[gvk]

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

Wow, i'v been to Valparai many times but never noticed this. Where exactly is this tree. Is it close to the town?
Shan2nu

Yes Shan2nu many people are not aware about the tree. As I told Mr.Thomas, who showed me the tree, is a nature lover and is living in Valparai for the last 40 years and because of him I was able to see the tree.
The place is exactly 3 kms. from Valparai town. You'll find a big tree on your right hand side while travelling from Valparai to Pollachi and under that tree that "Jhata Muni" temple is there. Just adjacent to the place you'll find a private Tea Estate. This hollow tree is very near to this place and is actually adjacent to the Tea Estate.

Originally Posted by aargee

Pics 888 & 894 are simply superb & the weather at that early morning, no dust, no pollution, sounds of birds are simply nostalgic right?
OT - Why did you start a new thread only for Valparai? Anything special?

Thanks aargee. Mornings we found one whistling bird. It whistle's like a human being.
I started this thread only for this "hollow tree". Thought it'll get lost in the main travelogue as "Summer South Trip - 2010" is very lengthy and already there are lot of photographs.

Originally Posted by nandans2005

gvk,
any stories about the footwear with nails on it? whats the story of this hollow tree all about? did you get into the cave kind of thing at all?

Nandan, we were told by the priest that footwear was used by "Jhata Muni". He was speaking in Tamil, which I didn't understand fully. It takes hundreds of years to form a hollow tree. We can get into the hollow at the bottom of the tree, I went inside and took the photograph.

Originally Posted by ampere

What a place ! The only other guy who I have seen wear those chappals was the fakir in TinTin's "The Blue Lotus" !
So many hidden places in Valparai. Is there one comprehensive list?

I think if we spend some time with the local people there at Valparai, we may explore lot of places. Mostly the list what Hotel/estate people provide is View points/Dams/temples etc.

Originally Posted by fazalaliadil

GVK,

Interesting!
The hollow tree I think is a parasite, a creepers which scaled its way up the host tree, grew until it consumed it. The hollow you see is where the original host was many years ago. These kind of parasites are found in the Amazons.
Wonderful weather and photography. Would like to know the story behind the nails of penance.

Regards,

Yes Fazalaliadil. I think you're right. It's a Strangler Fig on the host tree. It takes hundreds of years to form the hollow. The hollow is nothing but where once the host tree existed
Strangler Fig - AgriHelper
Thanks for the compliments.
The priest was speaking in Tamil and I couldn't understand fully. What I could make out is that the footwear was used by a "Jhata Muni". The local people believe even now at 12 midnight a snake comes to the place regularly.

[gvk]

8th May, 2010 Post Lunch

At around 3.30 or so we started from Thirunelli and reached this Kuruva Islands. There were lots of vehicles parked and the place was really crowded. Many people were waiting to be ferried near the banks.

We decided, not to get into the water but spent some time near the water. Kuruva Islands during this period is a decent place but not sure whether it qualifies under "must see" category. Personally I don't think so.

Around 5 p.m it has suddenly became cloudy and we started for Sulthan Bathery via. Mananthvady. We have booked accommodation at Isaac's Regency Hotel. As suggested by some local people in between we took a shortcut to save around 3 kilometers before Mananthvady.

One can see the road condition in the pictures. When we were nearing Mananthvady heavy downpour started. I couldn't take pictures during this period as I was concentrating on the road. Some Bamboo trees fell on the road and road condition was not good. Added to this the roads were very narrow. The ladies were silent during this period and they were not even talking, I think they were frightened a bit.

Finally, around 7 p.m or so, we saw some civilization and reached Sulthan Bathery.

Uploading pictures now...

[gvk]

These photographs were shot at Kuruva Islands and then the short cut we took during our travel to Mananthvady:

[ampere]

@GVK,

Nice shots. But I thought the boat seems a bit overloaded for its size.

[pypkmsrikanth]

Originally Posted by gvk

Thanks aargee. Mornings we found one whistling bird. It whistle's like a human being.

Thats the malabar whistling thrush, I had a couple of them waking me up every morning at 5 in my guest house, the best part was every time my wife used to whistle softly one of them used to whistle back with a lovely raaga.

Strangely I spent almost couple of hours at Puthuthotam but missed out on the hollow tree, thanks for sharing the pics.

[gvk]

9th May, 2010

We had 2 suites booked at Issac's Hotel Regency at Sulthan Batery. The stay was comfortable there.

After a gap of around 13 years or so, I played Table Tennis at the Hotel. I have decided to continue playing after coming back to Hyderabad.

We had Buffet Dinner at the Hotel itself.

Morning we allowed the kids to enjoy in the swimming pool. After finishing the complimentary Breakfast visited the Historic Jain Temple. We were told that it's 700 year old Temple.

will upload some pictures now..

[ampere]

Wow! The hotel looks very nice! And the prices look very nominal.
Thanks for that info.

Any good feedbacks on this place?

[gvk]

These photographs are pertaining to Issac's Hotel Regency and Jain Temple, Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad.

[gvk]

9th May, 2010

From the Heritage Jain Temple we have proceeded to Edakkal Caves. The roads were very narrow and steep. When we were nearing the parking area of the Edakkal Caves, a tourist Bus which was before us couldn't take up the height and was struggling.

At the first leg to the top of Caves private Vehicles are not allowed. Jeeps were carrying the passengers and we were told the waiting time is at least 2 hours. We have decided to climb the first leg.

At the second leg, we have to buy tickets and climb up to the caves. It was very crowded and we have to really struggle to get inside. The way to the top is very narrow and frequently tourists are stopped to give way to the people who are coming from the opposite side.

Shall upload the pictures shortly...

[gvk]

Hope you guys like these photographs...

[gvk]

Some more pictures of the Edakkal Caves...

[gvk]

My pleasure Srikanth... I am uploading some more pictures near that area...

[Laki]

Awesome pics gvk! I visited Thirunelli temple during June'10. It is said to be more than 1000 years old temple (looks of the temple gives an impression that it might be). On the backside of the temple there is a pipeline made of stones that seems to have built for bringing water all the way from the hilltop, which was stunning.

[naren_gs1]

Originally Posted by gvk

I am uploading few photographs now. If any one wants more pictures I shall upload some more.

This was in May? During Summer