Nilambur

Conolly's 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.  edit

Primitive Tribes-Cholanaickers

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.

Aruvacode

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.

The Teak Museum

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.

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.

Koviliakams-Residence of the local Rajas

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.