Nilambur

Famous for its plendor of the wooded jungle surrounding it. This cascade is a spectacle of unrivalled grandeur. The wild beauty of this place is a rare treat for the eyes and heart of the travellers.

This is one of the four central forest nurseries in Kerala and was established during the year 1997, at Valluvassery by the Kerala Forest Department. With a view to meet the requirements of good quality planting stock of important plantation species like teak, eucalypts, acacias, etc., the nursery is fully equipped to produce root trainer seedlings and rooted cuttings of these species in required quantities. The average annual production of the nursery during the past three years was: 150 000 teak root-trainer seedlings, 120 000 eucalypt seedlings, 50 000 seedlings of acacias, and 90 000 seedlings of miscellaneous species.

The plantation is named in honor of H.V. Conolly, the then Collector of Malabar during the British rule who was instrumental in planting teak in the entire Nilambur area with the help of Shri Chanthu Menon, a forest officer under him. The plot extends across 2.31 hectares beside the Chaliyar river at Aruvakode, where the longest steel hanging bridge takes visitors across. This plantation was done about 150 years ago around the years 1842-1844 and was thus known as the world's first teak plantation. The plot has also been acclaimed for having the oldest living teak tree (girth 420 cm & height 46.5 meters) and Shri Chanthu Menon, was laid to rest in this very teak garden , Conolly's plot, as a mark of honour.

Noted specially for its rich rain forests. The wooden rest house built here by the British offers a panoramic view of the elephants and deer grazing in the forest near by . One has to get prior permission from the Forest Department to enter the forest zone. Heavy restrictions are imposed as a measure to save the existing forest land. An elephant taming centre is also here.

The world's first Teak Museum. In the Teak Museum, a visitor can have a first hand information on all aspects of teak. Established by the Kerala Forest Research Institute in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department, it is thematic museum housing historical, cultural and aesthetic and scientific aspects of teak, all under one roof, arranged in the two storied building. A collection of bamboo trees on the way to the museum imparts a special beauty to the place. The carved teak door at the entrance of the museum has a painting of the oldest living teak tree, the Kannimara teak.Among the several exhibits displayed, the root system of a mature teak tree is perhaps the most interesting of all. Paintings on the walls remind one of the early histories of teak planting. The miniature model of an antique sailing vessel made of teak wood and a painting of a sailing ship are the other attractions. Logs of a 116-year-old tree have also been preserved. A world literature on teak is available in the library.

Vavul Mala peak is in this mountain and it is at an altitude of 2339m. The hill ranges are accessible by foot from Muthappanpuzha, near Anakkampoyil. About 6 km by foot from Muthappanpuzha on the way to Vellarimala hills is the waterfall called Olichuchattam. It is 15 km from Thiruvambady. KSRTC Bus Services are available from Thiruvambady to Anakkampoyil and Muthappanpuzha. Swargam Kunnu or Paradise hill is also situated here. Vellarimala - Swargam Kunnu - Hasthakappara - Olichuchattam - Marippuzha - Muthappanpuzha Trecking is possible with forest department permission. Now a new road is there from Thiruvambady to Marippuzha.

Land of potters and pottery works. The village has become famous for the presence of its potters. With the influx of cheap industrial substitutes, these villagers had all but lost their interest in the traditional skills, but for a small movement led by activist-designer K B Jinan who , rekindled their hope. Together, they explored the possibilities of terra-cotta suited for the modern context and Kumbham was born. Today Kumbham is hailed as a rare instance of a traditional artisan community rehabilitating itself through the very craft they have been alienated from. Over the last few years many a product has come out of their kilns which are notable for their form as well as function. Kumbham products now find wide acceptance in households, corporate offices, hotels and resorts.