5 Places To Visit In Thekkady

Ecophobia. It means disliking one's own home, for various reasons. Primarily it's because, after a point in time, the same four walls, the same surroundings, and the same routine can become boring. Do it for too long and you'll start feeling depressed. That's why we travel, and to visit a place that offers much-needed respite from the daily grind is as close to heaven as you can get. Well, one such place is Thekkady, in Kerala. It's 160km from Trivandrum, 141 km from Madurai and 145 km from Cochin, the three biggest airports in the vicinity. While most people swear by visiting the Periyar National Park in Thekkady, here are five offbeat places to visit in Thekkady.

Pandikuzhi

Pandikuzhi is a small town near Periyar that's famous for its 1200-foot waterfalls. A visit to this place will make you rethink why people go ga-ga over the Niagara. In and around Pandikuzhi, there are plenty of trekking trails, thanks to the rugged terrain the lush forests surrounding Pandikuzhi. To reach Pandikuzhi, we suggest taking a rickshaw or tuk-tuk from Periyar, since it's a very short, albeit stunning drive. The waterfalls, the abundant flora and fauna, and the meditative environs make Pandikuzhi one of the best places to visit in Thekkady. If you're looking for a place to stay, we suggest booking accommodation at one of Periyar's many mountain resorts and eco-tourism hotels. If you're wondering where to look, visit our hotels platform to book hotels, villas, BnBs and even homestays at the best prices and earn precious InterMiles on it.

Abraham's Spice Garden

At Abraham's Spice Garden, you will be treated to a bouquet of aromatic fragrances that will throw you off your feet. In a good way, of course. The best part about this place is the fact the owner, Mr.Abraham will be your tour guide, taking you along on a spice crawl you'll remember forever. There are hundreds upon hundreds of different types of spices grown on his farm. Some are even for sale, but the owner makes it a point to not hard-sell any of his creations to you. We really recommend the Abraham Spice Tour, and that's why the Spice Garden is one of the best places to visit in Thekkady.

Kadathanadan Kalari Center

While Kathakali is a dance, Kalaripayattu is an art form. And you can witness both at the Kadathanadan Kalari Center. Organized and run by the state government of Kerala, KKC (Kadathanadan Kalari Centre) offers an in-depth look at Kerala's rich history dating back thousands of years. Shows are held in the evening every day of the week, between 5 and 8 p.m. All the performances are accompanied by a narration in English, and at the end of each show, you can walk down the stage and take pictures with the artists. Definitely one of the more offbeat places to see in Thekkady.

Mangaladevi Temple

Don't confuse this one with the other temple in Mangalore, because they couldn't be more different. The Mangaladevi Temple is a 1000-year-old piece of Indian history that requires one to trek all the way up a hill. Just a bit of advice though - the temple is open only in April and stays open till May, like most temples in Kerala. The Mangaladevi temple is 15km away from Thekkady, so you will need to hire a private vehicle to get there. Womenfolk, in particular, consider it a revered place because the sacred Hindu Mangalsutra, worn by married women, gets its name from the Goddess the temple is dedicated to. The Mangaladevi Temple, then, is one of the best places to visit in Thekkady with your better half. And while you're there, you might want to enjoy a nice dinner afterwards. Spend some quality time with your loved one.

Pullumedu

Pullumedu (green meadows in Malayalam), is another hill station located 46 km away from Thekkady. It's surrounded by a carefully-balanced ecosystem comprising some of the rarest and prettiest of Nature's creations. Pullumedu is best visited between September and December because this region receives rains for the rest of the months. To reach Pullumedu, you'll have to take a train to Kottayam.

Top tip - you will have to take permission from a local wildlife preservation officer to visit Pullumedu. Don't you think visiting one of the most protected natural reserves in India makes for an exciting day of sightseeing in Thekkady?

While Thekkady is a lot like a real-life Forbidden Forest (from Harry Potter), you shouldn't miss out on the exciting offers on www.intermiles.com. Whether you're planning a holiday, or are more of a last-minute planner, you will be rewarded for your wanderlust. Every flight and hotel stay booking, every purchase earns you InterMiles, which you can redeem in turn for free flights, hotel stays, fuel and merchandise. Travelling will never be free, but InterMiles comes pretty close!

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