Vellayani Lake is located at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram District, kerala.Located 7-km from Kovalam via Poonkulam junction. Vellayani or Vellayani kayal as known in local language is one of the three rain-fed freshwater lakes in Kerala, the other two being Sasthamcotta lake in Kollam and Pookkode lake in Wayanad. This lake is abourt 50 hectare huge freshwater lake. The most unique feature is that a road passes through the lake. The locals call the banks of this crystal clear lake as Tiny Kovalam. On Onam, there is a huge boat race on the lake which is attended by thousands of people each year.The lake water is extensively used for drinking and irrigational purposes. The lake is under the threat of pollution, encroachment and sand mining. It has been observed that the area of the lake, which was 750 ha in 1926, had been reduced to 397.5 ha by 2005. There is a boat race in the lake during Onam which attracts huge crow. Country boat is available from Kovalam beach to reach the lake. The charge is Rs 500.The lake was a tourist resort during the erstwhile Travancore era. Till 1953, it was used only to grow lotus flowers for the Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple. The `Grow more Food’ programme launched by the Government in the early 1950s had led to the reclamation of vast areas for cultivation. It is a common practice to dewater the lake twice annually for paddy cultivation by the farmers. Ironically, the five panchayats surrounding the lake- Thiruvallam, Kalliyoor, Venganoor, Nemom and Kovalam- go dry during summer forcing the Government to spend a huge sum to reach water in mobile tankers.There is a Devi temple 300-m away from the lake. A festival called Vellayani Mahotsav is celebrated in the temple once in every three years. The festival prolongs to 54 days. The next festival is due in 2008.
Location info:
Address: Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
District: Thiruvananthapuram district
Nearest City: Kanyakumari, Madurai, Kochi , Nedumangad, Kollam and Trivendrum.
Best time to visit: August to May.
Climate/Weather:
The climate is of tropical humid type with an oppressive summer and Average Temperatures: Summer – 34°C; Winter – 21°C
History:
Interesting things to do:
Vellayani kayal as known in local language is one of the three rain-fed freshwater lakes in Keralaa and also see Devi temple naarby nad its festival.
Interesting things to Visit:
Vellayani Temple:Vellayani Temple is situated in Thiruvananthapuram. It is an ancient temple. The temple faces west, which is rare for Vishnu temples. The deity of the temple is in a standing posture and has four hands. The hands at the back hold the conch and the Sudarshanachakra, while one hand in the front holds the gada [club], and the other is on varada mudra form.Vellayani Devi Temple:Vellayani Devi Temple is a highly revered shrine located at Vellayani, in Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala. This 700-year old shrine, situated near the picturesque Vellayani Lake, is one of the renowned historic temples in Kerala. The temple enshrines Goddess Kali as the presiding deity. is a highly revered shrine located at Vellayani, in Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala. This 700-year old shrine, situated near the picturesque Vellayani Lake, is one of the renowned historic temples in Kerala. The temple enshrines Goddess Kali as the presiding deity.Halcyon Castle:
The beautiful Halcyon Castle, also known as Kovalam Palace was built in 1932 by the regent, M.R. Sri Rama Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran, consort of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi as a perfect summer retreat for the whole family.Analothbhava Matha Church:
In Chowara, a small fishing village, with a variety of sightseeing destinations such as 6 km from Kovalam beach is the beautiful and ancient Analothbhava Matha Church. Another splendid hill top temple that can be visited is Ayyappa temple.
Mobile range info:
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station
Nearest Airport:Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
Road Transport:Kovalam is off the NH47 Bypass.
Nearest Visiting places:
Napier Museum:The Napier Museum was established by the ruler of Travancore in 1855 and is named after the then Madras Governor, General John Napier. Chisholm, its British architect, combined Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian styles of architecture in his design.Sree Chitra Art Gallery :Sree Chitra Art Gallery is Established in 1935,The art gallery has a 100 years old world famous paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, the pioneering Indian patron of art in oil painting, who was born and brought up at Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala. The Artistic grandeur of Bengal school of Arts is best exemplified here.Pozhikara Beach:Pozhikara Beach is a nearby haunt beloved by tourists. The Karamana and Parvathy Puthanaar Rivers empty into the Arabian Sea at this spot.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.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.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.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 Parvathi.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.The Fishing Village:The village near Poovar is largely inhabited by fisher-folk. The fishermen here make a living by fishing in the old-traditional ways. They live a unique water-based lifestyle completely relying on the river and sea for everything from their daily livelihood to transportation.Vizhinjam:Vizhinjam is located close to the Kovalam Beach, has a small sea port. There are a multitude of internationally acclaimed beach resorts and Ayurvedic treatment centers in and around Vizhinjam.Crocodile-watching Expeditions:Embark on an exciting crocodile watching expedition – a popular crowd-puller here. Watching the amphibians at a close range is sure to enthrall spectators. On a bright sunny day one can view crocodiles basking in the sun.Kovalam beach:The natural beauty of this beautiful beach is what attracts people from far and wide to come here. It takes an hour from Trivandrum to reach this scenic beach, which is famous for its beach resorts. The Kovalam beach in Kerala offers the best of facilities to its visitors like sunbathing, swimming, Ayurvedic massages and plenty of other options.Papanasam Beach:Varkala beach is the best spot along Kerala coast for watching sunset. The sight of the sun sinking into the sea would stimulate your poetic sense.Anjengo Fort, Varkala:Near to varkala is the site of the Dutch East India Company’s main garrison, Anjengo Fort. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the fort protected their powerful position in the state.Kappil Lake:At the outskirts of Varkala town, the lake gives way to the scenic world of the Kerala backwaters.Varkala Tunnel:This 924 ft tunnel was built in the19th century and it took nearly 14years to be completed. A prominent tourist attraction in Varkala, the tunnel is a must-visit site on your tour to Varkala.Ananda Valleeswaram Temple:The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple of Kollam attracts people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques around Kollam. The Pullichira Church was established in 1700 A.D. Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing.Sivagiri temple:Sivagiri Mutt set in picturesque hill of Sivagiri near Varkala have now become a place of pilgrimage with great fanfare.Colourful processions, debates and seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts, group wedding, rituals all mark the celebrations in Sivagiri hills.Koyikkal Palace:This ancient palace is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style with slanting roofs and a courtyard inside. This palace was built for Umayamma Rani of the Venad royal family. The Numismatics Museum is the only one of its kind in the state of Kerala. Located on the ground floor of the Koyikkal Palace, the coins showcased here belong to different parts of the world as well as to different periods of history.Kalakkayam-Kurisadi Falls:These delightful falls can be seen and enjoyed only from the view point provided with all security measures. Approach roads close to the waterfall is dangerous and visitors are not allowed to go near it.View Points:There are spectacular vantage points at Varayadin Mottai and Kalakkayam.Kallar:Kallar is famous for round-shaped boulders and pebble, is situated en route to the popular hill station of Ponmudi. The place gets its name from the River Kallar, which flows through the region., famous for round-shaped boulders and pebble, is situated en route to the popular hill station of Ponmudi. The place gets its name from the River Kallar, which flows through the region.Ponmudi:An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs, Ponmudi is located 913 met~s above sea level. Along with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park nearby, this hill station also has excellent trekking trails. Food: KTDC restaurant.Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary:Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is established in 1958.It is located 30 kilometers away from Thiruvanathapuram, the capital city. The Neyyar sanctuary is the drainage basin of the Neyyar river and its tributaries-Mullayar and Kallar. The Neyyar river and its tributaries flow along the entire stretch of the preserve. The irrigation dam at Neyyar receives water from the Neyyar river which originates from Agasthyakoodam hill.Agasthyakoodam:Agasthyakoodam is the highest peak in southern Kerala at an altitude of 1,890 m. 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.Aruvikkara:Aruvikkara is a village in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of kerala.It is located on the banks of the Karamana River 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The reservoir and garden makes it a tourist spot.Padmanabha Swamy Temple:The temple is located inside the East Fort. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Trivandrum Kerala.Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum:The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma – the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings Neyya Dam Trivandrum Kerala.
Fortune Hotel The South Park M. G. Road, Trivandrum Kerala 695034 Tel: 0471 2333333.Travancore Heritage Hotel Chowara Post Office Thiruvananthapuram Kovalam, 695 501 Tel: 0471 2267828.Shirleysbeach Hotels and Tour operators Behind Coconut Groove restaurant kovalam Beach trivandrum, Kerala 695527 Tel: 0471 2317303 – 09633200137.Hotel Samudra Kovalam G V Raja Road Samudra Beach Kovalam, 695527 Tel: 0471 2481654.Hotel The Leela Kempinski Kovalam, Trivandrum, Kerala Thiruvananthapuram 695 527Samudra Hotel Kovalam, Trivandrum, Kerala Tel: 0471 2480089.Comfort Inn Grand Trivandrum MG Road Trivandrum, 695001 Tel: 0471 2573649.
Things to carry:
Tips & Suggestions:
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Vizhinjam Police Station Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Police Station Parassala Vellarada Road Parassala, Kerala Tel: 0471 22020230Pothencode Police Station Thiruvananthapuram, KeralaVizhinjam Police Station Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Nedumangad Police Station Nedumangad Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Mangalapuram Police Station Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Nearest Hospital:Al Arif Hospital Trivandrum Vizhinjam Road Manacaud, Trivandrum Kerala Tel:0471 2381715.Divya Prabha Eye Hospital Kumarapuram, Trivandrum, Kerala 695011 Tel:0471 2442050.JDRC Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Tel:0471 2356200.ROY MEDICAL CENTRE Thycaud Hospital Road Opp. Amritha Hotel,Trivandrum, Kerala 695014 Tel:09387809779.Sree Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Tel: 0471 2722125.Medical College Hospital TrivandrumKerala- Tel: 0471 2444270.
