By Vishal Sampat
Kerala or the moniker “God’s own country” as it has come to be known by, lies on the south west tip of the Indian peninsula. Kerala is one of four states that comprise the Linguistic-cultural region known as South India. Kerala's culture is mainly Dravidian in origin, but has been enriched with over a thousand years of interaction with overseas Cultures. Kerala spans approximately 39,000 sq. km of rich biodiversity, endless beaches, abundant wildlife and fertile land.
Kerala is sandwiched between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western ghats to the east (which have been identified by National Geographic as one of the world's twenty-five biodiversity hotspots). It is crisscrossed by a network of interconnected brackish canals, lakes, estuaries, and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters. The Western ghats ' in Kerala consist of high mountains, gorges and deep-cut valleys. This explains why Holidays in Kerala can be multifaceted. They can include:
1. Beach and backwater vacations
2. Wildlife vacations
3. Ayurveda vacations
- Beach and Backwater vacations
A good starting point for a backwater vacation in Kerala is Alappuzha. It consists of an intricate maze of backwaters, canals and bridges. You could travel right up to
Cochin on the Backwaters, in a boat. Beautiful Chinese fishing nets dot the journey, and watching them at sunset is a magical experience.
You could also travel up to Kollam from Alappuzha. The route winds up the Pampa river to Champpakkulam, an island hamlet, then into the Karumadi Canal. The accompanying scenery throughout the journey is ravishing.
Good beaches to visit while on a holiday in Kerala include Kovalam Beach, Varkala Beach, and Shankhumugham Beach in Thiruvananthapuram City. The Shankhumugham Beach is a sunset watcher’s paradise. While in Kollam, the beaches to visit include Thirumullavaram Beach and Thankassery beach.
Other beautiful beaches in Kerala include Kappad (Kozhikode), Fort Kochi Beach (Ernakulam), and Dharma (Kannur)
- Wildlife vacations
A number of wildlife sanctuaries are spread across Kerala. The Aralam Sanctuary is situated 35 km from Thalasserry and 60 km from Kannur town. It is spread over 55 sq kms. of forested areas on the slopes of the Western ghats and is famous for bison, leopards, jungle cat, and deer.
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary located in the rain shadow of the western ghats is the second habitat for the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel in India. Its main attractions include Elephants, gaurs, panthers, and spotted deer.
Other well known wildlife hotspots include the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary and the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Ayurveda vacations
Kerala Ayurveda offers recreative and therapeutic health options. Some of the therapies available include Navarakizhi (for all types of rheumatism, pain in joints, weakness or wasting of the limbs, blood pressure problems, cholesterol and certain kinds of skin diseases), Sirovasthi (for facial paralysis, dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, burning sensation to the head), Dhara (for insomnia, vata predominated diseases and mental tension) and Rejuvenation based therapies (which include yoga, meditation, and body massages) .
Article Source: www.ArticlesBase.com
Learn more about various tourist attractions in India. Check out the holiday packages and book a hotel in Kerala at TajHotels.com.
