Things to do in

Kerala

Theyyam (also spelled Theyyattam) is a living ritual performance native to North Kerala that blends folk theatre, ancient temple ritual, dance, music and possession. Performed mainly in temple courtyards and sacred groves (kavu), Theyyam transforms performers into personified deities through elaborate face-painting, towering headgear, colourful costumes, ritual dances and percussion ensembles (thottam, chenda, maddalam). The experience is intensely sensory — fire-walking, anointing, oracle-like pronouncements and offerings to devotees are common. Theyyam is seasonal and community-centered: many performances are tied to family shrines and local festivals, where the performer is treated as a living embodiment of the deity for the duration of the ritual.

Thrissur Pooram is Kerala's largest and most famous temple festival, held annually in Thrissur city around late April–early May (Malayalam month of Medam). Organized around the Vadakkunnathan Temple and the Thekkinkadu Maidan, it is a spectacular display of caparisoned elephants, percussion ensembles (melam), Panchavadyam, synchronized umbrella-changing (kudamattom) and massive fireworks (vedikettu). The main Pooram day is an intense, colorful 8–12 hour celebration preceded and followed by preparatory rituals and smaller events.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most important and historic Vishnu temples in India, famed for its Anantha Shayanam (reclining Vishnu) idol, Dravidian-style architecture, and legendary subterranean vaults. Darshan (visit to view the deity) is a devotional experience combining ritual worship, strict temple protocols, and significant cultural heritage. Entry to the temple is generally free, but specific sevas (special rituals) and priority darshan experiences may have charges and require advance booking. Visitors should check the official temple/devaswom board website for the latest rules and booking procedures.

Jatayu Earth Center (also called Jatayupara or Jatayu Rock) is a unique combination of monumental sculpture, nature-based adventure and cultural tourism located in Chadayamangalam, Kollam district, Kerala. The centerpiece is the gigantic rock sculpture of Jatayu — a mythical bird from the Ramayana — carved into a natural rock face. The site also includes an adventure park offering activities such as rock climbing, rappelling, a giant zipline (Jatayu Earth's Center’s “Jatayu Bird Drop / Zipline”), a sky walk, and a cable car connecting the top of the hill to the base. It is designed for visitors seeking culture, panoramic viewpoints, and adrenaline experiences in a lush Western Ghats setting.

Overview: Tandem paragliding over the Vagamon hills followed by a guided or self-led walk through the evergreen meadows and pine woods. This combines a short adrenaline experience with easy-to-moderate scenic walking on soft grassy slopes and trails — ideal for first-time flyers and casual trekkers.

What to expect: A safety briefing and harnessing followed by a 10–25 minute tandem flight (depending on conditions) giving panoramic views of tea estates, valleys and the Western Ghats. After landing, enjoy a relaxed 1–3 hour meadows walk across rolling green slopes, pine patches and small streams.

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach is a unique coastal stretch near Kannur in Kerala, known as the longest drive-in beach in India. A roughly 4-kilometre sandy shoreline allows vehicles to drive directly on the sand for most of the year, offering a rare mix of beach relaxation and scenic coastal driving. The beach is popular for sunrise and sunset drives, casual swimming in calmer sections, photography, picnics, and spotting traditional fishing boats. It’s easily accessible from Kannur city and is a relaxed, family-friendly destination.

Marari Beach (Mararikulam) offers a calm, unspoiled coastal escape ideal for relaxation and experiencing traditional Kerala village life. Expect quiet sandy beaches, casuarina-lined shores, fishing village routines, coconut groves, and warm local hospitality. Activities include beach lounging, gentle swims, bicycle rides through paddy fields, village walks, traditional Kerala meals, and optional Ayurvedic massages. The pace is slow and restorative—perfect for travelers wanting an authentic, low-key Kerala experience.

Authentic Kerala Ayurveda experience focusing on personalized traditional massage therapies, detox, and rejuvenation. Available statewide with popular centers in Kovalam and Kumarakom. Programs combine physician consultation, daily tailor-made therapies (Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Kizhi, Njavara Kizhi, Pizhichil), Ayurvedic diet, yoga, and meditation.

Malabar biryani and coastal seafood are the heart of Kozhikode's food identity. This food trail explores the city's aromatic biryanis, spicy coastal curries, fresh-on-the-plate seafood, and legendary street snacks — blending Arab, local Malabar and coastal influences into a memorable tasting experience.

What it is: An evening culinary and cultural experience at a local toddy shop (kallu kada) in the backwaters of Kuttanad / Alappuzha. Enjoy freshly tapped toddy (fermented palm sap) and traditional Kerala snacks and fish dishes in a rustic, open-air setting among paddy fields and canals. Why go: authentic local flavours, relaxed convivial atmosphere, and a chance to meet residents and hear local stories and songs.

Overview: A sensory half-day experience through two of Kochi's oldest trading districts — Broadway (Ernakulam) with its bustling local bazaar atmosphere, and Jew Town / Mattancherry with narrow lanes full of antique dealers, spice merchants and cultural landmarks. Expect aromatic spice piles, carved wooden pieces, colonial-era curios and lively bargaining.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary (Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary) is one of Kerala's premier birding sites, set in lowland evergreen forest along the Periyar river system in Ernakulam district. Named after the famed ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, the sanctuary is compact but rich in western-ghats endemics, resident woodland species and seasonal migrants — making it ideal for both first-time and experienced birders.

An immersive rainforest trek into Silent Valley National Park in Palakkad district, Kerala — one of the last undisturbed patches of South Western Ghats evergreen forest. The experience focuses on guided walks through primary rainforest, wildlife and birdwatching, interpretation of endemic flora and fauna (including the endangered Lion-tailed macaque), visits to streams and viewpoints, and learning about conservation efforts and local ecology.

What it is: The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is Kerala's most famous vallam kali (snake boat race) held on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. Named after India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the race showcases long, narrow 'chundan vallams' (snake boats) manned by scores of oarsmen and accompanied by traditional percussion music. Atmosphere: electric, festive, and intensely competitive — a must-see cultural spectacle.

A guided, low-intensity cycling experience through the unique below-sea-level paddy fields and backwater villages of Kuttanad in Alappuzha. Riders follow quiet village roads, raised bunds (dykes) between rice paddies and narrow lanes lined with coconut groves, pausing at rural homesteads, coir-making workshops and canals. Option to combine the ride with a short country boat transfer for a mixed land-and-water experience.