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.

Spice Plantation, visit can be done on the way from Munnar to Thekkady or vice versa as per your itinerary. It will be interesting to see the herbs and spices growing in abundance in Kerala -- cardamom, pepper, cashew, vanilla, cocoa, coffee, clove and many more. Be ready for the retail indulgence of spices and ayurvedic medicines :)

Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, another picturesque place. One can opt for treks, boating, bamboo rafting etc to enjoy the national park. It is fun to stay within the premises to get the best out of the place. We were unlucky in the sighting of the elephants which are the high point of the Periyar trip. Do be prepared for such 'oh no!!' moment Enjoy the place and time spent there. Again do not forget to do your online reservation and be there much ahead of your time slot.

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.

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Remember the shot of the beautiful Aishwarya Rai dancing against a backdrop of the cascading Athirappilly Falls in Kerala? HolidayIQ Traveller Rajanikanth says, “Athirappilly waterfall is a visual grandeur which cannot be described in words. Its ferocious waters falling from the cliff evokes a feel of thrill. Unlike the other waterfalls, at Athirappilly, water will not be depleted fully and flow will be there throughout the year. Its location also is easily accessible with a little effort. It offers a dual view, ie both from the bottom of the waterfalls as well as from the upper side. Anyone visiting Cochin can commute to this place within 2 hours. There are extremely beautiful scenic spots at this location. A sense of awe engulfs you while watching the waterfalls.”