ELAVEEZHA POONCHIRA - KERALA

Elaveezha Poonchira near Melakavu Mattom ,60 kms away from Kottayam 

Ilaveezhapoonjira as the name suggests is a valley without falling leaves. This does not mean that the trees here do not shed their leaves but that there are no trees on this summit. It is a spectacular spot near Thodupuzha and is ideal for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers.

 From the top of the summit, one can see the lowlands below and the Malankara dam and reservoir. the place is located little under 10 km from Thodupuzha town. The Thodupuzha-Muttom-Ilaveezhapoonjira road takes you close to 2 km from the hilltop. From there, you can rent a jeep to the top or better walk with the refreshing mist around.

Nestling in the lap of three hillocks – Mankunnu, Kudayathoormala and Thonipara – Poonchira seems to have been referred to in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. It is said that Panchali used to bathe in the pool at Poonchira.

For accommodation, the torist resort is small, and there is no wireless connectivity and electricity. May be it is more convenient to stay at Thodupuzha, Palai or Kottayam .

It’s a best place for trekking.

MANGULAM - TAMIL NADU

Mangulam is a small beautiful village.Its situated in Tamil Nadu. Mangulam, located at 25 Km from Madurai town.  This place is also called chinna mangulam. The placed is blessed with small mountains, ponds .... well known site for the presence of early Jain Caves and Rock beds .

There are many rocky hills... Climbing them and having a beautiful scenic view is so enthusiastic.

A view of sun set in Mangulam is so pleasing one.

Potteries of Black and Red ware shards  coarse red ware shards  pieces of quartz stones, small sling stones and a copper coin (date able to 13-14th Century CE) were collected from the trench laid near Meenakshipuram. Excavation on the terrace of Jain caves exposed the flooring of a rectangular chamber and brick wall, made of 11 courses of bricks. The size of the bricks is 35 x 18 x 6 cm and clay mortar has been used as binding material.

Excavation has also exposed a small structure in pedestal form which may be assigned to Sangam period. Present excavation has exposed the presence of two cultural periods viz Early and Medieval historic period.

VALPARAI - TAMIL NADU

Valparai is located above the 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain rangeValparai does not mean only a single town. There are 40 hairpin bends on the way to Valparai from Azhiyar. While major portions of the land is owned by private tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds. It stands majestically with Green Spread Mountains and forest all around. It is a pollution free land. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karainshola, Anaikunthi shola, grass hills, water falls, groves, teak forests, estates, dams and reservoirs.

64-km drive from Pollachi to Valparai is itself an exotic experience. En route is the Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary where lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri and the common langur, Malabar giant squirrel, elephant, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer and wild boar reside. From Valparai you can visit the Aliyar, Sholaiyar and Nirar dams. Tunnels bored into the mountains and canals to harness the water from Parambikulam, Aliyar, Nirar, Sholaiyar Dam, and several tourist spots.

Chinnakallar

It is the second highest  rain fall area inIndia. Always found wet and misty. A greenish dense forest with tall majestic trees all along the road to Chinnakalar a pleasure to enjoy. There is a falls in Chinnakallar which sounds like a roaring lion. Situated  at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.

The other places of interest near valparai are:

• Karamalai Annai Vellankanni Church
• Balaji temple
• Grass Hills

Situated  at a distance of 15 kms. from Valparai.  Grass hills is a picturesque  spot located in the Valparai hills range, at a height  of approx: 2400m msl, with cool climate getting cooler at night, a  part of  Anamalai Tiger Reserve. Right now all efforts are being undertaken by the government to preserve the flora and fauna of this location. Nilgiri Thar is native of this place apart from Elephants, Bison, Indian Gaur, Bear, Nilgiri Langurs etc.. and a wide variety of birds including Hornbills.

• Sholayar dam

It is the second deepest dam of Asia. Situated  at a distance of 20 Kms., from Valparai.  An active tourist spot found always busy. A beautiful place to visit.

• Nirar dam

This dam is built for multipurpose project such as irrigation, Hydro electricity production. Dam is situated in a wonderful location covered by a dense forest. There is a waterfalls near by the dam which resembles the Cascade. Situated  at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.

• Chitti Vinayagar Temple
• Aliyar Park

Aliyar park is a leisure place to enjoy the natural scenery  of Aliyar dam and chain mountains of western Ghats. Kids can have a pleasant time in the park.

• Monkey Falls
• Loams View point

This is a beautiful view point to view Aliar Dam & surrounding mountains of western Ghats. This is situated in 9 th hairpin bend.

• Nallamudi Poonjolai
• Top Slip

Top slip is a national park and a medicinal plant conservation area in the Anamalai hills. It is about 37 kms. from Pollachi (about 90 kms from Coimbatore). It is famous for its elephant camp at Kollikamuthi and its wildlife. There are bungalows available within the sanctuary. For thrill seekers, accommodation is also available in a tree house. It got its name during the British era, as lots of timber slipped down to the plains below.

• Athirapilly Falls

It is near to the entrance of the Sholayar range is a place of great scenic beauty. Here, the water plunges from a height of nearly 80 feet before joining the Chalakudi river.  this picturesque spot is adjacent to dense green forest, and is a part of Chalakudi River, 50 Kms. from Valparai towards Chalakudi, Kerala.

KANYAKUMARI - TAMILNADU

Kanyakumari  is a town in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It was also referred to as Cape Comorin earlier. Located at the southernmost tip of India.
Kanyakumari, being the geographical end of the peninsular country, is famous for the meeting point of Indian Ocean with Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. This even helps in experiencing a spectacular view of sunrise and sunset.

Kanyakumari takes its name from the Hindu Goddess Kanyakumari. The Kanniyakumari amman temple is situated in the town of its, on the sea-shore, the very confluence of the three water-bodies – the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.  Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. This place is also a popular pilgrimage. The tourists who visit this southern most tip of India would certainly enjoy the exuberant scenes of the sunsets, the sunrises especially on full moon days. The nature of the sand in the beaches of Kanyakumari is unique as it is multicolored.

           

 Amidst the sea there are two rocks known as ‘twin rocks’ both contributing to the rich Indian heritage with the monuments of swamy Vivekananda and Saint Thiruvalluvar.

The places of visit in kanyakumari are:-

• Vivekanda rock
• Thiruvalluvar rock
• Pathmanabhapuram palace
• Goddess Bhagavathi Temple
• Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument
• Kanyakumari Gandhi Memorial
• Kanyakumari Temple
• Our Lady of Ransom Church
• Suchindram Temple
• Tsunami Monument
• 
  

MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE - TAMIL NADU

Madurai meenakshi temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the south side of river Vaigai^] in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Parvatiwho is known as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, named here as Sundareswarar. Madurai is an old city. The temple complex consists of 14 gopurams.

            The original temple was built by kulashekara pandya, but the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks.  The gopuras has an height more than 50 m. Each gopuram is a multi-storeyed structure, covered with thousands of stone figures of animals, gods and demons painted in bright hues

            There is a golden lotus tank; this temple tank is an ancient tank where devotees take bath in the holy water. The area is the meeting place of Tamil sangam , the academy of poets.  There is an oonjal mandapam, every Friday the idols of meenakshi and sundareswara, are seated on the swing and by singing a hymn, swing made to move to and fro.

HALL OF THOUSAND PILLARS

The "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" or Thousand Pillar Hall contains 985(instead of 1000) carved pillars. Each pillar in the hall is a carved monument of the Dravidian sculpture. The more prominent among the carved figures are those of Rati, Karthikeya, Ganesha.

There are lot more exciting halls and sculptures inside the temple. This is one of the oldest temple.

CHERAI BEACH - KERALA

Cherai Beach is located in Vypin island, Kochi, India. Cherai Beach is just 25 km from Kochi, and 30 km from Cochin International Airport and the nearest railway station is Aluva(20 km).

 The newly spruced up 400 meters of Cherai Beach features a walkway and High Mask Lamps that lend the environs a magical touch at night. here is a Children’s Park on the beach ensuring the kids are entertained as well.  We can see a lot of Chinese fishing nets that are synonymous with Kerala. Thick coconut groves and Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront are added attractions.

The place is a unique combination of sea and backwaters covered by lush green coconut palms and paddy fields. The backwaters are a combination of lakes, lagoons, canals and estuaries. The Beach is very safe and tourists of all age groups can enjoy the Beach alike. Scooter and Speed Boats are available for hire. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. The main beach area has been newly added with the 400 meters long walkway. 

There are many resorts nearby for accommodation.

VAGAMON - KERALA

Vagamon  is a hill station located in Kottayam- Idukki border of Kerala. It is situated 1,100 meters above sea level.

It is a place with a never-ending line of lush green hills, breathtaking ravines and meandering rivulets.  The scenic valleys, beautiful green meadows, enchanting pine forests, mists, fogs, tea estates, waterfalls  provides the tourist a hearty welcome. It’s an ideal place for tea plantations, Vagamon is also known as ‘Scotland of Asia’.

It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10 and 23 °C during summer midday. The meandering road to Vagamon is cut in solid rock lined with pine forests.

The three hills of Vagamon have made this place so popular, that it is now a sacred place to three distinguished religious beliefs – Hinduism, Christianity , and Islam.  Vagamon is also a favourite spot of adventure seekers and offers trekking, rock climbing. Kurisumala Hill is home to the famous Indo-Swiss Dairy farm project. The place is completely enclosed with tea estates and lakes. Thangal Hill is the burial chamber of Sheikh Fariduddin and Murugan Hill is devoted to Hindu God Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva. The third, Kurisumala Hill has a Kurisumala Ashram, which is a religious residence that links to both Hindu and Christian faith.