God, who made Kerala, according to a popular Malayali saying, had a green thumb. Indeed, India's most verdant state -- rated by National Geographic Traveler as one of the world's 50 must-see destinations -- is a paradisiacal landscape of palm-lined beaches, steamy jungles, plantation-covered hills, and tropical rivers and lakes. Visitors come here primarily to unwind and indulge; this is, after all, where succumbing to a therapeutic Ayurvedic massage is as mandatory as idling away an afternoon aboard a slowly drifting kettuvallam (house boat), or sipping coconut juice under a tropical sun before taking in a wonderfully ritualized Kathakali dance. Eastward, the spice-scented Cardamom Hills and wild elephants of Periyar beckon, while a short flight west takes you to the little- known but sublime tropical reefs off the Lakshadweep islands. All of which make Kerala not just a must-see on your India itinerary, but a major destination in its own right.

A thin strip on the southwest coastline, sandwiched between the Lakshadweep Sea and the forested Western Ghats that define its border with Tamil Nadu to the east, Kerala covers a mere 1.3% of the country's total land area, yet its rich resources have long attracted visitors from across the oceans -- it is in fact here that the first seafarers set foot on Indian soil. Legend has it that King Solomon's ships traded off the Malabar coast between 972 and 932 B.C., followed by the Phoenicians, Romans, Christians, Arabs, and Chinese, all of whom came to stock up on Malabar's monkeys, tigers, parrots, timber, and, of course, the abundance of spices that were literally worth their weight in gold. Seafarers not only brought trade but built synagogues and churches in the emerging port cities, while an entirely Muslim population set up shop on the islands of Lakshadweep. Despite its religious cosmopolitanism (many locals will tell you they subscribe to both Hinduism and Christianity), Kerala's Hindu tradition is deeply engrained in daily life. Most temples do not permit non-Hindus to enter, but almost every month brings magnificent temple processions involving chanting devotees and squadrons of elephants adorned in flamboyant caparisons.

Enjoy your vacation with sun, sand, surf and swaying palms. Welcome to the bewitching beaches of Kerala. Rediscover the untainted beauty of nature in God's Own Country. Redefine the meaning of vacation itself with Ayurveda Holidays.

Sail across the meandering backwaters at your own pace in a traditional houseboat. And experience the spicy, savory Kerala cuisine onboard. Surely an experience that can make you drool in either way.

Experience the uniqueness of Natya in Kathakali. Get yourself immersed in the Lasya Bhava in Mohiniyattom. For the lovers of Art and Culture Kerala offers much more. Discover the cultural heritage of Kerala, and experience it truly. An audio-visual colourful extravaganza, the performing arts of Kerala have cast a magic spell on travelers from time immemorial.