KERALA RAINFALL

Averagemonthly rainfall in Keral

Month	Rainfall(mm)
January	14.6
February	16.6
March	36.1
April	110.9
May	252.6
June	653.2
July	687.2
August	404.7
September	252.3
October	270.7
November	158.6
December	45.9

Kerala Rainfall Trends
Attempts were made to study temporal variation in monthly, seasonal and annual rainfall over Kerala, India, during the period from 1871 to 2005. Longterm changes in rainfall determined by Man-Kendall rank statistics and linear trend. The analysis revealed significant decrease in southwest monsoon rainfall while increase in post-monsoon season over the State of Kerala which is popularly known as the “Gateway of summer monsoon”. Rainfall during winter and summer seasons showed insignificant increasing trend. Rainfall during June and July showed significant decreasing trend while increasing trend in January, February and April. Hydel power generation and water availability during summer months are the concern in the State due to rainfall decline in June and July, which are the rainiest months. At the same time, majority of plantation crops are likely to benefit due to increase in rainfall during the post-monsoon season if they are stable and prolonged.


Kerala Rainfall Trends - Red Rain
From July 25 to September 23, 2001, red rain sporadically fell on the southern Indian state of Kerala. Heavy downpours occurred in which the rain was coloured red, staining clothes with an appearance similar to that of blood. Yellow, green, and black rain was also reported. Coloured rain had been reported in Kerala in as early as 1896 and several times since then.It was initially announced that the rains were coloured by fallout from a hypothetical meteor burst, but a study commissioned by the Government of India found that the rains had been coloured by airborne spores from a locally prolific terrestrial alga. Other explanations were proposed but not until early 2006 did the coloured rains of Kerala gain widespread attention in the popular media. A controversial conjecture that the coloured particles were extraterrestrial cells was proposed by Godfrey Louis and Santhosh Kumar of the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam.No information to support the extraterrestrial hypothesis has been published since 2006.

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KERALA GEOGRAPHY

Kerala Geography - Location
Kerala is a small strip of land lying at the south-west corner of India. It lies to the north of the equator between 8° 18' and 12° 48' north latitude and 74° 52' and 77° 24' east longitude.


Kerala Geography - Extend
Kerala extends over an area of 38,863 sq.km which is only 1.03 percent of the total area of India. It has a total coastline of 580 km. Its width varies greatly from west to east. It is about 120 kilometres at its maximum and just 30 kilometres at its minimum.


Kerala Geography - Neighbours
Kerala is bordered by land on three sides and by the Arabian sea at the west. It shares its border with the state of Karnataka at the north and the rest of Kerala shares it border with Tamil Nadu. In fact, almost the whole of the western and southern frontiers of Kerala is surrounded by Tamil Nadu.


Kerala Geography - Westren Ghats
Eastern Kerala consists of land encroached upon by the Western Ghats; the region thus includes high mountains, gorges, and deep-cut valleys. The wildest lands are covered with dense forests, while other regions lie under tea and coffee plantations (established mainly in the 19th and 20th centuries) or other forms of cultivation. Forty-one of Kerala’s forty-four rivers originate in this region, and the Cauvery River descends from there and drains eastwards into neighboring states. Here, the Western Ghats form a wall of mountains penetrated near Palakkad; here, a natural mountain pass known as the Palakkad Gap breaks through to access inner India. The Western Ghats rises on average to 1500 m elevation above sea level. Certain peaks may reach to 2500 m. Just west of the mountains lie the midland plains, comprising a swathe of land running along central Kerala. Here, rolling hills and shallow valleys fill a gentler landscape than the highlands. In the lowest lands, the midlands region hosts paddy fields; meanwhile, elevated lands slopes play host to groves of rubber and fruit trees in addition to other crops such as black pepper, tapioca, and others.

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KERALA EVENTS

Kerala, in southwest India on the Arabian Sea coast, has a mixed population of Hindus, Christians, Muslims and people of other communities. Kerala's cultural calendar is full of events through the year as the secular people of Kerala celebrate festivals and events of all religions.

Some of the events you can see in Kerala on your Indian holiday are :


Boat Races

The Boat Races are an integral part of the culture and celebrations of Kerala. This sport brings forth excellent camaraderie and enthusiasm of the people. These occasions of great excitement reflect the lively people of Kerala, both participants and eager spectators.

These magnificent fiestas bring life and verve to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. Snake boat races are held in around the festival of Onam, the harvest festival celebrated during August/September. Several long snake boats and other smaller crafts take on the waters to participate in these events. These snake boat races are also accompanied with colourful water parades, celebrations and much fanfare.

Usually a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, 25 singers and 100 - 125 oarsmen who row in unison to the fast rhythm of the vanchipattu (song of the boatman). Thousands of people crowd along the waters to cheer the participants. Most of these races also have interesting legends and stories tracing their origin.


Other boat races held during Onam (August / September)

• A TDC Boat Race, Alappuzha,
• Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race, Pulinkunnu
• Neerettupuram Boat Race, Kumarakom
• Kumarakom Boat Race
• Karuvatta Boat Race
• Kavanattinkara Boat Race, Kumarakom
• Arpookara VanithaJalamela, Kottayam
• Mahatma Boat Race, Mannar
• Thazhathangadi Boat Race, Kottayam
• Kottapuram Boat Race, Kodungallur
• Kumaranasan Smaraka Jalotsavam, Pallana.

The Indira Gandhi Boat Race is held on the Ernakulam Lake during the Cochin Carnival in the last week of December.


Following are some details about the most important races in Kerala

Champakulam Boat Race :This is one of the oldest and most popular boat races of Kerala. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month of midhunam. The main highlights of this event are ceremonial water procession, spectacular water floats and boats decorated with colourful parasols, and Vanchipattu (folk song of the oarsmen) and the chundan vallom (snake boat, over 100 feet in length, with a raised prow similar to the hood of a snake) race.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race :Held in Alappuzha, this is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited events in Kerala. Organised on the watersides of Alappuzha at the Punnamada Lake , this grand event is held on the second Saturday of Aug every year. Magnificent snake boats compete for the prized trophy, instituted by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India . Over 16 chundan vallams participate in this race along with many smaller boats like churulan, veppu, odi etc with a prize for each category. There are separate races for women too.

Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race :The event is a memorial to the former prime minister of India . The main highlights of this race are colourful water procession, water floats, and boat races.

Payippad Jalotsavam :This is a grand fiesta of 3 days at the Payippad Lake , 35 kms from Alapuzzha. This event marks the placing of the deity at the Subramanya Swamy Temple , Harippad. The village people wanted to build a temple with Lord Ayyappa as the main deity. After completion of the structure, a vision directed the elders of the village to a whirlpool in Kayamkulam Lake , to find the idol of Sree Subramanya. This idol was found at the envisioned place and was brought back with much fanfare by the devotees on the Thiruvonam day. An auspicious procession is conducted along this very route every year on this very day. The event is a major attraction for several people. This occasion is marked by boat races, spectacular water pageants with decorated boats and floats, performing arts and children in traditional dresses. The vanchipattu is a major feature of these celebrations.

Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali :This traditional boat race conducted 10 km from Chengannur, at Sree Parthasarathy Temple , in Aranmula as a part of the Onam celebrations. This is a 2 day event that re-enacts the legend, according to which a devout Brahmin who made an offering of feeding one pilgrim a day. Sree Krishna appeared and the brahmin vowed to offer 51 mesures of rice and all the provision for the thiruvonasadya (the grand Onam feast) at the temple. The offering was carried by a fleet of palliyodam, a huge snake boat. Presently 26 boats participate in this colourful carnival.

Indira Gandhi Boat Race :Indira Gandhi boat race is held on the Ernakulam Lake , during the Cochin Carnival in the last week of December. Over sixteen snake boats participate in this scintillating event.


KERALA EVENTS - Festivals

Thrissur Pooram :This festival is held at Thekinkadu Maidan at Thrissur in the month of May. A pageant of 30 caparisoned elephants are assembled in the grounds of the vadakumnathan temple.The nearby paramekavu and thiruvambadi temples are also participants in the festival. The highlights of this festival are Kudamattam (changing of umbrella from hands to hands), Chendamelain ( kind of drums), Panchavadyam ( five typical instruments played), and magnificent fireworks display.

Makaravilakku :Makaravilakku is organized at Sree Dharamasastha temple, Sabarimala. This is one of the few occasions when the temple is open to the public. On the evening of makara sankranthi, the makara vilakku/makara jyothi (the light of kakara) is believed to be seen on the eastern horizon. Special devotional rites are performed.

Sabarimala Pilgrimage :This annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Lord Ayyappa (believed to be a union of Shiva and Vishnu) in the Sahyadri Mountains of the Western Ghats is a pilgrimage, which is undertaken by increasing numbers of pilgrims every year. On Janury 14 every year, which is the most important day of the pilgrimage, thousands of devotees travel to the shrine to see the makara vilakku - a light that glows on a neighboring hillside, which is believed to represent the presence of Ayyappa.With all its fame across India this festival has become one of the greatest events of Kerala.

Onam Festival :Celebrated in August-September every year, this festival celebrates the successful harvest and the return of King Mahabali, who comes to see the welfare of his people. Malayalis exchange gifts of new clothes, enjoy lavish traditional meals and decorate the entrance of their houses with beautiful flower carpets. Women dance around a lit lamp in the courtyard of their houses. Cultural programs of Kathakali and Mohiniattam classical dances are held and it is considered as the most famous kerala event.

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KERALA WATERFALLS

Cochin : Mulamkuzhi :Munnar hills is siatuated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft above sea level. and is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. Idukki : Attukal :This place is located between Munnar and Pallivasal, and a beautiful sight of waterfalls and rolling hills can be seen here. Cheeyappara :The Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are located between Narimangalam and Adimali on the kochi-Madurai highway. Nyayamkad :10 Kms from Munnar, located between Munnar and Rajamala Nyamkad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. Power House Waterfall :18 Km from Munnar, this waterfall is on the way to Thekkady from Munnar, which cascades down to step rock 2000m above sea level. Thommankuthu :28 km from Thodupuzha is Thommankutthu, which is famous for its numerous waterfalls. This place is ideal for natural lovers as the seven-step waterfall here is a much loved picnic spot. Calicut : Thusharagiri :Lying 50kms east of Kozhikode, Thusharagiri is a little tribal tourist spot in Kerala. Tow streams originating from the Western Ghats meet here to form the River Challipuzha. Kottayam : Kesari Waterfalls :The Kesari waterfalls, also known as Valanjamkanam falls, lies between Kuttikanam and Murinjapuzha on the Kottayam-Kumaly route. Maramala Waterfall :This lies a few kms away from Eerattupetta. It is exactly 7 kms from Teekoy rubber estate. Palakkad : Doni :A Dhoni waterfall is a 3 hours trek from the base of the Dhoni Hills. A thick reserve forest surrounds it. Dhoni is about 15 kms from Palakkad. Meenvallam :A Meenvallam waterfall is around 8kms from Thuppanad junction on the Palakkad- Manarkkad route. It is a combination of enchanting beauty and scenic splendor.

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KOCHI (COCHIN)

KOCHI (COCHIN)

Eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbours in the world. The Dutch wrested Fort Kochi from the Portuguese in AD 1663 and later in the last phase of the colonial saga, the British took over, the town in 1795. A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St.Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. The Santa Cruz Basilica, a church built originally by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul 1V in 1558, was spared by the Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings. Jewish Synagogue :This was a Roman Catholic Church during the Portuguese rule from 1503 to 1663, then a Dutch Reformist Church from 1664 to 1804, and Anglican church from 1804 to 1947. Bolgatty Palace :Fort Kochi is also home to one of India's oldest churches - the St.Francis Church. This was a Roman Catholic Church during the Portuguese rule from 1503 to 1663, then a Dutch Reformist Church from 1664 to 1804, and Anglican church from 1804 to 1947. Chinese Fishing Nets :The chinese fishing nets found here are the only ones of its kind in India. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Dutch Palace :The Dutch Palace was originally built by the Portugese. Later, in 17th century, the Dutch modified it and presented to the Raja of Kochi. Pierce Leslie Bungalow :This charming mansion was the office of Pierce Leslie & Co., coffee merchants, founded in 1862. Santa Cruz Basilica :This historic church was built by the Portguese and eleveated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. in 1795 it fell into the hands of the British when they took over Kochi, and was demolished. Hill Palace :Built in the 19th century by Raja of Kochi, the Kochi province was ruled from here. The palace has been converted into a museum displaying a fine collection of articles used by the Rajas of Kochi apart from many archaeological findings. Jew Town :The area around the Synagogue is a centre of spice trade and curio shops. Museum of Kerala History :The museum has on display life size statues of many famous personalities and several paintings depicting Kerala History. Cherai Beach :This lovely beach bordering Vypeen island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. Pallipuram Fort :It is the oldest European fort built in India. Parikshit Thampuran Museum :The museum is situated near the famous Siva Temple, Ernakulam. It houses a treasure of archaeological findings and relics including old coins, sculptures, oil paintings and murals. St Francis Church :It is the oldest church built by European in India.On his 3rd visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portugese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. How to reach there : Nearest railway station : Ernakulam about 1.5 km from the Main boat jetty. Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 20 km.

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KERALA HOUSE BOAT

Backwater Cruise along the palm fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple pleasures, you'll skim past ancient chinese fishing nets, water lillies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries, and the deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. Luxury A/c Houseboat Facilitates The Following : Front living area, Bedrooms, Kitchens, Toilets & Bathroom. The Kettuvallams or ‘boat with knots’- was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only - not even a single nail is used during the construction. Houseboats or Kettuvallams were large barges used to carry goods .The original Kettuvallams were used to carry tonnes of rice and spices - standard Kettuvallam could hold up to 30 tonnes. Today, these goods carriers have been adapted to make the most exciting tourism product in India without losing its originality. While converting Kettuvallams into houseboats, care is taken to use only natural products. They are on average 70 feet long boats with 15 feet width in the middle portion. The wood commonly used to make Kettuvallams is 'Anjili'(a kind tree belonging to the jack fruit family), which is found in abundance in central Travancore area. Large planks are tied together using hand made coir ropes and beaten coconut fibers. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. This gives the Kettuvallams enough strength to withstand heavy waves in the sea. Bamboo mats, sticks and wood of the aracanut tree are used for roofing, coir mats and wooden planks for the flooring and wood of coconut trees and coir for beds. Solar panels are used for lighting.These long cargo boats are a familiar sight on the backwaters. With careful maintenance, a Kettuvallam can last for generations. These boats cruised forward from near- extinction to enjoy their present great popularity. Route : The backwaters, which consist of an intricate network of lagoons, lakes & canals one can choose from the wide selections of beautiful routes are available for the cruises and you can choose one that suits your resources and time frame. Each route is comprehensive, unruffled and enjoyable in itself, extending to you an absolute experience of Kuttanad. Kumarakom House Boats : Kumarakom is one of the most famous backwater destinations of Kerala, India. Located at the distance of 15 km from Kottayam town in Kerala, it is a peaceful region with numerous coconut palms and shallow waterways. One of the most popular ways to explore the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and the breathtaking backwaters is by scheduling houseboats in Kumarakom Kerala backwaters. Kumarakom houseboat takes you into the unique world of water and wonderment and provides wonderful opportunity to explore backwaters attractions including bird sanctuary. A Kerala Houseboat tour over the breathtaking backwaters at Kumarakom will be suerly a great experience.

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KERALA HILLS STATIONS

KERALA HILLS STATIONS

Munnar Hills Station : Munnar hills is siatuated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft above sea level. and is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. This beautiful hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi , which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking. The high ranges of Munnar were earlier known as Kannan Devan Hills,named after a certain Kannan Devan,who had been land lord in the Anchanad Valley on the eastern side of the district. The Main attractions in Munnar include the following : Mattupetty :Mattupetty is situated at a height of 1700 m above sea level. Mattupetty Lake and Dam is a beautiful picnic spot with the panoramic view of the tea plantations and the lake. Boating facilities are available in the reservoir. Rajamala :Rajamala is the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr. Half the world population of this rare mountain goat is found here, which is fast becoming extinct. Echo Point :Echo Point has a natural echo phenomenon and offers panoramic views. Eravikulam National Park :A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. Famous Hill Stations of Kerala : The hill stations in Kerala, India are covered with dense tea and spice plantations. The hill slopes provide the perfect opportunity for adventure seekers as one can indulge in trekking, mountain climbing and other forms of adventure sports. Vagamon Hill Station :One of the most beautiful places in Kottayam, Vagamon hill station is a beautiful place and a much sought after tourist destination. The hill station is located at a height of around 1100 meters above sea level. Devikulam Hill Station :Devikulam hill station is located at a height of 1800 meters above sea level and is around 16 kilometers from Munnar in Kerala.

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KERALA BACKWATER

Alleppey Backwater : Alappuzha or Alleppey is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerela as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips. A host of boat races are held here during the harvest season ( between July and September ). Alleppey or Alappuzha is also known as the "Venice of the East" its was here that traders from across the seven seas came in search of black gold and souvenirs. Alappuzha or Alleppey is also home to Kuttanad, The rice bowl of kerala, one of the very few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills.Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. It is here that most of the snake boat races are conducted and a majority of the rice boat & houseboat cruises are scheduled. Kerala's network of navigable backwaters stretches to over 900km. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of the rustic life. In Alleppey or Alappuzha, the life revolves around water. How to reach there : Nearest railway station : Alleppey Or Ernakulam Railway Station ( travel time - 90 mins ) Nearest airport : Cochin ( Kochi ) International Airport ( Travel time - 120 mins ) Kumarakom Backwater : The village of Kumarakam is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise An enchanting backwater destination. Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarakom. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-this-world experience at Kumarakom. An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lillies - this is Kumarakam. Kumrakom, located on the Southern coast of India enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate. Nature has composed its magic to perfection here. A million verdant coconut palms lining the rivers lean to examine its reflections on the glassy rivers. Everywhere, nature is at its best. Blooming forth in perfumes of flowers. In the riot of colours of multi-hued birds. In the fresh, succulent and bountiful freshwater fishes The local spring season emerges from August and coincides with the harvest festival of Onam. The lowest and highest temperatures recorded are 16.10 C and 37.80 C. The tourist season is from September to March How to reach there : Nearest railway station : Kottayam Railway Station (travel time - 30 mins ) Ernakulam Railway Station ( travel time - 90 mins ) Nearest airport : Cochin ( Kochi ) International Airport ( Travel time - 120 mins )

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KERALA BEACHES

Kovalam Beach : Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes, Catamaran cruising etc. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. Thiruvananthapuram ( Trivandrum ), the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle. But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city. Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery , the Padmanabhaswamy Temple , Puthenmalike Palace, Zoo, Planetarium, Veli Lagoon, Ponmudi hill station etc. SMSM Institute,a State owned handicrafts emporium, is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles. How to reach there : Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram central, about 16 km Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport,about 10 km. OTHER BEACHES : Poovar Beach : Poovar is an unspoiled and unexplored island, developed by the most serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand beach. Shanghumugham Beach : This is a favorite haunt of sunset viewers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram ( Trivandrum ) airport and Veli Tourist Village. Varkala Beach : It is a seaside resort as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are situated here. Alappuzha Beach : This is one of the most popular picnic spots in alappuzha. The coast, which extends into the sea here, is about 140 years old. Kappad Beach : This is the beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May, 1498 with 170 men in three vessels. This is a rock studded beach. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawing rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is 800 years old Cherai Beach(Kochi) : The 15 km long golden Beach is very clean, shallow and is ideal for swimming, surfing and sunbathing. The newly beautified 400 Meters of the main beach has a walkway and High mask lamps which make the beach enjoyable even at night. Trained security staff are present round-the-clock in the beach. Chowra Beach : Chowara beach is a long wide beach of powdery white sand.This beach is the hot spot for the nature and leisure travellers.The visitors to this beach and it is ideal for beach volleyball.

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KERALA TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Kerala Tourist Destination : Kerala Beaches Kerala Backwater Kerala Wildlife Kerala Hill Stations Kerala House Boat Kerala Kochi (Cochin) Kerala Beaches : The ancient land founded by the legendary mythological figure Rishi Parashuram, blessed with emerald backwaters and gold and silver beaches is Kerala - God's own country. With the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on its east, Kerala is a treasure trove of indigenous cultural practices and art forms that have mesmerized people all over the world. The Kerala beaches on the crystal waters of the Arabian Sea are little pieces of heaven on earth. Kerala Backwater : The state is blessed with myriad features like dense tropical forests, beautiful beaches, cliffs, rocky coasts, an intricate maze of backwaters, still bays and astounding 44 radiant rivers. Kerala backwaters take you to an exotic world showcasing mesmerizing natural attractions. Spending days in Kerala is rejuvenating to say the least, especially at the backwater destinations, connected through meandering inland lakes. Kerala Wildlife : The evergreen rain forests of Kerala are home to a large number of large and small sports. Internationally popular among wildlife enthusiasts and photographers much of the forest lands in Kerala have been turned into reserve forests and wildlife sanctuaries for the conservation of the wildlife in these areas. Kerala Hills : The hill stations of Kerala are dense in vegetation and provide natural habitat to exotic wildlife. These beautiful hill stations of Kerala are also the source of the famous spices of Kerala. Spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and the cashew nut are grown in the plantations on the hill stations in Kerala. Kerala Houseboats : The Kettuvallams or ‘boat with knots’- was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only - not even a single nail is used during the construction. Houseboats or Kettuvallams were large barges used to carry goods .The original Kettuvallams were used to carry tonnes of rice and spices - standard Kettuvallam could hold up to 30 tonnes.

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Kerala at a Glance

Kerala at a Glance

Location	:	Southwestern tip of India.
Area	:	38, 863 sq km.
Population	:	3,18,38,619
Capital	:	Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).
Language	:	Malayalam;English is widely spoken.
Religion	:	Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Time	:	GMT +5:30
Currency	:	Indian Rupee
Climate	:	Tropical.
Summer	:	February - May (24 - 330C)
Monsoon	:	June - September (22 - 280C)
Winter	:	October - January (22 - 320C)
Names of Districts :
Old		New
Trivandrum	:	Thiruvananthapuram
Quilon	:	Kollam
Alleppey	:	Alappuzha
		Pathanamthitta
		Kottayam
		Idukki
		Ernakulam
Trichur	:	Thrissur
Palghat	:	Palakkad
		Malappuram
		Wayanad
Calicut	:	Kozhikode
Cannanore	:	Kannur
		Kasaragod
Major Cities	:	Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi (Ernakulam district) and Kozhikode.
Population :
Population	:	318.39 lakhs as per 2001 Census (31.839 Millions)
Density of Population	:	819 per sq kms
Kerala's Share in the National- Population	:	3.1 per cent
District Average	:	22.74 lakhs (2.274 millions)
Sex Ratio	:	1058 women for 1000 men
Literacy :
Literacy Rate	:	90.92 per cent.
Male Literacy Rate	:	94.20 per cent
Female Literacy Rate	:	87.86 per cent
Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) :
Kerala has had a commendable record in terms of the Physical Quality of Life Index. Indicators of PQLI like infant mortality (11%), female literacy (87.86%), and life expectancy at birth for males (68.23) and females (73.62), are well above all India levels. The major reason for this achievement is Kerala's focus on the service sector. About 37% of the total annual expenditure of the State is earmarked for health and education. Another reason for this is the existence of a larger network of hospital infrastructure under the Directorate of Health Services with 933 primary health centres and 5094 sub-centres.
Seaports	:	Major : Kochi Minor : Beypore (Kozhikode), Alappuzha, Kollam.
Major Beaches	:	Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochi, Kappad and Bekal.
Major Wild Life Sanctuaries	:	Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani, Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara, Neyyar.
Bird Sanctuary	:	Thattekad, Kumarakom.
Major Hill Stations	:	Ponmudi, Peerumade, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad.
Farm / Cash Crops	:	Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut and rice.
Exports	:	Marine, Coir, Handicrafts, Spices, Food and other Products.
Major Industries	:	Tourism, Information Technology, Fertilizer, Oil Refining and Power Generation, Ship Building, Machine Tools, Electronics, Cables, Rubber.

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Kerala Map

Kerala Map

Distances In Kilometer : Road Distance Chart-Kerala : Kerala Tourism Map : Kerala Forest Map : Kerala Wild Life Map : Kerala Distance Map :

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