Kerala: A Week in God’s Own Country
“In the beginning, God created the earth, and He looked upon it in His cosmic loneliness…”
— Kurt Vonnegut, visionary American author
Call it God, nature, or divinity—there is little doubt that cosmic forces conspired to make the southern Indian state of Kerala irresistibly alluring. Fondly known as God’s Own Country, Kerala beckons tourists in vast numbers to savour its scenic beauty, temples, churches, mosques and synagogues adorned with ornate architecture, lush green fields, swaying coconut palms, pristine beaches, and tranquil backwaters and lagoons. This oasis of natural creation lingers long in the memory of every traveller.
Kerala is defined by expansive greenery that could easily take a fortnight to explore in its entirety. Yet, with meticulous planning, a voyager can experience its bountiful charm in just a week. Within seven days, an enterprising excursionist can discover the highlights of Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alappuzha and the exotic beaches of Kovalam.
The IRCTC offers an attractive tour package that draws enthusiastic travellers. Guests are received by IRCTC representatives at Kochi airport and accommodated in upmarket hotels. Local sightseeing begins with a visit to the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese as a gift for the King of Cochin and later taken over by the Dutch—hence known as the Dutch Palace. The palace is renowned for its exquisite Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi.
The itinerary also includes the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth, constructed in 1568 and belonging to the Malabar Yehudan community. The tour winds up at Fort Kochi, a charming seaside area celebrated for its Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture and iconic Chinese fishing nets. The historic St. Francis Church, once the original burial site of the legendary explorer Vasco da Gama, is also located here.
The following morning, guests proceed to Munnar, aptly known as the Princess of Hill Stations. En route, the breathtaking Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls leave travellers spellbound. In Munnar, visitors stroll through rolling tea plantations and verdant grasslands, and enjoy boating at Mattupetty Lake near the Mattupetty Dam.
After an overnight stay, the journey continues to Periyar, a four-hour drive through emerald-green mountains. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to diverse flora and fauna, and guests enjoy a serene boat ride on the artificial lake within the sanctuary.
Kerala’s natural marvels continue to unfold as travellers head towards Alappuzha, one of the world’s most enchanting backwater destinations. Here, guests board traditional houseboats and cruise through narrow canals, witnessing village life up close while relishing authentic local cuisine prepared onboard. As dusk descends and silence prevails, punctuated only by birds and rippling water, guests enjoy a peaceful overnight stay on the houseboat.
At dawn, the more adventurous tourists take a refreshing swim before disembarking after breakfast and proceeding to Kovalam—rightly described as the Goa of the South. Visitors unwind at Hawa Beach, soaking in the harmony of sea and sky, culminating in the unforgettable sight of the crimson sun sinking into the Arabian Sea. The night is spent by the beach, with the distant lighthouse casting its silent glow.
On the final morning, guests are escorted to Thiruvananthapuram after visiting the revered Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, the Napier Museum and the Kuthira Malika Palace (Horse Palace), before being dropped at the international airport.
Thus, in just seven days, one experiences a glimpse of Kerala’s wondrous landscapes and cultural treasures—an impression so deep that it leaves every traveller yearning to return.
“Nature is so powerful, so strong. Capturing its essence is not easy… it takes you to a place within yourself,” writes renowned American photographer Annie Leibovitz.
Ravi Valluri is Advisor, Krishnapatnam Railway Company Limited. He has authored both fiction and non-fiction work and is a faculty of the Art of Living. His latest work is Sita to Abhaya: Have Things Changed? He can be reached at valluri.ravi@gmail.com or WhatsApp at 9618564024.
