kerla trip

Kochi

Located on the southwest coast of India, Kochi or Cochin is a commercial port city with a trading history dating back at least 600 years. Called the Queen of the Arabian Sea, this city is the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.

A cluster of islands connected by ferries, this cosmopolitan city has upmarket stores, art galleries, and some of the best heritage accommodations. In a true vintage-meets-future fashion, restaurants and shopping hubs throng Ernakulam, Jewish Town and Fort Kochi with palaces, beaches, temples and heritage sites. Kochi is also an important place to witness Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances and the annual biennial festival.

Well connected in every possible way, this coastal city is a popular tourist hotspot and an active naval base, officially home to the Southern Command of the Indian Navy and an Air Squadron of the Indian Navy.

Queen of the Arabian:- Known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin, now Kochi is a major port in the state of Kerala. Well connected in every possible way, this coastal city is a popular tourist hotspot and an active naval base, officially home to the Southern Command of the Indian Navy and an Air Squadron of the Indian Navy. Apart from the above, Kochi has its own unique blend of Indian and Western culture.

Despite being colonized by more than one country, the essence of Indianness never fades from Kochi, while at the same time preserving some of the colonial heritage. Very few people know that one of the biggest shopping malls in India as well as Asia Lulu Shopping Mall is also in India. Soon to have the distinction of being the first water based metro transport system in India, Kochi is one coastal beauty that you should never miss in your life.

History :- Strategically located between the Western Ghats to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west, the city of Cochin has been an important commercial trading center since ancient times. It was called the spice trade center of India and entertained a vast network of trade with the Arabs. Kochi was the first of the European colonies in India with the Portuguese invasion in 1503. Later both Dutch and British armies ruled the city. After India's independence and several economic reforms in the 1990s, Kochi's commercial importance grew rapidly in the services sector. In addition, the growth of port activities and the establishment of the IT sector contributed to Kochi becoming the commercial center of the state of Kerala.

Despite being colonized by more than one country, the essence of Indianness never fades from Kochi, while at the same time preserving some of the colonial heritage.

Culture :- Kochi has a widely diverse crowd, which includes people from all over the country, and also has a large Jewish community - the Malabar Yehuden. The latter is an essential part of the business areas of Kochi. Kochi also has a strong foothold in Jacobite Syrian Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, with many churches dedicated to it spread across the city. In ancient times, the city was a center of cultural intellectualism, home to many famous writers of Malayalam literature and social activists such as Sahodaran Ayyappan.

Restaurants :- The cuisine of Kochi, though nothing special, manages to promote the primary ingredients of a typical Kerala cuisine, and does so in the most spectacular way. Essentials like Appam and Stew and Fish Mouli, Fish Peera and other delicacies are found here.

Some of the must-try dishes in Kochi are thoran, banana chips, kaalan, pachadi, and putu, which are made from banana and rice flour. In addition, the seafood is extensive and exquisite, as in most areas of the state.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1- Reach Kochi by noon and take some rest. In the evening, you can visit the main market squares, or take a stroll through the largest mall in India, the Lulu Shopping Mall.

Day 2 – If you are for Kochi, then the second day is when you should ideally depart for your trip. Kochi, 6 minutes away from the main city, houses the Chotanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, which is a popular tourist destination especially for Hindu devotees. Then, you can head to the Kashi Art Gallery, which has some of the best collections of arts and crafts from almost all of India, or if you choose otherwise, the magnificent Kerala Folklore Museum, which is a 26-minute drive from here. Temple.

Day 3 – This day should be reserved for the beautiful Vypin islands, especially Cherai, which has one of the cleanest beaches in the world. You can also visit the nearby Matsya Fish Dam, where fishermen still use medieval Chinese nets today.

Day 5 - The last day can be reserved for some backwater tours in Kochi, which is well served by ferries, cruisers and hydrofoils. In addition to cruises, you can also opt to visit sites like the Pardesi Synagogue or the Church of Santa Cruz Basilica.

Munnar

Popular among honeymooners, Munnar is a hill station in Kerala, located in the Idukki district. Located at a distance of 1600 meters in the Western Ghats, it is one of the most sought and visited travel destinations globally, especially popular among honeymooners. Munnar is famous for its tea gardens, greenery, blankets of mist that form scenic view points.

Munnar is divided into Old Munnar, where the Tourist Information Office is located, and Munnar, where the bus station and most of the guest houses are located. Eravikulam National Park, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and tea gardens are its major attractions. Munnar is also famous for being home to the rare Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years (the next flower is in 2030) and the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.

Once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government, the main reason to visit Munnar is to explore the tea gardens that look like blankets of green spread all around. It is also an ideal place for trekking, camping. Munnar is often visited along with Alleppey and Thekkady, two of the most popular tourist attractions in Kerala.

Munnar is a shopping center for tea and spices. Homemade chocolates like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, coffee and many more can be bought from shops spread across the hill town.

Restaurants and Local Food

Munnar Cuisine is where you will find all the popular items from traditional Kerala cuisine. From essentials like idli, vada, sambar to extensive banana chips, everything is almost a staple here. Also many places will have menus of different cuisines and a large number of options. One may also wish to visit the morning food stalls in the market, which can provide you with a pleasant breakfast. While here, you won't want to miss out on the popular cardamom tea

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Cochin International Airport, and enjoy a scenic ride through the hills to Munnar. Explore one of the popular Munnar hotels for dinner like Eastend or SN Restaurant.

Day 2: Depart for the nearby areas for a city tour. Visit the famous lush green tea gardens of Munnar, and enjoy freshly brewed tea prepared from freshly picked tea leaves. Visit Echo Point, the most famous place in Munnar. End your day with a visit to the Tea Museum.

Day 3: Morning departure for Eravikulam National Park. The national park is famous for rich flora and fauna and is home to many endangered species. Spend the day in the national park. Watch some local performances of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu in the evening at Punarjani Traditional Village.

Madurai

Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India. Ruled by the Pandya kings for the longest time in its history, it is called the 'Lotus City' because it was planned and built in the shape of a lotus. Madurai is known for the Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, which has a sanctum sanctorum for his consort Sundareswarar.

There are many other ancient temples in Madurai including Thiruparankundram. It is one of the important old temples dedicated to Lord Muruga . Having trade links with ancient Rome, this place holds a great cultural heritage. With bustling markets and great street food, Madurai hosts heritage walks throughout the day. Madurai plays an important role in promoting the Tamil language and preserving the culture.

The Temple City:- The city has more than 10 major temples and more than 20 smaller ones. Ideal for pilgrimage. Temples built in different dynasties like Cholas, Pandyas and Nayaks are found here. famous is the Meenakshi Amman Temple. They are not only spiritual centers, they are examples of magnificent architecture.

History :- The city of Madurai is carved with a glorious history that dates back to the Sangam period of the pre-Christian era, a time when Megasthenes visited the place in the 3rd century BC. A pungent aroma of restoration envelops the air of this current trading centre, glorifying its demolished structure. According to the Sangam literature, this place used to be the capital of the Pandya dynasty. The Roman historian Ptolemy, Pliny the Younger and the Greek geographer Strabo have mentioned this place in their respective works. The end of the Sangam era brought Madurai under the rule of the Kalabhra dynasty, which was defeated by the Pandyas around 590 CE, which was overthrown by the Chola dynasty in the 9th century. The city came under the rule of Vijayanagara in 1378 CE and became independent under the Nayaks in 1559 AD. In 1801, the city was under the rule of the East India Company which led to the independence movement in the region. Mahatma Gandhi led the freedom march in Madurai and is said to have adopted his loincloth from this city.

Etymology :- The city's name is derived from the word Marutham which refers to the type of landscape in the Sangam age. It is also known by many other names such as "Koodle" which means an assembly of scholars, "Nanamadkudal" for the four main temples. who wrote the compositions. Shiva. The word 'Mathiraya' is also used in many documents, which is an old Tamil word meaning 'walled city'.

Architecture :- Built around the central location of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, the city offers an architectural aesthetic in all its installations. In Tamil classic inscriptions, the temple is depicted as a central formation of a lotus, with the concrete roads connecting the rest of the city as its petal. Elaborate structural designs can be observed in many of its buildings, shrines, temples and community halls that were developed during the colonial period. An aerial view of the city shows the quadrangular streets leading out of the temple boundary, which divide the city into several square-shaped areas. Each of these classes retains its traditional names Adi, Chitirai, Avani-mula and Masi, which correspond to the Tamil names and the festivals associated with it. The urbanization of the 19th century is evident in colonial buildings, side streets, and random letters or signs drawn across the city to mark its history.

Restaurants and Local Food :- Madurai, often referred to as the food capital of Tamil Nadu, offers a vast variety of styles, cuisines, styles and sizes. In Madurai, you can enjoy the most authentic tastes of traditional cuisines as well as fast food, Bengali, Italian, Chinese and North-Indian cuisines. Also, the food is lip-smacking thanks to the elaborate restaurants on all the streets.

Local cuisine includes drinks such as Paruthi, Jigarthanda, as well as the popular filter coffee, along with Paruthi Pal, Jigarthanda, Panangkarkandu Pal and Chettinadu varieties such as Appam, Kuzhi Paniyaram, etc. Apart from these, find local favorites like Whole Bengal Fish Curry, Pizza, Chaat, Fish & Chips, Gulab Jamun, Samosa, Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken and many more.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1- Reach Madurai in the morning-afternoon. Have authentic South Indian Breakfast/Lunch. In the evening visit Thirumalai Nayakar Palace. Try the hugely popular jigarthanda, a South Indian version of falooda.

Day 2- Visit the Koodal Alagar Temple, St. Mary's Cathedral, and other major places of worship. Have a South Indian thali for lunch. Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple in the afternoon. All the temples are very crowded during the weekend. Try the delicious Kothu Paratha for dinner.

Day 3 - If possible try to visit Pazhamudhircholai (one of the 6 abodes of Lord Muruga). Check out, Vaigai Dam. Experience the evening market in the city.

Alleppey

Officially called Alappuzha, Alleppey is a picture-perfect place known for its beautiful backwaters and houseboats that offer overnight stays. The coastline of Alleppey offers some of the best beaches in Kerala along with water sports during the dry season.

Alleppey is located close to Kochi. The palm-side interconnect network of the canal's backwaters attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. Along with other beautiful places in Kerala like Munnar and Thekkady, Alleppey is often considered for a honeymoon or a great family vacation.

There are a plethora of houseboats, homestays, and rejuvenating Ayurvedic resorts that make a stay in Alleppey a great one. The houseboats pass through the serene backwaters, where you can catch glimpses of green paddy fields, choir activities and watch the life of the local people in Kerala.

Venice:- One of the cleanest and oldest planned cities in India, Alleppey is a picturesque coastal bliss, with backwaters, lagoons, canals, beaches making the city festive like nothing else. No wonder why Alleppey was nicknamed the 'Venice of the East' by Lord Curzon, India's most infamous Viceroy.

Apart from this, Alleppey is extremely famous for its snake boat race, which takes place during the monsoon season. The backwaters of Alleppey are the most popular destination in Kerala. Other places of interest in Alleppey are Alleppey Beach, which offers breathtaking views of the Lakshadweep Sea, Krishnapuram Palace, St. Andrews Basilica and Haripada Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple.

History :- The history of Alleppey can be traced back to the 1st century AD --- when St. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, arrived here and introduced Christianity to South India.

The foundation of Christianity was further strengthened by Portuguese and Dutch armies who arrived several centuries later and established their dominance in the region.

The famous St. Andrews Basilica was built by the Portuguese around the 17th century. Alleppey was also under the political influence of Maharaja Marthanda Varma, who is known as the 'builder of modern Travancore'. The city played an important role in the country's freedom struggle, sparking a rebellion against the feudal British Raj. The famous communist rebellion - Punnapara Vayalur took place here, where more than 1000 people lost their lives during the conflict period.

Backwaters :- The backwaters of Alleppey are home to Kuttanad, often referred to as the rice bowl of Kerala. Traveling in this area via a houseboat one can see a beautiful green kaleidoscope of rich paddy fields surrounded by coconut groves. Paddy is cultivated in vast areas of land obtained from Vembanad Lake.

The reform took place in three phases from 1865 to 1940. These retrieved areas are called padasekharam. Initially, the water was retrieved manually with wheels and later with steam locomotives. Paddy fields are fed by 4 major rivers – Pampa, Meenachil, Achankovil, and Manimala. Speculations have claimed that it is the only area in the world where agriculture is done up to 2 meters below sea level.

Shopping :- One of the most interesting things to do in Alleppey is to shop for souvenirs and knick-knacks from the local markets and roadside stalls. Some of the most common things to shop for are authentic spices, handicrafts, coir products, South Indian jewellery, textiles, carpets and trinkets. The city also has a few malls where you can shop for big brands.

Restaurants and Local Food :- There are many must-haves in Alleppey cuisine. If you have not eaten Ghee Roast Dosa and Malayali Paratha then your taste buds have not experienced Alleppey. While appams and idlis are essential, you can also try "todi", a locally fermented alcoholic drink made from palm trees and coconut palms.

One of the most essential things to do in Alleppey is tasted the local cuisine. Apart from the very famous Puttu Kadala, Appam, Vada, Curry, and other traditional Kerala food; You can also try homemade fish and seafood. Coconut has a very strong taste in all these dishes.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1- Reach Alleppey by noon, and take some rest. In the evening, you can go for a stroll through the famous markets of Alleppey, mainly Mulakkal, where you can get for yourself some souvenirs, especially coir bags, rugs, etc. apart from the native spices.

Day 2 - The next day should be scheduled to visit the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race, if the arrival time is in monsoon, or else, head to the magnificent Krishnapuram Palace. On top of that, you can take a cruiser or a houseboat in the backwaters of Alleppey.

Day 3 - The last day can begin with a beautiful sea view at Alleppey Beach. About an hour away is the Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary, which has an excellent range of birds.

Varkala

Varkala is a coastal town in the southern part of Kerala known for the unique 15 meter high 'Northern Rock' adjacent to the Arabian Sea. It is popular for its hippie culture, serves great seafood on the rock and plays global music and houses the samadhi of the saint Sree Narayana Guru from Kerala. Varkala is also known for the Jardana Swamy Temple, also known as Dakshin Kashi.

Varkala has some of the best pristine beaches, hills, lakes, forts, lighthouses, natural fisheries and waterfalls – all of which together make this city a little paradise. You'll also find many shops selling yoga mats with signboards in Hebrew, oxidized silver jewelry, and cotton harem pants. Ayurvedic spas, affordable resorts, hostels, clean beaches make it a must visit city in Kerala.

Watch Out For:- Carry a flashlight as power cuts are frequent and the beach gets quite dark after sunset Use caution when walking on rocky trails at night, as it can be quite slippery and some areas are not fenced There are a lot of insects on the beach including mosquitoes, so it's a good idea to come prepared with a mosquito repellent In keeping with local sensibilities it is better to dress traditionally at the beach Wear a sarong over your bikini. Also stay away from drunk strangers, beggars and hawkers. Varkala has dangerously strong currents, and even expert swimmers need to be vigilant in the water.

History :- Varkala was once known as Udaya Marthandapuram after the 16th century Travancore king Udaya Marthanda Varma, who contributed greatly to the development of this small coastal town. Sometimes referred to as Southern Varanasi, Varkala has some fascinating legends attached to its historical origins. According to popular myth, King Pandian built the 2000 year old Janardhana Swamy temple here as an atonement for his sins as per the instructions of Lord Brahma. Another story tells the story of a group of pilgrims who sought the help of Lord Narada to atone for their sins. The Lord threw away his loincloth or valakalam, which landed on the seashore, thus giving the city its name. Pilgrims had to pray here for the remission of sins, giving rise to the tradition of Papanasam or by taking a dip in the holy waters of the sea.

Restaurants and Local Food :- The cuisine here is similar to that of its surrounding regions, with a slightly greater dominance of seafood and a unique culture about it. Seafood is caught by local fishermen . You can choose to source your own food, prepare it in a tandoor and enjoy the sunset while you savor one of the freshest items in the state. Vegetarian food is also available in many places. Bars are also spread across the city.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1- Reach Varkala by noon and take some rest. In the evening, you can visit the main market for a walk, especially where you can buy valuables and souvenirs that you can take home for your family.

Day 2- The second day should be the ideal time to start your journey via Varkala. You should ideally start from Varkala Beach, a wonderful creation of nature, famous for its seclusion, unlike the commercial beaches in Goa. After that, you can proceed to Sivagiri Math, another favorite tourist destination in Varkala.

Day 3- This day can be reserved to visit one of the famous temples of Varkala, i.e. Janardanaswamy Temple. From there you can head towards the historic Anjengo Fort.