It is possible to make a backwater journey from Trivandrum to Kodungal-lur, a distance of nearly 155 miles (250 km), or from Trivandrum to Kottayam, a distance of about 110 miles (175 km). But both journeys really start from the ancient town of Quilon (Kollam), about 44 miles (70 km) north of Trivandrum Once a major international entrepot known to the Phoenicians and the Arabs, the Romans and the Greeks, the Chinese and the Persians, Quilon is still a major commercial center in Kerala. Together with two other important trading centres, Alleppey and Kottayam, it forms a triangle that is not only commercially affluent but also unspoiled in heritage and natural surroundings.

Today, with 25 million people, Kerala is not only one of the most densely populated of all Indian states, but also the most advanced in terms of family planning and literacy. The official language is Malayalam. The people of Kerala have traditionally been distinguished for their ingenuity and daring. The Malayali diaspora has taken its people virtually to every inhabited continent of the world, but their link with their beautiful home state invariably remains strong.
Whilst the majority of Kerala's population is Hindu, one third is Christian - Syrian Christians, converted in the early years of this millennium, and Roman Catholics, converted in the 16th century. There is also a sizable population of Muslims of Arab descent and converts. There was once also a thriving Jewish population in Cochin, dwindled since the establishment of the state of Israel. All of these communities generally co-existed harmoniously; paradoxically, though Keralites are religious, they pride themselves on their rationalist tradition and have more than once elected Communist governments.
Kerala is rich both in the bounty of nature and in the creations of man: beautiful beaches and rivers, hills and forest sanctuaries, forts and palaces, monuments and memorials, shrines and festivals, and a fascinating heritage of art and culture.

Golden Triangle - with Taj Mahal - India's top tourist Destinations and more....