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KERALA - GODS OWN COUNTRY
Sandwiched between the Lakshwadeep Sea and the Western Ghats, Kerala is a
bustling little green-and-silver, coconuts-and-water state on the west
coast of India. It is bounded by
Karnataka to
the north, Tamil
Nadu to the east, and the Arabian Sea to the west.
Thiruvananthapuram
is its capital.
Every district in Kerala has it's own unique culture and characteristics.
Thiruvananthapuram is known for it's beach-
Kovalam,
the
Sri
Padmanabhaswamy Temple and various museums and palaces;
Alappuzha
for it's backwaters,
Thrissur,
the cultural capital,
Kottayam for
it's ancient churches,
Kozhikode
for it's old world charm and the entrancing
Ponmudi
or Golden valley.
Capital of Kerala
Though a bit of a tongue-twister, Thiruvananthapuram - the present
official name, is closer to it's mythological origins. The word ' Thiru
ananthapuram' means the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred
thousand-headed serpent Anantha, who forms the couch on which reclines
Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity.
Built on seven hills, it was the capital of the Venad chieftains. The
city has grown as a tourist and commercial centre, with the International
airport becoming the main gateway into Kerala. Being the state capital, it
also throbs with political activity.
History
of Kerala
Original inhabitants were animists, followed by the Dravidians. After
Alexander's triumphant sweep over Asia Minor, the ports of Kerala became a
link between the Middle East, the Mediterranean and China.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama made his historic landing on the Malabar Coast. In
1723, the East India Company signed a strategic treaty with King Marthanda
Varma. For a few decades, Hyder Ali and his son -Tipu sultan proved to be
a thorn in the flesh of the British, sweeping down several times into
Kerala. In 1947, it was the turn of the British to pack their bags.
The People
Kerala also has considerable ethnic diversity. The Malayali majority
belong to the Dravidian group (local race) of early Indian peoples.
There is a small population of descendants of Indo-European migrants from
the north. Certain hill tribes exhibit affinities with the Negrito peoples
of Southeast Asia. Most Keralites are Hindus, but there are also large
Christian and Islamic, and lesser Jain and Jewish, minorities.
The official language is
Malayalam.
A long contact with the outside world has led to an intriguing blend of
cultures and given Keralites a cosmopolitan outlook
Culture
of Kerala
One aspect of the state's rich cultural heritage is manifest in its
varieties of religious architecture: ancient Hindu temples with
copper-clad roofs, later Islamic mosques with "Malabar gables,"
and colonial Portuguese Baroque churches.
Splendid paintings, especially murals, exhibit distinct local traditions
and styles. The land is a flourishing center of the
Kathakali
dance form. The state has also a rich theatre tradition: the only
surviving Sanskrit drama,
Koottiyattam,
is still performed by the Chakkiars of Kerala. Some principles of the
Natya-Shastra are evident in their presentations.
Occupation in Kerala
Agriculture is the state's main economic activity. Plantations of
cardamom, cashew nut, coconuts, coffee, ginger, pepper, rubber, and tea
account for 40 percent of the total land.
Commercial poultry farming is well developed. Cottage industries--for
example, the processing of coconut fibre and cashews or weaving--employ
about three-fifths of Kerala's industrial workers. Most of those employed
by larger industrial enterprises are engaged in food and textile
processing.
Climate
The climate is equable and varies little from season to season. The
temperature normally ranges between 27º and 32º C in the plains
but drops to about 21º C in the highlands.
Winter - 32 to 20 º C. Kerala is strongly buffeted by both the
southwest and northeast monsoons. Rainfall in many parts of the state
exceeds 118 inches. Best season: October to March.
Population
33 million
Festivals of Kerala
10-day annual festival in January at Sreekandeswaram Temple,
Thiruvananthapuram. In February, is the week-long
Nishagandhi
Dance festival;
Pooram
festival in Thrissur
around April-May;
Flavor
Food Festival, at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, Thiruvananthapuram
in May.
Onam Week celebrations, the annual harvest festival of Kerala begins in
August and lasts for 10 days. Another important festival is the annual
Pongala
Utsavam, to which only women are allowed at the Attukal Bhagavathy
Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. Therayattam festival is held to propitiate the
gods and demons recognized by the pantheon of the Malayalis.
Tourist Offices in Kerala
Tourist Reception Centre In front of Kerala Tourism Development
Corporation (KTDC) Chaithram hotel, Thiruvananthapuram, near Rly stn.
Tourist Facilitation Centre Museum Rd,
Thiruvananthapuram,
opp. Museum and zoo.