Meenmutty Falls

Ponmudi is probably one among the well-known tourist places in the capital city, Trivandrum. But not many visit the Meenmutty Falls when they are enroute Ponmudi. Right across the base station of the Ponmudi lies Meenmutty Falls. Meenmutty is often visited less because it will take you at least half an hour to get to the falls. Not to be confused with the one in Banasura Hill, Wayanad- Meenmutty falls situated in Trivandrum is comparatively smaller and its on the path of Kallar river.

For a person to reach Meenmutty falls, one should walk 2 kilometers into the dense forest. Unlike walking around in the city, trekking into the falls area is nothing short of being called as an adventurous trek. Filled with rocks, the proper construction for stairways is lacking and the side rails are not constructed properly as well. That being said, for older ones and kids, it is required to not to take the risk on mounting the falls. After all, you get a smaller falls with a good view. Once again making the point clear, there is no transportation means inside the forest.

I visited the Meenmutty falls on the peak monsoon season. Luckily enough, I did find a good enough flow of water since I visited on monsoon. The locals told me that it is not worth visiting the place on a hot sunny day of summer since the flow will be close to nothing. The trek to the falls was hard but achievable. Mainly, it was the slippery rocks that made the trek hard but it was worth it. 

Once I got into the fall section, I quickly soaked my feet into the breezy water as I was a bit tired challenging myself to complete the trek under 30 mins. The water was so cold and the dip was so satisfying that it made me sit there for few minutes experiencing the overall ambience of the place. I was told to not to take a bath as the flow might unexpectedly increase. So I only spent 30-45 minutes soaking my feet.


The plan was to spend some time in Meenmutty Falls and fall back to the Ponmudi station. That's what I exactly did. The trek to the falls was amazing and it will be fun if you take your friends with you. And you can find some good places to snap a pic or two. Other than that, Athirapally is still the best falls I've been to and Meenmutty doesn't even stand a chance next to it.


Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Kovalam

It is no doubt that our world is slowly deteriorating every second as a result of an unprecedented amount of pollution and inhuman deforestation. But, amidst all these developments, we always feel as if the world is beautiful and, it is no way near being deteriorating. Personally, living in the heart of the capital city I always feel special once I get to Kovalam. Kovalam is a beach town by the Arabian Sea In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, located around 18 km south of the city center. Kovalam is probably the most visited beach in Kerala and there is no doubt why it is famous. There are a plenty of reasons as to why one must visit Kovalam. Let us just say, the place has three beaches all layered and you get to enjoy the view from the lighthouse as well. 

Being no stranger to the place itself, Kovalam is probably one among those beaches to which I've visited multiple times. Kovalam has three beaches separated by rocky outcroppings in its 17 km coastline, the three together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach. Among the said three beaches, I always find Lighthouse beach the best one. The reason being the walk from Samudra beach through the Hawa and then to Lighthouse beach perfectly builds the excitement and the moment you see that 35-meter high Lighthouse, you'll be "Thunderstruck". The biggest of them all, Lighthouse beach is perfect to spend your evening. 

The second largest beach is the Hawah beach. Once you're there it might be a confusing sight. You will forget your whereabouts and would start thinking as if you have been transported to another country. Tourists enjoying their holidays and fishermen trying to get their daily work done, Hawah beach is a busy beach with a lot of activities going on. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights.

There is nothing much to praise about the Samudra beach. It just the beach which starts off your expedition to the Lighthouse. Overall, Kovalam is a perfect place to go to if you are willing to spend some quality time observing nature's beauty. Moreover, People often stay here to get a glimpse of sunrise and sunset. So, make sure to do the same if you want to see the sun making its entrance or to watch it mark its exit.

Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Vazhachal Falls

Athirapally and Vazhachal are two of the most prominent tourist spots in Kerala. Located on the west-flowing Chalakudy River near the Vazhachal Forest Division and at the edge of the Sholayar ranges, it is just 5 km from the entrance of Athirapally Falls. Vazhachal is more like a horizontal stream of falls, unlike Athirapally which has a huge vertical drop. The reason why I visited this place is to experience the magnificent wildlife and atmosphere.

Having spent the afternoon on Athirapally Falls, I decided to spend some time on the nearby Vazhachal Falls. Now that I have got till Athirapally, it would best stupid if I returned making the most of the visit. It was a perfect time to get there as it was nearing lunchtime and we already packed the lunch as we were a bit skeptical whether or not we will find a good hotel near the place. Before getting there, I did read a lot about Vazhachal and saw a lot of pics. After seeing the shady trees, I thought it would be a perfect place for picnic. Now that have food, we head towards the Vazhachal Falls.


Conveyance is easily available and the road which starts from the Athirapally entrance to Vazhachal is very scenic and perfect for photography. We walked all the way to Vazhachal and it took about 20 minutes. Once we got there, all I could see was beautiful trees which is spread across the large area and in the middle of which the turbulent flow of Vazhachal can be seen. There are tree shades and sitting arrangement built around is a good place to relax with friends and family. Vazhachal Falls have dense forests of Sholayar ranges surrounding. During its course on rocky terrain, River Chalakudy gives out in three branches, which resume its flow surrounding the small islands formed by the riparian forests. These three branches gather momentum on its downward course and plummet to the rocky bed of River Chalakudy to reunite.

The falls itself is more of a horizontal, wide turbulent stream, as a person can't walk around it or take a bathe. Walking into the Fall area is strictly prohibited as the rocks are slippery and it only take one wrong step for a person to die. Over the course, a lot of people have died and hence the security is being tightened. Once we finished our lunch, we came to know that there is a small trek arranged by a group of visitors to climb into the denser sholayar region. As we were running out of time, we decided to pass the offer and walk back to Athirapally.

Overall, Vazhachal was a nice follow up to the experience we had in Athirapally. Not only it is best for picnicking, it is also best for Photography and Bird watching. So, if you are a photographer make sure to visit this place.













Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Athirapally Falls-Niagara of Kerala

As far as I'm concerned, Kerala Tourism is probably the most overlooked tourism in India. You have a variety of places to choose from. If you love beaches, you have Cherai, Kovalam, Varkala; or if you like hill stations you have Munnar, Ponmudi, Agasthyakoodam and more. But, when it comes to waterfalls there is no "or". The best waterfalls in Kerala is undoubtedly the Athirappilly falls situated in Chalakudy which is close to Thrissur.

The falls are situated in Chalakudy river, which originates from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges. Standing at a height of over 80 ft, Athirapally is the biggest falls in Kerala. The 145 kilometers (90 mi) long Chalakudy River, originates in the Anamudi mountains of the Western Ghats and flows through the Vazhachal Forest toward the Arabian Sea. The river initially runs smoothly but becomes more turbulent as it nears Athirapally. At Athirappilly Falls, the water surges around big rocks and cascades down in three separate plumes. Below the falls, the river remains turbulent for about 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) until it reaches Kannamkuzhi. Then it calms and flows smoothly until reaching the dam at Thumburmuzhi.

I spent some time in Kochi and I came to know about this place from a friend of mine. Without much hesitation, I googled the place. Just one picture was enough for me to get there. That one being the road to Athirapally falls which connects the Vazhachal falls. Upon further research, I came to know the importance of this place. Athirapally region has a diverse flora and fauna. Athirappilly-Vazhachal area is the only location where all four South Indian species of hornbills — the great hornbill (the state bird of Kerala), Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill, and the Indian grey hornbill are found living together.

Reaching there was not a problem. I got off at the Chalakudy railway station from where I used a taxi to reach the spot. Once I got there, I had to buy the passes and I was told that there is a 5-7 km walk into the forest to reach the falls. With a place with such elevation and range, I was skeptical whether or not I will be able to see the falls properly since I was worried about its infrastructure. Surprisingly, they have a good enough infrastructure and one could easily get around the place easily. There is an amusement park nearby but the real deal is the adventurous trek. One could trek down from the top of the falls to the bottom. This is the best thing to do while you are there. This does consume a lot of time so don't forget to plan things early and reach the place early. This place is literally heaven.

My visit to Athirapally included the Kodanad Centre but, among them, Athirapally was the best one. Overall, my trip to Athirapally was truly a bliss and I hope in revisiting the place as soon as my monsoon break commences. It is best to visit the place in monsoon as the flow will be unreal and it will be a perfect time for me to spend more time in Charpa falls compared to when I visited Athirapally. If you plan on visiting the place in a long run I suggest you visit every place near to it, Charpa Falls, Vazhachal falls, Sholayar Dam. It will be worth spending more time there.










Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Chitraruvi

Kutralam is not at all a hidden place now in India for tourism purpose. It ropes in visitors from all over the world so as to enjoy the rich quality of water. Many seasonal and few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Thamirabarani River originate in this region.

The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earned it the title the Spa of South India. The falls carry a good amount of water only when there is a rain on the hills. The presence of such waterbeds makes it easier for the place to have numerous falls ranging from the biggest one-Peraruvi and the smaller one-Chitraruvi.

I got visit Chitraruvi when I visited Thirukutralanathar temple. I was unaware of the fact that there are a lot of falls surrounding the temple as I initially thought Peraruvi was the only one. The locals were kind enough to guide me to the falls and surprisingly it was very much close to the main falls, Peraruvi. Due to the huge volume of visitors in Peraruvi, most of the people prefer taking a bath in Chitraruvi as it is less crowded and perfect for spending some quality time. Chitraruvi has a natural barrier that separates the bathing place for men and women. Moreover, since the flow is a bit lower compared to Peraruvi, kids can also take a bath but with a strict guidance.

The main source of the Chitraruvi and the other falls in Courtallam, is the northeast monsoon rainwater. Chitraruvi or the Small Falls lead to other waterfalls such as Shenbagadevi Falls and Thenaruvi. Shenbaga Devi cascade is located above Chitraruvi and an adventurous trek uphill, through the Chitraruvi forest, leads to the falls. You don't have to trek to reach Chitraruvi. It's quite easy to reach there and you won't find huge crowds hence you get to spend more time and get some privacy as well. Situated just above the Main Falls, is Chittaruvi or the Small Falls. There are steps which provide easy access to the Falls. Also, there are facilities for men and women to bathe separately here. A ticket is required to enter the area.

I highly recommend Chitraruvi as I spent most of my time there compared to Peraruvi. The rest of the falls are more scenic and steady, but none of it can beat Chitraruvi in terms of overall experience.







Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Kutralam-Peraruvi

The Kerala-Tamil Nadu border is blessed with waterfalls and among them, Kutralam is probably the best one. Even though Thirparappu (not exactly at the border yet close to it) has the highest number of visitors, Kutralam is equally popular and scenic. Considered as South India's own Spa, the rich natural water is what you need in a pleasant tiring summer. At a distance of 7 km from Tenkasi, 160 km from Madurai, 62 km from Tirunelveli & 625 km from Chennai, Courtallam, or Kutralam is well known for Courtallam Falls which is one of the most famous waterfalls in Tamilnadu. 

One of the main reason why I visited Kutralam with my family was the Kutralanathar temple, which is at a walkable distance from the main falls. The reason why I said, "main falls" is that Kutralam has smaller falls surrounding it. We reached the place at about 7 AM and without wasting much time we got into the falls so that we could freshen up before entering the pilgrimage. We were fortunate to find a bus that took us straight to Kutralam stand which is about a few metres away from the temple. Buses can be found easily from the Tenkasi stand which is about 10 km from Kutralam. 

Kutralam waterfalls is located at an elevation of about 550 feet in the Western Ghats. The water here passes over a lot of medicinal herbs and therefore has the capacity to cure a number of ailments. After a quite a lot of research and conversations with locals, I came to know that the one near the bus stand is the biggest fall and is called Peraruvi. The place was packed and it took me half hour to get my turn to enter the place. The place is well maintained and the entire place is cool and perfect for summer. The chances of finding an abundant flow on summers is slim yet, you can still find enough water for you to soak yourself.

Thirukutralanathar temple is one among the auspicious temples in Tamil Nadu and visitors around India gather here to attain blessings. The sage Agastyar, at Shiva's request, proceeded southward to stabilize the balance of the earth and relieve the instability caused by the multitude of entities at Shiva's and Parvati's wedding in the Himalayas, to wait for a glimpse of the divine couple. There he is said to have created the Shivalingam here by shrinking an image of Vishnu, hence the name Kutralam. In the shrine, Shiva showed himself as Bhrama and Vishnu. The presiding deity Lord Shiva is called as Kuttralanathar and the Ambal his consort mother Parvathy is called as Kuzhalvoi Mozhiammai. 

Kutralam is one among the MUST-SEE places in India that will leave you wanting more. Once you are there, make sure to cover all the other falls as well. Even though the fall might seem small but the place is beautiful and the ambience is pretty neat. Also, it is ideal to plan visits between June and September, as monsoon is the best time to get some consistent flow off the falls.



Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Periyar National Park

You won't find any rare species in Kerala compared to rest of India. But if you do come across one, then I'm sure that the specific species is being protected in Periyar Sanctuary. Being a prime location for the tourists and botanists, Periyar is a part of Northern Kerala which is densely populated by Hill stations and water parks. Periyar is not an exception. Spread across 925 sq km, Periyar has its wings on Idukki and Pathanamthitta whereas the core zone lies between Idukki and Kottayam district. 

305 sq km of the core zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in 1982. The park is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and the Pamba. located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the south Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. It is 4 km from Kumily, approximately 100 km east of Kottayam, 110 km west of Madurai and 120 km southeast of Kochi. 

It's obvious by now that I didn't travel across the entire 925 sq km area, instead, my trip to Periyar was cut short to a few kilometers. By the time I visited Periyar, I was 15 and I still remember wasting an entire hour watching the beauty of Submerged Trees in the Periyar lake. I hardly saw any Tigers but I did get to see some Wild Elephants in action. The place itself is extremely protected and if you want to arrange hiking for photography, you must get an authorization letter from Kerala Forest Department. 

My trip to Periyar was heaved mainly on the core area, that is, the Periyar Lake portion. The first thing we did was to go around the jungle in a boat for Safari and shortly after that we took a Jeep Safari. You can not cover the entire place in one day. One among many attractions when it comes to safari is the Late night Jeep safari which is 4-hour long journey into the jungle and back. If you plan on staying for two days, I suggest you take this trip. It's worth every penny and you could find some wild animals. Options are wide when it comes to Safari. I took the morning boat safari and I was fortunate enough to get a good side seat. I got to see some Boars and Elephants but it was the whole ambiance that shook me. 

The inclusion of Elephant safari has attracted a lot of people and thus far creating a huge demand for it. If you plan a budget trip, I suggest you take the Boat Safari as it is more enjoyable compared to Jeep safari where you hardly get to see something moving. On the other hand, if you have a big budget, I suggest you take the Bamboo Rafting programme. It is a package which contains an hour-long trek which ends in a 3-hour long journey in Bamboo rafts. You will be accompanied by officers with protective gear. 

Overall, Periyar is a place that will surely give you chills down your spine. I bet you won't see anything like Periyar anywhere. Perfect for Botanists and explorers, apart from Trekking, if you could travel towards the south, you can visit Cardamom Hills which will surely wrap up your trip in a pleasant way. While you are there make sure to visit the Anamudi. An experience worth million words, one can't deny the fact that Periyar is easily on the top when it comes to Sanctuaries or National Parks in India. 


Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Guindy National Park

India does have a fair amount of rare flora and fauna. Even though we rank high in the charts of deforestation and poaching, a proper infrastructure for National Parks and Sanctuaries protect the rarest of rare species from such inhuman activities. As of now, we have around 733 Protected Areas that include 103 National Parks, 537 Wild Life Sanctuaries, 26 Community Reserves, and 67 Conservation Reserves. One among the integral National parks in India is the Guindy National Park.

Guindy being the 8th smallest National park in India, it is a protected area spread across 2.70 sq km(1.04 sq mi). The park is an extension of the grounds surrounding Raj Bhavan, formerly known as the 'Guindy Lodge', the official residence of the Governor of Tamil Nadu, India. It extends deep inside the governor's estate, enclosing beautiful forests, scrublands, lakes, and streams. Having spent my holidays in Tamil Nadu, I got to know about this place and when I scheduled my next trip, I did visit the place and it was definitely worth the wait.

I traveled to the Park in a public transport facility which was not that hard to find. Once I got there, I bought a ticket and a pass for Professional Camera (Note: They charge extra amount for Professional Camera, if you use a Mobile Camera, the rate is lesser). Guindy houses 400 blackbucks, 2,000 spotted deer, 24 jackals, a wide variety of snakes, geckos, tortoises and over 130 species of birds, 14 species of mammals, over 60 species of butterflies and spiders each, a wealth of different invertebrates—grasshoppers, ants, termites, crabs, snails, slugs, scorpions, mites, earthworms, millipedes, and the like. These are free-ranging fauna and live with the minimum of interference from human beings.

 

My most favorite part of the entire trip is the Reptile Park. I did find some preserved snake species inside a small chamber, but you could find some snakes in action if you could make it to the Reptile Park. The Guindy Snake park houses some of the most venomous snakes and if you are lucky enough to find a ground staff, you can ask them to demonstrate the extraction of venom from a snake. It is definitely worth watching it.

It took me almost two hours to walk around the entire area. As far as I'm concerned, the major highlight of Guindy Park is the untamed Snake Park. Especially watching a White Cobra For the first time made my trip a memorable one. If you are a wildlife enthusiast or a photographer, you must visit this place at least once. I guarantee you that you won't regret getting there.



Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Varkala

Breezy winds covering up the heat is what a person needs in this summer season. If you couldn't find a better place to experience it, then think no further than heading to Varkala. A small town 40 km away from the capital city Trivandrum, Varkala offers an unforgettable experience for its visitors and the place itself holds a steady record for the number of tourists. The reason being the atmosphere and overall ambiance. Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea.

These Cenozoic sedimentary formation cliffs are a unique geological feature on the otherwise flat Kerala coast and are known among geologists as Varkala Formation and a geological monument as declared by the Geological Survey of India. There are numerous water spouts and spas on the sides of these cliffs. In 2015, Ministry of Mines, Government of India and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have declared Varkala Cliff as a geo-heritage site. This adds an extra point for the topography and overall ambiance of the place. 

My journey to Varkala was rather a 30-minute stay and 2 hours traveling one, instead of a comfy timeframe. However those 30 minutes were well spent and without wasting any second of the scheduled 30 minutes, firstly I made it to the beach and planned on spending 15 minutes and the rest exploring the cliffs. But, I ended up spending an hour on the beach as the time flew by quicker than I thought and I lost track of the schedule. Ignoring the schedule completely, I began walking towards the cliffs. 

 

After making it to the top, I got to see the Sivagiri Mutt, established by the social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The hilltop mausoleum of Sree Narayana Guru is one of the most famous monuments in Kerala state. Last but not the least, Varkala is known for the infamous 2000-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which has an ancient bell removed from a shipwreck, donated by the captain of the Dutch vessel which sank near Varkala without causing any casualties. The temple is close to the beach and hence the beach is called "Papanasam", which has holy waters that wipe away the sins. 

Varkala is one among those places which are worth spending your evening. On top of the scenic beach, the temple adds a spiritual essence to the place which welcomes a lot of visitors just because of its traditional and ancient architecture. While you are there, never miss the beautiful sunset and if possible, climb on top of the cliff to experience it. 











Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Thirparappu- Serene Beauty

It's summertime and most of the folks are already planning for holidays. Before you finalize your trip, here is a place that you don't want to miss out on.

What's better than visiting a scenic Waterfalls on a sunny day? Nothing better than soaking yourself in cold water when the sun is right above your head. Thiruparappu is one such place which flaunts a beautiful landscape along with providing enough comfort for the visitors even if the sun is shining bright. 

My trip to Thiruparappu was a surprising one since we never drafted this place on our list when I went out with my family on my summer vacation. The place itself is about 55 km away from Trivandrum yet a proper conveyance made our trip easier and comfortable. Thirparappu waterfall is 300 ft long and consists of a rocky riverbed. The water falls from a height of nearly 50 ft. The waterfall has flows with great force for around seven months in the whole year.

The whole bed above the falls is one rocky mass which extends up to a distance of about quarter of a kilometer upstream where the famous Thirparappu weir has been constructed for supplying water to the paddy fields. This irrigation facility is extremely useful here and it is fascinating to see the process of irrigation from the dam to the fields. The place has a swimming pool which facilitates bathing facility for children as the fall is slippery and is not safe for kids. The spot is ideal for swimming as long as you stay within the safe zone. The flow is regular and as far as I'm concerned, Thiruparappu is the best spot if you want to learn swimming. 

Apart from the Waterfalls, Thiruparappu is also known for the most prestigious temple in South India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Mahadevar Kovil is the third one of the twelve Sivalaya, famous for "Shivalaya Ottam" during Shivaratri. It is said that Lord Mahadev lived here as Virabhadra which is a fierce incarnation of Lord Siva to kill Daksha Prajapati, after the death Sati Devi. There are many old inscriptions in this temple including the one of the Pandya King dated ninth century. This temple is built around A.D. 9th Century.

Thus a place with this much historical importance demands a visit and you can not deny the fact that Thiruparappu is easily one of the best tourist spots in Tamil Nadu or South India, in general. Furthermore, the temple adds a spiritual atmosphere to the serene waterfalls. It is worth every penny you spent to get here.





Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Cherai Beach - Kochi

It is easier to claim that the Southern part of India houses the best of the best Beaches. You may ask why? Well, you have a lot of big names on the list which goes from the infamous Marina Beach in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to the hidden gem, Perumathura in Trivandrum, Kerala.   What else do we have? When it comes to the best beaches, Cherai always stays in the top 10, as far as I'm concerned. Located at the northern end of Vypeen end, Kochi, Cherai holds the spot for the most visited beach in Kerala. 

Even though the place itself is quite far from the capital city Trivandrum, I stopped by the beach when I visited Kochi last year. Once I got to the place, the first thing that I recognized was that the tides were surprisingly much gentle and I could see kids swimming on the beach without much difficulty. Spread over a range of 10 km, Cherai is undoubtedly the best spot for all those who like swimming and those who wish to experience a gentle breeze on a fine sunny day. 

The main attraction is mainly due to the spectacular atmosphere which holds the active sea and the gentle backwaters on a single frame. Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront and thick coconut groves add charm to this place. Apart from the serene beauty that the beach offers, there is a small children's park on the side and for all those who like adventure sports, they can rent a speedboat or a water scooter to blaze through the gentle tides. Hiring a bike on rent at Cherai is also very reasonable. 

Getting a beautiful view of village life in Cherai is very refreshing and it gives a wonderful experience. Kite Flying is another very interesting activity to do in Cherai as locals are really very fond of it. This activity is so popular that there is an annual kite flying festival celebrated every year with great joy.

Just as the afternoon shine began diminishing, we walked towards to Munamam point where one could cherish the beauty of the beach where the Arabian Sea comes in contact with the gentle backwaters. Moreover, this is the best spot to watch the sunset and sunrise. 

There is a reason why people call Kochi the Queen of Arabian Sea. My trip to Kochi and Cherai beach, in particular, was amazing and I plan on visiting the place more often so that I could plan to watch the Sunrise when I get there next time. 


Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Jadayupara - Historic Sculpture recognized by Guinness

The one place that would singlehandedly increase the number of tourists in Kerala is Jadayupara. Moreover, Jadayupara is a place with a massive historic importance. In the great epic Ramayana, Jatayu is characterized as a noble bird of divine origin. One day he happened to hear the plaintive cry of a lady. It was Sitha lamenting for help while she had been abducted to Lanka by the demon king Ravana. Jatayu rushed to her rescue, stopped Ravana’s chariot named Pushpaka Vimana and engaged in a battle with him. Eventually, Ravana took his powerful sword Chandrahasa, cut off the bird’s left wing and went away with Sitha. It is said that the injured Jatayu and his lost wing landed on top of a rock. In time, the rock got the name Jatayupara. Also, one could find a footprint near the giant sculpture, which is said to be the footprint of Lord Rama who came to the place in search of his wife Sitha. Having these much historic tie-ups, Chadayamangalam, Jadayupara became a perfect spot for the sculptures to carve the giant structure of Jadayu. 

My curiosity compelled me to visit the place on a fine 2017 Sunday evening. Chadayamangalam is a small town near Kollam district which is almost 40 km from the capital city of Trivandrum. Picturing the grand project on my mind, my curiosity quickly became some sort of obsession which made me go out earlier than the scheduled time. 

Once I reached the spot, I came to know that the place is still under construction yet the place is half finished hence I was permitted to go inside and take a look. The place has an adventure club nearby which offers a wide collection of games ranging from archery to trekking. 

Once I reached the place, I witnessed the view of my life. The sculpture is made looks perfect and I can't wait for it to be complete. The place has a small temple dedicated Lord Rama. There is a small water reservoir which is said to have water 24x7 365 days regardless the climatic shifts. Next, there is a small man-made reservoir which reassures that the place has an uninterrupted supply of water. 

Overall, Jadayupara is a magnificent work of art that will surely attract tourists worldwide once the construction is complete. This colossal statue is 200 feet long,150 feet wide and 70 feet making is the largest functional bird sculpture in the world with an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. If that doesn't make you anxious enough to visit the place, then I'm not sure what will make you visit a place.






Contributed by Sooraj Ram