Kerala Hotels :
Kerala Places of Visits
Kerala Places of Visits
Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala. One of the most
beautiful cities of India, Trivandrum is built on eleven hills and
valleys near the seashore. The city is almost hidden by green
foliage. Trivandrum maintains a sort of traditional atmosphere, The
recitals of devotional songs like Narayaneeyam from temples and the
ringing of the church bells, wake up people early in the morning.
One sometimes feels that Trivandrum has a pleasant smell of its own,
which one can experience even in Chalai Bazar, the business
commercial centre.
"Trivandrum" is the anglicised form of Thiru-ananta-puram, the city
of the divine serpent Ananta. It is called so because of the
imposing Ananta Padmanabha (or Sri Padmanabha Swami) temple, the
temple of Lord Vishnu reclining on the bed of a thousand headed
serpent, Ananta. The Supreme Reality is symbolised here by the
beautiful idol of Vishnu and the concept of Time by the serpent (Ananta
means endless).
Sri Padmanabha Swami temple is a fine blending of Chola, Chera, and
Pandyan architectural styles. The temple edifice (Gopuram) is seven
storeyed- It is a masterpiece of Dravidian sculptural art.
The impressive stone corridor is lined up with 368 carved granite
pillars. There are exquisite designs and carvings on the walls.
It was to Lord Padmanabha that King Marthanda Varma (A.D.I729-58) of
the erstwhile Travancore dynasty dedicated his Kingdom after
consolidating the smaller Kingdoms of Kerala up to the border of
Cochin. He took the title Sri Padmanabha Dasa, the servant of Lord
Padmanabha, and ruled the kingdom for the Lord. This became the most
important title of the kings of Travancore. One of the acts of this
adventurous king was the building of a monolithic hall called
Ottakkal Mandapam, carved out of a ' single piece of huge granite,
before the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple.
Encircling the temple is the Trivan-drum fort. The fort is a strong,
massive structure 3/4 sq. km in area with four main gates. There are
several palaces of the former Maharajas in the fort. These old
palaces are masterpieces of Kerala style of architecture and contain
the best specimens of wood carving. A few government offices and
centres of spiritual and cultural activity like Abhedashramam and
Sita Rama Bhakta Sabha are located inside the fort. Sreekanteswaram
temple dedicated to Lord Siva is on the left side of the fort and
Sreevara-ham temple on the right side. This is perhaps the only
temple in India where Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of his
Varaha (boar) incarnation accompanied by his divine consort, Goddess
Lakshmi. Outside the fort, towards the north east is the Maha
Ganapathi temple of Pazhavan-gadi and a little away at Thampanoor is
the temple of Lord Subramanya. Facing Sri Padmanabha Swami temple is
Trivandrum's busiest commercial centre, Chalai, Bazar, originally
established by Raja Kesavadas, the Dewan of Travancore.
About two kms. north of the eastern gate of the fort is the Kerala
Secretariat and the State Legislature. Facing the Secretariat is the
statue of its builder Sir T. Madhava Rao, the Dewan of Travancore
from 1858 to 1872.
A statue of Velu Thampi Dalawa, the Dewan of Travancore from 1801 to
1809, adorns the front of the Secretariat. Thampi attained martyrdom
in his fight against the British suzerainty in Travancore.
On the right side of the Secretariat is the old Law College
building, where the Accountant General's Office is located at
present. In the same campus there is a statue of Swade-sabhimani K.
Ramakrishna Pillai, a pioneer of fearless journalism in the country.
He had been exiled from Travancore in 1911 for publishing a series
of articles in his paper Swade-sabhimani pointing out the misdeeds
of the Dewan and the Maharaja.
Nearby are the University college, (which had already celebrated its
centenary), Victoria Jubilee Jown Hall, Kerala University Library,
M.L.A. Quarters and the Senate Hall. At the junction in front of the
senate Hall is the statue of Mahakavi Kumaran Asan (1873-1924) one
of the famous trio of modern Malayalam poetry (The other two were
Ulloor S. Prameswara Iyer and Vallathol Narayana Menon), who worked
a great deal for the social emancipation of the under-privileged.
Towards the east is the Connemara Market, a business centre.
Close-by are an imposing Catholic church and two houses of God, a
temple and a mosque side by side. The College off Fine Arts and the
Trivandrum Public Library are housed in buildings of special
architectural attraction. The Trivandrum Public Library was
established in 1829 during the reign of Maharaja Swathi Tirunal, a
lover of arts and one of the greatest composers of Karnatic music.
Trivandrum has one of the best museums in India and the zoo has
excellent natural settings. The museum and the zoo appear to be in
the midst of a real tropical forest. The museum building is very
attractive and has a distinctive architectural style. The museum has
exquisite old bronze and stone statues of gods and goddesses, wood
carving, coins and many other items of interest. The famous Sri Chi-tra
Art Gallery in the museum campus is a popular attraction to all art
lovers. It houses some of the best Indian, Tibetan, Chinese,
Japanese and Balinese paintings. Here is an excellent collection of
the works of Raja Ravi Varma, the famous Kerala painter and the
paintings by the Russian painters Nicholas Roerich and Svetoslav
Roerich. On the top of a nearby hill is the Trivandrum observatory,
built some 130 years ago by Caldecott, a British commercial agent,
during the period of king Swathi Tirunal. A little away is the
Kaudiar palace where Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the last
Maharaja of Travancore and the first Rajapramukh of Travancore-Cochin
State resides.
Neyyar Dam
A holiday resort, Neyyar Dam site is 32 kms. away from
Trivandrum. The reservior is about 9 sq. ms. and offers excellent
facilities for boating. There is a miniature wild-life sanctuary
also. The hills and rocks are ideal spots for training in
mountaineering. The Kerala Government proposes to establish its
first film studio at Neyyar Dam.
Aruvippuram
A picturesque place near Neyyat-tinkara, it is" a calm, serenehill-resort.
There is a temple founded by Sri Narayana Guru and a cave where the Guru
meditated for long periods.
Kovalam
Kovalam beach of international repute is about 13 kms. south of
Trivandrum. Here nature has built a pool in the sea. High rocks
projecting into the sea make the adjoining areas very calm. Tourists
even call it the best bathing bay in the world. The only point where
caution is necessary is the Udayanvazhi, a sea-cave amidst a few rocks
at a distant corner.
India Tourism Development Corporation is developing Kovalam as an
integrated sea-side resort.
Vizhinjam
About two kms. south of Kovalam, Vizhinjam is an ancient port. Some
historians consider Puvar (near Vizhinjam) is the ancient port called
Ophir, so often referred to by foreign travellers. The place was a scene
of major battles between Chera and Chola kingdoms in the 10th and 11th
centuries. The Portuguese and the Dutch had commercial establishments
here. Vizhinjam is being -developed as a modern fishing harbour. The
place is endowed with splended natural beauty.
Karyavatfom
About 12 kms. north-west of Trivandrum is the Kerala University
Centre at Karyavattom. The post graduate and research sections of the
Kerala University are located here. The Trivandrum Manuscript Library is
another attraction.
Pulayanarkotta
This beauty spot 8 kms. north-west of Trivandrum is near Veli Lake.
A fine reserve forest and a T.B. Sanatorium are here. The place, it is
believed, was once the seat of a powerful Adi-vasi King.
Aruvikkara
Aruvikkara is about 16 kms. north of Trivandrum. Gifted with lavish
scenic beauty, the place has an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess
Durga, at the edge of a cool river. Devotees feed the sacred fishes in
the stream, which are so tamed that they take food almost direct from
their hands. Near the temple there is a picturesque waterfall. The river
has been dammed up to form a reservior. This reservior (Trivandrum Water
Works) supplies water to Trivandrum city in every season.
Ponmudi
This beautiful hill station is 60 kms. north-east of Trivandrum. A
hill tribe called Kanikkars live in the surrounding areas.
Agastyakudam or Mount Agstya
This is a prominent peak of the Swahyas, about 2070 metres above sea
level. This peak can be seen from a distance, even from Trivandrum as
majestically rising into the skies in the form of a sharp, pointed cone.
It is reputed as the abode of Agastya, an ancient sage, physician,
philosopher and theologian, who founded an Ashram here. It functioned as
a seat of learning.
Thonnakkal
Poet Kumaran Asan (1873-1924) spent much of his life in this small
village in between Kazhakkuttom and attingal. M
Ajengo
The remains of an old fort here built by the English in 1690 is a
tourist attraction. It was the first settlement of English East India
Company in Tra-vancore for which permission was given to them by the
Queen of Attingal in 1684. The reputed English historian Robert Orme and
the poetess Mrs. Daniel Draper were born here. There is a beautiful lake
called Anchutengu Lake with splendid coconut groves and hills around.
Varkala
Varkala is a famous sea-side resort and pilgrim centre, jabout 48
kms. nort off Trivandrum, famous throughout India for its ancient temple
dedicated to Janardana (Lord Vishnu). An inscription says that the
temple was renovated in A.D. 1252. It is believed that the temple is
more than 2000 years old.
Here is one of the most panoramic beaches of India. High cliffs border
the beach. Mineral water springs gushing out from these cliffs are well
known for their curative property. Regular bath here is considered to be
a remedy for skin diseases. The sea is shallow. After a sea-bath, one
can take a fresh water wash at these springs, the beach is called
Papana-sam, the destroyer of sins. The sea and the springs are
considered to be holy theerthams.
Quilon
About 70 kms. from Trivandrum is Quilon, the headquarters of Quilon
District. It is a very old town on the banks of the Ashtamudi lake. The
name of this lake comes from the eight creeks into which it branches.
Quilon had been an international emporium of trade of the ancient world.
It was the capital of a powerful kingdom called Venad which came into
prominence in the 9th century A.D. According to some historians the
Malayalam Era called the Kollam Era was established by King Udayas
Marthanda Varma, a King of Quilon in 825 A.D.
In the earliest days Phoenicians, Arabs, Persians, Greeks, Romans and
the Chinese used to frequent the port. The kings of the Tang Dynasty
(A.D. 618-906) of china had diplomatic relation with the kingdom of
Quilon. The Venetian traveller Marco Polo visited Quilon in A.D. 1275 as
a representative of Kublai Khan, the great Khan of China. There was a
large settlement of the Chinese in Quilon and it is said that the
marketing centre known as Chinnakkada was originally called Cheenakkada,
that means, the 'Chinese Market'. A Persian merchant Sulyman of Siraf of
the 9th century, described Quilon as the only port in India, frequented
by huge Chinese junks.
According to a legend Christainity reached Kerala in the year A.D. 52,
when St. Thomas the Apostle, landed at Cranganore. He built seven
churches and a half at different centres namely, Maliankara, Palayur,
Kot-takkavu, Kokkamangalam, Quilon, Nilakkal, Niranam and a half church
at Aruvithura. Thus quilon must have been one of the earliest centres of
Christianity in India. However, we have historical evidence to state
that Quilon welcomed Christianity as early as C. 825 A.D., when the King
of Quilon allowed two Bishops of Babylonia, Mar Saper and Mar Prodh, who
arrived in Kerala that year, to build churches. Friar Jordanus who came
to Quilon in 1330 was the first consecrated Bishop of the Roman Catholic
See in India. Marignolli of Florence, the Papal Legate who Visited
Quilon in 1347 on his way to China described Quilon as a 'very noble
city where the whole worlds' pepper is produced'. The Portuguese
established their trade centre here in 1502.
Quilon maintains its tradition even today and it is one of the major
industrial and commercial centres of Kerala. Many important government
and private business houses and factories are located here. It is the
nerve-centre of Kerala's cashew industry, the largest foreign dollar
earning item of Kerala.
The town has several old temples, churches, mosques and many educational
institutions, the Ashtamudi Lake and the surrounding areas have great
scenic charm. A variety of flowers, shrubs and trees grow on its banks
and are reflected in the deep blue waters. There is a boat club in the
Ashtamudi lake. Prominent on its shores are the Thevally Palace and the
Government House. There is a regular steam boat service to Alleppey.
Luxuriant groves of coconut palms greet one every where as the boat
moves through lakes, lagoons and canals.
The Thirumullavaram beach near Quilon is a beauty spot and an ideal
place for sea-bath, the coastal regions of Quilon have vast deposits of
ill-menite, monozite, rutile and zircon.
Neendakara
Neendakara is 10 kms. away from Quilon on the Quilon-Alleppey road. The
place has unique natural setting with the long-Neendakara bridge
spanning the Ashtamudi lake, with fishing boats, and the vast lake and
the sea separated by sandbed called Ashi, Neenadakara is a fishing
centre. The Indo-Norwegian Project initiated in 1953 modernised the
fishing industry.
Kundara
About 15 kms. north-east of Quilon, Kundara is an industrial centre on
the shores of Ashtamudi lake. The Aluminium Industries Ltd. (ALIND), The
Electrical and Allied Industries and a Ceramic concern are situated
here. ALIND is one of the leading firms in India, manufacturing
aluminium cables.
Chavara
Chavara is noted for its mineral sands. Huge quantities of the sands are
exported every year. There is a Premo Pipe Factory here.
Ochira
This is a unique pilgrim centre, 32 kms. north of Quilon. The place has
something deep to impress about the Advaita Philosophy. There is no
temple or idol for the presiding deity, but only an open ground with
some old banyan trees. The presiding deity is the parabrahma, the
Absolute Reality, the great source of all forms and phenomena, which
cannot be symbolised by an idol or housed in a temple. Hence the absence
of a temple.
The Ochira Kali is an interesting festival in June. It is a mock fight
staged by two groups to commemorate the battles fought between the Rajas
of Kayamkulam and Chem-pakasseri.
Mannadi
This is a village of utmost importance in the history of Kerala's
freedom struggle, for Velu Thampi, the Dewan of erstwhile Travancore
(1801-1809) attained martyrdom here is his fight against the British to
free Travancore from British suzerainty. At the place of his martyrdom
there is a memorial called Velu Thampi Memorial Kalari. a sword is kept
within it to remind the peole of his great self-sacrifice.
To the people of Mannadi, February 10 is a day of great importance— the
day of martyrdom of that gallant hero of Kerala.
Punalur
Forty six kilimetres from Quilon, Punalur is beautiful place on the
Sahyas. It is the headquarters of Pa-thanapuram Taluk. The town looks
splendid and is a busy centre of commerce, especially of hill products.
It is also a banking centre. Surrounding the town there are picturesque
high hills covered with rich rubber plantations rising into misty
heights. SO, Punalur is also a centre of rubber business. One gets
juicy, tantalizing pineapples and a vide variety of bananas fresh from
the gardens.
The slow flowing zig-zag Kallada river adds to the beauty of the place.
Across it is an old, massive 124-metre-long suspension bridge erected in
1877, the only one of its kind in South India.
Punalur is also a major industrial centre, the Punalur Paper Mills
founded in 1888, Travancore Plywood Industries, Midland Fruit and
Vegetable Products Ltd, etc. are some of the major industrial firms
here.
Konni
On the bank of the Achankovil river Konni is a place of meadows, wooded
lands and purple hills. There are many pepper and clove farms. The calf
elephants trapped from the reserve forests are tamed here. Sugarcane is
cultivated on a large scale. It is centre of tea and oil crushing
industries.
AUeppey
One of the important foreign trade centres in India, AUeppey is a
seaside port town. It is the headquarters of the AUeppey district.
AUeppey has an important share in the development of commerce and
industry in Kerala. Coir and coir products, pepper, sugarcane, coconut,
fish, etc., are exported from this port. It was Raja kesava Das, a Dewan
of Travancore during the reign of Dharma Raja (1758-98) who developed
this place, which was a mere jungle inhabited by jackals and monkeys,
into an excellent port town and trading centre. The town was open to
foreign trade in 1762. It is today a well developed commerrial centre
with a large number of business houses. AUeppey has a unique position
being the town with the highest percentage off literacy (70.04%) among
all the towns in India. It is one of the oldest centres of trade union
movement in the country. The waterway criss-cross the town. These and
the lake have given Allep-pey the appellation; "The Venice of the East."
A long boat journey to Ernakulam, Quilon, Changanassery and Kottayam
through canals and lakes flanked by beautiful scenery is a very
refreshing experience. You will feel that you are in an early age of the
world where you enjoy primeval beauty. The Vem-banad Lake extends to 83
kms from Allepey to Cochin.
A colourful snake-boat race is held every year in Vembanad Lake near
AUeppey. The competition is to win the Nehru Trophy.
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam town is the mid point in the Trivandrum-Ernakulam bus route.
Krishnapuram Palace near Kayamkulam built by king Mathanda Varma
(1729-58) is a place of great attraction to historians, art lovers and
tourists. Here is one of the biggest wall paintings on the mythological
story—Gajendra Moksha. The palace is preserved as a monument by the
Archaeological Department of the government of India, The Syrian
Christian Church here was founded in A.D. 829.
Thiruvalla
Thiruvalla in about eight kms. north of Chengannur. The ancient Vishnu
Temple, the Sree Vallabapuram Temple, here has a multi-storyed Gopuram
(edifice) which presents typical gable architectural style. The Garuda
Mandapam hall in the temple has excellent wood carvings. There are
awe-inspiring corridors made of granite slabs. The most wond rous is the
unique flag staff, a round column of black granite about 15 metres high
and 3/4 metre in diameter. The Siva temple at nearby Tolassery houses a
huge Siva Lingom.
Aranmula
About 10 kms. from Chengannur, on the bank of the river Pampa, is
Aranmula, a holy place with a temple dedicated to Parthasarathi.
Parthasarathi means the -Charioteer of Partha, or Arjuna. Lord Krishna
is that Charioteer, thus the Supreme Guiding Spirit in every man is
symbolised by the beautiful idol if Sri Krishna. A very colourful
snake-boat race is held here every year as an age-old religious
festival. Aranmula is also famous for a special mirror made of bell
metal, one of the the rare curious coveted by all tourists. Its making
has been a traditional secret of a certain family in Aranmula.
Kuttanad
Rice is the staple food of the people of Kerala. Kuttanad is the granary
of South Kerala. (Palghat another region of extensive rice cultivation
is in north Kerala). Kerala's general landscape of hills and valleys
changes here, and one can see vast areas of plane land and paddy fields
criss-crossed by rivers, rivulets and canals. Here and there in the
vastness of green fields are little islands of some-what higher ground
full of coconut palms. Under the shade of the palms. Under the shade of
thee palms are small huts, where people engaged in the fields live.
About six months most of the region is under water. During the time of
cultivation, the water is drained off using thousands of pump sets, and
Kuttanad turns to be a region of intensive agricultural activity.
Especially in the harvest season thousands of agricultural workers reach
here from various places. The season has a festive appearance. The
snake-boat race at Champakkulam is a colourful festival attracting
thousands in June-July.
Edathua
Here is a famous church which is a centre of pilgrimage. Thousands of
pilgrims visit the church, where miraculous cures are believed to be
taking place, a great festival is held in April-May, a high school
industrial training institute, charitable society, etc. are run by the
Edathua church authorities. The place is 26 kms. southeast of Alleppey.
Vayalar - Punnapra
These places near Alleppey town were the scenes of an armed struggle in
September 1946. Thousands of workers under the leadership of the
communist Party challenged the rule of Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer, the last
Dewan of Travancore. The upheavel was crushed resulting in the loss of
many lives. Though the struggle failed to achieve its objective it
served to arouse the conscience of the people all over the state.
Kottayam
Between Changanassery and Al-waye, Kottayam town is the headquarters of
Kottayam District. On the foothills of the Sahyas, this beautiful town
is a prominent commercial, centre, especially of the hill products. From
the city one can see at a distance the great ranges of the Sahyas
covered with extensive areas of estates and beyound them the forests.
The mountainous areas produce rich crops of rubber, tea, pepper and
cardamom. Since it is a centre of foreign exchange earning products,
Kottayam is known as a rich town.
Kottayam is the seat of some ecclesiastical heads of Christian Churches.
The Knanaya Orthodox Syrian Church called Valiyapalli was founded in
1550. The Persian Cross in this church and the inscription in Pahlavi
are of historical importance.
It was in 1813 that a Christain Seminary was established here by Mar
Di-vannasyos for ecclesiastical studies, the Knanayas started English
teaching also. Kottayam had played a major role in the development of
literacy and education in Kerala. The C.M.S. Press was established here
by Benjamin Baily, a Christian Missionary, in 1821 and the publishing of
Malayalam books was started in 1829. Missionaries like Joseph Peet,
Benjami Baily and others contributed a great deal in spreading modern
education, and for the development of Kottayam as a great centre of
education. It was an old Grammar School of the Seminary that later grew
into the present C.M.S. College.
Kottayam is also a centre of modern journalism. Some of the leading
Malayalam dailies like the Malayala Manorama, the Kerala Bhushanam, the
Deepika, etc. are published from here. The Sahitya Pravarthaka
Co-operative Society Ltd., a leading publishing house of writers, has
its headquarters here.
The Thirunakkara temple dedicated to Lord Siva is a famous Hindu shrine
of Kottayam. Towards the west of the town is the Thaliyil temple well
known for its mural paintings. Thaliyilkotta nearby was the capital of
the ancient kingdom of the Thekkumcore Rajas. There are a large number
of beautiful churches in Kottayam. The Puthuppally Church of St. George
near Kottayam is a centre of pilgrimage. To the west of Kottayam is the
extensive Vembanad Lake.
Kumarakom, about 11 kms. from Kottayam, is a picturesque village on the
eastern bank of the Vembanad Lake. It is a place of tourist attraction
with the vast lake, calm paddy fields and coconut groves.
Ettumanoor
Ettumanoor, it is said, was once a mountainous island where thousands of
deer roamed freely. (Manoor means the deerland). The place is a famous
centre of pilgrimage with its ancient Siva temple. There are exquisite
mural paintings in the temple walls and several sculptures of great
craftsmanship. The 'Ezhara Ponnana', the seven and a half Gold
elephants, were dedicated to the temple by the warrior-king of the 18th
century, Marthanda Varma of Travancore dynasty. The-segold elephants are
exhibited during the annual festival. People with mental ailments are
cured at this temple with prayer and meditation.
Vaikom
On the shores of Vembanad lake, Vaikom is 35 kms. south of Cochin. It is
a place of historical, religious and political importance.
According to tradition Vaikom was once known as Vyaghrapadapuram after
the sage Vyakhrapada, who did penance here. The Mahadeva (Lord Siva)
temple here is an important centre of pilgrimage. The temple is a
typical example of Kerala architecture, the Ashtami festival at Vaikom
(12 days in Novermber-December) attracts thousands of people.
Vaikom has a significant place in modern Indian history. In Kerala,
according to the caste hierarchy, the lower caste Hindus were not
allowed to enter temples, not even to use the roads near the temples.
For scores of years low caste people were obliged to make a vide detour
in order to avoid the temples. A strong and popular agitation called
Vaikom Satyagraha was held here in front of the Vaikom temple during
1924-25 under the leadership of T.K. Madhavan K. Kelappan, K.P. Kesava
Menon, Mannath Pad-manabhan and other social and political leaders for
the eradication of untouchability and unapproachability. This agitation
led to the Temple Entry Proclamation of the Maharaja of Travancore in
1936, opening all temples to all Hindus. Thus the Vaikom Satyagraha
marked a turning point in the history of social change in India, Mahatma
Gandhi first visited Kerala in connection with this movement.
Idukki
Idukki is the headquarters of Idukki district, a newly formed
(January 16,1972) district carved out of Kot-tayam and Erankulam
districts, with numerous mountains and vast forest areas. About 124 kms.
from Kottayam, Idukki has one of the most ambitious hydro-electric
projects in India, now under construction. When completed, the gigantic
underground power station will play an important role in supplying
electricity to the whole of South India and in irrigating about 60,708
heactres of dryland of Kerala. The main dam across Periyar river at the
Idukki Gorge is the first highest are dam in India and the seventh in
the world.
Thekkadi
Nature keeps away some of her most precious possessions amidst the
mountains and forests. Thekkadi is such a place, about 112 kms. from
Kottayam. A Fine road winding through enchanting countrysides,
flourishing plantations and forests takes one to Thekkady.
Here in the heights of sahya mounatinss is the vast Periya lake formed
by damming the Periyar river. Around this lake is one of the most
fascinating wild life sancturies of the world. A cruise in the lake by
motor launch is an incredibly pleasant experience. One bathes one's soul
in nature's beauty as if the whole nature, the herds of elephants taking
their bath, the bisions, the wild squirrel, the fish, the water all
become a part of one's own aesthetic being.
Peermade
Fourteen kilometres away from the kkady is Peermade. There is an
excellent golf course and tourist bungalow. Peermade is one the most
frequented hill stations of Kerala. It is a heaven of nature lovers. The
beautiful jungle flowers, birds and butterflies in the vast dense virgin
jungles add a great deal to the colour and delight of the landscape. The
place derived its name from a Mohammedan Saint, Peer Mohammed, who
resided on these mountains.
Sabarimala
Deep in the Sahya mountains of Kerala is the greatest pilgrim centre in
India, the temple of Sri Ayyappa in Sabarimala. About 40 lakhs of
pilgrims trek their way through dense forests to the shrine of Ayyappa
around January every year, reverberating the whole of Kerala with the
call "Swamyie Saranam Ayyappa" "Oh Lord Ayyappa you are our refuge". The
pilgrims take bath in the cool glassy waters of the Pampa river flowing
amidst the green forest of heavenly charm.
Munnar
Munnar is a splended mountain town with all amenities, abou'. 1300 to
1800 metres above sea level.
Around Munnar are some of the largest tea estates of India, including
the 'endless' estates of the Kannan Devan Company.
Beyond the estates are rich tropical forests with an astounding variety
of flora and fauna. Even in these dense areas one comes across the
relics of bygone civilizations. The An-amudi peak (2720 metres) is the
highest point in India south of the Himalayas. Around Anamudi is the
plateau known as the High Ranges. Below the High Ranges are the Cardamom
Hills.
Pallivasal
The Pallivasal, one of the pioneer power projects of Kerala, is about 13
kms. south of Munnar. And, 13 kms north is the Mattupetti-Hydro Electric
Project, and an extersive dairy farm, which is an Indo-Swiss Project.
The Vellathuval Hydro-Electric Project is also near Munnar. Ernakulam
Ernakulam, the erstwhile capital of the princely-state of Cochin is 222
kms. away from Trivandrum. The city is on the banks of the picturesque,
vast Vembanad Lake. Ernakulam District is the very nervecentre of
Kerala's economy, commerce and industry and one of the major industrial
belts of India. Ernakulam city is the headquarters of Ernakulam
District. Ernakulam is accessible by air, sea, rail and road. A boat
journey from Alleppey to Ernakulam, enjoying the marvellous natural
beauty, is a very refreshing experince.
Cochin
Cochin is one of the three largest ports of India. The architect of the
modern harbour was Sir Robert Bris-tow, an Englishmen. It was declared a
major port in 1936. A Port Trust was formed in 1964. The beautiful
Willington Island on the Vembanad Lake is in between Ernakulam and
Mattancherry. In the east, the island is connected to Ernakulam by a
national highway cum railway bridge, and in the west to Mattancherry by
another bridge.
It is a 780 acre man-made Island which took its present shape in 1941.
It is named after Lord Willington, a British Viceroy of India (1931-36).
The Cochin harbour, air port, the Cochin harbour terminus railway
station etc. are located here. The Cochin harbour is called "the Queen
of the Arabian sea" and "the Gateway of South India". This all-weather
harbour affords safe anchorage to all types of ships. The Cochin Naval
Base is also situated here. This is a major training centre of the
Indian Navy.
Udayamperoor
The ancient church at Udayamperoor is an important land-mark both in its
location and in the history of Christianity in Kerala. It was here that
the famous Synod of Diamper under the presidency of Archbishop Alexis
de-Menezes was held in June 1599 during the time of Portuguese influence
in Kerala.
The historical convention popularly known as Udayamperoor Sunnahados was
a turning point in the history of Christianity in Kerala. It was a
convention forced on the Syrian Christians by the Portuguese and its aim
was to eradicate the Nestorian faith among them and to bring them under
the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church. Although the Portuguese
succeeded in their effort, it did not have a lasting influence and in
1653 a very large number of Christians assembled before the Leaning
Cross in Mattancherry and declared their independence from Pope,
accepting again the Nestorian Patriatch of Babylon as their Universal
Pastor.
Chottanikkara
Chottanikkara is famous for the temple of the powerful Goddess Raja
Rajeswari. A large number of people with mental afflictions find relief
and cure after worship in the temple, observing certain religious
disciplines for specified periods. On a tree growing in the premises of
the temple, one can see hundreds of nails struck on it by the afflicted
using their own heads like a hammer in a state of trance. The temple
autorities provide accommodation in the temple for pilgrims.
Alwaye
This excellent snmmer resort on the bank of the river Periyar is 23 kms.
north of Ernakulam. Here the river branches into two, forming an
extensive sandbed called Aluva Manalpuram. A great festival is held here
on the Sivaratri day when thousands of the pilgrims assemble. The siva
Lingam of the Siva Temple is believed to have been installed by Sri Rama,
there is no permanent temple at this spot because waters cover the whole
area in monsoon. A temporary shed is raised over the idol in summer. On
the south bank of the river there is a Sri Krishna Temple with the idols
off Balabhadra and Sri Krishna. The Advaida Ashram Founded by Sri
Narayana Guru, a mosque and a Catholic Church are situated here side by
side. It was here that SRi Narayana Guru uttered the great Advaitic
truth, "One caste, one religion and one God for mankind". Mahatma Gandhi
met Sri Narayana Guru here.
Kaladi
Kerala can be proud of this picturesque village, 13 kms. from Alwaye on
the bank of the river Periyar. Here was born Sri Sankaracharya
(780-820), one of the greatest philosophers of the world. The great
exponent of Advaita philosophy, Sri Sankara has left a lasting influence
on Indian life and culture.
Malayattur
Malayattur is on the bank of the river Periyar about 20 kms. away from
Alwaye. This is one of the famous centres of pilgrimage believed to have
been sanctified by the footprints of St.Thomas, the Apostle. The
St.Thomas Church on the top of a beautiful, 462 metre high hill by the
bank of the river is also claimed as one of the seven churches built in
Kerala by St. Thomas, the Apostle, in the year 52.A.D. The marks on the
rocknear the church are said to be the footprints of the Apostle. At the
foot of Malayattur hills there is another ancient church which might
have been built in the A.D. 8th century. Beyond these churches are the
dense reserve forests.
Cranganore or Kodungallur
Cranganore had flourishing trade contacts with Rome, Egypt, Arabia,
Phoenicia, Babylonia, China and other countries even as early as 3000
B.C. This renowned port was used to be visited by merchant fleets of may
countries. It is said that king Solomon's ships frequented this port for
products such as ivory, sandalwood, peacock feathers, cinnamon etc. The
Romans, it is believed had a colony here and they built a temple in
honour of Augustus, the Roman Emperor. The ancient Indian and foreign
records described Cranganore by such names as Muziris, Muchiri, Ma-hodayapuram,
Muyiricode, Makotai, Tiruvanchikulam etc.
Peechi
Twenty three kilometres north-east of Trichur, the Peechi Dam site
is one of the excellent tourist centres of Kerala. The extensive
botanical gardens and parks with cascades and fountains attract many a
tourist to this place. The dam controls the waters of the Karuvannur
river. It is one of the, major irrigation projects of the state. The
reservoir supplies drinking water to Trichur town.
Guruvayur
Guruvayur is one of the greatest pilgrim centres of India. From all over
the country, people visit the Sri Krishna temple of Guruvayur to
concentrate their mind on the charming, brilliant symbol of the
unexplainable, Lord Krishna, and thus come into aesthetic contact with
the infinite. It is at this temple that Melpathoor Naryana Bhattathiri
(16th century) composed his renowed Sanskrit devotional poem
Narayaneeyam as an offering while he was suffering from a merciless
attack of rheumatism. This great devotee of the Lord Krishna got rid of
it by Divine Grace. There are several cases of reported miraculous cures
in connection with Guruvayur temple. The incidence of how Chembai
Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the great Karnatic musician regained his lost
voice is a shining example in modern times of the miraculous working of
the Divine Power here. The Ekadasi festival held every year in Novermber-December
attracts thousands of pilgrims. The pray to see the enchanting form of
Krishna.
Guguvayur has also an important place in the history of Indian nationa
movement. A mass movement called Guruvayur Satyagraha was started here
in 1931-32 under the leadership of K. Kelappan, A.K. Gopalan and others.
Its goal" was to eradicate un-touchability. A Satyagraha was held in
front of the temple for obtaining the right of worship for the Harijans
in the temple. Although the movement did not attain its goal
immediately, it helpled to arouse the people in favour of temple entry
for Harijans.
Palghat
Palghat is the headquarters of Palghat District, which is called the
rice-bowl of North Kerala because of the extensive paddy cultivation in
the district. The fort built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766 is the main
landmark of the town. Some the government offices are situated inside
the fort. There are several features of interest in the fort like the
underground passage etc. The Big Bazaar is the main shopping centre in
the town.
Malampuzha
About eight kms. from Palghat is the Malampuzha Dam, one of the major
irrigation projects of Kerala. The dam-site includes the vast blue lake
and the beautiful terraced gardens with exquisite statues. The natural
beauty of the place will enthral any tourist. The Sholayar Dam is also
situated at a nearby place. The 32 kms. broad Palghat Mountain Pass is
the most important link between Kerala and the neighbouring states.
Thirunavai
Tirunavai on the banks of thee river Bharathapuzha has a long history
and t radition. Such a great place is Tirunavai, the scene of the heroic
Mamankom festival of ancient Kerala.
Calicut
From time immemorial, the historic city of Calicut (or Kozhikode) was
well known throughout the civilized world as an important trading centre
of the East. The word derved its name from Calicut because the cloth was
exported from here in large quantities.
Calicut was the capital of the Zam-orins of Kozhikode. The earliest to
make commercial contact with Calicut were the Chinese who had a
flourishing trade exchange. Then came the Moors of Africa. Ibn Batuta of
Tangi-ers who visited Calicut in A.D. 14th century described it as the
place where gather merchants from all quarters of the globe and the
harbour of Calicut as "one of the largest and busiest in the world."
Of all foreigners, only the Arabs made their settlements in Calicut.
Even today remnants of Arab settlements are seen. The Portuguese led by
Vasco de Gama landed at Kappad near Calicut on 27th May 1498. Later the
Dutch, the French and the British came to its shores and there followed
a period of continuous wars for establishing domination over the Malabar
trade.
This age-old commercial town still maintains its commercial tradition,
the Calicut port and the nearby Beypore port together form an important
venue for foreign trade in India. The principal exports are coir fibre,
coir mats, matting and rugs, coir yarn, copra, coconut, coffee, tea,
pepper, ginger, rubber, groundnut, raw cotton, cashew, cardamom, fish
manure, soap, tobacco, turmeric etc.
Cannanore
Cannanore has a salubrious climate and great scenic charm, it is the
headquarter of Cannanore District, the largest and the northernmost
district of Kerala. It is 520 kms. north Trivandrum.
Cannanore has been a flourishing centre of handloom industry from the
veery dawn of the Christian Era. It still maintains its tradition. There
are about 600 factories and 30000 looms in the Cannanore town. Beedi and
cigar making are also important industries.
At the Cannanore beach is the tomb of Swadeshabhimani Rama Krishna
Pillai, a pioneer of fearless journalism, in India who was exiled from
Travancore in 1911 for criticising the misrule of the government. He
died at Cannanore in 1916.
There are several social, educational and cultural institutions, private
and public concerns in the town.
Ezhimala or Mount Eli
Ezhimala about 25 kms. north of Cannanore town is a strange landscape.
It is aa high mountainous area just on the brink of the sea. It was a
popular landmark of ancient foreign sailors. There are plans to develop
this unique place as a tourist centre.
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