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Kerala Tourism

Transport
The national highways of the state are NH 17, NH 47 and NH 49. Three National Highways link the state with other parts of the country. The public transport in the state consists of government buses, private buses, taxis and auto rickshaws. There are around 200 railway stations and 101 train services connecting the state to almost all major cities of India. Tourist taxis are available throughout Kerala. The facility of renting a car for intra or inter city drive is available. Auto rickshaws are available at selected stands in the major towns. Local Bus Services are operated by the Kerala Transport Corporation and private operators in regular frequencies connecting almost all the places in Kerala. The states total railway route has a length of 1,050 km and covers 13 railway routes. There are three airports, viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode; of which the first two are international airports. There are 16 ports in Kerala of which three are intermediate ports and the other 12 are minor ports.

Divisions
The state of Kerala has 14 districts. They are: Thiruvanathapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha,Kottayam, Idukki,Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram , Kozhikode , Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

Culture of Kerala
The main dress worn by the people of Kerala are mainly traditional in nature. The traditional dress forms are the `Mundu and Neriathu`. Men usually wear a white piece of cloth with golden jerried boarder. Women usually wear sari with blouse.

The major dances of Kerala are Kathakali, Thullal and Mohiniattam. The folk art forms include Theyyam, Thira, Mudiyettu, Kaduvakali, Velakali, Kakkarissinatakam, Chavittunadakam, Margamkali, Kolkali, Parichamuttukali, Bhadrakalipattu, Pulluvanpattu and Thiruvathirakali. Kalaripayattu is the comprehensive system of the marital arts of Kerala. Even kung fu is believed to have originated from this martial art of Kerala.

Festivals of Kerala:
Onam: is celebrated to commemorate the return of King Mahabali, who was pushed down by Vamana(an avatar of Lord Vishnu) into the underworld. King Mahabali was a just and wise king who treated all the people as equals and during his rule there was only peace and happiness.

Vishu Festival: Vishu is celebrated every year in` medam`  (March-April). It is known as the Malayali New Year.

Thrissur Pooram Festival : The most fabulous festival of Kerala is Thrissur Pooram. The Maharaja of the erstwhile Kochi state introduced this festival. It is celebrated in Medom (April-May).

Payippad Jelotsavam Festival:This festival is celebrated for three days commencing from the Onam festival day. Snake boat processions take place on the first two days and competitive boat race take place on the third day.

Attukal Pongala Festival: This is the one and the only temple festival in the world where lakhs of women assemble together to make offerings by cooking a pudding for the goddess or `devi` in the Attukal temple. This offering is taken home after the chief priest of the temple blesses it. This festival will come to an end in the evening with a procession from the temple.

Makaravillakku at Sabarimala Festival: The Sabarimala temple in Pathanamthitta has been a major pilgrim centre in Kerala attracting lakhs of devotees from all over India. The presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa.

Theyyam Festival: Theyyam is one of the popular festivals of Kerala. Theyyam celebrates primarily the Mother Goddess. Animals, serpents and trees also figure in worship.

Kerala Boat Festival: the boat festivals are held during the Onam festival. It is the most important celebration across central Kerala.

Christmas Festival: Christmas is a festival that is celebrated with much zeal in the state to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Easter: is also an important festival in the state, which is celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead.Other important festivals of Kerala are Eid, Muharram.

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