Tourist Destinations in South India
Kerala - God's Own Country |
  
Kerela was celebrated as a 'Paradise Found' - one of the ten in the world,
A perfect description for a land renowned as "God's Own Country". What
adds to the charm of its backwaters, beaches, Ayurveda health holidays, hill stations,
wildlife, festivals, monuments and vibrant art forms, is its amazing social development
indices that are on par with the developed world.
THE
IMPORTANT TOURIST SPOTS IN KERALA
Kovalam Beach
The Kovalam beach situated 16 Km. south of Trivandrum city, is one of the best
beaches in India. It's a must see destination of India. On account of it's natural
location, it affords facilities for safe sea bath.
Chowra Beach
The soft white sand is what that draws visitors to this beach and it is ideal
for beach volleyball. The long stretch of beach is dotted by many cattamarams;
a country fishing boat, which is three logs tied together in the shape of a boat.
Alleppey ( alappuzha )
Alappuzha is famous for its boat races,
houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the
tourist trial of Kerela as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips.
Kumarakom
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands
on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region.
The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of
migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise.
Thekkady ( Periyar
)
The pride of Kerela and a testimony to nature's splendor 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 grass lands.
Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs,
lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
Kochi ( Cochin )
The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open
the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the
finest natural harbours in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring
visitors from all over the world and became the first European township in India
when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.
Munnar Hills
one of the most popular hill stations in India is situated at the confluence of
three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600
m above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government
in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes,
trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar also has
the highest peak in South India - Anamudi , which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi
is an ideal spot for trekking.
Wayanad
Wayanad lies at an
altitude varying from 700 - 2100 metres above the sea level. The district has
the highest number of tribal settlements in Kerala. The sanctuary is very rich
in flora and fauna. With its green highlands, lush valleys and cool clime, Wayanad
is one of the most beautiful retreats of Kerala. Apart from its breathtaking natural
beauty, Wayanad is also famous for the discovery of pictorial writings of the
New Stone Age at its Edakkal Caves. The caves in the Ambukuthi hills, 12 km south
of Sultan Bathery, are world-famous as one of the earliest centres of human habitation
Trivandrum ( Thiruvananthapuram )
The Capital city of Kerala.
The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the eastern and northeastern borders
give Thiruvananthapuram some of the most enchanting picnic spots. A long shoreline,
with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches
and a rich cultural heritage make it a much sought after tourist destination.
Cherai Beach
This lovely beach near Kochi, bordering Vypeen
island which is a major centre for commerce, is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are
occasionally seen here. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut
groves nearby is an added attraction of this beach
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KERALA BACKWATERS
The backwaters of Kerela is a unique product of Kerela and is found nowhere
else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and
deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian sea. The backwaters of
Kerela are a self supporting eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The canals
connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Over 900
km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable.
The largest backwater
stretch in Kerela is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three districts and
opens out into the sea at the Kochi Port. The Astamudi lake, literarlly having
eight arms, which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the
second largest and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.
The most
exciting thing on the backwaters of Kerela, however, is the kettuvallom ( traditional
houseboat ) which has become the most popular tourism product in India today.
In a land as waterbound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor
to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters
is the most amazing spectacle in the world. Even more enchanting is a holiday
in the houseboats of Kerela.
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KERALA HILL STATIONS
- Romantic Vacations
Kerala has a long chain of lush, mid-clad
hill stations that are home to exotic wildlife. All the hill resorts in Kerela
offer the most enchanting experience of nature in all its virgin beauty
The major Hill resorts of Kerela are: Munnar, Ponmudi, Peerumade, Neliyampathy,
, Peruvannamuzhi, Tusharagiri, Wayanad, Pythal Mala, Ezhimala, Ranipuram, Devikulam,
Wagamon etc
Munnar Hills
Munnar hills is situated in the confluence
of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni & Kundala. Situated 1600
metre above sealevel, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile
British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns,
winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.
Peeremede
Peermade is a lovely hill station, an ideal retreat in the
Western Ghats and a choice break for tourists en route to the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Sprawling gardens of tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber and eucalyptus lying side by
side with natural grasslands, pine forests and waterfalls make this an ideal summer
resort. The summer palace of Rajas of erstwhile Travancore is today an important
monument here. Peeremede and its surroundings are suitable for trekking, cycling
and horse riding
Ramakalmedu
Rolling green hills and the fresh
mountain air make Ramakalmedu and enchanting retreat. The hilltop also offers
a panoramic view of the picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the eastern
slope of the Western Ghats. Situated at a distance of 40 km from Thekkady and
75 km from Munnar
Echo Point
This scenic place gets its name
from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station
in Munnar.
Rajamala
Rajamala is the natural habitat of the
Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), the Eravikulam - Rajamala region is now home
to half the world population – estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered
mountain goat. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala.
Vagamon
One of the most beautiful places with a chain of three
hills - the Thangal hill, the Murugan hill and the Kurisumala, important for Muslims,
Hindus and Christians respectively.
Pullumedu
Velvet lawns
and rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu. The famous Sree Ayyappa
Temple at Sabarimala and the Makara Jyothi illuminations at the shrine are visible
from here. The winding journey to this hill along the Periyar River, offers a
stunning view of hills draped in lush greenery.
Vandanmedu
This is one of the world's largest auction centres for cardamom. A walk through
the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a heady experience.
Chellarkovil
This sleepy little village with its breathtaking view
of the plains and cascading waterfalls is a feast for the eyes. The village slopes
down to the famous coconut groves of Cumbum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Vandiperiyar
The River Periyar flowing through the centre of this town
nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar
is also home to a number of tea factories. The Agriculture Farm and Flower Garden
have a delightful array of rose plants, orchids and anthuria.
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