Vagamon - An offbeat place to visit in Kerala

Vagamon -  An offbeat place  to visit in Kerala

Vagamon is a hill station that lies in the Kottayam Idukki border. It has a height of 1100 m above sea level. This comprises of three hills Thangal hills, the Kurisumala and the Murugan hills. All these three hills are dedicated to the three religions Muslim, Christianity and Hinduism respectively. The Thangal hills also called as Thangalppara is located at a distance of 5 kms from Vagamon. 

This is a famous centre of Muslim pilgrimage as the Mausoleum of Sheik Fariduddin is on top of this hill. The rock formation at this hill is worth seeing. The Kurisumala is at a distance of 10 kms from Vagamon. This is a centre of Christian pilgrimage as there is a church there. The famous Kurisumala Ashram which is a monastery is located here. The people who visit here is a community who believes in Christianity combined with Indian customs and Gandhian principles. There are 14 crosses on this hill which are kept at certain distance apart. The diary farm located here is also an attraction to the people. The Murugan hill is a Hindu pilgrim centre as there is a Murugan temple which is carved out of rock situated here.

Vagamon Tourism...

Kurisumala Monastery : Kurisumala monastery is a famous hill station and pilgrimage center for the Christians 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 as a sacrifice. 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 (hill) 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.

Vagamon's charm is worth experiencing and is indeed one of the must see places for tourists. One speciality of Vagamon is that you will never get tired of Vagamon as each day or visit will display the varied moods of nature and climatic differences; the mist you can touch, the rain drops, the gentle breeze or the golden hue in December-January which will be greatly rewarding and soothing for you and that can romanticize your mind and thoughts. You can easily be humbled by nature and its a not -so- completely -lost pristine condition here. The trees and shrubs in Vagamon give it an added attraction

Vagamon is located 33 Kilometers away from Palai and about 65 KM from Kottayam. 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.

Vagamon,a tiny plantation township in Central Travancore, Vagamon has an overtone of green. With a never-ending line of lush green hills, breathtaking ravines and meandering rivulets. A perfect tourist place situated 1200 meters above the sea level spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens , Fresh cool air, murmuring Pine forest ,small waterfalls , attractive meadows inviting you to vagamon.

Reaching Vagamon itself is an extraordinary experience. The meandering road to Vagamon is cut in solid rock lined with pine forests. And as you wind your way through green capped hills, the rolling plains come into view thousands of feet below you.

Vagamon is roughly 100 kms from Cochin, the commercial capital of the State. It is also 60 kms from Kottayam -the nearest railway station. It is easily accessible by road from Kottayam and Cochin

Periyar - Most wonderful place to Visit in Kerala

Periyar -  Most wonderful place to Visit in Kerala 

Thekkady (Idukki district) is the location of the Periyar National Park, which is an important tourist attraction in the Kerala state of India. Situated close to the Kerala -Tamil Nadu border town of Kumaly, it is located about 257 km (160 miles) from Trivandrum. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed Macaques and Nilgiri Langurs.

The Periyar Widlife Sanctuary is spread across 777 km² (300 sq. miles), of which 360 km² (139 sq. miles) is thick evergreen forest. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mulla periyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.

Thekkady is considered a heaven for natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and clove.

Sightseeing at Thekkady...

Kuttikanam : A place for adventure tourism and trekking, or even languorous, tranquil break. This picturesque plantation town washed in the fragrance of cardamom is surrounded by lush-green, gentle hills.

Thrissanku Hills : Thrissanku Hills ( 4 km from Peerumedu, 1/2 km from Kuttikanam) The rolling hills the lovely landscape and the gentle breeze make this an ideal spot for long walks. The hills offer a breathtaking view of the sunrise and sunset.

Peeru Hills : Peeru Hills ( 4 km from Peermade; 1 km from Kuttikanam) : This idyllic hill station is a favorite haunt of trekkers and picnic teams. The hill is named after Peer Mohammed. the Muslim sufi saint, who spent his last days here. The mausoleum of the saint, the summer palace of the royal family and the residence of the Diwan situated nearby are all worth a visit.

Grampi (5 km from Peermade ; 10 km from Vandiperiyar) : Grampi is also known as Parunthupara (eagle rock) because of the panoramic view from its high peaks. Rocky plains, lush hillsides, forests trekking trails and picturesque views lend charm to this destination. The road to Grampi is flanked by unending stretches of cardamom, tea and coffee plantations.

Pattumala ( 17 km east of Peermade; 28 km west of Thekkady) : Lofty peaks little streams and ever expanding tea plantations are the attractions of this place. Pattumala (which literally means hill draped in silk) is home to the two most famous tea plantations in Kerala - Harrision Malayalam and A V Thomas & Co. The Velamkanni Matha Church, built entirely of granite, at the top of the hill is a famous pilgrim centre. The flower garden nearby is a facinating riot of colours of roses, orchids and anthurium.

Vagamon ( 25 km from Peermade) : Grass covered hills, velvet lawns and the cool mountain air make Vagamon a perfect holiday retreat. A curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies, this hillside village is haven of tranquility. The chain of three hills - Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurisumala is a mark of religious harmony. The dairy farm managed by the Kurisumala monks is worth a visit.