Sunflowers in full bloom at Sundarapandiapuram, Churanda

Thenmala: Travellers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta districts are rushing to the tourist attractions located in the eastern part of Kollam district. Most of them are drawn to the sunflowers that are in full bloom at the fields in Sundarapandiapuram and Churanda on the Tamil Nadu side of the border.

Many visitors plan a one-day tour and head straight to the sunflower fields early in the morning. From there, they travel to the Kuttalam waterfalls before enjoying the Palaruvi waterfall, Thenmala Dam and Ecotourism Centre. However, if they don't manage time well, Thenmala may have to be skipped.

However, some travellers start from the Ecotourism Centre and visit all spots up to the sunflower fields. The sunflowers are the biggest attractions on the trip as they bloom only once a year.

The route

Travel along the National Highway to Shencottai and travel up to Elanji. From there, take the Madurai road. Five km ahead is a junction where four paths converge. There are, in fact, two junctions; travel up to the second one. Take a right turn and you can enter the road to Churanda. Another five km ahead, the sunflower fields can be seen on the left side of the road. Sundarapandiapuram is further along the way.