God's Own Country-Kerala

God's own Country-Kerala

Kerala is Situated in the southern tip of India, the land is a mixture of rivers, forests, lakes, beaches, and is full of greenery. The people are of Dravidians,aryans,negroid, and a mixture of the three. The land is divided in to three parts, the southern part called Travancore is predominantly of Dravidian culture, the central part called Cochin is of non ethnic Aryans, and their mixtures with Dravidians and Negroid, and the northern part called Malabar is predominently of ethnic Aryans and their mixtures. Accordingly this difference is quite visible in their culture and outlooks.

Kerala is a religious mix. Hindus, Christians, and Muslims. There is even a Jewish synagogue at Cochin, more than 1000 years old. some churches also date back to that period as Christianity was spread to Kerala by St. Thomas, in Ist century A.D. much like the Croats in Egypt, 800 years before it came to Europe.

A tour to Kerala could be done on three basic categories A) Culture tourism B) Nature Tourism C) Tourism with specific purpose

A) Culture Tourism:

1.Trichur:

Situated 70 Kms North of Cochin, this township of Trichur, holds the biggest of all temple festivals in Kerala- Trichur Puram, annually on a day in April-May. A festival of colours with 70 odd caprisoned elephants, parasoles, trumpets, and a grand fireworks to end the festival. The spirit of 'puram' could only be gathered from the hearts of millions who gather there.

Such a true reflection of culture and tradition transcends all differences of religion, nationality, or language; whether it is in Mexico or Japan.

2. Aranmula Boat race:

Situated about 100Kms south of Cochin and 130 Kms North of Trivandrum, the town of Aranmula holds the annual boat race in the Aranmula lake on a day in August-September. The snake boats rowed by 70 odd men or women in colourful attires, and other boats carrying floats depicting many myths and faiths, march past you in a breath taking event.

3. Onam :

Onam, the national festival of Kerala, is celebrated thoughout Kerala for four days in Aug-Sept. The main attractions are the floral designs made, 'Pulikali'-the dance of men in the attire of tigers and leopards, and the festival meal called 'Sadya'- Nowadays the meals are served to tourists by many star hotels during this season. The government organises the festival in a formal way for 1 week, called the 'Tourism week' in Trivandrum, with many performances of dance, folk arts and other cultural programme depicting the cultural aspect of Kerala in its vividness.

Visits to Know the Tradition and Architecture:

Padmanabhapuram:

50 Kms South of Trivandrum is the palace of Padmanabhapuram, 400 years old, the former capital of Travancore. A four storied building, mainly of wood works, has many artifacts of that age as exhibits.

Sucheendram:

100 Kms South of Trivandrum is this temple complex, more than 800 years old, is a true example of dravidian culture, with stone carvings in the temple towers, depicting the various events of that age.Together with the Padmanabha Temple in Trivandrum, it symbolizes the begone hay-days of Dravidian Culture.

B) Nature Tourism:

1.Backwaters of Kerala:

Kerala the land of rivers and lakes, has also many canals connecting the mini- townships in central Kerala. The main Centre is Alleppey, 70Kms South of Cochin. It is called the Venice of the East. A journey through these canals could reveal the scenic beauty of the landscape. There are many house boats, some with star facilities, operating from Alleppey, which will take you to an altogether different world of your own in silence.

2.Thekkady:

It is an international tourist centre, a wild life sanctuary, with boating facilities in the lake to see the wild life as it is, and is about 100Kms East of Cochin

3.Kovalam:

The international beach resort 20Kms from Trivandrum has many star hotels and all modern amenities. The sunny beaches, together with other beaches nearby, is a great attraction for beach lovers.

4.Kumarakom:

Is a bird sanctuary, with boating facility in the lake 'Vembanad'. It has all modern facilities of star hotels and other amenities.

5.Kanyakumari [Cape Comorin]:

Formerly a part of Travancore and presently a part of State of Tamil Nadu is the southern most tip of Indian subcontinent. 110Kms south of Trivandrum, where all the three seas meet- the bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian ocean. The sunsets and sunrises are a treat to watch. The Vivekananda rock memorial, and Gandhi Mandapam, where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi are kept, are the important places to visit.

C) Tourism with Specific Purpose:

1. Ayurveda:

This is the traditional medical system followed by Aryans from time immemorial. It deals with treating ailments with medicines made from herbs and shrubs, and has treatments for many deseases which are incurable in other systems of medicine. The main centre for treatment is Kottakkal, about 60Kms North of Trichur. The oil massages to rejuvenate the body and mind is a speciality of the system.

2.Trekking:

If you are interested in moutaineering and trekking, the visit to Agastyarkoodam 50Kms from Trivandrum, is a challenging one, deep in forest and Kms of trekking through jungle, which has many herbs and shrubs invaluable to ayurvada. The expedition is seasonal. for more information please contact the department of tourism, Kerala.

3.Pilgrimage:

The main pilgrimage centres for Hindus are Guruvayoor Temple near Trichur, Sabarimala 150Kms south east of Cochin, Vadakkumnathan temple [Lord Siva] in Trichur, Padmanabha Temple [Lord Vishnu] in Trivandrum. For Christians the main pilgrimage centres are Malayattoor and Trichur.

There are many institution that provide help for the study of many arts to visitors. The prime ones are Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthi, Cochin to study Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and other dance forms and instrumental music. The C.V.N. Kalari in Trivandrum gives guidance for a study of Kalaripayattu, considered to be the origin of all martial arts forms in the world.

MICRO TOURISM:

a) Neyyar Dam:

A dam with boating facilities in to the Neyyar reserve forests is a place where you can happily spent a couple of hours. The place is 25Kms from Trivandrum, and has a crocodile farm.

b) Veli Lake:

Situated 8 Kms from Trivandrum, has a lake with boating facility;and is a tiny tourist attraction. The Sankhummukham Beach is just 2 Kms away.

c)Ponmudi:

Is a hill station 50 Kms from Trivandrum ; is a place where you can spend moments in total calm and silence with plenty of fresh air.

d)Thenmala:

Situated 60 Kms from Trivandrum is this tiny picnic centre with lots of cool mountains and scenic beauty. A journey by bus to Shenkotta via Thenmala , through the jungles, is altogether a new experience. The waterfalls of Courtalam [Kuttalam], in nearby state of Tamil nadu, can easily be accessed from here.

In additions to these The meseums at Trivandrum, Trichur, and the palace museums at Trivandrum and Cochin could give a lot of insight in to the history and culture of the land.

* It may kindly be noted noted that the distances given for places are approximate distances and not actual. May be slightly more or less

A travel to Kerala without a proper understanding of the historic and socio-economic backgrounds will be a great handicap for anyone who visits the state. A brief description is given hereunder:

Much of Kerala's history is unknown. The earliest historic evidences of civilized existence date back to 1500 BC. Many articles dating back to this age were dug out recently at Vizhinjam, a busy port of that age in the South, near Trivandrum.Many similar evidences were found in parts of Alleppey district, and Cranganoor [kodungallur, 40 Kms north of Cochin], which is considered as the port 'Mussuris' mentioned in the early Roman and Greek travelogues.

Kerala has a 500Km coast line and was the spice bowl which attracted merchants from all over the world, Greeks, Italians, and the Arabs. Vizhinjam was the capital of the 'Aay' dynasty, the oldest dynasty to rule in Kerala, around 1500BC. The Chera dynasty, which ruled later from Kodungallor,around 1st centuary AD, disintegrated into smaller principalities, and all the present royal houses of Kerala are descendants of the Chera dynasty.

The dravidians of Kerala comprising of many castes like Nairs etc., are descendants of the great dravidian culture of South India. While the Aryans practised severe austerities and fought the evils spiritually, the dravidians had an existence in unison with nature taking the good and evil given by nature in a composed manner.

The epic 'Bhagavata' notes that Kerala was created by Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of 'Vishnu', by throwing his axe from Gokarnam, near Mangalore to Kanyakumari, and divided the land among Namboothiris, the Brahmins of Kerala. Ethnically they are considered the purest of the great Aryans in India, and are called the 'Maha Brahmins' meaning 'great Brahmins', and many of them practised much of the Vedic practices and life styles till very recent times.

Modern geological studies also substatiate the description in the epic to the fact that Kerala as a land mass had come and united with the subcontinent later, raising the eastern parts to high mountains which go up to 5000 ft. above sea level

Besides these two races the main part of the racial structure is consisted of the negroid, who forms some of the upper castes, and the lower castes, and the tribals. Nowadays these differences are hard to detect as the process of racial mixtures continue.

Buddhism:

Buddhism was spread to Kerala like it did in rest of India. Once 40% of Keralites, were Buddhists. It was the Saint Adi Sankaracharya [ born in Kalady near Cochin around 900 Ad], who emphasised on the importance of the existence of Hinduism as a religion, and reconverted them to Hinduism. The pacifism that underlies the Kerala society, is the gift of buddhism, emphasising on the vagueness of fighting over dogmas, and added to the Hindu idea of realisation of truth as the ultimate goal of life.

Christianity:

Christianity that came to Kerala through St. Thomas, existed as a small pocket, till 18 th century. Under the British rule, with the positive approach shown by the Churches, in helping the poor, a lot of the lower and middle classes were converted to christianity. The process had continued and today 21% of the population practise christianity.

Islam:

Islam came to Kerala, through Arab traders. Kubla Khan, the Mongolian king, who attacked Cochin in 12 th centuary AD made a fortress in Mattancherry, and converted a few. The chinese fishing nets in Cochin, are remnants of his attack. During the rise and fall of the mughal empire in India, tiny branches of the mighty mughal army attacked Kerala and converted a few to Islam. But the biggest conversions were carried out by Tippu Sultan, who attacked Malabar in 18th centuary. Today 19% of the population are muslims.

Kerala had undergone so many religious and social transitions that the people have realised the truth of all religions. And realised the importance of a peaceful existence as one of the prime goals. The prominence of Marxism, and the in flow of 'Gulf money', have created a surge among the lower sections, to overthrow much of the traditions and practises, which are disadvantageous to them. But the average Keralite is tradition bound, and wants to preserve the traditions, while adapting to the incessant surge of modernism.

Some special references:

Travancore:

The history of Travancore mainly centres around the Temple of Sri Anantha Padmanabha ['Lord Vishnu'], in Trivandrum [ Thiru Anantha Puram]. Not much is known about the history of the temple. From the earliest records available it was noted that large quantity of gold was obtained from all over the world, as oblation, in favour of the people of the respective countries, to the deity of 'Vishnu', who represents the 'universal soul' of all beings. The gold taken as oblation, while constructing the temple, was buried in stone cellars beneath. Gold was obtained even from the Arab and European traders in favour of the spirits of the people of their countries, while the kings of North India were the major contributors. It is symbolically represented that mankind may go through many transitions in the event of time, but the spiritual entity is adhered to the Universal Spirit, and within all, human beings are one, though external differences may seperate them. The deity will lead us through this aeon. The name 'God's own Country' is probably derived from this temple.

The story of hidden gold remained a rumour till very recent times. In 1998, while cleaning the idol it was discovered that much of the 15 ft. long idol is covered with pure gold and diamonds, hidden for400 years of recorded history; may be a ploy to protect it from thieves and raiders. Later it was disclosed that, vessels and other objects of gold, weighing nearly a ton, were taken out of one of the cellars, during the special ritual [called Murajapam], conducted once in every 12 years. It is believed that tons of gold are buried in the other cellars. Strict traditions are maintained by the authorities, under the guidance of the royal house of Travancore , which controls the governance of the temple. The people of Travancore is a peace loving clan, and accepted the dravidian idea of living in unison with nature. The temples of Trivandrum and Sucheendram represents the tradition of building of great temples in stone, which is a symbol of dravidian culture. [ It is believed that the temples of 'Barabudur' and 'Ankur vat' were built by the Chola dynasty of South India.]

Cochin:

The history of Cochin evolves mainly around the trades carried out through the port, and the royal house of Cochin. Sakthan Thampuran, one of its rulers modernised the town of Trichur by building forts, museum, and palaces. The temple of 'Vadakkumnathan' [Lord Siva],where the 'Puram' festival takes place, is the main centre in Cochin's history.

Malabar:

History of Malabar unfolds with the Zamorins [Samoothiris], former rulers of Malabar with Kozhikode [Calicut] as capital, and the warriors of 'Kalarippayattu', the martial art of using swords and weapons for fight, who were hired to enter in to individual fights to settle disputes between rulers and principalities. With the advent of guns the art of Kalaripayattu waned. But still is practised to discipline body and mind. Malabar, home of 'kalaripayattu', continued its tradition in moderntimes to the fact that much of the performers of early Indian Circus were from Tellichery near Kannur. Malabar, has a predominently ethnic aryan culture, is the home of "Tulu Brahmins", the only people allowed to do rituals in Kerala temples. The 'Namboothiris' also have a king to see through the traditions of the Brahmins of Kerala.The land is also the home of 'Theyvams' [god], the ritual art of representing God.