Tale of the Teak

We had been to Nilambur today. Nilambur is well known for its teak.Once in Nilambur , how can we miss the Teak museum and Conolly's plot.

Teak museum is just 2 kms from Nilambur town on the Gudallur road.You can find all the information about this wonder tree here.Various exhibits , samples and pictures are arranged neatly and they are very informative.
You can find many endangered and nearly extinct tree species of western ghats planted in the bio diversity garden.A medicinal plant garden is an added attraction.The place is open from 10AM to 4.30PM. Weekly Holiday is on Monday.















Conolly's Plot

The plantation is named after H.V. Conolly, the then Collector of Malabar during the British rule who planted teak in the entire Nilambur area with the help of Shri Chanthu Menon ,a forest officer under him. The plot extends across 2.31 hectares beside the Chaliyar river at Aruvakode,just 2 Km from Nilambur town on Wandoor Road.This is the first teak plantation of the world. There is a hanging bridge for crossing River "Chaliyar" to reach the spot.
There are 117 trees planted in the year 1846 in this plot marked for permanent preservation.

Hulikere Kalyani

Wherever we go , we always try to interact with the locals and inquire about the nearby places worth visiting.There are many lesser known places outside the regular tourist circuit that will surprise you.

Kalyani (means pond) of Hulikere was such a surprise.During our visit to Belur and Halebidu ,some locals told us about this place.Hulikere is 5 Kms from Halebidu on Halebidu- Hagare Road.There is a small direction board to the left that one can easily miss.We drove nearly 2 Kms through this muddy village road and found this pond with 12 pinnacled shrines.

Pothundi Dam

Pothundi dam is situated in the valley of Nelliyampathi hills. It is located in a small village about 8 Kms from Nenmara in Palakkad district.The dam is constructed with a mixture of jaggery and lime instead of concrete.Dam site is an excellent picnic spot. District tourism authorities are maintaining a good garden here.

The Dam............










and the garden.....






Kidz and the Ritz

Iringol Temple

A forest shrine in the midst of an urban concrete jungle ?

Yes. it is iringole Bhagavathi Temple situated just 2 Kms from Perumbavoor on the Munnar road.It is a small temple surrounded by 40 acres of evergreen rain forests. This tropical rain forest has survived in the middle of a town only because the land belonged to the temple.

Some of the trees are centuries old . The rich flora and fauna includes valuable herbs and medicinal plants.These forests are home to varieties of birds.One can see monkeys and squirrels here.

more details are here

Mangalam Dam

Last sunday we had been to Mangalam Dam.We started after lunch as the place is just 50 Kms from Thrissur.The Dam is situated in Alathur Taluk of Palakkad district.The Dam was built for irrigation purpose and was completed in 1966.Mangalam Dam stands across Cherukunnappuzha river a tributary of Mangalam River.Dam site is a very good picnic spot. Right time to visit there is just after monsoon.

Route from Thrissur: Take diversion to Nenmara at Wadakkanchery from Palakkad Highway and you will not miss the direction boards to Mangalam Dam. There are regular buses from Wadakkanchery to the Dam site.

Mangalam from a different angle



Another view


Views of the Dam Reservoir







Boats of the local fishermen


Surrounding forest



The Python Tree

Welcome, Ritzy

Here is the new member of our family. Maruti Suzuki Ritz LXI.

After driving M800 for 13 long years, we decided to upgrade.Did not consider a vehicle other than Maruti as we are fully satisfied with their reliability and after sales service.

We had a test drive of Ritz and really liked the peppy K series motor under the bonnet.We liked the spacious interiors and the road presence of the tall boy but had to compromise with the ugly rear end.

We will be writing about our short and long Ritzy drives