About Kerala
Kerala, the “land of coconuts” means the palms shade nearly the entire state from the tropical sun. A very easy place to simply sit back and enjoy, Kerala gives ample options to the visitors in leisure. Spend a day riding small ferries through the backwater lagoons or watching elephants cavort in the wildlife sanctuaries; enjoy the spicy food which may be the best vegetarian cuisine on the planet. The beach at Kovalam is considered one of the best in India!
Wake up to the bird calls, the music from the temples, the Mosques, and Church bells ringing at the cathedrals. Religious tolerance defines the Kerala culture and lifestyle. Kerala is a place to meander –Embark on a car journey from Trivandrum or Cochin out to almost any village and spend a day wandering the dikes between the rice paddies and rubber trees, seeing how half the world still lives, men and women stooping to cut rice with sickles, or spreading coconut along the road to dry, water buffaloes wallowing in the irrigation ditches, every inch of ground cultivated. Every small field lined with palms. The breeze rustling the palm fronds is just a bonus…
Facts & Figures
The land of Kerala is wedged between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Western Ghats in the east. The coast line runs about 580 km in length and the state itself varies between 35 to 120 km in width. Geographically, Kerala is roughly divided into three climatically distinct regions including the eastern highlands (rugged and cool mountainous terrain), the central midlands (rolling hills), and the western lowlands (coastal plains). Kerala lies near the center of the Indian tectonic plate (the Indian Plate); as such most of the state (notwithstanding isolated regions) is subject to comparatively little seismic or volcanic activity. Located at the extreme southern tip of the Indian subcontinent the topography consists of a hot and wet coastal plain gradually rising in elevation to the high hills and mountains of the Western Ghats. Kerala lies between north latitudes 8°18′ and 12°48′ and east longitudes 74°52′ and 72°22′. Kerala’s climate is mainly wet and maritime tropical[2], heavily influenced by the seasonal heavy rains brought by the monsoon.
The culture of Kerala is rooted in a combination of Aryan and Dravidian influences. In the later ages, the culture of Kerala was expanded by the contact with the neighbouring regions and overseas cultures, which also gave it more vibrancy. Kerala has a rich cultural heritage, which fascinates the tourists world over. Various dance forms and martial arts performed with the accompaniment of vocal and instrumental music mark Kerala culture. All these art forms are performed during some celebration or festivity.
Kathakakli is the classical dance drama of Kerala based on the guidelines laid in the Natya Sastra and is an inherent part of all temple and cultural festivals in Kerala. This elaborate art form is usually begins in the evenings and continues till dawn. The costumes and makeup are ornamental, colorful and elaborate so that the gestures and expressions of the performer are easily seen and understood.
Chakyarkoothu, also called koothu, is one of the oldest classical theatre arts of Kerala. A solo dance usually performed in the koothambalam of temples to the accompaniment of the mizhavu and elathalam, it depicts the Epics. The performance starts with the invocation of the presiding deity of the temple and is portrayed with the thandava dance movements, gestures and facial expression according to the guidelines given in the Natya Sastra. Koothu is marked for the presence of comic element, which adds to its dramatic character. The costume worn during the performance is colorful and unconventional with an unusual headgear.
The great cultural legacy left by the Dravidians, the ancient rulers of ‘God’s Own Country’, the reflections are still very much evident in the customs and heritage of this charming land. Majority of the people in Kerala are Hindus. However, there are significant communities of Muslims and Christians.
The traditional people of Kerala are culturally inclined and with a love for feasts and festivals. Malayalam is the official language of Kerala. The Kerala people are referred to as Malayalees and there are many English speaking communities in Kerala as well. The people in Kerala are very social and the festivals are marked by the family get-together, joy and excitement.
Mundu and Neriyathu are the traditional costumes of Kerala for both men and women. Saree and blouse also form the traditional costume of Kerala women. Nowadays, modern costumes are worn in great numbers, like jeans, trousers, T-shirts and churidar kurtas.
According to the 2001 census, the state has attained a literacy rate of 90.86 percent, which is highest in the country.
The land of festivals, Kerala is renowned for Onam, the most important festival in Kerala. Famous boat races are held at this time in the state. Some of the popular Hindu festivals are Maha Shivratri, Navaratri, Vishu and Deepavali, which are also celebrated across the state. The Muslim communities in the state celebrate Bakri Id, Muharram, Miladi Sheriff and Ramadan. Kerala has a significant Christian population. They celebrate Easter and Christmas. However, the popularity of Christmas is not confined among the Christians alone, but has a state-wide appeal.
Kerala is known as the tropical paradise of India. Being a coastal state a humid tropical climate exists in the state offering a pleasant atmosphere throughout the year. The climate is humid and hot during April to June and the temperature reaches up to 33 degree centigrade.
The southwest monsoon starts from June and continues till September. Kerala gets most of its rains from seasonal monsoons. Monsoon time is marked as the best season for Ayurveda treatment.
The temperature turns mildly cold with the arrival of winter. The winter lasts from November to January/February and is a pleasant time in Kerala. Pleasant weather can be experienced at its best in December and January.
The traditional people of Kerala are culturally inclined and with a love for feasts and festivals. Malayalam is the official language of Kerala. The Kerala people are referred to as Malayalees and there are many English speaking communities in Kerala as well. The people in Kerala are very social and the festivals are marked by the family get-together, joy and excitement.
Mundu and Neriyathu are the traditional costumes of Kerala for both men and women. Saree and blouse also form the traditional costume of Kerala women. Nowadays, modern costumes are worn in great numbers, like jeans, trousers, T-shirts and churidar kurtas.
According to the 2001 census, the state has attained a literacy rate of 90.86 percent, which is highest in the country.
Cuisines
The cuisines of Kerala are very spicy and hot, aromatic, flavoured and fresh. Rice and fish are the most predominant elements in the cuisine of Kerala. Coconut plays a predominant role in Kerala food due to abundance of coconut trees.
Rice, and dried and salted fish are the main course in the Kerala lunch and dinner. Shrimps, crustaceans and prawns are also very popular. Idlis, Dosa, Puttu or Appams along with steaming coffee constitute the breakfast. Sadya is an extravagant vegetarian feast in Kerala and is enjoyed on the festive occasions and marriages. It comprises of approximately 40 vegetarian items, and is served on the plantain leaf. It is said that the popular British ‘Mulligatawny Soup’ has derived its flavour from the Kerala Rasam, a taste maker.
The traditional Kerala meal is incomplete without round, crunchy, rice flakes, pickles and chutneys. Payasam is the usual dessert in the Kerala Sadhya. Kerala is well-known for its traditional home-made snacks such as rice flour cookies and banana chips, which can be served with the evening coffee.
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QUICK LINKS
OFFICE ADDRESS
2 Floor,Federal Pearl
Subash Chandra Bose Road,
Jawahar Nagar,Kadavantra,
Kochi -682020 Kerala, India
- © 2023 Kerala Destinations |All Rights Reserved.