KERALA
Located on the south-western tip of India, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Asia, selected by the National Geographic Traveller as one of the 50 destinations of a lifetime and one of the thirteen paradises in the world.
It has almost 600km of glorious Arabian Sea coast with wide sandy beaches; a languid network of glistening backwaters; lush hill stations and wildlife of the Western Ghats are the major attractions of this land. Classical art forms, colourful festivals and exotic cuisine are some of the cultural marvels that await travelers besides ayurvedic spas and treatments.
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam, an internationally renowned beach is just 16 km away from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala with three adjacent crescent beaches and has been a favourite haunt of tourists since 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the staggering blue waters of the Arabian Sea has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing offers romantic moments for honeymoon couples with adventure and fun for beach lovers.
The leisure options include number of activities like sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, catamaran cruising, kayaking and surfing are some of them. Visitors can also enjoy the breathtaking coral reef of Kovalam beach.
Varkala Beach, Kerala
Varkala Beach, a calm and quiet hamlet, with stunning beauty of landscapes and brown sand lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district . It is also called Papanasam Beach renowned for a natural spring is considered to have medicinal and curative properties. A dip in the holy waters at this beach is believed to purge the body of impurities and the soul of all sins; hence the name 'Papanasam Beach'. This beach is a wonderful destination to chill out for beach lovers and honeymooners and famous for ayurvedic centers
Cherai Beach
Cherai Beach, 25km from downtown Kochi is ideal for swimming as the tide is mostly low and the waves gentle. It is known for frequent dolphin sightings. It is a perfect blend and one of the few places where the backwaters and the sea can be seen with Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront and thick coconut groves along the coast.
Munnar
One of the best places to visit in Kerala, Munnar rises as three mountain streams merge - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, 1,600 m above sea level . Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes and revel in the extraordinary blend of luxury and beauty, it is a perfect place for honeymoon.
One of the main attractions near Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park, famous for its endangered inhabitant - the Nilgiri Tahr, several species of rare butterflies, animals and birds. It is also a great place for trekking, Anamudi Peak the highest in South India is inside this park.
Thekkady – For the love of wildlife
The country's largest Tiger Reserve- Periyar, Thekkady is a great way to enjoy an exotic wild life vacation. It is a pleasant heaven on earth hidden in thick forests and wild vegetation. If you are lucky enough, you might be able to spot near extinct species of animals including tigers, sambars, gaurs, lion tailed macaques, elephants, lions, deers, bisons and boars. You can enjoy bamboo rafting in the catchment area of Mullaiperiyar Dam, hiking, and off course trekking
Ponmudi – The Golden Peak
A hill resort close to the sea, Ponmudi is idyllic with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs. It is a part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea and has a carpet of thick tropical forest. Located at about 915 ft above the sea level, Ponmudi is home to many beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, springs and rivulets. The region is also occupied by spice and tea plantations and is dotted with waterfalls, view points and blessed with scenic splendor and natural beauty. This hill destination is ideal for long walks and treks.
Vagamon
A hill station located in Idukki is situated 1,100 metres above sea level and one among the few spots on the planet that need to be experienced to truly discover its glory. The grassy hills, velvet lawns and overall mysticism of the place cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. This quaint town lies untouched by any modern influences with fresh cool air, murmuring Pine forest, small waterfalls and attractive meadows.
For adventure seekers, there are many activities including trekking, paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing. People love travelling across a chain of three famous hills: Thangal, Murugan and Kurisumala. These are important to Hindus, Muslims and Christians, respectively, and are a perfect example of the communal harmony prevalent in the place. The Kurisumala monks have an enchanting dairy farm nearby that is an absolute delight to visit.
Wayanad
This place is unique and situated in an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in the Western Ghats. The vast stretches of mist - capped mountains, green meadows of valleys, white water springs, blue water lakes and wild forests express the splendid natural beauty of Wayanad. The most endearing about this quaint little hill station is its large tribal population and their fascinating lifestyle. Travellers can stay at the tree top houses and mud huts and enjoy the thrills of jungle life. It offers a wide range of trekking opportunities, plantation visits and wildlife tours. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is very rich in fauna and flora.
Idukki Dam
This Dam is an unbelievable architect, man skilled at its most. It is a double curvature Arch dam constructed across the Periyar River in a narrow gorge between two granite hills locally known as Kuravan and Kurathi in Kerala, India. At 168.91 metres (554.2 ft), it is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. It is surrounded with verdant hills and forests with its stunning natural aura and attractions. One of the best places for treks, nature walks and bird watching.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum
In 2011 the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, India become the world's richest Hindu temple after the chance discovery of secret cellars at the temple uncovered a vast treasure of gold, silver and precious jewels believed to be worth at least £12 billion (then approx. $18 billion).
The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple qualifies all the characteristics of a Mahakshetram (Great Temple). They are antiquity, presence of records, historical importance, origin in a forest, nearness to an ocean, location at an elevation, royal connections, mention in ancient literatures, magnificence of architecture and grandeur of festivals.
It is believed that twelve Salagramas stones, when worshipped together gain the potency of a Mahakshetram (Great Temple). The interior of the Katusarkara Idol of Sree Padmanabha Swamy is made up of twelve thousand and eight (12008) Salagramas collected from the bed of the river Gandaki in Nepal. Salagramas represent Sree Maha Vishnu. This Temple gains the greatness and sanctity of a thousand great temples.
The Temple has nine entrances, indicating the nine orifices of the human body and has a seven storeyed gopuram built on the eastern entrance and on the top there are 7 golden domes suggesting pointers to the seven Worlds.
House Boat, Kumarakom
One amongst the most remarkable and unique experiences that the state has to offer, cruising along the backwaters of Kerala. What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers, while you float in a relaxed way right through it. You can saunter down the cool placid waters of our world-famous backwaters for few hours or spend a night floating around.
Ayurveda Rejuvenation
Ayurveda, the science of life and longevity, is the oldest healthcare system in the world and it combines the profound thoughts of medicine and philosophy.
Kerala possesses an unbroken tradition of Ayurveda and it is the only State in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication. The equable climate, natural abundance of forests, cool Monsoon season and the prevalence of moisture in the air and on the surface of the skin makes it the ideal place for natural medicines to work at their highest levels of potency.
Boating, Thekkady
The Periyar Lake is at the heart of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and an idle place for boating. The numerous little islets in the lake are witness to the intricate inherent interrelationship among the terrestrial aquatic and subterranean life forms. A boat cruise on the Lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve and if you are lucky enough you can see elephants taking bathe and drinking water.
