I am in kerala at the moment,on an official trip.This is one of the innumerable trips I have made to this state and as I was searching on GS I found there have been many articles on Kerala about Kerala ,many dating back to year 1999 and 2001!!! Infact I believe this is the only Indian state that has been discussed in length and in style on GS.I was wondering what made people select this state.I know there have been many Keralites settled in Pakistan and I do not know if there is any Kerala descedant of Pakistan available on GS
The interesting fact is that this state has got almost 100%literacy.Christianity,Judaism and Islam arrived first in this region than any other place in the Indian Subcontinent.(Sometimes I had opened a thread on the first mosque in )…
place offers unique backwater spots plus some great dishes and Toddy…
There has been no single religious riot occured in this part of the world.World’s first democratically elected Communist government came to power in Kerala in 1957!!! Muslims and Christians constitute about 50%of the population ..Again a few jews are present here!!! I could see alot of Arabs in Cochin(the industrial and financial capital of Kerala)
It’s Airport is a very deserted but a decent and beautiful one.I heard that it’s one of the most sophisticated Airports in India…
One thing I forgot to mention..Almost every family in Kerala has got a Middle East Asia connection.Many Keralies are living in America aswell…Youths in Kerala know each and every nook and corner of the U.S ,Middle East than their own state,Kerala … :p.Another cult figure is Che Guevara here… You can spot his photos,images,Flex boards and Grafittis at many places… You may not find such support for him in Cuba or in his own country Argentina…
Well the official motto of the Tourism Department of Kerala is `Kerala is God’s own country’.
I LOVE Kerala! I would go back there in a heartbeat. I visited Kochi(n), Alleppey, Munnar and Kumarakom. Cruising through the backwaters, looking at the natural waterfalls along the tea plantations, visiting the hill station and OMG, the houses are SO colourful. Bright orange and pink and blue and purple. But you realize that the houses are painted so brightly and women wear bright colour saris because it's the only way they can shine or show up against such lush greenery.
And of course the shopping in Kochi - I bought gorgeous sarees in Kochi!
I want to go back and spend a month on a houseboat :(
I thought I took a pic of Laxmi the elephant after I got off - I thought it was her. The other pics have me in them which of course I shan’t be posting
My camera did not do justice to the locale - it's truly stunning!
I went to Rajasthan and UP. Spent quite a while in Delhi and a day in Hyderabad - but by far the best part of the trip was Kerala and specifically the houseboat trip through the backwaters. It was so peaceful and serene. For a little while you can forget your worries and just revel in Allah ki kudrat and what He has created. It's not that this place in untouched - but there is a simplicity and joy to be found here in just "being."
Oh, and anyone thinking of driving up to Munnar (the hill station), the end destination is worth it, but your stomach had better be made of iron - the drive up the hillside is truly gut churning.
Strangely the house goat kept for its milk is termed a Malabari species goat in Pakistan!
The Bajaur district of the Afghan Pakistan border has a village called Kerala near Chagha Serai! The brutal massacre at Kerala was one reason for strong tribal & Afghanistan’s anti Soviet sentiment.
Razi a Pakistani says - Back in my days in Karachi we used to frequent this place called Bombay Paradise on Jehangir Road. Basically (it was an) a Malabari restaurant with awesome Chai with Paratha. We used to go there a lot when playing night cricket tournaments. Rumor was that that hotel had never shut down since it had opened.
..Again a few jews are present here!!! I could see alot of Arabs in Cochin(the industrial and financial capital of Kerala)
