Kerala, God’s own Country is visited by a good number of tourists throughout the year due to its multiple tourism potentials. Kerala Ayurveda tourism is one of the main attractions both for the domestic and foreign tourists. Ayurveda has been practiced in Kerala since antiquity and this tradition is now kept by the Ayurveda centers and the Ayurveda and Spa resorts of Kerala. Ayurveda is a succor to lives of various people those of who suffer from rheumatic diseases like arthritis, hemiplegia, paralysis, paralysis-agitanus, nervous weakness, fertility diseases and nervous disorders, etc.

 

The backwaters in Kerala are also a source of amazement and ecstasy for those lovers of aquatic life. The freshwater from the rivers meets the water from the sea which together creates a unique ecosystem. In such ecosystem various rare and unique species of aquatic life can be seen which includes species of crabs, frogs, water birds, kingfishers, turtles and more. Apart from the under water beauty these Kerala backwaters are also blessed with natural bounty and a ride on the houseboat over these serene waters provide a tranquilizing view of the Palm trees, Pandanus shrubs and other bushes grown alongside with these backwaters. The amazing flora and fauna at the entire landscape provides a stimulating experience to those on a Kerala tour.

The main source of living for those staying on the banks of Kerala backwaters is through fishing. The traditional way of life at these backwaters of Kerala are farming, coconut and other crops harvested along the banks of the backwaters, the boats which are build as important mode of transportation and now are also source of living. The traditional settings of living at the banks of backwaters are one of the most awe- inspiring sites on your Kerala travel.

The network of these backwaters includes fiver large lakes linked by canals, which are both natural and manmade and covers up to half the length of Kerala. Ayurveda is an ancient form of healing and is practiced for several centuries in India. This age old art of healing the ailment is widely practiced at the backwaters of Kerala and treats the body, mind and soul of the weary traveller in completely natural way providing a complete rejuvenation. The rejuvenating treatments of Ayurveda and the calming environs of Kerala backwaters when clubbed together provide a heavenly experience to its visitors. Therefore the Kerala backwater tour is one of the must in every traveller visiting the Southern part of India.

Screw pine weaving of mats is one of the traditional crafts practiced by women in Kerala. The leaves for this mat are taken from the sword-shaped thorny screw-pine plant. The process is tough as the leaf has sharp thorns growing in both directions. Two different types of pines are used in the making of mats. The short variety is used for a large number of items as it can be both faded and painted. The finer varieties of mats need narrower splits and as they need to be extra silk therefore they are boiled in the pure milk.

The weaving is done crosswise; and interlacing continues as new strips are added. On completion the edges are hemmed with narrow screw-pine strips. Superfine mats made of very fine screw-pine leaf splints placed at 8 to 10 per inch are woven by the highly skilled craftsmen. The products made are table mats, bags, cushion covers wall hangings, and beach hats. In the rough textured variety of mats the edges are woven simultaneously and the weaving starts with dual strips, while at the edges it is continued with a single strip. Decorative embroidery adds to the beauty of the products.

Trivandrum and Trichur have skilled artists practicing rose wood carving from generations together. Decorative items such as tiger, camel, elephants, kathakali dancers, Christ, couple dressed in the traditional attire and Buddha are a few rosewood carving products which are in high demand.

Last week, MSN Green had listed some of the top eco-destinations in India and God’s own country - Kerala - was in the list for its famous backwaters and one of the richest biodiversity in the world. Here’s some more good news for the state. National Geographic has rated the Kerala backwaters as the world's 23rd best destination, giving the tourism sector a reason to smile.

In the previous time the handmade paper craft was mainly carried out by Muslims known as Kagzis or the paper – makers. These craftsmen have their root in Arabia and over the years they have migrated to India mainly during the period of the Ghazni invasions(A.D. 997-1030). The craft flourished in India thereafter as the Buddhists, Jains, Hindus and Mughals were fond of books, paintings and written works. Today the craft is fading because of the mill made paper.

In olden days the process fo paper making was slow but over the years the industry has advanced with new technology and methods evolving to make the process faster. A variety of materials are also used, of which, sun-hemp, flax, sisal, water hyacinth and bamboo are most common.

Hand made paper besides being aesthetic, is economical and environment friendly, characteristics which are dependant on the production process and uses waste material that has low energy requirement and is non polluting.

The state of Kerala in south India is a perfect destination for tourism, holidays, health care, yoga, meditation and art & culture. Kerala has a tradition of making beautiful items of handicrafts. Though most crafts in Kerala are also hereditary some amateurs with special interest in art also practice the same. Mat and basket weaving is done at many places in Kerala. All products are painstakingly made by hand. Some of the products include chairs, teapoy, t.v. stand, fans, tiffin carriers, bamboo shades, bamboo bowls and bamboo-reed table mats.

The painted bamboo mats is one the important craft of this place. The main center for this is Irinjalakuda. The subject for paintings are gods, goddesses, animals and birds. The mats for this craft is initially made of the required size and then painted with colours – derived from natural sources.

The trunk of the Banana tree when treated properly gives this fine natural fibre. This craft of Banana fibre is slowly gaining in popularity and is predominantly found in the southern distric of Kanyakumari. Natural fibres like sisal, aloe, pineapple and screw pine and also weaved along with this banana fibre.Nowadays wall hangings and mats of different shapes and sizes are also made out of this fibre apart from the traditional table mats and bags. Traditionally the Pattu sari was also made of Banana fibre but it has become obsolete now.

Aranmula is a small village near Chengannur in Kerala and is renowned for making a special type of metallic mirrors with bell metal, an alloy of copper and tin. It is believed that a divine visitation inspired a widow of this village to discover a mysterious blend of bronze which could be waxed bright into crystal clear mirror. These mirrors are known as Aranmula Kannadi. Though most commercially available mirrors have a coating of silver or other metal on the rear, this is the only mirror of its type, which reflects from the front. Owning such a mirror which is prohibitively costly, is believed to be A Lifetime Possession’ which brings good luck and brings prosperity and keeps evil eyes away.

A technique similar to lost wax method is used to make moulds of these mirrors with the local mud from the field. Once the casting is done, the surface is polished with oil and some metallic powder. The polish may continue for several days to get the required surface. Kannans, the artisans of this unique type of bell-metal are only a handful of familes in the world, who retain till date, this art of getting such reflection from metal.