Places to visit nearby destination - Thekkady
Kottayam
 One of the many
important tourist destinations of Kerala, Kottayam is a
must visit excursion point from Thekkady. Kottayam is cradled
between the palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the
wild Western Ghats on the east. Kottayam is characterised
by the picturesque backwaters and the lush countryside of
rubber, tea, coffee, teak, cardamom, and pepper plantations
besides churches and houses built in the colonial style
and the many important religious places. Interestingly enough,
Kottayam is the first fully literate municipal town of India.
It is also the birthplace of Kerala’s publishing industry.
Apart from the general tourists many religious tourists
also visit Kottayam, it being of great religious importance
for the Hindus. Kottayam houses some of the revered temples
of southern India like Thirunakkara Mahadevar Shiva Temple,
Valiapalli and the Cheriapalli. Moreover, Kottayam also
has the famous Thazhathangadi Mosque and the wonderful Good
Shepherd Church that add to the beauty and importance of
the place.
Kumarakom
 Located at a distance of 128 kilometres from Thekkady,
Kumarakom is a must visit place of Kerala. The main attraction
includes the Kumarakom bird sanctuary set in 14 acres of
woods. The sanctuary has a large variety of migratory birds
and offers a visitor the options of sailing in its backwaters.
Sailing in the boathouses out here is a once in a lifetime
experience. Poled by local oarsmen, the houseboats are generally
furnished with a living room, a bedroom, a private sit-out
for the passengers and some of the water related hobby options.
Kumarakom is also famous for its old churches and the exceptionally
popular ayurveda treatment.
Kumily
A plantation town easily accessible from Thekkady, Kumily
makes a must visit excursion from Thekkady. Kumily is located
just at the outskirts of the Periyar wildlife Sanctuary.
Apart from being an important tourist destination, Kumily
is also an important spice trade centre.
Madurai
 Madurai is called the temple city of India, which makes
it one of the most visited religious destinations of southern
India. Located at a distance of about 174 km from Thekkady,
this must visit excursion site is situated on the rocky
banks of the river Vaigai in the state of Tamil Nadu. Madurai
is also the modern industrial city of the state. The political
capital of the Pandyan and the Nayakan dynasties, Madurai
has also been the centre for learning and the heart for
South Indian culture and tradition for the last 2,500 years. The magnificent gopurams of the Meenakshi Temple are the
first and main attraction of the city. Spread across six
hectares of area, the temple is situated in the middle of
the town. Apart from the massive Meenakshi temple, the Mariamman
Teppakulam, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, Gandhi Museum, Thirupparankunram,
Azhagar Koil and Koodal Alagar Temple are some of the other
important sites to visit in Madurai. Moreover, as Madurai
makes a good base point to visit some of the exotic destinations
nearby, you can also decide on spending some more time here
to complete your visit to the southern India.
Mangla Devi Temple
Just 15 kilometres from Thekkady, Mangla Devi is an interesting
place to go out on an excursion. Located at an elevation
of 1337 m above sea level, the temple is built in the traditional
Kerala style of architecture and holds ample importance
as a Hindu pilgrimage site. From the temple, you can also
have a panoramic view of the slopes of both eastern and
western ghats and of some hill villages of Tamil Nadu.
Murikkady
Located at a distance of just 5 kilometres from Thekkady,
Murikkady is another important site to visit. Murikkady
is particularly famous for its panorama of cardamom, coffee
and pepper plantations. A must visit to include in your
excursion itinerary.
Pandikuzhi
Another picturesque spectrum of nature’s flora, fauna and
gurgling streams is Pandikuzhi. Sandwiched between Chellarkovil
and the Tamil Nadu border, it makes an important excursion
point for every tourists visiting Thekkady. A considerable
number of visitors come to this place every year. Being
an ideal picnic, trekking, and photographic spot, it is
also the favourite day and weekend destination for the localities
as well.
Peermede
Located at a distance of 44 kilometres from Thekkady, Peermede
is an important excursion destination one should not miss.
Peermede is situated at an altitude of 915 -1100 m above
sea level and is a famous plantation town. The name of the
town has been given after Peer Mohammed, a famous Sufi saint
who was also a close associate of the erstwhile royal family
of Travancore. Peermede is also known for its tea, cardamom,
rubber and coffee plantations interspersed with sculptural
rocks, meadows and mist-cloaked hilltops. Moreover, Kuttikanam,
(a place for adventure tourism and trekking), Thrissanku
Hills (a haunt of trekkers and picnickers), Mausoleum of
the Sufi saint, the summer palace of the royal family, residence
of the Diwan, and the many lofty peaks and streams are some
of the other major attractions of this place.
|
