Vast, diverse, deeply spiritual and utterly unforgettable, India is unlike anywhere else on earth – a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, a treasure trove of history and culture, and a curious mixture of chaos and serenity. Stretching across more than three million square kilometres, it encompasses a staggering array of landscapes, vistas and environs, and offers unparalleled travel experiences – from the beautiful beaches of Goa, to the compelling craziness of Kolkata, the sacred Ganges river banks of Varanasi, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in Kashmir and the ancient, exquisitely crafted temples dotted across the entire country. Not to mention the vibrant, friendly people, and the incredible cuisine.
Also known as Cochin, Kochi is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. This attractive city has served as a popular port for over 600 years and is known for its eclectic architecture and its array of religious monuments, museums, galleries, cafes and antique shops. The city stretches across a number of peninsulas and islands, which can be reached by a network of water taxis and bridges. The majority of Kochi’s visitor highlights can be found on the peninsula of Fort Kochi. These highlights include the St Francis Church, the oldest European-built church in India; and Mattancherry Palace, which dates back to 1557 and contains some exceptional Kerala murals and temple art. Other must-see attractions include the Kerala Folklore Museum, displaying more than 4,000 cultural and ethnic artifacts; and the 16th-century Jewish Synagogue; and the vibrant local market.
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Situated only 40 km from the city of Cochin, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, Mararikulam is a charming little coastal village known for its pristine sand beaches, swinging coconut palms, and quiet, laidback atmosphere. The village has managed to avoid the mass development associated with many of the other beach towns in the area resulting in an untouched natural environment dotted with only a handful of small resorts. The main attraction here is the exquisite Marari beach where you will find fishermen heading out daily to explore the Malabar coast, much as their ancestors have done for generations.
A tourist attraction in Kerala, Thekkady is a district located at the Periyar National Park. Thekkady comprises evergreen forests and savanna grasslands and is known for its natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove. Elephants, tigers, sambar and many other species inhabit the park. Top attractions include the exquisite ancient Mangla Devi Temple, the aromatic Abraham’s spice garden, and the massive waterfall at the sleepy, picturesque village of Chellarkovil. Take in panoramic views of the extraordinary landscape from the Chellarkovil viewpoint, and picnic on the rolling, lush green lawns at Pandikuzhi. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, to see demonstrations of the best traditional martial arts. Thekaddy also has a rich living tribal culture.
Idyllically located on the coast of the Karnataka state of India, Gokarna is a small tourist-focused pilgrimage town centered around its numerous holy temples. While Hindu pilgrims flock to this little town for its spiritual significance, tourists are drawn to Gokarna for its pristine and secluded beaches which are exquisitely framed by the majestic Western Ghats. Gokarna’s atmosphere is low-key and laidback. Its blissfully tranquil shoreline is dotted with thatched bamboo huts and lovely little restaurants serving modest but delicious traditional meals. The town’s small and compact centre is easily navigable on foot and features notable attractions such as a lively marketplace, the Mahabaleshwar Temple which houses a huge lingam (symbol) of Lord Shiva, and the Ganpati Temple where you will find large wooden chariots which carry a Shiva idol through the streets during the Shivaratri Festival in February/March. If you are lucky enough to visit during this holy festival, you can indulge in the traditional practice of throwing bananas at the the Shiva idol for good luck!
Kanadukathan is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. A small town bursting with cultural sights, Kanadukathan makes a strong choice for any travel itinerary, and can easily be combined with trips to explore India’s southeast coast. The standout attraction is Chettinad Palace: with its Gothic windows and magnificently tiled interior, it is a unique example of Chettinad architecture, which blends Art Deco, European and South Indian elements. Kanadukathan is also home to some fascinating religious sights, including the Ayyanar Horse Temple and nearby Pillayarpatti Kovil, a temple which is more than 1,600 years old. History lovers will want to make the 10-kilometre excursion to the ruins of Thirumayam Fort (first built in 1687), while gourmands will relish the local Chettinad cuisine, which features rich masala-based curries.
Puducherry – previously known as Pondicherry – is made up of four entirely separate enclaves along the Indian coast, all of which were colonised by the French in the 18th century. Named after the largest of these enclaves, this union territory has retained a strong European culture that makes it unlike any other place in India. Nowhere is this more evident than in Puducherry district, dubbed the ‘French Riviera of the East’, where antiquated colonial buildings line the quiet cobbled streets and tree-lined avenues of the old town, and many people still speak French as their first language.
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One of Kerala’s most alluring towns is Kumarakom, a hub of biodiversity where mangrove forests are mixed in with rice paddies, coconut palms, and bursts of white lilies. This vivid subtropical peninsula juts into Vembanad Lake and is a popular place to study yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic massage, and from which to take bird-watching, boating, and fishing trips. Nearby attractions include the Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls, just two kilometres from Kumarakoram, which cascade down the mountain slopes from roughly 30 metres above, and Pathiramanal (meaning ‘sands of midnight’) a beguiling island and bird sanctuary in the middle of the lake.
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As previously described
