Kovalam, in Trivandrum

Kovalam is famous for its beaches.

Kovalam has numerous yoga centers and Ayurvedic Ashrams. Thousands of tourists flock these Centers in search of Nirvana or to simply rejuvenate. 

Kovalam’s climate, its wealth of medicinal plants, its world class practitioners of the science of life, makes this beach resort one of the best places to get a rejuvenation therapy. The best time for this is from June - September.

Kovalam consists of three beaches Lighthouse Beach,The Northern most crescent and the Hawa Beach.

Tourist attractions near kovalam

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  • Kovalam Palace: Kovalam Palace was constructed between 1924 and 1931 during the seven-year regency of Maharani Setu Lakshmibai. Travancore royal family had handed over the palace and its sprawling premises to the Tourism Department for use as a guesthous
    

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      • • • Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple: This imposing seven-storied tower is an excellent example of the Dravidian style of architecture.

The sculpture of Lord Vishnu, the presiding god of the Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple, is aesthetically embellished with stone and gold. Reclined on the great snake called Anantha this idol of the temple has a length of 18 feet. The unique trait of the Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple is that the entire idol can be seen part by part through the three doors of the shrine.

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• • Veli Lagoon (Tourist Village): This wonderful waterfront park is an ideal picnic spot where the lake merges with sea.

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  • The Govt. Art Museum: Formally known as Napier Museum , the museum blends traditional Kerala styles with Chinese and Mughal architecture.

• Sree Chithra Art Gallery: The gallery has a rich collection of paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and Roerich.

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• The Zoo: One of the best maintained zoos in Asia, it has beautiful expansive lawns. Science and Technology Museum: This museum is of high educative value for students of science and technology.

• Akkulam Boat Club: This Lake has boating facilities and has the largest children's park in Kerala. 

• Neyyar Dam: A picnic spot with boating facilities, there is a lion safari park and crocodile farm here.

• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is dotted with large hills with forests and eucalyptus plantations. 

• Water Sports: Kovalam is an ideal place for kayaking, swimming, surfing and skiing.
• Shopping: You can shop items like handicrafts, jewelry and clothes at the shops spread along the waterfront of the beach. Climate
  
  Best time to visit Kovalam is between the months of November and February

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Idukki

This beautiful High range district of Kerala is geographically known for its Mountainous Hills and Dense Forests. For the people of Kerala, Idukki is always associated with Power Generation. About 66% of the State's Power needs come from the Hydroelectric Power Projects in Idukki. Idukki accounts for 12.9 percent of the area of Kerala and only 3.7 percent of the population of Kerala.


More than 50% of the area of the district is covered by forest.

The district's name, 'Idukki' is supposed to be derived from the Malayalam word 'Idukku' which means a narrow gorge. Periyar which is one of the largest rivers of Kerala, flowing through Idukki gorge formed between the two high massive rocks called "Kuravan" and "Kurathi", is the site of the gigantic Idukki arch dam.

Idukki is situated at the top of Western Ghats surrounded by mountains. The Asia's first and the world's second great arch dam is in Idukki. This arch dam built across the Kuravan Kurathi mountain is wonderful and beyond description. Attached to this dam of 650 feet length and 550 feet height, two other dams are also there in Kulmavu and Cherunthony.

Blessed generously by Mother Nature, Idukki offers diverse attractions like wild life sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centers and mountain treks uses, chiefly significant in the Coir industry. One of the most famous hill resorts of South India, Idukki is immensely appealing for travelers seeking an escape to the mist layered mountains and an adventure with a difference. Deriving its name from the Malayalam word Idukki literally meaning 'a narrow gorge', this hill station will never fail to amaze you. The mountains of Idukki are the source of the River Pamba.

Spread over an area of 7700 hectares with plenty of wild animals, Idukki wild life Sanctuary attracts everyone.

The world's second underground Power Station also is in Moolamattam, Idukki District.

One of the largest districts of Kerala, Idduki offers diverse attractions from wildlife sanctuaries to hill stations. Idukki is a picturesque blend of mountains, streams, spice plantations, and wooded valleys. It derives its name from the Malayalam word idukku which means a narrow gorge.

The town of Idukki flourished after its discovery by Scottish planters, who liked this place on account of its high range, and left behind some fine bungalows. It is also home to South India's highest peak, Anamudi, along with 13 other peaks with a height of over 2000 m, and some important rivers like Periyar, Thodupuzhayar and Thalayar.

Karikode near Thodupuzha was the head quarters of Vadakkumkoor Raja. There is remains of a fort at Karikkode. Near this fort there is a Devi temple said to have constructed by the Vadakkumkoor Raja. There is also another temple by name Annamala Temple constructed in Chola style. The church at Muthalakodam, near Thodupuzha is believed to have constructed before 13th Century. The Ninnar Mosque near Karikkode is said to have constructed by the Vadakkumkoor Raja for his Muslim soldiers. Thodupuzha was also a nerve business centre. There is historical evidence to prove that from ancient time onwards ivory, teak, rosewood, sandalwood, peacock etc., were exported to foreign countries.

Historians believe that Kuzhumoor, the capital of Chera Kings of the Sangam Age, is the Kumily in Peermade taluk. It is assumed that portions of Meenachil taluk and the whole of High Range were included in the Thanthuzhynad under the Kulasekhara Empire (A.D.800-1102). For some time these regions were under the region of the Thekkumkoor Kingdom. It was proved that Vennimala, one of the capitals of the Thekkumkoor Rajas, was in Idukki district. Poonjar Kingdom was established by Manavikrama Kulasekhara Perumal. Manavikraman brought Meenachil taluk and the High Range under his rule from the Thekkumkoor Raja. Thus major portions of Idukki district came under the rule of the Poonjar Raja.
Idukki has a large population of tribals, the main tribes being Muthuvan, Malayarayan, Mannan, Paliyan, Urali, Ulladan, Malavedan and Malampandaram. The tribes of Kerala have unique customs and beliefs and maintain an ethos which is distinctly different from that of the mainstream culture.

A landlocked district, Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala. High Ranges and Wooded Valleys are Girded by three main Rivers - Periyar, Thalayar And Thodupuzhayar and their tributaries. The River Pamba also has its origin here. As a wonderful tourist destination, Idukki offers diverse attractions like Wildlife Sanctuaries, Hill Stations, Spice Plantation Tours, Paragliding, Mountain Treks, Elephant Rides, etc.