Why should you visit Kerala in Monsoon season?

Kerala experiences two rainy seasons every year. The first one starts in June and the second one begins in mid-October, ending around mid-November. The monsoons in Kerala are different from those in some other places, as they do not bring incessant rain over days and weeks.

Instead, it typically rains for a few hours followed by moments of soft sunshine through the wet palm fronds. During the monsoons, you can either bask in the occasional sunlight or enjoy the cool darkness. The lush greenery and vibrant culture come alive during this season, making it an ideal time to visit Kerala. The temperature ranges between 23 to 29 degrees centigrade. Therefore, the monsoon season is one of the best times to escape to Kerala.

1. Onam Festivities

Be part of the Onam festivities during your trip to Kerala

To be in Kerala during the Onam festival is a delight. Onam is the harvest festival and one of the most important festivals of Kerala. You will be able to savour the rich cultural heritage of Kerala through folk dances like Kathakali and Mohini Attam, the world’s oldest martial arts form – Kalaripayattu, decorated elephants, flowers, traditional games and elaborate feasts. Festivities carry on for about 10 days, culminating with Thiru Onam which falls on 4th September 2017.

The famous Snake Boat Race, Vallamkali, on the river Pampa is also part of the festivities. Spectators, cheering for their favourite team, throng the sides of the river, as hundreds of oarsmen row their boats to finish the race first!

Where: 117 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram

2. Best Time For Ayurvedic Treatments

Rejuvenate with a traditional Ayurvedic treatment

People especially visit Kerala to have the Kerala Massage and Ayurvedic treatment. According to the ancient traditions of Ayurveda, the best time to undergo these treatments is during the monsoons The weather is perfect – moist, cool and dust-free, opening up the pores of our skin, making the therapy more effective. The post-treatment period is also crucial for the body so the cool salubrious monsoon weather allows you to cool down as your body recuperates in bliss. 

Where: From Ayurvedic resorts and wellness centres to five-star hotels and even an Ayurvedic houseboat; the options are plenty in Kerala

3.  Scenic Overflowing Waterfalls

Soak in the natural beauty as you admire the cascading waterfalls of Kerala

What better season than the monsoons to see the waterfalls in their full glory? One can easily spend hours gazing at the beauty of the gorgeous waterfalls and soaking in the surrounding beauty. Did you know, that Athirapally Falls, located about 47 km from Thrissur was one of the filming locations of the Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan star Guru?

Where: Athirapally and Vazhachal, about 80 kilometres from Kochi | Thommankuth, 74 kilometres from Kochi | Thusharagiri, Kozhikode and Palaruvi, Kollam.

4. Beauty Of The Lush Green Hills

The hills of Kerala offer a magical experience 

Mattupetty is an idyllic spot to enjoy the magic of the monsoons! This hill station, perched at a height of 1700 meters in the Idukki hills is best known for the dam and beautiful lake. It will be a nice relaxing holiday, with some great walks to see cascading waterfalls or you can sit indoors and watch the mist-laden hills while the rain pours down to cleanse the earth.

Where: 13 kilometres from Munnar

5. Relaxing on the Backwaters

 Admire the lush greenery and savour delicious food on board a houseboat

Taking a short break isn’t complete without riding the backwaters. Hire a traditional houseboat and cruise down the 900 km stretch of backwaters. On board enjoy the authentic South Indian cuisine and just relax while you spot many species of aquatic life like otters, turtles, and crabs and beautiful birds like the kingfishers, terns and cormorants that flock to the place. You can also enjoy local delicacies such as toddy which is best enjoyed while cruising and relaxing your way down the backwaters. The rain just adds to the beauty with fresh greenery all around making it picture-perfect! You could also make it in time to celebrate various beach festivals that take place in Alleppey such as The Sand Art Festival and The Alleppey Beach Festival.

Where: Alleppey or Alappuzha, 62 km south of Kochi.

6. Reverberating Beaches

Enjoy the peace as you walk along the beaches of Kerala. 

The beaches in Kerala comprise uneven outcrops, the topography is distinctive and changes abruptly as you progress from the North to the South of Kerala. One feature is constant though, the beaches are all dotted with coconut trees in large numbers. Dense groves of coconut trees extend all over the state along with much more greenery that makes the state come alive during the monsoons. The coastline is also a hub of fishing activity, so you could see fishers going about their business and using unique contraptions all along the beach. Enjoy, freshly cooked, spicy sea fish along the beach, courtesy of the fishermen who provide the fresh produce.   

Mararikulam, a village in the Alleppey district, has a beautiful beach that becomes even more attractive during the monsoons. It’s a perfect place to unwind, away from the hustle of the real world! The Marari beach has been a recipient of various accolades because of its natural beauty and tranquillity. This is a great place to get an Ayurvedic treatment too.

Where: 11 kilometres from Alleppey

7. Great Discounts

Since it is ‘off season’, the hotels reduce their rates by almost half to lure tourists to come to the state during the monsoons. Not only that, you will also get to save on air tickets and vehicles.