Juwal Bose Says

This was the last day as we had decided to skip Chembra trek, Pakshipathalam and Kanthampara falls. will be visiting Wayanad again for these treks with some of my trekking friends. So first was Banasura sagar dam which was the larges earth dam in Asia. Now i was not much particular about this as there was nothing much to do at the dam. We later found out that there was speedboating option at the dam site.
We took bus to Pandijarethara from Kalpetta. From padinjarethara it was 2 kms walk on the roadside to the dam. Now we didnt take the necessary deviation towards the dam and ended up at a different spot. This made things more wonderful as we gt the chance to walk by the side of the reservoir and trek onto small hills which ended at some rock quarries.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

We followed lorry trails and walked through the dense vegetation by the reservoir and explored some scenic points. We could see the boating and the dam to the side and we saved the ticket charges also. There was no person in sight and the whole land was barren with lots of domestic cows and goats scattered here and there.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

We walked back to the town adn got a bus back to Kalpetta. After food we got on a bus to sultan bethery and from there to Muthanga. The timing at the Wildlife sanctuary was from 3-5 in the after noon. There was a shortage for guides and hence the queue for the tickets were not moving. We got our tickets at 4.45 and got on to the jeep with our guide ‘balan’. It was 1.15 hours of jeep guided tour inside the forest for 22 kms.Again it was 10 rs for entry, rs 25 for camera rs 100 for the guide and then rs 300 for the jeep. Now take care to get as many companions to share the jeep charges. We had t handle it ourselves. We were concerned as the place was on the border to karnataka and buses seemed less. This was the last stop for many buses, but the guide told us that there are lots of buses.

We got in the jeep and the guide was sanding outside dangling onto the jeep sigting different animals for us. He spotted Elephant herds, lots of Deers, Wild Bison, Mountain squirrels, Huge termite houses and peacocks. We saw some beautiful peacock flights and encountered a herd of elephants passing the jeep trail. On our way back we tried to negotiate the jeep rates to no avail.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

All through the journey across wayanad we could see a lot of Adivasis who are real jungle people. The locals say that adivasis are well off as they are getting all kinds of allowances from the Govt. Adivasis would work hard and spent money at Toddy shops and Civil suplies beverages shops. They cant be molested or attacked as it was a bailless arrest for 30 days. I also heard that there were orphanages dedicated to children of these adivasis, courtesy of many forest officers and other govt officials.

So there ended our Wayanad trip and we returned home on the xmas day.

So the second day the plan was different, we had decided to take a vehicle. The thing with the last days experience made us realise that this place was not much connected with buses. After breakfast we went to the Taxi stand and enquired the rates, it was 1300 for an Indica for a day. So we decided to cover Edakkal Caves, Phantom Rock, Heritage museum and Kuruva Island. First was Edakkal caves and we are in mood for a trek to the top.
There are some private parking at the bottom of the road, dont park here. You will have to pay here and then again walk to the top. There is free parking at thestart of the trek road. Also there will be jeeps which will say that the trek is 2 kms and they will cover half for rs 70. DONT take this also, as if you cant walk this then there is no point going top. You will have to walk a lot and may be even try the trek to the tip. Carry a lot of water and get ready to get your hands dirty.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

Entry fees are rs 10 and rs 25 for camera. You will pass through some cave like structures and lots of roack covered areas. After some easy climbing through paved ways and ladders you will reach the real Edakkal cave. There are some kind of drawings and carvings on the walls of the cave. Also when you look up you will see that you are actually standing right below a huge rock which is on its way down. This rock is being held there by 2 rocks on its sides. This is a peculiar sight.

From this point you can either go back or decide to trek t the top. Now the latter is really dangerous. We will have to climb holding on to make shift steps which are actually holes made into the rock. Also there is some ropes being available at some places to haul yourselves up. At some point i was a little bit afraid as i had the responsibility of my cousin. Well anyways we made it to tetop with soem enthusiastic students from some college. It was an accomplishments in itself. Now the thought of climbing down was scintillating. But its just a mind game as we reached back in half the time and it was really very easy when compared to the uphill trek.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

We reached back at noon and decided to head for Phantom rock. There is nothing much to see here as its some kind of wierd rock formation which looks like a head and hence the name.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

We also visited te wayanad heritage museum where the entrance fee was rs 10 and we didnt take the camera pass this tme. Lots of archeological finds of local wayanad was kept there. Main attraction was Veerakkallu which was used to cover dead people in the past. It depicted how they died.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

Then we had food and stopped at the Jain temple on way to Kuruva island. Jain temple access was restricted and we found our way in through the vegetation nearby. THis was bombed by Tippu when he was having his run. Lots of stone carvings and architectural marvel was to be seen here.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

We were late for Kuruva sight seeing as the island closed at 5. So we decided to make things fast. The island is 950 acres of wild area and we can have some soothing time there. We decided not to take the boat and to walk across the rived to reach the island. This was fun. Onreaching the island we had to take tickets for rs 10 and rs 10 for camera. We had half an hour at our disposal and we decided to have a bath in the river. The thing is tat you will get total privacy here and can have all the enjoyment. After bath we thought of going back using the boat, but it seemed to be closed. No one was in sight and then we found 2 lost people who didnt know what to do now. We told them to follow us as we can cross the river to the main land. So the four of us made the adventurous trip back across the river.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

Now this was expensive day and we decided that we will not be taking vehicle any more. Most of the tourist destinations were over and we thought of winding things up with a visit to Banasura Dam ad Muthanga Wild life sanctuary the next day

The year was going to be over and i had missed my big travel this year. Now was the time to do it and i got my cousin Vijay to accompany me to the wild Wayanad. I started off at 10 am from Kothamangalam and picked up Vijay from Trissur and got on a KSRTC bus to Kozhikode. We had food from Kozhikode from where we got a bus to Kalpetta. I had planned the timing so that we could see the thamarassery churam in the beauty of the evening. People in the bus were very cooperative and let us see the whole beauty of the cliff from inside the bus. There was not much cold even when it was december.

At Kalpetta we took a room at Arun Lodge which had accomodation for rs 200 and deluxe room for rs 440. We took the deluxe room and it was really good one. We got some pamplets to work outour plans as we have not planned anything out. The original idea was to spent the whole week at Wayanad.

The next day after some asking around we decided to catch buses to possible locations. Our list had Pookot lake, Chain tree, Tamarassery Churam, Soochippara Fallas, Meenmutty falls and Kanthampara falls. We took a but to Vythiri from where we got an Auto to pookot lake. Rs 10 entry fees and Rs 10 for the camera, then the boating costed Rs 30 for 20 mins. We can have a walk around te lake and sit around taking photos and enjoying the beauty of the lake. We can pedal around in the pedal boat and go to the Ambal group to one end and make it back within 20 mins.

They will keep extra rs 30 as security if you extend the stay in water for more than 20 mins. We got back in time though. I bought some jungle honey and Then nellikka. We walked bac to the bus stop and tok the next bus to lakkidi.

We had a difficult time finding the chain tree. It was not much, but a big chan fixed to the ground after going rounf a big tree. Legend has it that a wild mans ghost is being imprisoned that way. This guy supposedly helped the British officer make the Thamarassery pass and the officer killed hi to take all the credit of the find. Te Ghost was wreaking havoc on all vehicles passing thriugh the pass and he was eventually captured and chained to the tree.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

We walked back to the Thamarassery pass and walked down some hair pins. There are 9 hairpins and the sight below is breath taking.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

After a photo shoot and some fruits from the vendors there we decided to head back. We got bus to Kalpetta and then to a place called Meppadi. From mepadi we had a bus to soochippara junction. Bus to this place is a rare find and from the stop itself there is a trek of 2 kms to reach the falls. Lots of people were there majorly consisting of college and school students on tour.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

We had food after 1km which consisted of Kerala Rice and Fish fry. One our way down the mountain slope we went to the wrong directon (left) and ended up at a small falls which we thought was the original falls. Now there was no way to go down, but we managed down and had a bath. On our way back in order to get back and head for other places in the list we saw the original route. We heard whistles and shouts from that direction and following the trail ended up at the real Soochipara falls. Now we decided to cancel all other destnations and to enjoy here. The thing is that there are no guards or any kind of safety system at the place. The endeavour was dangerous of sorts as any one cal slip on the slippery rocks and fall into the rushing water. But the effect of standing under the white misty falls was heavenly. Me and my cousin spent some time under the falls and i swam my way back to the shore after some cooling off in the freezing water.

From Wayanad Dec 21 08

We reached back at the junction at 6 and we found that it was already dark.. There was no humans in sight or any other vehicles. We decided to walk back all the wayand after some walk we got a jeep. If we could not have gotten that jeep then it would have been some night. We got back to our room at 8 and had some food. Then we did some planning for the next day and went to sleep.

Its been long time since i had been to my moms place at Lavanapadom off Vadakkancherry, Thrissur – Palakkad border. When grand father wanted to meet me I decided to spent the weekend at their place. On sunday we planned a trip to a near by scenis place called Palakkuzhy. The place was a wild waterfalls which had taken a lot of lives of visitors. We took an auto to the place named the same and the auto was finding it really hard to haul us all on the rising road. We had to take turns to walk and ride untill we reached there.
Any body can come to the place via Thrissur, Vadakkancherry, Valkulambu, Palakkuzhy. But the bus are scarce and the ideal thing will be to get a jeep.



We have to trek a little along the river till we reach the falls where the scene is like the edge of the world. The ground suddenly falls and the scenery is inspiring yet fills us with fear.



This is near virgin forests and you can see monkeys and other wild life up close. You can opt to trek around and climb the rocky mountains to the sides or decide to have a bath.



Take care not to bath too close to the falls as a sudden ruch of water can take you down.



There had been instances in the past when rain upstream had caused many casualities when the water suddenly gushed in.

Photos check here

This is looking promising for the traveler in me as i am finding myself doing a trip every month. This time it was a Navodayan team trip to ilaveezhapoonjira. This place is off Mutton off Thodupuzha. There is a board declaring 5 kms to the place on the main road. We were on our way back from Ansars marriage and there were 10 people in 2 cars. Roy and Mahesh were generous enough to give lift to us all. Simon had the oriignal plan to visit Kuttikkanam, but as Mahesh had to reach home soon we didnot take that up.

The locals told us that normal vehicles wont go up there and we needed to take Jeep. But when we reached the rugged path to the summit we didnt find any jeep. Many were not in a mood to climb as they all had a great feast and were in amood to rest and many had to return home. But the enthusiasts amont us took off. The trak was 3kms uphill and was supoposed to take 1 hour minimum. There were lots of confusion whether to do it or not. Then Roy was of the opinion that we will never do this again and it was now or never. So we started off with me anfal and anoop at lead.

Trek was tiring and no one was in a shape for this. We heard this noise and found a jeep coming up. The road was so rugged that the travelers in the jeep were jumping up and down all the way. The jeep was useless after such rides anyways. They were having a great time mocking us as we were walking up. After some time we found then stranded and were secretly happy . One lorry with timber load was stuck in the road up ahead. We could only stare at these people who dare to take up the lorry and load it up with heavy timber on that road. There was oil leakage for the lorry and also the tyres were gone. We marched ahead taking some snaps here and there and reached a junction point where there was a small water fall and water flowing down. We had a drink and rejuvenated ourselves from the spring. The signboard declared that there was 2kms to ilaveezhapoonjira and 1.5 kms to Muniyara. Both were in opposite directions.

From Ilaveezhapoonjira

We didnt wee any one else from the team coming up and hence had to cal them to confirm the status. Only BSNL had range and i got mahesh. Mahesh had to go back and many were ready to join him. So we agreed to it as we then saw roy coming up with rajesh pk. Roy had the bigger car and we were just enough people to fit in. After some time simon was calling saying he and ajesh were venturing up and we had to wait for them. But it was heavy climb ahead and we told them to catch up as we carry on. So with roy and pk we were a team of 5 marching ahead. All were expecting a pong as the name of the place suggested the presence. After some persistence we reached a temple which was the place. There was mountain up ahead and a local lady told us this was the place. Roy was pissed off as there was no pond near by and we were damn thirsty.

We decided to venture uphill as we had reached upto here. Ontop we reached a guest house of the govt. A elder guy at the place offered us Tea. Now that was a relief. We were just there to try for water and we got a hotel. The to our wonder we found that Beer was available. All sat down to enjot the great breeze and scenic beauty of the place. Simon and Ajesh caught up and were relieved to find the beer. We had some great photo sessions and rested. The rest was refill for us as we found up and kicking to reach the summit. Me anfal and simon decided to go to the top most wireless sation point when others decided to start walking back. We saw the gang in the jeep come up through a different route. This way was good for vehicles and started some where off road to moolamattom. We could see the Alapuzha Lake at the horizon as the sun lit it up like an orange stretch. We first thought it was horizon but it actually was glistening water. At the top point these other gang people told us to explore beyond the wireless camp and we first thought they were making fun of us. There was the wireless camp with 2 police men and after it was a rock with abrupt end to the mountain. The scene was spectacular as we could see all low lands around us. One side it was the Malankara reservoir and dam. We could see the whole reservoir snaking up. The breeze was rejuvenating and we spent a couple of minutes digesting the breathtaking view.

We started off back with plan to reach back in an hour as we took 1 hour to reach the top. But it only took half an hour to get back as it was really easy getting down hill. The other team had some fun down the stream and were waiting for us. We bid farewell to the place and cramped 7 people into Roys car. We missed the visit to Muniyara, but then this was the max we could trek that day. The day was not supposed to be a trekking trip, but a marriage visit. Anyways it turned out to be one hell of an exercise day.

One thing that is good about Kothamangalam is that many of Kerala’s Tourist attractions fall close to it. The way to Adimali/ Munnar passes through here, Thattekkad Bird sanctuary, BhothathanKettu Dam, Kodanadu Elephant Krall, access to ThommanKuthu, Idamalayar and access to ernakulam. Last day we found out a new place to have a weekend getaway. Its called Ayyappanmudy and is just 7 kms off Kothamangalam enRoute Thattekkad. You need to really sk for directions here and there as there is not much visible directions or signposts to the place. The most I can let you know is that its near Chelad.

Last day when Aby visited us here at Kothamangalam me and Eldhose decided to go some where. The plan was Ayyappanmudy, we missed it on the way first and we headed to Thattekkad.

From Ayyapanmudy

The bird sanctuary was closed as it was off season. Bus full of tourists were coming and all were getting dissappointed at the ticket counter. We checked out a Toddy shop and found out that no food was available. We decided to hit Bhoothatahnkattu near which Popular rally was having its second last session. Reached there in the right time to see the flag off for last lap where lots of esteems and gipsies were trying their luck. Today I came to know that the MRF team won the rally.

From Ayyapanmudy

After seeing the rally and hitting toddy shop once again we started back to catch the evening sun atop Ayyappanmudy. It was a narrow inroad to the big rocky climb. Atop these rocks were one temple devoted to Ayyappan and hence the name. It was scenic, but we have been seing this all through Kerala, the good thing was that this was so close to home and yet we were making this for first time.

From Ayyapanmudy

The climb was nothing spectacular or tiresome, but the sun was beating down even when it was raining these days. We sat down for some time and decided to cover all the connected mountains as well. On our trek we had to face a lot of troubles including some severe words from local people who blamed us for intending to commit suicide. Local old men were stripped of their privacy when their open air toilets were being used as sight seeing places by us lesser mortals. We lay down below the sun for some time and when it was starting to be dark hit back to Kothamangalam where we found refuge at Mariya Intl.

As Csharks made Csharks Games and Solutions Pvt Ltd, we decided to go for the much awaited team tour. The team had changed totally from last years team but the fun was all the same. This time around we chose a 17 seater and my brother also joined the team. Anish came to join up after we had met up for blog camp last day. The places decided were Vagamon and Kuttikkanam. Lets see some natural special effects which we saw on the trip below.

Kurisumala

Vagamon Kurisumala

Echo Point

Fog Attack @ Echo Point

Panchali Meedu – Entry

Panchali Meedu Entry

Panchali Meedu – Wind Attack

Wind Attack @ PanchaliMeedu

Panchali Meedu – Temple

Mystical Temple @ PanchaliMeedu

Panchali Meedu – Shiv Linga

Mystical Shiv Linga @ PanchaliMeedu

Check these photos of the trip

People who couldnot reach early stayed back with the accomodated colleagues so that we can start the trip early morning at 5.30. We started off on time with yesterdays laddu , frizbees and volleyball. Had a cut-tea on the way from Muvattupuzha and headed to Vagamon. We stopped on way to have breakfast and to pack up some food items for lunch. Before reaching vagamon city we decided to see Kurisumala which was holy place for Christians. This proved great for some (those who reached the top of the original hill) and bad for some (those who unfortunately stopped half way and those who went missing)

It was a good enough hike and all got tired pretty soon. Another party went up another hill and failed to get Mist and fog effect atop Kurisumala. Fog filled land scape and fog attack is a sight in itself. On reaching back disaster struck when Rajesh and my Brother went missing. We had to hike around wasting energy just to find them walking away down the road in search of playing field to play with the ball (ehmm)
After this we started off to the meadows where i switched to Csharks Tshirt and we had great time playing on the grass. The programmers tea won the football match by 2 goals to 1 against the artist team. Frizbee playing was also engaging as people were running all around to get the lost ball and frizbees which kept running ff the slopes. The driver bhai had warned about leeches, and like last time i got one on my leg. I guess there is something that connects me with leeches.hmm.

We decided we will have our food in the pine forest and headed there. Pine forest was primarily a scenic place to rest and feel nature. We saw some couples making the most of it, but let them be. We concentrated on having the packed Porotta ad Kadala curry served by our female colleagues. Newly weds were coming to take photos and we also had a photo session after having food. next destination was Suicide point. Devraj wanted to see this all the way, but many people were tired including me. I had muscle ache after the tiring football match. Out family couple decided to wait in the vehicle and i decided to have some peaceful time over the Echo point. I sat down watching the rest of the team head up the road to see the suicide point. Big vehicles were not allowed inside and all had to walk yet another 6 kms, to and fro totally. I enjoyed yet another fog attack atop echo point and others claimed that suicide point is the highest one in south india and the sight in breathtaking and extremely scary.

We had to part vagamon and head to kuttikkanam. Anish dropped ff to return to his place at a city on the way to kuttikkanam. We didnt have any idea what was there to see at kuttikkanam as all were already satisfied with natures play.(well all were tired and couldnot walk a bit) Then all of a sudden there came a severe downpour. The rain was heavy and we thought all plans were in vain. But we took the initiative of taking umbrellas and hitting the road ad PanchaliMeedu. This place really stood apart. For all those who had the initiative left to make the trip really enjoyed the mystical place. There was a mystical temple atop a hill and a church atop another. Also there was a long pole erected using strong wires from all four sides. We could not understand the reason for all that. May be it was a sign for aeroplanes not to crash as the area was totally fog filled. We were attacked by severe wind and fog all the way.

We had one more place to go which was Parundan Para which we missed as the driver missed the spot and also all had fallen asleep. We took bread and jam and decided to have food back at Thodupuzha on our way back. We took food from Hotel Sicilia and reached back safely close to 9 pm. The trip was full of nature and the lesson was nature always give the pleasure to those who tries hard. Without efforts we wont reach anywhere, so the rose always comes with thorns.

Check out these photos of the trip

Last time when cousins came to my place i was neck deep with work. I really felt it bad when i could not arrange something cool for them. But this time around i had decided to make the trip count and to make some marks in their memories. So when they turned up this weekend i had to plan everything fast. As my mom is working and there is no one to help her in the kitchen (eehh..) cousins usually planned one day outing to my place. This will lower the burden it crates on Kitchen end of things. So new plan was initiated to stay for one more day. They came on a saturday when i was away to ekm. They spent their time seeing the film ‘Madambi’ by great actor Mohanlal.

It seemed like a time killer, but they had come to see me and relatives and not the film. So when i met up with them late night 9 pm the new plan was initiated over the current ‘cut’ from 9.30 to 10.00. The plan was to make a trip down to ThommanKuth, an ecotourism project near our place. Calls were made and a driver was made available to drive our alto with the 5 of us. Vinoj and Shyam from Thrissur with me and my brother. Shyam had just got placed in infy and his treat was due. But we let it go for the time being as there is lot time to do the treat in near future, when he will be earning a lot of infy money.

So early morning we started at 9 pm (too early huh) after packing some cheangeover dresses and some eatables. We didnt know what to expect, all i knew was that it was having waterfalls and people drown there usually. So it was all considered dangerous. The thing was that all aunties were overly protective of their sons and the blade hung over my neck if something went wrong. But these people were grown up enough and i believe they can handle things perfectly well. The path taken was throuth Kothamangalam – Pothanikkad – Paingaottur – Vannappuran – ThommanKuth. This was news for me as i only knew the way through Thodupuzha.

Anyways we reached the place and we were among the first to reach there. We were also praying that it doesnot rain as rain is gonna play spoilsport. We could see the falls and the river at a distance and the cliff was fenced off limits. We could only watch from the balconies constructed for sight seeing. We were dissappointed to see that there was nothing else to do but watch the falls from such distance. Then i saw the ecotourism arch board to the top with a path leading inside the forest. So we can roam inside the forest and follow the river up its path for a ticket of 10rs. We took 5 tickets for 50rs and started the journey carrying our dress and food with us. There was no restrictions and no guards anywhere. SO if we fell into the river of found ourselves in some trouble all we could do is scream.

The rivers white water made big thunderous sounds as we followed it upriver. There were small falls here and there which made beautiful photo points. Then we came upto one tree house on top of the river. It looked old and a piece from a museum. But it was rock solid and the tree on which it was build upon didnt budge as all of us entered the house. We had our driver also accompanying with us as this was first time for him also. We took some snaps in the tree house and continued the journey. Later on we reached the main waterfall which was beautiful and if only we could swim across to bath under the falling water. If i was with my other friends we could have done it, but now with these guys. So we continued our journey through the river side rather than through the forest way up. After some time we came to the dead end where we could only go one deangerously over the big and slippery rocks inside the river.

We could hear the screams and animal voices raised by a batallion of youth up our track where they followed the forest path up. We decided to cut up through the undergrowth up the steep side of the river. We made it to the path and followed it tl we found where the team of youth were stationed. They were having a blast with all kinds of liquids and something else. But they were enjoying their time and making no problems for others (very rare in Kerala)
We started or journey back after 1.45 hours of inward journey. We had decided to bath at some shallow place. Everywhere we could see signs of danger and how many people have died, etc. We took our food and backtracked to the place where we had seen some grownups bath earlier. Our driver went back to the car as we had to look some time to find the exact spot to bath as it was now deserted.

We had a nice time in the water where i was checking myself always in the fear of some leeches. i ave the bad memory from my Athirappilly trip when one leech made its way into my elbow. After half an hour n the water receiving some really envious looks from passers by we decided to return and call it a day. On our way back we had Kerala lunch from Vannappuran with fried fish and it really tasted good. After reaching back home all fell onto the bed and none woke up even when it was the Asia cup cricket finals between India and Srilanka.

Well no surprise there as India lost the all critical Final.