a romantic ambiance for their memorable honeymoon holidays. Well, get ready to enjoy luxurious houseboat stay and explore scenic backwaters.
source:http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?title=Houseboat%20tours%20on%20Kerala%27s%20scenic%20backwaters&articleID=142376

Wildlife tourism is slowly gaining popularity in kerala and many tourists, especially foreigners, are increasingly enthusiastic about spending time in the wild.

Many wildlife enthusiasts keep coming back for these special interest tours again and again. Though only five percent of the total tourists visiting Kerala are interested in wildlife tourism, their numbers are growing, say wildlife tour operators.

The tourists have six options to choose from, Silent Valley National Park, Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekad Wildlife Sanctuary and Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), CEO of Wild Kerala Tour company K G Pramod said.

With the help of local communities and forest department, the company has created a well-planned wilderness experience that introduces a small group of travellers to new environment with minimum impact on the environment, he told a news agency.

People of all age groups, especially in the 35 to70 age group take the tours, he said.

The bookings are made with the help of the forest department that in turn informs the local forest office and the local eco-development communities. The tribal youth and local communities were also involved, he said.

The Chimmony Sanctuary has incredible bird, butterfly and animal diversity and is considered to be one of Kerala's best stretches of deciduous forests. Eco guides from the indigenous Malaya community show the common medicinal herbs used by them. The tourists can feast their eyes on the floral diversity and take a dip in the crystal clear waters of mountain streams.

source:http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=451983&sid=LIF&ssid=8

Believe it or not, Kerala has around 20,000 Hindu temples and shrines and in almost all the villages there is at least one place of worship for Christians and Muslims.

These major and minor places of worship had contributed significantly to the development and continued maintenance of the rich cultural heritage of the state through the vibrant annual festivals.

Although some of the major festivals are known at the national and international levels, many of them are not known beyond the boundaries of the state.

The organisers of these celebrations are not publicity-conscious. As a result, the efforts to keep track of these festivals have become very difficult.

Obviously, neither the State Tourism Department nor any individual have tried to systematically bring out the detailed information on these cultural festivals till recently.

Kerala Festival Message 2008’, a directory of festivals in Kerala, edited by C A Menon, is a major work which provides detailed and systematic information about the festivals in Kerala.

The directory was first published in 2004 figuring out the details of around 1000 festivals across the state.

The latest and updated version lists out over 2500 festivals in the state in the year 2008, with eye-catching pictures to provide a glimpse of the richness of these festivals to its reader.

The latest volume also covers all the festivals beginning from January 2009 as well as major festivals next year.

The compilation is a valuable addition to the material that helps both domestic and foreign tourists to acquaint themselves with the festivals and rituals in Kerala.

Aimed at facilitating travel agents, tour operators and tourists, especially foreign tourists, to plan their programmes well in advance and to synchronise them with the festivals of their choice, the author is at present engaged in bringing out a directory of festivals in the state in the next five years shortly.

source:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20080527001853&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0

Kerala is a gateway to paradise. The state offers an enthralling experience with its captivating landscapes, mind blowing backwaters, majestic hills, wildlife parks and sanctuaries, tea plantations, and last but not the least, its stunning sun-kissed beaches. With the hordes of tourists and travelers visiting Kerala for spending holidays, Kerala tourism is rising at great strides. Apart from an excellent getaway to nature, Kerala tourism is also redefined as Kerala Health Tourism, Kerala Backwater Tourism, Kerala Culture Tourism, Kerala Beach Tourism, and many more.

Kerala takes pride in being one of the oldest civilizations on the face of the earth. Historians suggest that Kerala culture is a blend of numerous civilizations, varied customs, practices and beliefs as a result of interaction of Indian as well as overseas cultures. A variety of performing arts such as Koodiyattom, a type of drama or theater and UNESCO-listed human heritage art; Kathakali, a dance drama that depicts ancient epics; Kerala natanam, a popular offshoot of Kathakali; Koothu, a light-hearted comedy performance similar to modern-day stand-up comedy; Mihiniyattam, the dance of the enchantress which is a choreographed performance by women accompanied by music and vocalizations, and many more art performances are unique to Kerala.

The Kerala culture is reflected in its festivals, pilgrimages, literature, music, traditional performances, customs, practices and cuisine. Variety and uniqueness of Kerala's culture may be experienced by being a part of its annual ten-day festival known as Onam. During Onam, a host of colorful sports, cultural programs and rituals are organized. Celebrated at the end of August or beginning of September, the festival is a complete reflection of the rich culture that Kerala boasts of.

The Kerala food is unusual which offers some of the most sumptuous tastes on earth. Keralites are gourmets with a difference. The cuisine is usually hot, spicy, aromatic and flavored. Use of coconut is an integral part of the cuisine. It is used either chopped or grated to garnish the dishes. Coconut milk or paste is used to thicken gravies and its oil is used for cooking. Rice is the staple diet. A typical lunch or dinner may consist of rice, seasonal vegetables cooked in coconut oil with different spices for flavor, dal, seafood curry and a sweet dish as dessert. Seafood is taken almost with every meal. Fish like sardines, tuna, rays, and crabs, mussels and oysters are taken with unique preparations. Apart from meals, different snacks such as banana chips, murku, shakaruperi and many types of halwa are consumed any time during the day.

Sorce:http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/62158