Kerala, located on the southwestern Malabar Coast of India, is a state renowned for its beautiful backwaters, sprawling tea gardens, and palm-lined beaches. It's known as 'God's Own Country' due to its lush landscapes and tranquil scenic beauty. Kerala has a rich tapestry of culture and traditions, with its own language, Malayalam. It's famous for classical arts like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, as well as the martial art of Kalaripayattu. The state's intricate network of lagoons, lakes, and rivers—the backwaters—are best explored by houseboat. The Western Ghats mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shelters rich biodiversity and is the source of the aromatic spices that have made Kerala a desirable spice trade destination for centuries. The state also has a high literacy rate and has pioneered grassroots-level health and education initiatives in India, making it one of the most progressive states in the country.
