The mythological history of Kerala is rather interesting. Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu was asked to create a land for Brahmins as self-mortification. As advised, Parasurama meditated at Gokarnam. After he was bestowed the boons for his penance, he set out to KanyaKumari (Cape Comorin) and threw his battle axe northwards, across the sea. The water subsided and the land that rose from it is what we know as Kerala today: the land of Parasurama.
Kerala became a linguistically separate region from Tamil Nadu in the early 14th century. It was ruled by Tamil-speaking Cherans. However, they later partnered with Pallavas and fought the neighboring Chola and Pandya kingdoms. For several years there was a battle for power between the Dutch, Portuguese and Marthanda Varma of Travancore, with interventions in the north by Tipu Sultan, who fought the expanding British East India Company.
Travancore and Cochin were merged to form Travancore-Cochin after India's independence in 1947. With the recognition of the Madras State, came the inauguration of the state of Kerala consisting of the Malabar district, Travancore-Cochin and Kasargod. The birth of the communist-led government was a harbinger for social reforms, better living standards, good education and better life expectancy.
Tour Destinations in Kerala: The following are some of the places of Tourist interests. Please click the names to go the details, photos, videos and reviews on each of them.
Tourism in Kerala Kerala is considered the forerunner among the top tourist destinations in the country for foreign and domestic visitors with both foreigners and domestic holiday makers making a bee line for Kerala's largely untouched Malabar beauty. With its tourism department unveiling new initiatives to sustain the momentum, you are bound to have the time of your life in God's Own Country!
During the traditional monsoon off-season period from April to September, Kerala's scenic beauty is heightened. With several places of interest, cultural centers and heritage structures, Kerala' s ayurveda, forests and tree houses attract tourists aplenty. There's something for everyone here and you are sure to find just the right kind of relaxation for every member in the family!
Tourist Season The tourist season in Kerala kicks off halfway into November, and reaches its peak by the end of December. The tourist crowd thins out by mid-March. During summers, beach and backwater tourism dips considerably. Therefore, the tourism board focuses on rejuvenation tourism to pull in tourists to even out the lull. Kerala has its maximum number of tourists coming in from Europe than the United States. However, Kerala attracts more domestic tourists than foreign. The towns popular on the list of foreign tourists are Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam (Kochi), Idukki and Alappuzha. They are also beginning to take notice of Wayanad, while domestic tourists have taken a liking to Kollam.
