"Marottichal” The rain trekking

Marottichal - we came to know about this place from one of the travel blog. Heard there is a waterfall called Ilanjipara in thrissur district. So We were planning to go there for few days. Finally we got a chance in august 15. We started the trip bit late by 9 a.m. 

For the first time readers, Marotichal is an unexploited cynic village which is situated in Thrissur District. A beautiful place which is still unexplored by eco tourism. It is about 20 k.m. away from Thrissur. There is a big and small water falls in the middle of a reserved forest which is under Peechi Wild Life Sanctuary. A place for a soft trekking through the forest and two water falls are the main attractions ; Olakayam and Elanjipara.

The waterfall is best to view during the months of monsoon and after,ie; Jun – Oct. But it is difficult to go all the way to the top as it may be either raining or too slippery, walking 4km to the top while it is raining and route not clear, will be bit difficult.

Its very hard to find hotels or some good shops there, so its better you are equipped with everything which is required (including food) for a small trekking. 

There is not even a sign board other than a small board fixed by forest department. So identifying the entrance of Marottichal Waterfall is bit hard. Two wheelers and other vehicles have to park on road side. (so just look for that too)

After reaching there, take left through the sides of canal, it is a narrow path. After 10 mnts walk, you will reach the first water fall, Olakkayam.
There you could have space for swim and have an open bath.

There is a 4Km trek towards the top of  Ilanjippara and will require one hour time to reach . Leeches are rare in this area, compared to other forest ranges.

 The locals had informed that there is chance to see Elephants in top. So we were bit tensed. But unluckily we couldn't find anyone.

 when we reached here, it started to rain...there was a cave (actually its not a cave, its a space between two big rocks, but good enough to stay there for 6-7 people)

  

Ants are busy in rain too.....

  from here there are two ways to top...either you can go through the above way or you can take the path besides the cave...

End of the way...here you need to cross the stream..

Its about 4 km walking distance to the top...but you will not get borred on the way...

After an hour walk, we reached the mainwater fall, and the first scene itself was really mind-boggling. Now as we start walking further towards the top of the waterfall continuing to reach the origin of the stream. we spend some time there looking around and we had a bath also there

On top you can spend time in top most, where you can have bath also (with atmost care), you can go to the opposite side of the Waterfall. There you can have full length view of the waterfall and finally you can have your bath just below the water fall. Its really amazing and i think in very few waterfall you can have the bath beneath the waterfall itself.

 

 

SInce the place is not developed to an eco-tourism project, we can see lot more plastics there. Nature has kept a wonderfull place for us to enjoy. SO PLS DO NOT RUIN THE BEAUTY WITH YOUR PLASTICS.

 

How to reach?

If you are coming from Ernakulam through Ernakulam Palakkad Highway, after reaching Kuttanellur, you have to take Right Turn (have to take the way below the bridge). Marottichal is about 12 km through the Mandamangalam-Marottichal Road. If you are coming from Palakkad Side, you can come through Mannuthi-Nadathara-Kuttanellur and if you are from Thrissur come through Mission Hosptial-Ancheri-Kuttanellur.

Paniyeli Poru

Paniyeli Poru is a little known picnic spot on the out skirts of Kochi, near Vengoor, Perumbavoor. The place has natural water falls, small rivulets, offshore surrounded by rich flora and fauna, where the visitors can rest. Its an amazing sight of Periyar river flowing thorugh rocks and between dense rain forests. The vast view of distant green hillocks and the tranquility around the place is really great

The name ‘Poru’ ( means fight in Malayalam) was derived from the old custom of raftsmen fighting with the unruly waves, deep vortex, to sail out from the area. The raft forms after bamboo cut from the ‘Edamalayar’ forest, tied as logs. It was the old practice of bamboo cutters, to carry logs to destination like ‘Kalady’ & ‘Malayattoor’, through river ‘Periyar’. Only an experienced raftsman could sail the log through the unruly water here. The area, where the rafts man fights fiercely against these adversities, was later called by ‘Poru’. Now a days logs of bamboo cut from the forest are carried away through the road in Vehicles.

On the way ....

Resting, by sitting on the offshore surrounded by dense trees, is a unique experience. The sweet, melodious sound of birds, the bustling sound of water waves makes your heart, mind and body cheerful. The  bathe in fresh, crystal clear water of ‘periyar’ makes your body and mind warm and fresh. 

  The strong water currents and deep vortex formed between the strata of rocks and mangroves can be dangerous. Nearly 150 youths have died here during the last one decade. But still its a safe place if we are going as per the instructions of the guides there. 

Mid November to End of May is the good time to visit as the water flow will be reduced during this time thus exposing the rocks and whirlpools. 

 

 

 

watch out The Signs !!! the water level will be varying every time especially during evening. It can be dangerous to cross the river at that time. Some times the water flow increases when the shutter of 'Edamalayar' and 'Idukki' dams are opened. Normally, the concerned department announce the same in advance.

 

 

Paniyeli Poru is 55 kilometres from Kochi. The nearest railway station is Aluva that is 35 km from this place. Poru is 20 km away from Perumbavoor, the nearest town. From here take a left deviation from the MGM School Junction, Kuruppumpady, on the busy Aluva-Munnar (AM Road) road. There are bus services from Perumbavoor to Paniyeli on half-hour duration. One has to walk at least a kilometre to Poru after alighting the bus at Paniyeli. Own vehicles  can take you up to Poru.
 

Sundays and holidays witness heavy rush of tourists here. Be prepared with food, bathing clothes etc.  Don’t prowl in the area after 6 pm as there are no light here. Advisable time to spend here is from 10am -5pm.

Agastyarkoodam

Agastyarkoodam, also called as Agastya Mala, is a peak of 1868 meters in the Western Ghats of South India. (second highest peak in Kerala state). The lower elevations of this peak are also known for their abundance of rare herbs and medicinal plants. Around 2000 medical plants used for Siddha and Ayurveda treatments are found here. Agastyarkoodam is accessible only on foot, with 24 km of trekking from Bonacaud, and 32 km from Neyyar Dam.

According to a local belief, the peak was the abode of sage Agasthya, who was a deep-rooted bachelor. Hence this place is known as Agastyarkoodam. The aborigines dislike the presence of women on the hill. Hence, women are not allowed up the peak.

Its slopes offer a breathtaking sight when they transform into colorful glades of the ‘Neelakurinji’ a flower, which blooms only once in twelve years. Apart from Munnar, Agastyarkoodam is the only place where Neelakurinji flower blooms.

The journey to Agastya Mala commences at Thiruvananthapuram's Thampanoor bus stand. The state transport bus covers 60-odd km to Bonacaud Tea Estate, the last outpost of civilisation.We reached thambanoor station by 4.45 a.m. itself. By 5 all seats were filled. by 8 a.m. we reached Bonacaud. We had our breakfast on the way from a small shop. We had Appam and Kadala Curry and it was awsum !!.

 

After completing the formalities we started our journy. We have been informed it is 18 km walk to the Athirumala Camp where we will be staying at night. 

  We can see lot of streams all the way and we had a small bath on the way which was really energising.

we had our lunch by 1.15. It was a meal parcel from the forest canteen at base camp.

We were trying to reach the Athirumala Camp before 2 p.m so that we can climb agastyamala on same day itself. But we were advised that it is better not to go on the same day, otherwise we may not be able to make the return journey. We were bit disappointed and this slow down our journey. Finally we reached Athirumala Camp by 3.40 p.m.

its a big hall where all the people will be staying. We can get a sleeping Mat from the office for Rs.5/-. It is worth to have a blanket with you.

We had a bath from the near by stream and spent time all around there. It was wonderfull to see the sky at night from there. It looked like we are seeing the sky from space station...

we had our food (kanji and payar) by 7.30 p.m. It was very tasty in that cold atmosphere.

We started our journey to Agastyarkoodam next day by 6.20 a.m.  We had taken a torch with us and it was really helpfull. After a long walk, we reached the steep rocks. There are some markings on the rocks, which was helpfull at sometimes..

HOOOOOO......rest on the way...Its advisable to take some biscuits or snacks and water..

about 80 %  of the people coming there is related with rituals. They offer ponkala to Agastyamuni on top of the Agstyamala.

Up....Up... on the way....

Hureeyyyyyy.....finally we reached top...

 views from all sides....its very heavy wind all the times...

Devotees offering Ponkala..

Neelakurinji...

Anyone planning for a trip to Agastya Mala should prepare well in advance. May be a walk for few days will do. What is not recommended is waking up one morning, packing your bags and setting out to scale the 1,868-m tall mountain. For unbridled enthusiasm alone can hardly equip you to take on the second highest mountain peak in Kerala.

For one, the reserve is open for trekking only between January and March every year, and even then, passes need to be obtained from the wildlife warden at the forest department in Thiruvananthapuram.

You'll need to carry some provisions along, for once you've entered the reserve, there's little to be bought for the love of money. Yes, the forest camps along the way supply some food and firewood, but gnawing hunger makes a poor travelling companion. Trekkers are also advised to carry basic medication and dress for the occasion. I was carrying my nikon D60 and an 18-200 lens which was very usefull. (Thanks to Durai)

Finally, if you are not going in own vehicle, stick on to the time schedule. the last bus from bonacaud is at 6.45 p.m. We couldnt catch the bus, and some how we reached Vithura (from there the last bus to trivandrum is at 9.30 p.m) with the help of some good people. Thanks to Arun & Team..