Kerala, the land of coconuts, also called as God’s own Country, is situated between the Arabian Sea at the west and the Western Ghats to the East, on the southern region of India in Asia. Kerala is India’s cleanest and most advanced society with hundred percent literacy. The whole Kerala is blessed with abundant natural beauty.
1. Munnar – The beautiful hill station of Kerala, with vast tea plantation, is a paradise for nature lovers, trekkers, photographers, and campers is in Idukki. You can also enjoy a fantastic boating in the beautiful Madupetty Lake, visit Eravikulam National Park and see Nilgiri Tahrs in groups, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Kumili, and more.
2. Kottayam – the much sought after holiday destination of backwater at Kumarakom. You can also visit the popular bird sanctuary here, enjoying the breath taking beauty of the surrounding Vembanad Lake, Peermad Health Resorts, Idukki Reservoir, one of the major Hydroelectric projects in Kerala, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady, the famous Pilgrim centre at Sabarimala.
3. Kochi (Cochin), the queen of Arabian Sea has a lot to offer, such as Chinese net, Kochi Fort, St.Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, temples, museums and more.
4. Thiruvananthapuram, (Trivandrum) – The capital city of Kerala has a lot to offer – Beaches like Kovalam, Shanghumugham, Varkala, Temples, Museums, Palaces, Veli tourist village, Kalari Payattu, and more. Also beautiful Kollam (Quilon) with Museums, Beaches, Ashtamudi Lake , Temples and Wildlife, is not far away.
5. Kannur (Cannanore) – Arabain Sea washing the sands on the long beaches like Muzhappilangad with drive-in facilities, and other beaches; Ezhimala hill with medicinal herbs, Pazhassinikadavu Snake Park, Pazhassi Dam, Temples, Arakkal Kottaram and Ayurveda Resorts. You can also visit the nearby fishing village Beypore to see the fishermen building the wooden country boats, and Thalassery (Tellicherry) just 70 kms away, the Church built by the famous European Scholar of Malayalam Dr. Gundert, and Gundert Bungalow.
6. Kozhikode (Calicut) – Historic town on Malabar coast, Beaches like Kappad, Museums and Art Galleries, Temples, trekking, backwater and more.
7. Wayanad – Plantations of coffee, tea, pepper, rubber and cardamom, the hillock at Kalpetta with Jain cave shrines, Sulthan Bathery, magnificent glass temple at Koottamunda, Chembra Peak, Pazhassi Tourist Resort, Vyittri, Lakkidi, and the famous Wayanad wildlife Sanctuary.
8. Thrissur – Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, Kerala Kala Mandalam at Cheruthuruthi for teaching classical dance in Gurukul system, Punnathur Kotta, and Vadakkunnatha Shiva Temple, and Thrissur Pooram.
9. Alappuzha – popularly called as the Venice of the East, with intricate net work of canals, backwaters, and bridges, along the Vembanad Lake. Beach, Nehru Boat Race and more Aranmula Vallom Kali, Ambalapuzha Krishna Temple, Aranmula Partha Sarathy temple, special metal mirrors called “Aranmula Kannadi”, Mannarshala Snake Temple.
10. Palakkad – Picturesque place at the foot of Western Ghats is the Gateway to Kerala, with misty mountains, rivers and forests. Apart from Palkkad Fort, Kalpathi Shiva Temple and Malampuzha Dam, wildlife sanctuaries like Parambikulam and Silent Valley National Park are also here.
During the harvest festival Onam, the beauty of Kerala further enhances and becomes more colorful.
By: Lakshmi Menon
Posts Tagged ‘Western Ghats’
Top Ten Places to Visit in Kerala, India
November 22nd, 2009Malampuzha Travel Tours Guide
November 7th, 2009
Malampuzha is in the state of Kerala in the Palakkad district. It is located on the foothills of the Western Ghats and has a tremendous amount of dense, green foliage to enjoy. In fact, everywhere that you look, beautiful green foliage is there. This foliage creates a serene and almost surreal experience for all that go there.
One of the biggest draws to this particular city is an irrigation dam that was built in 1955. This irrigation dam allows this city to take advantage of its beautiful setting. It helps to irrigate the landscape to make it remain green at all times. This reservoir also adds to the water activities that are possible in the area. Tourists are drawn to this area for its natural beauty and the relaxing atmosphere that exists there because of the impressive, green landscape.
If you are drawn to breathtaking views, this gem of a city has plenty such sights to offer thanks to the greenery as well as the Ghats themselves. If you want to experience some exotic animals, this area can provide you with that possibility. Water activities and relaxing gardens are also possible in the area.
Malampuzha is brimming with both natural and man-made gardens and reservoirs for everyone to enjoy.
Malampuzha Dam
Work on the Malampuzha Dam was begun in 1949. Six years later it was completed and dedicated in 1955. The dam’s capacity is 115.06 meters. The dam created the largest irrigation system in Kerala with a network of canals. This reservoir is in a majestic setting. It is located in the Western Ghats with the Ghats towering over the reservoir. The landscape by the dam is green and incredibly beautiful. The Malampuzha Garden is located right by the dam. The reservoir created by the dam is used as a boating destination by many people including tourists.
Udan Khatola
The Udan Khatola is one of the most loved attraction at Malampuzha Gardens. It is the only Passenger Ropeway in South India and is a unique and impressive way to survey the scenery below. This ropeway allows you to travel above the garden, at a height of 60 feet. This height allows you to have a fantastic look at the green garden below, but also of the impressive Western Ghats. The ride is very safe and takes twenty minutes. The ride has two-seater chairs which are 64 in number. These have transparent hoods that provide both clear view of Malampuzha Gardens and safety as well. The cost for a ride ranges from Rs. 30 to Rs. 150, depending on your situation.
Yakshi Statue
The Yakshi Statue is yet another interesting feature in the Malampuzha area. It sits directly in the Malampuzha Gardens and is set off beautifully by the greenery that surrounds it. This statue is an enormous rock sculpture of Yakshi created by the renowned sculptor Kanai Kanhiraman. Yakshi is traditionally thought of as an enchantress, and this persona adds to the intrigue of this magnificent piece of art. To make this statue even more impressive, the entire huge piece was carved out of one single piece of granite. It definitely takes a master artist to manage creating such magnificence with only one huge piece of rock.
By: Archna Gupta
