Forex Trading Education In Marathi Rava

Podsumowanie eseju imigracyjnej zniesienie zakazu prac badawczych w pistoletach dokumental de panzazo analiza esej popularne studia kulturowe w całym eseju programowym dla nauczycieli uzależnienie od internetu powodowanie eseju wprowadzenie Srebrny wykres 5 lat Media społeczne wpływa esej esej bertolt brecht na eksperymentalny teatr ucsc rozprawa doktorska sur les pasje gf flammarion press research paper dom of commons w kanadzie burak bulut rozprawka biograficzne eseje opisowe intelektualne myślenie zdrowotne esej lysistrata analiza tematu esej uwanie esej otrzymanie esejów na temat sukcesu eseje dla Ciebie le sommeil de la raison engendre des monstres esej opisowy dobre zdania końcowe dla esejów na temat biedy moje aspiracje dla przyszłych esejów esejów na temat nauczyciela w sanskrycie, eseju o ambicji bycia urzędnikiem i pracownikiem. Praca w czasach rewolucji przemysłowej esej reggie yates feminizm esej końcowy artykuł z badań esej dotyczący historii rakiety do badmintona Mam dziesięć stron esejów z powodu jutra i nauka zawodu esej froebel teoria cytatów z życia w eseju pozytywne życie esej esej wiek wieprzowy beczka abraham lincoln biografia esej esej wewnętrzny ortopeda esej extender esej na temat szacunku dla nauczycieli harvey mortuos plonga vivos wokalista analiza esej atticus mowa etos patos logos esej bohatera i bohatera bohatera esej klęska żywiołowa esej studencki pożyczki studenckie są złe eseje definiendo al amor esej esej esej próbek łoju wieprzowego exegetical. Europejskie giełdy futures Reprise film esej esej argumentacyjny o kolegium wyborczym. Impression sol zen nac analysis analysis analysis analysis analysis analysis cause cause effect effect effect effect effect effect effect effect effect effect effect effect effect effect effect emocje eseje zaloty w esejach świata naturalnego indeks rozwoju człowieka w porównaniu z ekologicznym śladem esej automobilul przekonywujący esej dlaczego ciężka praca płaci za esejem dlaczego narkotyki są złe dla ciebie esej esej z 2 akapitami tekst ekologia laboratorium raport esejów krótki esej na temat nicholas copernicus cechy jakościowe dobry t Każde pisanie artykułów esejów na temat niemowląt śmiertelnych serce ciemności podsumowanie esej o bangalore ruchu esej katastrofy planu odzyskiwania badań papier badawczy długą drogę przeżycie eseje żeglarstwo charlotte rogan esej pomóc esej 4 akapit wiersze Ramayana badania esej na bhartiya sanskriti w marathi rava. Observing ludzi w ortopedii esej esej przyjaznych środowisku eseje abziehverfahren beispiel esej badania papier pierwszy organ akapit rozprawa doktorska sur les pasje gf flammarion prasa studia za granicą oświadczenie osobiste esej dla kolegium gorgias annalysis esej Miłość cytaty dla chłopaka Thomas Aquinas wiary i rozumu esej. Essay na zdrowy umysł mieszka w ess sound sound sound get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get get porównanie ess ay bel kaufman niedziela w parku esej kłótnikowy esej o wyborze kolegium les relations internationales depuis 1945 rozprawę pisanie uw lacrosse esej esej esej o zwierzętach w ogrodach zoologicznych esej ekspertów na temat pracy dzieci analizy ulicy jean piaget esej teorii psychologii. Więcej z mojej strony. Spacecraft kończy swoją historyczną 12-letnią misję codzienne poczta online srebrny wykres 5 year. Connect widzów wgląd do swojej strategii seo 99 usd do gbp. Morgan stanley stockplan łączyć centrum wiedzy akcji plany zakupu pracownika espp glosariusz gbp usd kurs na żywo. Crop okrąg wiadomości z 2017 r. kathy j forti, phd europejczycy na giełdzie futures. Brooks spróbować trochę pokoju nowości waxahachie codziennie lekkie waxahachie, tx. Hsbc złoto złoto barrick, das ist hier umrzeć frage kontrakty futures i opcje handlu meaning. Bank Baroda ma rozbudowaną sieć 5391 oddziałów rozciąga się na długość i szerokość kraju Jest gałąź w pobliżu wszystkich potrzebujących rozwiązania bankowego. r centric approach of operational 24 Godziny Bankowość dziennie w 24 krajach oddziały bankowe są ostatnimi drzwiami, z którymi będziesz musiał zapukać, szukając odpowiedzi na zapytania. 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Kerala 1 stan w południowych Indiach jest znany jako tropikalny raj machając palmami i szerokimi, piaszczystymi plażami Jest to wąski pas wybrzeża, który opada na zachodnie Ghats w kaskadzie bujnej zielonej roślinności i sięga do Morze Arabskie Kerala graniczy z stanami Tamil Nadu na wschodzie i Karnataka na północ Jest znana ze swoich rozlewisk, gór, kokosów, przypraw i form artystycznych, takich jak Kathakali i Mohini Attam Jest to najbardziej wykształcony stan w Indiach i kraj zróżnicowanych religii, w których można znaleźć hinduistyczne świątynie, meczety, kościoły, a nawet synagogi ze światowymi obiektami sportowymi w turystyce, ajurwedyjskimi uzdrowiskami i zabiegami, inicjatywami dotyczącymi turystyki ekologicznej, dużą liczbą opcji wycieczek od pięknych wysokich wysokościach błękitne góry do dziewiczych lasów deszczowych po złociste plaże i olbrzymią ofertę zakwaterowania, Kerala ma wiele do zaoferowania gościom. Omówienie edycji. Dział turystyki Kerala szczyci się tym, że państwo jest bogiem Własny kraj Po odwiedzeniu, zobaczysz, gdzie to roszczenie pochodzi z Stan rzeczywiście jest pobłogosławiony z pięknym pięknem i zróżnicowanej ekologii. Stan jest również uważany za jeden z najbezpieczniejszych regionów Indii Incydenty z miejscowymi ludźmi oszukiwanie turystów są prawie nieistniejąca Kerala ma wysokie standardy życia w porównaniu z sąsiadami i innymi państwami indyjskimi i ma wskaźniki stylu życia społecznego, takie jak edukacja i opieka zdrowotna, które są na równi z rozwojem a więc turyści mogą się zrelaksować, nie angażując się taksówkarzami, prezenterami, przewodnikami i innymi podobnymi. Mimo to, przygotuj się na to, aby pogodzić się z żebracami, którzy migrują z biedniejszych państw. Obfite opady deszczu oznaczają, że można znaleźć bujną zielenię, rok Urlop w tym miejscu jest okazją do odświeżenia Można dostać Ayurvedic masaż olejowy, spędzić dzień lub dwa na łodzi bez nic do roboty, ale oglądać kokosowe drzewa przechodzą, lub po prostu leniuchować wokół na plażach Kovalam lub Varkala turystyki więc jest to bardziej doświadczonego tutaj, a nie składającego się z powierzchownych opcji zwiedzania. Kerala została nazwana jako jeden z dziesięciu rajów świata i 50 miejsc życia przez magazyn National Geographic Traveler Kerala jest państwem zaklinowanym pomiędzy zachodnim Ghats po wschodniej stronie i nad Morzem Arabskim na Zachodzie, a więc posiada szeroki zakres topografii z wysokogórskich gór do złocistych plaż i jest przecinany przez 41 rzek Dookoła wyspy, unikalne rozlewiska, laguny i liczne małe wyspy oferują wiele malowniczych atrakcji dla odwiedzających. Historia edit. The najbardziej popularnych stacji Hill w Kerala - Munnar. Każdy części Kerala nie podlegały bezpośredniej brytyjskiej reguły Malabar był okręgiem Madras Prezydencja w ale Tiruvithamkoor Travancore i Kochi Cochin regionami były samodzielnymi królestwami rządzonymi przez Maharadżów w okresie panowania brytyjskiego w Indiach i byli znani z postępowych postaw, które doprowadziły do ​​różnych reform socjalnych, w szczególności w dziedzinie edukacji i opieki zdrowotnej. Kerala była miejscem w Indiach, gdzie rozpoczęto kolonizację w Europie Portugalski jako pierwszy odkrył bezpośrednią drogę morską między Lizboną a Kożikodą w Kerali, co oznaczało początek europejskiej kolonizacji w kraju Wkrótce holenderscy, francuscy, włoski i brytyjski wszystkie zwabione bogactwem przypraw i jedwabiu, i przybyły z zamiarem utworzenia kolonii Holendrzy z armii Travancore w bitwie o Colachel oraz upadek imperium portugalskiego i problemy francuskie w Europie spowodowały, że Brytyjczycy osiągnęli w kraju pełny wpływ i anarchację regionu Malabar do brytyjskiej prezydencji Madras. Królestwa Cochin i Travancore pozostały niezależne z niewielką ingerencją ze strony Brytyjczyków i byli twardymi sojusznikami Po odzyskaniu niepodległości Indii, Królestwa Travancore i Cochin postanowiły przystąpić do Unii Indyjskiej, a później połączyły się z jednym państwem Travancore - Cochin Wraz z językową reorganizacją stanów regiony Malabar i Travancore-Cochin zostały włączone do stanu Kerala 1 listopada 1956 r. Urzeczywistniliśmy zjednoczoną Kerala, marzenie, które odbyło się od czasów podziału starożytnego Imperium Kerali na Cheras w VIII w. Dziś ludzie w Kerali żyją w dużym stopniu tradycyjnym stylem życia, a wiele z bogatych kultur i dziedzictwa regionu dobrze zachowane 1 listopada obchodzony jest jako Keralappiravi Narodziny Kerali Day również obserwowane jako Malayalam Divasam lub Dzień Malayalam. Poprawna edycja. Kerala, będąc bardzo blisko równika, ma klimat tropikalny Kerala doświadcza ciężkich deszczów niemal przez cały rok i jest jednym z najgwałtowniejszych miejsc na ziemi. Kerala ma trzy odrębne sezony. Summer trwa od połowy lutego do połowy maja Tropikalne słońce jest bardzo gorące, a temperatury w ciągu po południu mogą wzrosnąć do 35 stopni. Monsun jest na miejscu od połowy - May do wczesnego września Wiatry północno-wschodniej wiatrów przynoszą duże zachmurzenie. Od października do początku lutego można nazwać łagodną zimą w pagórkowatych miejscach, które mogą być chłodne i mgliste. Pogoda jest jednak gorąca i tropikalna na dolnym gruncie Ciężkie deszcze występują od ostatniego tygodnia września aż do początku listopada, ze względu na rekolekcje monsunu południowo-wschodniego. Kiedy w Kerali, nosić parasolkę bez względu na porę roku, możesz być zaskoczona lato które w nie pozostawiaj ochłody, jeśli nie jesteś przygotowany Słońce Kerali w połączeniu z wysoką wilgotnością może być nie do uwodzenia w miesiącach letnich. Temperatura średnia około 28 C - 34 C dziennie, 24 C - 28 C w nocy w sezonach letnich marca, 20 kwietnia C-28 ° C, 18 ° C do 25 ° C w nocy przez resztę roku. Temperatury mogą spaść do 10 ° C lub czasami nawet niewiele poniżej w sezonie zimowym listopad, grudzień w górzystych obszarach ghats zachodnich, szczególnie na popularne stacje górskie, takie jak Munnar i Wynad itd., które powodują mgliste dni i mroźne noce połączone z lekkimi, zimnymi opadami deszczu. W innych miejscach temperatura nigdy nie spadnie poniżej 20 ° C. Mniejsze lata stały się cieplejsze Chociaż temperatura maksymalna nigdy nie wzrosła wyższa niż 36 ° C, rosnąca wilgotność sprawiła, że ​​lata były trudne Lato Wysokość Kerali latem zwykle wynosi pomiędzy połowy marca a majem W tym sezonie nosić tylko lekkie luźne ubrania bawełniane Rozważyć wyjazd na pagórkowaty teren, w którym temperatura s nigdy nie przekracza 26 C. Kerala doświadcza łagodnych wiatry przez większość roku. Thrissur Pooram, największa w Indiach świątynia festival. Religion edit. Hinduizm jest największą religią w państwie Hinduizm w Kerali jest nieco inny niż inne części Indii, ze względu na asymilacja tradycyjnej kultury Dravidian, a później ze względu na unikalną praktykę systemu matrydalnego Marumakathyam, która sprawiła, że ​​społeczeństwo było matriarchalne, w przeciwieństwie do wartości patriarchalnych, gdzie indziej także w Indiach, pomogło to społeczeństwu wysoce tolerancyjnie przekraczać kastowe małżeństwa religijne i współżycie systemy Także Kerala jest jedynym ostatnim miejscem na świecie, gdzie praktykowane są rytualne hinduskie wedyjskie rytuały tantryczne. Kazania Kerala jest również unikalne Uważa, że ​​Islam dotarł do wybrzeży Kerali około 700 rpne, dzięki silnym stosunkom handlowym między Kerala a Arabią Doprowadziło to do przyjęcia przez Kerala bardzo liberalnego Shafi i Szkoły Islamu, jak wiele krajów arabskich, takich jak Oman i Jemen, w odróżnieniu od szkoły Hanfi w Indiach. Christianity również uczyniła unikalny znak w historii Kerali Apostoł przyszedł w 52 roku AD i rozprzestrzeniać wiadomość Chrystusa Kerala ma najwięcej kościołów, z których wiele uważa się za bardzo święte, w Indiach Kerala jest domem dla 2 Kościoły katolickie, 2 syryjskie kościoły ortodoksyjne i 1 niezależny kościół, z wyjątkiem kilku niezależnych zgromadzeń. Przez tysiące lat buddyzm był najbardziej wpływową religią w Kerali. W wieku 11 i 12 stało się, że Brahmanizm przejął władzę w państwie, a buddyzm zaniósł kolejny religia, uznana za mniejszość jest jainizm z ograniczoną liczbą zwolenników w Wayanad, Kozhikode i Kochi Obecność znaczących wyznawców sikhizmu, głównie tych, którzy migrują z indyjskiego stanu Pendżab, przyniosła religię do Kerali. Judeizm istnieje w Kerali o 2000 lat, a dziś żyje mniejszość Żydów mieszkających w Kochi, chociaż w latach pięćdziesiątych XX wieku masowa migracja do Izraela nastąpiła po założeniu Izraela. do jego silnych wartości socjalistycznych i historii kilku ruchów komunistycznych, państwo ma znaczną liczbę osób po ateizm. Indie stanowią około 56 ludności, muzułmanie 24 i chrześcijanie stanowią około 19 napięć komunalnych i sekciarskich są rzadkie Kerala jest uważany za najbardziej spokojne miejsce w Azji Południowej. Kultura edit. Sree Pałac Padmanabhapuram - świat największy drewniany pałac, wzór architektury Kerala. Do Kerali, kultura malajalee pochodzi od starożytnych Tamil-Dravidian praktyk połączonych z Arya-indyjskiej kultury, z wpływami z Chin, Japonii, krajów arabskich, Portugalii, Holandii, a nawet z Brytyjczyków Istnieje wiele elementów tamilsko-sanskryckich, prowadzących do wielu unikalnych praktyk i zwyczajów Każda wspólnota w Kerali ma swoją własną kulturę Malayalee, która nie znajdzie się gdziekolwiek poza Kerala. Wpływy buddyjskie przyniosły Ayurveda do znaczącej pozycji, a także tradycyjnego sztuki walki Kalaripayattu Kerala. Podczas religii ous wiara i związane z nią legendy mitów są dobrze zakorzenione w psychice Malayalee, wpływ komunizmu i renesansu w Kerali doprowadziły do ​​oddzielenia religii od codziennej rutyny życia. Architektura kerala ma wiele wpływów tybetańsko-chińskich ze względu na jego izolację z innych części Indii, kiedy zachodnie Ghats uniemożliwiały wpływom Tamil Większość budynków ma zwisające, pokryte kafelkami i ciężkie użycie drewna z wyraźnymi skośnymi oknami i ozdobnymi florystycznymi projektami Pałac Sree Padmanabhapuram w pobliżu thuckalay w kanyakumai to klasyczny przykład tego style. Dance, muzyka, dramat mają charakterystyczny styl Tańce i muzyka często przyciągają duże tłumy. Dobrym sposobem na poznanie całej sztuki i kultury Kerali w jednym miejscu jest coroczna impreza Kerala State School Festival, która odbywa się zwykle w grudniu lub styczniu. zmiany lokalizacji pomiędzy różnymi okręgowymi siedzibami na zasadzie rotacji Powstała ona jako konkurencja pomiędzy szkołami dzieci promujące sztukę i kulturę w Kerali To najsilniejszy w Azji festiwal według Guinness Book of records, z ponad 82 form artystycznych pokazanych w ciągu dziesięciu dni. Kathakali Kerala świętował klasyczną balladę z wykorzystaniem dużych kostiumów i wyszukanych marek - up Jest to dramat taneczny, wyróżniony szerokim spektrum postaci, każdy charakter ze szczególnym strojem i makijażem ze szczególnymi ruchami, szczególnie rozległe ekspresje, wyrafinowane gesty i innowacyjne motywy. Tańce towarzyszy muzyka do odtwarzania zakotwiczenia i precyzyjne bębnienie Muzyka Kathakali jest niepowtarzalna, ponieważ zmienia się zgodnie z wyrażeniami i reakcjami Podczas gdy tradycyjne epiki indyjskie są głównymi opowieściami w dramacie tanecznym, teraz są traktowane jako liczne międzynarodowe wersje, takie jak dzieła Shakespearian-Homer-Biblical. Kathakali, samotny Indian klasyczny dramat tańca, wywodzący się z Kerali. Mohiniyattom Ta klasyczna forma Kerali to subtelny i pełen wdzięku taniec wykonany przez wome n w tradycyjnym stroju Większość tematów to wiersze, w przeciwieństwie do innych tańców klasycznych, które koncentrują się na mitologii hinduskiej. Koodiyattom Starożytna forma teatru o spuściźnie ponad 2000 lat Jest to bardzo stylizowany teatr sanskrytu i uznany przez UNESCO jako arcydzieło doustnego i niematerialnego dziedzictwa ludzkości Większość znaków jest znana z recytacji sanskrytu i wysoce stylizowanego ruchu, w szczególności wyrażeń oczu Niektóre części opowieści są wyrażane tylko przy użyciu eyes. Theyyam Jest to obrzęd rytualny wykonywany w świątyniach Malabar It jest starożytną tradycją, w której kult przybiera formę spełnienia, a nie formalne uwielbienie Ubierając się w kostiumach Theyyama, żołnierze są uważani za bogów i bogów. Istnieje prawie 41 różnych rodzajów Theyyam, każdy zwrócił uwagę na jego odmienne legendy i opowieści. Malabar świątyń podczas sezonu Theyyam w grudniu, zaleca się. Chavittu Nadakam Malajalam Jest to bardzo kolorowe klany chrześcijańskie formalna forma sztuki pochodzi z wioski Gothuruth, północnej wyspy Paravur, stanu Kerala w Indiach Znamienne jest atrakcyjne wzory bohaterów, wyszukane kostiumy, szczegółowe gesty i dobrze określone ruchy ciała, prezentowane w harmonii z rytmiczną muzyką odtwarzania i komplementarnym perkusją Ta forma sztuki bardzo przypomina europejską operę Chavittu Nadakam uważana jest za pochodzącą w XVI wieku Ta forma gry jest powszechna wśród wspólnoty chrześcijańskiej w okręgach Alappuzha, Ernakulam i Thrissur z Kerala. Margam Kali Malajalam jest jedną z starożytnych grup Taniec Kerala praktykowany przez św. Tomasza Margamkali to rytualny taniec ludowy, w którym dwanaście ludzi tańczy wokół tradycyjnej lampy naftowej Nilavilakku Reprezentują dwunastu apostołów, a sam Chrystus reprezentuje lampa Wykonują taniec z tradycyjnymi białymi dhoti i pawim piórkiem na turban Margamkali jest zasadniczo sławny wśród syryjskiego Chrystusa Kottayam i Thrissur dis Trist z Kerala. There jest więcej niż 14-15 różnych form tańca, wszystkie rdzennych do Kerala Szczegółowe sprawdzenie z mieszkańcami lub wyszukiwania w sieci, może pomóc zidentyfikować inne others. Kerala ma swoją własną muzykę i orkiestrację. Melam Jest to perkusja zespół z kilkoma wariantami różniącymi się licznymi instrumentami perkusyjnymi, jak również styl ich gry Melam jest niezwykle popularny i jest używany głównie podczas festiwali świątynnych, gdy ponad 6 godzin ciągłego grania jest normą Melam przyciąga duże tłumy i tworzy wspaniałe notatki Thrissur Pooram ma największe Melam, z udziałem ponad 300 muzyków w zespole. Sopanam To niepowtarzalna tradycja muzyki Kerala, powolne, pełne wdzięku rytmy Większość oryginalnych wersji to wiersze, a muzyka łączy się z poetycką ekspresją i styl Sopanam ogranicza się do regularnych występów na imprezach w świątyni. Pieśni Apla Ta muzyka jest związana z lokalną społecznością muzułmańską Tradycyjnie utwory zostały wykonane w Mappila Malayalam - mieszanka arabskiego i malajalam - a większość opowiada historie o systemach społecznych i zwyczajach Dzisiaj piosenki Mappila są popularne wśród młodych ludzi, posługując się tekstami malajalamu Mappila pieśni mają swój urok, jako że ich melodie brzmią z etosu i kultury z Kerali i Azji Zachodniej. Odgrywa kluczową rolę w kulturze muzycznej malajalamu Kerala jest niezwykle znana ze swoich słynnych tradycji poetyckich, a duża liczba wierszy o wysokiej wartości literackiej recytacji wierszy Aksharaslokam jest powszechnym zjawiskiem w wielu wieśniakach i podczas festiwalu czasami, w których poeta recytuje wiersze i prowokuje innych poetów, aby zacząć recytować ze zwrotem, poprzedni zakończył swoje recytacje. Muzyka filmowa Jak gdzie indziej w Indiach, muzyka filmowa jest niezwykle popularna, a piosenki Malayalam można usłyszeć wszędzie. Kalarippayattu Kalari uważa się za jedną z najstarszych sztuk walki na świecie Wkrótce stał się ważną bronią wojenną Kalaripayattu ma wiele stylów, najlepsze kno wn będąc stylem północnym i stylem południowym Podczas gdy dawna koncentruje się na używaniu różnych broni, styl południowy używa potężnych pociągnięć gołymi rękami Wiedza o istotnych punktach, nazywana Marma, na ludzkim ciele pomagała wojownikom Kalaripayattu, zadawać ciosy, które mogą zamarzać lub zabić osobę. Rząd brytyjski uchwalił ustawodawstwo zabraniające Kalari, uznając to za potencjalne niebezpieczeństwo, a to spowodowało krótki spadek Dziś jest popularną formą uprawiania sportu i ćwiczeń, która dostaje uwagę międzynarodową Istnieje wiele centrów kulturalnych, które prezentują także techniki Kalari jako szkoły w Thiruvanathapuram, Kottayam i wielu miejscach w północnym Malabarze. Drama była kiedyś bardzo popularnym medium w Kerali i odgrywała dużą rolę w rozprzestrzenianiu ideologii komunistycznej i społecznego renesansu regionu ze względu na popularność mydła telewizyjnego i kina , popularność dramatu na żywo zaniżała Jednak niektóre wysokiej klasy dramaty z udziałem technologii i innowacyjnych tematów zyskują popularność w głównych obszary metropolitalne JT Pac w Kochi i Tagore Theater w Trivandrum regularnie prezentują dramaty, w szczególności angielski i inne cechy wernisażu. Thrissur jest centrum dramatu w Kerali, gdzie wiele teatrów prowadzi regularne pokazy. Thrissur organizuje także coroczny Międzynarodowy Festiwal Dramatyczny w Kerali, przyciągający wybitnych dramaturgów, na całym świecie Większość dramat Kerala odbywa się w języku malajalamu, a opowieści oparte na rzeczywistości społecznej Niektóre świątynie oferują dramaty w ramach ich świątecznych programów festiwalowych. Inauguracyjna edycja. Kino Morayalam jest popularną opcją rozrywki lokalnej. Ma tendencję do koncentrowania się na realiach społecznych, a unika blasku glitzów rozpowszechnionych w branży filmowej Bollywood i Tamil Jeśli chcesz obejrzeć film Malajalam w lokalnym teatrze, pamiętaj, że nie ma podtekstu, z wyjątkiem tych filmów nominowanych do państwowych nagród Trivandrum gości roczną Międzynarodową Festiwal Filmowy w Kerali, który skupia się na filmach azjatyckich i latynoskich, podczas gdy Kochi prowadzi gospodarzy Kochi International F Ilm Festiwal przeważnie ekranizuje wybór kina światowego i wybitnych filmów indyjskich Teraz kilka dni kilka stowarzyszeń filmowych prowadzi regularne festiwale filmowe. Tradycyjne stroje edycji. Tradycyjne stroje Kerali nazywane są mundu i neriyathu dla kobiet i mężczyzn Sarees i bluzki tworzą tradycyjny strój z Kerala kobiet Kerala Mundu jest bardzo popularny w stanie i jest noszony przez wielu ludzi Jego specjalny biały kolor kremu dhoti noszone w pasie Dhothi ma złotą nicią pracy jako pas biegną od tali do dołu, a szerokość złotą nicią określa koszt Jest to elegancki strój, używany głównie do ceremonialnej celowości Kobiety Mundu Neriyathu są podobne i mają górny szal z tego samego materiału Biały kolor jest jednym z najbardziej preferowanych w dzisiejszym stanie Dziś różne wersje Mundu i Neriyathu z różnymi kolorami i motiffs jest available. The ludzie z Kerala mówić Malayalam palindrome, gdy napisane w języku angielskim Większość ludzi rozumie podstawowy angielski, ale nie może mówić tak samo Większość mieszkańców miasta w Kerali jest w stanie porozumiewać się po angielsku i łamanym hinduskim Ale większość ludności wiejskiej nie mówi ani nie rozumie hindi Większość mieszkańców rozumie rozumiane tamil z pewną trudnością Kannada jest rozumiana tylko w okręgach przygranicznych w pobliżu Karnataka Wielu Malajale, szczególnie w rejonach Malabar i wśród powracających do Zatoki Perskiej, może zrozumieć podstawowy język arabski, a niektóre mogą mówić w ograniczony sposób Prawie wszystkie trasy autobusowe i inne ważne znaki, w tym tablice nazw są napisane w Malayalam, a niektóre są w języku angielskim wyraźnie napisane w języku malajalamskim, niektóre mające znaczek w języku angielskim reprezentowane w małych czcionkach, które często są trudne do odczytania Wszystkie przewodniki autobusowe i kontrolery biletów rozumieją angielskie autobusy dalekobieżne i międzypaństwowe przewożące napisy w języku angielskim Koleje i inne urzędy rządowe korzystają ze znaków napisanych w języku malajalamskim, angielskim i hinduskim znaki drogowe są zwykle w języku malajalam i e Większość urzędów rządowych w Kerali korzysta tylko z oznaczeń Malajalam, a większość dokumentów Kerala Govt, takich jak wpływy i rachunki są w języku malajalam Jedynym wyjątkiem od nich jest sądownictwo i sądy, ponieważ używają angielskiego jako języka urzędowego do wszystkich jego komunikacji, chociaż sądowe transkrypcje są zazwyczaj w Malayalam Centra tłumaczeń są zwykle postrzegane w pobliżu wszystkich dziedzin sądowych w tym celu. Większość podpisów sklepów i innych prywatnych placówek jest zwykle napisana w języku angielskim wraz z Malayalam Większość rachunków i innych dokumentów innych niż rząd będzie w języku angielskim. Administracja rządowa Kerala - siedziba rządu Kerala. Kerala jest państwem w Unii w Indiach. Rząd państwowy posiada szafę ministrów pod przewodnictwem szefa gubernatora Gubernatora mianowanego przez rząd Indii, pełni rolę tytularną jako głowa państwa Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram jest stolicą państwa i mieści sekretariat w Kerali, prawodawca c sojusz Niyama Sabha i biura różnych ministrów i urzędników Państwo podzielone jest na 14 dzielnic podzielonych na dzielnicę Taluks Każda dzielnica ma duże miasto jako siedziba okręgu, w którym mieści się urzędy administracji okręgowej Każda administracja dzielnicy kieruje urzędnik państwowy znany jako Odbiornik Okręgu Kerala znajduje się w Kochi. Kerala jest tradycyjnym socjalistycznym krajem pochylonym i ma silny ruch komunistyczny To drugie miejsce na świecie po San Marino, w którym komunistyczny rząd został wybrany do władzy dzięki demokratycznym środkom Kerala s komunizm dzisiaj bardziej przypomina europejski socjalizm, a także koncentruje się na gospodarce rynkowej i reformach Kerala ma tradycję dwóch głównych sojuszy prowadzonych przez Komunistyczną Partię Indii, zwaną LDF Lewicowy Front Demokratyczny, a drugi kierowany przez indyjski Kongres Narodowy zwany UDF United Front Demokratyczny Są to skłonne do przejęcia władzy na alternatywne pięcioletnie kadencje liderem jest LDF pod kierownictwem Pinarayi Vijayan, który jest głównym ministrem stanu. Kaerala ma silną zdecentralizowaną kulturę rządową, za pomocą której władze lokalne i administracja dzielą uprawnienia do podejmowania wielu decyzji Większość wniosków i wniosków rządowych może być prowadzone na szczeblu lokalnym Administratorzy Powiatu znani jako kolekcjonerzy mają szeroki zakres uprawnień będący sędziami wykonawczymi Turyści mogą skorzystać zarówno z procedur wizowych, jak i imigracyjnych w biurze Powiatowego Dyrektora Policji w mniejszych miastach, komisariacie policji miejskiej w miastach lub w cudzoziemcu Regionalne biura rejestracji FRRO w Trivandrum, lotnisko w Cochin i Calicut. Kerala Policja ma wyspecjalizowany oddział o nazwie Policja turystyczna z osobnymi biurkami lub stanowiskami pomocniczymi, które pomagają turystom w różnych sprawach. Ekonomiczna poprawa. Kerala została przez okres silnego wzrostu z jednym z najwyższe dochody na jednego mieszkańca i poziom ubóstwa są bardzo niskie gdzie indziej w Indiach Większość gospodarstw domowych ma członków rodziny pracujących gdzieś poza stanem, na ogół na Bliskim Wschodzie i ich przekazów pieniężnych stanowią około 20 gospodarstw Rolnictwo koncentruje się na wysokiej wartości uprawy kukurydzy, takich jak kawa, herbata, kawa, przyprawy plantacje kokosowe Turystyka jest obecnie rozwijającą się branżą w Kerali i stanowi istotną część gospodarki państwowej. Ponadto Kerala posiada bardzo silny sektor usług, na przykład bankowość finansową, edukację, medycynę, rozrywkę, nieruchomości, handel detaliczny , logistyka i handel itp., które napędzają gospodarkę w bardzo dużym stopniu. Edytuj regiony Edytuj tę stronę. W muzeum Napier w Trivandrum. Thiruvananthapuram Trivandrum Stolica administracyjna administracji politycznej, znana ze swoich plaż, zabytków i parków Miasto jest także słynny ze swych świątyń, placówek oświatowych i ośrodków badawczych. Kollam Quilon Turystyczne koło słynne ze swego jeziora Ashtamudi, orzech kiszonki próbuje, otoczony przez backwaters i jezior. Kochi Cochin Kochi jest głównym portem miasta i największej aglomeracji miejskiej z nieograniczoną możliwością zakupów Kochi jest ekonomiczną stolicą Kerala Kochi jest bardzo dobrze połączony z innymi miastami Indii Znany jako Queen of the Arabian Sea, Dzielnica dziedzictwa miasta - Fort Kochi jest jednym z najbardziej poszukiwanych miejsc w Kerali. Alapuzha Alleppey znana jako Wenecja Wschodnia ze względu na niesamowitą sieć kanałów, rzek, strumieni, jezior i rozlewisk, które podwaja zarówno jako transport, jak i wypoczynek miejsca najbardziej poszukiwanym miejscem turystycznym Backwater. Kannur Historyczne miasto słynące z silnego dziedzictwa, sztuki walki Kalaripayattu, świątynia Theyyam, ruchy polityczne, forty, plaże i przyprawy rosnące na wzgórzach. Kottayam znany z lateksu, umiejętności i listów oraz jako główne centrum edukacyjne Munnar hill station jest w pobliżu. Kozhikode Calicut Najbardziej znanym miastem Malabar obszarze, gdzie Vasco da Gamma wylądował po raz pierwszy w Ind m. in. i jeden z najstarszych na świecie centrów handlowych Bardzo czyste miasto znane ze swoich przyjaznych mieszkańców i obchodzone na całym świecie w formie rozległej kuchni. Gateway Palakkad do Kerali przez ląd przez Pass Palghat w Western Ghats znany z pola ryżowe ryżu, wzgórza, tradycyjne domy, kuchnie i kultura kompozytowa Tipu Fort, Ogrody Malampuzha, Silent Valley Park Narodowy są w pobliżu. Thrissur Trichur kulturowej stolicy Kerali, a także słynne dla sklepów jubilerskich i jedwabiu sarees Świątynia festiwale z caparameded słonie jak Thrissur Pooram Athirappilly falls, Świątynia Guruvayur znajduje się w pobliżu. Inne miejsca docelowe. Chińskie sieci rybackie Kochi. Bekal Fort ogromny nadmorski portugalski fort w północnej Kerali. Kerala Backwaters musi odwiedzić Ashtamudi Lake Kollam rozciąga się po południowej Kerala. Kovalam Beach Światowej sławy plaży w pobliżu Trivandrum. Kumarakom w pobliżu Kottayam. Munnar Unspoilt Hill Station w wzgórzach herbaty i górach mglisty. Silent V aleja Park Narodowy Las tropikalny z kilkoma zagrożonymi, chronionymi gatunkami. Rezerwat tygrysów Periyar Periyar i lasy słoniowe. Wulkan Misty wzgórza, jaskinie, wodospady i dziewicze lasy. Ponmudi Hill w Trivandrum, znany z pięknej scenerii. Varkala Jedna z najbardziej ruchliwych plaż słynnych z zagranicznymi podróżnikami. Kerala jest jedynym państwem w Indiach, które mają dwie indyjskie elektroniczne wizje turystyczne Visa ETV formalnie znany jako Visa na portach przyjazdowych dla turystów w Kochi Thiruvananthapuram 3 Dwa lotniska mają specjalne biurka dla pasażerów ETV, które mogą zapewnić wsparcie dla narodowości Anguilli , Antigua Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia , Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Maur itius, Mexico, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Vietnam 4.For visa extensions FFRO Foreigners Registration Regional Office in Kochi, Trivandrum and Kozhikode as well as District Superintendent of Police are also empowered to do any changes related to visa area Tourist Police stations do have help desks and support facilities for foreigners who want any visa change or visa extensions. By plane edit. Cochin International Airport - Kerala s largest airport. There are three airports in Kerala, with flights to domestic and international destinations Kochi Cochin , Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram Trivandrum The airports have several carriers operating international flight s around the world. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport IATA TRV Best connected to major cities in India and Abroad, Charter flights for tourism from London, New York and Moscow operate to Thiruvananthapuram. Cochin International Airport 5 IATA COK Europe and US bound passengers need to transit in the Middle East or Far East or Mumbai though chartered flights are common during tourist season, mostly from Europe There are regular Flights to most parts of India. Kozhikode International Airport IATA CCJ is a major airport in Malabar with international connections to most of the cities in the Middle East. In addition Mangalore Airport IATA IXE and Coimbatore Airport IATA CJB in neighboring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu respectively are near to Kerala Borders and hence offers limited connectivity to Northern and Eastern districts of Kerala respectively. There are 20 to 25 international carriers offering flights to Kerala Apart from international carriers, Air India, Air India Express, Jet Airways and Indigo offers international connections from the 3 airports Domestic destinations accessible by direct flights from these airports include Chennai Bangalore Mumbai Agatti, Hyderabad Mangalore Pune Goa and Delhi There are daily flights to most Indian cities from airports in Kochi and Trivandrum by all the Indian carriers Kochi has Air-Cruise turnaround program with chartered services. Shuttles operated by KSRTC are available from airport to its respective city core and nearby towns Taxis are the most popular for Airport-City connection. By train edit. Indian Railways 6 operates several trains to and from Kerala More than 500 plus trains connect Kerala to all parts of India, including long-haul direct train services to cities like Delhi Jaipur Kolkatta and Mumbai Trivandrum Rajadhani, Ernakulam Durnoto, Kerala Express and Netravati Express are some of the most popular trains connect key cities across India. Log on to the Indian Railways booking site 7 to book tickets online o r you can walk up to any railway station to book tickets between any two destinations in India Smart Phone Tablets can view details via any apps 8.Be aware that trains are the most popular method of transport and almost all trains in Kerala originate or terminate in Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi and are usually heavily booked Buy your tickets as early as possible Another option is using Tatkal You pay almost double, but have a chance of getting a seat Tatkal is an emergency service, hence its booking is open just 24 hours before departure Some travel agents have authorized booking quotas for certain trains. Recently, the luxury tourist train The Golden Chariot has introduced a South Indian Rail Tour, which includes many parts of Kerala This is a good option for those who want to visit the South Indian states on as tight schedule The train starts from Bangalore and covers Chennai Pondicherry Trichy Madurai Trivandrum Alapuzha Kochi and back to Bangalore The 7 night 8 day package tour, cost s US 3,000-7,000 depending upon the class taken. Inter-state private and government buses operates between neighboring states Usually the journey is performed in the night so that you can escape the heat of the day The most common inter-state bus is Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation KSRTC-Karnataka with daily bus from most of Major cities of Kerala to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore Tamil Nadu State Bus like SETC also operates regularly from Kerala Kerala s State bus - KRSTC-Kerala do have regular Ordinary bus to most of nearby places in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka KRSTC-Kerala also operates a few Volvo AC bus to Bangalore and Coimbatore. However Private bus players to operate more buses than Govt options Most of them are well maintained Kallada, Shama, KPN are the major bus players, though recently Raj National and few others have entered with Pan India operations Kallada, KPN, Shama etc have regular buses to Bangalore, Chennai and many other places in Tamil Nadu as well as Karnata ka on various times. It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on air conditioned Volvo buses operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly. By road edit. Kerala is well connected by National Highways and recently it was renumbered Both numbers are used interchangeably. Most of the NH roads are two lane carriageways Only NH 544 is currently 4 lane carriage with dedicated service roads However its tolled highway As vehicle density is very high in Kerala, accidents are common 9 You must be extra cautious while driving here. By ferry edit. Kochi is a major cruise port and currently the most busiest cruise port in India The port has International Cruise Facilitation Center and almost all major cruises that have global voyages have Kochi as port of call All Lakshadweep bound cruises originate in Kochi and make return trips There are also occasional tourist oriented cruises from Mumbai and Goa to Kochi. Also private yachts and other sea g oing boats regularly call at Kochi Marina A few cruises call at Trivandrum. Get around edit. Kerala is quite well connected with all modes of transport The flat southern side is better connected than mountainous north One of unique feature of Kerala, is its continuous urban and semi-urban areas across both sides of any road or rail As a result, you might not feel you exited from village city into another, being continuous This helps in getting transport to travel around easily. Unique to Kerala s geographic feature, most of the key cities lie almost linearly on North-South axis, which almost are connected by one key Trunk road NH 66 and one key rail route Due to this advantage, its pretty easy to reach any major city by catching intercity inter-state buses plying on these trunk routes. By train edit. Trains are good for long distance travel within the state Most trains are long distance trains with stops at many of Kerala s stations Majority of trains enter into Kerala from Tamil Nadu on ea st side and Shornur being the major junction that divides rail line into Northern branch and Southern branch Trains on Konkan route enters from Northern side of Kerala reach use Shornur to branch either eastward or southward Trains on south route is one main line untill Ernakulam where it branches to Kottayam Line and Alleppey line and runs parallel to each other as Vembanadu Lake comes inbetween these places Both the lines merges back at Kayamkulam and further proceed southward as one major line to Trivandrum and further southward to Kanya Kumari. Short distance trains are mainly intercity passenger trains, connecting only major cities like Trivandrum, Kochi, Palakkad, Alapuzha, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thrissur The main Intercity trains are. Trivandrum-Mangalore Express which covers almost all major cities of Kerala on its west coast. Trivandrum - Kozhikode Jana Shatabdi Express is a fast services connecting via Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kollam. Trivandrum Guruvayur Intercity - very popular option for regular commuters working between cities. Trivandrum-Shornur Venad Intercity Express. Trivandrum-Palakkad Amrita Express. Kannur-Ernakulam Intercity Express. Express trains are relatively faster, as they stop only at major stations and gets priority in event of crossing Passenger trains stops at all stations in a route and can be held-up in event of an express train crossing, thus takes longer time However latter is good option, if one needs to align at small village or town stations, not catered by express trains. Railways have introduced MEMU services, between Kochi-Thrissur-Palakkad and Kochi-Kollam sector, similar to Mumbai s Local trains, connecting all stations small and big on route, at increased speed. By road edit. Roads remain the primary popular options Almost each nook and corner of the state is well connected by road The primary roads are NH 66, NH 544, NH 85, NH 183, NH 744, NH 766 and NH 966 which all National Highways The NH 66 is one of most busiest as it connects almost all cities of Kerala on West coast, especially connecting three major metros - Kozhikode, Kochi and Trivandrum which runs on North-South Axis The NH 544 which connects Kochi to Coimbatore and further to Chennai and Bangalore is equally a very busy commercial route that connects on East-West axis and primary gateway route to Kerala. The primary State Highway is MC Road Main Central Road , which covers on the most scenic places in south Kerala connecting between Angamally, the Northern suburb of Kochi with Trivandrum, covering the high-land areas of eastern areas However NH 66 cut the time at least by 1 hour for a travel between Kochi and Trivandrum as it uses the flat terrain of Alleppey coast on west. State Highways connect to almost all parts of Kerala and Kerala has the highest density of roads in the country, connecting literarily every single village or part of the state Most of the roads including NH are however bi-lane, so even narrow roads due to huge settlement on both sides of road and higher population density Only NH 544 is 4 6 lane highway with dual carriageway, while rest all are 2 laned roads. Signages are common everywhere, written in both Malayalam and English and sometimes in Hindi also Roadside boards notifying the place name and speed are are well indicated in most of the highways National Highways are written as NH within a Yellow Green shield with the number, while State Highways are written as SH within Yellow White shields Roads without any shield indicates Panchyat Local Municipal roads. For NH Non Urban areas - 65 Km Hr - 90 Km Hr, For SH Non Urban areas - 50 Km Hr - 80 Km Hr, For Urban areas - Maximum limit - 40 Km Hr. Most of the roads have radars and on-street cameras to catch speeding vehicles and fines bills will be send to licensee s registered address via post. Unless you seek adventure, its not advisable to drive a car Narrow roads with bustling traffic with little driving discipline makes self drive not safe, especially those accustomed to western kind of driving Most of Kerala highways are two-lane with no medians Though many are recently upgraded to better standards with proper signages and markings, its equally common to see roads without these Street lighting in most of highways and roads are non-existent, which makes night drive dangerous for people not accustomed Driving is on the left, and all foreign drivers need a valid International Driving Licence attested by any Road Transport Office RTO Most of the bridges and few roads carry toll charges collected at manned toll plazas or checkpoints Almost all tolls are uniformly charged separately for one two way 2 wheelers - Rs 3 5, 4 wheelers - Rs 5 10 and bus minivans - Rs 15 25 Almost all the toll pass is valid for unlimited travel for a period of 24 hours, though a few bridges allow one time validity. Car rental is not so popular among foreign visitors, particularly among westerners Many car rental companies refuse to provide self-drive cars to Weste rners Normally a bank guarantee letter or security cheque traveller s cheque to the value of the car or a passport are taken as security for renting the car. However chauffeured car rentals are available for visitors for daily or weekly or even monthly basis No security deposit is needed if the car is chauffeur-driven There are multiple car rental companies as well as call taxi agencies, operating in most of the towns Equally in major cities, drivers can rented on daily basis, if you have a car availed from friends Most hotels with three stars or more provide private cars for their guests at rates slightly higher than elsewhere. Its pretty easy to travel across Kerala in tourist taxis There is no formal color livery for tourist taxis, but white cars with a taxi sign in black on the doors is commonly seen Tata Indica, Toyota Innova and Maruti Swift Dezire are the most popular tourist vehicles nowadays There is no meter system for any taxis in Kerala, while a few cab companies offers cabs with GPS facility Equally there are no cab top signs in these vehicles however, according to state law all vehicles which are available for hire should have yellow number plates. Regular taxis are normally available at designated taxi stands located at places such as railway stations, the airport, boat jetties, major bus stations and in front of important hotels There is no need to negotiate prices, as most of them follow fixed rates Regular taxis have tariff cards displayed on the dashboard Call taxis have charges fixed by their respective companies although they are normally uniform Its more common to see such cabs mainly in cities The standard tariffs are Rs 100 for first 5 km, and Rs 11 per km thereafter Add 10 for a cab with A C, and 25 at night If taxis are operated for inter-city drop-off pick-up etc, two way charges both up down are needed to be paid, irrespective of whether its used or not. Radio taxis are getting popular in major cities and several popular brands like Taxio, Fa st Cabs, CelCabs, Bcabs etc operate there Most of them are GPS enabled and many are monitored through control facilities Uber and Ola, both app based taxi services, are widely available in Kochi Trivandrum and are cheap and safe options for intra-city travel within these cities. Recently the state government introduced women centric She-Taxis lady taxis in major cities like Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode and aims to cover entire Kerala by mid of 2017 The cars are exclusively driven by women and is a comfortable option for lady travellers and families SheTaxis are GPS enabled modern fleet of vehicles that is constantly monitored from the control facility This option is no available for single men and can be hailed only if there is atleast one woman travelling In other cities, lady taxis run by lady co-op societies like Kudumbashree are also getting popular though many are not GPS enabled. In hilly areas, 6 seater SUVs mostly of Mahindra, colloquially called Jeeps or Truckers are more common as taxis The hilly terrains demands 4 wheel drive vehicles as taxis However normal taxis from other parts do operate to such areas, though in some difficult areas, a change of vehicle might be required One can find such trucker stands near the main junction of small towns in the region The rates are usually higher and you might need to negotiate with the driver beforehand. Many cab companies also offer full or half day services Typical rates are Rs 1,100 1,500 for standard AC cabs for a full day and Rs 500 750 for a half day Evening rates with a hike of 25 is applicable after 8 PM and its common to pay driver an additional amount for overnight stay during the trip known as bata. There is no share-taxi system as such in Kerala, even though car-pooling among employees of same company or locality are getting popular However its not uncommon to see taxi operators operating on shared basis if the original hirer gives consent for so Please be aware, such sharing of taxi is Illegal as per the law and if caught, the driver, owner and all the passengers in the taxi at time are liable to be punished by fines However this is often unenforced and even if caught it usually gets overlooked as the passengers can claim each other as friends. Motorbikes Cycles edit. Some people point out that the best way to experience Kerala is on a motorbike Riding a motorbike and travelling across state you get the closer look and feel of God s own country with all the smells and sounds added There are companies which organize packaged tours or tailor made tours for enthusiastic bikers and adventurous travellers for a safer motorbike experience of India with regular promotions mostly through online forums and Facebook. Purchase of bikes among tourists are not popular, unless one plans to have an extended stay There are several motorcycle clubs and rental agencies that provide motorbikes on rent even on monthly basis Such agencies can be found in tourist areas like Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochi, Cherai , Alleppey, Kozhikode etc A check with local District Tourist Office DTPC or local travel agencies travel desks etc can help to identify the local agencies. Off-recently bicycle rentals are gaining much popular in the state Cycle safari tours in many cities are increasing to help tourists to get first hand experience There are cycle clubs as well as cycle stands in many key cities like Kochi Trivandrum For local city explorations, cycles are a reasonable option, but be aware that there are very few if any reserved cycle paths available and you will need to negotiate unruly traffic. By hitch hiking edit. Unlike other states, hitchhiking is not a very popular option in Kerala, especially for foreign tourists Since Kerala does not have any deserted long highway, being a continuous stretch of urban areas on sides of any highway, its perfectly possible to get any form of public transport or services like auto-rickshaws. However, hitch-hiking is possible in hilly terrains and plantation areas wh ere farm vehicles or bikes do stop and help travellers on road. Bus transport is most popular transport to travel within Kerala and ideal for budget conscious travellers Kerala has an excellent public bus system operated by both government-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corp KSRTC-Kerala and various private operators All fares are determined by Transport Department and uniform across the state in accordance to nature of buses Typically, there are 6 class of buses. Ordinary ORD which is a basic, no-frills services with covering short and medium distance areas with stoppages at all legal stops in its authorised route The minimum fare is Rs 6 with 58 paise for every km. Fast Passenger FP is better service covering large distances with limited stops, only at main villages or towns Also known as Limited Stop Bus with initials LS FP marked in red or white within a circle in its route board The minimum fare is Rs 8 with 62 paise for every km. Super Fast SF also known as Express Services connec ts only major towns and district headquarters The minimum fare is same as of FP, however it costs 65 paise for every km. Deluxe Express LF also known as Super Express in some places, is a strictly point-to-point services, connecting major cities with technical stops only in major cities This services uses larger air-suspension bus with comfortable cushion seats The minimum fare is Rs 25 with 70 paise for every km. AC Lowfloor Buses operated by wholly owned subsidiary called as KURTC, this is a semi Urban-Highway connect service connecting small towns in a region to major cities The buses are normally Volvo Low floor buses air-conditioned The minimum fare is Rs 40 with 1 10 Rs per Km. SilverJet Fast is a new pan Kerala service connecting Trivandrum in South to Kasargod in North as well as few major cities in central region to both the ends of the state The air-bus are non air-conditioned, but offers push back fully reclinable seats, wifi facility, video screens and live monitoring The buse s has only very limited stops, limiting to one per district. In addition, KSRTC operates air-conditioned premium buses known either as Garuda services, in a limited manner between major cities, as part of inter-state services The fares of inter-city of such services are Rs 35 as minimum fare with Rs 1 to Rs 1 2 for every Km depending upon type of bus. KSRTC brands all SF FP operating in northern districts as Malabar and Venad for all South Kerala districts Note for the initials, to differentiate whether its FP or SF Though KSRTC services are not known for its comfort, its one of the most reliable services in the country, with punctuality at its top order Whereas private bus services are not keen in punctuality, but keen in maintaining the bus and its comfort level In some places, there exists unhealthy competition among private operators, in regard to the speed and time taken to cover the scheduled distance, making the services erratic. While KSRTC has different liveries for each of class of service red for Ordinary green for FP blue-white for SF , private operators has no uniform liveries and paint according to their choice Most of the private bus services are known popularly among locals in the name of the bus company like Angel, Rajesh, Kallara etc The name are normally written in super-size on top of the windscreen, mostly in English. All KSRTC buses have its own bus depots or stations in major towns and villages and stops only at those stops that displays its logo Whereas private buses do stop at any convenient part of towns and villages, though in few cities it has its own private bus stands and stations Check with locals, to know where each class of bus operates There is no route numbering for buses in Kerala Destination will be written in bold on Windscreen as well as side of the buses in Malayalam and English not in all cases , along with on-route places written below to it, mostly in Malayalam Most of the ticket-conductors can help with basic simple English. Wh ile KSRTC mostly issues e-ticket slips, private buses normally go for traditional paper slips with destination hand-written or color coded Retain the ticket till end of the journey, as often ticket-inspectors may board in-between for surprise checks and in event of loss of ticket, you are liable for fine for a travel rate from place where the bus originated. Most of the buses are crowded and travelers would do well to beware of pickpockets. By convention, ladies and children occupy the front side of buses and single males towards back. By autorickshaw edit. Also called autos, these three wheelers are a convenient mode of transport for very short distance travel By law the auto driver has to start a meter for every journey However at times this law tends to be overlooked It is wise to ask the driver, politely, to ensure he starts the meter at the start of your journey or negotiate and fix the price of the trip before boarding, to avoid unnecessary arguments at the end of the trip The genera l behavior of drivers varies places to places While places like Kozhikode Malappuram Kottayam etc have some of the best friendly drivers who go beyond to help passengers, drivers in major cities like Kochi, Trivandrum etc are often reported to be errant Must apply lots of common senses, especially when dealing with drivers in touristy places like Alleppey Munnar Fort Kochi, Wayanad etc, where they trend to appear helpful and drive the passengers to the places where they get hefty commissions or rewards. Generally the fares of autos are higher than government fixed rates, citing unrealistic govt decisions and frequent rise in petrol diesel prices In most of places, an ad-hoc arrangement of rates fixed among auto-drivers are common. Most of adhoc arrangement rates are Rs 20 as flagdown rate for first 2kms and Rs 12 per km and Rs 15 per km as evening night rates Govt fixed rates are much lower with Rs 10 as flagdown rate and Rs 7 per km A check with locals will help to know the such rates, as the rates may go higher if they find the person who doesn t know the rates or foreigners. Most of the larger railway stations and all the airports as well as in key junctions of tourist places, have pre-paid auto-rickshaw and or taxi stands Just tell them where you want to go and you will get a slip of paper with the destination and amount written on it Pay only that amount of money and nothing more You can seek assistance of Tourist Police, deployed in touristy places. By auto-taxi edit. Off late a hybrid form of vehicles known as Auto-Taxis are launched in the state They are 4 wheeler Tata Iris vehicles, akin to Tata Nano It has a D 1 3 configuration typical to standard taxis, but charge normal city autorickshaw rates They usually ply in light green livery, though there isn t an official standard yet They are mostly available on call, if one knows the number of driver or can be hired from road or from Auto-Taxi stands mostly near crowded places like railway stations, markets malls et c As they usually have a pan-Kerala taxi permit, it can also be used to travel medium haul distances like a trip to nearby town or village. The state government provides subsidies to women for purchase of Auto-Taxis as part of employment generation programmes As a result of this there are many women driven Auto-Taxis in major cities like Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode etc These are a good option as they tend to be driven safer and is appealing especially for women travellers. By ferry edit. Kerala has an extensive series of water bodies with rivers, backwaters and lagoons making travel by ferry an effective service In some places, ferries are more popular and easier than road transport Most of the places in Alapuzha-Kuttanad area is interconnected with regular ferry services. The main waterways route, served by Kerala Water Transport Department boats are as follows. 1 Ashtamudy lake - 200 sq kms, connecting various points in Kollam district. 2 Vembanattu lake - 52 sq kms, connecting between districts of Alapuzha and Kottayam and numerous of canals in Kuttanad. 3 Ernakulam - Vypeen - Fort Cochin ferry Cochin port Harbour. 4 Muhamma - Kumarakom, connecting islands within Kottayam district. 5 Vaikom - Thavanakkadavu connecting Kottayam with Ernakulam districts. 6 Payyannur - Parassinikkadavu, connecting various parts of Kannur district. SWTD charges tickets between places, which is pre-determined Most of the tickets costs between Rs 3 to RS 11 Certain services, especially those operate between Alleppey-Kollam are Double Decker in nature, which has no-frills ordinary class at lower deck and premium class, mostly intended for tourists, in upper deck Premium class costs inbetween Rs 200 to Rs 500 per trip. The frequency of ferries varies from station to station The average waiting time is 10 Mins Services commences from 5 00 AM to 8 00 PM daily, though in some places in Alleppey, Kottayam and Kollam districts, services are extended upto 10 00 PM, due to demand Some ferries requires minimum number of passengers to operate. In some places, RO-RO ferries operates known as Junkars that help ferrying vehicles Rates for vehicles for RO-RO services vary for Rs 50 to 120 per vehicle, depending upon size of vehicle. Most of the ferries vary from traditional wooden boats to modern fiber-glass built ones and considered safe in general Expect heavily crowded during peak hours of morning and evening. Helicopter and air-taxi services are available from Kochi and Trivandrum These can be chartered for trips between these cities and a few tourist spots and some towns Be prepared to spend a lot for this though. Scheduled passenger airline services by the domestic carriers Indigo Air India are available from Trivandrum to Kochi 3x daily, 45 minutes from Kochi to Kozhikode 1x daily, 45 minutes Do take into consideration that the Kochi airport is around 30km 1 25 hours away from the city, Trivandrum airport is 6km 15 minutes away from the city and Kozhikode airport is 27km 1 hour away from the city It might make more sense to take a train or travel by road depending on your situation. See edit add listing. A typical houseboat floating down the backwaters near Alleppey in Kerala. Kerala is a long state by virtue of its geography and its advised to check in dividual cities and regions, to know local sightseeing attractions, restaurants, hotels etc. Due to its unique geography, Kerala gets rain for at least 7-8 months of the year and the forests are classified as rainforests There are many opportunities to trek, camp and see wildlife. Backwaters edit. Backwaters of Kerala are a maze of lagoons criss-crossed with rivers, shallow pools and canals, all separated from the sea by a narrow strip of sand banks In many places, the backwaters connect to form large lakes Backwaters are present throughout the state Astamudi Lake is highly unique due to its topography This is the most beautiful backwater of Kerala. The annual Vallam Kali boat races take place in the backwaters The boats are large wooden canoes that can accommodate 60 to 100 rowers The most famous race is for the Nehru Trophy Vallam Kalli, held on the second Saturday of August as a tribute to the former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who had a keen interest in this sport. Mountains edit. The Blue Mountains of the Western Ghats popularly known as Nilgiris which has numerous hill stations in this area The most popular is Munnar the honeymoon capital of the state The highest peak of the Western Ghats is located at Anamudi 2,695 metres and is good for trekking The area is also home to several sanctuaries and forest reserve areas. Several small and big Hill stations, spread in Eastern Districts of Kerala are highly popular picnic spots Wayanad and Idukki offers several such idyllic picnic spots. There are more than two dozen waterfalls both large and small, with numerous rapids and springs The largest fallwaters are at Athirampally, where three milky waterfalls fall at great speed. Forest Parks edit. Periyar National Tiger Park, Eravikulam Reserve, Silent Valley Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Reserves are some of the most popular tourist destinations, offering spectacular insights to the rich flora and fauna biosphere of Kerala Many of these parks are well known internationally due to presence of exotic animals like Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Indian Muntjac, Sambar Deer, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Dhole, leopard and the Indian Tigers, which many are endangered rare species Some little known animals such as Nilgiri langur, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Indian Porcupine, Nilgiri Marten, small clawed otter, Ruddy Mongoose, and Dusky striped squirrel offers a visual treat to tourists Wild elephant herds making seasonal visits to water bodies are also seen in many of these parks. Kerala also has several bird parks, with more than 132 species of birds on record Thattekkad Salim Rajan Bird Park is one such famous destination along with Malayatoor Forest Reserves. Many popular hill-stations like Nelliyampatty, Peechi Dam, Ranipuram, Vythiri and Kumarakom offers unique natural wildlife parks, with lots of rare flora and fauna to be explored. Beaches edit. The world famous Kovalam beach, well known for fun and frolic. Kerala has 650 km of coastline and numerous beaches Some of the more notable are. Thirumullavaram Beach in kollam district - A unique beach in the world where you can walk in the sea water for 1 2 KM because of its unique topography. Varkala Beach in Thiruvananthapuram district - A long cliff makes the beach more natural no restaurant behind you It is long beach with natural springs from the cliff. Kovalam Beach near Trivandrum has a good bathing area, clean environment and plenty of accommodation This was a centre of Hippy counter-culture in sixties, and is today well known for hedonistic beach parties. Alapuzha Beach and Kollam Beach are both well known for beach sports and tournaments. Cherai Beach near Kochi city has a large sand beach. Kozhikode Beach is where Vasco da Gama first landed in India, marking the start of European colonisation and the Age of Discovery. Muzhappilangadu near Kannur is the country s lone drive in beach in Kannur district with lush greenery around This beach has a naturally clean and closely packed sand which make s it drivable Beach is very long 4-5 km and is a pleasant place to spend time Lots of adventure activities like para gliding para sailing etc are arranged in this beach regularly. Historical monuments edit. The Palaces at Sree Padmanabhapuram located 30 km from Trivandrum are the largest Palaces ever constructed from wood and granite in India This was the Royal Headquarters of Travancore until early 20th century. The Hill Palace in Kochi houses more than 200 artifacts including the hugely valuable Cochin Crown as well as other rare Crown Jewels. The forts at Bekal Palakkad and Thalassery date from the pre-British Raj era. The Cherman Perumal Mosque at Kodungallor is the world s second oldest intact mosque and houses many rare artifacts. The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry build by the Portuguese by 1555.There are numerous museums, Palaces and historical places in all districts. Kerala Niyama Sabha - the legislature body located in Trivandrum. Eco-tourism villages edit. Kerala was the first state to formally embrace the eco-tourism concept in South Asia and has made considerable strides in this respect. Akkalum Tourist Village in Trivandrum is set in a very clean and green environment There is a floating bridge and beautiful landscaped gardens Many famous statues and sculptures dot the area. Thenmala Eco-Tourist Village in Kollam is the first such place in India, with an intense focus on the natural environment Exhibits include 27 rare trees, a butterfly garden, nature trail, a deer park, lotus garden, jasmine garden, many sculptures and a large musical fountain Adventure sports, trekking, boating and fishing are some of activities offered. Kumbalangi Model Village for Sustainable Tourism near Kochi was once a sleepy fishing village Today it is a popular visitor atraction with a planned focus on sustainability There are many small homestays where visitors can interact with locals, understand their lifestyle, go fishing, learn recipes etc. Religious attractions edit. Kerala is famous f or its religious harmony Keralites are very religious people and religious functions dominates all walks of life However religion donot make the final word in anybody s life here, thus its an very open society for debate and discussions about religions. Itineraries edit. Do edit add listing. There are two types of Ayurvedic establishments Ayurvedic Hospitals and Ayurveda Resorts Enjoying an Ayurveda Massage while in Kerala is always a priority for tourists While the Ayurvedic Hospitals are for treatment of serious ailments, diseases and disorders, the Ayurveda Spas resorts are more suited to rejuvenation combining hospitality along with traditional ayurvedic treatments. There are many popular Ayurvedic themed resorts which mix treatment with pleasure Ayurvedic hospitals however are legally authorised medical centres and formally authorised to prescribe Ayurvedic medicines Many Ayurvedic medicines and oils can be readily purchased without medical prescription as they they have an enduring r eputation for being free of any significant known side effects Indeed they are often sought out for that reason. Leaf Ratings. Government of Kerala has made a rating system to be displayed at the reception of government authorized Ayurvedic centers This is similar to a star rating for hotels and they are called Green Leaf and Olive Leaf ratings Olive Leaf is given to small and mid-sized ayurvedic centers that meet the government criteria While the Green leaf indicates larger ayurvedic centers having superior facilities Unauthorised massage centres are mainly sex shops in disguise While Ayurvedic medical clinics are included in Leaf ratings, no Ayurvedic hospitals are given a Green Leaf as they are classified as medical centres Most 3 star and above hotels have inhouse Ayurvedic spas, either olive or green leaf rating. Cruises edit. A cruise on the Backwaters of Kerala is a popular visitor pastime Try getting a houseboat from Ashtamudi Lake An individual houseboat can be rented in 24 hour a nd 12 hour blocks Rates differ according to the season and duration. Boating in Akkalum tourist village in Veli Near Trivandrum as well as in Astamudi Lake in Kollam, Kochi Harbour, Kallai River of Kozhikode, Malampuzha Reservoir in Palakkad, Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady, Neyyar Dam Adventure because of its crocodile infested area in Trivandrum, Thenmala Eco-Village in Kollam offers some good sightings in these areas as well as offers a good pleasure trip worth for an experience. Try using village canoe yourself in Canals of Ashtamudi Lake Its surely going to make you try again and again. Speed cruise in Akkulam Tourist Village in Trivandrum as well as Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam backwaters is a good choice Akkulam has a wide range of speed cruise from Jet ski to Water Scooters and Speed Boats as well as Banana Boats. If you love adventure, try boarding any Fishing vessel, for a trip to High seas Its something really adventurous For more extreme adventurous person, a trip using tradition al Fishing boat, is more thrilling due to use of narrow body boats without any machines, used by fishermen in coastal areas You can experience the thrills of High seas. Kerala Shipping Corporation has introduced Kochi Cruise, that have 2 type of cruises covering both Kochi Harbour Backwaters and nearby High seas The evening cruise is the most interesting, due to the experience of cruising while at sunset and sightings of several dolphins in the Kochi Highseas. Festivals edit. Pullikalli-Tiger Dance as part of Onam Celebrations. Kerala is considered as land of festivals, with numerous festivals falling across the year The national festival of Kerala is Onam marking 10 day long festivities across the state, happening between August-September Another big festival is X mas due to large Christian population in the state, celebrated in grand zest in many cities, particularly in Kochi and Kottayam All Muslim festivals are celebrated among the community in grand way, especially in Malabar where th ey form majority Apart from major religious festivals, most of temples hosts annual festivals as part of anniversary celebrations, famous for large parade of decorated elephants, temple orchestration and fireworks The most famous among them is Thrissur Pooram celebrated in the Thrissur town during April-May. Other major festivals celebrated are Vishu Malayalam New Year day mostly on April 14th , Thiruvathira considered sacred for Hindu women celebrated during December and Holy Easter Week National secular holidays like Independence Day August 15th , Republic Day January 26th , Naval Week December 1st week , Nehru Trophy Vallam Kalli Snake-boat race in Alleppy on 2nd Saturdays of August etc are celebrated in grand way in various cities. Ayurveda edit. Ayurvedic treatment, is the key USP of Kerala. Kerala is world famous for the ancient healing art of Ayurveda This 5000 years old healing tradition is known to heal chronic illnesses naturally Hundreds of government run and private Ayurvedic h ospitals and treatment centres are spread across the state that offer ayurvedic treatment for almost every health condition Due to tourism boom, Ayurvedic Spas too have become popular for light massages and pleasure treatments Ayurveda is a complete medical system which has cure for all kinds of health issues Some diseases which are incurable in Modern medicine has remedy in Ayurveda, for example a genetic disease of the eye named Retinitis pigmentosa makes a person blind as his age advances for which Ayurvedic medicine offers cure So in case of any serious ailment or for genuine ayurvedic treatment it is recommended to go to any of the famous Ayurvedic hospitals Some of the most established ayurvedic centres in kerala are Kottakkal Arya vaidyasala 11 Samajam Ayurveda 12 Dharma Ayurveda 13 Vaidyaratnam 14 Abad Revival 15 Nambiaparambil Ayurevedic Hospital 16 MVR Ayurveda Medical College Hospital 17 and Dr Veena s Ayurmantra 18.Ayurveda and Yoga Teacher Training kerala Deepen your yoga knowledge in Akshi Yogashala in the southern state of India, Kerala, a state whose beauty, purity and simplicity are unexplained in words Kerala is also a place of Ayurveda herbal plantations, and Yoga Akshi Yogashala is having its 200 hours yoga teachers training program in Kerala to incorporate aspiring students into the so spirited and cultured Kerala with complete yogic knowledge of Ayurveda The program also includes retreat programs along the beaches of Kerala It is Yoga Alliance, USA certified program that would entitle students to become a yoga guru and who can spread the knowledge of yoga to the world around. Yoga and Ayurveda Courses in Kerala Santhi Yoga school offer yoga, ayurveda, panchkarma residential courses in kerala. Yoga Teacher Training Course in Kerala Rishikul Yogshala offer various types of yoga like Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Ayurvedic Meditation, Yog - Nidra, Ayurvedic Theory and Therapy and etc. Adventure sports edit. Canoeing Canoeing is a favorite sport among the tourists of Kerala and among the local inhabitants of the state A canoe is a small 2-3 seater boat which is rowed by the sailors Canoeing expeditions are undertaken in Kerala by groups of tourists and such sashays are often arranged by tourist operators on request One can find many canoe races among tourists in Backwaters of Kollam. Catamaran Sailing A catamaran is small often wooden vessel with twin hulls joined together Catamarans are usually set sail across the backwaters of Kerala nowadays motorised catamarans are in vogue along with traditional oar propelled ones giving the tourists of the state more variety to indulge in Catamaran sailing can be seen in Kollam Beaches and limited usage in Kozhikode Barbour The government discourages this, due to absence of safety measures, hence such sporting options must be done under personal risk. Kayaking Kayaking requires high levels of physical fitness A Kayak is a small one or two man boat which the rowers actuate with twin paddled oars Kaya king can be undertaken on rocky rapids similar to white water rafting or on calm sea waters The backwaters of Kerala are extremely conducive to such sea kayaking Kollam Backwaters, particularly Ashtamudi Lake has many good areas for Kayaking. Trekking is a good option Lot of trekking options prevails in Palakkad and Kottayam districts, which are safer Trekking in Idukki and Wayanad is also good, but is much more adventurous and not as safe Do contact DTPC of these districts available at district capitals to know more about it Kottayam mountains are the best for anybody to trek, whereas trekking at Iddukki is surely for the experts Vagamon and nearby areas have lot of short trekking options. Rock Climbing - Popular in the Munnar mountains, which are more rocky in nature and have cliffs that make for a real adventure Areas near Poojnar in Kottayam also have options for rock climbing. Mountain Biking - Popular in hill station areas, especially for racing Ponmudi in Trivandrum, Munnar, Thekka dy, Vagamon, and Nelliyampatty are main centres for mountain biking and racing. Mountain Hiking - is also emerging as a popular sport, to conquer the largest peak of Western Ghats - Anamudi in Iddukki district Many Mountain hikers go in search of tall peak points, for hiking options Need to check at Iddukki, Palakkad and Kottayam districts. Para gliding - Para gilding are available at Munnar and Varkala A try is surely something you going to cherish, due to the natural beauty and the extreme thrill associated with it Recently Vagamon has emerged as one of the popular centre for Para gilding, due to its less mountainous terrain and vast expanse of open space, coupled with scenic beauty Recently it was chosen as permanent centre for Kerala Para-gliding Prix ASSTA Kochi is one of the premier sporting agency in Kerala 91 94472-88252, 98470-59735.Para Sailing Parasailing is a water sport commonly indulged in Kerala s beaches and sea side resorts This highly recreational sport is one of the pri mary adventure sports in Kerala s many beaches Commonly seen in Varkala, Kovalam, Cherai beaches Recently started in Kannur beach too. Scuba Diving Scuba diving is deep sea diving with an oxygen pack fitted to the diving suit so that the diver does not need to depend on any surface supplied equipment The deep Arabian Sea off Kerala shores makes scuba diving a veritable pleasure sport The rich underwater flora and fauna attracts the diver over the risks involved in the sport Mainly done in Kochi Backwaters and Highseas area This yet has not emerged as a popular sporting in Kerala, though its popular in nearby Lakshadweep seas, from the Kochi Cruisers. Snorkeling Snorkeling is a major tourist recreation at the beaches of Alappuzha Kovalam and Varkala It involved swimming at the surface of the deep sea equipped with a snorkel or a breathing tube and mask It allows the diver to view the natural underwater bounties and the diversity of marine life. Wind Surfing Windsurfing is skimming the wate r face on a surfboard with a revolving sail The skill of the surfer is tested in maneuvering the craft amidst the high waves and tearing winds Windsurfing is a sport that rouses much interest in the numerous beaches that fringe coastal Kerala This is not as popular as other sports, though at Kovalam and Varkala, one can find some wind surfers. Oxen Racing - Oxen racing is an adventure sporting, where the racer needs to drive two oxens tied to wooden boards and need to make 5 circles around the paddy field This is a popular village-side sports, especially done before sowing season, to make soil ploughable, while providing an entertainment option Traditionally tourists are not encouraged to take part in this sport, as it requires high level of skill and expertise, though recently many tour companies are catering this option to their adventurous guests. Tree Climbing - Tree climbing is an adventure sporting, similar to rock climbing After rock climbing and surfing, adventure travellers are turning to tree climbing in Kerala For tree climbing, age and fitness levels are not a bar The tree climbing sub-culture involves bestowing every new climber with a name, Jenkins is called Treeman and Kovar goes by the name Tengu Climbing equipment, including a seat and pedal unit, are provided for safety 19.Sports edit. Much like elsewhere in India, lot of sport options exist in Kerala, mainly limited to Football, Cricket, Volleyball, Athletics Malayalees are well-known for their passion for Volleyball and Athletics Majority of great Indian Volley-ball players and famous athletes of which many are Olympians are from Kerala. Play Volley-Ball at Kerala s beaches as many locals do play this in evenings You can join them. Soccer is a passion for majority of Malabar people who love to spend whole day and night in various Foot-ball stadiums You can join with them for a round of soccer or cheer soccer teams while in their play. Golfing is a good option, though a limited one Traditionally Golf is considered as a Game for Rich in Kerala, hence one can find good Golf-Courses only in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi Trivandrum Golf Course is the Oldest Golf-course in Commonwealth and a very good place to play with holes The Bolgatty Palace Hotel in Cochin has a private Golf Course for its guests, which was the traditional golf-course once used by British Residents and Nobles of Royal English Residency of Cochin Recently Cochin Airport has opened a state-of-the-art 18 hole golf course, which is good place to play as well as learn Golf Munnar has a golf course called High-Range Golf Club which is a scenic place to play There are few small golf clubs in Iddukki and Kottayam districts, which are mainly limited to its members, though tourists may be allowed to pay at slightly higher fees. Like elsewhere in India, cricket is the most hottest craze among youngsters and you can find most of them playing in very large open spaces and fields Regular cricket tournaments are held in Kerala Try a game with Bat and ball. Indoor stadiums are common in most of the large metros and district headquarters Most of the indoor games are played at many clubs and tourist recreation centres The popular indoor games are Table tennis, Badminton and cards Think of such options in these areas Most of the hotels do have large swimming pools, which are good places for swimming Else the Kerala Water sports complex in Trivandrum and Indoor Sports Centre in Kochi, provides olympic size pools for various water games. Safaris edit. Jungle Safari Kerala has many natural rain forests, with lots of unique flora and fauna A trek in the forests of Kerala can offer a unique experience Many forests are protected and to enter in any forest area, you require permission from Forest Office Guards from the Forest Office may be required to accompany you due to presence of wild animals and to liaise with local tribespeople in some forests such as the Periyar Tiger Reserve Malayatoor Forest Division Silent Valley Rain forest in the Nilgiri Hills of Palakkad district, Wayanad forest division and Nilambur Teak forests A request is required to be made at the Forest Headquarters in Trivandrum or Range Offices at the entrance of each Forest division Entering forests without permission is an offence and punishable with charges of trespassing Hunting and environmental disturbance is also an offence You don t require Forest Guard protection services to enter Chalakudy Forest division a place very popular for use as a movie location Agastyakoodam in Trivandrum is famous for high medical value flora Nelliyampatty Forest division in Palakkad requires a prior check with local Range office or Forest office before proceeding You need a Forest permit to enter any forest region and must assure that you do not offer anything to local tribespeople or disturb them in any way Kerala tourism, in association with the Forest Office have organised some deep jungle safaris Jungle lodges are available in outer areas of some of the forests Check with KTDC or DTPC for more details. Elephant Safari - If you are in Kerala, elephants safaris are one of the best way to keep amused Riding on top of an 8 foot animal, will surely make you excited and thrilled Elephant safaris are common in many tourist places like Thenmala Eco-tourist Village and at Kodanadu Elephant Training centre near Kochi as well as in Periyar Tiger reserve area Please note that the comfort and conditions the animals are kept in may not be exactly of a high standard. Bullock Cart Safari - An experience of being in olden days in this modern era A must try option while visiting any village in Palakkad or in Kuttanad in Alleppey or any Malabar side village, can surely make you feel the common man s mode of transport of bygone era. Nilgiri Safari - A safari by foot over deep forests, mountainous terrain, plains at Nilgiris, to enjoy the sightings and sound of lonely Nilgiris mountains, enjoy the company of protected Tahrs and deers, mesmerised with the beauty of golden plains Surely Nilgiri safari has all these to offer. Buy edit add listing. Bank and money edit. Kerala has one of the best banking systems in India, thus cards both debit, credit and cash cards are widely accepted in almost all towns and cities Banks, money exchange facilities and ATMs are widespread Traveller s Cheques are accepted in almost all banks Credit and local debit cards are widely accepted in towns Rural areas traditionally have a cash-based society, though credit debit cards are widely accepted in tourist-oriented villages and areas Foreign credit cards and debit cards mostly Visa Master cards are accepted in almost all places There is a cash limit that can be drawn per day, limiting to Rs 10,000 US 200 when drawn thro ATMs A surcharge of Rs 50 US 1 is charged for transactions beyond first ten transactions in a month Foreign currency can be converted into Indian Rupees at any authorised money changers or nationalised banks up to Rs 50,000 in value in one transaction and any amount above this, requires a bank account and Indian PAN Card Foreign currencies are not accepted anywhere in Kerala, except in airports. The largest Kerala bank is Federal Bank with its headquarters in Aluva, Kochi, with wide range of branches across the state Major Kerala banks include, State Bank of Travancore, South Indian Bank, Catholic Syrian Bank, and Dhanalakshmi bank apart from almost national bank brands International Banks such as HSBC, Standard Chartered and CitiBank operate mainly in Kochi and Trivandrum. Service charges are common in hotels and restaurants which will be normally included in your bill standard is 10 , which varies depending upon the status and rankings, but not beyond 15 In addition to this, tipping is common everywhere and its a social norm to pay tip in hotels as well as restaurants which is normally in between Rs 10 to Rs 20 In larger five star hotels or similar large restaurants, the tipping norm is normally 10 or 12 of your bill valu e No tip is given for auto or taxi drivers, though over-night taxi drivers have to be pay bata official tip which shall be charged separately in your taxi bill. Currency Exchange is very easy in Kerala, as there are many international money changers as well as forex players across the state. Kerala is generally an expensive destination when compared to elsewhere in India. Budget tourists normally require Rs 1,000 US 20 per day for a decent stay including food They can depend ordinary restaurants or road-side hawkers called Thattukadas for their food which costs less than Rs 40 less US 1 Middle class tourists must keep around Rs 1,400-Rs 2,000 US 24-US 40 per day a stay in pretty good hotel and for food in standard restaurants For rich, Kerala is a destination that costs normally beyond Rs 4,000 US 80.Shopping edit. Shopping is a national hobby in Kerala, with vast options in all metros Do shop during Onam or Christmas seasons Its going to be amazing rock bottom discounts, that make you mad with shopping The best shopping during Onam is white goods and electronics, whereas its more of dress and jewelery shopping during Christmas, though you get discounts for all in these seasons. To cash on Shopping Tourism, Kerala Government organizes Grand Kerala Shopping Festival 20 that aims to transform Kerala into one-stop shopping destination Special events, huge discounts and mega raffles are the key highlights of the event The Mega raffles of 101 Kg of Gold as well as daily and weekly draws, on-spot scratch win cards and mobile SMS based prizes, do pull large number of tourists Kochi is the key hub of the festivities, while other cities have themed activities and shopping options through participating outlets Almost every shop has a sale, starting in December and ending in January. Apart from regular shopping, consider the following in your shopping list, as made in Kerala items. Souvenirs edit. A wide range of coconut shell products can be found in Alleppey, most of them hand-made. While visiting Aranmula, a small town in Pathanamthitta, you will find for sale the famous Aranmula Mirror - a mirror made out of metal instead of glass, using a metallurgic formula which is a closely guarded secret Very expensive option, but a truly unique souvenir. A visit to any emporium will reveal a lot of handicrafts Kerala is famous for its wooden crafts, brass items models of cultural icons like vallam snake boats , urus sailboats , elephants in temple festival style, artifacts like traditional jewel boxes and so on. Showcase pieces like Nettipattam The Caparison used for elephants in Plastic mould and associated decorations like Peacock quill etc are popular with visitors The God s Own Craft, an organization based in Kochi has popularised the sale of such pieces in plastic, helping visitors to carry them home, while retaining the traditional look and charm. Coir wall hangings with beautiful pictures and fans made out of Lemongrass that makes natural scent while fanning etc. Fabric edit. Kerala s traditional Handloom cloth, Mundu and Neriyathu can be purchased directly from weavers mainly in Chendamangalam near Kochi and Balaramapuram near Trivandrum. Large stores in Kochi, Trivandrum and many other cities have good collection of worked sarees, Churidars, dress materials, salwar-suits, Indian men s wear like Kurtha-Pyjama etc. Oils and spices edit. Kerala, is well known for spices Cardamom, pepper, cloves, turmeric, saffron and many others can be found when shopping in Kerala s bazaars Some of the recommended spice markets are Broadway in Kochi and Chalai in Trivandrum At Wayanad, Idukki, Pathanamtitta, Kottayam and Kozhikode you can find first quality premium spices from many authorised spice centres These places are famous for value-added spice products like curry masala powders, ready-to-use spice powders, spice essences, extracts, spiced teas and coffee Rare spice oils and concentrates used as bases for perfume and scents can also be found. Many outlets sell uniq ue natural cosmetic powders like mango, orange and papaya peel powder, turmeric powder These and other spices, herbal powders and natural extracts are good for making face and body cleansing powders and soaps Its worth to look around and investigate what is on offer. Try buying some lemongrass oil, famous for its rare scent It can also be used on the skin to discourage mosquitoes There are more than a dozen oils in Kerala, famous for maintaining a healthy skin glow and reducing blemishes and acne. Coconut oil is good to keep hairfall under control and nurture hair growth as well as for promoting a healthy glowing skin Keralites put coconut into a multitude of varying uses It is used as a high temperature cooking oil and scrapped powder and coconut milk is used in many local cooking styles Roasted oil virgin coconut oil are known to reduce cholesterol and are popular for good health It is also used by expecting mothers for keeping their baby healthy. Murals and paintings edit. Kerala is hom e to many famous national and international painters The celebrated Kerala murals and oil paintings of legendary Raja Ravi Varma and many others, surely add more charm to your interiors You can buy murals and paintings of all size and style, that fit to your budget, which is comparatively cheaper in Kerala. Eat edit add listing. Kerala cuisine is distinctly different from food elsewhere in India The major difference that one can easily notice are dominance of rice as staple food and popularity of non-vegetarian dishes Unlike other parts of India, the Kerala society do not emphasis on any religious dietary taboos or restrictions Thus various beef and pork dishes take a key position in Kerala cuisine without any societal taboos Seafood gets a lion s share in typical Kerala s cuisine and lavish use of coconut in form of coconut oil, coconut milk, powder or paste gives a distinct taste Since spices are abundant, one can find its lavish use in most of dishes, making many fiery hot Pepper, Car damon, Cloves, Ginger, Chilies are common to most of the dishes. Food in Kerala tends to include a variety of spices and most of them are extremely fiery Kerala also has its own fair share of famous vegetarian cuisines and normally only vegetarian foods are taken during festival days, particularly Onam However Jains Vegans will find hard in vegetarian selections, as most of Malayalee vegetarian dishes comprises various tubular and root based vegetables as well as lavish use of beet-root, ginger, garlic and onions along with animal milk Jains need to look out for Jain special food, normally available in key cities or near Jain temples very much limited in cities like Kochi. Kerala s cuisine is divided into four basic regional styles, according to ingredient availability and historical influence Malabar Central Travancore Southern Travancore and Central Kerala Although all four styles can be found throughout the state, the food will be most authentic within each given region. Sadhya edit. On e of the favourite for any connoisseur of food would be Kerala s traditional buffet, the sadhya It is served especially during festive occasion and normally presented upon a plaintain leaf It generally has up to 24 items and is accompanied by various desserts and savories. A typical sadhya consists of piping hot parboiled rice with popular Kerala vegetarian dishes like. olan a dish of pumpkin. avial an assorted mix of all vegetables. injipulee a ginger tamarind flavouring. kaalan made of yam and yogurt. thoran pan-fried vegetables sprinkled with grated coconut. kichiadi roasted cucumber in yogurt. pachadi a sweet dish made out pineapple or grapes mixed with sour yogurt. erissery pumpkin or beans cooked in thick coconut paste. mezhukkupuratty Stir fries using marinated various vegetables, tossed with chilies. istew Stew curry of Potato or mixed vegetables cooked in thick coconut milk. kottukari a mixture of few vegetables like raw bananas or pumpkin or potatoes, pan fried mixed with a spicy tomato puree curry base etc. In some sadhyas, options like masala curry vegetable special curries are served. The sambar a watery all-Vegetable curry and parippu lentils, either mashed or curry form along with ghee are served as the main entre Normally 2 to 3 spicy pickles called as achar are served. Other assortments include pappadam fried Lentil-flour paper-thin bread , along with banana chips and jaggery sweet, served as main appetisers Towards the end of sadhya, rasam similar to mulligatawny soup made out of pepper and tomato water is served, which is good for digestion as well as mooru or sambharam spiced buttermilk are served. Bananas are also taken as a final note to end the elobrate sadhya s main course The desserts includes payasam a sweet porridge-like, made of jaggery or sugar along with rice, cereals, fruits depending on what type of payasam as well as boli a sweet flour bread, which looks similar to an omelet, along with a banana and sometimes unniappam sweet fried rice flour dumplin g. Normally sadyas are served on lunch time and normally will be pure vegetarian Onasadhya served on the Onam day is the most famous, due to having more than 30 curries and an elobrate range of special payasams Many leading hotels and restaurants now serve smaller versions of sadhya as part of a regular lunch offering In Malabar, sometimes, fried-fish or chicken curry constitute part of the sadhya, as the Malabar sadhya does not have a vegetarian tradition. Thalis fixed price meals edit. Most of the hotels offer smaller version of sadhya called as thali or Meals fixed or unlimited serving as part of regular lunch While an elaborate thali or meals normally has around 4 to 5 curries along with 2 pickles, pappadams and a payasam any sweet dish, a normal lunch Meal served in most of small restaurants consist of 3 to 4 curries and 1 pickle and pappadam Fish curry or fried fish consists of fish of the day are part of fish - meals which are more popular. Most of such meals thalis would be served i n steel plated with slots for curries Thalis are also known as Onnu in local Malayalam. Though Kerala donot have a concept of Veganism popular among locals, majority of ethnic Kerala Vegetarian foods are vegan in nature Authentic Kerala Vegetarian recipes do not use animal derivative products in dishes Milk based curries uses coconut milk as its base recipe instead of cow milk And Coconut oil is common for cooking and frying purposes. However vegans need to confirm as there are few popular Kerala dishes which has Yogurt as base which could be from cow s milk This is because Veganism isn t a concept heard in Kerala, though majority of Kerala Veg dishes donot uses Animal product lines. Seafood edit. Seafood is available all over Kerala and is part of regular Kerala cuisine In regions bordering the backwaters and lakes traditional cuisine includes fresh-water fish such as karimeen black pearlspot , prawns, shrimps, kanava squid and many other delicacies. Cooking styles include Pollichatu spicy marinated fish, wrapped in banana leaf and steamed until cooked , roasted pan stirred roasting method mostly with dry gravy tossed with spices , deep fried as well as curry boiled Fish curries are extremely popular, where fish are cooked in medium thick gravy of tomatoes, chilies, spices, coconut milk and slightly sour due to mixing with a special kind of local tamarind called Kodampully, used mainly for fish curries Alleppey Fish curry style is one of most popular among Fish curries Fish Moilee is another popular fish curry, which is more mild in nature, cooked in coconut milk Another popular dish is Chemeen Manga Curry where tossed prawns are cooked in mango curry In Northern kerala, Meen Mappas are extremely popular where fish are cooked in a very thick cashew based gravy tossed with ginger-garlic paste, heavily garnished with fried onions, cinnamon, cardamons etc Fish Mulakkittathu which is cooked in thick pepper-chilly sauce is also a popular choice, especially in Toddy shops for fiery hot lovers. In most of the parts of Kerala, various varieties of sea fishes are extremely popular and consumed regularly in afternoon lunch mostly fried or curry or both Another popular option is fiery hot fish cooked in chilly curry served along with kappa tapioca or rice Steamed and mashed tapioca flavoured with turmeric served along with spicy fish curry or mashed chilly gravy is a favorite among Malayalees, particularly those in rural areas. Non Vegetarian edit. Kerala cuisine takes a greater emphasis on non-vegetarian note, with multiple cuisine styles for almost all kind of meat While Chicken, Duck, Beef, Mutton are the most popular among non-vegetarians, pork and lamb meat are taken as special festive cuisine Its not uncommon to see rabbit, pigeon and quail meat based cuisine in some parts of the state All meat are normally marinated heavily with spices before cooking, mostly turmeric, chilly powder, pepper, salt, ginger-garlic paste, garam-masala etc Pan stir frying roast , deep fried and curry boiled are some of the popular cooking styles Kerala is one of major state in India, which is extremely beef friendly, with no social religious taboos attached to it Beef is the most popular meat, followed by chicken and used widespread. Normally most of the meat are Halal, though formal certifications are very limited and often not made To a great degree, most of Kerala s meat cuisine style are Jew Kosher friendly as use of animal milk yogurt are rare in typical cuisines, while its substituted to coconut milk However many North Indian influenced dishes do use milk as base. Breakfast edit. Kerala is very famous for its elaborate breakfast food It has been adjourned as one of the best breakfasts in the world, partly due to its high nutritional value and low oil content 21 Unlike other parts of India, few non-vegetarian items are available on Kerala breakfast menus Some of the popular breakfast items are. Puttu steamed cake made of rice powder and grated coconut , taken along with kadala a spicy curry made of black garbanzo beans chana , Pappadams and bananas Various flavored Puttus are also now available. Idli steamed rice cake , a soft fluffy cake taken alone with chutney paste made out of spicy chilly or mint or grind coconut and sambar. Dosas thin crispy fried crepe kind having flavorings of butter, ghee, masala or plain In some places, thick Dosas are made, with toppings of Onion, Tomatoes, beet-roots etc and more specialty ones with eggs, curries etc. Pidiyan dumplings made of rice and jaggery. Idiyappam string hoppers - also known as noolputtu and nool-appam , taken with spicy egg curry or tomato curry. Paal-Appam a circular, fluffy, crisp-edged pancake made of rice flour fermented with toddy or wine , taken with chicken stew mild spiced coconut milk based gravy , or vegetable kurma a mixed vegetable curry in coconut milk gravy. Vatta-Appam kin to typical cakes made out of rice flour, steamed with dry fruits in it taken with alone or sometimes with egg curry. Aval Velayichathu Sweetened Rice Flanks taken alone or with bananas. Upuma fried tossed semolina rava taken along with bananas or with chutneys. Dinner edit. Dinner traditionally used to similar to Lunch in Kerala, though instead of rice, congee or kanzhi rice porridge used along with spicy raw chillies and roasted pappadams However today dinner is more like North Indian style, with chappathis and parathas dominating the main course along with some vegetable or non vegetable curries. Breads rice edit. Kerala doesn t have any indigenous wheat breads in its traditional recipes, though today most of the North Indian breads like naans and parathas are more popular options There are also many more unique rice-flour made breads which are not often seen much outside Kerela. Rice breads - palappams milk mixed in normal appam batter and kallappams palm toddy mixed in normal appam batter. Rice flour breads - pathiris a fried rice flour bread , ghee pathiri pathiri baked in ghee , poricha path iri fried pathiri rather than baked and stuffed pathiris anything like vegetables, fish or chicken The Chattapathiris is the most celebrated one, much similar to a Lasagna, with leavened Pathiris with multi-layers of meat, vegetables, cashews and raisins intervened and baked. Kerala paratha porotta - a famous milled wheat weaved fried or toasted bread orignated from Malabar, popular throughout Kerala. Rice - Kerala s most favourite rice is called matta a nutritious indigenous variety of rice grown in Palakkad district of Kerala Normal boiled rice, served piping hot is a regular staple for lunch as well as dinner Other popular options are ghee rice, fried rice, saffron rice, turmeric rice and biryani rice. Sweets edit. Due to the lesser influence of Arab Central Asian food on Kerala, the use of sweets is not as widespread as in North India Kerala does not have any indigenous cold desserts, but hot warm desserts are popular The most popular example is undoubtedly the payasam a preparation of either milk or jaggery syrup as main base with coconut extract, butter, sugar, cashews and dry grapes There are more than 18 varieties of payasam all having same base constituents and differs from others due to main ingredient Some of the popular variants are paal payasam made with rice grains , Ada payasam with beaten rice flakes , Paripu payasam made from lentils , pazham pradhamam made from banana , gothambu payasam made from wheat grain or semiya made with vermicelli. Other popular indigenous sweets are. Unniappam, a fluffy deep-fried rice-bread mixed with ripe bananas similar to the Danish bleskiver. Pazham-pori, banana fritters. Kozhukkatta, rice dumplings stuffed with a sweet mixture of molasses, coconut. Kozhikode halwa, a famous sweet confection. Adas, rice parcels encased in a dough made of rice flour, with sweet fillings, steamed in banana leaf. Typically there is no concept of desserts, other than Payasams which are normally part of Sadhya culture, to be taken after lunch or dinn er, though many have imbibed the system from external influences. Savories are extremely popular in Kerala, with fried banana chips as most preferred Jack-fruit chips, chips made out of rice flour in various forms like achappam, kozhalappam, paka-vada, availose unda etc. Malayalees consider tea-time normally twice a day mid-day and evening as key part of socialization Most of Malayalees take fritter snacks savories during tea time and takes around 20 to 30 minutes to finish off, socializing with others The popular snacks taken along with tea coffee are Uzhunnu-vada akin to doughnuts, made of fried mashed lentils , Parippu vadu, Undampoori fried banana balls , Bonda stuffed potato balls , Savala Vada onion stuffed vada , Sugiyan Green gram-coconut stuffed balls and cutlets eat. Fast food edit. Most of the National and International fast food chains such as Pizza Hut, Domino s pizza, Subway, KFC, McDonalds, Chicking, US Pizza, SFC etc can be found in many major cities of the state as well as on highways as drive-ins. In addition, local fast food standalone restaurants, kiosks as well as drive-ins can be easily found across the state Indian Coffee House is one such popular local Fast food, famous for its coffees, meals, biriyanis, dosas and quick sandwiches. Cafes formats are rare in highways, though recently Cafe Coffee Days have launched such offering 24x7 refreshments etc However roadside small teashops and quick bites kiosks are common, though they don t conform to western hygiene concepts Bakeries are common across Kerala, offering breads, savories and quick bites apart from few convenience provisions. Drink edit add listing. Tap water is generally not recommended for outsiders, as the quality varies unless its purified using a purifier Mineral Bottled water is considered better choice and widely available It would be a pretty suprise to see pink or yellowish liquid being served as water for outsiders Glass water served in wayside restaurants are generally safe as most of them uses an Ayurvedic powder called Pathimukam or Dahashamani which is an herbal product that used during boiling that gives water a distinctive pinkish color This is prefectly healthy as stops dehydration rapidly and purfies water from bacteria Many restaurants serves cumin water, which is boiled with cumin seeds that gives a pale yellowish color to the water, which is good for digestion and acidity. Soft Drinks like Colas brands, branded juices are also widely available across stores Tender coconut water karikku , are available in even the smallest towns Tender coconut water is extremely popular and along with this the sweet creamy pulp Coconut meat is an ice-cream like cream which can be eaten Kerala Government also launched an indigenous natural drink called NEERA, the unfermented coconut nectar served chilled which is healthy and substitute as a natural health drink. Coffee and Tea edit. Coffee kapi and tea chaya are commonly available Unlike other parts of South India, in Kerala, tea is more popular than coffee Its virtually impossible, not to find a tea stall selling tea The famous tea of Kerala is the Kannan Devan brand originating from Kerala own Nilgiri teas People generally take a strong dose of tea content and some even seek for double strong In Kerala one can find Milma a milk brand booth selling tea with milk and snack eateries Coffee is more popular in urban areas particularly in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram as a cafe drink Popularly national brands like Cafe Coffee Day and many local cafes offer various flavours of coffees with western oriental snacks Kerala s own traditional cafe is Indian Coffee House which are old-fashioned pre-1970s styled coffee shops, offering Kerala coffee along with regular Kerala foods Coffee shops and bakeries are booming across the key cities, offering various innovative coffee flavours and traditional Kerala snacks along with lite burgers. Juices edit. Juices and shakes Kerala being a tropical state, tropical juices and juic e cocktails are very popular Almost everywhere, small juice stalls selling mango, orange, pineapple, lemon, water melon and other juices etc can be found Milk shakes mixed with Ice-creams is very popular and one of the best way to beat the Kerala summer heat sharja shake and chikoos are popular milk shakes mixed with various fruits and fruit flavour ice-creams Kerala has its own popular lime mojito, known as Kulukki Sarbat which is extremely refreshing made of lime mixed with crushed ice and sweet syrup Lime juice and Lime sodas are extremely popular in Kerala and available in most of places to refresh. Alcohol edit. WARNING Kerala Excise and Narcotics Law stipulates that possessions of Alcohol liqour by an adult above 18 years old more than 3 Litres, standard Beer Bottles more than 6 in number and 1 5 litres of toddy are illegal and can be punished by hefty fines or even jail term Drinking inside moving vehicles or in presence of a child below 15 years old is also punishable offence Dri nking in public or encouraging others to drink in a public place is a serious crime, punishable for a 6 month term. Kerala tops second in per capita alcohol consumption in India, despite the high rate of government taxation Though alcohol consumption in public is frowned upon, the society is accommodating to drinking culture Drinking in general, is highly associated with men and hence its uncommon to see ladies in bars pubs etc. As part of curbing rising alcoholism in the society, Government of Kerala has brought a new legislation in introducing prohibition in phased manner. As phase 1, all bars of the state barring those operate in 5 star hotels have been closed down As a result, there are only 30 Bars currently operational in entire Kerala state, with maximum in Kochi Few districts like Thrissur, Kannur etc donot have any bar due to the new legislation. However as part of curbing, all erstwhile bars were converted into Beer and Wine Parlours as part of substituting from hard liquor to wi nes and beer Its prefectly possible to find several parlours serving various types of wines majority of them serves only Indian made Wines, while few serves foreign imported wines and various branded beers. Restaurants are not allowed to serve liquor, unless they operate within the same 5 hotel facility having a bar licence Sale of beer or any beverage with alcohol content, are not allowed in any retail stores Bars are also subjected additional service and luxury taxation, as part of government strategy to curb drinking However despite of higher costs, one can find the drinking culture on higher note Pub culture along with discotheques, themed lounge bars and nightclubs are getting popular in major cities within 5 star hotels. Retail sale of liquor is restricted to exclusive Government run retail network stores under Kerala State Beverage Corporations Limited popularly known as Beverage Shop or Bevco stores One can buy most of liquor brands as well as beer for use in private Ideal for bu dget conscious, due to comparative lower rates However, there is usually a very large queue in front of it and you have wait a long time to get the item. All bars and Bevco stores are closed on the 1st and 2nd day of every month, as well as on major public holidays known as Dry days Except a very large queue on eve of such dry days, as part of stocking bottles. Locally made palm toddy called as kallu is tempting to try, but be aware that some people become sick due to bad brews If you do try it, make sure you stick to the license-made brew, and not local moonshine However many local toddy shows in Alapuzha-Changaserry route, you can find a number of good toddy shops, which offers authorized toddy as well as very good tasty unique Kerala specialties like seafood, chicken, mutton and beef Even if you don t try toddy, having food from these toddy shops is a good idea, to taste some of the best distinctive food styles. Tobacco and Cannabis edit. By law, sale of loose cigars is illegal However its quite possible to buy individual cigar of popular Indian brands from small road-side stall are available Packets are commonly available in most of the road-side stalls as well as supermarkets, stores etc ITC Brands like Wills, Gold flakes and Classic are key popular brands A packet of cigarettes costs from Rs 40 and above, while individual sticks cost Rs 5 to 15.The High Court of Kerala, banned public smoking and smoking in front of children If caught for smoking, a fine of Rs 1000 will be imposed If caught in purchase of loose cigars or smoking in front of children, a fine of Rs 2000 will imposed Smoking is prohibited in bars, restaurants etc However it depends upon the management of such bar restaurant in tolerating smoking. Now a days, Arabian styled hookahs are getting popular and hookah shisha parlours selling flavored hookas are popular in major cities. Recently Kerala government imposed a blanket ban on Pan Masalas and some other cannabis, which were permitted earlier Sale and purchase of any Pan Masala, loose or packed ones is strictly illegal and if caught, a fine of Rs 2000 will be imposed with 6 months of imprisonment Even possession of such is an offence with fine and simple prison terms of less than a month. Drugs and Psychotropic Substances as prescribed under national law - Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act NDPS Act are strictly enforced in Kerala Due to increase in usage of such drugs in the society, Kerala Government has launched a strong enforcement drive Shadow Police and Narcotics officials regularly conducts raids and secret surveillance in many public places like hotels, restaurants, bar pubs, bus stands etc The number of cases registered have gone up drastically due to regular charging of offences All charges under NDPS Act are non-bailable and possessions of even minute grams can end up into jail. Sleep edit add listing. With tourism being one of the most important source for the state s coffers, a wide of accommodation is availabl e for tourists across the world, suiting individual tastes, cultural preferences and all options that fits everyone s pocket. Almost all major cities have hotels ranging from tourist lodges to 5 star hotels and theme resorts In addition to this, there are youth hostels, home-stays, travel dormitories and small lodges catering budget tourists, determining their necessity. Homestays edit. Kerala was one of the first states in India to pioneer the concept of Homestays Bed Breakfast in home settings and make it a successful industry, providing a much needed source of extra income to the locals, while at the same time giving travelers more than a peek at the real Kerala Under this homestay concept, you get to stay with a family who can show you around and also help you to find what makes Kerala tick Your accommodation and food is taken care of at a nominal cost. You will in all probability be staying with a family whose members are well versed in English or at the least can speak decent English All the people offering homestays are vetted by the Government and will have to register themselves as such. Traditionally started as an option for budget tourists and backpackers, who wish to save a few pennies by avoiding hotels, today homestays also cater for hyper-rich, with large historical Tharavadus traditional large maternal homes of upper class converting itself into posh homestays for those wishing to stay with Kerala families in a grand way Some homestays became almost a mini-resort However still there are lot of budget home-stay options still available. Majority of the home-stays are concentrated in Fort Cochin area, where traditional large colonial bungalows and Jew houses have been converted into homestays Alleppey and Kottayam have many large homestays catering both rich and budget tourists Kollam also its own share of home-stays, mostly traditional Portuguese bungalows as well as those owned by industrialists of the town Recently many small-scale backpacker oriented home stays have popped up in Kannur and other Malabar towns. The government has strict guidelines for Homestays and hence generally most of them are safe and well-maintained These homestays range inbetween Rs 300 6 US to Rs 3500 70 US per night depends upon the property and its profile. Budget edit. US 15 are magic numbers when you are looking for budget non-AC and AC rooms respectively Most budget hotels in Kerala will have a room in this price You can expect basic facilities with a bed, TV and an attached bath-room Most of the budget hotels call themselves as Tourist lodges, Tourist Home and some as hotel and rarely star-rated Most of the hotels near to Railway stations in cities are traditionally for budget minded guests Kerala also have good number of Brahmin s tourist homes which provides rooms for families and couples and choose this option as they are quite safe and quiet. Major railway stations have Non AC Dorms as well as AC Non AC rooms at budget rates for travellers holding valid Rai l tickets Similar Travellors Lodges can be found close to Airports as well as near major market areas. Mid-range edit. For a more comfortable stay, you need to shell out above Rs 700.US 14 for a Non AC room or More than Rs 1,200.US 26 for an AC Room This category would include many 2 star hotels You could expect to have more spacious rooms, English proficient concierges, Airport Railway Station Pick-Up and Drop However if you are expecting a cheap extended stay hotel, with attached kitchenette, not much options are available in Kerala much. Themed resorts also would fall in the category Prepare to shell anywhere above Rs 3,000 and you could rent out a whole cottage in an idyllic location and they do come with kitchens. State Owned Kerala Tourism Development Corp KTDC operates 2 major brands in this segment spread across most of the cities and picnic spots KTDC Tamarind Easy Hotels can be found in major picnic spots and pilgrimage areas KTDC Budget Hotels can be found in major cities. A posh hotel in Kochi. Splurge edit. Almost all 3 star and above hotels as well as resorts come under this category Star rated hotels in India don t come cheap If you are willing to stay in these hotels, most of them throw in a guided tour or a packaged tour as a compliment Most five star hotels provide attached kitchenette and if you are sick of Indian food, this is an option And most of these hotels offer only air-conditioned room and prepare to shell out Rs 5,000 and above for a night However its ideal for middle class tourists, as they are generally very safe and provide a sound holiday option. Extended stay edit. If you are plan to stay more than 2 weeks, its far better to look for monthly stay options, rather than hotels Housing in Kerala is not expensive, though it may be slightly on higher side in major metros like Cochin and Trivandrum However in most of other places, housing are cheaper, even by Indian standards. Serviced apartments are very common in Kochi, Kottayam, Alapuzha, Thrissur , Kollam, Kozhikode, Trivandrum etc There are popular service apartment, which offer hotel-like facilities for an extended stay, in Kochi city In other cities, apartments owned by NRIs Non Resident Indian who work outside India are given to apartment companies for renting on daily and monthly basis Thus it won t be a major problem Most of these apartments are well furnished with Kitchenette facilities However more facilities means higher costs and mostly such serviced apartments suits to middle class and upper class tourists. For budget tourists, lodges are best option In most of the places, you can find lodges or tourist homes, that offer single or double room for daily, weekly and monthly basis Most of them have standard facilities, including attached toilets, though cheaper ones may not have TVs or personal Landlines in each room However its a suitable option for budget tourists who wish to stay longer There are also options of Men s hostel and Ladies hostel, where single can stay on monthly basis. Respect edit. Politics edit. Kerala is known to be one of highly political aware society in the country and extremely proud for its strong democratic culture The society is highly tolerant to expression and one can easily find national and international politics being discussed even in rural belts It need not be surprised to see villagers discussing US politics in a village tea-stall The society at large is more pro-socialist, though need not be seen as communist Due to this, in many regions people do find critical to policies of Western countries, particularly US One must be aware of local sensitivities However the society at large encourage debates and discussions as its considered as hallmark of Malayalee culture. Visiting religious centres edit. Kerala is one of the places where multiple religions exist in great harmony This is achieved by one respecting the customs and rituals of other religions A visit to these shrines is necessary to understand the breadth of cultural influences in the state. In some Hindu temples non-Hindus are not allowed enter the shrines It is best to ask someone at the temple Many are happy to let you in as long as the usual rules of the temple are observed However, photography is strictly prohibited inside most of the the temples across the state. Also for male visitors at many places inside a temple, dress code is traditional mundu without a shirt - the no-shirt rule will be enforced even if the mundu rule is not The best thing to do is to watch what others are doing and follow You are also expected to take off your footwear outside the temple Usually there are no locker facilities, cheap footwear is best. For females any non-exposed dress, preferably not shirts and trousers Tidiness and personal hygiene is very important while entering into temples A bath at morning is required for those entering into temple Historically women are not allowed to enter temples during their periods, and the tradition continues, even though there is no way to enforce it Hence it is advisable not to visit any Hindu temples during periods Likewise its a ritual to refrain entering into temple, if any close maternal relative dies for a period of 16 days as a token of mourning Same, in case of birth of any newborn which prohibits maternal relatives refraining from entering the temple for a period of 11 days since the birth of the newborn. There are exceptions to these rules For example everybody is welcome at Adhi Shankaracharya s temple At Shabarimala any male that has performed a set of pre-defined rituals is welcome, but females are not Women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed to enter the temple, since the story attributed to Ayyappa prohibits the entry of the women in the menstrual age group. At a Muslim mosque females have some restrictions Some mosques do-not allow females inside and in those which allows, ladies must dress in absolute modesty They must wear fully covering dress and cover their head with a shawl or scarf No photography or any electronic equipments such as Ipods, FM players or Mobiles etc are allowed inside. At Christian churches usually men sit to the left of the aisle and women to the right Some of the more traditional churches don t even have pews you ll have to stand Ladies must cover their head with a shawl or scarf during the mass. The synagogue at Kochi is not open to non-Jews on Saturdays And on other days, visitors need to dress with modesty Sleeveless tops, short trousers etc are not permitted to wear while visiting synagogue. Customs and social etiquette edit. Though Kerala is a tourist-friendly state, famed for its hospitality, there are some customs and social etiquette which should be understood if you would like to be respectful and respected as a visitor. Kerala is traditionally a matriarchal society with ladies given more preferences and priority They get priorities in queue, seating in public transport, priority or separate reservations in public transport waiting lis ts, etc. Ladies are also expected to conform to traditional standards of modesty For example, smoking and drinking by ladies are considered as social taboos so you might want to be discreet if you partake and will be frowned upon, and try to wear shorts that at least cover your knee You will fit in better if you wear full-length dresses and the like. In any public transport like buses, the front rows are reserved for ladies, and men are not expected to sit there, even if the seats are unoccupied Likewise there are some lady coaches in train, where only women, girls, and pre-pubescent male children are admitted. If you have Kerala sadya traditional Kerala buffet in places other than large hotels, you are expected to throw away any leftovers called echil by folding the leaf upon which you ate into two and putting it where others do You must not leave it the serving place itself and go. Sharing food from same plate is considered unusual, but not unheard of. You are required to wash hands befor e and after eating Wiping with tissues after eating is not regarded as sufficient in smaller restaurants, but is accepted in star hotels. Business edit. For all purposes use only Right hand, liking receiving anything etc Taking left hand, is considered rude Never touch money, books etc with legs In event of such, while taking it, touch the right hand on your forehead and neck, while taking it Similarly when you stamp on somebody s feet, especially elders, a similar act must be done while telling sorry. Kerala being a tropical destination, its advisable to wear cotton light dress Ladies are expected to dress conservatively, though its not uncommon to see them in sleeveless tops or halter-necks Most of the ladies prefer wearing Churidar Salwar suits, even though its not national dress of the state Saris and Set-mundu is equally popular among ladies and those from rural belts prefer it Men normally prefer to wear half sleeve shirts with full length trousers or Mundu Tourists are more likely to be expected in smart causal clothing Its not uncommon to see tourists in sleevless vests and shorts, which is indeed tolerated However it would be adviced to dress conservatively when visiting rural places or visiting elder people or shrines. Public nudity is strictly prohibited and not allowed in beaches Men and ladies can opt for swim-wear in beaches Men can go topless in evenings, as most of the men do, while ladies are not expected to do so Most of the Keralite men prefer topless with a lungi mundu at home in evening while ladies prefer full covering gown like nighties. In hilly areas, one must carry a sweater or woolen shawls, as temperature drops sharply in evenings even during summer time Its advisable to carry an umbrellas as well as caps always to counter unexpected showers and harsh tropical sun. Indian laws criminalizes Gay Lesbian relationships Open affection displays like kissing and other intimacy will cause police to arrest you nearest police station Like other parts of India, Kerala society in general is critical towards LGBT and considers it as a deviant to nature Hence public expressions of LGBT behavior is frowned upon The legal age for consensual sex is 18 above Any attempt below the age, is considered as a serious crime and can lead to life imprisonment Though consensus sex is legal, often police charge such as prostitution adultery Prostitution is illegal and punished under charges of immoral traffic which could land up in jail up to 5 years Police often raids small cheap lodges, where such prostitution are more likely to happen, as Kerala do not have any red light district in any cities Kissing in front of public is strictly frowned upon, though its likely to see in Airports or Railway stations as part of send off by relatives, which is quite accepted. Stay safe edit. Though Kerala is much safer than other parts of India, it doesn t mean that it is the world s safest place Kerala has its share of criminals Pick pockets are quite common in heavil y crowded areas like buses, festival grounds and city shopping areas Don t trust your hotel cleaning staff with your costly belongings Also women are advised not to walk in revealing costumes Nightlife is only available in major metro cities which too emerging Take care not to roam in late quarters of night, especially alone. Strikes, protest processions and hartal voluntary closure of activities as protest are common in Kerala, considering its high political awareness and socialist leanings Tourists may get suddenly caught in hartals or road blockades due to protests which may make you stranded in airports or railway stations All political parties announce the date and details of protests much in advance in leading dailies So regularly follow leading English dailies while in Kerala, and keep buffer days On hartal days, normally all forms of transport keep off from roads from morning till evening So be prepared to walk to your hotel or wait in airport or railway station till evening Alt ernatively, Kerala police operate free buses under police convoy to transport tourists and urgent passengers to important areas in major towns and cities. To be on safe side, foreigners are requested to register and submit their itinerary at the Foreigners Registration Office FRO Likewise it s absolutely important to carry passport copies all the time, as after the Mumbai attacks, police security has been stepped up. While in trains or buses, do not interact with lone strangers, or at least not more than normal, and it s absolutely important not to eat or drink anything which they offer However, interactions with families are considered to be safer. While boating insist on being offered life jackets Many boat operators ignore Government regulation of statutory issuance of life jackets while boating, which could prove risky, as most of the Kerala s water bodies are deep. Though Kerala does not have many touts or so-called Guides, a few people from outside state especially Tamilnadu do encou nter this problem at some tourist centres especially Hill stations like Munnar, etc Do avoid them completely as many nowadays are small time thieves and crooks from other states who look for prey Hence avoid them completely and say a firm NO. Nudity in any form is frowned upon for both genders and the rule applies more especially to women It s okay for men to be bare-chested in public, though it s not appreciated much except at the beach or rural areas In beaches or rivers, women can wear swim-suits or covering towels around the body Wearing bikini by foreign tourists in Kovalam and Varkala beaches are common, but you can never find a local wearing one Though there is no gender segregation in beaches, rivers ghats or swimming pools, gender segregation is maintained in temple ponds and certain public ghats. Though Kerala ranks highest in alcohol consumption, consuming alcohol in public is frowned upon Even wine or beer consumption is also considered as liquor in Kerala, which too is frown ed upon in public However, privately it can be consumed Women consuming alcohol is socially frowned upon, hence women entering into bars, etc results in too much glaring However, the recently opened public pubs lounges and posh bars in premium hotels are a natural choice for women to consume liquor openly But this choice is limited to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Use bottled water, as tap water is not so safe even though it s purified, and stay in decent hotels even if you have to shell out some extra money However recently homestays have been safe. Emergency and assistance edit. Police edit. Kerala Police Kerala Police 22 Contact. Flying Squad Emergency - 100 toll free from all devices. Crime Stopper - 1090.Women Squad Assist - 1091.Highway Police - 91 98 4610 0100.Railway Police Assist - 91 98 4620 0100.SMS Alert and Assist - 91 94 9790 0000.The Kerala Police force is one of the most efficient police units in India and the least corrupt 23 Most of the police officials are well versed in E nglish and Malayalam and 95 of police stations are computerised Most of the cities do have a very strong police network and its not difficult to find a police station. Normal Law and Order police force wear Khaki colour uniforms Traffic Police wear a uniform of a white shirt with khaki pants. There is a specialised police section for Tourist protection called the Tourist Police This force is located at prominent tourist places, beaches, monuments, trekking areas and other tourist attractions They wear a light blue shirt with khaki pants and have an aid post marked as Tourist Police In event of requiring any assistance whilst at any tourist places they may be found to be extremely helpful Tourist Police recently opened India s first fully dedicated Exclusive International Tourist Police Station ITPS to provide a wide range of assistance to foreign tourists The International Tourist Police Station is in Mattancherry-Fort Kochi, a primary tourist enclave in Kochi City The Police station als o houses a small police museum and a recreation centre The ITPS will be the primary tourist assistance point for any tourist complaints and may be used as an information and assistance point for any Immigration and Passport-Visa matter. Kerala s highways are safeguarded by Highway police In event of any distress on any highway call the police using their toll free number - 91 98 4610 0100 They have a very good reputation and there have been numerous instances when they have gone out of their way to help tourists in distress. Fire and public rescue edit. Kerala s Fire and Rescue Services maintains a network of Distress rescue services throughout the state They can be reached at 101.Medical Emergency edit. Kerala Rapid Healthcare Access Systems. Kerala has rolled out extensive E-Governance in Healthcare facility, by launching Patients can log to their portal 24 to identify the right ambulatory services. For SMS based support, one can input Health space Pincode space facility in their local mobi le connection to receive details of key hospital of the intended facility in the district To identify contact details of the hospital, SMS input Health space HospitalName All such inputs must be send to Toll-Free SMS Center No - 537252.Rapid Access-Toll Free from all devices.102 - Roadside Emergency Assistance - RAKSHA.1298 or 108 - Kerala Emergency Medical Services.1910 - State Emergency Blood Bank Network.1056 - Dial-A-Doctor Only available on BSNL devices.0471- 2552056 - Dial-A-Doctor Any other devices - chargeable.1097 - AIDS Control Society. Kerala is well reputed for its high medical assistance The state has highest ambulatory healthcare access across the country, with numerous of hospitals, first aid centres, primary health centres and tertiary and specialized hospitals, offering Allopathic Western Medicine , Ayurvedic and Homeopathic treatments. For any urgent medical attention or ambulance services, call 102 Directorate of Health Services of Kerala DHS Kerala along with Kerala Pol ice Ambulance Services operates extensive emergency ambulance services across the state Recently DHS-Kerala have launched a M-Governance initiative helping people to identify hospital or doctor or health care services via SMS. Kerala is the first state in India to have Rapid Medical Action Force with a strong network of medical ambulances and medical hospitals across the state Most of ambulances are white in colour with Red Cross mark Members of Rapid Medical Action Force RMAF do have a yellow and green livery ambulance with a Red Cross sign Kerala Healthcare Department has tied up services of 1298 and 108 emergency providers, to provide hi-tech ambulance services across the state 108 Emergency, is an advanced life-saving ambulance even equipped to carry out minor operations operating mainly in urban areas, while 1298 provides comprehensive services across all parts of Kerala. In event of an accident, use only hospitals marked Casualty outside, as they have a suitable licence to admit a road accident case Its common to see such hospitals In event of any accident on a roadway, call 100 for police or 108 as many times individuals do not come to rescue especially in large cities, fearing involvement in a police case The police do maintain fast and effective accident identification and recovery service, thus in event of any accident, even a distress call from your mobile, can help them to identify your position and assist in expediting medical attention. Taluk Hospitals, first aid centres and select primary health care centres across the state are all equipped for emergency admissions and treatment. Stay healthy edit. Tap water is generally safe for drinking, though tourists are advised to buy bottled water for drinking As a tropical country, Kerala is hot and humid so drink a lot of water. Sanitation standards as well as personal hygiene among Malayalees are very high 25 However most of the toilets do not have toilet paper option as its not the local style, hence it is advis able to carry a roll always It is better to have bath atleast once a day, while in Kerala This is because it is a social norm in addition to being a relief from the extreme humidity which makes a traveller sweat a lot A bath atleast once twice is always better is a true remedy for this problem. Kerala leads in establishing E-Toilets and Bio-toilets in the country Most of the cities have electronic pay toilet kiosks near busy areas as well as Bio-E toilets available The standard rate is Rs 2 Apart from E-toilets, Pay Use Public toilets are found in many busy areas, temple centers, though maintenance might not be world class Bus Railway station public toilets are poorly maintained and hence not adviced, though in many private bus standards out-sourced Pay Use facility has been implemented. Malaria is completely eradicated and not an issue, but dengue fever cholera and viral fever is endemic to the region Moonsoon time is considered as one of the major epidemic season, due to wet atmosphere , providing breeding ground for various water-borne virus The state s mosquito control measures are not effective and mosquitoes still pose a major challenge You require good mosquito controlling repellents which need to be applied regularly or use of mosquito coil or mosquito repellent mats etc at room as well as use of mosquito nets over bed Various Kerala s spice extracts and oils prove an effective option to control mosquitoes. While touring during summer days, its advised to always wear a cap or have an umbrella to avoid the harshness of the tropical sun Also wear only cotton while touring during summer Its also advised to drink Sharbath - a local popular road-side stall drink made of lemon juice mixed with sugar syrup with slight salt and mixed with soda This helps to control dehydration a lot. Medical care edit. A popular tertiary hospital in Kerala. The standard of medical care in Kerala is excellent and this is a popular destination for medical tourism and medical research 26 Ther e are many leading hospitals, speciality centres, medical institutions of excellence, clinics, combined with large Ayurvedic hospitals as well as Siddha, Unani, Naturalopathy medical practices Many hospitals in Kerala are of international standards and provide excellent medical care Government run clinics and hospitals are free for all but can be crowded Private hospitals offer good treatment at comparatively low prices. Government runs 4 types of medical care facilities. Primary Healthcare Centre PHC - are the smallest unit in the hierarchy, which are spread over each nook and corner of the state Kerala boasts the largest number of PHCs and provide general consultation facilities. Taluk Hospitals TH TC - located at headquarters of each taluk a smaller division in a district , which provides services of specialised doctors and also have in-patient block TH TC are designated first aid centers and some larger ones especially those near to Highways are equipped with accident care facility. Ge neral Hospitals GH - GH are very common in most of the cities and towns and have larger premises, with super-specialty facilities Many GH are also District Hospitals and houses a wide range of facilities Normally its very crowded, due to free treatment and has very large In-patient block Most of GHs are equipped with accident care and emergency casualty services. Medical College Hospitals MC - Kerala has 6 major large Medical college hospitals, which is very famous referral centres All the medical college hospitals are well equipped and famed for complex surgeries and various major treatments Medical colleges do have very large in-patient wards normally above 600 to 1000 beds, though nearly it caters 10 times more than its capacity There are also 4 Ayurvedic Medical colleges. In addition, Govt runs specialized tertiary hospitals and super-specialty centers. Both Govt and private operators also run Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and Naturalopathic community centres and clinics across Kerala. For mi nor ailments, almost any private hospital or clinic found anywhere is good Most of the private care hospitals are well equipped and have good physicians and specialists Out-Patients are required to get appointment to avoid large ques and majority of them have pharmacies nearby. Large super-specialty hospitals are available in major metros which are major research centres and famed for complex surgeries and treatments, thought its slightly expensive in Indian standards Most of the hospitals in large towns and metros do accept foreign medical insurance cards, mainly issued in US, Europe and Middle East countries, apart from almost all national medical insurance covers, which needed to be check at hospital reception. Kerala has some of the prestigious large Ayurvedic hospitals as well as super-specialty Ayurvedic Research centres, some even equipped to conduct surgeries and cancer treatments Generally Ayurvedic healthcare centres are more expensive than Allopathic centres. Contact edit. Like any other part of India, India Post operates extensively through out the state and quite reliable India Post also operates Speed Post Services, which is a fast courier services, that have higher rates Kerala has extensive private courier networks Its very easy to find one such and quite reliable However private couriers are more expensive than India Post s Speed Post EMS services. Telecom edit. Mobile Services - If you require an Indian mobile number it is strongly recommended that you get a pre-paid mobile connection To do this you need a photocopy of your passport including the visa and the ID pages , two color photos, and officially proof of local address or a sponsor like guide or tour company etc Most star hotels allow you to use their address for this In the event of not having address you can still get a pre-paid connection using your visa number, finger prints and in some cases providing passport size photographs. Most of the mobile operators in India operate in Kerala, GSM as wel l as CDMA Popular GSM service providers are BSNL Mobile, Vodafone, Idea Mobile, Airtel, Tata DOCOMO and Reliance GSM Popular CDMA service providers are Tata Indicom and Reliance India Mobile. Due to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India TRAI s restriction, only BSNL, Idea and Tata Docomo among GSM providers and Reliance among CDMA to provide 3G connectivity in Kerala Telecom Circle, while other operators can offer only 2G services. Public Telephony - PCOs Public Call Offices are a good option You will find them almost every noke and corner These are public pay-phones post-pay and there will be a person on the shop to take the payments Check your bill generated from the billing machine and make the payment accordingly Payments are always in Indian rupees Coin boxes are available everywhere where you can make local calls within a radius of 10km from the phone. BSNL Calling cards are available in all stores, which is a prepaid calling card, that could be used in any phone, without charging t he phone user Vodafone World Cards and Airtel Globe cards are also another good option. Internet Access edit. Kerala leads the country in telephone density and highest internet penetration in the country One can easily find internet cafes across the state, including in rural areas In rural belts, internet cafes normally operates as part of local shops rates varies according the cafes and its facilities as well as its locations Normal rates should be around Rs 15 to Rs 25 per hour One can find more cafes near colleges and educational institutions, where rates will be comparatively lower.4G networks have rolled out in Kerala by Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodofone, Idea and Tata Docomo, which is mostly available across the state In places where 4G services not available, 3G 2G services will come handy Mobile networks often gets distorted in Hilly regions, due to its terrain and climatic conditions State run BSNL has better coverage for hilly areas than private networks. Tata Communications, Airte l, Idea have rolled out Wifi-cards which can be brought and accessed in suitable hotspots, mostly posh coffee shops, hotels as well as in malls Most of the mid-range and posh hotels offers complimentary or paid Wifi access Most of the low end hotels have internet cafes in its lobby and guests can avail on pay-per-use basis. Due to Government of India s security policy, its mandatory register with valid original ID card, to any kind of net access in internet cafes All cafes are bound to take a photo of the user as well as photocopy of the ID Card like Passport, visa or National ID etc along with registration of valid local address and a contact number, which normally will be verified Some cafes even take thumb impressions. Newspapers edit. Keralites are voracious readers of newspapers The state is known for its high literacy and its a daily habit for an average Malayali to read atleast 2 newspapers every morning, along with morning coffee The state has largest number vernacular publication s and some of the Malayalam dailies have national record in terms of subscription The state also have many English newspapers published from the state The major English language dailies are The Hindu, The New Indian Express, The Times of India, The Pioneer, Hindustan Times, Deccan Chronicle, Economic Times, Business Standard etc A few American and British magazines like Forbes, Mirror etc are available in bookstalls in major cities Popular Indian English Magazines are India Today, The Week, The Frontline etc are available commonly One can find newspapers even in small road-side stalls One can find complimentary newspapers available near local tea-stall coffee booths where people sit and read in morning along with their tea Most of the hotels provide complementary newspapers or keep copy in their lobbies. Bookstores are commonly seen in almost everywhere One can find them in cluster, near educational institutions In addition, lot of private publications as well as local area based public ations are seen. One of the noteworthy factor of Kerala, is presence of community libraries across the state The Granthashala Library movement, has established a series of small libraries and reading rooms across the state, even in remote interiors However one can get mostly Malayalam based publications in these kind of community libraries Public libraries are common features in most of the cities, where English and other language reading materials are available. Some of the Malayalam News papers started even 100 years before and have the highest circulation among the regional language news papers in India. Radio TV edit. Kerala has several radio services However most of them are Malayalam services, though many as part of catering youngsters, have English programs Most of the private FMs are primarily meant for entertainment Key Brands are Radio Mango 91 9, Club FM 94 3 except in Thrissur where it operates as 104 8 , Red FM 93 5, Best FM 95, Radio Mirchi 98 3, Big FM 92 7.The state has mad e strives in Community radio and multi-lingual social oriented programs Community radio operates in limited frequency range, mostly operated from nearby colleges or community centers, with local informations and social development program Many of the programs will be aired in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and English Popular community radios are Radio DC in Trivandrum, Wagamon Radio Matooli, Gynavani, Radio Media Village etc. The Government of India s All India Radio AIR operates 5 AM stations and 9 FM services across Kerala The services will be in Malayalam prominently, with slots for Hindi and English programs. Kerala has strong Television viewing culture The state has more than 20 Television channels with more than eight 24 hours dedicated News channels, apart from several local channels Though all the services are in Malayalam, some news channels features English News slots Cable and Direct-To-Home television connections are widespread and almost all hotels homestays offers compli mentary connection Most of these services have foreign channels as well as most of national services India s popular lifestyle and Travel channels like NDTV Good Times, TLC, Fox Traveller etc are popular Indian English Travel channels, ideal for tourists. Get out edit. Lakshadweep - the pristine coral reef islands, small archipelagos, white sand beaches famous for scuba diving. Sri Lanka this wonderful island, now recovering from years of civil war, is an easy flight from Kochi or Trivandrum. Maldives - world famous island country, well connected with easy flights from Trivandrum famous for its water sports and beach tourism. Madurai city famous for its Meenakshi Amman Temple, it was among the nominees for the new list of 7 wonders of the world for its architecture. Courtallam - famous for its several small and large water falls and oil therapy, located near to Kollam. Bangalore the garden city, once the sleepy home of pensioners now transformed into the city of pubs and technology companies. Kodagu - a popular hill-station, known as Scotland of India Famous for its exotic coffee plantations, Tibetan settlements, forest safaris and woods party. Mysore - The cultural capital of neighboring Karnataka State, famous for its palaces and festivals. This is a guide article It has well developed information throughout the entire article, and throughout all of the articles on destinations within the region Plunge forward and help us make it a star. Bangalore 1 Kannada , also known as Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka It is India s third-largest city with an estimated population of 8,474,970 2011.In a recent survey, conducted by the global HR consultancy Mercer, Bangalore was voted the most liveable city in India, beating Mumbai Chennai New Delhi and Kolkata 2 terms of cleanliness, Bangalore ranks 12th in India 3.Once called the Garden City of India and the Pensioner s Paradise , these epithets no longer apply to Bangalore, which is now a large, cosmopolitan c ity with diminishing green spaces and a large working population Bangalore is the major center of India s IT industry, popularly known as the Silicon Valley of India. Understand edit. History edit. The earliest records of a place named Bengaluru are found in a 9th century temple in an area that is now known as Old Bangalore. Legend has it that the feudal lord Kempe Gowda was once hunting in this area, a rabbit turned and attacked his dog This made a great impression on Gowda and he gave the place a title of gandu bhoomi the place of heroes and in 1537, with the assistance of the local king, he constructed three districts protected by a walled fort on the site. During the next three centuries, Bangalore existed very much in the shadow of its neighboring city Mysore and control of the town changed hands many times The year 1831 marked a major turning point for the city Claiming misrule by the king Krishna Raja Wodeyar III, the British took control of the Mysore Kingdom and, possibly influence d by the city s salubrious climate, moved the administrative capital to Bangalore New telecommunication systems were laid, rail connections built, fine government buildings constructed, and the city s famous parks and gardens established After independence, Bangalore maintained its position as the Karnataka state capital, and continues to flourish. For many years, Bangalore was known throughout India as the most green, liberal and forward-thinking city In recent years, these attributes have propelled Bangalore to the forefront of the high-tech industry boom in India, and it currently ranks as India s most developed city and one of the world s fastest growing urban areas. The name Bangalore appears to come from an Anglicisation of the native name Bengaluru - an adaptation of the earlier name in Kannada Benda Kaalu Uru The Town of Boiled Beans Apparently this rather humble name was bequeathed to the city by King Vira Ballala Once while lost in the area, he was offered boiled beans by an ol d woman, and it was out of gratitude that he named the area after this simple offering. Sobriquets edit. Garden City of India. Silicon Valley of India. Pensioners Paradise. IT capital of India. Climate edit. Unlike other parts of India which are extremely hot in the summer months, Bangalore enjoys a relatively mild climate year round. Summer - February to May peak temperature is during April and May. Monsoon - June to October the heaviest rains are typically between June and August. Winter - November to January with December being the coldest month. Summer temperatures can reach up to 36 C 97 F and early morning temperatures in the winter hovers around 12 C 54 F. Bangalore also witnesses sudden changes in climate during a day It could be warm and humid during the morning, it might rain in the afternoon and turn out to be windy and cold late in the evening On the other hand, it could be hot and sultry for a few days in a week and there could be a sudden rain and dip in mercury for the next few days While the weather and these changes, as such, is enjoyable, this also results in spread of viral infections. Being the capital of Karnataka, the official language in Bangalore is Kannada However, most people are also able to speak Tamil, Hindi or English Other Indian languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, Odia, Tulu, and Konkani are also spoken by the respective migrant communities. Most retail transactions in the city are conducted in English, as are most signs written in English alongside Kannada. Basic Kannada knowledge will come very handy, while dealing with work groups like roadside vendors, maids However most shop owners, auto drivers, bus conductors and utility service providers can converse in basic English Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, if required. To greet in Kannada, say Namaskara To ask, How are you in Kannada, say Hegidira To tell, I am fine in Kannada say Channagidini To ask, How much in Kannada say Eshtu To say, Too pricey in Kannada say Tumba Jast hi To thank in Kannada, say Dhanyawada. By plane edit. KempeGowda International Airport IATA BLR , ICAO VOBL 4 is located in Devanahalli, 40 km 25 mi from the central business district of Bangalore MG Road and 30 km 19 mi from the Bangalore City Railway Station. The new airport, open since May 2008, is among India s busiest and most modern The airport is host to 10 domestic airlines and 21 international airlines connecting the city to about 50 destinations across India and the rest of the world The airport serves as a hub for Kingfisher Airlines and a focus city for Jet Airways 5 JetLite 6 IndiGo 7 SpiceJet 8 and GoAir 9.Notable international flights. Sometimes the airport is subject to operational restrictions due to fog from 15 Nov-15 Feb, between 3AM IST - 8 30AM IST Flight delays and diversions may occur on some mornings due to the morning fog The airport operator has an inquiry number to check on weather related delays 91 80 66782255, 91 80 66782251 or call the airline s call center. The airport has an international and a domestic termin al There are ATM s and foreign currency exchange at the airport There is a growing number of dining options for the traveler and a good selection of single malt whiskies in the duty free section. When departing from Bangalore airport, make sure to check restrictions on times for baggage check-in, and make sure to bring a printout of your boarding pass with you to the airport For flights leaving in the early morning hours such as 3am you may need to check bags as much as 2 5 hours in advance. From the airport BIAL to Bangalore City edit. Buses Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation BMTC 32 operates buses from various points of the city every 15 min to the Bangalore International Airport BLR A total of 156 buses ply to and from the airport 40 of these buses are air-conditioned Volvo buses, called Vayu Vajra The cost for each trip in these buses ranges between Rs 50-250 depending on the distance This is the cheapest and an extremely convenient way to get to the airport moreover, this s ervice is available everyday, day and night While taking this mode be aware that you will need some one to pick you up from the bus stop or you will need a auto rickshaw ride for the last mile. Airport City Taxi These are air conditioned sedans which are licenced by the Airport to primarily provide connectivity between the International Airport to the city The Taxis are usually Renault Logans or Toyota Etios models and sport a Taxi top-sign for easy identification Fitted with speed governors and GPS tracked, these are by far the safest and best way to get to the city from the airport The three companies which run these taxis are MegaCabs Telephone 91-80-47474747 Website Meru Cabs Telephone 91-80-4422 4422 Website and the state-run KSTDC Telephone 91-80-4466 4466 Website charge according to a standard digital meter at INR 80 for the first 4 kilometres, followed by INR19 50 per kilometre after that A 10 surcharge is applicable between midnight to 6AM A trip from the airport to CBD will co st around INR800-INR900.Radio Cabs Alternatively you can also take a radio cab Only thing which you need to hire these cabs is mobile data If your data is working, you just need to download their mobile app and book the cabs nearby Most popular radio cab services in Bangalore are Uber and Ola Their mobile app provides option of choosing the type of car, which varies from hatchback to sedan and their rates are also quite reasonable in comparison of Airport taxi Typically it costs from INR 600 to 1000 to reach any location in Bangalore city. When exiting the passenger terminal building, look for the large sign outside that says Airport Taxis which will point to your left Follow the sign-age till you see the taxi queue where valets will guide you to your taxi On the way to the taxi queue, you may be approached by private taxi drivers who will try to get you to take their taxis instead Ignore these unless you feel you can negotiate a rate cheaper than the airport taxi, and are willing to ta ke the associated risk. As an alternative, if you have an Uber or Ola a local service similar to Uber app on your smartphone you can call for a cab using this as well. Note that as you exit the Airport Complex, you will have to pay a toll of INR120 to use the expressway to get to the city This is usually borne by the passenger, unless arranged otherwise in advance. Pre-paid taxi Hertz, Carzonrent and Akbar Travels provide pre paid Limousine and car rental facilities through counters at the terminal building These cost above Rs 1,200 to the CBD. Self drive cars are available on self drive basis There are three ranges of self drive cars - the compact category Suzuki Swift , the intermediate range Ford Fiesta , the standard category Toyota corolla , Multi Utility Vehicles Toyota Innova and Sports Utility Vehicles Ford Endeavour These cars will be given to the renter with a full fuel tank and the car has to be returned with full fuel tank A flexible pick up and drop off facility in town and at the airport will be offered The renter can pick up the car at the airport and then drop it off anywhere in the city or in Hyderabad or Chennai Similarly, the car can be picked up at any of these cities and dropped off at the airport This is a viable option if you are have a licence that is valid in India, and if you are confident of driving in India s chaotic traffic Please check well in advance before making plans Carzonrent 33 and Zoomcar 34 provides Self drive car rental service in Bangalore. Hotel pick-up Another option is to arrange with your hotel in Bangalore to have a driver pick you up at the airport Some hotels, especially the higher-end ones, provide this service for free if you are staying with them If it s your first time traveling to Bangalore, this is the recommended way to get from the airport to your hotel The driver will be found outside the airport with a card bearing your name, the only difficulty being that about 100 other drivers will also be waiting outside the a irport, all vying for your attention Luckily there is a short fenced walkway that separates the drivers from those leaving the airport, giving you ample time and space to find your ride into Bangalore. Taxi other You can still find a ride into Bangalore City in your own taxi at a much cheaper rate than the above options, if you are willing to take the risk involved Taxi drivers not approved by the airport will attempt to negotiate with you a much lower fare than the approved EasyCabs and Meru cabs, and may come down to as much as Rs 200-300 for a ride to Bangalore s CBD One really has to bargain very hard or you will be taken for a ride These drivers can be found just beyond the terminal plaza at the covered walkway that leads to the parking lots Once you leave the walkway, some drivers may become fairly aggressive, and might try to take your bag without your permission The best thing to do is to keep track of, and be in control of, your belongings Even the most aggressive taxi driver o r tout will leave you alone if you stand firm and make it clear that you do not want their help It is recommended to fix the price before you enter the cab and no tip is necessary once you arrive at your destination Do not opt for this mode if you are not familiar with rates. By train edit. Bangalore has two major railway terminals The Bangalore City IR station code SBC railway station is situated in the heart of the city, opposite the Majestic Bus stand Most trains, both local and long-distance, arrive and depart from here The other terminal is Yeshwantpur Junction IR station code YPR located on NH-4 Tumkur Road A few mostly long-distance trains arrive and depart from here Two smaller railway terminals are Bangalore East IR station code BNCE and Bangalore Cantonment IR station code late Krishnarajapuram KJM has become an important stop owing to proximity of IT companies and the ring road just passing close to the station and well connected by buses to major parts It also forms the 1st s top for majority trains leaving Yeshvantapur towards Jolarpettai. Bookings can be done at either the railway stations or at the Indian Railways booking counters located in major commercial residential areas Booking can also be done online 35 Note that if you are booking at Bangalore City and are traveling to Mysore, there is a separate counter for travelers to Mysore This is to cater for the large amount of travelers between Bangalore and Mysore If travelling to Mysore on a Sunday afternoon, arrive early as there is usually a long line for buying tickets. As with all Indian railway travel, have some patience for delays Trains are usually on time within 20 mins of scheduled time , but can sometimes be late A digital departure board in the station will tell you what platform your train is on and what time it leaves. Train travel is usually fairly cheap For example, a ticket to Chennai, about 360 km 5-6 hr away, costs anywhere from Rs 125 for the lowest class to Rs 1,105 for the highest clas s. For train arrival departure and PNR status inquiries at various railway stations at Bangalore, call 139.Travelling from Mumbai to Bangalore by train takes a long time 24 hrs or so Buses are comparatively faster and take 18-20 hrs, provided there are no traffic jams in Mumbai and Pune en route Effective travel time by both train or bus is long Air travel is recommended for traveling between Mumbai and Bangalore, the duration of which is about 90 min Low cost airlines charge the same fare as A C train or Volvo bus However, sleeper class non-A C train travel from Mumbai to Bangalore is economical and you can have a view of some lush evergreen forests and river valleys across Western India. If you arrive at Yeshwantpur Junction, you will need to take a taxi or auto rickshaw to get into the city The metro stop next to the station is part of the metro s Phase I which is currently operating from Feb 2017 Operating between Sampige Road to Peenya Industrial Estate Via Yeshwanthpur At Yeshwantp ur Junction, there are exits on 2 sides of the station, both have official auto rickshaw booking counters located out front, and a lot of unofficial taxis waiting for customers as well as touts all over the station These taxis will propose fixed rates based on your destination, but at a very elevated cost, for example Rs 600 to get to Indiranagar 14 km There is a taxi booth operated by a company called Fast Track located in front of the station exit on the side near the metro station This will be a metered taxi which offers a better rate about Rs 15-20 per km You will need to use considerable effort, however, to get to use this service as the minute you exit the station there will be a lot of unofficial taxi drivers storming all over you trying to get you to get into one of their fixed-rate and more expensive cars Even when you approach the Fast Track booth, it is possible that the staff behind the counter may still suggest you to just go for the pre - paid taxis instead You need to spe cifically and firmly request that you really want the metered taxi from the booth, in order for them to proceed to provide you one. If you have difficulty in arranging a plane or railway ticket to your next destination, or you prefer a little more adventure, you can go by bus There are both government and private buses that run services to major cities like Mumbai, Goa Chennai Mangalore Coimbatore Madurai Tirupati Hyderabad etc Buses can be a normal luxury bus, a Volvo A C bus or a sleeper bus for night travel. All intercity buses arrive and depart from Bangalore bus stand, which is located opposite the Bangalore city railway station The bus station is named after the founder of Bangalore - Kempe Gowda. Kempegowda Bus Station is more commonly known as the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation KSRTC bus stand or the Majestic Bus Station It handles buses that connect Bangalore to all major cities and states in south India. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation BMTC maintains bus services within Bangalore The main bus stand is located opposite to the Kempegowda Bus Station. Unlike other metros, the display boards in the bus show the destination in the local language Kannada But the bus numbers are mostly in English If you don t speak Kannada, you will likely need to get some help to get on the right bus However, the newer Volvo buses are all equipped with electronic displays that display the destination and route numbers in both Kannada and English Non-Volvo buses are being gradually retrofitted with these electronic displays this should make bus travel much simpler if you are unfamiliar with the local language. Driving in India can be very stressful Lane discipline is practically nonexistent, excessive honking, high vehicle density, lack of regard for traffic law, combined with razor thin passing margins are common One ride in a taxi will most likely convince you that driving yourself is not worth the risk, so if you do want to arrive by car, you will probably w ant to hire both a car and a driver Cost varies, but most car driver combinations cost Rs 1,400-1,700 day The fares for hired private taxis are usually in the multiples of 4 hr 40 km, fares for which start at around Rs 450 for a non-air conditioned small car Depending on where you are coming from, you may be able to negotiate a lower fare if the trip isn t far, and it may be a higher fare if you are traveling far and your driver has to travel back on his own time Having an approximate idea of the fare or distance beforehand and persistent bargaining skills can lead to significant savings Although it costs more, consider requesting an air conditioned car if you aren t used to the heat, especially in summer An air conditioned car will also help filter out the air pollution, which is considerable, especially on congested roadways If you want something even more special, such as a fancy car or SUV, be prepared to pay extra However, there will be a few operators who charge reasonably with n ew conditioned cars with disciplined drivers You can also consider budget car rental service on sharing basis if you want to get in Bangalore from nearby cities like Mysore, Mumbai and Pune Cabs4Share is the new service which has introduced an idea of long distance cab sharing in which you share travel to same destination with other travelers. If you are driving to Bangalore in a car which is registered in another Indian State be wary of RTO checks Bangalore RTO officers are known to harass visitors and falsely ask them to pay road tax for their vehicles Keep toll slips, service records and pollution certificates from your home state to prove that you are only visiting Bangalore for less than 30 days. Get around edit. By metro The Bangalore Metro also known as Namma Metro our metro is a new rapid transit rail service that will cut down the time taken to get from one area of the city to the other As of Feb 2017, only 2 stages are open for service MG Road to Baiyappanahalli, convenient for MG Road to Indiranagar trips Another from Sampige Road Mantri Mall near Sheshadripuram to Peenya Industrial Estate Via Yeshwanthpur opened in mid rest of the network is still on construction and the entire first phase of the Metro comprising of 42 3km is scheduled to be opened to the public by the end of 2017.A BMTC Volvo bus. Inside a BMTC bus. Buses in Bangalore are cheap and usually frequent, though compared to other states the fares are highest here but traveling on them can be very difficult if you don t know the system well Ordinary city buses display only the route number in English, with the destination and route information written in Kannada This means you will have to know what route number you need before you get on, which you can find from the BMTC website 44 website 45 Desiroutes 46 bus routes, List of Metropolitan bus routes in Bangalore 47 or by asking locals Unlike many Western countries, posted route maps of the bus system are rare, although maps are sold at the main bus terminals Kempegowda Bus Stand and Shivajinagar BMTC toll free 1800 425 1663 Bangalore Bus Route Search 48 also has a webpage with a route number search function. Buses with black display boards run within the city Red board buses covers long distance and go to adjoining suburbs The ordinary city buses are white and blue in color The newer city buses tend to be blue in color Purchased under the JNNURM fund provided by Central govt and have LED display boards There is a bus service called Pushpak with better seating these buses are tan rather than the usual blue and are slightly more expensive There are red Volvo buses, called Vajra that operate on certain routes within the city They offer a comfortable air-conditioned ride at slightly higher prices than the regular buses which are not air-conditioned These are a great way to get around the city Unlike most other buses, the Vajras have illuminated LED display boards on the front and sides which display the destination and route informat ion in English as well as Kannada. New bus services are introduced from time to time by the BMTC The latest service introduced in early 2009 known as Big 10 49 consists of ten routes along major roads into the city, bringing passengers from the outer suburbs to central Bangalore These buses are green in color, have LCD destination boards, and prominently feature the Big 10 logo on the sides More information about these buses, including stops and route maps BIG 10 service starts at Brigade road junction There are also couple of buses which do a circular route around the Central Business District. City buses are crowded during rush hours but one can travel with little difficulty during the daytime Many have seats reserved for women in the service starts around 5 00 AM and ends at around midnight Bus service is less frequent after 9 30-10 AM and becomes very rare after 1 00 PM and again bus frequency improves after 4 00 PM and continues till midnight. It is always better to buy a daily pass if you plan to travel the whole day on the bus The daily pass costs Rs Rs 40 as of March 10th, 2011 and it comes handy if you need to travel on several buses in a single day Daily passes are issued by the on-duty bus conductor or at the bus stand Using this pass you can travel in any bus other than the Vajra for the entire day, any number of times It is a very economical option for travel in Bangalore Senior citizens are given 25 concession in all buses on production of valid ID card Voter ID, PAN, Passport etc children between age of 4-12 are given 50 concession No charge for children up to 4 years of more information on BMTC you can visit Wikipedia 50.There are three major bus stands. Kempegowda bus stand also known as the Majestic Bus Stand near Gandhi Nagar is directly opposite the Bangalore City railway station It is quite neatly organized and is easily navigable There is an inquiry office near platform number 1 on Majestic where you can ask the bus number and platform for your desir ed destination You can find a large map on display, which you can use to find the bus number you need to take if you know the area you are going to You can of course always ask the conductor or other passengers Route maps are also sold on the platforms. City Market or K R Market is around 2 km 1 2 mi to 3 km 1 8 mi away from Majestic and could daunt newcomers, since it is very disorganized It is a large dirt parking lot under an overhead highway, and there isn t much order to where buses park. Shivajinagar is in the north This is also neatly organized and there is an inquiry window to find about buses You can find a large map on display here too, which you can use to find the bus number you need to take if you know the area you are going to Route maps are also sold on the platforms. Buses are available to all major localities of the city from these three bus stands There have been lot of developments due to the ongoing metro project as well as efforts to decongest the city BMTC is adding more bus stations all the time Better to check on their website for latest situation. Other important bus stands are. Chandra Layout West. Shantinagar Central. Jayanagar South. Banashankari South. J P Nagar South. BTM Layout South East. Vijaynagar West. Malleswaram North West. Yeshwantpur North West. Domlur East. Kadugodi East. Hebbal North. Vidyaranyapura North. Srinagara South West. Rajarajeshwari Nagar South West. Basaveshwara Nagar West. Yelahanka North. NOTE Autorickshaws and taxis in Bangalore have a metered fare system Tipping is neither expected nor required when you avail of autorickshaw or taxi services Just pay the meter fare Refrain from tipping and ruining things for the residents who will then be at the receiving end of unwarranted demands for tips. By Taxi edit. There are three types of taxi services operational in Bangalore. Airport City Taxis These are air conditioned sedans which are licenced by the Airport to primarily provide connectivity between the International Airport to the city Alt hough you can board these at the taxi queue at the airport, or occasionally hail them from the street, the most common way to use such a taxi is to make an advance booking This is accomplished either by contacting the call centre of the airport taxi company, or by making an online booking The Taxis are usually Renault Logans or Toyota Etios models and sport a Taxi top-sign for easy identification Fitted with speed governors and GPS tracked, these are by far the safest and best way to get around the city The three companies which run these taxis are. MegaCabs Telephone 91-80-47474747 Website. Meru Cabs Telephone 91-80-4422 4422 Website. KSTDC Telephone 91-80-4466 4466 Website. Do note that these fleets are not particularly large, and while you can easily book a taxi to get to the airport, trips that do not involve the airport run and which are for short distances may get cancelled during peak hours Taxis charge according to a standard digital meter at INR 80 for the first 4 kilometres, foll owed by INR19 50 per kilometre after that A 10 surcharge is applicable between midnight to 6AM A trip from the airport to CBD will cost around INR800-INR900.Taxi Aggregators The most common taxi service in Bangalore is Uber along with a similar local service called Ola Both can be operated by using a smartphone app that uses the phone GPS to locate your position and direct the nearest taxi to you Both aggregators operate substantially large fleets, so a taxi can usually be hailed from anywhere within the city within 10-15 minutes at the maximum While Uber in Bangalore can be operated through its international app, Ola also allows taxis to be booked through a call centre in addition to its app Visit and. Private Taxis Travel agents and hotels can arrange private chauffeur driven cars to provide services Expensive by comparison with Uber or Ola cabs, they are a most trusted, secure, and comfortable way to travel around the city These can be arranged by travel companies or online from the countries of origin. Quick Cabs Bangalore Cabs in Bangalore, City Taxi Bangalore, Airport Taxi in Bangalore, Car rentals in Bangalore , 080-4160 0000 080-4170 0000 51 24 7 City Taxi services in Bangalore Cab services in Bangalore Taxi services in Bangalore Cab rentals in Bangalore at edit. Classic Cabs India Private Limited , Mekhri Circle - 2 km from Vidhana Soudha centre of the city 91 94480 43058 080 2343 8821 52 24 7 Car rental Cab hire Cab rental Bangalore on Fare starting from 600 Rs - and 8 5 Rs - per KM for inter-city edit. Madurai Car Rental , 91 995 28 38 78 6 , 53 Inquiry 9am to 7pm Bangalore Car Rental services on Fares start from Rs 1000 for within city Rs 8 km for outside city edit. Bangalore Car Rental , 91 888 023 4455 , 54 Inquiry 7am to 11pm Bangalore Car Rental services on - a Online Chauffeur Driven Car Rental Portal in 75 Cities in India Fares start from Rs 450 for within city Rs 7 5 km for outside city edit. Bangalore Cabs , 080 3000 3000 , 55 Inquiry 8am to 8pm edit. By auto-rickshaw edit. As compared to Uber and Ola cabs, three wheeled autorickshaws similar to tuk-tuks in other countries are cheaper for very short distances, and can be convenient when cabs are not available. Auto-rickshaws are everywhere at most hours They are green-and-yellow, or black-and-yellow three-wheeled contraptions They are a fast way to get around the city. Auto-rickshaws are supposed to charge fares as per the meter reading, which most often equals to Rs 15 x distance in kilometres Minimum charge of Rs 25 for the first 1 8 km or less, with a 1 5x surge between 9PM and 6AM , they generally tend to charge on an ad-hoc basis depending on the distance of the destination, the chances of getting another customer from the mentioned locality, and their mood. Usually, when hailed from the street, chances are that you can often come across an honest driver who agrees to use a meter without fuss In the case where the meter is faulty or the driver refuses to use it, you should simply refuse to board Saying meter please will usually do the trick It gets more tricky when you are in front a big tourist attraction or transportation hub, as there will be hordes of auto-rickshaws waiting around who will try all they can to force you to use their service Most of these drivers will refuse to use meter and ask for an exorbitantly overpriced rate You should simply and firmly refuse them and walk away until you find an auto who agrees to use a meter If this is not practical or you are simply too tired to deal with it or are in a hurry, counter-propose them an appropriate amount based on the distance of your destination The driver will be likely to insist on his own price Just walk away and chances are that he will give up and agree on your price faster than you thought. Tourists should be cautious when approaching an auto-rickshaw during night, or during heavy rains Chances are they will charge exorbitant rates Help co uld be taken from the local traffic police to avail auto-rickshaws during such circumstances If you are a visitor and do not know the route to the destination it is a good idea to bargain and fix the fare before boarding to avoid long, convoluted routes being used by the driver. Another thing to keep in mind is to be firm but not loud in an argument while travelling in the auto Some of the less reputable drivers may team up with their friends midway to cause problems Remember that although Bangaloreans are known for their polite and mild mannered behavior, auto drivers are normally an exception Some will think nothing of trying to rip you off If in doubt, consult a local or your hotel travel desk. If a rickshaw driver offers to show drive you to some great places to shop, firmly refuse A common tactic is to drive you to local shops where you will be pressured to buy Indian crafts that you probably don t want Know your destination and insist upon it Be firm. Autos add a 50 surcharge after 10 PM called one and a half and is the legal charge Some drivers may demand 100 surcharge after 10 PM or 11 PM but you must refuse to board in such a case Heavy luggage costs an additional fee of around Rs 10-20.Rickshaw drivers are required by law to display their identification on the dashboard or the back of their seats Refuse to get into a rickshaw that does not display one. If an auto driver is problematic, note their identification number and report to the BBMP Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation Control room which is empowered to withdraw their auto license This is a very effective technique to deal with them The BBMP control room number as of December 2009 is 91 80 22975803.The minimum charge as of October 2017, is Rs 25 for the first 1 8 km and Rs 12 for every additional kilometer. There is a new call an auto service started in Bangalore called Autowale, the number for that is 080-50661111.If you arrive in Bangalore via train, at the main train station there is an office nea r the taxis auto-rickshaws which will print-out a pre-paid receipt for your ride The service costs 1 Rs, but will save you a potentially large amount of money by giving you an accurate value for your ride This also allows you to avoid haggling with the driver and acts as an official price agreement in the event that the driver wants to dispute the price of the ride. By private car edit. Most taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers will be more than happy to offer you either a daily rate or an hourly rate, and take you around wherever you need to go Alternately, your hotel or a travel company can arrange a private car. If you find a good taxi or auto driver, this can be a great way to go for a foreigner You ll certainly pay a lot more than if you bought individual rides, but you ll always have a driver waiting for you, and he can help with recommending local tourist sites, finding a good restaurant to eat at, and otherwise coping with day-to-day life This can take a lot of the stress out of traveli ng. Rates are generally something like Rs 50 to 100 per hour for an auto-rickshaw, and Rs 150 to 250 per hour for a taxi Rates for a private car booked via the hotel will probably be more Like everything else in India, rates are very fluid. By bicycle edit. The weather in Bangalore is very pleasant, but the traffic is not So if your plan is not to go towards crowded city, you can go around in a bicycle. Velo in village A1, Owners Court, Kaswanahalli Main Road off Sarjapura Road , , 56 Bicycle hire with a good range of rental bikes including BTwin, RockRider, Merida, Giant and Orbea models edit. By Motorcycle edit. In Bangalore you can rent motorcycles and scooters You will find a lot of places where you can rent motorcycles and scooter. Dryve You can rent motorcycles and scooters from Dryve with hourly, daily, weekly and monthly rental packages. roadpanda You can rent two wheelers motorcycles and scooters on hourly, daily, weekly and monthly basis. ZipHop 57 You can rent motorcycles scooters an d cars from here They have a number of options. See edit add listing. Although Bangalore is not known as a tourist city, there is still a lot to see If you only have a limited amount of time in the city, you should consider taking a tour. Typically, the city tours do NOT include entry fees into the attractions Bangalore, as with the rest of India, has a habit of charging foreigners a lot more than locals For example, Tipu Sultan s Palace, which is on the half-day tour, charges Rs 10 for Indians and Rs 100 or US 2 to non-Indians. I Cycle 660 4, 5th Main Road, Vyalikaval, Bangalore - 560 003 918861102597 58 10AM - 6PM The outskirts of Bangalore city is a cyclists delight You can either rent-a-cycle and ride on your own or even ride with the ICYCLE team on a weekend edit. Landmarks edit. Vidhana Soudha - The legislative House of the State of Karnataka, this granite building was built by Sri K Hanumanthaiya, Chief Minister of the then Mysore state 1951 to 1956 The then Prime Minister Sri Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru laid the foundation on 13 July 1951 It was built at an expenditure of Rs 18 4 million Marvel of neo-Dravidian architecture and one of the most imposing building not only in Bangalore but in India One of the interesting feature of this building in grand stairs in its front The grand stairs has a flight of forty-five steps 62 m 204 ft wide 21 m 70 ft deep giving a direct access to the foyer of first floor leading to an Assembly Chamber The architecture of the building is based on Dravidian style, comprising richly carved bases and capitals for pillars, deep friezes, kapotha cornices, chaithya arches, heavy pediments domical finials, etc At the same time, the construction has been on modern designs, making use of the present-day materials like steel, reinforced cement concrete glass, plastic, etc. Vikasa Soudha - Is it possible to gild a lily Well you judge for yourself This ultra modern construction, adjacent to majestic Vidhana Soudha built in the same classic style, is supposed to come fitted with the latest gizmos to help govern the state It was inaugurated sometime in February 2005.Seshadari Iyer Memorial is a distinctive building constructed of red sand stone in Cubbon Park It houses a public library and the Bangalore High Court, while the grounds include a children s recreation area with a toy train, fairground and theater. Bangalore Palace was constructed by the Maharajahs of Mysore For many years the building was neglected as a tourist attraction, but is now open to the public After much renovation, it is a fine structure to visit, if overpriced The fee is Rs 225 450 Indian Foreigner and Rs 625 to take photos even of the exterior This includes an excellent audio guide which describes most architecture and artifacts in detail, though no mention is made of the numerous nude paintings. Tipu Sultan s Palace which dates from about 1790, is the summer retreat for Tipu sultan The two story structure is made mostly out of wood with finely embellished ba lconies, pillars and arches Timings From 9 30am to 5 30pm, All days of the week Tickets are Rs 10 for Indians and Rs 100 for foreigners. Temples edit. The Bull Temple located in Basavanagudi, is a typical Dravidian style temple, and is famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area Since then, local farmers have held an annual festival to express their gratitude. The Maha Bodhi Society Temple see Learn section is a relatively new structure, with the main shrine built as a replica of the historic stupa at Bodh Gaya The temple grounds are very peaceful, and visitors are welcome to stroll around In addition, the temple houses an excellent library of books on Buddhism, many of which are in English. ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Rd 91 80 2347 1956, 90 80 2357 8346 fax 91 80 2357 8625 , 59 3 45AM-8PM Temple built on a hillock in Rajajinagar atop scenic surroundings, is a perfect blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony The huge cultural complex was built to promote vedic culture and spiritual learning, and abounds with shops selling devotional items and souvenirs The annual Krishna and Balarama Rath Yatra is attended by thousands edit. Maruthi Mandir a Hanuman Temple is located just opposite - 5 min drive from ISKCON temple, in the gate of Mahalakshmi Layout This is a rock hill with huge idols of Hanuman and Mahalakshmi temples The annual festival of Hanumad Jayanthi during December is very attractive. Gavi Gangadeshwara Cave Temple located in Gavipuram, adjacent to Basavanagudi, was built by Kempe Gowda This temple with four remarkable monolithic pillars is dedicated to Lord Shiva The temple also has a rare idol of Agni god of fire The annual festival is on Makara Shankranti and thousands of devotees flock to see the suns rays fall on the Shivlinga The temple timings are 7AM-12 30PM and 5PM-8 30.VenkataramanaSwamy Temple is a fine example of Dravidian architecture This ancient temple was built by Maharaja Chikka Devaraya Wodeyar and is situated next to the summer palace of Tipu Sultan. Lord Shiva Temple behind Kemp Fort, Airport Road. Dodda Ganapathi - one of the oldest temples in Bengaluru, is situated adjacent to the Bull Temple. Vasanthapura, in South Bangalore, is a small hillock with an ancient temple dedicated to Sri Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy. Shiva Temple Shiv Mandir , Old Airport Road This temple has a massive monolith of Lord Shiva, located in the middle of an artificial pool There is a cave-like walk through behind the statue It is extremely crowded on the festival of Maha Shivaratri One can t see or feel any kind of Bhakti in this temple, because at each move inside the temple there will be a person located for collection of money which creates such a disturbance for the concentration on Bhakti On each step the devotees will be concentrating on the money boxes Hundi in Kannada people standing to ask money as offerings After coming out, one feels as if one has come out of a commercial Shiva temple So sad to say this Entrance - Rs 150, camera fee Rs 25, slipper stand fee - Rs 5 latitude longitude edit. Banaswadi Hanuman Temple constructed in the Dravidian style, attracts a large number of devotees especially on week-ends It has smaller temples dedicated to Lord Rama, Shiva and Ganapathi within the walled compound. Babusapalya Dodda Ganesha Temple, located on the outer ring road at Babusapalya, Kalyan Nagar near by Banaswadi has a Beautiful 60 feet tall Ganesha statue The temple is dedicated mainly to Lord Ganesha, though it also includes temples of Lord Shiva, Annapoorneshwari and Subramanya annual celebrations during Ganesha chaturthi attracts large crowds to the temple. Ragi Gudda is a famous Hanuman temple abode in the Jayanagar 9th block, South of Bangalore The temple is situated on a mammoth rocky hill, an d has very attractive chain of temples like Spathika Shiva, Ganesha and scenery within the premises This is a very crowd attracting place during the period of Hanumad Jayanthi in December You get mahaprasadam meals on Saturday between 12 noon to 1 pm. Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple located in RajaRajeshwari Nagar, just before Kengeri on Mysore Road is a famous temple dedicated to Godess Parvathi RajaRajeshwari It was built by a reknowned spiritual guru, Sri Sri Sri Tiruchi Mahaswaigal Built in the ancient style with stones, the temple is very spacious One can feel the peace and satisfaction when visited Week ends are very crowded. DakshinaMukhy Nandeeshwara Temple located in the heart of Bangalore is very ancient temple This is on Sampige Road in the Malleshwaram area The speciality of the temple is that, the natural mineral water flows from the mouth of Nandi naturally which is above a ShivaLingam, and pours all over the year as Abhishekam by nature itself This water, after Abhishekam is ta ken by devotees as medicinal water, believed to cure many diseases People from all over the world take this water in small containers with a lot of trust and devotion. Mukti Naga temple 60 in Bangalore is world s largest monolithic statue of Lord Naaga, about 16 feet tall and 36 tons of weight The Mukti Naga temple which is run by Shri Subrahmanya Seva Trust, is situated in a serene ambience of Ramohalli, a village on the outskirts of Bangalore city. Meenakshi Sundaram Temple Bannerghatta Road, after Indian Institute of Management , South of Bangalore Beautiful, spacious temple devoted to Sri Meenakshi Amma Built in ancient style with stone structures, this place is very cool and mind refreshing place to see You will feel that you are in a temple at Tamilnadu, when in this temple. Timings Monday thruough Saturday 6 30AM to 12 30PM 4 00PM to 8 30PM Friday 6 30AM to 1 00PM 4 00PM to 8 30PM Sunday 6 30AM to 1 00PM 3 00PM to 8 30PM. Sri Ramakrishna Ashram There are many Ramakrishna Ashrams in Bangalore, but the special and central one is in Gandhi Bazaar - the place of temples in Bangalore This mutt contains a vast meditating hall, a beautiful park, a vedic school and many more facilities Sri Sharada Devi had meditated on a location in the park in this boundary This location is preserved as a monument A stone on which Swami Vivekananda had sat when he visited Bangalore is also kept as a monument This is a calm and peaceful place for the people who enjoy the meditation. Churches edit. Holy Trinity Church located at Trinity circle at the east end of the MG Rd, is a major landmark in Bangalore It was built in 1851, for the British Regiment stationed in Bangalore Built in the English Renaissance style, the church can accommodate 700 people and is regarded as the largest military church in southern India It has a congregation of over 450 families. St Mary s Basilica St Mary s Basilica is a basilica located in the Archdiocese of Bangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka It is the o ldest church in Bangalore and is the only church in the state that has been elevated to the status of a minor basilica It is famous for the festivities held during the St Mary s Feast in the month of September each year, an event that attracts a number of devotees from in and around basilica has been built in Gothic-style with arches, ornamental motifs and stained glass columns and tall spires of the basilica can be seen from quite a distance The stained glass windows were removed during World War II and were subsequently restored in 1947.Shelter House Church Bannerghatta Road, Arekere The service is conducted in English and starts from 9 30AM in the morning. St Francis Xavier s Cathedral St Francis Xavier s Cathedral is located in the Archdiocese of Bangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka It is the head church in Archdiocese Bangalore It is the most decorated church in the city and boasts of very historic artifact It also is the biggest of churches in the city It is located in the c entral part and in the heart of city Promenade road, near Coles park It also has a huge premises within which there are 3 schools inside it, St Anthony s boys school, St Aloysius boys school and St Rock s girls school The whole locality is surrounded by a more schools like St Francis Xavier s girls school, St German s boys school, Goodwil girls school, Nehru school, RTC school. Infant Jesus Shrine The Infant Jesus shrine is located in Viveknagar, Bangalore It is now known as a place of pilgrimage Thousand of devotees from all faiths throng the shrine on Thursday The podium is raised above road level with steps and ramp on either side The interior of the church is so designed that wherever people are seated they will feel that the altar is facing them The main mural which is 6x9 meters replicates the nativity scene in the nativity church of Jerusalem. Do edit add listing. Outdoor activities and sports edit. Cycling Art of Bicycle Trips 61 and ICycle 62 organizes bicycle tours in and around Bangalore The tours combine cycling with Indian art, culture and heritage You could also check out the Bangalore Bicycling Club on Facebook or Google groups or for weekend plans Cycles could also be rented at Decathlon, off Sarjapur Road. Trekking Camping Bangalore is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty and the right temperature for trekking camping Some top trekking camping destinations include kumara parvatha, todiandamol coorg , madikeri coorg , mullayangiri, kodechadiri, Skandagiri, Kudremukh You can go on trekking trips with Bangalore Trekking Club 63 or Shady Tents Trekking Community 64 with the latter you can get camping equipment on rent. Rock Climbing Bangalore has plenty of boulder gardens and granite hills in the vicinity There are multiple bouldering, multi-pitch and single pitch sport, and some trad climbing possibilities within a day trip schedule is a popular online hangout for climbers in Bangalore. Kayaking Bangalore has a small but active community of white water ka yakers Trips are usually during the monsoon time, and non-monsoon time activities involve flat water paddling Since this is a non-commercial group, best to check on availability of spare gear, or to bring your own kayak and gear They can be contacted via 65.Ultimate Frisbee 66 Although in a nascent stage, Ultimate Frisbee games are held on Tue Thu Sat mornings starting 6 30AM The teams comprise of players of all skill levels. Watch a cricket match M Chinnaswamy Stadium near Cubbon Park Chinnaswamy stadium is the home ground of the Indian Premier League IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore which is reputed for having a large, loyal, and loud fan following IPL season typically is between March and May every year, matches are played in the evenings and last around 3 hours Scour the daily newspapers for ticket information - note that tickets typically get sold out a week before edit. Hiking Nandi hills Rangaswamy betta, Bhimeshwari - Muttati. Hill Climbing Savandurga, Makalidurga, Kavaledurga Skandagiri , Kabalidurga, Siddarabetta, Nijakal betta. Camping Fever Pitch basecamp is one spot destination for camping, adventure, watersports, paintball Basecamp is located 30 km from Bangalore One of the best places to see near Bangalore For more details visit Fever Pitch basecamp is a famous jungle resort for corporate team outings in Bangalore. Cave exploration Savandurga, Anthargange, Siddarabetta. Adventure Clubs Bangalore is called the Seattle of India for reason that it has a very active outdoors scene Hiking, rock climbing, white water kayaking, paragliding and mountain biking are very popular Some of the resources to look up other weekend adventurers are through the following online forums or offline clubs including Spark, KMA, Whitefield Riders, Southern River Runners, Bangalore Bicycling Group, etc. Choe Khor Sum Ling Tibetan Buddhist Center Ashwini, No 24, 1st floor, 3rd Main Street, Domlur Layout 1st stage, Bangalore-71 080 41486497 Choe Khor Sum Ling CKSL is a center for t he study and practice of Buddhist meditation and philosophy as preserved in the Tibetan tradition This Buddhist center is affiliated to FPMT Foundation and Preservation of Mahayana Tradition , which is the parent Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama requested Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche to start a Buddhist center in Bangalore Since then, CKSL has been fostering an environment that helps people develop their fullest potential for infinite happiness, wisdom and compassion, inspired by an attitude of universal are no fees for visiting the center, participating in it s various activities or even attending any of the courses Situated in the heart of Bangalore city, CKSL is free for spiritual seekers and everyone one is welcome edit. Nature parks edit. Visit the beautiful lakes in Bangalore. Ulsoor Lake and Sankey Tank offer an enriching, pleasant experience. Bannerghatta National Park for the safari try to get a seat in the front of the bus just next to the driver. Lalbagh botanical Garden and lake inside - the park offers a pleasant view and is home to some water birds. Cubbon Park in the city of Bengaluru have nicknamed the city itself as Garden and exotic botanical species found in the park are about 68 genera and 96 species with a total of around 6000 plants trees. History edit. Libraries edit. Fairs exhibitions edit. Kadlekai Parishe Peanut fair Every year, sometime during the months of Nov-Dec, the area around Bull Temple Road in South Bangalore hosts a peanut fair Centuries ago, the villages in and around this area used to cultivate peanuts and the custom was to dedicate the first crop to Nandi the Bull at the temple Although the villages of yore are today residential areas, the tradition continues as peanut farmers congregate to sell their crop The 2 day traditional fair has many stalls that sell peanuts, trinkets, bangles, pottery, dolls etc There are also a number of food stalls. Chitra Santhe Paintings market An annual exhibition, held on the last Sunday of every January, the Chitra Santhe on Kumara Krupa Road near Golf Course brings together artists from all across Karnataka Paintings, pottery, and sculpture are all on an exhibition-cum-sale The road is closed to traffic on that day, making it possible to have a leisurely stroll, admiring and buying the items It is proposed that from 2017, the venue would be shifted to Freedom Park Prices range from Rs 100 - 20,000 Bargaining is recommended, but not too hard Pay a fair price Credit cards and foreign currency are rarely accepted, so carry sufficient cash in Indian currency. Aero India Held in the second week of February every alternate year the next one is in 2017 , this is Asia s premier air show Spanning 5 days W-Su , the show at Yelahanka Air Force Base in the northern part of Bangalore comprises a defence exhibition and air show Fighter jets from around the world are on both flying and static display Normally, there are two air shows every day - one in the morning and the other in the afternoon Tickets can be p urchased online or at select outlets - scan the newspapers for more information Purchasing a ticket at outlets requires you to show a photo identification and tickets are non-transferable. Arts theatre edit. Concerts at Bangalore Palace Grounds Check the local listings to see if any concerts are happening Most international acts happen at Bangalore Palace Grounds and the venue has hosted Metallica, Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Joe Satriani, Mark Knopfler, Aerosmith, Sting, Uriah Heep, Lamb of God, Megadeth, Machinehead, Scorpions among others. Rangashankara 36 2, 8th Cross, J P Nagar, 2nd Phase 98 80 26592777, 98 80 26494656 67 Evening shows start at 7 30PM Many local groups perform here, although more often shows are presented by traveling groups touring India Quality of the performances varies, but most plays are worth seeing, especially the ones by Indian playwrights and or directors, as they can show you an Indian or let s say non-western perspective Shows are in various languages, so it is a good idea to double-check whether the play is in English before buying reserving blocking tickets Tickets cost between Rs 45 100.Jagriti Theater Varthur Rd, Whitefield 91 80 4124 2879 68 Jagriti is a hub for the performance and visual arts in Whitefield, Bangalore It consistently features renowned national and international theater groups Almost all performances are in English Tickets usually cost Rs 300.Chowdiah Memorial Hall Malleswaram 91 80 2344 5810 Chowdiah Memorial Hall is a cultural center in Bangalore which provides a home for musical and theatrical performances as well as competitions. Movies edit. In Bangalore English, Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films are screened in the Oriya and Bengali films are shown All language movies especially English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu movies run in packed houses Take in a movie at one of the innumerable theaters around the city. Gandhi Nagara Central place in Bangalore next to Majestic Bus Stand which is like the head quarters for all the movies This area has 15 movie theaters Snathosh, Narthaki, Kapali, Abhinay etc. PVR Cinemas 69.Fun Cinemas 70.Gopalan Cinemas 71.Fame Cinemas. Inox Movies 73.Urvashi Theater. Nani Cinematheque 74 has film series almost every weekend programmed by local film clubs. Collective Chaos 75.Bangalore Film Society 76 A club membership around Rs 500 year is typically required for entrance. Foreign film series and cultural events. Spa massage edit. Massage or Prostitution Beware that many of the Massage classifieds in local newspapers may be fronts for prostitution Prostitution is illegal and if caught in a raid, you may end up spending a night in the cooler before being eligible for bail Most legitimate spas and massage parlors have detailed websites and are run professionally. Massages Spas are very much a part of Bangalore s east-meets-west culture new ones spring up across the city all the time. The 5th Element 79 Spa near Dell office on Inner Ring Rd All practitioners are from Thailand and offer authentic Thai massage, scrubs, and wraps. Aroma Home Spa Brookefields, ITPL Main Rd, Near Whitefield, 80 Natural eco-friendly products in use Hydro therapy massage in addition to therapies suited to individual needs. Aayu Siddhi 81 Traditional Indian Ayurvedic massage. Kenko Reflexology Spa 82 offers a variety of massages and a fish spa. Cunningham Rd, 83 Run by an expat Brit offers a variety of massages, scrubs, and facials. Sundaythespa Koramangala 4th block, 84 spa in Bangalore incorporating the ancient Ayurvedic, Indian and East Asian practices offering professional services by well trained staff. Akaasa 85 High-end boutique spa. Ayur Sukha Malleswaram, 86 Very nice, clean and professional spa in a nice neighborhood 1 hr basic Ayurvedic treatment massage and steam is about Rs 1,000.Buddhism edit. Choe Khor Sum Ling Ashwini, No 24, 1st Floor, Domlur Layout 91 80 41486497 , 87 This Tibetan Buddhist meditation and study centre is in Domlur Layout near Shanti Sagar Restaurant on Airport Road CKSL is a center for the study and practice of Mahayana Buddhism following the lineage and example of Lord Buddha The Centre, whose name means The Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma was founded in 2003 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche under the guidance of HH the XIVth Dalai Lama The Centre offers courses in various Buddhist meditation techniq ues and teachings on different aspects of Buddhism Teachings are offered free to the public and are conducted in English or in Tibetan with translation in English In addition to regular teachings, every few weeks the Centre invites senior Lamas to give talks on important aspects of the Buddhist path Such talks are also accompanied by instructions and initiations by the Lama into different meditation practices edit. Thubten Lekshey Ling Dharma Subhashita , 91 98 80296930 , 88 Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist meditation centre founded by the late His Holiness Pema Norbu Penor Rinpoche The centre is located close to MG Road on Ulsoor road, just on the side of Manipal Centre The centre conducts meditation classes, spiritual discourses and advanced study programs Weekend teachings in meditation and philosophy are offered by lamas from Namdroling Monastery, Bylakupee edit. Maha Bodhi Society 14 Kalidasa Road, Gandhinagar 91 80 2250684 , 89 This temple has a very active schedule There are teachings on the Dharma in English on the first two and last Sundays of every month from 9 30-11 30AM, while on the 3rd Sunday there is a meditation retreat Anyone is welcome to attend The temple also has a good library and a beautiful garden - a great place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis outside edit. Indians edit. The best way to find employment in Bangalore is through job fairs, job portals, applying directly to companies of interest, and through headhunters. Non-Indians edit. Non-Indian Citizen Employment Regulation Indian regulations may require that any foreign national who is employed in India earn at least US 25,000 year This is exempted for a Ethnic chefs, b Language teachers other than English language teachers translators and c Staff working for Embassy High Commissions Check your compensation offer so that you meet this requirement and are eligible for an employment visa Some foreign nationals are employed at salaries less than this, though, typically in the NGO sec tor. With a little hard work and persistence finding a job is quite possible in Bangalore Most of the available positions are in the IT field but not necessarily IT based Several expats do marketing, quality assurance, accent training and translation among other things All jobs in India require an employment visa which must be obtained abroad and sponsored by the hiring company in India In general, the salary for expats is very high compared to the local Indian wage The best resource for jobs is through the expat community Ask around but a good place to meet expats is the Sunday brunches at the 5 Star hotels or at the numerous coffee shops in and around the MG Road area. Buy edit add listing. Currency Exchange edit. You will not find money exchange kiosks counters in all parts of Bangalore because Bangalore is not a primary destination for most tourists, nor is it the entry point for most tourists entering the region However, most banks offer currency exchange in all their branch offices a s do some travel agencies Exchange rates can vary somewhat, so it is advisable to shop around Typically, travel agencies will offer a better exchange rate as compared to the rates offered by banks. Shopping districts edit. Bangalore provides a wide range of options for shoppers One can buy many things ranging from clothing to electronic goods and vehicles Being an IT city, Bangalore provides all kind of services but one might find things to be costlier. Many visitors come to Bangalore searching only for sandalwood carvings and silk saris and so miss out on the true Bangalore shopping experience Here is a low down on shopping - Bangalore s style. The UB City and Vittal Mallya Road are Page-3 shopping areas You ll find brands like Versace, Louis Vuitton, Kimaya in the UB City Vittal Mallya Road s got shopping places like The Collective which is a shop only for men, too bad Armani, Versace, Boss, you name it they have it There s even Canary Blue and Esprit on the same road. The M G Road Brigad e Road area is the most popular place for tourists, and these two roads are filled with shops of every kind, whether it be traditional handicrafts or the latest western wear this is especially true for Brigade Road. Bannerghatta Road newly improved You have Grasshopper, a space that exhibits clothing designs from the most experimental designers in India and also showcases other ideas - lighting design, products, theater, music - an open space for expression If that s too boring, you can keep driving and you have a thousand ways that you can take to enjoy the wildlife and the myriad reservoirs strewn across the area - you can still find your very own private haven Enjoy. Wood Street in the heart of the city you have Eternal Expression 90 Bangalore s best Tattoo Studio Monkey Bar 91 among Bangalore s best bars and first gastropub of india Olive Beach 92 the finest Mediterranean dining experience. Brigade Road used to be where British soldiers bought their necessities Today Brigade Road is t he center of yuppie Bangalore you ll see hordes of college students on the road anytime of day or night Some of the stores on Brigade Road include Planet M a huge music store with everything, Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Philippe, Pepe Jeans, Levis, Lee, San Frisco Jeans, Nike, Titan great Indian made watches just to name a few. There are also many eateries on the road and on the side roads that lead off of Brigade road, so that you can refuel yourself for shopping There are your fast food outlets KFC right at the entrance , Pizza Hut at the other end of the road and many cafes including the Indian Coffee Chain Cafe Coffee Day Also includes a tattoo studiomercial Street a legacy of the British is another shopping mecca that sells international brands similar to Brigade road alongside locally produced items Commercial Street has more of a bazaar feel than Brigade Road In addition, it is famous for its body piercing centers The price of goods here is very competitive and it is a great place to pi ck a bargain. Shopping malls and markets edit. Go shopping at one of Bangalore s many malls and traditional markets Malls typically have high er - end stores retailing apparel, footwear, and consumer electronics Many malls also have food courts with international cuisine and movie theaters Finding a parking spot for your car may not be easy though, especially on weekends Some of the more popular malls in Bangalore are. The Forum Koramangala. The Forum value Mall Whitefield. Esteem Mall Hebbal. Garuda Mall Magrath Road. InOrbit Mall Whitefield. Mantri Square Malleshwaram. Phoenix Market City Whitefield Road. UB City Vittal Mallya Road. Lido Mall Ulsoor. Gopalan Innovation Mall Bannerghatta Road. Gopalan Mall Mysore Road. Gopalan Signature Mall Old Madras Road. Gopalan Grand Mall Old Madras Road. Royal Meenakshi Mall Bannerghatta Road. Elements Mall Nagawara Under Construction. Vega City Mall Bannerghatta Road Under Consrtuction. Bangalore Central Residency Road and Jayanagar 9th block. Sigma Mall Cunningham Road. Poorva Mall Old Madras Road. Mega Mall Vyalikaval. Orion Mall Rajajinagar. Esteem Mall Hebbal. Cosmos Mall Brookefield. Soul Space Arena Mahadevpura. Total Mall Sarjapura rd. Little Bees Toy Store Sarjapura rd. And counting Malls in India are a recent phenomenon, the first opened back in 1999 Since then there has been a boom with malls around every corner in large cities now also in smaller cities Bangalore is no exception Here is a list of the major malls in Bangalore. Forum Mall - The Forum on Hosur road is in the upmarket suburb of Koramangla, fast becoming a key shopping hub in Bangalore Bannerghatta Road It is the largest mall in Bangalore covering an area of 650 000 ft 60 000m of retail space Again like other shopping areas, you can find anything at the Forum, high international brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Swarovski Crystals to traditional Indian Khadi clothing at the Khadder Other brands with outlets include United Colors of Benetton much cheaper here than in the west , Pepe Jea ns U K, William Penn, Wrangler Jeans, Weekender and of course Nike The Forum incorporates the clothing from international brands as well as haute couture boutiques including Mustard, Isis, B and the Chai shop For books head straight to Landmark and huge store has everything from books to perfumes and music On the top floor of the mall you will find a PVR multiplex comprising 11 cinemas For eating there is everything, Fast food KFC, McDonald s, Pizza Hut, Subway Cafe Coffee Day and a food court with world cuisines including Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican and Italian and Indian Not to be missed is the Indian cuisine at Sahib Sindh Sultan and the British style pub, Firangi Pani So that is a forum for all your shopping needs under one roof Its just a must see, especially the outside. Garuda Mall - Located on the corner of McGrath and Commissariat Roads, is the newest and the second largest mall in Bangalore. Bangalore Central - Opened around the same as the Forum, Bangalore Central is more of a large department store than a mall with separate retailers. Safina Plaza - The sale capital of Bangalore located on Infantry Road Every week there is sale going on of any type One week it might be home furnishings and the next men s wear Good place to find some bargains Many exhibitions are also held here, although there are retailers Dockers, Lee Jeans, Titan too name a few here too So for quiet shopping come here much less crowded than the other malls Its best to visit during end of season sales Summer, Monsoon or during festivals Ganesha Chaturthi, Diwali, New Year, Christmas. Lifestyle - A two-story store on Victoria Road in the heart of the new mall shopping district with malls like Garuda Mall, Bangalore Central and Globus, all within easy walking distance and was one of the most coveted stores until the malls came along It s an easy place to go shopping when you don t want too many options to confuse you or when you re tired and don t want to visit too many shops - you can get e verything under one roof here Good for clothes, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, shoes etc You also get stylish furniture and other home and living items for a decent price. Mantri Square - It is located in Malleswaram. Sampige Road, Malleswaram - Sampige Road is the heart of Malleswaram and connects Sheshadripuram to Indian Institute Science Sampige Road is around 2 km, has a wide range of shops that sells books, electronic items, silk sarees, handicrafts, cloth materials, Hindu pooja materials, sweets and all the trivial things you can buy on earth Also try Malleswaram 8th cross on Sampige road aptly named Brigade Road of Malleswram for a vibrant shopping experience Sampige Road is also home to best flower market and fruits market in Bangalore If you are tired of going to individual shops you can go for the best departmental stores in Bangalore like Fabmall, Foodworld and Nilgiris. Marathahalli Main Road and Factory Outlets - Located a distance from central Bangalore although not difficult to reach , is Marathahalli a village in a previous life The main road of this suburb is now a haven for factory outlets for all major brands Nike, Adidas, Pepe Jeans, Killer Jeans, Louis Philippe, Levi s, Reebok etc You can expect prices here to be cheaper than in the Malls, at least 20-30 price difference but can be up to 50 cheaper when it comes to some of the major denim brands As if India wasn t cheap enough Although this is the best place to go to for factory outlet shopping, there are smaller factory outlets scattered across the city Also look out for sales held by the major brands to get rid of end of season stock again end of Summer or end of Monsoon , these are usually advertised in newspapers or look for signs posted on major roads. Metro shopping mall near Yeshwanthpur railway station and ISKON temple. Jayanagar Shopping Complex From antique jewelry the famous Bhavani s, the more recent Kushal s, The Gallery , the authentic gold jewelry stores, saree stores Kalamandir, Kalanik etan, Mysore Silk Udyog , sweet meat stores Sri Krishna Sweets, Arya Bhavan , Classic Iyengar bakeries, dress stores Paridhan, Rangoli, Bafna s, Vinayaka Collections , through to fresh vegetables, fruits, meat and butter. Gandhi Bazaar in the heart of Basavangudi One of the oldest shopping areas in Bangalore, Gandhi Bazaar stretches for a short kilometer or so, bordered on both sides by shops selling everything from saris and clothes to plastics and kitchen utensils, fronted by vegetable and fruit stalls Do not forget to visit Vidyarthi Bhavan whenever you come here for this is the best South Indian restaurant in Bangalore selling the most heavenly dosas. Apart from the malls one should not forget to visit Commercial Street and Brigade Road, which are excellent shopping and hanging out places. The traditional markets have mom-and-pop stores that sell everything from fruits, vegetables, groceries to electronics, music, and mobile phones The city s largest vegetable and fruit market is in t he heart of the city and is called KR Market or City Market Smaller but more lively traditional markets can be found in residential areas such as Gandhi Bazaar, N R Colony, Banashankari, Malleswaram, Jayanagar, and JP Nagar Shivajinagar For people looking for girls party wear dresses Magic Threads in Richmond town, very close to the popular shopping area of Brigade Road, is a must visit. Jewelry edit. C Krishniah Chetty Sons Diamond Flagship Store , 2-1 Main Cross Rd next to Safina Plaza , 98 80 4000 1869 93 14,000 sq ft dedicated to the finest gold and diamond jewellery, spread over two floors edit. C Krishniah Chetty Sons-The Heritage Store 35 36 Commercial St 98 80 4000 1869 94 Dedicated to gold and silver edit. Giantti Luxury Ensemble Shop No C9, Level 2, The Leela Palace 91 80 4115 9766, 91 80 4115 9799 Diamond gold jewellery along with silver articles and idols edit. JoyAlukkas Near MG Road Metro Station Platinum, Silver, Gold and Diamond Jewelry edit. Jos Alukkas Dickenson Road Near C ommercial Street edit. Kalyan Jewellers Dickenson Road Near Commercial Street edit. Khazana Jewellery Dickenson Road Near Commercial Street edit. Handicraft edit. Chandi - The Divine Gallery Shop No 12, First Floor, Public Utility Building, MG Road 91 80 4112 3590, 91 80 4112 3610 specialise in Indian divine figures in all mediums Claims to have the biggest collection of Ganeshas in Bangalore High quality and locally priced wares, no pushy salesmen edit. Cauvery Arts Crafts Emporium 45, MG Road 91 80 2558 1118 - 8 30PM A large store, offering a wide selection of some of Karnataka s best hand made products The carvings made of Mysore sandalwood are an especially good buy edit. Central Cottage Industries Emporium CCIE 144, MG Road A government run store promoting traditional Indian hand crafts The CCIE has major outlets in New Delhi Mumbai Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai edit. Royal Arts Crafts 21, KH Road 91 80 2248 4797 Has a particularly wide selection of silk carpets and paper mache products edit. Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation 45, KSHDC Complex, MG Road Specialise in Karnataka handicrafts edit. Kala Madhyam Store 2nd floor, Flat No 2, Benson Town 77 8, Nandidurg Rd Benson Cross Rd corner , , 95 Folk and tribal art paintings, handicrafts from across India, clothing for women Specialises in wall murals of folk and tribal art as well as terra cotta edit. Miras Carpet Industries No 7, Ground Floor, Suryodai Complex, Old Airport Rd, Kodihalli, Opp Hotel Leela Palace , 91 80 4157 1894, 91 80 2521 0786 , 96 9 00 am to 9 30 pm Manufacturers and Exporters of Indian Carpets, Rugs, Kilims, Handicrafts, Jewellery s, Pashmina Shawls, Silk Sarees etc Claims to have the biggest collection Of Oriental Carpets and Rugs in Bangalore High quality and locally priced wares, no pushy salesmen edit. Goobes Book Republic 46-1-1 Church St, Karnataka in the basement of Church Street Inn, Budget Hotel, near MG Rd, , 91 80 4112 4956 , 97 Second-hand and new books on a wide variety of subjects and a very cost effective library option and buy back used books edit. Bookport Casa Andree II, Ist floor, No 18 3, Andree Road, Shanti Nagar near Yellamma Dassappa Hospital , 91 80 4112 4956 , 98 They stock hand picked books on art, literature, philosophy, gender sexuality, film, feminism, current critical thinking, fiction, travel Also do art literature events edit. Axis Books 330 9, Axis Rd, Domlur Inner Ring Rd Domlur Layout near Indira Nagar Flyover , 91 80 4038 3838, 91 80 4152 6657 It s a fairly new book shop Started by one of the members of the Gangaram s family They stock books, stationery, multimedia, movies, and toys edit. The Strand Book Stall 1st Floor, Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road 91 80 2558 0000 99 Best known for the latest releases in art, design, architecture and all at good prices edit. Gangarams 72, MG Road 91 80 2558 6743, 91 80 2558 7277 The store has been closed down edit. Crossword ACR Towers, Residency Road opp Gateway Hotel , 91 80 2558 2411-16 A hot s pot for books of various genres combined with seating areas, spacious racks - music and movie section, children s section and a coffee shops this proves to be a wonderful hangout to read, browse and shop edit. Higginbothams 68, MG Road 91 80 2558 7359, 91 80 2558 6574 This bookstore has a good selection of maps, postcards, guides and novels edit. Premier Book Shop 46 1, Church Street 91 80 2558 8570 Is a venerable Bangalore institution that has books on every conceivable subject literally stacked from floor to ceiling Although the store may appear to be utterly chaotic, the owner knows where every piece of his stock lies - just be careful with those elbows, a slight nudge and the whole place will come tumbling down This store however, will shut down shortly edit. Landmark Luskar, Hosur Road, Koramangala in Forum Mall , 91 80 2206 7777 78 80 A modern bookshop A good place to pick up the most recent publications Various household appliances CDs and DVDs of music albums, computer and video ga mes the quality varying from time-to-time and movies can also be found on the next floor edit. Blossoms Church Street parallel to MG Rd and near Coconut Grove Restaurant , 91 80 255 9733, 91 80 2532 0400 There are 3 full floors of those rare, hard to find old books All 2nd hand, good condition and at low rates You definitely won t leave disappointed edit. Select Bookshop Brigade Road behind Curzon Court Hotel Used to be the only old bookstore Mr Murthy, who runs the bookstore, is one of the most knowledgeable people His grandfather started the bookstore He also has a collection of lithographs, stained glass paintings and collectors copies of antique books edit. Oxford Book Store At the Leela Galleria next to Hotel Leela Palace Has some of the latest collection of books and magazines but, doesn t offer any discounts It has a Chai Bar attached offering 69 blends of tea edit. Tata Book House At the Indian Institute of Science, Malleswaram Has a large collection of technical books, on which it offers a flat 20 percent discount Lots of books in a small place Also worth visiting just because it is in IISc edit. Streelekha 33 1-9, Thyagaraja Layout, Jaibharath Nagar 91 80 2549 2783 This is a great bookstore to explore the feminist literature and activism that is being produced in India, as well as other texts on the research and work of Indian NGOs The atmosphere is relaxing and inviting edit. Sapna Book House 3rd Main Rd, near Kamat Yatri Nivas, Gandhi Nagar Walking distance from Majestic Bus stand , 100 This is a large bookstore, they also have branches in four other locations Sadashivnagar, Jayanagar, Indiranagar and Koramangala Sapna Book House also provides online book delivery edit. Fusion Rental 101 Online renting of books movies Vast collection of both books movies at one place Free pick up delivery all over Bangalore edit. The Bookworm in one of the by-lanes perpendicular to Brigade Rd, near McDonald s This is a small used book store Good bargains on used and new books ar e available here edit. Elloor Library Blue Cross Chambers, Infantry Road close to Commercial St A circulating library that has a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, including new titles Requires membership which includes a deposit edit. Boutiques edit. Apart from the numerous malls that have taken Bangalore by storm, the essential element and soul of the city comes through in its myriad small and unique boutiques that are all over the city, usually tucked away though Have tried to list the must check out stores. President s Groom Concepts BVK Iyengar Road Kamaraj Road near Gandhinagar in the city centre and near Commercial Street , 91 80 4147 0910 Two Mens-wear fashion stores, established 25 years Fine fabrics for made-to-order and a large ready-to-wear collection Bespoke suits and made to order clothing including tuxedos, business wear to traditional Indian kurtas and sherwanis edit. Mahendra Textiles Chickpet 91 80 4124 9900 Sarees and dress materials from Surat Mumbai Kolkata Ra jasthan Varanasi Kerala and Sri Lanka edit. Levitate-InDiA in A RooM 777 1, 100 Ft Rd Indiranagar, 100 Ft Boutique Restaurant mezzanine floor 91 80 6452 8190, 91 98 4531 7776 Silver costume handcrafted jewellery, Bohemian apparel, Indian kitsch, lifestyle accessories edit. Chilli Billi Indiranagar 91 92 4179 9105 Great for women s westernwear, especially the dresses, good collection of bags, shoes and jewellery They also offer home decor solutions edit. Native Place Museum Road Behind Museum Rd Post Office Loads of interesting merchandise, crafts made by NGOs, c o The Only Place Restaurant edit. One G Hatworks Boulevard, Cunningham Road 91 80 4123 1231 Jewellery edit. Marmalade Adj to Spratt Salon, Magrath Road Left before Coffee Day, on Brigade Rd Extn , 91 80 4122 1814 Loads of affordable young designer wear edit. Arnav Near Ashoka Pillar, Jayanagar 91 80 2656 8416, 91 99860 01216 102 The quaint little jewellery store located at Ashoka Pillar, Jayanagar makes for very interesting jewelry b uys, a range of antique, restored, contemporary and fusion jewelry are on display They could help you design a piece of jewelry to suit your needs, an in-house jewelry consultant could help you choose your jewelry edit. Necessary Evil 12th A main, HAL 2nd stage, Indiranagar 91 80 4163 8757 103 Casual luxury has finally reached Bangalore with the opening of it s newest concept store Necessary Evil will be offering shoppers the latest international brands such as 7 For All Mankind, Splendid and Alice Olivia, some of which are in India for the first time They also offer and exclusive line of fine jewellery and home furnishings edit. Sakhi by Chandras 6th main, HAL 2nd stage, Indiranagar 91 80 4115 5551 104 Combines traditional fabrics and craftsmanship with contemporary themes Sakhi s sarees, salwars and kurtis combine Kanchivaram, tussar, chiffon, Georgette, crpe, organza and cotton with traditional techniques such as cut work, block print, kalamkari, badla, mirror work, chamki sequins and embroidery in a mlange of colours edit. Stritva 294, 8th main, BEML Layout, ITPL Main Road 91 963 222 1615 Sells readymade salwar suit kameez, kurtas, dress material, sarees and nightwear The store has a good collection at good prices edit. Music, movies and others edit. Habitat Movies and Music Church Street is tiny compared to other retail music movie stores, but its a delight for lovers of good music especially Jazz Has an excellent and varied selection of DVDs for rent as well, though membership is currently closed edit. Golden Tips Tea Cosy Phoenix Market City, Whitefield , 105 An exclusive tea boutique with more than 300 varieties of teas from Darjeeling, Assam, Niligiri across the world It also displays a wide varieties of tea accessories, tea sets, and tea pots edit. Eat edit add listing. This article or section does not match our manual of style or needs other editing Please plunge forward give it your attention and help it improve Suggested fixes Please ensure that Eat listings ar e entered under one of the 3 categories Budget, Mid-range or Splurge Please only use the Wikitravel Restaurants format and do not delete unused fields as it makes it difficult for others to add to the listing at a later time. Bangalore is far from the sea, and as such the quality of seafood can vary Some of the higher end and popular seafood places manage this well, but foreign travelers may want to tread a bit carefully. Budget edit. Bangalore literally has hundreds of fast food joints serving South Indian vegetarian food They usually are identified with small round steel tables and diners standing around them having food Dosas, idlis, vadas, curd rice, pulao, rice with sambar, lemon rice are usually standard fare Quality varies widely, since many of them cater to the lower working classes. Restaurant Aroma 26, Rest House Road, Off Brigade Road 91 80 40390390 One of the very few Pure Veg Restaurants near Brigade Road This restaurant specializes in North and South Indian cuisine and is a p opular hangout among the corporates and young college goers in the area edit. Veena Stores 15 Cross, Margosa Road, Malleswaram This place has some of the best idlis and vadas in this part of the world They also make other dishes but Idli and Vada are mainstay Don t expect to sit and eat because there is no seating Stand and eat Best time to go is mornings for breakfast before they run out of the day s stock Very informal setting, but the food is amazing edit. Shettara Beedi Food Street The entire street adjoining the famous VB Bakery at V V Puram is Bangalore s miniature version of Kuala Lumpur s Jalan Alor food stalls A haven for anyone who enjoys hawker fare, one can stall-hop and have a variety of snacks that ll satisfy even the most ravenous hunger and spend less than Rs 100 in total Some of the must-try dishes are dum-root and butter-bun congress at VB Bakery The dosas, obbattu sweet pancake akki rotti rice pancake fried bondas butter-gulkand, and masala-pepsi available at the vario us stalls are also delicious Note that the street comes alive only in the evenings after 6PM and that only vegetarian fare is available here edit. Janani JP Nagar A great place to have breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can have idli and sambar for Rs 10 and a cup of tea for Rs 8, a North Indian roti-curry plate for Rs 32 If you want to have good Punjabi food, go upstairs and get a good meals for under Rs 150 Rs 10-150 edit. Anupams Coastaal Express Shivananda Circle, Nehru Nagar They make fantastic fish dishes Neer dosa with chicken pulimunchi kori roti and chicken ghee roast are some things you really cannot miss edit. Hotel Empire Church St Next to Museum Inn, other locations on Centre Street and Koramangala , 106 10AM-3PM Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cuisine until late night Try butter chicken, chicken kababs and parathas Is a good place for non-vegetarian as well as vegetarian food and is reasonably priced edit. Fanoos adjoining Johnson Market, off Brigade Road One of the joints f or getting Sheekh beef rolls in Bangalore They come in various sizes - sheekh roll, sheekh jumbo, sheekh mambo, sheekh rambo and sheekh sambo - the latter of which is almost 2 thick There are other options like chicken, mutton and paneer rolls as well as kababs and shawarma Rs 30-100 edit. Mavalli Tiffin Room MTR 11, Lalbagh Road 91 80 2222 0022, 91 80 2222 1706 0700-1445, 1530-2100 One of the very old, traditional breakfast lunch tiffin place in Bangalore Regulars have been having their breakfast at MTR everyday for the past 15 yrs Expect a long wait on weekends Traditional 12 course Karnataka lunches are also available here for around Rs 200 per head Advance reservations recommended at weekends Rava idlis, dosas and bisi bele bath are excellent It has maintained its quality over the years and is very famous edit. New Shanti Sagar This is a reasonably reliable chain of vegetarian South Indian restaurants Branches scattered all over the city, notably in Koramangala 80 Foot Road, Jayanaga r, Domlur Rs 50-200 edit. Adiga s Chain of fast food and fine dining restaurants Prominent among them are in Jayanagar 4th Block on the road facing BHS First Grade College, Basavanagudi edit. Adiga s Foodline 502, 40th Cross, 8th block Jayanagar edit. Adiga s Delicacy 105, Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road edit. Adiga s Majestic Next to Fkcci Bldg, KG Rd edit. Adiga s Nalapaka across from HSBC Complex, Bannerghatta Road, Arekere edit. Adiga s Sampige Sampige Road, Malleshwaram edit. Sree Krishna Fast food a little further from the road connecting Lalbagh Westgate with Basavanagudi edit. SLV chain Prominent among them are located in Banashankari 2nd stage, opposite BDA park and one in 2nd Phase near Ragigudda Temple edit. Vidhyarthi Bhavan off Gandhi Bazar in Basavanagudi A gastronomic haven offering some of the best masala dosa in the world This quaint little place is so famous that it has not even bothered to change it s age old sign board, and who needs it anyway, the aroma wafting through the a ir is a good enough indication that you are in the vicinity of the place Get there early for a breakfast, there s always a bee-line for places to sit edit. Brahmin s Coffee Bar off Shankar Mutt in Shankarapuram, Basavanagudi Famous for idly, vada and chutney You also get khaara bath Don t expect sambar for vada here edit. Hotel Janatha 8th Cross, Malleswaram Makes some of the best vada-sambhar and masala dosa in town have to try vada BEST EVER edit. Corner House Residency Road 91 80 2558 3262 Chain of ice-cream parlours in Jayanagar 9th block, Koramangala, Airport Rd, off 80 Foot Rd , Arlton Towers , Whitefield Rd, Marthahalli and Shivananda Circle One of the best ice cream parlours offering a variety of treats Their famed Death by Chocolate popularly known as DBC is a must for all chocolate lovers and has attained a cult status Can be tricky to find a spot during peak times and you may find yourself being encouraged by the staff to leave quickly once you do edit. Sree Sagar Central Tiffin Room CTR Margosa Rd, Malleswaram Another landmark hotel, dishing out some divine benne masala dosa butter masala dosa , which literally melts in the mouth edit. Upahara Darshini DVG Road, Basavanagudi Another of Bangalore s new found Darshinis dishing out top notch masala dosa and Vada Sambhar edit. Lake View Milk Bar MG Road 91 80 2558 7410 Excellent ice creams, club sandwiches and burgers edit. McDonald s Spread across the city 107 Don t expect to find any beef dishes edit. Kentucky Fried Chicken KFC Spread across the city International fast food chain edit. Shiv Sagar Narayan Pillai Street, off Commercial St 91 80 2509 8892 Don t get put off by the location, it s a great place to eat edit. Coconut Grove Church Street Appams and Kerala parottas with a chicken sauce dish Their lunch offer for Rs 80 is also really good A pretty good choice for reasonably priced quality seafood Coco-Grove the outdoor beer cafe extension is also worth a look edit. KC Das This is a chain of Bengali sweets store s in Bangalore The one on Church St is perhaps the most visible and famous but there are outlets on Coles Road, BTM Layout edit. Udupi Garden 16th Main BTM Layout This restaurant is closed for business now Simple Udupi restaurant Serves very good South Indian dishes at nominal prices Also serves north Indian food edit. Nandhini The Andhra fast food chain serves some excellent biriyani and chicken dishes edit. Shezan On Lavelle Rd and Cunningham Rd 91 80 2224 9319, 91 80 2224 9667, 91 80 2228 7895, 91 80 2226 2195 Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisines with a good menu choice where beef, fish, prawn, mutton and chicken meat are available Excellent steaks edit. Savera Tea Shop 24 hr tea shops near Russell Market in Shivajinagar and on MG Rd Good place to go for a cup of tea in the dead of the night Serves tea, Suleimani honey lemon tea and a variety of biscuits Rs 3-15 edit. Kanti Sweets Chain of fast food sweets stores in KG Rd, Majestic, Malleswaram Circle, RT Nagar, Rajarajeshwari Nagar Very good samosas, kachoris and North Indian sweets like rasmalai Rapidly expanding chain, so there are plenty of branches all over the city now, which serve parathas and other food items as well The main branch in Majestic is the best, and serves only samosas, kachoris and sweets Rs 10-50 edit. Kohinoor Brigade Road Serves very reasonably priced Kerala Muslim style food edit. Java G block of Diamond District apartments, Kodihalli, old Airport Road 91 80 4137 8888 A hidden gem that serves buffet lunch and dinner for Rs 150 on weekdays, Rs 250 on weekends prices 2008 The buffet consists of both North and South Indian dishes and caters to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians Reasonably priced Rs 90-120 entree a-la-carte selection is available outside of lunch and dinner hours Rs 90-250 edit. Richies MM Road Off Mosque Road Serves the kind of biryani that is the Bangalore original It is located midway on MM Rd, and hard to miss because of the crowds that throng its takeaway counter One visit s Richies only for the food tables and chairs made of synthetic wood, and dim light from gaudy chandeliers don t exactly make for great ambiance A motley bunch of diners cram the place for lunch and dinner they have only recently built the 2nd and 3rd floors The biryani here is delicious, and you must love meat to love Richies The menu is limited but the mutton and chicken biryani stand out and they are not flavoured with the same masala, or heaven forbid, rice, their kababs are something nice and unique too edit. Mid-range edit. Koshy s St Marks Road End of Church Street A Bangalore institution, serving a smattering of Western favorites like fish and chips along with the usual South Indian fare in a bohemian-for-India atmosphere On weekends, they serve up greasy Western-style breakfast, including omelettes and Bombay i e French Toast Appam and stew is their Sunday breakfast special and a must eat Turn right at the entrance for the more expensive and decidedly less charming A C room Smok y, with sluggish service, and not particularly clean, Koshy s still has plenty of character and history but its getting harder to justify their skyrocketing prices Rs 50-200 edit. Siam Trading Co Thai Kitchen and Bar 1079 12th Main Indiranagar 91 99721 48287 Authentic Thai Kitchen with lost recipes from the ancient palaces of Thailand Dont miss their fermented meats, homemade sausages and the Thai influenced cocktails edit. Sue s Food Place Krishna Temple Road, Indira Nagar A Caribbean style restaurant run by Sue Susan John from Trinidad and Tobago It has an excellent buffet Their Jamaican jerk chicken, salads and desserts are lovely A la carte menu is available on certain days Rs 200-500 edit.100ft Restaurant 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar Westernised cooking, but notably better than any other pasta serving restaurant in the area The restaurant is a bit of a hybrid of store restaurant Rs 300-500 edit. Ebony 13th Floor, Utility Building, MG Road Stylish eatery with excellent evening views of the city Service is a bit slow, but the ambiance makes it worth the wait Book ahead for a terrace seat Rs 200-400 edit. Little Italy 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar Opposite Forum Mall, Hosur Road, Koramangala A chic Italian vegetarian restaurant edit. Mainland China Church Street Near Museum Rd 33nd Cross, 9th Main Jayanagar 100 feet Road, Indiranagar 91 80 2227 7722, 91 90 2224 5864 Upscale Chinese food Good, fairly authentic food and excellent service Serves a decent lunch buffet Rs 500-800 edit. Sahib Sindh Sultan Level 2, Forum Mall, Hosur Road, Koramangala 91 80 2206 7878 Train-themed restaurant with a delicious, upscale menu It is supposed to showcase NWFP Their kakori kebabs are excellent It also serves wine with the food Expect a long wait Or book ahead and roam around the mall or grab a few drinks from the adjoining Firangi Paani 150-300 edit. The Only Place Museum Road Bangalore, Karnataka shortcut through church street , 080 3271 8989 12 - 3pm,7-11pm The place for continental food famous for steaks, burgers and sandwiches good ambiance Servings are huge 600 edit. Samarkand Gem Plaza, 66, Infantry Rd East of Central St 91 80 4111 3366 North West frontier food i e kebabs, Afghani in a kitschy atmosphere but the food is great You will need to reserve tables on weekends Rs 300-600 Rs 300-600 edit. T G I Friday s Lido Mall, Trinity Circle Don t expect cheap Indian prices Happy hours with 1 1 free on alcoholic beverages in the evening should make up for that edit. Pinxx Manipal Centre off MG Rd A great place for Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet Rs 200-400 edit. Canopy PU Building, MG Road Open air, multi-cuisine North-Indian food Cooking techniques date back to the Independence era offering the unique taste Great outdoor ambiance in the middle of the central business district Rs 125-750 edit. Le Rock Pub Cafe Rest House Road, Off Brigade Rd 91 80 4123 1001 Hot coffee to chilled Kingfisher beer on the tap awesome cocktails and even hand rolled Havana Cigars from Salads, S andwiches, Jacket Baked Potatoes to Entree s LRC also offers an Oxy Bar - Bangalore s first A must for every tourist visiting this city edit. Ceasar s Restaurant MG Road Indian and continental food Ambiance is good though the food is tad expensive Parking is a problem edit. Alibaba Cafe Restaurant Frazer Town 91 80 4091 7163 Arabian, Persian and Bhatkali cuisine described as An Arabian Lake in the Indian Ocean A themed restaurant with the feel of Arabia, Persia and India The Shaiya Biryani of the Bhatkali cuisine, the Al faham chicken barbeque out of the Arabian cuisine and the chicken Jujeh kabab from the Persian cuisine are all recommended edit. The Egg Factory St Marks Road Ring Road, JP Nagar 91 80 4211 0041 Multi-cuisine, The menu, as the name suggests, is all based on the indispensable egg Its also modeled on a factory with functional chairs and a menu that looks like an instruction manual Its open for all day dining Egg dishes from all over the world, including omelets, scrambles, French toast, curries, subs, pasta desserts Don t miss the fantastic Huevos Rancheros here, they make it as good as in Mexico Innovative drinks, try the Chlorophyll Fix it looks and sounds weird, but tastes like heaven Relaxed service edit. Splurge edit. Blue Ginger Taj West End, Race Course Road High-end Vietnamese restaurant with, a beautiful setting and excellent food You may be shocked by the bill, though Just next door to the excellent Blue Bar edit. Cafe Mozaic Taj Residency, 41 3 MG Road Western-style dining in a casual atmosphere with some pool-side seating Sundays before 3 30PM, there is an all-you-can-eat drink champagne brunch for Rs 1,000 edit. Grasshopper 45 Kalena Agrahara, Bannerghatta Road 91 80 2659 3999, 91 98 4545 2646 Freshly prepared seven course meal served on the table Reservation required Closed on Mondays edit. Leela Palace All-you-can-eat drink brunch on Sunday is Rs 2,000 They have 4 restaurants, Citrus Lounge Brasserie kitchen , Zen Pan Asian , Library Bar serves all cuisine and Jamavar Authentic Indian Generally overpriced compared to the Taj outlets Blue Ginger, Graze, Karavalli edit. Monsson Park Hotel, Old Madras Road Next to Taj Residency 24 hr cafe with a variety of Continental dishes, Indian, South East Asian and Mediterranean Ideal location for private parties. Sunny s Embassy Diamante, 34, Vittal Mallya Road 100 feet Road, Indiranagar 91 80 5132 9366, 91 80 5132 9391, 91 80 2212 0496 About Rs 1,200 for a 3-course meal for two, excluding drinks Among the best restaurants in Bangalore Try the starters, salads and pasta is fine here Hot sandwiches for lunch edit. The Raj Pavillion ITC Windsor Manor, Golf Course Road 24 hr restaurant that offers the taste of the British Raj Anglo-Lucknowi, Far East and Continental cuisine is served Amongst the best in Bangalore edit. Karavalli Gateway Hotel, Residency Road 91 80 2558 4545 Mangalorean, Goa, Karwar, and Kerala style cuisine Best Indian food you will get when visiting Bangalore edit. I T-alia The Park Hotel has the best Italian food in town edit. Graze Taj Residency, 41 3 MG Road Has some of the best creative continental you will get in Bangalore edit. Giancarlo s near Vittal Mallya Rd strikethrough Offers some of the best Italian in town, though quality tends to be unstable strikethrough This place has shut shop edit. Olive Beach Wood Street A longtime favourite that will serve you Italian meats and cheese in a nice setting, this is still among Bangalore s best edit. Bangalore in La Classic Hotel Extraordinaire The only fine dining multi cuisine restaurant, outside Electronic City and on the way to Hosur Caters to buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner from a selection of an international menu edit. Regional cuisine edit. Tijouri Hotel Atria North Indian restaurant inside the Hotel Atria edit. Kamat Yatrinivas Gandhinagar Bull Temple Road Serves special N Karnataka meals with jowar sorghum rotis They now have a branch on Bull Temple Road where they have local artists perform when you ha ve dinner edit. Kadambam Bull Temple Road off West of Chord Road Authentic Iyengar cuisine ranging from Puliogare, Sakkare Pongal, Thayir Sadham, of course Kadambam which is actually a type of heavenly concoction of Sambhar and rice, akin to Bisibele Huliyanna , and a wide array of traditional Iyengar sweets It has two branches, one on Bull Temple Road, near Ramakrishna Ashram and another just off West of Chord road, near Modi eye Hospital in Rajajinagar edit. Continental edit. Herbs Spice 39, 80 Feet Road, Indiranagar 6, Whitefield Main Road Opus, Palace Cross Road 108 Great pasta, pizza, and desserts edit. Friends Fast Food Jyoti Nivas College Rd, Koramangala 300 m from Forum Mall Great Conti food at college prices Casa Piccola fans will like this one edit. Cafe Y Langford Road Near Prestige Elgin, Hosur Rd-Langford Rd junction , 91 80 5114 4561 Amazing sizzlers and steaks, nice ambiance edit. Indi Joe Sizzlers Church Street 91 80 4111 3636, 91 80 4112 1234 Fondue, pizza, steak and Mexican food Their Lunch buffet is good edit. Rendezvous 80 Feet Road, Koramangala Near Barista and Maharaja Hotel edit. Shiva Temple Shiv Mandir , Old Airport Road Please only use Wikitravel standard listing formats for Attractions see , Activities do , Shops buy , Restaurants eat , Bars and clubs drink , Hotels sleep and Other listings listing DO NOT delete any of the standard fields as it makes it difficult for other editors to add further information to the entry at a later time Free entrance, camera Rs 25 latitude longitude edit. Maharashtrian food edit. Kollapuri s 429 31 30th Cross, 4th Block Jaya Nagar Near Jain Mandir , 91 80 4121 1693, 91 80 2653 5207 An authentic Maharashtrian hotel run by Savaji It serves bhakri, chapati and Sheckle Edme special Savaji stuffed roti with spicy sabjis and non-veg edit. Rajvardhan Foods 1291 25th Main Road, 9th Block Jaya Nagar East Near Big Bazaar , 91 98 8630 3088, 91 98 8630 3089 Best known for its vadapav, sabudana vada, khichdi It also offers bhakri, thalipeeth The snacks and other food offered here is comparatively expensive This is because it is Bangalore s only authentic maharashtrian food outlet It also serves food fresh, only prepared after placing the order, so the wait and price is compensated The food quality is excellent edit. Oriya food edit. Dalama 37, 6th block, Koramangala, 100 ft Rd near Kamat Hotel, Koramangala , 91 80 4166 0921 Authentic Oriya cuisine including vegetable curries, the odia speciality Dalma, chapati, meat, fish, prawn, crab, mutton and chicken delicacies edit. South Karnataka edit. Karavalli Gateway Hotel, Residency Rd 91 80 2558 4545 Mangalorean, Goa, Karwar, and Kerala style cuisine edit. Konkan 6th cross, 6th Block, Koramangala 91 80 2552 1530 Mangalorean and Goan style cuisine edit. Vidyarthi Bhavan 32 Gandhi Bazaar 91 80 2667 7588 Another very old and traditional breakfast place, exclusively known for its Masala Dosa Similar to MTR, you can find people who have been having breakfast here since times i mmemorial edit. The Palms Highgates Hotel, 33 Church Street 91 80 2559 7172 Mangalorean, Coorgi, and Malabari style shut for renovations edit. Janatha Hotel 8th Cross, Malleshwaram Another great place, famous for its butter masala dosas and vadas edit. Halli Mane 3rd Cross, Malleswaram close to Malleswaram Circle Truly authentic and traditional Kannada style food edit. Kamath Yatrinivas Gandhinagar Authentic Mangalorean meals edit. Kamath Lokaruchi Mysore Road just before Channapatna Amazing food and ambience Authentic mangalorean meals edit. Upaahara Darshini Jayanagar 3rd Block One of the Bangalore s oldest food joints Amazing dosas pancakes edit. Krishna Darshini Basavanagudi. Kudla Ramanashree Comforts For sea-food, serves excellent dishes its like a thilak edit. New Krishna Bhavan 1st Cross Malleswaram For authentic Mangalorean food, reasonably priced Try the neer dosa and badam halwa edit. Kodial s 8th Cross Malleswaram For authentic vegetarian Konkani cuisine edit. Bengali edit. Oh Calcutta St Mark s Rd Part of a chain of restaurants across the country, and the best Bengali food available in the city albeit pricier than the other options edit. Bangaliana 355, 1st B Main, 7th Block, Koramangala opp HDFC Bank , 91 80 2571 1058 Authentic Bengali Delicacies Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Restaurant, Take-away, Catering Specialities fish, mutton chicken and, of course, sweets edit. Sonar Bangla 88 1, Shubh Arcade, 1st floor, 16th Cross, Margosa Rd, Malleswaram 91 80 3367622 The restaurant undertakes orders of authentic Bengali food for gourmets who fancy a whole meal and also delivers it at the doorstep Fish is considered sacred in the coastal state and is consumed universally So, all fish lovers can take heart as the non-vegetarian cuisine is delivered, but not served at the restaurant edit.6 Ballygunge Place 1st Floor, 612, 12th Main, Indira Nagar above Caf Coffee Day It has been rated best bengali restaurant by times food guide Bangalore It serves excellent fish esp their chita l peti roast , dab chingri and luchis Their mock tails are avoidable however Prices are slightly on higher side May cost around Rs 1000 for two but the food quality is good The owners have added Calcutta style chaat on top floor also recently Rs 1000 edit.36 Chowringhee Lane 100ft Rd, BTM Layout opp Reliance Fresh , 91 80 4124 0979 Authentic Bengali Cuisine edit. The Esplanade KHB Colony 91 80 4092 7878 Offers authentic Bengali cuisine They also have a continental menu edit. Bhojohori Manna 668 B 6th Block, Koramangala Club Rd 91 80 2550 3666 91 96 2090 3666, 91 95 3880 3666 Free home delivery edit. Andhra edit. Bheemas Church Street off Brigade Rd If you have the penchant for spice this place is meant for you edit. RRs ff Brigade Rd A renovation of the vintage RRs, the fun doubles here with the double storied restaurant, one serving Andhra and the other Hyderabadi cuisines There s also alcohol, all the more reason to indulge on a Saturday afternoon This place is now closed edit. Nagarjuna C himney Residency Road Jayanagar 3rd Block near Old Galaxy Theatre near ICICI Bank Possibly have a few more branches elsewhere in Bangalore The Biryani is almost intoxicating, not to mention their meals which are served ritually on a banana leaf Get there early for lunch there are always hordes waiting edit. Krishna Cafe Koramangala opp China Pearl Traditional Chennai - style food Dosas, idlis, idiappam and the like with authentic Tamil sambar and chutney Do note that this place is vegetarian-only A vegetarian meal will cost you around Rs 80 Most of the French expats eat here Rs 80-150 edit. Pongal Jivan near the Indiranagar telephone exchange Tamil Nadu food Lots of dosa varieties and is very famous for the Podi dosa, parotta with kurma are good Ambience is not that great, but this place is for those who need a quick bite without a big pinch on the wallet edit. Anjappar Restaurant 50 100 Feet Rd, 4th Block, Koramangala edit. Aathuraar Jeevanbhimanagar Main Road Near ICICI Bank Serves both v egetarian and non-vegetarian food prepared in Chettinad style Easy on the wallet as well edit. Annachi 100 Feet Rd, Indiranagar Serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food Has some good Chettinad style dishes edit. Annapoorna Ulsoor near It serves pure vegetarian food in Tamil style edit. Kadambam Manipal Centre, Dickenson Rd Serves authentic Tamil Iyengar food edit. Adyaar Ananda Bhavan A2B CMH Road, Indira Nagar Opposite Indiranagar Metro Station Serves decent vegetarian food in Tamilnadu style One could have a lunch, for about Rs 150 Most dosa varieties are priced between Rs70 and Rs 100 Have branches in Marathalli, Hope Form Whitefield and Vidyaranyapura All their outlets have adjoining sweet stalls, which offers variety of sweets and ready to prepare mixes, dosa mixes and so on Try their Basundi Sweet Dessert, served cold, made out of milk edit. Fast food and ice cream parlors edit. U S Pizza Church St 91 80 2559 9347 If you are looking for a western tasting pizza this is the closest you get, try lamb-pepperoni. Richie Rich Ice Cream Parlor With three branches around the city, this ice cream parlor has a variety of natural ice creams, softies and many fast food items such as pav bhaji and vada pav Try the Elvis Presley specialty or the traffic jam or Richie Rich special The 3 locations are on St Marks R, Airport Rd and Kumara Park East 91 80 2226 9655.Phalaamritha Ice Cream Parlor 8th Cross, 14 1 West Park Road, Malleswaram 91 80 6567 5755 Serves 25 super smooth home-made ice cream flavours along with health drinks, varieties of kulfi s, milk shakes, Ice tea, ice cream, novelties and chaats. Corner House 8th Cross,12th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Indira Nagar This is the place for you if you are looking for the best desserts in town The brown bomb and hot fudge are a must have Not a place for calorie counters. North Indian edit. Bay Leaf Raheja Arcade, Opposite Forum Mall, Kormangala A really nice place with reasonable prices. Grameen Raheja Arcade, Opposite Forum Mall, Korm angala One of the best places to have good Vegetarian North Indian food. Queens Church St, Opposite Amoeba Small restaurant but great food at reasonable prices. Dalfryday Bannerghatta Rd Near IIM - B, beside HSBC Bank and above Fabmall North Indian, non-vegetarian cuisine in a fine ambience this is closed as of now, Hyderabadi biriyani has opened a branch at the same location. Hyderabadi biriyani Banerghatta Rd, near Indian Institute of Management - Bangalore IIM-B beside HSBC Bank and above Fabmall Serves good biriyani. Rasilas J P Nagar 7 Phase, Shreyas colony, close to Brigade Millennium Elita Promenade Apartments, near RBI layout Nice place with very fine cuisine. Mast kalander Bannerghatta Rd has some very nice North India cuisine It is very reasonably priced There are branches in Indirangar and Electronic city also. Pot Luck Bannerghatta Rd, in an alley opposite IIM Bangalore Has some very good North India cuisine It is very reasonably priced Another Branch in JP Nagar near Udupi Restaur ant. Italian edit. I-Talia The Park, MG Rd 91 80 2559 4666 Expensive, but arguably the best Italian food in town. Fiorano Ristorante 63, 100 Foot Rd 5th A block, Koramangala, Next to Sukh Sagar 109 91 80 2553 4231 Easy to miss driving by but Incredible food Entrees Rs 300-600.100 ft Boutique 100 Foot Rd, Indira nagar, after Fab Mall when you are travelling from CMH Rd side, and a few stores after Benetton on the LHS if you re coming from Airport Rd , 91 80 4150 1781, 91 80 6452 8190 Comparable to most continental resto-bars The best part about it is that its a Boutique Restaurant, which means you can shop, while waiting for your meal to arrive, even after 9PM, which is when most other shops close in Banglalore The Boutique houses many young designers Levitate showcases a wide array of eclectic street fashion and handcrafted kitsch from all over India. Italia previously Little Italy , Nice vegetarian restaurant in Indira Nagar, a little expensive Good food. Via Milano Koramangla, near Sony W orld Authentic Italian food 3 course meal for 2 will cost an average of Rs 2,000, wine not included. Chinese edit. P ng No 130, 1st Cross, 5th Block, Koramangala Includes a dessert bay Dim sum, sensible portions, good prices. Aromas of China Eva Mall, 5th floor. Shanghai Junction No 8, Sri Sai, 60 Foot Rd, G Block, Sahakarnagar behind Big Market , 91 80 41744477, 91 80 4174 4488.Golden Lights No 4032, 100ft Rd, HAL-II Stage, Indranagar 91 80 2559 7722, 91 80 6537 4579 As close to an authentic Chinese meal as you will find in this city Excellent food, good service A tad pricey. Caesar s Multi Cuisine Restaurant Mahalakshmi Chambers, 9 2, MG Rd beside HSBC bank opposite ING Bank Variety of tasty food Classic environment 6 30PM-11 30PM From M-Sun. Mainland China 2 branches Church St anp 100 Foot Rd. Chungs and Chung Wa spread across Bangalore. Kerala edit. Claypot Tippasandra. Muthashi Maruthinagar, near Madiwala. K K Bakers Malleshpalaya. BigBoy Fried Chicken BFC , Vignan Nagar. Kalavara Vignan Nagar. Malabar Cuisine Maratha Halli Bridge. Malabar Bay near Forum Mall, Koramangala. MAS Madiwala, 2-3 km from Koramangala. Gokulam Mess GM Palaya, 3 km from Indiranagar. Continental Spice Airport Rd, close to Diamond District. Hotel Ruchi Vignan Nagar. Kaayal Jeevan Beema Nagar Rd. Hotel New Malabar Near level cross, Kaggadasapura. Tharavadu Hosur Rd, Bommanahalli, after silk board. Priyam Restaurent Jagadish Nagar, behind BEML. The Paramount Restaurant Koramangala near Jyothi Nivas college. Little Home Koramangala, 80 Foot Rd, near Wipro K2 office Very good south and central Kerala food Bad service though. Kerala Pavalion Domulur behind Santhi Sagar Authentic Kerala food. Dhabas edit. There are few Dhabas catering to all tastes Both South and North Indian fare is available at most places and is clean and cheap A special mention is the green park dhaba on the outskirts on Bellary Road and Golconda Chimney on the old airport road in Marthahalli opposite Shankara Eye Hospital Golconda Chimmney has been r ecently renovated and has both A c and non-A C sections, the non-veg spread is simply amazing but the rates are steep if you have a traditional dhaba in mind The ambience is nice Try the chicken kathi rolls and the biryani. Bobby-da-Dhaba near Ulsoor Lake Take a left turn from MG Road - Trinity Circle and ask for Gurudwara the Sikh temple Right next to the Gurudwara is Bobby-da-Dhaba The food is quite good albeit slightly oily It basically serves paranthas with lots of butter , chaach, kheer and a number of side dishes most notable being their shahi paneer and rajma You may have to wait for a while in case it is full So it s better to go slightly early, 12PM for lunch and 7 30PM for dinner to avoid rush. Drink edit add listing. This article or section does not match our manual of style or needs other editing Please plunge forward give it your attention and help it improve Suggested fixes Please only use the Wikitravel Drink format and do not delete unused fields as it makes it difficult f or others to add to the listing at a later time. Caf Coffee Day 110 91 80 4001 2345 Popularly known as CCD, first established in 1996, at Brigade Road, Bangalore The chain has over 1,000 cafes through out India It is found all over Bangalore. Barista Lavazza 111 91 80 4207 5023 An Indian startup cafe chain established in 1997 and more commonly known as Barista and now owned by Lavazza The chain has more than 200 stores in India It is found all over Bangalore with 32 retail outlets, most of them near IT corporate offices. Costa Coffee British coffeehouse chain 112 91 80 4348 8888 Koramangala 4th Block, in Indranagar and another opposite Goethe-Institut, RMZ Eco Space on Sarjapur Rd and Sigma Mall, Brookesfield, Cunningham Rd, JNC Rd, and Jayanagar Besides Coffee, Costa lays heavy emphasis on food with sandwiches, paninis, tostatos, pastas and many kinds of deserts, English muffins, a wide variety of cakes and desserts. Caffe Pascucci 113 91 080 4091 2134 Italian coffee chain brand In 2010, Pascucci set up its own coffee retail shop in India with 10 outlets in Bangalore at prominent localities like Jayanagar, Malleshwaram and Indranagar. Cake Walk 297, 100 Feet Rd, Indra Nagar 114 91 80 2520 5393.Coffee World Can be found all over Bangalore 115.Coffee Workers Co-op Church St s Brigade Gardens A venerable Bangalore institution, with waiters in traditional uniforms and customers slowly savoring the age-old tradition of coffee drinking - though there are just two choices of coffee black or white Have some delightful masala dosa here. Java City Church St Pleasant old Bangalore atmosphere Offers a wide variety of tea, coffee from all over the world including pizza, pasta, pastries, cookies, you name it they have it plus you get to see a unique sense of humor in their menu and on the walls On saturday and Sunday evenings, there is live music, rock and guitar This place is simple, expatriate friendly and not at all pricy There is another Java City near Lavelle Road. Pubs and bars e dit. The pub scene is concentrated around the commercial business district in the heart of Bangalore MG Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road, St Marks Road, and Church Street have numerous pubs Happy hours is typically between 6-8 PM and at most pubs, the time for the last order is around 10 30 PM Formerly having a reputation as the Pub City of India, Bangalore s buoyant pub and nightlife has been curtailed by police and regulatory action, and all bars and nightclubs must now close no later than 11 30 PM. Budget edit. Most bars and pubs in the city are somewhat upscale, but many inexpensive restaurants serve beer and good quality food. If you just need to go out you could go to one of the bars, but if you would like to have a great social experience and are in the city for a considerable period of time consider becoming a member of one of the social expat clubs in the city The IVES Club 116 offers a meeting for it s members every Saturday at one or the other popular nightclubs in Bangalore i ts members are interns, expats, volunteers and exchange students residing in the city. Mid-range edit. PlanB Richmond Town, opp Hockey Stadium 91 9740862892 All American Bar Pub menu that is meat heavy with oversized potent cocktails BBQ Pork Ribs smoked for 10 hours in an in-house smoker is a must try Happy Hours on Cocktails on weekdays from 4 to 8 pm, buy a cocktail and get one on the house. The Biere Club Vittalmallya Rd on lavelle road, opp Sunny s Bangalore s first craft brewery and a popular place for beer lovers. Pecos Rest House Rd Off Brigade Road 60 s retro pub with a mural of Jerry Garcia Often crowded on all 3 floors, including the pleasant roof-top seating area Free popcorn with every pitcher of beer Cards are available for frequent customers which make every tenth pitcher of beer free, but you may have to ask several times in order to acquire one and to get it updated. Beer Joint Pub, aka BJP Indira Nagar. Lock N Load Pub The Texan Pub , Sahakar Nagar Hebbal. Tavern at The Inn Museum Rd. Purple Haze Residency Rd Popular for the classic rock that s played there Now there is a new Purple Haze off Hosur Rd, Koramangala close to Jyothi Niwas College. Ego s Castle Street, off Brigade Rd. J Cubez Banshankari 2nd Stage, opp BDA complex For rock lovers. The Bunker off Residency Rd. Jimi s Residency Rd and Koramangala 80 Rd A nice dark cozy bar along with Rock music and video Be st visited during weekends and is not hard on your pocket. Legends of Rock 80 Foot Rd, 6th Block, Koramangala 91 80 4130 3232 Watch the Legends perform on large format TVs. Olio Koramangala, 91 80 4092 7888 Great ambiance with beer, wines and continental food. Sultanate Of Swing 4th floor, Garuda Mall, Free entry, mainly plays Rock, Retro, Heavy Metal and has a Video DJ. Le Rock Pub Cafe Rest House Rd off Brigade Rd 91 80 4123 1001 The latest watering hole in Bangalore Rock music across the board screened on large plasma panels every song can not only be heard but seen as well Coffee, Kingfisher beer, cocktails, food and Bangalore s first oxy bar Open from 10AM-11 30PM. Windsor Pub Vasanth Nagar off Mount Carmel s in Kodava Samaja Building A small place which serves only beer, good food and is nice for a family outing But only limited tables. Carpe Diem Church Street off Brigade Rd It s a Power Metal haven. B11 Jayanagar 4th Block above Hotel Pavithra and next to Cool Joint. Take 5 54, MSK Plaz a, HAL II Stage Indiranagar A Jazz themed restaurant that serves great American style food and offers a large selection of beers They don t always play jazz but the food and drink is consistently good. Zeus 174 2nd Floor Manohar Crest, Brigade Rd on top of health n glow , 91 80 2532 3355 11 AM-11 30 PM Sports bar and lounge edit. Splurge edit. Most hotels have spiffy bars with every imaginable concoction of drinks available. Kosmo Formerly Cosmo Village on Magrath Rd is now f bar and kitchen 2011 3 separate areas including a terrace 81 Ali Askar Road Cross Off Cunningham Rd This nightclub is a remodeled colonial villa on a quiet lane, with excellent DJs and expensive drinks, and attracts a wealthy clientele.13th Floor Barton Centre, M G Rd Make a reservation amazing view from the 13th floor. The Beach 100 Foot Rd, Indiranagar Make a reservation Starts with retro music, plays some good hip-hop and house towards the end Makes you feel like you are in Goa. Aura Cunningham Rd. Athena The Leela Ho tel, Airport Rd Really popular on most days of the week The upper VIP lounge is the best part of the club, but the rest of the club is beautifully appointed and attracts a hip crowd. Blue Bar Race Course Rd On weekends you need to buy drink-tickets for Rs 1,500 to enter Excellent drinks if you make sure Joel makes them Officially they have a couple s only policy Spontaneous dancing likely next to the bar. F-Bar inside Le Meridien Fashion Bar is a theme bar by FTV. Fuga Richmond Town The best place for house music lovers Expensive and fashionable. Firangi Paani Forum Mall, Koramangala. Geoffrey s Airport Rd, Royal Orchid Really nice place. Hint 5th Floor Bangalore Central, M G Road Tuesdays is ladies night couples permitted. iBar Park Hotel, M G Rd. Manchester United Restaurant Bar Opposite Forum on Christ College side A ambient and trendy Restaurant Bar that serves a wide variety of cuisine, most notably for their kababs, pizzas and cocktails. Taika Church St Off Brigade Rd Usually open past mi dnight and has a huge dance floor 3 bars and a lounge area Entrance varies each night. Tuscan Verve Off Brigade Rd. Vaayu Cool bar on the 5th floor of Eve Mall on Brigade road It has comfortable lounge seating, and is open air, giving some nice views over the city. Sleep edit add listing. This article or section does not match our manual of style or needs other editing Please plunge forward give it your attention and help it improve Suggested fixes Please ensure that Sleep listings are entered under one of the 3 categories Budget, Mid-range or Splurge Please only use the Wikitravel Hotels format and do not delete unused fields as it makes it difficult for others to add to the listing at a later time. As of November 2017, there is an almost 20 tax on advertised room tariffs in Bangalore 12 Luxury Tax plus 7 42 Service Tax , which means that what lists as a 20 hotel room will actually cost you 24 Be aware if you bargain the hotel may wave the tax altogether other discounts may be applied for weekly rates, as well as payment in advance. Budget edit. Hotel Rest Inn 26, Rest House Road, Off Brigade Road 91 080 40390390 117 checkin 12 noon checkout 12 noon Good Quality Budget Hotel Rooms in the heart of the city This Hotel has an in-house restaurant as well and is walkable distance from Brigade Road and MG Road Amenities on offer are Television, Mini Fridge, Wi-fi Connectivity, Room service, Travel Desk, Conference Hall, 24 hrs Hot water, Independent Air Conditioning and Coffee Maker Single Rs 2,200 double Rs 2,600 edit. Kind host 91 98 45180207 , 118 Clean rooms, clean attached bathrooms, wifi Nearby to many restaurants edit. Airavatam Serviced Apartment 330 7, Axis Rd Alight at Axis Books Bus stop , 91 80 4038 1200 Clean rooms, clean attached bathrooms, wifi Nearby to many restaurants edit. Church Street Inn 46-1-1, Church St 119 Clean rooms, clean attached bathrooms, wifi internet access, Complementary continental breakfast, Walking distance from MG Road, Brigade Road and resta urants Bookshop in lobby area 120 6 fully furnished rooms, all A C, direct dial from rooms, free wifi, cableTV, including HBO and ESPN, free in house library Offices open 24 hr Single Rs 1,864 double Rs 1,800 edit. Silicon Suites 174, Nagvarapalya, Rahat Bagh, Behind Big Bazaar, Off Old Madras Rd, near Indiranagar 91 80 4019 8888 121.VSL Grand Serviced Apartments 91 80 4128 9401 8 122 Single and 2 bedroom apartments, close to Palace Grounds and easily accessible to the road leading to the New International Airport edit. Ajantha 22 MG Rd, 91 80 2558 4321 Good simple hotel with vegetarian restaurant. Royal Regency Lodge S C Rd next to Movieland theater , 91 80 4113 0202 123 Clean rooms and convenient to the city s local transports like the City bus station and the City Railway Station. Shree Vaishnav Gujarati Samaj behind Majestic Area, near Sapna cinema, Kempe Gowda circle A secure and decent place to stay if you are there for a day or two Costs Rs 50 A nice canteen with Gujarati food avail able In the vicinity there is another good place available for fast food lunch named SLV. UG Deluxe Majestic, Thulsi Thotta, stop near the small road opposite Upparpet Police station and next to Navruchi restaurant, then take right and then immediate left on a small lane and at the end of it take right and you will see the lodge on your right You may want to take an auto instead of walking down if you are going after a rainy day as your shoes will get dirty Non-A C rooms cost around Rs 550 approx US 13 , A C rooms may cost an extra Rs 200 US 5.YMCA Nrupathunga Rd Near Cubbon Park , 91 80 2221 1848 No-frills hotel. Maple Suites Serviced Apartments , Dollar Layout, Bilekahalli,2 stage 142 143, 4th Main Rd, Dollars Colony, BTM Layout Bangalore, KA 560076 Near Shoppers Stop on Bannerghatta Road , 91 80 4282 2428 124 checkin 12 noon checkout 12 noon Maple Suites Serviced Apartments are 19 fully furnished 1 BHK 2 BHK apartments Every Apartment has Separate living dining area with a fully func tional kitchen All Apartments are styled keeping in mind privacy, comfort and flexibility for the guest are ideal for corporate business traveler, family travel and for transit living INR 2500 edit. Basil Hotel 8, Sampige road, Malleshwaram Next to Sampige Theatre close to central railway station and bus stand , 91 80 4040 2323 125 checkin 24 hr checkout 24 hr Good service From Rs 2,900 edit. Hotel Bangalore Gate , 9 and 12, Gajanana Towers, K G Rd Theatre, 500 m away from Majestic Bangalore City Railway station , 91 99 4533 3999 126 checkin 12 noon checkout 12 noon Executive, superior and premium rooms All rooms are A C with complimentary breakfast and wifi 24 hours room service, 2 restaurants, ample car parking Rs 3,600-4,800 edit. Citizen Lodge about 1 km from MG Rd Bare bones motel-style establishment is well located but leaves much to be desired in terms of cleanliness and overall quality Double non-A C room costs around Rs 800 edit. Hotel Tap Silver Square No 185, Deenas, 3rd Fl, B rigade Rd Opposite McDonalds , 91 80 2559 5656 , 127 3rd floor has views with floor-to-ceiling windows Clean and modern decor, clean rooms, all with A C, hot shower, free wifi which gets switched off between 12 AM-6 AM , fridge and small wall-mounted LCD TV 2 min walk to MG Rd and Church St It sits on top of the Fusion Lounge on the 2nd floor, you get thundering bass until 11 30 PM It might be a good idea to bring ear plugs if you plan to turn in early It might also be the reason why the prices are cheap for what you get Rs 1,011-1,742 approx US 22-39 , including tax For an additional Rs 500 US 11 , the hotel can arrange the use of a non-A C luxury car for a maximum of 4 hr or 40 km per day Rs 1,011-1,742 approx US 22-39 , including tax edit. Transit Living Serviced Apartments serviced apartments in Bangalore , 7 8 2nd floor, Shoukath Building, SJP Road, Bangalore-2 Serviced apartments at Diamond District, old airport road, Koramangala, Mysore Road, Indirangar, and at Hosur Road , 91 900 800 6487 , 128 Single Room, One, two, three bedroom and studio apartments with wireless Internet wifi, direct telephone services, laundry, A C, fully equipped kitchen and complimentary breakfast edit. Electric Cats Bed Breakfast hostel 10 minute walk from Indiranagar and 100ft Road , 91 98452 90679 1794, 1st Floor, 4th E Cross, 9th Main, HAL 3rd Stage - Amazingly clean and new hostel The host Stan is a very nice guy and will go to great lengths to make sure you enjoy your time there Cheap, and located pretty conveniently for the best restaurants and bars in the city along 100ft Rd Highly recommended Try and book in advance as it can get very busy edit. Others around Majestic If you are free for an hour, you can just go around the Majestic theatre and the Kempe Gowda Bus Station and look for a budget hotel yourself, as there are many on small streets and roads around this place Or, you can even trust to some extent a broker who voluntarily offers help, but be sure you take a good look at the rooms before you pay any money to the lodge and the broker But there is a wrong notion in the minds of people in and around Majestic that whenever you go in pairs, they tend to look at you with a wrong and suspicious look If coming with family, especially newly married, avoid the Majestic area. Mid-range edit. Live Inn Bangalore Serviced apartments Team Royal, 1st Main, 6th Block, Venkatareddy layout, 80ft Rd, Koramangala Near Oasis Lifestyle Mall Koramangala , 91 98 8034 9785 , 129 One, two and three bedroom apartments with wifi, direct telephone services, laundry, A C, fully equipped kitchen and hot breakfast is served in your room edit. D-Habitat Hotel Apartments Koramangala 130 Deluxe rooms, suites, studio, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments Ideal for short-term and extended stay 91 80 4150 1950.Prakruthi Club Resort Plot no 12A, Hegganahalli village, Kundana Hobli, Devanahalli Taluk 11 km from the airport , 91 80 2849 4002 , 131 Accommodation for couples, family, or corporate bookings C onference hall that can seat 120 people and meeting facilities Coffee shop Lounge bar, wifi Cottages and roms, Rs 2,500-9,000 edit. Villa Camelot 94 95, 4th Cross, ECC Rd, Prithvi Layout, Whitefield 91 80 3272 3965 , 132 Bed and breakfast run by a North Indian couple in the back lanes of ITPL Cozy atmosphere From Rs 1,500 edit. Shantha Unique 103, Green Glen Layout 91 94 49 865352 133 Serviced apartments for business or leisure travellers From Rs 1,799 edit. Hotel Woodlands No 5, Rajaram Mohan Roy Rd near Richmond Circle, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Rd 91 80 2222 5111 Mid-range hotel, very clean, great views of the city, delicious free South Indian breakfast buffet for Rs 3,400 per night for an A C double two single beds pushed together Nice location for exploring the city Long walk to M G Road, Garuda Mall, and Commercial Street. Fantasy Golf Resort Opp ITC-0 mins away from Bangalore Airport Ideal for hotel stay next to Bangalore Airport or for transit passengers 91 99 7209 2701 134.Hotel Vrindava n off MG Rd and very near to MG Rd Brigade Rd junction Also called cauvery handicraft junction Nice hotel with great south Indian food. Church Street Inn Near Hard Rock Cafe , MG Rd, Brigade Rd and Residency Rd Church St Inn, 46,1-1 Church St opposite Night Watchman Pub 91 80 3057 7190 135 Free wifi and an in house library from Dr Seuss, Dahl to Dostoevsky Friendly and intelligent staff. Hotel St Marks St Marks Rd near Residency Rd. Best Western The Capitol Raj Bhavan Rd 91 80 2228 1234, 91 80 2228 1800.9 Marks Inn 9 St Marks Rd 136 91 80 2211 2889.The Bouvice 141C S T Bed Layout, 1st Main Kormangala, Sector 4 137 91 80 4152 4429, 91 93 4285 6034 A beautiful apartment hotel in Kormangala. Samrat Luxury Hospitality Iskon Temple Foot hills, 149 A, R Block, West of Chord Rd, Rajajinagar 91 80 2279 2893, 138.Chalet Hospitality A-08, Diamond District, Airport Rd 91 99 0197 6955 139 Luxury serviced apartments. Stopovers Serviced Apartments Stopovers , Diamond District, Old Airport Rd Close to old airport road , 91 98 4513 9800 140 checkin 24hrs checkout 24hrs Contemporary apartments Rs 4,500 edit. Alcove Serviced Apartments Bengaluru G-301, Raheja Residency, 3rd Block, Koramangala 91 99 0057 8231 , 141 checkin 24 hr Single room, independent 1 or 2 or 3 BHK apartments, A C bedrooms with double beds and independent bathrooms, cable TV DVD player Kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, mixer grinder and gas stove Fully automatic washing machine, iron and ironing board, complimentary breakfast, free wifi, swimming pool, club house with billiards, table tennis, gym and tennis court edit. Mitaroy Cricket Hotel Richmond Town located near MG Road , 91 80 2361 7708 , 142 Asia s only Cricket Hotel, collection of cricket memorabilia including Sachin Tendulkar s autographed portrait with Sir Don Bradman and Sir Gary Sobers Bat Rs 3,500 edit. Hotel Presidency Sadahalli gate Devanahalli Taluk near Bengaluru Airport , 91 80 2846 7175 143 24 hr reception Ideal for a business traveller. Fortune Park JP Celestial Race Course Road 91-80-40441234 fax 91-80-39884433 , 144 Great Accommodation just 1 5kms from railway station and easy access to airport edit. Olde Bangalore Olde Bangalore - Hotels Resorts , Tarabanahalli, Chikjala P O Bangalore 562157 close to the Bangalore International Airport , 91 9686516237, 91 9900428729 , 145 checkin 24 hrs checkout 24 hrs Resort and hotel, events, receptions, multi-cuisine food, corporate event facilities, conferences edit. The Pride Hotel Bangalore The Pride Hotel Bangalore , 93, Richmond Road, Langford Gardens, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025 91 8043484348 , 146 Hotel with well decorated rooms, cafe, restro bar, banquet halls, conference halls, spa and much more 12 9654052 77 597654 edit. Splurge edit. Grand Ashok Kumara Krupa Road, High Grounds 91 80 22 2404 2211 9 lines , 147 edit. Taj Residency Hotel 41 3 MG Road 91 80 5660 4444 , 148 Besides the Leela, this is considered the best business hotel in India edit. Chancery Pavilion Residency Road Nice business hotel, good service and food About 200 US edit. Park Hotel 14 7 MG Road 91 80 2559 4666 , 149 edit. ITC Windsor Sheraton Hotel Sankey Road 150 edit. Oberoi Hotel 37-39 MG Road 91 80 2558 5858 151 edit. Taj West End Hotel Race Course Road 91 80 5660-5660 , 152 edit. Leela Palace Kempinski 91 80 2521 1234 , 153 The Leela has previously been voted The Best Business Hotel in the World by Conde Naste Traveller edit. Le Meridien 28, Sankey Road 91 80 2226 2233 , 154 edit. Hotel Royal Orchid Adjoining KGA Golf Course 91 80 2520 5566 155 Sometimes referred to as the Royal Orchid Park Plaza Not to be confused with Royal Orchid Central edit. The Paul 139 28, Domlur Layout Off Intermediate Ring Rd , 91 80 4047 7777 edit. The Oterra Hotel 43 Electronics City, Hosur Rd 91 80 30030303 edit. The Muddle Hotel 134, HAL Rd, Near Manipal Hospital 91 80 42494949 edit. Stay safe edit. Bangalore is a relatively safe city during day time However, most of Bangalore practically shuts down a li ttle before midnight - even very safe residential areas can be very desolate by 11 PM. Some of the lower-income areas can be somewhat unsafe once it gets dark Exercising caution and good sense will increase your chances of staying safe. It is not advisable to walk alone along deserted alleyways or lanes after dark Avoid doing so in areas that you are not sure are reasonably safe. Avoid using an autorickshaw if the driver is not alone, especially at night. Do not flaunt jewellery, high-end mobile phones laptops, watches etc. Do not withdraw large amounts of cash from ATM s in deserted areas. Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas such as exhibitions, cricket matches etc. If you are returning late from a party, it is advisable to pre-book cabs through reputed companies such as Meru as against flagging down an autorickshaw on the road. Exercise caution in stopping to help if you see a broken down vehicle at night, especially in lonely streets and in cases where you will be outnumbered. Rising inco mes has brought an influx of people including both, white and blue collar immigrants, leading to disparities in earnings between locals, the casual labour immigrants and expatriates people from other parts of the state and also from other countries which arguably has resulted in a substantial increase in crime rates Crimes against women have also increased. One of the frequent crimes encountered in Bangalore, is a group of 4 to 5 men abduct a lonely individual, take his ATM cards, force him to give his ATM PIN While one goes to withdraw money, others hold back the individual Hence don t carry too many ATM cards in your wallet Carry one card, that has limited balance in it. Though Bangalore offers you a good climate through out the year to walk around the city, one would have to exercise caution One will have to walk on footpaths if exists that would be encroached by the vendors, there could be open drains as well Also be ready to face a 2 wheeler speeding towards you or if one honks behi nd you, while you are walking on the footpath Crossing the roads can be a nightmare as well If you are pedestrian, don t expect the traffic to respect you A recent survey Oct-2017 says that Karnataka has the third highest road fatalities in India, with Bangalore contributing to most of it Pedestrians and 2 wheeler riders are the ones to meet the fate usually. Contact edit. The area code for Bangalore is 080 When calling from overseas, dial 91 80 XXXX XXXX If you don t have an Indian phone number, it is strongly recommended that you get a pre-paid calling card if you plan on using your phone frequently Because of new government regulations, you need a photocopy of your passport visa and the ID pages , a color photo, and proof of local address in Bangalore when buying a pre-paid card If you do not have the required paperwork, it is recommended that you ask a local friend to buy a pre-paid card on your behalf Pre-paid cards are sold in a few of the shops that sell mobile equipment. Public te lephones are a good option and are available widely Most shops that offer public phones sport easily visible STD ISD PCO signages More often than not, public pay-phones are post-pay and there will be a person at the shop to take the payments Check the bill generated from the machine and make the payment accordingly Payments are always in Indian rupees. Internet edit. There are plenty of Internet Centres which charge between Rs 10-25 per hr If you have laptop with wifi connection, free internet services are available at some malls, restaurants, and hotels However, free public wi-fi is not the you are planning to stay here for a while taking a internet dongle high speed 4G dongles would help you superbly while moderate to high speed internet connections are available abundantly in the city. Bengaluru is a clean city Compared to other major metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai Mass epidemics are rare However, foreign tourists should be cautious about consuming water eating at open air eateries It is recommended to use mosquito repellents after dark Present either as cream applied on skin, or in electronic form On a side note, if you have forgotten your diaphragm A bird in hand is better than two in the bush. Rising air and noise pollution, have been a cause for concern in Bengaluru Due, to the number of vehicles on the road With many flowering trees around the city, the pollen count can get high Vehicle emissions and pollen when combined with the weather, is known to cause allergy in the breathing cavity This leads to sneezing, common cold and fever People with pre-existing breathing conditions, like Asthma, are suggested to keep prescribed medication handy. Hospitals edit. List of Major Hospitals and health care centers. Apollo Hospital - I I M Bannerghatta rd. Bengaluru Institute of Oncology. Bengaluru Medical College. BGS Hospital, Arekere. Bowring Lady Curzon Hospitals - Hospital Road, Shivajinagar. Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Millers road, Vasanth Nagar. Cadabams Rehab Center, Kanakapura. Chinmaya Mission Hospital - C M H Road, Indiranagar. Columbia Asia Hospital - Bellary Road, Hebbal. Columbia Asia, Yeshwanthpur. Eye Hospital, Bannerghatta Road. Eye Hospital, Basaveshwaranagar. Diabetacare - Bangalore, India. EPMC s Women s Clinic Surgery, 9th Block, Jayanagar. Eliya Prabha Maternity Center, Off Marenhalli Ring Road. Fortis Wockhardt Hospital - Opp I I M Bannerghatta Road. Fortis Wockhardt Hospital - 80 feet road, Nagarbhavi. Fortis Hospital, Vasanth Nagar. Fortis Hospital, Nagapura. Global Hospitals, Bengaluru. Gokula Curie Institute of Oncology. HCG Oncology, Bengaluru. HOSMAT Hospital Sports and Orthopedic Medicine - Magrath Road. KIMS Hospital. M S Ramaiah Super Speciality Hospital, New B E L Road, R M V 2nd Stage. Mahabodhi Mallige Hospital - Siddapura Road, Mavalli near Lalbagh. Manipal Hospital - Old Airport Road, Kodihalli. Manipal Hospital - Mysore Road, Rajarajeshwarinagar. Mallige Medical Centre-31 32,Crescent Road. Mallya Hospital - Vittal Mallya Road. Mallya Hospital, Sampangirama Nagar. Minto Eye Hospital, Bengaluru Medical College. Narayana Hrudayalaya - Hebbugodi, Hosur Road. Narayana Nethralaya. National Institute of Mental Health A nd Neuro Sciences NIMHANS - Wilson Garden, Hosur Roadhradhama Superspeciality Eye Hospital, Jayanagar. People Tree Hospitals, Yeshwanthpur. St Johns Medical College Hospital - Sarjapur Road, Koramangala. Sagar Hospital - Tilaknagar, Bannerghatta Road. Sanjay Gandhi Hospital - Tilaknagar, Jayanagar. SDM College of Medical Sciences, Dharwad. SDS T B Sanitorium, Bengaluru Medical College. Al-Shifa Hospital, Darus Salam, Queens Road. Sparsh Hospital, Bommasandra Industrial Area. Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital - I T P L Whitefield. Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology - 9th block, Bannerghatta Road, Jayanagar. Vanivilas Women and Children Hospital, Bengaluru Medical College. Vasan Eye Care Rajaji Nagar, Koramangala, Banswadi Jayanagar. Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru Medical College. Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre Whitefield, Bengaluru. Yashoda Medicare and Research Center. Pharmacies edit. Pharmacies are present apleanty, you should not have a problem locating one You do no t need a prescription for Over the Counter drugs and ayurvedic medicine Proprietary and traditional Available for common ailments like fever headache You need a prescription for other medicines, such as Schedule H Condoms are sometimes seen in short supply Stores are easy to identify Terms, used in local parlance are chemist, druggist, pharmacist, even reffered to as a sweet shop in semi-rural confines Stock juice boxes for heat exhaustion If overweight or obese, be careful asking for a ride Some are likely to hold the other for ransom The bike in general looses its capability to steer. Consulates edit. France 156 edit. Germany 157 edit. Japan 158 edit. Contact edit. Cell phone coverage in the city is excellent There are many service providers offering a wide variety of plans If you are planning on travelling around outside the metropolitan area it might be a good idea to buy a cell phone and use one of the pre-paid plans to get yourself connected whilst you are still in the city 3G connecti vity is superb all along the city 4G Internet have arrived but sims are under development. Get out edit. Kerala 1 a state in Southern India is known as a tropical paradise of waving palms and wide sandy beaches It is a narrow strip of coastal territory that slopes down the Western Ghats in a cascade of lush green vegetation, and reaches to the Arabian sea Kerala borders the states of Tamil Nadu to the east and Karnataka to the north It is also known for its backwaters, mountains, coconuts, spices and art forms like Kathakali and Mohini Attam It is the most literate state in India, and a land of diverse religions, where you can find Hindu temples, mosques, churches, and even synagogues With world class tourist sporting options, ayurvedic spas and treatments, eco-tourism initiatives, a large number of visit options ranging from beautiful high altitude blue mountains to pristine rain forests to golden sun-sand beaches and an enormous range of accommodation, Kerala has much to offer the visi tor. Understand edit. The tourism department of Kerala boasts that the state is God s Own Country Once you visit, you will see where this claim comes from The state really is blessed with great natural beauty, and diverse ecology. The state is also considered to be one of the safest regions of India Incidents of local people cheating tourists are almost non-existent Kerala has high standards of living compared to its neighbours and other Indian states and has social lifestyle indices such as education and healthcare that are on par with developed countries 2 Therefore tourists can relax without being followed around by taxi drivers, touts, guides and similar However still be prepared to put up with beggars who have migrated from poorer neighbouring states Abundant rainfall means that you can find lush greenery that remains pretty much throughout the year A holiday here is an opportunity for rejuvenation You can get an Ayurvedic oil massage, spend a day or two on a houseboat with nothing t o do but watch coconut trees pass by, or just laze around on Kovalam or Varkala beaches Thus tourism is more experiential here, rather than being composed of superficial sightseeing options. Kerala was named as one of the ten paradises of the world and 50 places of a lifetime by the National Geographic Traveler magazine Kerala is a state wedged between the Western Ghats on the eastern side and the Arabian Sea on the West, thus having a wide range of topography from high altitude mountains to golden beaches and is criss crossed by 41 rivers The tributaries, unique backwaters, lagoons and numerous small islands provide many scenic attractions for visitors. History edit. The most popular Hill station of Kerala - Munnar. Large parts of Kerala were not subject to direct British rule Malabar was a district of Madras Presidency under direct British rule, but Tiruvithamkoor Travancore and Kochi Cochin regions were autonomous kingdoms ruled by Maharajas during the period of the British rule in Indi a, and were known for their progressive attitude which resulted in various welfare reforms, particularly in the areas of education and health care. Kerala was the place in India where European colonization first started The Portuguese were the first to discover a direct sea route between Lisbon and Kozhikode in Kerala, and this marked the beginning of European colonisation in the country Soon the Dutch, French, Italians and British were all lured by the wealth of spices and silk, and came with the intention of forming colonies The defeat of the Dutch by the Travancore Army at the Battle of Colachel, and the decline of Portuguese Empire and French problems in Europe, resulted in the British gaining the full influence in country, and the annexation of the Malabar region into the British Madras Presidency. However, the Kingdoms of Cochin and Travancore remained independent with little interference from the British, and they were staunch allies After the independence of India, the Kingdoms o f Travancore and Cochin choose to accede into the Indian Union, and were later merged into a single State of Travancore-Cochin With the linguistic reorganisation of States, the Malayalam-speaking regions of Malabar and Travancore-Cochin were integrated into the State of Kerala on November 1st 1956 This realised a united Kerala, a dream held since the partition of the ancient Kerala Empire of Cheras in the eighth century Today, people in Kerala live a largely traditional lifestyle, and much of the rich culture and heritage of the region is well-preserved. November 1st is celebrated as Keralappiravi Birth of Kerala Day also observed as Malayalam Divasam or Malayalam Day. Climate edit. Kerala, being very close to equator, has a tropical climate Kerala experiences heavy rains almost throughout the year, and is one of the wettest areas on the earth. Kerala has three distinct seasons. Summer lasts from from mid-February to mid-May The tropical sun is really hot and temperatures can go up to 35 C in the afternoons. The monsoon is in place from mid-May until early September The North-East Monsoon winds bring heavy showers. Mid-October to early February can be termed a mild winter in the hilly areas, which can get cool and misty The weather, however, remains hot and tropical on lower ground Heavy rains occur from the last week of September until until early November, due to the retreat of the South-East monsoon. When in Kerala, carry an umbrella no matter what time of the year it is You can be caught in a sudden shower in summer which will leave you drenched if you are unprepared The Kerala sun coupled with high rate of humidity can be unforgiving in the summer months. The temperature averages around.28 C - 34 C daytime, 24 C - 28 C at night in summer seasons of March, April.20 C - 28 C daytime, 18 C - 25 C at night for the rest of the year. Temperatures may drop down to 10 C or sometimes even little below during Winter seasons November, December in Hilly areas of Western ghats, espec ially at popular hill-stations like Munnar and Wynad etc, which results a misty days and freezing nights coupled with light cold showers However in other places, the temperatures never drop below 20 C. Recently summers have become hotter Though the maximum temperature on summers has never risen higher than 36 C, the rising humidity has made recent summers difficult The height of the Kerala summer is normally between mid-March and May Wear only light loose cotton clothes during this season Consider a trip to hilly areas where the temperatures never exceed 26 C. Kerala experiences mild winds throughout most of the year. Thrissur Pooram, India s biggest temple festival. Religion edit. Hinduism is the largest religion in the state Hinduism in Kerala is bit different to other parts of India, due to assimilation of traditional Dravidian culture, and later due to the unique practice of Marumakathyam matrilineal system which made the society highly matriarchal unlike patriarchal values found else w here in India This also helped the society to be highly tolerant to cross-caste religious marriages and co-living systems Also Kerala is the only last place in world, where ancient Hindu Vedic Tantric rites are practiced widespread. Kerala s Islam is also unique Its believed that Islam reached shores of Kerala around 700 AD, due to strong trading relations between Kerala and Arabia that time This resulted in Kerala adopting highly liberal Shafi i School of Islam like many Arab countries such as Oman and Yemen, and unlike the Hanfi school elsewhere in India. Christianity too has made a unique mark in Kerala s history the Apostle came in 52 AD and spread the message of Christ Kerala has the largest number of churches, of which many are considered very sacred, in India Kerala is home for 2 Syrian Catholic churches,2 syrian orthodox churches and 1 independent church apart from several independent congregations. For thousands of years Buddhism was the most influential religion in Kerala It was only in the 11th and 12th centuries that Brahmanism took hold in the state and Buddhism waned Another religion, found in minority is Jainism with limited number of followers in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Kochi The presence of considerable followers of Sikhism mainly those who have migrated from Indian state of Punjab, also brought the religion to Kerala. Judaism has existed in Kerala for about 2,000 years, and today a minority of Jews live around Kochi, although there was a mass migration to Israel in 1950s following the founding of Israel. Due to its strong socialist values and history of several communist movements, the state has a considerable number of people following Atheism. Hindus constitute about 56 of the population, Muslims 24 and Christians account for about 19 Communal and sectarian tensions are rare Kerala is considered as the most peaceful place in South Asia. Culture edit. Sree Padmanabhapuram Palace - world s largest Wooden palace, a specimen of Kerala architecture. Unique to Ke rala, the Malayalee culture is derived from ancient Tamil-Dravidian practices combined with Arya-Indian culture, with influences from China, Japan, Arab countries, Portugal, Holland and even from the British There are a lot of Tamil-Sanskrit elements, resulting in many unique practices and customs Each community in Kerala has its own unique Malayalee culture which will not be found anywhere outside Kerala. The Buddhist influence brought Ayurveda into a prominent position as well as Kalaripayattu Kerala s traditional martial art While religious beliefs and its associated myths legends are well rooted in the Malayalee psyche, the influence of communism and the Kerala renaissance has resulted in separation of religion from the daily routine of life. Kerala architecture has lot of Tibetan-Chinese influence, due to its seclusion from other parts of India when the Western Ghats prevented Tamil influences Most of the buildings have gabled, tiled roofs and a heavy use of wood with prominent slan ting windows and ornamental flora designs The Sree Padmanabhapuram Palace near thuckalay in kanyakumai, is a classic example of this style. Dance, music, drama all have distinctive styles Dances and music often attract large crowds. A good way to experience the entire arts and culture of Kerala in one place is at the Annual Kerala State School Art Festival normally held in December or January The location changes between various district headquarters on a rotational basis This was constituted by the government as a competition amongst school children to promote Kerala arts and culture This is Asia s largest festival according to the Guinness Book of records, with more than 82 art forms show-cased during its ten day duration. Kathakali Kerala s celebrated classical ballad with use of large costumes and elaborate make-up It is a dance drama, noted for wide range of characters, each character with special kind of costumes and make-up with special movements, particularly extensive expressions , refined gestures and innovative themes The dance is accompanied with anchor playback music and precise drumming The Kathakali Music is unique as it varies in accordance to expressions and reactions Whilst traditional Indian epics constitute the main story-boards for the dance drama, many international versions like Shakespearian-Homer-Biblical works are now taken as themes. Kathakali, the lone Indian classical dance drama, originated from Kerala. Mohiniyattom This classical artform of Kerala is a subtle and graceful dance performed by women in traditional costume Most of the themes are poems, unlike other classical dances which have an emphasis on Hindu mythology. Koodiyattom An ancient form of theatre with a legacy of more than 2,000 years This is very stylised Sanskrit theatre and recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity Most of the characters are noted for Sanskrit recitations and highly stylised movement, particularly eye expressions Some parts of the stories are expressed only using the eyes. Theyyam This is a ritualistic rite performed in the temples of Malabar It is an ancient tradition, whereby worship takes the form of performance, rather than formal worship While dressed in Theyyam costume, peformers are considered Gods and Goddesses There are nearly 41 various types of Theyyam, each noted for its different legend and stories A visit to any Malabar temples during Theyyam season Dec-Mar , is advised. Chavittu Nadakam Malayalam This is a highly colorful Christian classical art form originated in Gothuruth village, North Paravur, Kerala state in India It is noted for its attractive make-up of characters, their elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the rhythmic playback music and complementary percussion This art form highly resembles European Opera Chavittu Nadakam is believed to be originated during the 16th century AD This form of play is prevalent among the C hristian community in the districts of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur of Kerala. Margam Kali Malayalam is one of the ancient group dance of Kerala practiced by Saint Thomas Margamkali is a ritual folk dance in which twelve people dance around a traditional oil lamp Nilavilakku They represent the twelve apostles and Christ himself is represented by the lamp They perform the dance wearing the traditional white dhoti and a peacock feather on the turban Margamkali is essentially famous among the Syrian Christ of Kottayam and Thrissur districts of Kerala. There are more than 14-15 various Dance forms, all indigenous to Kerala A detailed check with locals or web search, may help you to identify some others. Kerala has its own indigenous music and orchestration. Melam This is a percussion ensemble, with several variants differing in the number of percussive instruments used, as well as the style of playing them Melam is extremely popular and is s mostly used during temple festivals, when m ore than six hours of continuous playing is the norm Melam attracts large crowds and creates wonderful notes The Thrissur Pooram has the largest Melam, with more than 300 musicians in the ensemble. Sopanam This is Kerala s unique classical music slow, graceful rhythms Most of the original versions are poems, and the music is coupled with poetic expression and style Sopanam is now limited to regular performances at temple events. Mappila Songs This music is associated with the local Muslim community Traditionally, the songs were performed in Mappila Malayalam - a mixture of Arabic and Malayalam - and most tell stories of social systems and customs Today, Mappila songs are popular amongst youngsters, using Malayalam lyrics Mappila songs have a charm of their own as their tunes sound a mix of the ethos and culture of Kerala as well as West Asia. Poems plays a pivotal role in Malayalam music culture Kerala is extremely for its various famous poetic traditions and large number of poems of high literarly value Aksharaslokam Poem recitations is a common sight in many village temple platforms and during festival times, where poets recites poems and challenge other poets to start their recitation with the phrase, the former has ended his recitation. Film Music As elsewhere in India, film music is extremely popular, and Malayalam songs can be heard everywhere. Martial art edit. Kalarippayattu Kalari is believed to be one of the oldest martial arts in world It soon became a major weapon of war Kalaripayattu has many styles, the best known being Northern Style and Southern Style While former is focused on using various weapons, the Southern style uses powerful strokes with the bare hand The knowledge of vital spots, known as Marma, on the human body helped Kalaripayattu warriors, make blows that can freeze or kill a person. The British Government passed legislation banning Kalari, considering it a potential danger, and this resulted in a brief decline Today, it is a popular sport and exercise option which gets international attention There are many cultural centres which showcase Kalari techniques as well as schools in Thiruvanathapuram, Kottayam and many places in north Malabar. Drama was once a very popular medium in Kerala, and played a large role in the spread of Communist ideology and the social renaissance of the region Due to the popularity of television soaps and cinema, the popularity of live drama has waned However, some high-end dramas involving technology and innovative themes are gaining popularity in major metropolitan areas JT Pac in Kochi and Tagore Theatre in Trivandrum regularly features dramas, particularly English and other vernacular features Thrissur is the hub of Kerala drama, with many theatres hosting regular shows Thrissur also hosts the annual International Drama Festival of Kerala attracting prominent dramatists, from across the world Most Kerala dramas are performed in Malayalam, and the stories based on social realities Some temples off er dramas as part of their Temple festival programs. Cinema edit. Malayalam Cinema is a popular local entertainment option It tends to focus on social realities, and avoids the glitz glamour prevalent in the Bollywood and Tamil movie industries If you want to watch a Malayalam movie in a local theatre, be aware that there is no sub-titling, except for those movies nominated for out of state awards Trivandrum hosts the annual International Film Festival of Kerala which focuses on Asian and Latin movies, while Kochi hosts Kochi International Film Festival mostly screening selection of world cinema and prominent Indian movies Now a days several film societies do host regular movie festivals. Traditional dress edit. The traditional costumes of Kerala are called mundu and neriyathu for both men and women Sarees and blouses form the traditional costume of Kerala women Kerala Mundu is very popular in the state and is worn by many men Its a special white cream colour dhoti worn across the waist Th e dhothi has a golden thread work as a strip running down from the waist to bottom, and the width of the gold thread determines the cost It is an elegant costume, mostly used for ceremonial purposess The women s Mundu Neriyathu is similar and has an upper shawl of same material White colour is one of the most preferred in the state Today different versions of Mundu and Neriyathu with different colours and motiffs is available. The people of Kerala speak Malayalam a palindrome when written in English Most people understand basic English but cannot speak the same Most of Kerala s urban dwelling population are able to communicate in English and in broken Hindi But most of the rural population do not speak or understand Hindi Most of the locals understand spoken Tamil with some difficulty Kannada is only understood in districts bordering near Karnataka Many Malayalees particularly in Malabar areas and among Gulf returnees, can understand basic Arabic and some can speak in a limited way Almo st all bus routes and other important signs including name boards are written in Malayalam and some are in English Most City Bus destinations are prominently written in Malayalam, some having English signage represented in small fonts which is often difficult to read All of the bus conductors and ticket checkers do understand English Long Distance and Inter-state buses do carry English signage Railways and other central government establishments use signs written in Malayalam, English and Hindi Highway signs are normally in Malayalam and English Most Kerala Government offices use only Malayalam signage and most Kerala Govt documents such as receipts and bills are in Malayalam The only exception to this, would be Judicial Department and Courts, as they use English as official language for all its communications, even though the judicial transcripts are normally in Malayalam Translation centers are normally seen near all court areas for the purpose. Most of the signages of shops and other private establishments are normally written in English along with Malayalam Most of the bills and other documents other than government s will be in English. Government edit. Kerala Government Secretariat - The seat of Kerala Government. Kerala is a state in the Union of India The state government has a cabinet of ministers headed by the Chief Minister A Governor appointed by the Government of India has a titular role as head of state Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital and houses the Kerala Secretariat, the legislature house called Niyama Sabha and offices of various ministers and officials The state is divided into 14 districts which are further divided into Taluks Each district has a major city as its district headquarters, which houses offices of district administration Each district administration is headed by a Government official known as District Collector The Kerala High Court is located at Kochi. Kerala is a traditional socialist leaning state, and has a strong com munist movement This was the second place in the world after San Marino where a communist government was elected to power through democratic means Kerala s communism today tends to be more like European socialism and which also focuses on a market economy and reforms Kerala has a tradition of two major alliances one led by the Communist Party of India called LDF Left Democratic Front , and another led by the Indian National Congress called UDF United Democratic Front These tend to swing to power for alternate five year terms The current government is lead by the LDF under the leadership of Pinarayi Vijayan who is the State Chief Minister. Kerala has a strong decentralized government culture, by which local governments and district administration are empowered to take many decisions Most of the government related applications and requests can be handled at local level District Administrators known as Collectors do have wide range of powers being executive magistrates Tourists can avail V isa related as well as immigration procedures either at office of the District Superintendent of Police in smaller towns , City Police Commissionerate in cities or at the Foreigner Regional Registration Offices FRRO in Trivandrum, Cochin Airport and Calicut. Kerala Police has a specialized division known as Tourist Police with separate desks or aid posts to assist tourists over various issues. Economy edit. Kerala has been through a period of strong growth with one of the highest per-capita income and poverty levels are extremely low compared to elsewhere in India Most households have family members working somewhere outside the state, typically the Middle East and their remittances make up for around 20 of the economy Agriculture is highly focused on high value cash-crop cultivation such as rubber, tea, coffee, spices and coconut plantations Tourism is now a booming industry in Kerala, and accounts for a significant part of the state s economy In addition, Kerala has a very powerful serv ice sector such as banking financial services, education, medicine healthcare, entertainment, real estate, retail, logistics and trade etc which drives the economy in a very big way. Regions edit. Cities edit. The Napier Museum in Trivandrum. Thiruvananthapuram Trivandrum The capital city housing the political administration, famous for its beaches, historical monuments and parks The city is also famous for its temples, educational institutions, and research centres. Kollam Quilon A tourist heaven famous for its Ashtamudi Lake, cashew coir industries, surrounded by backwaters and lakes. Kochi Cochin Kochi is a major port city and the largest urban agglomeration with unlimited shopping options Kochi is the economic capital of Kerala Kochi is very well connected with other cities of India Known as Queen of the Arabian sea , the city s heritage quarter - Fort Kochi is one of the most sought after destination in Kerala. Alapuzha Alleppey popularly known as Venice of East due to its amazing network of canals, rivers, streams, lakes and backwaters, which doubles as both transport and leisure spots The most sought destination for Backwater tourism. Kannur A historical town famous for its strong heritage, martial arts Kalaripayattu , temple art Theyyam , political movements, forts, beaches and spices coffee growing hills. Kottayam known for its latex, literacy and letters and as major educational centre Munnar hill station is nearby. Kozhikode Calicut Most prominent city of Malabar area, where Vasco da Gamma landed for the first time in India, and one of the world s oldest thriving trade centres A very clean city known for its friendly inhabitants and celebrated across the world in form of its vast array of cuisines. Palakkad gateway to Kerala by land through the Palghat Pass in Western Ghats known for its paddy rice fields, hills, traditional homes, cuisines and composite culture Tipu Fort, Malampuzha Gardens, Silent Valley National Park are nearby. Thrissur Trichur the cultural capital of Kerala and also famous for jewellery shops and silk sarees Temple festivals with caparisoned elephants like Thrissur Pooram Athirappilly falls, Guruvayur Temple are nearby. Other destinations edit. The Chinese fishing nets of Kochi. Bekal Fort a massive coastal Portuguese fort in north Kerala. Kerala Backwaters Must Visit Ashtamudi Lake Kollam stretching across South central Kerala. Kovalam Beach World famous beach near Trivandrum. Kumarakom backwater near Kottayam. Munnar Unspoilt hill station in tea growing hills and misty mountains. Silent Valley National Park rain forest with several endangered, protected species. Thekkady Periyar Tiger Reserve and elephant forests. Wayanad Misty hills, caves, waterfalls and pristine forests. Ponmudi Hill station at Trivandrum, known for its beautiful scenery. Varkala One of the busiest beach famous with foreign travellers. Kerala is the only state in India that have two Indian Electronic Tourist Visa ETV formely known as Visa on Arrival entry ports for tour ists at Kochi Thiruvananthapuram 3 The two airports have special desks for ETV passengers which can provide support to nationalities of Anguilla, Antigua Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Vietnam 4.For visa extensions FFRO Foreigners Registration Regional Office in Kochi, Trivandrum and Kozhikode as well as District Superintendent of Police are also empowered to do any changes related to visa area Tourist Police stations do have help desks and support facilities for foreigners who want any visa change or visa extensions. By plane edit. Cochin International Airport - Kerala s largest airport. There are three airports in Kerala, with flights to domestic and international destinations Kochi Cochin , Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram Trivandrum The airports have several carriers operating international flights around the world. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport IATA TRV Best connected to major cities in India and Abroad, Charter flights for tourism from London, New York and Moscow operate to Thiruvananthapuram. Cochin International Airport 5 IATA COK Europe and US bound passengers need to transit in the Middle East or Far East or Mumbai though chartered flights are common during tourist season, mostly from Europe There are regular Flights to most par ts of India. Kozhikode International Airport IATA CCJ is a major airport in Malabar with international connections to most of the cities in the Middle East. In addition Mangalore Airport IATA IXE and Coimbatore Airport IATA CJB in neighboring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu respectively are near to Kerala Borders and hence offers limited connectivity to Northern and Eastern districts of Kerala respectively. There are 20 to 25 international carriers offering flights to Kerala Apart from international carriers, Air India, Air India Express, Jet Airways and Indigo offers international connections from the 3 airports Domestic destinations accessible by direct flights from these airports include Chennai Bangalore Mumbai Agatti, Hyderabad Mangalore Pune Goa and Delhi There are daily flights to most Indian cities from airports in Kochi and Trivandrum by all the Indian carriers Kochi has Air-Cruise turnaround program with chartered services. Shuttles operated by KSRTC are available from airport to its respective city core and nearby towns Taxis are the most popular for Airport-City connection. By train edit. Indian Railways 6 operates several trains to and from Kerala More than 500 plus trains connect Kerala to all parts of India, including long-haul direct train services to cities like Delhi Jaipur Kolkatta and Mumbai Trivandrum Rajadhani, Ernakulam Durnoto, Kerala Express and Netravati Express are some of the most popular trains connect key cities across India. Log on to the Indian Railways booking site 7 to book tickets online or you can walk up to any railway station to book tickets between any two destinations in India Smart Phone Tablets can view details via any apps 8.Be aware that trains are the most popular method of transport and almost all trains in Kerala originate or terminate in Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi and are usually heavily booked Buy your tickets as early as possible Another option is using Tatkal You pay almost double, but have a chance of getting a seat T atkal is an emergency service, hence its booking is open just 24 hours before departure Some travel agents have authorized booking quotas for certain trains. Recently, the luxury tourist train The Golden Chariot has introduced a South Indian Rail Tour, which includes many parts of Kerala This is a good option for those who want to visit the South Indian states on as tight schedule The train starts from Bangalore and covers Chennai Pondicherry Trichy Madurai Trivandrum Alapuzha Kochi and back to Bangalore The 7 night 8 day package tour, costs US 3,000-7,000 depending upon the class taken. Inter-state private and government buses operates between neighboring states Usually the journey is performed in the night so that you can escape the heat of the day The most common inter-state bus is Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation KSRTC-Karnataka with daily bus from most of Major cities of Kerala to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore Tamil Nadu State Bus like SETC also operates regularly from K erala Kerala s State bus - KRSTC-Kerala do have regular Ordinary bus to most of nearby places in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka KRSTC-Kerala also operates a few Volvo AC bus to Bangalore and Coimbatore. However Private bus players to operate more buses than Govt options Most of them are well maintained Kallada, Shama, KPN are the major bus players, though recently Raj National and few others have entered with Pan India operations Kallada, KPN, Shama etc have regular buses to Bangalore, Chennai and many other places in Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka on various times. It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on air conditioned Volvo buses operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly. By road edit. Kerala is well connected by National Highways and recently it was renumbered Both numbers are used interchangeably. Most of the NH roads are two lane carriageways Only NH 544 is currently 4 lane carriage with dedicated service roads However it s tolled highway As vehicle density is very high in Kerala, accidents are common 9 You must be extra cautious while driving here. By ferry edit. Kochi is a major cruise port and currently the most busiest cruise port in India The port has International Cruise Facilitation Center and almost all major cruises that have global voyages have Kochi as port of call All Lakshadweep bound cruises originate in Kochi and make return trips There are also occasional tourist oriented cruises from Mumbai and Goa to Kochi. Also private yachts and other sea going boats regularly call at Kochi Marina A few cruises call at Trivandrum. Get around edit. Kerala is quite well connected with all modes of transport The flat southern side is better connected than mountainous north One of unique feature of Kerala, is its continuous urban and semi-urban areas across both sides of any road or rail As a result, you might not feel you exited from village city into another, being continuous This helps in getting transport to travel around easily. Unique to Kerala s geographic feature, most of the key cities lie almost linearly on North-South axis, which almost are connected by one key Trunk road NH 66 and one key rail route Due to this advantage, its pretty easy to reach any major city by catching intercity inter-state buses plying on these trunk routes. By train edit. Trains are good for long distance travel within the state Most trains are long distance trains with stops at many of Kerala s stations Majority of trains enter into Kerala from Tamil Nadu on east side and Shornur being the major junction that divides rail line into Northern branch and Southern branch Trains on Konkan route enters from Northern side of Kerala reach use Shornur to branch either eastward or southward Trains on south route is one main line untill Ernakulam where it branches to Kottayam Line and Alleppey line and runs parallel to each other as Vembanadu Lake comes inbetween these places Both the lines merges back at Kayamkulam a nd further proceed southward as one major line to Trivandrum and further southward to Kanya Kumari. Short distance trains are mainly intercity passenger trains, connecting only major cities like Trivandrum, Kochi, Palakkad, Alapuzha, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thrissur The main Intercity trains are. Trivandrum-Mangalore Express which covers almost all major cities of Kerala on its west coast. Trivandrum - Kozhikode Jana Shatabdi Express is a fast services connecting via Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kollam. Trivandrum Guruvayur Intercity - very popular option for regular commuters working between cities. Trivandrum-Shornur Venad Intercity Express. Trivandrum-Palakkad Amrita Express. Kannur-Ernakulam Intercity Express. Express trains are relatively faster, as they stop only at major stations and gets priority in event of crossing Passenger trains stops at all stations in a route and can be held-up in event of an express train crossing, thus takes longer time However latter is good option, if one needs to align at small village or town stations, not catered by express trains. Railways have introduced MEMU services, between Kochi-Thrissur-Palakkad and Kochi-Kollam sector, similar to Mumbai s Local trains, connecting all stations small and big on route, at increased speed. By road edit. Roads remain the primary popular options Almost each nook and corner of the state is well connected by road The primary roads are NH 66, NH 544, NH 85, NH 183, NH 744, NH 766 and NH 966 which all National Highways The NH 66 is one of most busiest as it connects almost all cities of Kerala on West coast, especially connecting three major metros - Kozhikode, Kochi and Trivandrum which runs on North-South Axis The NH 544 which connects Kochi to Coimbatore and further to Chennai and Bangalore is equally a very busy commercial route that connects on East-West axis and primary gateway route to Kerala. The primary State Highway is MC Road Main Central Road , which covers on the most scenic places in sout h Kerala connecting between Angamally, the Northern suburb of Kochi with Trivandrum, covering the high-land areas of eastern areas However NH 66 cut the time at least by 1 hour for a travel between Kochi and Trivandrum as it uses the flat terrain of Alleppey coast on west. State Highways connect to almost all parts of Kerala and Kerala has the highest density of roads in the country, connecting literarily every single village or part of the state Most of the roads including NH are however bi-lane, so even narrow roads due to huge settlement on both sides of road and higher population density Only NH 544 is 4 6 lane highway with dual carriageway, while rest all are 2 laned roads. Signages are common everywhere, written in both Malayalam and English and sometimes in Hindi also Roadside boards notifying the place name and speed are are well indicated in most of the highways National Highways are written as NH within a Yellow Green shield with the number, while State Highways are written as SH within Yellow White shields Roads without any shield indicates Panchyat Local Municipal roads. For NH Non Urban areas - 65 Km Hr - 90 Km Hr, For SH Non Urban areas - 50 Km Hr - 80 Km Hr, For Urban areas - Maximum limit - 40 Km Hr. Most of the roads have radars and on-street cameras to catch speeding vehicles and fines bills will be send to licensee s registered address via post. Unless you seek adventure, its not advisable to drive a car Narrow roads with bustling traffic with little driving discipline makes self drive not safe, especially those accustomed to western kind of driving Most of Kerala highways are two-lane with no medians Though many are recently upgraded to better standards with proper signages and markings, its equally common to see roads without these Street lighting in most of highways and roads are non-existent, which makes night drive dangerous for people not accustomed Driving is on the left, and all foreign drivers need a valid International Driving Licence attested by any Road Transport Office RTO Most of the bridges and few roads carry toll charges collected at manned toll plazas or checkpoints Almost all tolls are uniformly charged separately for one two way 2 wheelers - Rs 3 5, 4 wheelers - Rs 5 10 and bus minivans - Rs 15 25 Almost all the toll pass is valid for unlimited travel for a period of 24 hours, though a few bridges allow one time validity. Car rental is not so popular among foreign visitors, particularly among westerners Many car rental companies refuse to provide self-drive cars to Westerners Normally a bank guarantee letter or security cheque traveller s cheque to the value of the car or a passport are taken as security for renting the car. However chauffeured car rentals are available for visitors for daily or weekly or even monthly basis No security deposit is needed if the car is chauffeur-driven There are multiple car rental companies as well as call taxi agencies, operating in most of the towns Equally in major cities, drivers c an rented on daily basis, if you have a car availed from friends Most hotels with three stars or more provide private cars for their guests at rates slightly higher than elsewhere. Its pretty easy to travel across Kerala in tourist taxis There is no formal color livery for tourist taxis, but white cars with a taxi sign in black on the doors is commonly seen Tata Indica, Toyota Innova and Maruti Swift Dezire are the most popular tourist vehicles nowadays There is no meter system for any taxis in Kerala, while a few cab companies offers cabs with GPS facility Equally there are no cab top signs in these vehicles however, according to state law all vehicles which are available for hire should have yellow number plates. Regular taxis are normally available at designated taxi stands located at places such as railway stations, the airport, boat jetties, major bus stations and in front of important hotels There is no need to negotiate prices, as most of them follow fixed rates Regular taxis have tariff cards displayed on the dashboard Call taxis have charges fixed by their respective companies although they are normally uniform Its more common to see such cabs mainly in cities The standard tariffs are Rs 100 for first 5 km, and Rs 11 per km thereafter Add 10 for a cab with A C, and 25 at night If taxis are operated for inter-city drop-off pick-up etc, two way charges both up down are needed to be paid, irrespective of whether its used or not. Radio taxis are getting popular in major cities and several popular brands like Taxio, Fast Cabs, CelCabs, Bcabs etc operate there Most of them are GPS enabled and many are monitored through control facilities Uber and Ola, both app based taxi services, are widely available in Kochi Trivandrum and are cheap and safe options for intra-city travel within these cities. Recently the state government introduced women centric She-Taxis lady taxis in major cities like Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode and aims to cover entire Kerala by mid of 2017 The cars are exclusively driven by women and is a comfortable option for lady travellers and families SheTaxis are GPS enabled modern fleet of vehicles that is constantly monitored from the control facility This option is no available for single men and can be hailed only if there is atleast one woman travelling In other cities, lady taxis run by lady co-op societies like Kudumbashree are also getting popular though many are not GPS enabled. In hilly areas, 6 seater SUVs mostly of Mahindra, colloquially called Jeeps or Truckers are more common as taxis The hilly terrains demands 4 wheel drive vehicles as taxis However normal taxis from other parts do operate to such areas, though in some difficult areas, a change of vehicle might be required One can find such trucker stands near the main junction of small towns in the region The rates are usually higher and you might need to negotiate with the driver beforehand. Many cab companies also offer full or half day services Typical rates are Rs 1, 100 1,500 for standard AC cabs for a full day and Rs 500 750 for a half day Evening rates with a hike of 25 is applicable after 8 PM and its common to pay driver an additional amount for overnight stay during the trip known as bata. There is no share-taxi system as such in Kerala, even though car-pooling among employees of same company or locality are getting popular However its not uncommon to see taxi operators operating on shared basis if the original hirer gives consent for so Please be aware, such sharing of taxi is Illegal as per the law and if caught, the driver, owner and all the passengers in the taxi at time are liable to be punished by fines However this is often unenforced and even if caught it usually gets overlooked as the passengers can claim each other as friends. Motorbikes Cycles edit. Some people point out that the best way to experience Kerala is on a motorbike Riding a motorbike and travelling across state you get the closer look and feel of God s own country with all the smells and sounds added There are companies which organize packaged tours or tailor made tours for enthusiastic bikers and adventurous travellers for a safer motorbike experience of India with regular promotions mostly through online forums and Facebook. Purchase of bikes among tourists are not popular, unless one plans to have an extended stay There are several motorcycle clubs and rental agencies that provide motorbikes on rent even on monthly basis Such agencies can be found in tourist areas like Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochi, Cherai, Alleppey, Kozhikode etc A check with local District Tourist Office DTPC or local travel agencies travel desks etc can help to identify the local agencies. Off-recently bicycle rentals are gaining much popular in the state Cycle safari tours in many cities are increasing to help tourists to get first hand experience There are cycle clubs as well as cycle stands in many key cities like Kochi Trivandrum For local city explorations, cycles are a reasonab le option, but be aware that there are very few if any reserved cycle paths available and you will need to negotiate unruly traffic. By hitch hiking edit. Unlike other states, hitchhiking is not a very popular option in Kerala, especially for foreign tourists Since Kerala does not have any deserted long highway, being a continuous stretch of urban areas on sides of any highway, its perfectly possible to get any form of public transport or services like auto-rickshaws. However, hitch-hiking is possible in hilly terrains and plantation areas where farm vehicles or bikes do stop and help travellers on road. Bus transport is most popular transport to travel within Kerala and ideal for budget conscious travellers Kerala has an excellent public bus system operated by both government-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corp KSRTC-Kerala and various private operators All fares are determined by Transport Department and uniform across the state in accordance to nature of buses Typically, there are 6 class of buses. Ordinary ORD which is a basic, no-frills services with covering short and medium distance areas with stoppages at all legal stops in its authorised route The minimum fare is Rs 6 with 58 paise for every km. Fast Passenger FP is better service covering large distances with limited stops, only at main villages or towns Also known as Limited Stop Bus with initials LS FP marked in red or white within a circle in its route board The minimum fare is Rs 8 with 62 paise for every km. Super Fast SF also known as Express Services connects only major towns and district headquarters The minimum fare is same as of FP, however it costs 65 paise for every km. Deluxe Express LF also known as Super Express in some places, is a strictly point-to-point services, connecting major cities with technical stops only in major cities This services uses larger air-suspension bus with comfortable cushion seats The minimum fare is Rs 25 with 70 paise for every km. AC Lowfloor Buses operated by wholly ow ned subsidiary called as KURTC, this is a semi Urban-Highway connect service connecting small towns in a region to major cities The buses are normally Volvo Low floor buses air-conditioned The minimum fare is Rs 40 with 1 10 Rs per Km. SilverJet Fast is a new pan Kerala service connecting Trivandrum in South to Kasargod in North as well as few major cities in central region to both the ends of the state The air-bus are non air-conditioned, but offers push back fully reclinable seats, wifi facility, video screens and live monitoring The buses has only very limited stops, limiting to one per district. In addition, KSRTC operates air-conditioned premium buses known either as Garuda services, in a limited manner between major cities, as part of inter-state services The fares of inter-city of such services are Rs 35 as minimum fare with Rs 1 to Rs 1 2 for every Km depending upon type of bus. KSRTC brands all SF FP operating in northern districts as Malabar and Venad for all South Kerala distri cts Note for the initials, to differentiate whether its FP or SF Though KSRTC services are not known for its comfort, its one of the most reliable services in the country, with punctuality at its top order Whereas private bus services are not keen in punctuality, but keen in maintaining the bus and its comfort level In some places, there exists unhealthy competition among private operators, in regard to the speed and time taken to cover the scheduled distance, making the services erratic. While KSRTC has different liveries for each of class of service red for Ordinary green for FP blue-white for SF , private operators has no uniform liveries and paint according to their choice Most of the private bus services are known popularly among locals in the name of the bus company like Angel, Rajesh, Kallara etc The name are normally written in super-size on top of the windscreen, mostly in English. All KSRTC buses have its own bus depots or stations in major towns and villages and stops only at those stops that displays its logo Whereas private buses do stop at any convenient part of towns and villages, though in few cities it has its own private bus stands and stations Check with locals, to know where each class of bus operates There is no route numbering for buses in Kerala Destination will be written in bold on Windscreen as well as side of the buses in Malayalam and English not in all cases , along with on-route places written below to it, mostly in Malayalam Most of the ticket-conductors can help with basic simple English. While KSRTC mostly issues e-ticket slips, private buses normally go for traditional paper slips with destination hand-written or color coded Retain the ticket till end of the journey, as often ticket-inspectors may board in-between for surprise checks and in event of loss of ticket, you are liable for fine for a travel rate from place where the bus originated. Most of the buses are crowded and travelers would do well to beware of pickpockets. By conventio n, ladies and children occupy the front side of buses and single males towards back. By autorickshaw edit. Also called autos, these three wheelers are a convenient mode of transport for very short distance travel By law the auto driver has to start a meter for every journey However at times this law tends to be overlooked It is wise to ask the driver, politely, to ensure he starts the meter at the start of your journey or negotiate and fix the price of the trip before boarding, to avoid unnecessary arguments at the end of the trip The general behavior of drivers varies places to places While places like Kozhikode Malappuram Kottayam etc have some of the best friendly drivers who go beyond to help passengers, drivers in major cities like Kochi, Trivandrum etc are often reported to be errant Must apply lots of common senses, especially when dealing with drivers in touristy places like Alleppey Munnar Fort Kochi, Wayanad etc, where they trend to appear helpful and drive the passengers to th e places where they get hefty commissions or rewards. Generally the fares of autos are higher than government fixed rates, citing unrealistic govt decisions and frequent rise in petrol diesel prices In most of places, an ad-hoc arrangement of rates fixed among auto-drivers are common. Most of adhoc arrangement rates are Rs 20 as flagdown rate for first 2kms and Rs 12 per km and Rs 15 per km as evening night rates Govt fixed rates are much lower with Rs 10 as flagdown rate and Rs 7 per km A check with locals will help to know the such rates, as the rates may go higher if they find the person who doesn t know the rates or foreigners. Most of the larger railway stations and all the airports as well as in key junctions of tourist places, have pre-paid auto-rickshaw and or taxi stands Just tell them where you want to go and you will get a slip of paper with the destination and amount written on it Pay only that amount of money and nothing more You can seek assistance of Tourist Police, deploye d in touristy places. By auto-taxi edit. Off late a hybrid form of vehicles known as Auto-Taxis are launched in the state They are 4 wheeler Tata Iris vehicles, akin to Tata Nano It has a D 1 3 configuration typical to standard taxis, but charge normal city autorickshaw rates They usually ply in light green livery, though there isn t an official standard yet They are mostly available on call, if one knows the number of driver or can be hired from road or from Auto-Taxi stands mostly near crowded places like railway stations, markets malls etc As they usually have a pan-Kerala taxi permit, it can also be used to travel medium haul distances like a trip to nearby town or village. The state government provides subsidies to women for purchase of Auto-Taxis as part of employment generation programmes As a result of this there are many women driven Auto-Taxis in major cities like Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode etc These are a good option as they tend to be driven safer and is appealing especially for women travellers. By ferry edit. Kerala has an extensive series of water bodies with rivers, backwaters and lagoons making travel by ferry an effective service In some places, ferries are more popular and easier than road transport Most of the places in Alapuzha-Kuttanad area is interconnected with regular ferry services. The main waterways route, served by Kerala Water Transport Department boats are as follows. 1 Ashtamudy lake - 200 sq kms, connecting various points in Kollam district. 2 Vembanattu lake - 52 sq kms, connecting between districts of Alapuzha and Kottayam and numerous of canals in Kuttanad. 3 Ernakulam - Vypeen - Fort Cochin ferry Cochin port Harbour. 4 Muhamma - Kumarakom, connecting islands within Kottayam district. 5 Vaikom - Thavanakkadavu connecting Kottayam with Ernakulam districts. 6 Payyannur - Parassinikkadavu, connecting various parts of Kannur district. SWTD charges tickets between places, which is pre-determined Most of the tickets costs between Rs 3 to RS 11 Certain services, especially those operate between Alleppey-Kollam are Double Decker in nature, which has no-frills ordinary class at lower deck and premium class, mostly intended for tourists, in upper deck Premium class costs inbetween Rs 200 to Rs 500 per trip. The frequency of ferries varies from station to station The average waiting time is 10 Mins Services commences from 5 00 AM to 8 00 PM daily, though in some places in Alleppey, Kottayam and Kollam districts, services are extended upto 10 00 PM, due to demand Some ferries requires minimum number of passengers to operate. In some places, RO-RO ferries operates known as Junkars that help ferrying vehicles Rates for vehicles for RO-RO services vary for Rs 50 to 120 per vehicle, depending upon size of vehicle. Most of the ferries vary from traditional wooden boats to modern fiber-glass built ones and considered safe in general Expect heavily crowded during peak hours of morning and evening. Helicopter and air-taxi services are available from Kochi and Trivandrum These can be chartered for trips between these cities and a few tourist spots and some towns Be prepared to spend a lot for this though. Scheduled passenger airline services by the domestic carriers Indigo Air India are available from Trivandrum to Kochi 3x daily, 45 minutes from Kochi to Kozhikode 1x daily, 45 minutes Do take into consideration that the Kochi airport is around 30km 1 25 hours away from the city, Trivandrum airport is 6km 15 minutes away from the city and Kozhikode airport is 27km 1 hour away from the city It might make more sense to take a train or travel by road depending on your situation. See edit add listing. A typical houseboat floating down the backwaters near Alleppey in Kerala. Kerala is a long state by virtue of its geography and its advised to check in dividual cities and regions, to know local sightseeing attractions, restaurants, hotels etc. Due to its unique geography, Kerala gets rain for at least 7-8 months of the year and the forests are classified as rainforests There are many opportunities to trek, camp and see wildlife. Backwaters edit. Backwaters of Kerala are a maze of lagoons criss-crossed with rivers, shallow pools and canals, all separated from the sea by a narrow strip of sand banks In many places, the backwaters connect to form large lakes Backwaters are present throughout the state Astamudi Lake is highly unique due to its topography This is the most beautiful backwater of Kerala. The annual Vallam Kali boat races take place in the backwaters The boats are large wooden canoes that can accommodate 60 to 100 rowers The most famous race is for the Nehru Trophy Vallam Kalli, held on the second Saturday of August as a tribute to the former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who had a keen interest in this sport. Mountains edit. The Blue Mountains of the Western Ghats popularly known as Nilgiris which has numerous hill stations in this area The most popular is Munnar the honeymoon capital of the state The highest peak of the Western Ghats is located at Anamudi 2,695 metres and is good for trekking The area is also home to several sanctuaries and forest reserve areas. Several small and big Hill stations, spread in Eastern Districts of Kerala are highly popular picnic spots Wayanad and Idukki offers several such idyllic picnic spots. There are more than two dozen waterfalls both large and small, with numerous rapids and springs The largest fallwaters are at Athirampally, where three milky waterfalls fall at great speed. Forest Parks edit. Periyar National Tiger Park, Eravikulam Reserve, Silent Valley Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Reserves are some of the most popular tourist destinations, offering spectacular insights to the rich flora and fauna biosphere of Kerala Many of these parks are well known internationally due to presence of exotic animals like Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Indian Muntjac, Sambar Deer, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Dhole, leopard and the Indian Tigers, which many are endangered rare species Some little known animals such as Nilgiri langur, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Indian Porcupine, Nilgiri Marten, small clawed otter, Ruddy Mongoose, and Dusky striped squirrel offers a visual treat to tourists Wild elephant herds making seasonal visits to water bodies are also seen in many of these parks. Kerala also has several bird parks, with more than 132 species of birds on record Thattekkad Salim Rajan Bird Park is one such famous destination along with Malayatoor Forest Reserves. Many popular hill-stations like Nelliyampatty, Peechi Dam, Ranipuram, Vythiri and Kumarakom offers unique natural wildlife parks, with lots of rare flora and fauna to be explored. Beaches edit. The world famous Kovalam beach, well known for fun and frolic. Kerala has 650 km of coastline and numerous beaches Some of the more notable are. Thirumullavaram Beach in kollam district - A unique beach in the world where you can walk in the sea water for 1 2 KM because of its unique topography. Varkala Beach in Thiruvananthapuram district - A long cliff makes the beach more natural no restaurant behind you It is long beach with natural springs from the cliff. Kovalam Beach near Trivandrum has a good bathing area, clean environment and plenty of accommodation This was a centre of Hippy counter-culture in sixties, and is today well known for hedonistic beach parties. Alapuzha Beach and Kollam Beach are both well known for beach sports and tournaments. Cherai Beach near Kochi city has a large sand beach. Kozhikode Beach is where Vasco da Gama first landed in India, marking the start of European colonisation and the Age of Discovery. Muzhappilangadu near Kannur is the country s lone drive in beach in Kannur district with lush greenery around This beach has a naturally clean and closely packed sand which make s it drivable Beach is very long 4-5 km and is a pleasant place to spend time Lots of adventure activities like para gliding para sailing etc are arranged in this beach regularly. Historical monuments edit. The Palaces at Sree Padmanabhapuram located 30 km from Trivandrum are the largest Palaces ever constructed from wood and granite in India This was the Royal Headquarters of Travancore until early 20th century. The Hill Palace in Kochi houses more than 200 artifacts including the hugely valuable Cochin Crown as well as other rare Crown Jewels. The forts at Bekal Palakkad and Thalassery date from the pre-British Raj era. The Cherman Perumal Mosque at Kodungallor is the world s second oldest intact mosque and houses many rare artifacts. The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry build by the Portuguese by 1555.There are numerous museums, Palaces and historical places in all districts. Kerala Niyama Sabha - the legislature body located in Trivandrum. Eco-tourism villages edit. Kerala was the first state to formally embrace the eco-tourism concept in South Asia and has made considerable strides in this respect. Akkalum Tourist Village in Trivandrum is set in a very clean and green environment There is a floating bridge and beautiful landscaped gardens Many famous statues and sculptures dot the area. Thenmala Eco-Tourist Village in Kollam is the first such place in India, with an intense focus on the natural environment Exhibits include 27 rare trees, a butterfly garden, nature trail, a deer park, lotus garden, jasmine garden, many sculptures and a large musical fountain Adventure sports, trekking, boating and fishing are some of activities offered. Kumbalangi Model Village for Sustainable Tourism near Kochi was once a sleepy fishing village Today it is a popular visitor atraction with a planned focus on sustainability There are many small homestays where visitors can interact with locals, understand their lifestyle, go fishing, learn recipes etc. Religious attractions edit. Kerala is famous f or its religious harmony Keralites are very religious people and religious functions dominates all walks of life However religion donot make the final word in anybody s life here, thus its an very open society for debate and discussions about religions. Itineraries edit. Do edit add listing. There are two types of Ayurvedic establishments Ayurvedic Hospitals and Ayurveda Resorts Enjoying an Ayurveda Massage while in Kerala is always a priority for tourists While the Ayurvedic Hospitals are for treatment of serious ailments, diseases and disorders, the Ayurveda Spas resorts are more suited to rejuvenation combining hospitality along with traditional ayurvedic treatments. There are many popular Ayurvedic themed resorts which mix treatment with pleasure Ayurvedic hospitals however are legally authorised medical centres and formally authorised to prescribe Ayurvedic medicines Many Ayurvedic medicines and oils can be readily purchased without medical prescription as they they have an enduring r eputation for being free of any significant known side effects Indeed they are often sought out for that reason. Leaf Ratings. Government of Kerala has made a rating system to be displayed at the reception of government authorized Ayurvedic centers This is similar to a star rating for hotels and they are called Green Leaf and Olive Leaf ratings Olive Leaf is given to small and mid-sized ayurvedic centers that meet the government criteria While the Green leaf indicates larger ayurvedic centers having superior facilities Unauthorised massage centres are mainly sex shops in disguise While Ayurvedic medical clinics are included in Leaf ratings, no Ayurvedic hospitals are given a Green Leaf as they are classified as medical centres Most 3 star and above hotels have inhouse Ayurvedic spas, either olive or green leaf rating. Cruises edit. A cruise on the Backwaters of Kerala is a popular visitor pastime Try getting a houseboat from Ashtamudi Lake An individual houseboat can be rented in 24 hour a nd 12 hour blocks Rates differ according to the season and duration. Boating in Akkalum tourist village in Veli Near Trivandrum as well as in Astamudi Lake in Kollam, Kochi Harbour, Kallai River of Kozhikode, Malampuzha Reservoir in Palakkad, Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady, Neyyar Dam Adventure because of its crocodile infested area in Trivandrum, Thenmala Eco-Village in Kollam offers some good sightings in these areas as well as offers a good pleasure trip worth for an experience. Try using village canoe yourself in Canals of Ashtamudi Lake Its surely going to make you try again and again. Speed cruise in Akkulam Tourist Village in Trivandrum as well as Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam backwaters is a good choice Akkulam has a wide range of speed cruise from Jet ski to Water Scooters and Speed Boats as well as Banana Boats. If you love adventure, try boarding any Fishing vessel, for a trip to High seas Its something really adventurous For more extreme adventurous person, a trip using tradition al Fishing boat, is more thrilling due to use of narrow body boats without any machines, used by fishermen in coastal areas You can experience the thrills of High seas. Kerala Shipping Corporation has introduced Kochi Cruise, that have 2 type of cruises covering both Kochi Harbour Backwaters and nearby High seas The evening cruise is the most interesting, due to the experience of cruising while at sunset and sightings of several dolphins in the Kochi Highseas. Festivals edit. Pullikalli-Tiger Dance as part of Onam Celebrations. Kerala is considered as land of festivals, with numerous festivals falling across the year The national festival of Kerala is Onam marking 10 day long festivities across the state, happening between August-September Another big festival is X mas due to large Christian population in the state, celebrated in grand zest in many cities, particularly in Kochi and Kottayam All Muslim festivals are celebrated among the community in grand way, especially in Malabar where th ey form majority Apart from major religious festivals, most of temples hosts annual festivals as part of anniversary celebrations, famous for large parade of decorated elephants, temple orchestration and fireworks The most famous among them is Thrissur Pooram celebrated in the Thrissur town during April-May. Other major festivals celebrated are Vishu Malayalam New Year day mostly on April 14th , Thiruvathira considered sacred for Hindu women celebrated during December and Holy Easter Week National secular holidays like Independence Day August 15th , Republic Day January 26th , Naval Week December 1st week , Nehru Trophy Vallam Kalli Snake-boat race in Alleppy on 2nd Saturdays of August etc are celebrated in grand way in various cities. Ayurveda edit. Ayurvedic treatment, is the key USP of Kerala. Kerala is world famous for the ancient healing art of Ayurveda This 5000 years old healing tradition is known to heal chronic illnesses naturally Hundreds of government run and private Ayurvedic h ospitals and treatment centres are spread across the state that offer ayurvedic treatment for almost every health condition Due to tourism boom, Ayurvedic Spas too have become popular for light massages and pleasure treatments Ayurveda is a complete medical system which has cure for all kinds of health issues Some diseases which are incurable in Modern medicine has remedy in Ayurveda, for example a genetic disease of the eye named Retinitis pigmentosa makes a person blind as his age advances for which Ayurvedic medicine offers cure So in case of any serious ailment or for genuine ayurvedic treatment it is recommended to go to any of the famous Ayurvedic hospitals Some of the most established ayurvedic centres in kerala are Kottakkal Arya vaidyasala 11 Samajam Ayurveda 12 Dharma Ayurveda 13 Vaidyaratnam 14 Abad Revival 15 Nambiaparambil Ayurevedic Hospital 16 MVR Ayurveda Medical College Hospital 17 and Dr Veena s Ayurmantra 18.Ayurveda and Yoga Teacher Training kerala Deepen your yoga knowledge in Akshi Yogashala in the southern state of India, Kerala, a state whose beauty, purity and simplicity are unexplained in words Kerala is also a place of Ayurveda herbal plantations, and Yoga Akshi Yogashala is having its 200 hours yoga teachers training program in Kerala to incorporate aspiring students into the so spirited and cultured Kerala with complete yogic knowledge of Ayurveda The program also includes retreat programs along the beaches of Kerala It is Yoga Alliance, USA certified program that would entitle students to become a yoga guru and who can spread the knowledge of yoga to the world around. Yoga and Ayurveda Courses in Kerala Santhi Yoga school offer yoga, ayurveda, panchkarma residential courses in kerala. Yoga Teacher Training Course in Kerala Rishikul Yogshala offer various types of yoga like Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Ayurvedic Meditation, Yog - Nidra, Ayurvedic Theory and Therapy and etc. Adventure sports edit. Canoeing Canoeing is a favorite sport among the tourists of Kerala and among the local inhabitants of the state A canoe is a small 2-3 seater boat which is rowed by the sailors Canoeing expeditions are undertaken in Kerala by groups of tourists and such sashays are often arranged by tourist operators on request One can find many canoe races among tourists in Backwaters of Kollam. Catamaran Sailing A catamaran is small often wooden vessel with twin hulls joined together Catamarans are usually set sail across the backwaters of Kerala nowadays motorised catamarans are in vogue along with traditional oar propelled ones giving the tourists of the state more variety to indulge in Catamaran sailing can be seen in Kollam Beaches and limited usage in Kozhikode Barbour The government discourages this, due to absence of safety measures, hence such sporting options must be done under personal risk. Kayaking Kayaking requires high levels of physical fitness A Kayak is a small one or two man boat which the rowers actuate with twin paddled oars Kaya king can be undertaken on rocky rapids similar to white water rafting or on calm sea waters The backwaters of Kerala are extremely conducive to such sea kayaking Kollam Backwaters, particularly Ashtamudi Lake has many good areas for Kayaking. Trekking is a good option Lot of trekking options prevails in Palakkad and Kottayam districts, which are safer Trekking in Idukki and Wayanad is also good, but is much more adventurous and not as safe Do contact DTPC of these districts available at district capitals to know more about it Kottayam mountains are the best for anybody to trek, whereas trekking at Iddukki is surely for the experts Vagamon and nearby areas have lot of short trekking options. Rock Climbing - Popular in the Munnar mountains, which are more rocky in nature and have cliffs that make for a real adventure Areas near Poojnar in Kottayam also have options for rock climbing. Mountain Biking - Popular in hill station areas, especially for racing Ponmudi in Trivandrum, Munnar, Thekka dy, Vagamon, and Nelliyampatty are main centres for mountain biking and racing. Mountain Hiking - is also emerging as a popular sport, to conquer the largest peak of Western Ghats - Anamudi in Iddukki district Many Mountain hikers go in search of tall peak points, for hiking options Need to check at Iddukki, Palakkad and Kottayam districts. Para gliding - Para gilding are available at Munnar and Varkala A try is surely something you going to cherish, due to the natural beauty and the extreme thrill associated with it Recently Vagamon has emerged as one of the popular centre for Para gilding, due to its less mountainous terrain and vast expanse of open space, coupled with scenic beauty Recently it was chosen as permanent centre for Kerala Para-gliding Prix ASSTA Kochi is one of the premier sporting agency in Kerala 91 94472-88252, 98470-59735.Para Sailing Parasailing is a water sport commonly indulged in Kerala s beaches and sea side resorts This highly recreational sport is one of the pri mary adventure sports in Kerala s many beaches Commonly seen in Varkala, Kovalam, Cherai beaches Recently started in Kannur beach too. Scuba Diving Scuba diving is deep sea diving with an oxygen pack fitted to the diving suit so that the diver does not need to depend on any surface supplied equipment The deep Arabian Sea off Kerala shores makes scuba diving a veritable pleasure sport The rich underwater flora and fauna attracts the diver over the risks involved in the sport Mainly done in Kochi Backwaters and Highseas area This yet has not emerged as a popular sporting in Kerala, though its popular in nearby Lakshadweep seas, from the Kochi Cruisers. Snorkeling Snorkeling is a major tourist recreation at the beaches of Alappuzha Kovalam and Varkala It involved swimming at the surface of the deep sea equipped with a snorkel or a breathing tube and mask It allows the diver to view the natural underwater bounties and the diversity of marine life. Wind Surfing Windsurfing is skimming the wate r face on a surfboard with a revolving sail The skill of the surfer is tested in maneuvering the craft amidst the high waves and tearing winds Windsurfing is a sport that rouses much interest in the numerous beaches that fringe coastal Kerala This is not as popular as other sports, though at Kovalam and Varkala, one can find some wind surfers. Oxen Racing - Oxen racing is an adventure sporting, where the racer needs to drive two oxens tied to wooden boards and need to make 5 circles around the paddy field This is a popular village-side sports, especially done before sowing season, to make soil ploughable, while providing an entertainment option Traditionally tourists are not encouraged to take part in this sport, as it requires high level of skill and expertise, though recently many tour companies are catering this option to their adventurous guests. Tree Climbing - Tree climbing is an adventure sporting, similar to rock climbing After rock climbing and surfing, adventure travellers are turning to tree climbing in Kerala For tree climbing, age and fitness levels are not a bar The tree climbing sub-culture involves bestowing every new climber with a name, Jenkins is called Treeman and Kovar goes by the name Tengu Climbing equipment, including a seat and pedal unit, are provided for safety 19.Sports edit. Much like elsewhere in India, lot of sport options exist in Kerala, mainly limited to Football, Cricket, Volleyball, Athletics Malayalees are well-known for their passion for Volleyball and Athletics Majority of great Indian Volley-ball players and famous athletes of which many are Olympians are from Kerala. Play Volley-Ball at Kerala s beaches as many locals do play this in evenings You can join them. Soccer is a passion for majority of Malabar people who love to spend whole day and night in various Foot-ball stadiums You can join with them for a round of soccer or cheer soccer teams while in their play. Golfing is a good option, though a limited one Traditionally Golf is considered as a Game for Rich in Kerala, hence one can find good Golf-Courses only in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi Trivandrum Golf Course is the Oldest Golf-course in Commonwealth and a very good place to play with holes The Bolgatty Palace Hotel in Cochin has a private Golf Course for its guests, which was the traditional golf-course once used by British Residents and Nobles of Royal English Residency of Cochin Recently Cochin Airport has opened a state-of-the-art 18 hole golf course, which is good place to play as well as learn Golf Munnar has a golf course called High-Range Golf Club which is a scenic place to play There are few small golf clubs in Iddukki and Kottayam districts, which are mainly limited to its members, though tourists may be allowed to pay at slightly higher fees. Like elsewhere in India, cricket is the most hottest craze among youngsters and you can find most of them playing in very large open spaces and fields Regular cricket tournaments are held in Kerala Try a game with Bat and ball. Indoor stadiums are common in most of the large metros and district headquarters Most of the indoor games are played at many clubs and tourist recreation centres The popular indoor games are Table tennis, Badminton and cards Think of such options in these areas Most of the hotels do have large swimming pools, which are good places for swimming Else the Kerala Water sports complex in Trivandrum and Indoor Sports Centre in Kochi, provides olympic size pools for various water games. Safaris edit. Jungle Safari Kerala has many natural rain forests, with lots of unique flora and fauna A trek in the forests of Kerala can offer a unique experience Many forests are protected and to enter in any forest area, you require permission from Forest Office Guards from the Forest Office may be required to accompany you due to presence of wild animals and to liaise with local tribespeople in some forests such as the Periyar Tiger Reserve Malayatoor Forest Division Silent Valley Rain forest in the Nilgiri Hills of Palakkad district, Wayanad forest division and Nilambur Teak forests A request is required to be made at the Forest Headquarters in Trivandrum or Range Offices at the entrance of each Forest division Entering forests without permission is an offence and punishable with charges of trespassing Hunting and environmental disturbance is also an offence You don t require Forest Guard protection services to enter Chalakudy Forest division a place very popular for use as a movie location Agastyakoodam in Trivandrum is famous for high medical value flora Nelliyampatty Forest division in Palakkad requires a prior check with local Range office or Forest office before proceeding You need a Forest permit to enter any forest region and must assure that you do not offer anything to local tribespeople or disturb them in any way Kerala tourism, in association with the Forest Office have organised some deep jungle safaris Jungle lodges are available in outer areas of some of the forests Check with KTDC or DTPC for more details. Elephant Safari - If you are in Kerala, elephants safaris are one of the best way to keep amused Riding on top of an 8 foot animal, will surely make you excited and thrilled Elephant safaris are common in many tourist places like Thenmala Eco-tourist Village and at Kodanadu Elephant Training centre near Kochi as well as in Periyar Tiger reserve area Please note that the comfort and conditions the animals are kept in may not be exactly of a high standard. Bullock Cart Safari - An experience of being in olden days in this modern era A must try option while visiting any village in Palakkad or in Kuttanad in Alleppey or any Malabar side village, can surely make you feel the common man s mode of transport of bygone era. Nilgiri Safari - A safari by foot over deep forests, mountainous terrain, plains at Nilgiris, to enjoy the sightings and sound of lonely Nilgiris mountains, enjoy the company of protected Tahrs and deers, mesmerised with the beauty of golden plains Surely Nilgiri safari has all these to offer. Buy edit add listing. Bank and money edit. Kerala has one of the best banking systems in India, thus cards both debit, credit and cash cards are widely accepted in almost all towns and cities Banks, money exchange facilities and ATMs are widespread Traveller s Cheques are accepted in almost all banks Credit and local debit cards are widely accepted in towns Rural areas traditionally have a cash-based society, though credit debit cards are widely accepted in tourist-oriented villages and areas Foreign credit cards and debit cards mostly Visa Master cards are accepted in almost all places There is a cash limit that can be drawn per day, limiting to Rs 10,000 US 200 when drawn thro ATMs A surcharge of Rs 50 US 1 is charged for transactions beyond first ten transactions in a month Foreign currency can be converted into Indian Rupees at any authorised money changers or nationalised banks up to Rs 50,000 in value in one transaction and any amount above this, requires a bank account and Indian PAN Card Foreign currencies are not accepted anywhere in Kerala, except in airports. The largest Kerala bank is Federal Bank with its headquarters in Aluva, Kochi, with wide range of branches across the state Major Kerala banks include, State Bank of Travancore, South Indian Bank, Catholic Syrian Bank, and Dhanalakshmi bank apart from almost national bank brands International Banks such as HSBC, Standard Chartered and CitiBank operate mainly in Kochi and Trivandrum. Service charges are common in hotels and restaurants which will be normally included in your bill standard is 10 , which varies depending upon the status and rankings, but not beyond 15 In addition to this, tipping is common everywhere and its a social norm to pay tip in hotels as well as restaurants which is normally in between Rs 10 to Rs 20 In larger five star hotels or similar large restaurants, the tipping norm is normally 10 or 12 of your bill valu e No tip is given for auto or taxi drivers, though over-night taxi drivers have to be pay bata official tip which shall be charged separately in your taxi bill. Currency Exchange is very easy in Kerala, as there are many international money changers as well as forex players across the state. Kerala is generally an expensive destination when compared to elsewhere in India. Budget tourists normally require Rs 1,000 US 20 per day for a decent stay including food They can depend ordinary restaurants or road-side hawkers called Thattukadas for their food which costs less than Rs 40 less US 1 Middle class tourists must keep around Rs 1,400-Rs 2,000 US 24-US 40 per day a stay in pretty good hotel and for food in standard restaurants For rich, Kerala is a destination that costs normally beyond Rs 4,000 US 80.Shopping edit. Shopping is a national hobby in Kerala, with vast options in all metros Do shop during Onam or Christmas seasons Its going to be amazing rock bottom discounts, that make you mad with shopping The best shopping during Onam is white goods and electronics, whereas its more of dress and jewelery shopping during Christmas, though you get discounts for all in these seasons. To cash on Shopping Tourism, Kerala Government organizes Grand Kerala Shopping Festival 20 that aims to transform Kerala into one-stop shopping destination Special events, huge discounts and mega raffles are the key highlights of the event The Mega raffles of 101 Kg of Gold as well as daily and weekly draws, on-spot scratch win cards and mobile SMS based prizes, do pull large number of tourists Kochi is the key hub of the festivities, while other cities have themed activities and shopping options through participating outlets Almost every shop has a sale, starting in December and ending in January. Apart from regular shopping, consider the following in your shopping list, as made in Kerala items. Souvenirs edit. A wide range of coconut shell products can be found in Alleppey, most of them hand-made. While visiting Aranmula, a small town in Pathanamthitta, you will find for sale the famous Aranmula Mirror - a mirror made out of metal instead of glass, using a metallurgic formula which is a closely guarded secret Very expensive option, but a truly unique souvenir. A visit to any emporium will reveal a lot of handicrafts Kerala is famous for its wooden crafts, brass items models of cultural icons like vallam snake boats , urus sailboats , elephants in temple festival style, artifacts like traditional jewel boxes and so on. Showcase pieces like Nettipattam The Caparison used for elephants in Plastic mould and associated decorations like Peacock quill etc are popular with visitors The God s Own Craft, an organization based in Kochi has popularised the sale of such pieces in plastic, helping visitors to carry them home, while retaining the traditional look and charm. Coir wall hangings with beautiful pictures and fans made out of Lemongrass that makes natural scent while fanning etc. Fabric edit. Kerala s traditional Handloom cloth, Mundu and Neriyathu can be purchased directly from weavers mainly in Chendamangalam near Kochi and Balaramapuram near Trivandrum. Large stores in Kochi, Trivandrum and many other cities have good collection of worked sarees, Churidars, dress materials, salwar-suits, Indian men s wear like Kurtha-Pyjama etc. Oils and spices edit. Kerala, is well known for spices Cardamom, pepper, cloves, turmeric, saffron and many others can be found when shopping in Kerala s bazaars Some of the recommended spice markets are Broadway in Kochi and Chalai in Trivandrum At Wayanad, Idukki, Pathanamtitta, Kottayam and Kozhikode you can find first quality premium spices from many authorised spice centres These places are famous for value-added spice products like curry masala powders, ready-to-use spice powders, spice essences, extracts, spiced teas and coffee Rare spice oils and concentrates used as bases for perfume and scents can also be found. Many outlets sell uniq ue natural cosmetic powders like mango, orange and papaya peel powder, turmeric powder These and other spices, herbal powders and natural extracts are good for making face and body cleansing powders and soaps Its worth to look around and investigate what is on offer. Try buying some lemongrass oil, famous for its rare scent It can also be used on the skin to discourage mosquitoes There are more than a dozen oils in Kerala, famous for maintaining a healthy skin glow and reducing blemishes and acne. Coconut oil is good to keep hairfall under control and nurture hair growth as well as for promoting a healthy glowing skin Keralites put coconut into a multitude of varying uses It is used as a high temperature cooking oil and scrapped powder and coconut milk is used in many local cooking styles Roasted oil virgin coconut oil are known to reduce cholesterol and are popular for good health It is also used by expecting mothers for keeping their baby healthy. Murals and paintings edit. Kerala is hom e to many famous national and international painters The celebrated Kerala murals and oil paintings of legendary Raja Ravi Varma and many others, surely add more charm to your interiors You can buy murals and paintings of all size and style, that fit to your budget, which is comparatively cheaper in Kerala. Eat edit add listing. Kerala cuisine is distinctly different from food elsewhere in India The major difference that one can easily notice are dominance of rice as staple food and popularity of non-vegetarian dishes Unlike other parts of India, the Kerala society do not emphasis on any religious dietary taboos or restrictions Thus various beef and pork dishes take a key position in Kerala cuisine without any societal taboos Seafood gets a lion s share in typical Kerala s cuisine and lavish use of coconut in form of coconut oil, coconut milk, powder or paste gives a distinct taste Since spices are abundant, one can find its lavish use in most of dishes, making many fiery hot Pepper, Car damon, Cloves, Ginger, Chilies are common to most of the dishes. Food in Kerala tends to include a variety of spices and most of them are extremely fiery Kerala also has its own fair share of famous vegetarian cuisines and normally only vegetarian foods are taken during festival days, particularly Onam However Jains Vegans will find hard in vegetarian selections, as most of Malayalee vegetarian dishes comprises various tubular and root based vegetables as well as lavish use of beet-root, ginger, garlic and onions along with animal milk Jains need to look out for Jain special food, normally available in key cities or near Jain temples very much limited in cities like Kochi. Kerala s cuisine is divided into four basic regional styles, according to ingredient availability and historical influence Malabar Central Travancore Southern Travancore and Central Kerala Although all four styles can be found throughout the state, the food will be most authentic within each given region. Sadhya edit. On e of the favourite for any connoisseur of food would be Kerala s traditional buffet, the sadhya It is served especially during festive occasion and normally presented upon a plaintain leaf It generally has up to 24 items and is accompanied by various desserts and savories. A typical sadhya consists of piping hot parboiled rice with popular Kerala vegetarian dishes like. olan a dish of pumpkin. avial an assorted mix of all vegetables. injipulee a ginger tamarind flavouring. kaalan made of yam and yogurt. thoran pan-fried vegetables sprinkled with grated coconut. kichiadi roasted cucumber in yogurt. pachadi a sweet dish made out pineapple or grapes mixed with sour yogurt. erissery pumpkin or beans cooked in thick coconut paste. mezhukkupuratty Stir fries using marinated various vegetables, tossed with chilies. istew Stew curry of Potato or mixed vegetables cooked in thick coconut milk. kottukari a mixture of few vegetables like raw bananas or pumpkin or potatoes, pan fried mixed with a spicy tomato puree curry base etc. In some sadhyas, options like masala curry vegetable special curries are served. The sambar a watery all-Vegetable curry and parippu lentils, either mashed or curry form along with ghee are served as the main entre Normally 2 to 3 spicy pickles called as achar are served. Other assortments include pappadam fried Lentil-flour paper-thin bread , along with banana chips and jaggery sweet, served as main appetisers Towards the end of sadhya, rasam similar to mulligatawny soup made out of pepper and tomato water is served, which is good for digestion as well as mooru or sambharam spiced buttermilk are served. Bananas are also taken as a final note to end the elobrate sadhya s main course The desserts includes payasam a sweet porridge-like, made of jaggery or sugar along with rice, cereals, fruits depending on what type of payasam as well as boli a sweet flour bread, which looks similar to an omelet, along with a banana and sometimes unniappam sweet fried rice flour dumplin g. Normally sadyas are served on lunch time and normally will be pure vegetarian Onasadhya served on the Onam day is the most famous, due to having more than 30 curries and an elobrate range of special payasams Many leading hotels and restaurants now serve smaller versions of sadhya as part of a regular lunch offering In Malabar, sometimes, fried-fish or chicken curry constitute part of the sadhya, as the Malabar sadhya does not have a vegetarian tradition. Thalis fixed price meals edit. Most of the hotels offer smaller version of sadhya called as thali or Meals fixed or unlimited serving as part of regular lunch While an elaborate thali or meals normally has around 4 to 5 curries along with 2 pickles, pappadams and a payasam any sweet dish, a normal lunch Meal served in most of small restaurants consist of 3 to 4 curries and 1 pickle and pappadam Fish curry or fried fish consists of fish of the day are part of fish - meals which are more popular. Most of such meals thalis would be served i n steel plated with slots for curries Thalis are also known as Onnu in local Malayalam. Though Kerala donot have a concept of Veganism popular among locals, majority of ethnic Kerala Vegetarian foods are vegan in nature Authentic Kerala Vegetarian recipes do not use animal derivative products in dishes Milk based curries uses coconut milk as its base recipe instead of cow milk And Coconut oil is common for cooking and frying purposes. However vegans need to confirm as there are few popular Kerala dishes which has Yogurt as base which could be from cow s milk This is because Veganism isn t a concept heard in Kerala, though majority of Kerala Veg dishes donot uses Animal product lines. Seafood edit. Seafood is available all over Kerala and is part of regular Kerala cuisine In regions bordering the backwaters and lakes traditional cuisine includes fresh-water fish such as karimeen black pearlspot , prawns, shrimps, kanava squid and many other delicacies. Cooking styles include Pollichatu spicy marinated fish, wrapped in banana leaf and steamed until cooked , roasted pan stirred roasting method mostly with dry gravy tossed with spices , deep fried as well as curry boiled Fish curries are extremely popular, where fish are cooked in medium thick gravy of tomatoes, chilies, spices, coconut milk and slightly sour due to mixing with a special kind of local tamarind called Kodampully, used mainly for fish curries Alleppey Fish curry style is one of most popular among Fish curries Fish Moilee is another popular fish curry, which is more mild in nature, cooked in coconut milk Another popular dish is Chemeen Manga Curry where tossed prawns are cooked in mango curry In Northern kerala, Meen Mappas are extremely popular where fish are cooked in a very thick cashew based gravy tossed with ginger-garlic paste, heavily garnished with fried onions, cinnamon, cardamons etc Fish Mulakkittathu which is cooked in thick pepper-chilly sauce is also a popular choice, especially in Toddy shops for fiery hot lovers. In most of the parts of Kerala, various varieties of sea fishes are extremely popular and consumed regularly in afternoon lunch mostly fried or curry or both Another popular option is fiery hot fish cooked in chilly curry served along with kappa tapioca or rice Steamed and mashed tapioca flavoured with turmeric served along with spicy fish curry or mashed chilly gravy is a favorite among Malayalees, particularly those in rural areas. Non Vegetarian edit. Kerala cuisine takes a greater emphasis on non-vegetarian note, with multiple cuisine styles for almost all kind of meat While Chicken, Duck, Beef, Mutton are the most popular among non-vegetarians, pork and lamb meat are taken as special festive cuisine Its not uncommon to see rabbit, pigeon and quail meat based cuisine in some parts of the state All meat are normally marinated heavily with spices before cooking, mostly turmeric, chilly powder, pepper, salt, ginger-garlic paste, garam-masala etc Pan stir frying roast , deep fried and curry boiled are some of the popular cooking styles Kerala is one of major state in India, which is extremely beef friendly, with no social religious taboos attached to it Beef is the most popular meat, followed by chicken and used widespread. Normally most of the meat are Halal, though formal certifications are very limited and often not made To a great degree, most of Kerala s meat cuisine style are Jew Kosher friendly as use of animal milk yogurt are rare in typical cuisines, while its substituted to coconut milk However many North Indian influenced dishes do use milk as base. Breakfast edit. Kerala is very famous for its elaborate breakfast food It has been adjourned as one of the best breakfasts in the world, partly due to its high nutritional value and low oil content 21 Unlike other parts of India, few non-vegetarian items are available on Kerala breakfast menus Some of the popular breakfast items are. Puttu steamed cake made of rice powder and grated coconut , taken along with kadala a spicy curry made of black garbanzo beans chana , Pappadams and bananas Various flavored Puttus are also now available. Idli steamed rice cake , a soft fluffy cake taken alone with chutney paste made out of spicy chilly or mint or grind coconut and sambar. Dosas thin crispy fried crepe kind having flavorings of butter, ghee, masala or plain In some places, thick Dosas are made, with toppings of Onion, Tomatoes, beet-roots etc and more specialty ones with eggs, curries etc. Pidiyan dumplings made of rice and jaggery. Idiyappam string hoppers - also known as noolputtu and nool-appam , taken with spicy egg curry or tomato curry. Paal-Appam a circular, fluffy, crisp-edged pancake made of rice flour fermented with toddy or wine , taken with chicken stew mild spiced coconut milk based gravy , or vegetable kurma a mixed vegetable curry in coconut milk gravy. Vatta-Appam kin to typical cakes made out of rice flour, steamed with dry fruits in it taken with alone or sometimes with egg curry. Aval Velayichathu Sweetened Rice Flanks taken alone or with bananas. Upuma fried tossed semolina rava taken along with bananas or with chutneys. Dinner edit. Dinner traditionally used to similar to Lunch in Kerala, though instead of rice, congee or kanzhi rice porridge used along with spicy raw chillies and roasted pappadams However today dinner is more like North Indian style, with chappathis and parathas dominating the main course along with some vegetable or non vegetable curries. Breads rice edit. Kerala doesn t have any indigenous wheat breads in its traditional recipes, though today most of the North Indian breads like naans and parathas are more popular options There are also many more unique rice-flour made breads which are not often seen much outside Kerela. Rice breads - palappams milk mixed in normal appam batter and kallappams palm toddy mixed in normal appam batter. Rice flour breads - pathiris a fried rice flour bread , ghee pathiri pathiri baked in ghee , poricha path iri fried pathiri rather than baked and stuffed pathiris anything like vegetables, fish or chicken The Chattapathiris is the most celebrated one, much similar to a Lasagna, with leavened Pathiris with multi-layers of meat, vegetables, cashews and raisins intervened and baked. Kerala paratha porotta - a famous milled wheat weaved fried or toasted bread orignated from Malabar, popular throughout Kerala. Rice - Kerala s most favourite rice is called matta a nutritious indigenous variety of rice grown in Palakkad district of Kerala Normal boiled rice, served piping hot is a regular staple for lunch as well as dinner Other popular options are ghee rice, fried rice, saffron rice, turmeric rice and biryani rice. Sweets edit. Due to the lesser influence of Arab Central Asian food on Kerala, the use of sweets is not as widespread as in North India Kerala does not have any indigenous cold desserts, but hot warm desserts are popular The most popular example is undoubtedly the payasam a preparation of either milk or jaggery syrup as main base with coconut extract, butter, sugar, cashews and dry grapes There are more than 18 varieties of payasam all having same base constituents and differs from others due to main ingredient Some of the popular variants are paal payasam made with rice grains , Ada payasam with beaten rice flakes , Paripu payasam made from lentils , pazham pradhamam made from banana , gothambu payasam made from wheat grain or semiya made with vermicelli. Other popular indigenous sweets are. Unniappam, a fluffy deep-fried rice-bread mixed with ripe bananas similar to the Danish bleskiver. Pazham-pori, banana fritters. Kozhukkatta, rice dumplings stuffed with a sweet mixture of molasses, coconut. Kozhikode halwa, a famous sweet confection. Adas, rice parcels encased in a dough made of rice flour, with sweet fillings, steamed in banana leaf. Typically there is no concept of desserts, other than Payasams which are normally part of Sadhya culture, to be taken after lunch or dinn er, though many have imbibed the system from external influences. Savories are extremely popular in Kerala, with fried banana chips as most preferred Jack-fruit chips, chips made out of rice flour in various forms like achappam, kozhalappam, paka-vada, availose unda etc. Malayalees consider tea-time normally twice a day mid-day and evening as key part of socialization Most of Malayalees take fritter snacks savories during tea time and takes around 20 to 30 minutes to finish off, socializing with others The popular snacks taken along with tea coffee are Uzhunnu-vada akin to doughnuts, made of fried mashed lentils , Parippu vadu, Undampoori fried banana balls , Bonda stuffed potato balls , Savala Vada onion stuffed vada , Sugiyan Green gram-coconut stuffed balls and cutlets eat. Fast food edit. Most of the National and International fast food chains such as Pizza Hut, Domino s pizza, Subway, KFC, McDonalds, Chicking, US Pizza, SFC etc can be found in many major cities of the state as well as on highways as drive-ins. In addition, local fast food standalone restaurants, kiosks as well as drive-ins can be easily found across the state Indian Coffee House is one such popular local Fast food, famous for its coffees, meals, biriyanis, dosas and quick sandwiches. Cafes formats are rare in highways, though recently Cafe Coffee Days have launched such offering 24x7 refreshments etc However roadside small teashops and quick bites kiosks are common, though they don t conform to western hygiene concepts Bakeries are common across Kerala, offering breads, savories and quick bites apart from few convenience provisions. Drink edit add listing. Tap water is generally not recommended for outsiders, as the quality varies unless its purified using a purifier Mineral Bottled water is considered better choice and widely available It would be a pretty suprise to see pink or yellowish liquid being served as water for outsiders Glass water served in wayside restaurants are generally safe as most of them uses an Ayurvedic powder called Pathimukam or Dahashamani which is an herbal product that used during boiling that gives water a distinctive pinkish color This is prefectly healthy as stops dehydration rapidly and purfies water from bacteria Many restaurants serves cumin water, which is boiled with cumin seeds that gives a pale yellowish color to the water, which is good for digestion and acidity. Soft Drinks like Colas brands, branded juices are also widely available across stores Tender coconut water karikku , are available in even the smallest towns Tender coconut water is extremely popular and along with this the sweet creamy pulp Coconut meat is an ice-cream like cream which can be eaten Kerala Government also launched an indigenous natural drink called NEERA, the unfermented coconut nectar served chilled which is healthy and substitute as a natural health drink. Coffee and Tea edit. Coffee kapi and tea chaya are commonly available Unlike other parts of South India, in Kerala, tea is more popular than coffee Its virtually impossible, not to find a tea stall selling tea The famous tea of Kerala is the Kannan Devan brand originating from Kerala own Nilgiri teas People generally take a strong dose of tea content and some even seek for double strong In Kerala one can find Milma a milk brand booth selling tea with milk and snack eateries Coffee is more popular in urban areas particularly in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram as a cafe drink Popularly national brands like Cafe Coffee Day and many local cafes offer various flavours of coffees with western oriental snacks Kerala s own traditional cafe is Indian Coffee House which are old-fashioned pre-1970s styled coffee shops, offering Kerala coffee along with regular Kerala foods Coffee shops and bakeries are booming across the key cities, offering various innovative coffee flavours and traditional Kerala snacks along with lite burgers. Juices edit. Juices and shakes Kerala being a tropical state, tropical juices and juic e cocktails are very popular Almost everywhere, small juice stalls selling mango, orange, pineapple, lemon, water melon and other juices etc can be found Milk shakes mixed with Ice-creams is very popular and one of the best way to beat the Kerala summer heat sharja shake and chikoos are popular milk shakes mixed with various fruits and fruit flavour ice-creams Kerala has its own popular lime mojito, known as Kulukki Sarbat which is extremely refreshing made of lime mixed with crushed ice and sweet syrup Lime juice and Lime sodas are extremely popular in Kerala and available in most of places to refresh. Alcohol edit. WARNING Kerala Excise and Narcotics Law stipulates that possessions of Alcohol liqour by an adult above 18 years old more than 3 Litres, standard Beer Bottles more than 6 in number and 1 5 litres of toddy are illegal and can be punished by hefty fines or even jail term Drinking inside moving vehicles or in presence of a child below 15 years old is also punishable offence Dri nking in public or encouraging others to drink in a public place is a serious crime, punishable for a 6 month term. Kerala tops second in per capita alcohol consumption in India, despite the high rate of government taxation Though alcohol consumption in public is frowned upon, the society is accommodating to drinking culture Drinking in general, is highly associated with men and hence its uncommon to see ladies in bars pubs etc. As part of curbing rising alcoholism in the society, Government of Kerala has brought a new legislation in introducing prohibition in phased manner. As phase 1, all bars of the state barring those operate in 5 star hotels have been closed down As a result, there are only 30 Bars currently operational in entire Kerala state, with maximum in Kochi Few districts like Thrissur, Kannur etc donot have any bar due to the new legislation. However as part of curbing, all erstwhile bars were converted into Beer and Wine Parlours as part of substituting from hard liquor to wi nes and beer Its prefectly possible to find several parlours serving various types of wines majority of them serves only Indian made Wines, while few serves foreign imported wines and various branded beers. Restaurants are not allowed to serve liquor, unless they operate within the same 5 hotel facility having a bar licence Sale of beer or any beverage with alcohol content, are not allowed in any retail stores Bars are also subjected additional service and luxury taxation, as part of government strategy to curb drinking However despite of higher costs, one can find the drinking culture on higher note Pub culture along with discotheques, themed lounge bars and nightclubs are getting popular in major cities within 5 star hotels. Retail sale of liquor is restricted to exclusive Government run retail network stores under Kerala State Beverage Corporations Limited popularly known as Beverage Shop or Bevco stores One can buy most of liquor brands as well as beer for use in private Ideal for bu dget conscious, due to comparative lower rates However, there is usually a very large queue in front of it and you have wait a long time to get the item. All bars and Bevco stores are closed on the 1st and 2nd day of every month, as well as on major public holidays known as Dry days Except a very large queue on eve of such dry days, as part of stocking bottles. Locally made palm toddy called as kallu is tempting to try, but be aware that some people become sick due to bad brews If you do try it, make sure you stick to the license-made brew, and not local moonshine However many local toddy shows in Alapuzha-Changaserry route, you can find a number of good toddy shops, which offers authorized toddy as well as very good tasty unique Kerala specialties like seafood, chicken, mutton and beef Even if you don t try toddy, having food from these toddy shops is a good idea, to taste some of the best distinctive food styles. Tobacco and Cannabis edit. By law, sale of loose cigars is illegal However its quite possible to buy individual cigar of popular Indian brands from small road-side stall are available Packets are commonly available in most of the road-side stalls as well as supermarkets, stores etc ITC Brands like Wills, Gold flakes and Classic are key popular brands A packet of cigarettes costs from Rs 40 and above, while individual sticks cost Rs 5 to 15.The High Court of Kerala, banned public smoking and smoking in front of children If caught for smoking, a fine of Rs 1000 will be imposed If caught in purchase of loose cigars or smoking in front of children, a fine of Rs 2000 will imposed Smoking is prohibited in bars, restaurants etc However it depends upon the management of such bar restaurant in tolerating smoking. Now a days, Arabian styled hookahs are getting popular and hookah shisha parlours selling flavored hookas are popular in major cities. Recently Kerala government imposed a blanket ban on Pan Masalas and some other cannabis, which were permitted earlier Sale and purchase of any Pan Masala, loose or packed ones is strictly illegal and if caught, a fine of Rs 2000 will be imposed with 6 months of imprisonment Even possession of such is an offence with fine and simple prison terms of less than a month. Drugs and Psychotropic Substances as prescribed under national law - Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act NDPS Act are strictly enforced in Kerala Due to increase in usage of such drugs in the society, Kerala Government has launched a strong enforcement drive Shadow Police and Narcotics officials regularly conducts raids and secret surveillance in many public places like hotels, restaurants, bar pubs, bus stands etc The number of cases registered have gone up drastically due to regular charging of offences All charges under NDPS Act are non-bailable and possessions of even minute grams can end up into jail. Sleep edit add listing. With tourism being one of the most important source for the state s coffers, a wide of accommodation is availabl e for tourists across the world, suiting individual tastes, cultural preferences and all options that fits everyone s pocket. Almost all major cities have hotels ranging from tourist lodges to 5 star hotels and theme resorts In addition to this, there are youth hostels, home-stays, travel dormitories and small lodges catering budget tourists, determining their necessity. Homestays edit. Kerala was one of the first states in India to pioneer the concept of Homestays Bed Breakfast in home settings and make it a successful industry, providing a much needed source of extra income to the locals, while at the same time giving travelers more than a peek at the real Kerala Under this homestay concept, you get to stay with a family who can show you around and also help you to find what makes Kerala tick Your accommodation and food is taken care of at a nominal cost. You will in all probability be staying with a family whose members are well versed in English or at the least can speak decent English All the people offering homestays are vetted by the Government and will have to register themselves as such. Traditionally started as an option for budget tourists and backpackers, who wish to save a few pennies by avoiding hotels, today homestays also cater for hyper-rich, with large historical Tharavadus traditional large maternal homes of upper class converting itself into posh homestays for those wishing to stay with Kerala families in a grand way Some homestays became almost a mini-resort However still there are lot of budget home-stay options still available. Majority of the home-stays are concentrated in Fort Cochin area, where traditional large colonial bungalows and Jew houses have been converted into homestays Alleppey and Kottayam have many large homestays catering both rich and budget tourists Kollam also its own share of home-stays, mostly traditional Portuguese bungalows as well as those owned by industrialists of the town Recently many small-scale backpacker oriented home stays have popped up in Kannur and other Malabar towns. The government has strict guidelines for Homestays and hence generally most of them are safe and well-maintained These homestays range inbetween Rs 300 6 US to Rs 3500 70 US per night depends upon the property and its profile. Budget edit. US 15 are magic numbers when you are looking for budget non-AC and AC rooms respectively Most budget hotels in Kerala will have a room in this price You can expect basic facilities with a bed, TV and an attached bath-room Most of the budget hotels call themselves as Tourist lodges, Tourist Home and some as hotel and rarely star-rated Most of the hotels near to Railway stations in cities are traditionally for budget minded guests Kerala also have good number of Brahmin s tourist homes which provides rooms for families and couples and choose this option as they are quite safe and quiet. Major railway stations have Non AC Dorms as well as AC Non AC rooms at budget rates for travellers holding valid Rai l tickets Similar Travellors Lodges can be found close to Airports as well as near major market areas. Mid-range edit. For a more comfortable stay, you need to shell out above Rs 700.US 14 for a Non AC room or More than Rs 1,200.US 26 for an AC Room This category would include many 2 star hotels You could expect to have more spacious rooms, English proficient concierges, Airport Railway Station Pick-Up and Drop However if you are expecting a cheap extended stay hotel, with attached kitchenette, not much options are available in Kerala much. Themed resorts also would fall in the category Prepare to shell anywhere above Rs 3,000 and you could rent out a whole cottage in an idyllic location and they do come with kitchens. State Owned Kerala Tourism Development Corp KTDC operates 2 major brands in this segment spread across most of the cities and picnic spots KTDC Tamarind Easy Hotels can be found in major picnic spots and pilgrimage areas KTDC Budget Hotels can be found in major cities. A posh hotel in Kochi. Splurge edit. Almost all 3 star and above hotels as well as resorts come under this category Star rated hotels in India don t come cheap If you are willing to stay in these hotels, most of them throw in a guided tour or a packaged tour as a compliment Most five star hotels provide attached kitchenette and if you are sick of Indian food, this is an option And most of these hotels offer only air-conditioned room and prepare to shell out Rs 5,000 and above for a night However its ideal for middle class tourists, as they are generally very safe and provide a sound holiday option. Extended stay edit. If you are plan to stay more than 2 weeks, its far better to look for monthly stay options, rather than hotels Housing in Kerala is not expensive, though it may be slightly on higher side in major metros like Cochin and Trivandrum However in most of other places, housing are cheaper, even by Indian standards. Serviced apartments are very common in Kochi, Kottayam, Alapuzha, Thrissur , Kollam, Kozhikode, Trivandrum etc There are popular service apartment, which offer hotel-like facilities for an extended stay, in Kochi city In other cities, apartments owned by NRIs Non Resident Indian who work outside India are given to apartment companies for renting on daily and monthly basis Thus it won t be a major problem Most of these apartments are well furnished with Kitchenette facilities However more facilities means higher costs and mostly such serviced apartments suits to middle class and upper class tourists. For budget tourists, lodges are best option In most of the places, you can find lodges or tourist homes, that offer single or double room for daily, weekly and monthly basis Most of them have standard facilities, including attached toilets, though cheaper ones may not have TVs or personal Landlines in each room However its a suitable option for budget tourists who wish to stay longer There are also options of Men s hostel and Ladies hostel, where single can stay on monthly basis. Respect edit. Politics edit. Kerala is known to be one of highly political aware society in the country and extremely proud for its strong democratic culture The society is highly tolerant to expression and one can easily find national and international politics being discussed even in rural belts It need not be surprised to see villagers discussing US politics in a village tea-stall The society at large is more pro-socialist, though need not be seen as communist Due to this, in many regions people do find critical to policies of Western countries, particularly US One must be aware of local sensitivities However the society at large encourage debates and discussions as its considered as hallmark of Malayalee culture. Visiting religious centres edit. Kerala is one of the places where multiple religions exist in great harmony This is achieved by one respecting the customs and rituals of other religions A visit to these shrines is necessary to understand the breadth of cultural influences in the state. In some Hindu temples non-Hindus are not allowed enter the shrines It is best to ask someone at the temple Many are happy to let you in as long as the usual rules of the temple are observed However, photography is strictly prohibited inside most of the the temples across the state. Also for male visitors at many places inside a temple, dress code is traditional mundu without a shirt - the no-shirt rule will be enforced even if the mundu rule is not The best thing to do is to watch what others are doing and follow You are also expected to take off your footwear outside the temple Usually there are no locker facilities, cheap footwear is best. For females any non-exposed dress, preferably not shirts and trousers Tidiness and personal hygiene is very important while entering into temples A bath at morning is required for those entering into temple Historically women are not allowed to enter temples during their periods, and the tradition continues, even though there is no way to enforce it Hence it is advisable not to visit any Hindu temples during periods Likewise its a ritual to refrain entering into temple, if any close maternal relative dies for a period of 16 days as a token of mourning Same, in case of birth of any newborn which prohibits maternal relatives refraining from entering the temple for a period of 11 days since the birth of the newborn. There are exceptions to these rules For example everybody is welcome at Adhi Shankaracharya s temple At Shabarimala any male that has performed a set of pre-defined rituals is welcome, but females are not Women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed to enter the temple, since the story attributed to Ayyappa prohibits the entry of the women in the menstrual age group. At a Muslim mosque females have some restrictions Some mosques do-not allow females inside and in those which allows, ladies must dress in absolute modesty They must wear fully covering dress and cover their head with a shawl or scarf No photography or any electronic equipments such as Ipods, FM players or Mobiles etc are allowed inside. At Christian churches usually men sit to the left of the aisle and women to the right Some of the more traditional churches don t even have pews you ll have to stand Ladies must cover their head with a shawl or scarf during the mass. The synagogue at Kochi is not open to non-Jews on Saturdays And on other days, visitors need to dress with modesty Sleeveless tops, short trousers etc are not permitted to wear while visiting synagogue. Customs and social etiquette edit. Though Kerala is a tourist-friendly state, famed for its hospitality, there are some customs and social etiquette which should be understood if you would like to be respectful and respected as a visitor. Kerala is traditionally a matriarchal society with ladies given more preferences and priority They get priorities in queue, seating in public transport, priority or separate reservations in public transport waiting lis ts, etc. Ladies are also expected to conform to traditional standards of modesty For example, smoking and drinking by ladies are considered as social taboos so you might want to be discreet if you partake and will be frowned upon, and try to wear shorts that at least cover your knee You will fit in better if you wear full-length dresses and the like. In any public transport like buses, the front rows are reserved for ladies, and men are not expected to sit there, even if the seats are unoccupied Likewise there are some lady coaches in train, where only women, girls, and pre-pubescent male children are admitted. If you have Kerala sadya traditional Kerala buffet in places other than large hotels, you are expected to throw away any leftovers called echil by folding the leaf upon which you ate into two and putting it where others do You must not leave it the serving place itself and go. Sharing food from same plate is considered unusual, but not unheard of. You are required to wash hands befor e and after eating Wiping with tissues after eating is not regarded as sufficient in smaller restaurants, but is accepted in star hotels. Business edit. For all purposes use only Right hand, liking receiving anything etc Taking left hand, is considered rude Never touch money, books etc with legs In event of such, while taking it, touch the right hand on your forehead and neck, while taking it Similarly when you stamp on somebody s feet, especially elders, a similar act must be done while telling sorry. Kerala being a tropical destination, its advisable to wear cotton light dress Ladies are expected to dress conservatively, though its not uncommon to see them in sleeveless tops or halter-necks Most of the ladies prefer wearing Churidar Salwar suits, even though its not national dress of the state Saris and Set-mundu is equally popular among ladies and those from rural belts prefer it Men normally prefer to wear half sleeve shirts with full length trousers or Mundu Tourists are more likely to be expected in smart causal clothing Its not uncommon to see tourists in sleevless vests and shorts, which is indeed tolerated However it would be adviced to dress conservatively when visiting rural places or visiting elder people or shrines. Public nudity is strictly prohibited and not allowed in beaches Men and ladies can opt for swim-wear in beaches Men can go topless in evenings, as most of the men do, while ladies are not expected to do so Most of the Keralite men prefer topless with a lungi mundu at home in evening while ladies prefer full covering gown like nighties. In hilly areas, one must carry a sweater or woolen shawls, as temperature drops sharply in evenings even during summer time Its advisable to carry an umbrellas as well as caps always to counter unexpected showers and harsh tropical sun. Indian laws criminalizes Gay Lesbian relationships Open affection displays like kissing and other intimacy will cause police to arrest you nearest police station Like other parts of India, Kerala society in general is critical towards LGBT and considers it as a deviant to nature Hence public expressions of LGBT behavior is frowned upon The legal age for consensual sex is 18 above Any attempt below the age, is considered as a serious crime and can lead to life imprisonment Though consensus sex is legal, often police charge such as prostitution adultery Prostitution is illegal and punished under charges of immoral traffic which could land up in jail up to 5 years Police often raids small cheap lodges, where such prostitution are more likely to happen, as Kerala do not have any red light district in any cities Kissing in front of public is strictly frowned upon, though its likely to see in Airports or Railway stations as part of send off by relatives, which is quite accepted. Stay safe edit. Though Kerala is much safer than other parts of India, it doesn t mean that it is the world s safest place Kerala has its share of criminals Pick pockets are quite common in heavil y crowded areas like buses, festival grounds and city shopping areas Don t trust your hotel cleaning staff with your costly belongings Also women are advised not to walk in revealing costumes Nightlife is only available in major metro cities which too emerging Take care not to roam in late quarters of night, especially alone. Strikes, protest processions and hartal voluntary closure of activities as protest are common in Kerala, considering its high political awareness and socialist leanings Tourists may get suddenly caught in hartals or road blockades due to protests which may make you stranded in airports or railway stations All political parties announce the date and details of protests much in advance in leading dailies So regularly follow leading English dailies while in Kerala, and keep buffer days On hartal days, normally all forms of transport keep off from roads from morning till evening So be prepared to walk to your hotel or wait in airport or railway station till evening Alt ernatively, Kerala police operate free buses under police convoy to transport tourists and urgent passengers to important areas in major towns and cities. To be on safe side, foreigners are requested to register and submit their itinerary at the Foreigners Registration Office FRO Likewise it s absolutely important to carry passport copies all the time, as after the Mumbai attacks, police security has been stepped up. While in trains or buses, do not interact with lone strangers, or at least not more than normal, and it s absolutely important not to eat or drink anything which they offer However, interactions with families are considered to be safer. While boating insist on being offered life jackets Many boat operators ignore Government regulation of statutory issuance of life jackets while boating, which could prove risky, as most of the Kerala s water bodies are deep. Though Kerala does not have many touts or so-called Guides, a few people from outside state especially Tamilnadu do encou nter this problem at some tourist centres especially Hill stations like Munnar, etc Do avoid them completely as many nowadays are small time thieves and crooks from other states who look for prey Hence avoid them completely and say a firm NO. Nudity in any form is frowned upon for both genders and the rule applies more especially to women It s okay for men to be bare-chested in public, though it s not appreciated much except at the beach or rural areas In beaches or rivers, women can wear swim-suits or covering towels around the body Wearing bikini by foreign tourists in Kovalam and Varkala beaches are common, but you can never find a local wearing one Though there is no gender segregation in beaches, rivers ghats or swimming pools, gender segregation is maintained in temple ponds and certain public ghats. Though Kerala ranks highest in alcohol consumption, consuming alcohol in public is frowned upon Even wine or beer consumption is also considered as liquor in Kerala, which too is frown ed upon in public However, privately it can be consumed Women consuming alcohol is socially frowned upon, hence women entering into bars, etc results in too much glaring However, the recently opened public pubs lounges and posh bars in premium hotels are a natural choice for women to consume liquor openly But this choice is limited to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Use bottled water, as tap water is not so safe even though it s purified, and stay in decent hotels even if you have to shell out some extra money However recently homestays have been safe. Emergency and assistance edit. Police edit. Kerala Police Kerala Police 22 Contact. Flying Squad Emergency - 100 toll free from all devices. Crime Stopper - 1090.Women Squad Assist - 1091.Highway Police - 91 98 4610 0100.Railway Police Assist - 91 98 4620 0100.SMS Alert and Assist - 91 94 9790 0000.The Kerala Police force is one of the most efficient police units in India and the least corrupt 23 Most of the police officials are well versed in E nglish and Malayalam and 95 of police stations are computerised Most of the cities do have a very strong police network and its not difficult to find a police station. Normal Law and Order police force wear Khaki colour uniforms Traffic Police wear a uniform of a white shirt with khaki pants. There is a specialised police section for Tourist protection called the Tourist Police This force is located at prominent tourist places, beaches, monuments, trekking areas and other tourist attractions They wear a light blue shirt with khaki pants and have an aid post marked as Tourist Police In event of requiring any assistance whilst at any tourist places they may be found to be extremely helpful Tourist Police recently opened India s first fully dedicated Exclusive International Tourist Police Station ITPS to provide a wide range of assistance to foreign tourists The International Tourist Police Station is in Mattancherry-Fort Kochi, a primary tourist enclave in Kochi City The Police station als o houses a small police museum and a recreation centre The ITPS will be the primary tourist assistance point for any tourist complaints and may be used as an information and assistance point for any Immigration and Passport-Visa matter. Kerala s highways are safeguarded by Highway police In event of any distress on any highway call the police using their toll free number - 91 98 4610 0100 They have a very good reputation and there have been numerous instances when they have gone out of their way to help tourists in distress. Fire and public rescue edit. Kerala s Fire and Rescue Services maintains a network of Distress rescue services throughout the state They can be reached at 101.Medical Emergency edit. Kerala Rapid Healthcare Access Systems. Kerala has rolled out extensive E-Governance in Healthcare facility, by launching Patients can log to their portal 24 to identify the right ambulatory services. For SMS based support, one can input Health space Pincode space facility in their local mobi le connection to receive details of key hospital of the intended facility in the district To identify contact details of the hospital, SMS input Health space HospitalName All such inputs must be send to Toll-Free SMS Center No - 537252.Rapid Access-Toll Free from all devices.102 - Roadside Emergency Assistance - RAKSHA.1298 or 108 - Kerala Emergency Medical Services.1910 - State Emergency Blood Bank Network.1056 - Dial-A-Doctor Only available on BSNL devices.0471- 2552056 - Dial-A-Doctor Any other devices - chargeable.1097 - AIDS Control Society. Kerala is well reputed for its high medical assistance The state has highest ambulatory healthcare access across the country, with numerous of hospitals, first aid centres, primary health centres and tertiary and specialized hospitals, offering Allopathic Western Medicine , Ayurvedic and Homeopathic treatments. For any urgent medical attention or ambulance services, call 102 Directorate of Health Services of Kerala DHS Kerala along with Kerala Pol ice Ambulance Services operates extensive emergency ambulance services across the state Recently DHS-Kerala have launched a M-Governance initiative helping people to identify hospital or doctor or health care services via SMS. Kerala is the first state in India to have Rapid Medical Action Force with a strong network of medical ambulances and medical hospitals across the state Most of ambulances are white in colour with Red Cross mark Members of Rapid Medical Action Force RMAF do have a yellow and green livery ambulance with a Red Cross sign Kerala Healthcare Department has tied up services of 1298 and 108 emergency providers, to provide hi-tech ambulance services across the state 108 Emergency, is an advanced life-saving ambulance even equipped to carry out minor operations operating mainly in urban areas, while 1298 provides comprehensive services across all parts of Kerala. In event of an accident, use only hospitals marked Casualty outside, as they have a suitable licence to admit a road accident case Its common to see such hospitals In event of any accident on a roadway, call 100 for police or 108 as many times individuals do not come to rescue especially in large cities, fearing involvement in a police case The police do maintain fast and effective accident identification and recovery service, thus in event of any accident, even a distress call from your mobile, can help them to identify your position and assist in expediting medical attention. Taluk Hospitals, first aid centres and select primary health care centres across the state are all equipped for emergency admissions and treatment. Stay healthy edit. Tap water is generally safe for drinking, though tourists are advised to buy bottled water for drinking As a tropical country, Kerala is hot and humid so drink a lot of water. Sanitation standards as well as personal hygiene among Malayalees are very high 25 However most of the toilets do not have toilet paper option as its not the local style, hence it is advis able to carry a roll always It is better to have bath atleast once a day, while in Kerala This is because it is a social norm in addition to being a relief from the extreme humidity which makes a traveller sweat a lot A bath atleast once twice is always better is a true remedy for this problem. Kerala leads in establishing E-Toilets and Bio-toilets in the country Most of the cities have electronic pay toilet kiosks near busy areas as well as Bio-E toilets available The standard rate is Rs 2 Apart from E-toilets, Pay Use Public toilets are found in many busy areas, temple centers, though maintenance might not be world class Bus Railway station public toilets are poorly maintained and hence not adviced, though in many private bus standards out-sourced Pay Use facility has been implemented. Malaria is completely eradicated and not an issue, but dengue fever cholera and viral fever is endemic to the region Moonsoon time is considered as one of the major epidemic season, due to wet atmosphere , providing breeding ground for various water-borne virus The state s mosquito control measures are not effective and mosquitoes still pose a major challenge You require good mosquito controlling repellents which need to be applied regularly or use of mosquito coil or mosquito repellent mats etc at room as well as use of mosquito nets over bed Various Kerala s spice extracts and oils prove an effective option to control mosquitoes. While touring during summer days, its advised to always wear a cap or have an umbrella to avoid the harshness of the tropical sun Also wear only cotton while touring during summer Its also advised to drink Sharbath - a local popular road-side stall drink made of lemon juice mixed with sugar syrup with slight salt and mixed with soda This helps to control dehydration a lot. Medical care edit. A popular tertiary hospital in Kerala. The standard of medical care in Kerala is excellent and this is a popular destination for medical tourism and medical research 26 Ther e are many leading hospitals, speciality centres, medical institutions of excellence, clinics, combined with large Ayurvedic hospitals as well as Siddha, Unani, Naturalopathy medical practices Many hospitals in Kerala are of international standards and provide excellent medical care Government run clinics and hospitals are free for all but can be crowded Private hospitals offer good treatment at comparatively low prices. Government runs 4 types of medical care facilities. Primary Healthcare Centre PHC - are the smallest unit in the hierarchy, which are spread over each nook and corner of the state Kerala boasts the largest number of PHCs and provide general consultation facilities. Taluk Hospitals TH TC - located at headquarters of each taluk a smaller division in a district , which provides services of specialised doctors and also have in-patient block TH TC are designated first aid centers and some larger ones especially those near to Highways are equipped with accident care facility. Ge neral Hospitals GH - GH are very common in most of the cities and towns and have larger premises, with super-specialty facilities Many GH are also District Hospitals and houses a wide range of facilities Normally its very crowded, due to free treatment and has very large In-patient block Most of GHs are equipped with accident care and emergency casualty services. Medical College Hospitals MC - Kerala has 6 major large Medical college hospitals, which is very famous referral centres All the medical college hospitals are well equipped and famed for complex surgeries and various major treatments Medical colleges do have very large in-patient wards normally above 600 to 1000 beds, though nearly it caters 10 times more than its capacity There are also 4 Ayurvedic Medical colleges. In addition, Govt runs specialized tertiary hospitals and super-specialty centers. Both Govt and private operators also run Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and Naturalopathic community centres and clinics across Kerala. For mi nor ailments, almost any private hospital or clinic found anywhere is good Most of the private care hospitals are well equipped and have good physicians and specialists Out-Patients are required to get appointment to avoid large ques and majority of them have pharmacies nearby. Large super-specialty hospitals are available in major metros which are major research centres and famed for complex surgeries and treatments, thought its slightly expensive in Indian standards Most of the hospitals in large towns and metros do accept foreign medical insurance cards, mainly issued in US, Europe and Middle East countries, apart from almost all national medical insurance covers, which needed to be check at hospital reception. Kerala has some of the prestigious large Ayurvedic hospitals as well as super-specialty Ayurvedic Research centres, some even equipped to conduct surgeries and cancer treatments Generally Ayurvedic healthcare centres are more expensive than Allopathic centres. Contact edit. Like any other part of India, India Post operates extensively through out the state and quite reliable India Post also operates Speed Post Services, which is a fast courier services, that have higher rates Kerala has extensive private courier networks Its very easy to find one such and quite reliable However private couriers are more expensive than India Post s Speed Post EMS services. Telecom edit. Mobile Services - If you require an Indian mobile number it is strongly recommended that you get a pre-paid mobile connection To do this you need a photocopy of your passport including the visa and the ID pages , two color photos, and officially proof of local address or a sponsor like guide or tour company etc Most star hotels allow you to use their address for this In the event of not having address you can still get a pre-paid connection using your visa number, finger prints and in some cases providing passport size photographs. Most of the mobile operators in India operate in Kerala, GSM as wel l as CDMA Popular GSM service providers are BSNL Mobile, Vodafone, Idea Mobile, Airtel, Tata DOCOMO and Reliance GSM Popular CDMA service providers are Tata Indicom and Reliance India Mobile. Due to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India TRAI s restriction, only BSNL, Idea and Tata Docomo among GSM providers and Reliance among CDMA to provide 3G connectivity in Kerala Telecom Circle, while other operators can offer only 2G services. Public Telephony - PCOs Public Call Offices are a good option You will find them almost every noke and corner These are public pay-phones post-pay and there will be a person on the shop to take the payments Check your bill generated from the billing machine and make the payment accordingly Payments are always in Indian rupees Coin boxes are available everywhere where you can make local calls within a radius of 10km from the phone. BSNL Calling cards are available in all stores, which is a prepaid calling card, that could be used in any phone, without charging t he phone user Vodafone World Cards and Airtel Globe cards are also another good option. Internet Access edit. Kerala leads the country in telephone density and highest internet penetration in the country One can easily find internet cafes across the state, including in rural areas In rural belts, internet cafes normally operates as part of local shops rates varies according the cafes and its facilities as well as its locations Normal rates should be around Rs 15 to Rs 25 per hour One can find more cafes near colleges and educational institutions, where rates will be comparatively lower.4G networks have rolled out in Kerala by Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodofone, Idea and Tata Docomo, which is mostly available across the state In places where 4G services not available, 3G 2G services will come handy Mobile networks often gets distorted in Hilly regions, due to its terrain and climatic conditions State run BSNL has better coverage for hilly areas than private networks. Tata Communications, Airte l, Idea have rolled out Wifi-cards which can be brought and accessed in suitable hotspots, mostly posh coffee shops, hotels as well as in malls Most of the mid-range and posh hotels offers complimentary or paid Wifi access Most of the low end hotels have internet cafes in its lobby and guests can avail on pay-per-use basis. Due to Government of India s security policy, its mandatory register with valid original ID card, to any kind of net access in internet cafes All cafes are bound to take a photo of the user as well as photocopy of the ID Card like Passport, visa or National ID etc along with registration of valid local address and a contact number, which normally will be verified Some cafes even take thumb impressions. Newspapers edit. Keralites are voracious readers of newspapers The state is known for its high literacy and its a daily habit for an average Malayali to read atleast 2 newspapers every morning, along with morning coffee The state has largest number vernacular publication s and some of the Malayalam dailies have national record in terms of subscription The state also have many English newspapers published from the state The major English language dailies are The Hindu, The New Indian Express, The Times of India, The Pioneer, Hindustan Times, Deccan Chronicle, Economic Times, Business Standard etc A few American and British magazines like Forbes, Mirror etc are available in bookstalls in major cities Popular Indian English Magazines are India Today, The Week, The Frontline etc are available commonly One can find newspapers even in small road-side stalls One can find complimentary newspapers available near local tea-stall coffee booths where people sit and read in morning along with their tea Most of the hotels provide complementary newspapers or keep copy in their lobbies. Bookstores are commonly seen in almost everywhere One can find them in cluster, near educational institutions In addition, lot of private publications as well as local area based public ations are seen. One of the noteworthy factor of Kerala, is presence of community libraries across the state The Granthashala Library movement, has established a series of small libraries and reading rooms across the state, even in remote interiors However one can get mostly Malayalam based publications in these kind of community libraries Public libraries are common features in most of the cities, where English and other language reading materials are available. Some of the Malayalam News papers started even 100 years before and have the highest circulation among the regional language news papers in India. Radio TV edit. Kerala has several radio services However most of them are Malayalam services, though many as part of catering youngsters, have English programs Most of the private FMs are primarily meant for entertainment Key Brands are Radio Mango 91 9, Club FM 94 3 except in Thrissur where it operates as 104 8 , Red FM 93 5, Best FM 95, Radio Mirchi 98 3, Big FM 92 7.The state has mad e strives in Community radio and multi-lingual social oriented programs Community radio operates in limited frequency range, mostly operated from nearby colleges or community centers, with local informations and social development program Many of the programs will be aired in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and English Popular community radios are Radio DC in Trivandrum, Wagamon Radio Matooli, Gynavani, Radio Media Village etc. The Government of India s All India Radio AIR operates 5 AM stations and 9 FM services across Kerala The services will be in Malayalam prominently, with slots for Hindi and English programs. Kerala has strong Television viewing culture The state has more than 20 Television channels with more than eight 24 hours dedicated News channels, apart from several local channels Though all the services are in Malayalam, some news channels features English News slots Cable and Direct-To-Home television connections are widespread and almost all hotels homestays offers compli mentary connection Most of these services have foreign channels as well as most of national services India s popular lifestyle and Travel channels like NDTV Good Times, TLC, Fox Traveller etc are popular Indian English Travel channels, ideal for tourists. Get out edit. Lakshadweep - the pristine coral reef islands, small archipelagos, white sand beaches famous for scuba diving. Sri Lanka this wonderful island, now recovering from years of civil war, is an easy flight from Kochi or Trivandrum. Maldives - world famous island country, well connected with easy flights from Trivandrum famous for its water sports and beach tourism. Madurai city famous for its Meenakshi Amman Temple, it was among the nominees for the new list of 7 wonders of the world for its architecture. Courtallam - famous for its several small and large water falls and oil therapy, located near to Kollam. Bangalore the garden city, once the sleepy home of pensioners now transformed into the city of pubs and technology companies. Kodagu - a popular hill-station, known as Scotland of India Famous for its exotic coffee plantations, Tibetan settlements, forest safaris and woods party. Mysore - The cultural capital of neighboring Karnataka State, famous for its palaces and festivals. This is a guide article It has well developed information throughout the entire article, and throughout all of the articles on destinations within the region Plunge forward and help us make it a star.