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.
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