Akkulam, an extension of the Veli backwaters is another tourist village barely 10kms away from Thiruvananthapuram. It is a calm and scenic place for relaxation and fun. The village is a well known backwater destination. It is an extension of the Veli backwaters and is endowed with picturesque locale. There is a popular Boating club here along with a swimming pool for the young and the old alike. A children’s park here makes it very popular with the children all year round.

Thiruvananthapuram is endowed richly with lots of scenic locales to visit.  Kovalam beach and Shankhumugham beach are the pride and joy of the city.

Located about 40 Km north of Trivandrum, Varkala is known for the famous Papanasam Beach and the  Samadhi of Kerala’s famous social reformer and Saint, Sree Narayana Guru.The Sivagiri Mutt here is famous place for pilgrimage.

Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where one can find cliffs adjacent to the Arabian Sea.  This tertiary sedimentary formation cliff is a unique geological feature and is declared as a geological monument by the Geological survey of India. There are numerous water spouts and spas on the sides of these cliffs.

Varkala is famous for its lovely beaches. The water is very clear and shallow. The cliff facing the sea is breathtaking and it makes this place unique from other beaches.

Varkala Janardhana Temple

Varkala Janardhana Temple Varkala is famous for its 2000-year-old Janardana Swami temple, devoted to Lord Vishnu. It is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Banaras of the south). The main temple bell is donated by the captain of the Dutch vessel, which sank near Varkala without causing any casualties. The temple is located close to the Papanasam beach, which is considered to have holy waters and as the name suggests, a dip into its waters is believed to wash away all sins. It is also an important Ayurveda treatment centre.

Sivagiri Mutt

Sivagiri Mutt, VarkalaThe Sivagiri Mutt is the final resting place of Kerala’s famous social reformer and Saint, Sree Narayana Guru. The ashram here has been established by Sree Narayana Guru and has now become a famous pilgrim centre. The hilltop mausoleum of Sree Narayana Guru is one of the most famous monuments in Kerala. The adjacent hills house the East-West University of Brahmavidya and Sree Narayana Gurukulam.

Varkala Tunnel

The century old Varkala tunnel is another attraction. The tunnel, which was an important waterway during pre-independence times, has now been in a dilapidated condition.

Varkala is a calm and serene place for those seeking spiritual salvation and attracts tourists who revel in its secluded beauty especially during the peak season. It has a relaxed atmosphere and it is an ideal place for those who love the lapping of the waves and the rustle of the trees sound like music. It is an inexpensive holiday retreat for those with a lower budget.

Season

The main season starts from Dec 1st- March 31st, with December & early January experiencing the biggest rush.

Climate:

Varkala has a moderate climate. Summer starts during March- May, and the temperature rises to a maximum of 35°c. Monsoon during June mid to Sept and Winter from Sept and continues till Feb. Average rainfall is 310 cm.

Getting There

By Air

The closest airport from Varkala is Trivandrum, which is nearly 50 km away.

By Rail

Varkala is well connected by Rail Network. The nearest Station is Varkala Railway station. It is 41 km north of Thiruvananthapuram by train and just 24 km south of Kollam

By Road

It is well connected by both state and National highways. There are regular buses to/from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam that stop at Temple Junction.

What to Do in Varkala?

* Swim in the beach
* Watch the sunset
* Take a shower in the mineral water gushing from the hill, which is believed to have medicinal properties.
* Do Shopping
* Relax and enjoy Massage
* Food (French, Israeli, American etc). You find almost every country menu in there.

Grass covered hills, velvet lawns and cool mountain air make Vagamon a perfect picnic spot. It is not just as any other lush green hill station, but it offers an exciting blend of religious mysticism and European legacy along with the beauty of the nature and spirituality.

Vagamon’s charm is worth experiencing and is indeed one of the worth places to visit. It is a place, which has to be experienced, rather than reading about it. You will get a kind of inner peace here. The chain of three hills – Thangal hill, Murugan hill and the Kurisumala is mark of religious harmony. The dairy farm of the Kurisumala monks is worth a visit.

Tourist destinations in Vagamon, Kerala

The salubrious hill station called Vagamon are some of the most sought after hidden treasures of Kerala. These enchanting hill stations are nestled in the lap of the Sahyadri Mountains. The hill resorts offer cool, misty and calm environment that will make your trip uphill. The hill stations here are home to vast areas of tea, verdant hills, Rolling Meadows, green forests and picturesque valleys. The sparkling waterfalls in its azure colours ring a melodious sound into ones ear. Vagamon is situated 3,500 ft. above sea level.

Vagamon offers a blend of modern life with natural habitat. Emerging as one of the next generation hill retreats, this mountain range with its fabulous Rolling Meadows, tea gardens, valleys and dales; provides stunning visuals for tourists. This enchanting hill station dotted with tea gardens will soon become one of India’s foremost eco tourism projects. Located 60 kilometers from Kottayam, this beautiful hill area is situated in the Idukki – Kottayam border.

A curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies makes this hillside village a haven of tranquility. The chain of three hills – the Thangal hill for Muslim, the Murugan hill for Hindu and the Kurisumala for Christians – is a mark of religious harmony. With its relaxed ambience, sprawling tea estates, green hills, velvety lawns and Cool Mountain breeze, makes vagamon an ideal getaway. With adequate infrastructure support from the state tourism administration, Vagamon provides unlimited holidaying fantasies for tourists. The Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India has identified Vagamon as the best eco-tourist destination in India.

Kurishumala

Kurishumala, an important Christian pilgrim centre, with a church atop a hill and a monastery called Kurishumala Ashramam is situated in Vagamon. The kurishumala is ideal place for trekking.

Vagamon is a trekker’s paradise. These high ranges are also famous for Paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing. Vagamon is an amalgamation of natural beauty, religious mysticism and colonial legacies. It offers a spectacular view and its charm is worth experiencing. It is indeed one of the must see places for tourists. Its charm lies in the relaxed ambience that makes it an ideal getaway from the bustles of city.

Constructed in 1568, the Synagogue at Fort Kochi is the oldest in the Commonwealth. Destroyed in 1662 by cannon fire during a Portuguese raid, was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch, who later came into power.

The hand painted, willow patterned floor tiles of the mid 18th century that were obtained from Canton in China , a clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, great scrolls of the Old Testament are of special attraction. The copper plates that carries the Maharaja’s inscription of the privileges granted to the Jewish community is of interesting feature.

The Synagogue at Fort Kochi, is located about 10 km from Ernakulam town and is opened 10:00 – 17:00 hours; closed on Fridays.

Shanghumugham Beach is just 8 kms away from Thiruvanthapuram city and one can get there in a matter of minutes. The clean and long beach is quite popular with everyone. The city rushes to the beach on the weekends to spend a lovely day. It is a part of a fishing village and one can capture memorable moments of the fishermen bringing in the daily catch. The beach is very close to the airport. To enjoy the peace and tranquility leisurely, one can take a cruise from Kollam to Shankhumugham in the traditional houseboats of Kerala called the Kettuvallams. For the adventurous, there are speedboats to catch the sea spray on full speed.

Windy roads and cool weather with intermittent drizzles add up to the beauty of Ponmudi. There are many rivulets and fresh water springs scattered around for one to just settle down on the banks with a picnic basket. Rich forestation ensures a wide variety of birds and butterflies and a plethora of multi colored flowers and exotic plants which one would wish to carry home. There are lots of quaint cottages and hotels and homesteads nestled in between the greenery for one to make a choice. Nature lovers are spoiled for choice with trekking and hiking and bird watching or just enjoying the panoramic views.

Enroute to Ponmudi, one can visit the Meenmutti waterfalls too, which one can reach following a trail from the Kallar Bridge. One can even go trekking a couple of kms further down and reach the breathtakingly splendid Kombaikani waterfalls. A picnic hamper is a must for revelers. The place is a delight for bird watchers as a variety of birds can be spotted.

Perumthenaruvi means Honey River. This waterfall is in the bank of river Pamba. This water falls down into 60 to 100 feet deep. Perumthenaruvi is an ideal place for family picnic and for tourists. Perumthenaruvi waterfalls is a crystal-clear water from a stream and flow through the forest. This Picturesque waterfall is also an ideal place for trekking, and  only 10 kms from Erumeli.

The beach close to the city is the Kovalam beach. Just 16kms away from the city, Kovalam beach is the face of Kerala. This beach is the most popular of all the beaches in Kerala worldwide. This beach started becoming popular in the late 70s when many flower power travelers came here in search of tranquility. The beach is quite unique in looks because sandy stretches merge very comfortably with the rocky hillocks on the edge. This gives it a cove like shape. This beach is divided into three parts by the rocky terrains. The first beach is named the Lighthouse beach, the second is named the Hawwah beach and the third beach is a quite little cove still beautiful and untouched by commercialization called the Samudra beach and is used solely by the local fishermen. The Light house beach and the Hawwah beach are quite popular with lots of shops selling all kinds of ornaments and clothes and handicrafts and other knick-knacks to tourists the year round. There are lots of small restaurants serving all kinds of local and international cuisines and inns and hotels of all budgets are available for accommodation. The place is quite popular for Ayurveda treatments. The adventurous can go for a swim while the not so adventurous can opt for sunbathing or Ayurveda massages on the beach itself. A Lighthouse on one end of the beach is worth a visit.

This small attractive hilly town situated 11 km from Pathanamthitta district, is famous for its elephant training centre and elephant rides. An agricultural region, Konni is an important center for cash crops and is surrounded by coffee, ginger, rubber and pepper plantations. It is the entry point to the forest bordering the district. It is also popular for ‘Aanakoodu’ (Elephant Cage), where wild elephants caught from the forests were brought, tamed and trained for work. This lush green land with acres of thick forest is an important tourist spot for those who are interested in trekking, elephant safari, wildlife watching etc.

Access to Konni:

By Rail

The nearest Railway station is Chengannur, which is 34 Kms away and another is Thiruvalla which is around 41 kms from Konni.

By Air

The closest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, which is about 99 km away from Pathanamthitta. The Cochin International Airport is around 124 km from Konni

By Road

Konni is well connected by all major towns and cities of Kerala through Pathanamthitta district, which is about 11 kilometers . The major routes from Konni are:

The Main Eastern Highway (Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha Road ) which connects the town to other major towns .

Konni-Kalleli-Achankovil Road- This road that stretches over the Forest Division provides a visual treat to your eyes. It provides an easy access to Tamil Nadu (Tenkasi) via Achankovil. This route reduces the distance between Sabarimala to Tenkasi by about 21 kilometers.

Konni-Chandanapally Road– This road connects Konni to main towns of the districts like Adoor and Pandalam.

Konni-Thannithode-Chittar Road–This is an alternate route to Sabarimala.

The nearest Bus station is located at Konni, Pathanamthitta

Tourist Attractions in Konni:

The Konni Elephant Training Centre

Konni Elephant Training CentreLocated a dozen kilometres from Pathanathitta, Konni’s main attraction is the elephant-training center comprising of 9 acres of land. The huge cages built of wood to accommodate elephants are locally known as ‘Aanakoodu”. These huge cages can accommodate 3 to 4 elephants at a time. The experienced trainers here with their systematic methods train the baby elephants that are found wounded or roaming in the forest separated from their herd. It is very interesting to watch the way these elephants behave here, especially the baby elephants, which are often endearingly mischievous.

These wild elephants are tamed and trained by mahouts specialized as elephant trainers. They train them to relate to new kinship patterns with the help of other tamed elephants to learn and interact with human beings.

Elephant taming here dates back to 1810 A.D. The present elephant-training cage was built in the year 1942 A.D, made from the wood of “Kambakam”.  The dimensions of the training cage are of Length 12.65 Meters, Width 8.60 Meters and Height 7 Meters. The present training cage has the capacity to train six elephants. The major elephant capturing locations are Mundom moozhy, Mannarappara and Thura.

Though the capturing of elephants was officially stopped during the year 1977, this practice of training the elephants draws the attention of tourists and hence became a major tourist spot. This training centre has a History Museum. It also functions as an elephant welfare centre. You can see estranged baby elephants that have been newly brought in, medicated, fed, bathed and trained.

The Konni Elephant Training Centre and Training Cage are even mentioned in the articles of the famous “Aithihyamaala”- which is referred as one of rare collection of articles of Kerala History. It has also to its credit of gifting the Elephant “Samyuktha” to the Republic of Portugal as a mark of friendship and co-operation with the Republic of India.

The other elephant training centre in Kerala is located at Kodanad.

How to reach: Situated on the Main Eastern Highway of Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha route, Konni is well connected by all major towns and cities of Kerala through Pathanamthitta.

Achankovil River

The scenic Achankovil River, which joins Pamba, runs through Konni. It has several tributaries with lush green banks.

Muringamnagalam Sreemahadevar Temple

This beautiful siva temple located half a kilometer from Konni Junction is more than 1000 years old. Once being the property of the Pandalam Royal Family, Muringamnagalam Sreemahadevar Temple is the biggest Siva temple in Pathanamthitta district.

The other two ancient temples located here are the Achankovil and the Aluvamkudi temple.

Kattathipara: This tourist destination in Kokkathodu is located a few kilometers away from Konni. This beautiful place is particularly attractive for its gigantic rocks and the triple-echo phenomenon.

Kumbhavuruthy: This beautiful waterfall is located amidst thick forest.

Thekkady a pleasant celestial bliss on earth where one can see ‘nature in its purest form’.   A place that will amaze you beyond belief, making it one of the hottest tourist destinations in ‘God’s own country’- Kerala Thekkady. Uninterrupted rows of green trees, stunningly beautiful landscape, rolling hills and chirping birds all these make it to become one of the most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala Thekkady.

The very mention of Thekkady conjures up eye-catching sceneries of Mother Nature and the crisp and cool air of Thekkady will give soothing to your soul and body. An important centre for the spice trade, you’ll come across an array of spice scented plantations. Rich in its wide and unique variety of flora and fauna, Thekkady is also famous for its Periyar wildlife sanctuary, one of the largest tiger reserve in Kerala.

Tourist Spots in Kerala Thekkady

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the 27 tiger reserves in India, the Periyar wildlife sanctuary in Thekkady is the oldest. It is also the largest protected area in Kerala. Situated on the high ranges of Western Ghats, this reserve area which sprawls 777 Sq .km, is rich in nature’s bounty and is one of the world’s richest bio-diversity spots. This vast forestland is also the habitat of Asian elephants.

The Periyar Lake spreading across an area of 26 square kilometers is the most prolific feature of this wildlife sanctuary. With the engineering skills of the British engineer, Colonel J Pennycuick, a dam was constructed in the year 1895 in order to divert the water to TamilNadu for irrigation. The Lake serves an important source of water for the many wild animals.

In 1899, the area around the lake was declared as reserve forest. In 1978, the sanctuary became part of Project Tiger, an initiative to protect the animal and hence declared as Periyar Tiger Reserve. The core area of their serve has been notified as National Park during the year 1982.

The Periyar wildlife sanctuary can be divided into four categories. The open grasslands, which are the common dining hall of herbivores; then the deciduous forest, dominated by trees, which shed their leaves seasonally; the  semi evergreen forests close to the wet and stream areas and finally the sholas or tropical evergreen forests where only a limited stream of sunlight will be allowed. The most exhilarating experience to this sanctuary is the Boat cruise on the lake. It is really a lifetime experience where you can see herds of elephants frolicking in the water, coming down to the shore for a drink, and swimming across the lake.

Kumily

An important centre for the spice trade, Kumily is also a major tourist destination. A plantation town, Kumily is situated in the cardamom hills near Thekkady and the Periyar Tiger Reserve. While strolling along the town you’ll find the air heady with the aroma of cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. Famous for its horticultural spice gardens, tourists will get the opportunity to learn how spices are grown.

Murikkady

A must see place to be included in your itinerary; Murikkady is just 5 kilometres away from Thekkady. It is the place famous for its vast area of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations.

Pandikuzhi

Nestled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu border is an important excursion point called Pandikuzhi. The abundance of nature’s flora and fauna and the gurgling streams makes this picturesque place a trekker’s delight and a photographer’s paradise.

Mangala Devi Temple

Situated at an altitude of 1337 m above the sea level is Mangala Devi Temple, devoted to Goddess Mangala, the main deity. Set amidst in the thick forest, this ancient temple is located on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and is 13 kms from kumily. The architecture of the temple is in the traditional Pandian style. The major attraction of this temple is the Chithra Pournami day, which held once in a year, where pilgrim’s visit this place to offer their prayers and pooja to the deity Mangala.

The forest department keeps a strict vigil over this area and special permission is required from the Chief Conservator of Forests, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvanathapuram to pay a visit to the temple. One can reach to the temple only by means of jeeps from Kumily.

Chellarkovil

Fifteen kilometers from Kumily is Chellarkovil, a little hamlet which offers a breathtaking view of the Cascading waterfalls, plains and coconut groves. The specialty of Chellarkovil waterfall is that the place where the water starts falling belongs to Kerala, and the place where the water touches the land belongs to Tamilnadu.

Vandanamedu

Twenty-five kilometers from Kumily is Vandanamedu, the world’s largest cardamom auction centre. This is a great picnic spot where you can have an exhilarating journey through the cardamom plantations.

Pullumedu

This fabulous hill station Pullumedu is from where the famous Sabarimala Temple of Lord Ayyappa and the Makara Jyothi illuminations on the day of ‘Makara Sankrathi’ at the shrine are visible. This place is only accessible by jeep and special permission must be obtained from the wildlife preservation officer.

Pattumala

Hills draped in silk; that is what Pattumala means. Located six Kilometer away from Peermade, Pattumala is surrounded by lush green tea plantations. Set on top of a small hill, the main attraction of this place is the Velankanni Matha Church, the famous pilgrim center built entirely in granite. It is also home to the two famous tea estates namely AVG and Co and Harrisons Malayalam.