Top Things to do in Kerala in September

Albeit Kerala is beautiful throughout the year, the month of September holds something special for the tourists. The lush greenery of the state is refreshed with the rains and several festivals are also held during this time. During this time, the southwest monsoon which brings rain to all of South India, gradually begins retreating, and all you have are occasional spells of light rain which cools the lands and soothes the minds of all those living on it. If there is a perfect time for heading to Kerala with your friends, family and loved ones, it is this. If you are one of those planning a trip here, then this blog is just for you. We bring you the top things to do in Kerala in September that will make your visit an exciting and thrilling one.

1. Waterfalls

Kerala is also home to several beautiful waterfalls, and during the month of September, they are infused with a new vigor and life. Two of the waterfalls which you should visit during the month of September are Athirappally and Vazhachal Waterfalls located in the Thrissur district of Kerala. At Athirappally, the water descends from a height of nearly 80ft. and crashes into the Chalakkudy River below. The entire scene is quite powerful and elegant at once, charming the onlookers to no end.

The Vazachal Waterfalls also present a similar sight and is best visited during the month of September. It also has some exotic fauna on display, like the rare hornbill species. Its beauty mesmerizes the visitors and leaves them thoroughly satisfied.

[You may also read: 10 Must Visit Gorgeous Waterfalls in Kerala]

2. Hill Stations

It can get really hot in Kerala during certain months of the year, and although September is not one of them, it is certainly a great time to head to its beautiful hill stations. Some of the popular hill stations of Kerala are Munnar, Thekkady, Ponmudi, Vagamon, Nelliyampathy (Palakkad) and Lakkidi.

Munnar, situated at an altitude of almost 5,200ft, always enchants visitors with its tea plantations, panoramic sights and the famous Eravikulam National Park. Thekkady, with its charming landscape, forests and incredible wildlife, is a tourists’ paradise. Its landscape is characterized by a chain of rolling hills which are dressed with tea, coffee and spice plantations. However, the most popular tourist attraction here is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The other hill stations are also home to various attractions and are a great escape from the hullabaloo of city life.

[Also Read: 10 Most Beautiful Hill Stations in Kerala]

3. Festivals

During the month of September, the whole of Kerala is immersed in festivities. Various festivals are held in Kerala this time of the year, thus making a trip to Kerala all the more attractive. One of these festivals is Onam.

Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala and is celebrated to mark the start of the New Year, as per the Malayalam calendar. Puli Kali is a crowd favorite during this time. It is a performance in which the performers paint their bodies to give them the appearance of a tiger and dance to the beats of various musical instruments. Various kinds of floats also accompany the procession. In addition, several cultural events are also held in various parts of the state throughout the week.

[Know more about Popular Festivals in Kerala]

4. Backwaters

Kerala is famous for its backwaters, and anyone who has been to Kerala will know how exciting and wonderful it is to take a trip on them. The entire experience has to be felt to be described. The best time for enjoying the beauty of the backwaters is the month of September when the entire experience is enhanced by occasional drizzles.

This is also the time when the state hosts the famous snake boat races. These are famous not just in Kerala or India, but all over the world. During these races, snake boats, each of which is about 100-120ft long, hold up to 100 powers and compete with each other to get the coveted first prize. The most famous of these snake races are held at Alleppey, where snake boats compete with each other for the highly coveted Nehru Trophy.

[Here are 9 Offbeat Backwater Destinations in Kerala]

5. Beaches

Kerala is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in India. The beaches of Kerala, besides being very beautiful, also hold a special cultural and historical value. Some of the most famous beaches in Kerala are Kovalam Beach, Marari Beach, Varkala Beach, Bekal and Kannur beach.

In the month of September, the best beach for spending a good time is Kovalam Beach. It is a crescent-shaped beach marked by a massive promontory which provides the perfect opportunities for sea bathing. There are plenty of leisure options at the beach. Some among them are sunbathing, herbal tanning body massages, swimming, special cultural programs and catamaran cruising. The amicable weather serves to enhance the entire experience. The other famous beaches which one should visit in September are Cherai, Varkala, Mararikulam, Kozhikode and Bekal, among others.

[Check-out 15 Best Beach Resorts in Kerala]