Saturday 7 July 2007

Kanyakumari - Kalikesam Forest - A journey experience...



Kalikesam

Two weeks before Navarathri, one of my friends called me and asked me to plan a trip to somewhere else. 
He was interested in going to some places in kerala. but I was not so keen on the place as it was ordinary
 and usual .I had heard about Kalikesam long time back but was not able to go to the place till date. So I 
suggested the place to my friend Which was in tamilnadu state and in kanyakumari District near to kerala. 
He was a bit hesitant at first, especialy as I said to him that I have no idea of how the place will be, but I 
promised to look up the place in the net. Google search yielded a good many results & the place looked 
promising in the photos. So I took note of the route and called my friend with the details. After hearing the 
details, he agreed to the place & so we fixed our destination as Kalikesam.


The Route: Trivandrum – Nagercoil/kanyakumari (NH47) From marthandam / Azhagiyamandapam  ask 
direction to people . Otherwise go to Vadassery - Azhagiyapandiyapuram - Thadikarankonam 
- Keeripaarai - Kalikesam.

After reaching Keeripaarai there is a small bridge. The road forks onto two here - the left after the bridge 
goes to Kalikesam and the right after the bridge goes to Vattapaarai falls and Balamore Estate.


Facilities: It is better if you have your own vehicle. Otherwise you will have to rely on erratic 
State Govt. bus services from Nagercoil. Take food along with you if you want to spend some time here as 
there are no hotels nearby because of forest is come under wildlife saving category.

We had decided to start at 6 AM, but some unexpected delays saw us start only at 7 AM, we proceeded to 
Vadassery from where we turned left towards Kalikesam. This route is pretty scenic with thick vegetation and 
rubber plantations along the way. Some photos along the way.

Kalikesam is an ever fascinating place for picnic lovers. It helps the people to spend their holidays for refreshment and 
enjoyment.

Kalikesam is unique in that it is a conjuction of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem-the shola forest where the trees are evergreen, 
the main forest and the marshy swamps. Inside the deep and thick area, we can see the abundance of God’s blessings which are 
breath taking. The peace and calmness of the forest makes the viewers astonished. As we drive in to the interior of Kalikesam fall, 
the air is thick. The whole breeze acts as a balm while the bubbling sound of natural springs is a music to the ears. The place gets 
plenty of rainfall and enjoys pleasant weather round the year.

The fall is surrounded by forest on all sides and forms part of an active animal corridor. The long stream is pollution-free and adds 
to the natural charm of the place. Unlike the Tripparappu fall, which has become a typical tourist spot,here people are allowed to
 take ‘natural bath’. The place is depicted by spectacular flora and fauna. Apart from assorted flora and fauna, the region has 
grown in to a bird watcher’s heaven. The surrounding rocks, the pebbles inside the stream and the sunlight penetrating through the
 cleaves of dark green trees give everyone the feeling that” we have reached the eternity. ”
It is believed that the water from the fall has some medicinal effects. The tourists who visit here have a variety of choices from the 
virtue of natural untouched places. Kalikesam has a serpantine beauty which never lost the people’s attention.
There is a small temple, next to the fall. They used to worship the idol of ‘Goddess Kali.’ The very name Kalikesam expresses this. 
People need not take arduous journey to reach Kalikesam since the road is motorable.
On the way to Kalikesam, there is another eye-catching sight. It is Vattaparai fall. This place also makes the visitors amazed. People
 can reach this place without any difficulty.It is 35 kilometer away from Kanyakumari. The water from Kalikesam continuously flows 
through Vattaparai and makes the viewers happy.
With strict”no littering and noise” instructions, a trip to Kalikesam is like paying homage to nature nature. One can never see this
 place as empty. As the years have passed, Kalikesam became more and more famous. Most of the visitors are youngsters. They used 
to gather here to drink alcohol. It becomes a conspicuous hindrance to other visitors. For preventing such problems, the government 
has formed a check post at Bhoothapandi, the entrance to the forest. Nobody can trespass in the forest, after the protection has been 
made. Only after checking, people can go inside.
No visitor has returned in the tourism history of Kalikesam, without remarking about this kind blessing of God almighty. The visitors 
comment Kalikesam is a” gift of God”.



















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































A railway crossing we have found in between the road...on the way its a beautiful places which
we cannot explain by words...it must be feel by individual if we are at that place...superbbb...


On the way we saw a clearing with a Banyan tree with lots of small cradles tied to the branches and a small idol beneath it. 
Stopped there and took some pictures of the place and ourselves.After the photo session we resumed our journey and reached 
Kalikesam



We thought we would be the only ones around as this is a slightly off - beat destination, but to our surprise there were already some 
people and more people were coming to the temple. Preparations were going on for the puja in the temple. The temple itself is a small one, 
but the scenery and the river flowing in front of the temple adds to the charm of the place.



We started looking for a place where we could relax in the water. After walking some distance along the river side we found a good place 
and all of us except took to the water. The river side and the river is full of rocks, so please be careful especially while crossing the river as
 it is easy to loose footing. The water was very cold and clear. But as it had rained the previous days, the locals had cautioned us to be 

careful while bathing in the river. Also the current was pretty strong in places, so we restrained ourselves and kept close to the banks. 





Crystal clear water. Very very cold also....At last we finished our walk and return to our vehicle staying
Place...But now there is few more vehicles...This time many family and some other peoples are at there.

We start our return journey without interest..but outside tat forest our another world is waiting for us..
But we are damn sure this journey will surely keep this remembrance still we are on earth,,,...

Same Railway crossing and a whole day with huge of mesmerizing memories are with us...
The best time to visit the place is when there is no rain..if rain happened then its hard to go inside forest
and come back...you may face many troubles even from wild animals too..

this is a valuable one day destination...


To See the Another Post Related this then Click the below Link:-(PHOTOS)

To see the related post to this then click the link shown below:- (VIDEOS)
Kalikesam Forest - Video 

To see the related post to this then click the link shown below:- (Journey Experience)



Courtesy:-Team-BHP.com & google