2007-07-29 22:44:09 · 7 answers · asked by UNNIKRISHNAN K 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The phrase 'God's own country' is perhaps the most apt way of describing Kerala, India. Kerala with its crisp and fresh air, its absolutely pure and green environs and the nature trails that take to a strikingly beautiful world, as though God picked up his painting brush and palate and created this wonderful and soothing painting for you to realize and appreciate the fact that 'life is beautiful'.
The word 'Kerala' literally means 'the land of coconuts' and the entire state has a profusion of coconut palm groves, especially the beaches, the Kerala backwaters and the villages. These trees add to the natural beauty of Kerala, India and form an integral part of the coir trade in Kerala, India.
Kerala, India is known for its natural beauty and you experience the breathtaking panoramic sights during you holidays and tours to Kerala, India with the site Kerala Backwaters. All this and more makes Kerala, India 'God's own country'.
Kerala is one of the smallest states in the union of India by the mythology was created by a great monk by name Parasu rama. The legend goes like this Parasu rama threw an axe standing at Kanya kumari (Cape comarin) and all of a sudden sea receded leaving up the line on the path of the axe thereby leaving a land portion for the good people to live. On 1954 India was sub divided on the basis of languages and thus Kerala was formed by the union of three regions based on the common language spoken –Malayalam. Located at the south western part of India Kerala has numerous geographical cultural and historical specialties. It was Mr. Babu Paul –former director of Kerala tourism department suggested the pet-name “god’s own country to this tiny state ,and that name clicked! Now there people who really think that Kerala is actually God’s own country.
How the name evolved is a matter of dispute – Kearala excluding coastal belt is formed of small hills and plains, hence people coming here from Tamilnadu called this ketra (ascend) alam (descend) that transformed in to Keralam. Another version is that that the place being filled with coconut trees (kera vriksha) and alam (place) as the reason for this name.
The present Kerala is torch bearer of India in education and religious harmony – this was not the case a century back. Caste prejudices and un–touchability was so prevalent that Swamy Vivekananda called this state a lunatic asylum. Thanks to the role played by great men like Sree Narayana-guru and Ayyan kali, the story of un touchability has become a thing of the past. Christian missionaries who brought modern education has contributed much to the social reformation that has taken in this state, Hindus, Muslims and Christians together forms entire population, each community which lives in perfect harmony has contributed it’s share to the progress of this region -socially culturally and economically.
People of Kerala celebrate their religious festivals like ( Vishu and Deepavali by Hindus) (Christmas and Easter by Christians and Ramalan and Bakhrid by Mulims.) There is a common festival by name Onam, which is unique to this state, when people of all religions celebrates it with geity. Girls are having a busy season collecting flowers performing Thiruvathira dance making floral decorations (Atha pookkalam) in front of the house –while little children are busy in spending their time in swing,and seasonal plays. During onam business runs in full swing, almost all members of the house buy new dress and house hold durables during the season
Tourism is the main revenue earner of this state. There are a number of unique features available at this state like beautiful beaches, Misty Mountains, Backwaters, Ayurveda kerala's very own traditional system of medi care, houseboat cruises, stay at tree houses, trekking and other adventure sports and adding to all these the friendly people of kerala are a real asset and a big boost to tourism. Big temples like Guruvayur and Sabarimala, Perhaps the most spectacular sight would be the boat races like no where else in the world. In Thrissur there are big temples where the festival known as Pooram is celebrated – a real treat to the eye of any beholder. Kathakali is spectacular form of art unique to the state in which actors use no speech but only signs with hands and fingers known as “mudras”.
2007-07-29 23:36:13 · answer #1 · answered by Sangeeta C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A creative advertising director Mr Walter Mendez, had coin this phrase "God's own country" in the year 1989. The idea was from the fact that the major part of the kerala state was ruled by Travancore kingdom and the ruler Marthanda Varma had dedicated and presented the kingdom in AD 1750 at the feet’s of the deity Padmanabha (Maha Vishnu) of Padmanabhaswamy Temple (the Trippadidaanam) and from then on the rulers of Travancore ruled as the "servants of Padmanabha. Kingdom was owned by Hindu god Maha Vishnu.
Mahendra varma.
2014-09-21 07:52:31 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think now the term `Gods own country' is more used as a catch phrase for tourism advertisement. All countries are Gods own and not leased to any one. Being a Keralite, I am also very proud of my state,people, flaura and fauna and the life style over there. Even a five star menu will not reach anywhere near our Aappam and Stew, Boiled Rice meal with Kalan, Olan, Avial, Pappadam and Ada Pradhaman or Paalada. A Meal in banana leaf is healthy and tasty. It is indeed a mouth watering experience. For Non vegetarians, what better anyone can offer than the Karimeen deep fried in coconut oil, crab olathu, Malabar fish curry etc. Perhaps the aroma of fresh food and cleanliness of people (of course not very true in the case of handling domestic and industrial waste these days) literacy level, political awareness, religious harmony, green welvet covered paddy fields, coconut grooves and water bodies are the best combinations which God gave to this coastal state which got summarised as a logo in `Gods own country' form.
We all love to be there even if we are away from the home state. All are welcome to `Gods own Country'
Namaskaram
2007-08-01 02:56:09 · answer #3 · answered by villager 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kerala is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. To its east and northeast, Kerala borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka respectively; to its west and south lie the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean with the islands of Lakshadweep and the Maldives, respectively.
2007-07-30 06:10:13 · answer #4 · answered by Zain 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Kerala is God's Own Country..
Log on to www.keralatourism.org for more details
2007-07-30 05:55:38 · answer #5 · answered by littlehearts13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes very much. But it entirely depends on individuals, according to their level of perception to substantiate it adequately !!
As a kid, I had loved Kerala for the very ambience, the air, the greenery, the fragrance, ruggedness etc.
Now, fortunately, I have better reasons to love it all the more too !
The legends, stories etc , now seem not just true, but thoroughly understated due to distortions (the distortions could perhaps be attributed to misjudgement of story tellers about its lack of credibility--- the better reason is lack of perception of listeners!).
Calling it "God's own country" seems to me to be the briefest way of putting it !
2007-07-31 09:33:20 · answer #6 · answered by Spiritualseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
*People have been saying so !!!!!
But personally if u go to HP, there are so m any hill stations that are breathtakingly beautiful ........... & the Himalayas.....wow!!!!
But i suppose/guess, we all have our own preferences !!!!
So be it !!!!!
2007-07-31 23:08:14 · answer #7 · answered by ๏๓ รђคภtเ, รђคภtเ รђคภtเ ....... ! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋