Vagamon has a lot of grassy planes with Eucalyptus plantations, tea and some agricultural crops.
Kurisumala Ashram is an intriguing blend of Indian culture and European religious tradition.
This Catholic monastery, which strives to combine Indian spirituality with Christian religiosity, has been attracting monks from around the world for the past four decades.
The monks don saffron robes and lead an austere life. They walk barefoot, cook vegetarian food and sit on the floor to eat. A traditional oil lamp decorated with flowers is lit in front of the altar when the monks assemble in the chapel. Their sacred chants are punctuated with quotations from the Vedas, Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.
Just before you reach Vagamon, about three kilometres from the market centre, you’ll see a large statue of Christ opposite the bus stop. The road from there leads to Kurisumala Ashram where vehicles are not allowed inside. But you can walk around the beautiful ashram campus encompassing 40 hectares of land.
Built in granite, this Cistercian abbey was established in 1958 by Abbot Francis Acharya, a Belgian and Fr Bede Griffiths, an Englishman. The Ashram houses a church, community quarters with cells for monks and a library with books on theology, comparative religion and monastic spirituality. It also has a guesthouse and some huts scattered on the rocky hill. You can visit the satsang hall, vegetable garden, bread-baking unit, dairy farm and milk-processing centre. Don’t forget to sample a glass of hot Kurisumala milk. The Ashram’s main source of income is the 1,500 litres of milk sold everyday in nearby townships.
It is a monastery based on Chritstian principles, but it also draws a lot from Indian spiritual faiths. Fr Francis was impressed by Gandhi and his teachings while he was in London. His principles have been incorporated into the ways of life of the monks. The monastery takes in only 20 monks at a time. They lead a very simple life. Guests are entertained during certain seasons.
Located in Idukki district, on its border with Kottayam district, Vagamon stands at a height of around 1,000m. The Kurisumala church stand atop the Kurisumala hill, which literally means ‘hill of crosses’. There are 14 crosses on the way to the church.
This is an ideal destination for those who need peace of mind and spiritual experience. It is a divine experience offered to visitors to participate in the sadhakas ascentiscim and contemplation through communion with nature. They welcome people of all religions.
This is a part of South India's Second highest peak namely the Amruthamedu. There is a 10 km long ridge with 3,000 feet from top to bottom.
Maybe the only place in Kerala where you can do this activity. This site has steady winds in the South West Direction through out the season. The season starts from September and offers great flying conditions until Jan and again, from March to May.
Vagamon is an emerging international paragliding destination in south India. This is situated at the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts at an altitude of 1,100 m above sea level. This picturesque hill is noted for its rolling hills, grass lands and sprawling tea plantations and with a cool climate round the year.
This region does provides some excellent paths for Cycling/Biking. The green fields and the tea & coffee plantation areas are some of the best places. These place with luxuriant surroundings are the best places for Eco-Biking, as these regions will provide you clean and pure ambience through out your tour. The mountain biking tour along some of the most beautiful mountain roads in South India show the true meaning of adventure. Ascending and descending through the windy trails of mountainside tropical rainforests and grasslands to emerge into the beautiful tea estates along the way. Along the route you will come across spices plantations like cardamom, pepper, vanilla and coffee which has made this place famous all over the world as the spice capital of the world.
In the two kilometre trek to the top, you can see the recreation of Christ's final jouney, the way of the cross. There are 14 crosses along the path. Groups of devotees halt at each and every station to offer prayers.
Travelers can enjoy trekking and climbing this high hill.
