Nilambur Hill Station Kerala

Nilambur is renowned for the oldest teak plantation in the world, the
Conolly's Plot, just 2 km from town. The place is also noted for its tribal
settlements, the world's first Teak Museum, vast rain forests, waterfalls
and ancient kovilakoms - residences of maharajas.
The teak plantation is named after H.V. Conolly, the Malabar District
Collector during the British rule, who was instrumental in planting teak
in the entire Nilambur area. Chathu Menon, a forest officer under Conolly,
organised the hectic task of planting the saplings. Chathu Menon was laid
to rest in the teak garden in Conolly's Plot.
The oldest teak tree, Kannimari, is a rare attraction at the Conolly
Plot. The plot extends across 2.31 hectares beside the Chaliyar river
at Aruvakode, where a country boat ferries visitors across.
Four kilometres away from the town, on the Nilambur - Gudallur road,
stands the world's first Teak Museum. The museum is a sub-centre of the
Kerala Forest Research Institute. Arranged in the two storeyed building
are exhibits, articles and details of historic, aesthetic and scientific
value, which give information on all aspects of the teak to visitors.
Nedumkayam, just 18 km from Nilambur town, is noted for its rich rain
forests. From the wooden rest house built here by the British, elephants
and deer can be seen. One has to get permission from the Forest Department
to enter the forest zone. Heavy restrictions are imposed in a measure
to save the existing forest land. A half hour journey from here, 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
which can be reached only from Kozhikode through the Areekode - Mukkam
road. Valamthode is about 27 km from Nilambur, beyond the Chaliyar river.
Nilambur town is also famous for 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 February.
How to Reach Nilambur:
Nearest railway station: Nilambur is the terminus of the Shornur
- Nilambur railway line.
Nearest airport: Kozhikode, about 26 km from Malappuram town.