Vellanickal Rock - A Replica to Ponmudi.

For nature lovers, Vellanickal, a verdant hilltop is the perfect paradise.

The road to Vellanickal goes via rubber plantations and the stretch of the road is quite rough and proves a challenge to both driver and vehicle. It was tricky and treacherous with lots of twists and turns.

We reached the hilltop at evening by car.

The small roadside teashops will give a good treat to your taste buds with the indigenous cuisine. 

The changing face of villages and the influence of city culture can be seen throughout. The green fields and big old trees on the roadsides will surely attract you.

The vast stretch of hills and valleys were enveloped with the clouds shades.

It is a place for quiet meditation as you watch the sun sink in the western horizon. The cool breeze gives it the feel of a hill station.

A part of the Western Ghats running parallel to the Arabian Sea, this place has been blessed with natural beauty in abundance. 

Its verdant green beauty and scenic spots are not known to the tourists which makes the place not crowded and make it a real paradise.

The view is picture perfect as darkness gradually envelopes the valley.

Surprisingly there aren't any visitors around as we stretch out on top of a rock to watch the distant horizon.

Unfortunately, the hilltop temple, called Paramukal kovil (hilltop temple) is only open only on Fridays, so we couldn't enter as our Trip was planned on a Tuesday.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

How to get there.

Drive Vellanickal is via Pothencode, which is 20 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram. Drive 3 kilometres from Pothencode to reach Koliacode. Turn left and drive 4 kilometres from Koliacode to reach Vellanickal rock.