Flicks from Palode

Palode, a photo by ceegraphics on Flickr.

Palode is a village in Thiruvananthapuram district in the state of Kerala, India. It has the very best climate and its near to Ponmudi.

Prominent Institutions
Asia's top Botanical Garden and Research Institute.
Asias only Palm Oil Research Institute
Kerala Biologicals and Research Institute.
Kerala state level Center for Scout and Guide Training.
Iqbal Group of Institutions
Brimore
Kurishadi
Banana Research Institute.

Clips from a journey to Thenmala, Palaruvi

Natural clips captured from a Journey to Thenmala.
The clips covers the road ways to Thenmala via Nedumangad, Palode, Kulathupuzha...
It passes through the 13 arched Punaloor-Chengotta metre guage bridge and finally reaches Palaruvi Waterfalls

The brilliance of the Westerners

The brilliance of the Westerners, a photo by ceegraphics on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
The Suspension Bridge at Punaloor

The Suspension Bridge at Punalur, is the only one suspended-deck type in south India. Built in 1877 by Albert Henry across the Kallada River, this huge bridge was suspended by three spans, 400 feet long and was used for vehicular movement. Construction took more than six years. Now the bridge is only of archeological interest.


Construction took more than six years. It is said that after completion of the bridge people hesitated to walk through the bridge. In order to prove the strength of the bridge the engineer and his family passed under the bridge in a country boat while six elephants were walking through the bridge.

The bridge is now closed and now remains part of the history

Reminiscence of the past

Reminiscence of the past, a photo by ceegraphics on Flickr.

The beauty of Kollam-Shengottai railway route

"The Kollam-Sengottai Metre gauge line was conceived and implemented by Great Maharajah Balarama Varma I (Uthradam Tirunal) of Travancore. The inaugural run was on 1 July 1904, with a 21 gun salute. Station Master Ramiah waved the green flag as multitudes of frightened inquisitive crowd gathered around the demon in front of them, to have a close look."
- What history says

This route is a real treat to the eyes with it's enchanting beauty. The rail line passes through many hills and waterbodies, curves and slopes in forest area of the Thenmala region.

The 13 arched bridge near Thenmala is a very beautiful landmark for the passengers as well as the roadies.

Thenmala has now been placed on the Tourism map in Kerala. Thenmala Dam, The Ambanad Hills, The Palaruvi Waterfalls are some of the tourist destinations here. Forest trekking, Adventure Tourism are some of the major activities here. Under proper governance the State could have made this route competent with the Neelgiri metre guage train service in Ooty, thus attracting many of the national and international tourists here.




The 13-arched overbridge near Thenmala


The British had started work on the Kollam-Sengottai metre gauge railway line in 1890 and completed it in 1901. The regular train service started in 1904. These metre guage trains were integral parts of human life in the area.

The "Pathimoonnu kannara palam" or 13-arched bridge is a very beautiful sight. The bridge was constructed during the British regime using Surki construction(a period when cement was not in use). The bridge with its 13 arches still holds one of Indias oldest mountain rails which once used to be the main trade route between Quilon(Kollam)and Chennai(Madras).The Rail ride itself is a pleasant experience as the trains passes through dense forests,long tunnels and steeps and slopes

“Looking outside the train window one could see the paddy fields, jungles, waterfalls etc."

The metre gauge train engines climbs the steep inclines and negotiate the sharp curves of this mountain route. A journey through this line has now become wonderful memories and memoirs of thrilling experiences and sight seeing.


Pathimoonnu Kannara Palam (13 Arch Bridge) at Kazhuthurutti
The bridge has 13 arches. Built on 13 arches, this bridge is a commemoration of colonial era. The bridge, sandwiched by the Kollam-Shenkottai National Highway at one side and the River Kazhuthurutti on the other, offers a visual fete at a length of 102.72 metres and 5.18 metres height. Even after 100 years of its construction, the bridge shows no signs of deterioration.







Its a monument of the British Engineering Technology. The route was built mainly for the transporation of crops like Pepper and other spices to Madras from Kollam. The route is now closed down for guage conversion(from metre guage to broad guage). The whole line has to be reconstructed.

For this Photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39013097@N06/sets/72157627059529708/

Again to Wagamon- A New Experience for me

It would have been a usual trip to Wagamon if I wasnt informed by one of my friend about what all is seen below .

Wagamon is some 120 kms from my Home. Wagamon is on the borders of the Idukki and Kottayam districts in Kerala. Its a hill station and pilgrimage area too..

Started my journey at 6a.m. from my home.. My bike was in the worst condition when I made this trip.. It had oil leaks and the engine had lost its pickup and I was afraid whether it would climb the hair pin curves of this hill.. After this journey it was in the workshop for one week.

I reached the Peermed Junction(or Marian College Junction) at 10 a.m.
Had food -3 parattaas(Kerala's own food) and egg curry.

From Peermed its left to Wagamon and its right to Parunthinpara..
I never knew about Parunthinpara.

It was around 5 kms from Peermed junction

Pine forests near Peermed. Its really cool here
On the way I took some rest in the Pine forest and some snaps too. But what I visualized didnt show up in my Photographs.



After all this stuff moved to Parunthumpara...




The hill from its sides... It looks like the sides of an Eagle and also seems similar to the sidelooks of Rabindranath Tagore
For this reason its named Parunthumpara(Parunth means Eagle in Malayalam) or Tagore para


OMG .. Its a long way to climb back


The top tip of Parunthumpara

My journey to the heavens. Set player settings to 360px

Its a journey to Wagamon (The abode of God- claimed by me)
Wagamon is a Hill Station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Kerala, India. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10-23°C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metres above sea level.

Its a pleasant place to visit just after the rains. Its very calm and quiet there.......