All posts in Places of Interest

Maradu

Maradu is a municipality that is situated in the district of Ernakulam under the Kanayannur Taluk in the state of Kerala, God’s own country in South India. It shares its borders with the Corporation of Cochin in the north, Tripunithura Municipality in the east and Kumbalam Panchayat in the south. Maradu municipality originated in 1953 May 18 as a Panchayat. It was elevated to the position of Municipality in 2010 November. National highways NH 47, NH 47A and NH 49 pass through Maradu Municipality. It is also rich with beautiful waterways.

History

Earlier the places in and near Maradu were cursed with untouchability. The lower castes had to suffer a lot during those ages. Majority of the land was in the hands of upper castes. They treated the lower castes very badly. To free oneself from the atrociousness of untouchability many of the people of lower caste get converted into Christianity. They were not allowed to study in the schools. About 90% of the land of Maradu was in the hands of few landlords. As a result of modern reforms of the Kerala Government, untouchability was abolished. The social, cultural and economic situation of the lower caste people were finally uplifted due to the reforms of the Kerala government after Independence.

A landmark of the city of Maradu is the Mangayil Government High school. The land for the school was given by the reputed Mangayil family of Maradu and hence the name. The Mangayil family was considered as the quasi chieftains of Maradu and they were conceded the power by the Cochin Royal family. They even maintained a jail house.

The main livelihood of people in the Maradu in the earlier days were paddy farming and prawn rearing. Now it has developed into a bustling city. A few people now take up the age old occupation of farming.

Present day

Two five star luxury hotels which are the best in the state are situated in Maradu. Le Meridian Cochin and Crowne Plaza Cochin are the five star hotels that are situated in Maradu. Lake shore hospital, the super specialty hospital and P S Mission hospital are the high tech hospitals in Maradu. People from all over Kerala come to this hospitals for treatment due to their high class quality. The proposed Kochi metro is passing near Maradu. Abad Nucleus Mall, the meeting place of youngsters and families for shopping is situated here. Maradu is also known for its string of car showrooms.

The main festival of Maradu is the ‘’Thalappoli Maholsavam” also known as the “Maradu Vedikkettu” that is celebrated in the Marattil Kottaram Baghavathy Kshethram.

Kerala Holidays Enquiry Form

Planning a Holiday in Kerala, give a call to our Travel Consultants on 0091 98950 91639, who are professionals in hotels and holidays Or Fill out the form below. We will help organizing a perfect trip for you.

Top

Marayoor

Ever felt a wish to see what a sandalwood tree is like, as you applied its cool paste on the forehead?  Take a trip to Marayoor, about 40 kilometers away from Munnar which boasts of having the only natural Sandalwood forest of Kerala.  A well-known repository of many species of medicinal plants and trees, the place lives up to its name- an acronym of mara (tree) and oor (place) or the home of trees.

Proving its popularity as a scenic ancient times, Marayoor retains many pre-historic rock paintings, along with dolmens where sages are believed to be buried. The wildlife sanctuary in Marayoor, named Chinnar, houses the largest number of reptiles in God’s Own country Rare animals like Nilgri Thar-also found in Eravikulam, bonnet macaque and grizzled giant squirrel can be spotted here.

A panoramic view of the forest and its species can be had from the watchtower in Chinnar that is accessible to tourists, but with special permission. Herds of elephants, monkeys and deer, as also parts of the neighboring Tamil Nadu are the spectacular sights offered by the watchtower.

Not many are aware of a place in Kerala where fruits like strawberries, oranges and plums are grown. It is Kanthalloor, in Marayoor. Marayoor sarkkara or Jaggery, produced from the sugarcane grown here, is claimed to be the best in the country.

Seasons appear in Marayoor in great intensity. While winter temperatures can go below 20 degree Celsius, they shoot up to above 36 during the summers. Club it or not along with a trip to Munnar, the place is worth a visit for every nature lover.

Kerala Holidays Enquiry Form

Planning a Holiday in Kerala, give a call to our Travel Consultants on 0091 98950 91639, who are professionals in hotels and holidays Or Fill out the form below. We will help organizing a perfect trip for you.

Top

Anchuruli

Anchuruli Calling

An extension of the Idukki Dam’s land scape, Anchuruli, is definitely a picnic spot for those who are looking for a calm and serene atmosphere.

Anchuruli in Idukki district has a charm of its own. An enchanting place forming a part of the Idukki Dam reservoir, you are quick to get a feel of the vastness and coolness of the water-spread, surrounded by forests that are lush green, and spread over a hilly landscape.

The area is, in fact, an extension of the dam’s landscape. When the water level goes down, five hills emerge from the water. They resemble the tops of five round vessels (‘uruli’) placed in the water in an inverted position, and hence the name. If you stay there at night, on top of ones of these hills, it will be a great experience. At night, the water of the reservoir, the expanse of the starlit sky, and the cool breeze will transcend you to a different, exalted level. The hitch, however, is that the dam and forest authorities generally do not give visitors the permission to stay on for the night.

You can sit back and relax there for a day, though. But, do not forget to take some food with you. It is a lonely place, and only a small shop stocks some local snacks and black coffee.

A larger circular tunnel having a length of four km is all too visible. The water from Erattayar is coming through this tunnel to the reservoir. In the rainy season. The quantity of water that flows in will be huge, giving the discharge the appearance of a waterfall. The water literally roars its way into the dam. At that time, it is dangerous to stay near the falls. Such is its ferocity that you might get caught in its grip.

In the summer however, water flow is to the minimum, and we can walk some 50 to 100 meters into the tunnel. It, we are told, is a different experience altogether. Slowly, this is becoming a picnic spot, especially for those who enjoy a calm, serene and lonely atmosphere. They will be satisfied with the panoramic vision of water scapes, hills and the green woods around the water.

How to reach Anchuruli?

  • The road that takes you to Anchuruli itself present a fascinating sight. It starts from Kottayam. Drive along the Kottayam-Kumali road to Kuttikkanam, turn left, and proceed through to Elappara. During this journey, you can enjoy the grandeur of the vastly laid rubber plantations spread along Ponkunnam, Kanjirappally and Mundakayam.
  • After Kuttikkanam, the enchanting beauty of tea plantation with their cool breeze refreshes your mind and spirit.
  • From Elappara, take the road to Kanchiyar, a small hilly village. From here, you can take a deviation of four km to reach Anchuruli.




Kerala Holidays Enquiry Form

Planning a Holiday in Kerala, give a call to our Travel Consultants on 0091 98950 91639, who are professionals in hotels and holidays Or Fill out the form below. We will help organizing a perfect trip for you.

Top

Nature and Tiger Trails in Thekkady

Thekkady the word, reminds any tourist who has come here of beautiful sights of elephants and lovely green ambience. Located in the Idukki district of Kerala, Thekkady makes a wonderful stopover. No matter whether you are here for adventure, fun, wild life or nature, it will never leave you unimpressed! (more…)

Top

Idukki Arch Dam

Idukki Arch Dam is a hydro electric project encompassing 20 Small and Big Dams, 5 Rivers, a handful of Underground Tunnels and an underground power generator. It is one of the most popular attractions in Idukki travel. (more…)

Top

Nadukani

Nadukani, situated at an altitude of 3000 ft, is a charming hill station in Idukki District. It is about 70 km from Thodupuzha and is in close proximity to Kulamavu. (more…)

Top

Painavu

Painavu is the headquarters of the Idukki District situated at an altitude of 3,900 ft above sea level, is 100 km east away from Kochi. The reservoir formed by the construction of the Idukki Arch Dam and the dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu offers magnificent sight. Painavu bathes in scenic beauty of its evergreen forests and is famous for its trekking opportunities. (more…)

Top

Kulamavu

Kulamavu Dam, one of the three dams of Idukki Reservoir Project, is situated at Kulamavu, a famous hill station in Idukki District. It is situated to the west of Idukki Arch Dam, the world’s second arch dam. (more…)

Top

Munroe Lighthouse

Munroe lighthouse put up at Pallom backwaters at the eastern extremity of the Vembanad lake, in 1813 A. D. by the British resident of Travancore, Col. Munroe. This being an engineering marvel, the like of which is very rare. (more…)

Top

Vaikom

Vaikom near Kottayam in Kerala state is a ‘temple town’ – growing around its Shiva Temple – like its more famous counterpart the Guruvayur-town which also is centered on a temple. It lies between Ernakulam and Kottayam. Vaikom is the oldest township in Kottayam, and among the oldest in South India. It was here that the famous Vaikom Satyagraha, an epic struggle for eradication of untouchability, took place. (more…)

Top

Ramakkalmedu

Ramakkalmedu is a hill station on the border between Kerala and TamilNadu. It is located about 15 km from Nedumkandom on the Munnar-Thekkady route. It provides a panoramic view of Tamil Nadu villages and towns. (more…)

Top

Nedumkandam

Nedumkandam is about 56 km from Munnar and located on the Munnar- Thekkady road. It is known as the Capital of High-Ranges and city of spices is the major town and head quarters of Udumbanchola taluk of Idukki district. The place is famous for pepper and cardamom cultivation. Another unique aspect of this place is that each household owns at least a cow, and the sale of milk products sustains the family. (more…)

Top

Karumadikuttan

The small village near Ambalapuzha is known for the black granite idol of Lord Buddha known as Karumadikuttan. The idol dates back to 9th or 10th century. The Buddha statue, the founder of Buddhism is in a seating posture is four foot high and is kept enclosed in a pagoda like structure. (more…)

Top

Pothamedu

Pothamedu is one of the Major plantation hubs of Munnar and the place is perfect to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the coffee, tea, and cardamom plantations. It is situated 6 kms away from Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks. (more…)

Top

Kalvari Mount

Kalvari Mount is an important tourist place in Idukki District and famous Pilgrims center on the way to Kattappana. It is a popular destination of tourists visiting the hill retreat of Munnar. Basically a steep slope, Kalvari Mount provides a view of Reservoir from Idukki to Ayyappankovil on one side and Kamakshy as well as Mariyapuram villages on the other side. It is also an ideal place for mountain climbers and trekkers. Chiristaian devotees go in a procession up the hillock.

Planning a Holiday in Kerala, give a call to our Travel Consultants on 98460 89546, who are professionals in hotels and holidays Or Fill out the form below. We will help organizing a perfect trip for you.

Kerala Holidays Enquiry Form

Planning a Holiday in Kerala, give a call to our Travel Consultants on 0091 98950 91639, who are professionals in hotels and holidays Or Fill out the form below. We will help organizing a perfect trip for you.

Top

Malankara Dam

Malankara Dam located on the Thodupuzha – Moolavattom road, this artificial lake is accessible by road. The reservoir is ideal for boating and fishing. It is an artificial lake formed as part of Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project. (more…)

Top

Kalpetta – spiritual and Kerala Tourist destination

Kalpetta is a small town surrounded by dense coffee plantations and mountains, is the headquarters of Wayanad district. It lies on the Kozhikode-Mysore National Highway (NH 212) at an altitude of about 780 m above sea level. Other than being a nature lovers delight, it is also a place where pilgrims come to pay homage at its several temples. (more…)

Top

Kappad – Vasco da Gama landing place

Kappad, 16 kms away from Calicut, known for its historic significance where Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer landed for the first time in India. He came to India along with close to one hundred seventy servants in multiple vessels after a long journey crossing African continent. In Kappad Beach there is a pillar which honors the venture of this great sailor. This event opened a sea route between India and European subcontinent and the coast became the gateway to the east. (more…)

Top
1 2 3 Page 1 of 3

We can Help You. Call Us + 98950 91639

Keep in touch with our Latest Kerala Tourism News