Fountainhead of two Rivers
Two of Kerala’s 44 rivers, Meenachil and Manimalayar, have their origin in Vagamon. The former springs from the hillocks of Kolahalamedu and flows to Teekoy, Eratuupetta, Pala, Kidangoor, Kottayam and Kumarakom before falling into the Vembanadu backwaters at Kumarakom, ultimately to join the Arabian Ocean. The latter originates in Uppukulam and flows to Peruvanthanam, Mundakayam, Manimala, Kulathoormuzhy, Tiruvalla before joining River Pampa to reach the Vembanad Lake and eventually the Arabian Ocean.
Kurisumala Ashram, founded by Cistercian monks 50 years ago in 1958 is a bold attempt in monastic seclusion and community service. The Ashram has earned a name around the world by trying to bring about a fusion of religious worship of the East and the West. Francis Acharya, a naturalised Indian from Belgium, who spearheaded the experiment, was raised to become an Abbot of the Cistercian order before passing away in 2004 at the age of 92. The ashram runs a dairy farm, rears a herd of high yielding cows, collects milk from the local community and distribute pasteurized milk in pouches as far as Pala and Eratttupetta.
Laurie Baker, an English architect, well known for his low cost housing, chose Vagamon to build his own dwelling place and a hospital nearby, when he decided to leave the Himalayas and settle down in Kerala with his Kerala born wife, Dr. Elizabeth Baker. He won the UN Habitat Award for his services for the poor and downtrodden.
Only recently Vagamon was recognized as one of the best grounds for high altitude sports in Kerala. In 2007, it also won the distinction of being Asia’s best field for paragliding exercises. In 2008, it played host to Asia’s first International Paragliding contest.
These are only some of the charms of Vagamon where nature appeals to all your senses, both physical and spiritual.
Vagamon owes its name to flowering Vaga trees (Acacia Adorattissima) brought to the region by British planters from Nilgiris and Ceylon over a century back.
Lake atop the mountains
Meenachil originates here
A peep into Meenachil
And it flows on
