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Vagamon
If beauty, privacy, serenity are your ideas of a well deserved holiday, then Vagamon is the place for you !. Located among the lofty mountains of the Western Ghats in the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts of Kerala at an altitude of 1100 metres above sea level., Vagamon is a lovely hill station in South India.
Also known as the Scotland of Asia, Vagamon remained hidden till the British discovered it nearly a century ago, and they used the place for tea plantations, followed by Christian missionaries who built here their abode of service. Vagamon remains cool during most part of the year. Major tourist centers like Thekkady, Peerumedu, Kulamavu etc are easily accessible from Vagamon.
Thangal Para :A unique rock formation, sacred to the Muslims located in the Thangal hill. Near the rock formation lies the the tomb (durgah) of Sheikh Fariduddin, a Sufi saint from Afghanistan who lived and died here about 800 years ago. It is believed that the huge rock formation was originally a small stone used by the saint to grind pan which grew enormously. During the annual 'Urus' Festival hundreds of devotees visit this place. There is also an ancient cave in this picturesque place, and it's an adventurous and thrilling trek through the cave.
Mooppanpara :It is a v- shaped gorge, one of the popular view points also known as a suicide point. The view from the top of the exhausting climb is spectacular.
Murugan Hill :Murugan Hill is very close to Thangal Para, and there is a Murugan temple here dedicated to Lord Muruga with beautiful carvings.
Pine Valley :The pine valley filled with enchanting tall pine trees makes it a nature-lover's favourite spot. A walk through the misty valley is a beautiful experience especially during monsoon when dewdrops cluster on the pine leaves.
Kurisumala (Mountain of the Cross) :One of the tourist attractions in Vagamon is the Kurisumala, a sky-scraping mountain with a small church- the St.Sebastian's Church (Phone: 04869-248293), on its peak. A Christian pilgrim center in Kerala, it is about 10km from Vagamon. Hundreds of devotees from far and near climb the hill during the holy week carrying wooden crosses, just like in Malayattoor, a major pilgrimage center in Ernakulam district. The place which is ideal for trekking, looks like a difficult terrain to climb from the ground, but there are enough paths around the steeper inclines. Kurishumala can also be visited by jeep from Vagamon.
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