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Experience Kerala's March magic through its cuisine, culture and landscapes.
As the plane touched down at Trivandrum airport, a sense of relief washed over me. Though the three-and-a-half-hour flight from Delhi wasn't too bothersome, I do have a mild fear of flying. Trains were an option, but they took nearly two days, wasting precious vacation time. So, I mustered courage and boarded the flight. The pilot had announced that the local temperature was 32 degrees Celsius. It felt more like 35 degrees as I stepped outside. I had packed light cotton and linen clothing keeping in mind the weather in Kerala. I was landing towards the end of tourist season which is normally during the cooler months between November to March. Unfortunately, I was only able to travel towards the end of the season in March, just before summer was fast approaching Kerala.
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March is the ideal time visit the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. During my visit, I couldn't miss the quintessential experience of staying in a traditional houseboat at Alappuzha, where the palm-fringed canals meandered through green landscapes and provided an unforgettable vacation experience. The tranquil waters, the beauty of the countryside and the rhythmic sounds of nature lulled me into a state of bliss. I soaked myself in the warm sun and savoured the traditional delicacies served on banana leaves.
The beaches of Kerala are inviting at this time of the year. The weather is just right to soak up the sun and splash in the sparkling waters. The serene Marari beach, in close proximity to Alappuzha, is an ideal spot for relaxation, boasting a clean coastline fringed with coconut palm trees. Kovalam beach, near Trivandrum, is the most developed and popular among locals and tourists, making it a bit crowded. However, it presents an excellent opportunity for surfing if you enjoy water sports. For couples seeking seclusion, Samudra beach, 2 km north of Kovalam, boasts picturesque rock formations and pristine sands. Whichever beach you go to, don't miss the lip-smacking seafood delicacies served at the beach shacks!
After basking under the sun in the warm beaches, I headed for the cool and misty hill stations of Munnar and Wayanad, on the Western Ghats. March showers made the green landscapes appear greener making it the perfect time for nature walks amidst tea gardens and spice plantations. The Kannan Devan Hill plantations in Munnar known for its biodiversity provided an idyllic setting for the perfectly manicured tea gardens. I visited the country’s first tea museum in the plantation and spent a leisurely hour getting some in-depth knowledge into the history of tea in India. The Elstone Tea Estate in Wayanad is a paradise for both tea and nature lovers. The dense carpet of lush green, tea plantation on the sloping hills of the Western Ghats, was breath-taking. But the icing on the cake for me was the Kolukkumalai Tea Plantation in Idukki with its stunning old-world charm. I watched the traditional methods of tea processing and relished a cup of their special 'Flowery Orange Pekoe' at the tea-tasting centre. Needless to say, I could not resist buying a couple of kilos of this tea to share with friends and family back home.
A visit to Kerala is incomplete without a culinary journey. The traditional Kerala Sadya, a vegetarian feast with many curries and desserts served on a banana leaf encompassed many dishes and was a delicious experience. In the next round, I indulged in the signature Malabar fish curry, that captured the coastal flavours with its coconutty, tangy and spicy notes. I also savoured on the soft rice appams made in the round bottomed appachatti perfectly paired with coconut milk or spicy stew. Satisfy your sweet tooth cravings with Payasam and the Kozhikode Halwa. You can explore the local street food scene and try the famous Kerala Porotta which is served with beef or chicken curry. Kerala's cuisine is a culinary adventure for your taste buds. Kerala's cuisine is a delightful journey that awaits your taste buds, with many local dishes to be discovered and savoured.
March is also a vibrant time to visit Kerala because the State comes alive during a variety of colourful festivals. The month begins with the Attukal Pongala, during which thousands of women gather to offer a special dish to the goddess at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, not too far from Trivandrum. The Arattupuzha Pooram held in the latter half of the month, which I witnessed, showcases a captivating procession of beautifully adorned elephants, traditional music, and cultural performances. You could also experience the Thirunakkara Arattu in Kottayam and the Parippally Gajamela that highlight Kerala's rich cultural heritage and provide an immersive experience for those seeking to explore the state's vibrant traditions.
Visiting Kerala in March is a magical experience with a perfect balance of nature culture and adventure. Kerala offers a varied landscape with serene backwaters, the misty hill stations or the sun-kissed beaches. Let Kerala cast its spell on you when you embark on your journey through God’s Own Country! Happy travels!
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