Explored & Hidden Photoshoot Locations.
The trends in wedding photography are changing day by day. It has evolved from simple wedding day Photo and videography to Pre wedding, Save the date, Engagement, Haldi, Sangeet, Wedding and Post wedding Photography. The couples look for good spots that will provide unique as well as memorable pictures. In this blog we are suggesting a few good locations for you guys to explore in different districts of Kerala.
#01 Pathanamthitta
Here are a few locations in the Pathanamthitta District where you can capture your perfect moments.
Gavi
Gavi is a beautiful village known for its lush green hills, valleys and misty mornings. Gavi is a part of Periyar Tiger Reserve and is inside Ranni Forest Reserve. The route to Gavi from Pathanmthitta is also a mesmerising ride through tea plantations which can provide you with beautiful photographs. If you are planning to go to this place take prior permission through advance booking facility available with Kerala Forest Development Corporation Ltd. or the entry pass to Gavi must be obtained at Forest Check post at Vallikadavu. It is recommended to plan a camping trip and best suited for your Post wedding shoots. Make sure you carry Jackets/ sweaters with you and the preferred mode of transport for the rough roads would be a Jeep.
Vandiperiyar is the nearest town to Gavi and is about 28km from Vandiperiyar. Gavi is 109 km from Pathanamthitta town and takes around 2 hours 45 minutes. KSRTC runs an ordinary bus service from Pathanamthitta KSRTC bus station every day.
Konni Elephant Training centre
Konni is one of the prominent elephant training centres in Kerala. The giant wooden structure used to train elephants and the elephant museum are the main attractions here. This place provides you the options to capture photos with baby and adult elephants. Tickets can be bought at the Training centre or online bookings can be done in Kerala Forest Ecotourism website. The Elephant Kraal is closed on Mondays.
Konni Elephant training centre is around 10km from Pathanamthitta Town. The Konni town is 1km away and KSRTC bus station is just around 600m from the Kraal.
Adavi & Maneera Waterfalls
Adavi Eco tourism near Konni on the banks of river Kallar is one of the best places for those who prefer scenic beauty. This place is known for its bowl boat riding, bamboo huts and green forest patches. If you are not afraid of water this is a good suggestion for Pre-wedding or Post wedding shoots and Save the dates.
Maneera waterfall is a small waterfall in the outskirts of the forest and is 2km from Adavi. The water is not deep and is safe to enter in the water. The roads are narrow so you may have to walk a bit to reach the waterfalls. This beauty can also be covered if you choose Adavi as your photoshoot destination.
Adavi is about 20km and takes around 30-40minutes from Pathanamthitta town. The distance from Konni to Adavi is around 10km.
Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls
The beauty of rocky beds, lush green forest and waterfalls together defines Perunthenaruvi. The rocky bed with picturesque scenic beauty as backdrop provides you with elegant pictures. Along with the beauty there are hidden dangers as well. The rock beds can be slippery and while exploring the rock beds look out for deep potholes and water snakes. It is not advisable to get into water and to visit during the rainy season as the rock beds will be underwater. Entry tickets are available at the waterfall entrance.
The waterfall is 29km from Pathanamthitta and takes around 1 hour by car.
Kaviyoor Rock Temple
A historical monument detailing the Pallava architecture carved on massive rock with a cylindrical rock cut shiva linga. Beauty with blissful feeling - a perfect location for those who prefer a spiritual vibe to their photoshoot
The rock cut temple is 7km from Thiruvalla, 15km from Kozhancherry and 30km from Pathanamthitta.
Chuttipara
Chuttipara is a 200ft rock cluster with a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman on hill top and gives you the best panoramic view of Pathanamthitta Town. Concrete Stairs are paved from the foot of the hill to the top and you can experience the refreshing cool breeze all throughout the day. There is no entry fee required.
Chuttipara is only 5 min drive (2km) from Pathanamthita town and is 15km from Kozhancherry. Car will not reach the base of the hill so be mentally prepared to take a long walk.
Orakkanpara Waterfalls
Orakkanpara Waterfalls is an unexplored waterfall inside the thick woods in Mallapally Thaluk. It is another option for those who would like to do water themed photoshoots.
This waterfalls is at Kottangal around 27km from Thiruvalla town/19km from Kozhancherry/ 29km from Pathanmthitta and travel along the Kottangal-Chunkapara road towards Chunkapara for about 400m to reach the destination.
Rajagiri Waterfalls
Rajagiri waterfalls is a small yet beautiful waterfall near to Koodal town inside the Rajagiri estate owned by AVT company. The waterfall is inside the rubber estate and is mainly prominent during the monsoon season. The water is only up to the knee level and is safe for photoshoots. The waterfall, side streams flowing through the estate and the greenery of Rubber estate gives you a picture perfect location.
Koodal town is located 20km from Pathanamthitta enroute to Pathanapuram via Konni and is 14km from Konni town/10km from Pathanpuram. To reach the waterfalls take a left turn from Koodal Junction and travel about 4km towards Rajagiri estate. It is closer to the main road and is a safe destination to visit.
Chelikuzhy Waterfalls
Chelikuzhy waterfalls is another hidden gem of Pathanamthitta surrounded by Konni forest reserve and rubber plantations. This waterfall is active mainly during monsoon season and is popular among the local natives for its natural beauty For ladies it is not recommended to wear high heeled shoes during your visit.
The waterfall is located at Kalleli on Konni Achankovil road, and is 18km from Pathanamthitta/ 8km from Konni.
Padapara
A rocky hill destination which is not much explored and known for its beautiful evenings. People come here to watch the setting sun painting hues of red across the sky before hiding behind the mountains far away and also to do darshan at Lord Bala Subramanyan temple situated atop the hill. You can also experience a panoramic view of nature with the pampering of a cool breeze. Stone pavements and handrails are provided to reach the hilltop. So you can take a walk enjoying nature or drive your car way up to the hilltop. Suitable for temple photography.
This scenic beauty is located at Kulathumon (Kalanjoor Panchayat) enroute to Athirumkal and is about 1km from Kulathumon SNDP junction along the Thottam road. Padapara is about 21 km from Pathanamthitta/ 11km from Konni.
These are a very few locations among many unseen paradises within the Pathanamthitta District. If you know any not so popular, unexplored beauties in Pathanamthitta that you think are best for photoshoots, please comment in the comment box below.