Sasthamkotta Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.The lake is located at Sasthamkotta in Kollam District.

Sasthamcotta,is an attractive Tourist Village situated about 75kms from the capital city of Trivandrum and about 27kms from Kollam Town.The lake is named after the ancient Sastha temple (a pilgrimage centre) located on its bank.Sasthamkotta Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.

Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls is a beautiful place situated 7 Kms away from the Achencoil.It is on the Achencoil-Schencottah Road of Kollam district,Kerala.Achencovil is almost 95 kms away from Kollam.Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls is managed by Manalar-Kumbhavurutty Vana Samrakshana Samithy and,is close to the Kerala -Tamil Nadu border.Kerala Forest Department has started an “Eco-Contact Centre” at this place.Apart from waterfalls,visitors can go trekking to the sprawling grasslands at high elevation,for an unique experience through evergreen thickets,abundant in wild flora and fauna.Manalar is a natural falls,which is 2 Kms away from Kumbhavurutty waterfalls.Achencovil is a main Hindu pilgrim center in Kerala.Achencovil Sastha temple is one of the five Sastha temples in Kerala.Achencovil is also a Eco-Tourist place.The place is near from NH 208.Entry is allowed from 10 a.m.Trekking is an important attraction here.Kumbhavurutty waterfalls is one of the main attractions of Achankovil,a pilgrim center in Kollam District.This natural waterfall gives a breathtaking atmosphere with sounds of the rushing waters and the beauty of the nature.Achankovil is situated 80 kms north-east of Punalur.The waters of the Kumbhavarutty cascading down the hills at once attract your attention.Both sides of the narrow,hill road are dotted with thatched sit-outs.We can see a few beautiful treetop houses too.Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls offers breathtaking sight!.From the top,the water finds its way through big and small rocks to become a bubbling stream.We can see steps,cut into the rock,lead visitors to the top of the waterfalls.

Address:
Divisional Forest Officer
Divisional Forest Office
Achencoil P.O, Kollam (Dist:),Kerala.
Telephone:
Divisional Forest Office,Achencoil.
0475 - 2342315
Getting there:
Nearest Bus Station: Achencovil Bus Station.
Nearest Railway Station: Shenkottai Railway Station.
Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport.

DISTANCE FROM KUMBHAVURUTTY TO MAJOR TOWNS:
Thiruvananthapuram -123 Kms
Thenamal - 55 Kms
Kollam -104 Kms
Punalur – 83 Kms
Tirunelveli - 85 Kms
Courtallam (Kutrallam) - 28 Kms
Shenkottai - 17 Kms
TOURIST PLACES NEAR BY KUMBHAVURUTTY WATERFALLS:
Manalar Waterfalls,Kerala - 2 Kms
Achencovil - 5 Kms
Thenamal - 55 Kms
Courtallam (Kutrallam),Tamil Nadu - 25 Kms
Panpoli - 10 Kms (Panpoli is a small village situated near Sengottai in Tirunelveli District,Tamil Nadu Distict)

Manalar Waterfalls is a beautiful place situated 5 Kms from the Achencoil,on the Achencoil-Schencottah Road of Kollam district,Kerala.Achencovil is almost 95 Kms away from Kollam.Manalar Waterfalls is managed by Manalar-Kumbhavurutty Vana Samrakshana Samithy and,is close to the Kerala -Tamil Nadu border.Apart from waterfalls,visitors can go trekking to the sprawling grasslands at high elevation,for an unique experience through evergreen thickets,abundant in wild flora and fauna.Kerala Forest Department has started an “Eco-Contact Centre” at this place.Kumbhamurutty,a natural falls is 2 Kms away from Manalar Waterfalls.Achencovil is a main Hindu pilgrim center in Kerala.Achencovil Sastha temple is one of the five Sastha temples in Kerala.Achencovil is also a Eco-Tourist place.Trekking is an important attraction.The place is near from NH 208.Entry is allowed from 10 am.

Address:
Divisional Forest Officer
Divisional Forest Office
Achencoil P.O, Kollam (Dist:),Kerala.
Telephone:
Divisional Forest Office,Achencoil.
0475 - 2342315
Getting there:
Nearest Bus Station: Achencovil Bus Station.
Nearest Railway Station: Kazhuthurutty Railway Station.
Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport.
Manalarkadu(Manalar Forest):

Manalar Forest is 2 Kms from Achencovil.Here season starts from,June to August.In Manalar forest,you contact to the nature.Trekking and other travels facility,inside the forest are available.Manalar forest is the center of rare specious birds,orchids and other flowers.

DISTANCE FROM MANALAR TO MAJOR TOWNS:
Thiruvananthapuram -122 Kms
Kollam -102 Kms
Tirunelveli - 82 Kms
Courtallam (Kutrallam) - 25 Kms
Shenkottai - 14 Kms
TOURIST PLACES NEAR BY MANALAR:
Kumbhavurutty Falls,Kerala - 2 Kms
Achencovil - 5 Kms
Thenamal - 52 Kms
Courtallam (Kutrallam),Tamil Nadu - 25 Kms
Panpoli - 10 Kms(Panpoli is a small village situated near Sengottai in Tirunelveli District,Tamil Nadu Distict)

Chaliyar,one of the major rivers of Kerala,originates from the Ilambalari(Elembalai)Hills in Gudalur of Nilgiris District(in Tamil Nadu).Chaliyar River is the fourth longest river in Kerala With a length of 169 Kms.Chaliyar river has a total drainage area of 2,923sq Kms,of which 2,535sq Kms is in Kerala and the rest in Tamil Nadu.The Chaliyar river flows through Wayanad,Malappuram and Kozhikode districts.Chaliyar River is known in the lower reaches,which form part of the West Coast Inland Navigation system, as the Beypore River.Nilambur, Mampad, Edavanna, Arikkod, Vazhakkad and Feroke are situated along this river.The Chaliyar joins the Arabian Sea near Beypore.The Kavanakallu Regulator cum bridge is constructed over the Chaliyar River,13 Kms away from Kondotty Hill.About 27 Kms from Nilambur, beyond the Chaliyar is Valamthode.The river has two names-Chaliyar and Beyporepuzha,of which the former is more popular.The river meets the Arabian Sea at an 'azhi'(estuary),the southern part of which is known as Chaliyam and northern part as Beypore.Thus the river gets the names Chaliyar and Beyporepuzha.Chaliyar is one of the rivers which doesn't get dried up in the drought season.Many other rivers in Kerala get dried up during march and April.

Facts About Chaliyar River:
Country : INDIA
State : KERALA
Region : ASIA
District : KOZHIKODE
Length :169 Kms
Source : Kakkadampoyil Clif
Tributaries:
Left : Iruvazhinjipuzha, Cherupuzha, Engappuzha Right : Cherupuzha Nilamboor.
Chaliyar River originates in the Western Ghats range at Elambalari Hills located near Cherambadi town in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu and flows through Malappuram District for most of its length and then for around 17 Kms it forms the boundary between Malappuram District and Kozhikode District before entering the city of Kozhikode for its final 10 Kms journey and finally empties into the Arabian Sea.Some of the Chaliyar's tributaries originate from Wayanad District and joins the main river in Malappuram.

During late 19th century and early 20th century,the Chaliyar was extensively used as a waterway for carrying timber from the forest areas in and around Nilambur to the various mills in Kallayi of Calicut city.Rafts made of logs were taken downstream during the monsoon season to Kallayi, where these were sawn to size in the timber mills dotting the banks of the river.Kallayi was during this period one of the most important centers in the world for timber business.The place was famous for wood of superlative strength and durability like teak,rosewood.Towards the second half of the 20th century,the activity came down drastically as tree felling was banned or strictly controlled with a view to stop deforestation.Many mills still operate in Kallayi,though with far less output.Many have closed down.

Jatayu Para(Jatayu Rock)is a curiously shaped rock formation along the MC Road in Chadayamangalam village,Kollam,India.Jatayu Para is 30kms away from Kollam district.Chadayamangalam or Jadayu Mangalam is a beautiful village lying between Kilimanoor and Kottarakara.There is a temple dedicated to Lord Ram at the top of the rock.This a huge cluster of rocks called Jatayupara is a single rock,situated 1000 ft above sea level covering an area of around 60 acres.
Jatayu Para is of interest to adventure tourists as this is an ideal location for trekking or hang-gliding.The rock gets its name from a character in the epic Ramayana.Jatayu,a gigantic bird,an ally of Lord Ram,staked his life trying to save Sita (Ram's wife) from her abductor,the demon king Ravana.The rock is beleived to mark the spot where the mortally wounded Jatayu fell.

Location : Chadayamangalam village, Kollam,Kerala

Getting There:
Nearest Bus Station: Chadayamangalam Bus Station
Nearest Railway Station: Kollam Junction Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport
Jatayu Sculpture

The Eco-tourism wing of the State Government’s Tourism Development has adopted the sixty acres atop The “Jatayu Rock” for developing the area as a tourist attraction.The development project will in no way mar the natural beauty of the rock and whatever is going to be built will be in harmony with the surroundings.The facilities would help the visitors to enjoy the caves and creeks of the rocky environment.There would be a winding foot path leading up to the top stretching to several kilometers.The path will be lit and there will be places for rest,kiosk for tea,coffee and snacks etc.A few honey-moon cottages are also being planned.Right on top the rock the building of a huge functional sculpture of the Great Bird Jatayu is under way.It is 60 ft tall,150 ft broad and 200 ft long.This will have three storeys and would among other attractions,house a museum and mini film theatre.The form of the Bird would be lying on its back with a broken wing,raising its head.

The visitors who enter the sculpture can literally have a Bird’s Eye View as the Jatayu’s eyes are planned to be round windows opening to the world.Once finished,Jatayu sculpture would be the biggest functional sculpture in the Asian continent.It can be termed as the tallest sculpture as well.The news that the biggest functional sculpture is being built on The Jatayu Rock is slowly spreading.It would be useful to tourists if this site is included in the National Tourism Map as it is situated close to MC Road which is the route for lots of Ayyappa Pilgrims who travel via Trivandrum and Kanyakumari.For the spiritual tourists from other states of India Jatayu Rock can doubtlessly turn into a great attraction.It would be especially attractive to North Indian Pilgrims who are largely Ram devotees.
Website: www.jatayusculpture.com
For more information visit the offical website of JATAYU SCULPTURE

Willingdon Island is the home of the modern port that serves Kochi in Kerala,India.It is a man-made island created from the materials dredged while deepening Kochi Port,it's in Ernakulam district of Kerala in south India. It's named after Lord Willingdon,the erstwhile governor of Madras who had a hand in the project.Robert Bristow,the chief protagonist and engineer for the project owned the first building on the island.The first liner,which belonged to the Bibby Line,arrived at the island on the 9 March 1935.A port hostel had been purposely built to accommodate any passengers who wished to rest for a few nights.The hostel was soon afterwards named the Malabar Hotel.It is connected to Kochi's mainland by road and the railway Venduruthy Bridge.

The Royal Air Force quickly found use for this flat expanse of conveniently located virgin territory,and constructed a large aerodrome.The man-made island thus became a thriving military base.The Malabar Hotel provided quarters for all the wartime staff and the building gained a new administrative block next door to it.A new post office,an open-air swimming-bath between the hotel and offices,and a branch bank adjoining both,completed the amenities.When the British withdrew in 1947 they left behind an indispensable and significant transport hub.During its short colonial tenure the island had handled at most one million tons of freight,by 1960 this had almost doubled.The island aerodrome was extensively developed and became the city’s modern airport.Nowadays Cochin has an international Airport at Nedumbassery,30 kms north-east of the twin-city Cochin/Ernakulam.The remaining space on the island was quickly utilized in the 1950s,and far from being an unnatural appendage of the picturesque and ancient city,the isle,left behind by the British so soon after its completion,became the commercial heart of the ancient metropolis of Cochin

Location: Cochin,Ernakulam

Willingdon Island is a major port in India,and a landmark in the city of Kochi,Kerala.It serves as a link between the other sea ports of the world.Willingdon Island is connected to the mainland by the road and railway Venduruthy Bridge.Navy headquarters are located in this charming island.Cochin shipyard is also located near this island.It is also a major tourist center.Willingdon Island today plays an important role in the city of Kochi and houses some of the district's best hotels,commercial and industrial offices.When the British withdrew from India after independence in 1947,they left behind an indispensable and significant transport hub.During its short colonial tenure,the Willingdon Island in Cochin handled almost one million tons of freight and by the year 1960,the traffic had almost doubled.It is a major artificial port in India and serves as a major landmark in the Kochi city of Kerala.The Willington Island also serves as a link between the city and some other seaports of the world.

Getting There:

Nearest Bus Station: Ernakulam Central Bus Station
Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Junction,Kochin
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport,Ernakulam

Thekkady is an important tourist attraction in the Kerala state of India.Thekkady is situated 4km away from Kumily Town,of Idukki district.Kumily Town is close to the Kerala --Tamil Nadu border.Thekkady is located about 257km from Trivandrum,114km from Madurai Airport,185km from Cochin International Airport,115km from Kottayam railwaystation and 20km from Kothamangalam.Thekkady is a real dream destination for any tourist visiting India.Thekkady,is india’s sole Tiger reserve,with its bountiful treasures of tropical flora and fauna is the ultimate reservoir of many an endangered species and a rich tribal culture.Thekkady is considered as a heaven for natural spices such as black pepper,cardamom,cinnamon and clove.Thekkady is a real natural heaven where we can see herds of elephants,green unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations.The Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and spread across the entire idukki district .The picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.Thekkady is a pleasant heaven on earth for those who love nature in its wild manifestations.Thekkady offers facilities for Trekking,elephant riding and boating.Boating through the Placid Lake provides a rare opportunity to watch wild animals at close quarters.

Getting there:

Nearest Bus Station:Kumily Bus Station

Nearest Railway Station:No Railyway Line

Nearest Airport:Trivandrum International Airport

Distance From Thekkady to Major Towns:

Kumily-4km(15mts),Sabarimala via Pullumedu-50km(2hrs)
Idukki-65km(2 1/2hrs),Munnar-106km(4hrs)
Kalabham-128km(4hrs),Sabarimala via Erumeli-134km(4hrs)
Kodaikanal-149km(5hrs),Alappuzha-164 km(5hrs)
Kollam-220km(6hrs),Ooty-390km(11hrs),
Peermede-40km(1hrs),Vagamon-70km(2 1/2hrs)
Thiruvananthapuram-265km(7hrs)

Things to do In Thekkady

Plantation Tours:
Plantation tours are arranged from the District Tourism Information Office at Thekkady Junction in Kumily,Tele:0486-322620,Tours cover cardamom,pepper,coffee and tea plantations,tea factories,tribal settlements and the surrounding hill regions.
Elephant Rides:
The Forest Department,Thekkady offers facilities for elephant rides through the jungle.
Time: 10.00 - 17.00 hrs,Duration: 30 Minutes,Fare: Rs.30 per person.
Tickets:Wildlife Information Counter,Tele:0486-322028
Trekking:

Main trekking areas in Thekkady-Kurisumala near Kumily,Pullumedu,Ottakathalamedu near Kumily,Grampi near Vandiperiyar.The Forest Department conducts daily trels from the boat landing station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and Manakkavala.

Starting Time: 07.00 hrs,Fare: Rs.10 + entrance fee.
Booking:Wildlife Preservation Officer,Thekkady,Tele:0486-322027, 322028

Boat Cruises On The Periyar Lake:

Time: 07.00, 09.30,11.30,14.00, 16.00 hrs,Fare: Lower deck: Rs.50,Upper deck: Rs.90.

The Forest Department,Tele:322028
The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd,Tele: 322023

Entrance fee at check post:[Ticket is valid only for one day]
Foreigners People: Rs.50,Domestic People: Rs.2.

Tourism Hot Spot Around Thekkady

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

Lying close to the plantations,in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves-the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.Spread across 777 sq.km,of which 360 sq.km is thick evergreen forest,the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology,diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty,the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world.Entry Time: 06.00-18.00 hrs.

Kurisumala:
A place for adventure tourism and trekking.This will offer a panoramic view of Kumily town and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kumily:

This plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady,is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar Sanctuary. An important shopping centre ans spice trade centre, the main bus station and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar region are in Kumily.

Murikkady:

Washed in fresh spice-scented air,Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom,coffee and pepper plantations.

Pandikuzhi:

This picturesque spectrum of exotic flora,fauna and gurgling streams is cradled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu border.A popular picnic spot, Pandikuzhi offers great opportunities for trekking and is a photographer's delight.

Mangala Devi Temple:

This ancient temple is hidden in the dense woods at the top of a oeak 1337 m above sea level.The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture.Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day.The peak commands a panoramic view of the eastern slopes of the Ghats and some hill villages of Tamil nadu.Permission to visit the area can be abtained from the Wildlife Wadren,Thekkady,Tele:0486-322027.

Chellarkovil:

This sleepy little village with its breathtaking view of the plains and cascading waterfalls is a feast for the eyes.The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Cumbum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Vandiperiyar:

The River Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea,coffee and pepper plantations.A major trade centre,Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories.The Government Agriculture farm and Flower Garden have a delightful array of roses,orchids and anthuria.

Vandanmedu:

This is one of the world's largest auction centres for candamom.A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a heady experience.

Pullumedu:

The winding journey to this hill town,along the Periyar River,offers a stunning view of the rolling hills draped in lush greenery.Velvet lawns,rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu which can be accessed only by jeep.The famous Sree Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala and the Makara Jyothi illumination at the shrine are visible from here.Since it is part of the restricted forest zone,special permission to visit Pullumedu has to be obtained from
The Wildlife Preservation Officer,Thekkady,Tele:0486-322027
The Range Officer,Vallakkadavu,Tele:0486-352515.

Ramakalmedu:

Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu an enchanting retreat.The hills top also offers a Panoramic view of picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the Eastern slop of the western ghats.