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Best honeymoon places in Kerala

Discussion in 'Kerala' started by NeeruPatra, Aug 23, 2016.

  1. NeeruPatra

    NeeruPatra New Member

    I am getting married in October, and my fiance has put me in charge of deciding the honeymoon destination. After many thoughts and discussions, I have thought that Kerala would be a brilliant place to be at for our honeymoon.

    Now comes the part where I need some help from members. I would like to know the best honeymoon places in kerala. For those of you who are married, you would know that a honeymoon should be memorable and give some great memories keeping in mind the ambiance of the place, weather and the place you are staying at in general.

    I will be waiting for the response and would come back with further questions regarding the suggested places.
     


  2. briannagodess

    briannagodess Well-Known Member

    Hello there and welcome to the forum!

    Kerala is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the country. With its wide variety of attractions like backwaters, beaches, Ayurvedic treatments, hill stations and wildlife sanctuaries, it has become a sought after region in the country. For the honeymoon couples, the tranquility and serenity of some of the cities in Kerala are key features that they want in a honeymoon destination. Here are the best honeymoon places in Kerala:

    1. Alleppey - This is also known as Alappuzha. It is about 70 kms from Cochin. It has been dubbed as the Venice of the East due to its canals connecting it to the backwaters of Kerala. It is the 7th largest city in Kerala as well. Aside from its backwaters, you can also visit temples, beaches and historical landmarks in Alleppey. For the ultimate relaxation, you and your loved one can indulge in an Ayurvedic treatment. Alleppey is comprised of six more towns, namely: Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikappally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara. Kuttanad is the Rice Bowl of Kerala, which is also the area with the lowest altitude in India. Farming here is done about 1.2 to 3.0 metres below sea level. Chengannur is a popular Shiva pilgrim destination owing to a large number of temples in the town. With a houseboat cruise, you get to see all of these towns and even see how the locals live their everyday lives. It's a great way to explore the region all the while you're being served with meals and drinks while on the cruise.

    Places to Visit in Alleppey
    • Alappuzha Beach - This is one of the major attractions in Alleppey. It has an old light house, built in 1862, along the shores. Tourists are allowed to go into the light house for a nominal fee. The sands of the beach are a mixture of black and yellow. It's relatively clean and has a long shoreline, perfect for couples who want to stroll around. It's best visited during sunset as you watch the gleam of the sun reflecting into the waters.
    • Marari Beach - This is about 11 kms away from the main city centre of Alleppey. This is one of the less commercialised beaches in Kerala. The good thing is that it's not as crowded even on weekends. However, you have to bring your own food and drinks as there are no restaurants nearby, only small shacks. It is very peaceful and secluded, lined with coconut trees all around too.
    • Krishnapuram Palace - This palace was built by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma in the 18th century. It is now a museum that houses paintings and exhibits which were once owned by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. The most exquisite painting here is known as the Gajendra Moksham. It is about 154 square feet in size and believed to be the largest of its kind in the state. It also houses one of the four Buddhas in Kerala, which you can find in its courtyard. Other significant items here are the bible printed in Sanskrit in 1886, ceremonial utensils and idols of deities.
    • Sri Krishna Temple - This temple is believed to have been built around the 15th to 17th AD by Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran. The temple has an interesting story behind it. One day, God Krishna appeared as a sage before the king and challenged him to a game of chess. The prize for the game has to be set before it starts. So Krishna requested for a few grains of rice, that of which the quantity would be determined by the game. One grain of rice shall be placed in the first square, two grains in the second square, four grains in the third square, eight grains in the fourth square, sixteen grains in 5th square and so on. Of course, God Krishna won the game and so the king complied with the prize agreed upon. However, by the 40th square, the grains have amounted to about more than a million. Even if the king gave all his kingdom's rice, it won't be enough. And so God Krishna appeared before him and told him that he won't need to pay the debt immediately. He can pay off the God Krishna in time by serving paal-payasam to the pilgrims freely until the debt was paid off. Paal payasam is a sweet pudding made of milk and rice. That's how the temple started giving out this sweet delicacy to the devotees.
    • Karumadi Kuttan - This can be translated literally to the Boy from Kumady. It's a three-feet tall, granite statue of the Buddha. It was found abandoned in a stream named Karumady Thodu. However, the statue's left side is missing believed to have been caused by an elephant. The statue is believed to be as old as the 9th century before it was found in the 1930's by Sir Robert Bristow.
    • Chavara Bhavan - This is the ancestral home of Kuriakose Elias Chavara. He was the co-founder and first Prior General of the first congregation for men in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. It is now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. There's a similar one for women, the Sisters of the Mother of Carmel. You can find this about 6 kms from Alappuzha. It is a famous pilgrimage site and it also houses an ancient beacon of light.
    • Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple - This is a temple dedicated to the serpent god, Nagaraja. According to the Sanskrit poem Mandara Salodyam, Lord Parashurama threw the axe given to him by Lord Shiva into the sea and that's how he reclaimed the land from the sea, Kerala. However, the land was inhabitable due to its salinity. Lord Parashurama performed a Thirthasthala which pleased the serpent god Nagaraja and so he had his serpents spread the Kalakuda poison on the lands. After which, the land became habitable and desalinated and the God Nagaraja continued to bless it. Another legend is that the temple grants the wishes of childless couples here, they just need to bring a vessel named Uruli made of brass or bronze for performing Nurum Palum.
    • Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple - This is located in Chettikulangara in Alleppey. A unique feature of the temple is that Sree Devi appears in three forms the whole day: as Maha Saraswathi in the morning, as Maha Lakshmi at noon and as Sri Durga in the evening. The temple is under the Travancore Devaswom Board and it supposedly is the second largest temple when it comes to income handled by the board.
    • Vembanad Lake - This is the longest lake in India and the largest lake in Kerala. In Kuttanad, it is also known as the Punnamada Lake. It is spread across Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam. It is about 96.5 kms in length and 14 kms in width.
    Best Time to Visit

    Generally, Alleppey can be visited all-year round. Summer is between March to May. Summer days can be hot and humid but evenings are cooler and pleasant. Temperatures range between 25°C to 37°C. A houseboat cruise during this time is a great idea. You can also do some sightseeing but you have to bring some umbrella and water with you.

    Monsoon season begins in June and ends in September. Ayurvedic treatments are done during this time as it's believed that the pores open up more and can absorb the herbs used. You won't be able to enjoy much of the beaches but this is also the time when the entire region of Kerala is enveloped in greenery.

    The last season extends from October to February, which is the winter season. Temperatures range between 17°C to 32°C. The weather is pleasant and cool. It's an appropriate time for sightseeing and enjoying the beauty of Alleppey.


    2. Munnar - This is a town and hill station in the Idukki district of Kerala. It is located about 1,600 metres above sea level. Munnar means three rivers, referring to the confluence of the Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers in here. It is famous for its tea plantations and wildlife. Because it is elevated, it enjoys a pleasant climate all-year round which is why many honeymoon couples choose this as their destination. The relaxing atmosphere coupled with the stunning views around the hill station are other reasons why it's a perfect honeymoon destination for newlyweds.

    Places to Visit in Munnar
    • Kundala Lake - You can find this 20 kms away from Munnar, en route to the Top Station. It is about 1,700 metres above sea level. The famous Neela Kurunji flower can also be found here, which blooms once in 12 years. You can also visit the nearby Kundala Dam, Asia's first arch dam. There are boating facilities here which lovers can enjoy.
    • Top Station - This is about 1,880 metres above sea level. It falls on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. From the peak, you can view the Western Ghats and the Theni district. Its name was derived from the fact that it is the uppermost railway station in the Kundala Valley. The Neela Kurunji flower can also be found here and it's set to bloom in 2018.
    • Echo Point - Before you reach Top Station, you would pass by Echo Point. The name was derived from the natural phenomenon here wherein when you scream, you would hear it back. Phenomenon aside, the point has stunning views of the hills and the waterfalls around. The trek to reach it is quite easy as well.
    • Eravikulam National Park - This is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its elevation is about 2,000 metres above sea level. The largest population of the Nilgiri Tahr can be found in this park. Gaurs, sambars, leopards and golden jackals can also be found inside the park. Recently, a new species of frog had been discovered in the park, with the name given as Resplendent shrub frog or Raorchestes resplendens.
    • Tea Museum - This museum was established by the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar. It houses machineries, photographs and other related items to tea making and its history. One of which is the original tea roller which is called the Rotorvane, dating back to 1905 and was used for CTC type of tea processing. There's even a demonstration room for tea tasting within the museum. You can also watch the process of tea making in the tea-manufacturing unit of the estate.
    • Marayoor Sandalwood Forests - Marayoor is the only place in Kerala with sandalwood forests. To get a better view of these forests, do visit the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. There are over 965 species of flowering plants alone in this sanctuary. Animals like panthers, deers, elephants and bonnet macaques can also be spotted.
    • Attukad Waterfalls - This is about 9 kms from Munnar. It is best visited during the monsoon season when it's fed by the rains. It transforms into a cascading and roaring waterfall during this time. The waterfalls is also surrounded by greenery and the trek to reach it is quite enjoyable.
    • Blossom Park - This is just 3 kms away from Munnar. It is located near the Muthirappuzha river and has beautiful flowers all around. Tourists can also enjoy activities like roller skating, bird watching and trekking inside the park. From the park, you can view the Western Ghats and the Kannan Devan Hill Tea Estates.
    Best Time to Visit

    Munnar is an all-year round destination. Generally, post-monsoon season, between August to October, the region is enveloped in lush greenery. You can enjoy seeing its numerous waterfalls and parks. You might still get the occasional rain showers but it just adds to the charm of the hill station. The climate is pleasant enough for sightseeing and snuggling with your loved one.

    Between November to February, these are the winter months in Munnar. Temperatures can go below zero especially during December and January. Make sure that you pack your woollen clothes and winter paraphernalia if you intent to visit Munnar during this time. It's a great time for sightseeing especially if you love the cold weather.

    Between March to June, these are the summer months in Munnar. This is the best time to visit parks and gardens as the flowers bloom in all their glory. It's also the peak tourist season in Munnar as tourists escape the heat of the plains to go to the hill station.

    The monsoon season is between July to September. This is the off-peak season in Munnar. It's one of the best times for honeymoon couples to visit the hill station as not many tourists are here during these months. You also get to enjoy the cooler temperature and the lush greenery all around, along with discounted rates on hotels.


    3. Poovar - This is in the Trivandrum district of Kerala. The next village, Pozhiyoor, marks the end of Kerala, thus, Poovar is the second to the last village in the state. This is also where the backwaters meet the beach which is quite a unique view to see. It is also the home to luxury resorts providing some seclusion and privacy to honeymoon couples.

    Places to Visit in Poovar
    • Poovar Island Beach - This beach is located between the River Neyyar and Arabian Sea. It is an isolated and secluded beach making it the perfect getaway for couples. To reach the island, you need to ride a boat that will take you to it. It's not commercialised nor does it have many crowds which is why it's ideal for honeymoon couples.
    • Thirparappu Waterfalls - This is about 91 metres long and has a rocky riverbed. It falls at a height of about 15 metres. The waterfalls has powerful force about seven months in a year. There are separate areas for swimming for men and women. There's also a nearby smaller pool that children can enjoy. Boating facilities are also available within the area.
    • Sree Chitra Art Gallery - This is about 28 kms from Poovar. It was established in 1935 and houses traditional and contemporary paintings of various artists. The gallery has displays of various schools of art forms of the Mughals, Rajputs, Bengals, Rajastanis, and Tanjores. It also has Chinese, Balinese and Japanese paintings. The rare pencil sketches of Ravi Varma are also displayed at the gallery.
    Best Time to Visit

    Poovar is best visited during the colder months of the winter, from October to February. You can enjoy the Poovar Beach and swim in the water during these months. The Thirparappu Waterfalls is best visited in October and beyond, as it has been fed by the monsoon rains and would continue to flow for the next seven months.

    During the summer months of March to June, Poovar receives hot and tropical climate. It's not a good time to visit the region as it can get warm and humid. However, you might get discounted rates for hotels and transportation so if you have some budget constraints, then do consider this season.

    The monsoon season extends from July to September. It's also the off-peak season in Poovar and you can enjoy discounted rates during this time. However, swimming on the beach is not allowed because of the strong undercurrents so you might not enjoy your stay as much.

    :)