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KOTTAYAM |
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| The word Kottayam is a composition
of the words Kotta (meaning fort) and Akkam (meaning inside).
It is an important commercial centre of Kerala, as it is a producer
of cash crops. Most of India's natural rubber originates from
the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to
the Rubber Board, one of the country's primary commodities board.
Since ages, Kottayam has been regarded as one of the most important
places of Kerala both politically and otherwise.
Kottayam has some of the finest natural scenes sandwiched
as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west
and the Western ghats on the east.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : Nearest Airport is at Cochin, 76 km away. The Thiruvananthapuam
International Airport is 152 km.
Rail : Kottayam Railway Station 2 kms. away from the Central
Bus Station and is connected with major cities and tourist
centres.
Road :There are two bus stands, one run by state transport
and the other private. The buses to major centres operate
from the KSRTC bus station.
Ferry : The Ferry Station is 3 km, away from the railway station.
Services to Alleppey, Mannar, Chempakulam, Mankombu and Ambalapuzha.
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KOLLAM |
| The country's cashew trading
and processing industry is located in Kollam. It is also an
important hub for the state's marine products industry, with
the port of Neendakara being the centre for trawlers and ice
plants. For all its natural gifts of wide rivers, dominant hills
and forest, lakes and plains, there is the throb of a vibrant
industrial activity. Kollam is gifted with the representative
features - sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters,
forest, vast green fields and tropical crop of every variety
both food crop and cash crop.
Bustling with industrial activity, Quilon is a place where
nature can be seen at its best. People from places as far
as Persia, Arab, Rome and China traded here. The Portuguese
were the first Europeans to set up a trading centre followed
by the Dutch and British. A perfect blend of modernism and
antiquity, the developed city of Quilon brings to the fore
the memories of a bygone era.
There is plenty of seasonal rainfall with a tropical humid
climate. The summer, lasting from March to May, is followed
by the monsoon from June to November. The rest of the year
is generally dry. The eight hour boat ride from Kollam to
Alappuzha is the longest and the most enchanting experience
of backwaters in Kerala
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport, Thiruvananthapuram, is 72km away.
Rail :Quilon is connected by rail with several important cities.
Road :Quilon is connected by road with many tourist centres
in India
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| MUNNAR
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| Idukki district is at an altitude
of 5000 to 8000 ft above sea level. Munnar is one of the prominent
hill stations in India, situated at the confluence of three
mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.
Snuggled in the green and serene Kannan Devan Hills, lies
the quite and restful resort of Munnar, 136 km off Kochi.
Magnificent views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys
and cool climate makes it paradise on earth. It was opened
up out of virgin forests a century ago by pioneering planters.
It is famous for its lush green surroundings, lakes, reservoirs,
forests, and tea estates. The quiet environs of Munnar attract
the traveler to relax in the lap of Mother Nature. Munnar
also beacons the adventure-seeking traveler, who is interested
in paragliding. It has some of the highest tea estates in
the world.
Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands
here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills
in blue every twelve years will bloom next in 2006 AD.
Anamudi the highest peak in South India, towering over 2695m
is also in Munnar. In the vicinity is the Eravikulam National
Park, the home of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr that roams on
a stretch of grassland or is seen climbing the pinnacles of
the undulating hills. Around Munnar there are several exotic
locations like Mattupetty, Eravikulam, Rajamala etc.
The best time to visit Munnar is between the months of October
to March. Travelers must avoid the monsoon season while visiting
Munnar.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport and railway station is at Kochi,
which is 130 km west of Munnar.
Rail :The nearest airport and railway station is at Kochi,
which is 130 km west of Munnar.
Road :Munnar is accessible by road from most of the towns
in Kerala
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| IDUKKY
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| The name 'Idukki' is derived
from the Malayalam word 'idukku', which means a narrow gorge.
Idukki district was formed on January 26, 1972 carving out Devikulam,
Peerumedu and Udumbanchola taluks from the erstwhile Kottayam
district and Thodupuzha taluk from the erstwhile Ernakulam district.
Situated in the southern part of Kerala.
Idukki is a landlocked district spread over an area of 5019
sq.kms. Blessed generously by Mother Nature, Idukki offers
diverse attractions like wild life sanctuaries, hill stations,
spice plantation centres and mountain treks uses, chiefly
significant in the Coir industry
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport is at Kochi 132 km away.
Rail :The nearest railway station is at Kottayam, 133 km away.
Road :Idukki can be reached by moterable roads from most parts
of Kerala
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PATHANAMTHITTA |
| Pathanamthitta is located near
the Western Ghats and bordered by the hills, this district has
vast unending stretches of forests, rivers and rural landscapes.
Nature is seen in its abundance in this district and is famous
for its scenic beauty, fairs and festivals.
Pathanamthitta is an example of true tropical diversity,
it is adorned with fertile agricultural land, plantations
and forest, paddy, tapioca, varieties of vegetables and spices
like cardamom, pepper etc. are extensively cultivated. The
district also abounds in extensive rubber plantations.
Pathanamthitta is the district headquarters. The town is
a land of religious and cultural harmony, where a number of
churches, temples and mosques can be found close to each other.
The annual Chandanakudam festival at the mosque in the heart
of the town is a major event.
More than 50% of the total area of this simple land of temples,
rivers, mountain ranges and coconut groves covered by forests,
this little district is frequented by visitors from India
and abroad often for its water fiestas, religious shrines
and cultural training centre
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport is at Cochin, 152 km away.
Rail :Rail link at Tiruvalla, 30 km. away.
Road :Pathanamthitta is linked by motorable roads.
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VARKALA |
Kerala's new destination Varkala,
is a perfect place for those who like to holiday in a calm and
serene atmosphere. Varkala is a seaside tourist resort and spa.
A small town 55km north of Thiruvananthapuram, it is also an
important religious place for the Hindus.
The Papanasam Beach at Varkala is a quiet, secluded beach known
for its white, silvery stretch of sand, mineral springs and
rocky cliffs. Varkala is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage.
It is the final resting place of Sree Narayana Guru, the great
social reformer of Kerala, is near Varkala atop a hill named
Sivagiri. High cliffs from mineral springs majestically rise
is a scene typical of Varkala. There is a nature cure centre
adjacent to the beach
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : Nearest Airport is at Thiruvananthapuram.
Rail : Nearest Railway Station is at Thiruvananthapuram.
Road : Varkala is linked by motorable roads
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TRIVANDRUM |
Thiruvananthapuram, also known
as Trivandrum, was the former capital of Travancore and is the
State Capital today. This sprawling beautiful city is built
on seven hills, and it is known better for its famous beach
resort - at Kovalam (11km away) that is recognised to be amongst
the ten best in the world.
Thiruvananthapuram, 'the place of the sacred serpent', takes
its name from the idol of Lord Vishnu in the magnificent Padmanabhaswamy
temple as he reclines on the world - supporting serpent, 'Anantha'
or 'Adisesha'.
Today, its splendid past is to be seen in its old buildings,
most of them built in wood in the Kerala style, with tiled
roofs and carved gables, in its botanical garden and Zoo with
its quaint museum; in its wide roads and public buildings;
and in its lively intellectual life. Some of Kerala's leading
film makers, poets and writers live here. Trivandrum has an
international airport, good shopping areas and a variety of
comfortable and reasonably priced hotels.
Thiruvananthapuram is situated near to the sea, which makes
its climate as tropical. This also gives Trivandrum a very
pleasant weather round the year. Monsoon comes to Trivandrum
in the month of May and remains there until November.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : Being the capital of Kerala state, Trivandrum is well
connected to other major cities of India and the neighboring
countries.
Rail :The city is connected to other important cities of India
and Kerala by trains.
Road :Regular buses are available for the other important
cities of Kerala and neighboring states
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