Panchalimedu - Idukki

Panchalimedu

Panchalimedu is one of the beautiful hill stations in the Idukki district of Kerala, God’s Own Country. The cool climate and refreshing breeze is a specialty here. The place offers an ethereal atmosphere. Panchalimedu has an enchanting set of hills, which refreshes the body and mind.

Panchalimedu is located within 7 km from Mundakkayam to Kuttikanam and extends up to Kottayam to Kumali road in Idukki district in Kerala. It is located at an attitude of about 2500 ft above the sea level.

According to legends, ‘Pandavas’ (heroes of the epic – Mahabharata) stayed at this place, during their exile from the Kingdom and hence the name Panchalimedu. Here, a cave is known as bearing the footprints of Bhima. There is small temple dedicated to Bhuvaneshwari. The remnants of Shivalingas, thrishul, naga idols are also there. A small pond is there, which is known as ‘Panjali Kulam’, in which Panchali (wife of Pandavas) used to take bath.

The cliff in the western side points to the Mundakkayam and Kanjirapally. When the sky is clear, it is stated that even sea can be viewed from here.

It has a pleasant climate throughout the year, which is one of the reasons to attract the tourist to this place. The total rainfall this place is about 3250 mm. Mother Nature has best­owed Panchalimedu with abu­ndant wealth of beauty, where the sun always pl­ays hide and seek among the clouds and mist.

The blanket of fog that covers Panchalimedu th­rou­ghout the monsoon and the winter seasons is another beautiful feature. But it is not a climate that freezes you as the misty hill offers a perfect blend of weather.

Parunthumpara- Thekkady

Parunthumpara

Parunthumpara is a small village, located between Peermade and Thekkady. The word parunth in the local language means Eagle and para means rock and it is also known as Grampi. It is located at an altitude of 3800 ft above the sea level. It is called Parunthumpara or eagle rock because of a large area around like an eagle. It is 6 km from Peermade, 25 km from Thekkady & 3 km From National Highway- Kottayam – Kumily Road. This area provides a bird's eye view of an endless stretch of green forest land and low-lying areas. This hill station stands out for its sprawling grasslands where the families can enjoy a few quiet moments, away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. A perfect choice for those who wish to have a holiday off the beaten track and to explore the unseen and the unexplored beauty of the pristine forests around, Parunthumpara has been attracting a large number of domestic tourists during weekends. Parunthumpara may not be included in many tourist books and guides because it is very recently only tourists started exploring this area. However, the steep hills also pose a threat to reckless visitors. There are a few deep slopes and one should be careful while visiting Parunthumpara. The District Tourism Promotion Council plans to develop Parunthumpara as a hill station and as a stopover place for tourists who come from Kumarakom to Thekkady. Between the main tourism destinations, there are a few must-see places and Parunthumpara had been identified as one among them. It is very pleasant to view from the top of the hill. From the top of the hill you can see the beauty of other places in Parunthumpara. It is fully covered with abundant a coffee, cardamom and tea plantations which looks like a green carpet on both side of the roads in Parunthumpara.  And it has a thick forest and dozens of rivers where tribal people are residing.  And it is also perfect place for trekking.

Ramakkalmedu - Idukki

Ramakkalmedu 

Today I am introducing the Ramakkal medu. Ramakkalmedu is a small village/hill station on the border between Kerala and TamilNadu. It is famous for the strong winds and the breathtaking views of Tamil Nadu villages from the hill top.  If you are looking for a reason for buying high end binoculars, plan a trip to Ramakkalmedu today.

The name Ramakkalmedu is derived from Rama-kal-medu (Rama’s foot on the rock; heroes of the epic – Ramayanam). According to the folklore, Hindu god Rama had set foot on this rock while searching for his wife Sita abducted by Ravanan. Any way if someone needs to have a bird’s eye view of Tamilnadu, I don’t think there is a better place than Ramakkalmedu. According to local experts, on a clear day you can get a good view of 6 major towns of Tamilnadu.

Ramakkalmedu was a relatively unknown tourist destination till recently. Thanks to its location (between Munnar and Thekkady) and also due to wind energy farms setup recently, this place now attracts thousands of visitors every day.

Kuravan & Kurathi at Ramakkalmedu

The Kuravan & Kurathi statue is designed and built by C.B. Jinan and is the signature structure of Ramakkalmedu. The view of the Tamilnadu is not as good as from the other side. Kuravan & Kurathi is a native tribe of Idukki and according to legend, Idukki dam (which is Kerala’s biggest power source) was proposed by a Kuravan. There is a resting place behind this statue.

There are hidden dangers at Ramakkalmedu. Sometimes wind can be very strong and it is never a good idea to go to the mountain cliff. There are stories of people falling down and committing suicide. According to locals, retrieving the body of someone who had fallen requires experts since the slop is almost 90 degrees.

Ramakkalmedu an ideal place to spend an evening or to go for some real trekking expedition.

Spice Plantation Visit- Thekkady

Spice Plantation Visit- Thekkady Kerala history is closely linked with its commerce, which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade. Kerala was known for its spices and traders travelled here to trade and to gain control over this rich land. It is believed that the spice trade dates back three thousand years. Pepper still remains the king of Kerala's spices, but the state also has a very rich produce in cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric. Cardamom The state is the spice capital of the world. Over twelve varieties of spices including ginger, garlic, cardamom, vannilla, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, clove and nutmeg is cultivated in Thekkady and its neighboring villages. Pepper The spice plantations of Thekkady are a huge draw for travelers from all over the world. A walk through them opens up a vista of pristine greenery shrouded by low hanging clouds, gurgling brooks and a pale shadow of the Western Ghats in the backdrop. Plantation eco-tours are organized by the District Tourism Information Office at Thekkady in junction Kumily.

Tea Plantation

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide you will be taken on tour of the cover, cardamom, pepper, rubber, vanilla, coffee and tea plantations. In addition to this, you will also be shown around tea factories, tribal settlements and the surrounding hilly region. 

Coffee

Stroll amid lush, terraced farms, sprawling tea estates while listening to bird songs and the murmuring of mountain streams. Make stops along the way to take pictures of the verdant surroundings, and breathe in the fresh mountain air, before continuing to some of the most picturesque vantage points in Kerala.

Clove

Scramble down along a rippling stream, appreciate the wild flowers covering the wilderness in a spray of colors, keep an eye out for exotic birds, sample an array of spices, and inhale the fragrant air. Plantation tour is one of the most popular activities in Thekkady, and is a must-do on your holiday in Kerala.

Mangaladevi Temple, Thekkady- Idukki

Mangaladevi Temple

Today i introducing Mangaladevi Temple. (Inside the Thekkady Forest). This ancient temple is hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1337 M above sea level.

The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day (once in a year on a full moon day in between the month of April and May).

The peak commands a panoramic view of the other side of the Ghats and the vast plains of Tamil Nadu. Permission to visit the area can be obtained from the Wildlife Warden at Thekkady.

This temple is one of the oldest temples of the region as it is said to be 2000 years old dedicated to Kannagi or Mangladevi. 

Vagamon - Idukki

Vagamon

It is located in Idukki district. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10-23°C during summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metres above sea level. Vagamon is a tiny plantation township in Central Travancore; Vagamon has an overtone of green. With a never-ending line of lush green hills, breathtaking ravines and meandering rivulets. A perfect tourist place situated 1200 meters above the sea level spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens, Fresh cool air, murmuring Pine forest, small waterfalls, and attractive meadows inviting you to vagamon. This tourist place also has to offer Thangal Para, the Indo-Swiss Project and Kurisumala Ashram. Welcome to a land which would make you come back again and again. So that you could rejuvenate yourself and cherish memories of this enchantingly beautiful land.  Vagamon hill station is comprised of a beautiful series of hillocks, valleys and cascading waterfalls that make it the ideal getaway for tourists. Take a walk along the narrow, mist covered zigzag roads that wind up the hills and experience true bliss. For adventure seekers, there is an option of trekking, para gliding or rock climbing. The hill station has a chain of 3 beautiful hills called Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurismala that give an enchanting feel to this beautiful hill station. So visit Vagamon hill station to experience eternal bliss and peace of mind. The Vagamon hill station offers you a unique and different environ in comparison to other hill stations of Kerala. Besides, being abundant in natural beauty, the place also offers space for spiritual activities. The peaceful surroundings with cool and soft breeze blowing across the valley make it a perfect place for meditation.