PONNAMBALAMEDU

Ponnambalamedu

Ponnambalamedu on of the mysterious place among thinking keraliets but a devotional palce for millions of devotees of Lord Ayyappa. We planned to visit that place that is the core area of Periyaar Tiger Resarve.
We planned to take an off beat route to Trivandrum – Pathanamthitta – Seethathode – Aangamoozhi – Moozhiyaar– Kakki – KochuPampa – Ponnambalamedu- Gavi – Vandiperiyaar . The Aangamoozhi – Vandiperiyar stretch, of about 75 kms, is through thick forest belonging to the Goodrikkal range and Periyar Tiger Reserve. I had traversed this route many times earlier. but this was the first time to have ladies and kids along with. we started our journey at early morning .
Enjoyed the early morning drive through deserted roads and had the first stop near Konni to have breakfast. Reached Aangamoozhi forest check post by 10 in the morning and entered the forest track. Road up to Moozhiyar, being recently tarred, is in good shape, though narrow. Still we were on the second gear, as sixteen of us, except the kids, belonged to the so called ‘Nature Lover’ category. It was on a stop, to have a bird’s view of Sabarigiri Hydel Project, came the first blow. Went on along the forest path, which has not seen tar for long. But that didn’t bother us, as we were happy to travel at snails pace. Crossed the picturesque Kakki reservoir and had another brief halt at Echo Para’(Echo Rock). It is actually a cliff formed due to removal of rocks for the dam construction in 1966. Spent a while over there howling and listening to the rocks, speak. Went past Aanathode dam and meadows begin to appear – hills covered by green silk.
Summer rains were just over and it was sprouting season.