July 11, 2004

Kallar

Kallar, famous for round-shaped boulders and pebble, is situated en route to the popular hill station of Ponmudi. The place gets its name from the River Kallar, which flows through the region. Kallu means 'stone' and Aru means 'river,'. It is a favourite haunt for picnickers and attracts many with an interest in trekking, angling and bird watching. The main attractions are the nearby Golden Valley, and the Meenmutti waterfalls. Unlike the Meenmutti waterfall, the Golden Valley is easily accessible form the main road. Here one can take a dip in the crystal clear waters to cool off, and also watch the many rapids and small pools that dot a good part of the river in this area.

Apart from Golden Valley, those with zeal for trekking and bird watching can take narrow track, starting from the right from the side of the Kallar Bridge. The track will lead one to a medium sized, but captivating waterfall, popularly known as Meenmutty. The waterfall is situated 3-4 kms from the main road. On the way to the waterfall, one could come across ample bird life, and many species of butterflies. The forest here is mostly tropical in nature, and during the rainy season, one has to be on the alert for leeches.

Getting there:

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 67 kms.

Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 61 km.