Trivandrum, the capital of the State of Kerala is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. It is famous for its ancient and historic temple of Sri Padmanabha Swami with its seven-storeyed sculptured Gopuram which is an exquisite specimen of South Indian architecture of the Dravidian style. The impressive temple corridors are lined by 368 carved granite pillars. Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma, the King of Travancore, in the traditional Travancore style of architecture, the Napier Museum, Sree Chithra Art Gallery which displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova , Nicholas Roerich , exquisite works from the Rajput , Mughal and collection of paintings from China, Japan, Tibet are other tourist attractions.
India's most spectacular beach resort, Kovalam is a sheltered natural bay and consists of
three adjacent crescent beaches.
Situated about 48 k.m. away from Trivandrum, Varkala is a seaside resort and spa . It is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. It was here at Sivagiri Mutt, that Sree Narayana Guru, Kerala's illustrious social reformer, attained samadhi.
Known as the Venice of the East, this ancient city is one of the most important centres of coir industry. The large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. It is also known for its
spectacular snake boat races and house-boat holidays.
A fast developing backwater tourism destination, Kumarakom is a part of Kuttanad which is a wonder land lying below the sea level comprising of a number of Islands in the backwaters. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal.
Situated around 3500 feet above sea level, Vagamon is known mainly for the beauty of its hills. The small hillocks studded with lovely pines and fast paced mountain rivulets give the place a picture post card effect. With its visual splendour and beauty, Vagamon could be called the 'Switzerland of the East'. It enjoys a tropical climate varying between 10oC - 26oC
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady which lies at an elevation of 900 to 1800 meters above sea level of the hills of Western Ghats, is one of the World's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves and spreads across 777 sq.kms. of which 360 sq.kms is thick evergreen forest. It is noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty.
1600 m above sea level, Munnar is a natural lover's paradise . It was originally developed as a plantation hill by the British settlers and later also used as a summer residence for the officers of the British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station. Rajamala, the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr( a rare mountain goat), and Mattupetty situated at a height of 1700 m. and is known for its highly specialised dairy farm are the other tourist attractions in Munnar.
Famed for its natural harbour, one of the finest in the World, Cochin has earned the sobriquet " Queen of the Arabian Sea ". It is a port city with a rich past and a bustling present. It has been the business hub of the region from the very early days. The Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans came here to trade and their influence on Cochin and its people is still evident. The Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663, the Jewish Synagogue - the oldest one in the Commonwealth(built in 1568), St. Francis Church built by the Portuguese in 1503 where Vasco da Gama was buried in 1524 before his remains were moved to Portugal and the Chinese Fishing nets are the main tourist attractions.
The birth place of Adi Sankaracharya, the great Advaita Philosopher of the 8th Century . There are three temples here devoted to the philosopher-saint, Sarada Devi, Sri Krishna and Sri Ramakrishna which add to the sanctity of the place.
Trichur often called the Cultural Capital of Kerala is World famous for its Pooram Festival celebrated every year during April - May. The Vadakkunathan temple here is a classical example of the Kerala style of architecture and has many decorative murals and pieces of art.
Guruvayoor, also known as the Dwaraka of the South, is one of the most important pilgrimage centres in India. The story goes that the temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was destroyed when the holy city of Dwaraka was submerged under the sea. Guru, the preceptor of the Gods and Vayu, the God of the winds were entrusted with the job of finding an equally holy place for a new temple. At the end of the long quest for an appropriate site, they entered Kerala and met Parasurama, legendary creator of Kerala. He led them to a beautiful lake full of lotuses, the present temple tank, Rudratirtha, beside which Shiva and Parvati waited to welcome them. The idol was duly installed at this spot and lovingly called Guruvayurappan, or the Lord of Guruvayoor. Punnathoorkotta where you can see temple elephants numbering over 40 is another attraction of the place.
Once the capital of the powerful Zamorins and a prominent trade and commerce centre, Calicut was the most important region of Malabar in the days gone by. Today, Calicut is famed for, amongst other things, its timber, mouthwatering cuisine, historic temples, churches and mosques.Calicut is considered as the capital of Malabar - North Kerala. The places of interest in Calicut include Kappad Beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498, Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala . The boat building yard here is famous for the construction of the Uru(the Arabian trading vessel) boats a tradition of almost 1500 years.
It is one of the Districts in Kerala that has been able to retain its pristine nature. Hidden away in the hills of this land are some of the oldest tribes, as yet untouched by civilization. Wayanad is know for its picturesque mist clad hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions. The Pookot Lake, a natural fresh water lake bounded by the forest and hills, Edakkal Caves and Chembra Peak(2100 m.) , Thirunelly temple, Pakshipathalam, are the main tourist attractions.
Kannur, the most enchanting district of Northern Kerala, was an important port of call in the spice trade. It is also the birthplace of many a traditional folk art. Ancient mosques, temples and monuments dot this region which, in addition, is blessed with great scenic beauty. Kannur's long history has been dominated by the Kolathiri Rajas and Pazhassi Rajas.
Angelo Fort, constructed in 1505 by the first Portuguese Viceroy Don Francisco De almeda , Parassinikadavu, an important pilgrim centre where Theyyam, the ritualistic art form of Kerala is performed daily, the drive-in beach in Muzhapilangad and Gundert Bungalow where Dr.Herman Gundert, the revered German missionary, scholar and lexicographer lived for 20 years from 1839 attracts many tourists.
Situated in Northern most part of Kerala ,the 300 year Bekal Fort is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. This imposing circular structure of laterite rises 130 ft. above sea level and stands on a 35 acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea.
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