Vagamon Places to Visit
The following are some of the attractions around Vagamon:
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 dont 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 Velakannni in Tamil Nadu.
This Roman Catholic Latin Rite Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. The name Pattumala means ‘Hill draped in Silk’. The main building of this church is entirely built of granite, which was designed by renowned architect J P Bright and is surrounded by tea plantations. This church is located at a distance of 8 kilometres from Peermade and 33 kilometres from Vagamon.
Kuttikanam Palaces
These were the holiday homes of the Maharaja of Travancore. During the summer seasons, the Kings who once ruled Travancore resided in these summer palaces. The palace was built by the erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore, Sree Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma as a summer palace. It was during the British Raj in India that Kuttikkanam became an up market resort.
Kuttikkanam is one of the famous hill destinations in the district of Idukki, Kerala. The place is located at a height of 3500 feet above the sea level. Kuttikanam is also filled with lush green tea plantations, making it a tourist destination.
Kurisumala Ashram
This is a Christian Pilgrimage Center and a Monastery. The word Kurisu when translated into Malayalam becomes cross, mala means mountains and ashram means monastery. Totally giving the meaning that a community of monks practising austerity and monastic life on the mount of the cross.
It was Fr. Francis Mahieu, later known as Francis Acharya who had come to Kerala to start this ashram.The large prayer Hall here is used for prayer and meditation. Attached to it here are a few spectacular diary farms with cattle imported from Jersey so as to support the life of the monks.
Murinjupuzha Water Falls
It is 12 kilometers away from High Valley Resort and is a pleasant place to unwind. Murinjapuzha waterfalls is located at a distance of 40 kilometers from Thekkady en route to Kochi/Cochin. It flows at a height of 23 meters and hence offers an amazing view for the travellers.
The best time to visit this waterfalls is just after the monsoons, when the waterfalls is at its mighty flow, ascending down the rocks in steps. The small shops lining this place offers the visitors hot cups of tea or coffee as well as is a place suited for light shopping.
Idukki Arch Dam
This is Asia’s first arch dam, constructed across the Periyar River, between the Kuravan and Kurathi hills.The dam is at a height of 550 feet, giving its visitors amazing vies of the water body and its surroundings. This dam supports the 780 Mega Watt Moolamattom hydroelectric power station. It was with the long term grants offered by the Government of Canada that this dam was built. The dams of Cheruthoni, Kulamavu and Idukki have made an artificial lake, spanning over an area of 60 kilometers.The Idukki wild life sanctuary rich in wild life -Elephant, Bison, Sambar Deer, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Black Bulbul, Woodpecker,King Fisher etc is located nearby.
Peermade
Peermade or Peerumedu was the hub of British tea trade during the colonial period. The remnants of the colonial rule and European buildings make this spot historically important.Lying at a height of 3002 feet above sea level, this place lies in the Western Ghat’s Sahyadri mountain range. It is located at a distance of 85 kilometers from Kottayam en-route to Thekkady. This place Peermedu or ‘the hill of the Peer’ is at times referred to the Sufi saint Peer Mohammed. It was in ancient times the summer retreat of the Maharajas of Travancore. Here one can find the cultivation of many spices like organic black pepper, white pepper, ginger, turmeric as well as plantations of coffee, tea, cardamon and coconut.
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 from 7 in the morning till 7 at night.
This 1000year old temple is dedicated to goddess Kannaki.. According to legends Kannaki was betrayed at this place and she in order to show her grudge, transformed herself into a goddess and showering her blessings on her people. Hence making her get the name of Mangala Devi.
Parumthumpara Suicide Point
From the steep rocky ledge ten kilometers 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.
Parumthumpara also known as Eagle’s Rock is a small hill lock located between Peermade and Thekkady. It is near Vagamon and is en route to Peermede. This point is famous for Suicide Point and the hill, Tagor Head which resembles the head of the famous Indian Poet Rabindranath Tagore.
Thangal Para
This is a center of Muslim pilgrimage.There is an ancient cave though which you can walk kilometers and experience the thrill of cave life, where our forefathers once lived before the dawn of civilizations. It is located at a distance of around 5 kilometers from the main town. It has a large spherical rock with the dargah or tomb of Sheikh Fariuddin from Afghanistan. There, below the rock is a small Mosque where the Urus festival is celebrated every year in the month of April. Other than being a pilgrimage place, it is also a place of beauty, with the amazing views it offers. This hill is surrounded by lush green grasslands, forests and meadows. An ancient cave near the Thangal Para is also a place that you must not forget to visit.
