Lying on the Malabar coast, Kerala is a dream destination featuring backwaters, emerald spice plantations, relaxing backwaters, beaches, and flora and fauna. The intriguing mix of modernity and tradition has made Kerala one of the best vacation spots in India. But before you plan a Kerala trip or have been pondering about one, here are some interesting facts that you should know as a tourist.
10 Interesting Facts About Kerala
1. Kerala’s Name— The Land of Coconuts
2. Kerala’s Kalaripayattu: The Oldest Surviving Martial Arts
3. Kerala is Home to Ayurveda
4. Kerala has the Highest Male to Female Ratio
5. Time Magazine Listed Kerala in World Great Places 2022
6. Kerala: The Spice Garden of India
7. The First Mosque, Church and Synagogue of India was Built in Kerala
8. Kerala has the Highest Literacy Rate in India
9. Elephants Play an Important Role in Temple Processions in Kerala
10. Vasco da Gama First Arrived in India at Calicut, Kerala
1. Kerala’s Name— The Land of Coconuts
While exploring Kerala on vacation the omnipresent scenery of fringed coconut palms never leaves your sight. The sweetness and flesh of coconuts in Kerala just tastes different. From delicious main course dishes to drinks and even desserts, coconut is used quite generously in Kerala’s cuisine. After all, the state literally got its name after coconuts. In Malayalam language, the word ‘keram’ translates to coconut trees and the word Keralam means “Land of Coconuts”.
2. Kerala’s Kalaripayattu: The Oldest Surviving Martial Arts
Kalaripayattu, hailed as India’s oldest surviving martial arts, is still practiced and promoted in Kerala. This martial art is rooted in the cultural heritage of Kerala. It is believed that Lord Parshuram created this martial art, as some ancient scriptures suggest. Kalaripayattu, which means “practice in the arts of the battlefield” is said to be around 2000 to 3000 years old. It involves uses of weapons like swords and shields, strikes, kicks, and other combative moves. With this, Kalaripayattu also includes yoga, meditation, and oil massage for rest and recovery of the practitioner.
3. Kerala is Home to Ayurveda
The ancient healing and medicine system Ayureda has its roots entrenched in Kerala’s heritage, culture and everyday life. The climate, lush greenery, availability of different spices and herbs positions Kerala as an attractive destination for Ayurvedic tourism. Kerala has many government accredited centres for Ayurvedic treatments. From Abhyanaga, to Panchkarma to Shirodhara and other healing treatments are best to receive in Kerala.
Many tourists from the rest of India and abroad visit Kerala to seek Ayurvedic retreats in fully dedicated Ayurveda resorts. In fact, the world’s first out and out Ayurvedic resort Somatheeram is in Trivandrum, Kerala. It was founded by Mr. Baby Mathew in 1985.
4. Kerala has the Highest Male to Female Ratio
Kerala has always championed implementing gender equality and women empowerment and education measures. It has resulted in high literacy rate and social development of women and men. This is one of the primary reasons why male to female ratio (i.e. number of females per 1000 males) is the highest in the country, beating the national average. The male to female ratio in Kerala is 1084 to 1000 as per the Census conducted in 2011.
5. Time Magazine Listed Kerala in World Great Places 2022
Kerala is one of the most visited states in India. Thanks to its tourist infrastructure, natural scenery, flora and fauna, and incredible hospitality of its people. In the year 2022, Time Magazine listed Kerala “World’s Greatest Places 2022”, praising the state for its eco tourism efforts. Not only this, Kerala’s Kochi also received a recognition from Conde Nast Traveller Magazine as one of the best places to visit in Asia 2024. This shows Kerala is one of those destinations that you should visit at least once in a lifetime.
6. Kerala: The Spice Garden of India
Did you know that about 87% of cardamom and about 90% of pepper is produced alone in the state of Kerala? Beyond pepper and cardamom, Kerala is replete with many spice plantations growing vanilla, ginger, clove, cinnamon, anise, nutmeg, and turmeric. No wonder, Kerala is called the Spice Garden of India. With a Kerala holiday package, visit the spice plantations in Munnar and Thekkady to learn about their cultivation and production. It will be a supremely incredible travel experience.
7. The First Mosque, Church and Synagogue of India was Built in Kerala
Kerala is known for its rich and diverse history of people with different faiths co-existing in harmony. You will be surprised to know that the first ever mosque, church and synagogue of India was built in Kerala. The reason being, Kerala always engaged in maritime trade and commerce with the Arabs, the Persians, the Portuguese etc. Most of these traders settled in Kerala and in search of a place of worship on a foreign land, established their own.
The first mosque of India (Cheraman Juma Masjid) was built in 629 CE by Arab trader, Malik Deenar.
St. Thomas (one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ) established Syro-Malabar Catholic church in Palayur in 52 CE.
The Cochin Jewish community established the Paradesi Synagogue (a tourist site in Kerala).
8. Kerala has the Highest Literacy Rate in India
Yes, Kerala is still the highest literate state in all of India. The literacy rate in Kerala is 93.91% which is higher than the national literacy rate of 74.04% as per census of 2011. Even the rural areas like Kottayam in Kerala have a literacy rate of 97.17 %. In a landmark feat, Kerala also achieved a 100% rate of imparting primary education to its population.
9. Elephants Play an Important Role in Temple Processions in Kerala
Elephants are important for Kerala’s cultural and religious ceremonies. They are highly revered and taken care of during the temple processions in Kerala. There are facilities that take care of elephants and provide the spa and massages to the gentle giants. Tourists can also enjoy bathing and scrubbing these animals. In fact, the state animal of Kerala is also an elephant.
10. Vasco da Gama First Arrived in India at Calicut, Kerala
The Portuguese explorer and nobleman Vasco da Gama arrived in India. But where? He landed at Kerala’s Calicut (Kozhikode) district. He arrived on 20th May, 1498—the first time Indians came in contact with the Portuguese. Back then Kappad, near Kozhikode district was part of the Kingdom of the Zamorin (Samuthiri Raja) of Calicut. He was the first European to discover the sea route between India and Portugal.
Do the above facts about Kerala intrigues and inspire you? Are you interested in exploring this southern state further? If yes, book yourself a Kerala holiday package and explore more interesting aspects of Kerala related to its culture, food and history.
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