Kerala Travel
Tips
Introduction
The ancient land
founded by the legendary mythological figure Rishi
Parashuram, blessed with emerald backwaters and gold and
silver beaches is Kerala- God's own country. With the Arabian Sea
on the west and the Western Ghats on its east, Kerala is a
treasure trove of indigenous cultural practices and art forms that
have mesmerized people all over the world.
Be it the age old
Kathakali or the newly rediscovered
Mohiniattyam or the knowledge of Ayurveda
. Basking in the generosity of the sun and rain the
climate of Kerala supports a lush vegetation and a wide array of
wildlife unlike anywhere else in the country. This miraculously
unspoiled serene wilderness is all nature lovers' paradise and
rapidly gaining momentum as a popular tourist hub in and around
the country.
Traveling to Kerala is
always a rewarding and unique experience. But traveling to Kerala
can top the chart of your holiday experiences if you keep a few
things in mind. Here is some of the travel tips that will help you
make the most of your trip to Kerala.
Travel Tips
for Kerala :
Travel Formalities -
A Visa is a must to enter India. You can contact the Indian Embassy / High Commission in your country for the same. It is best to carry your passport on you all the time. You may also carry a travel insurance
Carry your
camera and Binoculars - The beautiful
places you share with your family or partner at Kerala needs to be
frozen in time. Your camera is therefore a must. Binoculars are
most important if you are planning to hit the wildlife sanctuaries
in Kerala.
Carry tanning
cream and sun guard lotions - The beaches
in Kerala are marvelous getaways for tourists. But the bright
omnipresent sun is ready to give you a perfect tan. Use the sun as
you prefer. Get a tan, or get away from it.
Try out
authentic Kerala Cuisine - The spices of
Kerala make a lip smacking table. Do not miss it.
Sail out on a
local Fishing Boat - If you want the
rustic experience, abandon the resort yacht and sail hire a local
fisherman to take you out o the seas.
Coconut Water
- The coconuts in Kerala are mind blowing.
The sweetness of their water puts sugar syrup to shame. Remember
that.
Clothes - wear soft cotton clothing on the beaches.
For the hill stations carry light warm clothing as the nights can
get chilly. Winters bring cold nights on the Western Ghats.
Houseboats - the best way to explore the Backwaters is
on a houseboat.
Onam
- the harvest festival in Kerala is
celebrated during August-September. The famous boat races take
place on the 5 th day of Onam usually in the first week of
September. Those interested to witness the races are advised to
visit during his time.
Shopping
- in Kerala you can shop for coir articles
since that is a prominent industry in Kerala. Trinkets made of
wood, sandalwood, buffalo horn make perfect souvenirs for your
loved ones back home. If you are an ayurveda therapy buff you can
buy medicines and massage oils from kerala.
KERALA AT A GLANCE
Location : Southwestern tip of India.
Area : 38, 863 sq km.
Population : 3,18,38,619
Capital : Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Language : Malayalam;English is widely spoken.
Religion : Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Time : GMT +5:30
Currency : Indian Rupee
Climate : Tropical.
Summer : February - May (24 - 330C)
Monsoon : June - September (22 - 280C)
Winter : October - January (22 - 320C)
Names of Districts
Old New
Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram
Quilon Kollam
Alleppey Alappuzha
Pathanamthitta
Kottayam
Idukki
Ernakulam
Trichur Thrissur
Palghat Palakkad
Malappuram
Wayanad
Calicut Kozhikode
Cannanore Kannur
Kasaragod
Major Cities : Thiruvananthapuram,Kochi (Ernakulam district)and Kozhikode.
Taluks : 61
Revenue Villages : 1452
City Corporations : 5
Grama Panchayat : 991
Block Panchayat : 152
District Panchayat : 14
Population
Population : 318.39 lakhs as per the latest 2001 Census
(31.839 Millions)
Density of Population : 819 per sq kms
Kerala's Share in the National Population : 3.1 per cent
District Average : 22.74 lakhs (2.274 millions)
Sex Ratio : 1058 women for 1000 men
Literacy
Literacy Rate : 90.92 per cent.
Male Literacy Rate : 94.20 per cent
Female Literacy Rate ; 87.86 per cent
Educational Infrastructure
Lower Primary Schools (First - Fourth classes) : 6712
Upper Primary Schools (Fifth - Seventh classes) : 2951
Transport
Air: There are three international airports in the state. They are at Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Nedumbassery (Kochi) and operate international flights and domestic flights.
Road and Rail : The state is well connected by rail and road.
Seaports : Major : Kochi
Minor : Beypore (Kozhikode), Alappuzha, Kollam.
Major Beaches : Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochi, Kappad and Bekal.
Major Wild Life Sanctuaries : Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani, Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara, Neyyar.
Bird Sanctuary : Thattekad, Kumarakom.
Major Hill Stations : Ponmudi, Peerumade, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad.
Farm / Cash Crops : Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut and rice.
Exports : Marine, Coir, Handicrafts, Spices, Food and other Products.
Major Industries : Tourism, Information Technology, Fertilizer, Oil Refining and Power Generation, Ship Building, Machine Tools, Electronics, Cables, Rubber.
