TOUR

Monday, June 21, 2010

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Friday, April 16, 2010

SURULI FALLS

Suruli Falls are about 56 kms from Theni. Suruli Falls are also known as Chinna Suruli or Cloud Land Falls. The nearest known place from Suruli Falls is the Kombaithozhu Village. Originating in Meghamalai or Periyar Mountain Range, the Suruli Falls drops from a height of 150 feet gathering in a pool. From the pool these falls plummets to a depth of 40 feet surrounded by lush greenery.

Lying on the way to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, the Suruli Falls are a perfect place for outing. The beauty of the falls increases with its surroundings. With the dense forest all over, the wild flowers and fruits add charm to the route of the falls. The sounds of the falling fall can be heard from the road which leads to the Falls. Reach

ing here is adding life to the excursion. Suruli Falls are so beautiful that they have even been mentioned in the Tamil Epic Silappathikaram written as poem. Suruli Falls are round the year Falls but June to October is the best time to be here as there is a lot of greenery. This is also the time when the water of the Falls at its best with full volume of water flowing in it.

Suruli Falls are also the place for Summer Festival of Tamilnadu. This Festival organized by the Tamilnadu Tourism Department welcomes people from all over the world. Near the Suruli Falls there are 18 caves which represent the Rock Cut Architecture of the 18th Century. Suruli Falls is a wonderful place to spend the entire day as there are a number of tourist attractions in the vicinity of the falls, in addition to the beautiful Falls.

Fast Facts

* Distance - Approx 56 kms from Theni and 10 kms from Cumbum

* Nearest Medical Help - Theni, Tamilnadu
* Nearest Human Vegetation - Cumbum, Tamilnadu
* Best Time- June to October
* District - Tamil Nadu

MUNNAR

History

The history of Munnar is quite interesting and takes us into the colonial era when the British used to rule this place. Scottish planters were the first ones to have discovered Munnar and the Duke of Wellington was the first notable personality to visit Munnar. The British developed this land for the purpose of tea plantations and as getaways from the oppressive heat of the cities. There are several prehistoric relics that point towards the existence of a Stone Age civilization in this region. Evidences point to the fact that written history began here only from the 10th century. In the 19th century, several villages of Anchanad, Kannan Thevar belonged to the local Rajah of Poojar.

Afterwards in the year 1895, Messrs Finlay Muir & Company purchased Munro’s land and Tata-Finlay Ltd. purchased it in the year 1976. Munnar in the present days is a perfect holiday destination and is famous for various adventure pursuits such as trekking, paragliding, rope climbing and mountaineering. The enchanting atmosphere and friendly people of this place are simply going to win your heart.
Munnar - Thekkady (110km) 4 hours

Area 557 sq kms

Altitude 1, 600 meters
Languages Malayalam, Tamil, English
STD Code 04865
Best Time to Visit September to May

Places to See in and around Munnar:

Breathing in the crisp, clear and unpolluted air, relaxing and eating are the added bonuses of going to Munnar. Getting around the mountains that surround Munnar is an experience one cannot miss, not in a million years.

1. Tata Tea Museum

Located 2 Km from Munnar Centre on the Nallathany Road.

Collection of old bits and pieces from the colonial era can be seen here. Demonstration of tea production. Information on machinaries, tea processing and tea tasting. Photography and Videography prohibited here.

Working Time: 10.00 AM - 4.00 PM.
Monday holiday
Ticket Fee: Rs 50 for adult, Rs 25 for child

2. CSI Church

A church built with stone in 1910. It has fine stained glass and brass plaques. Above all, a calm place to pray and meditate.

3. Devikulam is 7 Km away. Tourists are attracted to this lake town

4. Mattupetty is 14 Km away from Munnar. Mattupetty dam has an agriculture garden on its banks. Speed boat ride through the dam is also available.

5. Rajamalai (Eravikulam National Park) is situated 13 Km away from Munnar on Udumalpet road (SH17). Trekking here can perhaps give you a glimpse of Nilgiri Thar, the rarely seen mountain goat.

Working Time: 7.00AM to 6.00PM (September to May)
Ticket Charge: Rs 10 for adults, Rs 5 for children. Photography / Videography permitted for fee.

6. Top Station is 40 Km away from Munnar. From here you can get a spectacular view of the plains of Tamilnadu. Kundalai Dam is on the Munnar-Top Station road

7. Marayoor is about 40 Km away, where Sandalwood forest, Muniyaras (ancient caves) and water falls (Thoovanam) are located
8. Chinnar Wild Sanctuary is 60 Km away from Munnar on Udumalpet road (SH17). Elephants, deers, samba etc can be seen from the watch tower. The tall tower is about 200 meters distance from the check-post.
Entry fee: Rs 15 per person.
Visiting time: 07.00AM to 06.00PM

9. Blossom International Park at Munnar has an adventure track, 1000-feet long fountain, roller skates, underground mediation centre and a beautiful garden.

10. Anamudi, the highest peak of South India is close to Munnar and is a great place for adventurous trekking.

Munnar - Sight Seeing Options

Munnar is one of the most popular hill resorts of South India. In the vicinity of Munnar, there are several places of interest to the serious researcher, genuine naturalist and the wandering tourist.

Mattupetty (13 kms from Munnar) : The Indo-Swiss project, taking care of over

100 varieties of high yielding cattle is one of the largest of such ventures in India. The visitors are allowed into 3 of the 11 cattle sheds in the farm. The Mattupetty Lake and dam nearby is a popular picnic spot. The boating facilities, including speed launch and motorboats provided by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and the sight of the sprawling tea plantations, besides the farm, make this place a must-see destination to the Munnar tourist. A beautiful garden with over 250 varieties of roses, 64 varieties of dianthus, innumerable dahlias etc, is an added attraction.

Kundala (28 kms from Munnar) : The Sethuparvathy Dam constructed in 1946 as a part of Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project is a ravishing sight. The tranquillity of the place will never fade from the memory of the tourists to this spot. Cherry blossoms which appear twice a year and kurinji flowers which bloom once in twelve years colour dreams even years after you leave the place. Pedal boats and kashmiri shikaras are made available to the tourists to make the memories of their visit everlasting.

Echo Point (15 km from Munnar) : On the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.

Top Station (32 km from Munnar) : The sight of Tamilnadu state spread before you on the east and the distant sight of the Arabian sea on the west will remain etched in your memory once you stand at this point which is the highest on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road.

Power House Waterfalls (17 kms from Munnar) : There is a lovely waterfalls, which emanates from the legendary 'Sita Devi Kulam' near Devikulam, believed to have been the bathing place of 'Sita' wife of 'Rama' of Ramayana (the epic story that works even now as the cultural unifying foundation of several nationalities in South-east Asia). The visitors to the waterfalls believe that the medicinal and curing powers of the water will act as a natural massage and have curing properties.

Lock Heart Gap (13 km from Munnar) : The panoramic view of Bison valley and other sleepy little villages thousands of feet below, wrapped in mist most of the time, on one side and steep rocky slopes with abundant wild flowers on the other side make this stretch of Kochi-Madurai National Highway an unforgettable experience.

Anayirankal (27 kms from Munnar) : Sprawling tea gardens surrounded by evergreen forests on the slopes of high mountain ranges make the Anayirankal Lake and Dam a very popular picnic spot. Herds of elephants often visit the lake to quench their thirst giving the visitors a rare opportunity of seeing elephants in open place from safe vantage points.

Pallivasal (8 kms from Munnar) : The unparalleled beauty of nature and the astonishing heights of human achievements meet at the sight of the first hydro electric project of Kerala. A visit to this place will satiate the body and the mind and will be etched in the mind forever.

Attukad (9 kms from Munnar) : On the way from Munnar to Pallivasal, nestling amidst the misty mountains, is Attukad, an ideal place for long treks. C

ascading waterfalls, rolling hills and wooded valleys enchant you and refuse to leave your memory for years to come.

Chithirapuram (10 kms from Munnar) : The middle ages charm of cottages bungalows and courts with the greenery all around captivate the visitor. Pallivasal Hydel-Power Project and scenic tea plantations are the crowd-pullers.

Meesapulimala (25 ms from Munnar) : The second highest peak in Kerala (2650 metres), offering a splendid view of Tamil Nadu spread out below, is reachable via 'Silent Valley', a picturesque tea plantation area. Idukki, Mattuppetty and Anayirankal reservoirs can be viewed from this spot on clear days.

Vagavarai (24 kms from Munnar) : The hill slopes (Varai) covered with well-kept tea gardens seasonally don bright red colours when the Vaga trees (Abhizzia Lebbek) bloom all over the place. Between Chattamunnar check post and the Tata tea factory at Vagavarai, hundreds of these trees bloom simultaneously making up an unforgettable sight for weeks. Vagavarai is famous for the first pepper and orange plantations in Kerala and is also home to the first mini hydel project of the state.

Rajamala (15 km from Munnar) : The Nilgiri tahr, a very rare type of mountain goat (Hemitragas bylocres) , on the verge of extinction. Half the world population of this rare goat is seen in and around Rajamala. The kurinji flowers blooming once in twelve years abound here. The combination of these two rare sights will make any visitor come again and again to this place.
Nyamakad (10 kms from Munnar) : On the way to Rajamala from Munnar is another paradise of woodlands and waterfalls. This is a popular picnic spot with perennial waterfalls and refreshing greenery.

Anamudi (15 kms from Munnar) : Rising to a height of 2695 metres, this is the highest mountain peak south of the Himalayas. For those who like mountaineering and related adventures and for the researchers in rare plants, this is one of the finest places to visit.

Eravikulam (17 km from Munnar) : A placid lake land-locked by the misty mountains, grass lands with fascinating tiny flowers, and some rare near-extinct animals are the star attractions on this world renowned national park. Anamudi, the highest peak in South India (2695 Mtrs) is a part of the park.

Pothamedu (6 kms from Munnar) : These hills, covered with 'patha grass' are breathtakingly beautiful and most suited for trekking and rock climbing. The vast tea gardens, coffee plantations and cardamom planted woodlands unfold before the climber a soul-filling sight he will never forget.

Marayoor (42 kms from Munnar) : The relics and remnants of a new stone-age culture (caves, paintings and under ground tunnels) and places connected with the legendary wanderings of 'Rama and Sita' (Ramayana) and the 'Pandavas' (the Mahabharata) make this place important historically archaeologically. The largest concentration of high-quality natural sandal wood trees and a sandal wood factory are the present day attractions.

THEKKADY

Thekkady

The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hill and spice scented plantations. In the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will experience the most enchanting holiday. With the animals of the wild and the simple mountain people. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. The Thekkady sanctuary is one of the best in the country for watching and photographing wild life. Thekkady is on the border with state of Tamil Nadu , in fact just 5 kilometers fro

m the border town of Kumily which is very well connected by bus to both Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Notable among the denizens of Periyar are the tigers, the majestic Asiatic wild elephants and the distinctive Nilgiri langur. Other animals include the wild boar, wild dog, bison, bear and leopards. Amongst the avifauna, the most profuse are herons, eg rets, darters, kingfishers and the great Malabar grey hornbill. A cruise through the waters of Periyar lake around which the wild -life sanctuary is situated, offers a soul - stirring pleasant experience.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary w

as declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geo-morphological diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar river adds to the charm of the park. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar remains the large herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake's edge.

Kumily (4 km from Thekkady)

This plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady, is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar Sanctuary. It is an important shopping centre and spice trade centre, the main bus station and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar region is in Kumily.

Murikkady (5 km from Thekkady)

Washed in fresh spice scented air, Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations.

Pandikuzhi ( 5 km from Kumily)

This picturesque place is cradled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu State border is a popular picnic spot. Pandikuzhi offers great opportunities for trekking and is a photographer's delight.

Mangala Devi Temple ( 15 km from Thekkady)

This ancient temple is hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1337 M abo

ve sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day. The peak commands a panoramic view of the other side of the ghats and the vast plains of Tamil Nadu. Permission to visit the area can be obtained from the Wildlife Warden at Thekkady.

Chellarkovil ( 15 km from Kumily)

This sleepy little village with its spectacular view of the plains (and cascading waterfalls during the monsoons) is a feast for your eyes. The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Kambam in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Vandiperiyar ( 18 km from Thekkady)

The river Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories. The Government Agriculture Farm and Flower Gardens have a delightful array of rose plants, orchids and anthurium.

Vandanmedu ( 25 km from Kumily)

This is one of the world's largest auction centres for Cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantaions of Vandanmedu is a pleasent experience.

Calvary Mount (48kms))

Both a pilgrim destination and trekiking track. The view of Idukki Arch Dam from here is sure to enthrall you. The State Forest Department conducts trekking expeditions exploring the wilds.

Mangala Devi Temple (10kms)

The temple dedicated to Kannaki is situated on the top of a hill in Periyar Tiger Reserve. You have to cover 12kms of rough forest road to reach here. The temple opens only once in a year for the public during the annual chithrapournami festival.

Gavi (40kms)

The picturesque place of many choices; trekking, bird watching, outdoor camping and boating. Heading towards Gavi by Periyar Tiger Reserve is a thrilling experience as the ride goes past hills and valleys, tropical forests and abundant plantations giving you the closest look at wildlife especially playful elephant herds.

Ramakalmedu (28kms)

This mountain peak that overlooks eastern slpoes of the Western Ghats and the vast plains of Tamil Nadu. The place owes its name to the tale that the lord Sree Rama, the Hindu mythological god had set his foot on this rock. Also, Kerala’s biggest statue, Kuravan & Kurathy treats you here. The rocks, between which the Idukki Arch Dam was built, are named Kuravan & Kurathy, two histrical characters of the local comminity.

Parumthumpara (25kms)

From the top of a cliff here, enjoy the panoramic view of forests and plantations seen as an endless carpet of greenery.

Ottakathalamedu (5kms)

An off-beat trekking spot. With the guidance of Tourist Amenity Centre here, yo

u can explore nature and go adventurous.

Pandikuzhy (5kms)

This trekkers’ paradise is rich in flora and splashing streams. The place is also set apart with a typical natural beauty.

Chellarkovil (17kms)

The sleepy wind-stricken village of verdant landscape and cascading waterfalls. This village offers a bird’s eye view of the extensive coconut groves of Kamabam and the palins of Theni in neihbouring Tamil Nadu.

Kurisumala (3kms)

A trekker’s paradise and the highest peak in Thekkady. Literally means the ’mountain of the cross’, this hill offers a panoramic view of surroundings including a glimpse of P