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Continuing with exploring the South India, our latest is to the God’s Own Country, Kerala. We made up our mind to travel about 1500 Kms betting on our new Xylo SUV. We were warned that the travel in Kerala by road would require lots of skill as most of them are narrow and rains would add to the difficulty.
Our main destinations were in the trissur district of central kerala. The first halt would be at Guruvayur, so left early morning from Thoraipakkam, Chennai via sriperambathur-vellore-ambur-krishanagiri-dharmapuri-salem-bhavani-avinashi-pallakad-thirussur- Guruvayoor.
we had our breakfast at Sriperambathur at a highway motel. The ride till Krishnagiri was uneventful and we had a good head start as the toll road was excellent . While approaching Salem, the driver failed to notice a truck overtaking and was heading headlong into the truck. We all started screaming and the driver took the only option left to him, to climb the median. The rear view mirror was wrenched off the vehicle, and the truck gave a glancing blow to the left back door. Before we could realize, the vehicle had come to a complete halt, precariously perched on the median. I got down from the vehicle in full fury
and asked the driver to start reversing.
It is a wonder that the vehicle glided back and rested on 4 wheels again. We parked the vehicle to inspect the damage. Apart from the broken mirror and the dent in the side the vehicle looked alright. Having met with the disaster we had to take a decision whether or not to proceed further. We decided to take a chance and take the vehicle to Salem in search of a service centre to check the car's condition for the long journey. This happened to be a Sunday and on emergency call the local service station opened shop. The vehicle was hoisted on the jack to inspect the extent of damage. Surprisingly, the vehicle had survived and was declared fit to proceed.
Our lunch at Selam was a quick affair, with the driver sulking and others recounting the experience. Rest of the journey to Guruvayoor was flat out, with each absorbed in own thoughts and I concentrating on traffic. We reached Guruvayoor by night 9 PM. By then I had decided to send the driver home by bus after the morning temple visit.
Our night stay at Hotel Sopanam was comfortable,
located near the temple. Early morning, every one was up and in a good cheer, ready for the Dharsan. We reached the temple by 7:30 Am and the long winding queue took 3 hrs to reach the main deity that is Lord Krishna. The temple is a sprawling complex in typical kerala architecture. Since the camera was not allowed, one has to recollect the grandeur and rich history of the temple from memory, indelibly impressed.
The temple also owns more than 100 elephants and the elephant camp was situated 3 Kms from the temple. It is a awe some sight to be among the great male tuskers spread all over the camp. It is a old saying that one can watch the elephant or monkey, any length of time and get amused by their antics.
Our next destination was Athirapally water falls. The route from Guruvayoor is trissur to Chalakudy to Athirapally. Tirussur to Chalakudy drive is comfortable by the Kochin national highway. You have to take the diversion to Athrapally at Chalakudy and behold, you are in Ghat area. The hill roads are narrow and winding stretch of 32 kms. Chalakudy is a high rainfall
region and intermittent rain falls are frequent. We refueled at the last petrol The road is in good repair. We had advance reservation at “Rain Forest” Athrapally Guest house, so could reach there by 4 Pm.
The Rain Forest Guest House is ideally located on the main road next to the ticketing booth, down the slope facing the waterfalls in multi levels. Though the main road is crowed with tourists the guest house is isolated, away from the noise. The hotel has a swimming pool and its own path leading to the waterfalls.
The area near the waterfall is open to public only from 8Am to 6 Pm. So the evening was serene but for the sound of the waterfall 500 meters away.
The rooms have excellent view of the water fall and the jungle surrounding it. The huge French window extends in to a veranda and lawn. The slope proceeding it is heavily wooded with fruit bearing trees. This is verily the bird watchers paradise. The mango trees are in full bloom and jack fruit trees are heavy with fruits in its trunks. The best diet is collect the fallen mangos, dress them in mountain honey
and devour them in quantity. It is all for free.
The next morning after a good breakfast, we started along the beaten path down the slope to the water fall. Once you clear the wicket gate, it is forest area. One need a ticket from the forest office. For the kids it is their maiden trek and we come across a shaded stream spread into a pond. It is scary for a new comer with the cicadas making a din. With the kids sticking close we come near the waterfall area with huge boulders. We spend some time lazing on the rocks, as the waterfall is cordoned off for visitors. The security guides us to the path leading to the top of the fall. This view is magnificent and we could see my wife,bhanu sitting in the guest house veranda and wave to her. The running water is so refreshing, we didn’t hesitate to strip down to our underpants and got in to the water. Struthi,my daughter chose to get in with all her cloths, not to miss the fun.
On our way back, we buy mountain honey from the forest department store and trek back along the
main road to guest house.
After lunch, we decided to take the road to Solaiar dam & Valpari. The distance is 60Kms and can reach tea gardens at Valparai and then on to Coiambatore. This road goes through western Ghats reserve forest. At check post, we need to declare any plastic items and undertake not to litter. This is a prime elephant country and with the incessant rain, full of leaches. Struthi & I got bitten by a leech, before we realize, our sandals were full of blood and the leach wriggling away with its stomach swollen. this was the first leech bite my daughter had and she was so scared so much that she decided never to go into a rain-forest again.
We reach Soliar dam with hydro power station. Here, we decide to return as it is getting dark and the rains have started. We sighted black lion tail monkeys and a deer on the way, unfortunately no elephants. It is blessing in disguise as in the wild the elephants are dangerous and unpredictable. It is far safer to watch them in chains particularly while traveling with family. If you are keen, it is advisable to
take a forest ranger, who can spot animals in wild and have knowledge of animal behavior. Here the forest department people are courteous but very strict. These rain forests are very densely wooded with tall trees and nature lovers paradise with its unique flora and fauna.
We return to the guest house by evening, finish early dinner and early to bed.
Next morning we leave for Kalady,(which means footprints) the birth place of Adi Sankaracharya. It is 20Kms from Chalakudy along the Tirchur – Cohin high way. First, we had a good time spent in the bathing ghat present there.We then went to the Krishna temple . I and my son, vyas had to take off our t-shirts as a sign of respect. then we went into the sringeri mutt temple. this is where we can see aryadevi's (his mother) brindhavan. we had a good time there and ended up in Gayathri Hotel where we had the Kerala rice. the buttermilk was superb though we would have preferred thick curd which we get in TN.
After lunch,we started for Thirussur-palaghat-Coimabatore-Selam-Darmapuri-Krishnagiri-Vellore- Chennai. We reach Chennai by night 2:30AM, exhausted but satisfied having done an eventful trip.this was
the second midnight return journey we have enjoyed, the first being the return trip from thirupathi.
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Prema
non-member comment
athirapally
hi, thanks for sharing your wonderful journey with us all. i will be visiting athirapally in feb 2012. actually i am looking for a temple which is suppose to be in chalakudy and i saw the picture, its near the feet of the falls.if i send you the picture can you tell me more bout it if you had seen this temple or heard of it before.thanks