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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Edakkal Caves - Wayanad, Kerala

People know Edakkal for its significant ancient cave inscriptions. What 'ups' the cave is not just its elevation and historic value, also the refreshingly green surroundings, the dense woods and the weird rocks that are scattered around.

We reached there one rainy morning. Luckily it didn't rain.

Our car stopped, and the mountain looked not just high, quite remote too. We were confused- is it the place? It looked so far.

Meanwhile other tourists, mostly interstate visitors were coming back. Oh boy, they looked victorious. And very sweaty regardless of the cool winds. 

They confirmed there is no choice than to walk from the very same spot to all the way to the top. Looking how stunned some of us are, they couldn't help stop their cheeky smiles.

As we were getting out from car, I had a few minutes of delay due to a phone call. At the very same time, my uncle had talked to an American tourist, returning from the cave. The tourist told my uncle that he was interested in historic - cultural sites and had traveled the world. And this is the best place he ever been to. 

I was shocked. I had that lost feeling because the tourist had just disappeared and I couldn't talk to him.

 And haven't the tourism guys done a great job, in building the long walkway which blends so well with the surroundings. Thumbs up to them!

Well, we started the walk. Initially it was a walk through the muddy red ground where tractors were working. 

Then the path led us through the woods......It became steeper too.

The rocks looked strange. 

One more rock pic

Even more..

The path curved around rocks

 We saw Edakkal hermitage. A place to stay, if you want to stay right at Edakkal. Curious, we decided to have a look there on return.  

 And finally we reaches the tourism office.

After purchasing tickets, we proceeded for the 'real climb'.

The scenery was awesome.  

Then we had to walk through a chamber, or the bottom cave, if you like. 

 Another pic

Needless to say, I made it to the cave. He is the proof.

And another one. 

 and one more

 Hail victorious! ( not dead yet, so can't add the last bit). 

The tourism officials inside were soooo good. They explained very well about the inscriptions and even posed with us for photo. The way they talked, they seemed quite passionate about the place.

Edakkal Cave is a UNESCO heritage site. Historians say it could be as old as 6000 years. There are other opinions that the cave writings could be even 11000 years old. 

Was in awe because I was feeling something that is hard to explain. And that was not a good feeling. But it was not the time to be taken over by anything because right in front of eyes was these ancient carvings. There were many questions popping inside my head, the main one being - what did they write in these picture drawings?

There was some drama inside the cave because somebody tried to scratch something on the wall. Luckily, before much damage it was noticed. 

He was a young guy in his twenties, how pathetic he couldn't realize the value of something like this.

Well, the view from the top was a stunner. And the climb down, as usual, was much easier.

One more pic

Just after a stint to the sop of the mountain, I couldn't  help watch these monkeys. How well they climb!

On the way back, we went inside Edakkal Hermitage. The receptionist showed us around. We saw the room which was constructed around a natural rock. Interesting!

The entrance-

Edakkal hermitage pic, again

The front view

 And their tree house (was not in use then)

Edakkal is a must visit place of Wayanad, it you are a lover of history or nature. Be aware, not every one can reach up the cave as the climb is quite harsh.

Click here if you want to know more about Edakkal

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