My Travel

[Perfection]

Kozhikode (Calicut) was the capital of the powerful Zomorins. It is also famous for the Urus - large wooden boats crafted manually with a variety of timber. The taste of Kozhikoden Halwa is unforgettable. Vasco de Gama landed at Kappad beach (16 km from Kozhikode) in 1498 and become successful in finding a route from Europe.

Kakkayam has plenty of forest and a nice place to spot wildlife, birds, butterflies. Kakkayam offers excellent rock climbing and trekking opportunities. The Kakkayam dam is in Koyilandy taluk and in Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary. Best season is from April to November.





Map

The Kakkayam is 50 km from Kozhikode and the route is via Balussery/Thamarassery to Estate mukku and then to Thalayadu. Kuttiyady power station at Kakkayam. The KSEB hydro-electric power station is functional and supplies power. The dam is fed with water from Banasura Sagar dam in Wayanad. Good road to the dam site / Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary. Shared jeep taxis run on this 15 km hill route.

Urakkuzhi waterfalls is near the dam accessible by a nice 3 km trek.

[Perfection]

Padmanabhapuram palace, Tamil Nadu

The palace is located within a fort having 4 km perimeter. The palace is adminstered by Kerala Archelogical Department. The palace was constructed by Iravipillai Iravivarma Kulasekhara Perumal, the ruler of Travancore in around 1601 AD.

The dark palace floor has a fine perfect finish. It is made of burnt coconut shells, egg white and so on.

The palace complex consists of Mantrasala (King's Council Chamber), Thai Kottaram (oldest building dating 1550 AD), Nataksala (Hall of Performance. There is a wooden enclosure, with peepholes, where the women of the royal household used to sit and watch the performance.), A four-storeyed building at the centre of the Palace complex (Uppirikka maliga having the a cot made of 64 wooden pieces of a variety of medicinal tree trunks) and Thekee Kottaram (the Southern Palace, now serves as a museum).

The interseting features of the palace are Clock Tower (300 year old clock), bronze hanging Lamp (Thooku vilakku), wood carving in ceiling, a big dining hall to accommodate 1000 guests, a secret escape passage (now blocked), ponds, temples, a collection of old Chinese jars, Single Wood Pillar made of Jackfruit Tree, a variety of weapons (swords and daggers), Queen's dressing room having large polished metal mirrors and handcraft iron roped swings, polished granite coat for cooling effect, a cot made of 64 wooden pieces of a variety of medicinal tree trunks, toilets, kitchen utensils, old paintings and so on.

Ambari Mukhappu - Built for King to view chariot races.The structure built in the shape of Ambari, the seat put on the elephant back for safaris.







How To Reach :

The Kerala style palace is located 3 km from Thuckalay, and is 63 km from Thiruvananthapuram on the Nagarcoil road. Also 20 km from Nagarcoil, the nearest railhead.

Timings :

8.30 am to 4.30 pm except Mondays and other Government Holidys.

Ticket rate :

Entry : Rs 25 , Still camera : Rs 25.