visit kerala 

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Kerala is a prominent state located in the South-Western region of India, which was formed on 1st November 1956. This state is a well-known spice exporting region of India and has been popular all over the world ever since 3000 BCE.

Kerala is known for being the only Indian state to have the lowest positive population growth rate. Agriculture is the principle factor that influences the economy of the state with the production of pepper and natural rubber contributing a significant amount of the total national output.

Apart from agriculture, the second most important part of Kerala’s economy is its tourism sector. Owing to the abundance of backwaters, beaches, canals, lakes, Ayurvedic tourism and tropical greenery, this state serves as a principal tourist destination of the country and attracts millions of tourists each year to come and enjoy the ambience of nature’s beauty here.

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When it comes to tourism, some of the important places to visit in Kerala include Kovalam Beach, Hill Stations of Wayanad and Munnar, Periyar and Wayanad Wildlife Parks, Backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom, Padmanabhapuram Palace, and other fascinating sites that draw tourists. 

Kerala’s rich culture and tradition combine with its amazing topography and geographical location to make this region one of the most important tourist destinations of India. In fact, the region is so popular amongst tourists that it has been rated as ‘One of the 10 paradise of the world’ and ‘50 must-see destinations of a lifetime’ by National Geographic Traveller, and ‘One of the 100 great trips for the 21st century’ by Travel and Leisure.

Although it may sound surprising yet it is quite interesting to know that Kerala was the first Indian state that had declared Tourism as an industry in 1986 in order to overcome the fact that Kerala was quite an unknown destination until the early 1980s.

The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation did great efforts and launched amazing ad campaigns in order to give a boost to the tourism sector, which eventually resulted in attracting 8.5 million tourists in 2006, which furthermore increased to more than 10 million in 2011.

The tourism sector of Kerala has witnessed wider popularity ever since the start of Ayurvedic Tourism in the state in the early 1990s. Apart from this, the promotion of eco-tourism consisting of nature walks, mountaineering, trekking, bird watching, etc. in the state has helped a lot in attracting tourists. On an average Kerala has a wet maritime climate with the annual temperature ranging from 20-27.5?C along with 120-140 rainy days each year.

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These pleasant climatic conditions act as a plus point for the tourism sector, as the region owing to healthy annual rainfall and tropical climate is completely covered in lush greenery and offers a beautiful atmosphere to all its visitors round the year. Presently tourism is the major contributor to the state’s economy with the current growth rate of 13.31% along with generating annual revenue of around INR190 billion, as of 2011. 

Above all, the growth in the tourism sector with all the amazing Kerala sightseeing places has led to providing employment opportunities to around 1.2 million people, which in itself is quite phenomenal.

When it comes to places to see in Kerala, the first and the foremost thing that strikes the mind are the Kerala Backwaters, which is a network of interconnected rivers, canals, lakes and inlets. Basically these backwaters are brackish lagoons that lie parallel to the Arabian Sea and consist of fresh water.

These backwaters of Kerala are known for being one of the most important destinations to visit in India. People from all over the world come here to enjoy a cruise ride in one the backwaters of Feral or to enjoy an amazing vacation at one of the boat houses here.

These beautifully created boathouses are known as Kettuvallams in the regional language and there are around 2000 of these houseboats that ply the backwaters. These houseboats in its initial days were used as grain barges that were utilised for transporting rice being harvested in the fields located alongside the backwaters.

Later at some point of time these houseboats started serving as living quarters for the royalty and later they turned out to be elegant floating tourist cottages, fully equipped with modern day amenities.

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Apart from this, the backwaters serve as an important part of aquatic life conservation as these areas serve as home to a variety of aquatic plants and animals. Moreover the backwaters of Kerala serve as an important site for holding the traditional boat races of the region, being occasions of great excitement and entertainment.

Overall the major backwater regions of Kerala constitute of Kollam, Alappuzha, Kuttanad, Kottayam-Kuttanad, Munroe Island, Kasargod, Thiruvallam, and Kozhikode.

Among the Kerala sightseeing places, Fort Kochi is a beautiful region located towards the South-West part of the city of Kochi. This region is one of the three main urban regions that constitute the present day Kochi City. Fort Kochi was the place of the first European township in India, the influence of which can still be felt and observed in the city’s architecture and its town planning.

This region in earlier times was basically a fishing village during the time of pre-colonial Kerala and it was christened as Fort Kochi after the Portuguese occupied this territory and constructed a fort near the waterfront. This fort was initially named Fort Emmanuel, which was later destroyed by the Dutch.

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It is said that behind the Fort, the Portuguese had built a church of St. Francis where the body of Vasco da Gama was initially buried. Since the earlier time Cochin was the principal trading zone of the country for foreign travellers, the ownership of Fort Kochi region passed on to several hands.

However the Portuguese were the only ones to have ruled this region for the longest period of time, which was around 160 years until in the year 1683 the Dutch captured the territory. After having ruled this region for 112 years, the British capsized this territory in 1795.

In current times, the Fort Kochi region is considered to be one of the finest places to visit in Kerala, with its major attraction being its beaches, the beautiful sight of traditional fishing in this region, and of course the European inspired architecture of this region.

Varkala Beach is one of the famous beaches of Southern India located in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This beach is also known as the Papanasam Beach with the word ‘Papanasam’ meaning ‘wash away your sins’. It is believed that a dip in the waters of this beach would wash away all your sins.

This region is quite famous amongst tourists owing to the fact that it is the only region in Kerala where cliffs can be seen adjacent to the Arabian Sea. These cliffs are considered to be unique geographical features owing to the fact that they are the only elevation on the otherwise flat surface of Kerala. The geologists have termed these cliffs as Varkala Formation, which has now been declared as a geological monument by the Geological Survey of India.

Considering its beautiful location and amazing scenic beauty, this place is counted as one of the top Kerala sightseeing places. This beach is a heaven for sun bathers and swimmers. And it also has an array of spas and exotic restaurants. People come here in masses each year to enjoy the aura of this place along with getting a beautiful glimpse of the setting sun, which is quite mesmerizing to experience.

Apart from this, the beach also serves as an elegant spot for various kinds of water sports and spas, which is enjoyed in abundance by one and all who visit the Varkala Beach.

The Bekal Fort is the largest fort in Kerala and is one of the most important places to see in Kerala. It is spread across 40 acres of land and it appears as if the fort has come up from the sea considering the fact that almost 3/4th of its exterior is drenched along with the waves continuously hitting its citadel.

It is believed that the fort was built in order to serve the purpose of defence because there are no remains of any palace, mansion or any such building found here.

The fort had been such constructed by Shivappa Nayaka in 1650 AD to keep an extensive lookout at the entire town, the view of which was aptly provided from its observation tower.

The outer walls of the fort had holes that were supposedly used to defend the fort effectively. There were two layers of holes on the outer walls, the upper and the lower. The upper holes were constructed in order to aim at the farthest points while the lower ones were used to strike when the enemy was nearer.

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It was in 1992 that the Bekal Fort was opened to the tourists under the permission issued by the Government of India, declaring the fort to be a special tourism area. Later in 1995 the Government formed the Bekal Tourism Development Corporation for transforming the fort into an excellent international tourist centre.

Presently the maintenance, preservation and protection of the fort has been given in the hands of the Archaeological Survey of India, which has been looking after its welfare quite efficiently.

One of the most picturesque locations in Kerala, the Marine Drive is a promenade in the Indian city of Kochi, which has been built in a beautiful way to face Kerala’s backwaters. A popular hangout for local populations, Marine Drive is known for being one of the most enthralling, beautiful places in the state.

The Rainbow Bridge here is quite popular and provides travellers a chance to enjoy structural beauty of this place. The drive is located at an economically thriving region of Kochi.

Marine Drive doesn’t allow any vehicles on the walkway. Therefore, it is a pollution-free zone. Featuring several shopping malls, Marine Drive is currently one of the most important regions for shopping in Kochi.

Therefore, shopaholics visiting Kerala must check out this place to enjoy shopping at a number of uber cool stores. Several fast food joints, including McDonalds, Coffee Bar and Marrybrown are present here.

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Visit Marine Drive in Kochi if you wish to experience the bounties of a sunset. The beauty of this region, along with gentle breeze from the Vembanad Lake makes a perfect backdrop for chatty conversations, eating and shopping. Tourists throng this walkway during evenings, enjoying incredible things that this place has to offer.

Starting from High Court junction till Rajendra Maidan, this Drive has a length of 1.75 kilometres and also offers boat jetties along the way. Two new bridges, the Rainbow and the Chinese Fishing Net Bridge offer surreal views of Kerala’s backwaters. Truly, this is one of the best places to visit in Kerala.

One of the best places to see in Kerala, Mattancherry Palace, also called the Dutch Palace is one of the finest palaces of Kerala. Appearing like a huge estate home, this palace was designed by the Portuguese and reflects 15th century architecture.

The palace which exhibits Kerala Murals and Hindu temple art was built by the Portuguese and then gifted to the then Raja of Cochin. Several renovations were performed by the Dutch in 1663 and since then it is popularly known as the Dutch Palace.

Over the years, certain maharajas also brought in a change in décor and style of the palace. Currently, some of the notable mythological murals of India are kept over here.

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It is considered that the palace was built to appease an Indian ruler after the Portuguese had plundered a temple nearby. The area is also known for being undertaken by Hyder Ali and later by the East India Company. The palace has been built in the classical Kerala style architecture and attracts history lovers, vacationers and explorers alike.

The courtyard here is dedicated to a goddess who protected the royal family of Kochi. Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Rama have also been built. Some of the chambers have the European influence, while the murals here feature illustrations from Ramayana, particularly the instance where Sita is captured in Lanka. Cheerful instances from Lord Krishna’s life have also been presented here.

Considered as one of the best Kerala sightseeing places, Kanakakunnu Palace is a beautiful palace that nestles in sprawling grounds. A fine blend of architecture and natural beauty, this palace serves as a cultural programme venue currently. Here, the Department of Tourism organises an All India Dance Festival every year, where foreign countries and tourists also participate.

The palace, which is said to have been built by Sree Moolam Thirunal, is known for being used by the Royal Family of Travancore, where the guests were served. The palace is a heritage monument and is considered to be one of the last architectural remains of the colonial era.

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The palace is a great visit for those who wish to learn more about arts and culture of Kerala. The palace, which is now under the government’s wing, is known for its open air auditorium called Nishagandhi and a regular auditorium called Sooryakanthi. These are the auditoriums which are currently used for dance festivals, and dance exponents from all over the world participate in this event.

Fondly known as the ‘The Niagara of India,’ Athirappilly Falls is certainly the best waterfalls in the country. Located at the Chalakudy River, this waterfall has a total height of 82 feet and is located as segmented type at an elevation of 390 feet.

The river just below the falls remains turbulent and resumes its calmness after a kilometre. The falls are also known for flowing towards the Arabian Sea and its environs are known for being home to a number of animals and plants, including endangered species.

Apart from the scenic beauty of this waterfall, the place is known for its wildlife, including animals such as Asiatic elephant, Sambar deer, leopard, bison and lion-tailed macaque. The forests here serve as a nestling bastion for Malabar Pied and Grey Hornbill along with the Great Hornbill. Teak, Bamboo and Eucalyptus are some of the trees that are widely found here.

Its natural beauty is riveting and rejuvenating, that’s the reason why this place in Kerala must not be missed. In fact, the enchanting beauty of this place has also been captured by the lens of filmmakers, especially in Malayalam movies, popular Hindi movies such as Dil Se, Guru, Raavan and others.

When it comes to exploring the hidden facets of Kerala, then there is no place better than the Edakkal Caves. These caves, which are situated near the Wayanad district, are known for having pictorial writings and details that are at least 6000 BC old.

Considered to be drawn and represented by the Neolithic man, these caves provide incredible insights into the prehistoric civilizations around the world. They aren’t technically caves, but they are rather considered to be clefts and rifts, with fissures that have been caused by splitting of rocks. Several tons of this cleft or the rift serve as a cave.

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The carvings here are known for representing human and animal figures, providing an indelible insight into the presence of prehistoric settlement. In fact, the oldest one dates back to more than 8000 years ago and suggests that these Edakkal caves have been inhabited several times in history.

Discovered by Fred Fawcett, these caves are now considered to be a pivotal part of the history and development of different civilizations. Apart from being important for anthropological and historical reasons, these caves are also known for providing incredible information about developments of society.

When it comes to natural beauty and wildlife, then one of the best places to visit in Kerala is the Periyar National Park and wildlife sanctuary. With its endless stretches of vast green lands and a beautiful amalgamation of flora and fauna, Periyar National Park allows one to enjoy a fruitful rendezvous with the wild.

The park, which is best known for its elephants and tigers, is a virtual heaven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Lying in the middle of the mountainous terrain of the Cardamom Hills, the Periyar National Park features a Periyar Lake, a reservoir and has permanent source of water for its wildlife.

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The temperature here serves wildlife well and helps in thriving of flora and fauna. Made of tropical green forests along with grasslands and moist deciduous forests, the Periyar National Park features eucalyptus and a range of lake and river ecosystems.

Don’t be surprised if you witness tigers and elephants or see tigers on the back of an elephant. The national reserve has over twenty Bengal Tigers that are located all through the 640 square kilometres of the park. The place has at least 35 species of mammals, including some of the threatened species.

Periyar is also known for having Indian Elephants, which co-exist with mammals such as Gaur, Wild Pig, Jungle Cat, and Lion-tailed Macaque, Indian Giant Squirrel and Sambar Deer. Periyar is also known for tea, cardamom and coffee plantations in its environs, providing a perfect backdrop for meeting with animals.

If you want to see a blend of all places to see in Kerala, then Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is your destination. This Indian wildlife sanctuary is one of the protected areas of Kerala and features a nominated World Heritage Site. With 34 species of mammals, including panthers and spotted deer, this wildlife sanctuary is one of those Indian destinations that any wildlife or nature lover would like to explore.

The rusty spotted cats and grizzled giant squirrels, which are known as vulnerable species are also found here. The Mugger Crocodile is quite famous around here. With 22 amphibian species and over 150 species of butterflies, Chinnar is certainly one of those places that will cause butterflies in your stomach.

The Chinnar montane rain forest gives it ethereal natural beauty, which is complemented by the Thoovanam Waterfalls, providing this forest with a stunning appearance. Tourists are allowed to enjoy natural walks at Chinnar and its Pamber River Banks, thereby giving them an opportunity to find a giant squirrel and watch birds.

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Here, adventure lovers can get a strong rush of adrenaline by enjoying natural activities such as trekking. The scenic beauty makes a perfect backdrop for camping. The lofty watch tower here provides an incredible panoramic view of the entire area.

Thoovanam Waterfalls are the perfect spot for those who wish to be enchanted by the natural surroundings of Kerala. The stunning waterfalls and the River Pamber are known for enthralling visitors from all over the world. Eco-tourism is practised in this wildlife sanctuary and therefore, travellers are expected to be friendly and saviours of nature.

Treks here are mostly organised to the Dolmens, which is a megalithic burial site. Here one can learn more about the history of the country and enjoy sighting crocodiles or boars during the hike. The jungles and the majestic hills of the Western Ghats serve as the perfect backdrop for an adventurous, exploratory trip to Chinnar.

Eravikulam National Park isn’t just a Kerala sightseeing place;  it is also home to a number of endangered and vulnerable species in the world. The national park is about natural beauty and riveting landscapes that offer one the ultimate opportunity to rendezvous with the wild.

The Eravikulam National Park is maintained by the State and the Anamalai Sub Cluster of the Western Ghats is currently being considered to be a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. With its natural landscapes and the backdrop of hills, this stunning national park is certainly one of the best places to visit in Kerala.

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The rolling hill plateau of Eravikulam serves as home to over 25 species of mammals, including the Nilgiri Tahr, which is the largest surviving population of the species.

The park is also home to Golden Jackal, Elephants, dusky palm squirrel, stripe-necked mongoose and porcupine, making this place feel alive with a blend of tall and small animals. Lakkom Waterfalls and the Cauvery River in this region provide natural source of water to the wildlife here.

For all avid bird watchers and fauna lovers, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is nothing less than a heaven. Set in the backdrop of Kerala Backwaters, this beautiful bird sanctuary is known for its lush green lawns and deep blue skies, which are adorned by birds from all over the world.

The sanctuary, which is spread over 14 acres offers boat ride from Kavanar River or the Vembanad Lake. In connection with the World Wetlands Day, Kumarakom organised special bird watching programme. Even today, these programmes are organised with great zeal and zest.

The main attraction of birds that can be seen here include the duck, the Brahminy Kite, waterfowl and cormorant, darter and egret along with heron, cuckoo, moorhen and owl. The place is also home to a number of migratory birds such as flycatcher, Siberian Crane, teal, lark and parrot. The bird sanctuary is probably most popular for having migratory birds from as far as Siberia and the Himalayas.

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Mostly an early morning trek, preferably before the sunrise, is one of the best ways of watching birds here. The birds leave their forest homes early in the morning and usually surround and fly over the lake, making it the hub for bird watchers from all over the world. Here, treks and a number of other adventure activities are also organised for those who need a rush of adrenaline. The sanctuary also has a museum nearby.

One of the most popular national parks in the country, the Silent Valley National Park not only serves as a home to flora and fauna, but has also been associated with Hindu legends. Therefore, this is one of the best places to visit in Kerala for those who wish to learn more about Indian history, mythology and those who are lovers of animals and wildlife.

The park, which has montane rainforests of the South Western Ghats along with tropical moist evergreen forests, is home to several endangered species and high diversity of wildlife. The park is also the core of Nilgiri International Biosphere Reserve.

Lion-tailed macaque, which is an endangered primate species, has one of the largest populations in the Silent Valley National Park. The park is home to over 30 mammal species, including the Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Hairy Winged Bat, rats, tiger, leopard, small Indian civet, Stripe-necked mongoose, Indian porcupine and others.

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The place is also a paradise for bird watchers, with birds such as Nilgiri Blue Robin, Broad-tailed Grassbird, White-bellied Treepie and Crimson backed sunbird seen widely. The black bulbul is one of the most abundant birds found here. A recorded number of 138 species of birds, of which 17 species were newly observed, have been seen here, making it a hub for those who love animals and nature.

The place is also popular for the flowering of Cullenia in the forest, which is pivotal for the occurrence of lion-tailed macaque. Otherwise, over 1000 species of flowering plants and over 150 types of algae are present here. This is why the forest is considered to be potentially beneficial for biotechnology innovations.

The animal sanctuary of Wayanad isn’t just for wildlife enthusiasts, it is also a great place for photographers, vacationers, couples and travellers who wish to choose unique rides of the state.

With some unusual birds found in this place, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary has gained prime importance. Apart from birds, the wildlife area is also known for housing some of the most endangered species of flora and fauna. Elephant rides are quite popular here.

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is best known for tiger spotting. As a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, this area is protected well and that is why the sanctuary animals and plants get the best habitat possible. Belonging to the Nilgiri Sub-Cluster, Wayanad is also being considered by UNESCO for its coveted World Heritage Site title.

With salubrious climate, the place is known for housing a wide range of flora, fauna and avian fauna. For instance, the forests here combine moist deciduous trees, including rosewood and bamboo.

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A number of semi-green patches are also found throughout the jungles here. Animals such as elephants are widely popular. Rides are organised on them. In fact, in case of tiger sighting, elephant rides may be organised for tourists, providing them a closer look at this valiant, elusive animal.

Apart from them, monkeys, wild dogs and bears are also popularly seen here. Monitor lizards, panthers and jungle cats are also quite common. In terms of avian fauna, peacocks are quite popular. They are widely seen dancing with their feathers open. Cuckoos, jungle fowls and woodpeckers can be witnessed by avid bird lovers. Babblers are also a common variety of avian fauna seen throughout the Wayanad Wildlife Reserve.

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