PLACES TO VISIT
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Places to visit

Thekkady

Periyar tiger Reserve, Thekkady, is an example of nature’s bounty, with great scenic charm, rich bio diversity and providing veritable visitor satisfaction. Sprawled over an area of 777 Sq .km., Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India. Zealously guarded and efficiently managed reserve is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and Pamba.

Vagamon

Vagamon is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Kottayam district of Kerala, 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 British 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.

Parunthumpara

Parunthumpara is a hill station in Idukki. Parunthumpara means eagle rock. A large area around like an eagle. This hill station stands out for its sprawling grasslands, where the families can enjoy a few quiet moments. Parunthumpara is located just 7 km away from Peerumede, 30 km away from Kumily and 10km away from Vandiperiyar. It is very pleasant to view from the top of the hill.

Munnar

One of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 Mts above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar is essentially a tea town. The tea plantations have now been taken over by the Tata Tea Company. The visitor is greeted with miles and miles of unending tea plantations on entry into Munnar. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji a flower which bathes the hills in blue colour once in twelve years. The Neelakurinji, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India – Anamudi – which towers over 2695 Mts and is an ideal spot for campers who like to do some trekking.

Kumarakom - Backwaters

Kerala is known for its panoramic backwater stretches, lush green paddy fields, highlands and beaches. A major backwater stretch lies in Kottayam district, where a network of rivers and canals empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake. Located at Kumarakom 16 km from Kottayam town, the Vembanad Lake, an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, offers boating, fishing and sight seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. Kottayam located at a distance of 76 kilometers from Kochi in Kerala, south India, is one of the most riveting backwater destinations in the state. The place and its surroundings make for a beautiful tourist attraction with its vistas of green hills, mangrove forests and coconut groves interposed with waterways, offering excellent opportunities for Aqua Tourism.

Panchalimedu

Whenever we think of summer destinations in India, the hill stations of Kerala certainly strike our minds. On account of their beautiful atmosphere and cool environment throughout the year, these hill stations in Kerala are perfect places to relax and chill with your family, friends and relatives. One such place in the Idukki district of Kerala is Panchalimedu, which is a historical place; however, it has started gaining popularity as one of the pristine and unpolluted hill stations in Kerala over a period of time. Surrounded by deep valleys and sky-high hills, Panchalimedu is a summer retreat for every tourist, who is looking forward to witnessing the unseen splendours of nature.

Ramakkalmedu

Ramakkalmedu is a hill station located in the eastern Idukki district of Kerala State. The place has a folk tale attached to it…which says that a Hindu mythological God set his foot on a rock here, giving the place its name Rama-Kal-Medu. Amidst lush green trees and high rolling mountains, this place is a perfect spot to set a picnic plan with your friends or family. Statue of Kuruvan and Kuruthi is one of the attractions famous among the tourists that even Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio, couldn’t stop from visiting Ramakkalmedu. Other attraction is a 300 m high pillar like structure facing towards east direction from where guests can enjoy the scenic view of this charming village.

Gavi

Gavi is an Eco-Tourism a project of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation located in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. Gavi, located in Pathanamthitta district offers its visitors activities like trekking, wildlife watching, outdoor camping in specially built tents, and night safaris. Distance from Pathanamthitta To Gavi is 109 km 428 mtrs & Travel Time is 2 hour 5 mins By Road. Gavi is 14 km south west of Vandiperiyar, 28 km from Kumily, near Thekkady. Gavi is inside the Ranni reserve forest. Gavi is a part of Seethathode Panchayath in Ranni Taluk.

Idukki Dam

The Idukki hydroelectric project is the biggest of its kind in the State with an installed capacity of 780 MW. It is one of the highest ten arch dams in the world and the third highest in India after the Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand) and Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh). The idea of a hydroelectric project over the Periyar River occurred to W H John, the then superintendent of Malankara Estate. John, in an article published in Malayala Manorama daily in 1935, detailed the prospects of such a project. Kuravan and Kurathi hills, the core area of the project, were introduced to John by Chemban Kolumban, a member of the local Oorali tribe. Kolumban with his wide knowledge of the forest later became an accomplice of the engineers who came for site inspection. As a token of appreciation for Kolumban’s services, the KSEB later allowed a monthly pension of Rs. 40 to Kolumban. There also stands a memorial to Kolumban on the dam site.

Grape Farm / Garden

The region of Cumbum in Tamil Nadu is one of South India’s most fertile lands. Blessed with the rich nutrients in the soil and a climate that is suited for the cultivation of a variety of crops. Located between the Thekkady Hills, the Varusanadu Hills, and Kodaikanal, Cumbum Valley consists of large areas of farmland and includes crops like paddy, vegetables, grape vineyards, and mango and pomegranate farms. Cumbum also happens to be one of the few regions in Tamil Nadu that has thriving grape cultivation.

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

Meenakshi Amman Temple, also known as Minakshi-Sundareshwara Temple, is one of the oldest and most important temples in India. Located in the city of Madurai, the temple has a great mythological and historical significance. It is believed that Lord Shiva assumed the form of Sundareswarar (the handsome one) and married Parvati (Meenakshi) at the site where the temple is currently located. Renowned for its astonishing architecture, Meenakshi Temple was nominated as one of the wonders of the world, but couldn’t make it into the list of ‘Seven Wonders of the World’. However, the temple is definitely one of the ‘Wonders of India’. It is also one of the main attractions of South India with thousands of devotees thronging it every day. During the ‘Tirukalyanam Festival,’ which takes place over a period of 10 days, the temple attracts more than a million devotees. Despite many people visiting it every day, the temple is well-maintained and was named the ‘Best Swachh Iconic Place’ (cleanest iconic place) in India.

Aruvikkuzhy Waterfalls

Aruvikuzhy Waterfalls are among the best-hidden gems of the State and a beautiful picnic spot. It is an ideal location to spend time with loved ones while basking in the quaint charm of this small waterfall. It is considered a striking background location for shooting movies as well. The area is surrounded by gigantic trees and is a truly exotic display of nature’s prowess. Located 11 km from Kozhencherry town in Pathanamthitta district, this place comes alive during the Monsoons and is among the most oft visited spots in the area. It offers great trekking trails and one gets to see many traditional rubber plantations as well in the area.