KERALA- Fondly referred to as â€˜Godâ€™s Own Countryâ€™

chaitanya sharma 12-Jun-2016 Image Source

Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, has nearly 600km of Arabian Sea shoreline. The timeless beauty of the palm fringed beaches of Kovalam and Varkala, the majesty of the undulating hills of Munnar and Vagamon, the serenity of the pristine backwaters of Kumarakom & Kuttanad and the enchanting woods and forests of Thekkady and Silent Valley will have you bowled over.

Besides its famous backwaters, elegant houseboats, ayurvedic treatments and delicately spiced, taste-bud-tingling cuisine, Kerala is home to wild elephants, exotic birds and the odd tiger, while vibrant traditions such as Kathakali plays, temple festivals and snake-boat races.

Fondly referred to as ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala was selected by the National Geographic Traveller as one of the 50 destinations of a lifetime and one of the thirteen paradises in the world.

1. Aleppey Beach

Alleppey Beach is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kerala. The pier which extends into the sea is around 140 years old. It is a perfect spot to picnic with family. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the Alappuzha beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby that is of immense interest for the visitors.

Image Source

2. Backwaters

The coastal regions of Kerala have a network of waterways, inlets from the sea, and estuaries of over forty rivers, lakes and natural canals connecting coastal towns. This interlinked body of waterways is known as the backwaters in Kerala.Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters in Kerala. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes are a common feature along the Kerala backwaters, coloring the surrounding landscape, a rich green.Cruise . Visit the backwaters for an unforgettable experience that lets you delve into natures magical realm.

Image Source

3. Varkala

Perched almost perilously along the edge of 15m-high red laterite cliffs, the resort of Varkala has a naturally beautiful setting and the cliff-top stretch has steadily grown into Kerala's most popular backpacker hangout.

Image Source

4. Munnar

If you like tea, a visit to Munnar is a must! The surrounding region is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations. The Kundale Tea Plantations, which surrounds a picturesque lake, offers the best opportunity to see the tea being picked and processed, and to try fresh tea straight from the gardens. The area is blessed with the natural beauty of winding lanes, misty hills, and forests full of exotic plants and wildlife.

Image Source

5. Kerala Folklore Museum

Created in Keralan style from ancient temples and beautiful old houses collected by its owner, an antique dealer, the museum includes over 4000 artefacts and covers three architectural styles: Malabar on the ground-floor, Kochi on the 1st, Travancore on the 2nd. Upstairs is a beautiful wood-lined theatre, with a 17th-century wooden ceiling. It's about 6km south of Ernakulam Junction train station.