Vagamon

Vagamon
—  town  —
Vagamon town
Vagamon
Location of Vagamon
in Kerala and India
Coordinates
Country India
State Kerala
District(s) Idukki
Nearest city Kottayam
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)
Area

• Elevation

• 1,100 metres (3,600 ft)

Vagamon (Malayalam: വാഗമണ്‍) is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Idukki district of Kerala, India. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10 and 23 °C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 meters above sea level. Vagamon also known as the 'Scotland of Asia', was discovered by the Britishers who found the place ideal for tea plantations and they were followed by Christian missionaries who built their abode of service at Kurisumala in Vagamon. National Geographic Traveler has listed Vagamon on their directory of the '50 most attractive places to visit in India’.[1]

Still untouched by commercialisation, the sleepy town with it's scenic valleys, beautiful green meadows, enchanting pine forests, mists, fogs, tea estates, waterfalls with the overall greenery is really striking. The landscape is mostly hilly bald with green meadows. Vagamon is also home to a large variety of flowers and orchids. Cuddled up within three striking hills Thangal, Murugan and Kurisumala hills which are the representation of the chief religions in Kerala , i.e. Hindu, Muslim, and Christian which represent the cultural harmony. Vagamon has amenities for trekking, paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing.[2]

Vagamon is at the fringe of the Western Ghats and the foot hills on its lower side reach up to Teekoy with a gradual descent. Traveling by the hill highway in this section is an exhilarating experience with deep valleys and magnificent views all around. Vagamon presents very spectacular views with an ethereal touch. Vagamon's charm is worth experiencing and is indeed one of the must see places for tourists. Reaching Vagamon itself is an extraordinary experience. The meandering road to Vagamon is cut in solid rock lined with pine forests. And as you wind your way through green capped hills, the rolling plains come into view thousands of feet below you.

Vagamon is located 39 km from Thodupuzha, 33 km away 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.

Contents

Places of Interest

  1. Kurisumala: Kurisumala means 'Mountain of the holy cross'. Kurisumala monastery situated on the Kurisumala hill, is a famous pilgrimage center for the Nazrani Catholics where cross put-up in each sub hill stations. The nearby Kurisumala Ashram is an abode of calm and spiritual delight. This hill area includes 12 sub mounds where pilgrims visit. Travelers can enjoy trekking and climbing this high hill. The area is fully surrounded with Tea estates and lakes.
  2. Indo-Swiss Project Diary Farms: Indo-Swiss Project dairy farms is situated on the Kurisumala hill. The dairy farm is managed by the Kurisumala monks.
  3. Vagamon Meadows: The rolling green meadows of Vagamon has a lake amidst them. It has for long been a favorite location for shooting movie songs.
  4. Pine Forests: A valley having huge lofty pine trees lined in rows.
  5. Thangal Hill: This is a center of Muslim pilgrimage. There is an ancient cave though which one can walk for kilometers. A suicide point is also situated here.[3]
  6. Mooppanpara: It is a v-shaped canyon, one of the admired view points as well acknowledged as a suicide point. The outlook from the summit of the strenuous climb is amazing.[4]
  7. Murugan Hill: It is situated near to Thangal Para. A Murugan temple is situated which is devoted to Lord Muruga with gorgeous stone age carving.[5]

Feature films in Vagamon

Song sequences of many South Indian films are shot in Vagamon. Recently, the Naseeruddin Shah starrer - The Blueberry Hunt - was shot in Vagamon and surrounding areas.

Issues

In August 2008, the Kerala Police said it had begun investigations two months back into a training camp organized in December 2007 by the banned SIMI activist in Thangalpara, a rocky landscape accessible only by foot adjacent to Vagamon hills.[6]

References

  1. ^ http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/103305-Vagamon-Scotland-Asia.aspx
  2. ^ http://tourism.webindia123.com/tourism/hillstations/vagamon/index.htm
  3. ^ http://www.keralatourism-packages.com/vagamon.htm
  4. ^ http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/103305-Vagamon-Scotland-Asia.aspx
  5. ^ http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/103305-Vagamon-Scotland-Asia.aspx
  6. ^ "'SIMI's camp in Kerela, not ultra's training ground'". The Deccan herald. http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Aug172008/national2008081785077.asp?section=updatenews. 

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