Ranipuram Hill Station-Ooty of Kerala

“I am the Conquer. I felt so when I stand at the top of Ranipuram hills. It was a great feeling, the fog and mist mixed cloud passed by me touching my whole body giving me a sensation. I was literally floating over the cloud. The cold breeze is so quick, as it is late for some event, passed by me again and again. The rays of setting sun over the horizon, falls over the hills seems like painted with different shades. I really love this, and I am really excited.  Now it is almost 5.30pm, we started climbing the hill at 2 and we took almost 4 hours to reach at top of this hill. I had a sip of red wine along with a great melody from the iPod and simply lay over the green land.”

Landscape. Far away ,the grass covered Ranipuram hills-photographed by Ajayan

Ranipuram is known Ooty of Kerala, is a hill station located in Kasaragod district. The place was formally known as ’Madathumala’ but renamed as Ranipuram by catholic diocese of Kottayam. Ranipuram is actually a forest area; the place is so cold in the evenings and will be covered by fog and mist, which restricts our vision. It is a place of great biodiversity.

 path made by cutting steps

People who are actually interested in trekking, Ranipuram is a great place and you gonna love this place.  There are two trekking routes. The path is made by cutting steps through the forest; as you can see in the photo. People who go for trekking always carry salt in their hand, to kill leach. It takes almost 3 hours to reach at top of hill.

The place is also the habitat for elephants and other wild animals. Varieties of Birds and butterflies are seen here. People who love photography of birds and butterflies can come over here. A wild life sanctuary has been proposed for Ranipuram, the biodiversity here include various flora and fauna and other species that in verge of extinction. Hence this is a biodiversity hotspot. The people living here are directly and indirectly dependent on this forest. They also live an eco-friendly life such that it doesn’t harm the species.

Once you reach the top of hill, the view is great, the forest cover and fog cloud and the sun over the horizon; you can capture a great landscape photograph. While climbing the hill you can also see the woody trees of big radius and with great height and of grown roots. The place has always a great climate, it is cool and without the sweat and irritation, even in summer. But I have read that summer is great season for people outside India, they actually love summer.

Stay at Ranipuram is available at the hill foots, Ranipuram resorts, a part of tourism development  is nice building that built with red rock is a good place to stay. Also small houses are built separately are also available.
Trekking at evening is dangerous because of fog and elephants and also the place will be too cold.

houses  built in between trees photograph by Ajayan

Ranipuram Tourist stay photograph by Ajayan

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to reach:

 

Sign board photograph by Ajayan

Nearest Airport: Mangalore, about 50kms from Kasaragod.

Nearest Railway Station: Khanghad, Kasaragod. (If you are coming from Kasaragod, you have to travel to Khanghad first.)

You have to travel through Khanghad-Bagamandella-Madikeri State Highway, about 40kms from Khanghad to reach Panathady, there you will get trip Jeeps to Ranipuram, or you can go for private cabs. You have to travel about 10kms to reach Ranipuram.

Buses are available from Khanghad to Panathady for every 15 minutes.