ERNAKULAM

Ernakulam District (Malayalam: എറണാകുളം) is a district of the state of Kerala in southern India. The district headquarters is located at Kakkanad. The district includes the city of Kochi, an important seaport.

The old Dutch cemetery in Kochi.
Mattancherry Palace - Temple courtyard
St.Francis CSI Church in Kochi
Cheena Vala (Chinese fishing net), Kochi

IDUKKI

The Early history of Idukki is obscure and there is no clear evidence about the paleolithic age.During 800 –1102 A.D, the Hiranges consisting of present Devikulam , Udumbanchola and Peermade taluks were part of the Kingdom of Vembolinad. During 16 th Century Major portions of Idukki district came under the rule of Poonjar Raja.

The Modern history of the district starts with the advent of Europen planters to this region. In 1877 Kerala Varma , the Raja of Poonjar sold 227 Sq. Miles of Kannan Devan hills to John Danial Manroe, a British Planter. The tract was largely unexplored and covered with thick forest. He formed the North Travancore Land planting and Agriculture society. The members of the society developed their own estates in various parts of Hiranges . Roads were opened , Transport organised, Houses and factories built and productions rose rapidly in the succeeding years. The pallivasal Hydroelectric Project, the first hydroelectric project of the State was initially constructed by the tea companies for the industrial use. Planters were the first migrants to the high range region covered by dense forest. Deforestation process start in the high ranges with advent of the plantation industry by the end of the 19 th century. Vast area of evergreen forest were destroyed in connection with the construction of several hydroelectrical projects, Roads, factories etc..

Munnar tea gardens

A river in the Marayoor region of northwestern Idukki District
Anaimudi peak
Idukki Dam on the Periyar River

KOTTAYAM

Kottayam (in Malayalam:കോട്ടയം) is a town in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located in central Kerala and is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. Kottayam has an estimated population of 60,725, according to the 2001 census. The town is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Major Kerala print media such as Malayala Manorama group and Deepika are headquartered in the city. Also a pioneering centre of modern education in Kerala, the city became India's first municipality to achieve over 90% literacy in 1989 and the district became the first tobacco free district in India. The city of Kottayam is also called as "Akshara Nagari" which means the "City of Letters" considering its contribution to print media and literature.

Kottayam Medical college hospital is one of the major hospitals in Kerala
Kottayam Cheriyapally
Kottayam Valiyapally
Autorickshaw in a road in Kottayam. They are a major form of hired transport as in the rest of India
Purple Swamphen , photographed in Vembanad Lake, Kottayam

Seematti Junction, Kottayam

ALAPPUZHA

Alappuzha (Malayalam: ആലപ്പുഴ), also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, it was described as the List of places known as Venice of the East by Lord Curzon. It is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha District. Alleppey has a wonderful past. Though the present town owes its existence to the sagacious Diwan Raja Kesavadas in the second half of 18th century, district of Alappuzha figures in classical Literature. Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala with the unending stretch of paddy fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms , was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. History says Alappuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in B.C and in the Middle Ages, as well as with other parts of India. Alappuzha has a lighthouse, which is a major tourist attraction. The white sand beach is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the sea and sun

Paddy fields
Church
Alleppey houseboat
Canal

House Boat, Punnamada Backwaters, Alappuzha

PATHANAMTHITTA

Pathanamthitta is a town situated in the very heart of the Central Travancore region of Kerala State, India.It is the administrative capital of The Pathanamthitta District. The town has a population of 38,000. It is known as the 'Pilgrim Capital of Kerala'. Pathanamthitta is a fast-developing town and business center. It is the main transport hub to the famous Hindu pilgrim center of Sabarimala. The main trunk road to Sabarimala is from Pathanamthitta. The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha Road/SH-08) and T.K.Road (Thiruvalla-Pathanamthitta-Kumbazha Road/SH-07) pass through Pathanamthitta. Pathanamthitta is a cosmopolitan town, with people of different faiths like Hindus, Christians, and Muslims live in harmony. Pathanamthitta District has a communal break up of Hindus 55.58%, Christians 40.35%, Muslims 4.03%.

Busy commercial street near Pathanamthitta Central Jn.
The General Hospital Road stretch of the T.K.Road
City Street after a monsoon shower
A sign-board that indicates the direction to Sabarimala. The multilingual board is written in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannad

KOLLAM

Kollam (Malayalam: കൊല്ലം) (known to the Portuguese as Quilon, pronounced koy-lon) is a city and a municipal corporation in Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It lies 71 Kilometres north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). It is also the headquarters of the Kollam District, one among the 14 districts in the kerala state. It is bound on the south by Thiruvananthapuram district, on the north by Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, on the east by Tamil nadu and on the west by the Arabian sea. The town is very famous for processing and cashewcoir manufacturing. It is the southern gateway to the backwater of Kerala, and thus, a prominent tourist destination.

Kollam was formerly called "Desinganadu". During the rule of the TravancoreKingdom in southern Kerala, Kollam was the focal point of trade. The start of the Malayalam era is associated with Kollam. The ME is also referred as Kollavarsham.

A view of the Kollam backwaters from the railway line
Gateway to Ashramam Sree Krishnaswamy Temple at Kollam
Kollam

TRIVANDRUM

Trivandrum Public Library
Kaudiar road; also known as the royal road, as it leads to the Palace
Secretariat building, Government of Kerala
Chandrashekaran Nair Football Stadium
Kerala University Administrative Building
Kovalam beach, a popular tourist destination
Gandhi Park in East Fort
Trivandrum International Airport
Trivandrum Central Railway Station
Kerala Legislative Assembly Building
Vizhinjam Port site
A View of a TechnoPark building
A view from Ponmudi hills
Sri PadmanabhaSwami Temple


Headquarters of the Nair Brigade of Travancore. The building is now the Legislative Museum

KERALAM

GOD'S OWN COUNTRY