KeralaKerala offers the most beautiful beaches, the most comfortable hotels, waterways for houseboat trips, spice, coffee and tea plantations, the Periyar National Reserve, the martial art Kalaripayattu, the tradition of the Indian dance theater Kathakali, as well as numerous Ayurveda centers. All this is located amidst palm trees, many Christian churches (a third of the population is Christian) and at the same time red flags with hammer and sickle, because Kerala is a communist state. It is the most prosperous, cleanest, most educated (100 percent literacy) and best-organized region in India. But Kerala is also the India from the Jungle Book. Do you want to immerse yourself in a fairy tale? Kerala is referred to as the "Land of the Gods". According to a legend, Vishnu, the protector of the world, rests here on a cosmic snake. It is also considered the "land of waves, spices and magic". Kerala gives so much happiness and well-being that there is probably no person who does not fall in love with this paradisiacal land. That is why it also bears the name "earthly paradise". The state of Kerala is located on the southwestern coast of India and stretches as a narrow strip of land between the green mountains of the Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west. The tropical coast, which is fed by monsoon rains and crisscrossed by canals and lakes, is a true holiday paradise. A mild climate, long beaches, calm backwaters, emerald green tea plantations, impressive wildlife, waterfalls, Ayurveda treatments and a rich cultural tradition make Kerala a unique travel destination. Kerala is one of the most developed Indian states with full literacy, the lowest infant mortality and the highest life expectancy in India. In addition, Kerala is considered the cleanest state. Tourism is very well developed here: international airports such as Kochi, Trivandrum and Kozhikode as well as numerous luxurious hotels are available. The history of Kerala goes back a long way, to the time when the scent of spices lured seafarers from all over the world to the Silver Coast: Phoenicians, Romans, Chinese, Arabs and Jews; later Dutch, Portuguese and British. Even King Solomon's ships came to Kerala to fetch spices and wood. Marco Polo reported that about two hundred ships lay in the port of Calicut every day. Christopher Columbus also originally wanted to sail to Kerala before he reached America on his westward journey. Kerala became known in Europe through Vasco da Gama, who discovered this area for Portugal about five hundred years ago. The travelers and settlers brought their cultures with them and turned Kerala into a mosaic: Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, the Dutch Palace and the Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry are just a few of the testimonies of the past that have been preserved to this day. Despite all these influences, Kerala has preserved its own identity over millennia. This is particularly evident during the Onam festival, which is dedicated to the demon king Mahabali, who returns from the underworld once a year to visit his people. During Onam, large parades and boat races on long snake boats are held. Although the majority of the population are Hindus, there is a long tradition of religious and ethnic tolerance in Kerala. Christianity has been widespread here since the 1st century and is said to date back to the Apostle Thomas, who arrived in 52 AD. The first mosque in India was built in Kerala in the 8th century, and the descendants of King Solomon's Jewish merchants built the synagogue in Kochi in 1567. Culture, Art and Traditions The spirit of Kerala is particularly evident in the performing arts: Kathakali, a sophisticated dance dramaturgy with a strict form that is about 1500 years old; Kuthu and Kutiyattam, even older theater traditions. Other art forms include Mohiniyattam, Ottan Thullal, Parayan Thullal and Seethankan Thullal. Behind all these classical and folk art forms is the martial art Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest and most developed martial arts in the world. It is closely linked to Ayurveda. Every year, thousands of people travel to the Ayurveda centers of Kerala. Kerala is famous for its unique Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is a science of life that encompasses all aspects of human existence and connects human life with the universe. It is considered the oldest and most complete medical system in the world. The fundamental scriptures were written in India more than two thousand years ago. Since time immemorial, doctors from all over the world have come to India to study Ayurveda: Chinese, Tibetans, Afghans, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks and Italians. Many pharmaceutical companies today produce Ayurvedic remedies according to traditional recipes and under the original names. Ayurveda is based on the understanding that the human body must function in harmony with the laws of nature. It is an art of healthy living, a system that brings body, mind and soul into harmony. Ayurveda uses gemstones, metals, flowers, herbs, scents and special foods to treat various diseases. The goal is to lead people to a state of perfect well-being. Because everything in the universe is connected and dependent on each other. Ayurveda helps to lead a healthy life that withstands external influences and preserves inner strength.
South GoaIn South Goa, there is not as much hustle and bustle as in the north, but the region is famous for something quite different. This is where the most beautiful sandy beaches are located. Where the wide strip of white sand ends, a green wall of dense vegetation rises. Lush plants surround villas that seem to come from old Portuguese copperplate engravings, giving the surroundings a fairytale-like and almost unreal atmosphere. This place is ideal for anyone who wants to escape the stress of everyday life and immerse themselves completely in nature. The sea, the sun, the air permeated with the scent of spices that grow on this fertile land, the unique cuisine, and the hospitable locals – all this awaits you in beautiful South Goa.
North GoaTourism originally began here in the north. First came the hippies, drawn by the untouched nature, mild climate, and seclusion from modern life. It is thanks to them that this part of the state has developed the most over the past forty years. Numerous small hotels and guesthouses offer affordable accommodation. Cafés, small restaurants, bars, shops, and nightclubs – the streets of the holiday villages are lively at all times of the day and night. This is where the famous night market is located, where you can buy souvenirs by the glow of lamps and candles, enjoy a beer or a cocktail with the local "Old Monk" rum, or simply listen to live music. The endless beaches also host the legendary trance parties, to which lovers of this music style travel from all over the world. If you like movement, a lively atmosphere, and meeting a wide variety of people, North Goa is the right choice. And even if you are looking for peace and quiet in between, you will always find a quiet place here too.
