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| VAGAMON |
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Pristine forests, exotic flora and fauna and verdant meadows characterize Vagamon, a location straight out of a tourism brochure. Located 1,100 m above sea level on the western fringe of Idukki, and bordering Kottayam, the Vegamon mountain range was cleared by the early planters for the cultivation of tea and coffee, Vagamon first witnessed changes when Walter Duncan and Company set up their tea plantations in a massive 534-acre plot of land. |
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| A decade later, Christian missionaries set up the Kurisumala Ashram, which transformed the region into a spiritual nerve centre, popular even today. The terrain differs from thickly wooded areas or grassy plains to the rugged mountains. While pine trees cover large tracts, tea plantations are less in number compared to other hill stations such as Munnar. Indeed, Vagamon’s charm lies in the relaxed ambience that makes it an ideal getaway |
| SIGHTS |
KURISUMALA |
Located 5 Km from Vegamon,is Kurisumala, an important Christian pilgrim centre, with a church atop a hill. There are 14 crosses along the path leading to the church, which commands stunning views of the surrounding countryside
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| KURISUMALA ASHRAM |
This Catholic monastery, which strives to combine Indian religiosity with Christian spirituality, has been attracting monks from around the world for close to four decades. Abbot Francis Acharya, a Belgian, and Fr Bede Griffiths, and Englishman, established this Clisterican abbey in 1958. |
MURUGAN PARA |
On the eastern side of Kurisumala is Murugan Para, a rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Murugan that attracts a large number of worshippers. |
PINE FORESTS |
This valley in Kolahalamedu, with its groves of pine trees, is a protected area. There are boards cautioning tourists to keep from littering the forests. |
NELLIYAMPATHY |
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Situated south of the Palakkad Gap, Nelliyampathy has all the attractions of a typical hill station-coffee, tea, and cardamom plantations, a pleasant climate, sublime scenery and an abundance of flora and fauna. Locally called ‘poor man’s Ooty’, it offers the inhabitants of Palakkad and escape from the sweltering summer heat of the plains. Nelliyampathy is close to the wildlife sanctuaries of Parambikulam, Anamalai and Peechi-Vazhani. |
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The Nelliyampathy Range , once owned by the maharajas of Kollengode and Kochi , is now part of the Nenmara Forest Division. It consists of a chain of ridges separated by valleys that abound in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, teeming with wildlife |
| SIGHTS |
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POTHUNDY |
A picturesque reservoir, it lies on the way to Nelliyampathy, close to the scenic village of Nenmara , and is built across two tributaries of the Ayalar River – the Meenachadypuzzha and the Padipuzha. |
SEETHARKUNDU |
Located within the Karuna Plantations, Seetharkundu attracts visitors as much for the drive from Nelliyampathy as for the place itself. The drive offers a fabulous view of the plains, as far as Palakkad town and its surrounding countryside. Besides the waterfalls, there is a gnarled tree here, a major attraction. Legend has it that Rama, Sita and Lakshman once lived here, hence the name. |
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MAMPARA GRASSLANDS |
| These sprawling grasslands can be reached only through a treacherous road, but it is well worth the effort for the spectacular
views of the Palakkad range- verdant slopes, thick forests and a patchwork of lush paddy fields. |
ORANGE AND VEGETABLE FARM |
Set up by the rulers of the erstwhile State of Cochin in 1943 to provide food for British troops and resolve a crisis that arose in the land during the time, this once thriving farm has now been revived and 237 acres of land re-planted with orange trees. The fruit preservation unit, located at Pulayanpara, where guavas and passion fruit are used to make delicious jams, preserves and squash, is open to visitors. |
Set up by the rulers of the erstwhile State of Cochin in 1943 to provide food for British troops and resolve a crisis that arose in the land during the time, this once thriving farm has now been revived and 237 acres of land re-planted with orange trees. The fruit preservation unit, located at Pulayanpara, where guavas and passion fruit are used to make delicious jams, preserves and squash, is open to visitors. |
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