I have often heard people say that heaven exists on Earth, it is no distant place far away from the world. Well, I wouldn’t have agreed to it a few weeks back, until I went to Kerala. That place is a heaven on Earth, no wonder the state is called ‘God’s own Country’. This tiny little state is truly a wonder. You see Nature’s creations flourishing in this state. The region is literally a display of various shades of green, blue and brown. I can still feel the light breeze that tours the luscious green coconut groves and the chill that surrounds the hills of Munnar. I had the best time of my life in Kerala. I went as a tourist and came back as a traveller from Kerala. Moreover, our travel planner, SeasonzIndia Holidays provided us with a tour package to Kerala at the best possible price. This was indeed icing on the cake. The package was worth every penny, for we could tour almost all the popular tourist destinations of Kerala within a few days time. We covered almost 6 districts during our trip and each district was unique from the other and provided us with an experience to be preserved for an entire lifetime. Of all these places I found Thrissur and Idukki very much interesting. Idukki is the abode of greenery and majestic hills while Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala is home to beautiful palaces and ancient temples. I have listed out some of the very best tourist spots in both Idukki and Thrissur. Don’t forget to visit these amazing tourist spots while in Kerala.
Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple: Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple is undoubtedly one of the best 3 popular temples of Kerala. There is not one day in the temple, that is not crowded with devotees, which is the absolute proof to the fact mentioned before. In fact, one could say that it is the most popular destination in Thrissur. The temple has an enchanting architecture. The engravings on the wall and the sculptures of the Hindu Gods are simply spectacular. The temple is worth a visit. Your visit to Thrissur becomes incomplete without visiting Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.
Shakthan Thampuran Palace: Shakthan Thampuran Palace is undoubtedly one of the best tourist spots in Delhi. The palace was built by Raja Rama Varma in the year 1791. Both history and art lovers are going to fall in love with the place, its Dutch architecture is definitely a sight to behold. The palace is open on all days except Mondays from 9:30 am to 4:30 PM. The palace is home to some amazing relics and antique pieces that once belonged to the King. No visit to Thrissur is complete without visiting the Shakthan Thampuran Palace.
Thrissur Zoo and State Museum: Thrissur Zoo and State Museum located in Chembukkavu which is the heart of Thrissur city. The Zoo houses a large variety of flora and fauna and is one of the best places to take your children. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, then you should definitely visit the zoo when in Thrissur. The museum displays a collection of wonderful artefacts and relics that are said to have a lot of historical significance. There is a story behind almost all the artefacts stored in the museum and the details about each artefact will be given next to it. Such a visit helps in updating your knowledge too. The Thrissur Zoo and State Museum will open on all days of the week except on Mondays. The timings for visiting are from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Include this spot into your tour itinerary while you are in Kerala.
Vintage Vauxhall Velox Car Club: If you ever pay a visit to Thrissur, do not miss this extraordinary museum of cars. It is going to gift you with a whole new experience. Vintage Vauxhall Velox Car Club exhibits cars from the late 50s and 60s. This is the perfect place for car enthusiasts as you can happily do the thing that you do best over here, which is to study cars. Vintage car lovers should not miss this place at any cost. When you get there you can see an array of cars displayed in a very attractive manner. As said always, the vintage never goes out of style and people are loving this museum. If you ever feel like visiting the museum head to Pallikulam in Thrissur. Vintage Vauxhall Velox Car Club is open all weekdays except Sundays. The visiting hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Painavu: If sightseeing is what you love, then you must head to Painavu. The vast expanse of captivating scenery where the lush green hills overlook the crystal clear lake that flows beside them is a sight that travellers look forward to when they include Painavu in their tour package to Kerala. Painavu is a wonderful hill resort situated in Idukki. Painavu is often called the headquarters of Idukki district and is also a popular tourist destination. Painavu is located in the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary at an altitude of 3900 ft. Adventure lovers are going to love Painavu as it is a great destination for trekking.
Ilaveezha Poonchira: Ilaveezha Poonchira is a unique destination located in the Idukki district. Ilaveezha Poonchira is a valley that is situated at the foot of three hillocks namely, Mannakunnu, Kudayathoor Hill, and Thonippara near a place called Kanjar. Any idea how Ilaveezha Poonchira got its name? Ilaveezha Poonchira, in the native language, means’ the valley where leaves never fall’. There are no trees in the valley which is why it was named so. Ilaveezha Poonchira offers great views of both the sunrise and sunset. One can also try trekking in Ilaveezha Poonchira which is a wonderful experience as well. Ilaveezha Poonchira is gradually turning into one of the best tourist destinations in the state and is included in almost all the tourism packages to Kerala.
Thommankuthu Waterfalls: The Thommankuthu Waterfalls is one of the best waterfalls in the entire state. Situated about 25km away from the main town of Idukki.the splendid waterfalls attracts loads of visitors every year. The magnificent waterfalls fall from a height of 300 feet and is a seven-step cascading waterfall which creates a pool at every step. The greenery surrounding the fall is a mesmerizing sight. You can indulge in some fun time near the waterfalls and swim in the pool. The spray of water as it juts out is an experience that is worth everything. The area is also an amazing trekking spot as well. Thommankuthu Waterfalls is one of the best waterfalls in Idukki and it ought to be added to your travel itinerary for a fantastic experience.
Hill View Park: Hill View Park is located at a very convenient spot where travellers can reach it easily. It is situated 500 meters away from the Idukki Dam. So, on your way back from Idukki Dam you can also visit the park. In fact, you must visit the place, it is simply beautiful. The park offers great views of the scenery that surrounds it. While here, you can even get an opportunity to spot a wild elephant as well. Do add the Hill View Park in your travel itinerary and rest assured you are not going to regret it.
Vandanmedu: Vandanmedu is a very popular tourist spot of the Idukki district. Often called the spice centre of Idukki, Vandanmedu is one of the largest auction centres for cardamom in the world. Vandanmedu is located 34km away from Idukki city. Vandanmedu is situated at a height of 4000m on the Thekkady-Munnar route. Vandanmedu can make a proper getaway from the busy city life and tensions of daily lives. Honeymoon couples love the destination a lot. Every year a number of honeymooners come flocking into the destination every year. Vandanmedu is a place that should not be missed especially by those who loves serenity and quietness. A trip to Vandanmedu will help you forget all worries.