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Beaches of Kerala
The coastline of Kerala has
been dotted with trading ports for several thousand years. For the visitors this
incredible coastline offers some of the most
beautiful beaches
in the world. The famous coast at
Kovalam is one of
the best beaches in India and is situated thirteen kilometres south of
Trivandrum. It becomes a resort of international fame is a favourite haunt of
tourists since the 1930's Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches.
The southern most, known as the lighthouse beach, is the most popular of the
three. About 14 kms from Thiruvana nthapuram
and is a beautiful beach to relax. Till now it remains strangely unspoiled and
lovely. This peaceful health resort is endowed with a beauty of its own. Small
palm-fringed bays separated by rocky headlands, pale sands gentle surf and lush
green lawns compel the visitor to over stay. To Kovalam it’s a joy drive from
Trivandrum through thick palm groves. Kovalam is clean and atmosphere relaxed.
The surf is quite gentle and warm and except for a stormy period during the
June-August monsoon season, is inviting the year around. The local villagers are
friendly and hospitable.
Shanghumugham is 08 kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. This is a
favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the
Thiruvananthapuram airport and Veli tourist village. An indoor recreation club,
the Matsya Kanyaka and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major
attractions here.
Varkala 41 kms from
Thiruvananthapuram city
is a seaside resort with mineral
water springs on the beach. The sand stone cliffs at Varkala are lovely.
Varkala is a seaside
resort and spa, as well as an important Hindu centre of
pilgrimage. A quiet, secluded stretch of sand, the Papanasam Beach in Varkala is
known for its mineral springs and rocky cliffs.
The 2000-year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple
and the nature care centre are the two main attractions here.
Marari Beach:
Right in the heart of the "spice coast"
just an hour from Cochin and even less
to Alleppey (also Known as Alappuzha) is the
most fabulous stretch of soft sandy beach fringed with palm, an idyllic retreat
for those who want to "get away from it all". Marari originates from "Mararikulam",
one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a
hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living
bringing in the daily catch. Completely new to the holidaymaker, Marari offers
endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory
where you can experience to local charm and traditional Kerala hospitality at
its best.
Kappad
16 kms from Kozhikode (Calicut) this is the
historic beach where Vasco-da-Gama
landed on the 27th of May 1498, with 170 men in three vessels. A
monument on the beach commemorates this historic event. The rock-studded beach
is locally known as Kappakadavu.
An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes
into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old.The
northern stretches at Kappad and Badagara are particularly lovely.
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