Kerala Tourism Development Corp is all set to welcome tourists at Ponmudi hill resort. The idyllic hill resort of Ponmudi has been developed as a premium getaway and will be opening on October 1. Ponmudi, a golden peak, is situated at an altitude of 1,100 metres  and 61 km from Trivandrum. It is a part of Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea. The resort has been refurbished at an investment of around Rs. 1 crore.

The conical green roof of the granite cottages and rooms, blends with the scenery and resembles small hillocks themselves. The resort has 9 cottages with 14 rooms, with the tariff ranging from Rs. 2000-4000 a night. Another 14 cottages will come up within six months. Also there is also a conference facility set up that can seat 100 people and a full-fledged restaurant as well. So next time, if you wish for a break from your daily chores, drop by and experience the calm and serene environment of Ponmudi hills in Ponmudi hill resort!

Beaches in Varkala include the Papanasam Beach, Thiruvambady Beach and Kappil Beach. Thiruvambady Beach is also known as the Black Sand Beach and is calm and secluded.The beach is adjacent to the North Cliff and is accessible by walking down the cliff. The other beach is the Papanasam Beach where devotees throng to remove them of  their sins.  The beach is revered as a holy place. Kappil Beach is a confluence of backwater, sea and river and is worth visiting. Priyadarshini Boating Club offers boating facilities. Another interesting place to visit is the Anjengo Fort built by the Portuguese as a depot and later converted into a fort by the British. It is between the land and the sea and is worth a visit. Tombstones and gardens dot the fort. Ponnumthuruth Island is an uninhabited island surrounded by backwaters and accessible by boat. There is a temple of Shiv-Paravathy dating back to hundreds of years . Legend has it that the ladies of the Travancore Kingdom used to hide their jewelery here and hence the name.

Peppara wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of 53 square kilometers is located in the district of Trivandrum and encloses the Peppara Dam built across the river Karamana. The place was deemed as a sanctuary in the year 1983. The sanctuary is around 52 kilometers from Trivandrum City. The forest is basically ever green equatorial type due to its close proximity to the equator. The sanctuary is abundant in wildlife with over 43 species of mammals, 233 species of birds, 46 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians and 27 species of fish identified. Tiger, Elephant, Bear, Deer, Nilgiri Langur are all commonly found. The place also is home to a number of endemic plant species. The highest point of the santuary is at 5,630 feet. Major peaks dotting the sanctuary include Chemmunjimotta, Athirumalai , Arumukhamkunnu , Koviltherimala and Nachiyadikunnu.  The sanctuary is open e to the public throughout the year but it is best to visit the place from January to March. Bonafalls, Vazahuvanthole water falls, Kalarkad waterfalls, trekking through the wilderness and  visit to settlement areas are added attractions.

The Padmanabhapuram Palace is a living example 0f traditional Kerala architecture. The palce though owned by the Government of Kerala is entirely located in tamilnadu in the town of Thuckalay. THe palce dates back to 1601 A.D but many other structures within the complex are much older . The palce itself is within the Padmanbhapuram Fort. The major structures within the palace include:

1) Mantrasala : It is the chamber where  the king meets his council.

2) Thai Kottaram : It means the  Mother’s Palace

3) Nataksala :  It means the place where Art and other forms were presented.

4) A four-storeyed building at the centre of the Palace complex

5) Thekee Kottaram which means the Southern Palace

All the structures contains exquisite works which highlight the skilled craftmanship of the artisians at that time. There is an old tower clock which is still in working condition. the palace is adorned with lattice works and adorned with mural paintings depicting scenes from the puranas and rural life. Rich wooden carvings are the highlights of the Thai Kottaram there is a room called the ekantha mandap which again is richly decorated. the natakashala is adorned with ganite pillars and the floors are shiny black. the royal bedroom was within thefour storeyed building and the upper floor was the royal place of worship. There is a secret passage from the palace for the family to escape incase of an atack to another palce located miles away called the Charottu Kottaram. There is a room filled with chinese jara and another one with weapons used during those days. A gallery of paintings are added features.