A town of temples

Picture a place just sprinkled with temples, thousands of them. Then picture each temple intricately carved, each carving a work of timeless art, detailed and beautiful, so many that they cannot possibly be accurately counted. This is Khajuraho, a temple town famous for its exquisitely embellished shrines, many over a thousand years old. Many of the sculptures mirror the navarasas, the nine emotions - valour, fear, love, disgust, anger, laughter, sorrow, wonder and tranquility. There are also numerous graphically erotic sculptures based on verses from the Kama Sutra, attracting tourists from all over the world.

Khajuraho was once a centre for the arts, showcasing the best in dance, music, fine art, poetry and architecture, as well as sciences like astronomy and astrology. Today, festivals held at the base of the temples are prestigious events that invite the best in their field to show off their talents.

A feast for the senses

Dotted with swaying coconut trees, the seaside city of Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala. Like most places in the state, it is also known by its provincial name: Thiruvananthapuram.

Trivandrum is literally a sight for sore eyes. Since the city was originally built on seven hills, it offers sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and countryside. Eons ago, the city was the capital of the erstwhile Travancore state under the reign of Raja Marthanda Varma. And even though much time has passed, Trivandrum still retains the magical ambience of yore.

The wooded highlands of the Western Ghats along the eastern and north-eastern borders of the state make for enchanting picnic spots, with verdant greenery and rushing waterfalls. Historic monuments, serene backwaters, a rich cultural heritage and a long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches - like the three cresents of Kovallam - make Kerala a treasured tourist destination.

The city of Trivandrum is at its vibrant best during the festival season, with celebrations held at the famed Padmanabhaswamy temple, a stunning landmark of the city, built in the Dravidian style with a magnificent seven-tier gopuram (tower). There are also the snake boat races and the elephant procession to look forward to. These revels are generally held in March-April or September-October.

Captivating Cochin

If there is one place in the riveting diversity of Kerala where there is tangible beauty and life full of good things, it is Cochin.

The largest city in Kerala with a population of 5.5 lakhs, Cochin's all weather harbour has made it an important center for commerce and industry. It has a maritime history that began in the remote past. The Portuguese, the Dutch and the English established themselves here at one time or the other. This unusual assortment of rulers transformed Cochin into an extraordinary melting pot of people and cultures.

Cochin has a sizable Jewish community and this is reflective in the Jewish synagogue, a magnificent prayer hall that was constructed in 1568 A.D. and is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Another place of interest is the St.Francis Church, a Protestant church that was built by the Portuguese in circa 1510 A.D. Vasco-da-Gama's gravestone is located here though his mortal remains were taken back to Portugal several years later.

And if that isn't to enough to interest you, there's also the lure of the backwaters combined with the exquisiteness of Willington island, Fort Cochin - Mattancherry peninsula, Bolgatty and Gundu and Vypeen island.