Ponmudi
Encyclopedia
Ponmudi(The Golden Peak) is a hillstation in the Thiruvananthapuram district
of Kerala
in South India
. Its located 61 km north-east of Trivandrum city
at an altitude of 1100 m. It is a part of the Western Ghats
mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea
.
and hiking
. There are also tea garden
s in the area.
Other attractions near Ponmudi include Golden Valley and a number of rivulets and rapids, some even across the road. The lush forest area has tropical vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabit the hills. The Golden Valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar River
. Flowing though a wilderness area, it has rounded pebbles, cool water, fish, and lush green trees.
Another attraction in the region is Agasthyarkoodam
, one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats
, with the highest peak at 1868 m. This peak is famous for its wilderness, and can be accessed only with the Forest Department's permission. Meenmutty Falls
is also a famous attraction in the area.
Hotel Golden Peak in the upper sanitorium under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation(KTDC) is the only hotel available for stay in Ponmudi.Due to its proximity to the main city of Trivandrum and lack of accommodation options tourists usually prefer to stay in the city and make a one day trip to Ponmudi though the early morning scenery especially during the winter season is worth feeling.
KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) operates daily bus service from Trivandrum to Ponmudi.Some of the services go up to upper sanitorium and usually takes up to 4 hours to reach(one way).The services are sometimes disrupted by landslides and bad condition of roads.
Thiruvananthapuram district
Thiruvananthapuram District is the southernmost district of the Indian state of Kerala. It came into existence in the year 1957. The headquarters is the city of Thiruvananthapuram which is also the capital city of Kerala....
of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
in South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. Its located 61 km north-east of Trivandrum city
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
at an altitude of 1100 m. It is a part of the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
.
Tourism
Ponmudi is connected to Trivandrum by a narrow winding road offering scenic views on the way to Ponmudi. The climate is pleasant year-round. Trivandrum serves as a base for trekkingBackpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
and hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
. There are also tea garden
Tea garden
Tea garden may refer to:* Roji, gardens surrounding Japanese tea houses and which form part of the architecture associated with Japanese tea ceremony* Tea plantations, where tea bushes are cultivated...
s in the area.
Other attractions near Ponmudi include Golden Valley and a number of rivulets and rapids, some even across the road. The lush forest area has tropical vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabit the hills. The Golden Valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar River
Kallar River
Kallar is a river flowing in the Vellore district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu....
. Flowing though a wilderness area, it has rounded pebbles, cool water, fish, and lush green trees.
Another attraction in the region is Agasthyarkoodam
Agastya Mala
Agastya Mala is a peak within Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala in the Western Ghats of South India. The mountain lies on the border between the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu...
, one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
, with the highest peak at 1868 m. This peak is famous for its wilderness, and can be accessed only with the Forest Department's permission. Meenmutty Falls
Meenmutty Falls
Meenmutty Falls may refer to:*Meenmutty Falls, Thiruvananthapuram, a waterfall in Thiruvananthapuram district in the Indian state of Kerala*Meenmutty Falls, Wayanad, a waterfall in Wayanad district in the Indian state of Kerala...
is also a famous attraction in the area.
Hotel Golden Peak in the upper sanitorium under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation(KTDC) is the only hotel available for stay in Ponmudi.Due to its proximity to the main city of Trivandrum and lack of accommodation options tourists usually prefer to stay in the city and make a one day trip to Ponmudi though the early morning scenery especially during the winter season is worth feeling.
Directions
- Nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport.
- Nearest railway station is Trivandrum CentralTrivandrum CentralTrivandrum Central is the main railway station in the city of Thiruvananthapuram in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the largest and busiest railway station in Kerala in terms of passenger movement and the second most important rail hub in South India. It is also the most profitable station...
. - Nearest Bus Stations NedumangadNedumangadNedumangad is a municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located around 20 km to the north-east of Thiruvananthapuram city on the Thiruvananthapuram — Thenmala State Highway...
and VithuraVithuraVithura is a small village situated 36 km from Thiruvananthapuram, capital of the Kerala state in India. Vithura is the crossroads to various tourist, cultural, and religious centres. Surrounded by the Western Ghats , Vithura is a prime tourist spot. The Village is rich with scenic beauty and...
. KSTRC buses to Ponmudi from either Thiruvananthapuram (Thampanoor) or from Nedumangad (Ponmudi is the nearest hill station 65 km from Thiruvananthapuram). - There are sign boards along the route from Trivandrum, which lead the traveler to Ponmudi.
- Ponmudi is near to Braimore, which is also a tourist place.
- In Ponmudi there are lots of peaks, one of which is Motta peak, which is a famous for trekking.
- Ponmudi is under Peringammala Village, around 36 km from Peringammala.
- A deer park and a wireless station is also there in Upper sanitorium.
KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) operates daily bus service from Trivandrum to Ponmudi.Some of the services go up to upper sanitorium and usually takes up to 4 hours to reach(one way).The services are sometimes disrupted by landslides and bad condition of roads.
See also
- Western GhatsWestern GhatsThe Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
- Ponmudi is a part of Western Ghats - AnamudiAnamudiAnamudi is located in the Indian state Kerala. It is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and South India, at an elevation of , and a topographic prominence of...
(ആനമുടി) - Highest peak in KeralaKeralaor Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions.... - Agastya MalaAgastya MalaAgastya Mala is a peak within Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala in the Western Ghats of South India. The mountain lies on the border between the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu...
(അഗസ്ത്യമല) - Second highest peak in Kerala - NedumangadNedumangadNedumangad is a municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located around 20 km to the north-east of Thiruvananthapuram city on the Thiruvananthapuram — Thenmala State Highway...
- Nedumangad Taluk (Wikipedia) - Nedumangad - Nedumangad Thaluk