About Us

The best Heritage Home Stay around

AAYIRAM NAAZHI KOVILAKAM / CHENGOD KALAM is a holistic embrace of tradition,sustainability, and a connection to the roots. Nestled amidst the lush expanse of the WesternGhats, AAYIRAM NAAZHI KOVILAKAM offers a tranquil escape from the bustle of modern life. Within its sprawling three acres of private grounds, Kalam stands as a testament to theillustrious history of the Royal family of Valluvanad.

Originally serving as a granary for the royal household in the early Twentieth Century, Kalam has been lovingly renovated by the late Mohan Raja, a revered member of the family. The traditional teak-panelled chambers, known as 'Pathayam', were intended to keep the produce dry and cool. With over four decades of stewardship over the family's rubber farms, Mohan Raja has transformed Kalam into a harmonious blend of heritage and contemporary comfort.

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Activities

Activities And Experiences You Could Have At Nilambur

  • Cross Kerala's longest hanging bridge, across the Chaliyar river and visit the Conolly's plot - the first teak plantation, that extends across 2.31 hectres along the Chaliyar river at Aruvakode. You could also hop onto a country boat that shall ferry you across the river.
  • Conolly Plot named in memory of HV Conolly, the Malabar District collector during British rule is hardly 2km from Nilambur Town. The tallest and the oldest teak tree in the world, Kannimari is at the Conolly plot.
  • You could take a scenic boat tour along the 3 mile long canal that connects the Kallayi river to the Elattur river. The canal provides water communication between Beypore and Badagara.
  • Visit the world's first Teak museum (a museum exclusively for teak), which is under the administration of Kerala Forest Research Institute(KFRI).  The museum shall provide you with all the fascinating historical aesthetic and scientific information on the wonder tree. The ground floor of the double-storied museum exhibits a translite of Kannimara Teak, the oldest naturally growinteak tree located at the Parambikulam wild-life sanctuary and the life-size replica of the trunk of the largest known teak tree growing in the Malayattoor forest division.
  • Some of the other other attractions here are the traditional granary and a miniature model of Uru a sailing vessel made of teak wood. There is also a butterfly park in the museum campus that has a collection of over 300 butterflies moths and insects .
  • The Bio Resources Park situated 4 km from Nilambur is attached to the museum. You could go on a 800-metre long bio-resources nature trail that passes through a heavy growth of shrubs, trees and bamboos.  You will come across a wide variety of beautiful rare indigenous birds. There are 50 naturally grown tree species and 136 endangered and near-extinct tree species of the Western Ghats planted in this nature trail. About 58 species of birds, both resident and migratory, has been recorded in this area. A medicinal plant garden consisting of 150 species is also another attraction worth seeing.
  • Drive along the serpentine roads of Western Ghats with the wind blowing throw your hair. Drink in the peace and serenity while your eyes feast upon the lush green surroundings. While on your ride, stop to refresh in a clear cool mountain stream.
  • Drive to Nedumkayam , in the Nilambur reserve forest. Pack your bags and take off on a soft trek through the rich rain forests. An elephant taming camp run by the forest department is here. One can observe from close quarters the elephants and deers. You can also see the huge wooden cages which were once used to train wild elephants.
  • While at home, you could chat with an authentic hindu astrologer. Let your stars speak to you through him as he predicts your future or helps you understand your past. Predictions shall be based on the exact details on the time, place and date of birth. Astrology  which literally means "the science of the stars" consists of a number of belief systems  which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world. Astrologer's try to decipher the language of the cosmos as they believe our lives are influenced by the planets stars and other celestial phenomena. Hindu or Indian astrology that is based on the connection between the microcosm  and the macrocosm, relies primarily on the sidereal Zodiac instead of the Western Hellenistic astrology.
  • Visit Banglavu Kunnu (Bungalow Hill) at Nilambur which is famous for its winding roads. Ayurvedic herbs are planted on either sides of the officers'cottages (which are now used as forest range offices).
  • You could enjoy the Adyanpara waterfalls, situated 14 kms from Nilambur,on the other side of the Chaliyar River which is a visual treat and is locally known for its medicinal properties. Koyippara Waterfalls (near kakkadampoyil) is yet another popular tourist destination. One can reach there by travelling along a side road via Akampadam. One can also visit Kallamoola 'Vallipoola' which is known for its numerous cascades and small waterfalls.
  • Take a trip to Aruvacode Pottery Village which is known for their traditional skilled potters. 'Kumbham handicraft project initiated by activist-artist K B Jinan revived the tradition putting the village on the world map.
  • Meet the Cholanaikkan's,(literally means Kings of the forest) one of the last remaining hunter gatherer tribes of South India. This traditional indigenous forest dwelling tribal community currently resides at Manjeeri Colony built by the government for the Cholanaikkan, an indigenous forest-dwelling ethnicity. The Cholanaika habitats are found in the Karulai and Chunkathara forest ranges near Nilambur. Till 1960 when they were first contacted, they lived a highly secluded life. The Cholanaikans used to live in rock shelters called 'Kallulai' and are very particular in observing the rules framed by their ancestors. Several customs, practices and taboos are still practiced by them. While staying at our home stay you could also visit Pullangode known for its sprawling rubber estates, the TK Colony where one can witness the wild beauty of the Amarambalam Reserve forest and the Nadukani Churam (Ghat) which is situated on the road to Gudalur just after Vazhikkadavu. TNadukani churam road meanders through forests leading to Nadukani (20 km away) in Nilgiris district.
  • You could visit the Vaniyambalam 12 km from Nilambur. The famous Banasura temple, situated on a huge rock covering 40 acres (160,000 m2) land and with proportional height is located here, beside the Shornur- Nilambur Railway Line.
  • From Nilambur Ooty, Wayanad and Mysore are easily accessible. Ooty is hardly 90 kms from Nilambur. Sulthan Bathery (Wayanad) is approximately 95 kms and Mysore is 150 kms from Nilambur. Nilambur is approximately 175 kms from Cochin, 60 kms from Calicut town and 35 kms from the Calicut airport.
  • Nilambur is a land known for its magicians. Allow a local magician to entertain you as he conjures up a world of illusion.
  • Take a lazy stroll in the evening, interact with the local people and enjoy a rejuvenating dip in the chaliyar river before you head home for a sumptuous dinner. One day take off on a momentous train ride from Nilambur to Shornur. The line was opened in 1927. One can enjoy the beauty of the Nilambur forests and the various rivers the line crosses. Vaniyambalam Para, a huge granite rock is visible from the railway line which is one kilometer away from the Vaniyambalam station. The train travel from Nilambur to Shornur is in itself a memorable experience.

    • Attractions

  • Conolly Plot - 2 km from Nilambur Town. The plot was named in memory ofH.V.Conolly, then Malabar District Collector.The longest Hanging Bridge in Kerala, across river Chaliyar will take one to the Conolly plot, which is just 300 metres off the Calicut-Nilambur-Ooty State Highway.
  • Giant Teak, as the oldest planted teak is referred to. A part of the oldest teak plantation is retained here.
  • The Teak Museum, maintained by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, giving additional information about teak, and the forest produce in general.
  • A Bio Resources Park is attached to it. It is situated 4 km from Nilambur.
  • Banglavu Kunnu (Bungalow Hill) at Nilambur is famous for its winding road where ayurvedic herbs are planted on both the sides of the officers'cottages (which are now used as forest range offices).
  • Aruvacode Pottery Village.'Kumbham' and Artist Jinan has made this pottery village famous.
  • Adyan Para Waterfalls, situated a few kilometers away on the other side of the Chaliyar River. It is situated 14 km from Nilambur.
  • Koyippara Waterfalls (near kakkadampoyil) is also popular with visitors. It can be reached by travelling through a side road through Akampadam.
  • Nedumkayam in the Nilambur reserve forest, where one can have a close look at the elephant camp run by the forest department. It is 18 km from Nilambur.
  • Elephant Training Centre, where elephants poached from the forests were trained. Huge wooden cages can still be seen, though poaching has been banned.
  • Pullangode is a place near Nilambur where there is Rubber estate and industry.
  • Kallamoola 'Vallipoola' is a place situated near Pullangode, here you can see small waterfalls.
  • ManjeeriColony is a colony built by the government for the Cholanaikkan, an indigenous forest-dwelling ethnicity.
  • T.K.Colony, situated a few kilometers away from Pookkottumpadam. The wild beauty of the Amarambalam Reserve forest.
  • Vaniyambalam 12 km from Nilambur. Here is a famous temple called Banasura,situated on a huge rockcovering 40 acres (160,000 m2) land and with proportional height beside the Shoranur-Nilambur Railway Line.
  • Nadukani Churam (Ghat) is situated on the road to Gudalur way just after Vazhikkadavu.
  • Nilambur is around 175 kms from Cochin, 60 kms from Calicut town and 35 kms away from the Calicut airport.
  • Ooty is just 90 kms from Nilambur. Sulthan bathery(Wayanad) is around 95 kms from Nilambur, Mysore is 150 kms from Nilambur.
  • Nilambur Railway station is situated 3 kms from Nilambur town and there are connecting trains from here to various parts of the Country.

    • Do's & Don'ts

  • Kindly do not forget to carry a pair of sandals with you for wearing when you are inside the house. The normal footwear which you wear outside may not be allowed to be used inside the house. If you are not carrying one with you, we will help you to purchase one from the local market.
  • Before travelling by a taxicab or autorickshaw please enquire with us about the distance, route and approximate fare to your destination. Always pay by the meter. However your cabbie may ask for one and a half times the fare if you are travelling after 9 P.M. Tip the driver only if the service has been extraordinarily helpful. Try to avoid travelling after dusk.
  • Unattended luggage at the bus station, railway station, and other public areas can take a walk if you are not careful. Do use the cloakroom facilities available.
  • In Kerala, we confine our display of affection to the privacy of our house. Kissing in public is not socially accepted and nudity and topless wear are not allowed on our beaches.
  • Most temples in Kerala are not open to non-Hindus and visitors. Some do allow entry into the ground but not inside the sanctum. If you are lucky enough to be allowed in, you will have remove footwear and the men must remove their shirts and vests. In our temple women have to wear saree or traditional kerala dress to get inside the temple. Salwar/churidhar/jeans, etc are not allowed.
  • Use only Government approved/authorized paying guest accommodation.
  • Use only approved beaches for swimming. The other beaches have dangerous under-currents.
  • The purchase of ivory in any form is illegal and liable to prosecution.
  • Any activity relating to any banned drug including soft drugs is illegal.
  • Hunting in any form is illegal.
  • Smoking in Public place is prohibited.

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