As one leaves behind the misty hilly region of Munnar, with silver clouds roaming around its hills and valleys, one is taken in by the breathtaking view of the hilly tea estates, situated a top 1600 sq mtrs.
This panoramic view is accompanied by the constant sound of gurgling water, as the journey is intercepted by waterfalls and dams along the way.
Munnar, Kerala's hill station, is also known for its spices - cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, coffee beans, pepper, coco used for making chocolate, cashew plantations and several herbs that are very effectively used to make Ayurvedic medicines.
Medicine, that is used for cosmetic reasons to rejuvenate the body, for glowing skin and improved hair conditions as well as medicinal purposes for curing cases of paralysis, insomnia, joint disorders and muscular atrophy among others.
The tea estates of Munnar grow a variety of teas, among which is the famous silver or white tea which is quite rare, as it made by plucking the top most tea leaf. This rare tea, known for its medicinal value of containing anti-oxidants besides reducing cholesterol can cost up to Rs7,000/- per kg.
Apart from the natural edible spices that are used in kitchens around the world, Kerala offers a variety of other spices that make life worthwhile, attracting visitors from across the world.
The beaches and lakes of Munnar that are pristine and pure, remind one of similar spots in Switzerland. The lush green rolling meadows with cattle grazing in them, reminds one of the slopping meadows of California. As one heads south of Munnar, the realisation strikes that picturesque as Munnar maybe,Kerala is not known for this hill station that attracts thousands of foreign tourists each year, instead it is known for its back waters!
Allepey, known for the back waters of the Arabian Sea is a very popular destination. The lake Alapuzha known as the eastern Venice, is crawling with tourists.
It's a common sight to see young Indian newly-weds honeymooners, strolling the small lanes hand in hand. The best way to enjoy the back water is to spend a night in a house boat.
Much like the shikara of Srinangar the boat ride is a lazy one, as the boat rolls along a water-scape lined on either side with coconut trees and lush green vegetation. It is rightly described as a tropical paradise with swinging palms and wide sandy beaches.
Besides adventure and tourism, there is a large section of people who visit the state during the winter months for religious reasons.
Besides the famous Guruvayoor temple, the state is known for the Sabrimala temple situated in the Sabri hills in the Western Ghats.
This temple has a hard penance where the followers maintain a 40-day fast, wearing black clothes and walk up seven hills bare-chested carrying offerings on their heads. On Jan 14, the day of 'Sankranti' the temple, is expected to receive as many as 25 lakh devotees as visitors.
These devotes are mostly men, since women during their puberty and child bearing ages are not allowed into the temple.
'God's own country' as the state is rightly branded and marketed, seems to be self-sufficient in natural resources and is abundant in natural beauty. The only state with 100% literacy is also the only matriarchal state of India, where the women inherit the family property and the men move into the woman's household after marriage.
A ride along the narrow escapes of the back waters make for a lifetime experience for most visitors and this makes the state comparable with most international tourist destinations.
This panoramic view is accompanied by the constant sound of gurgling water, as the journey is intercepted by waterfalls and dams along the way.
Munnar, Kerala's hill station, is also known for its spices - cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, coffee beans, pepper, coco used for making chocolate, cashew plantations and several herbs that are very effectively used to make Ayurvedic medicines.
Medicine, that is used for cosmetic reasons to rejuvenate the body, for glowing skin and improved hair conditions as well as medicinal purposes for curing cases of paralysis, insomnia, joint disorders and muscular atrophy among others.
The tea estates of Munnar grow a variety of teas, among which is the famous silver or white tea which is quite rare, as it made by plucking the top most tea leaf. This rare tea, known for its medicinal value of containing anti-oxidants besides reducing cholesterol can cost up to Rs7,000/- per kg.
Apart from the natural edible spices that are used in kitchens around the world, Kerala offers a variety of other spices that make life worthwhile, attracting visitors from across the world.
The beaches and lakes of Munnar that are pristine and pure, remind one of similar spots in Switzerland. The lush green rolling meadows with cattle grazing in them, reminds one of the slopping meadows of California. As one heads south of Munnar, the realisation strikes that picturesque as Munnar maybe,Kerala is not known for this hill station that attracts thousands of foreign tourists each year, instead it is known for its back waters!
Allepey, known for the back waters of the Arabian Sea is a very popular destination. The lake Alapuzha known as the eastern Venice, is crawling with tourists.
It's a common sight to see young Indian newly-weds honeymooners, strolling the small lanes hand in hand. The best way to enjoy the back water is to spend a night in a house boat.
Much like the shikara of Srinangar the boat ride is a lazy one, as the boat rolls along a water-scape lined on either side with coconut trees and lush green vegetation. It is rightly described as a tropical paradise with swinging palms and wide sandy beaches.
Besides adventure and tourism, there is a large section of people who visit the state during the winter months for religious reasons.
Besides the famous Guruvayoor temple, the state is known for the Sabrimala temple situated in the Sabri hills in the Western Ghats.
This temple has a hard penance where the followers maintain a 40-day fast, wearing black clothes and walk up seven hills bare-chested carrying offerings on their heads. On Jan 14, the day of 'Sankranti' the temple, is expected to receive as many as 25 lakh devotees as visitors.
These devotes are mostly men, since women during their puberty and child bearing ages are not allowed into the temple.
'God's own country' as the state is rightly branded and marketed, seems to be self-sufficient in natural resources and is abundant in natural beauty. The only state with 100% literacy is also the only matriarchal state of India, where the women inherit the family property and the men move into the woman's household after marriage.
A ride along the narrow escapes of the back waters make for a lifetime experience for most visitors and this makes the state comparable with most international tourist destinations.
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