Kerala regionally also referred to as Keralam, is a Indian state in the south west region on the Malabar coast. It was formed by combining various Malayalam speaking regions. It is bordered by Karnataka to the north and north east, Lakshadweep Sea to the west and Tamil Nadu to the east and south.  The Chera Dynasty was the first powerful kingdom based in Kerala, though it was attacked from the neighbouring Cholas and Pandyas. During the Chera period, Kerala remained an international spice trading center. Later in the 15th century, the spice trade also attracted Portuguese traders and this paved the way for the European colonisation of the whole region of India. After independence, Travancore and Cochin joined India and the status of a state was given to Travancore-Cochin. Later the state was formed by merging the Malabar district, Travancore-Cochin (excluding four southerntaluks), and the taluk of Kasargod, South Kanara. With the Arabian Sea in the west, towering Western Ghats in the east and networked by several rives,  Kerala enjoys unique geographical features which have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. It has serene beaches, lush hill stations, stretched backwaters, exotic wildlife, historic and cultural monuments, Ayurvedic health holidays, magical festivals, enchanting art forms all of which makes unique experience for travellers. Main attraction of Kerala lies in cities of Munnar, Thekkady, Kovalam, Alappuzha (Alleppy), Kochi and Kumarakom.