god's own country

Kerala – The land of spices!

Think of Kerala, think of spices! India is world’s leading country in producing spice with Kerala being the primary producing state. Ginger, cardamom, chilly, cassia, clove, kokum, cinnamon, nutmeg – you name it, you get it! But, Kerala is not only about spices. On one hand you get to see the serene and calm backwaters in Poovar and on the other hand there is the mystic Munnar hill. The state also has one of India's best beaches, the Kovalam beach.

The crescent-shaped Kovalam Beach is divided into three parts. The southern-most beach, Lighthouse Beach, is by far the most popular one. The middle beach, adjacent to it, is called the Hawa Beach, whiles the northern-most beach, Samudra, is the most laidback and secluded.

Not only can the beach lovers, animal lovers too go to Kerala! You will find one of the finest of forest reserves in India at Thekkady. Set high in the ranges of Western Ghats of Kerala is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park is often referred to as Thekkady. The sanctuary houses many species of wild animals and birds, the most famous being the wild Asian elephants. They make a fantastic sight when you spot them in the wild, roaming around in large herds. Photograph these magnificent pachyderms at close quarters in their natural habitat.
     
      Thekaddy
      Kerala culture at its best...
     

Kochi (Cochin), Kerala's most visited tourist destination, offers you a glimpse of the traditional Kerala culture, be it the Chinese fishing nets, the tranquil churches, the synagogue, or the remnants of the Colonial settlements. There is something for everyone! Famous for its backwaters and houseboat rides, Cochin is also a gourmet lover's paradise. The best place to look for authentic sea food is the waterfront at Fort Cochin. A string of stalls here serve hot and fresh seafood dishes. Rice Boats at Willingdon Island is known for its good cuisine, although a bit expensive. Fry's Village Restaurant on Chittoor Road is known to serve the local Aripathiri (chapattis made of rice flour) along with traditional curries.

Culturally, Kerala also offers Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art, and Kathakali dance, in which, elaborately costumed artists perform stories from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata.

Postcard from Kerala

Kerala offers you a lot of sightseeing options making it a heaven for souvenir collectors. As souvenirs, you can take home the traditional Kathakali faces and bronze diyas (earthen lamps) to beautify your homes. You can also take home a good stock of fresh spices at reasonable prices along with the yummy banana chips! All in all, you can take home coir products, coconut shell crafts, wood crafts, wood and horn carvings, bamboo mat paintings, metal-ware, tea, coffee and a rich variety of spices.

culture

Unique cultureOne of the top ten Asian destinations,God's own country or Kerala takes the pride of place for its repertoire of rich cultural heritage. Kerala holds a place of honour for its contribution to the  cultural heritage.Kerala's culture is in fact, an integral part of Indian culture.
The culture of Kerala is also a composite and cosmopolitan culture to which several people and races have made their significant contributions. Kerala's population comprises of a large number of people originally belonging to the Dravidian clan, who also inhibit most of the southern part of . Hinduism is the principal religion with considerable percentages of Muslims and Christians. The gradual evolution of a cosmopolitan culture led to the emergence of a spirit of tolerance and catholicity of outlook, which still persist among the people of Kerala.The tradition and culture of the native people is especially charming in Kerala.

Art formsThe cultural heritage of Kerala is also revealed in its varied dance forms, martial arts and cuisine. Kathakali is a 300-year-old dance form developed exclusively in Kerala combining the performing art forms of opera, ballet, and pantomime. Other dance forms of Kerala are Krishnanattom, Mohiniyattom, Thullal, Koodiyattom, Kolkali,Teyyam, Thiruvathirakali, Kakkarishi Natakom, Oppana and Chavittunatakom. The percussion ensemble of Panchavadyam,Thayambaka,Pancharimelam and Sinkarimelam  are also popular.Kathakali sangeetham besides Sopanasangeetham and Nadanpattu as wellas other music forms have evolved over the centuries in Kerala.

Kerala is renowned for its varied martial arts. Amongst the many forms of martial arts of Kerala are Kalaripayattu, Parisa Kali, Velakanni, Valeru,Moopankali, Kundameru and Njaninmel Kali. Woodcarving is an important craft form that this state has developed. The craftsmen of Kerala can pick up the humblest and meanest bits of material and imbue them with magical mastery.

Festivals
Onam is a time for sports and festivities in Kerala, where one third of the area is low lying, covered with canals, lakes and backwaters,and the people take to their boats and country crafts to celebrate.Vishu is the harvest festival.Christmas is another festival that is celebrated with much vigour and enthusiasm in the state. Other important festivals of Kerala are Eid, Muharram,Ramzan, and other festivals such as Deepavali and Navarathri that are traditionally celebrated all over the country.

Kerala’s unique culture provides scope for the fusion of old traditions and new values in all speres.This is evident in its cuisine too.Kerala has a distinctive cuisine, very unusual and different from the rest of . Cooking in Kerala is all about discoveries, aromas and colors and Kerala delicacies are popular throughout the world.The cuisine of Kerala has been proved to be a delight among tourists especially foreigners.

Cuisine

While music and dance provide food for the soul, the actual "food" of Kerala is a sumptuous treat to anyone who visits Kerala. The delectable cuisine has a wide range to choose from. The staple diet of Kerala is rice.On festival days one gets a taste of the traditional "sadya" or the feast. There is much in store for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The vegetarians get to choose from a variety of steamed and fried treats, while the non-vegetarians get to feast on sea food such as fish and prawns besides meat varieties.

Kerala is also famous for its handicrafts and art work. Works of art as souvenirs are available in plenty for tourists to take back home as remainders of God’s Own Country.

Thus, Kerala culture represents the collective achievements of the people of the state in the fields of religion and philosophy, language and literature, art and architecture, education and learning,sports and culinary arts and much more.

My kerala

Kerala holds a place of honour among the people of India who have enriched Indian Cultural Heritage and helped the cause of national integration. The culture of Kerala is also a composite and cosmopolitan culture to which several people and races have made their significant contributions. Kerala's population comprises of a large number of the people from the Dravidians race, who also inhibit most of the southern part of India. Hinduism is the principal religion with considerable percentages of Muslims and Christians.
During your tour to Kerala you get to be a part of the tradition and culture of the native people.

The cultural heritage of Kerala is revealed in its varied dance forms, martial arts and cuisine. Kathakali is a 300-year-old dance form developed exclusively in Kerala combining the performing art forms of opera, ballet, masque, and pantomime. Other dance forms of Kerala are Krishnanattom, Mohiniyattom, Thullal, etc Kerala has a distinctive cuisine, very unusual and different from the rest of India. Cooking in Kerala is all about discoveries, aromas and colors.The state is known for its variety of pancakes and steamed rice cakes made from pounded rice. In seafood, mussels are a favourite. Amongst the many forms of martial arts of Kerala are Kalaripayattu, Parisa Kali, Kunderu and Njaninmel Kali. . There is a lot to explore while you are on a tour to Kerala . Some of the well known performing art forms of Kerala are: Kalaripayatt, Mohiniyattom, Chakyar Koothu, Theyyam, Ottam Thullal, Loodiyattom,Bharathanatyam, Chavittunadakam, Poorakkali, Theyattu.

Thus, in its totality, Kerala's culture represents the triumph and success of it's people in every sphere, be it art and architecture, education or it's multifaceted religion. The present culture of Kerala is the result of the unique process of cultural synthesis and social assimilation.

kathakali

The educative, didactic, religous and entertainment value of dance - drama has always been emphasised by the Indian genius. In this da- nce recital, performed in a divine setting, a great gift of Kerela to the world of art, mythological themes are enacted.

Its mass appeal is to be underlined. Everything in Kathakali is larger than life because it presents through elaborate make-up, song and gesticulations epic cycles and Puranic themes to large audience.Kathakali dance recitals can br enjoyed at Cochin and Triv-andrum as there are regular performances

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ART

ART

At the northern end of the city,in a spacious park are located the Museum and the Art Gallery in an attractive building. The museum contains a fine collection of bronzes,ornaments,carvings and temple cars and local objects of arts and crafts.The Art Gallery or chitralya is another interesting place here for an art enthusiast. There are on display Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore school paintings along with the copies of Ajanta murals and works from Tibet, China, Bali and Japan.There are also paintings from Indian Masters including those of Ravi Verma.

Traditional

An intrinsic part of the traditional Kerala are it; handicrafts. Kerala's most important natural resources are the coconut palms. No part of this tree is wasted and a flourishing coir industry exists because of its plentiful presence, Coir products, woven from coconut husk fibre are a Kerala speciality. In Cochin on the Gundu island the entire process of mats and carpets being made, can be watched. Kerala is also famous for intricate rosewood and sandalwood carvings, ivory work (which carries on a centuries old artistic tradition), brass and 'bell metal' lamps (Aramula is the centre of bell metal mirror crafts). Besides coir and cane, bamboo and straw are also used to make a number of interesting and useful things. Also found are horn products, wooden toys anc lacquer ware. Amongst Indian khadi (hand spun and hand woven and handloom (hand woven) textiles, Kerala's fabrics are unique. The greatest skill goes into the traditional sari and lungi lengths which can be stitched into other garments. The northern city of Calicut, owes its origin to the English word Calico and local weavers still make exceptionally soft polished cotton, so tightly woven and delicately coloured that they can easily pass for silk. Other Religious Festivals


The family deity of the former rulers of the state,Sri Ananta Padmnabham swamy is enshrined in this temple,located in the center of the city.Bulit in 1733,this shrine with its seven storey entrance goppuram is meant only for the Hindus.The Hindus have to wear white dhoties to enter it.Non-Hindus are not allowed at all. The white dhoti can be hired from a nearby shop for a rupee.

AYURVEDA

Kerela,the land of Ayurveda. Around 600 BC a new system of medicine evolved in India. A system that in addition to treating an alignment, stressed on its prevention. A system that came to be called ayurveda.Ayurveda treatment or massage is one of the greatset speciality of Kerela .All the problem like joint pain or any other problems like headache, body ache can be cured very easily through the ayurvedic treatment. People are a expert in there work .Even the tourists from all over the world take massage and find themselves relived of there pains.The abve picture shows one of the ayurvedic center where people of kerela are taking the famous ayurvedic massage and getting relieved of there pains.
This tradition of healthcare was followed closely across the entire country, and has been practised ever since. Today's, it's a unique,indispensable branch of medicine, acomplete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of the body's humors to achieve the right balance. Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not just the Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not the affected part, but the individual as a whole. Making it the natural way to perfect health and harmony of life.