Skip to main content

An outing to Mankulam -Munnar

Keep close to nature's heart, break clear away once in a while and wash your spirit clean!

I’m not a writer, but just thought of writing a few lines with some pictures taken using my old phone of a trip that I had to Mankulam, near Munnar. It was the best trip that I had ever.

This essay does not even provide 1% of the fun, enjoyment & blast we had in this trip but is merely the details of the trip.



We were a team of about 35 members. The route was Trivandrum – Pattanamthitta – Pala – Thodupuzha -Mankulam. The destination was bout 285 kms from Trivandrum. Mankulam is a renowned organic village. On the northern side picturesque tea gardens wait for visitors.





We reached SNOW LAVENDER RESORT at 6am. After having breakfast, we were ready to spend a good, long part of the day in exploring the forest and the caves and soaking in the best of what the nature has to offer.







Our team hired a few Jeeps for trekking and we set off into the forest. We started climbing through the coffee plantations. 




At Nakshathrakuthu Waterfalls, there were hidden caves and there is no legend associated with these caves. This is a naturally formed cave system. 






These caves are set amidst dense evergreen forests of the Western Ghats and cascading waterfalls. Continuous chirping of birds and the sound of the wind echoing in the forest is constant music to the ears.  We had to cross a small stream though a hanging bridge.







The water is chilling but at the same time refreshing. The sound of the waterfall that is constant music to the ears and cool breeze that started blowing, lulled me into deep love with nature.





The nature treats with the purest air of surrounding forest, to be quenched with purest water from natural springs and to taste the organic spices and food.

We crossed a waterfall to our way to Anakulam. From the top you will get a picture-perfect backdrop of Mankulam village. 





We rested here for some time and every one was busy taking photos and selfies and they tried to get as close to the edge as much as possible.




We headed to Kainagiri waterfalls, our Jeep driver was telling the people over here earlier generate their own electricity using the waterfalls and sell it to the Electricity board of Kerala.

















And finally, we thought of going to Anakulam, a border village to the forest where there are a few road tracks through the forest. On the way to Anakulam, we stepped into a deep natural swimming pool.







The nature herself cleanse this stream miraculously. Afternoons are reserved for wild elephants at Anakulam. They come in flocks to Anakulam river to drink water. But we were unlucky they didn’t come on the day that we visited. Some boys were playing volleyball near the stream.



On the second day after breakfast we headed to Kundala dam. Situated in the laps of the lush jungle is Kundala Dam offers a spellbinding panoramic view of the natural greens, along with a glittering lake dotted with boats from boating facilities.











Adjoining to this magnificent dam is the beautiful lake where visitors can enjoy a boat ride. There are pedal boats, Kashmiri boats and row boats available on rent. The operator will give you a tour around the dam. There are plenty of outlets that sell food and local tea bags. Ideal place to carry your own picnic basket and have a great time with friends and family. 













The areas surrounding the lake are carpeted with luxurious green tea estates. You can watch all this from the narrow paths above the dam and the adjoining areas. 



The serene lake backdrop and an imposing dam makes for an ideal place to click pictures.




It was the best ever trip that I had in my life!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

KSRTC Budget Tour February 2026 Schedule – Dates, Destinations & Booking Details

  TOUR CALENDAR - KSRTC BUDGET TOURS - FEBRUARY 2026 # OPERATING UNIT PACKAGE NAME TRIP DATE BUS TYPE SEATS CO-ORDINATOR NUMBER 1 ADOOR KUMBHAMELA 1-February-2026 SUPER DELUXE 39 9846752870 2 ADOOR NEO CLASSIC IMPERIAL 14-February-2026 SUPER DELUXE 39 9846752870 3 ADOOR THENMALA 14-February-2026 SHORT WHEEL 36 9846752870 4 ADOOR TRIVANDRUM TEMPLES 21-February-2026 FAST PASSENGER 50 9846752870 5 ADOOR PONMUDI 22-February-2026 SHORT WHEEL 36 9846752870 6 ALAPPUZHA THIRUNAVAYA 1-February-2026 SUPER DELUXE 39 9447500997 7 ALAPPUZHA ILLIKKALKKAL 7-February-2026 FAST PASSENGER 50 9447500997 8 ALAPPUZHA ANJURULI 8-February-2026 FAST PASSENGER 50 9447500997 9 ALAPPUZHA MOOKAMBIKA 13-February-2026 SUPER DELUXE 39 9447500997 10 ALAPPUZHA KATHIRMUDI 14-February-2026 FAST PASSENGER 50 9447500997 11 ALAPPUZHA MAMALAKKANDAM 15-February-2026 FAST PASSENGER 50 9447500997 12 ALAPPUZHA NEFERTITI 21-February-2026 FAST PASSENGER 40 9447500997 13 ALAPPUZHA MALAKKAPPARA 22-February-2026 FAST PASSENGER 5...

Nilambur-Arickode-Mukkam-Omasheri-Thamarassery-Thirunelli Temple service by KSRTC

 Destination: Arickode - Thirunelli Temple Fast Passenger Service... For those traveling from Nilambur-Arickode-Mukkam-Omasheri-Thamarassery-Thirunelli Temple route, we provide a beneficial service. ✳️ Departing from Nilambur at 06:55 AM to Thirunelli Kshetram Nagari. ✳️ Departing from Thirunelli at 01:30 PM to Nilambur. ♻️ Nilambur - Thirunelli FP Schedule 🛑- 06:55 AM - Nilambur 🛑- 07:45 AM - Arickode 🛑- 08:35 AM - Thamarassery 🛑- 10:05 AM - Kalpetta 🛑- 11:25 AM - Mananthavadi 🛑- 12:30 PM - Thirunelli Temple Return Journey ♻️ Thirunelli - Nilambur FP Schedule 🛑- 01:30 PM - Thirunelli Temple 🛑- 02:50 PM - Mananthavadi 🛑- 04:00 PM - Kalpetta 🛑- 05:20 PM - Thamarassery 🛑- 06:20 PM - Arickode 🛑- 07:05 PM - Nilambur For more details, contact: KSRTC Nilambur Phone: 04931 223929 For further information related to KSRTC: KSRTC with K.S.R.T.C (24x7) Mobile: 9447071021 Landline: 0471-2463799 18005994011 Also available on the toll-free number mentioned above. For 24x7 Social Medi...

ചോറ്റാനിക്കര ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽനിന്നും മൂകാംബിക തീർത്ഥാടന യാത്ര

ചോറ്റാനിക്കര ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽനിന്നും മൂകാംബിക തീർത്ഥാടന യാത്ര ..... കർണാടക സംസ്ഥാനത്തിലെ ഉഡുപ്പി ജില്ലയിലെ കൊല്ലൂർ എന്നസ്ഥലത്തിൽ സൗപർണ്ണികാ നദിയുടെ തെക്കേ തീരത്ത്‌ സ്ഥിതി ചെയ്യുന്ന പ്രസിദ്ധമായ ഒരു മഹാക്ഷേത്രമാണ് കൊല്ലൂർ മൂകാംബിക ക്ഷേത്രം ശക്തി ആരാധനയുടെ ഒരു പ്രധാന കേന്ദ്രമാണ് ഈ ക്ഷേത്രം. പുരാതന കേരളത്തിന്റെ രക്ഷയ്ക്കായി പ്രതിഷ്ഠിയ്ക്കപ്പെട്ട നാല് അംബികമാരിൽ പ്രധാനിയാണ് മൂകാംബിക എന്ന്‌ സങ്കല്പമുണ്ട്. അതിനാൽ മലയാളികൾ ധാരാളമായി ദർശനം നടത്തുന്ന ക്ഷേത്രമാണിത്. ഭഗവതി ആദിപരാശക്തിയുടെ അടയാളം എന്ന് കരുതപ്പെടുന്ന ശ്രീചക്ര പ്രതിഷ്ഠയ്ക്ക് ഇവിടെ അതീവ പ്രാധാന്യമുണ്ട്. ശ്രീചക്രത്തിൽ ആദിപരാശക്തിയും ത്രിമൂർത്തികളും ഒറ്റ ചൈതന്യമായി ഇവിടെ പ്രതിഷ്ഠിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു. മാവേലിക്കര നിന്നും 2022 നവംബർ 18 ന് ഉച്ചക്ക് 3 മണിക്ക് യാത്രതിരിച്ച് വൈകുന്നേരം ചോറ്റാനിക്കര ദർശനം നടത്തി നേരെ മൂകാംബികയിലേയ്ക്ക് 19/11/22 രാവിലെ ഫ്രഷ് ആയി മൂകാംബികയിൽ ദർശനം നടത്തിയതിന് ശേഷം കുടജാദ്രിയും(സ്വന്തം ചിലവിൽ) സന്ദർശനം നടത്തി അന്നേ ദിവസം മൂകാംബികയിൽ താമസം( സ്വന്തം ചിലവിൽ).തുടർന്ന് 20/11/22 രാവിലെ 5 ന് പുറപ്പെട്ട് ഉഡുപ്പി ശ്രീകൃഷ...

Trip to Kodaikanal – The Queen of Hill stations

Trip to Kodaikanal – Queen of Hill stations This post is about our travel to Kodaikanal -The princess of Hill stations Hills and mountains always keep mesmerizing to me. So, we always keep looking for a chance to travel to hill stations and spend some time in the lap of nature, away from the hustle and bustle of city. I’ve of course travelled some of the hill stations (like Munnar, Ooty, Ponmudi etc) but Kodaikanal is the best I would say of all the hill-stations.  Just sharing my travel experience to Kodaikanal -in the lap of mother nature. Kodaiknal is the city in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The nearby hill stations like Ooty and Munnar have been highly commercialized, but Kodaikanal still enjoys the advantage of being a picturesque hill-station.  Kodaikanal mostly encompass of a close community and other basic infrastructure. There are some beautiful visiting spots and the economy is mostly driven ...

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 ...

Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple – The temple with world’s largest Sivalingam!

With the amazing, beautiful and ancient temples, hill stations, sanctuaries etc, make the tourists flooded to Kerala every year, the GOD’s OWN COUNTRY.  The temples in Kerala is known for its architectural beauties and engineering marvels. A lot of popular temples are also located in Kerala like Padmanabhaswamy Temple which is the wealthiest and mysterious temple in the world. In the list, again Kerala now became the home to the tallest Shivalingam in the World. The Shivalingam of Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple measuring the world record height of 111 feet. The Sivalingam with 111 feet height covers 65 sq feet and 7 storeys. The temple is renovated recently and is opened during Maha Sivaratri celebrations. The construction of Shivalingam began long back in 2012 and it took almost 6-7 years to complete.  Many millions of money and man effort contributed in construction and finally their efforts paid OFF. It was not much easier to accumulate the constr...

Trophy Boat Race celebration, led by budget tourism cell, KSRTC

As part of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race celebration, the admirers of boat races gathered in great numbers at Alappuzha. Led by the leadership of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) Budget Tourism Cell, specially chartered buses and seats for the fans were arranged from Palakkad and Malappuram districts. KSRTC played a pivotal role in bringing Nehru Trophy Vallamkali enthusiasts to witness the event. The Alappuzha Budget Tourism Cell, under the leadership of Sri Bijuprabhakar IAS and Sri Suraj Shaji IAS, the Secretary and C.M.D. of KSRTC respectively, organized a special counter at Alappuzha Depot for the sale of tickets worth a total of 3 lakhs rupees. Tourists from various districts and states converged at this counter, resulting in a successful endeavor. After enjoying the thrilling boat race with great enthusiasm, the attendees were reassured that the next round of buses would take them to their destinations. This was done with the assurance that after relishing the ...

Thottipalam - Kottayam - Superfast Service by KSRTC

  Thottipalam - Kottayam - Superfast Services... From Thottipalam Unit to Kottayam Superfast Services are available. Starting at 06:35 AM from Thottipalam Unit, the service travels through Kozhikode, Thrissur, and Muvattupuzha route, reaching Kottayam at 03:10 PM. The return journey from Kottayam to Thottipalam begins at 09:00 PM and arrives at Thottipalam at 04:40 AM. ⭕🕓 Schedule 🕓⭕ 🔴🔄 Thottipalam - Kottayam 🔄🔴 06:35 AM 🔁 Thottipalam 08:15 AM 🔁 Kozhikode 11:50 AM 🔁 Thrissur 01:45 PM 🔁 Muvattupuzha 03:10 PM 🔁 Kottayam 🔴🔁 Kottayam - Thottipalam 🔁🔴 09:00 PM 🔁 Kottayam 10:15 PM 🔁 Muvattupuzha 00:10 AM 🔁 Thrissur 03:25 AM 🔁 Kozhikode 04:40 AM 🔁 Thottipalam Online reservation facility is available. For more details and advance ticket booking, visit www.online.keralartc.com or use the "Ente KSRTC" mobile app available on Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details ... For inquiries related to Thottipalam KSRTC: Phone - 0496-2566200 For further...

A visit to Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The Padmanabhaswamy temple is located in Trivandrum, Kerala. This is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Vishnu. The temple is presently run by a trust controlled by the royal family of Travancore.  The main Deity Padmanabha Swamy, is protected in the "Anantha-sayanam" stance. The Maharajah of Travancore stands the title, "Sree Padmanabhadasa’ which means Servant of Padmanabha Swamy The deity is made of 12,000 saligramams. These saligrams are brought from the Gandaki River in Nepal. The deity of Sripadmanabha is protected with, Katusarkara yogam and the daily worship is done with flowers. Those who own the Hindu belief are permitted to enter the temple. Devotees have to firmly follow the dress codes. The Samadhi of the Swamiyar is situated in the west of the temple. A Krishna temple was also constructed over the Samadhi.     The platform in front of the vimanam is where the deity rests. These are both carved out of a single ma...

KANNUR PONDICHERRY GARUDA SERVICE BY KSRTC | SERVICES FOR COMMON MAN

  കെ എസ് ആർ ടി സി സ്വിഫ്റ്റ് കണ്ണൂർ -പോണ്ടിച്ചേരി ഗരുഡ A/C സീറ്റർ സർവീസ് ....... നീണ്ടകാലത്തെ കാത്തിരിപ്പിന് വിരാമമിട്ടു കൊണ്ട് കെ എസ് ആർ ടി സി യുടെ കണ്ണൂർ - പോണ്ടിച്ചേരി ഗരുഡാ A/c സീറ്റർ സർവ്വീസ് സെപ്റ്റംബര് ‍ 3 മുതൽ ആരംഭിക്കുകയാണ്..... കണ്ണൂരിൽ നിന്നും 05:00 PM ന് പുറപ്പെട്ട് പോണ്ടിച്ചേരിയിൽ 07:00 AM ന് എത്തി പോണ്ടിചേരിയിൽ നിന്നും 07:00 PMന് തിരിച്ച് കണ്ണൂരിൽ 08:25 AM ന് എത്തിച്ചേരുന്ന തരത്തിലാണ് സർവ്വീസ് ക്രമീകരിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളത് .....