Unexplored Kava, Palakkad, Kerala

Malampuzha is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats, located in Palakkad district, in the Indian state of Kerala. Malampuzha Dam is the largest reservoir in Kerala, used for irrigation  and  is the source of drinking water to Palakkad and surrounding villages.

Kava is just one of those rustic villages around the catchment of  Malampuzha dam. This weekend getaway, sprawling in the middle of Malampuzha, has hills in all directions, varied flora and fauna, and a visit to this place will make you  feel rejuvenated and refreshed.

ENROUTE TO KAVA

Kava is a hidden gem, just 10 km from Malampuzha Garden.  Take your ride through Annakkal route from Malampuzha Garden and Kava is just 8 km from Annakkal junction. There is no public transport facility available to the place. Nowadays, this route is famous for film and wedding shooting. I saw a couple posing for pre-wedding photography. And I drove through the lonely roads with teak plantations on either sides.

WHAT TO DO IN AND AROUND KAVA

It is a very good picnic spot and an ideal place for family outing. There is no proper entrance to the place and the entire area has been fenced. You can drive till the water of the lake through an opening in a fenced farm. All you can do is to sit and relax and enjoy the nice cool breeze. You can also take a walk around the lake surrounded by hills. For me, the highlight of the leg was a long stretch of dam water. Before you leave, do not forget to experience the dreamy landscape, the beautiful winds and also listen to the sound of small waves in water and birds chirping.  The lush tiny green grass is a perfect place to play. You can also watch the cows in the greenery. 

BEST TIME TO GO

All seasons throughout the year is suitable to visit Kava. During the monsoons however, you can see the clouds covering up the hills.

HOW I TRAVELLED?

By car. You need a car  to travel & move around.  Take water & snacks with you if you want to spend a full day !!

GETTING TO MALAMPUZHA

Nearest railway station: Palakkad, about 9 kms.
Nearest airport: Coimbatore International Airport, about 67 kms.
Nearest towns : Palakkad, about 5 kms.
Bus Station : Palakkad Bus Station, about 5 kms.

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Sabarimala Yatra

Situated on a hilltop (about 3000 feet above sea level) named Sabarimala ( Mount Sabari) in Pathanamthitta district, in the Indian state of Kerala, the temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is known as Sabarimala Sree Ayyappaswamy Temple. Sabarimala  lies in the Sahyadris, the Western Ghats.

KETTUNIRA

Wearing the holy Mala and black clothes, I reached the temple for Kettunira - preparation of the travel kit (irumudi kettu). Without the irumudi, the devotees are not allowed to climb the 'pathinettaam padi'   (18 steps) at the Sannidhanam.

The irumudi kettu has twin pockets. The pooja articles and offerings to Lord Ayyappa are placed in this kit. There are minimum three coconuts in this kit. The first coconut is to be broken at the Pampa Ganapati Temple, the second at Pathinettam Padi and the third one is used to fill ghee.( A coconut is cleaned and polished and a hole is made on one eye of the coconut, emptying the water inside. Ghee is filled inside this coconut).

After completing the Kettunira for all the group members, the Guruswami placed the 'irumudikettu' on our head.

THE JOURNEY STARTS

And the journey starts with chanting Saranam. There are three routes to reach Sabarimala. Our route was Erumeli->Pampa->Sabarimala.  Erumeli is the most popular route to the shrine.  Legend says that  Ayyappa himself followed this path to the summit of the hill.  It is also the most arduous route - 61 kms through the forested hills.

Day 2:

At around 2 AM, we reached Erumeli Temple.

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You can watch or participate in the famous Erumeli Petta Thullal. The devotees paint themselves with colors and carry tree branches, odd-looking arrows etc.  and dance with drum and chants  'Ayyappa thinthaka thom, Swami thinthaka thom'.

There are two other shrines adjacent to the main temple at Erumeli -  one for Lord Ayyappa and the other one dedicated to Vavar Swamy- the Muslim aide of  Lord Ayyappa.

Devotees usually visit the shrine dedicated to Vavar on the way to Sabarimala.

JUNGLE WALK

You can either walk till Mukkoshi temple or take a private vehicle to reach there. The trek through the dense forest (Periyar Tiger Reserve) starts from here.

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This dense forest area till Pampa river is known as Poongavanam.

The Devaswam Board has arranged several resting places( Thavalam)  at regular intervals.  There are three thavalam' s in between - Vallaramchetta, Puthussery and Karimala. Devotees can take rest or have food and drinks like water, butter-milk, cool drinks etc etc.

The next stop was Kariyilam thodu and we took rest here for sometime.  Karimala trek starts from this place. It was an absolutely  memorable experience to walk through the dense forests chanting Saranam.

On the top of Karimala, resting facility is available for pilgrims. After taking rest and burning camphor for Karimala Nathan, we started descending the Karimala.

PAMPA

After crossing Karimala, we reached Pamba river via   Cheriyanavattom and Valliyanavattom. Upon reaching Pampa, a bath at Pampa river was refreshing. Also considered as sacred as the Ganga up north, devotees believe that a dip in the river can wash away all the sins of a lifetime.

There are accommodation options, restaurants, tea shops etc in Pampa.

Day 3:

Woke up  early in the  morning, had a bath in Pampa river before starting  our journey to Sannidhanam. We visited Ganpati temple beside Pampa river and broke one of the coconuts. Then started our trek through the steep mountain path of Neeli Mala till Sabari Mala. En route emergency shops, medical aid, refreshing facility etc are provided. Since this is a steep slope, devotees are advised to go slowly and take some rest in between.

There are Dholis available for those who cannot climb the steep hill.  It is a bamboo chair  and four men will carry a person who is seated on the chair. Soon we reached Marakoottam stop, from which the queue got  restricted.

After crossing Saramkuthi stop , we reached Sannidhanam Nadapanthal. There was a long queue in many layers.

After standing in the queue for almost 4 hours, we climbed the 18 sacred steps in the main stairway to the temple. The shrines of Malikappurath Amma, Kannimoola Ganapathi , Lord of snakes-Nagaraja are also there in the Sannidhanam.

Sannidhanam

The ghee from the filled coconut is offered as abhisekham to the Lord. After having darshan of the Lord, I came out of the temple with blessings of the Supreme Lord. You can offer other pooja items to other shrines. The broken ghee coconut (Neythenga) is then offered to the fireplace (Azhi).

Aazhi, Sabarimala

Annadhanam ( a sacred tradition of offering food ) was available in a hall outside the temple.

PRASADAM

Bought Aravana payasam and Appam - the main prasadam of  Sabarimala temple.  

Soon we started our return journey with a spiritually fulfilling experience. One should visit this temple at least once in their lifetime.

Best time to visit: November to January
The temple is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Women above the age of 10 and below the age of 50 are not allowed to enter the Sabarimala shrine.

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Varkala Beach, Kerala

Varkala beach is situated about 30 kms away from Kazhakoottom, Thiruvananthapuram - the IT city of Kerala.  This eco-friendly beach is one of the best place for relaxing and is surrounded with lush green trees.

My route was Kazhakoottom-Muthalapozhi-Varkala. About 3 kms from Kazhakoottom Junction, take a right turn and a straight road, the Perumathura – Thazhampalli road, will take you to Varkala.  The road was narrow but good though.

Since this is a coastal road, the sea will tempt you to stop and walk in at various points during the journey. Soon you will reach the newly opened Perumathura – Thazhampally bridge also known as Muthalapozhi bridge. This place is emerging as a new picnic spot in Thiruvananthapuram district.

Around 27 kms drive from Kazhakoottom, I reached Varkala Helipad parking area.

The best part is to experience the beauty of the sea from the top of the cliff. Varkala is the most beautiful place in Kerala to feel the warmth of the sea and tides. Sitting on the top of the cliff and watching the waves in the sea is a sight to behold.

Then a steep walk down to the beach from the North cliff. There is a saying that if life is passionate, the beach is the destination. One of the best experiences was sitting on the wet land and watching the waves come and go.

Varkala Beach is famous for western tourists. They were roaming around the beach without any worries.

Basically the space means fun. Enjoy the Beach and admire the beauty of water. Have a dip and swim. You can clean your body from a natural water spout after swimming.

A natural water spout in Varkala Beach

SHOPPING

A paved footpath runs along the length of the cliff, bordered by coconut palms, shops and hotels. You can find stalls selling ready-made dress, leather bags etc. etc. You'll also find plenty of places specializing in yoga and Ayurvedic therapies.

ADVENTURE

Those who are interested in water sports activity can choose surfing.

 You can also choose paragliding.

SUNSET

The beach is a crowd puller and is fascinating as well. You can stroll around  the beach which is quite pristine and clean, for the sunset view. When the sun sinks down, the sea shivers with a colorful light.

Sunset at Varkala Beach

A breathtaking sunset to behold, nothing could have seemed as magnificent.

The beach is also known as Papanasham Beach . The word Papanasham means wash away sins. It is believed that a dip in the waters of Papanasham Beach washes away all the sins in one's life. Here Hindus come to make offerings for  loved ones who are no more and they are assisted by priests.

WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO

There are many places around Varkala to visit such as the Janardhana Swamy Temple, Anjjuthengu Fort, Vishnu temple and Sivagiri Mutt.

Anjjuthengu Fort

The main season starts from December to March, with December & early January experiencing the biggest rush.

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Harishchandragad Trek

Trek to Harischandragad is known to be one of the best treks in the Sahyadri ranges and is known as 'Trekkers Paradise'. Harischandragad is a hill fort in Malshej Ghat ranges, in the Indian State of Maharashtra.  There are  three routes to reach Harischandragad Temple . The first route is Nali chi vat- very difficult one, the second  ascends via Khireshwar- also a difficult one and the third ascends via Paachnai- the simple one.

DAY 1

ENROUTE TO KHIRESHWAR VILLAGE

Our route was Mumbai-Kalyan-Malshej Ghat-Khubi Phata-Khireshwar.

We started our journey from Kalyan to Khubi phata at around 10.30 PM by public transport .   At around 1 AM, we reached Khubi phata.  Then a 5 km walk through the mud roads beside Pimpalgaon Joge dam. It was a nice walkway with windy breeze. Reached Khireshwar village  at around 2.30 am and slept in an open space.

DAY 2

VILLAGE LIFE

The dam and the surrounding area offers a scenic view of the area. I walked through the village enjoying village life and sun rise. Farming is done  around the houses. The lush green fields and the houses in the village is a sight to behold.

THE TREK

Post breakfast at the village,  we started our walk.

Then the trek towards Tolar Khind began. There are rock patches in between. Soon we reached Tolar Khind. Tolar Khind also offers a great view of the Konkan hills.

The good thing about this trek is that the way to Harischandragad Temple is well-marked .

Next part of the trek is somewhat dangerous. Here you have to cross vertical rock patches and there are broken railing support in few areas. I had to climb this steep and elevated path .  I started my climb. My legs were shivering. But I managed to climb the path with ease.There was a huge valley beside me.  We were walking through a vertical path full of slippery rocks.

Once you cover the rock patch, a vast area will welcome you. Next part of the trek is a simple walk. It is the place worth visiting for all nature lovers. Its beauty enhances in monsoon season.

There are a couple of huts selling lemon water, buttermilk, snacks etc. The plateau is rich in flora and fauna, lots of wildflowers and butterflies can be seen. There are carpets of Sonki flowers all along the route in the month of October. Then the trek goes through a narrow foot path.  Though the trek is a test of your endurance, it is quite worth for the scenic view it offers. The long stretches of greenery is simply mesmerizing to watch.

As 2016 draws to a close, the mass flowering of Karvi (Strobilanthes callosa) that made the forest all the more special is a sight to behold. The next mass bloom is expected only to be in 2024 now. I have made enough memories of this mass blooming.

The forest  path is a paradise for nature lovers as it hosts several exotic species of wildlife.  Trekking with greenery and fresh wind is a remarkable experience. We identified snakes  butterflies, and birds on the way.

We reached the top of Harishchandragad at around 12.30 p.m.

We rested at a small hut specially made for trekkers.  They served local Maharashtrian food - rice, pittali and pickle. After lunch and rest, we started to explore the surroundings.

HARISHCHANDRESHWAR TEMPLE

Situated at a height of 4650 ft above sea level, this temple has been carved out from a single huge rock.

Legand says that Sant Dnyaneshwar had made the stone wall to walk. He rode the wall to meet Yogi Changdev who rode a Tiger. Changdeve, a mystical yogi turned saint who is believed to have stayed at Harischandragad. The inscription 'Changa Wateshwaracha' on the fort is prominent. 

Behind this temple, a huge Nandi is placed. Behind this Nandi, there is a small underground room.

Around this temple there a few caves and ancient water tanks. The river Mangal Ganga is said to originate from one of the tanks located close to the temple.

SAPTATIRTHA PUSHKARNI

To the east of the main temple is a well-built lake called “Saptatirtha Pushkarni” with temple like constructions on its bank.

KEDARESHWAR CAVE

To the right side of the temple is a huge cave called Kedareshwar. You can watch a big Shiv Ling surrounded by water inside the cave. Forests are nature's design of an efficient and time tested water harvesting system.

CAVES ON HARISHCHANDRAGAD

These caves are situated all over the fort. Many of these are situated at the foot of Taramati peak and trekker's using these caves as the place of accommodation. There are small water tanks associated with the caves.

KONKAN KADA (KONKAN CLIFF)

The most interesting point on Harishchandragad is this cliff, which has always fascinated many people for many years. The cliff faces west and looks down upon the Konkan.  It was also here that we enjoyed one of the most beautiful sunset. We sat at the edge of the valley. The climate was so cool, it felt so fresh. I, very conveniently immersed myself in the beauty of the valley. It was a beautiful evening and a memorable one too. And with a view like this, we spent around 2 hours .

It was getting dark and we headed back to the temple area.  It was a long day, indeed. After having dinner, we had fun time with  camp fire, guitar, and songs.

DAY 3

Woke up at 7 AM and our agenda was trek to Taramati peak. Harischandragad is an irregular tabletop with  two peaks, namely Taramati and the Balekilla. There is one more peak called Rohidas peak.

TARAMATI PEAK

This is the topmost point on the fort and is the second highest peak in Maharashtra. Walk uphill to the right of the point and one gets a fascinating view of the Naneghat, Malshej Ghat and the forts near Murbad. One can also see the highest peak Kalsubai, Ratangad, Bhairavgad and Nanacha Angatha from here. It took one hour for ascending and half hour for descending.

After having break fast, we started descending towards the base village. Upon reaching the base village, we had snacks and took a private vehicle to reach the bus stop on the highway.

Enroute passed through the beautiful Malshej ghat. Am sure that one can surely enjoy this adventurous trek.

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Unexplored Devkund Waterfalls, Maharashtra

Devkund waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located near Tamhini Ghat, part of Western Ghat mountain ranges in Maharashtra.

ENROUTE TO BHIRA

Started our journey from Dadar, Mumbai at around 6 am in a private bus. En route we had a pit stop at Pali for breakfast. Just half an hour travel from Pali, we reached Bhira Dam which is also the source of the Kundalika river. Kundalika river is famous for its White Water Rafting and I still remember that day, when I went rafting two years back !.  And a walkable distance to the Bhira Village -  the starting point of trek.

STARTING POINT OF THE TREK

Started the trek at around 10.30 AM. The route was small and full of greenery.

We have to cross a river  full of rock patches. As the monsoon season was over,  water was flowing in a narrow lane.

A major portion of the trek route involves walking through the dense forest beside the river.

Spotted an old abandoned house on the route. It is a sight to behold for the wholesome greenery around.

A PIT STOP

Rolling hills and water body lend a surreal  feel to the breathtaking scenery and we had a pit stop here.

The trek path is also scenic and is worth visiting for all nature lovers. Spotted worms, wild flowers and beautiful structure of trees .

Then we reached a vast area . The trail is a treat for the eyes as you soak in the views of lush green vistas and the majestic peaks of Thamani Ghat.

It’s a fascinating and rewarding trek as it takes you along the river.

We had a pit stop near a rivulet for photo session. And the trek continued after crossing the stream.

The rest of the trek was through the dense forest.

We were almost near  the waterfall.  Refreshed myself with water. Then a five minute trek through the rock patches  to reach the waterfalls. Spotted a man fishing.

UNVEILING THE HIDDEN SECRET

At round 1 PM, we reached in front of the water fall. The first sight of the fall was very thrilling. The water fall of  Devkund is amazing and is located inside the forest. The greenery coupled with the water fall makes it a picnic spot.  It was mesmerizing to see water plunging from atop the mountain.

It was an absolute treat playing in the cool natural pond with crystal clear water.  Diving in the pond and getting under the gigantic waterfall provided much relief from the October heat. We spent around one hour for a bath and photography.  A bath below the water fall  was a rejuvenating experience.

LUNCH TIME

After taking some photos,  we bid goodbye to this secret waterfall and started descending at around 2 pm.  Soon we reached  the base village. Had a delicious Maharashtrian lunch - Rice, Dal, pickle, pappad, bhaji etc.

BEAUTIFUL BHIRA DAM AND SUNSET

It was around 5.30 PM and we had decided to visit Bhira dam to enjoy the sunset. Andharben trek also finishes here. Beautiful Thamani Ghat surrounded by lush green vistas in the background and the dam make this area  one of the most beautiful landscapes.

Soon we started our return journey . It was a day very well spent and will be cherished for a long time.

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