Athirapally waterfalls is the unique and most famous waterfall of Kerala.The Athirappilly Falls are situated on the Chalakudy river, which originates in the upper reaches of the Western Ghats.
Athirappilly Falls is one of the best places to visit in Kerala.Vazhachal Falls is near to Athirapally and is another famous falls.
Athirappilly Falls is a part of Chalakudy river and it is approximately 80 feet in height.The majestic Athirapally Falls is the main attraction of the Chalakudy river.
The route to Athirapaillay and Vazhachaal is really amazing.Combined with the greenery, it infuses freshness into any soul.If you really needs a break ,a break from the daily busy and stressed life and want to escape to the calm and quite nature to rediscover yourself,this is one of the best place in India.
Athirapally and Vazhachal are major attractions of Kerala's famed rain forests where many of the worlds endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna are found.Also four endangered Hornbill species are seen in these Sholayar forest ranges.
Guruvayur / Guruvayooris a famous Krishna temple located in the town of Guruvayur in the Thrissurdistrict of Kerala.Guruvayoorappan has a distinct place in every heart and every Malayali household. Guruvayoor Sree krishna Temple has emerged as one of the most important places of worship in Southern India like Tirupati and Sabarimala.Guruvayur is most famous for its temple, which is many centuries old and one of the most important in Kerala. Also Read:
The presiding deity in the sanctum-sanctorum is Mahavishnu. Guruvayur is also known as "Bhuloka Sri Vaikuntham" meaning Heaven in Earth. where the deity reveals himself to his devotees in the same majestic form in which he welcomes them in Vaikuntha, his celestial abode.
Guruvayur lies 25 km to the northwest of Thrissur city.
The temple is being run by the Guruvayur Devaswom Management Committee under the directions of Government of Kerala.
Records indicate the temple to be at least 1000 years old.
Strict dress code exists for devotees who wish to enter the Guruvayoor temple. Men are to wear Mundu and a small piece of cloth (Veshthi) to cover chest. Girls and women are not supposed to wear any trouser like dresses. Women are expected to wear Sari and young girls are to wear long skirt and blouses.Presently the dress code for women have been relaxed with Salwar Kameez/Churidar being allowed.
Bangalore to Guruvayoor:
Guruvayur is around 420 KM from Bangalore. Here is the route. Bangalore -->Mandya (95 KM) Mandya -->Mysore (46 KM) Mysore -->Gundlupet (59 KM) Gundlupet -->Gudalur (50 KM) Gudallur -->Malappuram (80 KM) Malappuram -->Ponnani (54 KM) Ponnani -->Guruvayur (30 KM)
Festivals at the Guruvayur temple:
The utsavam in Guruvayur is in the month of Kumbham (Feb-Mar) and the celebrations are spread over a period of 10 days.
The Guruvayur Ekadesi falls in the month of Vrischika (Nov-Dec). Once when Lord Maha Vishnu visited the abode of Yama, he heard heart rending cries of people tortured for their sins. The Lord wanted to save them from more suffering and uttered the word Ekadesi.
Chembai Sangeetholsavam
Chembai Sangeetholsavam is an annual Carnatic music festival held in Guruvayur by the Guruvayur Devaswom
How to reach Guruvayoor?
By Bus:
Buses operate every few minutes from Thrissur Shaktan Thampuran Bus Stand Thrissur.
Buses also operate from Ernakulam, North Paravur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Pamba/Sabarimala, Palakkad, Mavelikkara, Kozhikode, Kodungallur and Thiruvananthapuram.
By Train:
The nearest railway station is at Guruvayur.
Passenger trains operate from the Guruvayur station to Thrissur and Kochi, as well as an overnight express train to Thiruvananthapuram and further to Chennai.
By Air:
The nearest airport (75 km) is Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery near Kochi.
Kozhikode International Airport is also around 85 Kms from Guruvayoor, it will take approximately 2 hrs to reach Guruvayur by bus or by car.
Guruvayur Hotels
Kanoos Residency ,4 Star
Guruvayoor
Hotel Sopanam Heritage, 3 Star
East Nada,
Guruvayur
Krishna Inn, 3 Star
East-Nada P.O.,
Guruvayur
Hotel Horizon International
South Nada
Guruvayoor
Hotel Elite
East-Nada P.O.,
Guruvayur
Fort Gate Hotels & Resorts
Kottappady,
Guruvayoor
Hotel R.V. Tower
East Nada,
Guruvayoor,
Guruvayoor Resort
Near Parthasarathy Temple
Guruvayur
Wayanad Tourism Read Here:Wayanad Tour Chennai to Wayanad
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) to Wayanad (Kerala) is around 600 km and takes approx 12 hrs by road.
Wayanad does not have railway station. Kozhikkode is the nearby train station which is connected to Chennai.
The train from Chennai to Kozhikode are below
West Coast Express -11:30 AM (Chennai Central) 12:05 AM (Kozhikkode) Journey Time :12h 35m
Mangalore Exp - 05:00 PM(Chennai Central) 04:15 AM(Kozhikkode) Journey Time :11h 15m
Mangalore Mail - 08:15 PM(Chennai Central) 07:45 AM(Kozhikkode) Journey Time :11h 30m
Ms Mangalore Express - 10:00 PM(Chennai Egmore) 04:55 PM(Kozhikkode) Journey Time :18h 55m
Chennai to Wayanad Driving Directions Poonamalle High Road -->Salem ---->Erode -->Coimbatore--->Palakkad--->Kozhikode---->Thamarasseri--->Kalpetta (Wayanad)
Wayanadenjoys a predominant place in the tourist map of Kerala.The hilly district is a part of Niligiri plateau.The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast.The natural scenic beauty of Wayanad and its rich natural resources offer several opportunities for adventure tourism.
Wayanad has the highest concentration of tribal in Kerala.Wayanad is the seat of the warriors of the King Pazhassi Raja,the Kurichiyas.
How to reach Wayanad ? 1. From bangalore By road
Take the Bangalore mysore highway(150 Kms) from Mysore take the Bangalore - Gundalpet road.
From Gundalpet take the route to Sulthan Batheri,which is the main town in Wayanad district. (This is the same highway which goes to calicut).
This will take around 6 hours of driving.There are plenty of good hotels till you reach mysore.After mysore the next place where you get standard restaurents is in Wayanad district.
2. By Air
The Karipur International Airport at Kozhikode (calicut) is the nearest airport from here which is around 95 kms from here.
3. By Rail/ Train
The nearest railway station is located at a distance of 97 kilometers which is also at Kozhikode.
Meenmutty waterfalls is the second largest waterfall in Kerala.12 kms. east of Meppadi. The water plunges about 300 metres in three stages and all the three stages require separate treks.
Trekking equipments are available at Tourist Information Centre, Kalpetta. Located in lush moist deciduous forests,29 km south of Kalpetta, the district headquarters of Wayanad.
Chembra peak
Chembra is the highest peak in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking.Trekking to the Chembra peak is one of the risky tourist endeavours. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides, sleeping bags, canvas huts on hire charges to the tourists. Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad at 2100m. above mean sea level.Trekking to the top of this peak takes almost a day. Tourists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps.
Thirunelly Temple
About 32 km from Mananthavady and about 66 km from Kalpetta.Surrounded by Kambamala, Karimala and Varadiga, the Thirunelly temple is a marvel of temple architecture. It is believed that Lord Brahma, the Creator, himself installed the idol of the presiding deity of the temple.The crystal clear waters of the Papanasini river running downhill add to the enchantment of the place.
A natural fresh water lake surrounded by evergreen forest and rolling hills.3 km south of Vythiri.This natural lake near Lakkidi is just a short distance off the NH-212. It has been developed as a recreational centre having boating facilities, children's park, fresh water aquarium etc. It is a good setting for day outings with family.
Distances from: kalpetta-15 Km, Sulthan Batheri-40 Km, Mananthavadi-50 Km.
Boy's Town
Herbal garden, nature care centre, sericulture unit, perma-culture centre etc., established by the Wayanad Social Service Society and Jean Park (the Indo-Danish project for promoting herbal gardening).
Sentinal Rock Waterfalls (Soochippara Waterfalls)
Sentinal Rock Waterfalls is around 22 kms south of Kalpetta near Chooralmala. It is locally known as Soochippara Waterfalls and is a very popular leisure destination. This is a three step waterfall more than 200 mts in height.
Distances from: kalpetta-15-22 Km, Sulthan Batheri-43 Km, Mananthavadi-58 Km
Wayanad wild life sanctuary, Muthanga
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast.Elephant rides are arranged here by the forest department.Apart from small population of Tigers you can see Elephants,Jungle Cats, Panthers, Civet Cat, Monkeys, Wild dogs, Deers, Spotted Bears, Bisons, Gaurs, Cheetah and many other species of wildlife animals.
Vythiri - Lakkidi
Vythiri is a beautiful spot, 2600 ft. above sea level which can be seen on a drive from Calicut to Kalpetta. Lakkidi-The gateway of Wayanad, is situated 700 mts above the mean sea level, at the crust of Thamarassery Ghat pass.It is known for its comfortable, refreshing and pollution free environment.Vythiri is a very exotic and picturesque place.
Pazhassi tomb
The memorial of ' the lion of Kerala' - Veera Pazhassi Raja - who organised the guerilla warfare against the British East India Company, is situated at Mananthavady. This is around 32 kms north east of Kalpetta.
Distances from:kalpetta-32 Km, Sulthan Batheri-37 Km, Mananthavadi-1 Km
Banasura sagar project
21 kms north east of Kalpetta. Situated at Padinjarathara. Banasura Sagar Dam, which impounds the Karamanathodu tributary of the Kabini River.In the dam's reservoir there is a set of islands that were formed when the reservoir submerged the surrounding areas. The islands with the Banasura hills in the background provide a spectacular view.
Kuruvadweep
Kuruvadweep is a unique and fragile 950 acre protected river delta system on the Kabini River.The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom.The nearest town is Mananthavady and only 17 km. From Mananthavady on the way to Mysore.
Pakshipathalam
10 kms from Thirunelly and is situated 1740 mtr above the sea level.
This place can be accessed only by trekking. Rare species of birds can be sighted from the watch tower of this bird sanctuary.
Rare species of birds can be sighted from the watch tower of this bird sanctuary. Pakshipathalam is a formation of large boulders, some as tall as two storeyed buildings. The trekking involves an arduous 7 km trek through thick forest commencing at Thirunelly.
Distances from: kalpetta-71 Km, Sulthan Batheri-78 Km, Mananthavadi-36 Km
Kasaragod has many places which has immense potential as tourist destinations. The Bekal fort, which is of great historical and archaeological interest, is the largest and best preserved of its kind in the district and in the Kerala state.The district has many other famous tourist centres apart from the internationaly famous Bekal fort & beach.There are also places which can be converted to attract the tourists.The main tourist places in Kasargod are given below. 1.Bakel : Read more about Bakel here:Bakel,Bekal Fort,Kasargod-Kasaragod Tourist Places... 2.Kottencheri Hills
Kottencheri hills is near Konnakkady in Hosdurg taluk. These mountains are full of dense forests, meadows and medicinal plants.This rain forest is near Konnakkad 30 KM north- east of Kanhangad. Beautiful picnic centre and ideal for trekking. Thalakkaveri in the Brahmagiri mountain of Coorg is near this hills.Kottancheri Hills is a part of the Western Ghats in Kasaragod District.
3.Ranipuram (Madathumala)
Ranipuram is 80 kms away from Kasargod which is 48 kms east of Kanhangad.The place resembles Ooty and is an ideal place for trekking.Two Tourist cottages are available at ranipuram and can accomodate ten to 15 persons.
4.Adoor
45 KMs east of Kasargod town. Adoor is famous for the ancient Siva temple believed to have been founded by Arjuna.
5.Nileshwaram
This is the cultural centre of this district.Nileshwar was once, the seat of Nileshwar Rajas, who are the patrons of art and culture for centuries. Nileshwaram Palace today functions as the folklore centre of the Archeological Department of the state. In and around there are several Kavus where nature, God and man commune serene silence. Major among them is Mannan purathu Kavu, where the grand finale of the annual temple festival of the region takes place.
6.Kottencheri Hills
Kottencheri Hills is near Konnakkady in Hosdurg taluk.30 kms north east of Kanhangad, Kottancherry, which is a forest area and is ideal for trekking.Thalakkaveri in the Brahmagiri mountain of Coorg is near this hills.Thalakkaveri is a renowned pilgrim center and is near the Karnatak border.
7.Valiyaparamba Backwaters
30 kms from Bekal, is a beautiful backwater stretch in Kerala. Valiyaparamba is 5 KMs south west of Cheruvathur separated from the mainland by back waters. One of the main tourist spots of the District. This is an island in the Arabian Sea.
8.Pallikere Beach
Pallikere Beach is situated 1 km from Bekal Fort, this enchanting beach offers a spectacular view of the Bakel fort.
9.Kappil Beach
Kappil Beach is situated 6 kms from Bekal fort.The Kodi Cliff nearby offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea.
10.Verramala
Verramala hills have the ruin of a Dutch fort, built in the 18th century.Veeramala Hills is a small mountain in the Kasargode district. Verramala situated near Cheruvathur.
11.Chandragiri fort
Chandragiri lies three kms. south of Kasargod town. Chandragiri fort is said to have been built in the 17th century by Sivappa Nayak of Bednore, who established his authority over the area and built a chain of forts. The Chandragiri river, on the bank of which it rises, marked the traditional boundary between Kerala and the Tuluva Kingdom.
12.Anandashram & Nityanandasramam
These are the two notable asramams in Kasargod district. Anandashramam, situated about five kms. east of the Kanhangad Railway Station, was founded in 1939 by Swami Ramadas.The Nityanandasramam, which is situated on the hillock about half a km. south of the Hosdurg taluk office, was founded by Swami Nityananda.
Bakel the magnificent and robust fort, which overlooks the calm seas and the snow white beach is twenty six kms South of Kasargod town, the northern most Kerala town.
1992 the Government of India declared Bekal Fort as a special tourism area.Bakel fort and the adjoining beach selected by the central government to develop into a special tourism area for the promotion of tourism.
With the intention of transforming Bekal Fort into international tourism centre that in the year 1995 the government formed Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC).The Bekal fort is now under the Archeological Department of the Government of India.
This imposing circular structure of laterite, rising 130 feet above sea level, stands on a 35-acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea.
Chemmanad, Udma, Pallikkara and Ajanur Panchayats will come under the Bekal tourism project. Corporation has decided to acquire 278 hectares of land for Bekal tourism development.
According to the South Canara Manual, Bekaln fort fell into the hands of Haider Ali in 1763. After the overthrow of Tipu Sultan in 1799, Bekal was incorporated into the dominions of the English East India Company. The erstwhile Kasaragod taluk of South Canara district was known as Bekal for more than half a century.
Built by the Ikkeri Naikkanas in the 17th century the fort has seen many a war and siege for dominance.The Bekal Fort is the largest fort in Kerala that is located on a hilltop, giving a scenic view of the picturesque countryside. The natural scenery at Bekal is alluring and makes a visit to the place an exhilarating experience.
According to BRDC six beach hotel resorts will be established in the project area on priority in the project area on priority basis. For each resort 30 acres of land will be provided. Of the six resorts two will be started in government sector.
How to reach
By Air
The nearest airport is at Mangalore, 50 km away.
Calicut (Kozhikode) 200 km.
Cochin Airport is 420 km south.
By Train
Kottikulam and Pallikere have railway stations, only the short distance passenger trains from Kasargod and Kannur stop here.
Kasargod (12 km north)
Kanjangad (also called Hosdrug)(12km South)
Mangalore, 50 km
By Road
Motor roads and National Highways connect Kasargod to towns in neighbouring Karnataka and towns in Kerala.
Now IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) all set to teach your lessons through FM radio.Even though they have started this initiative at the national level in 2002 itself,kerala didn't get such a station .
The Indira Gandhi National Open University to make use of radio an educational tool in Kerala also.IGNOU now ready to use this by starting FM stations at its campuses in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.
The program will be named as 'Gyan Vani’.The FM radio is purely to air educational programmes including live radio counseling.In Thiruvananthapuram IGNOU will use All-India Radio for its transmission.In Kochi it will have its own facilities at the Kochi campus.
For the first time in its history, The Volvo Ocean Race,most prestigious and spectacular round the world marathon ocean yacht racing competition, has come to India. Kochi became the Volvo Ocean race stopover when the boats arrived on December 3, 2008. Related News:
Google launched Hindi translation service.The service allows automated translation between Hindi and English. Google Translate,also offers many translation to many other languages. Users who want to translate some text, a web page, or issue a query in Hindi and have results translated from English, can do it on: http://google.com/translate_t Google Translate will allow the users typing in Hindi using a regular keyboard. The user will only be required to type the word as it sounds. For instance, if a user wants to write the Hindi word “mera” meaning my or mine, he can do it simply typing "mera" using regular English characters; the word will be automatically converted to Hindi word. Another product from Google,the iGoogle Gadget,can use to add services to their home page.iGoogle Gadget comes in various languages including, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Also Read,
Kerala Tourism Minister K.C.Venugopal informed the state assembly that Kovalam, Munnar, Kumarakom and Fort Kochi have been declared as special tourist zones under the Kerala Tourism (Conservation and Preservation of Areas) Bill, 2005. All development activities, including construction, in special tourist zones will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines issued by a committee set up for the purpose, he said. The committee comprising the Tourism Secretary, the Local Self-Government Secretary, the Tourism Director, the Archaeology Director and the Chief Town Planner will prepare a sustainable tourism development plan for these special tourist zones. Also Read,
Kerala's second botanical garden, the Malabar Botanical Garden, was inaugurated in Feb second week. The 38-acre garden with rare species of plants will specialise in research on aquatic plants.The Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) in Thiruvananthapuram is the other botanical garden in the state. The botanical garden is located in the Kolathara village of Kozhikode, about 15 km from Calicut city. The larget collection of water lillies is the speciality of the garden.Read Also,
Kerala tourism department launched a Malayalam web site to promote Kerala tourism and to provide better view about the culture and arts of Kerala to the new generations.
Kerala Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan launched the website (http://malayalam.keralatourism.org) in the presence of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation chairman Cherian Philip and Secretary, Kerala Tourism, V. Venu at a function in the Secretariat.
This is the sixth language version of the tourism web site. The web site already has French, Italian, Spanish, German and English versions. The web site gives an in depth view of information spawned in 13 sections.
Peruvannamuzhi (Peruvannamoozhy) is one of the most beautiful tourist destination in Calicut District of Kerala state ,South India.Peruvannamuzhi is almost 60 KM from the Calicut City. The main attraction of the place is artificial lake reservoir) where the visitor can enjoy a cool boating. Speed boat as well as small rowing boats are available at the site.
There are numerous small islands in the reservoir few of them are converted to Bird sanctuaries and 'Samarak Thottam'.The reservoir server the irrigation requirements of three districts of Kerala namely Kozhikode,Malapuram and Kannur.The Japan government aided multi million dollar drinking water project also is getting water from the Peruvannamuzhi reservoir.
There is a beautiful garden in peruvannamuzhi where visitors can spend time without any disturbances of the busy outside world. Another attraction of Peruvannamuzhi is the Crocodile farm where you can closely observe the giant crocodiles.
The IISR (formerly CPCRI) research center is also located in Peruvannamuzhi.IISR is a Government of India Institution for agricultural research and development. Many new varieties of corps are emerged from the IISR Peruvannamuzhi research labs.
Another venture of IISR known as KVK or Krishi Vigyan Kendra is also has its main offices in Peruvannamuzhi. KVK has it's own training facilities for farmers with hostel and boarding facilities. Another attraction of Peruvannamuzhi is the Koothali Agricultural Farm which is located in Peruvannamuzhi.You will get seed and saplings of all fruit and flower varieties here.
The decades old Fathima Matha Catholic church is also another attraction. The surrounding areas of the Church gives a breathtaking scenic beauty.
Another famous organization 'Shalom' is also having its headquarters in Peruvannamuzhi.The Shalom publications, Shalom TV and Shalom Prayer group are also operating from the same campus
If you are interested to know more about Peruvannamuzhi and the institutions operated from there ,please visit the following web sites,
