Anamudi

Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats in India, having an elevation of 2,695 metres (8,842 ft). Anamudi is also the highest point in South India,located  near munnar and also one of the the highest point in India outside the Himalaya-Karakoram mountain range. 

 The peak is not exceptionally dramatic in terms of steepness or local relief and is a Fault-block mountain.It is located in the southern region of Eravikulam National Park at the junction of the Cardamom Hills, the Anamala Hills and the Palni Hills. The nearest town is Munnar, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi). The easiest route to the summit of Anamudi is a technically easy hike on grass slopes, starting from a rolling hill plateau with a base elevation of about 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). The north and south slopes are gentle, while the east and west slopes are steeper, with more difficult rock faces. The heavy evergreen forests are present with bamboos, black-wood (Dalbergia latifolia), and teak growing in abundance. The heavy forest with which the range is clothed is the source of the most valuable of the rivers which traverse the drier country to the east, namely the Vaigai, and Thamirabarani ; and the waters of the Periyar, which flows into the Arabian Sea.

 Anamudi and the Eravikulam National Park surrounding it is home to the largest surviving population of Asian Elephants, Gaur, Bengal tigers, and the Nilgiri tahr, which not found elsewhere in India.The summit of the Anamudi is vegetated with patches of stunted Arundinaria densifolia and Gaultheria fragrantissima (wintergreen), Anaphalis sp., Impatiens and some species of Eriocaulon.

How to Reach:

Munnar located in south india,kerala state,idukki district

Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam(south & north) Railway Station (5 Hrs from Munnar)

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (4 hours 30 minutes from Munnar)

Nearest Bus Station:Munnar KSRTC bus station

St. Mary's Church, Kuravilangad

Martha Mariam church is the ancestral home of Christian communities in Kerala and out side the State. It is in Meenachil Taluk, 22 kms north of Kottayam, on the eastern side of M.C. Road. Martha Mariam Church belongs to the diocese of Palai. Traditional beliefs, some legendary factors and historical associations contribute to the actual history of the church. It is believed that four Christian families - viz. Palli (Kalli), Kaliyakal (kalikavu), Sankarapuri and Pakalomattam from Palayur arrived at Ettumanoor and they moved to Kalikavu near Kuravilangad in the beginning of the second century.Kuruvilangad Church's Altar Fountain It is also believed that Our Lady appeared to a few children at Kuravilangad, who were tending their flock in the bushes. Our Lady asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous perpetual spring sprouted, a spring which exists even today. The children reported this matter to the elders and a church was built there. The present church was completed in 1960 when Rev. Fr. Thomas Manakattu was the parish priest.

The land of Kuravilangad is blessed by the esteemed presence of St. Mary’s Forane Church, which was built in 105 A.D(just one hundred years before Constantine declared Christianity as the official religion in the Roman Empire). It is believed, Mother Mary's first appearance in the world, was in Kuravilangad. Our Lady appeared to a few children at Kuravilangad, who were tending their flock in the bushes. Our Lady asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous perpetual spring sprouted, a spring which exists even today. The children reported the events to the elders and a church was built there. The church is noted for its old bell, which contains inscriptions belonging to some unknown script. Another significant artifact is a model of a ship made from wood.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

For more information pls visit :www.kuravilangadpally.com

Attukal Waterfalls

Attukal Waterfalls of the hill station of Munnar, located about 9 km from the town centre, is a famous spot frequented by both tourists as well as natives.Attukul situated between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for the eyes. The place is also ideal for long trekking and hiking but assumes a cascading and roaring beauty during the monsoons.Attukal Waterfalls gathers its real beauty soon after the monsoon months of June, July and August.

How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Railway Station (4 hrs from Munnar)
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (4 hours 30 minutes from Munnar)

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Kerala, India. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary extends over the talukas of Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola in Idukki district. It is at a distance of about 40 Kms from Thodupuzha in Kerela, a place, which has contributed many well known personalities to the development of India as well as from where the famous river of Thodupuzha flows. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, India is famous for Indian elephants, which are becoming extinct due to poaching and other factors that are causing the deaths of these elephants. Hence it is also called as the Idukki Elephant sanctuary. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, India has an area of about 77 sq. km. and is somewhat above the normal sea level. Its altitude ranges from 450m to 758m above sea level.

Like many other wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, this one too is rich in flora and fauna. West coast tropical evergreen forests, semi evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, hill sholas, and grasslands make up for the forest type of this sanctuary. Some of the faunal life that can be spotted here are sambars, elephants, bison, deer, wild dogs, tigers, jungle cats, and wild boars. Besides, different species of snakes including cobra, viper, kraits, and numerous non-poisonous reptiles are also sighted here. Among the birds, mynah, jungle fowl, black bulbul, laughing thrush, peafowl, woodpecker, and kingfisher constitute the major attractions.

Kizhakkilachimala Lake is one of the artificial or man-made lakes in this area. It is one of the tourist attractions and just adds to the beauty of the sanctuary. The vegetation at this sanctuary is very dense. These forests tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests, meadows and leaf shedding forests. These different types of forests provide some of the most rare trees, which have some medicinal value. This list includes white pine, kuntherekkapine, vayana, bhadraksham, pali, cheeni, rosewood and meadows of rolling grass.

 One may visit this sanctuary at anytime of the year though the best time is during the Winter season and the initial summer season, which include the months from December to April.The sanctuary receives heavy rainfall, with an average annual shower of about 3800 mm. The temperature of this spectacular sanctuary varies from 13 0C to 29 0C with March and April being the hottest period of the year. Apart from exploring the natural beauty of the sanctuary, visitors can also marvel at the manmade creation known as Idukki Arch Dam that stands tall nearby. At a height of 167.68 meters, this dam is the 14th largest arch dam in Asia.

How  to reach

Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam (120kms)

Nearest Airport : cochin international airport (120kms)