Location: Just 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, South Kerala.
Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent
crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially
Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has
created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.
The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing,
swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and
catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that
one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of
minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well
into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages,
Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones,
swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres.
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from
Kovalam and getting there is no hassle. But if you are on holiday it is
better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city.
The City of Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the
Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple,
Ponmudi hill station etc. SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts
emporium, is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other
articles.
Best time to visit: September to March, though it is an all-year-round destination.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 16 km.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 10 km.
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| Varkala |
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Location: 51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city in Thiruvananthapuram district and 37 km south of Kollam, south Kerala.
Varkala, a calm and quiet hamlet, lies on the outskirts of
Thiruvananthapuram district. It has several places of tourist interests
like a beautiful beach, a 2000-year-old Vishnu Temple and the Ashramam -
Sivagiri Mutt a little distance from the beach.
At the serene
Varkala beach is a quiet sea resort rich in mineral water springs. A dip
in the holy waters at this beach is believed to purge the body of
impurities and the soul of all sins; hence the name 'Papanasam beach'.
A two thousand year old shrine the Janardhanaswamy Temple stands on the
cliffs overlooking the beach, a short distance away. The Sivagiri Mutt,
founded by the great Hindu reformer and philosopher Sree Narayana Guru
(1856 - 1928) is also close by. The Samadhi (the final resting place) of
the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees every year during the
Sivagiri Pilgrimage days - 30th December to 1st January. Sree Narayana
Guru propagated the ideology: "one caste, one religion and one god", in a
society torn by the taboos of caste system.
Varkala offers
excellent accommodation facilities for tourists and is fast becoming a
popular health resort with many Ayurvedic massage centres.
Attractions: Beach, mineral water springs, the Sivagiri Mutt and a 2000-year- old Vishnu Temple.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Varkala, about 3 km away.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 57 km away. |
| Kumarakom |
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Location: 16 km away from Kottayam town, Central Kerala.
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the
Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary
here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of
migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters,
herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like
the Siberian Stork visit here in flocks and are a fascinate the
visitors.
An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many
other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at
the Taj Garden Retreat, a sprawling old bungalow-turned-resort.
Waterscapes, the backwater resort of the Kerala Tourism Development
Corporation has independent cottages built on stilts, set amidst
coconut groves and panoramic view of the backwaters. Holiday packages
involving houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms (rice barges) offer
great experiences.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 16 km.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 76 km from Kottayam town. |
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| Houseboat |
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Cruise through Kerala in a houseboat!
Have you ever gone cruising in a houseboat on
the backwaters of Kerala? If you haven't, make sure you do. This one is
really a wonderful and unforgettable experience!
Present day houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges used for
leisure trips, and are in fact reworked version of kettuvallams of olden
times. The original kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and
spices. A standard kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tons from Kuttanad to
the Kochi port.
The kettuvallam is held together with coir
knots. Not even a single nail is used during the construction of the
boat.. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with
coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled
cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallam can last for
generations.
A portion of the kettuvallam was covered with
bamboo and coir to serve as a restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals
would be cooked onboard and supplemented with freshly cooked fish from
the backwaters.
When the modern trucks replaced this system of
transport, some one found a new way that would keep these boats, almost
all of which were more than 100 years old, in the market. By
constructing special rooms to accommodate travelers, these boats cruised
forward from near-extinction to enjoy their present great popularity.
Now these are a familiar sight on the backwaters and in Alappuzha alone, there are as many as 500 houseboats.
While converting kettuvallams into houseboats,
care is taken to use only natural products. Bamboo mats, sticks and wood
of the areca nut tree are used for roofing, coir mats and wooden planks
for the flooring and wood of coconut trees and coir for beds. For
lighting though, solar panels are used.
Today, the houseboats have all the creature
comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets,
cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Parts of
the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and
allow uninterrupted views. While most boats are poled by local oarsmen,
some are powered by a 40 HP engine. Boat-trains - formed by joining two
or more houseboats together are also used by large groups of sightseers.
What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of
the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers,
while you float! Now, wouldn't that be something?
DTPC House boat Pre-paid Counter
For booking houseboats, travelers can make use of the House Boat
Pre-paid Counter 'Trusted Service, Trusted Rates' managed by the
District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).
Contact details
Alappuzha - House boat pre-paid counter
Mobile: 09400051796, 09447483308, +91-477-2251796, +91-477-2253308.
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| Fort Kochi |
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Location: About 13 km from Ernakulam town.
To explore the historic town of Fort Kochi, there is no better choice
than setting out on foot. Relax, breathe deep and come out in cotton
dresses, soft shoes and yes - a straw hat. At each and every nook of
this island steeped in history, there is something amusing awaiting you.
It is a world of its own, retaining the specimens of a bygone era and
still proud of those days. If you can smell the past, nothing can stop
you from walking through these streets.
Walking straight through the K. J. Herschel
Road and turning left, you can have a glimpse of Fort Immanuel. This
bastion once belonged to the Portuguese and is a symbol of the strategic
alliance which existed between the Maharaja of Cochin and the Monarch
of Portugal, after whom the fort is named. This fort was built in 1503
and reinforced in 1538. Walking a bit further, you come across the Dutch
cemetery. Consecrated in 1724 and managed by the Church of South India,
the tomb stones here silently remind visitors of those Europeans who
left their homeland to expand their colonial empires.
The next
spot to watch is the ancient Thakur House, which stands erect as a
concrete specimen of the colonial era. The building is simply graceful.
Formerly known as Kunal or Hill Bungalow, it was home to the managers of
the National Bank of India during the British rule. Now, it belongs to
the Thakur and Company, renowned tea trading firm.
Walk on and
there is another colonial structure awaiting you - David Hall. It was
built around 1695 by the Dutch East India Company. The hall is
associated with Hendrik Adriaan van Reed tot Drakeston, renowned Dutch
commander, who is more admired for his monumental book on the flora of
Kerala namely Hortus Malabaricus. However, David Hall is named after
David Koder, a later occupant of the hall.
Walking past the
Parade Ground, the four acres of ground where the Portuguese, the Dutch
and the British had once conducted military parades, you reach the St.
Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. It has passed
through many phases ever since the Portuguese built it in 1503. Now the
church is under the Church of South India. By the way, it was in this
church that Vasco-da Gama had been buried and his tombstone can still be
seen.
The Church Road is a nice place to walk, with the cool
breeze from the Arabian Sea caressing your body. Walk down a bit closer
to the sea and there is the Cochin Club, home to an impressive library
and collection of sporting trophies. Set in a beautifully landscaped
park, the club still retains its British ambience.
Walking back
to the Church Road, on the left side, you would stumble across another
majestic mansion, the Bastion Bungalow. This wonderful structure of
Indo-European style had been built in 1667 and is named after its
location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old Dutch fort. Now
it is the official residence of the Sub Collector.
The Vasco-da
Gama square is nearby. A narrow promenade, this is an ideal place to
relax a little. Stalls full of delicious seafood and tender coconuts are
simply tempting. Savour a bit and feed your eyes on the Chinese fishing
nets, being raised and lowered. These nets had been erected here
between AD 1350 and 1450 by the traders from the court of Kublai Khan.
Refreshed, you can now proceed to the Pierce Leslie Bungalow, a
charming mansion, which once had been the office of Pierce Leslie and
Co., coffee merchants of yesteryears. This building reflects Portuguese,
Dutch and local influences. Its waterfront verandahs are an added
attraction. Turning right, you come to the Old Harbour House, built in
1808 and owned by Carriet Moran and Co, renowned tea brokers. Nearby is
the Koder House, the magnificent building constructed by Samuel S. Koder
of the Cochin Electric Company in 1808. This structure shows the
transition from colonial to Indo-European architecture.
Turn
further right and you reach the Princess Street. Mind having some fresh
flowers from the shops here. One of the earliest streets of the area,
this road has European style residences on both its sides. Located here
is the Loafer's Corner, the traditional hangout for the jovial and fun
loving people of Kochi.
Walking northwards from the Loafer's
corner, you come across Santa Cruz Basilica, the historic church built
by the Portuguese and elevated to a cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558.
In 1984, Pope John Paul II declared it as a Basilica. After having a
quick look at the Burgher street and the Delta Study, a heritage
bungalow built in the year 1808 and now functioning as a high school,
you walk down, once again to the Princess Street and then to the Rose
Street. There you would find Vasco house, believed to be the residence
of Vasco-da Gama. This traditional and typical European house is one of
the oldest of Portuguese residences in Kochi.
Turning left, you
walk over to the Ridsdale Road to find the VOC gate, the large wooden
gate facing the Parade ground. The gate, built in 1740, gets its name
from the monogram (VOC) of the Dutch East India Company on it. Close by
is the United Club, once one of the four elite clubs of the British in
Kochi. Now, it serves as a classroom for the nearby St. Francis Primary
School.
Walking straight, you reach the end of the road and
there is the Bishop's house, built in the year of 1506. It had once been
the residence of the Portuguese Governor and is set on a small hillock
near the Parade Ground. The facade of the house has large Gothic arches
and the building was acquired by Dom Jos Gomes Ferreira, the 27th Bishop
of the Diocese of Cochin whose jurisdiction extended over Burma, Malaya
and Ceylon apart from India.
Yes, now it is time to wind up the
walk. With the feel of the bygone days still lingering in your minds,
mesmerizing sights staying back in your eyes and your taste buds
yearning again for the delicacies and it is not at all a sin, if you
feel like another walk! |
| Muzhapilangad |
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Location: About 15 km from Kannur and 8 km from Thalasseri, Kannur district, North Kerala.
The Muzhapilangad beach which stretches across four kilometres of
sand is a drive-in-beach where one can drive down the entire length.
Calm and serene, the place is secluded and remains unexplored. Huge
black rocks scattered here protect this long beach from the deep
currents, and form a tranquil pool of shallow waters that is a
swimmer's paradise. The palm groves fringing the beach are a cool
hideaway from the tropical sun.
Getting there: Muzhapilangad beach is just a kilometre to the West of National Highway 17.
Nearest railway station: Kannur, an important railhead of Southern Railway.
Nearest airport: Kozhikode International Airport, about 93 km from Kannur town. |
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| Bekal |
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Location: About 16 km South of Kasaragod on the national highway, Kasaragod district, North Kerala
Kasaragod, the Northern most district of Kerala is renowned as the land
of gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches. The imposing fort
at Bekal is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. The
beautiful expanse of the shallow beach near the Bekal fort known as
Bekal Fort Beach has been developed as an exotic beach location by the
Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC).
Beautification:
Beautification of the site includes installation of two sculptures of
Theyyam created using laterite on the beach and a shed the walls of
which are adorned with murals created by artisans from Nilambur. Apart
from these a rock garden at the parking area has been developed where
laterite boulders of various sizes have been utilised. Under the social
forestry scheme, trees have been planted in the beach area.
Parking facilities: The BRDC has developed about 7000 sq. m of land for parking different types of vehicles.
Walkway: A beautiful walkway has been laid for the visiting tourists to
explore the beauty of the fine coastline and enjoy the panoramic view
of the Bekal Fort.
Illuminated beach: The beach gets illuminated
during the evening hours so that tourists can spend more time at the
beach even after the sun sets.
Resting facilities: Multi shed
and Eru madam (Tree house) would provide the tourists enough facilities
to take rest and enjoy the sea breeze. By using locally available
materials seating arrangements have been provided for the tourists at
the beach.
Toilets: Toilets have been provided for the use of
tourists and eco-friendly bamboo waste bins have been provided in the
entire beach site for keeping the area clean.
Children's park: A park has been developed here for children below 14 years.
In order to maintain the developed site a nominal charge of one rupee
from each visitor would be collected as entry fees. A similar nominal
vehicle parking fees would also be collected. The BRDC also aims to
develop in future another 11 acres of land at the beach for constructing
water park, theme park etc.
The BRDC was set up by the
Government of Kerala to develop Bekal as a planned eco-friendly
destination. The BRDC has utilised 19 acres of land for the development
of the Bekal Fort Beach at a cost of approximately Rs. 25 million
including land acquisition charges.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kasaragod, on the Kozhikode-Mangalore-Mumbai route.
Nearest airport: Mangalore, about 50 km from Kasaragod town; Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, about 200 km from Kasaragod town. |
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