God's own country.

Do you know why Kerala is called 'God's own country'?

I did not know. The younger generation may not know and the older generation may have forgotten the history behind this. 

Believe it or not, here's a story.

When India got independence on 15 Aug 1947, the kingdom of Travancore did not join the Indian Union. The Diwan of Travancore announced in Jun '47 itself that the Travancore kingdom will be a separate country by itself. During that period, Travancore was well developed with Public Transport, Telephone Network and Heavy Engineering Industries. The King undertook all the expenses of the University. Also, all Hindus were allowed to enter into all the temples, without any caste bias, which was prevalent throughout India at that time.

When talks were on between the Indian representatives and King Chithira Thiranal Balarama Varma, to make Travancore as part of the Indian Union, the King said, "This land does not belong to me. It belongs to Lord Anantha Padmanabhaswamy and I am only the custodian. If Lord Ananthan asks me to do, I will oblige". The Indian authorities did not believe this and considered the King's statement was just to dodge the issue.

But the Travancore authorities showed them a Palm Leaf dated 20 Jan 1750, signed by the then King Anizhom Thirunal Marthanda Varma in favour of Lord Anantha Padmanabhaswamy, indicating that the entire Travancore kingdom extending from today's Kanyakumari to Paravoor, belongs to the Lord.

Now, can you guess as to why Kerala is called "God's own country".

My take

So, this is the reason for the noble nomenclature!

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by 10.

The maid was at work and finished it by 3 o'clock.

Helped Lekha with the watering of the plants in the evening.