Wayanad Travel Information

Area : 2132 sq. km
Population : 671,195
Altitude : 700 - 2100 m above Sea level

Wayanad is one of the districts in Kerala that has been able to retain it's pristine nature. Hidden awy in the hills of this land are some of the oldest tribes, as yet untouched by civilisation.

Wayanad is known for it's picturesque mist - clad hill station, sprawlin spice plantations, luxuriant forests & rich cultural traaditions. The leading tourist centres of South India like Ooty, Mysore, Coorg, Kozhikode & Kannur are around this region.

Accessing Wayanad

Telephone access code : ++91-493

Air : Nearest Airport : Kozhikode.
Rail : Nearest Railway Station : Kozhikode.
Road : Well connected by roads from Kozhikode, Kannur, Mysore & Ooty.


Tribal arts:
The major tribal arts performed in Wayanad are Vattakkali and Kooliyattam of the Paniyar tribe, Gadhika of the Adiyar tribe, Kolkali of the Kurumars and Nellukuttu pattu of the Kurichias.

Spices:
Cardamom, tea, pepper, ginger and cocoa are the major spices grown in the district. Sughandagiri Cardamom Project, Vvthiri and Priyadarshini Tea Instates at Mananthavady are experimental projects managed by the Government for the rehabilitation of tribals.

Handicrafts
Attractive articles handcrahed from coHee stem are characteristic of Wayanad.

Festivals

Valllyurkavu Bhagavathy Temple {Fc~rnary~llarch)
Thlrunelly/Temple (August)
Seethadevi Temple (January)
Pallikkunnu Church (February)
Nadavayal St. Thomas Church (January)
Varambatta Mosque (March) o Maidoni Mosque (March -April)

Thrisur Travel Information

 

Area : 3052 sq. km
Population : 274,225
Altitude : Sea level

Thirissur, with its rich history, cultural beritage and archaeological, wealth is called the cultural capital of Kerala. From ancient times, this district has played a significant role in the political history of South India. Many rulers and dynasties beginning with the Zamorins of Kozhikode, Tipu Sultan of Mysore and Europeans, including the Dutch and the British, have had a hand in moulding the destiny of this region.

Raja Rama Varma popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran was the archited of the present Thrissur town. Today Thrissur is world famous for its Pooram festival. Thrissur houses the Kerala Kala Mandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangetha Nataka Academy.

Accessing Thrissur

Telephone access code : ++91-487

Air : Nearest international airport: Nedumbassery (58km)
Rail : Thrissur is an important railhead of the Southern Railways
Road : Thrissur is well connected to almost all the major towns and cities of India. There are three mjor bus stations in the town.

Thiruvananthpuram Travel Information

 

Places of Interest

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala & Dravidian styles od sculpture & architecture. It is known for it's murals & carvings. Only Hindus in traditional attirs can enter.

Kuthiramalika ( Puthenmalika )

The palace, built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Verma, is a specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style architecture. The palace which is today a museum, is located near Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple.

The Napier Museum

The Indo - Saracenic structure dating back to the 19 th century, houses a rare collection of archaeological specimens.

Sree Chithra Art Gallery

Located bear the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays Raja Ravi Varma's paintings & exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal & Tanjore scholls of art in India.

The Zoological Park

One of the first & most well planned in India, this park houses rare wildlife.

The Kanakakunnu Palace

The palace & is it's sprawing grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets & programmes.

Science & Technology Museum

Exhibits include science, techology & electronic devices. Also houses the Priyadarshini Planetarium & Biotechnology Museum.

Shanghmukham beach

Just 4 km from the city, this is a favourite haunt of the people of Thiruvananthapuram.

Veli Tourist Village

This picnic spot where the Veli lake meets the Arabian sea, offers boating facilities.

Kozhikode Travel Information

The busy coastal city of Kozhikode, located to the north of Kerala and 225 kms from Kochi holds an important postion in the legend and history of Kerala.

The place is historically famous as the Portuguese led by Vasco da Gama first landed in India, at Kappad near Kozhikode in 1498 AD. He was the first European to reach India via the sea route, around the southern cape of Africa. Later the Dutch, French and British came to its shores.

How to Get There

By Air
Kozhikode (Calicut) has an airport at Karipur.

By Rail
Kozhikode is served by a handful of costal expresses and several passenger trains.

By Road
A well-built network of roads connects Kozhikode (Calicut) to the other parts of the state.

Local Transport
Auto Rickshaws, Deluxe Buses.

Kovalam Travel Information

The internationally renowned beach destination with three crescent shaped, palm fringed coves, is much sought after for unbath;ng, watersports, shopping, catamaran cruising, yoga, meditation and rejuvenative Ayurvedic body toning massages.

Accessibility:

Nearest airport, rail and bus terminals: Thiruvananthapuram ( 16 km - ½hour).

Thiruvananthapuram Is connected to all major cities In India by excellent air, rail and road networks.

Latitude & longitude : 8.7" N & 76.8" E.

International dialling code : ++91-471.

Kottayam Travel Information

Area : 2204 Sq.Kms.
Population : 19,00,600
Climate : Tropical Humid
Temparature : Max 34.50C, Min 23.O0C
Season : September to March
STD Code : 0481
State : Kerala

Kottayam is a district which lies a little south to central Kerala. It is bordered on the north by Ernakulam district. The Vembanad Lake forms the western boundary. Kottayam is a compound word - Kotta + Akam which means the interior of a fort.

Kottayam is the main Christian centre in Kerala. The town is surrounded by some of the most fertile and beautiful scenery in the state with hills to its East and backwaters to the west. Kottayam is the ideal take off point for visits to Peermedu, Munnar, Idukki, Thekkady, Ernakulam and the temple city of Madurai.

Kollam Travel Information

Kollam, 72 km from Trivandrum, is the centre of the country's cashew trading and processing industry. It is also an important hub for the state's marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being the centre for trawlers and ice plants.

For all it's natural gifts of wide rivers, dominant hills and forest, lakes and plains, there is the throb of a vibrant industrial activity. Kollam which is a veritable Kerala in miniature is gifted as it is with Kerala's very representative features - sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest, vast green fields and tropical crop of every variety both food crop and cash crop.

Kasaragod Travel Information

Area : 1961 sq. km
Population : 1,071,508
Altitude : Sea level

The northernmost district of Kerala, Kasaragod is world reowned for it's coir & handloom industries, Fishing ia a prime source of livehood, Kasaragod is known as the land of gods, forts, rivers, hills & beautiful beaches. The fort at Bekal is the largest & best preserved in the State.

Kasaragod displays a variety of styles in temple architecture - the unique style of the Madhur Mahaganapathy temple, the typical Kerala style of the historic Malik Deenar Great Juma Masjid & so on spek volumes about the rich cultural heritage of the region. Spectacular pageants of Theyyam, Yakshagana, Kumbla, Poorakkali, Kolkali etc. enchant visitors.

Accessing Thrissur

Telephone access code : ++91-499

Air : Nearest Airport : Mangalore , Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode (200 km).
Rail : On the Kozhikode - Manalore - Mumbai.
Road : An excellent network of roads connects Kasaragod to major towns in Kerala, Karnataka & Tamilnadu.

Festivals
Pattulsavam, Madlyan Kovilakarn, Kanhangad (January)
Highlights:
Cultural performances, religious rites, grand elephant processions o Chaliyaporattu, Chuliyar Bhagavathy Temple, Aniyal
Theru: Festival In March named after the popular folk art of North Kerala
Paiakunnu BharanL\ Marked by processions and brilliant fireworks (fu\i[ ~eek of March)
Nileswar Poorakali: Folk dance performed by men at the Nagacherry Bhagavathy Temple (March/April)
Kanathur Theyyam Kaliyattom (Last week of December)
Kalom Katupa (Utsavom, Palakunnu: Procession of women carrying earthen pots which are later displayed at the temple
Puppet Show : Prof. Srinath, Sirikannada Press, Opp. SBT

Art Forms

Theyyam:
The oldest ritualistic temple art form In India and one of the most spectacular in terms of artistry and symbolism. Theyyam literally means a form or shape, usually the representation of a divine or heroic character from mythology. Performed in houses, tharawads and shrines during October - May. BRDC- Information Centre at the Bekal Fort provides an annual Theyyam calendar. For Theyyam performance and research contact, Folk Land, International Centre for Folklore and Culture, Elambachhi PO, Tnkkaripur, Kasaragod

Yakshagana:
This classical art form of Karnataka is very common In Kasaragod. Two variations are RayalaUu and Bommayrzttu, Kannada Parthy Subba, the father of Yakshagana belongs to Kumbia in Kasaragod. Professional agency - Kottoor Karthikeya Kalakendra, Kottoor PO, Mullyar.

Poorakkali:
Poorakkali is a unique performing art of Northern Kerala. Poorakkali integrates rituals associated with the worship of the God of love, devotional songs, dances dedicated to several deities and an academic contest between heads of Poorakkali troops known as PauLckei\i, on issues ranging from logic and grammar to philosophy.

Kannur Travel Information

Area - 2997 Sq. Km.

Rainfall - 240 cm

Altitude - 344 m

Season - August to March

STD Code - 0499

How To Get There

Air - Nearest airport is at Mangalore (50km) in Karnataka State Nearest Airport in Kerala is Karipur, Kozhikode (180)

Rail - Connected to all cities in India.

Road - Linked to all towns and villages in Kerala Local - Taxi, Buses, Auto etc.

Places of Interest

Arabian wild Life Sanctury
The sanctury cover 55sq.km. It is easily accessible by road. The key funa include elephant sloth bear, mouse deer, sambar etc. varied tynes of avifauna and reptiles can also be seen here. Routs: kannur- lrithi- Aralam.

Dharmadam
A beautiful beach, one of important beaches of kerala. Route: Railway: kannur- Dharmadam Road : Kannur - Thalassery - Dharmadam Kannur NH 17 Thalassery 20 km.

Ezhimala
About 55 km from kannur. 885 ft. is a cluster of hills. At the forest of the hills is a cave and an old buried chamber. The and sandy beach make Ezhimal in a beautiful picnic spot.

Mappila Bay
Is a natural fishing harbour lying near st. Angelos Fort

St. Angelo's Fort
The formidable triangular fort built in laterite is a standing sentinel to the history of the region. Built by porteguese in 1505.

Periyar Travel Information

The most renowned destination in Kerala is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady, one of southern India's major sanctuaries, covering an area of 777 sq km of lush green tropical forests and 26 sq km of artificial lake.

Colourful varieties of birds, grey jungle fowl and the jungle myna can be seen here; about 265 species, including migrants, can be spotted in the sanctuary. One even finds dedicated bird watchers settling in for one or two weeks of serious observations.

The sanctuary offers a different yet comfortable way of seeing animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle. The area around Thekkady is ideal for trekking while the drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles.

Pathaamthitta Travel Information

Area : 2731 Sq. Km
Altitude : 500-1000 m above.
S T D Code : 0473

Travel and Transport :

Air :
Nearest - Cochin Airport ( 152 Km) Thiruvananthapuram -236 Km

Rail :
Chengannoor - 16 Km and Thiruvalla -26 Km are nearest railway stations.

Road :
Linked to all parts of the country .

Local :
Taxi, Buses,Auto etc..

Palakkad Travel Information

Palakkad is a part of the erstwhile Malabar district of Madras Presidency. The district accounts for about 11.5% of the total land area of the state of Kerala, with the share of population is 8.20.%. The literacy rate of the district is low than the state. The district has got two types of climates. Ottappalam, Alathur and Mannarkkad are having a climate similar to that of other districts of Kerala , whereas Palakkad and Chittur are having rather a dry climate similar to Tamilnadu. However the average rainfall is good for cultivation. The district is divided into 13 Community Development Blocks for the effective implementation of various developmental activities.

Idukki Travel Information

A landlocked district, Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala. High ranges & wooded valleys are girded by three main rivers - Periyar, Thalayar & Thodupuzbayar & their tributaries. The river Pamba also has its origin here. As a tourist destination, Idukki offers diverse attractions like wildlfe sancturies, hill stations, spice plantation tours, mountain trek, elephant rides etc.

Idukki has a large population of tribals the main tribes being Muthuvan, Malayarayam Mannan, Paliyan, Urali, Ulladan, Malaveden & Malapandaram. The tribes of Kerala havr unique customs & beliefs & maintain an ethos which is districtly different from that of the main stream culture.

How to Get There

By Air
Nearest Airport : Nedumbasseri, Madurai, Kozhikode.

By Rail
Kottayam : 114 km, Ernakulam : 160 km, Madurai : 195 km.

By Road
A well-built network of roads connects Kozhikode (Calicut) to the other parts of the state.

Local Transport
Auto Rickshaws, Deluxe Buses.

General Information

Location : On the high ranges of Western Ghats.
Altitude : 450 - 750 mt. above sea level.
Temparature : 13° C - 29° C.
Clothing : Wollen & Cotton.
Best time to visit : Septembet to May.
Area : 5019 sq. km.
Average Rainfall : 2200 mm.

Ernakulam Travel Information

With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons, and fresh water rivers criss crossing it.

Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today Alappuzha is grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year.

Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holydays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Here, one can see coconut husks being beaten into fiber for making beautiful mats and coir products.

A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. The rice bowl of Kerala. Kuttanad is perhaps the only place in the world where farming is done below sea level.

Coimbtore Travel Information

The third largest city of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore, is one of the most industrialized cities in Tamil Nadu. It is known as the textile capital of South India or the Manchester of the South. The city is situated on the banks of the River Noyyal. Coimbatore existed existed even prior to the 2nd century AD as the capital of a small tribl village.

Konguned, until it was broght under Chola control in the 2nd - 3rd century AD by Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas. Among its other great rulers wre the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and the Vijaynagara kings. When Kongunad fell to the British alon with th rest of the state, its name was changed to Coimbatore and it is by this name that it is known today. In Tamil the city is called Kovai.

Located in the rain shadow region of the Western ghats, Coimbatore enjoys a very pleasant climate all the year round, aided by the fresh breeze that flows in through the 25 km long Palakkad gap. The rich black soil of the region hs contributed to Coimbatore's flourishing agricultural industry.

The flourishing growth of cotton has served as a foundation for the establishment of Coimbatore's famous textile industry. The first textile mill came up as far back as 1888 and there are now over a hundred mills. The result has been a strong economy and a reputation as one of the greatest industrial cities of South India.

Coimbatore serves as an entry and exit point to neighboring Kerala and the ever popular hill station of Udhagamandalam (Ooty). It is the disembarking point for those who want to take the Muntain train that runs from Mettupalayam, just 35 kms from Coimbatore. There are also regular bus services from Coimbatore to Udhagamndalam, popularly known as Ooty.

General Information

Area :
23.5 sq. kms.
Population :
9.23.085 (2001 census)
Altitude :
43.2 mts.
Climate : Max. Min

Summer : 39.4C 23.3C
Winter : 32.8C 20.7C
Rainfall : 92.2 mm - Average
Season :
Throughout the year
Clothing :
Throughout the year
Languages spoken :
Tamil, English, Telugu & Malayalam
STD Code :
0422
Industries :
Textiles, Textile Machinery, Automobile Spares, Motores, Electronics, Steel & Aluminum
Crops :
Millet, paddy, Cotton, Tea, Oil seeds, Tabacco

Access

Transport
Coimbatore is well connected by Air, Rail and Road.
Air :
Coimbatore has an airport. Flights connect it to Chennai and other important cities.
Rail :
Coimbatore is connected by rail to Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi and other cities.
Road :
It is also connected to all the important cities and places of interest by road.
Airport :
Peelamedu Airport is 10 km from the City.

Alappzuha Travel Information

With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons, and fresh water rivers criss crossing it.

Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today Alappuzha is grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year.

Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holydays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Here, one can see coconut husks being beaten into fiber for making beautiful mats and coir products.

A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. The rice bowl of Kerala. Kuttanad is perhaps the only place in the world where farming is done below sea level.