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Kerala packed with 26
million people in 38,900 sq km in a narrow strip of
land between the Western Ghats and the beaches of
the Arabian Sea, clings like a banana leaf to the
southwestern coast of the Indian peninsula. The
strip of land found a natural defense in the hills
that sealed off one longitudinal section, leaving it
open to access from the sea alone. Sea trade started
with the Phoenicians, and in 1000 BC Kerala was
visited by King Solomon's ship that travelled to 'Ophir',
in all probability the modern Puvar, south of
Trivandrum. Then followed the traders from Greece,
Rome, Arabia, China, Portuguese who gained right in
1516; the Dutch merchants a stronghold in 1602, and
by 1663 the Portuguese were forced out of the area.
By 1795, however, the Dutch too had to move out, for
the British traders had become the strongest power
in India by that time. Much earlier, the Jews came
to Kerala when they fled the rule of Nebuchadnezzar
in 587 BC; St. Thomas the Apostle came here in the
first century AD; the Syrian Chrisitians were in
existence here in the 2nd century AD. When the
Portuguese came to Kerala, they found a thriving
Christian community here, but one that had never
heard of Pope.
Green and serene, a paradise, God's own country, an
ethereal vision or a poet's inspiration, a treasure
of infinite beauty - all is said about Kerala. Lush
plantations rise from the sea and sweep the entire
state in verdant glory. Splendid festivals with
mysterious rituals, full of colour, herds of
elephants, leading processions, or in the wild,
exotic handicrafts, seafood preparation that makes
Kerala one of the most exciting destinations of
India. Snake-boat races on the backwaters of Kerala,
Elephant March with hundreds of caparisoned
elephants lined up, the martial art, Kathakali - the
spectacular dance drama; Kerala Houseboats
Kettuvallam on back waters and Ayurvedic Herbal
Massage and Treatment that makes this part of India
a unique destination.
India Travels offers online booking for Kerala Tourism in
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