Nelliyampathy

The trip is again to enjoy the forests, this time, to Nelliyampathy, a famous hill station 60 km away from Palakkad.  We can see Pothundi Dam when we travel from Palakkad to Nenmara and from there, 8 km to the right.  Pothundi Dam is the largest dam in India that is made of earth.

It is situated at the backdrop of Nelliyampathy Hill.  The view from the top of the dam is that of the beautiful Nelliyampathy Hill.  Pothundi Dam is the entrance to the Nelliyampathy Forest views.  As Nelliyampathy route goes through the Western Ghat forests and has around 10 hairpin bends, the trip is thoroughly enjoyable.  Main agricultural items include tea and coffee.

The place has a cool climate.  Nelliyampathy is the only tourist spot in Kerala that has orange estates.  Ranges of hills covered in mist, small flowers in full blossom in the valleys and orange estates add to the beauty of Nelliyampathy.  It is also a valley of rare flora and variety flowers.

There are 2 tea estates here, Manalur and Chandramalai estates.  Here, we can bargain and buy quality tea.  The orange estates and vegetable plantations of the government lie near Kaikaatti, from where different types of fruits, vegetables and their seeds can be bought.

We can enjoy the beauty of the valley of Nelliyampathy viewing from the place called Keshavan.  When viewed from Seetharkundu, we get a glimpse of the beauty of Palakkad.  From here, I went straight to Mattumalai View Point, a jeep trekking from Nelliyampathy to Kollancode Forest Range.  The jeep has been jumping from one stone to another all the way.

This trekking is like ayurveda treatment, uzhichil and pizhichil (massage therapy (uzhichil) and squeezing of warm medicated oil onto the body (pizhichil).  After travelling for a while, the jeep was stopped on a plain rock known as Pinnampara which is a view point.

Because of fog, nothing could be seen.  I continued the journey from Pinnampara to Mattumalai.  I enjoyed the musical sound of birds, fog and strong winds; it was like becoming one with nature.  I went further on and reached a place called Karyassuri. 

Fog covered everything and we were not even able to see each other.  It revealed a heaven –like beauty, accompanied by a god named Karyassuri Amman.  Here, festival is celebrated yearly, during which, the native people of Nelliyampathy come down from the forests.  From here, at a short distance lies Kaattumalai View Point, a magical place.  From here, I went to Seetharkundu, a naturally beautiful view point in an estate full of agricultural products.

The season to visit Nelliyampathy is from January to March.  During this time, the windy and foggy climate is perfect for the visit.  Visiting Nelliyampathy during monsoons, from the month of July to September, offers a great experience when we can enjoy the strong wind and rain pouring down in torrents.  Greenland is a green farm in Nelliyampathy, where numerous birds and animals are bred and taken care of.There are facilities for providing accommodation here.  It is really wonderful to see 2 monkeys grazing goats in the farm.  The way they take care of the goats is amazing.  Having stroll around Nelliyampathy 1 whole day, I started my return trip.