VAGAMON
| Location
: |
64
Kms from Kottayam |
| Main
attraction : |
Thangal
Para, Kurisumala ashram, pine forest; trekking |
| Altitude
: |
3500
feet above sea level |
| Season
: |
September
- May |
Vagamon
is roughly 100km away from Cochin and about 60 kms from Kottayam,
the nearest railway station. It is also easily accessible by road.
Situated at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level, the place
is a trekker's paradise.
It
is close to popular tourist destinations like Munnar and Thekkady
in Kerala and Ooty and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu.
It
is a relatively remote area in a sparsely populated region comprising
largely of a pristine and natural landscape. Vagamon falls within
the Western Ghats, and has been identified as a biodiversity ‘hotspot’.
It is an enchanting hill station dotted with tea gardens and will
soon be one of India's foremost ecotourism projects.
The
chain of three hills - Thangalppara, Muruganmala and Kurisumala
- is a mark of religious harmony.
Thangalppara
is a famous Muslim pilgrim centre. Muruganmala houses a rock cut
temple dedicated to Lord Muruga.
And
then there is the Kurisumala Ashram which is situated at the heart
of the Sahya Mountains.The most important feature of Kurisumala
is the silence which pervades the Ashram. On Good Friday hundreds
of Christians climb the hill carrying small wooden crosses to
observe the Way of the Cross.
The
presence of several varieties of orchids and rare herbs make this
place very special. The pine trees, planted as part of the ‘aforestation’
programmes, have also added variety to the plant life in the region.
Theekoy
Valley
On the way to Vagamon is Theekoy Valley. Traveling through the
zigzagging mountain path itself is an experience. Both the sides
of the road are decked in colours by innumerable varieties of
flowers; the silvery waterfalls too grace the way upwards.
GETTING
TO THE PLACE:
Nearest
airport : Kochi International Airport
Nearest railway station : Kottayam
It is easily accessible by road from Kottayam, Pala and Kochi
|
