A canal cruise in progress in Alappuzha backwaters.

Traditional houseboat cruise in Alappuzha backwaters. In the background rain clouds ready for a shower.

Localites walking over the Kottappuram Bridge, Kasargode.

About Kerala

Kerala the land of coconut or “Kera” in the native language. It is also the land of greenery & panoramic scenic beauty which came to be called as “God’s Own Country”. It’s vast collection of coconut palm groves, tropical climate and beaches, pristine backwaters, monsoon season, rich diversity of wildlife & vegetation, misty mountains, fragrance of spices, various art forms, fairs and festivals- offer a traveller a sumptuous treat to their eyes and mind.

Kerala is located to the extreme southwest of the Indian peninsula, along the coastline. It has Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. This land of Malayalees or “Mallus” stretches north-south along a coastline of 580 km. Covered by coconut groves all over, the topography and physical characteristics change distinctly from west to east. Depending on its terrain and its physical features, Kerala is divided into three distinct regions- 1) hills and valleys, 2) midland and plains and 3) the coastal region. The land area of the state of Kerala is only 1.18 per cent of the country. The Western Ghats, situated in the eastern boundary of the state, form a continuous mountain wall, except near Palakkad and between Coimbatore with a natural mountain pass known as the Palakkad Gap. The pass is located between the Nilgiri Hills to the north and Anaimalai Hills to the south The average elevation of the Western Ghats is about 1400 -1500 MSL, occasionally towering to peaks of 2000 to 2500 meters. The land slopes to the west on to the plains, into an unbroken coastline, crossing the Ghats. On the eastern edge, the strip of hills & valleys, close to the Ghats, comprises of steep mountains & deep valleys, covered with dense forests. Most of the rivers of the State originate from the state itself. Kerala boasts of 44 rivers , of which 41 originate from the Western Ghats and flow towards the west into the Arabian Sea.

At the west, lies the midland plains comprising central Kerala, dominated by hills and valleys. Kerala's western coastal belt is somewhat flat, features extensive paddy fields, thick groves of coconut trees and is criss-crossed by a network of interconnected brackish canals, lakes, estuaries, and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters. The valleys have been used for paddy cultivation and the high lands and hill slopes are used for cultivation of rubber, fruit trees and other cash crops like pepper, tea, coffee, arecanut and tapioca. Alappuzha, erstwhile Alleppy, is known as the  'Venice of the East'. The southern & northern parts of coastal belt are peppered with some small hillocks.

“Kerala Backwaters”

The backwaters of Kerala is the unique feature to the state. Linked by canals and backwaters, it offers a seamless inland water navigation system from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram to Vadakara, with a distance of 450 km. Kuttanad in Alappuzha district alone boasts of more than 20 per cent of India's total length of waterways! The Vembanad lake is the biggest water body in the state stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi and is over 200 sq.km in area.

Places of interest in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram

Quick Facts

  • Capital of Kerala
  • Southernmost district in Kerala
  • Created in the year 1957
  • Erstwhile name : Trivandrum until 1991
  • Derives the name from "Thiru-anantha-puram", meaning "Abode of Lord Anantha”

Places of Interest

  • Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple
  • Museum And Zoo In Thiruvananthapuram
  • Sree Chitra Art Gallery
  • Magic Planet Theme Park Trivandrum
  • Kovalam Beach
  • Varkala Beach
  • Veli Tourist Village
  • Sankhumugham Beach
  • Neyyar Dam
  • Ponmudi Hill Station
  • Aruvikkara Dam

Kollam

Quick Facts

  • Capital of Kerala's cashew industry
  • Endowed with a long coastline, a major Laccadive Sea  or Lakshadweep Sea and an inland lake (Ashtamudi Lake)
  • Created in the year 1957
  • Erstwhile name : Quilon

Places of Interest

  • Kollam
  • Achencoil
  • Alumkadavu
  • Kotthukal cave temple
  • Chadayamangalam
  • Thenmala

Pathanamthitta

Quick Facts

  • Capital of Kerala’s Pilgrimage
  • The world famous Hindu pilgrim centre Sabarimala is situated in the Pathanamthitta district
  • The Maramon Convention, one of the Asia’s largest Christian convention, is held at Maramon, Pathanamthitta in February.
  • Forest covers more than half of the total area of the district
  • Created in 1982

Places of Interest

  • Gavi
  • Sabarimala
  • Pampa River
  • Aranmula
  • Konni and Adavi
  • Kadammanitta
  • Perunthenaruvi Water falls
  • Cherukolppuzha
  • Manjanikkara
  • Parumala
  • Niranam
  • Kaviyoor
  • Pandalam
  • Kodumon 
  • Mannadi

Alappuzha

Quick Facts

  • Called as “Venetian Capital" & Capital of coir industry in India. 
  • Endowed with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons.
  • Called as the "Venice of the East" by Lord Curzon
  • World famous for backwaters and house boat cruise
  • Annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in August
  • Alappuzha is home to the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising during British rule.
  • Home to oldest Anglican church in Central Kerala)
  • Created in the year 1957

Places of Interest

  • Ambalappuzha
  • Pathiramanal
  • R-Block
  • Karumady
  • Kumarakodi
  • Krishnapuram palace
  • Alappuzha Beach
  • Arthunkal
  • Mannarasala
  • Chettikulangara
  • Alappuzha CSI Christ Church

Kottayam

Quick Facts

  • Capital of literature & latex industry
  • Known as the city of Letters, Lakes and Latex.
  • Main centre of literature and called Akshara Nagari or Land of Letters & Chuvarchithra Nagari (City of Murals)
  • Was known as Cotym’ and ‘Cottayam’ during the British rule
  • Home to many first Malayalam dailies

Places of Interest

Idukki

Quick Facts

  • Capital of spices and power generation
  • Also known as the spice garden of Kerala.
  • Home to highest arch dam in Asia and third tallest arch dam.
  • 66% of the Kerala state’s power generation is from the district
  • Forest covers more than half of the total area of the district
  • Second largest district in area; but the lowest population density
  • 15 peaks in the district exceed a height of 2,000 m (6,600 ft)
  • First district in India to get connected with super-fast broad band system
  • Created in 1972

Places of Interest

Ernakulam (Kochi)

Quick Facts

  • Commercial capital of Kerala
  • Known as “Queen of the Arabian Sea”
  • Name is derived from Erayanarkulam which means the abode of Lord Shiva. Was also known as "Rishinagakulam" in ancient days.
  • ”Most advanced" district in Kerala
  • Jews form part of the cosmopolitan population. The ancestors of the Jews migrated from Jerusalem in 70 A.D
  • Home to Chinese fishing nets.

Places of Interest

  • Fort Kochi
  • Mattancherry
  • Puthuvype, Vypin
  • Aluva Manappuram
  • Areekkal Waterfalls
  • Bhoothathankettu
  • Bolghatty
  • Chendamangalam
  • Cherai
  • Chottanikkara 
  • Tripunithura
  • Kalady
  • Kodanad 
  • Malayattoor
  • Marine Drive
  • Kochi-Muziris Biennale
  • Paniyeli Poru
  • Pazhoor
  • Kothamangalam
  • Vallarpadam
  • Willingdon Island

Thrissur

Quick Facts

  • Cultural Capital of Kerala
  • Originally called Tri Siva Peroor and known as Trichur in the anglicised form until 1990
  • Three famous Shiva temples, the Vadakkumnathan Temple, Kottapuram Shiva temple and the Poonkunnam Siva Temple is located here
  • Fifth largest city in Kerala and the 20th largest in India.
  • Home to “Thrissur Pooram', one of most world famous festival in Kerala
  • Was also known as "Vrishabhadripuram" (Kailasam of the South) in ancient days
  • The works of scholars & Eastern Christian writings claim Thomas the Apostle to have set foot in Muziris near Thrissur 2,000 years ago.

Places of Interest

  • Athirappilly Waterfall
  • Punnathur Kotta
  • Vazhachal Falls
  • Peechi Dam
  • Guruvayur
  • Charpa Falls
  • Cheruthuruthy 
  • Vilangan Kunnu
  • Chavakkad
  • Arattupuzha  
  • Shankara Samadhi Thiruvambadi 
  • Thiruvilvamala 
  • Chimmini 
  • Snehatheeram Beach 
  • Koodalmanikyam 
  • Marottichal Waterfalls

Palakkad

Quick Facts

  • Known as "the granary of Kerala" and "Rice bowl of Kerala"
  • The largest district in Kerala
  • In ancient times, it was also known as Palakkattussery
  • The district once had dense growth of Pala', an indigenous tree and hence called Palakkad meaning "the forest of Pala trees"
  • The gateway to Kerala – with Palakkad Gap in the western Ghats
  • About one-third of land is covered by forests and most parts of the district fall in the midland region.

Places of Interest

  • Nelliyampathy
  • Palakkad Fort
  • Parambikulam
  • Malampuzha
  • Silent Valley National Park
  • Attappady

Malappuram

Quick Facts

  • Home to Ayurveda treatment
  • Created in 1969
  • Name means "hilltop"
  • A 1500 year old Jain Temple above 2000 ft MSL is located at Oorakam Hill
  • Kadalundi Puzha, a major river in Kerala flows around the city.
  • Historically a stronghold of orthodox Brahminical Hinduism, now one of two Muslim-majority districts in south India.
  • Islam was home to Malappuram early in prophet Mohammed's era itself.

Places of Interest

  • Kadampuzha
  • Kottakunnu
  • Shanthitheeram Riverside
  • Oorakam Hill
  • Mini Ootty
  • Pazhassi Cave, Kakkadampoyil
  • Pantheerayiram forest
  • Panthallur Hills
  • Cheriyam Mala
  • Kodikuthimala
  • Kottakkal
  • Nilambur
  • Canoli’s plot
  • Kumbharan Handicrafts Village
  • Nedumkayam Rainforest
  • Chaliyar mukk
  • Thunchan Parambu
  • Thirunavaya 
  • Alathiyoor 
  • Mumburam
  • Ponnani 
  • Padinjarekkara Beach
  • Vakkad beach
  • Parappanangadi Beach
  • Ottumpuram Beach
  • Biyyam Kayal
  • Kadalundi Backwaters
  • Mudiyam Kayal
  • Azhinjillam
  • Mamankam Monuments
  • Adyanpara falls
  • Keralamkundu
  • Kozhipara Waterfalls
  • Ayyappanov
  • Olly falls
  • Paloorkotta

Kozhikode

Quick Facts

  • Capital of Honesty & spice trade
  • Erstwhile name – Calicut
  • Calicut is the anglicized form of Kalikat, the name used by Mappilas to refer to Kozhikode
  • Vavulmala peak, which resembles to a Camel hump is the highest peak in the district.
  • Created in 1957
  • Home to  Malabar Coast which used to trade of spices, silk, and other goods for over two millennia. 
  • In 14th century emerged as centre of  independent kingdom of Zamorins
  • People of Calicut made silk out of silkworm and dyed silk into colors.
  • In general, people of Calicut were honest and trustworthy.
  • Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad (18 km north of Kozhikode)

Places of Interest

  • Kozhikode Beach 
  • Kallayi Bridge
  • Mananchira Square
  • Kappad
  • Lokanarkavu 
  • Pazhassi Raja Museum
  • Nadapuram mosque
  • Parappalli Beach
  • Arippara Falls, Anakkampoyil 
  • Thusharagiri Falls
  • Thikkodi drive-in beach
  • Kadalur, Koyilandy
  • Amarad Water Falls, Kattipara Thamarassery
  • Kuttiyadi Dam
  • Kakkayam dam
  • Sarovaram Park, Kottooly
  • Beypore Port
  • Sandbanks Vatakara. 
  • Iringal Craft Village 
  • Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
  • Lions Park 

Wayanad

Quick Facts

  • District created in 1980
  • Name derived from “Vayal Nadu” which means the land of paddy fields.
  • A picturesque plateau situated at a height between 700 and 2100 MSL
  • One of the major rivers in the district is Kabini River, a tributary of River Kaveri

Places of Interest

  • Chembra Peak
  • Edakkal Caves, Sulthan Bathery
  • Phantom Rock 
  • Tholpetty WildLife Sanctuary
  • Thirunelli  
  • Papanashini
  • Soochippara waterfalls
  • Kuruva Island
  • Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary
  • Pookkot Lake
  • Kanthanpara Waterfalls
  • Banasura sagar Dam
  • Pulpally
  • Karapuzha Dam
  • Vythiri

Kannur

Quick Facts

  • District created in 1957
  • Erstwhile name – Cannanore in English & Kannanore in Portugal
  • ‘Kannur’ is a derivation from Kanathur, an ancient village.
  • Another school of thought is that it is derived from Kannan (Lord Krishna) and Ur (place) making it the place of Lord Krishna. 
  • Sixth-most urbanized district in Kerala
  • Was an important trading centre in the 12th century with active business connections with Persia and Arabia.
  • Along with Tellicherry(currently knowns Thalassery), it was the third largest city on the western coast of British India in the 18th century after Bombay and Karachi
  • Often known as "The crown of Kerala and  "The city of Looms and Laurel"
  • Has a rich culture, history and traditions. The ritualistic folk arts called Theyyam is held in temples.
  • Home to Ezhimala, Indian Naval Academy is Asia's largest and the world's third largest naval academy.

Places of Interest

  • St. Angelo Fort /Kannur Fort, Baby Beach 
  • Kannur Harbour
  • Pathalmala/ Vaithalmala
  • Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach
  • Payyambalam Beach  
  • Vayalapra Kaayal
  • Arakkal Museum, Ayikkara
  • Azhikkal Ferry
  • Parassinikkadavu Snake Park  
  • Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Choottad Beach
  • Ezhimala Hill
  • Pazhassi Dam
  • Madayipara
  • Palakkayam Thattu
  • Mangrove Theme Park
  • Thalassery
  • Mahe,Puducherry

Kasargode

Quick Facts

  • District created in 1984
  • Familiar to Arabs by the name “Harkwillia”
  • Home to Kumbla, Chandragiri and Bekal forts.  
  • Bekal Fort is the largest fort in Kerala
  • Madathumala peak is the highest peak in the district
  • Home to the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, originally established in 1916 as the Coconut Research Station.
  • Home to only lake temple in Kerala, Ananthapura Lake Temple.

Places of Interest

  • Ranipuram Wildlife Sanctuary & Hill Station. 
  • Valiyaparamba Island
  • Bekal Fort
  • Ananthapura Lake Temple
  • Bellikoth  
  • Bela Church
  • Cheruvathur
  • Hosdurg Fort
  • Kammatam Kavu  
  • Kanjan Junga
  • Kanwatheertha Beach
  • Kottancheri Hills
  • Kottappuram
  • Madhur Temple
  • Posadigumpe
  • Povval Fort
  • Valiyaparamba
  • Veeramala Hills
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