Alappuzha Lighthouse

The Alappuzha Lighthouse is situated in the coastal town of Alappuzha, Kerala. It was built in 1862 and is a major tourist attraction. Visitors are allowed between 1500 hours and 1630 hours on every weekday at an admission fee . It is one of the oldest lighthouses on the south-west coast of India. The first stone was laid by Ms. Hugh Crawford, wife of the then Port Officer Hugh Crawford, on April 26, 1860. The lamps of the lighthouse were first lit by Ms. Francis Newcombe Maltby, the wife of the Resident Francis Newcombe Maltby on March 28, 1862.

The best time to see the Alappuzha Lighthouse is between October and February and the rainy season between June and August should be avoided.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha Railway Station

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

The Ethnological Museum

The Ethnological Museum is one of the most informative and interesting storehouse for people who want to know about the Tribes of Kerala. The Museum is a part of the Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (KIRTADS), and houses a large collection of artefacts, costumes, jewellery, household utensils, nets and traps, wood carvings, agricultural tools, musical instruments, and ceremonial paraphernalia of all the Tribal communities in Kerala. There are also displays of the various cultural features and backgrounds of each and every Tribe living in Kerala. Besides, there are the costumes of various performing arts and handicrafts made by the members of Schedules communities. Research and development work done by the government for the development of indigenous groups is also well documented.

It was established in 1973 with an objective to collect a wide range of items of cultural materials from the Tribes in order to assist and guide researchers and students perceiving tribal studies. The Ethnological Museum is dedicated to preserve and interpret the rich and unique culture of the indigenous people.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Calicut Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport

David Hall

David Hall is a Dutch bungalow built around 1695 by the Dutch East India Company, located on the north side of Parade Ground in Fort Kochi. It was the residence of the renowned Dutch governor, Hendrick Adrian Van Rheede tot Drakestein. However, the building gets its name from a later occupant, a Jewish businessman called David Koder. The Hall, which is now an art gallery, was originally associated with Hendrik Adriaan van Reed tot Drakestein, renowned Dutch commander better known for his Hortus Malabaricus, a pioneering compilation of the flora of the Malabar Coast.

The typical Dutch architecture is visible on all elements. The three-foot wide walls and the four-column windows are some of the characteristics of the building.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulum Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

Kakki Reservoir

Kakki Reservoir is an artificial lake, located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The dams were built in 1966 as part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric project. Full reservoir level (FRL) is 981.45 meters above sea level according to the operators of the "twin" reservoirs, the Kerala State Electricity Board Tigers, elephants and monkeys can be sighted in the forest surrounding the reservoir. The magnificent artificial lake provides an enchanting boating experience.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Chengannur and Thiruvalla  Railway Station

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Vagamon

Vagamon  is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10 and 23 °C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metres above sea level. Vagamon also known as the 'Scotland of Asia', was discovered by the British who found the place ideal for tea plantations and they were followed by Christian missionaries who built their abode of service at Kurisumala in Vagamon.

Reaching Vagamon itself is an extraordinary experience. The meandering road to Vagamon is cut in solid rock lined with pine forests. And as you wind your way through green capped hills, the rolling plains come into view thousands of feet below you.  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.  Vagamon is also home to a large variety of flowers and orchids. Cuddled up within three striking hills Thangal, Murugan and Kurisumala hills which are the representation of the chief religions in Kerala, i.e. Hindu, Muslim, and Christian which represent the cultural harmony.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam Railway Station

Nearest Airport: Cochint International Airport

 

 

Bekal Hole Aqua Park

Bekal Hole Aqua Park is located about one km from Bekal Fort, the Aqua Park is a local getaway spot. Pedal boats and water cycles offer hour's long relaxation on the cool stretches of the Bekal Hole backwaters. The amusement factor makes Bekal Hole Aqua Park a place well-liked by families.Canoeing through the nearby backwaters is very enjoyable, especially for non-local visitors.

Best Season: Summer & Winter

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Pallikkara, Kanjangad and Kasaragod Railway Stations

Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport

Tali Mahadevar temple

The Tali Mahadevar temple ,popularly known as 'Thiruma thaliyappan' temple Is located near Varavur Thali at Nedumpurayur in Thichur village,Varavoor Panchayath, Talappilly taluk . It is one of the oldest temples in the district of Thrissur. The temple is a protected monument of the Kerala State Department of Archaeology.

The old name of Sree Thirumathaliyappan Siva temple was 'Sree Nithyavichareswarathu Kshetram'. The local tradition about the temple is that, it is one of the one hundred and eighth siva temples established by Perumals who ruled from Mahodayapuram, the present day Kodungallur. People also believe that one of the Cheraman Perumals ruled from Nedumpuryur and his palace could be located near the temple. A big tank extending about 12 acres locally known as 'Arakulam' is located 400 meters east of the temple. Kodungallur (Mahodayapuram), the capital of the Perumals also has a very big tank known as 'Arakulam'. On the top of a near by hill near the Thirumathaliyappan temple there is a Kizhthali temple. A Kizhthali temple is also located at Kodungallur near the palace complex. The temple names of Kizhthali and Nedumpuram Thali are remains of evidences of the rule Perumal from Nedumprayur.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Thrissur Railway Station

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

For More

Please visit: www.thalitemple.com

 

 

 

 

 

St. Mary's Church, Manarcad

The Marthamariam Cathedral (St. Mary's Cathedral) at Manarcad has been internationally Famous for centuries and draws believers from far and wide.Manarcad is situated just 9 kms away from kottayam town, the headquaters of Kottayam district in Kerala.This is one of the most important churches of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christians. Manarcad cathedral is the most important church among the ancient churches of Malankara. The stone inscriptions found at the church reveal that the church was built more than a 1000 years ago. Archeologists have found out that these stone inscriptions were memorial stones set up at the tombs in 910 A.D. and 920 A.D. and the writing on them are in Malayalam and Tamil scripts prevalent 600 years ago.

Afterwards, on several occasions, the church was rebuilt and renewed. In the 16th century there was not a single church in the land which was not re-built in the Portugese style. It is believed that the Manarcad cathedral also was re-built at that time in the model of the Kottayam Small Church .The Manarcad Church has been in existence right from its inception till date under the leadership of the Holy Bava, the Patriarch of Antioch and of all East from the throne of St.Peter and the Blessed Catholic Bava and the Arch Bishop appointed by the Throne of Antioch.

The ettunompu (8 day fasting) is the main annual event when devotees from far and wide congregate to participate in the prayers and rituals. The ancient practice of 8 day fast and the Feast of Virgin Mary's Birth are celebrated between September 1st and 8th of every year at the cathedral.

Address: 

St.Mary's Jacobic Syrian Cathedral
Manarcad P.O.
Kottayam ,Kerala , India
Email: manarcadstmaryschurch@gmail.com
Telephone: +91481 2372700

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Railway Station

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

Kombaikani and Meenmutti waterfalls

 

Two famous waterfalls on the upper part of Neyyar reservoir are the Kombaikani waterfalls and the Meenmutti waterfalls. It is located 45km  away from the city,  these two splendid waterfalls on the upper reaches of the Neyyar Reservoir area is a favorite location for trekkers and birdwatchers.Meenmutti waterfalls are located near Kallar in Thiruvananthapuram district. About 2 kms from this fall lies the Kombaikani waterfalls. Meenmutti waterfall lies on the way to the Ponmudi hills. These waterfalls and the forests around them are worth seeing. It is a favourite haunt for picnickers and attracts many with an interest in trekking, angling and bird watching.

How to Reach

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum) International Airport

Nearest Railway station : Thiruvananthapuram railway station

Dhoni waterfalls

Dhoni waterfall is located on top of Dhoni hills and is about 15 km from Palakkad town and the dense reserve forest surrounding the waterfalls magnifies the beauty of the region. It is an ideal place for trekkers as it requires 3 hours of trekking to reach the top of Dhoni hills. The trekking trail through the wild forest is extremely enchanting, and though the interior regions are rich with wildlife, the route to the waterfalls is safe to tread through. Water from here ultimately feeds Malampuzha Dam.

The ideal time to visit the waterfalls is soon after the monsoon as the surroundings are blessed with newly sprouted greenery and the streams are freshly replenished.

How to Reach

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport, about 78 km and Calicut (Kozhikode) International Airport ,about 101 km

Nearest Railway station : Palakkad, via Olavakkode – Dhoni Rd, about 12 km

Kanthanpara waterfalls

Kanthanpara waterfall is in Wayanad district and is 22kms from Kalpetta. It is located between two beautiful tea estates. There are a number of walking trails that run around the waterfall. It is a lovely waterfall at a height of 30 mts.

How to Reach

Nearest Airport: Calicut (Kozhikode) International Airport

Nearest Railway station : Kozhikode

Sentinel Rock Waterfalls(Soochipara waterfalls)

Sentinel Rock Waterfalls is located in Wayanad district of Kerala. Locally known as Soochipara (needle rock) waterfalls, the pool at the foot of the falls is ideal for a quick dip. One of the most attractive falls in the district, the water hits the sharp spikes of granite at the base and hence the name, Sentinel Rock waterfalls. The Sentinel rock,a rock of more than 200m in height, is ideal for rock climbing. This waterfall situated in  is surrounded by dense forests. On the way to this falls one can enjoy the beauty of the tea estates in Wayanad and one has to trek down 2ks through these dense jungle to reach the falls.  A three step water fall of more than 200m in height with fantastic scenery provides for white water rafting, swimming, bathing, etc., The tree top huts at Soochipara will give unique view of the valleys of Western Ghats. It is also an ideal place for rock climbing.The water from Soochipara Falls later joins Chulika River or popularly known as Chaliyar River after Velarimala Hills near Cherambadi .

How to Reach

Nearest Airport: Calicut (Kozhikode) International Airport

Nearest Railway station : Kozhikode

Arthunkal St. Andrew's Forane Church

The Arthunkal St. Andrew's Forane Church is located at  Arthunkal, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India was originally built by the Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. It was rebuilt in 1584, under the then vicar Fr. Jacoma Fenicio, whom the devotees claim, possessed magical powers to heal the body and mind. Devotees fondly referred to him as "Arthunkal Veluthachan", which in English translates to "fair skinned father". Fr. Fenicio died in 1632. Eight years after his death, the church was rebuilt again, this time facing the west towards the long white-sand beach on the shores of the Arabian Sea. In 1647, a statue of St. Sebastian, struck with arrows all over his bleeding body (he was executed on the order of the Roman emperor for embracing the Christian faith) sculptured in Milan, was brought and placed in the Arthunkal church.

Arthunkal St Andrew's Basilica (St. Andrew's Forane Church at Arthunkal) is one of the sacred churches in Kerala, attracts lakhs of devotees both Christians and non-Christians every year from all parts of the State. The feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated on a grand scale for eleven days in a year. Owning to the unmanageable crowding of pilgrims and the resultant confusion on January 20 the final day of the feast, the church authorities have instituted another minor feast on the 8th day after the principal feast (Octave). This is known as 'Ettam perunnal'. Of late this feast also has attained as much importance as the principal feast.

Holy Mass Timing

Daily Mass at 0530 am, 0700 am and 0530 pm. Baptism on 2nd and 4th Sundays at 1030 am. St Sebastian's Novena, Holy Mass & Adoration on Thursdays at 1100 am and 0430 pm. Daily Adoration in the Old church from 0800 am to 0530 pm.

How to Reach
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery is about 80 km from Arthunkal
Nearest Railway station : Cherthala (6 km) / Alappuzha (22 km).

Kadammanitta Devi Temple

Kadammanitta Devi temple is one of the prominent temples in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. It is located within 8 km from Pathanamthitta district. It is mainly prominent for Padayani which is a notable traditional art performed inside the temple. This art form is mainly devoted to mother Goddess.

The word Padayani means the military formations or rows of soldiers, but in this folk arts, a series of divine and semi-divine impersonation wearing huge marks or 'KOLAMS' of different shapes, colours, and designs painted on the stalls of arecanut fouds. The most important of the kolams usually presented in a Padayani are BHAIRAVI (Kali), Yakshi (Fairy), Pakshi (Bird), etc. The Padayani performance is accompanied with a song namely ‘Padayanipattu’ (Songs of Padayani). The musical instruments uses in this art form are ‘Thappu’, ‘Chenda’, ‘Para’ and ‘Elathalam’. The dance is performed in remembrance of the mythological war between Goddess Bhadrakali and Darika Demon. In Kadammanitta Devi Temple Padayani is performed in the month of March-April.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvalla, about 30 km from Pathanamthitta

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 105 km from Thiruvalla.

Agasthyarkoodam peak

Agasthyarkoodam,the spectacular peak in the Western Ghats rises to a majestic 1890 m in the form of a sharp cone, is located 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram (Bonacaud is the nearest village).It is the second highest peak in Kerala. There are trekking trails through thick forests. A haven of rare herbs and medicinal plants, its slopes are a breathtaking sight when they transform into colourful glades of the 'Neelakurinji', a flower which blooms only once in twelve years.
Agastyarkoodam gets its name from the legend and the Great Sage Agastyar who meditated from this peak, where a small temple stands in remembrance and devotion to this great saint.Women are not allowed up the peak. The aborigins here believe that sage Agasthya, who lived here was a confirmed bachelor, hence they dislike the presence of strange women.
 Agastyar bio-reserve is a natural herbal garden, home to thousands of rare herbal plants. Agastyar Munni, considered as the father of Siddha system of medicine, the first Siddhar(Siddha Practitioner is also known to have contributed highly to martial art forms like Silambam and Kalarippayattu, both oldest forms of martial arts that are still practiced.

Best Season:
  The season from December 2'nd week to February is advocated for trekking for which a forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Forest Dept., P.T.P.Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram.

How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station : Thiruvananthapuram central, about 61 km from Bonocaud.
Nearest Airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 69 km from Bonocaud.

Chembra Peak

The Chembra Peak is the highest peak in Wayanad, at 2100m above sea level. Chembra is located near the town of Meppady and is 14 km west of Kalpetta. It is part of the Wayanad hill ranges in Western Ghats, adjoining the Nilgiri Hills in Tamilnadu and Vellarimala in Kozhikode district in Kerala. Chembra peak is accessible by foot from Meppady. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides and trekking equipments on hire charges to the tourists.. Permission from the forest office in Meppady is required for trekking up to the Chembra peak.

Chembra peak is neighboring to the Nilgiri Hills and Vellarimala. From Meppady, Chembra peak can be accessed by walk. On the way to the top of Chembra peak, there is a heart shaped lake. This heart shaped lake is a popular tourist attraction for Chembra peak. There is a myth in these areas that this lake has never dried up. At five kilometer distance from Meppadi town is the tourist spot Erumakolli. From the top of Chembra peak you can view almost the whole of Wayanad. You can also view of Kozhikkode,Malappuram, and Nilgiri districts. Climbing Chembra peak is a really demanding trekking experience. For nature lovers it may take a whole day to enjoy the beauty of this peak and reach the top. The picturesque locations and view points from the Chembra peak are really enthralling. For photographers, Chembra peak is a paradise since nature has showered abundance of beauty all over this scenic location. If you camp on the peak you are sure to have a treasured experience.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station : Kozhikode, about 97 kms by road from Sulthan Bathery(major city of Wayanad).

Nearest Airport : Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, nearly 120 kms from Sulthan Bathery.

Kuthumkal Waterfalls

Kuthumkal Waterfalls  features a cascading stream fall from the peak. Most of the times, it remains under the spell of water mist, due to the high velocity of water because of the water falling on the rocks. The charming tourist spot can also be reached from Rajakkad, which lies at a distance of 6 km from Kuthumkal.One of the prime destinations in Munnar, Kuthumkal falls attracts thousands of tourists every year. The misty waterfall provides a picturesque view of the water, cascading down from scintillating heights. It is a beautiful waterfall found in this district. Always, water mist is found near the falls because of the water falling on the rocks. The waterfall makes a lovely picnic spot and is an ideal place to spend a quality time with family and friends.

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

Kakkayam Dam

Kakkayam Dam located in Kozhikode district of Kerala state. About 15 km - to reach dam location from Kakkayam Bus stop. Roads from Kakkayam bus stop to dam location is thin and curvy through forest. This picturesque damsite, teeming with exotic wildlife, offers excellent trekking and rock climbing opportunities.There is a water fall named 'orakkuzhi' just after Dam. Elephants may be there near Dam location.'Kariyathan para' is one of the beautiful location near to Kakkayam, well suited for out door shooting.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station : Calicut Railway Station

Nearest Airport : Calicut Airport