Kerala is a state in India, located on the Malabar coast. Although I have explored most of India, I have not been here before.
Kerala is a region of contrasts. On the one hand this region has the highest literacy rate in the country and on the other hand, it has the highest murder rate and this is a very interesting contrast.
Kerala’s most important places to see are “Trivandrum”, “Varkala” with its calm seaside cliffs, healthy thermal springs and Papanasam beach, “Kochi” with its sunsets, boat tours, delicious fish, Kathakali shows, churches and castles.
Water canals, boat tours, trekking in wildlife and a summer holiday in exotic beaches are essential to this place. It takes a long time to fully explore Kerala. For this reason, I am trying to visit the most important spots.
My first route is Sabarimala Temple which dedicated to Ayappa and it is one of the most treasured sights in Kerala. But I have to go back, because I apparently did not look up the necessary information prior to my visit.
Unfortunately, as I find out, women are not allowed to enter this temple. Girls who did not reach puberty and elderly women are allowed. Ayappa is a well known god in this region, and the locals are strictly religious.
Fort Kochi, on the other hand is the tourist area in the city of Kochi. I wish I visited here first. It has peaceful streets, two-storey villa type houses, many restaurants and cafes on the streets and my day here does not really feel like I am in India.
I am visiting the famous St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and Dutch Cemetery during my stay. I still have energy in the evening. I think it is not a bad idea to join the popular Kathakali dancers here. The shows which start at 17:00 and takes around an hour are delightful for both eyes and ears.
The next day, I take a ferry to the Vypeen Island. I am arriving the famous Cherai Beach in Fort Kochi with a rickshaw after the ferry. I am surrendering to the amazingly fine sand and wavy sea here. I am spending two days here. I am wandering in the gardens, having rests under the pergolas, swimming and sunbathing.
Boat Trip Experience in Kerala
Two days later, I find myself on House Boat tours. These boats made of coconut trees are as comfortable as 5 star hotels. It was a great experience both in terms of accommodation and the tour itself.But my adventures on the beaches are not over yet :) I am spending half of a day on the Varkala Beach. I somehow feel scared after hearing that swimming here is dangerous. I normally do not worry about such warnings, but this time I follow the rules. Of course I asked myself; “why there is a beach if it is dangerous?”.
The Indian city Thiruvanantapuram, which is from the period of British rule, is one of the cities you must certainly visit. There are not many sights to see, but you can still spend one day in its palace, zoo and the two temples.
Events To Attend and Daily Routes in Kerala
I am ending my trip with these last daily routes; Shri Padmanabhasvamy Temple, Puttan Malika Palace (you might also join the Carnatic Music Festival here, which is once a year) and Sivananda Ashram (you can attend yoga training here, between the months of October and March).
Kerala is a state where I would recommend everyone to visit, since it has many important symbols of Hinduism and it is rich in terms of biologic species.
