MUNNAR TOURISM
Munnar, affectionately called as the Kashmir of South India, is one of the main attractions that has contributed to Kerala's popularity as a travel destination among domestic as well as foreign travellers. It is also Kerala's most popular hill station. As the name hints, it is a land of three rivers, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala, perched about 1600 m. above sea level. Munnar once used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India.
Tata Tea Museum
While visiting the charming streams and lofty green mountain ranges of Munnar, the most adorned spouse of God’s Own Country, you may forget yourself in its beauty. Looking at the mountain tops you may feel that they are touching the sky and when you look down on to the valleys from the top; if it is not a clear sunny day, you will feel that you are above the floating clouds.
Vagamon Hill Stations
Vagamon is a hill station located on
the Kottayam- Idukki border of Kerala. It has a cool climate with the
temperature between 10-23°C even during summer midday and is situated 1,100
metres above sea level.
Kerala Beach
Kovalam Beach
While speaking
about the beaches of Kerala, no one will ever avoid Kovalam beach which is
popularly renowned as 'paradise of the South'. It remains one of the most
popular beaches in the state. The beach, located 16 kms away from Trivandrum
city, is easily accessible by air as well as rail.
Varkala Beach
Varkala Papanasam
beach is one of the top tourist destinations located in the outskirts ofThiruvananthapuram district. It can be reached within an hour's drive from
Thiruvananthapuram international airport that lies around 51 km away or
fromKollam Town
railway station that is around 37 km away.
Splash about in the
aquatic experiences of Alappuzha. No traveller is a fish out of water at
Alappuzha as almost everyone has a physical and psychological fascination with
water. No wonder Alappuzha, or Alleppey, is one of Kerala's most wanted
names on a tourist diary.
The Venice of the
East, Alappuzha (Alappey) in Kerala, is known for its boat race entitled Nehru
Trophy Snakeboat Race. Every year many thousands of tourists come to Kerala
just to watch out this awesome boat race which is unique for Kerala.
Kerala pilgrims
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Located inside the
East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This
temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture.
St Francis Church
Constructed in the
year 1503, St. Francis Church Kochi is the oldest European church in India. The
wooden-structured church was rejuvenated by the Portuguese. Gaining permission
from the Kochi Raja, they restructured this church into a stone building.
Vembanad Lake, the
longest lake in India and the largest lake in Kerala, sprawls across to a
number of Kerala districts like Alappuzha, Cochin, Kottayam, etc. You
can well explore the beauty and charm of this lake by having a pleasure
filling boat trip. You will really find boating on the backwaters of the
lake really interesting and entertaining.
Wayanad Hill Station
Wayanad, also known as the 'green
paradise,' lies in between the mountains of the Western Ghats. It is called the
'green paradise' because it forms the border of the greener portion of
Kerala. It lies at a distance of 76 km from Kozhikode.
Archeological Museum Thrissur
Archaeological
Museum is located in close proximity to the Thrissur Zoo. Earlier, it was
accommodated in the Town Hall Building campus in Thrissur and recently it
was shifted to Thrissur Kollengode Palace, an architectural excellence
that delights everyone’s heart and mind. Archaeological Museum
Thrissur displays quite a good number of murals collected from across
Kerala.
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls
Located 22 km from Kottayam, Aruvikkuzhi is a beautiful
picnic spot and an ideal shooting location for movies. Aruvikuzhy Waterfalls,
falling in five steps, is a real feast for the eyes. Here streams make their
way through the landscape and the water roars as it cascades 100 ft. down the
mountains. It is an ideal place for trekking and is located in the midst of
rubber plantations. The famous St. Mary’s Church is situated at the top of the
waterfalls. The rubber plantation centre, Pallickathode, is just 1 km from this
spot.
Kollam
One who has seen Kollam doesen't need his Illam"
(Namboodiri Brahmin mansions are called Illoms in Malayalam). This old
Malayalam saying gives ample proof of the tempting beauty of this old sea port
town, on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake. Kollam district, in reality, is
a miniature Kerala. The region is gifted with the unique features of '
God's Own Country' Kerala - sea, lakes, plains, hills, rivers, streams,
backwaters, forests, vast green fields and tropical crops of every
variety, both food and cash crops. Truly, 'God's Own Place'. So, it's least
surprising if one seemingly forgets his house or mansion on
seeing Kollam !
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Located on the banks of the Vembanad lake, the Kumarakom bird
sanctuary (also known as Vembanad bird sanctuary) is spread across 14 acres.
Set in the lake backwaters, the bird sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise
and a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret,
darter, heron and teal.
Eravikulam National Park
One of the main attractions near Munnar is the Eravikulam
(Rajamalai) National Park. Located about 15 kms. away from Munnar, this
park is famous for its endangered inhabitant The Nilgiri Tahr.
Spread over an area of 97 sq. k.m. ,this national park is also home to
several rare species of butterflies as well as other animals and birds.
