Must try cuisines while visiting Kerala

Traditional meal "Sadya"

Like most Indian festivals, Onam is typically celebrated with Sadya, consisting of at least six courses.

So much so that a proverb in Malayalam on the harvest festival goes ”kaanam vittum onam unnanam.” It means a man must host a sadya—or a grand vegetarian lunch banquet—even if he is forced to sell his property.

The sadya, which is served on a banana leaf and relished best without the use of cutlery, is historically known to have included 60 dishes.

But even today, sadya cooked in most households in the south Indian state includes around 30 different items. The meal is served in a strict order, which can vary from one region to another, and sometimes even from family to family.

Sadya is considered as a special cuisine of Kerala,

Nadan fish curry

A must try dish while visiting kerala, You can find different types of fish curries and fries available in most restaurants. If you visit Kochi or Alappey you can purchase fresh fish and they prepare it exclusively for you, you can watch the preparations in live.

Porotta beef curry

Porotta with beef curry is the best combination ever.A parotta, porotta or barotta is a layered flatbread, originating from the Indian subcontinent, made from maida flour, popular in Southern India. It is a common street food in southern India, especially in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the neighboring country of Sri Lanka.

Idiyappam putt AppamAll these delicious foods are made of Rice.These mouthwatering foods are common breakfast items of Kerala

Eriseri

Eriseri is a special blend of pumpkin and vanpayar along with a various ingredients. This is a pure south Indian dish which you will enjoy obviously.It is a main dish of Onam and Onasadhya. 

Aviyal 

Aviyal is a dish which is believed to have been originated from South India and is common in Kerala and Udupi cuisine. It is a thick mixture of vegetables and coconut, seasoned with coconut oil and curry leaves. Avial is considered an essential part of the Sadya, the Keralite vegetarian feast.

Malabar biriyani

The famed Malabar Chicken Biryani is made by layering an aromatic and chicken masala with fluffy rice, crunchy fried onions , nuts, dried fruits and ghee in a large pot. This is then sealed and cooked slowly in steam (dum method) to get this incredibly aromatic and toothsome chicken biryani that is quite literally the stuff of legends. 

Kozhikode Halwa 

If you have been to Kozhikode, you must have had the quintessential sweet Kozhikode Halwa! The sweet is so famous that it has become synonymous with the place. Even though Halwa is a popular dish across India and the Middle East, Kozhikode Halwa stands apart from all the varieties you would ever get elsewhere.

Varieties of Payasam : 

Parippu payasam 

Parippu payasam – Enjoy a healthy dessert experience with this sweet pudding featuring nutritious green gram, jaggery and the goodness of coconut milk. The classic pairing of jaggery and lentils makes this a “special occasion” dessert, and most of all, totally addictive. 

Semiya payasam

Semiya payasam or vermicelli pudding – Simple ingredients – vermicelli, milk and sugar- turned into mouthwatering and divine dessert. The ground cardamom clearly gives this pudding an incredible kick of flavor and taste. Your friends and family will go nuts for it!

Paal payasam

Paal payasam is an easy midweek treat, and a delicious way to end your meal. There’s a multitude of ways to make rice pudding, but you can’t beat this South Indian version requiring only three ingredients – rice, milk and sugar. Garnish with pistachios and glaced cherries for a stunning pop of color.

Ada Pradhaman

Ada Pradhaman is a popular Kerala sweet made during Onam and served at the end of the Onam Sadya.Its made of raw rice, sugar, coconut, jaggery and ghee.

Ooty, the queen of hill stations.

Ooty..

Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is a hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu, in southern India. Surrounded by trees, central Ooty Lake is a huge artificial expanse of water with pleasure boats. On the slopes of nearby Elk Hill, the Rose Garden is home to over 2,000 varieties of roses. The Government Botanical Garden, created in the 19th century, features ferns, orchids and a prehistoric, fossilized tree.

Must see places in Ooty:

Ooty boat house

 The Ooty Lake is the pride of the Blue Hills. It is the central and strategic attraction.  The Ooty lake which extends to an area of 65 acres. Earlier the entire lake was used for fishing.The boat house, which adjoins the lake was opened by theTamil nadu tourism development corporation.Boating is the prime attraction at the lake. The boat house offers boating facilities with Paddle boats, row boats and peddle boats. It also features a garden, a mini train and an amusement park.

Rose garden

Situated in the heart of Ooty town, this garden has been beautifully laid out in terraces with rose tunnels, pergolas and bowers with rose creepers. Today this garden has the largest collections of roses in the country like Hybrid Tea Roses, miniature rose, Floribunda, Ramblers, roses of unusual colours like black and green are some of the more than 3,000 varieties of roses that will captivate your senses. The Rose Garden is situated in slopes of the Elk Hill.The ‘Nila Maadam’ is located in a spot from where viewers can see the entire rose garden. This garden is maintained by Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department. It has also received the award of Excellence for the best rose garden in entire south Asia from the International Rose society in 2006.

Nilgiri mountain railway

The Toy Train, also known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train, is the key attraction of the popular hill station Ooty. The Toy Train covers a distance of total 46 km in a span of 5 hours and takes one through a truly spectacular journey filled with picturesque views en route. It was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005.Weaving amidst the forests, dark snaking tunnels, sharp bends and amid the mist and fog, the Toy Train is a spectacular trip up and down the slopes with birds and trees dancing along. As the train passes through the stunning gorge, the dancing sunlight above and dream-like drizzling makes it the experience of a lifetime. Apart from offering a beautiful journey, the uniqueness of the trip lies in the fact that the rail system is the steepest in Asia and worth a visit. The ride `starts from Mettupalayam; a small place on river Bhavani. The first 5 miles are plain, but in the next 12 miles engine pushes the coaches upwards to a height of 4363 feet. Covering Mettupalayam, Kellar, Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale and Ootacamund on its way, this is the best means to discover the pristine treasures of the Nilgiris.

Avalanche lake

Avalanche Lake Ooty makes the perfect setting for a family, adventure package.You find large varieties of flowers, like magnolias and rhododendrons blooming on all sides of the lake. If you are interested in spending the night there, take a tent with you as you have provisions for pitching tents there. The lake is available for fishing and nearby the lake itself you have a trout hatchery, from where you can get fishing rods and other essentials you require.

The mountains surrounding the avalanche lake are wonderful trekking spots and you can do a little bit of exploration of your own.The best time to visit the lake would be just after the monsoon when all the surrounding land will be blooming with flowers. Be sure to take warm clothes while going there as the climate is bound to get chilly and early morning dew is also very high.y. A perfect hang out during the daytime, you can set up a camp site and cook the fish you caught and then enjoy the night in the tent with your family.

Ooty view point

Situated at an altitude of 2,240 m in the Western Ghats. Ooty has picturesque natural landscape that allures the nature lovers from all across the globe.  this charming hill station also has a significant number of vantage points. From these viewpoints one can get picturesque postcard views of Ooty landscape..

Pykara

 Pykara is a popular getaway that is at a distance of about 20 kilometres from Ooty, in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India. The Pykara village, along with a beautiful river by the same name, also houses a dam and a power plant. Because of the construction of the dam, the backwaters have formed an enormous lake, which is now known as the Pykara Lake and has become a significant tourist attraction that is visited by large numbers of people all year round. It has everything that a person on vacation can ask for, right from ambience and comfort to scenic beauty. Nature lovers, photographers and adventure seekers should definitely not miss out on this unique and fun-filled place.

Emerald lake

This lake is located in a region called Silent valley, The lake is an important tourist and picnic spot in the region.The lake is famous for a variety of fish in the lake and birds in the locale. It is also notable for the scenic sun rise and sun set views near the lake. The lake is surrounded by tea plantations where visitors can buy tea products.

Krishna's butterball

Only those with nerves of steel dare stand under this teetering 250-ton rock in India that perches precariously on a hill. The Krishna’s Butter Ball or Vaanirai Kal (Stone of the Sky God), as it is known to locals, has been sitting on a 45-degree slope in Mahabalipuram for over 1,300 years.The 20ft rock appears to defy gravity, looking like it's going to roll at any moment - and all attempts to move it have been in vain.

Mukruthi national park

Mukurthi National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Nilgiris district of the state of Tamil Nadu. The park was previously known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park.
It was declare as a National Park in the year of 1990. Total area of the park is about 78.46 Km2. The park is characterized by montane grasslands and shrublands interspersed with sholas in a high altitude area of high rainfall, near-freezing temperatures and high winds. Major attraction of the park is Nilgiri thar. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar. Besides that Sambhar, barking deer, Nilgiri marten, otter, jungle cat, jackals etc. are the commonly found animals.The bird species includes Laughing and whistling thrushes, woodcock, wild pigeon and black eagle etc.

Getting there 

By Air. Approximately 88 kilometres away, Coimbatore is the nearest domestic airport from Ooty which is well-connected with most of the Indian cities.

By Bus. Ooty is a major tourist attraction of South India.You will get both government and luxury buses from Bangalore, Mysore and Chennai to Ooty. These are overnight buses and the journey is quite comfortable.

By Train. The nearest rail head is Mettupalyam, 40 kilometres from Ooty. 

Road/Self Drive. The best part of a road trip to Ooty is that you drive through the reserve forest area and stunning scenery, and that surely is some experience. Look out for elephants on this stretch!

Travel tips : 

• If you are travelling by road, make sure you drive slow, as that roads are curving and you may fail to notice animals passing by.

• Dont forget to book your Nilgiri Mountain Railway (toy train) tickets well in advance through online.

• Visit tea factory and try delicious cuisines of Ooty.

• Carry enough woolen clothes as the temperature may falls down .

• Dont forget to purchase home made chocolates and spices.

Timings and season : 

Ooty is a year-round destination, but the ideal time to visit is between the months of April to June and September to November.

March to June: These months constitute the summer season in Ooty. The weather during this time period is generally pleasant as you can venture out for day sightseeing and other tourist activities. The average temperature during summers does not rise beyond 20 degree Celsius. 

July to September: These months constitute the monsoon season in Ooty. The town receives heavy rainfall and this might disrupt the routine day sightseeing activity for some of you. However, nature lovers would love the scenic beauty that embraces Ooty after the rain showers which is worth clicking many pictures. 

October to February: During the month of October, the chilly wind enters the town but the overall day temperature is cool and good for sightseeing. November to February constitute the winter season in Ooty. Many couples visit Ooty during the winter season. Sometimes, the temperature can go below 5 degree Celsius also. Note that the nights in January and February are the coldest.

"Kanyakumari"The southern tip

  

Kanyakumari is a coastal town in the state of Tamil Nadu on India's southern tip. Jutting into the Laccadive Sea, the town was known as Cape Comorin during British rule and is popular for watching sunrise and sunset over the ocean. It's also a noted pilgrimage site thanks to its Bagavathi Amman Temple, dedicated to a consort of Shiva, and its Our Lady of Ransom Church, a center of Indian Catholicism.

It is located at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Kanyakumari has been a great centre for art and religion for centurie.

Places to visit in Kanyakumari

           Vivekananda rock memorial

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock. According to local legends, it was on this rock that Goddess Kumari performed austerity.

At Vivekananda Rock, one can witness both sunrise and sunset. Kanyakumari is especially popular for this spectacular sight, given to it being almost completely surrounded by water. On warm, full-moon evenings, one can see the moon rise and sunset at the same time. Its a rare but beautiful sighting.

Kanyakumari beach 

Kanyakumari Beach is one of the most pristine beaches in the waterfront town of Kanyakumari. It is located at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Beauty oozes here in the form of soft golden sand that is overlapped by shimmering waters of the endless sea.

Strong waves frequently strike the rocky shoreline of the beach, due to which visitors are not allowed to step into the sea. There is a lighthouse at the beach from where they can enjoy stunning views of the never-ending blue waters. During sunrise and sunset, the beach appears distinctly beautiful and reddish in colour. Other than revelling in the beauty of the beach, visitors can indulge in shopping in the beachside marketplaces.

Kanyakumari wax museum 

Kanyakumari wax exhibition hall is extremely one of a kind place for going to.  Set inside the premises of Bay Watch Water Theme Amusement Park,. Noted as India's first wax historical center. Worked in accordance with London's Madam Tussauds Wax Museum, this extraordinary fascination shows wax statues of eminent identities. Guests can see lovely statues of Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth, Shahrukh Khan, Indira Gandhi and Jackie Chan, to list a couple. Visit and explore this place.

Thiruvalluvar statue

 Thiruvalluvar Statue is a popular tourist spot in Kanyakumari. Thiruvalluvar Statue is one of the biggest statues in India located atop a small island in Kanyakumari, nearby the confluence of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.

Vattakottai fort 

The coastal fort, Vattakottai Fort is built in 18th century during the reign of Travancore kingdom. It is undeniably one of the popular sightseeing places in Kanyakumari. Constructed for the purpose of coastal defense, this fort was the last seaside fort that was built by Travancore kingdom.

The mesmerizing view from the fort is another reason why you should plan a visit to Vattakottai Fort. The view of vast spread of serene ocean on one side and the mystical Western Ghats on the other side is undoubtedly hypnotizing, making your visit to the fort worth remembering.

Mathur Aqueduct 

 Measuring a kilometre in length and 115 feet in height, Mathur Aqueduct or Mathoor Hanging Trough is among the longest and tallest trough bridges in Asia.

Breathtaking views of

Sunrise Sunset

Best time to visit :

The ideal time to visit Kanyakumari is between the months of October to March. However, depending on what you want to do, here’s a monthly breakup of Kanyakumari’s climatic conditions so that you can plan when to go.

October to February: October can be described as a good time to enjoy sightseeing and other water activities at the beach. While there might be some humidity during the day but evening sea breezes make up for a great sunset view. Also, it is during this month, the famous Cape festival is celebrated which attract lot of people. November marks the onset of the winter season in Kanyakumari when there is no humidity and the weather is pleasant. December to February is the peak tourist season when both day and night temperature is moderate. Since this is winter season, the temperature does not rise beyond 30 degree Celsius.

March to May: These months constitute the summer season in Kanyakumari. Though the temperature in March is generally pleasant, April and May can be warm but still the maximum temperature does not go beyond 35 degree Celsius. Swimming and surfing can be thoroughly enjoyed during these months as well. Also, the cool breezes always keep the weather cool and comfortable for tourists.

June to September: These months constitute the monsoon season in Kanyakumari. While June and September observes very scanty rainfall, the rain showers become heavy during the months of July and August. If you love rain, watch the glistening green hue of the Kanyakumari’s natural beauty and landscape. Being an off-season, you can enjoy attractive discounts at hotels and restaurants during this time. 

Getting there:

By Air

Located at a distance of about 67 kilometres, the nearest airport to Kanyakumari is the Trivandrum International Airport.  From the airport, you can hire a taxi or a cab to Kanyakumari which will cost you somewhere between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500.

By Bus

Tamil Nadu and Kanyakumari Road Transport Corporation offer regular fleet of buses to almost all the major cities of South India. 

By Train

Kanyakumari has its own rail head and trains from major cities of India stop at this junction. 

Road/Self Drive

You can enjoy the thrill of going on a long drive by driving or hiring a car from the nearby cities to Kanyakumari. The beautiful countryside of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are well-connected with Kanyakumari through a good network of roads and highways.

Travel tips : 

• Wear comfortable sandals, flip-flops, etc.

• Wear socks : Socks and flip flops or sandals (or any open footwear, for that matter) can be used to save yourself from the burning floor at most tourist spots, it’s best you let your fashion sense take a back seat and wear socks at all times. 

• Wear Sunscreen.

• You wont find enough Non vegetarian food as the area is primarily a pilgrimage destination.

Trivandrum, "City of Lord Anantha"

Trivandrum 

Thiruvananthapuram (or Trivandrum) is the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It's distinguished by its British colonial architecture and many art galleries. Thiruvananthapuram is built on hills by the sea shore and sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Thiruvananthapuram is ranked first in the number of foreign tourists visiting Kerala and is a fascinating destination for holidaymakers.

Things to do

  Neyyar Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary

Neyyar Dam is undoubtedly a paradise for nature lovers. Since it is adjoining Wildlife Sanctuary you can witness different species of animals moving around like wild boars and elephants. This picturesque dam amidst the greenery of Western Ghats is surrounded with serenity and isolation; hence it makes a perfect tourist place to escape from the crowded city life. You can also find a vast range of medicinal herbs around the dam. Besides, an interesting fact, Neyyar Dam stretches from Thiruvananthapuram district 'Neyyatinkara Taluk' to 'Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve' in Tamil Nadu. Neyyar is truly a nature lover’s paradise and if you are in this south destination, this place is a must visit.

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple

 

Located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of the State of Kerala in India is the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is believed to be the world’s richest temple.

The history of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to 8th century. It is one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples or Divya Desams in India. Divya Desams are the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, reclining on Anantha, the hooded Serpent.

Shanghumukham beach

Shanghumukham beach has long been amongst the favorite place for travelers. Not just because of its close proximity with the airport but also because of its beautiful mermaid structure called Sagarakanyaka by the locally renowned artist Kanai Kunjiraman. It is a perfect place to spend a calm day amidst the charming Take-A-Break restaurant and classic Old Coffee House.

   Kovalam beach

Perhaps the one of the top beach holiday places in India, Kovalam is a surprise setting for people who are looking for a quality time with their loved ones. Along with scenic beauty, the beach town has something or the other to keep people of every age busy. Expect, snorkelling, kayaking, boat excursions and coastal walks to keep things buzzing here.

Poovar

Hugged by a lovely beach and the backwaters on the other, Poovar is famed for its picturesque beauty and calm atmosphere. It is placed at the southern part of Trivandrum and it is the merely village that tracks the end of Kerala.

 

Ponmudi

Ponmudi is a beautiful and calm hill destination and it is surrounded by fresh and green environs making it an ideal holiday getaway. You are bound to get allured by its lush flora and fresh atmosphere. This hill station is at a driving distance from the capital of Kerala and the journey is filled with thick tropical forests and steep climb and mist covered hill ranges.

Ponmudi is divided into the upper and the lower retreat putting more focus on the upper area for ecotourism project. And it is here you will find an assortment of mountain wildflowers, unique butterflies and small rivers, all this makes Ponmudi an attractive and small hill paradise to venture when in Kerala. And those with trekking interest, this halting ground will leave them impressed.

Trivandrum Zoo

Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in India. It is said to have been established in the year 1857 by Maharaja of Travancore. In a modernization project of 1995, this zoo got a makeover and its old enclosures were replaced with spacious naturalistic enclosures. The zoo is home to about 82 species of animals that include lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic lion, royal Bengal tiger, white tiger, leopard, Asian elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and Cape buffalos. There is a snake farm and reptile house, which exhibits both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes along with 7 anacondas.

Getting there:

By Air

The city has its own international airport which is well-connected with different cities across the globe. The airport has direct flights to major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin and Bangalore as well as has direct flights from Singapore, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Middle East cities. Some of the popular air carriers are Emirates, Jet Airways, IndiGo, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Air Arabia and many others. Once you reach at the aiport, you can hire a taxi/cab which will drive you to your destination point in the city.

By Bus

Trivandrum’s bus station is situated right next to the railway station. There are regular buses to nearby cities like Cochin, Bangalore, Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai. KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) provides excellent bus services including premium luxury Garuda services, sleeper, air-conditioned, executive, deluxe and many others to choose from. Other bus operators are Tamil Nadu’s SETC, Raj National Express and GTC.

By Train

The Trivandrum Central railway station is situated within the city and is well-linked with major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati, Indore, Bangalore and many others. Some of the popular trains that ply from this station are Trivandrum Mail, Kerala Express, Anantapuri Express, RaptiSagar Express, Swaranjayanti Express and Ahilyanagari Express. Another railway station (called Kochuveli Railway Station) has been constructed to shift the regular rail traffic from central station to another station.

Road/Self Drive

Trivandrum has an excellent road network and connects nearby cities like Kochi, Madurai, Chennai, Alleppey, Bangalore and Kumarakom.

Travel tips

Thiruvananthapuram Warnings and Dangers

It is dangerous to walk in isolated parts of the city, especially at night. Protect your safety by confining your adventures to daylight hours.

Dress Appropriately When Visiting Sacred Sites

If you plan to visit some of the sacred temples, wear pants, jeans or a skirt with a top that has sleeves. Shop in nearby Kovalam for loose fitting cotton clothes that make you feel more comfortable during humid, hot weather.

Wear Insect Repellant

Make sure you carry an excellent insect or mosquito repellant with you at all times.

Timings and season

·         The best time to visit Trivandrum is between October and February, the perfect time for beach vacations. February to May is summer, which is very hot and humid while June to September is the monsoon season. The second rainy season, the North-East monsoon, is equally strong and occurs during the months of October and November.

·         The festival of Onam which occurs towards the end of August or early September is a good time to soak up the carnival atmosphere. There are usually many cultural programs during the official Onam celebrations lasting 10 days.

·         The Monsoon season starts from June every year and is a time of heavy rains in the area. Recently, as a result of the campaigning by State Tourism Board, tourists have started coming in to enjoy the Monsoon