Bekal

Introduction and history: The city of Bekal is situated on the seashore of Pallikara village, is one of the important tourist destinations in Kerala. Located at 12 Kilometers from Kasargod town, the word, Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam, meaning Big Palace. It is believed that the place have been the seat of a big palace in the past. It was usual that in during olden days main cities were protected by constructing forts in them. The Bekal for might have, therefore, existed even from early days of the Chirakkal Rajas during the 17th century. Bekal served as an important military station during Tipu Sultan period. Many artifacts unearthed by the archaeological excavation conducted recently reveal this fact. During the British Raj it was the headquarters of the newly organized Bekal Taluk of South Canara District. Post independence Kasargod became part of Kerala with the state reorganization in 1956.

What to see and when to go: Bekal Fort is the main attraction of this place. This giant keyhole shaped fort, with beautiful beach surrounding the fort, backwaters and hill destinations and water sport facilities nearby. Pallikere Beach, Bekal Hola Aqua partk, Malik Deenar Mosque, Kappil beach, Anandasaram, Andnthapura Lake Changragiri fort and Valiparamba are some of the major tourist attractions nearby. Between August and March is the ideal time to visit Bekal.
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Accommodation: There are multiple beachside resorts available in Bekal, which provides high value accommodation at affordable prices. All these hotels offers all the contemporary standards of convenience and comfort. There is a government promoted Bekal Resorts Development Corporation, which offers accommodation at very economical price. Luxury accommodation can cost up to 3500 rupees per day.

Mode of Transport: Mangalore is the nearest Airport (50 Kilometers), which is well connected to other parts of the country. It has a railway junction, which is connected to the north-western part of India via konkan railways. Traveling via that route is a treat to eye, where one gets to explore the nature both sides. Traveling thro’ tunnels offer thrilling experience. It has multiple national highways connecting to all important cities at Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

Related links:

• Official Website: http://kasargod.nic.in/
• Tourist information: http://www.bekal.com/

See also (nearby places): Kanhangad, Ranipuram hills, Kottanchery hills, Valiyaparamba back waters and Padanna theme village are some of the nearby attractions.

Trivandrum

Introduction And History : Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala state derives its name from Thiru-v-anantha-puram, which means the abode of the sacred snake god ‘Anantha’. Lord Vishnu of the ancient Indian mythology rests on this huge serpent.
This city and district are also popularly known as Trivandrum. It is one of the ancient cities in Kerala with its trading tradition dating back to 1000 BC then becoming the capital of Raja of Travancore in 1750. Early 19th century saw many political and social battles in the city, which brought many changes.

What To See : The city offers multiple tourist destinations ranging from Dams to Forts. Aruvikkara Dam, Neyyar Dam, Peppara are some of the Dams nearby. Other water attractions include beaches like Kovalam, Varkala, Shanghumukham and lakes like Thiruvallam, Veli, Akkulam Boat Club. To check out Kerala’s deep rooted tradition, travelers can check out Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Mahadeva Temple and Kazhakuttam temples. The Napier Museum and Anchuthengu fort provide historic viewpoint of the city. Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Zoological Park, Observatory, Happyland amusement park and Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave are some of the other tourist attractions in the city. November to January is the ideal time to visit this city.

Accomodations : city of Trivandrum offers multiple accommodation options by having hotels offering accommodation according to various budgets. Starting from 500 rupees per day, the amount can go up to 5000 rupees for a four star accommodation.

Mode Of Transport : Being the Capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum is very well connected to other parts of the country by all means. The city international airport is just 6 kilometers away from the city centre, flying to all major destinations in the globe. The national highway number 47 (NH-47) goes thro’ the city, which is connected to major nearby places starting from Coimbatore to Kanyakumari. Multiple daily express trains connect the city with Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Cochin.

Related links :
• Official Website: http://trivandrum.nic.in/
• Tourist information: http://www.trivandrum.co.in/

See also (Nearby places): Kanyakumari, Cochin, Varkala and Kovalam

Kasaragod

Introduction And History : Kasargod is the Northern tip of Kerala, which is surrounded by the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea. History of Kasargod traces back to the time where Arab travelers visited Kerala in 9th century had visited Kasargod. The Bekal fort is a great historical monument in Kasargod which finally runs into the sea with fine bay towards the south. It was initially part of South Kanara district of Karnataka, which eventually became part of Kerala in 1956. Due to its demography, Kasargod is one of the great places to witness diversified people belonging to various parts of the country.

What To See : Bekal Fort, Pallikere Beach, Bekal Hola Aqua partk, Malik Deenar Mosque, Kappil beach, Anandasaram, Andnthapura Lake Changragiri fort and Valiparamba are some of the major tourist attractions of Kasargod. It offers multiple trekking options for trek enthusiasts to explore the nature’s beauty by traversing thro their footsteps.

Accomodations : Kasargod offers very economical accommodation starting with 185 rupees per day. It can go up to 2500 per day for star hotels. Government promoted guest houses and hostels are available at a very reasonable price.

Mode Of Transport :Mangalore is the nearest Airport (50 Kilometers), which is well connected to other parts of the country. It has a railway junction, which is connected to the north-western part of India via konkan railways. Traveling via that route is a treat to eye, where one gets to explore the nature both sides. Traveling thro’ tunnels offer thrilling experience. It has multiple national highways connecting to all important cities at Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

Related links:

• Official Website: http://kasargod.nic.in/
• Tourist information: http://www.kasargod.net/

See also (Nearby places): Kanhangad, Ranipuram hills, Kottanchery hills, Valiyaparamba back waters and Padanna theme village are some of the nearby attractions.

Guruvayoor

Introduction And History : Guruvayoor is a major pilgrimage centre in South India. Situated in Thrissur district of Kerala, the town is best-known for its temple, the abode of the deity Lord Guruvayurappan (Lord Krishna as a child).According to belief, the temple is the creation of guru, the preceptor of the goods, and vayu, the god of winds. The temple serves as a major venue for boosting culture and arts. Krishnattam Kali and Carnatic music and many other classical arts encouraged. The temple is renowned for its healing powers and has the distinction of being the only site where Annaprasanam, the first feeding ceremony for a child, and many weddings are held. Moreover the temple is known to be the birthplace for the literary works Narayaneeyam by Melpathoor Narayana Bhattathiri and Jnanappana by Poonthanam. Exquisite offerings and beautiful mural paintings enrich the cultural heritage of this site.

What To See :The Guruvayoor temple is the major attraction of this place, which is known as ‘Maha Kshetra’ considering its number of devotees. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple even today, which has created many debates in the past. The elephant sanctuary (Anakkottam) is one of its kinds in the world. It has about 51 elephants, some of them offering services to the temple. March to September is the best time to visit Guruvayoor.

Accomodations : As Guruvayoor attracts huge volume of tourists every year, accommodation is available at various ranges. Pretty cheap accommodation is available with less than 1000 rupees per day, which goes as high as 3000 rupees. The temple authorities (Devaswom) offer cottages for pilgrims at a very lower cost. Multiple guest houses and hostels are available on prior booking.

Mode Of Transport : Cochin is the nearest international airport, which is 80 kilometers from Guruvayoor. It has a railway station on eastern side of the temple, which is well connected with Chennai-Mangalore main line at Thrissur. The national highway passed through Guruvayoor, which is well connected with other parts of the state.

Related links:
Official website: http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org
Tourist information: http://www.guruvayoor.net

See also (Nearby places): Athirapally-Vazhicahal Water falls, Silver Storm and Dream world water theme parks, Beach, Anathavalam and Peechi Dam.

Thrissur

Introduction and history: Thrissur, located in central Kerala adds to the cultural bonanza of the state. This cultural trove has a rich history. ‘Thiru-shiva-perur’, which literally translates to ‘The city with the name of the Lord Siva’ is well known for the celebration of the splendid Pooram festival. Beautifully caparisoned elephants parade the city with the deity in a colorful procession. Its source of inspiration is the Vadakkunathan deity (Vadakunnathan, Lord of the North, is a name of Siva).The city also plays host to numerous cultural centers. Raja Rama Varma gave a boost to the development of the city.

What To See : Thrissur Thaikat Mooss, Punkunnam Siva temple, Kottapuram Siva temple Vadakkunnathan Temple, Shakthan Thampuran Palace, Kerala Sahitya Academy, Kerala Lalitakala Academy, Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy. The best season to visit Thrissur is between September to May. Pooram festival is celebrated during April or may. Visit to the Archeological and Art Museum, Thrissur Zoo is something that should not be missed out by travelers. Thrissur also offers great shopping experience.

Accommodation: Hotels covering all ranges are readily available ranging from 500 to 2000 rupees and more.

Related links:
• Tourist information: www.thrissur.com

See also (Nearby places): Guruvayoor temple and Athirappy waterfalls.

Thekkady

Introduction and history: Thekkady is one of the important, serene tourist attractions in kerala. It is located in Kerala -Tamil Nadu border town called Kumily. The primary attraction of Thekkady is its Wildlife Sanctuary, is Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It was declared as Tiger reserve in the year 1978 and the whole part is spread across 777 square kilometres. It is primarily famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands, where toursists get opportunity to see the natural living of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed Macaques and Nilgiri Langurs. Watching the elephants playing in the lake is one of its unique scene that should not be missed.

What to see and when to go: The Primary attraction of Thekkady as mentioned above is The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Apart from that travellers get an array of beautiful places to taste the nature within few hours of reach. Vandiperiyar, Vandanmedu, Pullumedu, Kumily, Murikkady,Pandikuzhi,Mangala Devi Temple and Chellarkovil are some of the major tourist attractions around the place. Elephant rides, Trekking and boat cruises are offered here, which adds to the tourist’s delight.

Accommodation: Thekkady offers multiple accommodation facilities starting with luxurious resorts which also offer Ayurvedic massage parlours. Apart from them it has multiple hotels offering accommodation at rates ranging from 800 to 5000 rupees per day.

Mode of transport: As Thekkady is in the border of Tamilnadu and Kerala, it can be reached both states. Madurai is the nearest Airport and railway junction which is 140 kilometers away. From the Kerala side, Cochin (140 kilometers) and Kumarakom (114 kilometers) are the nearby air and train stations. It is well connected thro’ road with rest of the country starting from Kumily.

Related links:
• Thekkady Tourist information: http://www.thekkady.com/
• Kerala information: http://www.keralagreenery.org/

See also (nearby places): Peermede and Munnar are the nearby tourist attractions to Thekkady. Each of them offer more than a dozen tourist attractions in the nearby locations. Pattupetti,Devikulam,Tattekad,Chinnar,Eravikulam,Rajamalai,Marayoor,Meenuli,Bhoothathankettu, Malankara Reservoir, Chithirapuram hill station, Valara, Cheeyapara and Thomankuthu waterfalls are some of those places near to Thekkady.

Palakkad

Introduction and history: Known as the ‘Gateway of Kerala’ Palakkad is near the Palghat gap of the Western Ghats. Etymologically Palakkad is derived from the words ‘Pala’ and ‘Kadu’ where the former is a tree with sweet scented flowers and the later meaning forest. Beautiful Mountains and trees form its landscape. The place has a rich history that is evident in the many monuments and festivals celebrated here. The Palakkad district borders between Tamilnadu and Kerala.

Places of Attraction and Seasons to visit: Hyder Ali and remnants of Tipu Sultan’s fort are major tourist attractions. There are also numerous dams and canals that serve as ideal picnic spots. Silent Valley National Park, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Palakkad fort, Nelliyampathy, Jain temple, Malampuzha garden, Mangalam Dam are some of the major attractions in Palakkad. September to February is the best time to visit this place. Apart from the tourist destinations, Palakkad is also famous for its Wildlife safaris, Trekking, Boating and shopping.

Accommodation: Hotels in Palakkad come to suit all pockets. There are multiple options for accommodation which includes Ayurvedic and Heritage Resorts, Luxury Hotels, Budget Hotels, Economy Hotels, and Guesthouses. The prices range from as low as 100 rupees and can go up to 3000 rupees per day.

Mode of transport: Coimbatore is the nearest Airport to Palakkad, which is located at 55 Kilometers distance. It has two major railway junctions, which is well connected with all major destinations in Southern railway. Besides, NH 47 passes through it.

Related links:
• Official website: http://palakkad.nic.in
• Tourist information: http://palakkadtourism.org/
See also (Nearby places): Thrithala, Attappady, Dhoni Hills, Kanjirapuzha and Malayalappuzha.

Kollam

Introduction and History: Kollam is the headquarters of Kollam district in Kerala. Also referred to as Quilon, the southern city has served as a magnetic trade centre since ancient times. Spices, pearls, diamonds and silk were the key exports. The seaport had flourishing trade relations with China, Rome and Greece. Recognized by the great travellers Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta, Kollam has served as a capital city. Its reputation continued to thrive during the Portuguese and Dutch invasion times. Malayalam Era is called ‘Kolla Varsham’ after Kollam, because of the importance of Kollam in the 9th century A.D. About thirty per cent of this district is covered by the Ashtamudi lake, there by making it the gateway to the backwaters of the state. Nowadays the city is famous for cashew and coir.

What to see and when to go: Killam has multiple tourist destinations which include the ruins of the Portuguese fort and the lighthouse at Thangasseri, Jatayupara at Chadayamangalam (named after Jatayu in Ramayana epic). Kollam clock tower, Thenmala and Palaruvi waterfalls serve as tourist hotspots. Mayyanad is a tourist town 10 Kilometers south of Kollam that has famous temples, churches and mosques. Kovilthottam beach and light house, sinking islands in Ashtamudi lake, St.Andrews church and Kottamkulangara temple in Chavara village also make up an ideal tourist destination. The best season to visit is from August to March

Things to do: Eco tourist’s center is situated at Thenmala. Selected by World Tourism Organization as one of the world’s best eco-friendly projects, Thenmala has a leisure zone that includes winding pathways, a sway bridge and a boardwalk; a culture zone with an amphitheatre and a musical fountain and an adventure zone. Picnic village at Ashramam plays host to variety of recreational activities that include Adventure parks. Leisurely walks along the Thirumullavaram Beach and houseboat cruises are also recommended.

Accommodation: Accommodation prices vary from place to place in the district. In the city, prices range from 150 to 10,000 Rupees per day. Overall, the rates are very economical and the resorts provide a comfortable stay.

Mode of Transport: Kollam is an important railway junction. The Thiruvananthapuram - Ernakulam(via Kottayam and Alappuzha) line passes through Kollam. The city is well-interconnected with other major cities through National Highways 47, 220 and 208. The city’s road transport is backed by buses and autos. Thiruvananthapuram airport at a distance of 72 km from Kollam is the nearest airport. The Alappuzha water transport service is a major tourist attraction.

Related links:
• Official website: http://kollam.nic.in
See also: Achencoil, Oachira, Varkala, Thevalli palace, Mahavishnu temple and Munroe Island.

Kannur

Introduction and history: Kannur is located in the western side of Kerala, which has a long history starting from 9th century when Cheras from Tamilnadu re-established their supremacy under Kulasekara Varman. Due to its vibrant trade history, it had connections with Portuguese and Francisco De Almedia was sent from Portugal with specific instructions to erect forts at strategic points during 15th Century and he started constructing the Kannur Fort in 1505 and it was named St. Angelo. After the British conquered India, it played a very significant role in Indian independence moment. Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Shaukat Ali toured the district to carry the message of the Non-Co-operation and Khilaphat Movements.

What to see and when to go: Starting with Fort St. Angelos there are multiple places like Thalassery Fort, Payyambalam Beach Resort, Muzhappilangad Beach, Ezhimala, Malayalakalagramam, Pazhassi Dam, Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu and Moppila Bay are some of the major tourist attractions in Kannur. October to February is the best time to visit Kannur.

Accommodation: Kannur offers very economical accommodation starting with 400 rupees per day. For luxury star hotel accommodations it can go up to 3000 per day. Government promoted guest houses and hostels are available at a very reasonable price.

Mode of transport: Calicut Airport, which is located at a distance of 93 kilometres from Kannur, is the easiest way to reach by Air. Kannur has its own railway station, which is an important junction connecting many neighbouring states. Kannur is well linked by a wide network of roads and can be reached from anywhere in Kerala.

Related links:

• Official Website: http://kannur.nic.in/
• Tourist information: http://www.knr.kerala.gov.in/

See also (nearby places): Aralam Wild Life Sanctuary, Ezhimala, Kottiyoor and Pythal Mala are some of the nearby tourist attractions.

Idukki

Introduction and history: Idukki is a mountainous and predominantly forest covered district in Kerala. Being the largest district in kerala it has many tourist spots-Munnar Idukki Peermede Thekkady and others along with Painavu (headquarters).Until 1877, the place was largely unexplored. The pallivasal Hydroelectric Project, the first hydroelectric project of the State was initially constructed by the tea companies for the industrial use. Perhaps the most visible Scottish bungalow to the tourists is Ladbroke House, which is named after the Ladbroke Square in London. The Trout, coniferous trees and dark green planter’s cap are all contributions of those planters. Idukki has the largest arch dam in India, which powers almost half of the state and some neighboring states areas. Blessed generously by Mother Nature, Idukki offers various attractions like wild life sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centers and pleasant mountain treks.

What to see and when to go: Idukki dam and wildlife sanctuary, Thekkady’s famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary, very famous Munnar hill station, Thommankuthu (remote and lush), Cheeyappara & Valara Water falls, Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar wild life sanctuary,the scenic Hill View Park are among the countless destinations in Idukki. Best season is from September to April.

Things to do:- Cheeyappara & Valara Water falls is also a great place for trekking. Nadukani Tower and Kalvari Mount offer wonderful and scenic panoramic views. Visit the Mangaladevi temple and the historic place Thodupuzha. Thommankuthu has seven step waterfalls that is famous with the tourists.

Accommodation: Prices vary from one tourist place to another. However, all prices range from 1000 to 6500 rupees per day. Resorts and hotels are available everywhere.

Mode of transport: National highway NH 49 passes through the district.Nearest railway stations are Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alwaye. Nearest Port is Cochin Port and Nedumbassery, the International Airport is near to the northern boundary of the district.

Related links:
• Official information: www.idukki.net.

See also: Mattupetty, Vagamon, Pullumedu, Wayanad and Kochi.

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