Kerala - South India and Kerala - page 536

Top State Festivals
» Ernakulathappan Utsavam ( Jan/Feb, Shiva Temple, Ernakulam, Kochi, Click
here ) Eight days of festivities culminating in a parade of elephants, music and fireworks.
» Thirunakkara Utsavam ( Mar, Thirunakkara Shiva Temple, Kottayam, Click here )
All-night Kathakali dancing on the third and fourth nights of this 10-day festival.
» Kollam Pooram ( Apr, Asraman Shri Krishna Swami Temple, Kollam, Click here )
A 10-day festival with all-night Kathakali performances and a procession of 40 ornamen-
ted elephants.
» Thrissur Pooram ( Apr/May, Vadakkunathan Kshetram Temple, Thrissur, Click
here ) The elephant procession to end all elephant processions.
» Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race ( 2nd Sat in Aug, Alappuzha, Click here ) The most
popular of Kerala's boat races.
» Onam ( Aug/Sep, statewide) Kerala's biggest cultural celebration, when the entire
state celebrates the golden age of mythical King Mahabali for 10 days.
MAIN POINTS OF ENTRY
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kozhikode (Calicut) and Kochi (Cochin) are Kerala's air and rail transport
hubs.
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Fast Facts
» Population: 33.34 million
» Area: 38,864 sq km
» Capital: Thiruvanan thapuram (Trivandrum)
» Main Language: Malayalam
» Sleeping Prices: $ below ?1000, $$ ?1000 to ?3500, $$$ above ?3500
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