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It so happened that Parshurama annihilated 21
Kshatriyas (warriors) and wanted a secluded place to perform his
penance. The gods offered to give him a land of his choice. Parashurama
hurled his axe over the sea and ordered the sea to retreat from
over the area covered by his axe. The land that emerged from those
receding waters is the present day Kerala.
Keralites are a peaceful lot. They can best be
described as religious, intelligent, warm and progressive. Hospitality
runs in their blood. Over the years, people from far off places
(the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Chinese, the Arabs, the Europeans)
have come here, only to find themselves trapped forever in the
irresistible charm of the state. Kerala has taken them all in
its fold and the result is reflected in the religious and cultural
mix, as well as the cosmopolitan outlook of the masses here.
The state's rich handicrafts is a part of Kerala
Tourism. Shining brassware, wood and horn carvings, bell metal
castings, gold and silver ornaments are only some of them. Kerala
is also affluent in art and culture. One the one hand is Kathakali,
a classical dance-drama that has survived the test of time, and
on the other is Mohiniyattom, filled with grace and passion –
two classical dance forms with distinct styles that hold the spectator
spellbound.
Numerous festivals add colour to the lives of
people. The most popular festival is the harvest festival of Onam,
celebrated on the Malayalam New Year Day, Chingam. The famous
snake boat race is held every year around the time of Onam. The
very sight of so many long, narrow boats racing past each other,
the splash of water, amidst the delightful cheer of spectators
and drum beats, adds a touch of thrill and freshness to the air.
There are other fairs and festivals, each of which reveals a unique
flavour of the culture that thrives here.
Kerala is indispensable for Ayurveda,an ancient
Indian healing system that uses naturalised methods to cure the
affected part of the body and to restore the balance of the individual.
Many Ayurvedic resorts offer 'health holiday packages' where you
can go, get pampered by experts and come back feeling rejuvenated. |
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