Kerala is the most popular tourist destination in India. The people of Kerala call it God’s own country. It is very popular as a dream tourist destination among domestic and foreign tourists.
If you go for a tour in such a beautiful state and do not bring any Kerala gifts to cherish the memory there forever, it will be an injustice to Kerala.
So far I have made many trips to different areas of the state of Kerala. At the end of each visit, many memories of Kerala have come back with me.
Some are beautifying my psyche and some are adorning the residence of me and my relatives. Based on the experiences gained from those many trips, I have composed this edition on the souvenirs of Kerala.
But this does not mean that I have got the opportunity to bring all the souvenirs related to Kerala. There are many items from Kerala that are still on my ‘to-be’ list.
Gifts of Kerala – Spices
Kerala is very famous for its spices. Whenever you visit Kerala, you will definitely visit the garden of spices. You will get a chance to see pepper vines, cardamom plants, etc.
You must have also read in the history of India how travelers from all over the world landed on the coast of Kerala by the sea in the desire of these spices.
Therefore, if you want to bring a special item from Kerala with you, what would be better than spices.
Spices are an integral part of our food. If it is obtained from the place of its source, then its quality becomes incomparable. Therefore, without hesitation, you can take these fresh spices for your own use and for your relatives.
Among the spices, you can take black pepper, white pepper, cardamom, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. You may also find good vanilla beans.
Chai Spices and Other Mixtures
If you prepare a special mixture of powder from these basic spices, then my suggestion would be that you buy separate spices and make mixtures from them yourself.
If you want to buy ready-made products, then you can also take them. Tiny vials of spices like tea spices are extremely useful.
You can get the desired smell and taste by adding two to three drops of these extracts to the tea to smell the spice. Extracts of tea spices like ginger, basil, mint, etc. are very famous among tourists.
Crunchy Banana Slices
When you come to visit Kerala, I believe you will enjoy the sightseeing just by chewing on crunchy banana chips or cutlets.
Why not? These chips are available everywhere in Kerala, too fresh out of the fresh kadhai. They are also available in many flavors. You can eat them there too and bring as many as you want with you.
Cassava (Tapioca) Chips
Cassava (Tapioca) is used all over India. You must be thinking that what am I saying. Yes, you must have heard the name Sabudana.
Sago is made from tapioca itself. But chips from its origin are made only in South India, especially in Kerala. These thin crunchy chips are a bit tough.
They do not have much taste of their own. They are made delicious by adding salt and spices.
Like banana chips, you can also take these chips with you and win the hearts of your family members.
Sweet
This famous Kerala pudding comes in many colors and flavors. Some are of light colors and some are of dark colors. This pudding looks like a jelly-filled with nuts.
Jaggery is used in dark-colored halwa and sugar is used in the light-colored pudding. Other ingredients are rice flour, coconut, dry fruits, cardamom, etc. This pudding is rich in ghee and dry fruits, maybe a little rich, but its taste is very beautiful.
You can taste the different types of halwa and you must bring whatever you like. You must thank us for this suggestion.
Kerala tea and coffee
Whenever you go to Munnar and take a walk through the beautiful tea gardens there, you will definitely buy local tea from the gardens there. Nothing could be more suitable for a Munnar souvenir than this.
I suggest that you must visit any tea factory along with tea gardens during your visit to Munnar. It is very exciting to see how the tea that you drink twice a day is prepared in the factory.
They will give you an overview of the different stages of tea technology and different types of tea. Based on this information and your taste, you can choose tea leaves.
If you are not a citizen of South India then you can also buy filter coffee from here. Otherwise, there are different places in South India for different types of coffee.
Souvenirs as Artifacts
Two special classical dance forms of India and many types of folk art styles are related to Kerala. Whether you travel to any part of Kerala, you will definitely get a glimpse of them in some form or the other.
Kathakali Masks
Kathakali is basically a classical dance form of Kerala which is famous for its elaborate decorations and colorful masks.
The dancers have to spend hours getting dressed in their elaborate costumes and adornments. They then go down to perform on stage where they dance wearing extremely heavy costumes and masks.
Kathakali Masks –
If you get a chance to visit his furnishings room, you can see his painstaking adornment. Then you can appreciate their dance more justly.
You will be so impressed by the dance and costumes of the dancers that you will definitely take a Kathakali mask in their memory.
Kathakali masks are made from different objects and in different shapes. I made a mask for myself using coconut hair. If you take the smallest mask, then it is in the form of keyrings.
Nettipattam
Kerala is the land of elephants or cows. In ancient times, humans and Gajas lived peacefully among themselves. These yards were an integral part of the temples.
They were elaborately decorated for temple festivals. The elaborate ornamentation on his head is called Nettipattam. It was meticulously engraved. You can see this type of ancient nettipatam in the museum.
Nettipattam – Gaja Shringar
Miniature incarnations of these nettipatams are the favorite souvenirs of tourists visiting Kerala. You will see several rows of these nettipatams displayed neatly in every souvenir shop.
Traditionally these nettipattams are of golden color and are tied with red color. Bells hang at the bottom of them.
Many tourists take this Nettipatam as a memory of Kerala and decorate their buildings and vehicles. If you are not planning to visit Kerala at this time, then you can also get them from Amazon.
Nettur Patti
Nettoor Patti is a traditional jewelry box. This wooden box is carved by brass. Painting is also seen on some of the boxes. The Nettur belt appears to be different from other gem boxes because of its size.
Its base is rectangular but its upper part is almost conical. There is a brass link on top of it. Its overall size seems to me like a miniature replica of a temple.
Adorable Nettur Thong
If you want to keep Nettur Petti at your home, then a special place will have to be made for it. I also wish that I should also keep a Nettoor Petti at my house in which I can save my small artifacts and show them to my family members.
Mural Painting
A special type of painting style is visible in the temples of Kerala. They have many variations of orange color. Earlier I had seen such frescoes in the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Trivandrum and in the temples of Kaladi.
Saraswati fresco in Kerala style –
You can take replicas of these frescoes and other modern paintings in the same style as a souvenir of Kerala. I had bought some small wooden ornaments from an exhibition here which were painted in this Kerala mural style.
Whenever I wear them, they give me the impression of reaching the temples of Kerala. That’s why I love these ornaments so much. I am happy that there are still many artisans in Kerala who are keeping this art style alive and prosperous.
Wooden Boats –
Narrow-long snake boats are a special identity of Kerala. Every year several snake boats take part in the annual snake-boat race. The rest of the time they are anchored in the backwaters of Kerala.
You can see many such boats when you go boating in the backwaters. Many high-end guesthouses and resorts use such yachts to display the tradition of Kerala.
Yes, you cannot buy such a big boat and keep it at your home. But you can definitely take miniature copies of them.
I also took a replica of the boat from here which I have displayed in my house. I have kept spices from Kerala inside it. Both are special gifts of Kerala.
Artifacts made of coconut shell
Although you will see artifacts made of coconut shells in all the coastal areas of India, there is a difference in the artifacts of each region and their art style.
From Kerala, you can take a variety of artifacts and utensils made of coconut shells as souvenirs. This eco-friendly would make a perfect gift.
Artifacts Made of Shells and Shells
In each of the small and big souvenir shops, you will see many artifacts made of shells and conch shells. Artisans make very beautiful artifacts and vessels using shells and conch shells.
On the one hand, it is harmful to the environment to carry shells from the beaches, on the other hand, these artifacts made from them are also the means of livelihood for many small artists and traders. Therefore, you will have to take the final decision of purchasing these artifacts.
