Some facts about Kerala
State Capital:Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Population : 29,099
Area ('000 sq. km)39
Females per 1000 males (1991) 1,036
Literacy rate (1991) 89.8
Ratio of urban population (1991)26.4
Net Domestic Product(Rs. million at current prices in 1992-93) 15,082
Per Capita Income (Rs. at current prices in 1992-93)5,065
Principal Language : Malayalam
Kathakali
People from distant lands have been coming to Kerala since ancient times. They came in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory. Long before Vasco da Gama led the Portugese to India, the coast had been known to the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Arabs and the Chinese. Enduring contact with people from overseas has resulted in the successful blending of various cultures, which gives the state a cosmopolitan outlook. The present-day state of Kerala was created in 1956 from Travancore, Kochi (Cochin) and Malabar. Malabar was formerly a part of Madras State, while both Travancore and Cochin were princely states ruled by maharajas. An early concern for public welfare gave Kerala a head start, and resulted in the state being one of the most progressive, literate and highly educated states in India.
For the visitor, Kerala offers an intriguing mosaic of cultures and some unusual ways of travelling around. Perhaps more than anywhere else in India, getting around can be a lot of fun, particularly on backwater trips along the coastal lagoons. It also offers some of the best and most picturesque beaches in India, the one at Kovalam, south of Thiruvananthapuram, being the most popular. Kerala has an amenable, relaxed atmosphere making it a much sought after tourist destination.
Getting around in Kerala...
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From Thiruvananthapuram
1. City Tour - 0800 hrs to 1900 hrs - Rs 60 per head - daily
2. Kanyakumari Tour - 0730 hrs to 2100 hrs - Rs 120 per head - daily
3. Ponmudi Tour - 0745 hrs to 1900 hrs - Rs 100 per head - daily
4. Thekkady Tour - ( 2 days ) Departure on Saturday at 0630 hrs and return on Sunday at 2100 hrs - Rs 275 per head
For booking contact : Tourist Reception Centre, KTDC, Railway Station Road, Thiruvananthapuram; Tel : 330031
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From Cochin
1. Boat cruise - cum - sightseeing tour - 0900 hrs to 1300 hrs and 1400 hrs to 1800 hrs - Rs 40 per head - daily
2. Thekkady Tour - ( 2 days) 0730 hrs on Saturday to 2000 hrs on Sunday - Rs 200 per head
3. Athirampally - Vazhachal Tour - 0800 hrs to 1800 hrs - Rs 100 per head - every Sunday
For booking contact: Tourist Reception Centre, KTDC, Shanmugham Road, Cochin; Tel : 253234
Highly Recommended Tour
10 day tour to Cochin - Allapuzha - Changanassery - Thekkady - Thiruvananthapuram - Kovalam - Ponmudi - Kanyakumari
Day 1 : Arrival at Cochin, half day boat cruise - cum - sightseeing
Day 2 : Excursion to Kaladi, Athirampally waterfalls and back to Cochin
Day 3 : Cochin to Allapuzha by road. Boat ride to Changanassery. Proceed by road to Thekkady. Stay at Thekkady ( Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary )
Day 4 : Thekkady - boating and elephant ride
Day 5 : Thekkady to Thiruvananthapuram by road
Day 6 : Sightseeing in Thiruvananthapuram . Proceed to Kovalam.
Day 7 : Full day at Kovalam beach
Day 8 : Excursion to Padmanabhapuram palace, Suchindram temple, Kanyakumari. Return to Kovalam.
Day 9 : Excursion to Neyyar dam, Ponmudi. Return to Kovalam.
Day 10 : Departure from Thiruvananthapuram
Tourist Offices
Thiruvananthapuram:
Kerala Tourism Development Corp., Mascot Square, Thiruvananthapuram Tel : 438976
Thiruvananthapuram
(At national airport) Tel : 451058
(At international airport) Tel : 452298
(At central bus station) Tel : 67224
Cochin
Tourist Information Counter,
Tourist Deck, Boat Jetty, Cochin
Tel : 371761
Kozhikode
Tourist Information Counter,
Railway Station,
Kozhikode