Thursday 5 January 2012

Nilambur : In the Teak Lands




A surprisingly scenic train journey from Cherukara, a small sleepy town about 20km from Shoranur, Palghat where I was housed took us to Nilambur. A sleepy town housed among the clouds atop a rather normal looking town. Little can we tell by looks of the town that it housed one of the natural wonders of the world and it would never cross your mind even once that this is the city whose woods furnish the regal halls of the Buckingham Palace. The railway station is beautiful in its own respect, the woods, the people they are different unlike our concrete jungles. But one thing I mush stress that I cannot tell of any particular time that will be just perfect to visit Nilambur, every season has its own small advantages and the bitter misses, but I can tell you this from experience , never visit Nilambur on a Monday.


There are three magnificent places that are worth seeing in Nilambur, The only Teak museum in India; the first of its kind in India, Cannoli Plot which is home to the teak that furnished the Buckingham Palace, The Addiyanpara waterfalls. On Monday the first two of the lot does not open, so not on a Monday as I said earlier.



The Teak Museum

The Tree shaped direction boards along the sides of the road is sure to take you to the right place, However if you could arrange yourself a taxi for the whole day its sure to lift the luggage of your back and you could finish off Nilambur in a day and move on and just one more thing, please don’t may more than Rs. 4000 for a day. The teak museum is the oldest of its kind in the world and the only one of its kind in India. The Teak museum houses a spectacular Teak Trump that greats the visitors to the mystery that shrouds the majestic tree called Teak. There are many answers to the many questions about teak that you might ever have, this wonderful place even has about 300 species of butterflies that live among the Teak trees. There are many exhibits in the museum that speaks volumes about the mysterious plant and its many property and the historical significance of the place and rich history that spans over 150 years.



Cannoli Plot

It is an adobe for the nature enthusiasts in you, Located as a part of the forest departments reserve land, this place offers a unique and unparalleled view of the worlds oldest teak plantation, which was established way back in 1840’s. The plantation has the world’s oldest teak tree and a suspension bridge across the Challiyar River. The plantation has an 800 meter long scenic path way among the oldest teak trees in the worlds. The preferred time to visit here is in the evening as there will be many butterflies.


Addiyanparra Waterfalls

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Unlike the places I mentioned above I call talk more authoritatively on this place as I actually went here as I visited Nilambur on a Monday, The place is an exquisite locale located some 10-15km away from the city and is very beautiful. The thing about this place is you can visit here in two times either during the rainy season when there will be lot of water in the river and it will be a mammoth phenomenon to watch or you could view it during the dry season when you could really explore the path of the river, climb over boulders and play with water as much as you like, I personally prefer the dry season, there will be lot to do than just watch. The beauty of this spot is that the stream and the fall can be easily divided into two, the upper part and the lower part, the upper part consists of boulders and the shushing stream that passes through its passes and the lower part is mostly water ponds and everything a fall has to offer. Beware of whirlpools and deep holes there are a few such holes that can suck you down and drown you. I prefer you don’t go anywhere near the rapids for a swim. The place is treacherous to the core.


Accommodation and travel

Reaching Nilambur is easy by air land and rail, the nearest airport is Karipur International terminal Malapuram, Buses are frequently available to Nilambur, but the most preferred mode of transport is the train as it will take you to the core of the city with ease.


Accommodation can be availed in any of these places, I could not find any better accommodation in Nilambur.

1.       Hotel Mahendrapuri
2.       Peeves Nilambur Manor
3.       KTDC Tamarind 






     

     
     





15 comments:

  1. Seems like a beautiful place..nice pics!

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  2. Nice post ....just one question you have said dont pay more than Rs.4000/- per day for the taxi...is it from a particular place and back?

    Priya
    http://aalayamkanden.blogspot.com

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  3. This has been on my list for long... Despite having lived only 30 odd kms away from Nilambur, I have not visited the place yet. After reading your post, I've made my mind to do just that!

    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  4. loved seeing my native through your blog. Amazing... And yes, Nilambur is beautiful in every season. :)

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  5. Nice narration to take us through a great journey to Nilambur, nothing like reading a good travel writing.Keep writing!

    ~Arnie
    www.arnabmaity.com

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  6. Thanks Priya, Sorry for the delayed response

    Rs 4000/- is for the whole day and should easily get you around the whole of Nilambur.

    Its always better if you can get someone you know to show you around there. Its a beautiful place and with a native it just gets better still.

    Driving around yourself can also be fun and should be easy to get places except the waterfalls which is a bit far away and the route confusing!

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  7. Do visit Nilambur nisha, dont wait anymore

    Just do it.

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  8. It is bringing back some fond memories from Kerala! Good write up.

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  9. Thank you Divya, I am happy that my home invokes such fond memories in you.

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  10. A very informative post. I like the fact that you suggest best times to be visiting. Exploring the path of the water ie. in the dry season, sounds like a very inviting idea.

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  11. Thank you! D

    If you haven't visited Nilambur you should definitely come! Its beautiful!

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  12. a niz travalogue bro...keep on goin....

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  13. Nice write up. Planning to take the Shoranur- Nilambur train soon.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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come on! scribble down whats in your heart!