|
Kerala packed with
26 million people in 38,900 sq km in a narrow strip of land
between the Western Ghats and the beaches of the Arabian Sea,
clings like a banana leaf to the southwestern coast of the
Indian peninsula. The strip of land found a natural defence in
the hills that sealed off one longitudinal section, leaving it
open to access from the sea alone.
Sea trade started with the Phoenicians, and in 1000 BC Kerala
was visited by King Solomon's ship that travelled to 'Ophir',
in all probability the modern Puvar, south of Trivandrum. Then
followed the traders from Greece, Rome, Arabia, China,
Portuguese who gained right in 1516; the Dutch merchants a
stronghold in 1602, and by 1663 the Portuguese were forced out
of the area. By 1795, however, the Dutch too had to move out,
for the British traders had become the strongest power in
India by that time. Much earlier, the Jews came to Kerala when
they fled the rule of Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BC; St. Thomas the
Apostle came here in the first century AD; the Syrian
Christian were in existence here in the 2nd century AD. When
the Portuguese came to Kerala, they found a thriving Christian
community here, but one that had never heard of Pope.
Green and serene, a paradise, God's own country, an ethereal
vision or a poet's inspiration, a treasure of infinite beauty
- all is said about Kerala. Lush plantations rise from the sea
and sweep the entire state in verdant glory. Splendid
festivals with mysterious rituals, full of colour, herds of
elephants, leading processions, or in the wild, exotic
handicrafts, seafood preparation that makes Kerala one of the
most exciting destinations of India. Snake-boat races on the
backwaters of Kerala, Elephant March with hundreds of
caparisoned elephants lined up, the martial art, Kathakali -
the spectacular dance drama; Kerala Houseboats Kettuvallam on
back waters and Ayurvedic Herbal Massage and Treatment that
makes this part of India a unique destination.
|
