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India is known for its rich culture. Many peoples with different religions, languages and ancient practices have created a culturally diverse country for visitors to experience. Below is a selection of the recommend cultural locations and activities.
Culture and trade (Kochi)
Kochi (also called Cochin) has long been an important trade hub for spices, tea and coffee. Consequently, the city and its people have had close contact with many different non-Indian cultures and religions over hundreds of years. This is reflected in the makeup of the city, which has many spice and antique shops, churches, mosques, temples and a synagogue. The main symbol of Kochi are the iconic Chinese fishing nets which first arrived in Kerala at least 500 years ago. Nowadays Kochi is becoming renowned as a centre for the arts, and every year from December to March, a festival takes place where international and Indian artists show their work in galleries and as street art.
Kathakali dance
Kathakali is a very old Kerala dance. It combines music, literature and rituals in a mind-blowing dance drama. Colourful actors lead you through a powerful journey in Indian mythology. Kathakali is performed in many different locations.
Kalaripayattu
The traditional martial art, Kalaripayattu, expresses the perfect coordination between body and spirit. It impressively combines acrobatics, yoga and ancient knowledge about the human body. Performances can be experienced in many different locations in Kerala.
Festivals and events
There are lots of cultural and religious festivals and events taking place throughout the year in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. If you are interested, we can arrange a visit to one or two of these colourful festivities (depending on the dates).
Meenakshi Sundeshwarar Temple (Madurai)
The extremely impressive Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is famous for its high towers of multicoloured statues and numerous carvings. It contains many small and big shrines, and invites the visitor to stay and watch Hindu devotees carry out numerous day to day rituals and prayers.
Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rameswaram)
On a small island in the Golf of Mannar, at the very south eastern point of India, is Ramanthaswamy Temple, which is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrim sites. The building consists of architecturally stunning corridors that give the impression of infinity, and the incredible carved collars give a feel of the spiritual atmosphere of the temple. A large inner courtyard houses numerous sacred wells where pilgrims come to bath.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent where the three oceans, the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, meet. You can watch beautiful sunsets and sunrises, as well as visiting interesting places like the Swami Vivekananda's Memorial, and a small temple that is located on a small island a few hundred metres from the coast.