Which Place To Choose When You Visit Kerala Next Summer?

Every year summer turns intense and hence let us plan in advance, which tourist spot in Kerala to choose this summer. Everyone seeks for a relief in some hill station or chilled place, surrounded by lakes or backwaters. So, let me take you for a wonderful ride through different districts of Kerala, fondly known as ‘God’s own country’ so that you get an amazing feeling of closeness with nature.

Back waters, 44 rivers, deep blue seas, sea shores, hill stations and dense forests – what else is needed to choose this small paradise as one among the best 10 tourist destinations of the world! Kerala, though one among the smallest states of India filled with civilized and literate people, has not lost its natural charm in this hi-tech world of life style, fashion and concrete buildings. Back waters, beaches and greenery are the assets of this small state still now. In the recent times of urbanization, the state has lost its greenery a lot, yet attempts are done from government’s side to promote tourism and cultural heritage to great extent. Through this column let me list a few places of Kerala where you will find heaven in a short visit to Kerala this time.

Backwaters of Kerala for which it’s famous for    

When someone think about important tourist locations of Kerala, backwaters of Kumarakom, beaches of Kovalam and tea plantations of Munnar come to mind first. Kerala is blessed with the greenery and blessings of Western Ghats, frequent rainfalls and pleasant climate throughout the year except hot summer – March to May. Yet summer’s intensity is comparatively lower than North India and it’s very often blessed with summer rains too.

Let us start from the southern tip of Kerala

Neyyar Dam surrounded by forests and Lion Park are the hot destinations of Thiruvananthapuram – the capital city. The next hot destination is Ponmudi hill station – a placed filled with chillness and mist even during the noon time of mid-April when summer is at its peak. From Kollam, you can take a fun ride through backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake passing through Kayamkulam and Ambalapuzha to reach Alapuzha – backwaters of Vembanad Lake. 

Alappuzha – splendid in water resources and boats

Alappuzha is perhaps the most beautiful district of Kerala – filled with water bodies and greenery of paddy and vegetables. This place is famous for boat races during Onam festival season. Can anyone forget the natural bliss of Kuttanad? Read more. Old traditional methods of agriculture have been replaced by modern technology. Yet you can still find people here who remember a lot of stories about their traditional farming methods. You can enjoy a great ride through backwaters and stay in house boats itself, a unique and pleasant experience.

Marine beaches and Chinese fishing nets for which Kochi is famous for

Now a word on Kerala’s commercial capital – Kochi. Marine beaches and Chinese fishing nets are still the charms of this city. The remains of Jews and Portugal culture still take us back to those royal days of foreign cultures in the coastal areas of Kerala. In addition to Kumarakon, Wagamon hill station and old remains of many historical buildings are the assets of Kottayam.

Idukki – Known for natural beauty and greenary

Periyar makes Idikki live. Idukki Dam is the biggest hydroelectric power project of India and its arch dam is one among the highest of Asia. Boating and visits to mountain top are allowed only during certain seasons and you can plan a trip to Munnar and Rajamala after that.

Let me remind you about one of the beautiful places of Pathanamthitta district. It’s Gavy – a part of Ranni reserve forest! This place has become popular nowadays after the success of Malayalam movie, “Ordinary”.

Thrissur – Famous for Thrissur Pooram and Athirapilly waterfalls

Hot summer is the season of elephant festivals in Thrissur, also known as the cultural capital of Kerala. If you have planned to visit Kerala this hot summer, never miss Thrissur Pooram, the biggest elephant festival of Kerala that normally falls during April-May. After that you can also visit Athirapilly waterfalls, a major tourist destination of Kerala. But if you want to see the real beauty of waterfalls, you need to wait till monsoon that arrives in the month of June.

Image source: Pixabay

You can read a few more articles on some of the major tourist spots of Kerala here. Click on the images in the gallery to read