My Travel

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Ettumanoor Mahadevar temple Aarat

Aarat & Ezharaponnana Darshan (Seven and half elephants made of 13 kg gold) at Ettumanoor Mahadevar temple on the Thiruvathira day - 2011 Mar 14 - at midnight (on 8th and 10th day). The temple has very good mural painting on its outer and inner walls. The temple is 11 km from Kottayam town in Kerala, India.







Videos

Aarat >> Peacock dance >> Aarat & Panchavadyam

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Jainamedu Chandranath Swamy temple: 500 years old Jainamedu Jain temple is at Vadakkumthara, 2 km from Palakkad junction Railway station. At a jaina house here famous Malayalam poet Kumaranasan wrote his poem 'Veenapoovu' (The fallen flower).



Jainamedu Video

Palakkad fort

It is one of the best preserved forts in Kerala. This square shaped granite fort with an area of 15 acre was built in 1766 and is also called Tipu's fort. It was built in 1790 by Hyder Ali. There is a small Anganeya (Hanuman) temple inside the fort and it attracts a number of devotees. The fort has moat filled with water and a draw bridge used as entrance. Later the draw bridge has been converted to a permanent one. There is a large ground between the Fort and the Palakkad Town hall, known as Kota Maidanam (Fort Grounds). The fort has two stepped wells, a martyr's column,village office and a sub jail. The fort has strong bastions (nine in number) and thick/high fort walls able to face strong cannon fire.

Timing : 10 am to 5 pm. No entry fee.



Palakkad fort video

Thiruvalathur temple : This ancient temple is located on the banks of beautiful Bharatapuzha river, 10 km from Palakkad in the Chittoor road. It is famous for its grand architectural beauty and sculptural designs. The temple complex is in 2 hectares of land protected by huge stone walls. In the monsoon when the rain water floods the interior of the temple there are special devices to control. It is a shrine where the powerful Goddess “Mahishasuramardhini” and the quiet and peaceful Goddess “Annapurnneswari” are enshrined together. While the Annapurneswari idol is made of stone and that of Mahishasura Mardini is made from the wood of the jackfruit tree. The inner hall has beautiful murals adorning them, depicting scenes from Devi Bhagavatham and Ramayanam. Another attraction is a big Mizhavu (percussion instrument used for Chakyarkoothu and Koodiyattom).



Thiruvalathur temple video

Kollengode (20 km from Palakkad) : The Palace is now an Ayurvedic reosrt - Kovilakam - and the entry is restricted to guests only. The architecture of the building is worth visiting. From near the Kovilakam bus stop, one can get bus to the ancient Thirukurissi Vishnu temple, 3 km away. Govindamala can be trekked from here during the Thaipooyam day (Jan). From here I reached Nenmara by bus. Night halt in a lodge.

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I boarded the Nelliampathy bus from Nenmara at 5.45 am. Good 2 lane road to the Nelliampathy hillstation (29 km, Bus fare is Rs 21). Pothundi dam is on the Nelliampathy road, 6 km from Nenmara with good views. The morning was cool and misty. The bus slowly climbed the 10 hairpin curves and reached Pulayanpara via Kaikatty at 6.45 am. The AVT tea plantation on the narrow Kaikatty - Victoria road was a nice experience.

The last stop of the Nelliampathy bus is Victoria (7.15 am). Following the forest road/ walking the forest hill track needs permission of the forest officials. The bus left Victoria at 7.45 am and reached Puliyanpara at 8.15 am via Nooradipalam and Kaikatty. Kaikatty - Puliyanpara is 2.5 km. Further 5.5 km road to Sitharkundu view point via POABS estate. Jeeps ply in this route for tourists (Rs 300 for return trip for 5 persons). Puliyanpara hotels serve basic meals. ITL Dormitory, Pulayanpara : 04923 246 465/ 9446818961.

Sitharkund view point, Nelliampathy is 5.5 km from Puliyanpara. The route is via tea plantations and POABS estate. Nelliampathy hill station is 30 km from Nenmara in Palakkad disttrict, Kerala.



Sitharkund Video



Watch the Great Indian Hornbill found near the Sitharkund view point, Nelliampathy, Palakkad. It was around 70 cm in length and flies with a 'shh' sound.

Hornbill video