Nilambur

Nilambur is a town in Kerala in India.

Nilambur Railway Station

Ticket Counter at the Teak Museum

Tribal School

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is at Kozhikode. Take an auto to Kondotty from where you will get express buses to Nilambur. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi to Nilambur.

By train

Only slow trains (Passengers) are available from Shornur as Nilambur is not on the main line. Departures from Shornur: 5:30AM, 7AM, 9:20AM, noon, 2:40PM, 5:10PM, 7:30PM. Duration 90 minutes.

By bus

Buses are available from Manjeri, Palakkad and Kozhikode and Gudalur in Tamil Nadu.

By road

Ooty - 100 km, Manjeri - 24 km, Malappuram - 40 km, Karippur Airport-45 km, Kozhikode - 72 km, Thrissur - 120 km, Kochi - 210 km, Mysore - 158 km, Sulthan Bathery - 80 km

Get around

• The New Bus Station is called Jawaharlal Nehru Bus Station
• The old bus station is at Chandakkunnu, 2 km away.
• Buses charge ₹8 for 3 km and Auto Rikshaws charge ₹15 for every km. Air Conditioned jeeps are available for ₹1,000 on a daily contract.

Teak Museum and Gardens

See

• 1 Adyanpara Waterfalls (In Kurmbalangod Village). Famous for its plendor of the wooded jungle surrounding it. This cascade is a spectacle of unrivalled grandeur. The wild beauty of this place is a rare treat for the eyes and heart of the travellers.  
• Bio Resources Park with butterfly park is also near by.
• Central Forest Nursery. This is one of the four central forest nurseries in Kerala and was established during the year 1997, at Valluvassery by the Kerala Forest Department. With a view to meet the requirements of good quality planting stock of important plantation species like teak, eucalypts, acacias, etc., the nursery is fully equipped to produce root trainer seedlings and rooted cuttings of these species in required quantities. The average annual production of the nursery during the past three years was: 150 000 teak root-trainer seedlings, 120 000 eucalypt seedlings, 50 000 seedlings of acacias, and 90 000 seedlings of miscellaneous species. 
• 2 Conolly's Plot (Conolly Plot). The plantation is named in honor of H.V. Conolly, the then Collector of Malabar during the British rule who was instrumental in planting teak in the entire Nilambur area with the help of Shri Chanthu Menon ,a forest officer under him. The plot extends across 2.31 hectares beside the Chaliyar river at Aruvakode, where the longest steel hanging bridge takes visitors across. This plantation was done about 150 years ago around the years 1842-1844 and was thus known as the world's first teak plantation. The plot has also been acclaimed for having the oldest living teak tree (girth 420 cms & height 46.5 meters) and Shri Chanthu Menon, was laid to rest in this very teak garden , Conolly's plot, as a mark of honour. 
• 3 Kozhippara Waterfalls, near Kakkadampoyil (30 km). (updated May 2015)
• 4 Nedumkayam (18 km from Nilambur town, on the Karulai route). Noted specially for its rich rain forests. The wooden rest house built here by the British offers a panoramic view of the elephants and deer grazing in the forest near by . One has to get prior permission from the Forest Department to enter the forest zone. Heavy restrictions are imposed as a measure to save the existing forest land. An elephant taming centre is also here. 
• 5 The Teak Museum (4 km away from the town, on the Nilambur-Ooty state highway). Tu-Su 10AM to 4:30PM. Mondays closed. The world's first Teak Museum. In the Teak Museum, a visitor can have a first hand information on all aspects of teak. Established by the Kerala Forest Research Institute in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department, it is thematic museum housing historical, cultural and aesthetic and scientific aspects of teak, all under one roof, arranged in the two storied building. A collection of bamboo trees on the way to the museum imparts a special beauty to the place. The carved teak door at the entrance of the museum has a painting of the oldest living teak tree, the Kannimara teak.Among the several exhibits displayed, the root system of a mature teak tree is perhaps the most interesting of all. Paintings on the walls remind one of the early histories of teak planting. The miniature model of an antique sailing vessel made of teak wood and a painting of a sailing ship are the other attractions. Logs of a 116-year-old tree have also been preserved. A world literature on teak is available in the library. 
• 6 Vellari Mala mountains (Camel's Hump mountains or Vellarimala Mountain Range), Near Anakkampoyil (52 km). Vavul Mala peak is in this mountain and it is at an altitude of 2339m. The hill ranges are accessible by foot from Muthappanpuzha, near Anakkampoyil. About 6 km by foot from Muthappanpuzha on the way to Vellarimala hills is the waterfall called Olichuchattam. It is 15 km from Thiruvambady. KSRTC Bus Services are available from Thiruvambady to Anakkampoyil and Muthappanpuzha. Swargam Kunnu or Paradise hill is also situated here. Vellarimala - Swargam Kunnu - Hasthakappara - Olichuchattam - Marippuzha - Muthappanpuzha Trecking is possible with forest department permission. Now a new road is there from Thiruvambady to Marippuzha. (updated May 2015)

Do

• Meet the potters, Aruvancode village. Land of potters and pottery works. The village has become famous for the presence of its potters. With the influx of cheap industrial substitutes, these villagers had all but lost their interest in the traditional skills, but for a small movement led by activist-designer K B Jinan who , rekindled their hope. Together, they explored the possibilities of terra-cotta suited for the modern context and Kumbham was born. Today Kumbham is hailed as a rare instance of a traditional artisan community rehabilitating itself through the very craft they have been alienated from. Over the last few years many a product has come out of their kilns which are notable for their form as well as function. Kumbham products now find wide acceptance in households, corporate offices, hotels and resorts. (updated May 2015)
• Visit the tribal settlements, Mancheri, Nedumkayam (27 km). Cholanaicker tribals in Valamthode, can be reached through the Areekode-Mukkam road, a half hour journey from Nedumkayam, or 27 km from Nilambur). Through the dense forests, by jeep takes one to Mancheri, the home of the Cholai Naikars, a primitive tribe. Yet another tribal settlement of this region is on the hilltops of Valamthode. (updated May 2015)
• Visit the Rajas. Koviliakams-Residences of the local Rajas are famous structures. Nilambur town is also famous for housing a cluster of kovilakoms, the residences of the local rajas or rulers of earlier days. These structures are famous for their beautiful frescoes and artworks in wood. The Nilambur Pattu, an ancient festival, which is noted for its Kalampattu or ritual powder drawing on floor, falls in the month of January. (updated May 2015)

Buy

Teak souvenirs are available in the fancy shops of Nilambur.

Eat

Kozhukkatta is a sweet dumpling made from rice flour, with a filling of grated coconut and jaggery.

• Chicken Broast Hut. 
• Devi Palace, Veg Hotel on VK Road.
• Shanti Sagar, Palace (Kovilakam) Road. Veg restaurant. 
• Union Hotel. 
• Vazhiyoram (At Aruvacode). KTDC approved very good eatery. 
• Wood Bine. Drive in restaurant. 
• Kerala Restauant, Opp. Railway station. Good egg curry (updated Dec 2015)
• Park Restaurant, V.K Road Nilambur (near Private Bus Stand), ☏ +91 4931 228888, info@parkresidencynilambur.com. 8:30AM - 10PM. (updated Mar 2019)

Drink

• Panache Coffee Shop, Opposite New Bus Station. (updated Feb 2016)

Sleep

Photogenic temple at T.K.Colony, Nilambur

• Cherupushpam Lodge, Kodathippad, Nilambur. (updated Aug 2015)
• Eadens Hermitage Homestay, Main Rd (1 km from Nilambur town, near OCK Auditorium), ☏ +919496928191. A traditional Hindu Kovilakam with a unique Drive-in hidden by mango gardens. This classic Nilambur teakwood mansion with traditional twin Nadumuttoms, Machu and Thattinpuram, retains its heritage value with a generous set of antique furniture. ₹3,500. 
• Forest Rest House and Dormitory. 
• Hotel Redfort. A 3-star hotel with non AC and AC rooms. Suites are also available. And a restaurant. 
• 1 KFRI Guest House. 
• KTDC Tamarind Easy Hotel (on Karimpuzha river), ☏ +91-4931-232000, tamarindnilambur@ktdc.com. ₹1,350. 
• Maranat Mana Heritage Home Stay, Pandikkad (18 km), ☏ +91 4931-286252. Check-in: 24 hours, check-out: 24 hours. ₹3,500. 
• Nasar's Hotel, Depot (Dippo) bus stop (at Depot(Dippo) bus stop after Railwnay Station). it is small tea shop?no accommodation 
• Nilambur Tourist Home, Main Road, Budget stay.
• Palace Lodge, Vazhikkadavu, ☏ +91 9846616040, +91 8156999324. (updated Apr 2015)
• Peevees Nilambur Manor. Has good lodging facilities. 
• PWD Rest House. 
• Rose International Hotel, Nilambur. Upmarket property with bar. (updated Aug 2015)
• Sinai Tourist Home, Main Road.. For budget stay 

Go next

• Coimbatore, 160 km
• Gudalur, Hill station, 49 km
• Kozhikode, 65 km
• Malampuzha Gardens , 159 km
• Meppadi hills, 82 km
• Mysore, 155 km
• Ooty, 97 km