What is Kerala known for?
Kerala is a beautiful state in southern India along the tropical Malabar coast and a much-loved location to visit on holiday or on your travels. What is Kerala known for? Kerala is famous for its serene and picturesque backwaters with houseboats cruising gently across the surface; it is also known for its rich culture of dance and theatre, as well as the most beautiful beaches, natural scenery, and spectacular wildlife.
In this guide, we are going to dive a little deeper and introduce you to some of the many wonderful things that Kerala is known for, celebrating the state and hopefully getting you inspired for a holiday in Kerala so you can visit yourself.
Houseboats and backwaters
One of Kerala’s most iconic features is its amazing lagoons, rivers, and network of canals that are known as backwaters. The backwaters of Kerala are synonymous with the state, with many choosing to visit the area to relax in the idyllic houseboats that populate this 900km labyrinthian system of waterways. Due to Kerala’s location adjacent to the Arabian coast and the backwaters it forms, navigating the water is a way of life and the perfect way to experience local culture when visiting.
The houseboats are like slow-moving barges, but often with the comfort of a hotel, that navigate the backwaters past fields, forests, and colourful communities, allowing you to kick back, relax, and enjoy a truly unique holiday. Anna, from the travel blog, Global Gallivanting, has visited Kerala herself and enjoyed life in a houseboat on the backwaters, and speaks highly of the experience, sharing with us:
“Cruising along the palm tree-fringed waterways of the Kerala backwaters in a traditional reed thatched boat is one of the most serene and peaceful experiences you can have in India. Floating along in the luxurious houseboat was a beautiful, unique and relaxing experience. A special highlight was the canoe ride through the smaller channels which gives you a magical glimpse of the local life. Surrounded by bird song and a million shades of greenery we stopped off to visit spice plantations, saw demonstrations of traditional crafts like basket weaving and toddy tapping and ate a traditional Keralan thali off a banana leaf.”
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Beaches
Kerala, situated on the lovely, tropical Malabar Coast, has nearly 600km of Arabian sea shoreline, resulting in a wonderful beach scene that the state can be truly proud of. Kerala is one of the best locations in all of India to enjoy time on the coast so when visiting you will do well to plan some time for relaxing on its sandy shores. Varkala Beach is a popular destination, brushing against the side of a pretty red cliff edge, a unique site in the state, with surrounding palm trees completing the idyllic picture. Other lovely beach locations include the likes of Kovalam (Kerala’s well known seaside region) which features Hawa beach, Lighthouse beach, and the little Samudra beach where local fishermen can be found going about their business. There are plenty of other options, however, while you explore Kerala.
Ellie, from the travel blog, The Wandering Quinn, has enjoyed Kerala’s beaches on her travels, having visited the wonderful Varkala Beach, loving her time there due to its laidback nature: “I would say this is the main reason I recommend you head to Varkala in Kerala, it’s just so chilled! South India is known to be more chilled than North India but at the same time many places in South India are still very busy and bustling and taking a break on the coast of Varkala is the perfect way to relax from your travels around Southern India.”
The best beaches in Kerala
· Varkala beach
· Hawa beach
· Lighthouse beach
· Samudra beach
· Kappad beach
· Alappuzha beach
· Cherai beach
· Marari beach
Natural beauty
One thing that will hit you instantly upon arriving in Kerala is the state’s natural beauty. The scenic nature of Kerala is one of its finest bragging points, with stunning vistas to be found wherever you look. For example, there is the Western Ghats region, a majestic mountain range of rolling green hills and peaks that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are the picturesque coastal areas of Kerala that hug the Arabian Sea, the mesmerising waterways, and how about the plethora of pretty tea gardens that provide breathtaking sweeping views through Kerala’s open areas.
We spoke to Richa, from the food and travel blog Savory Tales, who loved the visual splendour of the area when visiting Kerala. When asked if she enjoyed the scenery, she told us: “Yes! It’s absolutely beautiful and mesmerising. I personally loved Munnar for its breathtaking views and Alleppey for the houseboat experience.”
Not far from Munnar, another stop of note when it comes to natural beauty is Anayirangal Dam Lake, a reservoir which is surrounded by tea plantations and forests, making for a picturesque spot and getaway location. If it’s natural beauty you want on your holiday, you have come to the right place in Kerala.
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Thrissur Pooram
Thrissur Pooram is an annual festival held in Kerala and for those who fancy tapping into their spiritual side when visiting, or just want to sample the local culture, attending this festival is a must. The festivities take place at Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur every year on a day coinciding with the moon rising with the Pooram star in the Malayalam Calendar month of Medam. Thrissur Pooram is India’s largest and most famous pooram (a type of temple festival). When attending you will be witness to elephant parades, local music, processions, and fireworks. Another notable component of Thrissur Pooram is the way in which India’s different religions come together to play a role in the festival, a fact that Kerala is very proud of.
Rich culture
Festivals are just one part of Kerala’s rich and fascinating culture. The likes of Thrissur Pooram are certainly an important component of local life, but you will also find wonderful artistic expressions in this southern state, such as theatre performances and traditional dances such as the incredible Kathakali, a dance renowned across the world, originating 500 years ago, combining colourful costumes and different artistic expressions for truly theatrical performances.
Kerala is also known for the ancient martial art known as Kalaripayattu, which was created for the battlefields of old, featuring techniques that are unique to India. It includes rituals and philosophies inspired by Hinduism and has a history spanning over 3,000 years, making it the world’s oldest martial art.
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Wildlife
If you are an animal lover you will be well at home in Kerala, with the state being known for its epic wildlife. There is a range of wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala and three tiger reserves, including the Periyar Tiger Reserve, which is home to a number of majestic creatures such as tigers, elephants, leopards, and the rare lion-tailed macaques. As well as national parks like Eravikulam National Park, and other protected areas such as Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, there is the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, which is known as the richest bird habitat on the peninsula. Experiencing India’s wildlife is a must when visiting the country and Kerala is a great place to do so, with some incredible experiences, like tiger safari holidays, being popular options.
Anita Hendrieka, a travel blogger, has spent time in Kerala, absorbing the spectacular wildlife the state has to offer. She visited the wildlife sanctuary in Thekaddy, calling it a “highlight of her trip” and has shared the following insight from her experience: “It was an incredible experience riding a boat on the lake and finding a family of wild elephants in the distance. That was an experience with nature in Kerala that I will never forget and one of the absolute highlights out of all my travels.”
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What is Kerala famous for?
· Houseboats and backwaters
· Beaches
· Natural beauty
· Thrissur Pooram
· Wildlife
· Rich culture
As you can see, there is plenty to get excited by when it comes to Kerala. From houseboats and backwaters to beaches, scenic vistas, festivals and wildlife, the things that Kerala is famous for is more than enough to create a truly memorable experience for all who would like to visit.
If Kerala is a destination that you would love to experience in person, as India travel experts we are here to help design your perfect adventure, creating a tailor-made holiday that you will never forget.
For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.