Kerala Family Holidays

Kerala packed with 26 million people in 38,900 sq km in a narrow strip of land between the Western Ghats and the beaches of the Arabian Sea, clings like a banana leaf to the southwestern coast of the Indian peninsula. The strip of land found a natural defence in the hills that sealed off one longitudinal section, leaving it open to access from the sea alone.

Sea trade started with the Phoenicians, and in 1000 BC Kerala was visited by King Solomon's ship that travelled to 'Ophir', in all probability the modern Puvar, south of Trivandrum. Then followed the traders from Greece, Rome, Arabia, China, Portuguese who gained right in 1516; the Dutch merchants a stronghold in 1602, and by 1663 the Portuguese were forced out of the area. By 1795, however, the Dutch too had to move out, for the British traders had become the strongest power in India by that time. Much earlier, the Jews came to Kerala when they fled the rule of Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BC; St. Thomas the Apostle came here in the first century AD; the Syrian Christian were in existence here in the 2nd century AD. When the Portuguese came to Kerala, they found a thriving Christian community here, but one that had never heard of Pope.

Green and serene, a paradise, God's own country, an ethereal vision or a poet's inspiration, a treasure of infinite beauty - all is said about Kerala. Lush plantations rise from the sea and sweep the entire state in verdant glory. Splendid festivals with mysterious rituals, full of colour, herds of elephants, leading processions, or in the wild, exotic handicrafts, seafood preparation that makes Kerala one of the most exciting destinations of India. Snake-boat races on the backwaters of Kerala, Elephant March with hundreds of caparisoned elephants lined up, the martial art, Kathakali - the spectacular dance drama; Kerala Houseboats Kettuvallam on back waters and Ayurvedic Herbal Massage and Treatment that makes this part of India a unique destination.

Touristic places in Kerala
CALICUT — TRICHUR — MUNNAR — PERIYAR — KOTTAYAM — KUMARAKOM — COCHIN — ALLEPPEY — VARKALA — QUILON — TRIVANDRUM — KOVALAM BEACH



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