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| Area |
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38,
863 sq kms. The Capital of the state is Trivandrum.
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| Boundaries |
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Stretching from some of the highest mountains of
the Western Ghats to the lush coastal plain, Kerala
encapsulates the rich diversity of Western India's
Coastal landscapes. |
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| Important
Cities and Towns |
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Alleppey,
Cannanore, Cochin, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Mamallapuram,
Quilon, Palghat, Trichur, Trivandrum |
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| Places
of Tourist Interest |
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Sabarimalai, Kovalam Beach, Periyar Wildlife sanctuary,
Padmanabhan Temple
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| Best
Time To Visit |
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September to March |
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| Climate |
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The states of Kerala and Karnataka are more or
less what is South-West India. The most pleasant
weather here is from November to March. Monsoon
rains from between late June to end September.
Summer temperatures are not as high as in Northern
India although humidity is extreme.
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| Required
Clothing |
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Lightweights
all year with a little warmer clothes for cooler
evenings particularly in winter. |
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| Food
culture |
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Kerala's food reflects its diverse religious traditions,
its seaboard location and the ubiquitous presence
of the coconut. Deep sea food like fish, prawns,
shrimps and crustaceans are prepared in a wide
variety of dishes. Coconut based dishes such as
thoran, a dry fish, mixed vegetables chopped
very small, herbs and a variety of curry leaves,
with avial, similar to thoran but cooked
in a sauce, are widely eaten. Jack fruit, pineapples,
custard apples and a seemingly variety of bananas-
also a vital part in many dishes. Rice is the
staple cereal. South Indian thali is served with
rasam, pappadum and curd.
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| TRIVANDRUM |
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Trivandrum
means
the 'holy city
of Ananta' and is
surrounded by numerous hills and hillocks
on which stand buildings and parks.
It has magnificent buildings of ancient
and modern architecture. The temple
of Sri Padmanabhaswami is one of the
most important shrines in the city dedicated
to the Hindu God - Vishnu. Padmanabhaswami
Temple, Zoological Gardens, Aquariaum
and a drive through the city are some
the places to see.
Konvalam Beach,14
kms south of Trivandrum, is one of the
finest beaches in India. Kovalam is
endowed with unusual beauty. The sheltered
beach is ideal for sea bathing and is
safe even during the roughest weather.
The scenery around is enchanting and
the drive to the beach through palm
groves, refreshing.
>>TOP |
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| COCHIN |
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Cochin,
also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea
is considered to be the finest natural harbor
in the world. You can sit and relax and
watch the harbor. Giant Chinese fishing
nets that billow from massive teak and bamboo
poles dot the entrance to the harbor. Silhouetted
against the setting sun, they present a
magnificent sight of the waterfront. Cochin
is the oldest European settlement in India.
The main attractions are the 'Kathakali'
(classical dance form of Kerala) and Boat
cruise by a luxury boat "Pathira Manal'
on the backwaters of Cochin. >>TOP
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| KANYAKUMARI |
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Kanya
Kumari, the southernmost tip
of Indian peninsular, is where the waters
of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and
the Arabian Sea meet. A place from where
one can see spectacular sunrises and also
colorful sunsets.
There is a temple dedicated to the virgin
goddess, Kanya Kumari located close to the
sea shore. According to legend, it is here
that the goddess Parvati undertook penance
to gain the hand of Lord Shiva in marriage.
The beautifully adorned deity has a sparkling
diamond nose ring that is supposed to be
visible even from the sea. On
a little rocky island just off the coast
is the memorial to that great Indian philosopher
- Swami Vivekananda. He is supposed to have
sat here in deep meditation in 1892. On
the island one can also see the Shri Pada
Parai - the footprints of the virgin goddess.
The Gandhi Memorial at Kanya Kumari is located
at the place where his ashes were kept before
immersion. It is designed in a manner that
on 2nd October, his birthday, the sun's
rays fall directly on the spot.
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