Places to visit in Vagamon

Places to visit in Vagamon


Elaveezha Poonchira

           Ilaveezha Poonchira is a tourist destination located in Kottayam district near Kanjar. Ilaveezha Poonchira is surrounded by three enchanting hillocks - Mankunnu, Kodayathoormala and Thonippara. This makes the place ideal for trekking.

                   Ilavvezha Poonchira is located 55 km from Kottayam, and is 20 km from Thodupuzha. From Ilaveezha Poonchira, it is possible to see large parts of Idukki, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts. It is one of the places in Kerala where you can watch sunrise and sunset.

"Ila-veezhaa-poonchira", means 'the pond of flowers where the leaves do not fall'. During the monsoons, the valley between a complex of mountains fills up to form a large pond.

According to a legend, the Pandava had a sojourn here during their life incognito. Their wife, Draupadi, came to take a bath at a lake, which was present at that time. Some devas, bewitched by her beauty, tried to satisfy their voyeuristic itch. King of devas, Lord Indra, came to know about what was going on, and built screens or hills heaping flowers and prevented them from indulging in such a practice. And the pond thus became a dam isolated by floral hills. Since there were no trees around the bund, it was always free of leaves and so it was called Ila-veezha-poonchira. Some say that the name comes from the fact that it is always windy at the place and hence the leaves are carried away.

Pattumalai Church

              Pattumalai Church is located on the Pattumala Hill, which lies in the Peermade region of the Idukki District. The name Pattumala means, ‘the hill with silk’. The Pattumalai Church is dedicated to St. Mary, who is also known as Velankanni Matha. It is a replica of the church located at Velankanni in Kerala.

Kuttikanam Palaces 

                 These were the holiday homes of the Maharaja of Travancore. During the summer seasons, the Kings who once ruled Travancore resided in these summer palaces.

Kurisumala Ashram

                  Kurisumala Ashram is at the heart of the Sahya Mountains, which run parallel to India's south west coast. It is a place sanctified by the breeze which blows softly across the valleys and by the overwhelming beauty of the creation, and the mediative thoughts which arise from the depth of silence. Even today people move to the mountains in search of peace of mind and of God-experience.

Murinjupuzha Water Falls

       Valanjenganam waterfalls in the Monsoon season, some snaps of a scenic water falls on the way to Kuttikkanam, the small plantation town in the Idukki district of Kerala, sometimes called as OOTY of Kerala. The waterfalls is about 75 feet high, ie about 23 meters. The waterfalls is situated on the way to Kuttikanom beside Kottayam- Kumily route.  This white fresh milky river stream of nature which is untouched is said to be originating from somewhere in the mountains of Kuttikanom.  This waterfalls is also known in the names of Valavukayam waterfalls, Murinjapuzha falls, Ninnumullippara waterfalls (peeing rocks waterfalls), Keasari waterfalls etc. The most renowned name of the waterfalls is "Ninnu Mulli Para", meaning rocks that stands and pee, weired huh!..

Idukki Arch Dam

Idukki arch dam is the world's second and Asia's first Arch Dam constructed across the Kuravan & Kurathi hills. It is 650 ft in breadth and 550 ft in height and lies close to the much smaller Cheruthoni barrage. To the west is the Kulamavu Dam. The underground Power House at Moolamattam is another attraction.          All spots offer unforgettable scenes of deep blue waters bounded miles around by vegetation. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is adjacent to this world famous Arch Dam.  Without this dam, Kerala would be in complete darkness! Peermade          At an altitude of 950 m above sea level, Peermede hill station is a planter's paradise, an ideal location for a retreat in the Western Ghats.The town takes its name from Peer Mohammed, a Sufi Saint who is believed to have been the first trader of spices in the region and close associate of the royal family of Travancore. This famous plantation town once served as the summer retreat for the Rajas of the erstwhile Travancore and the palace is an important monument, given its historical and cultural significance.The whole region is covered by sprawling estates of coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom and rubber owing to this area being the most fertile part of the Western Ghats. The cloud covered hilltops and lush greenery for miles make this an ideal place for a weekend retreat. Honeymooners, families and adventure seekers alike can all have unforgettable experiences in this cosy town in the hills. Mangla devi temple      This ancient temple is hidden in the dense forest at the top of a peak 1337 meters above sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on Chithra Pournami festival day. Thangal Para  This is a center of Muslim pilgrimage.There is an ancient cave though which you can walk kilometers and experience the thrill of cave life,where our forefathers once lived before the dawn of civilizations.

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