Kerala Beach and Backwater Holiday Itinerary

Kerala Beach and Backwater Holiday Itinerary 

A charming  myth  explains the creation of Kerala, the narrow strip of a state running 560 km (350 miles) along India's western coast. Parashurama, an avatar of Vishnu, performed a series of penances to atone for a grievous sin, and the great god rewarded his devotion by reclaiming or  Kerala from the sea.

In 1956 the Malayalam-speaking states of Cochin and Travancore joined with the district of Malabar to form Kerala. The new Indian state wastes no time achieving a name for itself, becoming the first place in the world to adopt a communist government in a free election, a that caused global discussion and speculation. The fiercely pro-labor government has kept industry to a minimum in the state, leaving its rural beauty largely intact.

A tropical paradise in the south between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Kerala is one of India's most progressive states, with a literacy rate of well over 90%. Even in the shabbiest backwater toddy shop, where locals come to knock back a few glasses of potent coconut liquor, you'll find a copy of the day's newspaper. Malayalees are the most highly educated population in India, many conversant in English, Hindi, and Tamil in addition to their native Malayalam. In the nearly three millennia before the 1795 establishment of British rule, Phoenicians, Arabs, Jews, Chinese, and Europeans came in droves, attracted by the region's valuable cash crops: tea, rubber, cashews, teak, and spices—most notably black pepper and cardamom. Kerala's natural wealth and a heritage of 3,000 years of commerce with the rest of the world has made it remarkably cosmopolitan and a popular holiday spot with both Indian and Foreign tourists , yet the pace of life remains easy and slow.

Since Independence, many places have been renamed to reflect their names prior to British colonization. Since the British had a strong presence in Kerala, name changes are particularly germane here; hence Alleppey/Alappuzha, Calicut/Kozhikodc, Cochin/Kochi, Palghat/Palakaad, Quilon/Kollam, Trichur/Thrissur, and Trivandrum/Thiruvananthapuram. Official maps and tourist brochures reflect these changes but the new (old) names are not yet in general use, as the British names had been in place for more than 200 years.

Pleasure and Pastimes

Beaches

Pristine beaches studded with coconut palms are Kerala's main attraction, and even though vacationers from all over the globe have heard the word, there are still quiet places to relax. For serious pampering, wind down in a secluded cove on the Arabian Sea near Kovalam, where many of the beach resorts offer ayurvedic health treatments (a holistic approach based on traditional Hindu medicine), massage, yoga, and meditation for a physically relaxing and mentally soothing vacation.

Cruises

A backwater cruise through Kerala's inland waterways, known locally. as kayals, can be a two- or three-hour journey through sheltered and shady villages or a week-long adventure that runs the length of Getting to the backwaters is easiest by car from Cochin, where Swan Tours can help you arrange private boat If either of the resorts in Kumarakom is on your holiday itinerary, their sister hotels in Cochin, the Casino and the Taj, will help you set things up before you arrive. Swan Tours  can also arrange romantic lake trip on houseboats; they work with Spice Coast Cruises based in the town of Puthenangadi, on Vembanda Lake.

Performing Arts

Another tourist highlight in Kerala is the Kathakali dance-drama, performed by many companies in Cochin and at Kumarakom's Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Center (where it's also taught), will introduce you to a vital aspect of South Indian heritage. In addition, some 50 classical, folk, and tribal dance forms survive throughout Kerala, many unique to a particular caste, some even to a particular temple. Mohiniyattam is a beautiful dance that lies some-where between Kathakali and classical Bharata Natyam. Padayani, performed during festivals at many South Indian temples, is a colorful recreation of the goddess Kali's victory march after vanquishing the demon Darika. Pulikali (or Kaduvakali) brings men, brightly painted as green-, yellow-, orange-, and red-striped tigers, into the streets in the Trichur and Palghat districts. For details on which dances might be performed while ybu're in a certain town, inquire with Swan Tours Local representative.

For Customized Kerala Beach and Backwater holiday itinerary contact Swan Tours Delhi office at 011-23415601 or visit www.swantour.com