Malampuzha Gardens is one of the biggest tourist attractions of Kerala, bringing in lakhs of tourists from the state & other states every year. Malampuzha Garden is known as the Vrindavan of Kerala. The garden with lush green lawns, innumerable flower beds, glittering pools and fountains is surrounded by a mammoth Dam. The natural grandeur of the garden is enhanced by fresh water aquarium, snake park and children's park with a toy train. The water reservoir in the middle of lush green gardens is ideal for boating and fishing. Another item of interest in the park is the imposing concrete sculpture of Yakshi, done by the renowned Kanai Kunhiraman. There is a road train for amusement ride on the wheels and telescopic tower providing a terrestrial view upto 40 miles. The first rock garden of South India,sculpted by world renowned Padmashree Nekchand of Chandigarh is also at Malampuzha. An amusement park is the latest addition to the long list of places to see at Malampuzha Gardens. Another major attraction is the Udankhatola - South India's only Passenger Ropeway.       [top]

Though the famous waterfall at Kuttalam is situated in Tamilnadu state, it shares the boundary of Kollam also. Season to visit the place is from June to January. A guest house and a number of medium range hotels are available. The District Tourism Promotion Council, chaired by th District Collector, offers tourist information and assistance. The office of the Council is situated at Ashramam Govt. Guest House complex. There are Tourist information centres at Railway Station, Kollam and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, Central Bus Station, Kollam. Tourist Information, tourist literature, hotel/boat/bus reservations etc. can be had from these places. Information can also be had from the Informatics Centre and the District Information Office, Civil Staion, Kollam. Railway Station at Kollam is situated just 1 km from the heart of the town, Chinnakkada. This junction is a major stop for all express, superfast and passenger trains. KSRTC operates Deluxe, Express and Fast Passenger, buses connecting important towns in the state. Ferry services are operated from Kerala State Water Transport Corporation boat jetty near KSRTC Central Bus Station, Kollam to various islands in the Astamudi backwaters. Tourist boat services are also operated between Kollam and Alappuzha during season. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (75 kms.) and Kochi Airport (150kms.) are the nearest airports. State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of India and all other National Banks have foreign exchange facilities at Kollam.       [top]

12 kms. east of Meppadi. Water falls to a depth of more than 500m. in 3 steps. Trekking equipments are available at Tourist Information Centre, Kalpetta. Rivers: Kabani river, one of the three east flowing rivers of Kerala, is an important tributary of the river Cauvery. Kabani and its tributaries constitute a powerful river system in the land scape of Wayanad. Panamaram rivulet takes its origin from the perennial lake called, 'Pookode lake'. It flows swiftly through mountain gorges and joined by other streams, tumbles down into Panamaram valley. Six kilometres further from Panamaram, this river joins with the Mananthavady rivulet, originating from the lower regions of the peak 'Thondarmudi'. From this confluence onwards, the river is known as Kabani, a mighty, perennial river which after entering Karnadaka State, joins with the river Cauvery. Almost entire Wayanad is drained by the Kabani river and its tributaries, namely, Panamaram river, Mananthavady river and Thirunelli river.       [top]

Pakshipathalam in Bramha Giri hills at Thirunelly is a challenging tourist spot. It is 7 kms. north-east of Thirunelly temple and is situated 1740m. above mean sea level. To reach 'Pakshipathalam', 17 kms. have to be covered through wild forest. The deep rock caves formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri is the abode of various birds and wild beasts. To go to 'Pakshipathalam' special permission has to be obtained from forest department.       [top]

Situated on the banks of the Chandragiri river in Kasaragod district this destination is known for its large 17 century fort. The fort offers a breathtaking view of the river and the Arabian sea. It is also a vantage point to watch the sunset. The ancient Kizhur temple nearby celebrates a grand annual festival called Pattutsavam.The Chandragiri Boat Club run by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation conducts boat trips to nearby islands and palm groves on the river. The Chandragiri Boat Club run by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation conducts boat trips to nearby islands and palm groves on the river.       [top]

Banasura Project at Padinjarathara, about 25 km northeast of Kalpetta, Wayanad district, north Kerala. The picturesque Banasura Project is the largest earthern dam in India and the second largest in Asia. Located in the midst of lovely, mist-clad hills with a wildlife sanctuary and park full of flowering trees, this spot of enchantment has no parallel elsewhere. With its placid crystal clear waters Banasura is a wonderful picnic spot. At Kalpetta, which once used to be the stronghold of the Jains in Kerala, you also have the attraction of historic monuments like the Ananthanathaswami Jain Temple near Puliyarmala.       [top]

Location: About 32 km from Mananthavady and about 66 km from Kalpetta, the district headquarters, Wayanad district, north Kerala. Set in the idyllic backdrop of the Brahmagiri hills, Thirunelli charms you not only with its pristine, scenic beauty and the chattering streams of the Papanasini spring, but also the serene, calm ambience of the Vishnu temple in the valley. It is believed that Lord Brahma, the Creator, himself installed the idol of the presiding deity of the temple - Sree Vishnu, the Preserver and the second member of the Trinity in Hindu mythology. Even the very names of the hills and streams of Thirunelli bear a divine charm - Brahmagiri, the hills of Brahma; Papanasini, the destroyer of sins and so on. Considered a destination of immense beauty and drawn by the divine power of it's deity, visitors stream to Thirunelli throughout the year except during heavy monsoons       [top]

Agastyarkoodam Peak is a spectacular peak in the Western Ghats that rises to a majestic height of about 1890 m in the form of a sharp cone. Agasthyarkoodam is part of the Sahyadri mountains and forms the second highest peak in Kerala. A bird watcher's paradise, this legendary mountain is accessible by foot from Kotoor, near Neyyar Dam and also from Bonacaud. Teeming with wild life Agathyarkoodam is a haven of rare herbs and medicinal plants and the slopes offer a breathtaking sight when they transform into colorful glades of the 'Neelakurinji' a flower, which blooms only once in twelve years The Agasthya forest believed to have been the abode of sage Agasthya, a character from mythology. Hence, the aborigines dislike the presence of strange women on the hill. Women are not allowed up the peak. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking, for which a forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Forest Department, Thiruvananthapuram.       [top]

Situated in the Agasthyamalai hill ranges in the south of the Western Ghats, in Nedumangad and Neyyatinkara Taluks of Thiruvananthapuram district, Neyyar is a popular picnic spot. The Neyyar wildlife sanctuary established in 1958 is located at the foot of the Western Ghats, 30km east of Thiruvananthapuram. It is spread over an area of 128km. The landscape is hilly and wooded. Wildlife is represented here by wild elephants, Sambhar , Jungle cat, Gaur, Niligiri langur and the Niligiri ahr. Tigers and Leopards have also been sighted up. Besides there is a large population of crocodiles and otters . A crocodile farm was set in 1977. Gardens near the dam are decorated with larger then life statues. Boats can be hired to view deer and other wildlife on an island in the reservoir area of the dam. The sanctuary has a wide variety of vegetation and landscape, ranging from tropical wet evergreen forest to grasslands. The best way to explore the sanctuary is by boat. Climate conditions are moderately hot and humid, and hottest in March and April. The enchanting Agastyagoodam mountains in this area provide an opportunity for hiking, trekking and mountaineering. The Agasthyagoodam hill range features prominently in legends and Hindu mythology. The Range takes its name from Agasthya, an ascetic, who is reputed to have performed penance in the area. On the upper reaches of the Neyyar reservoir there are two magnificent waterfalls; Meenmutty and Kombaikani waterfalls. Accommodation is available at the Forest Department Inspection Bungalow and Irrigation Department dormitory. The sanctuary is accessible by boat, jeep or on foot up to Kottur Dry Stock Farm and Amboori, beyond which access is limited to boats.       [top]

Peppara wildlife sanctuary is a 'gene pool' sanctuary, with a rich variety of flora Pepparaand fauna. The terrain is rugged with rushing streams, flat meadows, gentle to steep hills ranging from 90m to 1717m. The sanctuary was set up in 1983 taking into account its diversity in ecological, faunal and floral content. The sanctuary has substantial natural vegetation cover ranging from sub tropical forests to tropical evergreen forests and is dotted with large hills and numerous hillocks with Eucalyptus plantations. The sanctuary is home to elephants, sambhar, lion-tailed macaques, leopards, and assorted birds. Gaur, barking deer, wild boar, tiger and the nilgiri langur are also among the main inhabitants of the park. Peppara is accessible from Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram Ponmudi road. This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts. It is spread over an area of 53 sq km on the Western Ghats. A boat ride on the site is a fulfilling experience. Although Peppara is theoretically open all year, the main season is from January until May       [top]

Located 20 kms from Thodupuzha, Thommankuthu is a small and beautiful, wild waterfall with the serene and pristine beauty of the forest and stream. The place is ideal for nature lovers and attracts thousands of tourists every year. The wild beauty of the scenic waterfall will steal the heart of any traveller. A marvellous wonder of the nature, the seven-step waterfall here is a much-loved picnic spot. At each step there is a cascade and a pool beneath. Thommankuthu is an ideal place for adventure tourism. To enjoy the panoramic beauty the best way is to undertake a trek that takes one to the top of the mountain, a nearly 12 kms climb. Under the present circumstance only one-day tours can be conducted owing to the lack of boarding and lodging facilities. The 'Chitrakoodam' project aims at installing essential and basic facilities here. Boating can be arranged in the serene lake and fishing, together with horse riding in the valleys and adventure sports. There are buses from Thodupuzha, which is 18 kms away from Thommankuthu. There are accommodation facilities available in and around the city of Thodupuzha. There is a PWD Rest House at Thodupuzha and the reservation authority is the District Collector, Idukki. There are also hotels and restaurants in Thodupuzha. Meenuliyarmudi (at vannapuram panchayathu), Keezharkuthu (Uumpannoor) and Irukallumud (Velliyammattom) are other famous small tourist centres near Thommankuthu.       [top]

Bhoothathankettu, a scenic damsite with boating facilities is situated in a vast virgin forest. Historical background, beauty accompanied legends make Bhoothathankettu unique and makes it a dreamland for the tourists. The forest on the right bank of the Periyar and the garden on the left bank are extremely attractive. The mythologically popular picnic spot lies close to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkadu. The myth connected with the origin of this place says that this natural fortification of forests and hills was built by Bhoothams (spirit/ghosts) overnight. Hence the name Bhoothathankettu (fort of the spirits). Later, this natural topography helped in building a dam here. Trekking though the enchanting wilderness to the old Bhoothathankettu holds promises of excitement to adventure lovers. The two main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district - the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar Irrigation Project are also located nearby.       [top]

Athirapally is around 63 km from Thrissur. East of Chalakudy, near the entrance of the Sholayar forest ranges are thebeautiful waterfalls of Athirapally and Vazhachal, 5 km apart. Athirappally and Vazhachal, the two scenic and popular waterfalls on the edge of the Sholayar forest ranges are just 5 km apart. The Athirappally Falls joins the Chalakkudy river after plummeting down a drop of 80 feet. Vazhachal is part of the Chalakkudy river.       [top]

The Rainbow waterfalls, which cascade down a rock from a height of about 1500 mt is a wonderful attraction of this spot. It can be seen throughout the year in full swing. The forest around this spot is home to various medicinal plants. It is an ideal place for rock climbing, mountaineering and camp trekking.       [top]

One of the most revered places for the traditional art forms of Kerala, the Kalamandalam is the cradle of Kathakali training in India. This temple of arts has preserved and propagated Kathakali - the classical dance-drama of Kerala - for the past 78 years. Many of the internationally renowned artistes of Kerala and India have been trained here. The Kalamandalam and its surroundings reflect the simple, pure and ethnic atmosphere in which these arts have survived for centuries. The Koothambalam - the traditional dance theatre - at Kalamandalam is the only one in the State which is built outside a temple complex. Constructed according to vikrushtra madhya, one of the three natya grihas (theatres) specified in sage Bharatha's Natyasasthra - a treatise on art compiled in the 2nd century B.C, the theatre is 14.62 m long and 7.31m wide and has four wooden pillars supporting it. It has three main parts - the aniyara (green room), the rangam (stage) - the space on front and side of it meant for the audience, and the mridanga-patha (where the drum is kept). The Kerala Kalamandalam was established by allathol Narayana Menon, the renowned Malayalam poet. It was at a time when the popularity of Kathakali was on the wane. English education had been introduced and only a few upper class families in the State held the key to the art form. Realising the need to keep the art alive, the poet along with a few royal Kathakali enthusiasts like M. Mukundaraja and Kunjikuttan Thampuran, took over the revival and popularisation programme. They arranged performances by eminent artistes across the State and even raised funds through lotteries. Over the years this unique institution has imparted training for Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Kootiyattam, Panchavadyam, Thullal etc - following the ancient gurukula system of education.       [top]