Kerala, the God’s Own Country Kerala is a state in south-west India. The National Geographic’s Traveller magazine names Kerala as one of the “ten paradises of the world” and “50 must see destinations of a lifetime”. Travel and Leisure names Kerala as “One of the 100 great trips for the 21st century”. In the months of May, June and July more than six lakh foreign and domestic tourists land up on a sliver on the southern-most tip of the sub-continent to laze on houseboats lolling in its backwaters, get rejuvenating oil baths or simply gaze at the majesty of the monsoons. And this — the monsoon season — is the lean period for tourism in Kerala. Kerala– one of the celebrated ten must see destinations in the world, a land renowned as God’s Own Country. What adds to its charm are its backwaters, beaches, Ayurvedic health holidays, hill stations, wildlife, festivals, monuments, vibrant art forms and an amazing social development that indicates we are on par with the developed world. 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. Enough words. You will only fully understand the awe, beauty and mystery of the place when you stand in its presence.
