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KERALA
Thekkady
| FACTS & FIGURES |
| Location |
Idukki District |
| Latitude |
9° 15' and 9° 40' North |
| Longitude |
76°55' and 77°25' East |
| Altitude |
700-1900 M above sea level |
| Climate |
Tropical |
| Temperature |
11° - 27° C |
| Rainfall |
2500 mm |
| Best time to visit |
September to March |
| Clothing |
Woollen and cotton |
| Languages spoken |
Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English |
Tourist Places
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 above 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.
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 Kumbam 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.
Pullumedu ( 43 km from Thekkady, 26 km from Periyar)
The winding journey to this hill town, along the Periyar river,
offers a stunning view of the rolling hills draped in lush greenery.
Velvet lawns, rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu
which can be accessed from a jeep. The famous Sree Ayyappa temple
at Sabarimala and the Makara Joythi illuminations at the shrine
are visible from here.
ACCESS
Air-The nearest international airport is at Nedumbassery,
Ernakulam, 86 km to the North, Trivandrum international Airport
is 159 kms to the south.
Rail-Alappuzha is linked by rail to cities like Cochin, Chennai,
Bokaro and Mumbai.
Road-Alappuzha is on the NH 47 highway and is connected to
all important towns in South India, like Trivandrm,Cochin, Madurai.
KUMARAKOM
TOURIST PLACES
Kottayam
 Kottayam
is an ancient town famous for its churches, especially the 700 years-old
churches, the Cheria palli ('small church') with exceptionally lovely
paintings over the altar and the Valia palli('Big Church') perched
on a picturesque hillock over a small cluster of houses.
Erumely
This is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus and Muslims.
Sree Dharmasastha Temple here is an ancient temple dedicated to
Lord Ayyappa. Pilgrims going to Sabarimala alight here.
Aranmula
50km from Kottayam, Aranmula is the site of the splendid Onam festival
boat races, usually in early September. These races unlike the more
sporting Nehru Trophy race at Alappuzha in August are essentially
religious, based on a temple festival. Caparisoned elephants with
beaded umbrellas, processions of decorated floats, and highly ornate
boats make this a lovely event to witness. Aranmula is also the
centre of bell metal mirror crafts.
Vagamon
Vagamon, 64 km from Kottayam and 34 km from Pala, situated at an
elevation of 1100 meters above sea level is a trekker's paradise.
It is an ideal tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens,
beautiful meadows and valleys. Other attractions: Thangal Para,
Indo-Swiss project, Kurisumala Ashram.
Elaveezha Poonchira
Elaveezha Poonchira is yet another picnic spot accessible from
Pala and located in the midst of beautiful hills.
Vaikom
40km from Kottayam, famous for the Shiva Temple. The festival in
November-December, last for 12 days and the 'Panchavadyam' is an
important musical performance.
ACCESS
-10 kms from Kottayam
-78 kms from Cochin
-You could also travel half-way by road and take the ferry from
Thaneermukkam jetty for Kumarakom.
Munnar
| FACTS & FIGURES |
| Altitude |
5000 to 8000 ft. above sea level |
| Rainfall |
275 cm |
 Munnar
is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha,
Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 m above sea level, this hill station
was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in
South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding
lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.
Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here
is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue
every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has
the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695
m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
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