The monuments of Kerala
have well preserved the history and culture of the state. Popularly known as
`God`s own country`, the state of Kerala has a rich array of historical and
religious monuments that dot the lush landscape of this beautiful state and
make it a travellers paradise.
The state of Kerala is a tropical paradise with beautiful lush green
vegetation, waving palms, the backwaters, sun, sea and surf .Modern day Kerala
was created in 1956 along linguistic lines. It has been under the rule of a
number of different dynasties including the Cheras,
the Ays, the Pandyan rulers, the Kulashekar dynasty and later the British.
Marthanda Varma is said to be the father of modern Kerala as the state grew and
developed to a great extent under him. Kerala being located on the seacoast was
the centre for trade and commerce. As a result a number of different merchants
from West Europe, Southern Asia etc established close ties and settlements
here. Thus in the monuments of Kerala is seen reflected not only the grandeur
of the various dynasties that held sway here but also many outside influences
that entered India via Kerala.
The monuments of Kerala are chiefly constructed in the traditional style of nallukettu
or ettukettu-four or eight sided structures with a central courtyard and walls
opening out. However, in regions like fort Kochi
which has seen a great mix and confluence of cultures, the architecture is a
curious mix of typical Kerala, European, Chinese, Jewish and Arabic styles. The
various monuments of Kerala include temples, churches, palaces, mosques, forts
and mansions.
Chief among the monuments of historical interest are the Bolghatty palace,
Alwaye palace, Mattencherry palace, Krishnapuram Palace, Bekal Fort, Hill palace museum, Arrakal palace and
Kannur fort, Chittur Garumadam and many more.
Prevalent in Kerala is a happy blend of various religions-Hindu, Christian,
Muslim as well as Jewish. This is mainly due to the location of Kerala on the
seacoast which made it the landing site for various merchant ships from all
over the world. They went on to settle and set up their own places of worship
here, particularly the missionaries from different parts of the world. Thus
among the monuments of Kerala one can find a heterogeneity of worship in the
Chottanikkara Temple, Guruvayoor Temple, Sabbatical Temple, Vadakkumnathan
Temple, Cheraman Juma Masjid, Saint Sebastian Church, The Churches at
Muttuchira, Aranmula Temple and Jewish Synagogue among others.
Thus, the monuments of Kerala are varied in their style, significance and
history. All of them contribute towards making Kerala a real tourist`s delight.
