Paliam Dutch Palace

Paliam Dutch Palace is located at Chennamangalam at Ernakulam District. It was the residence of the famous Paliyath Achans and now used as a museum that depicts the Dutch architecture. The eldest male member of the Paliyath family was described as Paliyath Achan. They were the prime ministers of the Maharaja of Kochi. During the 16th century when the Portuguese attacked Kochi and the life of Raja was under threat then Paliyath Achan escorted the king to Chennamangalam and saved him from the enemies. As an appreciation to the services extended by Paliyath Achan the Dutch gifted the Palace to him after renovation. It is believed that half of the kingdom was with the Paliyam family in Kochi. The palace is a monument of the Dutch architecture and artefacts. The main building is 450 years old and other buildings in the compound are around 60-300 years old. The building has richly carved wooden staircases and balustrades that demonstrate the Dutch influence in the construction field. A rich collection of ancient documents, swords, religious sacraments, rifles and gift items by the foreign dignitaries are preserved in the palace. The elocution stand (prasanga peedam) of Paliyath achan is displayed at the first floor passage. The Paliyam family had a rich collection of manuscripts in Malayalam and Sanskrit in earlier times. Those were donated to Kerala University and Thripunithura Hill Palace Museum at the time of family partition. Famous musician Paliyath Jayachandran (melody thampuran) belongs to Paliyath family.

Categories: Cochin Palace Dutch Palace cochin kochi Dutch Palace Paliam Dutch Palace

Read More

Sasthamkotta Lake Kollam

Sasthamkotta Lake is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala located in Quilon. Karunagapally, the nearest town is at a distance of 8km from the lake. Large presence of the ‘cavaborus larva’ turns the lake water useful for drinking by consuming the bacteria’s in the lake. The lake is named after an ancient Sastha temple on the river side.  Lord Ayyappa and Ganapathi are worshiped in this temple. Three sides of the lake are surrounded by hills and one side is bordered by paddy fields. Insectivores plant ‘Drosera’ is found on the eastern shore of the lake. Main crops grown on the banks of the lake are paddy, cashew nut, tapioca and plantain. Fresh water fishes of 27 varieties are found in this region mainly including the pearl spot fish, catfish, prawns, herrings, and sardines. Large group of monkeys are found here and they belong to the Sastha temple. People visiting the temple take pleasure in feeding these devotee friendly monkeys.

Categories: cavaborus larva Quilon Sastha temple Sasthamkotta Lake Sasthamkotta Lake kollam

Read More

BhoothathanKettu Dam

BhoothathanKettu Dam is a scenic dam site located in the midst of a vast forest. The dam is 50km away from the Cochin city and is built across the Periyar River. As per myth it is believed that the site was built by bhootham (spirit/ ghosts) overnight and that’s the reason it is called ‘BhoothathanKettu Dam’ (monster fort). The natural topography of the site helped to construct the supplementary dam over the natural dam impounding the BhoothathanKettu reservoir. Salim Ali bird sanctuary is closely located to the dam. Boating can be enjoyed here in motor, pedal and speed boat as per choice. Tree houses, children’s play area and a restaurant is available near the boating area. A walk through the natural trail in between the new and old dam gives an enthralling experience to visitors. The river water is very deep and with strong under currents so tourists are advised to be cautious. In an around the dam site many picnic spots are available and elephants can be sighted occasionally. ‘Idamalayar’, one of the biggest Hydro Electric Project is 14km drive from the dam area. The Periyar Valley Irrigation project is also in the close vicinity.

Categories: BhoothathanKettu BhoothathanKettu Dam Idamalayar monster fort Periyar River

Read More

Palaruvi Falls Kollam

The famous Palaruvi waterfall is located at Aryankavu at a distance of 74kms from the main Kollam city. In Malayalam the word Palaruvi means ‘stream of milk’. The 300 feet heighted  waterfall cascade through rocks and the lather thus formed resembles milk bubbles. It is the 32nd highest waterfall in India. The journey to the waterfalls through the dense forest is a thrilling experience. In rainy season the waterfall gets stronger and a pond is formed in the base level which is used by the tourists for swimming. Palaruvi waterfall is a favorite family picnic spot and accommodation facilities are available in close vicinity. The nearest airport is Thiruvanathapuram airport and is at 72km from Kollam town.

Categories: Palaruvi Falls Palaruvi Falls Kollam stream of milk

Read More

Munroe Island Kollam

Munroe Island is a cluster of eight islands which is at a distance of 27kms from Kollam. It is the junction of Ashtamudi and Kallada rivers. The island is accessible through road and inland water transportation. The nearest airport Thiruvananthapuram is at a distance of 75km. This island is named after the famous British Colonel John Munroe as an honor for his contributions to the back water tourism of Kerala. He had taken initiative in interconnecting many backwater regions by digging canals. Area of the island is around 13sq.kms and as per the last census data of 2011 the total population is 9599. The villagers mainly depend on coconut coir manufacturing for their livelihood. Tourists can enjoy the lagoons, coconut farms, mangrove plants, bird watching, narrow canals and water ways and also can closely watch the coir retting process, coir weaving, fishing and prawns feeding. Kallada boat race is held near the Munroe Island. Mulachanthara temple is located in the island and Goddess Durga, Bhadra, and Lord Krishna and Ganapathi are the deities worshipped there. An ancient church built in A.D.1878 is another attraction in the island. Lots of tourists visit this island to enjoy the nature and the tranquillity of back water cruising.

Categories: Ashtamudi Ganapathi Kallada Munroe Island Munroe Island Kollam

Read More

Punnathurkotta elephant camp

Punnathurkotta is located at 3km distance from the famous Guruvayoor temple. Now it is known as ‘Anakotta’ (elephant fort). The visiting time is from 8am to 6pm and a nominal entry fee is applicable. The fort spread across 11.5 acres and belonged to the local ruler ‘Punnathur Raja’. It is now used to house the 51 elephants of Guruvayoor temple which were offered to Lord Guruvayurappan by devotees. These jumbos are trained and used in rituals in the temples in the vicinity. ‘Anayoottu’ (feeding elephants) and ‘Gajapooja’ (worshipping elephants) are conducted here once in a year as an offering to Lord Ganesha. Different variety of food is prepared on the Anayootu day and most special is Jaggery and fruits for the elephants. Large crowd forms here in festive season to watch the black beauties. A concrete road is made inside the fort so that visitors can roam around easily. The history of this sanctuary is rich in stories and incidents related to many elephants. Guruvayoor Kesavan (Gajarajan) was renowned as the king of inhabitant elephants of this fort and he is still alive in the memories of elephant lovers. His mammoth size, intelligence and devotion to Lord were the reasons of declaring him as the Gajarajan. 82 years aged ‘Ramachandran’ is the oldest elephant present in the Anakotta. The compound has a ‘Nalukettu’ (rectangular home with central courtyard) and it is now used as a training centre for mahouts. An old temple is located inside which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Bhagavathy. Many parts of the fort are pictured in the famous Malayalam movie called ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’. The whole sanctuary is an amazing place for visitors as they get a chance to understand and closely watch the giants on earth.

Categories: Anakotta Gajarajan Guruvayoor Guruvayoor temple Punnathurkotta

Read More

Thirunelli Temple, Wayanad

The Thriunelli Maha Vishnu Temple is located in the north Wayanad area amidst the mountains and forest. Devotees can perform all rituals related to life and ancestral rites together only in this temple. It is believed that Lord Brahma had placed the Lord Vishnu idol in this temple. This temple is also known as ‘Sahyamala Kshetram’ and ‘Kashi of south’. Large number of people gathers here on daily basis to offer the ancestral rites of their deceased relatives. The temple timing is 5.30am to 12pm and then 5.30pm to 8pm. People are advised to reach on the eve of the ancestral rite to the temple to take part in some rituals. If a person is performing the rites all alone then it is called ‘Oraalpindam’ or else ‘Kootupindam’. Receipt has to be obtained from the temple authorities for the rituals by paying the amount in advance. In the evening persons taking part in the rituals has to gather in the temple step after bath. Just after the ‘deeparadhana’ the priest recites a prayer for all to repeat. Then dandanamaskaram (to lie down in front of the deity in full length) and kaanikka (offering) has to be made in front of the deity. Next day morning between 6am to 11am before bath people should collect the materials to perform the bali (ancestral rites) from the temple and reach the Papanashini stream just ½ km from the temple. They should take a dip in the water and follow the instructions of the priest administering the function on the spot. On the way back to temple people should pray to Lord Shiva at the ‘Gunnika temple’. Then take a round of the main temple and collect the prasadam from the priest. The nearby Thrissilery temple is associated with Thirunelli temple and the ancestral rite is complete only with the ‘Vilakkumala Vazhipaad’ done at the Thrissilery temple. Thirunelli temple is accessible only through road. People can reach here from Bangalore and Mysore through Mananthavady area or else through Calicut. Calicut railway station is 137kms and Mysore railway station is 121kms away from the temple. Karipur at Calicut is the nearest airport and the travel distance is 161kms. The temple is surrounded by forest area with wild animals. Elephants, bison, spotted deer and peacocks can be sighted in the journey. Pakshipathalam is a famous trekking centre near the Thirunelli temple at a distance of 10kms.

Categories: dandanamaskaram Oraalpindam temple Thirunelli Temple Thriunelli Maha Vishnu Temple Wayanad

Read More

Anamudi Peak

Anamudi is the highest peak of the South India located at the Western Ghats. Munnar is the nearest town which is at a distance of 13km. The height of the peak is 2695km.  ‘Anamudi’ in local language means ‘forehead of elephant’ and is called so because of the resemblance of structure of the peak top to an elephants head. It is surrounded by forest and Eravikulam National Park. All these areas are hosting the surviving population of Nilgiri Tahrs, Elephants, Tigers, Gaurs and Nilgiri Marten. Trekking at Anamudi needs permission from the authorities of Eravikulam National Park. The green forest area is a source of some scenic rivers both in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Once reached the summit of Anamudi you will be literally on top of any person living in South India.

Categories: Anamudi Nilgiri Marten Western Ghats

Read More

Vadakkunathan Temple

Vadakkunatthan temple is located at the heart of Thrissur city surrounded by Thekinkadu Maithanam (swaraj ground). This temple was the first Shiva temple created by Parasurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is spread across 9 Acres of land surrounded by a big stone wall. Four gopurams (monumental entrance tower) are built that indicate the four directions. Lord Shiva, Shankara narayana, Rama are the main deities worshiped here. Shiva is worshipped also in the form of ‘Vettekkaran’ (hunter form) within the temple premises. The idol is thirteen foot feet high and decorated with thirteen gold crescents and three serpents on the head. The idol is covered by ghee due to the ablution with ghee over the years. This represents the Kailas which remains snow claded all the time. The other deities worshipped here are Lord Krishna, Vrishabha, Parasurama, Simhodara, Dharmasastha and Adi Sankaracharya. The rituals are very unique in this temple. There is a particular order to do a round of the temple. It is believed that one can pay salutations to certain far away temples too from specific places inside the temple. These details can be checked from locals available in the temple to understand better. The temple is open from 3am to 10.30am and then again at 4pm to 8.30pm. The murals in the temple are very rare and beautiful and even two of them - Vasukisayana and Nrithanatha - are worshipped regularly. Thrissur pooram is held in front of Vadakkunatthan temple which is celebrated by lakhs of devotees who gather to view the processions and fireworks. During Pooram the whole place gets very crowded and it is a nonstop process of rituals for entire day. The parade of elephants, exchanging salutes, changing of parasols on top of the elephant hours of fireworks are the peculiarities associated to the Pooram festival. Currently this temple is being renovated under the supervision of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Categories: Lord Vishnu Thekinkadu Maithanam Thrissur Vadakkunatthan temple

Read More

Idukki Dam

Idukki hydro electric project is the biggest of its kind in Kerala state. Idukki dam is the third highest arch dam in Asia. The capacity of the project is 780 MV. The dam on the Periyar River is constructed and owned by Kerala State Electricity board. The arch dam connects the Kuravan and Kurathi hills and concrete is used for building the thin curvature parabolic dam. There are two other small dams are built in this project area at a lower portion of the reservoir and they are Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. An artificial lake of 60km is formed within these three dams and can store 2 billion tons of water for the hydro electric project. The Idukki dam stores water and Cheruthoni and Kulamavu dams are utilized to passage this water to the power house. The directed water is then used in the underground power house at Moolamattam which is built inside huge granite. The downstream from the project flows to Kudayathurpuzha and is used for the irrigation purpose at nearby Muvattupuzha area. Entry to the dam for the public is open only for a month during Onam and Christmas season. Paid boating facility is available in the dam area to enjoy the surroundings. The Idukki wild life sanctuary is spread across 77km and tourists can spot Elephants, Bison, Wild dogs, tigers, jungle cats and wild boars.  Different varieties of snakes including the cobra, viper and krait and non poisonous ones can also be found in the sanctuary. Black bulbul, Myna, Jungle fowl, Laughing thrush, Woodpecker, Peafowl and kingfisher are the birds seen here. Mrs. Indira Gandhi has inaugurated the Idukki project in 1976 when she was the prime minister. At that time the total power generation of the state was 560MV. At the same time Idukki project could generate 780MV on its own which gave a sudden rise in the power generation of the state. The Idukki hydro electric project helps Kerala state to satisfy a large quantity of power requirement.

Categories: best resort in india idukki dam Kerala state Kerala Tourism

Read More

Vagamon

Vagamon is a very famous hill station in Idukki district of Kerala and at a travel distance of 65km from Kottayam. The nearest airport Cochin is 96km away. Vagamon hills are 1100 meters above the sea level and the climate is always cool over the hills. It is listed as one among the 50 attractive places to visit in India by the ‘National Geographic Traveler Magazine. The British had introduced tea plantations here and still it is the main source of income for the villagers. The missionaries built a church on the Kurisumala (mountain of the holy cross), one of the famous three hills and they also established a dairy farm for the farmers. The farmers are very well supported by the monks and the milk marketing fetch them a decent livelihood. The other two important hills are Murugan and Thangal which represent the Hindu and Muslim religions respectively. Thangal para (hill) is a sacred place for the Muslims which have a tomb of a Sufi saint. There is a cave on the Thangal para and it is believed auspicious to cross through it and the view of the surrounding from the rock is marvellous. Murugan hill has an ancient temple of Lord Muruga decorated with carvings of Stone Age. Cultural harmony of these three major religions can be experienced in Vagamon. Beautiful resorts are established here and trekking is the main adventurous sport promoted by this hill area of Kerala. The path to Vagamon is over the rocks and it’s a unique journey through them. People enjoy Para gliding, Trekking and rock climbing in this valley of Western Ghat. The hill is covered with velvet grass land and the area mostly remains covered by fog which gives a heavenly experience to visitors. Other attractions available here are the chain of pine trees, tea garden visits and Para gliding & Mountaineering camps. Jeep is used by the locals as the main mode of travel. 

Categories: best travel guide kerala hill station vagamon

Read More