KAKKAYAM DAM CALICUT | KAKKAYAM VALLEY | KARIYATHAN PARA | DAMS NEAR KOZHIKODE | BEST OF CALICUT

                The Kakkayam dam [ കക്കയം ഡാം ]- Kakkayam Valley- Kariyathan Para, situated in Calicut district, 45-50kms away from the town and its noisy environment, offers the tourists not only a reservoir and its beauty but also a fantastic chance to enjoy the trekking and the scenic beauty of evergreen forest and grasslands. The main thing about this wonderful natural gift  is that, this place is still untouched by the tourists crowd and is not at all there in the tourist map of Kerala.

   This reservoir comes as part of the Kuttiyadi Hydro Electric Project & is located at a height of about 2450 ft above sea level. The pen stock runs down from the dam site and goes through various tunnels and hills to the Kuttiyadi Tail race power house at Kakkayam. Water coming out of this power house joins a river and is utilized for Peruvannamoozhi Irrigation Project.

    Its being a dam site, one has to pay an amount of 10 or 20 rupees to enter into the beauty. Kakkayam is really a forest area surrounded by hills, waterfalls, streams and more over it is one of the most beautiful adventurous evergreen forest area in Kerala.

the journey to the Kakkayam valley if done once, will be 

an unforgettable in ones life

 time. the journey through the curved hilly roads with deep green valley in one side and part of dense forest on the other side will be a memorable one for a trek lover. 

         The main attractions near this tourists place are, Kakkayam valley, Kariyathan rock (Kariyathan Mala) and Urukkuzhi Waterfalls. The Hanging Bridge over this waterfalls is another attraction here.While you starts your journey through the winding road, don't forget to find a giant tree named 'Tholaranji' in between. you can spot a name board telling the age of the tree, which claims she is about 87years old and the giant look, growth affirms it.
        

  Vehicles are permitted only up to the check post, being it is a protected area, from where it is a 10 minutes walk to the dam site. It was written there that you are not allowed to carry any cameras and that photography is strictly prohibited. But if you did that you are actually missing one of the great opportunities to frame the nature and its beauty, the love of water with the sand, the trees in the middle of water, the love of animals etc.

        

          Kakkayam is also well known for its wealth of variety of plant species and animal variety. This biodiversity zone of Kakkayam is selected as one the best bio zones by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). on the way one can spot many elephants, deers, monkeys etc. At the dam site one can spot a wide variety of butterflies and birds.  As already said, Kakkayam is also famous for its trekking areas and facilities. The local tourist authorities like clubs of Kakkayam will give some guides and helpers to assist you and is a better place for the adventure lovers.

          Also, Kakkayam valley is famous for Film shooting. many Film songs and albums are shot here, and it is now a favorite place for the album makers.

        Just look at those snaps, whether it reminds you about Munnar or Ootty..? No, its in Calicut, just a 50 KMs away from the town. Then why a trekking to any other place, pack up and go for a drive to Kakkayam... It will be a refreshment for the children, a beautiful spot for the newly wedded couples to love, a superb spot for the mountaineering and I'm giving you ma word, that it will be one memorable trip in your life time, if you go there...

How to reach there?

         Kakkayam is situated 50 kms away from Calicut. The dam sight and the waterfall are 14 kms away from the Kakkayam market.One can approach through Calicut- Balusseri route, Thalayad- Perambra route and from Kurachundu- Kallunode road. The nearest airport is Karipur International Airport and nearest Railway Station is Kozhikode Railway station. 

kakkayam dam

kakkayam dam

kakkayam dam calicut map

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BEKAL FORT-KERALA / THE LARGEST FORT IN KERALA | THE REAL BEAUTY | SOUTH INDIA TOURISM

                 Bekal fort, the largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala, lies 16 Kms south of Kasaragodon the national highway at the northern tip of the state. The fort, a circular imposing structure of laterite rising 130 ft. above sea level, stands on a 35 acre headland that runs into the Arabian sea.

This fort is more than 300 years old and is believed to have been built in the 1650's by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty. There is also another belief that it was originally built by Kolathiri Rajas and later captured by Sivappa Naik. The fort was occupied Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1763 A.D and then the Huzur of Canara during Tipu Sultan's reign and later the British. During the British rule, the erstwhile Bekal taluk was part of South Canara district and encompassed the present Kasaragod and Hosdurg taluks.

he fort with its zigzag entrance, strategically designed openings on the outer walls for defense and trenches around, has no palaces inside and was probably build just for Defence purposes. The sea bastion, underground tunnels and the observation tower in the fort are impressive. The Bekal Fort has been a source of attraction for historians, tourists and nature - lovers for centuries since it embodies memories of a glorious past.

Just outside the fort there is a mosque built by Tippu Sultan of Mysore. At the entrance is the Anjaneya temple, dedicated to Sree Hanuman. Said to be as old as the fort itself, the shrine was recently renovated and attracts hundreds of devotees from far and near. In the middle of the fort is the observation tower approached by a broad and wide flight of stairs. The structure, around 80 feet in circumference at the base and more than 30 feet high, affords a magnificent view of the sea on three sides and the green landscape to the east. There are many underground passages leading outside from various parts of the Fort. Two of them still remains intact, one leading to the south of the fort and the other to the moat on the east. The magazine inside the fort closed to the public, is used to store weapons and ammunition and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. The sea bastion located on the rocky projection, west of the fort also offers a magnificent view of the sea and the beach.

There is a sea side pathway with a magnificent view of the fort to the east and the sea to the west linking the beaches north and south of the battlement. The Pallikere beach with its shallow waters is just a km. away from the fort.

Due to its historic relevance, the fort is controlled by the Archaeological Survey of India. Coins and other historical artifacts were unearthed by archeologists making it an interesting excavation site. Bekal is also one among the five centres selected by the Government of India to be developed into a 'Special Tourism Area'.

How to get there :
Air: Nearest airports are at Mangalore (50 km); Karipur International Airport, Calicut (Kozhikode) International Terminal (180 km)
Rail: On the Kozhikode-Mangalore-Mumbai route. Enquiry Ph: 430200
Road: There are regular buses every 30 minutes from Kanjagad to Bekal. An excellent network of roads connects Kasaragod to major towns in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nad

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VEEGALAND | WONDERLA AMUSEMENT PARK | BEST WATER THEME PARK IN INDIA | SOUTH INDIA TOURISM | AMUSEMENT PARKS IN INDIA

          Veega Land, Now it is known as wonderla India's first water theme park, has since its inception been an irresistible attraction for hundreds of thousands of fun loving people of all ages from all over India. Spread over 30 acres of landscaped space, built to international standards and impeccably maintained, Veega Land has a mind boggling array of sophisticated rides to thrill you till you can't take any more.

	Family Rides Full day of fun and frolic for the family

Water Rides It’s wild. It’s wet. It’s the best you can get

              Welcome to Veega Land, the fun place for the whole family. Nestling against a verdant hillside just 15 kms from Cochin city center, Veega Land is the ideal place for a family's day out. Featuring a variety of entertainment options such as wet rides, dry rides, adventure rides, kids' rides, laser shows, musical fountains, virtual reality theater, food courts and restaurants, Veega Land has something for every one, young or old. Impressively equipped and impeccably maintained, Veega Land is the perfect place for the whole family to relax and unwind.Dress Changing rooms for ladies and gents, lockers, retail outlets where you can purchase an assortment of items, potable water dispensers at every nook and corner, spotlessly clean toilets at convenient locations across the complex, ample parking space, rest rooms for drivers – we have thought of everything for you have a thoroughly enjoyable time

        CONTACT

WONDERLA HOLIDAYS PVT LTD.
Pallikara, Kumarapuram P.O,
Cochin - 683 565, Kerala, India
Tel: 91 - 484 - 2684001 - 2684007
Fax: 91 - 484 - 2682908
Email: reception1@veegaland.com

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PARASSINIKKADAVU SNAKE PARK | KANNUR,KERALA | SNAKE PARKS IN KERALA | BEST SNAKE PARK IN MALABAR | SOUTH INDIA TOURISM

          It is about 16 km from Kannur town in Kannur district of north Kerala, south India. The Snake Park is a famous landmark in the district of Kannur at Parassinikkadavu, en route from Kannur to Taliparamba, 2 km from National Highway(NH) 17.

The only one of its kind in the State and perhaps the whole of India.

Here one gets to see a large variety of snakes and other small animals and there is even a live show, where trained personnel play and 'interact' with a variety of snakes, including cobras and vipers, and seek to quell mythical fears and superstitions about snakes. The Snake Park, set up by the Visha Chikista Kendra at Pappinisseri, has been a centre of attraction to both foreign and domestic tourists.

The snake park here houses about 150 varieties of snakes including the Spectacled Cobra, King Cobra,Russell's viper, Krait and various pit vipers. There is also a large collection of non-poisonous snakes including Pythons. The park is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of snakes, many species of which are gradually becoming extinct. A research laboratory to extract venom from snakes is proposed to be set up here.

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