Kerala, the land of coconuts, also called as God’s own Country, is situated between the Arabian Sea at the west and the Western Ghats to the East, on the southern region of India in Asia. Kerala is India’s cleanest and most advanced society with hundred percent literacy. The whole Kerala is blessed with abundant natural beauty.
1. Munnar – The beautiful hill station of Kerala, with vast tea plantation, is a paradise for nature lovers, trekkers, photographers, and campers is in Idukki. You can also enjoy a fantastic boating in the beautiful Madupetty Lake, visit Eravikulam National Park and see Nilgiri Tahrs in groups, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Kumili, and more.
2. Kottayam – the much sought after holiday destination of backwater at Kumarakom. You can also visit the popular bird sanctuary here, enjoying the breath taking beauty of the surrounding Vembanad Lake, Peermad Health Resorts, Idukki Reservoir, one of the major Hydroelectric projects in Kerala, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady, the famous Pilgrim centre at Sabarimala.
3. Kochi (Cochin), the queen of Arabian Sea has a lot to offer, such as Chinese net, Kochi Fort, St.Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, temples, museums and more.
4. Thiruvananthapuram, (Trivandrum) – The capital city of Kerala has a lot to offer – Beaches like Kovalam, Shanghumugham, Varkala, Temples, Museums, Palaces, Veli tourist village, Kalari Payattu, and more. Also beautiful Kollam (Quilon) with Museums, Beaches, Ashtamudi Lake , Temples and Wildlife, is not far away.
5. Kannur (Cannanore) – Arabain Sea washing the sands on the long beaches like Muzhappilangad with drive-in facilities, and other beaches; Ezhimala hill with medicinal herbs, Pazhassinikadavu Snake Park, Pazhassi Dam, Temples, Arakkal Kottaram and Ayurveda Resorts. You can also visit the nearby fishing village Beypore to see the fishermen building the wooden country boats, and Thalassery (Tellicherry) just 70 kms away, the Church built by the famous European Scholar of Malayalam Dr. Gundert, and Gundert Bungalow.
6. Kozhikode (Calicut) – Historic town on Malabar coast, Beaches like Kappad, Museums and Art Galleries, Temples, trekking, backwater and more.
7. Wayanad – Plantations of coffee, tea, pepper, rubber and cardamom, the hillock at Kalpetta with Jain cave shrines, Sulthan Bathery, magnificent glass temple at Koottamunda, Chembra Peak, Pazhassi Tourist Resort, Vyittri, Lakkidi, and the famous Wayanad wildlife Sanctuary.
8. Thrissur – Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, Kerala Kala Mandalam at Cheruthuruthi for teaching classical dance in Gurukul system, Punnathur Kotta, and Vadakkunnatha Shiva Temple, and Thrissur Pooram.
9. Alappuzha – popularly called as the Venice of the East, with intricate net work of canals, backwaters, and bridges, along the Vembanad Lake. Beach, Nehru Boat Race and more Aranmula Vallom Kali, Ambalapuzha Krishna Temple, Aranmula Partha Sarathy temple, special metal mirrors called “Aranmula Kannadi”, Mannarshala Snake Temple.
10. Palakkad – Picturesque place at the foot of Western Ghats is the Gateway to Kerala, with misty mountains, rivers and forests. Apart from Palkkad Fort, Kalpathi Shiva Temple and Malampuzha Dam, wildlife sanctuaries like Parambikulam and Silent Valley National Park are also here.
During the harvest festival Onam, the beauty of Kerala further enhances and becomes more colorful.
By: Lakshmi Menon
Posts Tagged ‘Kumarakom’
Top Ten Places to Visit in Kerala, India
November 22nd, 2009Popular Bird Sanctuaries of South India
November 18th, 2009
South India is a great destination for bird watchers. There are many bird sanctuaries in South India.
Most of them are in the periphery of wildlife sanctuaries and national Parks. Some of the popular Bird sanctuaries are here.
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is one of the popular National Parks in Kerala, South India. It is located on the northern bank of River Periyar. The famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali designed this sanctuary. It is home for birds like Indian Roller, Cukoo, Common Snipe, Crow Pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon etc.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Located on the banks of Vembanad Lake in Kerala, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. It is home for local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, and migratory birds like the siberian stork, Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, egret, darter, heron and teal.
Vedathangal Bird Sanctuary
Vedathangal Bird Sanctuary is the oldest Bird Sanctuary in India, located in Tamil Nadu, another southern state of India. This sanctuary can be visited on the way to Mamalapuram, which is just 53 kms away and 85 kms from Chennai. Every year, a large number of migratory birds like Grey Heron, Cormorant, Egrets, Darter, Open-billed Stork, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Grebes, Night Herons and Grey Pelican visit this Sanctuary. It is home for other birds like Cormorants, Darters, Herons, egrets, Open billed Storck, White Ibis, little Grebe, Indian Moorhen, Black Winged Stilts etc.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, is another important tourist destination. The sanctuary is now a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and bird watchers. It is a small sanctuary, comprising six islets on the banks of the Kaveri River, and is very close of the historic town Srirangapatana. Birds like Painted Stork, Asian Openbill Stork, Common Spoonbill, Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, White Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, Indian Shag, Stork-billed Kingfisher and other common birds like egrets, cormorants, Oriental Darter, and herons are here.
Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary
Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary is located 33kms south of Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, another southern state of India. Kunthakulam is a small and natural scenic village, which is covered with natural forests and ponds. Many birds migrate here during January to April from countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, and Australia.
Kawal Sanctuary
Located 50-kms from Mancherial in Andhra Pradesh, another southern State of India, Kawal Sanctuary is home for birds like Peacocks, Patridges, Quails, Vultures, Eagles, Kites, Owls, Mynas, Pigeons, Tree – pies, Kingfishers. Also animals like Sloth Bear, Panther, Tiger etc are here.
Kolleru Bird Sanctuary
Situated in Andhra Pradesh in Godavari District, 60 kms from Vijayawada, this picturesque bird sanctuary of India is a great tourist attraction. The prime attraction of birds are Painted storks, open bill storks, Grey Herons, cormorants, white Ibises, glossy Ibises, egrets, Reef Herons, Ducks, Coots, Shovellers, Terns, Jacanas, Moorhens etc.
Manjira Bird Sanctuary
Located near Sangareddy in Medak District, Andhra Pradesh (50-km From Hyderabad), the Manjira Bird Sanctuary is a haven to a variety of migratory as well as domestic feathered species. The birds include Painted Storks, Herons, Coots, Teals, Cormorants, Pochards, Black and White Ibises, Spoon Bills, Open Billed Storks etc.
By: Lakshmi Menon
