KERALA

Kerala : is one of the most beautiful states sandwitched between the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the West. Kerala has notified tourism as an industry. It offers one of the best beaches in the country at Kovalam and one of the finest wildlife sancturies. The state is an abode of temples, mosques and churches. Alleppey (Alappuzha) is known as the 'Venice of the East'. And once a year, its canal banks are thronged with cheering crowds, as Kerala's sleek snake-boats vie with one another to win the Prime Minister's Trophy. Kerala is also known for its various classical dance forms like the dance-drama Kathakali, the dance of the enchantress', Mohiniyattam and Thullal, the solo dance exposition.



State Government : http://www.kerala.gov.in

Capital :	Thiruvananthapuram
Area :	38,863 square Kilometers
Population :	31,841,374 (2001 census)
Literacy :	90.86% (2001)
Language :	Malayalam
Roads :	139,042 Kms
Railways :	1,053 Kms
Airport :	Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi
Seaport :	Kochi, Kozhikode
Climate :	Summer (35° - 21° C), Winter (35° - 21° C), Monsoon : June to September
Best Season :	November to April
Places of Interest :	State Tourism : http://www.keralatourism.gov.in / http://www.keralatourism.org
	Alappuzha : The 'Venice of India', Terminus of Inland waterways, Onam snake boat-race (August / September). Aluva : Industrial town, Pilgrim centre, Swimming. Cheruthuruthy : Kathakali and Mohiniattam dance centre. Guruvayur : Hindu pilgrim centre, Krishnattam dance festival (February / March). Kaladi : Birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, Pilgrim centre. Kannur : Fort, Beach, Handloom, Minor Port, Palace. Kochi - Ernakulam : Twin cities, Fort Cochin - Oldest European settlement in India, Churches (Vasco-da-Gama's Tomb), Chinese fishing nets, Jew Town, Palaces, Museum. Kodungallur : Historic town. Kollam : Start of Inland waterways, Palaces, 'Pagoda' boats. [Thangasseri (3 Kms) : Lighthouse, Old Dutch, Portuguese and English cemeteries, Fort ruins.] Kottapuram : where St. Thomas the Apostle landed, Fort, Palace, Temples. Kottayam : Churches, Syrian Christian pilgrim centre, Cultural centre. Kovalam : Major Beach resort, Catamaran riding. Kozhikode : Historical port where Vasco-da-Gama landed, Churches, Mosques, Handloom. [Kallai : Timber yards.] Malampuzha : Picnic site by Dam, Gardens, River Cruise, Fish farms. Pon Mudi : Hill station, Spa, Tea Estates. Sabarimala : Hindu pilgrim centre, Temple festival (in December / Janauary). Sultan Battery : Hill station, Coffee plantations, Fort. [Waynad : Plantations, Waynad wildlife sanctuary.] Thekkadi : Periyar National Park - Tiger reserve. Thiruvananthapuram : Temples, Palaces, Zoo, Art Gallery, Museum, Golf Course, Aquarium.[Neyyar Dam (19 Kms)] Thrissur : Temples, Pooram festival (Elephant umbrella competition), Culture centre, Zoo, Fort, Palace, Churches. Vaikam : Temple. Varkala : Temple, Samadi of Sri Narayana Guru, Mineral springs.[Anjengo Beach (10 Kms).]
Festivals :	Pooram (April / May), Onam, Boat race (August / September), Mahanavmi (October), Diwali (October / November).