Kerala

Kerala

Kerala is a small and one of the most beautiful Indian state located in south west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the state Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions. There are fourteen districts in Kerala and Thiruvananthapuram is the capital Kochi and Kozhikode are other major cities. Kerala known by the name God's Own Country is one of the enticing destination in the World tourist map. Kerala is known for its beautiful beaches and extensive backwaters.


Etymology

Kerala is abundant in greenery and nature. Kerala is often referred to as Keralam by the natives (Malayalis). Scholars agree that Kerala transliterates Classical Tamil Cheralam ("Land of the Cheras") or chera-alam, ("declivity of a hill or a mountain slope/range"). The state was anciently called Cheralam and Cherala Nadu. A 3rd-century BCE rock inscription by emperor Asoka the Great references Kerala as Keralaputra. The Graeco-Roman trade map Periplus Maris Erythraei references Kerala's Chera territory as Cerobothra.

Kerala History

The history of Kerala goes back more than several millennia. Stone age carving in Edakkal Caves had pictorial writings believed to be dating to at least 5000 BC, from the Neolithic man, indicating the presence of a prehistoric civilization or settlement in this region. From as early as 3000 BC, Kerala had established itself as a major spice trade center. Kerala had direct contact across the Arabian Sea with all the major Red Sea ports and the Mediterranean ports as well as extending to ports in the Far East. The spice trade between Kerala and much of the world was one of the main drivers of the world economy. For much of history, ports in Kerala were the busiest (Muziris) among all trade and travel routes in the history of the world.
A 3rd-century-BC rock inscription by emperor Asoka the Great attests to a Keralaputra. Around 1 BC the region was ruled by the Chera Dynasty, which traded with the Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The Tamil Chera dynasty, Ays and the Pandyan Empire were the traditional rulers of Kerala whose patriarchal dynasties ruled until the 14th century. The Cheras collapsed after repeated attacks from the neighboring Chola Empire and Rashtrakuta Empire. In the 8th century Adi Shankara was born in central Kerala, who travelled extensively across the Indian subcontinent, establishing institutions of Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Namboothiri Brahmin and Nair city-states subsequently gained control of the region.

Contact with Europeans after the arrival of Vasco Da Gama in 1498 gave way to struggles between colonial and native interests. In 1795, the area was under British dominion. After independence, the state of Kerala was created in 1956 from the former state of Travancore-Cochin, the Malabar district of Madras State, and the Kasaragod taluk of Dakshina Kannada.


Geography
The total Geographic area of the state 38863 Sq Km are wedged between the Arabian sea on the west and the Western ghat to the East. Kerala coast runs some 580 Km in length and the Width of the state varies between 35 -120 Km (22-75miles)  Geographically.


Kerala Climate
Kerala climate mainly classified in to Four Season. Winter,Summer,South West Monsoon and North East Monsoon.

• Winter  Winter starts by the end of the North East Monsoon in November and the Winter end by the middle of February. During the Winter Season in Kerala temperature often falls below 10*c. Winter season comes with less Rainfall in Kerala.
• Summer  Accompanied with the Winter,comes the Summer season. Summer starts by the end of February and continuous till the month of May. during the Summer season temperature reaches it's optimum, and some occasional drizzle along with lightening and thunder. When compared to other Indian state temperature doesn't soar over 40*c in the peak of Summer.
• South West Monsoon  South West Monsoon is the main Monsoon season in Kerala. South West Monsoon starts in the end of May and its sails till the end of September. And it gives a  relaxation from the summer spicy hot. The slopes of Western Ghats is the main area in India which receives the highest amount of rain.
• North East Monsoon  North East Monsoon starts in October and its continuous till the November. this monsoon is also known as retreating monsoon. The heavy afternoon rain comes with thunder and lightening. And this season days are hot and humid.

Flora and fauna

Much of Kerala's notable biodiversity is concentrated and protected in the Western Ghats. Almost a fourth of India's 10,000 plant species are found in the state. Among the almost 4,000 flowering plant species (1,272 of which are endemic to Kerala and 159 threatened) are 900 species of medicinal plants.

Its 9,400 km² of forests include tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests (lower and middle elevations—3,470 km²), tropical moist and dry deciduous forests (mid-elevations—4,100 km² and 100 km², respectively), and montane subtropical and temperate (shola) forests (highest elevations—100 km²). Altogether, 24% of Kerala is forested. Two of the world’s Ramsar Convention listed wetlands—Lake Sasthamkotta and the Vembanad-Kol wetlands—are in Kerala, as well as 1455.4 km² of the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Subjected to extensive clearing for cultivation in the 20th century, much of the remaining forest cover is now protected from clearfelling. Kerala's fauna are notable for their diversity and high rates of endemism: 102 species of mammals (56 of which are endemic), 453 species of birds, 202 species of freshwater fishes, 169 species of reptiles (139 of them endemic), and 89 species of amphibians (86 endemic). These are threatened by extensive habitat destruction, including soil erosion, landslides, salinization, and resource extraction.

Eastern Kerala’s windward mountains shelter tropical moist forests and tropical dry forests, which are common in the Western Ghats. Here, sonokeling (Dalbergia latifolia), anjili, mullumurikku (Erythrina), and Cassia number among the more than 1,000 species of trees in Kerala. Other plants include bamboo, wild black pepper, wild cardamom, the calamus rattan palm (a type of climbing palm), and aromatic vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides). Living among them are such fauna as Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus), Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), Nilgiri Tahr, Common Palm Civet, and Grizzled Giant Squirrel. Reptiles include the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), viper, python, and Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) . Kerala's birds are legion—Malabar Trogon, the Great Hornbill, Kerala Laughingthrush, Darter, and Southern Hill Myna are several emblematic species. In lakes, wetlands, and waterways, fish such as kadu (stinging catfish) and Choottachi (Orange chromide—Etroplus maculatus) are found.

Kerala Tourism
Kerala is situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast. Kerala is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Its unique  culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demographics, has made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. National Geographic's Traveller magazine names Kerala as one of the "ten paradises of the world" and "50 must see destinations of a lifetime". Travel and Leisure names Kerala as "One of the 100 great trips for the 21st century".

Kerala is known for its ecotourism initiatives. The most popular tourist attractions in the state are beaches, backwaters and hill stations. These include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai, Varkala, Kappad, Muzhappilangad and Bekal; the hill stations of Munnar, Wayanad, Wagamon, Peermade, Nelliampathi and Ponmudi; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park. The "backwaters" is an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that center around Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kollam and Punnamada (where the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in August). Heritage sites, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Mattancherry Palace, are also visited. Cities such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode are popular centres for their shopping and traditional theatrical performances respectively. During early summer, the Thrissur Pooram is conducted, attracting foreign tourists who are largely drawn by the festival's elephants and celebrants. The main pilgrim tourist spots of Kerala are Sabarimala Temple, Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Thiruvananthapuram), Padanilam Parabrahma Temple(Mavelikkara), Chettikulangara Temple, Vadakumnathan Temple, Guruvayoor Temple, Sarkara Devi Temple, Malayattor Church and Parumala Church.


Culture of Kerala

 Kerala's culture is derived from both a Tamil-heritage region known as Tamilakam and southern coastal Karnataka. Later, Kerala's culture was elaborated upon through centuries of contact with neighboring and overseas cultures. Native performing arts include koodiyattom (a 2000-year-old Sanskrit theatre tradition, officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity), kathakali—from katha ("story") and kali ("performance")—and its offshoot Kerala natanam, Kaliyattam -(North Malabar special), koothu (akin to stand-up comedy), mohiniaattam ("dance of the enchantress"), Theyyam, thullal NS padayani. Kathakali and Mohiniattam are widely recognized Indian Classical Dance traditions from Kerala.

Other forms of art are more religious or tribal in nature. These include chavittu nadakom and oppana which combines dance, rhythmic hand clapping, and ishal vocalisations. Margam Kali is a traditional group dance form traceable back to 17th century, originally performed during Syrian Christian festivals. However, many of these art forms are largely performed for tourists or at youth festivals, and are not as popular among most Keralites. Contemporary art and performance styles including those employing mimicry and parody are more popular.
Kerala's music also has ancient roots. Carnatic music dominates Keralite traditional music. This was the result of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma's popularisation of the genre in the 19th century. Raga-based renditions known as sopanam accompany kathakali performances. Melam (including the paandi and panchari variants) is a more percussive style of music; it is performed at Kshetram centered festivals using the chenda. Melam ensembles comprise up to 150 musicians, and performances may last up to four hours. Panchavadyam is a different form of percussion ensemble, in which up to 100 artists use five types of percussion instrument. Kerala has various styles of folk and tribal music. The popular music of Kerala is dominated by the filmi music of Indian cinema. Kerala's visual arts range from traditional murals to the works of Raja Ravi Varma, the state's most renowned painter.
Performing Arts of Kerala

Performing Arts of Kerala

Kathakali
Chakyarkoothu
Krishnanattam
Mohiniyattam
Thullal
Koodiyattom
Theyyam
Kalampattu
Thiruvathirakali
Ottamthullal
Margamkali
Cherumarkali
Kolkali
Oppana
Kunhi Theyyam
Kaliyoottu
Kanniyarkali /Deshathukali
Kavadiyattam
Kummattikali
Kumbamkali
Kuthiyottam
Kolam Thullal
Thattumelkoothu
Pootamkali
Sarpapattu
Thidampu Nritham
Mayilattam
Padayani
Thiyyattu
Chavittunatakam
Pulikkali
Vadithallu
Poorakkali
Mudiyettu
Thira


Music
Sopana sangeetham
Panchavadyam
Pancharimelam
Pandimelam
Thayambakam

Martial Art Forms
Kalaripayattu
Velakali
Parisakali

Kerala Districts
Thiruvananthapuram
Kollam
Pathanamthitta
Alappuzha
Kottayam
Idukki
Ernakulam
Trissur
Palakkad
Malappuram
Kozhikode 
Wayanad
Kannur
Kasargod




Kerala Airports

Trivandrum International Airport
Thiruvananthpuram-695008
Kerala, India
Phone: +91 471 2500283, +91 471 2501424
Cochin International Airport
Kochi Airport P.O., Nedumbassery
Kerala- 683111. India
phone: +91 484 2610115, +91 484 3053000
Calicut International Airport
Calicut Airport
P.O Malappuram-673647
Kerala. India
phone: +91 483 2712630