Kerala Tourist Places

Kochi is a divine sanction and this place has best sightings to keep you occupied. From pristine Fort Kochi Beach, Marine Drive, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica to Mattancherry Palace. The best places to travel and popular things to do in Kochi will certainly make your trip one of the best travel destinations in India.

Chinese Fishing Nets

The Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi is a must visit attraction in Kerala. These are fixed land installations, used for fishing in a unique method. These nets are fixed on bamboo and teak poles holding it horizontally by huge mechanisms so as to pull them down into the sea. These nets are weighed by large stones tied to ropes.

Operated by a team of six fishermen, the height of the Chinese fishing nets is around 10 meters, each sprawling to 20 meters over the water body. Each net has a fixed operating depth and due to this a net cannot be repeatedly worked in tidal waters. There are different fishing nets for operation which are based on the state of the tide.

HISTORY

It is believed that the Chinese fishing nets were brought in by the Chinese Explorer in Fort Kochi from the court of Kublai Khan, a Chinese emperor.

USAGE OF CHINESE FISHING NETS

Fishing by Chinese nets is very different from ordinary fishing nets. While fishing through Chinese fishing nets, the nets are submersed into the sea and kept for a few minutes, raising it finely at once by six fishermen. All of them have to maintain the equal balance while bringing up the net from the water.

However, there are multiple usages of Chinese fishing nets in Cochin Harbour. They form the main fishing accessory in Kochi, The water covered with these nets at the time of sunset makes a bewitching and pleasant scene to the travelers.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

October to March is the best time to visit here.

Jew Town

The Indian port city of Kochi is Jew Town which is located between Mattancherry Palace and the Pardesi Synagogue. There are popular antique shops along the street which can bewitch every visitor with their variety and curio. The colonial buildings lined up in the street add to its quaint charm too. A large bronze vessel (Vaarpu) which is around 3 meters in diameter is one of the main attractions of this place.

HISTORY

As per the legend,the king of Kochi gave shelter to the Jews from Kodungallore in the year 1524. He allocated them land in Mattancherry which was next to his palace and this area later became the Jew Town.

Mattancherry Palace

With soothing atmosphere and natural grandeur, Mattancherry Palace or Dutch Palace sits at the distance of 10 km from Ernakulam in Kerala. It's a Portuguese palace which is also known as the Dutch Palace in the state of Kerala. It features Kerala mural showing the arts of Hindu Temple, portraits and displays of the Rajas of Kochi.

The palace is a double storied palace that overlooks the panoramic Kochi backwaters. It has an exclusive collection of murals covering around 300 sq ft of its walls. The themes of these murals depict the story of Indian epics- the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Some murals portray scenes from Kumarasambhavam and other works of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidas. Apart from all these, royal paraphernalia like weapons, swings, and furniture are also displayed here that depict the lifestyle of royal family.

St Francis Church

Distinguished for its beautiful architecture and ambience, St. Francis Church is believed to be one of the oldest churches in India, which was made by the Europeans. It's a landmark where the body of late legendry explorer Vasco da Gama was buried. According to the legend, Vasco da Gama who was the first European to discover a route in India last breathed at this place in the year 1524. It was his third visit to this church and his body was buried here itself. It is said that his remains were shipped to Lisbon after 14 years, but the gravestone is still seen in this church. Tourists from different parts of the world visit here to see the gravestone of Vasco da Gama.

Alappuzha or Alleppey is a true glory in the southern state of Kerala. It is a tiny district of Kerala and it looks like a miniature heaven on earth. Often deemed as the 'Venice of East' by many travellers, this backwater state is simply the most beautiful state in Kerala. One of the best tourism cities in Kerala, Alleppey is a picturesque and pristine place altogether. This scenic destination, Alleppey is simply a one stop destination to venture when in Kerala.

Alappuzha Lighthouse

Located near the Sea Bridge and at the distance of 4 km from the Alappuzha town in Kerala, there resides a 150 year old towering Alappuzha Lighthouse. Built in the year 1862, it was one of the fussiest ports and trade centre of Kerala during that time. It is one of the oldest lighthouses on the south-west coast of India.

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Constructed in typical Kerala Style, Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is a Hindu temple in Alappuzha district of Kerala. It is believed to have been built during 15th-17thAD by the local ruler Chembakassery Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran. Tourists can witness the idol of this temple which is equated to Parthasarthi holding whip in the right hand and a sacred conch in the other hand. The temple is linked to the Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple.

It is believed during the invasion of Tipu Sultan in the year 1789, Sri Krishna idol was brought from the Guruvayoor Temple to the Ambalappuzha Temple for security. The Payasam served here is extremely admired and popular among devotees as it's a sweet pudding which is made of rice and milk. There is an interesting legend behind making this pudding as it is believed that Guruvayoorappan reaches daily at this temple to have Palpayasa Nedyam.

Thattekad 

INTERESTING FACTS

• Thattekad is a home to one of the most popular bird sanctuary in India ‘Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary’
• Thattekad is one of the best spots for birding in India
• The sanctuary is named after the great Ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali, who found that this area attracts the highest number of birds in India
• There are more than 500 species of birds in the sanctuary, along with a few wild animals like elephants, leopards, sloths, and other mammals
• This area has a large quantity of teak and mahogany cultivated
• The forest has Sloth bears, Porcupines, leopards, elephants, and many such mammals living
• Around 250 bird species have been recorded in the small area

Periyar with its cool chimes and agreeable greenery has a wide zone for travellers to chill out. This pride destination in southern India is boosted with serene surroundings and startling sights and the reason to visit Periyar are for its wildlife scene. Periyar National Park is set high in the mountains and sprawls over the Western Ghats. This National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and here, you can feel the presence of serenity and excitement amidst the wilderness.

Kumily

Kumily is a beautiful town in Kerala nearby Thekkady and Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is a popular tourist destination and lies in the National Highway 183 that connects Kottayam through Mundakayam and Kanjirappally. This place offers an easy access for many Kerala bound merchants and laborers. The two revenue villages of Periyar and Kumily constitute Kumily panchayat, which lies at the junction between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Vandanmedu

Vandanmedu is a wonderful village located in the high mountain ranges of Western Ghats in Idukki district of Kerala. This place is famous for its large production of Cardamom in the world because of the good climate conditions and soil. Most of the area in this place is covered with green dense forest and rough mountains. It is said to be that British planters were the first one those who found out the opportunities for planting cardamom, coffee and pepper in this region.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, locating in Thekkady is the perfect example of nature's bounty with great scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. In this astounding location of Kerala, the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is considered as the most protected area for the elephants and the tigers. One of the most renowned national parks in South India, the Periyar National Park is set high at the Western Ghat ranges. The protected area is widespread along the area of 925 sq km (357 sq mi). The rest of 350 sq km (140 sq mi) of the core zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in the year 1982.

The park is being adorned with a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary which is an artificial 100 years old lake at Thekkady and is basically known for its wild elephants and thickly established Western Ghats forests. Many of the intense valleys of Periyar contain tropical evergreen forest with extremely thick tree cover with hardly any sun-rays to get penetrated. These trees are fully grown at the amazing heights of up to 130-140 feet. Some of the areas in the park contain marshy grasslands near the edges of the lake and other water bodies. Spread out across the park are also patches of semi-evergreen forest used as important cover by many of the animal species.

It's the only place in Kerala where rocks are encountered close to the Arabian Sea, setting the vista for various water spouts and wellness spa. Exploring the natural beauty and pleasant coastal town of Varkala will thaw your worries and stress away.

Anjengo Fort

One of the prime attractions of Varkala, Anjengo Fort or Anchuthengu Fort is positioned at the distance of 12 km which was constructed in the year 1965 by the British East India Company while they selected Anjengo to build their first trade settlement in Kerala. The word 'Anjuthengu' means 'five coconut palms' and this place has a beautiful and pristine beach too.

This fort is a testimony to many historic events and links referred to the colonial rule in Varkala. Walking round the walls of the fort gives a nice view. It is believed that the Anjengo Fort was built between 17th and 18th centuries. According to the local residents, the name Anjengo owes its birth to a small area of land with five coconut trees, which was given on rent to the British East India Company by the Queen of Attingal for trading.

Sivagiri Mutt Varkala

Located in the city of Varkala, Sivagiri Mutt is a renowned holy destination to visit. It is the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham- an organization of the great reformer Sree Narayana Guru's disciples and followers. It is one of the popular pilgrim destinations in Kerala which captivates pilgrims from India and abroad. It is located on elevated plateau and is enclosed by greenery.

Sivagiri Mutt is sprawled over an area of 200 acres and you will be attracted by the unique multi-tiered white terraces of the mutt while getting inside. It is believed that the Sree Narayan Guru, the social reformer breathed his last in 1928. It was the residence of Sree Narayana Guru during his life and after his death the place holds his Samadhi and displays his personal stuffs. Many tourists flock this place every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days i.e. 30th December to 1st January.

Kappil Lake

Located at the distance of 8 Km north of Varkala, Kappil Lake is one of the prime attractions of Kerala which is dotted with coconut groves and trees. This serene estuary rolls gracefully and merges with the Arabian Sea. There is a bridge built across the lake that faces the beguiling view of the lake stepping towards the blue horizon. It's a place where backwaters and beach can be encountered together. The magical interaction of land and water, people using small country boats for fishing, and the coconut tree covered island are few icons that will never leave your retention.

The unending expanse of tea plantation on both the sides of the widening roads this tiny hill station Munnar looks like a picture-book town where there are manicured gardens and widening lanes. Munnar is a great holiday destination in Kerala loved by many travellers and reasons to visit Munnar are endless. You can feel the presence of serenity amidst the popular tourist attraction around Munnar and experience the destination to cherish for your lifetime.

Mattupetty Dam

Nestled in the greenish valleys of Munnar, the magical hill station Mattupetty offers tourists a fabulous experience and help them feel the calmness of nature. The undulating tea plantation of the hills here and beautiful rolling grasslands, makes Mattupetty a delightful destination, which deserves a visit. Located approximately 13 km away from Munnar, near to the famous Anamudi Peak, the Mattupetty hill town lies at a height of 1,700 meters. The main attractions of this alluring destination are Mattupetty Dam and Mattupetty lake, that plays an important role in water conservation and power generation.

Kundala Lake

When the beautiful sun rays fall on the Kundala Lake, it creates a glittering effect to give tourist heaven like experience and help them enjoy the beauty of Kundala in absolute serenity. The picturesque Kundala lake is surrounded by green valleys and majestic landscapes, that almost every photographer would like to capture in their lenses. To get the most amazing pictures, one must reach this spot early in the morning and see how a blanket of cloud surfaces the lake, when the first few rays of sun makes the atmosphere magical.

Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park situated along the summit of the Western Ghats in the high ranges of Idduki district of Kerala. This is also the land of "Neelakurinji", a flower that blooms once in twelve years. The Park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best of mountain ranges in the Alps. With the highest peak south of the Himalayas – the Anamudi, located here, nature enthusiasts have ample opportunities for trekking expeditions and wildlife spotting.

Echo Station & Point

There is a reason why this place is called "Echo Station." The voices made through the reservoir here, resound back into the surroundings breaking the serene silence of the hill station. This natural echo phenomenon gives this place its name "Echo Station," which is the second most popular attractions in Munnar, after Top Station, also on the same route. Located only 13 km away from Munnar, this serene destination gives people the pleasure of hearing their voice returning to them again and again.

Attukad Waterfalls

Attukad Waterfall is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Munnar, ideal for trekking and picnics. The place is so beautiful that it attracts a large number of tourists every year to enjoy the sight of panoramic waterfall and rolling hills. Located between Munnar and Pallivasal in the Idukki District, Attukad Waterfall is a feast for the eyes in true sense. This captivating attraction is surrounded by dark jungle and lush green terrains, reachable only through wooden bridge.

To catch the best view of this heavenly destination, plan your trip to Munnar in monsoon and enjoy the pleasing beauty of the waterfall, which flows in full force during rainy days. As trekking is equally loved by the tourists here, local guide can be called easily to travel through the green forests of Attukad. The nearest airport to this place is the Cochin International airport, which is around 101 km away and the nearest railway station is in Aluva.

Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls

Often mentioned together Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls, are located in close proximity on the Cochin-Munnar highway with dense growth of trees all around. The beautiful Cheeyappara waterfall cascades down in seven steps and meet the Valara Waterfalls in the most amazing manner to create a glorious sight. A lot of tourists prefer visiting this place on their way back from Munnar as it lies on the main highway and can be spotted very easily between the lush green trees spread everywhere. It is a chain of waterfalls in the Deviyar River that originates from the Western Ghats.

Kumarakom is an enchanting backwater destination in Kerala. It offers a scenic view of lush green surroundings and emerald green backwaters of Kerala that is flanked by rich vegetation, paddy fields, long lazy boats and miles of solitude and peace. This scenic destination is best described as beautiful because of its rich environs filled with other beautiful landmarks around the Kumarakom

Vembanad Lake

Vembanad Lake emits the hues of sapphire and emerald. The sight of emerald green coconut fringes flanked by the sapphire led backwaters is a treat for eyes. With 96 km length and 14 km width, Vembanad Lake is recognized as the longest lake in India and largest water reservoir in Kerala. Moreover, it is the heart of Kerala backwater. People from around the world come here for a boat ride and to spoil themselves in the scenic beauty of the backwaters.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Unique and diverse typography of Kumarakom is home to some of the peculiar variances of birds. This 14-acre bird sanctuary is sprawling on the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake. As per the fact, the bird sanctuary was earlier a tree plantation. Alfred George Baker laid the foundations of Kumarakom village and the bird sanctuary by reclaiming 500 acres of wetlands from the Vembanad lake during the 1840s. Later, the descendent of Baker, Henry developed this bird sanctuary and made it more attractive to draw tourists. Formerly, the bird sanctuary was famous by the name of Baker's Estate. A vast variety of birds including endangered species like waterfowl, egret, heron, cormorant and Brahminy kite can be spotted here. A leisure walk through the lush green forest will show tourists the best of Kumarakom. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.

Perhaps the one of the top beach holiday places in India, Kovalam is a surprise setting for people who are looking for a quality time with their loved ones. Along with scenic beauty, the beach town has something or the other to keep people of every age busy. Expect, snorkelling, kayaking, boat excursions and coastal walks to keep things buzzing here.

Neyyar Dam

Neyyar Dam is undoubtedly a paradise for nature lovers. Since it is adjoining Wildlife Sanctuary you can witness different species of animals moving around like wild boars and elephants. This picturesque dam amidst the greenery of Western Ghats is surrounded with serenity and isolation; hence it makes a perfect tourist place to escape from the crowded city life. You can also find a vast range of medicinal herbs around the dam. Besides, an interesting fact, Neyyar Dam stretches from Thiruvananthapuram district 'Neyyatinkara Taluk' to 'Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve' in Tamil Nadu. Neyyar is truly a nature lover’s paradise and if you are in this south destination, this place is a must visit.

Thiruvananthapuram is famed for the scenic beauty, benevolent attitude of the locals and jaw-dropping beaches that are ideal for a holiday in Kerala. It's a place where traditions run deep, from the nation's birthplace to Kerala's still thriving lush greenery and fascinating legends and demagogues still roam in its alleys.

Wayanad is an exotic land, simply untouched, pristine and far away from the tussles of the hectic life. This hill station of Kerala radiants with sparkling green emerald sprawled all over the Western Ghats. And lingers amongst the must visit places in Kerala. This picturesque destination is one of the most beautiful places in Kerala.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over a sprawling area of 344 sq. km., Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the personified version of famous wildlife sanctuaries in the South. The wildlife sanctuary is a small part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. There are two parts of the wildlife sanctuary- Muthanga towards the east partnering with Tamil Nadu and Tholpetty in the north side bordering Karnataka. The terrains of the forest can be best explored by sitting on the back of an elephant or hopping in a jeep safari. The national park spring back to life during monsoon, at this time group of elephants; roam freely here and there without any intrusions. Muthanga region in Wayanad area is great for elephant sightings, often in the thick bamboo groves flanking the main road. In fact, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is one of those places where project elephant was started.

Soochipara Waterfalls

Soochipara Falls (Sentinel Rock Waterfalls) is perhaps the most picturesque spot located in the periphery of Wayanad. It is a treat for eyes to see the milky white stream of water making its way to the rivers by passing through the rocky cliffs and clinging trees. The waterfall at the end joins Chaliyar River. Tourists will have to trek for around 30 minutes in downward inclination to reach the main pool, where exciting activities like swimming, bathing and other recreational activities take place now and then.

While walking towards the main pool of the waterfall, visitors can see tea plantation, rocky edge and dense forest where the chances of spotting a tiger are quite bright. Many guesthouses and homestays are available on the waterfall stretch that offers the striking view of the mountains. Soochipara Falls is the latest fad for the adventures because it serves as an ideal base for trekking and rock climbing. Although flow is greatest during the summer season, the best time for sunset photography is arguably winter as the water flow is not that heavy. Don't forget to see the panoramic view of the mountains from the tree-top hut

Often recognized as a place where the famed explorer, Vasco Da Gama first set his foot in India, Kozhikode is amongst the top tourist destination in Kerala. The city is the amalgamation of sun-kissed beaches, verdant jungles, and a rich historical legacy. Every street, fort, and beach arrives into a present carrying its untold stories and memory from the past.