We had lots of obstacles and challenges in achieving our 4th
time journey towards Valparai. After landing our steps on the land of beauty
everything vanished like a mist on a sunny day. Thought the place is not new to
us the excitement and eagerness was not lacking at any point. After passing
through the first check post here comes the Monkey fall as usual failing to
shower us, not disappointed as we already drenched ourselves at Pollachi dam
water bed. After sighting the newly opened view point located on the mountain we
put a halt at our usual tea shop for a sip.
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| valparai |
Once we reach Valparai we finalized our home stay, had our meal and headed
towards ‘Number Parai’. One cannot forget the experience had at this place
especially the unplanned short trekking on the drizzling evening. I’m sure we
frightened Ajay, the driver of Sumo (which carried us to NP) to an extent by
alarming after misunderstanding a near dead cow as a tiger. On our way to our
home stay that night, did we panic? Oh yes!! After hearing the tusker alert
alarm that triggers after its been detected via sensor. Soon we again struck in
a shock as soon as we noticed the tusker’s dung only minutes old. Our ‘driver
Annan’ confirmed no trace of elephant with a vehicle heading from opposite.
Between, the people on this vehicle confirmed they sighted two leopards (rendu
puli kandu), we anticipated that it could be a lie due to we were already tired
of hearing loads of false news throughout our wildlife journey we did not seem
to bother what they claim to have seen. It was a satisfying home stay that one
could prefer to stay situated 12km away from the town, very remote and isolated.
We did not suffocate from powerless night as we do in our city. Moderate climate
was not cold enough to wear a sweater or hot enough to make us sweat. The next
day was perfect sunny day. Talking about the breakfast I strongly claim that no
one would ever paid Rs 11 for single piece of idly in that village offered by
the ‘lady in the nighty’. I’m unsure whether we should be proud for paying high
or ashamed of being cheated, it is left with our own perception. God bless the
lady.
We do have a cooking experience in the past that helped us to purchase the
groceries for our one day stay at Manambally forest guest house.
Manampalli forest guest house. Do you thing the name itself sounds
wilderness? Of course it is. If valparai having major portions of the land owned
by private tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds,
Manamballi forest is greatly wilder than valparai having very less trace of
human and more wildlife habitat. This place is a widespread dense forest with no
tea plantation or other human activity. We had to travel through the jungle for
about 9km to reach this place. There are around 15-20 families surviving at this
place by working for power plant which is a primary electricity source for
valparai.
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| manampalli forest |
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| manampalli forest |
What could I particularly say is the best as everything we experienced here
is top class. If sighting crocodile on the river bank adds pleasure, then
hearing elephant trumpet (seems like approaching us) put us in terror. The music
of bird, the wild big squirrel, big fishes in the river, numerous species of
birds and the unguided trekking added more amusement. Overall Manambally is
worth for its cost.
The last day, before the sadness could fill our hearts for vacating
manambally, Nallamudi Pooncholai comes as a treat. I’m surprised that I’m
remembered by the sage or priest or whatever he is. I never failed to say “Om
Adhi Muruga” after meeting him. His story was not new to few however not for the
all. The waterfall was like a final touch for a painting. We swam, relaxed and
getting ready to travel back to our homes. Overall this tour to Valparai was
very amusing and wonderful.
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| manampalli forest |
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| manampalli forest |
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| manampalli forest |
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| manampalli forest |
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| manampalli forest |
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| manampalli forest |
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| manampalli forest |
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| manampalli forest |
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| manampalli forest |
Contact Info :
Need Prior permission to get in and stay in the manampally guest house,
Permission to stay in the Manampalli guest house must be taken from the main
office in Pollachi or contact DFO for permission.
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