Nomad Saikat
Thenmala, located in the Kollam district in the state of Kerala is the first ever planned eco tourism site in the country. This location is also one of the names in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the woods of the Western Ghats. Also Thenmala literally translates to Honey Hill as the region is popular for its supply of good quality honey. Moreover this honey also has medicinal properties in it that leads to export of this honey in huge quantities. Other than that the region spreads across dense timber trees and is an ideal location for adventure lovers. You need to explore the Thenmala tourist places and it would feel like exploring treasure amidst nature.
Thenmala Tourist Places
The jungle trails of Thenmala are ideal for both laid back visitors as well as adventure enthusiasts. The adventurers can very well enjoy the trekking and hiking trails along with activities like rappelling, rock climbing, mountain biking and rope bridging. Also the multiple Kollam Thenmala tourist places that you will find here would make your trip even more memorable. This natural retreat in Kerala is a must visit for nature lovers and mark the Thenmala tourist places to make your visit easier. Keep on reading this article as I will mention everything that you probably need to know about the Thenmala Tourist places. Also I will mention important details like Thenmala tourist places contact number and Thenmala tourist places distance in this article. It will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to Thenmala.
Thenmala Butterfly Safari Park
This is one of the best Thenmala tourist places as it is the first ever butterfly safari park in Asia. The area of this park spreads across 3.5 hectares and the climate of this park is suitable for the butterflies. Here the authorities had made sure the butterflies could live as close to their natural habitat. Moreover, the park houses more than 125 species of butterflies here. Here the visitors will get to witness beautiful colourful butterflies that are a delight in itself. However, not only that, they will also be able to witness the life cycle of butterflies here as well.
There are guided tours available here which will provide you with lots of information about the butterflies. Also this park has a varied flora that is specifically raised in the park to attract and host the butterflies. Designed by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) this park also has artificial ponds and special water sprinkle here as well. You need to explore this butterfly park while exploring the Thenmala tourist places.
Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is a part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve and is popular for its rich biodiversity. It is one of the major Thenmala tourist places that you need to check out when you are visiting there. This Sanctuary is located on the side of the Shenduruny River and offers beautiful views as well. Established in 1984 the sanctuary spreads across 172.403 sq km. One of the major attractions of this sanctuary is also the altitude here that ranges from 100 meters to 1550 meters. The sanctuary is popular for its floral and faunal variety both and therefore attracts a huge number of tourists. This sanctuary houses 34 species of mammals, 36 species of reptiles, 22 species of amphibians, 245 species of birds and 42 species of fishes. Some of the common mammals here are Gaur, Elephant, Sambar, Nilgiri Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Wild Bear etc.
Trekking is one of the popular activities in this sanctuary along with bird watching. Also there are options for boating here in the reservoir that the Thenmala Eco Tourism Promotion Society maintains. Also you will find large caves here with interesting paintings. Moreover these paintings look similar to Mesolithic paintings and also have some relics belonging from the Stone Age. All of these are major tourist attractions and makes it one of the popular Thenmala tourist places.
Deer Rehabilitation Centre
This Deer Park is yet another popular Thenmala tourist places that is a distant part of the Thenmala eco tourism. Built within the Kallada River side this is a spot where you will find Barking Deer, Sambar Deer and Spotted Deer. The visitors can walk up through the trail here to observe the deers at their most natural habitat here. However one of the major attractions here is the Tree house located in the park. Visitors can get access to the tree house and observe the deer from there as well. The place also has rope swings and a children’s park inside. It is a nice location for picnics so you can visit here with your family.
Arayankavu
Located 14 km away from Thenmala, this is the Ayyappa Temple or the Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and is popular as one of the most powerful temples of Lord Ayyappa. The temple is situated 35 feet below the road level and is dedicated to the teenage form of Lord Ayyappa. According to some believers Lord Ayyappa is a brahmachari. While there are others who believe that he married Pushkaladevi of the Sourashtra community. The main festivals of this temple are Mandala Pooja and Thrikalayanam that attracts even more devotees to the temple. This is undoubtedly not just a popular Thenmala tourist place but also a popular spot in Kerala as well.
Palaruvi Waterfall
The Palaruvi Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls that is under the maintenance of the Thenmala Forest Department and the Kerala Forest Department. This waterfall is located 16 km away from Thenmala towards Shencottah and only 4 km away from Arayankavu. Located amidst lush greenery this waterfall has a pristine height of 300 feet. The cascading falls looks breathtakingly beautiful and is also one of the popular waterfalls in Kerala as well. The word Palaruvi literally translates to Stream of Milk and the beauty of this waterfall justifies its name. A little pond here is also a nice place for bathing that the tourists really enjoy here.
One of the major attractions of the Palaruvi Waterfall is that the water of this waterfall is said to have medicinal properties in it. People believe that the water of this waterfall can cure various diseases and therefore a lot of people take a bath here. It is also a popular spot for trekking as well and the trekking trail is about 2 km long. You can also find ruins of old temples here which are major attractions here. So you must plan a visit to this location if you are looking for the best Thenmala tourist places.
Parappar Dam
The Thenmala Dam or the Parappar Dam is one of the most popular Thenmala tourist places that you cannot miss out on visiting. The Kallada Irrigation Project manages this dam along with the Tree Crop Development Project. What makes this dam even more special is the fact that this dam is the second largest irrigation project in the state of Kerala. Also the reservoir of this dam is the largest in the state as well. It is an important dam for the purpose of water supply. And at present the reservoir is used for the generation of power supply as well. You can definitely visit this spot and enjoy the beauty of this location.
Pandavan Para
The location of Pandavan Para has derived its name from the Pandavas of the great Hindu epic Mahabharata. Located at Urukunnu, this spot is situated near Thenmala and is one of the popular Thenmala tourist places. This location in Thenmala is ideal as a picnic spot and a lot of visitors visit here to spend some time with their family. Not just that the location is also popular as a trekking hot spot with multiple trails. And what is even more exciting is the views of multiple vantage points that you can also enjoy from here.
As the trekkers climb up to the top there are temples and caves here which people believe that the Pandavas have used during their exile period. Also you will be able to enjoy views of the Kallada Dam, the hills, forests, arched stone bridges, mountain bridges and more from here. All of these makes this a mythologically and naturally remarkable and popular Thenmala tourist spots.
Adventure Zone, Leisure Zone, Culture Zone
One of the things that Thenmala is popular for is the Adventure activities here. If you are an adventurous person then you need to explore the Adventure Zone here. The Adventure Zone activities include recreational rock climbing, nature walks, elevated walkways, rappelling, river crossing and more. Also if you are not an adventure lover there is a Leisure Zone here as well. The Leisure Zone is basically a broad walkway along with a bridge. This is undoubtedly one of the major attractions of this location that adds up to the beauty of this location.
Along with that there is a Sculpture Garden here as well. This is a themed garden based on the thought of “Man and Nature”. Furthermore there is a Culture Zone here that has a Musical Dancing Fountain that is computerized. If you are exploring the Thenmala tourist places do not miss out on these zones, otherwise you will miss out on a lot.
Ottakkal Vier
This is an irrigation canal of the Kallada Irrigation Project. On both the left and the right side there are the canals. Also you will find a watchtower here that is the main attraction of this location. This watchtower offers a beautiful panoramic view of the whole surrounding which is indeed interesting and exciting to witness.
Wrapping Up!
Thenmala as a location offers an insight to the tourists into the impact of human beings on the environment. It is a planned eco tourism zone and is indeed an interesting location that you can explore. With adventure activities like Trekking, Hiking and Camping this is a favourite location for the adventure enthusiasts. Also the leisure zone, long walks through elevated walkways and the multiple Thenmala tourist places makes it a perfect destination for a laidback holiday as well. You need to visit the Thenmala tourist places open today and enjoy this majestic location.
Let me know when you are planning a trip to Thenmala in Kerala. And also do not forget to let me know if this article on the Thenmala tourist places is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
