The Kerala Experience
Ayurveda
Cuisine
Shopping
Classical Performing Arts ‘Gods Own Country’ With the Arabian Sea to the west, the Western Ghats towering 500 -2700 m in the east, forty four rivers which traverse the state, Kerala has unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia: an equable climate, a long shoreline with serene beaches, tr
anquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, waterfalls, sprawling plantations and paddy fields, ayurvedic health holidays, enchanting art forms, magical festivals, historic and cultural monuments and an exotic cuisine. That is why Kerala is different from the rest of India. All of its charming attractions are only two hours drive from one another.But the state does not just just focus on developing its tourist attractions. All the people are literate. There is worldclass health care system, the infant mortality is the lowest in country and life expectancy highest. The quality of life is exemplary. Peaceful, pristine Kerala is India's cleanest state. The Kerala Experience
Ayurveda
Cuisine
Shopping
Classical Performing Arts
Ayurveda
Harmony of body, mind and soul. Ayurveda evolved around 600BC in India. This system of medicine stresses the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them. Today it's a unique, indispensable branch of medicine – a complete natural healing system that depends on the diagnosis of the body's humours – Vata, Pitta and Kapha- to achieve the right balance. Ayurveda believes in treating the whole individual, not just the ailment. It is the natural way to refresh yourself, eliminate all toxic imbalances and regain resistance and good health. Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants) and the cool monsoon season (June – November) is best suited to Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. Today Kerala is the only state in India which practises this system of medicine with absolute dedication. Traditional texts reveal that the monsoon is the best season for rejuvenation programmes. The atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy. [Top]
Cuisine
Kerala has a cuisine as distinctive as its cultural life. Influenced by its long coastline and flavoured by the all-pervasive coconut, it is enriched by exotic fruits, vegetables, and seafood garnished with the distinctive aroma of spices. According to Travel and Leisure, Kerala wakes up to one of the best breakfasts in the world-both in terms of taste and nutritional value: Puttu ( made of rice flour and coconut) and Kadala (gram) curry; Idiappam (noodle like rice cakes)and egg / vegetable curry; Appam (soft centred lacy pancakes) and mutton/vegetables stew. Served on a plantain leaf and eaten with the hand, the Sadya is the traditional feast of Kerala. A three course meal, it includes an amazing variety of up to 40 vegetarian delights: crispy pappadoms (wafers deep fried in coconut oil). A variety of pickles accompany this sumptuous spread which is rounded off with different varieties of Payasams (sweet desserts). With a long coastline, over 44 rivers, innumerable lagoons and lakes, Kerala has abundant marine wealth. Among the seafood delicacies are prawns, lobsters, crabs, mussels etc all enticingly cooked with exotic spices. Karimeen or Pearlspot, a backwater fish is the famous delicacy. The Moplah cuisine of Malabar, influenced by the Arabs, and Syrian Christian cuisine influenced by the Dutch, Portuguese and British are unique in their rich flavour. Extensive use of fish, red chillies and Kudampuli, a souring agent distinguishes Syrian Christian cuisine, with its lightly flavoured aromatic Malabari Biryani, a treat for the taste buds. [Top]
Shopping
Kerala is an ideal place to shop. The state is renowned for its handlooms, gold ornaments, spices etc. The handicrafts of Kerala are known for their uniqueness of style, perfection of form and elegance of design. Making the metal, 6 inch by 4 inch mirror, of an alloy of copper and tin, with an oval shape and a tail-like handle was once a closely guarded secret. It predates the modern mirror. Richly embellished with a conical lid, this ethnic jewelery box of Kerala (Nettur Petti) was once the priced possession of the rich and famous. Made of rosewood, the fully handcrafted casket is a collector's item. The handloom sarees (Kasavu Mundu) of Kerala are known for their elegant simplicity. Soft and light, and laced with gold kasavu, they are treasured items. Kerala's traditional jewellery items like necklaces, chains, bangles, ear rings etc, are rich in variety and design. Natural motifs like flowers, leaves, birds etc. used as embellishments set them apart. The high ranges of Kerala are home to endless stretches of spice plantations. The state produces twelve varieties of spices including pepper, cardmom, clove, cinnamon etc. [Top]
Classical Performing Arts
The tradition of classical arts in Kerala dates back over a thousand years. Koodiyattam, a dance-drama associated with temple rituals is perhaps the oldest of these. This art form was recently selected by UNESCO as one of the ‘Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’. Kathakali, a popular art form of Kerala, has been referred to as the world's first theatre of imagination due to its elaborate costumes, ornaments and facial make-up. Kalaripayattu the martial art form of Kerala is regarded at the oldest and most scientific in the world. Training in combat is given at the Kalari (training school). The principles of Kalari education stipulate that training in martial arts begins with an oil massage of the body which goes on until it is agile and supple. Training consists of chattm (jumping), ottam (running) marichil (somersault) followed by lessons in the use of weapons such as daggers, swords, spears, maces, the bow and arrow etc.
