The beautiful and peaceful hill station at around a distance of 60 kms from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram and at an altitude of 1000m above the sea level on the Western Ghats, Ponmudi is a small peaceful hill station in Kerala, South India. True to its name meaning Golden Crown in Malayalam, Ponmudi promises a treat of a lifetime to all those looking for a break from the monotony of hectic life.Ponmudi, lying very close to the sea, offers a plethora of tourist destinations and activities that the people visiting this place can indulge themselves in. an ideal place for nature lovers, this hill station attracts people from all over the country to come and explore this untouched virgin nature beauty. Long walk while bird watching with crystal waterfalls in the background, one explores the rubber, tea, cardamom and spices plantations.The hill station is a welcome break from the rush of the city where you can relax in the laps of nature without any hurries and worries.Travel to Ponmudi for picnic lunches, getaway from the harsh summers and pollution of the cities around the natural water springs, valleys and streams. Ponmudi is located at a convenient distance from Thiruvananthapuram and well endowed with natural springs. The Golden Valley is a small yet popular scenic viewpoint of Ponmudi.Varkala is also a getaway from Ponmudi, which is an important Hindu center of pilgrimage as well a famous beach. The beach is adorned with high cliffs and mineral-water springs all around the coastline. The prime attractions of the Varkala are the 2,000-year-old Janardanaswamy Temple and the Nature Center.In Ponmudi, you can enjoy the Aaranmula Boat Race. It is organized each year in the village of Aaranmula in the month of August and September and is part of the Aaranmula Temple Festival. Orchids and Deer Park, which is only 3 kilometers away from the Ponmudi resort, are also the main attractions of the place. For those having a passion for trekking, Ponmudi is the place to be in then. While trekking, one comes across a small zoo, mainly of barasinghas, at the edge of the forest.Ponmudi has an extensive area of spice and tea plantations, fertile hills and mist covered valleys.Ponmudi offers verdant surroundings while trekking and is an indication to unearth the depth of it. Ponmudi bestows with a memorable vacation worth lifetime. Different types of birds reverberate amidst the valleys and the aroma of the tea plantations and spice are the best to delve into and to comprehend this enthralling hill station.Ponmudi gives its visitors a wonderful opportunity to cleanse off mental and body exhaustion. Even simply strolling through Ponmudi enlightens your whole day. There are numerous stalls selling multitudes of things right from Kashmiri goods to crafts from Rajasthan.Janardanaswamy Temple and the Nature Center are the main attraction of this region. The dwelling place of the puranic saint Agasthya is situated almost 60 kms away from the region of Ponmudi. The Agasthya Vanam Biological Park in Agasthyakoodam, known for its medicinal herbs is located near to the Ponmudi Hill Station. Listen to the music of hornbills, thrushes, flycatchers and rare birds while you follow narrow jungle treks inside dense Ponmudi woods. See acres and acres of spice plantations interposed with modern buildings and colonial mansions while you tour the local attractions of Ponmudi, Kerala, South India. Set foot on a green land ornate with wild orchids, exotic shrubs and dense hill forests. Relax and enjoy nature while you tour the well-kept Deer Park i.e. a popular tour attractions. Scenic and attractive, pleasant Ponmudi is a fairly developed Kerala hill station.
Location info:
Address:Ponmudi, Trivendrum district, Kerala, India.
Here the Climate is Tropical and Temperature 11° – 27° C.
History:
Interesting things to do:
See the rubber, tea, cardamom and spices plantations, For those having a passion for trekking, Ponmudi is the place to be in then.
Interesting things to Visit:
Agasthyakoodam:Lying at an altitude of 1,890 m, Agasthyakoodam is the highest peak in southern Kerala. It forms part of Western Ghats and the Agasthyavanam forest, The hill is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. For Buddhists, it is the abode of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara; for Hindus it is the abode of sage Agastya, a disciple of Lord Shiva.The hills are rich in medicinal plants, herbs and many species of birds and wild animals. Trekking to the top takes two days and is only permitted between December and April.The Akulam Boat Club:Its just 8 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram is another famed tourist attraction. The club provides boating cruises on the nearby Akulam Lake. A bat ride from here to the Karamana River will cost approximately. It also houses an amusement park and a swimming pool for children. Tourists often visit this Club to picnic with friends and family.Meenmutty Falls:This breathtakingly beautiful waterfall is sited on the trek path to Agasthyarkoodam. Trekkers can avail the golden opportunity of an exciting trek through dense forests to reach the falls. Situated near the Meenmutty waterfalls is another splendid waterfall- The Kombaikani Waterfalls.Orchids and Deer Park:The Orchids and Deer Park, situated at a few kilometers distance from Ponmudi, is another main attraction of the place.The extensive tea plantations in Ponmudi that border the winding way uphill, is another sight that is worth seeing.Golden Valley:A place that is not to be missed, golden valley, gifts its visitor a sight that sparkles with copious rivulets and rapids, and polished with well-rounded pebbles, ice cool water and green trees. Just the absolute wilds of the place are enough to mesmerize its beholder.
Mobile range info:
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.
Nearest Airport:hiruvananthapuram International Airport.
Road Transport:Well-connected by an excellent network of roads, Ponmudi is linked to all major towns in South India. You can avail of buses, cabs, and auto-rickshaws to look around Pommudi.Tourist luxury buses are available from many cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Madurai and Nagarcoil to Trivandrum.
Nearest Visiting places:
The Pareekshit Thampuran Museum :Its archeological museum adjacent to the Shiva temple in Durbar Hall Road,Ernakulam. This museum features collections of the 19th century paintings , Pre-historic monuments , Old coins in a numismatic gallery, Scriptures in stone & Plaster of Paris, Copies of mural paintings etc & the collection from the Cochin royal family. In the earlier days the museum was the Durbar Hall of Cochin Rajas where guests were welcomed, and where official ceremonies and meetings were held. Now under the State Archaeological Department.Neyyar Dam:It is a wonderful dam located near the ranges of Western Ghats, and is a well-liked tourist spot. This dam is also an ideal spot for the picnic and for spending some quality moments with friends and family. Your tour to Trivandrum will become one of the most memorable events in your life as you will come across some of the most interesting and awe-inspiring places that you hardly would have witnessed before.Paripally Gajamela:Paripally, 48 km north of Trivandrum is noted for its Gajamela or Elephant pageant. Over 50 elephants are taken out on a ritual procession on the tenth day of the festival in the month of February-March.Kanyakumari:This is the land`s end of India and is only 87 km from Trivandrum. This is also known as Cape Comorin. This beautiful spot is located in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu state. This place has got international recognition because of Vivekananda who started his journey from this place.Koyikkal Palace, Nedumangad:Located on the way to the Ponmudi Hill Station and the Courtallam waterfalls, this ancient palace dates back to the 13th century. Here you can see a double storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an inner courtyard and museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archaeology.Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple:There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave here encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture ofVinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of the Hindu God Shiva with Goddess ParvathiSree Chithra Art Gallery:Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Raiput, Mughal andTanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Ball.Chacha Nehru Children`s Museum: Children of all age groups will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here. Observatory: Located at the highest point in the city, near the Museum complex 60 metres above sea level, one can have a bird`s eye view of the city from here.Anivikkara Dam:This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana River. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full offish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.Santa Cruz Basilica Church :This Roman Catholic church is situated near the St. Francis church and is worth a visit. It is a specimen of Portuguese architecture built in 1503. ‘Frescoes’ and mural paintings decorate the ceiling and interior parts of the church. The gothic architecture and the lofty spires gives it a unique grandeur Bolghatty Island : Bolghatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea.Willington Island :Connected to the mainland by road-cum-railway Venduruthy Bridge, Willington Island is named after the former Viceroy of India, Lord Willington. It is a manmade Island created from the materials dredged while deepening Cochin Port. Willington Island sites some of the district’s best hotels, Trading and industrial offices. Besides the airport, ship building yard, wharf, the Southern Naval Command Head Quarters, the customs house and the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the government of IndiaChinese Fishing Nets :A legacy of the trading connections between China and India many centuries ago. The long rows of Chinese Nets silhouetted against the sunset present a spectacular sight of Cochin’s waterfront. These are large nets which hang from bamboo or teak posts, still to be in use by the local fisher folk of Fort Cochin.Vyppin light house :The biggest Island, situated between the sea and the backwaters of Cochin. It is 24 km long and 2 1/2 km wide. There is a light house at Ochanthuruthu which is open to tourists from 3 pm to 5 pm. The Island can be reached only by water transport provided by boat services and Junkar. There are bus services on the Island.Pallippuram Fort :Pallippuram fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the State of Travancore in 1789. This fort is situated in the northern extremity of the Vyppin Island at Pallippuram. The catholic church at Pallippuram is an important pilgrim centre of the Christians.Veli tourist Village:The Veli Tourist Village is sandwiched between the Veli Lagoon and the Arabian Sea. The lagoon here is separated from the sea by a narrow sand bar. Facilities at the village include water sports in the lagoon and 18 acre waterfront park with a floating bridge that connects the village to the beach.Canoe Rides:Tourists enjoy canoe rides and capture breathtaking views of the country life on Thiruvallam backwaters tours.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
HP Petrol Pump NH47, Pongumoodu Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.IOC Petrol Pump Thirumala, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala.Vazhuthacaud Thiruvananthapuram Kerala.Petrol Pump Statue General Hospital Road Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Petrol Pump Chalai Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Thampanoor Petrol Pump Thycaud Thiruvananthapuram Kerala.Indian Oil Petrol Pump Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Varkala Homestay Helipad, Varkala Beach, Varkala Kerala 695141 Tel: 0470 2608866.Keralagreenery Tutors Ln, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695001 Tel: 0471 2573011.Keys Hotels Trivandrum Opposite Fire Brigade Housing Board Junction Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695001 Tel: 09820451618.Fortune Hotel The South Park M. G. Road, Trivandrum Kerala 695034 Tel: 0471 2333333.SP GRAND DAYS Hotel Railway Station Rd,Thiruvananthapuram Kerala 695014 Tel: 0471 2333344.Shirleysbeach Hotels and Tour operators Behind Coconut Groove restaurant kovalam Beach, trivandrum Kerala 695527 Tel: 0471 2317303.
Things to carry:
Carry light woolens and some rain protections, carry like trekking kit, cameras and binoculars, it is better to carry your own cellphone and laptop, bath clothes and also carry some foods to eat
Tips & Suggestions:
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Mangalapuram Police Station Thiruvananthapuram, KeralaPothencode Police Station Thiruvananthapuram, KeralaVizhinjam Police Station Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Nedumangad Police Station Nedumangad Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Nearest Hospital:Nedumangad Government Hospital SH 3, Nedumangad Thiruvananthapuram, KeralaKIMS Hospital Trivandrum, Kerala Tel: 0471 2447575.Chaithanya Eye Hospital Kesavadasapuram, Trivandrum Kerala 695004 Tel: 0471 2447183.Sree Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Tel: 0471 2722125.Medical College Hospital TrivandrumKerala- Tel: 0471 2444270.ROY MEDICAL CENTRE Thycaud Hospital Road, Opp. Amritha Hotel Trivandrum, Kerala 695014 Tel: 09387809779.Divya Prabha Eye Hospital Nalumukku Medical College Rd Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695011 Tel: 0471 2442050.
