Plan for a Dream Holiday to Kerala

Add caption

Situated in the southern tip of India and wedged between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Kerala has been a dream destination to many. The diverse topographical features starting from undulating hills, pristine beaches and endless miles of backwaters along with a rich cultural heritage have made Kerala a wonder in itself. Kerela, better known as God’s Own Country has marked its place in the world of travel and tourism and assures the vacationers to have a wonderful holiday amidst the vast expanse of water and sky.

Tourist attractions in Kerela

An outstanding combination of rivers, canals and lakes forming placid backwaters has connected all the important coastal cities and towns of Kerala and has been one of the major attractions for tourists. Heavenly beauty of nature together with various aquatic lives is enough to spell bound a traveler. While living in houseboats to enjoy the lush paddy fields and coconuts grooves will allure many to have an unforgettable experience.

Some famous hill stations like Munnar, Thekkady and Pomudi, rich in flora and fauna with loamy plantations of tea, coffee and rubber will make you feel like lying in the nature’s lap. While beautiful beaches like Alapphuza, Cherai, Fort Kochi, Payyambalam and many more attracts thousands of foreign tourists every year.

The Western Ghats bordering between Tamil Nadu and Kerela is the home of a great variety of wild life tempting many to visit some famous National Parks and wild life sanctuaries in Kerela. Periyar wild life sanctuary is the most famous among them.

Gorgeous festivals and events attracting tourists all the year round

Kerela, rich in ancient art and culture celebrates some great events and festivals all the year round which make the visitors to know about the cultural heritage and customs followed till date. These colorful festivals create a magical ambience all around. So those who desire to get to know the local people and their customs and traditions plan your holiday during a particular festival. Onam, which falls during the month of August-September, is one of the famous and oldest festivals celebrated here.

While the Nehru Boat Race which takes place sometime in August on Punnamada Lake of Allepppey is another great attraction for tourists.

Best accommodations provided

Besides the budget and five star hotels, Kerala offers certain luxurious villas and apartments for those going on a family vacation with friends and relatives. These holiday rentals are mainly located amidst the peaceful villages to have the flavor of nature. Both bed & breakfast and self catering holiday rentals are available here.

Kerala, also famous for ayurvedic treatments and spa, provides some spectacular spa hotels to make your vacation a relaxing one.

While staying in a houseboat could be a mind-blowing option if you wish to cruise over the Kerala backwaters.

Though Kerala has a pleasant weather through out the year because of its tropical climate, it is better to visit the place between the months from November to March. And for those who love to dance in the monsoon June and July is the best time. Above all easy accessibility to the place by airways, roadways and railways has made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations across the globe.

Vaishno Devi

More things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of'. And the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi gives credit to this famous line of Alfred Lord Tennyson's poetry. Sheer faith brings in multitudes of people of all ages, races and religions to kowtow before the Goddess, who showers her grace on each of them and grants them their wishes. The pilgrimage requires great fortitude, both physical and mental, as you have to climb mile after mile, uphill, before getting a glimpse of the Goddess. But as they say 'tough times never last, tough people do' and millions of people make this journey successfully, year after year. So can you! History Mata Vaishno Devi represents the collective energies of the three main goddesses of the Hindu religion: Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. Mata Vaishno Devi took the form of a young girl who spent her days in divine reflection at the base of the Trikuta Mountain, thus empowering herself with great spiritual powers. \\ There is interesting story behind the popularity of Vaishnodevo temple. A selfish saint, Bhairav Nath was trying to kill Mata Rani to get salvation. While escaping from Bhairav Nath, Mata Rani shot an arrow into the Earth from which water flooded out. This resulted in form of a river called as Baanganga. Devotees believed that taking bath in the river wash away all sins. She also took shelter in the concrete cave covered with ice to escape from him and took meditation for power and wisdom. Mata got the victory and cut the skull of the Bhairav which felt at 2.5 km above the main shrine. Mata granted him liberation along with granted him a boon. Vaisno mata told that every devotee had to visit Bhairav Nath temple for completion of pilgrimage. Since then Vaishno Devi Temple along with Adhkawari and Bhairav Nath Temple have become holiest Hindu Pilgrimage Tours Pandit Shridhar recognised Vaishno Devi as a divine being and began searching for her. Guided by divine forces, he located the holy cave nestled in the Trikuta Mountain. There he found a rock form with three heads atop it. These three heads, known as pindis represent the three goddesses Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. The Mata then appeared before him in all her glory and asked him to spread the faith to one and all. How to Reach Air Wherever you are, reach Jammu and then take the road to Katra, a small town about 50 km away. Jammu is connected air to Delhi and Srinagar; by train to all metros and important cities in northern India. There are regular bus services from all major north Indian cities like Amritsar , Chandigarh , Delhi , Srinagar and Mansar . Jammu to Katra You may hire cabs from Jammu airport, railway station and the Tourist Reception Centre. Buses services are also available from Katra every 10 minutes, the first bus is at 5.00 am and the last at 9:00 pm. The journey is about 2 hours, but the terrain is hilly and winding. So if you are prone to nausea and vomiting, then popping a pill is advisable. Helicopter Service (7 minutes) Vaishno Devi Helicopter Service from Katra to Sanjichhatis also available, just a couple of kilometers from the holy shrine. If you are driving down in your own vehicle and do not wish to halt at Jammu, then head straight on National Highway No.1A. Katra to the Shrine It's a 14-km long most pilgrims do it, so lace up, chant "Jai Mata Di" and keep walking! If you absolutely can't, then there are ponies and palanquins that you can ride on. Devotees put their luggage in Katra and just carry the necessary things for trek. Normal adult takes about 6 hours to reach the temple from Katra. Due to formation of trust facilities have considerably improved enroots and at the temple premises. The whole path is well ample lighting at Night. Resting places with sheds are built every 400 to 500 meters with facility of toilets and canteens. Vaishno devi is located on a hill top,due to this there is temperature difference of around 10 degrees between the temple site and Katra. This needs to be kept in mind while planning for warm cloths, however free blanket service is available at the temple premises

South India Temples

Kerala Temples

True to its title, ‘God’s own country’, Kerala is one of the sacred states of India. Numerous lofty temples which trace their origins to antiquity, always remain chock-a-block with pilgrims. Dotted in every nook and corner of the state, these ancient temples showcase the religious dedication of Keralites. Completely different in architectural designs, Kerala temples are constructed in harmony with natural resources and climatic conditions of the state. Some of the most significant temples of Kerala are:

Guruvayoor Temple
A temple, famous all over India as a pilgrim centre, dedicated to Lord Krishna popularly known as Guruvayoorappan. The Sreekrishna idol of this temple is believed to have been worshipped by Vasudevar and Devaki at Dwaraka. This shrine popularly known as ‘Dakshina Dwaraka’ (Dwaraka of south) is in the form of a rectangle. There are a lot of mural paintings around the ‘Shrikovil’ (Shrine).
Guruvayoor, where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of kerala. The walls of the sanctum sanctorum are inlaid with exquisite mural paintings and carvings.

Sabarimala Temple
Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The sanctum sanctoram nestles 914 m above sea level, amidst the virgin forest wilderness of the Western Ghats.
The Village of Sabarimala is named after Shabari who did severe penance in order to meet Rama who granted her wish for her devotion and faith during her penance.
The main pilgrimage is undertaken between November and January. Regardless of caste, creed, colour, they wear black dhotis and carry on their heads, bundles containing traditional offerings like coconut filled with ghee, camphor and rice.

Tamilnadu Temples

Tamil Nadu is reffered as ‘Land of Temples’. These temples are the excellent repository of dravidain culture and perfect testimony of unique art forms that evolved over several centuries. Several ancient rulers of the state has patonised these temples during their respective reigns and constructed them with brick and mortar. Some of the most significant temples of Tamilnadu are:

Meenakshi Temple

Madurai or "the city of nectar" is the oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu. This city is located on Vaigai River and was the capital of Pandyan rulers. The Pandyan king, Kulasekhara had built a gorgeous temple around which he created a lotus shaped city. It has been a center of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. Legend has it, that the divine nectar falling from Lord Shiva's locks, gave the city its name - 'Madhurapuri', now known as "Madurai".

Mahabalipuram Temple
The history of Mahabalipuram dates back to two thousand years, it contains nearly forty monuments of different types including an "open air bas relief" which is the largest in the world, for centuries it has been a centre of pilgrimage, it figures in the early annals of the British search for the picturesque in India in the 18th century, today it attracts shoals of foreigners in search of relaxation and sea bathing, and most strange of all, it has an atomic power plant for neighbour.

Kanchipuram Temple
Kanchipuram is a small, rural town about 75-km from Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. With the Sankara Mutt acting as the hub of Hindu activities and the temples, Kanchipuram is one of the most highly visited pilgrimage spots in India, and can rightfully be called the "Religious Capital of South India".

Rameshwaram Temple

Rameshwaram is a pilgrimage centre of nationwide importance, as Rama is said to have worshipped Shiva here on his way back from SriLanka. The temple is in the island of Rameshwaram, the Banares of the South, connected to the mainland by a bridge. The deity here constitutes one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India.

Karnataka Temples

Along with its ample of treasures that beckons tourists from various corners of world, Karnataka also has a long list of some magnificent temples. Adorned with typical dravidian style, the temples of Karnataka encompasses a radiance of peace and tranquillity within themselves. Intricate sculptures mark the rock-cut and ancient temples of the state, which are now regarded as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some of the most significant temples of Karnataka are:

1)Badami Cave Temple
2)Somnathpur Temple

Andhra Pradesh Temples

Andhra Pradesh is another south-Indian state that abounds prolific religious monuments and archeological remains. The temples of this state illustrates diverse style of temple designs amongst all the temples of the country. The Chalukan, the Dravidian , the Nagara and the Orissa idioms are quiet easily seen in the architectural designs of these temples. One of the most visited temple of India named Tirupati Balaji is the prime attraction of the state. Some of the most significant temples of Andhra Pradesh are:

1)Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple
2)Thousand Pillar Temple