Parunthumpara - 9 Things to Know Before Visiting

From the national highway, a rugged road will take you to Parunthumpara. There are no hikes involved, it is possible to drive up to the top of the hill. Once at the top, the endless stretches of green meadows, mountains with deep valleys, and the silvery line of the Azhutha River give the visitors an enchanting experience. The cool mountain breeze along with the mystical mist curtaining the mountains adds a magical charm to Parunthumpara. It is best to be here in the evening as it is an extremely beautiful place to view the sunset. 

On a clear day, from Parunthumpara you can view the forest of Sabarimala which lies 15 km away. It is said that the celestial light "Makaravilakku" of the famous Sabarimala Temple can be viewed from here. Hence, during the time of Makaravilakku, pilgrims to Sabarimala flock to Parunthumpara.

The descent to the Tagore Rock projection is difficult and comes with steep slopes. The rock projection forms a cliff and it is located in such a way that you will have to climb down first and then climb up again to reach the top. This is the point where you can get a birdseye view of the valley.

The best time to visit Parunthumpara is during and right after the monsoon season from June to January when the landscape is lush green with beautiful waterfalls at a distance on the Azhutha River. During the rest of the months, the entire area will be reddish-orange and the river dried up. Evenings are the best time to visit as the sunset from here is magnificent.

1. Since it is very windy in the area, visitors should be extremely careful standing at the edge. There is very little space available to stand at the top and there are no fences or railings.
2. There are many tea and snack shops near the viewpoint but no toilet facilities are available.
3. If you are a kite flying enthusiast, bring one. The place is popular for kite flying.
4. Make sure you have a good pair of shoes or sandals with good grip. Else chances are high for you to slip.

1. Parunthumpara is located 1,400 meters above sea level.
2. Theni and Kambam towns of Tamilnadu state are visible from Paruthumpara.

1 to 2 hours is plenty to enjoy Parunthumpara and have some food at the local tea shops.

Parunthumpara is located in the Idukki District of Kerala State in Southern India. It is situated 6 km from the nearest town Peermade and 5 km from the National Highway 220 that connects Kottayam and Kumily. There are direct buses from Kottayam and Ernakulam cities which passes through Parunthumpara to Kumily. The nearest railway station is in Kottayam and Ernakulam, connected well with the rest of the country.

There are no fees to explore Parunthumpara. There are also parking spots available that is free as well.

Parunthumpara has no time restrictions. It is open all day but highly recommends not to explore when the sun is out.