Kerala Kerala
'Kerala Kerala' is the unanimous reply from tourists to India, when asked the question " Which is the best holiday destination in India?". So let us introduce Kerala to you, starting from 'where is Kerala?' and then we will tell you all 'About Kerala' and provide a Kerala Map with Distance between important places in Kerala.
Kerala lies on the Western coast of South India and is a narrow strip of land with long sandy beaches on the Western side of Kerala. On the Eastern border of Kerala is a beautiful forest and plantation covered mountain range, known as the Western Ghats. In the middle lies a long stretch of lakes called the Kerala Backwaters.
Kerala is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Kerala is home of Ayurveda in India and is also the most sought after honeymoon destination in India. 'National Geographic's Traveler' magazine names Kerala as one of the "ten paradises of the world" and "50 must see destinations of a lifetime". 'Travel and Leisure' magazine names Kerala as "One of the 100 great trips for the 21st century" or Time Magazine to say "Afoot and Afloat - Kerala is Worth the Journey".
About Kerala
So what is this magic about Kerala?? Kerala in India is so blessed with nature that National Geographic Magazine called it a Paradise on Earth. The reason for Kerala's increasing popularity as a tourist destination is because you are surrounded by nature at its beautiful best. Kerala is blessed by nature with super beautiful sceneries and the great backwaters. The popularity of Kerala has also to do with the wonderful ambience of Kerala. People of Kerala are very friendly, clean and helpful. Kerala has a population that is 100% literate as certified by a United Nations Survey. The people of Kerala do not intrude on tourists and make them feel uncomfortable. If help is asked, they go out of their way to be of help. Almost everyone in Kerala is educated and can speak English, thus communicating with the people of Kerala is very easy for tourists. Women in Kerala have equal rights and Kerala girls are not shy nor unapproachable like in other parts of India. Thus the very attitude of the general public in Kerala makes the tourists feel at home and welcome. This is a great feeling, which combined with the stunning natural beauty of the state, makes the tourist really relaxed and happy that they chose to come Kerala.
Kerala, ‘God’s Own Country’ as it prides in calling itself, is really a paradise on earth. Kerala is blessed by nature which has given it one of the loveliest lakes in the world known as the backwaters. Superb mountain resorts or hill stations, are situated on the mountain range which border Kerala, known as the Western Ghats. Some of the best beaches in India are situated along the long coast line of Kerala.
Kerala Beaches, Kerala Backwaters, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Kerala festivals, Kerala Martial Arts, Kerala Ayurveda Treatment, Kerala herbal medicines and Kerala Spices are renowned throughout the world. Kerala food has to be tasted to know what one was missing.
The religious harmony in Kerala is unique for India. The Kerala Malayalis - Malayalam is the language of Kerala - are a very tolerant people. They have had contact with foreigners for thousands of years, even from times before Jesus.
During the middle ages the Europeans fell in love with the taste of Black Pepper and it became one of the most expensive commodities in Europe. Pepper became more expensive than gold. Whatever little pepper that reached Europe before the 15th century came by land routes. So finding a sea route to India became a priority for Europe in the middle ages. Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama commanded the first fleet of ships to sail to India directly from Europe. Vasco da Gama set foot in India on the Kappad beach near Calicut in Kerala on 20th May 1498.
Why called Red Indians
Ever wondered why the natives in America called 'Red Indians'? Well Kerala had a big part in the American Natives being called Red Indians.
During the 15 and 16th centuaries there was great rivalry between Portugal and Spain, the leading seafaring Nations of the time. Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama suceeded in finding a sea route to India and thus gained access to the black gold of Kerala - Black Pepper.
Spain also wanted to find a sea route to Kerala. They could not go the same route as the Portuguese, since the Pope in Vatican, who was a mediator between these two Catholic Nations, set these rules.
Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus (31 October 1451 – 20 May 1506) thought that the earth was much smaller than it actually is, and thought that he could reach Kerala Malabar Coast in India by a shorter route, by sailing round the world in the opposite way. He reached the Americas, but he thought he was in India. He was surprised to see the complexion of the local people was brownish red rather than the black people he expected to find, so he called them "Red Indians!!" So America was discovered thanks to Kerala!! and that is why called Red Indians.
When is the best time to visit Kerala, Kerala Tourist Season
Kerala Weather is pleasant, especially during the winter months. Weather in Kerala in December till end of February is quite cool and is the high tourist season of Kerala. Kerala Monsoon Season from June till middle of August has heavy rains and many tourists come during the Kerala Monsoons Season to enjoy the rains and for Ayurvedic treatment during Monsoons. Ayurveda during Monsoons are most effective.
All major Religions reached India through Kerala
All the major religions of the world first came to India through the Shores of Kerala. Kerala witnessed the arrival of three religions into India through its ancient port Muziris and Pattanam, now called Kodungallur. The first Jewish settlements in India were in Kerala established in 961 BC at the time of the rule of King Solomon in Israel. Christianity came first to Kerala with the arrival of an Apostle of Jesus, St. Thomas (Doubting Thomas) in 52 AD and the first Christian Church in India was established by the Apostle. Islam came to the shores of India through Kerala in 629 AD and the first Islamic Mosque in India, Cheraman Juma Masjid, was built here. It is believed that the cosmopolitan and gentle traits of the Keralite people stems from these early encounters with foreigners.
Ancient History of Kerala
Kerala on the West coast of South India, was known as the Malabar Coast from early times and was the most sought after destination by the ancient traders for its rich Spices and Ivory (elephant tusks). Muziris was the main sea port in Kerala in those ancient days. 'Muziris' was the name referred to in ancient Roman & Greek writings. The early Jews called Muziris 'Shingly'. The name 'Murachipattanam' and 'Mahodayapattanam' referred to ancient literature also refers to this area. Later the Portuguese called it 'Cranganore', but now it is known as 'Kodungalloor' or 'Kodungallur'. Thus Muziris, Pattanam, Murachipattanam, Mahodayapattanam, Shingly, and Cranganore were the olden days names for Kodungallur in Kerala.
In Sreedhara Menon's a survey of Kerala History, pp: 58 to 61, the following is written:
Even before the time of Jesus, traders from King Solomon's kingdom came to Muziris in Kerala regularly by sea, to trade and barter for ivory and spices. Many of these Jews who came by sailing ships settled in Kerala taking local wives and from those early times sprang up a Jewish community in and around Muziris and Pattanam, the ancient ports of Kerala. This Jewish community in Kerala are now referred to as Cochini Jews or Cochin Jews and sometimes as Malayali Jews. Ancient Greeks and Romans sailed to the port of Muziris in Kerala to barter trade for the precious Kerala Pepper which was many times more expensive than gold in Europe in those days.