Agasthyakoodam-Trivandrum( A Trekkers Paradise)

Some Facts about Agasthyakoodam:
Agasthyarkoodam , the tallest peak in the south at 1868 meters, is famous for its abundant ayurvedic herbs and medicinal plants. It is about 50 km south-east from Nedumangad.
About 32 km from Nedumangad en route to Ponmudi , the rightly famous hill station, lays the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary which is a big attraction for wildlife enthusiasts and
Ornithologists. It is a spectacular peak in the Western Ghats that rises to a majestic height of about 1890 m )in the form of a sharp cone. It is is part of the Sahyadri mountains and is the second highest peak in Kerala, after Anamudi. A bird watcher's paradise, this legendary mountain is accessible by foot from Kottoor, near Neyyar Dam and also from Bonacaud tea estate, on the road to Ponmudi. Teeming with wild life Agathyarkoodam is a haven of rare herbs and medicinal plants and the slopes offer a breathtaking view. Agasthyarkoodam (‘the abode of Agasthya’) is famous for its legendary connection to Sage Agasthya, who had a good knowledge in medicines. Women are normally not allowed on the Peak. Many rivers have their origins in the peak, some like Neyyar flowing west and others like Tamraparni flowing east to Tamil Nadu.

Trekking:
Trekking is permitted only in the months of December, January, February and March.Trekking in small small groups is allowed only for one month starting from January to February for a nominal entry free. In the other months it is on special request and more costly.A distance of 28km need to be covered to reach the top from the office.Reached Bonacaud
office around 9am in the morning.In the forest office, it is required to show the documents and the photo. There will be a checking on the contents of our bag too.People were sent as batches of 20.There is small canteen near this office.The trekking started. On the way there were trees and shrubs in various colours.The Colour change can be noticed in each area. After two and a half kilometer of trekking we reach a place called Lathimotta.There is guides there.They will accompany you. Around 12:30 reached a place called Attayar. There was a stream over there.Had lunch from there.Downstream of Attayar there is a falls called the Bona falls.The next trekking consists of passing through large number of big grasses.Saw a green snake on the way. After some time thick forests started and it was a steep climb upwards.Reached the Base Camp, Athirumala by around 4 in the evening. There were dormitories arranged there. From the dormitory there is a wonderful view of the Agasthyakoodam peak.There is a small canteen which serves rice gruel and puttu.Slept in the dormitory and got up early morning. Had breakfast around 6:30 am in the morning.Left the baggage at the dormitory and the trekking resumed. There is a steep climb until we reach a rock, through the thick forest .Cold wind was brushing our face as we climbed to the top.A small fog was also there. Arrows were drawn on the rocks indicating the path. After the climb we again entered the frorest area.Saw may plants on the way. Climbed the rock using the rope which was hanging down.After the climb there was some normal paths, after that also rocks were there to climb. Nearly 3 steep rocks have to be climbed in order to reach the top. Finally reached top of the Agasthya Mala. A statue of Agasthya Muni is there.And cold wind was blowing very roughly. Here snowflakes come and gets cleared fast.It was a breathtaking view from the top. After spending some time on the top started climbing downwards. Rested near a waterfall for some time. Reached the dormitory around 2. People are not allowed to go from that point to go down if we reach the dormitory after 2.The people who reach after 2 can resume their journey only next day. We got lunch as parcel and started climbing downwards with our baggage. On our way down we sat near a river and had our lunch. Reached Attayar and then finally Lathimotta. We reached the office by around 6:30 pm. By that time it was pitch dark. Had a tea and headed back home. The Agasthyakoodam trekking is a must go trekking for all trekking lovers. Hope you have a wonderful time out there.

It will be good if certain Points are taken into consideration
1.Do not wear colourful cloths. It is always better to wear clothes suiting the jungle.
2. Carry bottles to store water as the water can be refilled on the way from rivers. Also carry some snacks and fruits along.
3 Do not disturb animals.
4 Use a good pair of shoes .
5 Carry medicines for common ailments.
6 Do not travel alone.
7 Do not take away anything from the Biosphere Reserve.
8 Do not use liquor.

How to Obtain Permission:

Pass can be obtained from the following Wild Life Office :
Address:
The wild life Warden, Forest Department, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram,

Vedathangal Bird Sanctuary-Chennai

Vedanthangal Water Birds Sanctuary is the oldest and the most spectacular breeding grounds for birds in India. The sanctuary is spread over 73 acres .Vedathangal Bird Sanctuary is 90 minutes journey from Chennai. The sanctuary is the nest for various local and migratory birds. The vegetation, the pool and the ambience attracts birds and make them to stay in this place.The pools contains large number of water fowls and ducks. The sanctuary was established by the British government in the year 1798 to protect these birds from being extinct. Every year, a large number of migratory birds approximately around 40,000 in number like the Grey Heron, Cormorant, Egrets, Darter, Open-billed Stork, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Grebes, Night Herons and Grey Pelican visit this Sanctuary.It is very fascinating to watch the behaviour of these birds.We can spot a Cormorant or a Snake Bird dive under the water to gobble up fishes.After that the Cormorant must comes up to the shore dry its feathers. The Spot-Billed Grey Pelican always moves in groups and drives the fishes to a corner for gobbling them in the end.The Spoon Bill feasts on frogs and insects in the muddy water . This is a small sanctuary which is spread at about 2 square kms. This small sanctuary is the ideal place to walk and spot birds in their natural habitat. There are two watch towers from where the stretched area can be seen and experienced.You can have a good view with the binoculars. It will be better to have a binocular, but even if you don’t have one you can borrow them for rent.
How to get there : Chennai is the nearest airport .The nearest railway station is is Chinglepet (26 km). You can also reach there by boarding a bus from Chinglepet also.
When to visit : The best season to visit is from November to January.
Where to stay : Accommodation is available at the Forest Department Rest House or Hotel Tamil Nadu of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation

Explore Gavi Ecotourism - Pathanamthitta

Gavi which forms part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve lies in the Pathanamthitta district.We decided to take the path through the forest from Pathanamthitta.From Pathanamthitta, we deviated to Vadesserikkara-Chittar-Agnamozhi.From Agnamozhi the Forest Path Starts.Passed the Angamoozhi checkpost at 8am .On the way we passed the Sabarigiri Hydel Project.and some dams like the Kakki dam, Anathodu Dam and Pamba Dam.In Kakki we can a find an Echo Rock. It is actually a cliff formed due to removal of rocks for the dam construction in 1966.Tried out the echo experiment and we reached the Ananthodu Dam .We passed by the Pampa Dam and finally reached Gavi.On the way to Gavi we could spot many monkeys.

We reached the Gavi Eco tourism quarters by 12:30 PM and we checked in to the Green Mansion .One guide was allotted to us. The Rooms were small and neat.After having lunch and a small rest, we went for a Boat Ride across the Lake. There was a good waterfall point in the lake. We stopped there and had a good time. The Boat Ride was a good one. Could spot some birds and different types of dragon flies of varied colours like red,blue,yellow etc.In the evening we went for trekking with our legs covered with Socks to avoid the Leeches.Sat on one of the hills to watch the animals. Could spot some birds like the Malabar Paraqeet.Could spot 2 herds of bison and some sambar deers.Ended the day after a good dinner and finally slept.Got up early morning to set out for the Jeep Safari around 6am.On the way we could see a tree called Nirampalli.This tree is said to be the Gopher Wood tree from which Noah Constructed his Arc and the only specimen available in Asia.

After returning Back from the Jeep safari through the Jungle,we had our breakfast.Went for a small trekking .Could spot an elephant.We could spot Sambars lining up on the hillocks, feeding on the sprouting grass.After we went for a visit to the Cardamom Plantation.The Cardamoms are harvested once in 40 days.There is also one cardamom factory.The workers were mostly Srilankan Tamil Rehabilitee People. We could see how the Cardamom was processed.These Cardamoms were first washed .The water was drained and the sifted .Then heated in various degrees with an increase or decrease in the temperature.These are taken and the waste is removed.The first quality cardamoms are send to shops.The second quality cardamoms are used for ayurvedic purposes.Could see some Animal Horns, Various Animal Skulls, Different types of Barks of Trees and Finally an Ant Nest in the Museum. By about noon we checked out from our room. The Return Trip was a less adventurous one. From Gavi,towards Vandiperiyar and finally Pathanamthitta.On the way we halted at a place called Pambanar which offers a good Panoramic view.The Trip Finally Ended.

For the more adventurous type of people ,instead of the rooms they are offered Camping inside the Forests in tents.It will be a beautiful wildlife night experience.This Package is available only during some months of the year.The Tree Top Stay Package is also there.
For booking the stay you can log on to the official site which is http://www.gaviecotourism.com/
Hope everyone can enjoy the wonderful experience in Gavi.

Golconda Fort -Hyderabad

The Golconda Fort is located about 11 Kms away, on the Western outskirts of Hyderabad city. It is located on a granite hill having a height of 120m.The ruins of Golconda Fort is as old as 800 years. Golconda means Shepherd Hill was built consecutively by three dynasties, the Kakatiyas, the Brahmins and the Qutub Shahis. Golconda is more than just the Fort; it's a little city in itself. The Huge gates of the fort are decorated with large pointed iron spikes. These spikes prevented Elephants from damaging the fort. The fort of Golconda is encircled by an 11-km long outer wall. The width of the wall ranges from 17 to 34 feet broken by 87 semi-circular bastions, 50 to 60 feet high. Enter the gates to explore the architecture splendor of Golconda Fort. Clapping of the hands can be done to understand the acoustic nature of the Fort. On the ascent to the top, we come across the Durbar Hall where we get a magnificent view of the city. The design of the Fort was very useful for communication. Golconda’s mines were famous for its diamonds. It is said that the famous Kohinoor diamond has been unearthed from here. We can view the Charminar from the terrace of the Durbar Hall. The Durbar Hall was where the commoners were met by the royal people. There are eight gates of which four of the gates are in use. Now tourists enter through the Bala Hissar gate. The buildings inside which were constructed by the Qutub Shahi kings are decorated with various floral designs and decorations which falls in synchronization with the Qutb Shahi style. On top of the fort is the Baradari, which can be reached by climbing the stairway.

On the way up, the tourist can see what seems to be part of the plumbing system during the ancient days. The ventilation of the fort is absolutely fabulous having exotic designs. Ventilations were designed so that the cool breeze could reach the interiors of the fort. The highest point of the fort is the 'Bala Hissar' which offers and excellent view of the city. The Rahban cannon are seen within the fort. There is a secret underground tunnel which leads from the Durbar Hall and ends in one of the palaces at the foot of the hill.. The tombs of the Qutb Shahi sultans lie about one kilometer north of Golkonda’s outer wall.. These tombs follow the Islamic architecture .These tombs are surrounded by beautiful gardens and beautifully carved stones. There are two individual pavilions on the outer side of Golconda. The Kala Mandir can be viewed from the Durbar Hall which was on top of the Golconda Fort. There is a light and sound show which is hosted daily which last around one hour. With a spectacular interplay of audio and visual effects, the story of Golconda unfolds over centuries of splendor. This audio visual extravaganza is worth watching.

My Lakshadweep Trip:First Day

Finally the trip to Lakshadweep came as a reality after months of planning. There are two type of trips to Lakshadweep.One is offered by SPORTS(of Lakshadweep Tourism) and the second one is offered by private resorts, one at Agatti and the other at Bangaram.SPORTS have a variety of packages catering to different category of tourists, like the one meant only for divers or water sport lovers. They also had a package in which you spend the day on the beaches and night on the ship. The Package Availed was called "Coral Reef". It was a 5 day / 4 night trip covering 3 islands, Capital Kavaratti, Minicoy and Kalpeni. We reached the SPORTS office on Wellington Island by 9:00 am. Got the boarding pass and a small kit containing tee shirts, caps and a brochure about Lakshadweep from the SPORTS office. There was a small checking before we boarded the ship. Our ship was M.V.Kavaratti.It was a comparatively new ship. The cabins had two bunkers, a desk, chairs and an attached bathroom. There was a small speaker which served as a mode of announcement to the tourist’s .It was my Maiden travel on a ship .We had a stroll in and around the ship. Since our cabins were on the fifth floor, it was easy for us to go to the helm of the ship. We had to climb just one stair. The ship started its voyage towards Lakshadweep by 12:30 in the afternoon. The dining room had long tables and chairs. We had our lunch from there. There were both vegetarian and non vegetarian foods available in the canteen. Had the dinner also from the canteen. Had a good sleep in the cabins.

Second Day:Kavaratti

Got up early morning to view the sunrise from the ship. It was wonderful view. Had the breakfast and disembarked to a boat which took us to the shore. The beach was made up of pure white sand, amazingly clean, and the water was light green and almost transparent. The tourists were given a welcome drink of tender coconuts. Spend some time kayaking in the beach. After that we were taken on glass boats for a ride .We could see corals, sea anemones etc.through the glass boat. A large number of fishes in different colours were also spotted through the glass boat. Could see the butterfly fish, sword fish etc.After the boat ride we were simply lazing in the beach. Many were playing volley ball in the beach. Marine life exhibits can be seen at the new Marine aquarium which has excellent collection like fishes, sea anemones, corals, sea potatoes etc. The Skelton of a sperm whale was a variety item in the Museum. We were also taken to the desalination plant in Kavaratti which provided water to entire Kavaratti.Here water is salinated into fresh cold water for consumption.Lunch was followed by Kolkali and Parichamuttu kali performed for the tourists.

Thrid Day:Minicoy

Minicoy:Minicoy is the southernmost and the second largest island. The island is crescent shaped and has one of the largest lagoons. Minicoy islanders are employed as seamen in ocean going vessels the world over. While the rest of the islands speak a customized Malayalam, Minicoy speaks Mahl, a dialect of Divehi, the language of the Maldives. It has its own script written from right to left.Minicoy women stand out in their colourful gowns and stitched headscarf in Minicoy.The water in Minicoy is greenish. Had a good time bathing in the sea. The water was only Knee deep and we could walk kilometers through the sea. We waded out a long, long way, sometimes walking, sometimes crawling, but it never got any deeper than mid-thigh depth. After that we were taken for a village visit. We were taken in tempo autos which is the mode of transport in Minicoy.There we could see the processing of the Tuna Fish.The Tuna Fish gets cleaned, steamed in huge steamers, cooled overnight and cut into small pieces by women, weighed ,placed in cans with 3 grams of salt,vacuumed,sealed,sterilised for an hour and labeled. Tuna fish is boiled, smoked till dry and then exported. The Women in Minicoy enjoy a high position in the SocietyAfter that we were taken to the light house which was constructed in the year 1885.There were 215 steps to climb. To reach till the top. After that there was a metal ladder to climb. The view from the top was breathtaking. On one side, there was the sea in its greenish with a beautiful beach, along with the huge number of coconut grooves. After the light house visit, we were taken to another beach where we had some kayaking and sea bathing. I spent some time picking shells on the beaches. The usual dance and music were arranged for the tourists in this Island too. Local girls presented traditional Minicoy dance with plastic pots. They threw in two more items, Oppana and Daf Muttu.Most of the tourists joined in the dancing towards the end. By evening ,after the snacks we boarded the boat which took as to our ship. The boat ride from the boat to the ship was comparatively lengthy. The sea was a bit rough on the way back .Was very tired and slept after watching the beautiful sunset from the deck of the ship.

Fourth Day:Kalpeni

Disembarked From the ship to a boat which took us to the beautiful island of Kalpeni.This island is known for its scenic beauty and small islets called Tilakkam and Pitti .It is a progressive island. It was in this island that girls first went to school. We were taken on a boat to the Thilakam islet. Had a good time snorkelling.Could spot many fishes in different colours darting in and out through the corals and the sea anemones .Could spot many sea cucumbers also. If we are not careful our legs may get scratched badly when we walk through the coral reefs. We were taken back to the main beach .I spend some time, picking curiously shaped shells and stones from the beach, which was found in almost all the islands. After the lunch we were taken to a hosiery factory, where we could see the process of baniyan manufacturing. This is managed by the government. Those interested can buy tee shirts from there. The tourists were taken back to the beach, where we spend some time and after some boarded the small boat which took us to the M.V.Kavaratti ship which was anchored in the sea. Decided to explore the ship a bit more and spend a lot of time on the topmost portion of the ship, after watching the sunset. Early morning around 9 am we reached Wellington Island, Kochi.

I was back to reality that this wonderful trip has ended when I stepped out of the Port. Words or pictures cannot put forth the real essence of Lakshadweep islands. It’s something that each one of you should experience in real.
You can get more details at their websites (www.lakshadweeptourism.com) for the Packages Offered by SPORTS
Reaching there :The Lakshadweep group of islands is well connected both by Air and Sea. While Islands like Agatti & Bangaram can be reached by Air, the other islands can be reached by ship from Kochi.
Best time to visit: November to March
Don’t forget to have enough supply of batteries for your cameras and other necessities because it is difficult to find good shops in these islands.

Padmanabhapuram Palace-Kanyakumari

The Padmanabhapuram Palace is situated in Kanyakumari district which is 15 km from Nagercoil and about 65 kilometers from Trivandrum.The Palace has a magnificent architecture structure adorned with Murals, innovative designs and time tested wooden carvings. The name refers to the image of the lotus coming from the navel of Vishnu (Padma - lotus,
nabha - navel, Puram - Town). The palace complex was constructed around 1601 A.D by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Travancore between 1592 A.D. and 1609 A.D As the visitor enters the Padmanabhapuram palace a brass lamp hanging from the magnificently carved wooden ceiling greets you. It is known as "Kuthiravilakku".Its beauty is that whichever direction you turn it, it will return to its original position and remain absolutely horizontal, thus ensuring that no oil is ever spilled.The ceiling of the palace has 90 varieties of flowers. Although the flowers look alike on close examination we can find that those flowers are different. We can see the various Bows and arrows used during yester years kept there. A 17th century black bed of seven granite stones is housed in the hall of the Padmanabhapuram palace.


Climbing up we reach the Council of Chamber which is also called as "Uparimalika" which is a masterpiece of wooden architecture. During the yester years it was meant to hold discussions with Ministers and Prominent Senior Citizens. There are about 50 murals, depicting Lord Vishnu with his consorts and Lord Krishna with the Gopikas, adorn the walls of the prayer hall. There are several paintings, depicting incidents in the life of Marthanda Varma, displayed on the corridor leading to the guesthouse.

Navarathra Mandapam, an imposing granite structure, is probably the most beautiful part of the Padmanabhapuram palace.A big hall called the Durbar hall has shiny black flooring. It may seem like a granite floor at a glance but in reality, the floor is made of a combination of jaggery, lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand. This floor could not be duplicated again in any construction. The palace also has a secret underground escape route (now blocked), open air swimming pool, dance hall, massive paintings and idols of Indian Gods and Goddesses, carved figurines carrying lamps, etc. There is also a unique stonewall that is held together till date without the use of mortar. Moving further you can see the Ootupura which is composed of 2 floors.Earlier the Maharajas used to give food to the people in these Ootupuras.Each floor can has a sitting upto 1000 people.The big jars which were used to store pickles can also be found there.

The visitor can move out of the palace through the passages inside the palace. At the further end the visitor can notice a well and a small pond which were being used in the olden days. Originally, the area comprising the fort, the palace and its surrounds covered a total of 86 acres. Today the area administered by the Kerala Department of Archaeology is 6.5 acres.Adjacent to the palace is an archaeology museum that should not be missed. Built where the royal stable and guard room once stood, the museum is a treasure trove of sculptures, carvings mural paintings, manuscripts, stone inscriptions, armory, coins and metal ware, dating from the 8th to the 18th Century.
How to Reach Padmanabhapuram
By Road: Padmanabhapuram is a two-and-a-half hour drive from Thiruvananthapuram on the highway to Kanyakumari. that stops at Padmanabhapuram. You can also hire a cab from Thiruvananthapuram.
By RailThe nearest railway station from Padmanabhapuram is at Nagercoil, 15 Km away.
By AirNearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram, 6 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.
The palace will be closed on Mondays

Amber Fort-Jaipur

Location :Amber Fort is situated about 11 kilometers from Jaipur.

Amber Fort is a truly a masterpiece constructed of white and red sandstone. It was once the citadel of the ruling Kachwa clan of Amber. The Amber Fort is set on top of a hill and represents an architecture which is a hybrid of both the Hindu and the Mughal architecture styles. Amber Fort is a fort with its aura offering us a wonderful feast for our eyes. The walls of this Fort are covered with Murals, Frescoes and several paintings. Some walls are ordained with carvings, mosaic and mirror works. Every door bears some mosaics and sculptures. There is Public audience hall. It is only here that the Maharajah held audience and received the petition of his subjects during the royal rule. Tourist can find the royal carts which were once used by the Maharanis intact, preserved well over these years. There is a hall called the Hall of Mirrors. The walls and ceilings are covered with colorful glasses. As the sunlight falls over these glasses it radiates the sunlight all over the area in different colors.


Structure:Amber Fort is divided into four sections. Each is accessible via large staircases from a central location, or from a broad pathway leading to each of the sections. The pathways are currently used to transport tourists via an elephant ride. The main entrance of Amber Fort, Surajpol, leads to the Jaleb chowk, the main courtyard of the Fort where the staircase to the palace is located. In ancient times, Jaleb Chowk was the area where returning armies were paraded back home and where they would display their war earnings to the population at large.


Today, tourists can ride up to the fort from the base of the hill on elephants. On the ride, one can see the skyline of Jaipur, and in the foreground the Maotha lake which is just breathtaking, and the original city walls. The fort can be toured with a guide or you can engage a guide of your own. There is also a sound and light show held here during the evenings, which should not be missed.

How to reach the top of the Fort?

The hilltop has to be climbed on an elephant back or you can also go walking. Better try the elephant ride and have that royal feel ,enjoying the sights from the top of the majestic animal


Reaching the Amber Fort .

Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach the central museum or they can hire rickshaws, tempos and taxis.

Kumarakom Backwaters-Kottayam,Kerala

Kumarakom a small village is situated 15 kilometers from Kottyam on the Vembanad Lake. The fresh water lake acts as an integral part of the backwater cruises in Kerala. It is a much sought after back water destination in Kerala.Kumarakom consists of a number of small islands on the Vembanad Lake. Boat races, house boat cruises are some of the main attractions of this place. The Huge houseboats traditionally known as Kettuvalams provide every amenities of a house, which includes living rooms, kitchen and toilets and also a balcony, from where the tourist can have a good view of the backwaters.The Vembanad Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. It flows through the verdant lands of Kerala and offers one of the best backwater cruises. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is the habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with 'Karimeen' (Pearl Spotted Fish), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.


Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction. This is a perfect place for any body who loves birds. You can walk through the forests and watch variety of birds in the size and might, flying past you or resting on the trees .You can enjoy these sights along with the chirping of the birds. Birds are seen fluttering here and there. For the tourists it is heartening to see so many species of birds together in a single trip. The local population of the birds includes Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Owls, Egrets, Herons Water Ducks, Parrots, Teal, Larks, Flycatchers and Wood Beetle.The Siberian Cranes which are migratory birds can also be seen here, if we visit the place during the month of November to March. These migratory birds remain for a short visit at Kuumarakom Bird Sanctuary.


The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands, either on a housing boat or a motor boat. Along with the birds the tourist can see lots of coconut trees lined up by the side of the backwaters.Boat trips make us possible to sight a number of birds without actually disturbing them. What makes these cruises all the more special is the kind of tranquility felt while sailing through the serene waters of the Vembanad Lake. The Island of Pathiramanal ( meaning Sands of night) which attracts a large number of migratory birds is also easily accessible from the boats


Enjoy Walking Tours - Another option to spot the bird species of the park is to set out on foot on the one and half km long walking track. Chances are that a large number of birds on our stroll.Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a golden feather in India's ecological crown, despite being one of the smallest parks in the country. A visit to Kumarakom, nesting on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, will give you memories to cherish.

Veli Picnic Spot-Trivandrum

Veli is a popular spot which is frequented mostly by the people who stay in and around Trivandrum district. It has got a beautiful lagoon, a beach and a children’s park. There are several artworks of Kaanayi Kunjiraman inside the park.



There is a ticket counter before entering Veli.After taking the ticket you can proceed.Once we enter we can see a stone work by Kaanayi Kunjiraman which looks like strange stonework. As we walk further we can find a pool for children which are not well maintained. After a little more strolling we will come across a fish pool, where we can see many coconut trees standing head held high with lots of coconuts. We can find a grass artwork by Kaanayi Kunjiraman nearby the pool. There are a number of fishes inside the pool. The Veli Lakeside stretches till Aakkulam.There is a side walkway till Aakulam.We can walk till Aakulam through this sideway. Also we can sit and rest on the stone benches on the sideway enjoying the breeze and beauty of the lagoon.


So are you planning a boat ride across the Lake? Enter the boat jetty, where there is a counter which sells the tickets for boating. From there we can select the mode of boating. Various type of boating services are available. You can go for speed boating if you want thrill and excitement and speed boating should be tried at least once if you enjoy adventure. Go for Peddling if you have the energy to pedal the boat. Else there is a motor boating facility also, where the boating service is provided for a group of people. After the boating you continue strolling and we can see the sea far away. There is a floating restaurant which is maintained by the Tourism Department of Kerala. Sitting on the deck of the restaurant enjoying the view from there will hold memories close to our heart. We can have a good view of a bridge from the deck from the floating restaurant .To reach one side of the beach we need to cross a floating bridge, which is real fun. We feel that we are swaying a bit when we cross the bridge. Several shops are lined up by the side of beach. Enjoy your time in the beach, and don’t miss the the sunset if you reached there by evening.Horse rides are also available across the beach.So a visit to Veli is a full package with the diversity of the lakeside and also the beach.

Location:7 kilometers from Trivandrum city
Timings :Veli is open from morning 8AM to 6PM

Kovalam Beach-Trivandrum-Kerala

Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore."Kovalam" means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees.Kovalam beach, one of the finest beaches in the world and situated on the Arabian Sea is in the state of Kerala,India,It is situated 16 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and has evolved into the most important tourist destination in India over time.Kovalam has three crescent shaped beaches separated by rocks. The larger of the beaches is called Light House Beach which is the most popular for its 35 meter high light house which towers over it. It offers an amazing sight of Vizhinjam mosque. It got its name due to the old Vizhinjam Lighthouse located on a rock there. The second largest one is Hawah Beach where local people are not allowed inside. It is frequented by foreigners .The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach.The Northern most crescent is crowded on the weekends, is very popular with the locals, day-travelers, and passing-by tourist buses. Beauty and Serenity in this beach is supplemented by the facilities available there. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from including Indian, Continental, or Western.


Ayurvedic Massage centers and Yoga Centers are available for the tourists for reasonable cost. Shopping for various curios can also be done here. Various water sport activities are also being provided for the tourists. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in color due to the presence of limonite and thorazite.Kovalam beach with its shallow waters stretching for hundreds of meters are ideal for swimming. The tourism department provides a vigilant life guard service on the beaches. There are strong underwater currents, so it is wise to follow the life guard’s instruction. Warnings boards are placed on the beach. The safe areas are marked with green flags and the danger areas with red flags. The beach is suitable for just roaming round in between the coconut trees and sanded can enjoy the sea breeze and also the beautiful sunset by sitting in restaurants facing the beach sipping your coffee. So rush to this Paradise of South. The months most suited for visit are from September to May

Welcome to Heaven on Earth:Poovar-Trivandrum-Kerala

Poovar is situated Thirty kilometers from Trivandrum city.Poovar is an unspoilt area.Poovar is surrounded by the calmest backwaters and the sea. The backwaters opens out into a clean sandy beach opposite, which became the dividing line between the backwaters and the sea .There is a place where you can see the backwaters kissing the sea.Poovar was once a famous trading center and also one of the ancient ports in the district. It is said that the legendary Jesuit Missionary,St. Francis Xavier, visited the place in the 16th century.Poovar is situated south of Neyyar river.Poovar in Malayalam means a stream of flowers. The view from the backwaters is a picture perfect view. The Canals in Poovar is a representation of rural life in Kerala. You can see village life here and there and watch people fishing. Boating service is also available through the backwaters. There are several resorts in Poovar,which offer you different facilities.The silence and beauty of Poovar will remain in our heart forever.

Elephant Camp-Konni-Kerala

Konni which is a small hilly town in the Pathanamthitta district attracts large number of tourists every year because of its thick forests where tourists can have trekking and elephant safaris. Konni has the largest number of wild elephants in the state. There is a popular elephant training camp in Konni. Situated about 11 kilometers from Pathanamthitta, the main attraction at the elephant-training centre at Konni is the huge cages built of wood to house the elephants. Earlier elephants were captured from wild and trained by experienced mahouts and some senior elephants. There are huge wooden cages to house the elephants. This massive wooden cage, was made in 1947.It is locally known as Aanakoodu and can accommodate three to four
elephants at a time. The elephants are put there till they are trained to work.Training includes the following methods.They follow systematic methods which later makes the elephant obey the commands of the mahout.The elephants are also taken for a walk in the premises and they follow a special diet pattern for the elephant. The elephants are given baths daily.


The elephant camp has a history of more than 100 years and is located at an area of around 10 acres. Since hunting of the elephants was banned by law by the Central Government in the year 1972, this is now an abode of injured or orphaned elephants from the wild or nearby areas of the Achenkovil River .This camp offers a good place for the visitors to know the behavior of the elephants. Kids will love the pranks of these baby elephants. We can even ride on the bigger elephants. This Konni Reserve Forest and Achenkovil Reserve Forest are nearby. So do pay a visit to this lovely Village.
Reaching there:
Nearest Railway Station: Chengannur, about 28 km from Pathanamthitta
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 119 km from Pathanamthitta

Shanghumugham Beach-Trivandrum

Shanghumugham beach is is located near the Trivandrum Airport.Its a nice beach to enjoy the calmness and watch the sea waves far away from the madding crowd. An indoor recreation club, Children's Traffic Training Park and a Star Shaped restaurant are some of the facilities at the beach. A gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid called the 'Matsya Kanyaka' is the major attraction of the beach. It has been done by Kanayi Kunjuraman who is famous for his stone sculptures. The 'Matsya Kanyaka' looks exactly like a mermaid. She is kept in a big lawn, where people normally pose for photo. The sunset view is a must watch view. Hours seems like minutes while we sit on the beach enjoying the breeze. There is an Indian Coffee House nearby the beach. Each of the chairs faces the sea. The Coffee House offers a wide variety of dishes and also good coffee. You can sip your coffee and can watch the sea waves lashing, sitting in the Indian Coffee House. Apart from the Coffee Houses there are lots of "Thatukadas" where they will prepare instant dishes and give you. So don’t miss the serenity and tranquility of this beautiful beach.

Qutab Minar-Delhi

Qutab Minar is the tallest individual tower in the world, which is a masterpiece of the Mughal architecture.Qutab Minar was built by Qutub-ud-din Abak and is a true representation of Indo-Islamic Architecture .Construction was started by Qutab-ud-din Abak and was continued by Iltutmish.It is 72 meters high with 379 steps leading to the top. So take a long breath before you start climbing those steps. It has 5 stories, each with a balcony. The diameter of the base is 15 meters wide while the top floor measures 2.75 meters in diameter. The entire five storeys’ of Qutab Minar consists of Koranic inscriptions. Each storey is marked by a balcony. The first three storeys’ are made of red sandstone, while the fourth and fifth are of marble sandstones. The most outstanding feature of the tower is the stalactite support to the balconies and the circular plan with its alternating semi-circular and angular flutings. There is a Muslim mosque at the base (Quwwat-ul Islam), which was the first mosque built in India. In the neighboring courtyard, there is the base of another minar called Alau Minar that was being built, but was unfinished because of the death of the Sultan. It was meant to be higher than Qutab Minar. There are also the ruins of a tomb and a college in another outer courtyard.


The Qutub Minar and its monuments are listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. The detail on these monuments and buildings is amazing, especially considering the time they were built and the tools that were available at that time to work on this Minar.The tourist can do a lot of sightseeing or just sit in the beautifully maintained grass around the monument or the courtyards. An Iron Pillar which is metallurgical wonder is situated nearby. Walking over one side shows us an inscription which tells that the mosque was built on the foundations of a Hindu temple. We can also find a decorated tomb of Iltumish,with wonderful carvings towards another side of the Minar.Pointing towards the sky, the view from the top of the Minar will give the tourist a bird view of the City of Delhi. Viewing the Qutab Minar with the illumination in the night should not be avoided.
Location: Situated inside Qutab Complex located at Aurobindo Marg, near Mehrauli which is South Delhi

Silent Valley-Palakkad,Kerala

Some Facts About Silent Valley:
Silent Valley is a trekking destination for anybody who loves nature and one among the very few rainforests. Above an altitude of 2000 meters with an area of 90 Sq. Km it has a
Fair representation of rare species of Flora and Fauna. The local name for the park is Sairandhrivanam (the forest in the valley) which is also the last representative of tropical evergreen forests in India. The rare bird species found here are the Great Indian Hornbill and Ceylon Frogmouth. There are 16 bird species in this park that have been declared as restricted or threatened. The most frequently found bird is the Black Bulbul. Anybody who loves the butterflies will surely have a feast to their eyes, because there are around 100 species of butterflies here. There are minimum 34 species of mammals like the Niliguri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Hairy winged Bat, Lion-tailed Macaque etc. The other animals found here are the Tiger, Panther, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Common Palm Civet, Fishing Cat, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Gaur, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Sambar and Wild Boar.Many rare species which are in the endangered list can be found here. The only animals which are not found in Silent Valley are Peacocks,Spotted Deer and Lions. The Kunthi Puzha is a river that runs 50 Kilometers untouched by Human beings .The river Kunthi descends from the Niligiri hills above an altitude of 2000 m and traverses the entire length of the valley finally rushing down to the plains through a deep gorge. The water that flows through the river is crystal clear. The Silent valley is divided into 4 sections, the Sairandthri, Poochipara,Neelikal and Wallakad.

As part of our desire to explore the wilderness we decide to set out for the Silent Valley. We reached Palakkad Railway station around 8 am in the morning. Took a Taxi towards Mukkali.The Silent Valley office is located in Mukkali.We were led to the accommodation arranged inside the Guest House. The Guest House was in the middle of a Medicinal Garden. It was a room facing the Bhavani river. After breakfast I explored in and around the Medicinal Plants Garden .After lunch decided to go on a trek.Total kilometers to be trekked to and fro was around ten. Was accompanied by a guide towards the Karuvara waterfalls.On either side of the road were houses were the local tribes of that place stayed. They were involved in the coffee plantations along with the government. On the trek towards the waterfalls we saw a giant squirrel. Saw a Kasthuri manjal plant, several cashew trees, eucalyptus, clove etc. on the way. Saw the way the local tribal people made cuts on the trees to climb high up and collect honey from the top of the trees. Finally we reached the Karuvara waterfalls .It was a beautiful waterfall and there were no people around. So it was very calm and serene. Spend a lot of time there. Did not feel like coming back from there. After the trek back to our room. Could spot a bird inside the Medicinal Plants Garden. There was a small kadavu near the guest house. Spend some time there. The night was so calm and peaceful ,with no sound. Just the sound of the river which was nearby.Got up early morning.Roamed round the garden to see whether I could spot some birds. Could spot some but could not manage to take pictures because they were high up on the trees. Spend some time playing in the water in the nearby Bhavani river. After breakfast we set out towards Sairandthri in a Jeep. There were two zones. The Buffer Zone and the Core Zone. Could spot some giant squirrels on the way towards the interiors of the forest. Reached a watch tower. Had to climb around 200 steps to reach the top. On climbing to the top we can experience strong winds touching our face. What waited for us on the top was worth the climb, an excellent view of the Silent Valley, where we could see the thick vegetation spread around.

From there we could see the origin of Kunthi river. This is the only river which flows through Kerala, which is untouched by Humans until it reaches the Silent Valley. We went towards the origin of the Kunthi river. It was around 2 kilometers from there. The water was crystal clear with no dirt. On the way we saw a Butterfly Group which belonged to the Category Blue Tiger. There was and a metal suspension bridge near the river marks the point till where tourists are allowed .Had a good time there. After that went towards a museum which portrays the wildlife and also the various wild life sanctuaries in an around Kerala.The Lion tailed Marcque is protected here along with the Hornbill.The museum shows a wide variety of orchids.Different footprints of different animals were also displayed there. After spending some time there we drove back on the Jeep Could spot many varieties of butterflies with different colours like yellow, orange,blue,Black and white dots etc.On the way back saw different types of monkeys.Crimson Rose,Stripped Tiger,Small Leopard and Common Crow are some of the varieties of butterflies I could find there.On the way back saw the giant squirrel.After reaching back spend time around the room where I stayed. I could spot a hornbill high up in the tree in that garden. Could spot a number of other bird’s also.Finally we left from our room in the evening. Final ending to a trip where we could experience nature closer than we have ever done before.

You can also trek around the Silent Valley.Trekking is allowed only up to the dam site 23 kilometers from Mukkali.For going further up the trekkers need special permission from the
Conservator of Forest Palakkad.The distance from there to Poochippara is a 7 kilometer trek.Have a nice boot to avoid leeches on the way.The vegetation found in this park is
varied and has been categorized into four major types. These include tropical hill forests, temperate, grasslands and moist tropical evergreen. So explore this place which was
unexplored till the 19th century.

Best Time To Visit: September to March
Location : 40 km from Mannarkkad, Palakkad district, north Kerala.

Pookot Lake-Wayanad

Pookot Lake is a beautiful fresh water lake which is situated near the entrance of Wayanad when we are coming from Calicut side .The main attraction in Pookot lake is the boating.A walk through the surrounding mountains and the thick vegetation by the side of the lake gives us a calm and peaceful experience. The boat ride is a good experience. Some parts of the lake are really very deep. The Water depth comes to around 6.5 meters It is a place which gets large number of rainfalls in India.

It is situated at an altitude of two thousand meters above sea level. While we enjoy the ride through the lake we can see lots of flowers in the lake, especially lotus and water lilies. The lake is the abode of a wide variety of aquatic animals. Some common creatures found are fishes, tadpoles and some water snakes. The lake covers an area of 5 square kilometres.Once we complete our boat ride ,we can do a mini shopping at the handicraft and spices shop near the lake which is maintained by the Tourism Department of Wayanad District. There is a Children’s Park where kids can have fun. There is an aquarium also situated nearby. So rush to the most sought after tourist place, a paradise on earth

Muzhapilangad Beach-Kerala

The tourist can reach the beach through a road which contains coconut trees on either side of the road.Muzhappilangad Beach is a clean beach which makes us stay there longer. It is the only drive in beach in Kerala where we can drive down the entire length of 4 kilometers. Driving through the sand bed of the beach is legal and so if you came with a vehicle enjoy the beautiful drive, through the sea. Splashing water and having fun on the beach will take you back to your childhood days.


It is just 15 kilometers from Kannur and 8 kilometers from Thalassery.Once you reach there you can do sunbathing, or swim or just roam around the beach. The beach has got rocks spread all around. From Muzhippilangad we can see a privately owned island called Dharamadam, which is situated 200 meters south of the beach. There are rare occasions when one can view the sea and island together and being at Muzhappilangad takes us into those rare moments .The tourist needs permission to enter that privately owned island. Enjoy your drive in this beautiful beach gifted to us from above.
By Train:Kannur railway station is at a distance of 15 kilometers from the beach while the Thalasseri railway station is located at a distance of 8 kilometers.
By Roads:The beach is easily accessible from anywhere in Kannur, as it is well connected to Kerala and Kannur by a wide network of roads