Quick Facts Area: 38,864 sq km Population: 31.8 million Capital City: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Best time to visit: October to March Languages: Hindi, English, Malayalam

“God’s own Country,” is what Kerala is more lovingly known as. Located in the south-western region of India, glazing in the heart of the Malabar Coast, it is the land of the backwaters, the ideal destination for the well-renowned Indian therapy, Ayurveda, and the land of coconut trees. Kerala is rightfully ranked as one the world’s twenty-five biodiversity hotspots.The states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka flank its borders. Wedged between the silvery waters of the Arabian Sea and the bulky Western Ghats, the state is primarily divided into fourteen districts that are distributed among three main regions: Malabar (Northern Kerala), Kochi (Central Kerala), and Travancore (Southern Kerala).

Kerala is one of the premier developed states of India in terms of healthcare and literacy. The state has, in recent years, maintained its literacy rate and life expectancy ratio among the highest in the country. The healthcare system has acquired international commendation from UNICEF and WHO, designating the state as the world’s first “baby-friendly state.” Also, the state has started receiving a large number of tourists who come here for healing and medical purposes. Thus, it is safe to assume that Kerala is also one of the leading destinations of India for “Health Tourism.”

The ancient form of Indian healing, Ayurveda, is the most common and trusted form of remedy in the state. Ayurvedic massages and treatments are available for absolutely any kind of ailment. A number of rare methods of healing are practiced here like the Kalari, Marmachikitsa, and Vishavaidyam form of medication. The Siddha and the Unani forms of medication are the other common herbal treatments available in the state.

Presently, India owes a major portion of its tourism income to Kerala. Here, you can witness the vast heritage that is preserved and cherished and watch as this God’s own land entraps your spirit with its divine charisma.

The cuisine in the state of Kerala has is own uniqueness in terms of preparation and presentation and, hence, garners extensive popularity within the nation. South Indian food is relished by people all over India and is valued for its laborious and unique blend of spices and the expertise of the people who prepare the food. Keralan food is differently flavored and has a fresh, aromatic quality, freshness being the key word. The taste varies from extremely spicy to dramatically mild.

Idli, dosa, and sambhar are the chief specialties. The traditional food is served on enormous leaf plates followed by a three course meal. Coconut is the dominating item in most recipes. The other popular dishes include appam, tapioca and fish curry, puttu, rasam, sadya, kozhi peralan, nadan kozhi curry, tender coconut soufflé, meen peera, ada pradhaman, konchu pollichathu, kappa, kaya attirachi curry, and several other based coconut preparations. The banana chips available in the local markets are one of the fastest selling take-back-home items.

• Handloom products
• Articles with ancient ivory carvings
• Handicrafts derived from the coconut tree
• Cotton saris with gold borders
• Aranmula mirror
• Gold and silver brocaded fabrics
• Boxes, buttons, and ash trays of steel, with silver lining
• Pottery and ceramic products
• Hand-woven saris
• Cotton hand-printed kurtas and t-shirts
• Designer tableware
• Coir and jute products
• Kasava Items
• Thanjavur paintings
• Cotton shirts crafted from yarn-dyed fabric
• Banana chips

• The Backwaters in Kerala is one of the most fascinating of tourist attractions among Indians as well as international travelers. Not to be missed is staying in the houseboats and watching the enthralling boat races
• Speed boats on the beaches of Cochin are an exciting treat especially in the sparkling blue-green waterways
• The small Jewish community in Fort Cochin is interesting with its small buildings snuggled together among dusty streets
• The spice market in Fort Cochin provides authentic spices that are considered some of the best in the country
• Tea and spice plantations at Munnar are an interesting sight. If you’re lucky, you might even be allowed to pluck some tea leaves and process the spices
• The ancient Ayurvedic massages are not only extremely relaxing but also have wondrous healing qualities
• A trip to Southern Kerala without sampling the local seafood at Varkala is definitely incomplete
• Boat races are conducted regularly in most of the cities. They essay the enthusiasm and culture rooted deep n the psyche of the people of this state
• The Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alleppey, held on the 2nd Saturday of August, is one of the biggest in the region and one of the most important boat races in the country
• The Banana, Cassava, and Yam farms at Kuttanad close to Alleppey are a treat to the eye as well as the mouth

The main religions followed in the state are Hinduism (56.15), Islam (24.7%), and Christianity (19%). A certain sect of the Cochin Jewish population also follows Judaism. The people of Kerala are very friendly and homely, yet highly protective of their old ways and customs and, hence, orthodox when it comes to their culture. When compared to the rest of the Third World countries, this society follows a matriarchal system, traditionally referred to as Marumakkathayam. The woman of the household is respected and almost treated like a symbol of the goddess, revered by one and all.

Majority of the people belonging to the state are Dravidians and, thus, the culture followed is of Dravidian origin. The main language is Malayalam, which is the most recent of all the languages and derives its origins from Sanskrit and the Proto-Dravidian language.

Kerala is all about beauty and perfection in all walks of life, be it dance, music, food, rituals, etc., and yet having an inherent simplicity to it all. The festivals celebrated in Kerala are distinguished from the rest of the nation since the state has a separate Malayalam Calendar and follows all religious activities and festivals based on that. Onam and Vishu are the most popular festivals in the region. The festivities include local folk song and dance performances in temples and public places.

The traditional dance forms of Kerala are renowned throughout the world. Kathakali (performance of a story) is the main dance form which is followed by Koodiyattom, Kerala Natanam, Koothu, Mohiniaattam (dance of the enchantress), Thullal, Padayani, and Theyyam. The other dance forms such as the Oppana are based on religious or tribal themes and are performed during tourist and youth festivals. The conventional forms of music are mainly Carnatic and are a result of the efforts of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma in the 19^th century. Sopanam (Raga-based renditions), Melam (performed at temple festivals) and Panchavadyam (characterized by 100 artists using five types of percussion instruments) are amongst the most popular forms of ancient music.

Another art form that is highly revered in the region is Kalaripayattu, an ancient form of Martial arts. It derives its origination from the 11^th century when it was used as a form of military training during the Chola wars. This ancient art was then developed over the years and is continue to be practiced as a local sport in the state. Dance forms like Kathakali and Valekali, which involve rhythmical movements of the feet in coordination with the body, are evolved from the Kalaripayattu. Other modern sports practiced in the state include cricket, soccer, Kabaddi, and badminton.

The climate of the state is chiefly wet and characterized by a maritime tropical temperature. The state receives an annual rainfall of 3,107 mm. The South West monsoons begin from the end of May and conclude by September, giving way to the North West monsoons that commence in October and end by December. Winters last from December till February, during which one can experience pleasant temperatures during the day and cool winds at night. The summers, which start from February and last till May, are usually brisk and dry with the temperatures exceeding up to 35-37 degree Celsius.

This fertile land has been squandered by a number of cultures and civilizations over the last centuries. The churches, monuments, heritage homes, and other ancient structures essay the traces of the forgotten eras. Hindu mythology dates the creation of Kerala by saint Parasurama, who was an avatar of Mahavishnu (an amalgam of the Hindu Trinity). One of the first mentions of Kerala among written records is in the Sanskrit epic, Aitareya Aranyaka. The first archeological evidence of inhabitation in this region dates back to the 10^th century.

The availability of rich spices and ivory had been attracting international traders since over 3000 years. Owing to its strategic location, vast vegetation, and rich heritage, Kerala had become a hub for the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, and the Chinese. These traders used the land for trading in locally produced goods that were processed from the raw materials obtained here. The Chinese flourished by selling their wares in the western world by way of trading from Kerala. Prior to the 8^th century, Tamil Nadu and Kerala shared a common language, ethnicity, and culture; however, the regions separated due to certain differences and became linguistically independent. A firm Keralite identity gradually evolved from the 8th century onward.

It was the Chera Empire that ruled this region until the Middle Ages. This was the time when extensive trading was initiated with the west that allowed different traders to establish settlements and trading outposts in the region. Consequently, there was a flood of foreign immigrants that included the Jewish-Nasrani families, Muslim merchants, and Christian traders. With Vasco Da Gama’s arrival in 1498, an epoch of European colonialism was ushered in and that led to the Portuguese, Dutch, Arabs, and the English fighting for control of the lucrative spice trade.

Internal conflicts between the states of Calicut and Cochin resulted in the Dutch overthrowing the Portuguese. However, the Dutch rule was also short lived since Marthanda Varma of Travancore (Thiruvathaamkoor) defeated the Dutch in the Battle of Colachel (1741). By 1766, Hyder Ali, a Muslim king, started establishing himself in the regions. He was succeeded by Tipu Sultan, who conquered even more states. However, his valor could not match the British and by 1796 a majority of the areas that included the Malabar District, South Kanara, Travancore, and Kochi were taken over by the British East India Company.

Kerala’s contribution during the freedom struggle was not extensive; however, several important social and cultural reforms brought sovereignty within the region. On November 1, 1957, the States Reorganization Act installed the state of Kerala, merging Malabar District, Travancore-Cochin, and the taluk of Kasargod (South Kanara). The state was established as a communist-led government and became the first in the world to have a freely elected communist government.