KERALA
God's Own Country With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500 2700m in the east and networked by fourty four rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourism destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil stretch of emerald backwaters. Lush hill station and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals, Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you an unique experience. And what is more, every one of this charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.
REACHING THERE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In terms of connectivity, all the destinations are well defined by all means of transport be it air, rail or road.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air - Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (6 kms from city) has over 30 airlinks with convenient connections to Colombo, Maldives & the Middle East. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operate domestic flights all over the country from here.
Rail - There are direct trains from Thiruvananthapuram to all the main towns in Kerala as well as the major cities in India.
Road - Long distance buses operate from the central bus station at Thampanoor, opposite the Railway Station. Short distance buses operate from the City Bus Station, East Fort.
KOLLAM
Air - Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram (71 Kms)
Rail - Kollam is an important railhead of the Southern Railways.
Road - An excellent road network links Kollam to all major towns and cities in Kerala.
ALAPPUZHA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air - Nearest international airport: Thiruvananthapuram (150 kms); Kochi (Nedumbassery 85 kms).
Rail - Well connected to major cities.
Road - An excellent road network links the district to all major towns and cities in India.
KOLLAM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Among the towns in Kerala, Kollam is one town that's famous for its antiquity. One of the oldest ports of the Malabar Coast, Kollam was once the center of the International spice trade. 30% of this town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi lake. The eight hour trip between Kollam and Alappzuha is the longest and most enchanting experience of Kerala's backwaters.
Thangasseri (5 kms)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. The village has a 3 kms long beach on which stands a 144 feet tall lighthouse.
Thirumullavaram Beach (6 kms)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This scheduled beach is a beautiful picnic center and has frequent bus connections to the town.
Mayyanad (10 kms)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mayyanad is noted for its shrines and temple. The most important of the nine temples here is the Subramanya Temple at Umayanallor. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by the great Hindu philosopher Sree Sankaracharya.
Ochira (34 kms)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The unique feature of this famous pilgrim center is that there is no deity or idol at the famous Parabrahma Temple dedicated to the Universal Consciousness. Ochira Kali in mid June and the twelve day Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival) in November/December are the two main annual festivals. Ochira Kali is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the Padanilam (battle field). They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields, and splashing water in every direction.
Sasthamkotta (29kms)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This vast fresh water lake surrounded by hills on three sides is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha Temple which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim center.
Kulathupuzha (64 kms)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram Shenkottai road, Kulathupuzha is known for the Sastha Temple. The Vishu Mahotsavam in April/May is the most important festival.
Thenmala (66 kms)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations this is home to India 's first planned eco-tourism project. Thenmala is also a damsite.
Ariankavu (70 kms)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Situated on the Kollam Shenkottai road, Ariankavu is famous for the shrine dedicated to Sree Sastha. Mandala Pooja and Trikalyanam celebrated in the month of December are the main festivaIs here.
Palaruvi Waterfalls (75 kms)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks, from the height of 300 feet. The Palaruvi woods is a beautiful picnic spot.
Rameshwara Temple
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This temple which shows Pandyan influence in its design has inscriptions in Tamil, dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The Vyala monster sculptures in this temple give one the impression that the creatures are animate and actually climbing up the stairs with their outstretched paws.
Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikavu
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The residence and headquarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi Devi, is situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu. The ashram is accessible both by road and boat.
Picnic Village
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This village located at Ashramam, along the backwater front, is the main center for recreational activities in Kollam. A 200 year old Govt. Guest House, and Adventure Park, a Tourist Boat Club, a children's Traffic park and a Yatri Nivas are all housed in this vast tourist complex.
Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple (11 kms from Chadayamangalam)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This temple situated on the Thiruvananthapuram Kottayam MC Road is an idyllic example of rock cut temple architecture.
Jatayupara
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A huge rock at Chadayamangalam takes its name from the mythical bird Jatayu in epic Ramayana, who is believed to have collapsed on the rock after failing in his attempts to thwart Ravana's kidnapping of Sita.
ALAPPUZHA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Alleppey) Alappuzha has a large network of canals and is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala. Also known as the Venice of the East, it's famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir products industry.
Kuttanad
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Called the rice bowl of Kerala, Kuttanad is at the very heart of the backwaters. This is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done 1.5 to 2m below sea level, Inland waterways which flow above land level are an amazing feature of this region.
Alappuzha Beach
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A 137 old pier, which extends into the sea and an old lighthouse are the attractions here. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attractions of the beach.
Pathiramanal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a small beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake and is accessible only by boat from Kumarakom and Muhamma. The enchanting island on the backwaters is a favourite is a haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world.
Krishnapuram Palace (47 kms)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 18th century Krishnapuram Palace built during the reign of the Travancore monarch, Marthanda Varma, is a double storied structure which displays typical characteristics of Kerala architecture-gabled roofs, dormer windows, narrow corridors. It houses one of the largest mural paintings in Kerala called the Gajendra Moksham. It measures 14 feet by 11 feet and is at the western end of the ground floor, a walking distance from the Palace Pool. Inside is also a museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes.
Ambalappuzha (Pilgrim Centre)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Sri Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha, 14 kms from Alleppey is among Kerala's more famous ones boasting of the typical temple architectural style of the state. It is equally famed for its palpayasam - a sweet milk porridge offered to the deity. The temple's main festival occurs in March/April.
Karumadi
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Close to the Ambalappuzha, the village of Karumadi is famous for its Karumadi Kuttan, a black granite figure of Buddha said to belong to the 9th or 10th century.
Arthunkal (Pilgrim Centre)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arthunkal known for the St. Andrews Church established by Portuguese missionaries is near Sherthallai, 22 kms north of Alappuzha. The feast of St. Sebastian is held here in every January.
Punnapra
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A short distance from Alappuzha is Punnapra, a village which has gone down in history as the scene of a bitter and heroic fighting between the communists and Travancore State Police in the Punnapra Vayalar Communist uprising of 1946.
Boat Races
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alappuzha district can be proud of being the cradle of boat races. All the important boat races, namely the Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada, the Pulinkunnu Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race, the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, the Payippad Jalotsavam, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram Karuvatto and Thaikkoottam boot races are held on or around the Onam holidays at different parts of the district. Thousands of people from oil ports of the world come and witness these races.
FESTIVALS
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Village Fair - The festival lasts for a weeks from 3rd January. The village in set near Kovalam with displays of cultural performances like kathakali, koodiyattam, kalaripayattu, theyyam etc.
Food festival - The 7 day long festival is conducted during the 2nd weeks of February. Specialized chefs man stalls for each state.
Onam Festival - Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in August-September to welcome the yearly home coming of the legendary King 'Mahabali' who was generous, just and kind. People decorate their homes, wear new cloths and hold special games and competitions.
KOLLAM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ochira Kali - in mid June and the twelve day.
Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival) - in November/December are the two main annual festivals.
Crafts Festival - Held annually during December- January, this festival features the work of craftsmen from all Over the country.
ALAPPUZHA
Mullakkal Carnival is a 10 day affair which takes place in December.Aravukad Devi Temple Festival is also a 10 day affair held in the month March-April.
Shopping
THIRUVANANTHAPUARM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The best buys from Thiruvananthapuram are Kerala's vast traditional handicrafts such as wood carving, copperware, cane and bamboo furniture and crafts, lacquer ware etc. The main shopping centres are M.G. Road, Chalai, Power House Road, Attukal shopping Complex (East Fort), Narmada Shopping Complex (Kaudiar), Saphalya (Paloyam) and Kedaram (Kesavadasapuram).
KOLLAM
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its known for jewellery, handicrafts and leather items. The main shopping street is Chinnakada Street.
ALAPPUZHA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its famous for the coir products, jewels and Kerala cloth. The main shopping street is Mullakal Street.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
Thiruvananthapuram
Tourist Faciliaton Centre, Department of Tourism,
Park view,
Tel: 2321132.
KOLLAM
DTPC Tourist Information Centre,
KSRTC Bus Stand,
Tel: 2743620
ALAPPUZHA
Tourist Information Office,
Department of Tourism,
Tel: 2260722
District Tourism Promotion Council,
Tel: 2251796, 2253308
MONEYCHANGER
State Bank of India Tel: 2460728
KOLLAM
State Bankof India,
Chinnakkada, Tel: 2746053
ALAPPUZHA
Canara Bank, Tel: 2237939
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Sree Avittomthirunal Maternity & Children Hospital -
Tel: 2444270
Post Office - Tel: 2476661
Police Helpline - Tel:9622100100
Central Railway Station, Trivandrum - Tel: 2323066
International Airport - Tel: 2501424
Indian Airlines - Tel: 2371141
KOLLAM
Government District Hospital - Tel: 2752700
Police Special Branch Office - Tel: 2742265
Postal Enquiry - Tel: 2746607
ALAPPUZHA
Medical College Hospital - Tel: 2251611
Government District Hospital - Tel: 2253324
Police Station - Tel: 225116
Postal Enquiry - Tel: 2245334
Railway Enquiry - Tel: 2253965
Kochi International Airport
Nedumbassery - Tel: 0484-2610113
GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature
Maximum 36'C, Minimum 20'c
Clothing - Light Cottons
Language: Malayalam, English, Hindi.
STD Code
Thiruvananthapuram : 0471
Kottam : 0474
Alappzuha : 0477
|
