Kerala'''Kerala''' is a state in South (India)|Southern India, famous for its culture, spices, beaches and backwaters. It is also one of the most literate and prosperous states in India. Keralalites call their state "God's own country" and it is blessed with tropical forests, a fertile coastal plain, fishing, tourism and a relatively stable political situation. ==Large Cities== *Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala *Cochin|Kochi also known as Cochin *Kozhikode also know as Calicut ==Other Places (district wise)== ; Kasargod :[http://kasargod.nic.in/bekal.htm Bekal fort], Kumbla, Hosdurg, Manjeswaram (Manjeswar), Nileswaram (Nileshwar), Kanhangad. ; Kannur (Canannore) : ; Wayanad (Wynad) ; Kozhikode (Calicut) ; Malappuram ; Palakkad (Palghat) : Malampuzha ; Thrissur (Trichur) : Guruvayoor, Kunnamkulam ; Ernakulam : Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Willington Island, Vypeen, Aluva, Tripunithura ; Idukki : Thekkady, Munnar ; Alappuzha (Alleppey) : Ambalapuzha ; Kottayam : Vikom, Kumarakom, Changanassery ; Pathanamthitta ; Kollam (Quilon) ; Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) : Kovalam, Varkala, Attingal ==Other destinations== *Kovalam Beach -- a popular beach near Trivandrum *Papanasam Beach -- also near Trivandrum, with a 2000-year-old temple *Munnar -- A hill station near Kochi with tea plantations *Vythiri -- A hill station in the northeast corner of the state *Kerala backwaters -- A must-experience. *Thekkady -- Periyar Tiger Reserve *Kumarakom -- Bird Sanctuary *Sabarimala and Guruvayoor -- Hindu holy site ==Get in== ===By plane=== There are three airports in Kerala. The airports at Kozhikode, Cochin|Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are international airports. The international airports have several carriers operating from Singapore, Colombo, Male, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Some Airlines based in India are [http://www.airindia.com/ Air India], [http://www.allianceair-india.com/ Alliance Air], [http://www.nic.in/indian-airlines Indian Airlines], [http://www.jetairways.com/ Jet Airways], [http://www.saharaairline.com/ Sahara Airlines] ===By train=== Indian Railway operates several trains into and from (and within) Kerala. Trains into Kerala start from all the neighbouring states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, etc. ===By bus=== Inter-state private and government buses operates between neighbouring states. Usually the journey is performed in the night so that you can escape the heat of the day. ==Get around== Trains, buses and taxis provide the easiest way to get around Kerala. Trains are good for long distance travel, say from the north to the south. '''Taxis''' are good but expensive way to get around for short distances. Do negotiate the price before your get into the taxi. '''Buses''' are good for very short travel. Both government and private buses travel between and within cities. Buses within cities are very crowded and if you travel on them, please take care of your belongings (wallet, passport) as pickpockets are not rare. '''Auto-rickshaws''' are another convenient mode of transport for very short travel - not too expensive and fast. By law the auto driver has to start a meter for every journey. However this is rarely done. The best way not to get tricked would be to ask a helpful samaritan how much it would cost to your destination and check it up with your driver before you get into the auto. ==Itinerary== 3 weeks Kerala, see some of the highlights that Kerala has to offer: experience the busy Kochi (Cochin), relax in the Backwaters, hike in the mountains, make a side trip to Tamil Nadu, and enjoy the beaches. ==Talk== The people of Kerala speak '''Malayalam''' (its a palindrome when written in English). However, most of the people speak and understand English, though speaking slowly increases the rate of being understood. Most bus routes and other important signs are written in English. ==Visiting Religious Centers== Kerala is one of the place where multiple religions exist in great harmony. This is achieved by one respecting customs and rituals of other religions. As per custom non Hindus are not allowed enter shrines in most of the temples. Definition of Hindu in Kerala means one who born in a Hindu family and lived as Hindu. In Kerala Buddhist, Jains, Shiks are also not considered as Hindus. Also for male visitors at many places inside a temple, dress code is traditional white dhothi won in Kerala style. For females any non exposed dress, preferably not shirts and trousers. There are exceptions to these rules, example everybody is welcome at :WikiPedia:Adhi Shankaracharya| Adhi Shankaracharya's temple. At Shabarimala any male who have done the prerequisite rituals are welcome, but females have restriction. At a Muslim mosque females have some restrictions. At Christian churches usually males should be at left side of aisle and females on right side. Jew synagogue at Kochi is not opened to non Jews on Saturdays. ==External links== * [http://www.kerala.gov.in/ Govt. of Kerala] * [http://www.keralatourism.org/ Kerala Govt. Tourism Site] * [http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/kerala/kerala-travel-map.htm Tourist map of Keralam] * [http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/kerala/index.html Maps of Keralam] * NIC site for [http://www.kerala.nic.in/ Kerala] * :WikiPedia:Kerala|Kerala page at WikiPedia * [http://kerala.wikicities.com Kerala] page at Wikicities {{msg:stub}} WikiPedia:Kerala First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

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