Directions:
Shencotta is 100 km from Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram-Nedumangadu-Madathara-Kulathupuzha-Thenmala-Shencotta
Shencotta is 92 km from Kollam
Kollam-Kundara-Kottarakkara-Punalur-Thenmala-Shencotta
Those who are taking mc road(from Kottayam side)
Kottayam-Adoor-Kottarakkara-Punalur-Thenmala-Shencotta
Shencotta is the first town after crossing Kerala-Tamilnadu border from Aryankavu side. There are three dams on the way, Thenmala dam, Gundaru dam and Mekkarai dam(or Adavi nainar dam). Then there's the gorgeous Palaruvi waterfalls in Aryankavu and famous Aryankavu Shastha temple. For trekking enthusiasts, there is trekking packages too where you can trek to the top of palaruvi waterfalls and surroundings. It's a great waterfall with water falling from a 100 metres height.
I visited this waterfalls and Shastha temple two times earlier so skipped it for this ride. Thenmala is one of my frequent destination, the roads are butter smooth it's pretty awesome to ride there. Thenmala offers some treats for its visitors, there's a deer park, an aquarium, kallada irrigation project, ecotourism center offering some light trekking and you can visit the thenmala dam and reservoir. I have been there a lot of times so didn't spend much time at Thenmala.
Just after the s-curve at Kerala-Tamilnadu border near Shencotta there is an interesting place. When I was checking google maps at home this place took my attention.
Take the left deviation after s-curve, it's actually a trail so chances are that you may miss it easily. That trail after a small stream crossing will lead to a dam site which is called Puliyarai dam. It's an old dam which is abandoned, the area is pretty scenic and there are no visitors or anyone. So place is pristine and perfectly wild. That time water level was not high so some areas where muddy. There are steps which will lead us to the reservoir and it's perfect to walk there with the silent blowing wind, panoramic views all around. Since I need to cover two more dams, left the place after taking some photographs.
Next destination was Gundaru dam which can be reached by taking right direction from Shencotta. Well that's too a beautiful dam but the water was low here. Enjoyed the site, took photographs and left.
Next place in my chart was Adavi Nainar dam, it is also called Mekkarai dam which can be reached taking right on Achencovil-Shencotta road. But before this dam there's the Thirumalai Kovil, a beautiful hilltop temple in Panpoli village. There's a signboard saying Thirumalaikovil left direction on Achencovil-shencotta road. We can see the temple from a long distance and the steps running all the way to the top.
There is good amount of distance to cover if we are on foot but luckily a perfectly maintained road is there which will take us all the way to the top. The road is made by carving out rocks and some six to seven sharp hairpin corners are there.
And what about the scenery? Oh boy, it's amazing, it's a picturesque area in the forest, beautiful landscapes everywhere.
Reached top, went inside the temple and had a good prayer. The temple is a beautiful one, inside there's a huge hall with sculptured pillars and walls. It's pretty dark inside and visiblility is not much. It is very calm and godly atmosphere all around and a sweet spot to spend time enjoying the sceneries.
After clicking some snaps left the temple and moved towards Mekkarai dam. The road leading to the dam is through paddy fields, so some forceful wind will blow upon us which is great. Took the ticket and entered the dam. As usual it is also a beautiful dam located in the forest. There is a park for kids, a garden and a small temple.
Clicked photographs and left, it was becoming late around 5.30 pm. Then there were no stops and headed straight to home with some awesome memories and a refreshed mind.
All these places are easily accessible by vehicles and in the vicinity of Shencotta. If you come to Thenmala these places are worth a visit.
Shencotta is 100 km from Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram-Nedumangadu-Madathara-Kulathupuzha-Thenmala-Shencotta
Shencotta is 92 km from Kollam
Kollam-Kundara-Kottarakkara-Punalur-Thenmala-Shencotta
Those who are taking mc road(from Kottayam side)
Kottayam-Adoor-Kottarakkara-Punalur-Thenmala-Shencotta
 |
| Route map |
It was one fine holiday and to avoid the stress of work hours, decided to get some fresh air. Many places went through the mind and finally zeroed in to places around Shencotta.
Shencotta is the first town after crossing Kerala-Tamilnadu border from Aryankavu side. There are three dams on the way, Thenmala dam, Gundaru dam and Mekkarai dam(or Adavi nainar dam). Then there's the gorgeous Palaruvi waterfalls in Aryankavu and famous Aryankavu Shastha temple. For trekking enthusiasts, there is trekking packages too where you can trek to the top of palaruvi waterfalls and surroundings. It's a great waterfall with water falling from a 100 metres height.
I visited this waterfalls and Shastha temple two times earlier so skipped it for this ride. Thenmala is one of my frequent destination, the roads are butter smooth it's pretty awesome to ride there. Thenmala offers some treats for its visitors, there's a deer park, an aquarium, kallada irrigation project, ecotourism center offering some light trekking and you can visit the thenmala dam and reservoir. I have been there a lot of times so didn't spend much time at Thenmala.
 |
| A small stream en route Thenmala |
 |
| View of Thenmala checkdam |
 |
| View from Kannara bridge |
Just after the s-curve at Kerala-Tamilnadu border near Shencotta there is an interesting place. When I was checking google maps at home this place took my attention.
 |
| The mysterious place :D |
Take the left deviation after s-curve, it's actually a trail so chances are that you may miss it easily. That trail after a small stream crossing will lead to a dam site which is called Puliyarai dam. It's an old dam which is abandoned, the area is pretty scenic and there are no visitors or anyone. So place is pristine and perfectly wild. That time water level was not high so some areas where muddy. There are steps which will lead us to the reservoir and it's perfect to walk there with the silent blowing wind, panoramic views all around. Since I need to cover two more dams, left the place after taking some photographs.
 |
| The place is beautiful |
 |
| Badly need a telephoto lens.! |
 |
| Water level was low, so some parts were muddy |
Next destination was Gundaru dam which can be reached by taking right direction from Shencotta. Well that's too a beautiful dam but the water was low here. Enjoyed the site, took photographs and left.
 |
| Gundaru dam, yet another beautiful place |
Next place in my chart was Adavi Nainar dam, it is also called Mekkarai dam which can be reached taking right on Achencovil-Shencotta road. But before this dam there's the Thirumalai Kovil, a beautiful hilltop temple in Panpoli village. There's a signboard saying Thirumalaikovil left direction on Achencovil-shencotta road. We can see the temple from a long distance and the steps running all the way to the top.
 |
| Distant view of Thirumalai Kovil |
 |
| Starting road to the Kovil |
There is good amount of distance to cover if we are on foot but luckily a perfectly maintained road is there which will take us all the way to the top. The road is made by carving out rocks and some six to seven sharp hairpin corners are there.
 |
| Winding road runs all the way to the top |
And what about the scenery? Oh boy, it's amazing, it's a picturesque area in the forest, beautiful landscapes everywhere.
 |
| Road is perfect, so is the landscapes. |
 |
| Everytime I see these signs there comes a wide grin on my face |
Reached top, went inside the temple and had a good prayer. The temple is a beautiful one, inside there's a huge hall with sculptured pillars and walls. It's pretty dark inside and visiblility is not much. It is very calm and godly atmosphere all around and a sweet spot to spend time enjoying the sceneries.
 |
| Peaceful atmosphere with no distractions and awesome landscapes. |
After clicking some snaps left the temple and moved towards Mekkarai dam. The road leading to the dam is through paddy fields, so some forceful wind will blow upon us which is great. Took the ticket and entered the dam. As usual it is also a beautiful dam located in the forest. There is a park for kids, a garden and a small temple.
 |
| Mekkarai dam, water level was low! |
 |
| That's me..:) |
 |
| Mekkarai dam road went through paddy fields |
Clicked photographs and left, it was becoming late around 5.30 pm. Then there were no stops and headed straight to home with some awesome memories and a refreshed mind.
All these places are easily accessible by vehicles and in the vicinity of Shencotta. If you come to Thenmala these places are worth a visit.
