Thommankuthu Waterfalls - The One And Only Main Magnetism For Visitor Is Seven Stepped Waterfall

THOMMANKUTHU WATERFALLS

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IDUKKI

Thommankuthu waterfalls is located in Idukki District of Kerala State. Thommankuthu, a beautiful eco tourism destination, has a series of waterfalls. In addition, there are several caves and viewpoints.

It comes under Kerala Forest Department, Kothamangalam Division, Kaliyar Range. Kannadiyaru is the name of the river flowing through Thommankuthu.

It starts 20kms inside the Plakkulam forest area and flowing through the Kaliyar forest. To cover most of it, you need a 12 kms trek up the hill and through the woods.

Most tourists are happy to visit just the bottom two falls, Thommankuthu and Ezhunilakettu. Other few, who continue forward, are rewarded with a memorable experience. Whether you walk a long way or have a short stroll instead, will be delighted to see nature at its best.

Kerala Forest Department has arranged all basic facilities for the tourists in Thommankuthu. Visitors will be greeted by the reception, which is being managed by local staff. 

An entry ticket is required for the entry in the Forest. It is available in the counter and entry ticket fee is Rs 20 per adults and Rs 10 for the children. After entering in the forest, there is one interpretation centre available where all the details about the forest, spotting of animals etc are given by the staff.

Thommankuthu is only 18 kms from Thodupuzha, one of the major regional towns. The seven stepped waterfall is a major attraction of the region.

The best time to visit Thommankuthu is from Jun to Nov. Thommankuthu is an uprising tourist attraction and a splendid place to visit. This place is not idle for visit during summer time when the river bed is dry from Feb to May.

The waterfall and stream is live after the monsoon in Kerala. During the heavy monsoon time, the river overflows and the three waterfalls become live.  Bathing, crossing the river etc are completely banned during Jun and Jul.

There are also small cascades and rapids that certainly contribute to the look and feel. Multiple waterfalls means multiple pools. 

Thommankuthu attracts nature lovers and adventure seekers. Nature lovers get the perfect opportunity to feel the coolness of mountain stream, take in the aromas and enjoy the woods. Adventure seekers find avenue for some exciting trekking. The Best if you are both!

By Air

Cochin International Airport.

By Train

Aluva Railway Station (57kms), Kottayam Railway Station (72kms)

By Bus

Karimanoor, Vannapuram, Thodupuzha Buses are

Kolaba Fort – It Is Well-Known For Many Battles Between British And Portuguese

ALIBAG FORT OR KOLABA FORT

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RAIGAD

Alibag is the seat of District Administration of Raigad (formerly Kolaba) district since 1852. The name Kolaba is attributed to a Sea Fort Kolaba built by Shivaji the great, in 1680 to fight the mighty naval prowess of the Siddis (Abyssenians) of Janjira and the British of Mumbai. Kolaba fort is famous for many battles, between Siddis and Kanhoji Angre, the British and the Portuguese.

Lying at a distance of 2 kms from the shores of Alibag, is the Kolaba Fort also known as Kulaba fort after the Kamaludin Shah baba (Ku-La-ba). Said to be 300 years old, the fort is surrounded by sea and has two chief entrances, one on the seaside and the other in the direction of Alibag. The walls of the fort are said to be 25 feet high

Carvings of animals like tigers, peacocks, and elephants can be seen on the entrance arch. Close to the gate, there are temples of Padmavathi and a Mahishasura and other gods along with castle’s main deity.

In 1662, Shivaji Maharaj toughened and fortified Kolaba fort and made the fort one of his main naval centres. The charge of the fortress was given to Darya Sagar and Manik Bhandari under whom Kolaba fortification became the heart of Maratha assaults on British ships.In 1759 Raghoji Angre even built a Siddhivinayak temple inside the fort

It is believed that the fresh water well situated within the fort is a god’s miracle as it is nearly next to impossible to have a source of sweet water within an all surrounding sea water body!

By Air

The closest International Airport is Mumbai. Alibag is 108 km from Mumbai by road, a journey of 3 hours via Navi Mumbai. After getting off at Mumbai, you can hire a private can or avail the bus service (if any) to get to Alibag.

By Train

Konkan Railway trains from CST Mumbai stop at Pen, 28 km from Alibag, from where you can take a bus, autorickshaw or taxi for Alibag

By Bus

Alibag is 108 km from Mumbai by road, a journey of 3 hours via Navi Mumbai. The quickest way to get there however would be to catch a ferry from Gateway Of India

Bandipur National Park - It is Considered as one of the best administrative parks of India.

BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK

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CHAMRAJNAGARA 

Bandipur National Park was once the hunting reserve for the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore. Established in the year 1974 as a forest tiger reserve under the Project Tiger, Bandipur is the most prominent national park located in the south Indian state of Karnataka and is best known for its varied wildlife boasting different biomes in the dry deciduous forest. It is considered as one of the best managed parks of India.

Located amidst the picturesque surroundings of the towering Western Ghat Mountains on the Mysore-Ooty highway in Karnataka, Bandipur National Park covers an area of about 874.2 sq km.

Bandipur also has a sizable number of Tigers. Other natural inhabitants of this lovely forest are gaur (a type of bull), sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild dogs, wild boar, jackal, sloth bear, panther, malabar squirrel, porcupines and the black-knapped hare. Birds like jungle fowl and green pigeon are also found here.

The Bandipur Sanctuary was created by the Maharaja of the kingdom of Mysore in the year 1931. It was during that period when only 90 sq km of the area was being used and was named as Venugopala Wildlife Park. In the year 1973 around 800 sq kms of area was introduced to the Venugopala Wildlife Park and was established as Bandipur Tiger Reserve under the tiger project.

Later Bandipur National Park joined its hands with its other neighboring parks, the Nagarhole National Park (643 sq km), Madumalai National Park (320 sq km) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (344 sq km) together to form the essential part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve making the area as the largest wildlife protected zone.

The Bandipur National Park is the region always accosted with tremendous counts of wildlife species including varied mammals and vulnerable kinds of species like Bonner Macaque Nilgiri Langur (adjoining areas), Dhole, Common Palm, Civet, Smooth-coated Otter, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Jungle Cat, Tiger, Wild Boar, Chital, Gaur, Grizzled Indian Squirrel, Liontail Macaque, Indian Palm, Giant Flying squirrel, Golden Jackal, Sloth Bear, Indian Grey Mongoose, Striped Hyaena, Ratel, Indian Spotted Chevrotain, Rusty-spotted Cat, Sambar, Nilgiri Tahr (adjoining areas), Indian Porcupine, Hanuman Langur, Bengal Fox, Eurasian, Otter Small Indian Civet, Ruddy, Leopard, Cat Leopard, Indian Elephant, Four-horned Antelope, Indian Muntjac, Indian Pangolin, Mongoose, Indian Hare Red, Indian Giant Squirrel with more species on the list.

By Air

The nearest airport is at Bangalore which is 220 km from Bandipur.

By Rail

Mysore is nearest railhead, at a distance of 80-kms.

By Road

220 km from Bangalore; 80 km from Mysore and 80 kms from Ooty.