AGASTHYAKOODAM

 

 Elevation :1868 METERS

LOCATION  Thiruvananthapuram,

Agasthya Mountain is also referred as Agasthyakoodam and is located about 70 kilometers from  Thiruvanathapuram, capital city of Kerala State in India. It is located at a height of 1,868 meters (6129 feet) above mean sea level. The peak is the second highest peak in Kerala, South India. Agasthyakoodam peak is in the form of a sharp cone and is considered a heaven of rare herbs and Medicinal plants. A valuable and rare herb by name ‘Arogyapacha’ (Plant of eternal health) is attracting the attention of modern researchers to this hill. Agastyakoodam is the source of the Perennial River Thamiarabarni. The river flows in Tirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Peppara wild life Sanctuary, a part of Agastyakoodam Forests is in Thiruvananthapuram district.

The Peppara Dam was constructed across the river Karamana in 1984. The main purpose of the Dam is to effect water supply to the Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. Agastyakoodam is highly respected by both the Hindus as well as the Buddhists. This is because the Hindus believe that this mountain is the home of Sage ‘Agastya’; transitelerated as Agathiar or Agastyar. He is in some ways regarded as the patron saint of much of the south India. Some say that it was the Sage ‘Agastya’ who first brought and popularized the Vedic religion to South India. Agastya is considered to be one of the seven ‘Rishis’ (Saptarshi) of Hindu ‘Puranas’. Buddhists think that Agastya Mountain is the abode of Bodhisatva Avalokiteswara.

PONMUDI HILLS

Elevation	1,100 m (3,609 ft)
Translation	പൊന്മുടി (Malayalam)
Location
Location	Kerala, India
Range	Western Ghats
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

 Malayalam: പൊന്മുടി (The Golden Peak) is a hillstation in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala in South India. Its located 61 km north-east of Trivandrum city at an altitude of 1100 m. It is a part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea.

Tourism

Ponmudi is connected to Trivandrum by a narrow winding road offering scenic views on the way to Ponmudi. The climate is pleasant year-round. Trivandrum serves as a base for trekking and hiking. There are also tea gardens in the area.
Other attractions near Ponmudi include Golden Valley and a number of rivulets and rapids, some even across the road. The lush forest area has tropical vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabit the hills. The Golden Valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar river. Flowing though a wilderness area, it has rounded pebbles, cool water, fish, and lush green trees.
Another attraction in the region is Agasthyarkoodam, one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, with the highest peak at 1868 m. This peak is famous for its wilderness, and can be accessed only with the Forest Department's permission. Meenmutty Falls is also a famous attraction in the area.
Hotel Golden Peak in the upper sanitorium under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation(KTDC) is the only hotel available for stay in Ponmudi.Due to its proximity to the main city of Trivandrum and lack of accommodation options tourists usually prefer to stay in the city and make a one day trip to Ponmudi though the early morning scenery especially during the winter season is worth feeling.

 Directions

Winter evening in Ponmudi

• Nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport.
• Nearest railway station is Trivandrum Central.
• Nearest Bus Stations Nedumangad and Vithura. KSTRC buses to Ponmudi from either Thiruvananthapuram (Thampanoor) or from Nedumangad (Ponmudi is the nearest hill station 65 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
• There are sign boards along the route from Trivandrum, which lead the traveler to Ponmudi.
• Ponmudi is near to Braimore, which is also a tourist place.
• In Ponmudi there are lots of peaks, one of which is Motta peak, which is a famous for trekking.
• Ponmudi is under Peringammala Village, around 36 km from Peringammala.
• A deer park and a wireless station is also there in Upper sanitorium.

KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) operates daily bus service from Trivandrum to Ponmudi.Some of the services go up to upper sanitorium and usually takes up to 4 hours to reach(one way).The services are sometimes disrupted by landslides and bad condition of roads

Nelliyampathy Hills Palakkad

 
This picture is from Nelliyampathi which is in Palakkad district. Here in this picture we can see an Eagle sitting on the branch of the tree. Nelliampathi is a popular hill station 60 km away from Palakkad, Kerala. It is surrounded by tea and coffee plantations and has excellent weather conditions. The journey to Nelliampathi itself is an experience. The only route is from Nemmara, from where the first town of Nelliampathi, namely Kaikatty junction, is at a distance of 26 km. At the 9th kilometer is the Pothundi Dam, a small irrigation dam which provides water for the rice fields in the surrounding area. The dam is at the foot of the Nelliampathi hills. From here, the road winds up for the next 17 km, with many hairpin turns on the way. Immediately after Pothundy dam, comes the government forest, where one can see massive teak trees. The road is very narrow and requires a skilled driver behind the wheel. On the way, one can see wild animals like monkey, deer and porcupine. The view of the Pothundy dam from the height is a breathtaking sight. There will be many waterfalls by the roadside during the rainy season.
Fauna of Nelliampathi Hills - We can see monkeys in Nelliampathy forestl ocated at the southern tip of the Palakkad gap, the Nelliampathi hills are known for their exquisite fauna. About 215 species of birds and 90 species of butterflies have been recorded in these hills. Some of the rare species of birds include Grey-breasted Laughing Thrush, Great Pied Hornbill, Jerdon's Baza, Great Black Woodpecker, Oriental Broad-billed Roller, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Broad-tailed Grassbird and Nilgiri Pipit. Primates including Lion-tailed Macaque, Bonnet Macaque and Nilgiri Langur are seen here. A small population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr is also seen in the grassy peaks.
How to reach there - Nearest Airports: Cochin International Airport and Coimbatore Airport
From Cochin Airport: Come to Thrissur - 30 km; take a taxi or bus from Thrissur bus stand to Nemmara - 48 km. From Coimbatore Airport: Come to Palakkad - 50 km; take a taxi or bus to Nemmara - 30 km. From Nemmara you can take a taxi or a four wheeler vehicle (jeep) to Neliiampathi.
Nearest main railway stations: Palakkad, Thrissur and Coimbatore

MUNNAR

PONMUDI HILLS

Ponmudi is the beautiful and probably the most peaceful hill station of Kerala, is located at a distance of about 58 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. Ponmudi, a nature’s paradise, at an altitude of 1000 mts above the sea level amidst lush green vegetation with a quite surroundings, exotic fragrance of a variety of mountain flowers, butterflies and deer park presents a picture perfect holiday destination to you. The spectacular view of green hills, mist- covered valleys and beautiful stone cottages painted in violet, pink or white create a spellbound effect on your eyes and mind.

WAGAMON

KASARAGOD

Chandragiri Fort

Thalangara Harbour

 

Kasaba Beach

 

Bela Church, Seethangoli

 

Trikkanadu Beach

 

 

Kasargod Beach

 

 

Kumbala Fort

 

 

Chembarikka Beach

 

 

Ananthapuri Temple

 

Bekal fort

 

 

Pawal fort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Munnar A high -range paradise

The high range paradise of Munnar with its panoramic scenic vistas, spectacular sunrises and sunsets near lakesides and wildlife sanctuaries

is one of the refreshingly beautiful place in Kerala.
Munnar is a little town that loves to add to its “virgin” mystery an enigmatic touch. Burrowing itself, it is nestled 1,650 meters above sea level in the heart of the nilgiris. The best way to reach Munnar is by private transport.
You could drive up from Coimbatore (170 km away) and Madurai (160 km) in Tamil Nadu or Cochin (135 KM) and Alwaye (100 km) in Kerala. The best hill- roads, I must add, are on the Coimbatore – Munnar road, with wildlife which you are likely to spot on your way up.
As you swing around on one of the numerous hairpin bends on the road to Munnar, the world around you seems to shimmer in shades of deep emerald, darkening richly as a sudden mist swirls into it or a brilliant streak of silver cleaves the emerald haven, as a shimmering waterfall catches the sun- rays and throws them back.
In the distance, you can see the tall, towering peaks of the Blue Mountains. Up the hills and in Munnar proper, you are in a classic tea – country. You can see a carpet of neatly trimmed rows of tea bushes, laid out with geometric precision, covering the hillsides.
But Munnar is not, as is the misconception, all tea. A 25 km drive up from Munnar town brings you to the Ernakulum wildlife sanctuary and the national park. The drive up can give you some of the most spectacular views of the nilgiris, of vast expanses of the tropical forests and thundering waterfalls.
Then, from the wild side of Munnar to its picturesque side, it is a 20 Km drive from town in the opposite direction to Mattupetty Dam. Mattupetty Dam is sorrounded by the forests on the mesmerizingly moving sheet of dam-water shrouded in mist.
A short drive away from the dam, there is a cattle breeding farm, a joint indo-Swiss venture. It is ideal for a relaxing stroll, amidst the healthy cows and bulls.
Other good tourist spots are the Devikulam Lake, with its entrancing scenary, and top station, 25 km away from Munnar town – a temperature region with delightful fruit and vegetable gardens.
For bird lovers, Munnar is the perfect spot, with it’s over 45 varieties of rare birds. And for serious anglers, there are 2 good trout fishing spots, for both of which permission to fish is to be obtained from the anglers association of Munnar.
Neelakurinjis
The once in 12 years flower called the Neelakurinjis is the pride of Munnar. It does not excite you, if you look at only one. What can excite you and make your heart skip several beats, is a sight of fields of wildly growing Neelakurinjis, glowing in soft shades of manure and pink in sunlight.
One feature that makes Munnar stand apart from the rest of the hill stations in other parts of India is its beauty remains pure and untouched. There are no hordes of camera toting tourists swarming around, except in the few weeks during the summer. And there are no petty shops and fast food stalls and raucous hawkers to mar its scenic spots.
Munnar is that perfect high range paradise where you can discover a deep chord with nature and communicate in your own way with that magic on the emerald valley of Munnar.

PAITHALMALA

Paithalmala is an enchanting hill station in North Kerala in the Western Ghats near Kerala-Karnataka border. Standing as tall as about 4,500 feet above sea level, the summit is located about 65 kms north-east of Kannur city and 35 kms east of Thaliparamba. North of Paithalmala is the Kudaku forest.
These huge mountains lay spread over 500 acres of land enriched with dense forest. The easiest access to the summit is from a place called Kappimala. One can go by bus up to Kappimala and then a bumpy jeep ride of two kilometers through the "muttatham-vayal" mountain till the forest border at "Manja-pullu". A 2 km trekking through the forest will then take you to the summit.

The peak offers a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains beneath it. It is also a haven for a wide variety of rare flora and fauna. There are many seasonal waterfalls and brooks in the nearby areas. Paithalmala is an ideal spot for adventure tourism as well.

Trekking in the Nelliyampathy Hills

But, easy for them..
Look at the scene, the jeep is rock-climbing the shaky pathways, leading to the Manmpara View Point at Nelliyampathy in Palakkad. The thrill and ecstasy of this adventurous trip should never touch you until you experience it. It is NOT to read, NOR to hear, but only to EXPERIENCE.....

An in-flight taxi-stand

Jeeps, the only vehicle that can conquer the hills are parked at the top of the Mampara view point. There are more than thirty jeeps that take services regularly in the sixteen-kilo metre long hillside pathways. The shuddering journey almost takes two hours to complete.

An aerial view from Mampara view point

A look from the Mampara may lead your eyes over the far-stretching fields and pastures of the Palakkad District. It may feel as you observing the land from an air-craft. No doubt, the aerial view should praise one more forgettable experience in your life.

Layered hills

See, the hills as layered one after the other. Several areas of Palakkad District and many parts of Tamil Nadu can be seen stretching ahead. The wide paddy fields and coconut trees below add to the beauty of the sight.