Kerala Holiday Lens - Vishal Bhasin

Vishal Bhasin

Market at Cochin

Cochin Street

Dam at Munnar

Fishermen

Flower Seller

Poovar Beach

House Boat

Kathakali

Fishing Net

Street Food

Homestay

Market

Kerala Martial Arts

Periyar National Park

Indian Ocean

Tea Garden Munnar

Vivekananda Memorial

People travel to far-off places on holiday but few care to record the event through their cameras. More so the images here portray the holiday that happened rather than a professional and artificially planned photo shoot. Here are some of the images taken by the photographer on tour to Kerala.

Vishal is also experienced in the travel business and has worked with major companies. He is now having his own travel company and manages a website for package tours in India. He is fond of travel and visits interesting places on holiday with his family. 

Kerala Backwaters in Pictures

Backwater

Lagoon

Boat

Fisherman

Chinese Fishing Nets

Church

Coconut Plucking Man

Birds in Banks

Houseboat

Backwater resort

The wonderful backwaters of Kerala delight one and all. This vast network of brackish water lagoons, lakes, rivers and several waterfronts have created a magic land. These places must be explored and enjoyed while touring the realms of Southern India. There can be nothing more exciting than Kerala Tour a picture perfect holiday.   

Kerala Wildlife

A strip of land on the leeward side of the Western Ghats the Indian state of Kerala abounds in enchanting things. The altitude variations and diverse geographical features makes this land heaven for wildlife.  The forest types are true Tropical evergreen, semi evergreen and deciduous. 

The state contains little less than 10,000 sq. km of forest teeming with endemic, rare and common animals and birds. The wilderness is protected in numerous conservation centers notified as wildlife sanctuary, National Park and Tiger Reserve.

The popular tiger reserves are Periyar and Eravikulam National Park besides Nilgiri Biospheres Reserve is a biodiversity hub of International significance. The major fauna are the Bengal Tiger, Elephant, Chital, Sambar, Bison, Leopard. Nilgiri tahr, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Sloth Bear, Swamp Lynx, Flying Squirrel, Indian Muntjac, Jackal and Jungle Cat. Some less known animals are Stripe-necked Mongoose, Bonnet Macaque, Rusty Spotted Cat, Nilgiri Marten, Dusky Striped Squirrel, Small Clawed Otter, Briwn Mongoose, gray Slender Loris and Ruddy Mongoose.

Kerala is also home for King Cobra the biggest venomous snake in the World.  The number of reptilian species is very impressive and a treat to watch.The largest population of marsh crocodiles in the state survive in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The protected areas are best for wildlife safaris in the state. The travelers should gather prior information before visiting the forests of the Southern state. 

Periyar or Thekkady is the most popular destination in the state. It is a large tiger reserve with many interesting animals species and birds. 

Kerala is India's top tourist destination famous for backwater tours and beach resorts as well. The are many package tours available to discover the state and its wildlife. There are many tourism destinations for safaris, beach holidays and backwater houseboat stays.  

The best season for visiting the state is from August to March. The state offers unique experience to the visitors hence other timing may also be preferred. The timing would depend upon what you wish to see and experience.

Kerala: Cool and hospitable

In confines of true tropical greenery resides a state  -  Kerala one of the most popular holiday destination in India. The state possess proudly, lush greenery of dense tropical forests, azure blue of large stretch of backwater network and refreshing serene beaches on its impressive coast line. In addition holiday makers experience the warmth of Malayali hospitality, colorful culture, bizarre rites and  rituals. Come to taste the  gastronomic delights of Malayali chefs who specialize in mouth watering coastal cuisine. 

For an enthusiastic traveler ready to divulge in exotic adventurous journeys, Kerala is a unique place on Earth. Kerala enthralls the visitor, be it a cruise on backwaters, quiet walk on the beach or exciting heart throbbing safari in Periyar Tiger Reserve. 

The state has much more to offer. On tour visit the palaces, forts, temples and churches.  Marvel at South Indian architecture, influenced at places by foreigners who set foot as trader of spices.  Arabs, British, French, Portuguese all arrived lured by the tongue tingling exotic spices and left an indelible colorful marks.

Kerala excels in fine art be it Kathakali theatrical performance, vocal recitals, Carnatic instrumental or  classical film songs.  Remarkable the ritual arts of temples in praise of the holy deities and magnificent murals  are not to be missed. 

Partake in colorful fairs and festivities to experience in depth the cultural intrigue of the state. Interact with diverse array of humanity - simple, warm and enthusiastic hosts. Kerala is a never ending journey of delight. 

Best way to travel in Kerala is on tour operator affordable package tours. Travel bookings, accommodation and transport is all taken care of by the organizers. Customized tour package will offer you a choice of prime destinations. 

 The state is well connected by rail network and road transportation. Number of flights ply between metros and many other towns. English is quite popular all weather journey is exciting especially if you enjoy the monsoon rains.

More About Kerala

Destination Kerala: Backwaters

Lying parallel to the Malabar Coast in Kerala is an interconnection of salty lagoons, canals, rivulets and lakes. This is what constitutes Kerala’s back water the famous tourist destination.  The canals are man made as well as natural.

The back waters are inundated by thirty eight rivers and run half the length of the state.   The formation of backwaters is due to low lying islands that act as barrier across the mouth of rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats.  

Most of the towns and the cities of Kerala are located amidst the backwaters. These towns act as starting or ending point for backwater cruise. Some cruise lengths exceed over 200 km. 

The ecosystem is unique due to merger of fresh water and saline water of Arabian Sea. At places there are patches of cool fresh water where saline water is prevented from flowing in.  Backwaters are hence habitat for unique and some endemic aquatic species, large number of water birds are dependent upon this system. The rows of coconut palms, verdant leafy bushes on the banks of backwater provide greenish hue to the landscape.

The overall composition of backwaters accords serenity and calm.  The romance of an enchanted boat ride along side picturesque landscape is the highlight feature of backwaters.   The Kettuvallams as house boats are known in the state are a major tourist attraction. The Kettuvallams are grain ferrying barges which have been converted into house boat accommodations.  The house boats offer luxurious amenities and modern facilities. They are well equipped with furnished sleeping rooms and modern toilets. The dining area and sit out is usually on the deck.

Except during heavy rains the season for house boat cruise is practically year around.   The house boat tours can be booked through tour operators in India. There are various tourism packages available to enjoy a holiday on boat at these stretches of serenity.

The state offers much more than backwater cruise on the waterways. Kerala it is home to fantastic wild animals and birds. There are large numbers of National Parks and tiger reserves in the state for wildlife watching. Sightseeing on tours is exciting. Ancient monuments, Hindu Temples embellished with bewildering designs and array of colors, forts and palaces enthrall the visitors. The architecture of the state has a unique style with admixture of foreign impression at places.      

The diversity of life, exotic culture, Malayali cuisine and warm hospitality makes Kerala the most visited state in India. It is God’s Own Country so pack your bags and fly.        

Kerala Tourism - Wildlife

Periyar - Thekkady

Situated in Idukki district of Kerala on the Western Ghats Periyar Tiger Reserve is the hot bed for Kerala tourism and wildlife safari. Periyar is one of the most popular National Park in Southern India. It contains diverse habitats and a variety of mammalian and reptilian species. There are more than 265 bird species. Peyriyar is famous for wild elephants in Kerala. Tigers, gaurs and leopards are also found in the park.

The boat ride on the Periyar River offers exciting animal and bird sightings. Jeep safaris are also available in the tiger reserve. The forests of Periyar are home to many endemic animals and birds.   

The Sabarimala Ayyapan Temple is situated inside the Periyar preserve a popular pilgrimage spot visited by thousands of devotees.

How to reach Periyar

Air - Nearest Airport : Madurai (Tamil Nadu) 140 kms, Kochi (Nedumbassery - 185 km), Thiruvananthapuram (265 kms).

Rail - Nearest railway station is Kumarakom 114 kms. Madurai station is about 136 kms.

Road - An excellent road network from kumily (4 kms) links the to all major towns and cities in india.

Other Wildlife Places in Kerala --

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Eravikulam National Park
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

There are many tour packages available for Kerala tourism. They include visits to National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries besides sightseeing. For further information about wildlife tours in Kerela please see the links on this blog.

About Kerala in India

The Kerala State Tourism

The Southern State is diverse, colorful and buzzing with life. The land of spices is home to multi-ethnic humanity an agglomeration of people from many lands. The Malayali Culture exhibits characteristic flavor of  amalgamation of many exotic communities. Festivities, rites and rituals abound and the celebration takes place in unison as one large community. 

Kerala is a complete tourism destination that offers many activities for holiday making. The land is full of historical forts, palaces, museums, beaches and backwaters. The cuisine is as exotic as it comes and the colors of the rich culture impress the visitor no end.

Major places to visit in Kerala:

1) Alappuzha Canal

2) Alappuzha Beach

3) Bekal Fort Beach

4) East Fort

5) Eravikulam National Park

6) Fort Kochi

7) Kappad Beach Kozikhode

8) Kovalam Beach

9) Munnar

10) Ashtamudi Backwaters

11) Silent Valley National Park

12) Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

13) Veli Tourist Village

14) Wayanad

Kerala has been ranked among the World's top ten travel destinations and is the most popular travel destination in India. There are many tour operator packages for sightseeing in Kerala. The packaged tours offer sightseeing, beach tourism and backwater boat cruise.

Special ayurveda extension can also be arranged at health spas in the state of Kerala. One can find both luxury and budget spas in the state.

Kerala: Traveling Information

Kerala is situated at the western most tip of the Indian subcontinent with its capital as Thiruvananthapuram erstwhile Trivandrum. Kerala has the highest literacy rate and the language is Malayalam…English is very popular in this Indian state.

The major religions are Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Culturally the people of Kerala are similar except few variances that are a characteristic of this diverse country.

The currency is Indian rupee and all modern banking facilities are available in major towns and cities. The weather is tropical with varying from 22 to 33 C May/Jan being the hottest.

The state is well connected by Air… both International and Domestic flights operate from major towns and the capital. The state is well connected by road and rail and buses operate throughout.

Kerala is famous for its backwaters, beaches and wildlife sanctuaries. Apart from all the destination is famous for its Ayurvedic spas which give body massages a system based on the age old Indian system of medicine "Ayurveda".

Keralite cuisine is unique and myriads of mouth watering food varieties await the traveler to this land.

There are many tours operators in Kerala for affordable tourism packages. Seek an affordable packaged tour option for visiting Kerala. The best season is from October to March.