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The
ancient history of Kerala is shrouded in the mists of tradition.
The most popular legend would have it that the land crust that
forms the State was raised from the depths of the ocean. Parasurama,
the Brahmin avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, had waged an
epic series of vengeful wars on the Kshatriyas. There came a moment
when Parasurama was struck by remorse at the wanton annihilation
he had wrought.
He offered severe penance atop the mountain heights. In a mood
of profound atonement, the sage heaved his mighty axes into the
midst of the distant ocean. The waves foamed and frothed as a
prawn-shaped land extending from Gokarnam to Kanyakumari surfaced
from the depths of the sea to form the state and hence the sobriquet
- "Gods own Country".
| People |
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A
state with 100% literacy, world standards of health, and
a hard working, determined, dedicated population is always
setting standards in almost all the spheres of its activity.
In more modern times the Keralites have migrated in large
numbers in search of employment to several foreign countries
like United States, Malaysia and Singapore in South East
Asia as well as to several countries of Africa and West
Asia. The professionals of Kerala are among the most wanted
experts in the fields of medicine, Information Technology
etc…
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| Language
and Literature |
Malayalam
as a distinct language had its origin in the ninth century
AD. Till then the people on either side of the Western
Ghats spoke the same language with dialectal variations
within itself. There is general agreement among ethnologists
that the first component of the word, viz., 'mala' means
hill or mountain, but in regard to the second component,
viz.,'alam' there is a difference of opinion. According
to one view the word is identical with 'azham', meaning
"sea" or "deep", which would make Malayalam the land lying
between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. In the
other view Malayalam means "a land abounding in hills".The
earliest literary works in Malayalam are believed to have
been the folk songs and ballads of popular origin. Kerala
scholars have by their learned works enriched the diverse
branches of Art and Science. Histrionics, Dance, Music,
Mimamsa, Philosophy, Tantra, Architecture, Grammar, Mathematics,
Astronomy, Astrology, and Medicine are some of those fields,
which have been enriched by the literacy contributions
of Kerala.
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| Social
Heritage |
The
coming of the European powers gave a boost to the economy
of Kerala in certain fields and this also helped the gradual
emergence of a new economic order. The Portuguese, the
Dutch, and the British have contributed to the economic
development of the state. Kerala's participation in the
freedom struggle is also significant. There were a number
of social and religious movements in Kerala, the contributions
of Chattampi Swamikal and Sri Narayana Guru are important
in this context. Improvement of intercaste relations,
movement of Christian unity, Indianisation of the Church,
Muslim reform movements and Land reforms in the state
have made significant improvement in the social and cultural
heritage.
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| Religion |
| Kerala
is known for its communal harmony and it is achieved by Kerala's
interaction with varied cultures and ways of life, both indigenous
and foreign. Originally its people followed the Dravidian
way of life and religious practice. In due course many indigenous
religions and philosophical systems from North India made
their appearance on Kerala soil and competed with one another
for the loyalties of the people. The story of the synthesis
of Dravidian and Aryan cultures and the rise and fall of religions
like Jainism and Buddhism in ancient Kerala are of particular
interest to those engaged in the study of the story of cultural
synthesis. At the same time Kerala's commercial contacts with
foreign countries, world religions like Christianity, Judaism
and Islam were also introduced and they helped considerably
in shaping the composite culture of the land. |
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Kerala
Factfile
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Location:
Southwestern tip of India
Area: 38,863 sq.km
Population: 30 Million
Capital: Thiruvanathapuram (Trivandrum)
Language: Malayalam ; English is widely spoken.
Religion: Hindu, Christian, and Muslim
Time: GMT + 5:30
Climate:
Tropical Summer: February – May (24-33 oC) Monsoon:
June- September (22-28 oC)
Winter: October- January (22-32 oC) Today’s weather
: http://www.weather.123india.com/kerala
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TRAVEL
TIPS
Visas:
All foreign nationals require a visa for entry in to India.
Please obtain the visa prior to your arrival Money: Major
foreign currencies are easily exchangeable. Credit Cards:
Visa, Master, American Express cards are mostly accepted by
hotels, restaurants, travel agents, shopping centers. Banks:
Working hours from 10.00- 14.00 Hrs.
Saturdays (10-12 Hrs). Sunday Holiday.
Currency: Indian Rupee.
Today’s Conversion rate : http://www.xe.net/ucc
Travel kit: Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sun lotion etc…
Food: All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisines
are including Indian, International, and typical Kerala fare.
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| Transport: |
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Public
& Private buses, Trains, Auto Rikshas(Three wheelers), Ferry
boats, Motorbikes, Cars etc…
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| Air |
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are three international airports in the state. They are at Thiruvananthapuram,
Kozhikode and Nedumbassery (Kochi) operates international flights
and domestic flights |
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Road
and Rail |
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The
state is well connected by rail and road.
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| Seaports |
Major
: Kochi
Minor : Beypore (Kozhikode), Alappuzha, Kollam,Vizhinjam(Kovalam) |
| Best
Beaches |
Kovalam,
Varkala, Alappuzha, Fort Kochi, Kappad and Bekal |
| Major
Wild Life Sanctuaries |
Thekkady
(Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani,
Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara, Neyyar. |
| Bird
Sanctuary |
Thattekad,
Kumarakom |
| Major
Hill Stations |
Ponmudi,
Peerumade, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad |
| Farm
/ Cash Crops |
Rubber,
Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut and rice |
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| Culture
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Among
the people who have enriched Indian Cultural Heritage and
helped the cause of national integration, the people of the
Kerala region of South India have a place of honour. Kerala
culture is, in fact, an integral part of Indian culture. Kerala
like the Indian subcontinent can claim to have a culture the
history of which runs into the dim recesses of antiquity.
Kerala's culture is also a composite and cosmopolitan culture
to which several people and races have made their significant
contributions. The gradual evolution of composite and cosmopolitan
culture led to the emergence of a spirit of tolerance and
catholicity of outlook, which still persist among the people
of Kerala. Its history unfolds the romantic and fascinating
story of a unique process of cultural synthesis and social
assimilation. In response to every challenge Kerala has demonstrated
through the ages its genius for adaptation and fusion of old
traditions and new values in every sphere of human thought
and endeavour. The culture of Kerala has persisted through
the ages precisely for the reasons of antiquity, unity, continuity
and universality of its nature. In its widest sense it embraces
the highest achievements of the human spirit in every sphere
of life. Thus, in its totality, it represents the quintessence
of the collective achievements of a people in the fields of
religion and philosophy, language and literature, art and
architecture, education and learning and economic and social
organisation. In fact, all through its history the genius
of Kerala has blossomed forth in all its vigour and vitality
and has helped its people to reach the peak of excellence
in all their endeavours.
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