In the most serenely beautiful state of Kerala, at the southwestern tip of India

 “Whether you want to cruise the backwaters, sip tea in a plantation, or relax on a beach, this alluring Indian state has it all and more.”

-- Harriet O’Brien
====================================================================
(on the Arabian Sea, at the southwestern tip of India) The state of Kerala is bordered by the Indian states of Karnataka to the north and Tamil Nadu to the east. On its northwest coast, Kerala, surrounding an exclave of the Indian union territory of Puducherry, is one of the most densely populated states in India. The state capital is Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). Other major urban areas include Kochi, Kozhikode, Kollam, Thrissur, and Thalassery.

+ The Keralan countryside is something to behold; from the pretty tea plantations of the Cardamom Hills to Kumarakom’s serene backwater canals, this is a vibrant green paradise ripe for exploration.

+ Kerala is indeed a state of great natural beauty. The Western Ghats mountain range extends through the eastern part of the state. The Ghats reach their greatest height at Anai Peak, which (at 2695 meters) is the highest point in India outside of the Himalayan region. Farmlands stretch from the rocky highlands to the coastal plain in the west. Along the coast, a linked chain of lagoons and backwaters form the so-called "Venice of India." The state’s major rivers include the Ponnani, Periyar, Chalakudi, and Pamba.

+ Although isolated from the Indian interior by the Western Ghats, Kerala has been exposed to many foreign influences through its long coastline. As a result, the state has developed a unique culture within India, with religious diversity and its own language, Malayalam. It belongs to the Dravidian language family and is the language of the Malayalis, who make up the majority of the population. The state also has a significant minority of Tamils. One of the major styles of Indian classical dance is native to Kerala. It is called kathakali, and it features male performers in all the roles.

+ For many travelers, Kerala is South India's most serenely beautiful state. This slender coastal strip is defined by its layered landscape: almost 600km of glorious Arabian Sea coast and beaches; a languid network of glistening backwaters; and the spice- and tea-covered hills of the Western Ghats, dotted with fiercely protected wildlife reserves and cool hill stations such as Munnar. Just setting foot on this swathe of soul-soothing, palm-shaded green will slow your subcontinental stride to a blissed-out amble. Kerala is a world away from the hectic action of the rest of India, its long, fascinating backstory illuminated by historically evocative cities like Kochi (Cochin) and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). Besides the famous backwaters, elegant houseboats, and delicately spiced, taste-bud-tingling cuisine, Kerala is home to wild elephants, exotic birds, and the odd tiger, while vibrant traditions such as Kathakali, theyyam (a trance-induced ritual), temple festivals, and snake-boat races frequently bring even the smallest villages to life.