WELL MANICURED HEDGE AT KUZHIPPALLAM BOTANICAL GARDEN

               

  WELL MANICURED HEDGE AT KUZHIPPALLAM BOTANICAL GARDEN

When this picture was shown to Jaya from Parassala at the southern end of Kerala, she was surprised. She enquired whether it was a picture from a foreign location. I replied it was just 10Km from her own place. She  couldn't believe it.

The hedge reminded me of the hedges on the road to the Thenmala Tea factory through the Thenmala Estate of the KDHP Company Ltd. in the High Ranges. It extended upto the Thenmala Tea factory. It was beautiful. It was a real treat.

(KDHP Co Ltd, later became James Finlay and Tata Finlay and it is now KDHP Co Ltd again.)

The road takes off from a point on the Munnar - Udumalpet road after Kannimala estate and Nymakkad estate. From Nymakkad you can branch off to to Rajamalai estate where we have the Eravikulam National Park. It’s the primary natural habitat and sanctuary of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat.  You can savour the Anamudi peak, highest in South India from there. It is very close and if you have the will you can climb it. The peak from the top offers a breathtaking view. Anamudi is described as  the Everest of South India.

If you go straight instead of driving to Thenmala Estate, you would reach Lower Vaghuvarai  Tea Estate, where they grew oranges too. At that time Oranges were not grown anywhere else in the High Ranges. Though the climate was very cold in the estates around Munnar,  Vaghuvarai was comparatively hot. Drive straight, you reach Marayoor where you have Sandalwood Trees. Marayoor is hotter. 

Marayoor Jaggery is the finest Jaggery available in the market. 

Drive on, you would cross over to Tamil Nadu State through Chinnar. If you are lucky, you would encounter wild life on the route. The Road after Chinnar is a welcome change to the road in Kerala. The maintenance is far superior. It takes you to Udumalpet, Pollachi and Coimbatore.

Frankly, the hedge at Kuzhippallam Botanical Garden reveals the vision of the management who strive to be exceptional in all parameters. 

I wish them the very best in their quest.

U