Payyoli

Payyoli Payyoli is  a small picnic village in Kozhikode district of Kerala. It is a beach village, beautifully located on the stretch of Malabar Coast. The tranquil and quaint village feel is best enjoyed and experienced in Payyoli. It is the choice of destination to make memorable day trips. The vast stretch of golden sand and shallow water is the prime tourist attraction. It is an ideal place for swimmers. The local cuisines are another attraction for food lovers to enjoy traditional delicious foods of Kerala. Food is prepared by unique village style and makes it classy. It assures most relaxing and rejuvenating vacation for tourists. Traditional Catamaran rides are arranged by the locals is offering an unforgettable sea ride. It is an excellent place to observe the daily life of fishers. One can enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise. The thick vegetation along the shore makes this place picture perfect to rejoice and sink into the of nature beauty. Places to Visit Payyoli Beach It is the most popular tourist destination in Payyoli located 35 km from Kozhikode. The golden beach is offering mesmerizing and tranquil experience of nature beauty in the form of sun rise and sun sets. The vast stretch of lush green vegetation along the sea shore , clean yellow sand and shallow water are the best impressions of this beach. The swaying coconut trees and fringes of palm trees are providing a warm welcome to tourist.  Kunhali Marakkar Museum  It is often known as Kunjali Marakkar Museum located 35 km from Kozhikode. The museum is peacefully located in a hut which was once owned by Marakkar family. One can enjoy the outstanding collections of ancient swords, cannonballs and knives. The pristine museum is maintained by the state archeological department. How to reach Payyoli By Air Karipur international airport is located 35 km from Payyoli is best option to reach by air. By Train The nearest railhead is located in Kozhikode. By Road Several State owned and private run buses are connecting Payyoli to major cities of Kerala. Weather During summer 20-36° and in winter 16-28°C. It is best visited in the month of December.

Begur Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: About 20 km east of Mananthavady, Wayanad district, North Kerala.

The district of Wayanad lies on an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in the Western Ghats. Historians are of the opinion that organised human life existed in these parts of Kerala at least ten centuries before Christ.

In this virgin land, which has not seen much human habitation later, is Begur. The forests here are amongst the most beautiful locales of Kerala. The region has a wealth of diverse species of plants and animals and is of great interest to nature lovers.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Thalassery in Kannur district is about 80 km from Mananthavady.
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about 106 km.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary

Location: Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, about 19 km from Kozhikode and 7 km from Beypore Port on the Arabian Sea, Calicut district, north Kerala
The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is spread over a cluster of islands in a scenic area surrounded by hillocks where the Kadalundi River flows into the Arabian Sea. The place is locally known as Kadalundi Nagaram.
This virgin land is the abode more than a hundred species of native birds and over 60 species of migratory birds, like seagulls, terns, sandpipers, sandplovers, red and greenshanks, turnstones, that flock here in large numbers from October to March
A hillock nearby, which is 200 m above sea level, offers a splendid view of the river mouth and the sea. Kadalundi is also known for a wide variety of fish, mussels and crabs.
Distance from Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary


Kozhikode: 27 Km
Thrissur: 107 Km 
Ernakulam: 150 Km
Kochi: 166 Km
Alappuzha: 211 Km
Kumarakom: 211 Km
Idukki: 240 Km
Munnar: 247 Km

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 19 km from Kadalundi.
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport: about 23 km from Kozhikode town.

Nelliampathy

Located at a distance of 52 kms from Palakkad, the cool hills of Nelliampathy, nestling atop the Western Ghats, offer a breathtaking view of the misty mountains and enchanting valleys interspersed with sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom and orange plantations. The bracing climate and green magic of nature enhance the exhilarating experience. For a vantage view of the spectacle, one must visit Seethakundu, where a 100m high waterfall provides an added attraction. 
It offers a fantastic view of the valley below a wide-angled vision of one-third of the entire Palakkad area. A forest range 75 kms from Palakkad, the Nelliyampathy hills comprise a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys of dense evergreen forests and orange plantations.
The height of the hills ranges from 467 metres to the tallest peak Padagiri looming at 1572 metres. Nelliyampathy has immense trekking potential. The community hall at Kaikatty provides a good camping ground for the trekkers. 
Accessing Nelliyampathy from Palakkad is a sensation on its own, as one has to negotiate over a dozen hairpin curves on the Ghat Road, passing through the fascinating jungles of the Sahya Ranges. En route, 17 kms from Palakkad, the shimmering Pothundi Reservoir and its manicured surroundings make for the ideal stop over. 

How To Get There - Nelliyampathy

By Air
The nearest airport is at Coimbatore in the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu, about 55 km from Palakkad.

By Rail
The nearest railway station is in Palakkad, about 5 km from Palakkad town.

By Road
The hills of Nelliyampathy lie at a distance of 75 kms from Palakkad. It takes 2 ½ hours to travel to the place.

General Information - Nelliyampathy
Location
75 Kms From Palakkad, Kerala

Ezhattumugham

Quaint and serene, the river Chalakkudy at Ezhattumugham is a picture postcard coming to life – its flow punctuated by islets of greenery and boulders of all sizes and trees growing right in the middle of the gently moving water. A full-grown tree surrounded and nurtured by flowing water is a sight one cannot easily forget. And the mini waterfalls, which not only tickle your feet, but also remind you of the gentle force of water.

At one point, the Chalakkudy gets by the islets and boulders into seven flowing streams, and that is how Ezhattumugham (seven faces of a river) gets its name. Look around and there are so many shades of green, yellow and brown that you soon lose count — more shades than the computer can create for any paint company. Earthy colours must also include grey and black, you get convinced, looking at the boulders.

During the non-monsoon months, the river bares its beautiful depths and you can walk on these boulders and islets through shallow water, right to the other bank of the river. If you are not the kind who gets scared easily, that is. Ezhattumugham lies in Ayyampuzha panchayat in Ernakulam district. While one side of the river is the northernmost end of Ernakulam district, the other bank of the river is where Thrissur district begins. But the river belongs to Thrissur, villagers are quick to add. During the monsoon months, the river hides the smaller islets and the water sometimes reaches the road by the banks.

The river and the islets coexist in absolute harmony. The smaller islets are the kingdoms of wild shrubs, trees, birds and squirrels. On the bigger islets cash crops, like coconut and banana, grow. So who planted them? Murali, who runs a shop by the river, says industrious people have just used the land in a productive way. Nobody owns them. In fact, he adds nonchalantly, even his shop has no title deed.

A narrow pathway goes down from the road, by the side of his shop, to the point where the river gets split into seven. On the banks, there are about 20 sacks of sand piled up. The local people have collected it for their own use, not for selling, a passerby informs you. Tourists do come, in a small way, but only during weekends, when they want to chill out, he says with a mischievous smile.

Ezhattumugham is yet to enter the tourist's itinerary for one very good reason. About 13 km away, uphill, lies the majestic Athirappally Falls, which sashayed into celluloid history with Raavan, starring Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan. Film crews, both from the north and the south, often camp in its precincts to exploit its raw appeal. Therefore the quiet charm of Ezhattumugham, through which Chalakkudy flows leisurely, remains eclipsed by the glamour of Athirappally.

While Athirappally evokes awe, Ezhattumugham calms the soul. There are no signages to take you here and local people give you several directions including shortcuts, where crater-sized potholes pass off as roads. The oil palm estates of the Plantation Corporation form a big part of Ezhattumugham.

The state government's attempt to woo tourists began with Prakriti Gramam, a park on the side of a check-dam at Ezhattumugham. People walk along this check dam and cross over to the other side of the river. Poorly maintained, with little security, the park, built less than five years ago, is at best a glorified entrance to the check dam. An outlet selling biscuits and soft drinks is manned by Shinoj, who tells you the people who live there, like him, are mostly families of plantation workers. Acres of oil palm trees, with parasitic creepers all over them, line the road to Ezhattumugham. Women carry baskets of red oil-palm nut bunches to a lorry to be taken to Anchal, near Kollam, for processing.

According to a report of the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, Chalakudy could well be the richest river in fish diversity in India, with thick vegetation on both sides. The sleepy village and the shallow parts of the river at Ezhattumugham, where you can sit and do what you like, can be a writer's delight and a balm for frayed nerves.

Getting there

Ezhattumugham is around 80 km from Kochi. Though there are a few shortcuts via Angamaly, it is best to reach Chalakkudy and proceed from there. But Kochi or Chalakkudy have hotels that suit all budgets.

Kodanad elephant training center

Kodanad elephant training center is a peaceful spot among forest-like environs. From the Cochin International Airport you travel to Kalady and from there to Perumbavoor. Before you reach Perumbavoor, you turn left and travel about 5 kilometers to reach Kodanad, the elephant training center.

Before 1977, elephants were captured from the nearby Malayattoor forests and trained at Kodanad. Capture of elephants was banned in that year and Kodanad center does not engage in capturing elephants any more. The Kodanad center now focuses on training elephants. Young elephants (see pic left) are trained from early on.

Elephants are accommodated in the sturdy cage shown right. (It is much larger than what the wide-angle picture indicates.) The cage allows training in a more humane manner, instead of being torture-based. Elephant kids might get a wash inside the cage.

Interested tourists could also get an elephant-ride at the Kodanad center by paying a fee.

Training of Elephant Handlers

Elephant handlers, called mahouts, were often found to be inhumane in dealing with the elephants under their care. To sensitize them and to teach them more humane ways of managing the elephants, a proposal was made to make Kodanad a mahout training center also.

When you visit the center, you would notice the love the personnel have for the elephants under their care.

Wildlife Park

There is a small wildlife park at the center that accommodates deer and other wildlife. The main attraction, however, are the elephants, particularly the kids and the older, but still young, elephants.

Silent Valley National Park

Location: 40 km from Mannarkkad, Palakkad district, North Kerala

Attractions: Extremely fragile, a unique preserve of tropical evergreen rain forests which is a veritable nursery of flora and fauna, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The Silent Valley National Park with an area of 90 sq km is located in the Northeastern corner of Palakkad district. It rises abruptly to the Nilgiri Plateau in the North and overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad in the South.

The core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the Silent Valley National Park. Despite its name, the Silent Valley (the clamour of Cicadas is conspicuously absent here) is a rich storehouse of biodiversity. It is a true Garden of Eden for students of life sciences, professional scientists and field biologists.

Perhaps, nowhere else can one find such a representative collection of Western Ghats biodiversity - more than 1000 species of flowering plants which include about 110 species of orchids, more than 34 species of mammals, about 200 species of butterflies, 400 species of moths, 128 species of beetles of which 10 are new to science, about 150 species of birds including almost all the 16 endemic birds of southern India.

The River Kunthi descends from the Nilgiri hills, from an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, and traverses the entire length of the valley and rushes down to the plains through the deep forest. The River Kunthi never turns brown and is always crystal clear, perennial and wild.

The evapo-transpiration from these forests is much higher than from any other surface. This cools the atmosphere, helps easy condensation of water vapour, causing summer rains in the plains.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Palakkad, about 80 km.
Nearest airport: Coimbatore (in neighbouring Tamilnadu State), about 120 km.

Chembra Peak

Chembra Peak (Malayalam: ചെമ്പ്ര കൊടുമുടി) is the highest peak in Wayanad, at 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) above sea level. Chembra is located near the town of Meppady and is 8 km south of Kalpetta. It is part of the Wayanad hill ranges in Western Ghats, adjoining the Nilgiri Hills in Tamilnadu and Vellarimala inKozhikode district in Kerala. Chembra Peak is accessible by foot from Meppady. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides and trekking equipments on hire charges to tourists.Permission from the forest office in Meppady is required for trekking up to Chembra Peak. A heart shaped lake on the way to the top of the peak is a major tourist attraction. The lake is believed to have never dried up. You can find the lake half way to the peak, after getting to the lake you need to trek another half way which is through the dense trees of about one to two km. A 5 km journey from Meppadi town through tea estates to Erumakkolli.

One can reach the forest office, from where a pass has to be acquired to trek the mountain. Also services of guide can be availed which might be very useful. The trek to the top takes 3 hours, and one can see almost the whole of Wayanad and parts of Malappuram, Kozhikkode and Nilgiri districts.

Chembra is located in Meppadi (Meppady) Panchayath, 11 km off NH212 (Kollegal - Mysore - Kozhikode). For people who prefer public transport, KSRTC (both Kerala & Karnataka) and a lot of private companies operate overnight deluxe buses between Kozhikode (aka Calicut) and Bengaluru. People taking buses can get down at Kalpetta and catch another bus to Meppadi. Meppadi is 11 km from Chundale, in the SH29, connecting Chundale to Ooty.

Veli Tourist Village ,Thiruvananthapuram

Located 8 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, the Veli Tourist Village is bordered by the Veli lagoon and the Arabian sea. The lagoon here is separated from the sea by a narrow sand bar.

The Veli Tourist Village on the outskirts of Trivandrum is a delightful waterfront park which has become extremely popular with Keralites. It is a nice place for tourists with young children to spend an afternoon. There are lots for the kids to do, and they will meet many of their young Keralite counterparts, all of whom will be eager to make new friends and try out their English

The main attraction at Veli is water - a large inland lake, separated from the ocean by only a narrow sandbar. For a few rupees, rides can be had in motor-driven safari launches and power boats, or a family can drift about in a pedal-boat or a row boat. There are kayaks, and even hovercraft, for the more intrepid. While skimming over the lake, visitors will see the local fishermen readying their boats, working on their nets, or poling sand-laden barges. 

There is a floating bridge and a floating restaurant too. Open every day; boat rides available until 6.00p.m., after which the lake reverts to the sole use of fishermen. For very small children, there is a tiny lake within the park, with sturdy, round "tub boats", equipped with miniature paddles. A small cafeteria serves ice-cream, cold-drinks and snacks, and the grounds are dotted with interesting climbing sculptures designed by the well-known sculptor Kanai Kunjiraman

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary

Location: About 58 km from Kochi city and 13 km northeast of Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district; Thattekkad is in Devikulam taluk, Idukki district, central Kerala.

Thattekkad is made up of dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forest and grassland patches, housing a population of over 500 species of exotic birds. This globally acclaimed bird sanctuary owes much of its fame to Dr. Salim Ali, the internationally renowned ornithologist. It is the exotic microcosm of India's bird population that brought Dr. Salim Ali to this place. His efforts were instrumental in the formation of this sanctuary to a large extent.

Spread across 25 sq. km. the sanctuary lies between the tributaries of the river Periyar like a peninsula. Rare birds like the Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black Winged Kite, Night Heron, Falcon, Grey Jungle Fowl, White-Breasted Water Hen, Hornbill, Ceylon Frogmoth, Rose-billed Roller and Blue-winged Parakeet live here.

Thattekkad also has extensive plantations of teak, rosewood, mahagony, etc. The dense forest is also the home of nearly 28 varieties of animals and nine varieties of reptiles.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station : Aluva, about 48 km away.
Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 44 km.

Echo point

Echo point (15 km from Munnar) This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station from Munnar.

Lock Heart Gap
(13 km from Munnar) This is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worth a visit.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Theni in Tamil Nadu, about 60 km, Changanacherry, about 93 km.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, about 115 km, Madurai in Tamil Nadu, about 140 km.

Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is situated in the High Ranges (Kannan Devan Hills) of the Southern Western Ghats in the Devikolam Taluk of Idukki district, Kerala State between 10º 05' - 10º 20' N Latitude and 77º 0' - 77º 10' E Longitude. Etymologically, Eravikulam denotes streams and pools. The Park is 97 sq. km. in extent, consisting mostly of high altitude grasslands that are interspersed with sholas. The main body of the National Park comprising of a high rolling plateau with a base elevation of about 2000 meters from mean sea level. The Park is of undulating terrain and the highest peak is Anamudi (2690 m). Three major types of plant communities are found in the Park-grasslands, shrub land and forests. The high plateau and the hills rising above it, are primarily covered by grasslands. Shrub lands are seen along the bases of the cliffs. Shola forests are located in the valleys and folds. Turner’s valley, which splits the Park roughly in half from northwest to southeast, is the deepest. The park is accessible from Kochi (Kerala) and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) airports, which are located at about 148 Km and 175 Km respectively. Munnar is the nearest town (13km.), well connected by roads from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The nearest railway station in Kerala is Aluva (120 Km away from Munnar) and in Tamil Nadu is Coimbatore (165 Km) The only motorable road inside the Park, passes through the southern extremity inside the tourism zone (Rajamala) to the Rajamallay tea estate. Another road head leads to the Lakkom Muduvakudy on the periphery and is not usable at present. All other movements inside the Park are on foot along trails and footpaths Address for communication The Wildlife Warden Munnar PO, Idukki Dist. Kerala, India. PIN:685 612 Tel: 91-4865-231587 E-mail: enpmunnar@gmail.com

Top Station in Munnar

Top Station is tourist destination which falls along the border of the state of Tamil Nadu. The region is part of constituency of bodi Theni district in Tamil Nadu. Top Station is notable as the historic transshippmentlocation for tea delivered up here from Munnar and Madupatty by railway and then down by ropeway to Kottagudi.This area is popular for the rare Neelakurinji flowers. The Kurinjimala Sanctuary is nearby. Top Station is the western entrance to the planned Palani Hills National Park
.
Top Station is 32 km from Munnar. Ernakulam railway station is about 162 km from Top Station and Cochin International Airport is about 142 km from Top Station. Frequent public buses operate between Munnar and Top Station. Overnight stay is available at Periyar Residency Top Station.


 Neelakurinji flowers. 

Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes Kunthiana) is a bush with several branches.  The species name Kunthiana has been derived from the River Kunthi which flows through the rich expanse of the renowned Silent Valley National Park in Kerala.  It means that the plant has been first described from the vicinity of this river.  The plant grows profusely Shola grasslands and mountain slopes of the mighty Western Ghats and Nilgiris in India.  Neelakurinji blooms in a clustered manner on typical inflorescence stocks once in every 12 years.  The flowering season ranges between August and November with a peak period of late September and October although some varieties exhibit little variation in their phrenology.   The flower has purplish blue colour when aged. It looks light blue in the earlier stage of blooming.
The Nilgiris owe the Neelakurinji for it's name which means blue mountains as it used to clothe a vast area of hills. Neelameans blue in Malayalam language and Kurinji is the local name of the flower. There are about 300 species of plants that bloom in 10 to 16 years and Neelakurinji is the best known among them. About 46 of them are found in India . Plants that bloom at long intervals like this is called plietesials. These are mostly found on the hills of high altitude. The main habitat of Neelakurinji is hills surrounding Munnar which is in the Western Ghats. It has become a symbol of bio-diversity of the Western Ghats. This endemic species is also an indicator of the health of the ecosystem. It may well be claimed as flagship species of the mountains

Hill Palace, Tripunithura, Ernakulam

Hill Palace, Tripunithura was the administrative seat and residence of Kochi royal family, was being built  in 1865 by Kochi Maharaja. As the palace was being constructed on a hillock, it is known as Hill Palace. This 19th century building is situated on Ernakulam- Chottanikkara route, so close to Tripunithura at a distance of  2 kms and is 12 kms away from Ernakulam. It spans over 54 acres and consists 49 buildings. Single storied  ‘Ettukettu’ with an adjacent pond, temple and kulappura, was constructed in typical Kerala architecture is the oldest structure here. The roof of the palace is perfectly done by Mangalore tiles which gives great protection from heavy downpour, longevity and asthetic appearance. The other buildings are a combination of traditional and western architecture.

Hill palace was taken over by the Department Of Archaeology in 1980 and  converted it into a Museum.  The complex has Kerala’s largest archaeological museum and first ever  heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park and a children’s park. It was opened to the public in 1986. It has neatly maintained garden with fountains, ponds and lawns and rare medicinal plants are growing in the surrounding palace land.   There is also a grave of Pareekshith Thampuran near the museum.

The museum displays finest 14 categories of articles donated by Kochi & Travancore royal families and the Paliam Devaswom which includes murals, paintings, coins, sculptures in stone and plaster of paris, manuscripts, inscriptions, carvings, archeological findings. The museum is preserving gold crown, ornaments & precious stones of Maharaja era.

An institute set up by the Department of Cultural Affairs, operates here in the Hill Palace.

The palace is open except Mondays from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

Elaveezha Poonchira

Elaveezhapoonchira offers the loveliest panorama in the whole of Kerala, and perhaps in the entire Indian subcontinent.

Location

The main access to this unspoilt loveliness is by Thodupuzha-Puliyanmala road(SH-33). Thodupuzha is sixty Km away from Nedumbasserry, Kottayam and Ernakulam. By train, you can get down at Kottayam if you are coming from the South or at Ernakulam if you are coming from the North. Nedumbassery is the nearest air port, with flights to all the major cities in the world.

A twenty minutes drive by car or bus from Thodupuzha will take you to Kanjar, a tiny place on the State Highway. Another eight kilometres by jeep will take you to this celebrated spot of unparalleled scenic beauty.

Name

Legends say that, the Pandavas, while on enforced forest sojourn, reached the thickly vegetated Western Ghats, where in deference to the wishes of their wife Panchali, located a pond in which not a single blade of leaf fell to pollute the water. Elaveezhapoonchira literally means the pond of flowers in which no leaf ever falls. True to the legend, there are no trees around. Only grass and dwarf mountain palms grow in the peak.

The panorama

The nearly four-thousand feet Kudayathoor Mountain juts out into the midlands of Kerala from the system of mountains and peaks that run through its 700 kms length. Elaveezhapoonchira is the highest peak in this mountain. To the west the mountain slopes down gradually and breaks up into hills and heights and to the Eest it abruptly falls to the Kudayathoor basin. Towards the North the mountain loses height and merges to the midland plains. In short it stands majestically among low hills and fertile plains commanding a view of areas as far north as Trissur and as far south as Kollam. The Arabian Sea and the Vembanattu Lake can be seen with the naked eye. A pair of binoculars will reveal the populous towns that dot the coastline.

The most marvellous scene is the lake towards the East. A strip of blue waters fed by the tail waters of the Idukki Hydro Electric Project lies at the foot of the Mountain. All around is greenery of the supreme kind occasionally broken by a barren rock or rising church spire.

High speed winds sweep the area round the year and clouds race across the sky shrouding the peak during the Monsoon. Little streams noisily hurry down and strange birds watch you with inquisitive eyes. You are in a strange place, away from the busy and noisy life, in a place which is as it used to be for millions of years. Your worries and cares leave you as long as you are here, you feel perfectly at peace with the whole world.

No doubt, there is no other place like Elaveezhapoonchira.

Visit to this place in the beginning of South-West and North-East Monsoons may be risky since Poonchira is a lightning prone area

Panieli Poru

Water and rocks together make for a picturesque scene at Panieli Poru, a little known spot on the eastern tracts of Ernakulam district. Situated along the Malayattoor forest tracts, 20 km from Perumbavoor, the place casts an enchanting spell that mesmerises the visitor. The Periyar gushes along the rocky terrain here.

The rivulets of the Periyar, having separated upstream, join hands at the spot and continue the onward journey. The flowing water makes a symphony along with the chirping of the birds in the nearby forest. It is indeed an alluring locale for those who have a love for nature's splendour.

 Life buoys available

The crystal clear water looks shallow and tempting, but there are many dangerous spots within the rocky bed. About 80 people have lost their lives in the areas within the last eight years, according to local people.

Warning signals and boards have been put up at a few of such spots. The Vana Samrakshana Samiti, an initiative of the Forest department and the district administration, in association with other departments and the local people, has drawn up a plan to streamline the tourism activity here.The Samithy has been entrusted with the task of curbing the menace of drinking among the holiday-makers.

The flowing water here has medicinal properties derived out of the rich herbal presence in the area, says K.K. Linzy, president of the samiti. Many visitors swim in the water for hours together. Life buoys are being deployed to ensure the safety of the adventurous lot.

Watchtower

A wooden watchtower, which could be double up as a tourism project, is under construction.
The ideal time to visit the place is between November and May, says Sasi, a guide and member of the samiti. Even during the monsoon season there are many visitors, he says.
During peak season, about 400 people visit the place daily. With a little more guidance and support from the Forest department and other agencies, the flow of tourists is bound to grow.
And, what does the name Poru stand for? The Malayalam word `Poru' means fight. It is the place of fight between rocks and water, hence the name.

Vagamon

Vagamon (Malayalam: വാഗമണ്‍) is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Idukki district ofKerala, India. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10 and 23 °C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 meters above sea level. Vagamon also known as the 'Scotland of Asia', was discovered by the Britishers who found the place ideal for tea plantations and they were followed by Christian missionaries who built their abode of service at Kurisumala in Vagamon. National Geographic Traveler has listed Vagamon on their directory of the '50 most attractive places to visit in India’.

Still untouched by commercialisation, the sleepy town with its scenic valleys, beautiful green meadows, enchanting pine forests, mists, fogs, tea estates, waterfalls with the overall greenery is really striking. The landscape is mostly hilly bald with green meadows. Vagamon is also home to a large variety of flowers andorchids. Cuddled up within three striking hills Thangal, Murugan and Kurisumala hills which are the representation of the chief religions in Kerala, i.e. Hindu, Muslim, and Christian which represent the cultural harmony. Vagamon has amenities for trekking, paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing. However business interests are trying their best to exploit and sell and market vagamon for tourists. How much benefits the local people are receiving from tourism boom is to be seen. The efforts made by the Kurishumala Ashram have helped the farmers of vagamon to improve their earnings by ensuring better price for milk and marketing opportunities.

Vagamon is at the fringe of the Western Ghats and the foot hills on its lower side reach up to Teekoy with a gradual descent. This narrow strip of descending land gives a vital connectivity to the plains as both sides of vagamon up to kuttikkanam on the south west and moolamattom on the north east, are marked by steep and inaccessible hill slopes. Traveling by the hill highway in this section is an exhilarating experience with deepvalleys and magnificent views all around. Vagamon presents very spectacular views with an ethereal touch. Vagamon's charm is worth experiencing and is indeed one of the must see places for tourists. Reaching Vagamon itself is an extraordinary experience. The meandering road to Vagamon is cut in solid rock lined with pine forests. And as you wind your way through green capped hills, the rolling plains come into view thousands of feet below you. The road to vagamon from Erattupetta opened an easily accessible and direct route to vagamon from the plains. This road which was constructed in the 1950s was an engineering marvel and is rated a state highway. Had it not been for the initiative and influence of the then member of parliament Shri George Thomas kottukappillil this very expensive road would not have been materialised. The road was made in treacherous and dizzying terrain. About a dozen workers died during the construction at the hanging cliffs and a 20 foot tall memorial tower stands in honour of those who gave their life for this road project at the beginning of the road in Teekoy town junction .

Vagamon is located 39 km from Thodupuzha, 33 km away from Palai, 45 km from Kumily, 22 km from Kuttikanam and about 65 km from Kottayam. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport while the closest railway station is Kottayam. There are many fine resorts available in the surrounding areas with affordable cost for trekkers. Key tourist centers such as Thekkady, Peermade and Kulamavu are straightforwardly reachable from Vagamon.

Malampuzha Dam, Garden

Malampuzha is a mini hydoro-electric project built across Malampuzha river (a tributary of Bharathapuzha) in Palakkad district of Kerala, South India. It is also the biggest irrigation project in Kerala with a large network of canal systems. It is also one of Kerala's major tourist spots. Malampuzha dam, the biggest irrigation reservoir in Kerala, is celebrating its Golden Jubilee year in October, starting with Tourism Week and Onam celebrations in September.
Malampuzha Dam has brought prosperity to the district, making Palakkad the `rice bowl of Kerala'.

 Paddy is cultivated in 50,000 acres (200 km²) in two seasons each using waters from the Malampuzha dam.
The Malampuzha Garden and reservoir have a scenic setting with the forested hills of Western Ghats forming the backdrop, making it one of the foremost tourism centres in the State.
The dam across Malampuzha river has a total length of 2,069 metres. Of this, masonry dam has a length of 1,849 metres while the earthen dam covers the length of 220 metres. The catchment area of the dam is 147.63 km². Its storage capacity is 236.69 cubic metres. The full reservoir level of the dam is 115.06 m (375.15 ft)and Gross Storage at FRL is 226 mm3.
The idea of constructing a dam at Malampuzha was mooted in 1914 by the then Madras Government. Palakkad was part of Madras presidency then. In March 1949, the then Public Works Minister K. Bhaktavalsalam laid the foundation stone for the construction of the dam. On October 9, 1955, the then Chief Minister K. Kamaraj inaugurated it. Before the construction of the dam, the area was known as Punnppara, Chovankadu, Iduppady, Vadukampadam, Thanjikapallam, Karakkad, Thoopallam, Varani, Akkarakadu, Kadukkamkunnam, Aanakuzhykadu, Thampurattypotta, Aanamukkara, Pandipotta, Thekkumpadam and Koshavan Idukku. Now the entire area is known as Malampuzha. The dam was conceived as a multi-purpose project to provide water for irrigation, drinking, industries, power generation, fish farming and water transport.

Tourist attractions

Other attractions are the Malampuzha Gardens, Rope Way, Snake Park, Rock Garden and the aquarium. Within the Malampuzha Gardens is a large cement sculpture named Yakshi, created by the famous sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman.
There is also an amusement park, Fantasy Park, 1.5 km away from Malampuzha dam, offering many attractive water games and rides.

Transport

·         Nearest railway station: Palakkad Junction - 5 km

·         Nearest airport: Coimbatore Airport - 55 km

·         Nearest international airport: Coimbatore International Airport

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace ( പത്മനാഭപുരം കൊട്ടാരം) complex is located in at Padmanabhapuram Fort, close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, in India. It is about 15km from Nagercoil, and about 53 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The palace complex is inside an old granite fortress around four kilometers long. The palace is located at the foot of the Veli Hills, which form a part of the Western Ghats. The river Valli flows nearby. The palace is administered by the Government of Kerala archeology department.
The palace was constructed around 1601 CE by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Travancore between 1592 CE and 1609 CE.It is believed that the Thai Kottaram was built in CE 1550. The maker of modern Travancore Anizham Thirunal Marthandavarma ( CE 1706 -1758 ) who ruled Travancore from CE1729 to 1758 rebuilt the palace in 1n around 1750. King Marthaanda Varma dedicated the kingdom to his family deity Sree Padmanabha , an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and ruled the kingdom as Padmanabha dasa or servant of Lord Padmanabha. Hence the name Padmanabhapuram or City of Lord Padmanabha. In the late 18th century,precisely in 1795 CE the capital of Travancore was shifted from here to Thiruvananthapuram, and the place lost its former glory. However, the palace complex continues to be one of the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture, and some portions of the sprawling complex are also the hallmark of traditional Kerala style architecture.

Route Distance
Thiruvananthapuram-

Padmanabhapuram Palace Thuckalay, Tamil Nadu is 53KM

  

Interesting features

·         Mantrasala (Council chamber)

·         Thai Kottaram (Mother's palace)

·         Nataksala (Hall of performance)

·         Nataksala (Hall of performance)

·         Thekee kottaram (Southern palace)

·         The Padamnabhapuram Palace complex has several other interesting features:

·         The Palace though surrounded entirely by the State of Tamil Nadu is still part of Kerala and the land and Palace belongs to the Government of Kerala.

·         The clock tower in the palace complex has a 300 year old clock, which still keeps time.

·         A big hall now bare, which can accommodate around 1000 guests, and where ceremonial feasts were held, on auspicious occasions.

·         A secret passage, now blocked, through which the king, his immediate family members, and their entourage could escape to another palace, located several kilometers away in the event of any emergency. Name of this palace is Charottu kottaram.

·         A flight of steps leads to a bathing pond, which has lost its freshness due to neglect and years of disuse.

·         The Palace complex also has a section of curios and several interesting objects:

·         An entire room filled with old Chinese jars, all gifts by Chinese merchants.

·         A variety of weapons (which were actually used in warfare), including swords and daggers.

·         Brass lamps, wood and stone sculpture, a variety of furniture and large mirrors made of polished metal.

·         A gallery of paintings depicting incidents from the history of Travancore.

·         A wooden cot made of up to 64 wooden pieces of a variety of medicinal tree trunks

·         Polished stone cot, meant for cool effect

·         Toilet and well