Kerala

About Kerala

Kerala is a beautiful state of India which is also known as “Godson on Country”. Which is located on the southwestern border of India between the Arabian Sea and the Sahadri mountain ranges. Kerala is surrounded by seas on one side and Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states on the other side

Kerala prides itself for being the flag bearer for not just how a culture can respect its past but also march forward with growth & progress as well. Hundred percent literacy, world-class health care systems, India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates are among a few of the milestones that the people of the state are extremely proud of.

The watery coastal zones of Kerala are interspersed with coconut palm groves, while much of the Western Ghats and riverine areas are covered with rainforests and monsoon forests (tropical deciduous forests). Rolling grasslands are typical of the upland region. This diverse natural environment is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife. Mammals include sambar deer, gaurs (wild cattle), Nilgiri tahrs (wild goatlike animals; Hemitragus hylocrius, or, by some classifications, Nilgiritragus hylocrius), elephants, leopards, tigers, bonnet monkeys, rare lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus), and Hanuman and Nilgiri langurs (Semnopithecus entellus and Trachypithecus johnii, respectively). King cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) are among the notable reptiles, while peacocks and hornbills are common birds. The state has several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, among which the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is the largest.

Agriculture is the state’s main economic activity. Commercial plantings on less than half of the total land under cultivation earn a sizable amount of foreign exchange but have necessitated the importation of food for local consumption. Kerala’s principal cash crops are rubber, coffee, and tea, which are cultivated in plantations on the slopes of the foothills, as well as areca nut, cardamom, cashew nut, coconut, ginger, and pepper. The major food crops are rice, pulses (e.g., peas and beans), sorghum, and tapioca. Commercial poultry farming is well developed.

Chief Minister Area Name of Capital No of Districts People Languages Official Additional Official
Pinarayi Vijayan 38,863 km2 Thiruvananthapuram 14 33,387,677 Malayalam English

Tourist Places in Kerala

Fort Kochi

Known as the "Gateway to Kerala", Kochi is an enchanting city that's had an eclectic influence. Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese, and Portuguese have all left their mark there. The architecture and historical sites in Fort Kochi attract most of the visitors to the area. Here's the pick of what to see and do in Fort Kochi. Got children? Consider taking them to Wonder La Amusement Park in Kochi as well. Looking for somewhere to stay? Check out these Fort Kochi hotels and homestays for all budgets.

Muzuris

If you're interested in history, extend your time in Kochi to visit Muzuris, situated about an hour to the north of the city. This multicultural district used to be the most important trading port in Kerala, where business flourished for more than 1,000 years before it was severely damaged by flood. It's being developed by the Kerala government as a heritage project. Muzuris extends to Kodungallur (where the astonishing and rather gory Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple festival takes place in late March or early April each year) and Paravoor. It's full of old churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. India's first mosque, Cheraman Juma Masjid, was built there in 629 AD. Cochin Magic offers a full-day private Muzuris Heritage Tour.

Kerala Backwaters

One of the most tranquil and relaxing things you can do in Kerala is take a trip in a houseboat along the palm-fringed Kerala canals, known as the backwaters. Freshly cooked Indian food and chilled beer (buy your own and bring it on the boat) make the experience even more enjoyable. You can even spend the night out on the middle of a lake. Stay a few nights at a homestay or resort along the backwaters too. Bliss! For the ultimate experience, don't miss seeing a sunset from Kakkathuruthu Island on Vembanad Lake, as featured by National Geographic. Most backwater trips start out from Alleppey. Find out more about the Kerala backwaters and how to best visit them or see photos of the Kerala backwaters.

Marari Beach

If you're after an easily accessible and peaceful beach break in Kerala, picturesque Marari is just 30 minutes north of Alleppey. This placid fishing village has a long stretch of undeveloped beach and a diverse range of accommodations, from plush resorts to simple homestays. Some front the beach. This essential Marari beach travel guide has more information.

Periyar National Park

Kerala's Periyar National Park, in the Thekkady district, is one of the most popular national parks in southern India. Unlike most other national parks in India, it stays open all year round, even during the monsoon season. Periyar is known for its wild elephants, and 30 minute elephant rides through the jungle are offered. Safaris are carried out by boat, with the lake being particularly captivating at sunset. Visitors can also take part in an excellent variety of eco-tourism activities there. Plan your trip with this essential Periyar travel guide.

Munnar

If you like tea, a visit to Munnar is a must! The surrounding region is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations. See tea being picked and processed, and try fresh tea straight from the gardens. There's even a tea museum. The area is blessed with the natural beauty of winding lanes, misty hills, and forests full of exotic plants and wildlife. Adventure enthusiasts can trek to Anamudi, the highest peak in south India, explore Eravikulam National Park, or go rock climbing and para gliding. These 10 Munnar hotels and homestays offer a diverse range of accommodations, surrounded by nature.

Varkala

The setting of Varkala beach is striking enough to take your breath away, with a long winding stretch of cliff and views that extend over the Arabian Sea. A paved footpath runs along the length of the cliff, bordered by coconut palms, quaint shops, beach shacks, hotels, and guest houses. Nestled at the bottom of the cliff is a long stretch of sparkling beach, reached by steps leading down from the cliff top. It's not surprising that Varkala is one of India's best beaches. Plan your trip there with this essential Varkala travel guide.

Wayanad

Wayanad is a bright green mountainous region that stretches along the Western Ghats. It has a great deal of scenic appeal. Abundant coconut palms, thick forests, paddy fields, and lofty peaks form the landscape. Due to the nature of its terrain, the area also has much to offer adventure enthusiasts. Popular attractions include trekking to Chembra Peak and Meenmutty Falls, exploring old Jain temples, climbing to Edakkal Caves, and wildlife spotting at Muthanga and Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuaries. Another highlight of Wayanad is the many delightful homestays in the area. Glenora is one of them. See more of Wayanad in this photo gallery.

Kannur

One of the best places to get off the beaten track in India, the Kannur district of northern Kerala offers an ideal blend of secluded beaches and culture in the form of mysterious masked spirit-possession theyyam rituals (October until May) and hand loom weaving. Muzhappilangad Drive-In Beach is also located in Kannur. You can drive all the way along its vast stretch of sand! Kick back and relax at one of the inexpensive beach house accommodations, and enjoy the serenity.

Kovalam

Kerala's most happening beach, Kovalam, is conveniently located about 40 minutes southeast of capital city Trivandrum and presided over by a distinctive lighthouse. It was catapulted onto the tourist map in the early 1970s when masses of hippies converged on it, as they followed the Hippie Trail to Ceylon (now called Sri Lanka). Kovalam definitely won't appeal to everyone because its main beach is bordered by a densely-packed row of hotels and does get busy, although there are quieter pockets in places. Here are 10 of the best places to stay in Kovalam for all budgets.

Poovar Island

Did you know Kerala has over-water bungalows? You'll find them at Poovar Island Resort, about 30 minutes further down the coast from Kovalam. Granted, they're not as spectacular as some of those in the Maldives, but they're still recommended. Poovar Island is not far from the Tamil Nadu border and is quite an amazing natural wonder. It lies at the point where the Neyyar River meets the Arabian Sea. In between is an elongated sand bar.

Trivandrum

The main attraction for Hindus who visit Trivandrum is the 16th century Padmanabhaswamy temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and built by rulers of the kingdom of Travancore. A great deal of wealth has been hidden in the temple, making it the richest temple in the world. Some of the treasures were recently unearthed but the largest vault remains unopened. Unfortunately, if you're not Hindu, you won't be allowed to go inside the temple unless you declare you believe in Hinduism. Trivandrum also has some interesting museums and galleries, housed in classical heritage buildings. These include the Napier Museum, Natural History Museum and Chitra Art Gallery in the museum complex, and Kuthiramalika Palace Museum outside the Padmanabhaswamy temple.

Jatayupara Adventure Park

Jatayupara Adventure Park is an ambitious new attraction in Kerala. It opened in late 2016, in Chadayamangalam village in Kerala's Kollam district, about hour north of Trivandrum. The park is spread over an astonishing 65 acres and is themed on the Hindu epic The Ramayan. It's dominated by a 200 feet-long landmark sculpture of Jatayu, the mythical vulture that's believed to have been killed on the rocky hilltop while trying to rescue Sita from Ravan. Notably, the sculpture is considered to be the largest of its kind in the world. The park has more than 20 adventure activities, a 6D theater that shows the battle between Jatayu and Ravan, a virtual reality museum, an Ayrvedic healing cave, and cable car (aerial tramway) to transport visitors up.

Rural Kerala

Visiting a village, where it feels like time has stood still, is an excellent way to learn more about the rural way of life in Kerala. You'll get to observe all kinds of local industry and skills. The focus on village tourism has grown in recent years, and a number of destinations have been developed across the state. Kumbalanghi Village is a convenient option on the outskirts of Kochi. Kerala Tourism also arranges trips to villages around Kovalam, Kumarakom, Wayanad, Thekkady, and Bekal. More information and brochures are available on their website.

List of Universities & Colleges in Kerala

Central Universities

University Loaction Type Established
Central University of Kerala Kasaragod Science, Fine arts, Literature 2009

Deemed Universities

University Loaction Type Established
Kerala Kalamandalam Thrissur Performing arts 1999
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram Science, Technology 2007
National Institute of Technology Calicut Kozhikode Engineering, Management 1961

State Universities

University Loaction Type Established
University of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram Multidisciplinary 1937
University of Calicut Malappuram Multidisciplinary 1968
Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi Multidisciplinary 1971
Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam Multidisciplinary 1983
Kannur University Kannur Multidisciplinary 1997
Sree Narayana Guru Open University Kollam

Multidisciplinary

2020
Kerala University of Health Sciences Thrissur Medical, Paramedical, Health sciences 2010
Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Wayanad Animal sciences 2010
Kerala Agricultural University Thrissur Agriculture, Engineering 1972
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies Kochi Fisheries, Climate science 2010
National University of Advanced Legal Studies Kochi Law 2005
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit Kochi Sanskrit and Vedic studies 1994
Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University Tirur Malayalam language and literature 2012
Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology Thiruvananthapuram Engineering, Technology, Humanities 2020
A P J Abdul Kalam Technological University Thiruvananthapuram Engineering, Technology, Management 2014
K. R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts Kottayam Visual Arts and Science 2014

List of Railway Stations in Kerala

# Code Station Name Location
01 TCR Thrissur Trichur
02 CLT Kozhikode Main Calicut
03 ERS Ernakulam Junction Ernakulam
04 TVC Trivandrum Central Trivandrum
05 AWY Aluva Aluva
06 QLN Kollam Junction Kollam
07 PGT Palakkad Junction Palghat
08 KYJ Kayamkulam Junction Kayamkulam
09 SRR Shoranur Junction Shoranur
10 CAN Kannur Main Cannanore
11 ERN Ernakulam Town Ernakulam
12 KTYM Kottayam Kottayam
13 TIR Tirur Tirur
14 CNGR Chengannur Chengannur
15 TLY Thalassery Tellicherry
16 BDJ Vadakara Badagara
17 ALLP Alappuzha Alappuzha
18 KCVL Trivandrum Kochuveli Trivandrum
19 KGQ Kasaragod Kasaragod
20 TRVL Tiruvalla Tiruvalla
21 PAY Payyanur Payyanur
22 KZE Kanhangad Kanhangad
23 OTP Ottappalam Ottappalam
24 VAK Varkala Sivagiri Varkala Sivagiri Station
25 AFK Angamaly Angamaly
26 CGY Changanassery Changanacherry
27 KTU Kuttippuram Kuttippuram
28 QLD Koyilandy Koyilandy
29 GUV Guruvayur Guruvayur
30 MVLK Mavelikara Mavelikara
31 CKI Chalakudi Chalakudi
32 KPY Karunagapalli Karunagappally
33 IJK Irinjalakuda Irinjalakuda
34 PGI Parpanangadi Parpanangadi
35 SRTL Cherthala Shertalai
36 WKI Wadakanchery Wadakanchery
37 FK Ferok Feroke
38 PVU Paravur Paravur
39 PTB Pattambi Pattambi
40 NLE Nileshwar Nileshwar
41 AMPA Ambalappuzha Ambalappuzha
42 HAD Haripad Haripad
43 TRTR Tripunittura Tripunittura
44 KPQ Kannapuram Kannapuram
45 STKT Sasthamkotta Sasthamkotta
46 TA Tanur Tanur
47 CHV Charvattur Charvattur
48 PAZ Payangadi Payangadi
49 PVRD Piravam Road Piravam Road
50 NYY Neyyattinkara Neyyattinkara
51 CRY Chirayinkil Chirayinkil
52 KZK Kazhakuttam Kazhakkottam
53 PASA Parassala Parassala
54 KMQ Kumbala Kumbla (Kumble)
55 PGTN Palakkad Town Palakkad
56 VNB Vaniyambalam Vaniyambalam
57 AAM Angadippuram Angadippuram
58 NIL Nilambur Road Nilambur Road
59 TVP Thiruvananthapuram Pettah Trivandrum
60 KVU Kadakavur Kadakkavoor
61 TUVR Turavur Turavur
62 IPL Idappally Idaplli
63 MJS Manjeshwar Manjeshwar
64 KUV Kundara Kundara
65 MAKM Mararikulam Mararikulam
66 VLI Vallikunnu Vallikunnu
67 AVS Auvaneswarem Auvaneswarem
68 KQK Kotikulam Kotikulam
69 KKZ Kottarakara Kottarakara
70 MYY Mayyanad Mayyanad
71 PUK Pudukad Pudukad
72 PUU Punalur Punalur
73 PNQ Punkunnam Punkunnam
74 VARD Vaikam Road Vaikam Road
75 MNTT Mulanturutti Mulanturutti
76 VAPM Valapattanam Valapattanam
77 ETM Ettumanur Ettumanur
78 TKQ Trikarpur Trikarpur
79 CYN Cheriyanad Cheriyanad
80 PYOL Payyoli Payyoli
81 KLQ Kilikollur Kilikollur
82 BFR Bekal Fort Bekal Fort
83 KRPP Kuruppanthara Kuruppanthara
84 EDN Edamann
85 KLGD Kollengode
86 PRND Perinad Perinad
87 AYVN Aryankavu New Block
88 TUA Tirunnavaya Tirunnavaya
89 EKN Ezhukone Ezhukone
90 UAA Uppala Uppala
91 ELM Ezhimala Elimala
92 MQU Murukkampuzha Murukkumpuzha
93 OCR Ochira Ochira
94 KN Kadalundi Kadalundi
95 CHPD Cheppad Halt Cheppad
96 LDY Lakkiti Lakkiti
97 MGK Mulangunnathukavu Mulangunnathukavu
98 NEM Trivandrum Nemom Trivandrum
99 PPNS Pappinissery Pappinissery
100 BRAM Balaramapuram Balaramapuram
101 PDGM Pudunagaram
102 MMDA Muthalamada
103 OKL Ottakkal
104 ETR Elattur Elattur
105 KUC Karukkutty Karukkutty
106 KUL Kallayi Kallayi Kozhikode South
107 VTK Vallathol Nagar Vallathol Nagar
108 KUMM Kumbalam Kumbalam
109 WH West Hill West Hill
110 WRA Walayar Walayar
111 KJKD Kanjikode Kanjikode
112 CS Kannur South Cannanore South
113 PUM Pallippuram Pallippuram
114 JGE Jagannath Temple Gate Jagannath Temple Gate
115 TKT Tikkotti Tikkotti
116 PLL Parli Parli
117 KLMR Kalamassery Kalamassery
118 OLR Ollur Thrissur Ollur
119 KXP Kaniyapuram Kaniyapuram
120 ETK dakkad Etakkot
121 EVA Edavai Edavai
122 MNY Mankarai Mankarai
123 MNUR Mannanur Mannanur
124 KRKD Karakkad Karakkad
125 CGV Chingavanam Chingavanam
126 DINR Divinenagar Divinenagar
127 MQO Munroturuttu Munroturuttu
128 TUV Tuvvur Tuvvur
129 VPZ Vallapuzha Vallapuzha
130 PKQ Pattikkad Pattikkad
131 CQA Cherukara Cherukara
132 AYV Arayankavu Aryankavu
133 MLTR Melattur Melattur
134 DAVM Dhanuvachapuram Dhanuvachapuram
135 PNPR Punnapra Punnapra
136 TZH Takazhi Takazhi
137 NAU Nadapuram Road Nadapuram Road
138 VEK Vellarakkad Vellarakkad
139 AMVA Amaravila Halt Amaravila
140 VDKS Vadanam Kurussi Halt Vadanam Kurussi
141 AMY Akathumuri Akathumuri
142 KDTY Kaduturutti Halt Kaduturutti
143 CTPE Chandanattop Halt Chandanattop
144 VLL Vellayil Vellayil
145 CLMD Chullimada Chullimada
146 KFE Kurikad Kurikad
147 EDP Edapalayam Halt
148 KFQ Kumaranallur Kumaranallur
149 IRP Iravipuram Kollam
150 AROR Aroor Halt Aroor
151 EZP Ezhuppunna Ezhuppunna
152 CQL Chirakkal Chirakkal
153 IGL Iringal Iringal
154 KFI Kappil Kappil
155 PLPM Palappuram Palappuram
156 KZC Kulukkalur Kulukkalur
157 CWR Chovvara Chovvara
158 KVTA Karuvatta Halt Karuvatta
159 VELI Veli Veli
160 NYI Nellayi Nellayi
161 KLAD Kalanad Halt Kalanad
162 TMPY Tumboli Tumboli
163 KPTM Kanjiramattom Kanjiramattom
164 CMC Chemancheri Chemancheri
165 TRVZ Tiruvizha Tiruvizha
166 PGZ Perunguzhi Perunguzhi
167 KODN Kodumunda Kodumunda
168 DMD Dharmadam Dharmadam
169 KFV Kundara East Kundara East
170 KTHY Kazhuthuruthy
171 PEU Perssannur Perssannur
172 MUC Mullurkara Mullurkara
173 MUKE Mukkali Mukkali
174 KIF Kuri Kuri
175 KAVR Kalavoor Halt Kalavur
176 KRAN Koratti Angadi Koratti Angadi
177 CDRA Chandera Chandera
178 VAY Vayalar Vayalar