Chettuva backwaters

 Chettuva backwater is just about 6 kms from Chavakkad, along National Highway to Kodaungalloor.

If you are visiting Guruvayoor and have a few spare hours, it could be one of the top local places to spend some time.

 A few canals unite and form a vast water belt, which drain into the sea, just about 1 km from here.

View from Chettuva bridge-

 

 

There are a few islands, small and scattered.

One of those Islands have an Ayurvedic Resort.

The resort- 

Chettuva is good for short boat rides. There are a variety of small boats and even one or two houseboats.

The waterside village - 

How to reach Chettuva-
Chettuva can be easily reached from Chavakkad or Guruvayoor by hoping on a Vadanapalli, Nattika or Kodungalloor bound bus. Or you could hire a taxi or Auto Rickshaw.

Pathanamthitta picture tour

Pathanamthitta receives millions of pilgrims every year. However, tourists reaching here are not many.

Remote location is definitely one reason. After receiving millions of pilgrims every year, will they be be craving for more crowds?

Even then, places such as Gavi are coming to the tourism forefront.  Gavi was starting to ride nicely as as an eco tourism destination. Then came the Malayalam movie "Ordinary". And people want to see for themselves Gavi, as it really is.

Here are a few pictures of Gavi -

 

   

 

 Kakki dam and reservoir are scenic. And so is the lush landscapes around.

 

Charalkunnu is another tourist spot in Pathanamthitta. The hill station is a Christian religious retreat, thanks to convention facilities they set up there.

In the pic below, rugged terrains alternate patchy greens- 

Christian religious places atop the hill -

  

 Here is the temple of Chilandiyambalam -

Kadammanitta  is a small village. It became famous as the place of poet Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan.The temple is an attraction, well known for the ritual dance of Padayani.

Another attraction is Kadammanitta is the group of statues.

The town of Aranmula is famous for its temples and the unique metallic mirror. Aranmula Kannadi, the mirror is hallmark product.

You may know Feng-shui. Vasthu is the Indian version, even older than Feng-shui. Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam is one of the most reputed Vasthu schools in Kerala.

Pics around Aranmula -

 

 

 

 
Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam -

 
Here is River Pamba at Aranmula -

 Kaviyoor is another place famous for its shrines. here is the distant view of the rock cut temple-

At Konni, wild elephants, usually baby elephants are rescued and trained. A couple of pics from the elephant training centre-

 

 

  
Malayalappuzha has one of the famous temples of the region.

The temple- 

And a stall outside the temple -

 Manjanikara is another local spot. Picture below -
 

 

 Pathanamthitta is covered by forests. Here is a jungle path -

 Click here to read more about Pathanamthitta

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Meppadi to Soochippara waterfall scenic drive

Soochippara is one of the well known waterfalls in Wayanad. Not so known is the scenic drive from Meppadi to the waterfall.

Meppadi is a small town in Wayanad. There are only a few lodges in town, and nothing upmarket. Meppadi is surrounded by hills and the view is fantastic.

This is  a Meppadi-

And this too-

Meppadi to Soochippara waterfall is about 13 kms. The scenery is stunning. Tea Gardens looked so pretty.

More Tea Gardens..

Even more

Not just Tea Gardens, plantations are in plenty.

 The soil and climate of Wayanad are too good that everything grows and blooms. If we take flowering plants from here and grow elsewhere in Kerala, the flowers don't grow as big.

 The road curves around hills and everything is a class of its own.

 We had ventured from Central Kerala in a tiny Maruti Car. We were hesitant to take the old car up Thamarasseri Pass. Our temporary driver Sudheer was not very happy with the prospect of driving it up the hill.

As we nearly climbed the mountain pass, Sudheer turned to me and popped the question -"Do you want to sell the car?". He was impressed with its performance.

Well I had no plans to sell. Still I keep it.

  We moved forward. The scenery was so outstanding,  we felt hooked to the nature. Pictures changed slightly, the beauty remained the same.

It was morning past eight, the workers had already started plucking tea leaves.

We went past a small shrine.

 And a few shops too

 And finally were near the tourism office at Soochippara.

Soochippara waterfall is one of the well regarded tourist attractions in Wayanad. The waterfall is not too big, if compared to Meenmutti falls not too far away. However, the trek to the waterfall is much easier at Soochippara. Hence it is a family picnic spot.

Click here to read about Soochippara waterfall

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