Neyyar dam

Neyyar dam is a gravity dam on the Neyyar River in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, South India, located on the foot of the Western Ghats about 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It was established in 1958 and is a popular picnic spot. Lying against the southern low hills of the Western Ghats, Neyyar Dam has a scenic lake.

Attractions

Lion safari park

Boating on the water

Deer park

Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre

Miniature wild life sanctuary

Lake Garden

Swimming pool

Watch tower

 How to Reach Neyyar Dam:

There is a regular Bus Service from the city of Thiruvananthapuram and the nearest Railway Station is also Thiruvananthapuram, 32 km from the Neyyar Dam. One can also come via the International Thiruvananthapuram Airport to Neyyar Dam, which is just 38 km away.

Spread across 128 sq. kilometers, the sanctuary encompasses hilly terrain and forested landscape, predominated by the Agasthya Malai peak at an elevation of 1868 meters (6227 feet). 

The sanctuary stretches from Neyyatinkara Taluk to Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. Mean summer temperature in the region is around 35 degree centigrade, and winter temperature 16 degree centigrade. 

The average rainfall from the southwest monsoon that lasts from May to July, and the northeast monsoon between October and November, is around 3000 mm. 

The best season to visit the sanctuary is from November to March.

Even though this place is close to the busy city, the terrain change is quite evident once we crosses Kattakkada town. The sky was giving the perfect back drop

There is good park with lots of life like statues, a crocodile park and a swimming pool.

Wild life includes gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, jungle cat and Nilgiri langur but most commonly seen animals are wild elephants and sambar deer.

Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.

Kerala Tourism Development Corporation organizes (KTDC) tours to Neyyar Dam. There is a Lion Safari Park spanning an area of four hectares and a Crocodile Farm established in 1977. Boats can be hired to explore the shores of the sanctuary.

Matsyafed Fish Farm, Narakkal,Ernakulam,Kerala

Narakkal (Njarakkal)is situated in Vypeen (Vypin)island of Ernakulam district with an area of 18Acre

THEERA MAITHRI Aqua Tourism spot where one can enjoy the alluring scenes of brackish water fish farm and can enjoy fishing and eat delicious food.

Location

Reach Njarakkal (11 km from High Court junction Ernakulam) and turn Western wards and go 1 km.

Fort Kochi and Fort Vypeen

Fort Kochi is a region in the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. This is part of a handful of water-bound regions toward the south-west of the mainland Kochi, and collectively known as Old Kochi or West Kochi.

St. Francis CSI Church, in Kochi , earlier called Cochin, originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent. 

The Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon.

Vypin or Vypeen is one among a group of islands, that form part of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. The island is about 27 km long. Vypin is connected to mainland Kochi by a series of bridges known as the Goshree Bridges, which take off from Kalamukku in Vypin, touches other two island and lands in Marine Drive, Kochi.

The western coast of Vypin has the longest beach in Kochi namely, the Cherai Beach, Kuzhuppilly Beach and the Puthuvype Beach. The northern tip of Vypin (Munambam) has the largest fishing harbour in Kochi namely, the Munambam Fishing Harbour. Recently Puthuvype has become the major industrial hub in Kerala and the fastest growing city suburb i.e, the SPM project of the Kochi Refineries, the Puthuvyp LNG Terminal, IOC Bottling Plant and the proposed Oseanarium.

International Container Transshipment Terminal, Kochi

The Kochi International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), locally known as the Vallarpadam Terminal , is a container trans-shipment facility which is part of the Kochi Port. It is the only trans-shipment port in India, and is situated in Kochi, in the state of Kerala.

Vallarpadam Church

The Basilica of Our Lady of Vallarpadam, Vallarpadam is a famous centre ofpilgrimage. People from all parts of Kerala and outside, irrespective of caste or creedgo to the church to seek the blessings of Mary, the mother of Jesus, popularly known as "Vallarpadathamma".

This is an ancient Christian Church which accepted Latin rite after the arrival of Portuguese. In 1524, Portuguese merchants headed by Vasco da Gama enthroned this miraculous picture of Our lady of Ransom at the shrine. The church was dedicated to the Holy Spirit, which was the first of its kind in Asia. The beautiful church was however destroyed by a heavy flood in 1676. The church was re-established in 1676 and the famous picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected by Portuguese who brought it from their native land. The picture is believed to have miraculous powers. The Portuguese built the first church on the site of the present church in 1524. It was destroyed in a flood in the late 17th century and a new church was built on the same spot in 1676. It was declared a special church by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 and in 1951 the Union Government declared it a major pilgrim centre.

Vallarpadam is situated next to Bolghatty Island on the west, and linked to the Ernakulam mainland via the new Goshree bridges. It is about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 mi) in length in the north-south direction. Vallarpadam is about one kilometer (½ mile) away from the Ernakulam mainland.

പൊന്മുടി

Ponmudi (Malayalam: പൊന്മുടി)(The Golden Peak) is a hillstation in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala in South India. It is located 61 km north-east of Trivandrum city at an altitude of 1100 m. It is a part of the Western Ghats mountain range.

 Ponmudi is connected to Trivandrum by a narrow winding road offering scenic views on the way to Ponmudi. The climate is pleasant year-round. Trivandrum serves as a base for trekking and hiking. There are also tea gardens in the area.

Other attractions near Ponmudi include Golden Valley and a number of rivulets and rapids, some even across the road. The lush forest area has tropical vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabit the hills. The Golden Valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar River. Flowing though a wilderness area, it has rounded pebbles, cool water, fish, and lush green trees.

Another attraction in the region is Agasthyarkoodam, one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, with the highest peak at 1868 m. This peak is famous for its wilderness, and can be accessed only with the Forest Department's permission. Meenmutty Falls is also a famous attraction in the area.

Hotel Golden Peak in the upper sanitorium under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation(KTDC) is the only hotel available for stay in Ponmudi.Due to its proximity to the main city of Trivandrum and lack of accommodation options tourists usually prefer to stay in the city and make a one day trip to Ponmudi though the early morning scenery especially during the winter season is worth feeling.

KUTTALAM- PALARUVI-THENMALA 23/11/2011

( description courtesy :Wikipedia)
Courtallam (Kutraalam) (Tamil: குற்றாலம்) is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of 160 m (520 ft) on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earned it the title the Spa of South India.

As of 2001 India census, Courtallam had a population of 2368. Males constitute 41% of the population and females 59%. Courtallam has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78% and, female literacy is 74%. 7% of the population is under 6 years of age. Although very close to the Kerala border, the entire population of Courtallam is homogenously Tamil.

Palaruvi is a tourist spot in Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. Palaruvi is located close to Kerala's border with Tamil nadu. The main attraction is a 300-foot (91 m)-high waterfall. Literally translated, Palaruvi means "stream of milk".

Palaruvi is situated about 75 km from Kollam on the Kollam - Shencottah road.It situated about 4 km from Aryankavu.

Palaruvi is around 4 km deep into the forest from the NH 208.It is situated in and around the Thenmala Eco Tourism Project. Areas marvelous for evergreen forests and temples of Lord Ayyappa. In kulathupuzha the fresh water swamps, harbouring fishes, are ideal bathing ghats. The temple at Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, and Achencoil, attracts many devotees. The perennial waterfall at Palaruvi, near Aryankavu attracts a lot of visitors.

Thenmala (Malayalam: തെന്‍മല Tenmala) is a tourist place near Punalur town, Kollam district in Kerala. Thenmala is the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. The Thenmala dam was built across Kallada River. Thenmala is famous for being the shooting location in Malayalam and Tamil movies.
Thenmala attracts foreign and domestic tourists with a host of attractions. Boating on the lake, a rope bridge, trekking, mountaineering, biking and a musical fountain. Thenmala is approachable both from Trivandrum and Punalur by road. The waterfall called Palaruvi is a prime attraction nearby. Also nearby is a deer rehabilitation center where visitors can see deer in a forest setting and have a peep into a traditional tree house used by forest dwellers to escape harm from wild animals. Other places near Thenmala are Kulathupuzha, Anchal, Punalur, Kamukumchery and Shenkottah in Tirunelveli district(Tamil Nadu). Themala is 72 km from Thiruvanathapuram and 16 km from Palaruvi Falls.