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

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

Thenmala - - A Constellation hidden in the Surface

The thing about hill stations is that they are hard to not to stumble across, especially when you live in a place like Kerala. But there is this place where the Capital city, Trivandrum will surely blow your mind. Thenmala is a place of historic importance. Thenmala; "Then" stands for Honey and "Mala" stands for Mountain in Malayalam, is the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. Thenmala tourism quickly became a place for filming.

Fortunately enough, Thenmala is close to where I live and I was able to sort a plan out to visit the place on my sem break. Less than 80 km from Trivandrum, I was able to locate the place easily and could find a proper conveyance. After an hour and a half drive, I reached the place around 11 in the morning and after finishing all the formalities, I got in and the first thing I looked was the whereabouts and must-see places. The first thing that I had the pleasure to visit is a short trek towards the Sanctuary, placed near Thenmala. There is an affordable entry fee of Rs 100, but still the time you spend there will be cherished all through your life.

Next stop, The Butterfly park. There is a slight walking to do to get to the place, but, the moment you get there, all you could see is a place which holds the most varieties of Butterfly to be placed in a natural habitat for us to see.

After spending some quality time there, I went forward to explore more places. My favorite was the Nakshathravanam, which is a park holding 27 trees representing 27 birth stars. Moreover, the place is a must-see for those who like to study more about flora.

Thenmala is a huge place spread across a wide area, which is quite hard to cover everything in one go. To wrap up my short run, I visited the Parappar Dam, which is second largest irrigation project in Kerala and has the longest reservoir in the state. This trip to Thenmala was truly a memorable one as I got to see a lot of things which exemplifies the beauty of our mother nature. Thenmala is one such place which could easily make it to the top tourist places in Kerala or India, in general. I plan on visiting the place often so that I could see everything in one go.


Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Chandigarh - The City Beautiful

The city is the capital of two states (Punjab and Haryana) and is a union territory too. Chandigarh city has been built with world-class architecture with a quality lifestyle. The city has a number of visiting places such as Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Sector 17 market, Sukhna Lake and Elante Mall (one of the biggest malls in India).

Apart from it, Chandigarh city is also one of the biggest industrial and educational hubs in North India. It has Punjab University, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, DAV College, Indian School of Business and also has IT Park where numerous people work in MNC’s like Tech Mahindra, Airtel, DLF, Spice Jet call center, DT mall, and other IT companies. People come to this city to get job, education and world-class health facilities too.
     

However, to reach the city is not a big deal. It has Interstate State Bus Terminal, International and Domestic airports and a railway station too. People come from around the world come to admire the beauty of this during their holidays and folks from surrounding areas come to the city to spend their leisure time, shopping and to have food of variuos international cuisines.

Besides this, the city provides luxurious staying options for the visitors as per their needs and budget. It has various 5 to 7-star hotels like Hyatt Regency, Sukh villas, JW Marriott, Hotel Emerald and Taj Hotels along with some inexpensive hotel options too.

Also, Chandigarh city is connected with states like Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. This city is at the distance of almost 2 hours from my hometown. I come to the city for celebrating my important days, to spend my leisure time with friends, during rose festival, to do shopping, during Christmas and also for the New Years Eve.

Furthermore, visitors who want to experience something amazing should come during certain seasons/months such as to celebrate Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, Christmas parties and those who love flowers should come at the end of February month to enjoy the beautiful Rose Festival.

Not only tourism, education and IT industry Chandigarh city is also a preferable site for the video and filmmaking to shoot movies. The city has also given many celebrities to India such as Kirron Kher ( Actress and current MP from Chandigarh), Gurbani Judge (VJ), Ranvijay Singha (VJ), Yami Gautam (Actress), Yuvraj Singh (Indian cricket player), Late Shri Nek Chand (Architecture and Sculpture of Rock Garden), Satinder Sartaj (famous folk singer), Kiran Bedi retired IPS (Current Governor of Puducherry) and many more.

In addition to this, Chandigarh city has various international restaurants such as CCD, Mc Donald’s, KFC, Subway, Dominos and Pizza Hut. But if you are fond of enjoying Indian foods as Punjabi, South Indian, Gujarati and Kashmiri food then you have tremendous options for these as well like Sindhi Sweets, Pirates of Grills, Sagar Ratna, and Pal Dhaba are some of the best options for local cuisines.

 If I talk about my experience with locals of the city, they are broad-minded, jovial and most of the people are from Haryana and Punjab so, they have some behavior in their nature related to these certain states. Views of the people of Chandigarh city could be different from various people. Some people say Chandigarhians (people from Chandigarh) are stone hearted; they have no values for their family and relatives. But in my views, the city is swiftly developing and ahead from its various surrounding cities, the life in the city is quite busy and folks are involved in various extra activities such as sports, clubbing, discos and other gaming parlors. It does not mean they do not have time for their family and relatives.

Locals always help visitors of their city in any trouble, whether they need any police, medical and general help. Tourists do not need to be worried if they feel they are lost in Chandigarh; the city has its map structure at every circle, red light crossing, and markets. Police check posts are available at every circle of the city and always prepared to help anybody at any time.

During my last visit to the sector 17 market, an old age person got a heart attack while doing shopping with his wife. Police officers were at their post in the market, they took the matter in their hand and took that old man to the nearest hospital in their ambulance. This quick action by police officers saved the life of that old man. At the very next day, a local newspaper and a news channel were praising those police officers for their quick responsible action.

I believe, Chandigarh city is the beautiful, green and clean city in North India. Mates, who are fond of flowers, should visit the city to experience the beautiful, colorful and sweet fragrance Roses during Rose festival of Chandigarh City.

Chandigarh city also has a beautifully designed garden with home wastes, named Rock Garden. Spending spare time here could be the best option for kids and youngsters. They can view amazing sculptures and cascades designed inside the garden. 

For Shopaholics, sector 17 and Elante mall has an endless option for shopping globally famous branded clothes, shoes, sports equipment, shades, watches, perfumes and electronic equipment.

Alternatively, during evening time of each day, the sector-17 market turns into an open party venue, amazing lightening with fountains, music and some tasty street food options.

Some other facts about Chandigarh city

As I said in the starting of the article, Chandigarh city has international as well as domestic Airport, a railway station, ISBT 43 sector and ISBT 17 sector. It means the city is reachable from all the 3 ways easily by any person.

Nearest big cities to this beautiful cities are Patiala (less than 60km.), A beautiful hill station Shimla (almost 115 km.) and National Capital Delhi (almost 245 km.)

During the visit to the city, tourists can enjoy the beauty of Rose Garden, experiencing the company of people from different regions, cultures, and religions. At the bay of Sukhna Lake folks can enjoy their early morning walks or jog, visitors can enjoy boating at could amaze by the beautiful view of the sunset. Couples also can get a sketch of themselves by the amazing artists of the city and much more things to experience in the city. Here, tourists have multiple options to travel in the city such as hiring private taxis, hiring ola or uber cabs and also can travel through local AC buses in such inexpensive cost.

To sum up, tourists need not worry about taking their kids to the city as the city is safe and clean for the person of every age group. This city also has the options for kids to enjoy at certain places. So, come to the city during your upcoming vacations and experience some gorgeous natural view at various places in the city with world-class staying options!

Contributed by  - Harneet

Veli – Where the Lake meets the Sea

Being surrounded by water on one side, Kerala is a place to visit if you are in need for a place that, not only is worth taking a swim but also worth experiencing the breathtaking views. Veli is one such place which offers a perfect place for those who like to take some time to appreciate the beauty of nature. Located not so far from the capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum, Veli is a beautiful village that is a home for one among the finest places for boating and picnicking.

Having spent almost a year taking a trip around the coastal strip of Kerala, it took me a while to reach Veli. Once I got there, I was told that Veli Tourist Village is an integral part of Veli tourism. After handling the entry formalities, the first thing that grasped my interest was the huge sculpture of Conch. The sculpture is so big that a person can see it from a faraway point.
The place holds almost 10 to 15 sculptures, including the smaller ones. Out of these 15, the conch is the centre of attraction. The surroundings are green and are well maintained by the tourism faculties. After the massive conch, I walked across the place to see other sculptures.

As I walked towards the horizon, I get to see the floating bridge. Similar to the one you see on the internet, floating bridge is a nice little path to get past the land and move towards the shore. This connecting bridge is a fascination among the children and also a perfect place for those who wish to take a good retro style sunset picture with their loved ones.

Moving on, after safely walking across the bridge, the next thing that blew me away was the amazing Floating Restaurant. Just when I was a bit tired walking around and taking pictures, Veli floating restaurant run by KTDC offers a wide range of palate from which, I would highly recommend the South Indian cuisine. It's nothing like experiencing South Indian cuisine in South India.

Half past 5, it was the perfect time for me to find a place to watch the sunset. I got into the lagoon where one could clearly distinguish the lake and sea. Separated by a small yet beautiful line of rocks, I was fortunate enough to grab a spot near the reef to experience the sunset. Unlike most of the places I get to experience the sunset peacefully in Veli. After taking a quick dip in the Veli Beach, I wrapped my trip with a walk across the Golden sand beach.

Veli is a perfect spot for all those who seek to kill time by immersing themselves into the depths of the peaceful and beautiful nature. With a wide range of choices for people to pass time, as far as I'm concerned Veli tourist village is the best spot for picnicking and get-together parties. Moreover, the floating restaurant also offers a vacant space for people to host private parties. So, if you are planning a get together party, do it in style and posh by renting the Restaurant. Their service is top notch and I guarantee you that you will get to spend some quality time with your loved ones.

Quick Facts about Veli –

1. How to reach – Frequent buses to Veli are available from Trivandrum.

2. Nearest town – Veli

3. Nearest railway station – Trivandrum Railway Station, about 8 kilometers far  

4. Nearest Airport – Trivandrum International Airport, about 2 kilometers away

5. Places to stay – Ideal for one day trip, but if you plan to visit for a long run, then rooms can be easily found in Trivandrum, which is just 8 km from Veli. 

6. Best time to visit – There is no specific time for visiting, you can visit anytime.

7. Things to do – Take a walk across Veli strip and get to see the massive conch sculpture and pass the floating bridge. Boating and other water sports can be experienced and at last don’t miss the sunset.

8. Is it Child-friendly - Yes

Perumathura - The “Golden” Sand Beach

The fun part of exploring places is that you might never know what you are about to find, just like as if you are searching for a hidden treasure. I'm fortunate enough to say that I have had the pleasure of finding such gems hidden under the radar. Having spent most of my holidays riding around the coast, I got to see one among the hidden gems in Kerala, India. Being surrounded by water on two sides, India has a lot of beaches but only a few are known to people. Not so long from the capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum-there is one such beach called Perumathura which, as far as I'm concerned is one of the finest beaches to hang out.

Before heading to the main stop, the beach-the place continues to excite one, as one is on their way to the beach. The place that I'm talking about right now is the Muthalapozhi Bridge. The only way through which one could enter the beach, the bridge (fairly new as it was opened in the year 2015) offers a magnificent view. This place is what we call a "viewpoint". 

I never expected to see something this special since Perumathura is one among the hidden gems of India and I was expecting for a small beach surrounded by trees on four sides.  On the contrary, I felt I could just spend the whole day watching the beautiful beach from the bridge. 

The place itself is beautiful and luckily less crowded. It is almost impossible to find such a private beach, the last time that I found one was close to Cherai Beach in Kochi.  The moment I got there, the first thing that amazed me was the magnificent atmosphere. Unlike most of the beaches, Perumathura doesn't have a ton of waste deposits or anything that spoils a good atmosphere.  There are a little of things you could do while you are at the beach. First and foremost, enjoying the sunset without many people surrounding you to block your sight should be at the top of your priority list. Also, you could climb on top of the small stone alike structure to get a nice view. The Anjengo Fort, known for a great historic significance is just 6 to 10 kilometers away from the beach. So if you could get to the place early before the sunset, I suggest you take a visit to the fort. 

Apart from the Perumathura beach, you get to see a small harbor near the beach where small boats trade resources on a small level. If you are lucky, you might get to meet some down-to-earth people who will easily mingle with you. I got to know the story behind the name "Perumathura". The village got its name from the late king "Cheraman Perumal". The word "Perumathura" means "the residence of Perumal". The strange fact is that I never saw a sign or a statue of King Perumal on Perumathura, even though he was the one who ruled the place. 

It was half-past 7 when I got off the place. I reached there at around 4 PM and I didn't even know how time flew so fast. Perumathura is a place where you get to enjoy the cool breeze and breathtaking sights. If you are a photographer, then this is the best place for you to click a few pictures of nature. While you are at it, don't forget to snap a picture of the view from the bridge, which is probably the best thing that Perumathura offers to its visitors. 

Quick Facts about Perumathura Beach -

1. How to reach – Buses are available to Varkala. You could hire an auto from Varkala.

2. Nearest town – Varkala

3. Nearest railway station –  Varkala Railway Station, 12 kilometers

4. Nearest Airport – Trivandrum International Airport, 35 kilometers

5. Places to stay – Accommodation available at Varkala. This place is ideal for one day trip.

6. Best time to visit – An ideal time would be the monsoon season so that you could enjoy the green surroundings. However, Perumathura could be visited anytime.

7. Things to do – Take a walk around the beach to experience fresh and cool breezy air. Climb on top of the small stone structure to see the sunset. And of course, you can spend some quality time in the water.

8. Is it Child-friendly - Yes