Aryankavu - Hill Station of Kerala

Journey in train towards best hill station is always a dream for me because that way I can view the natural beauty closer compared going through flight or other sources. Today I found a place that is a small but cute hill station of Kerala known as Aryankavu. It is the village comes under Kollam region of backwater state Kerala. This Indian tourist place is yet unpopular and that’s the reason less people reach this town on vacations. However, my choice is such kind of places where I find fewer crowds no matter if the spot is having limited attractions.

After long research I decided to visit this green town through train and believe me my journey to Aryankavu was best then most of the places of India. However, it is the hill station so you will not get the direct or broad gauge line for this station. You have to reach Shenkottai through road and from there you can get the train for Aryankavu. Frankly telling there was less places to visit in the town but still I enjoyed a lot. I and my team mate spend 4 days in the town and that we can say were the memorable moments of our life.

There is another way to attain the town and that is NH 744 closer to Thenmala (our next targeted Indian tourist place). This mountain pass of Western Ghats is easily reachable through Punalur to Shenkottai route and you will get the train for these stations as well. Aryankavu town is just 78 kms far from Kollam town, though Paravur is 81 km distant from the destination. A climate condition is tropical here and languages used are English and Malayalam. Important spots where you can visit are Palaruvei waterfalls, Kadamanpara forest, Junction, Rose Mala, big temples and few more spots.

Attraction in Aryankavu:

Maximum places of South India are famous for holy values. Aryankavu is also having some historical temples, houses and locations to visit.

Sastha Temple: Initial tourism spot of town is Ayyappan temple that is listed in big temples of Lord Ayyappa. People believe Lord Ayyappa came to this place as a teenager with a different identity known as Tiru Aryan. That’s the reason this temple is also recognized as Aryankavu Sastha Temple. This shrine is between the forests though you have to take the route of Trivandrum - Tenkasi NH. If we talk about the values this temple is again similar to Sabarimala. Females from 10 years to 50 are not allowed to enter the temple. Rituals and traditional pujas are done in Tamil style so the male devotees have to remove their shirt before entering the temple. Females can take pleasure of this natural beauty instead of entering the temple. Whosoever is planning to reach here, the person should careful all time as the maximum part of Aryankavu is the jungle and full of wild animals. Some risk part is there in the town so be careful and take pleasure of this natural beauty spot.

Catholic Churches: Two wonderful structured churches known as St. George Malankara and St. Mary's Archdiocese founded by Mr. K. Abraham Vaidyer. Abraham was the popular Ayurveda physician and was the member of Grama (Village) Panchayat (Administration).

Palaruvi falls: Next place to visit in Aryankavu is Palaruvi falls. Palaruvi is basically made of two different words of Malayalam language. Pal is milk and aruvi means watercourse. The height of water is 300 feet and that’s the reason the water looks like milk. Water is crystal clear and the small pond allows you to take bath in nature. This could be different experience of your life because you are at real jungle and the original high waterfall area. Don’t miss this spot if you are real nature lover. Once you reach the falls you will find some of the mandapams or impressive cottages of ancient period. That states that kings of bygone empire came to this place and spend their valuable time. The important part of this fall location is the route is quite difficult and the forest pathways are full of mud. Trekkers will not face any problem here, anyway the place is good to visit and impressive in looks.

Rose Mala: Next tourism spot of this Indian tourist place located at 12 Km distance from the railway station of Aryankavu. Rose Mala is the enchanting ecotourism destination of Aryankavu. It is basically a dense forest scarcely populated especially for farmers and tribal. Rose Mala is closer to Thenmala dam so you can enjoy two different spots at one location.

Thenmala Dam: Greenery, forest and a big dam is quite impressive place to visit. Some tree houses are available in this area so enjoy the jungle life. Don’t forget to take permission from the forest department if you are entering the jungle.

Few other attractions of Aryankavu are Kadamanpara sandal forest (2^nd largest sandal forest) and Bourdillion plot that is first bemused planted garden of the world.

How to reach Aryankavu?

By Rail: Aryankavu is the hill station and meter gauge line is available in the town. However, the closest big station is Kollam that is few km distant from Aryankavu.

By Air: Closest airport is Thiruvananthapuram located at 95 Km distance. Flights for Thiruvananthapuram are available from Delhi, Pune, Bangalore and many other cities so people looking to reach Aryankavu.

By road: Aryankavu is connected to both Kollam (77 Km) and Thiruvanantha Puram (85Km).

Plan A Trip To Bijapur (A Holy Place of Karnataka)

Bijapur city of Karnataka state is our next tourist destination of India. The city is holding countless monuments and special spots for voyagers. Experts say a week is required to enjoy the city properly as there are many places to visit. Some monuments are built during the ruling period of Adil Shahi dynasty and their structural design was famous in whole India. To reach Bijapur you have to travel for 530 km distance from Bangalore. However, Mumbai is 550 km far and Hyderabad is 384 km distant from the city.

As per census of 2011 the average population of Bijapur was 326,000. Area wise city is holding 9th position in biggest cities of Karnataka. This city was established between 10^th to 11^th centuries by kings of Kalyani Chalukyas. Earlier Bijapur was named as Vijayapura means “city of victory”. Yadavas ruled the city after beating Chalukya rulers. Bijapur name was given by the influence of Khilji Sultan of Delhi in 13^th century. Different rulers ruled the city and created different monuments at interval so we can say city is having huge historical values for India.

Major Attractions of Bijapur:

Gol Gumbaz: The first place to visit in town is the famous monument Gol Gumbaz. As its name suggests the place is famous for the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, who ruled the city from 1627to 1657. The tomb is famous because of largest dome ever constructed in world. Experts suggest St Peter's Basilica of Rome is second largest dome compared to size of Gol Gumbaz. Central chamber is the major attraction of this place. Once you attain to the central chamber, then make sound and it will get echo for seven times the minimum. Next special spot of Gol Gumbaz is Whispering Gallery. Mosque, Trumpeters hall and guest houses are other visiting areas of Gumbaz.

Archaeological Museum: To learn the history of the city museum is the best place. If you want to know more about the Bijapur, then visit the archaeological museum where you can watch several curious things such as inscriptions, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and military hardware.

Ibrahim Rauza: Ibrahim Adil Shah II Tomb is next spot of Bijapur. Adil Shah ruled the city from 1580 to 1627. He was the greatest emperor like Akbar of Mughal dynasty. This Rauza is constructed on single rock and it’s noted for the great balance on the hill. You can compare the design of Ibrahim Rauza with famous Taj Mahal of Agra as structural design is similar of both monuments.

Malik-e-Maidan: one biggest medieval gun of the world is placed in Bijapur. The size of the cannon is 4 meter long and 1.5 meter diameter with 55 ton weight. The gun was brought to Bijapur from Ahmadnagar in 17^th century. Sherza Burj (means Lion Gate) was especially constructed for this huge gun. The nozzle of cannon is designed with lion's head. This special gun was on bid in 1854 and the price was decided of Rs. 150, though the deal was canceled in the end.

Upli Buruj: A place constructed by Hyder Khan in 1584 is next place to visit. It is a tower with 80 ft height standing in north direction of Dakhani Idgah. View of the city from tower is amazing, though entry is not allowed at present. The other name of tower is Hyder Burj. The reason behind construction of Upli Buruj was security of the city from external attacks.

Chand Bawdi: Ali Adil Shah ruled the city between 1557 to 1580 and constructed a tank closer to boundary of Bijapur. Adil Shah restructured the city and settled the damaged areas with new construction. His major purpose was to provide water supply to the local people. 20 million liters capacity tank is able to supply water to whole area.

Asar Mahal: A palace known as Asar Mahal is one more attraction constructed in 1646 by Mohammed Adil Shah. It was the justice place so we can call it as court of ancient era. The structure is completely decorated with frescoes. However, women’s entry is strictly prohibited in this place. Once you visit the Bijapur you must attend the URS festival conducted at this place.

Numerous other places are available in Bijapur where travelers can reach like Gagan Mahal, Barakaman, Saat Kabar, Ibrahim Rauza, Malik-Karim-ud-dins, Jami Masjid, Jod Gumbaz, Green Stone Sarcophagus, Jala Manjil, Malik-I-Maidan, Taj Bavadi, Sat-Manzil, Mehatar Mahal, Malika Jahan Mosque, Chand Bavadi, Malik Sandals Mosque, Shanmukhasvami Matha, Mecca mosque, Narasimha temple, Lord Shiva Statue, Parshwanath Basadi, Torvi Narasimha Temple, Basavan Bagewadi, Shree Siddeshwar Temple and Alamatti Dam (Dam is also recognized as Lal Bahadur Shastri Sagar Dam).

Attaining to Bijapur:

By Road: city is properly connected to major hubs of India. NH (National Highway) 13, NH 50, NH 218 and some more highways are touching the internal and external areas of city. Karnataka State Transport is having buses for Bijapur from almost every corner of the state. Multi axle coaches, sitting push back coach, sleeper coach, AC and Non AC Volvo, Isuzu Tata Motors, Mercedes Benz, Ashok Leyland, Mitsubishi and many more transport services are available for Bijapur. Frequent buse service is available from Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli and Belgaum for Bijapur.

By Rail: Bijapur railway station is serving state from long years. Direct train is available for this destination from several parts of the nation. Hotgi junction is another closest big station for Bijapur. Trains for this city are available from Solapur, Gadag, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Yeshwantpur, Bellary, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hubli, Hyderabad and Ahmadabad.

By Air: Bijapur domestic airport is linked to many big cities of India. Airport is located at Madabhavi village closer to Bijapur City. A new airport is under construction and sooner the state is planning to start international airport by spreading the area.