Kerala
is sandwiched between the Lakshwadeep Sea and the Western Ghats.It is a bustling
little green-and-silver, coconuts-and-water state on the west coast of India.
It is bounded by Karnataka to the north, Tamil Nadu to the east, and the Arabian
Sea to the west. Thiruvananthapuram is its capital.
Every district in Kerala has it's own unique culture and characteristics.
Thiruvananthapuram is known for it's beach- Kovalam, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy
Temple and various museums and palaces; Alapuzha for it's backwaters, Trichur,
the cultural capital, Kottayam for it's ancient churches, Kozhikode for it's
old world charm and the entrancing Ponmudy or Golden valley
The highland district of Kerala with its mountains, valleys, dams, forests,
wildlife, orchids, streams, scenic points, trekking trails, sanctuaries, hill
stations and lakes, you could call Idukki - God's Own Hideaway.
A tropical paradise of undulating palms and warm sandy beaches, Kerala is
a narrow strip of coastal territory sloping down from the Western Ghats in
a riot of green, luxuriant vegetation. Said to have been carved out by axe-wielding
Parasurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, it is still a land of ancient charm
and mystery.
Kerala
is also one of the richest states in India with forests and plantations of rubber,
cashew, and coconuts everywhere. The meeting place of many cultures, Hindu and
Muslim, Christian and Jewish, Kerala has a particularly rich heritage of dance
and drama (Kathalkali, Koothu, Mohiniattam and other temple arts originated
here) and her people are among the most industrious and well-educated (100%
literacy late) in the country.
The climate is equable and varies little from season to season. The temp-
erature normally ranges between 27º and 32º C in the plains but
drops to about 21º C in the highlands. Winter - 32 to 20 º C. Kerala
is strongly buffeted by both the southwest and northeast monsoons. Rainfall
in many parts of the state exceeds 118 inches. The best season to visit Kerala
is between October to March.
Kerala has several interesting interesting historical spots and adventure
sport centres, besides picturesque spots almost everywhere along the long
coast and the inland hills. It is no wonder then, with its abundance of offerings
for the discering tourist, that Kerala has emerged as one of the leading Indian
destinations of late. The region is also very rich in terms of culture: two
of the country's most important dance forms: Kathakali and Mohiniattam have
their roots in Kerala.
The people here are of the Dravidian racial stock, almost equally divided
between Hindus, Muslims and Christians. North Kerala is predominantly Muslim,
whereas Cochin and parts of South Kerala have sizable Christian populations.
The language and culture is fairly universal.
Kerala
is a land of great natural beauty. From the majestic heights of the Western
Ghats the country undulates westward presenting a vista of silent valleys clothed
in the richest green. Among the many rivers that glide across the plains to
merge their waters with the Arabian sea, the more important are the Periyar,
the Pamba and the Bharatha puzha. The elegant waterfalls at Athirampally near
Trichur is a popular tourist spot.
Along the coast, sand dunes shelter a linked chain of lagoons and backwaters
the still waters of which are studded with sea-gulls and country canoes plying
at a snails pace. The silence of the clear skies is broken only by the coos
of koels, a type of cuckoo, and the frequent flutter of cranes perched on
the embankments.
The highest peak of peninsular India Annai Mudi is located in this state.
The scenic Thekkady Wild Life Sanctuary is a popular vacation destination
for nature lovers. The climate is equable and varies little from season to
season. The temperature normally ranges from 80 to 90 F in the plains but
drops to about 70 F in the highlands. The state gets its due share of both
the southwest as well as the northeast monsoons, and the rainfull is heavy,
averaging around 118 inches annually.
Kerala, a kaleidoscope of mesmeric charms enthralls a traveller with some
of the most romantic natural resources in the world - sun. filtered glades
of palm trees, shimmering beaches, dense tropical forests, rocky coasts, still
bays, astounding rivers and an intricate maze of back waters.
Kerala
is believed to have been created when Parshuram, a rishi after killing 21 evil
kshatriyas, prayed to God to give him a secluded place to perform his penance.The
Gods decided to give him the land he chose. So Parshuram threw his axe into
the sea in a wide arc and commanded the water to recede. The land that rose
dripping from the sea became Kerala, the verdant strip of land bounded by the
hills of the Western Ghats on its eastern edge and by the Arabian sea on the
western edge.
Enclosed within is a land, criss crossed with the mossed back waters, interspersed
with rice fields, rich in wildlife, and bursting with cashew, coconut, coffee
and rubber plantations and a medley of spices like cardamom, pepper, turmeric,
and ginger.
Land of Contrast cut of the rest of the country by the Sahyadri mountain ranges,
Kerala is replete with legends which reveal a rich culture which is extremely
well depicted in its distinctive forms of dance, drama and temple arts. Kerala
has a very cosmopolitan history graced by visitors like St. Thomas, the Apostle
who established the earliest Christian Colony in Kerala in 52 A.D. He was
followed by Syrian Christian settlers from Alexandria whose cathedrals and
churches still attract large congregations and for which the state is called
the Vatican of the East.
Vasco da Gama landed near Calicut in 1498. Christians, Muslims and Jews all
found a welcome in Kerala, as did the early Phoenician, Greek and Roman Traders.
Standing mute witness to the multi-layered international history are the ancient
Hindu Temples standing serenely side by side the gaily painted colonial style
churches and splendid mosques. There is also a synagogue built in 1568 in
Cochin, reflecting a small but significant Jewish presence. Palaces of Maharajas,
converted into hotels and museums, soften the harsh memories left behind by
the colonizers.
History / Culture of Kerala
Original
inhabitants were animists, followed by the Dravidians. After Alexander's triumphant
sweep over Asia Minor, the ports of Kerala became a link between the Middle
East, the Mediterranean and China. In 1498, Vasco da Gama made his historic
landing on the Malabar Coast.As the Dutch, French and English arrived to exploit
the rich land,the whole of Malabar become a scene of rivalry between the foreign
traders for trade and territory.
In 1723, the East India Company signed a strategic treaty with King Marthanda
Varma. For a few decades, Hyder Ali and his son -Tipu sultan proved to be
a thorn in the flesh of the British, sweeping down several times into Kerala.Though
Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan invaded the country, Malabar finally passed into
the hands the British in 1792. In 1947, it was the turn of the British to
pack their bags.
In November, 1965, i.e. 9 years after Indian Independence, Travancore, Cochin
and Malabar were merged into one state and thus Kerala State came into existence.
Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala State and it is a sea-side city.
Festivals of Kerala
Kerala
boasts of a unique cultural heritage and has a long tradition of religious amity.
The state observes a multitude of fairs & festivals that form an integral
part of its rich cultural heritage. Some of the most admired and colorful fairs
& festivals in Kerala include:
1: Onam
2: Kerala
Village Fair
3: Nishagandhi Dance Festival
4: Snake Boat Race
5: Arnamula Boat Race
Dances of Kerala
Kerala has evolved from very ancient days its typical dance forms, which are
highly expressive of the way of living and the outlook of its people.
1:
Mohiniyattam : is a typical dance form of
Kerala which has had a chequered history. Literally it means the dances of the
enchantress. Mohiniyattam, even the costumes and the make up having a distinctiveness
of their own. In fact, Mohiniyattam as a dance form has been developed in Kalamandalam
to such a perfection as to attract the attention of students and teachers of
art from other parts of India and even abroad.
2:
Kathakali
: Another Classical Dance of Kerala Kathakali is the most refined and the
most scientific and elaborately defined dance drama of Kerala. The stories
are selected from epics and mythologies and the actor expresses himself
through mime, hand gesture, eye movements and highly complicated steps.
Kathakali is a unique combination of the insight of an actor, dancer,
singer, drummer, sculptor, designer and dreamer.
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