Of colourful cities and beautiful traditions; Image Source: Redbubble

small_poster,504x498,f8f8f8-pad,600x600,f8f8f8.jpg

thumbnail_poster,504x498,f8f8f8-pad,600x600,f8f8f8.jpg

poster,504x498,f8f8f8-pad,600x600,f8f8f8.jpg

From gurgling backwaters to numerous hill stations to scenic waterfalls, Kerala has many exotic locations to offer. Those vast networks of brackish lagoons, ayurvedic therapies, wildlife sanctuaries, vast expanses of tea gardens, sprawling brown hills with a touch of greenery make it all the more breathtaking, ravishing beaches with palm trees lining their coastlines, and a wide range of mouth-watering dishes and colourful dance forms- Kerala is the mini-hub house of amazement and enchanting beauty.

> As they say. “Kerala is indeed a remix of everything you could think from the vibrant festivals, spice-scented markets, glinting lagoons, and waterways, to those pristine palm-fringed beaches.”
> 

But how did Kerala emerge? Was it just an amalgamation of Malabar, Cochin, and Travancore that led to the formation of Kerala? Is history limited to only political causes that led to the rise of Kerala? Well, I strongly disagree because Kerala is something more than just a geographically carved out piece of land. It is a land full of mythological mysteries and its historical legacy extends to the untouched realms of something very mystifying in nature.

Where humanity meets nature; Image Source: Unearth Women

kerala-india-tourism-campaign-joey-l-001.jpg

Known as the “Garden of Spices”, Kerala emerges from epics of *Ramayana* and *Mahabharata*. While most of us are aware of the political issues that gave rise to the land of coconuts, seldom do we hear of the beautiful myths and mythologies that come in the form of tales to tell us the formation of this beautiful land. One such story arises from the depths of the sea when a king threw his spear and then arose the grand island of Kerala. Long long ago, a king named Senkuttuvan conquered the lands between Kanyakumari and the Himalayas. However, when he went in search of enemies who would have matched his abilities, he could find none. Thus, he besieged the mighty sea by throwing a spear in it.

Yet another story that revolves around the green lands of Kerala is Parsurama’s axe. According to *Keralolpathi*, a mythological text, the warrior sage Parashurama threw his axe in the sea, and as far as the axe went, the water within that area dried up, giving rise to land that extended from Gokarna to Kanyakumari. However, that land was under saline seawater which made it unfit for habitation. Thus, he requested the Snake King Vasuki to spit his holy poison to make the land fertile and lush green.

> The famous story of King Mahabali and his discovery of the land of Kerala remains one of the most famous tales and one of the main reasons why people celebrate Onam. People still consider his sacrifice to be one of the main reasons why Kerala exists.
> 

Passing through different periods and eras, when Kerala finally entered the British era, all the stories and myths finally came to an end as reality became clearer and clearer. In 1734, the islands of Dharmadom and Thalassery were taken away by the British from the *Kolattu Rajas*, *Kottayam Rajas*, and *Arakkal Bibi*. Yet again in 1761, the British captured *Mahe* but gave it to the French due to the Treaty of Paris. However, the French could not thoroughly enjoy the luxuries of *Mahe* because of the Anglo-French war that broke out in 1779.

Finally, by the end of the 18th century, the entire land of Kerala went to the hands of British. But it was not a cakewalk as the British had to constantly face the resistance and wrath of the locals, who were led by Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja. It was on 1st November 1866 that the municipalities of Kozhikode, Palakkad, Fort Kochi, Kannur, and Thalassery came into existence and this day thus marks a new beginning for the state of Kerala.

This was not all. Many famous wars and rebellions took place to free Kerala from the evil clutches of the British. When India faced the brunt of partition in 1947, Travancore and Kochi were merged into the Union of India on 1st July 1949. Once again on 1st November 1956, the taluk of Kasargod in the South Kanara district of Madras, the Malabar district of Madras (excluding the islands of Lakshadweep), and Travancore-Cochin, without four southern taluks and Sengottai taluk (which joined Tamil Nadu), were merged to form the state of Kerala under the States Reorganisation Act.

> From that day onwards, Kerala celebrates its birthday as Kerala Piravi, which marks the unification of Malabar, Cochin, and Travancore. Though it is the political unification that gave rise to Kerala, God’s own country wouldn’t have existed without the famous stories and legacies.
>

If you are not familiar with Malayam, then let me translate the title for you- Kerala warmly welcomes you to the Land of Gods. Yes, you heard it right. It’s Kerala, a land that shimmers with golds and gods, and a land that makes you feel at home. Let’s roam around the colourful streets and fascinate ourselves with myths and cultures of God’s Own Country.