There is a persistent legend which says that Parasuram, the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu Trinity, stood on a high place in the mountains, threw an axe far in to the sea, and commanded the sea to retreat. And the land that emerged all from the waters became Kerala, the land of plenty and prosperity.

Kerala is a 560-km long narrow stretch of land. At the widest, Kerala is a mere 120-km from the sea to the mountains. Gracing one side of Kerala, are the lofty mountains ranging high to kiss the sky. And on the other side the land is washed by the blue Arabian Sea waters. The land is covered with dense tropical forest, fertile plains, beautiful beaches, cliffs, rocky coasts, an intricate maze of backwaters, still bays and an astounding 44 glimmering rivers. Kerala`s exotic spices have lured foreigners to her coast from time immemorial.

Earlier, Kerala was made up of three distinct areas. Malabar as far up the coast as Tellicherry, Cannanore and Kasargode with the tiny pocket-handkerchief French possession of Mahe nearby (it was returned to India in the early 1950 `s and is now administratively part of Pondicherry). This area belonged to what was once called the Madras Presidency under the British. The middle section is formed by the princely State of Cochin; the third comprises Travancore, another princely State.

Archaeologists believe that the first citizens of Kerala were the hunter-gatherers, the ting Negrito people. These people still inhabit the mountains of southern India today, consequently, they had a good knowledge of herbal medicine and were skilled in interpreting natural phenomena. The next race of people in Kerala were believed to be the Austriches. The Austric people of Kerala are of the same stock as the present-day Australian Aborigines. They were the people who laid the foundation of Indian civilizations and introduced the cultivation of rice and vegetables, which are still part of Kerala scene. They also introduced snake-worship in Kerala. Traces of such worship and ancient rites have been found among the Aboriginal tribes of Australia. Austric features can still be seen fairly and clearly among the people of Kerala today. Then came the Dravidians (The Mediterranean people). Dravidian absorbed many of the beliefs of the Negrito and Austric people, but they were strongly inclined to the worship of the Mother Goddess in all her myriad forms: Protector, Avenger, Bestower of wealth, wisdom and arts.

Kerala, Kerala TravelsJewish and Arabs trade`s were the first to come to Kerala sailing in the ships to set up trading stations. The Apostle of Christ, St. Thomas is believed to have come to Muziris in AD 52 and established the first church in Kerala .

Portuguese discovered the sea route to India from Europe when Vasco da gama landed with his ship near Kappad in Calicut in AD 1498. Slowly the Kerala society became a mix of people belonging to various sects of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. The arrival of Portuguese was followed by the Dutch, the French and finally the British.The State of Kerala was created on the 1st of November 1956. The Keralites celebrate this day as `Kerala piravi` meaning the `Birth of Kerala`.

Fair & Fastival

 Aaranmula Boat Race
Aaranmula Boat Race, Kerala Fair & Festival TourThe Aaranmula Boat Race is staged each year in the scenic village of Aaranmula in August/ September. This river carnival is part of the Aaranmula Temple festival. Masses throng the shores of the River Pamba to watch an imposing cluster of snake boats called `Palliyodams`.

Attachamayam
Attachamayam, Kerala Fair & Festival TourThe festival of Attachamayam is held on the Atham day of the Malayalam month of Chingam (August/ September), at the historical town of Tripunithura, near Kochi. It is a celebration of a legendary victory of the Raja of Kochi.

Cochin Carnival
Carnival, Cochin Kerala Fair & Festival TourCochin Carnival is a merry making feast observed during the last week of every year in Fort Kochi in Kerala. The carnival dates back to the Portuguese New Year revelry held here during the colonial days.

Easter
Easter, Kerala Fair & Festival TravelThe Oachira Temple is the venue of the famous Oachirakkali (Oachira dance) held in June, a sort of ancient choreographed mock battle. Unlike other temples, there is no shrine or idol at the oachira temple, located nearly 32 kms from Kollam.

Onam Festival
Onam, Kerala Fair & Festival TourOnam, the harvest festival is the most popular festival of Kerala. A festival that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee. It brings back nostalgic memories, carried on the wings of folklore...

Indira Gandhi Boat Race
Indira Gandhi Boat Race, Kerala Fair & Festival TourIndira Gandhi Boat Race is a grand fest on the rolling backwaters of Kochi. Conducted in the last week of December, it is a fitting finale to the Tourism Fair, which attracts travellers from all parts of the globe.

Jagannatha Festival
Jagannatha, Kerala Fair & Festival TourJagannatha Festival is a colourful eight-day festival, which is held in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February/ March) at the Jagannatha Temple at Madathiparambu, near Thalassery in Kannur.

Malabar Mahotsava
Malabar Mahotsavam, Kerala Fair & Festival TourMalabar Mahotsavam is a cultural extravaganza that showcases the centuries old rich cultural heritage of Kerala. The event is at Mananchira maidan (ground) in the heart of Kozhikode town from 13th to 16th January every year.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kerala Fair & Festival TourNehru Trophy Boat Race is the most famous of the boat races of Kerala. This annual regatta is held on the Punnamada Backwaters of Alappuzha district on the second Saturday of August.

Attraction in Kerala

Backwaters in Kerala:
Kerala is most reputed for its undulating backwaters, which possibly does not have a match anywhere else. As many as forty-four rivers crisscross the land and finally drain into the Arabian Sea, creating a network of lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas. A cruise through the backwaters in Alleppey and Kumarakom, in a houseboat offers you amazing spectacles of rural Kerala.

Beaches in Kerala:
 Along its 600kms shoreline, Kerala has a number of sparkling beaches. With soft white sands, unending stretch of turquoise water, tall palm groves swaying with the sea breeze, the beaches of Kerala have an unspoilt and unexplored charm. Beaches atKovalam, Poovar, Alappuzha, Fort Kochi are major tourist attractions in Kerala.

Hill Stations in Kerala:
 Enchanting hill stations lie clad in lush green woods along the Western Ghat range in Kerala. Sprawling plantations around, the clear sky above, refreshing breeze combine with a panoramic view of sleepy little villages in the hill stations ofMunnar, Palakkad, Ponmudi, Rajamala.
Wild lives in Kerala: 12 Wildlife sanctuaries and two National Parks literally dot over the map of Kerala. In the dense forests of Periyar and Rajamala, you may chance upon elephants, gaur, sambar, deer, Nilgiri Tahrs, langur and a wide variety of birds and reptiles.

Ayurveda in Kerala:
Today, Ayurveda seems to have found a synonym in Kerala. The ancient medical science has been practised in India since times immemorial. Rare herbs with therapeutic qualities abound in the jungles of Kerala. They serve as fitting rejuvenation agent to your body and soul as an alternative to contemporary medical science.

Art and culture in Kerala:
Kathakali dance form is one of the major tourist attractions in Kerala. The dance shows revolve around religious themes and the form imbibe age-old martial arts of the region. Some other dance forms are Mohiniyattam. Elaborate make-ups and graceful physical gestures are feast to eyes.

Cities in Kerala:
The state boasts of quite a few cities which have a rich history interwoven with myths. The cities are home to many tourist attractions in Kerala.Kochi is a naval base, Trivandrum is its capital, Trissur is the cultural capital while Kottayam with numerous churches and colonial style houses can be dubbed as the Rome of the East.