Keralam3052014

The name ' Keralam ' or ' Kerala ', as it was adopted by the English language, comes from the Malayalam words 'Keram' meaning Coconut Palm and 'Alam' meaning Land or Place. Keralam is therefore 'The Land of Coconut Palm'.Most women wear a saris (a straight piece of cloth draped around the body as a long dress) and short blouses. They place its loose end over the head or shoulder. Wealthy women may wear saris made of silk, with borders of gold thread. Many of the women in urban areas wear pyjamas (full trousers) with a long blouse and a veil. Western style of clothing, like jeans and T-shirts are gaining popularity. Like other Indian women, women in Kerala also wear jewellery, especially earrings and bracelets. Many women also wear a kumkum (round dot) in the middle of the forehead. The kumkum, which is usually prepared from a red or black powder, is considered a mark of beauty. Clothing for most Keralites is quite simple and typically untailored. But most people wear light, loose clothing because of the hot climate. Clothing worn by Malayalees varies slightly from region to region. Members of the various religious groups may also dress in a slightly differently manner. Men frequently wear little more than a broadcloth dhoti (a simple white garment wrapped around the legs), worn as a loose loincloth. The dhoti (mundu) forms a sort of loose trousers. The more affluent and urban dwellers generally are more inclined to wear tailored clothing, including various types of trousers, jackets, and vests.

It is during the festivals, especially Onam  and  Vishu,  that one can see the typical Kerala dressing when the women in 'Set Saris' (white saris with borders of gold thread (Kasavu)) and blouse matching the sari border colour could be seen with men, who prefer white dhoti with 'kasavu' borders for such occasions. Young girls wear long skirts and blouses of various colours. Most rural people, especially females, do not wear shoes and, when footwear is necessary, prefer sandals. Throughout Kerala, however, Western dress is increasingly in vogue, especially among urban and educated males, and Western-style school uniforms are worn by both sexes in many schools, even in rural areas of Kerala

Compared to other Indian states, Kerala lies closer to the equator. Yet Kerala is bestowed with a pleasant and equable climate through out the year. This is because of the land's nearness to the sea and the presence of the fort like Western Ghats on the east. Kerala would have been a dry land because of the dry winds blowing from the north, but for the Western Ghats which prevent this wind from entering the land. Kerala receives copious rain (average 3000 mm a year )each year. The temperature in Kerala normally ranges from 28° to 32° C (82° to 90° F) on the plains but drops to about 20° C (68° F) in the highlands. The Highlands of Kerala, which is an area of major tourist attraction, enjoys a cool and invigorating climate the year-round. Owing to its diversity in geographical features, the climatic condition in Kerala is diverse. It can be divided into 4 seasons - Winter, Summer, South-West Monsoon and North-East Monsoon.