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KOTTAYAM
The word Kottayam is a composition of the words Kotta (meaning fort) and Akkam (meaning inside). It is an important commercial centre of Kerala, as it is a producer of cash crops. Most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board, one of the country's primary commodities board. Since ages, Kottayam has been regarded as one of the most important places of Kerala both politically and otherwise.
Kottayam has some of the finest natural scenes sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western ghats on the east.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : Nearest Airport is at Cochin, 76 km away. The Thiruvananthapuam International Airport is 152 km.
Rail : Kottayam Railway Station 2 kms. away from the Central Bus Station and is connected with major cities and tourist centres.
Road :There are two bus stands, one run by state transport and the other private. The buses to major centres operate from the KSRTC bus station.
Ferry : The Ferry Station is 3 km, away from the railway station. Services to Alleppey, Mannar, Chempakulam, Mankombu and
Ambalapuzha.
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KOLLAM
The country's cashew trading and processing industry is located in Kollam. It is also an important hub for the state's marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being the centre for trawlers and ice plants. For all its natural gifts of wide rivers, dominant hills and forest, lakes and plains, there is the throb of a vibrant industrial activity. Kollam is gifted with the representative features - sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest, vast green fields and tropical crop of every variety both food crop and cash crop.
Bustling with industrial activity, Quilon is a place where nature can be seen at its best. People from places as far as Persia, Arab, Rome and China traded here. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to set up a trading centre followed by the Dutch and British. A perfect blend of modernism and antiquity, the developed city of Quilon brings to the fore the memories of a bygone era.
There is plenty of seasonal rainfall with a tropical humid climate. The summer, lasting from March to May, is followed by the monsoon from June to November. The rest of the year is generally dry. The eight hour boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest and the most enchanting experience of backwaters in Kerala
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport, Thiruvananthapuram, is 72km away.
Rail :Quilon is connected by rail with several important cities.
Road :Quilon is connected by road with many tourist centres in India
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MUNNAR
Idukki district is at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 ft above sea level. Munnar is one of the prominent hill stations in India, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.
Snuggled in the green and serene Kannan Devan Hills, lies the quite and restful resort of Munnar, 136 km off Kochi. Magnificent views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys and cool climate makes it paradise on earth. It was opened up out of virgin forests a century ago by pioneering planters.
It is famous for its lush green surroundings, lakes, reservoirs, forests, and tea estates. The quiet environs of Munnar attract the traveler to relax in the lap of Mother Nature. Munnar also beacons the adventure-seeking traveler, who is interested in paragliding. It has some of the highest tea estates in the world.
Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue every twelve years will bloom next in 2006 AD.
Anamudi the highest peak in South India, towering over 2695m is also in Munnar. In the vicinity is the Eravikulam National Park, the home of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr that roams on a stretch of grassland or is seen climbing the pinnacles of the undulating hills. Around Munnar there are several exotic locations like Mattupetty, Eravikulam, Rajamala etc.
The best time to visit Munnar is between the months of October to March. Travelers must avoid the monsoon season while visiting Munnar.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport and railway station is at Kochi, which is 130 km west of Munnar.
Rail :The nearest airport and railway station is at Kochi, which is 130 km west of Munnar.
Road :Munnar is accessible by road from most of the towns in Kerala
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IDUKKY
The name 'Idukki' is derived from the Malayalam word 'idukku', which means a narrow gorge. Idukki district was formed on January 26, 1972 carving out Devikulam, Peerumedu and Udumbanchola taluks from the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk from the erstwhile Ernakulam district. Situated in the southern part of Kerala.
Idukki is a landlocked district spread over an area of 5019 sq.kms. Blessed generously by Mother Nature, Idukki offers diverse attractions like wild life sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centres and mountain treks uses, chiefly significant in the Coir industry
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport is at Kochi 132 km away.
Rail :The nearest railway station is at Kottayam, 133 km away.
Road :Idukki can be reached by moterable roads from most parts of Kerala
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PATHANAMTHITTA
Pathanamthitta is located near the Western Ghats and bordered by the hills, this district has vast unending stretches of forests, rivers and rural landscapes. Nature is seen in its abundance in this district and is famous for its scenic beauty, fairs and festivals.
Pathanamthitta is an example of true tropical diversity, it is adorned with fertile agricultural land, plantations and forest, paddy, tapioca, varieties of vegetables and spices like cardamom, pepper etc. are extensively cultivated. The district also abounds in extensive rubber plantations.
Pathanamthitta is the district headquarters. The town is a land of religious and cultural harmony, where a number of churches, temples and mosques can be found close to each other. The annual Chandanakudam festival at the mosque in the heart of the town is a major event.
More than 50% of the total area of this simple land of temples, rivers, mountain ranges and coconut groves covered by forests, this little district is frequented by visitors from India and abroad often for its water fiestas, religious shrines and cultural training centre
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : The nearest airport is at Cochin, 152 km away.
Rail :Rail link at Tiruvalla, 30 km. away.
Road :Pathanamthitta is linked by motorable roads.
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VARKALA
Kerala's new destination Varkala, is a perfect place for those who like to holiday in a calm and serene atmosphere. Varkala is a seaside tourist resort and spa. A small town 55km north of Thiruvananthapuram, it is also an important religious place for the Hindus.
The Papanasam Beach at Varkala is a quiet, secluded beach known for its white, silvery stretch of sand, mineral springs and rocky cliffs. Varkala is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. It is the final resting place of Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer of Kerala, is near Varkala atop a hill named Sivagiri. High cliffs from mineral springs majestically rise is a scene typical of Varkala. There is a nature cure centre adjacent to the beach
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : Nearest Airport is at Thiruvananthapuram.
Rail : Nearest Railway Station is at Thiruvananthapuram.
Road : Varkala is linked by motorable roads
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TRIVANDRUM
Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, was the former capital of Travancore and is the State Capital today. This sprawling beautiful city is built on seven hills, and it is known better for its famous beach resort - at Kovalam (11km away) that is recognised to be amongst the ten best in the world.
Thiruvananthapuram, 'the place of the sacred serpent', takes its name from the idol of Lord Vishnu in the magnificent Padmanabhaswamy temple as he reclines on the world - supporting serpent, 'Anantha' or 'Adisesha'.
Today, its splendid past is to be seen in its old buildings, most of them built in wood in the Kerala style, with tiled roofs and carved gables, in its botanical garden and Zoo with its quaint museum; in its wide roads and public buildings; and in its lively intellectual life. Some of Kerala's leading film makers, poets and writers live here. Trivandrum has an international airport, good shopping areas and a variety of comfortable and reasonably priced hotels.
Thiruvananthapuram is situated near to the sea, which makes its climate as tropical. This also gives Trivandrum a very pleasant weather round the year. Monsoon comes to Trivandrum in the month of May and remains there until November.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Air : Being the capital of Kerala state, Trivandrum is well connected to other major cities of India and the neighboring countries.
Rail :The city is connected to other important cities of India and Kerala by trains.
Road :Regular buses are available for the other important cities of Kerala and neighboring states
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