Manjolai: The Unknown Hill Station Gem of India

This gorgeous hill station is home to some of the most pristine forests in the Western Ghats. It’s climate, rich flora and fauna are influenced by the winds coming from all the three oceans surrounding the Indian mainland – Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It receives rains almost every month of the year. It receives rains from both the South West and North East monsoons, but since most of its valleys are facing the east, it receives bountiful rains during the North East monsoon. It is considered a giant during the North East monsoon and rivals most of the monsoon giants of the Western Ghats like Talacauvery, Chinakallar, Agumbe, Masthikatte, Castle Rock, Amboli, Malshej and Chorla for its annual rainfall. I am talking about the relatively unknown hill station of Manjolai that is located in the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of South Tamil Nadu.



Manjolai is located at an elevation of about 4000 feet above MSL in the Western Ghats. It is part of the catchment area of the Thamirabharani river and its tributaries. It’s rain water run-off feeds the Manimuthar Falls and the Manimuthar Dam. It is a beautiful mix of tea estates, fruit orchards and tropical evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. During the British rule, tea was first planted on this hill station and it was managed by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation (BBTC). BBTC was given a lease by British India and the Singampatti Zamin for a period of 100 years in the year 1925. The salubrious climate allowed the tea estates to prosper and this gave birth to the tiny temples/churches, schools and houses in this hilly hamlet. Today, the 100 year old lease has come to an end and the government has decided to close the tea estates and restore the place back to its original glory. Manjolai will now come under the control of the Tamil Nadu forest department and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.



While this is great news for the forest, wildlife and for the catchment area of the Thamirabharani river, I feel sad for the people who used to call Manjolai their home. The government has planned to relocate them in the plains below, but I think it will be very tough for them. I hope the people of Manjolai can be employed in the forest department and PWD in the same region so that they feel some continuity with the region.



This is the last year before civilization disappears from Manjolai and it completely becomes a forest. Not that the civilization was huge here, but the tea estates, the iconic Manjolai rusk with lemon tea, the pretty little homes and the hill station vibes, they will all be missed for sure. But, I hope that as the forest and the region regenerates, we and our future generations can hopefully experience the Manjolai of the old before tea estates were part of the landscape. And I am sure, it will positively influence the weather patterns of the region and result in more inflows into the Thamirabharani river, which is the lifeline of South Tamil Nadu.



If you wish to experience this unknown hill station called Manjolai, visit soon, before the landscape changes and the hill station vibes disappear. Whether it is the winding and scenic drive from Manimuthar Falls to Manjolai, the amazing weather, the lush landscape, the yummy home made rusk, the raw nature, the umpteen waterfalls and the tiny village look n feel, there is so much to like about Manjolai.



For me, I love the fact that it one of the most prettiest virgin forests in the Western Ghats. It’s surroundings that are home to umpteen mountain streams and waterfalls carry some of the sweetest water in the region and that holds medicinal value too as it flows through medicinal herbs and plants. In simple words, it is a tropical forest paradise that is untouched by the burgeoning population of India. Manjolai, Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and the connected Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is one of Western Ghat’s well preserved secrets and may be, that is why I love what this place has to offer. Don’t you wish to see and experience this place for yourself?



Best season to visit:

Manjolai is open all year round and can be visited in all seasons. Summers are incredibly pleasant and are a far cry from the hot plains below. The rainy season between October and December is magical here and this is when close to 3000 to 5000 mm of rain precipitates in three months and dresses up the surroundings in fresh green with full water bodies and waterfalls. January and February offer clearer weather with low humidity and this allows for clear views of the spectacular landscape that includes tea estates, forests, mountains, waterfalls and dams. June to August is when Manjolai is at its windiest best due to the winds blowing during the South West monsoon.



How to reach there:

If you are traveling from Tirunelveli, head towards Cheranmadevi and Kallidaikurichi. Just before Kallidaikurichi railway station, turn left and take the road leading towards Manimuthar. You will cross Golden nagar, Thekku Pappankulam, Tamil Nadu Special Force IX battalion and Manimuthar village. If you head straight from Manimuthar village, climb the narrow road and you will reach the forest check post at Manimuthar Dam. You will have to get your permits checked here, pay the necessary fees and then drive onwards towards Manimuthar Falls, Manjolai, Kakkachi, Nalumukku, Oothu and then onto Kudrevetty.



How to get permits for this place in KMTR:

To travel to Manjolai, Kakkachi, Nalumukku, Oothu and/or Kudrevetty, you will have to get permits in advance from the forest department at Ambasamudram. The permit costs INR 200 at Ambasamudram and you will have to pay vehicle fee and per person charge at the Manimuthar forest check post. The forest check post opens at 7 AM and closes at 6 PM.

If you book a room at the forest rest house in Kudrevetty, then that booking is good enough and you don’t need to get the permits in advance.



Where to stay:

If you wish to stay within the tiger reserve, you can book the forest rest house at Kudrevetty through the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve website.

If you wish to stay in traditional Brahmin agraharam houses, you can try the home stays and guest houses at Kallidaikurichi village.

If simple, yet modern hotels are your thing, you can try Hotel Ambai Grand at Ambasamudram.

If you wish for a wide variety of hotels, you will have to try looking at the hotels in Tirunelveli.



Where to eat:

There are a few tea shops at Manjolai where you can find some basic snacks along with tea/coffee, but if you order in advance, you can get some food.

The forest rest house at Kudrevetty will prepare food for you if you happen to be staying with them. They will buy basic supplies once your booking is confirmed. However, if you have any specific requirements like country eggs, country chicken or any other requirements, you will have to inform them at least a day in advance.

There are a few family run restaurants at Oothu where you can get some local meals along with some tea and coffee. However, you need to order your meals at least a day in advance so that the people can arrange the ration and vegetables.

There are a few shack-like restaurants at Manimuthar village before the forest check post. Here, you can get basic meals and a decent array of tiffin items.



Other tourist attractions inside KMTR:

1) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East monsoon

2) Kudrevetty: The gorgeous windy station of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

3) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve



4) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river

5) Oothu: The quaint little hill station of Tamil Nadu

6) Kakkachi: The highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

7) Scenic Iron Bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded



8) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south

9) Cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

10) Hidden pristine waterfall inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve



Other nearby tourist attractions:

1) Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni: Heavenly motorcycling route through pristine forest

2) Mekkarai: One of Tamil Nadu’s prettiest villages

3) Courtallam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu

4) Sunderapandiapuram: Of lovely Brahmin agraharam houses, sunflower fields, windmills and mountain views

5) Puliyarai view point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway



6) Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats

7) Sivasailam: One of the wettest places during the North East monsoon in India

8) 13th century Kasi Visvanathar temple at Tenkasi

9) Manalar Falls: The herbal jungle waterfall of Kerala

10) Kambhavurutty Falls: Pristine jungle waterfall in the middle of dense forest



11) Rosemala View Point: Gorgeous motorcycling route inside Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

12) Thenmala Forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway

13) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways

14) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala

15) Lesser Known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers

16) Achankovil Saastha Temple: That happy Lord Ayyappa in the middle of pristine jungle

17) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky

18) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view

19) Aryankavu Saastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats

20) Mannarkoil Rajagopalaswamy Temple: Magnificent 10th century temple with an ashtanga vimana



21) 10th Century Brahmadesam Kailasanathar Temple: Lesser known architectural marvel of south India

22) 1000 year old Papanasanathar Temple: Where you can wash all your sins away

23) Kallidaikurichi: The village of the saaral season

24) Iruttu Kadai Halwa: Icon of Tirunelveli

25) Nellaiappar Temple: A 7th century cosmic dance wonder

26) Pattamadai Pai: GI tagged beautiful handwoven mats from a tiny Tamil Nadu village

27) Thamirabharani river delta: A motorcycle route full of rustic gorgeousness

28) 10th Century Valisvara Temple at Thiruvaliswaram: Hidden Chola gem in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

29) Tiruchendur Murugan Temple: Sea shore magic

30) Kallidaikurichi to Manimuthar Dam: A top scenic and rustic cycling route



31) Garuda Sevai from the agraharams of Kallidaikurichi

32) Festival of Thiruvathirai from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

33) The festival of Karthigai Deepam from a traditional Tamil Nadu village

34) The exotic tropical fruit shops of Puliyarai

35) Kallidaikurichi Adi Varaha Temple Chariot Festival: Grand cultural spectacle in rural Tamil Nadu

36) Kallidaikurichi Anaicut: Gorgeous picnic spot nestled in the lap of nature

37) Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: World’s richest Hindu temple

38) Shangumugham Beach: The tranquil and divine beach of Thiruvananthapuram

39) Thiruparappu Falls: Gorgeous monsoon spectacle near Kanyakumari

40) Mathoor Aqueduct and Hanging Bridge: An offbeat wonder nestled in the mountains near Kanyakumari



41) Kappil Beach: Sandy beauty hemmed in between the sea and the backwaters

42) Varkala Beach: That stunning cliff beach of Kerala where you can wash away all your sins

43) Meenmutty Falls inside Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: A beautiful tropical jungle trail

44) Ponmudi: The offbeat hill station of Kerala with a 360 degree mountain panorama

Shangumugham Beach: The Tranquil and Divine Beach of Thiruvananthapuram

This beach is the location for the arattu (ceremonial bath) of Lord Ananthapadmanabhan (Lord Maha Vishnu). Thousands of Hindus perform ‘Bali Tharpanam’ during special occasions. It is also the prime location for Ganesh Nimarjan (Visarjan) during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. This tranquil beach, located on India’s west coast is made up of a vast stretch of white sand along with a stunning ancient stone complex called the arattu mandapam. I am talking about the Shangumugham beach that is nestled in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala and just a stone’s throw from the bustling Thiruvananthapuram international airport.



The Shangumugham beach’s peaceful ambiance provides a perfect setting for leisure evenings and for watching breath taking sunsets. The 35 metre long giant sculpture of Sagarakanyaka by Kanayi Kunhiraman is an added attraction. The ‘Jawaharlal Nehru Park of Traffic signs’ for children is also located here. Kids can play here while understanding traffic signs. The Shangumugham beach is that ideal place to chill in the evenings with a nice cup of brew in your hand, the wind jostling your hair and the salt in the air. Walking amidst the colourful boats moored on the beach while being on the whitish yellow sands is another key attraction.



But, Shangumugham beach’s call to fame is more than its natural attractions. It holds cultural and religious significance as the revered ‘Arattukadavu’ of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan, the presiding deity of the city. On the auspicious Arattu day, the beach witnesses a grand procession wherein idols of Lord Padmanabhaswamy, Lord Narasimha and Lord Krishna are ceremonially bathed in the Laccadive Sea, marking the conclusion of the festival amidst regal splendour led by the now-titular Maharaja of Travancore and his retinue, including members of the royal family, armed guards, and temple authorities.



It doesn’t matter whether you are a local or a tourist, Shangumugham beach will offer you a perfect blend of relaxation and scenic beauty. It’s rustic charm coupled with the rich action from the fishermen, its spiritual and religious connection, its picturesque vantage points that offer views of those stunning sunsets, its tranquil vibe and its gorgeous sea breeze make Shangumugham beach, the ideal setting for a picnic location. Add to it the many street vendors, coffee houses and restaurants on the beach and you have a day long destination ready for a day out in Thiruvananthapuram.



Key things to note:

1) Do exercise caution while swimming in the waters of this beach. This place is known to have undercurrents. And there are no lifeguards here.

2) There is no shade on the beach, so do come prepared to handle the tropical sun

3) Weekends, holidays and evenings can attract a lot of crowds here

4) There are no timings per se for the beach, but it is best not to stay beyond 10 pm as most shops would be closed and thereby it might not be safe



Other nearby tourist attractions:

1) Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: World’s richest Hindu temple

2) Veli Backwaters: Perfect day trip idea from Thiruvananthapuram

3) Poovar Island: Of river, lake, backwaters, the beach and the sea

4) Thiruparappu Falls: Gorgeous monsoon spectacle near Kanyakumari

5) Rosemala View Point: Gorgeous motorcycling route inside Shendurney wildlife sanctuary, Kerala

6) Thenmala Dam: A monsoon pit stop view

7) Manalar Falls: The herbal jungle waterfall of Kerala

8) Kambhavurutty Falls: The stunning waterfall inside a pristine forest

9) Mekkarai: One of Tamil Nadu’s prettiest villages

10) Sunderapandiapuram: Of lovely brahmin agraharam houses, sunflower fields, windmills and mountain views



11) Mekkarai to Achankovil to Konni: Heavenly motorcycling route through pristine forest

12) Mathoor Aqueduct and Hanging Bridge: An offbeat wonder nestled in the mountains near Kanyakumari

13) Kappil Beach: Sandy beauty hemmed in between the sea and the backwaters

14) Sivasailam Temple: 1000 year old temple surrounded by the lush mountains of the Western Ghats

15) Varkala Beach: That stunning cliff beach of Kerala where you can wash away all your sins

16) Vintage Pathimoonu Kannara Bridge: Colonial charm of the Indian Railways

17) Palaruvi Falls: Kerala’s herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky

18) Meenmutty Falls inside Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: A beautiful tropical jungle trail

19) Ponmudi: That offbeat hill station of Kerala with a 360 degree mountain panorama

20) Punalur Suspension Bridge: Historical gem of Kerala



21) Courtallam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu

22) Thenmala Forest: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway

23) Lesser Known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for nature lovers

24) Achankovil Saastha Temple: Gorgeous temple surrounded by forests and mountains

25) Aryankavu Saastha Temple: Ancient temple located in the sacred forests of the Western Ghats

26) Puliyarai View Point: Scenic pit stop on the Tenkasi – Kerala highway