Kerala Tourism

The Vadakkumnathan Shiva Temple was high on my list. A beautiful temple so intensely charged that you can feel it as soon as you enter it. According to legends, this is the first Shiva temple made by Parshurama, the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Photography is strictly prohibited but the time spent there shall remain as an endless blessing for you.

Sakthan Thampuran Palace, has a Kerala - Dutch architecture and situated close to the Vadakkumnathan Temple. The time of King Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran rule was considered to be the Golden era of the Cochin Dynasty. He was the one who gave the state of Kerala its much awaited religious annual festival, the Thrissur Puram. Although the palace is under ASI it is not well maintained from the outside. It has been converted into a museum since 2005.

Athirapilly Falls, a popular picnic spot, tourist attraction and a regular location for outdoor film shooting. The drive to the falls is beautiful. Wooded on both sides with acres and acres of rubber and palm plantation. Read Green; Nature; Forest. The place tends to be crowded but am sure one will find their spot :)

Ernakulam Marine Drive Boat Ride, is a must do when in Ernakulam/Kochi. The beautiful marine drive with its greens, commercial life, dazzling lights and backwaters on the other side is a good option for an evening out. Opt for the sunset cruise and the crew will keep you well entertained and informed about the historical / touristy landmarks around.

Museum of Kerala History, and the Gallery of Contemporary Art which is the core part of the Foundation -- the Visual Arts Gallery, the Gallery of Miniature Art and the Dolls Museum. It is located in Edappally, Kochi. I was quite amazed at the interesting way in which the history narration unfolds, life size idols / setup showcasing the personality and time of that era.

Fort Kochi, for those leisurely walks, the cafe breaks, take a visit to the Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry or Dutch Palace (now a museum), the Chinese Fishing Nets, Maritime and Police Museum. You will love the quietude the place offers, a stark contrast to the noisy commercial city of Kochi. The place would be of interest to history lovers and travel photographers but may not find a top place on a regular tourist's list when they relive their trip.

Hill Palace in Tripunithura, was an administrative office of the Kochi Rajas and built way back in 1860s. Spread over 55 acres of land it consists of ~50 buildings -- archaeological & a heritage museum, a deer , pre-historic and children’s park. A must visit! In fact, it is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala! This is the first museum I've seen that exhibits the gold treasure (locker room) of the rulers. Major attraction being the gold crown embedded with precious stones.

Backwaters & Kettuvalam, is a must do for everyone. Opt for a day ride or an overnight stay. You can enjoy the Kerala cuisine besides the scenic views of backwaters, Vembanad Lake and village life around. Once the houseboat halts for the night you can explore the village and its life.

Check out Monika's HolidayIQ profile here, Instagram here and Twitter here. 

There’s nothing your camera will love more than the beaches scattered across Kerala, specially Kochi. Filtering the last rays of the setting sun against a magical backdrop, the chinese fishing nets make for a surreal spectacle.

If you ever get tired of them, you have the lighthouse beach of Kovalam waiting for you with cloudline that you see only in paintings. Apart from being scenic, the beaches in Kerala are usually less crowded than their counterparts in other beach destinations. Muzhappilangad Beach is also the longest drive-in beach in Asia. So, stop waiting and start preparing yourself for the awesome #GoKerala contest that could land you on these beaches!

HolidayIQ reviewer rakesh says, “A paradise for beach lovers. This place can be visited at any time of day but the sun rise and sunset times are the best. Crystal clear water and 8 to 10 feet high waves of water are an invitation to swimmers.”

Are you ready for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience? Look no further than the luxury and peace of mind that the backwaters of Alappuzha offer. Imagine waking up to the golden sunset reflecting on a lake while the morning mist disperses with the break of dawn! Heaven!

If that’s not motivation enough, you can also enjoy backwater cruises in the 'Venice of the East’(Alappuzha). Apart from reveling in the greenery around you, you can get pampered in the luxurious houseboats and feel like royalty! At Munroe Island, you can get a taste of the village life. All you have to do is take part in the #GoKerala contest and watch your dreams turn into reality.  

HolidayIQ reviewer Vikas says, “This is the best backwater city in India. You have visit anywhere through boat. Houseboat and shikara ride is very good.”