Kerala - God’s own country

Kerala - God’s own country

Kerala is one of the smallest states in the union of India by the mythology was created by a great monk by name Parasu rama. The legend goes like this Parasu rama threw an axe standing at Kanya kumari (Cape comarin) and all of a sudden sea receded leaving up the line on the path of the axe thereby leaving a land portion for the good people to live. On 1954 India was sub divided on the basis of languages and thus Kerala was formed by the union of three regions based on the common language spoken –Malayalam. Located at the south western part of India Kerala has numerous geographical cultural and historical specialties. It was Mr. Babu Paul –former director of Kerala tourism department suggested the pet-name “god’s own country to this tiny state ,and that name clicked! Now there people who really think that Kerala is actually God’s own country.

How the name evolved is a matter of dispute – Kearala excluding coastal belt is formed of small hills and plains, hence people coming here from Tamilnadu called this ketra (ascend) alam (descend) that transformed in to Keralam. Another version is that that the place being filled with coconut trees (kera vriksha) and alam (place) as the reason for this name.

The present Kerala is torch bearer of India in education and religious harmony – this was not the case a century back. Caste prejudices and un–touchability was so prevalent that Swamy Vivekananda called this state a lunatic asylum. Thanks to the role played by great men like Sree Narayana-guru and Ayyan kali, the story of un touchability has become a thing of the past. Christian missionaries who brought modern education has contributed much to the social reformation that has taken in this state, Hindus, Muslims and Christians together forms entire population, each community which lives in perfect harmony has contributed it’s share to the progress of this region -socially culturally and economically.

People of Kerala celebrate their religious festivals like ( Vishu and Deepavali by Hindus) (Christmas and Easter by Christians and Ramalan and Bakhrid by Mulims.) There is a common festival by name Onam, which is unique to this state, when people of all religions celebrates it with geity. Girls are having a busy season collecting flowers performing Thiruvathira dance making floral decorations (Atha pookkalam) in front of the house –while little children are busy in spending their time in swing,and seasonal plays. During onam business runs in full swing, almost all members of the house buy new dress and house hold durables during the season

Tourism is the main revenue earner of this state. There are a number of unique features available at this state like beautiful beaches, Misty Mountains, Backwaters, Ayurveda kerala's very own traditional system of medi care, houseboat cruises, stay at tree houses, trekking and other adventure sports and adding to all these the friendly people of kerala are a real asset and a big boost to tourism. Big temples like Guruvayur and Sabarimala, Perhaps the most spectacular sight would be the boat races like no where else in the world. In Thrissur there are big temples where the festival known as Pooram is celebrated – a real treat to the eye of any beholder. Kathakali is spectacular form of art unique to the state in which actors use no speech but only signs with hands and fingers known as “mudras”

Sunset in vembanad lake, kerala

When by all these if anybody takes this land for god’s own country ! blame it to the god and not the poor soul who just got confused.

Thank You .

Author: Sasi Kumar

Source: Naturemagics.com - website on Kerala Tourism

Back to the Articles index page - Kerala Articles

This article is copyrighted, using of this article on any website or other media is subject to the following conditions.

• The credits, about the author and the active link to the naturemagics website should be preserved.

We have implemented RSS feeds to keep you updated of the latest developments in Naturemagics, never miss out an event, get to know as and when a photo is uploaded, subscribe to our what's new RSS / XML feed now