Achankovil Sastha Temple: Ancient healing temple located in pristine forest of the Western Ghats

This place is located in the middle of forest heaven. Dense jungles, vast mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, lush rivers and waterfalls and diverse flora and wildlife make up this pristine ecosystem. Tucked amidst all of this stunning nature is one of the five important temples (the others being Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, Sabarimala and Kanthamala) dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. In this temple, Lord Ayyappa is depicted as a family man (living the grihastha asharama life with his two wives Purna and Pushkala). I am talking about the Achankovil Sastha temple where the Sastha wears a smiling face and enjoys living in one of Kerala’s most scenic and biodiverse ecosystems.

The Achankovil Sastha temple is an ancient healing temple that is famous for curing poisonous snake bites and where the deity is considered a maha vaidya (great physician). The left hand of Lord Ayyappa holds Chandan (sandalwood paste) and Theertha (holy water) that is believed to have medicinal properties that cure snake bites. People who get bitten by snakes are welcomed at all times, given sandalwood paste as prasadam, medicines and allowed to stay at the temple for a period of three to five days.

Located next to the lovely Achankovil river inside a dense forest that is contiguous with Agastyamalai biosphere reserve, the Achankovil Sastha temple is situated about 950 metres above sea level. Achankovil, which literally translates into the ‘shrine of Achan’ or ‘the supreme deity’, is the only Ayyappa temple where females of all ages are allowed to enter the temple and climb the 18 sacred steps. It is believed that Lord Parashurama consecrated the idol of Lord Ayyappa here.



The famous festivals celebrated at this temple are the Mandala Puja (held every year from the first to the tenth day of the Dhanu month - December 15 to January 15), Rvathi puja (held in the Makaram month (January 15 to February 15th) and the annual therottam (chariot festival).

The journey to Achankovil temple is as enchanting as the destination itself. The heavenly forest highway between Konni and Mekkarai, Manalar Falls – the jungle waterfall, Kambhavurutty Falls – the scenic waterfall holiday destination of Kerala and the meandering Achankovil river with multiple banks perfect for a swim are multiple reasons for you to visit this temple often. Whether you visit this place for the allure of nature beauty, the promise of adventure or the divine ambiance and spiritual heritage, Achankovil temple is bound to mesmerize you with its sacred charm and beautiful landscapes. It has offbeat and hidden charm written all over it.

Temple timings:



All days: 5 AM to 12 noon and 5 PM to 8 PM.

Best season to visit:



Achankovil Sastha temple is open all year round, but it looks its liveliest self during the monsoon months from June to October when the surrounding forests and mountains are lush green. The winter months from November through February are pleasant months with mist covering the forest roads during the early morning and late evening hours. The summer months from March through May would be warm and humid, so you can plan to visit the temple during the early morning or late evening hours.

How to reach there:



If you are traveling from Konni, take the forest route to Achankovil via Kalleli and Chempanaruvi falls and temple.

If you are traveling from Thiruvananthapuram, Punalur or Kollam, take the road via Punalur –> Vettithitta –> Cherukadavu Dam –> Chempanaruvi Falls –> Achankovil.

If you are traveling from Thenmala, take the road via Ottakal –> Edamon –> Valcode –> Cherukadavu Dam –> Chempanaruvi Falls –> Achankovil.

If you are traveling from Shencottai, Tenkasi or Tirunelveli direction, take the road via Shencottai to Elathur –> Panboli –> Mekkarai –> Kerala Forest Check Post –> Manalar Falls –> Kambhavurutty Falls –> Achankovil.

Where to stay:



There are a few budget hotels in and around Achankovil for those looking to stay close to the temple. There are a few resorts and homestays in and around Mekkarai (about 16 kms away) that offer simple accommodation with the best views. For a diverse range of decent hotels, head to Tenkasi (about 33 kms away).

If you wish to stay amidst nature, try the resorts in and around Courtallam, the accommodation inside Thenmala Eco Zone (Kerala) or the forest accommodation inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

For luxurious options, head to Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu or Kollam/Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

Where to eat:



The nearest place to eat would be Achankovil where you can find basic tiffin items and simple lunches. For more diverse options, Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu would be your nearest hub.

Other nearby tourist attractions:



1) Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni: Heavenly motorcycle route through pristine forest

2) Mekkarai: One of Tamil Nadu’s prettiest villages

3) Kambhavurutty Falls: Scenic waterfall holiday destination of Kerala

4) Manalar Falls: The herbal jungle waterfall of Kerala

5) Rosemala View Point: Gorgeous motorcycling route inside Shendurney wildlife sanctuary, Kerala

6) Ottakkal Weir View Point: Lovely pit stop on the Thenmala – Kollam highway

7) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky

8) Aryankavu Sastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats

9) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways

10) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala

11) Lesser Known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers

12) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view

13) Courtallam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu

14) Sunderapandiapuram: Of lovely Brahmin agraharam houses, sunflower fields, windmills and mountain views

15) Puliyarai View Point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway

16) Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats

17) Sivasailam: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India

18) 13th century Kasi Visvanathar Temple at Tenkasi

19) Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: World’s richest Hindu temple

20) Shangumugham Beach: The tranquil and divine beach of Thiruvananthapuram



21) Thiruparappu Falls: Gorgeous monsoon spectacle near Kanyakumari

22) Mathoor Aqueduct and Hanging Bridge: An offbeat wonder nestled in the mountains near Kanyakumari

23) Kappil Beach: Sandy beauty hemmed in between the sea and the backwaters

24) Varkala Beach: The stunning cliff beach of Kerala where you can wash away all your sins

25) Meenmutty Falls inside Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: A beautiful tropical jungle trail

26) Ponmudi: The offbeat hill station of Kerala with a 360 degree mountain panorama

27) Manjolai: The unknown hill station gem of India

28) Thenmala Forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway

29) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East monsoon

30) Kudrevetty: The gorgeous windy station of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

31) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve

32) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river

33) Oothu: The quaint little hill station of Tamil Nadu

34) Kakkachi: The highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

35) Scenic Iron Bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded

36) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep South

37) Cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

38) Hidden pristine waterfall inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

39) Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th century temple with an ashtanga vimana

40) 10th Century Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple: Lesser known architectural marvel of South India

41) 1000 Year Old Papanasanathar Temple: Where you can wash all your sins away

42) Kallidaikurichi: The village of the saaral season

43) Iruttu Kadai Halwa: Icon of Tirunelveli

44) Nellaiappar Temple: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder

45) Pattamadai Pai: GI tagged beautiful handwoven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village

46) Thamirabharani River Delta: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness

47) 10th Century Valiswara Temple at Thiruvaliswaram: Hidden Chola gem in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

48) Tiruchendur Murugan Temple: Sea shore magic

49) Kallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam: A top scenic and rustic cycling route

50) Garuda Sevai from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi

51) Festival of Thiruvathirai from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

52) The festival of Karthigai Deepam from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

53) The exotic tropical fruits of Puliyarai

54) Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand cultural spectacle in rural Tamil Nadu

55) Kallidaikurichi Anaicut: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature

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Manalar Falls: The Herbal Jungle Waterfall of Kerala

It is a heavenly pit stop on the gorgeous Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni forest route. It’s location is fairly offbeat and hence it does not attract a lot of crowd. It’s lush environment is perfect for a nature holiday with family and friends. It’s herbal waters make for a rejuvenating bath amidst the dense jungle of the Western Ghats. I am talking about Manalar Falls, the stunning herbal jungle waterfall of Kerala.



Situated in the Konni reserve forest of Kerala, the Manalar falls is located deep inside the jungle and the location is so pristine that footprints of elephants and other wild animals are seen at this location quite often. Manalar falls offers a beautiful mix of a scenic drive, a short jungle trek, twin waterfalls and a lovely swimming pool at the base of the waterfall perfect for that relaxing dip inside the forest. One of the twin waterfalls is smaller in size, which makes it perfect for young children and elderly folks and the other one, which is a bit further up is perfect for adults, rowdy teenagers and those who love some thrill and adventure. The bigger Manalar waterfall is perfect for those people who love to feel the forceful waters of the waterfall on their head and back and then take a breather while wallowing in the swimming pool at the bottom of the waterfall.



If you carry a picnic basket with you along with some towels, swim wear and a pair of sunglasses, you will treat yourself to a divine and rejuvenating waterfall holiday. As this place is managed by the Kerala forest department, you will have to take buy entrance tickets for all the members in your group and parking ticket for your vehicle. You can park your vehicle on the side of the road that also doubles as the forest highway. There is hardly any infrastructure here, but you may find a simple toilet and a street vendor or two selling some local fruits and hot tea. A 10 minute walk through the forest will take you to the two waterfalls from the ticket counter. The hike can get slippery when it rains, so do exercise caution.



Both Manalar Falls and Kambhavurutty falls, further along the forest highway towards Achankovil are proper jungle waterfalls and hence care should be taken to protect the waterfall and jungle surroundings from any pollution. So, do ensure to carry your trash with you (including dirty diapers) and do refrain from smoking and drinking inside the forest. And most importantly, do keep an eye out for elephants and other wild animals, especially if it happens to be raining or there is a thick mist cover. If you take care of the above, you will possibly enjoy a surreal jungle environment and have a ball of a waterfall holiday.



Best season to visit:

Manalar falls looks its best during the monsoon season from June and October. This is when the waterfall carries copious amounts of water and the vegetation is dense and lush. This time is perfect for trekking to the waterfall and enjoying its beauty, but might not be best to get under the waterfall for a bath. There is also the threat of leeches during this time of the year. Between November and February, the vegetation will continue to remain lush, the water force would be lower and the water much clearer. This would mean that you can enjoy the waterfall fully. Threat of leeches will also be lower at this time of the year. During March to May, the water levels would be lower and the heat and humidity would be higher. Reaching the waterfall will make you sweat, but a bath under the cool waters of the waterfall would make it worth the effort.



How to reach there:

If you are traveling from Konni, take the forest route via Achankovil to reach Manalar Falls. This route also happens to be the most scenic.

If you are traveling from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam or Punalur, take the road via Punalur –> Vettithitta –> Cherukadavu Dam –> Chempanaruvi Falls –> Achankovil –> Manalar Falls.

If you are traveling from Thenmala, take the road via Ottakal –> Edamon –> Valcode –> Cherukadavu Dam –> Chempanaruvi Falls –> Achankovil –> Manalar Falls.

If you are traveling from Shencottai, Tenkasi or Tirunelveli direction, take the road via Shencottai to Elathur –> Panboli –> Mekkarai –> Kerala forest check post –> Manalar Falls.



Where to stay:

There are a few budget hotels in and around Achankovil (about 8 kms away) for those looking to stay inside the reserve forest. There are a few resorts and homestays in and around Mekkarai (about 8 kms away) that offer simple accommodation with the best views. For a diverse range of decent hotels, head to Tenkasi (about 25 kms away).

If you prefer staying amidst nature, try the resorts in and around Courtallam, the accommodation inside Thenmala Eco Zone (Kerala) or the forest accommodation inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

For luxurious options, head to Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu or Kollam/Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.



Where to eat:

The nearest place to eat would be either Achankovil in Kerala (About 10 kms away to the west) or Shencottai in Tamil Nadu (about 17 kms to the east). There are restaurants that serve basic tiffin and meals here. For more diverse options, Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu would be your nearest hub.



Other nearby tourist attractions:

1) Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni: Heavenly motorcycling route through pristine forest

2) Mekkarai: One of Tamil Nadu’s prettiest villages

3) Kutralam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu

4) Sunderapandiapuram: Of lovely Brahmin agraharam houses, sunflower fields, windmills and mountain views

5) Puliyarai view point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway

6) Sivasailam temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats

7) Sivasailam: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India

8) 13th century Kasi Visvanathar temple at Tenkasi

9) Kambhavurutty Falls: Pristine jungle waterfall in the middle of dense forest

10) Thenmala Forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway



11) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways

12) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala

13) Lesser known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers

14) Achankovil Saastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats

15) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky

16) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view

17) Aryankavu Saastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats

18) Rosemala: Spectacular view point of the Thenmala reservoir

19) Kudrevetty: The gorgeous windy station of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

20) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve



21) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river

22) Manjolai: The offbeat hill station of Tamil Nadu

23) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East monsoon

24) Kakkachi: The highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

25) Scenic Iron Bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded

26) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south

27) Cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

28) Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th century temple with an ashtanga vimana

29) 10th Century Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple: Lesser known architectural marvel of South India

30) 1000 year old Papanasanathar Temple: Where you can wash all your sins away

31) Kallidaikurichi: The village of the saaral season

32) Iruttu Kadai Halwa: Icon of Tirunelveli

33) Nellaiappar Temple: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder

34) Pattamadai Pai: GI tagged beautiful handwoven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village

35) Thamirabharani river delta: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness

36) 10th Century Valiswara Temple at Thiruvaliswaram: Hidden Chola gem in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

37) Tiruchendur Murugan Temple: Sea shore magic

38) Kallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam: A top scenic and rustic cycling route

39) Garuda Sevai from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi

40) Festival of Thiruvathirai from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

41) The festival of Karthigai Deepam from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

42) The exotic tropical fruit shops of Puliyarai

43) Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand cultural spectacle in rural Tamil Nadu

44) Kallidaikurichi Anaicut: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature

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Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni: Heavenly Motorcycling Route through Pristine Forest

This motorcycling route is one of my top motorcycling holiday destinations in India. Now, why do I say that? It is offbeat and consists of a narrow highway that passes through dense jungles. You can come across many wild animals on this route. In fact, it is a common occurrence to see wild elephants standing in the middle of the road here. This route has steep hairpin bends, criss-crosses a meandering river, has many waterfall and river pit stops where you can bathe, enjoy and relax and it is home to some of the most pristine forest in this region.



The route begins at Mekkarai in Tamil Nadu and goes till Achankovil, about 16 kms away. This short route is for the people who wish for some civilization, decent roads and a safety road. However, for those who do not mind poor road conditions and love adventure, the route begins at Mekkarai and heads all the way to Konni covering a distance of 80 kms. This entire route is part of Konni reserve forest, which connects Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Agasthyamalai biosphere reserve and Shendurney wildlife sanctuary with Ranni forest and Periyar tiger reserve. It is one of India’s largest contiguous forests and some of the best preserved tracts of jungle in the Western Ghats.



The typical route would be:

Mekkarai in Tamil Nadu –> Kerala Forest Check Post –> Manalar Falls –> Kambhavurutty Falls –> Achankovil Saastha Temple –> Chempanaruvi Temple and Falls –> Kalleli Bridge –> Kalleli –> Konni

When you are starting at Mekkarai, you will leave the plains with the paddy field views below and start to rapidly ascend into dense forest. A few hairpin bends will bring you to the Kerala forest check post and from there, the route gets denser and more beautiful. You will ascend initially and then rapidly descend. You will keeping crossing many some jungle streams and water bodies while getting fleeting glimpses of the vast and dense jungle in the yonder. Usually such far away views are rare as the road has dense green cover on both its sides. It is this dense cover that makes this route very difficult to navigate if wild animals happen to be around and therein lies the challenge and adventure.



Once you have completed your descent, you will come across Manalar waterfall, a stunning jungle waterfall with a natural swimming pool. You can park your vehicle here, get yourself the entry ticket and trek a short distance to reach the waterfall. This waterfall has multiple levels and you can choose to climb it, enjoy a refreshing dip and head back to your vehicle. Once you have crossed the Manalar falls parking lot, you will keep crisscrossing the Achankovil river all the way till Konni. The river is not fairly deep, but it can carry a fair amount of water during the rainy season. The next stop is Kambhavurutty falls, another gorgeous forest waterfall that falls from a much higher location and is located deeper in the forest from the main road. You can choose to take another refreshing dip here, before heading to Achankovil Dharma Saastha temple and see the lord’s blessings. Here, Lord Ayyappa is in a happy avatar and it seems like he is enjoying his stay in this pristine forest. When I was traveling this route, even I felt peaceful inside in this unsullied jungle.

Further west from Achankovil lies the Chempanaruvi falls. This waterfall is a bit far away from the main road, but the detour is totally worth it. The road beyond Chempanaruvi temple is in poor condition and you will hardly see any people or vehicles here. There is a very high chance to spot wild animals here. It is best to ride/drive slowly with a keen lookout for animals. This stretch is also the most raw and wild. You continue to cross the meandering Achankovil river at many places before reaching Kalleli bridge and Orekkar waterfall, which is a short deviation away. Once you cross the Njavanal forest check post, you can either take a detour to Chelikkuzhu waterfalls or head straight to Konni city. At Konni, do remember to visit the Konni Eco tourism elephant shelter and museum.



This route is one of my favourites in the Western Ghats owing to its pristine nature, dense forest cover, wildlife sightings and due to its offbeat nature. The roads are narrow here and it offer the perfect route for a jungle motorcycling experience coupled with scenic pit stops, waterfall and river stops, a temple and so much more. It is one of South Kerala’s hidden gems and one that I would recommend to all nature loving motorcyclists.



Timings:

This forest route is open from sunrise to sunset. However, the forest department might allow some vehicles to pass through. If you happen to travel in the early hours of the morning, in the late hours of the evening or during heavy rain or dense mist, be on the lookout for wild animals, especially elephants, as they might be standing next to the road or on the road. If you get to know that elephants have been sighted on the route, travel in a convoy with larger vehicles like jeeps, vans or buses.



Best season to visit:

This route looks the best during the rains when the waterfalls are in full flow, the rivers are in spate and the surroundings are dressed in fresh green. However, monsoon season can also bring along floods, landslides and road closures. One needs to plan for that.

The winter months from December through February are also magical as this is when there is the added cover of mist during the early morning hours and the late evening hours. This adds a whole new dimension to the route.

This forest route is open all year round. Summers can get quite warm and sticky, but it is also the best time to spot wildlife as all wild animals are attracted to the rapidly shrinking water bodies.



How to reach there:

If you are traveling from Konni, take the forest route to reach Achankovil. The road is narrow and in poor condition.

If you are traveling from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam or Punalur, take the road via Punalur –> Vettithitta –> Karavoor –> Cherukadavu check dam –> Chempanaruvi Falls –> Achankovil

If you are traveling from Thenmala, take the road via Ottakal –> Edamon –> Valacode –> Cherukadavu check dam –> Chempanaruvi Falls –> Achankovil

If you are traveling from Shenkotta, Tenkasi or Tirunelveli direction, take the road to Elathur –> Mekkarai –> Manalar Falls –> Kambhavurutty Falls –> Achankovil



Where to stay:

There are simple guest houses and hotels at Achankovil and these happen to be the best in terms of proximity. For decent hotels, head to Tenkasi.

If you prefer staying amidst nature, try the resorts in and around Courtrallam, the accommodation inside Thenmala Eco Zone (Kerala) or the forest accommodation inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

For luxurious options, head to Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu or Kollam/Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.



Where to eat:

The nearest place to eat would be Achankovil. Here, you can find basic food options next to the temple. The temple also serves delicious vegetarian meals from time to time. For more diverse options, Tenkasi would be your nearest hub. Shenkottai and Aryankavu would also be decent hubs for meals in case you are traveling from either direction.



Other nearby tourist attractions:

1) Kutralam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu

2) Sunderapandiapuram: Of lovely Brahmin agraharam houses, sunflower fields, windmills and mountain views

3) Puliyarai view point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway

4) Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats

5) Sivasailam: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India

6) 13th century Kasi Visvanathar temple at Tenkasi

7) Mekkarai: One of the prettiest villages of Tamil Nadu

8) Manalar Falls: The gorgeous forest waterfall perfect for a family getaway



9) Kumbhavurutty Falls: Pristine jungle waterfall in the middle of dense forest

10) Thenmala forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway

11) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways

12) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala

13) Lesser known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers

14) Achankovil Saastha Temple: That happy Lord Ayyappa in the middle of pristine jungle

15) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky

16) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view

17) Aryankavu Saastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats



18) Rosemala: Spectacular view point of the Thenmala reservoir

19) Kudrevetty: The gorgeous windy station of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

20) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve

21) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river

22) Manjolai: The offbeat hill station of Tamil Nadu

23) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East monsoon

24) Kakkachi: The highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

25) Scenic Iron Bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded

26) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south



27) Cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

28) Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th century temple with an ashtanga vimana

29) 10th century Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple: Lesser known architectural marvel of South India

30) 1000 year old Papanasanathar Temple: Where you can wash all your sins away

31) Kallidaikurichi: The village of the saaral season

32 Iruttu Kadai Halwa: Icon of Tirunelveli

33) Nellaiappar Temple: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder

34) Pattamadai Pai: GI Tagged beautiful handwoven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village

35) Thamirabharani river delta: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness



36) 10th century Valiswara temple at Thiruvaliswaram10th century Valiswara temple at Thiruvaliswaram: Hidden Chola gem in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

37) Tiruchendur Murugan Temple: Sea shore magic

38) Kallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam: A top scenic and rustic cycling route

39) Garuda Sevai from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi

40) Festival of Thiruvathirai from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

41) The festival of Karthigai Deepam from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

42) The exotic tropical fruits of Puliyarai

43) Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand cultural spectacle in rural Tamil Nadu

44) Kallidaikurichi Anaicut: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature

Continue Reading...