Idukki district, Kerala, India - Gods Own Country - Tourist and Travel Information

Vagamon

Vagamon is a trekker's paradise. Trekking on pilgrimage or nature trail, Vagamon likes foot and the visitors like Vagamon. Vagamon is mainly constituted by three Paaras (rock hills) Thangalpaara, Muraganmala and Kurisumala. Each is dignified to a different religion. This three mountains offer breathtaking view around. Vehicles will each upto a certain point up. From there walk is the only solution to reach atop the hills.

Thangalpaara is a Muslim pilgrimage centre where mausoleum of Sheikh Fariuddin is there.
Muraganmala (Mala means forested hill) is dedicated to Hindu god Murugan, the son of Shiva. The temple is rock-cut on one side of the hill.

In Kurisumala there is a Christian shrine. Fourteen crosses placed all along the path to the shrine in specific distances. There is a statue atop to which 120 steps lead. The foot-hill is called St Thomas mount as centenary memorial. All the three mounts attract large number of pilgrims and tourists Vagamon - Where landscapes are virgin and each sight is overwhelmingly green and beautiful. Secluded from the outside world and situated at about 3500 feet above sea level, Vagamon provides unending holiday fantacies round the year.

Vagamon is where nature comes to its colourful best.
A tiny plantation township in Central Travancore, Vagamon has an overtone greenery.

With never ending lines of lush green hills breathtaking ravines and meandering rivulets, Nature adorns Vagamon into one of the best naturescapes of this country.

It is a very ideal tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens, beautiful meadows, deep puzzling valleys and dales. The enchanting hill station dotted with tea gardens will soon be one of India's foremost ecotourism projects

The breeding centre of the Kerala . Live stock board is located here Vagamon, this beautiful hill station in Kerala is located at an altitude of 1100 m above sea level. It is 64 Km from Kottayam and 100 Km from Kochi (Cochin). A stunningly beautiful series of gentle hills, valleys, waterfalls and green slopes, Vagamon has to be seen to be truly appreciated.

Perched at an elevation of 1,100 metres above sea level, Vagamon sits amid vast tea plantations and forested hills. Cool mountain breezes, sparkling steams, sprawling lawns and the overall pristine look of the region are a huge draw for city dwellers and vacationers. And which is more, the hill station also extends fine trekking options. On account of what it has in store and what it can be worth of, it happens to be a part of the country's ecotourism project. Tourist attractions in and around Vagamon lie in plenty. There are sights here that touch your heart, abide in your mind and haunt you for a long time to come.

Grass covered hills, velvet lawns and the cool mountain air make Vagamon a perfect holiday retreat. A curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies, this hillside village is haven of tranquility. The chain of three hills - Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurisumala is a mark of religious harmony. The dairy farm managed by the Kurisumala monks is worth a visit.

Vagamon, this beautiful hill station in Kerala is located at an altitude of 1100 m above sea level. It is 64 Km from Kottayam and 100 Km from Kochi (Cochin). A stunningly beautiful series of gentle hills, valleys, waterfalls and green slopes, Vagamon has to be seen to be truly appreciated. There is a famous dairy farm at Kurisumala in Vagamon, which you can visit on your tour of the hill stations of Kerala with Kerala Backwater.

The hill station of Vagamon is an ideal destination for a break away from the fast lanes of city life and to live a laidback life. The important tourist attractions of Vagamon are the Kurisumala hill, which is ideal for trekking. A small church over the top of the hill and the nearby Kurisumala Ashramam are worthy of a visit. Kurisumala Ashramam is actually a monastery for Christian ascetics, who have belief in the Christianity along with the Indian spiritual beliefs and the Gandhian thought.

Vagamon wilds are home to wild animals such as elephants, deer and wild buffaloes. Idle your holiday hours on the banks of glassy hill lakes and enjoy trekking on popular hill routes that make Vagamon a well known trekking destination.

Vagamon is a popular spot for trekkers. The hill station offers all the tourists wit an opportunity for long treks, paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing. Placid lakes are the location where you can sit idle for hours or can go for boating. You may spot wild animals like elephants and wild buffalos if you quest deep into the forests.

How to Reach

To reach Vagamon, head straight for Idukki district and then move on to the place. Vagamon is roughly 100km from Cochin , the commercial capital of the state. It is also 60 kms from Kottayam, the nearest railway station. It is easily accessible by road from Kottayam and Cochin .

Air: Nearest airport lies at a distance 100 kilometer in Cochin, Kerala, South India. Rail: Nearest railway station is located at Kottayam at a distance of 60 kilometer.

Vagamon is roughly 100 Km from Cochin, the commercial capital of the State. It is also 64 Km from Kottayam -the nearest railway station. It is easily accessible by road from Kottayam and Cochin. Other tourist attractions around Vagamon like Bird Sanctuary at Kumarakom, Hill resorts at Munnar, Kodaikanal etc. are easily accessible by road from Vagamon.

Vagamon Climate

Vagamon experiences a pleasant climate with temperature variance of 5 and 25 degrees. It's a destination that can be hot anytime of the year. Summers are mild while winters are cool. Rains strike frequently making the region much more beautiful.

Vagamon provides unlimited holiday fantasies round the year, except with the season being slightly off during the monsoons. With the project coming up, Vagamon is destined to have a major say among the contemporary holiday resorts in the country.

Weather

It is situated at a height of 3500 feet above MSL.The temperature of Vagamon varies between 10 and 25 degree celsius.This picturesque beauty spot in Gods own country, by virtue of its cool and pleasant weather, remains an ideal tourist destination all throughout the year.

Sightseeing

Vast tea plantations, lush meadows and the freshening breeze are just the things to set the right mood. Besides, there are colonial legacies as well that need to be explored. The Christian monastery that lies on top of the Kurisumala Hill is must visit site. The Kurisumala monks also manage a dairy farm that's one of the attractions. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary also lies close by. Vagamon also serves as a perfect base to visit the nearby hill stations of Thangalpara, Muraganmala and Kulamavu.

In and Around Vagamon

Kurisumala Ashram

Kurisumala Ashram is located at the beautiful hill station of Vagamon, in the heart of the Sathya Mountains, in Idukki District. This is an ideal destination for those who need peace of mind and spiritual experience. The ashram maintains monastic tradition in its daily activities. A day is equally divided for study and work. The main prayer book is the Harp of the Spirit in four volumes and a large number of guests and monks join the prayer. The architect and head of this ashram is Francis Acharya who guides all its activities. Kurisumala Ashram, the Mount of Transfiguration, provides a divine experience to the visitors with its calm and unique atmosphere.

A place for adventure tourism and trekking. This will offer a panoramic view of Kumily town and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

This plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady, is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar Sanctuary. An important shopping centre Mans spice trade centre, the main bus station and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar region are in Kumily This is a Christian Pilgrimage Center and a Monastery. The large prayer Hall here is used for prayer and meditation. Attached to it here are a few spectacular Diary Farms.

Kurisumala Ashram is at the heart of the Sathya Mountains, which run parallel to India's south west coast. It is a place sanctified by the breeze which blows softly across the valleys and by the overwhelming beauty of the creation, and the mediative thoughts which arise from the depth of silence. Even today people move to the mountains in search of peace of mind and of God-experience.

Water fall

This is essentially a lake and it's catchment area, with grassy hillocks stretching into the forest on one side and ending at the cliff on the other. This large tract of land has a small stream originating at the lake and going through.

Water falls and the ravine. The steep hill tract which provides access to the water fall area is along the ridge and there can be many pavilions along that to enjoy rain, wind, and the infinite view of the hillscapes.

There can also be performance podiums with the mountainous landscape as the background. The stream goes along the ravine and can be developed as a trekking path as it is a rugged route, with rocks and rough undulations. A small facility like a coffee bar and the like would add the richness of the place with more participation. A reservoir up stream would ensure the presence of enough amount of water even during dry season. A stepped path leading to the water fall itself is a thing of interest.

Rocky out crop

The steep rocky hill tract is almost mountainous in character. The cliff and ravine topography area is ideal for adventure activities that would attract people who like gliding, rope climbing, jumping and the like. There can be viewing pavilions too, as gufas in the vertical surface of the hill which would attract people for staying inside. This can be carved out of the rocks and would provide an adventurous stay.

Forest

Around 100 acres of forest area could be developed as a holistic health care center with Ayurveda as the theme. Providing treatment, health care facility, rejuvenation centers, yoga and meditation center, naturopathy clinics, herbal garden etc. emphasising the theme of living with nature and exploring the aeons old way of life. Tree walks, medicines preparation areas, etc. all designed to a character of ashrams.

Road along the cliff

Internal main ridge connect all centers of interest and becomes economical. This road could be developed with unique character.

Grassy planes Features

Eucalyptus plantation

Road side slope

Grassy hills

School hill

Cliff side

The area is rather featureless compared to other parts of the site, with grassy, slowly rolling plains. It has a direct access from the road and slopes down from there ending at the cliff. At present there are plantations of eucalyptus, tea and some agricultural crops here. This plot section can be reserved for residential school or some similar institutional use. The relative flatness of the site and gentle slope is ideal for this. The land is generally build able also.

The area near the main road could be reserved for exploiting the future commercial potential. This long strip can be developed for the future public amenities and facilities that have commercial viability. Land value will also increase as the place develops and demand for plots with accessibility will increase.

Camping site

A unique type of space with stream, rocky terrain and forest meet. This can be developed to a camping site, a small lake and a special abode, for evening tea and the like.

Lake The entertainment center and related activities like boating leisure walking etc. could be organized around the lake. Lawned rolling hills and flowers that grow along the ground can be provided as a part of the landscaping. This should be developed with minimum intervention of built. This place (node) should be developed to communicate the essence of this site, to a passerby along the public road as this portion is visible from the road as a lake between three knolls. A stage for performance, crafts, arts center, pedestrian path etc. can concentrate around this node.

Wild Orchid

The area is a stretch of rolling hills with green meadows. A unique cottage resort built in a rugged village style and is Eco friendly in all features especially in the disposal of water, conservation of resources, building material use and construction techniques. A total of 50 cottages are coming up on one side of a beautiful lake and common facilities like restaurant, theatre etc. on other bank of the lake.

Elaveezha Poonchira

Elaveezha Poonchira, a hill station near Melukavu Mattom, 60 km from Kottayam is gaining importance. Located among three beautiful hillocks Mankunnu, Kudayathoormala and Thonippara, Poonchira is a place of picturesque charm. Legends say that the pool here was a bathing place for Panchali,the legendary princess of the Holy book,Mahabharata. The beautiful valleys of Poonchira are spread across thousands of acres.

The verdant landscape punctuated by the gigantic hills, each rising to around 3200 ft. is an ideal place to unwind. During the monsoons when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature. Elaveezha poonchira means a valley where leaves don't fall and is named so because the place has no trees. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to witness both the sunrise and sunset.

Pattumalai Church

This shrine of St. Mary is a famous pilgrim center located not far from the place. The consecrated shrine present here is brought from the famous Velankanni Mother Church at Velankanni in Tamil Nadu.

Kuttikanam Palaces There were the holiday homes of the Maharaja of Travancore. During the summer seasons the King ruled Travancore residing in these summer palaces. It is 12 kilometer from High valley Resorts A place for adventure tourism and trekking, or even langourous, tranquil break. This picturesque plantation town washed in the fragrance of cardamom is surrounded by lush-green, gentle hills.

Mangala Devi Temple

This ancient temple is hidden in the dense forest at the top of a peak 1337 meters above sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on Chithra Pournami festival day. It is dedicated to Mangaladevi or Kannagi, the protagonist of the Tamil epic Sillapadhikaram, who burnt down Madurai after her husband was mistakenly accused of being a thief and killed. The shrine can be visited only on the occasion of Chithra Pournami.The full moon day in the month of April- May.Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day. The peak commands a panoramic view of the eastern slopes of the Ghats and some hill villages of Tamil Nadu. Permission to visit the area can be abstained from the Wildlife Wadren, Thekkady (Ph.04869-222027).(91486-322027)

Parumthupara Suicide Point

From the steep rocky ledge ten kilometer from High Valley Resorts is the most attractive spot in the High ranges. Trekking to this mountain will be an enchanting experience for adventure and nature lovers. At far distances you can see the Makara Jyothi, the holy light during festival season. It is a calm and quite place where you can experience the cool and fresh breeze.

Thangal Para

This is a center of Muslim pilgrimage. There is an ancient cave though which you can walk kilometer and experience the thrill of cave life, where our forefathers once lived before the dawn of civilizations.

Travel Routes By Road.

Kochi - Muvattupuzha - Erattupetta - Vagamon - 110 Km

Kochi - Ettumanoor - Erattupetta - Vagamon - 100 Km
Thiruvananthapuram - Kottayam -Ettumanoor - Erattupetta - Vagamon 225 Km
Madurai - Kumily (Thekkady) - Peeru made - Elappara - Vagamon - 243 Km

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