A TRAIN WHICH WAKES UP THE CITY OF TRIVANDRUM

Venad was a dynasty which ruled the Malabar from 12^th century to 17^th century which had their capital at Kollam, which was later taken over by the Travancore kings.After independence kerala was formed in 1956.In 1972 southern railways of Indian railway decided to start a train between the capital city of Kerala, Triandrum and Ernakulam and they gave the name Venad Express to it, given after the Venad Dynasty.The train was via kottayam,one of the two route to reach Ernakulam from Trivandrum,other route is through Alappey or Alappuzha.initially it left Trivandrum at 05.30 hrs and reached Ernakulam at 09.30 hrs,with just 4 hours.In the return the train left Ernakulam at 17.15 hrs and reached Trivandrum at 21.30 hrs Train was loved by daily commutators like office goers,business men and even students due to this time.In 1980’s the train was extended up to Shornur junction, which is a town on the banks of Bharathapuzha known as Nila among Malayalis, in Palakkad district.Due to this the timings was also revised with the train leaving Trivandrum Central at 0500 hrs and at 14.25 hrs from Shornur Junction.

Initaially it was run on a steam engine, but it got dieseled in 1975.The train initially had the number 191/192.Nowadays it bears 16301/16302.In 2008 there was a move to extend the train to Calicut. Then Calicut corporation mayor M.Bhaskaran requested then Railway minister R.Velu to extend the train upto Calicut,which didn’t happened.

Now lets see how this train has become a favorite one for the people from Trivandrum.Some people says they woke up with the horn from this train and they go to sleep at night only after the arrival of this train back at Trivandrum central.Most of the passengers are daily commuters and they know each other.They share sweets, foods among themselves inside the train on special occasion like birthdays etc.

The name board of Venad express has the photo of a shell on one side and photo of Bharathapuzha/Nila on the other side.The shell resembles the big shell which is kept in Veli tourist village in Trivandrum.Nila is ariver near shornur junction. Nowadays the train is a bit on the slower side.Its taking 5.15 to 5.30 hrs to reach Trivandrum in its return journey.Its one of the few train which goes to Ernakulam junction via kottaym.One among the rest is the mighty kerala express (New Delhi –Trivandrum).  

With more than 40 years,the train has become like member of Trivandrum family.The city of Trivandrum wakes up with this train and waits for the train to come back home before going to bed....

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ADVENTURE TOURISM IN TRIVANDRUM

                                                                 PARA GLIDING BY AMAS                                                            image courtesy AMAS

Now for those who want adrenaline pumping acclivities, that enables you to satiate your thirst for adventure, Trivandrum has a lot to offer for them. From paragliding to river crossing and Wind surfing in Vizhinjam and kovalam, you can always ask for more.

Academy for mountaineering and Adventure Sports (AMAS) located in Neyyatinkara, Trivandrum conducts various adventure activities.The team consists of experienced persons who can tackle any unexpected situation.AMAS conducts various adventure outdoor activities like mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, water sports, rappelling, river crossing, coastal trekking, nature study, jungle camping, para gliding,sky diving etc.They also gives training for swimming,disaster management etc.Those interested in various activities should register and contact them well in advance.

Neyyatinkara is just at a distance of 14 km from Trivandrum railway station.

Contact and Register in AMAS HERE

SURFING

Now for those who want to do wind surfing in the beautiful beaches of Trivandrum, kovalam surf club is the best answer. Kovalam surf club is the first official regeistered surf club in India. Under the assistance or guidance from the club members, take your surf board and have fun with the waves of Arabian sea.It will be a unique experience.Not many of this kind is there in the whole Kerala.

All members of the Kovalam Surf Club are local boys and girls from Kovalam and the surrounding villages. They all grew up in harsh living conditions due to extreme poverty, but surfing has had a positive influence on their lives. The key point is that all the surfing kids are regular at school and therefore will get a better chance in succeeding in life in a more humane way. But surfing also makes them proud and happy because for the first time in their life they get respect and attention for being good at something.

For surfing with them contact Kovalam Suring Club
                     Contact them in Facebook 

SCUBA DIVING

While Kovalam continues to attract tourist and travellers with its rich gold sand beaches it also has some other activities which are not so common in Kerala.Recently Scuba diving has been started and many are going under the water wearing diving suits and oxygen cylinders.Those who were scuba diving for the first time would be allowed to go down to a depth of five to eight metres, while those who had prior experience could dive up to 25 metres. The dives would be for 20 minutes to half an hour.

On reaching the venue, you will be given basic lessons for divers which include working and handling of the diving equipments, breathing techniques etc.
After this you will be introduced into shallow waters of the sea. Fully equipped and accompanied by the instructor you will be lowered to the depths.
Making sure of your safety and comfort, you will be stabilized in a particular depth using specialized suits. After which you will be allowed to explore this world underwater.Experts would give an introduction, including on the equipment and breathing methods.                                        For details, call 94460 74020, 0471-2320777.

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PONMUDI

Located at a distance of 72 km from Trivandrum railway station, this hill station is at an altitude of 1200 m.No need to worry about the distance as this 72 km contains about 22 sharp hair pin bends which make your journey thrilling and breath taking.This peak is not populated like those in other parts of Kerala and lacks private resorts which pollute the area.The rubber and Tea plantations are also limited here.

·                    In local dialect, Ponmudi means “Golden Hills”.Ponmudi offers to soothe your work worn mind and body to rejuvenation.It is also known as bikers heaven and trekkers paradise.The whole place is located in deep forest area, including the roads leading to ponmudi.

   The kallar river which flows down is accessible from here. Kallar is a hidden beauty at the same time dangerous too.Like the weather in Ponmudy changes rapidly from mist to rainy to sunny, Kallar river also changes its mood from calm to unpredictability of a temptress who uses her beauty to annihilate. Ponmudi is also home to mountain flowers, butterflies, springs and many small rivulets.

 Ponmudi has spices plantations and also has some good view points .You will get the view only if weather is clear which is rare. Around Ponmudi there are several wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forests including Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and Neyyar wild life sanctuary.Agasthyarkoodam (Agasthyar Park) trek can be approached from Ponmudi.

WHAT TO DO IN PONMUDI:-

1. Go for a trek to Varayaduattumotta and Braemoore estate (only with guide)

2. Trek to Kallar through the sides is another option, BUT river Kallar is dangerous as i told above, you cannot predict her mood.

3. If you are not interested in trekking, take a nap accompanied by mist and rain.

4. Visit Meenmutty falls, here too keep some distance her, she’s also dangerous.Rocks are really slippery.

WEATHER AND WHEN TO GO TO PONMUDI:-

Weather is always pleasent here.During summer when the whole country sweats, Ponmudi offers a cool climate.Even places like Munnar will become too hot during summer, but the temperature in Ponmudi will not increase very high. So visiting Ponmudi during summer will be rejuvenating. After summer comes the romantic monsoon.Monsoon starts from end may and ends till?? Well only God knows about that. Ponmudi gets heavy rainfall during monsoon.Green green everywhere.Drive/ride carefully during monsoon as chance of skidding will be high.Winter  starts in Ponmudi from November and is extended to February, temperature during winter drops significantly. December is the coolest month of the year.

HOW TO REACH:-

Nearest Airport-Trivandrum international airport.-80 km

Nearest Railway station-Trivandrum Central-72 km

Buses are available from Trivandrum central bus station,Nedumangadu etc.There is also a bus from Ponmudy to kovalam in the evening for those who wants to night stay near the kovalam beach.

ENTRY FEE:-

2/4-Wheeler – 10/30 Rs

Per Person – 20 Rs

Still Camera – 25 Rs

Opened from 8.30 to 5.30 pm (17.30 hrs)

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THENMALA AND PALARUVI

Thenmala is located at about 75 km from Trivandrum. Its on the border areas of Trivandrum and Kollam districts of Kerala. It is the first Eco-tourism project developed in the country.It also shares its borders with the Shenduruney wildlife sanctuary in the state of Tamil Nadu.

When one goes from Trivandrum to Thenmala, you will sight a railway bridge known as Kannara bridge.Its view is beautiful and is a 110 years old bridge built during pre-independence era.Its on the once used Kollam-Shenkottai metre gauge route, which is not used now.Renovation works are going on to get the railway line back on track.

KANNARA BRIDGE

After that while you reach the Thenmala town, you will be received by the Thenmala dam, which is also a tourist attraction.The dam is built mainly for irrigation purpose.It is also known as Parappar dam.

THENMALA DAM

While moving some more distance one could see the entrance for Eco tourism centre. There is a small fee for entrance,and once inside the centre there’s an elevated walkway leading into the deep forest.Its not advised to walk more deep into the forest, as sometimes tracing the way back is difficult.

There are many activities for a visitor like mountain biking,river crossing,rock climbing etc.there’s also an activity known as board walk leading to top of the dam.

For children, there is also a dear park, which has spotted dear, sambar dear and barking dear in it.some of the other attractions inside the park are tree top huts and river side treks.

16 kms from Thenmala, located deep inside the forest is a hidden gem, the mystic Palaruvi water falls, meaning stream of milk.The water in the falls is clear as milk and is very cold too.For reaching there you have to travel around 6-8 km through the forest.here the water falls down from the height of 300 ft. Water of Palaruvi pools is believed to have healing properties. Many locals, who never otherwise venture out to any waterfall, visit here to just take a dip in the medicinal waters.

The falls has two sections, one for gents and other for ladies.it also provide changing rooms for ladies.One thing one should remember is that entire area is kept plastic free by vana smarakshana samithi.so “SAY NO TO PLASTICS”

HOW TO REACH:-

From Trivandrum-Get on to any ksrtc bus going to Thenkashy,Aryankavu or Thenmala and get down at Thenmala.It take about 2 ½ hrs to reach there from Trivandrum.

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KSRTC MINNAL-WHEN TIME REALLY MATTERS

Gone are the time when buses were considered slow when compared to trains.But Kerala state road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) official carrier of Kerala is rewriting history by cruising ahead of time and their railway counterparts.They are doing this not by just driving recklessly and dangerously like the private buses does, but by reducing stoppages to minimum.They calls this class of buses as “MINNAL”, which means lightning.The passengers have already received theses buses wholeheartedly.They had an earlier version of this named lightning express in early 2000’s

TIMING COMPARISON OF 16347 TVM-MANGALORE EXPRESS TRAIN AND TVM-KANNUR MINNAL BUS

BOTH DEPART AT 20.45 HRS FROM TRIVANDRUM

By comparing the timings of both bus and train, we can conclude that bus is far better in case of timings.But in reality these buses reaches the destination 10 to 20 minutes before the stipulated time.Not only this, these buses are fitted with latest model of Haritha seats with push back option, which offers more comfort.KSRTC buses are known for offering more leg space(the space between your seat and the seat ahead of yours) than other RTC or private buses.Light luggage can be kept underneath the seats and baggage can be kept on the luggage rack on top .All seats are provided with mobile phone or laptop charging sockets.which are necessary for long distance journeys.

HARITHA SEATS WITH PUSH-BACK OPTION,HEAD-REST AND BOTTLE HOLDER

  These buses also cost the passengers less money when compared to private buses and also have online and offline advance reservation facility.Passengers can reserve seats HERE

Image courtesy-respective owners  

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