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PALAKKADU
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| Palakkad derives its name from
the Pala (Alsteria Scholaris) tree and kadu (forest). Its geographical
position, historical background, rural nature, educational status,
tourist attractions and above all developmental activities are
vivid and varied. Palakkad district provides the inlet for the
rest of India to the State through a 32 to 40 mt wide natural
gap. In the 960 km long Western Ghats this gap is perhaps the
most influential factor in the unique characteristics of the
district. It has also contributed to the commercial as well
as cultural exchanges between the State and the rest of the
country.
The district which lies at the foot of the colossal Western
Ghats has only midland and highland areas. Much of the area
is made up of plains, scattered with a few hillocks. The plains
are so fertile and productive that the district is considered
the "Granary of Kerala".
Along with Idukki, Palakkad is the other district in Kerala
which has the rare distinguishing characteristic of not having
a sea coast. Kerala's longest river Bharathapuzha flows through
the district. The Bharathapuzha has little commercial significance
but holds a special place in the cultural psyche of the State.
The present Palakkad district as an administrative unit was
formed on the first of January 1957.
Palakkad in Kerala has the famous Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.
The area is also perfect for trekking. Other wildlife sanctuary
in the region include the Silent Valley National Park which
has store of birds and animals.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 55 km. away. To the
south is Cochin Airport, 16Okm. away.
Rail :There are two railway stations, the main, Palakkad Junction
is 5 km from the city.
Road :Palakkad is connected by good motorable roads to all
the major towns of Kerala and the neighboring state of Tamil
Nadu.
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THRISSUR
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| Thrissur, the name derived from
'Tiru-Shiva-Perur' (the town with the name of Lord Shiva) is
often referred to as the cultural capital of Kerala. The town
is built around a hillock. Its most prominent feature is the
Vadakkunathan temple which has Shiva as its presiding deity.
Sankaracharya is supposed to have spent his last days in this
temple.
South East corner of the district is bounded by Tamil Nadu.
The Periyar, The Chalakudy, The Karuvannur and Ponnani (Bharatha
Puzha) are the main river systems in the district. Trichur's
rise as a town of importance is attributed to Raja Rama Varma,
popularly known as 'Sakthan Thampuran', who ascended the throne
of the State of Cochin in 1790.
This former capital of Cochin State was captured by Zamorin
of Calicut in the 14 and 15 centuries. Later, in the latter
half of the 18th century, Tipu Sultan held sway over Thrissur
until the European domination began under the Portuguese,
the Dutch and the English. The wave of nationalism and political
consciousness which swept through the country since the early
decades of this century had its repercussions in the district
as well.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : Nearest international airport is at Nedumbassery, 58
km. away.
Rail :Thrissur is an important railhead of the Southern Railways.
Road :The place is well connected with almost all the major
towns and cities of India.
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| WAYANADU
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| Wayanad, one of the fourteen
districts in Kerala and is situated in an elevated picturesque
mountainous plateau in Western Ghats.
Wayanad is blessed with a unique geographical position, with
undulating mist clad hills and dales. Luxuriant plantations
of coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber are strewn all
over the hills of Wayanad. Situated at a height of 700-2100
m above sea level, it is bound on the east by the Nilgiris
and the Mysore districts of Tamilnadu and Karnataka respectively.
The natural scenic beauty of Wayanad and its rich natural
resources offer several opportunities for adventure tourism.
Located at the northeastern tip of Kerala, Wayanad was earlier
a part of Kannur district. Panorama, Manathavady and Kabini,
the fast flowing rivers lend a unique beauty to the whole
region.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport is Kozhikode.
Rail :The district is well connected by a railway network.
Road :Wayanad's Headquarters, Kalpetta is linked by road to
other towns in Kerala and there are frequent buses to Kozhikode.
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| COCHIN
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| Kochi is set in the midst of
an island-studded harbour, which has a modern bustling town
on the main land, Ernakulam. It is located on the coast of the
Arabian sea with Kottayam and Alappuzha districts on the south,
Idukki on the east and Thrissur on the north.
The commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of
Kerala, Kochi, in Ernakulam, is also known as the Queen of
the Arabian Sea. There is a commercial hub for merchants dealing
in cashew nuts, coir, seafood, timber, tea, coffee, rubber
and spices. This is what gives Kerela its name as "The
Spice Coast". A Jewish community with roots going back
to 1000 AD and a 16th century synagogue are testimony to the
land's diversity. Ernakulam District can well emerge as the
greatest tourist destination for both Indian and international
travelers.
Kochi has a moderate climate as it is situated very close
to the sea. It gets heavy rains during June-August. Winter
starts from December and continues till February. In summer,
the temperature rises to a maximum of 35°C and 25°C
in the winters
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : Kochi is connected by excellent air network to all major
cities in India.
Rail :Kochi has three main railway stations, namely, Ernakulam
Junction, Ernakulam Town and Harbour Terminus on Willingdon
Island.
Road :Kochi is connected by road with several tourist centers
in India.
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ALAPPUZHA
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| Alleppey (Alappuzha) is situated
on the banks of Vembanad Lake, the town's commercial centre
lives in a maze of canals. Set in the labyrinth of backwater
channels, the town is one of the best gateways to explore the
unspoilt countryside.
Alleppey is a famous trade centre of ancient times. It is
referred as ' Venice of the East', built on the banks of a
network of canals. It is one of the best-known ports along
the coast of Malabar. The beach here is not as big as the
others. However, north of Alleppey, the Arthunkal beach in
worthy of development as an international holiday resorts.
Alleppey attracts tourists not only by its natural beauty
but also through its locally made coir products that are of
a very superior quality. Watching rural life at close quarters
- the many activities like; toddy tapping, fishing for small
fry, coir-making, prawn farming, and scores of other sights
by a boat trip in a country craft up and down the narrow canals
in the coastal region is gaining in popularity among the foreign
tourists and the North Indian visitors alike.
Alleppey is also famous for its Nehru Trophy boat race held
every year. Alappuzha is a bustling, town of ramshackle wood
and corrugalated roof houses, chiefly significant in the Coir
industry and the centre for Backwater Cruises in Kerala. The
Backwaters of Alappuzha can be best experienced in a country
boat. The climate of this small town is temperate and humid
in general and relatively more pleasant in the winter season.
The temperature ranges from 22 to 35°C in summer and 20
to 32°C during winters. The best time to visit Alleppey
is during the winter season. The months from August-September
and February-March are ideal for a visit to this place. The
backwater cruises in the exotic houseboats, which also serve
Keralian cuisine delicacies, are an eternal experience.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : Nearest airport is at Kochi, 66 km. away.
Rail :The place is well connected to Kochi, by rail.
Road :The place is connected to all the south Indian towns,
by a well-developed network of road
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