Mind Blowing KSRTC Bus Images captured from Wagamon
Vagamon is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Kerala, India. It has a warm and friendly place with cool climate as the temperature between 10 and 23 degree Celsius during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 meters above sea level. Erattupetta is the closest town,from where Wagamon is about 25km. You can also reach there via Kottayam Kumali road [KK road] by taking a turn from Peerumedu. Also you can reach there from Iddukki dam site.
Eventhough there are KSRTC buses to Wagamon, it is best if you have your own vehicle. All the roads leading to the place are a biker’s dream. Beware of those blind turns and steep sides. For those looking for more adeventure can take the Ernakulam-Thodupuzha-Kanjar route. From Thodupuzha take the Moolamattom dam road, just before Kanjar town there are couple of dips in the road, you need to take the small road to the right (sign board is put up). The road is steep and scenery breathtaking. Watch out for oncoming vehicles.
Mind Blowing KSRTC Bus Images captured from Wagamon : All credits to the respective photographer who captured them.
you can reach there from yendayar(12 km from Mundakayam) NH220.From Yendayar you can hire jeep to reach wagamon kurishumala. If you like little bit guts you can climb the rock to kurishumala.From there you can watch Hills, very nice to see from there.
Also you can have the feeling of the following:
- Meenachil River, made famous by Arundhati Roy in her masterpiece “God Of Small Things”, originates near Vanilla County.
- Illikal Peak, is the origin of the River Meenachil and is a mythological site. Local belief has it that a bird brings the mythical herb atop this mountain to whosoever seeks eternal life! The natural menhirs atop the mountain takes on a mystical meaning to those who view it from afar. A climb to the top is a rewarding experience to trekkers as well as to those who wish to see the origin of one of Kerala’s life giving rivers.
- Maramala Waterfalls, a scenic stream and its breathtaking waterfalls are together referred to as “Enchantress of the Jungle” in the local lore. Sliding down the numerous hillocks, this gushing water has etched out over the years a deep natural pond amongst the rocks.
- Poonjar Palace, the ancient kingdom still draws the crowds to marvel at an era gone past. It is a glorious testimony to the regal opulence of a bygone era. The present day Munnar was a small principality under these rajahs till hey were given out on lease to the British tea companies two centuries ago.
Ayyampara, or Five Rocks, a 30-acre rock formation is a favourite haunt for those who wish to see some spectacular sunsets.
Wagamon (also spelled Vagamon) is known for the vast green meadows and the beautiful Pine forest. The suitable weather conditions and ambience makes Wagamon a great Paragliding Spot too. Annual Paragliding Grandprixs are held at the Wagamon hills by ASSTA (Adventure Sports & Sustainable Tourism Academy) in partnership with Kerala Tourism Development Council. The event gifted Kerala Tourism, “the most innovative tourism activity” of the year 2008.
Though the place isn’t a full fledged tourist spot or hill station with not much facilities for boarding, the place is simply great for a single day visit.
There is also a ‘Kurishumala’ (Malayalam for The Way Of Cross depicted on small hills) nearby worth trekking.There are good views from here, some locals claim that one can see the sea from there on clear days. Also you can explore on the grassy hills and small pine forests in the vicinity.
Vagamon is located 15 km from Kottamala ,39 km from Thodupuzha, 23 km from Erattupetta, 33 km from Palai, 45 km from Kumily, 22 km from Kuttikanam and about 65 km from Kottayam. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport, while the closest railway station is Kottayam. There are many fine resorts available in the surrounding areas with affordable cost for trekkers. Key tourist centers such as Thekkady, Peermade and Kulamavu are straightforwardly reachable from Vagamon.
The road to Vagamon from Erattupetta (Erattupetta is also known as the gateway of Malanadu) opened an easily accessible and direct route to Vagamon from the plains. This road, which was constructed in the 1950s, was an engineering marvel and is rated a state highway. The road was made in treacherous and dizzying terrain under the initiative and leadership of Acharya Francis who established the Kurisumala Ashramam. About a dozen workers died during the construction at the hanging cliffs, and a 20-foot-tall memorial tower stands in honour of those who gave their life for this road project at the beginning of the road in Teekoy town junction.
