Ilveezhapoonchira

Ilaveezhapoonchira

It is one of the comparatively virginal tourist destinations in Kerala and it is located at distance of 55 km from Kottayam and 20 km from Thodupuzha. Many visitors have found it an ideal tourist spot, especially the trekkers. It is situated 3200 feet above sea level. November – March is the season.

At the spot you can view four hillocks and between them a verdant valley. Atop of one of these hills, Kudayathoor Vindhyan, one can view large parts of Idukki, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts; it also offers excellent views of sunrise and sunset.

According to a legend, the Pandavas had a sojourn here during their life incognito. Their wife, Draupadi, came to take a bath at a lake, which was here at that time. Some devas, bewitched by her beauty, tried to satisfy their voyeuristic itch. King of devas, Lord Indra, came to know about what was going on, and built screens or hills heaping flowers and prevented them from indulging in such a practice. And the pond thus became a dam isolated by floral hills. Since there were no trees around the bund it was always free of leaves and so it was called Ilaveezhapoonchira or the floral bund where the leaves never fall. Some say that the name comes from the fact that it is always windy at the place and hence the leaves are carried away. But today, there is no bund at the spot, although during the monsoons the valley laps up water and forms a scenic lake and unveiling another facet of the place.

Location: Only 55 km from Kottayam.

Vagamon

Vagamon

      Vagamon is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Kerala, India. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10-23°C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metres above sea level. It is known as the Switzerland of Kerala.

Kurisumala monastery is a famous hill station and pilgrimage center for the Nazrani Catholics where cross put-up in each sub hill stations. The nearby Kurisumala Ashram is an abode of calm and spiritual delight. This hill area includes 12 sub mounds where pilgrims visit. Travelers can enjoy trekking and climbing this high hill. The area is fully surrounded with Tea estates and lakes. Indo-Swiss Project dairy farms is situated on the hill. The hill dairy farm, managed by the Kurisumala monks. Vagamon is surrounded by three hills namely, 'Thangal hill', 'Murugan hill' and 'Kurisumala'. Other attractions include Tea estates, pine forests, grass lands, meadows, mist and shola forests, the famous suicide point of ‘Thangal hill’, a peculiar rock formation at Thangal Para, a dairy farm in Kurisumala and the Live Stock Board. 

Vagamon is at the fringe of the Western Ghats and the foot hills on its lower side reach up to Teekoy with a gradual descent. Traveling by the hill highway in this section is an exhilarating experience with deep valleys and magnificent views all around. Vagamon presents very spectacular views with an ethereal touch. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport while the closest railway station is Kottayam. There are many fine resorts available in the surrounding areas with affordable cost for trekkers. This beautiful hill area is located in Idukki district.

Location: Vagamon is located 39 Kilometers from Thodupuzha, 33 Kilometers away from Palai and about 65 KM from Kottayam.

Maramala Waterfalls

Maramala Waterfalls

 Maramala Waterfalls, a scenic stream and its breathtaking waterfalls are together referred to as "Enchantress of the Jungle" in the local lore. Sliding down 200mts. from the numerous hillocks, this gushing water has etched out over the years, a 12m deep natural pond amongst the rocks. Sliding down the numerous hillocks, this waterfall gives a wonderful experience to the tourists. It is  located near Erattupetta in Kottayam District, Kerala.

Maramala Waterfall, located 7 km from Teekoy rubber estate, can be approached from Erattupetta Bus Station, as many buses ply from here to Teekoy. From here, one has to trek through the estate over the rocky path to reach the glittering waterfall.

Location: The new Cochin Internationali Airport (Nedumbassery) is just 95 km from Malayattoor.  The nearest railway station is Ettumanur Railway Station. Just 7km from Theekkoyi rubber estate by walk.

Details: October-March is the best season.

Kumarakom

Kumarakom Backwaters

Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam (16 kilometres (10 mi)), in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala.Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction.

Boats In Kumarakom

Tourism in Kumarakom largely revolves around the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake. Several luxury and budget resorts lined up on the shores of the lake provide tourists with facilities for boating, yachting and fishing, with panoramic views of the lake. The other major attraction is the Bird Sanctuary which can be visited by canoes arranged by local fishermen at the entrance to the sanctuary. A two-hour rowing canoe trip is quite cheap, and is best undertaken in the evening or early morning to avoid the afternoon sun.

Hosue Boat

Taj Garden Retreat the first modern tourist resort in Kumarakom is established in the Victorian two storied bungalow built by Alfred George Baker in the year 1881, on huge pieces of Teak wood rafters packed in mud as a base. This house on the lake at Kumarakom was the house of four generations of the Baker family, for over a hundred years. The bird Sanctuary and the two storied Bungalow built by Mr.A G Baker on the muddy land are places of interest for tourists from all over the world. The bungalow still remains grand but silent reminder of an age and people whose hard work cannot be erased by time.

Kumarakom has been declared a Special Tourism Zone by the Kerala state Government, as legislated for by Kerala Tourism Act, 2005.

Location: Only 80 km from Cochin International Airport. Only 16 km from Kottayam.

Erumely

                                                                                Erumely is on the Kanjirappalli - Pathanamthitta Route. A small river, Koratty, marks the entrance of Erumely town. Erumely is a small village in Kottayam District and Kanjirappally Taluk. It's situated very near to highrange.Erumely can be reached through Mundakkayam, Kanjirappaly, or Ranni. People coming from Kottayam can be reached throgh Kanjirappaly.People from highrange can access Erumely through Mundakkayam or Kanjirappally.

Sri Swami Ayyappa Temple

Erumely is the name extract from "erumakolli" (Killed the buffalo). Myth tells that Lord Sree Ayyappa Swami killed "Mahishi", sister of Mahishasur in this place on the way to collect tiger milk. Mahish means buffalo and "Eruma" in malayalam and hence the name extract "erumakolli". All Hindus who are going for Sabarimala Pilgrimage visit this place. There are two temples in this town of Lord Ayyappa and Famous Petta Thullal is there in November, December & January months. Erumely Nainar Masjid is situated opposite to Erumely Cheriya Ambalam. Ayyaapan devotes visits Vavar Swamy at Nainar Masjid before visiting Ayyappa Swami. 

Vavar Swami Darga

 Vavar is considered as the companion of Ayyappa. Devotes believe that Vavar swami is at the masjid. Devotes goes to Cheriya Ambalam from masjid. Then they will go to the Valiya Ambalam. The visit to Vavar Swamy and Valiyambalam is done in the form a dance known as Pettathulal. This is done by coloring self, holding wooden bows and arrows. The myth is that during the killing of Mahishi, the local tribals had helped Ayyapa Swamy and post the killing, they danced in joy. Pettathulal represents the joy amongst the people.At the end of the ayyappa season there is festival called Pettathullal where people from Ambalapuzha and Aalangattu will perform this. Ambalapuzha goes first and they will move to the Valiyambalam as usual. The Aalangattu will start this after the 'Krishnaparunth' and star is seen. Erumely is the gateway to Sabarimala . One of the important temples at Erumely is Lord Murugan Temple.

Famous shivaparvathy temple 'Anikkattilammakshethram' is situated at just 26 km away from here.

Location:  Pathanamthitta and Trivandrum people can come through Ranni. NH220 National Highway passes 10 km near to Erumely through 26th mile, which makes it reachable easily.