Being on the western coast, Kerala had early interaction with other cultures and traditions. As early as the 3rd century BC, the Phoenicians, Romans, Chinese, Egyptians, and the Babylonians were trading in Kerala -- attracted by its famed spices.
Later came the Arabs. The Chinese fishing nets that dot the coast is a testimony to this early openness. Kerala is easily India's greenest state, and, arguably, its prettiest. Popularly known as 'God's Own Country', it has swathes of rice fields, mangroves, cashew, rubber and coconut palm plantations and, in the higher reaches of the Ghats, spice, tea and coffee estates. It is, in short, a tropical paradise.
In terms of size, Kerala is a tad smaller than Switzerland. It has an interesting history. Comprising two separate kingdoms -- Travancore, Cochin -- before India attained Independence in 1947, Kerala became, in 1956, a unified state and the first place in the world to have an elected Communist government.
60 percent, is Hindu, Christians and Muslims each account for 20 percent of the population. Christianity arrived in Kerala -- indeed, in India -- a mere 20 years after Christ's crucification, when St. Thomas the Apostle -- Doubting Thomas -- came to India to Cranganore in 52 AD. There is a church at this place that dates back to the 4th century and has Hindu-style carvings.
Kerala is today India's most literate state and boasts of developmental indices that are among the best in Asia. The main tourist attractions are the sandy beaches at Kovalam and Varkala the backwaters and the House Boats of Kumarakam and Alapuzha and Munnar the valley of tea estate. Thekkdy the spice plantations and forest high up in the Ghats.
Kochi, its biggest city, is a fascinating place with its palace, the St. Francis Church, said to be one of the oldest churches in India, and an old Jewish synagogue. The capital is the sleepy government town of Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala also has literally hundreds of interesting and beautiful temples and Churches.
Kerala is today India's most literate state and boasts of developmental indices that are among the best in Asia. The main tourist attractions are the sandy beaches at Kovalam and Varkala the backwaters and the House Boats of Kumarakam and Alapuzha and Munnar the valley of tea estate. Thekkdy the spice plantations and forest high up in the Ghats.
Kochi, its biggest city, is a fascinating place with its palace, the St. Francis Church, said to be one of the oldest churches in India, and an old Jewish synagogue. The capital is the sleepy government town of Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala also has literally hundreds of interesting and beautiful temples and Churches.
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