Kerala – India’s charming and serene state

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Wayanad mountains; uasatish; travel blog;
Wayanad Mountains

Kerala is India’s unruffled and beautiful state. Its varied landscape forms a narrow strip- nearly 600 km of  coastline along the Arabian Sea, a network of sparkling backwaters and the tea covered hills of Wayanad and Munnar. Arabian Sea provides a crucial link between the neighboring areas of Iran, the Arabian Peninsula (including YemenOmanUnited Arab Emirates), Pakistan, the Horn of Africa nations and India.

1. Banasura Sagar Dam

Banasura Sagar is India’s largest earthen dam. It is at an altitude of 3,200 feet and a short drive from Kalpetta (21 km). The dam is in a beautiful spot. On one side of the dam is the reservoir and on the other side are the misty hills of Wayanad.

Kochi; Vallarpadam; sea; buoy; sky; uasatish;
Rounding a buoy near Vallarpadam

2. Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi can be reached in 20 minutes by ferry from Ernakulam main boat jetty. The route is scenic, passing Willingdon Island, Vallarpadam Container Terminal and Kochi Harbour along the way. Ernakulam to Fort Kochi by road is 16 km and takes about 32 minutes without traffic.

Kasargod; Kerala; fishing jetty; sky; water; uasatish;
Day’s Catch

3. Kasaragod

Near Kasaragod railway station is a fishing jetty. A foot bridge connects the jetty to a shed at the other end. The place is very close to the Mangalore-Kannur railway line.

Kerala; Wayanad; forest; deer; uasatish;
Startled Deer

4. Thirunelly

We were travelling from Thirunelli Vishnu Temple to Mananthawadi. There were thick forests on both sides of the road. It was nine in the morning. The sun was up and the light was good. The car was moving slowly when we came up on the deer by the roadside.

At first I did not see the deer amidst the greenery of the forest. It was well camouflaged in the shadows, with the spots on its coat appearing like specks of sunlight. The deer was probably as startled as we were when we came face to face.

Kerala; Kannur; lighthouse; moon; sea; sky; uasatish;
Moonlit Light House

5. Kannur Light House

Kannur Light House is near Payyambalam Beach, a few kilometers from Kannur town. It is adjacent to Government Guest House. The light house is active and overlooks the Arabian Sea.

Kerala; Muthanga Forest; Wayanad; India; trees; road; mist; uasatish;
Early Morning in Muthanga Forest

6. Muthanga Wldlife Sanctuary

I visited Kerala’s wildlife sanctuary at Muthanga three years back. It is 44 km from Kalpetta, an hour’s drive. The roads are good. Entry to the wildlife sanctuary is from 7-10 in mornings and 3-5 in evenings. We travelled in a jeep on the dirt roads inside the forest. We were accompanied by a state forest officer. The ride lasted just one hour and cost was Rs 500.

Arakkal Palace; Kannur; India; heritage site; uasatish; room;
Room in Arakkal Palace

7. Arakkal Museum

Kingdom of Arakkal was the only Muslim-ruled state in Kerala prior to the British era. The kingdom included little more than Cannanore town and Lakshadweep Islands. It is believed that the Arakkal clan descended from a princess of the Kolathiri royal family.

The Durbar Hall section of Arakkal Palace has been converted into a museum. It showcases heirlooms from the times of the Arakkal dynasty. The Government of Kerala  renovated the place and opened the museum the public in July 2005.

Kannur; Letty Villa; building; India; uasatish;
Letty Villa

8. Kannur Cantonment

Letty Villa is a heritage bungalow in the Cantonment area of Kannur. The Kannur Cantonment Board is one of the 62 cantonments in India and the only one in Kerala. The headquarters of  Defence Security Corps is based here.

Kerala; Thekkady; India; gaur; lake; forest; uasatish;
Herd-of-Gaur-in-Thekkady

9. Periyar Lake

Periyar Lake, a reservoir measuring 26 sq km (10 sq mi), was formed when the Mullaperiyar Dam was built in 1895. Many trees got submerged in the lake. The stumps can still be seen sticking out of the water. Thickly wooded hills of Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady surround the lake. It is one kilometre from Kumily in Idukki District.

The lake and the forests are beautiful. We were able to pick out Gaur (Indian Bison), Otter and monkeys from the safety of our boat. Among the birds that we noticed were cormorants, herons, parrots and many kingfishers.

houseboat; Punnamada Lake; Alappuzha; boat cruise; uasatish;
Alappuzha Houseboat

10. Alappuzha Houseboat Cruise

Alappuzha is famous for houseboat cruises along its stunning backwaters and canals. The canals connect to Vembanad Kayal which is one of the largest lakes in India. It is fed by ten rivers which flow into it. A narrow barrier island separates the lake  from Arabian Sea.

Wayanad; Kalpetta; India; tea estates; sky; clouds; uasatish; trees;
Road to Kalpetta

11. Road to Kalppetta

The road to Kalpetta in Wayanad passes through beautifully manicured tea plantations. As usual, the plantations were on hill slopes and seemed to stretch endlessly. We could see silver oak trees among the tea shrubs.

Kerala; coconut trees; India; water; grass; sky; uasatish;
Kerala-in-the-Rains

12. Kerala in the Rains

Kerala is the land of coconut trees. South-west monsoon (Edavapathy) bring rains to Kerala in the months of June to August. People look forward to seeing the drenched landscapes and wet rice fields. The environment stays cool and dust-free. The rainy season is best for Ayurveda therapies.

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