A street mural in the southern Indian city of Kochi, a popular destination celebrated for its rich history, diverse cultural influences and scenic beauty. (All photos by Meenakshi J)
MEENAKSHI J
KOCHI, India -- India's southern state of Kerala has been called "God's Own Country" and the "Spice Garden of India," and has attracted travelers for decades with its palm-lined backwaters, traditional houseboats, coconut-fringed skies, lush jungles and spice plantations.
Its port cities of Kozhikode and Cochin have been the destinations of traders and refugees for over 1,000 years, housing Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Yeminis and Jews, who have left their cultural mark. Although Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital, there is no better place to visit than Kochi, known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea," to get a condensed version of what Kerala has to offer.