Kerala’s temples and cuisine see rising tourist footfall

Kerala is increasingly attracting visitors not only for its famed backwaters and ayurveda but also for its rich culinary traditions and historic temples.

Hyderabad: Kerala is not just about backwaters, beaches and ayurveda, with many visiting it of late to explore its rich and spicy culinary, besides the ancient and historic temples.

Sabarimala, Anantha Padmanabha Swamy and Guruvayur have been the prominent temples, which draw more devotees from different States. For the last few years, many people have been visiting Kottiyoor Temple in Kannur to participate in the annual festival held
during May and June.

---

There are two temples – the Akkare Kottiyoor, which is a temporary shrine on the western bank of the River Bavali and Ikkare Kottiyoor temple, which is a permanent temple on the eastern bank, Kerala Tourism Information Officer Sooraj said.

Similarly, there has been a considerable rise in the arrival of devotees at the Rajarajeshwara Temple, Kannur. Women were permitted to have darshan at this ancient Lord Shiva temple only for one hour after 7 pm, he said.

Tour operators say backwaters, beaches, safaris, wellness (ayurveda), and culture (destination weddings) to attract domestic travellers, while culinary tour packages are being operated to attract international travellers. Karavelli, Travancore, Malabar, Syrian-Christian and a few other cuisines are unique to Kerala.