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5 Reasons One Absolutely Must Visit Kerala

Nobody need persuade anyone to go to Kerala. People flock there anyway. Those who haven’t already gone and surrendered themselves to the divine beauty of this land known as ‘God’s Own Country’, will definitely have it on their list waiting eagerly to be checked off or at least have heard of it enough and more to know what lies in store for them there. However, when I went there and kept going back for more, I realised that no words synonymous to must-visit are enough to explain why one absolutely must visit Kerala. Here are a few reasons:

[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]1.[/highlight] [highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]Spa[/highlight] – This jumps to your head kerala-must-visitnearly as a reflex when Kerala is mentioned. Kerala is renowned for the most exotic herbs celebrated for their medicinal properties. Most spas in Kerala have beneficial herbal oils applied by skilled masseurs. They aim to offer an experience complete with the combined goodness of Ayurveda, through natural herbs and scents, and modern wellness therapies with high-end equipment such as Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath. Their services include everything from facials, massages, such as the famous ‘Shirodhara’ and ‘Abhyanga’, and therapeutic treatments, which are focused on rejuvenation, body purification and beauty, to treating serious ailments. In either case, this experience will have you feeling like a new person.

[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]2.[/highlight] [highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]Nature[/highlight] – So why has this particular state earned the title of ‘God’s Own Country’. For a million reasons of course, but one of the main reasons is being able to see deer running through untouched forests without the need to switch on Discovery channel. Yes! The Periyar National Park and Periyar Tiger Reserve do give you a chance to shed your urban grime and become one with nature. You can go on jeep rides and treks through yards of mountains, sun-dappled waterfalls and greenery playing with the pure winds, while you see langurs, squirrels, deer, mountain elephants, exotic birds and if you are truly lucky, tigers as well going about the jungle that is their very own. You could also go boating to actually bathe in the chilly waters of one of those sun-dappled waterfalls. kathakliYou can also have night safaris and camping in the jungles, if you feel like you can’t get enough of quality time with the flora and fauna. While we speak of animals, elephants are an indispensable part of the beauty of Kerala. And it offers you the experience of not just riding them through a forest, but also of bathing and feeding them, and getting water showers by them yourself.

[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]3.[/highlight] [highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]Art[/highlight] – Kerala is unmatched in catering to your aesthetic thirsts as well. You must not miss out on the experience of watching the beautiful dance performance of Kathakali, the famous dance form of Kerala, and the graceful, complicated and regal performance of Kalaripayattu, the renowned martial art form of Kerala. The beauty of both is unique and inspires a lot of awe which is exclusive to each in their own way. No amount of words, pictures or videos can even begin to do justice to what you will see and what will be eternally etched in your memory and deservedly so. A lot of resorts also offer a bonfire in the forest and excursions to shop for Kerala handicrafts, spices, herbs, soaps, oils, skin and hair care products and handmade chocolates, after you have been to these performances. However, the bonfire and shopping is nothing more than the tiny cherry on the divine chocolate cake underneath it.

back-waters-kerala[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]4.[/highlight] [highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]Backwaters[/highlight] – Alleppey or Allapuzha, also known as Kumarakom, or more popularly known as the beyond beautiful backwaters of Kerala is a place that this or any other article about it simply cannot do justice to. You have to be there to know its beauty in the true sense. To add to this paradise is the houseboat on which you get to encounter true luxury while you lie back and enjoy the backwaters. You can be surrounded by exotic nature while being looked after by excellent hotel-like amenities in your houseboat, equipped with a television, music player, air conditioning and a kitchen to conjure up the delights of the coastal Kerala cuisine. These kitchens prepare some of the best seafood caught fresh and sold to them by fishermen as you ride. You are simply compelled to unwind, relax and hand yourself over to the calming and enchanting backwaters flanked on either side by small islands, beaches, coconut trees laden with fruit and exotic birds, churches and temples.

[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]5.[/highlight] [highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]Hills, Tea and Spice[/highlight] – Munnar is an exquisite hill station laced with green tea gardens, spice crops and huge mountains and waterfalls. The rains here make it that much more beautiful. You can sit warm in sweaters, cosy against the chilly breezes, armed with a warm cup of coffee and masala cashew nuts, and marvel at the tranquil beauty of nature. A visit to the spice garden and flower garden is a must as well. Here, you could also shop for spices such as nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon, bakery items such as unni appams and handmade chocolates. In case, you feel like you haven’t got enough of breathing in wilderness in Periyar, you can always visit the wildlife in Eraviulam National Park.

Kerala is too magnificent to fit into any article and five reasons are far too less to sing of its beauty. Those who agree completely have been there and will probably be there a million more times. Those who find themselves stuttering must go there. Trust me when I say, its much beyond worth it.

What do you think?

Written by Puja Gokarn

A writer insanely in love with writing...who knows and has no way other than to love writing as much as she does...enjoys flavours of food, experiences, stories and words....savors life and longs for complete abandon and surrender in everything! @postcards.and.love...

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