vagamon

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Vagamon

| other_name =

| nickname = Scotland of Asia

| settlement_type = Hill station

| image_skyline = {{multiple image

| border = infobox

| total_width = 300

| image_style =

| perrow = 1/2/2/1

| image1 = Vagamon meadows.JPG

| image2 = Pain Forest, Vagamon - panoramio.jpg

| image3 = Vagamon - വാഗമൺ 02.jpg

| image4 = Route to Vagamon.JPG

| image5 = Vagamon HS-4910.jpg

| image6 =

}}

| image_alt =

| image_caption = From left to right: Vagamon meadows, Vagamon pine forest, Vagamon lake, Erattupetta - Vagamon road, Vagamon town

| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India

| pushpin_label_position = right

| pushpin_map_alt =

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India

| coordinates = {{coord|9|41|16|N|76|54|25|E|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}

| subdivision_type1 = State

| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Government of Kerala Logo.svg}} Kerala

| subdivision_type2 = District

| subdivision_name2 = Kottayam, Idukki

| subdivision_type3 = Taluk

| subdivision_name3 = Peerumedu, Meenachil, Kanjirapally

| established_title =

| established_date =

| founder =

| named_for =

| government_type = Panchayat

| governing_body = Elappara Grama Panchyat

| unit_pref = Metric

| area_footnotes =

| area_rank =

| area_total_km2 = 78.3

| elevation_footnotes =

| elevation_m = 1200

| population_total = 14,641

| population_as_of = 2011

| population_rank =

| population_density_km2 = auto

| population_demonym =

| population_footnotes =

| demographics_type1 = Languages

| demographics1_title1 = Official

| demographics1_info1 = Malayalam, English{{cite web |title=The Kerala Official Language (Legislation) Act, 1969 |url=http://www.lawsofindia.org/pdf/kerala/1969/1969KERALA7.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911111246/http://www.lawsofindia.org/pdf/kerala/1969/1969KERALA7.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=11 September 2014}}

| timezone1 = IST

| utc_offset1 = +5:30

| postal_code_type = PIN

| postal_code = 685503

| registration_plate = KL-37

| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city

| blank1_info_sec1 = Erattupetta, Kattappana, Thodupuzha, Pala, Elappara

| blank2_name_sec2 = Nearest Railway Station

| blank2_info_sec1 = Kottayam

| blank3_name_sec1 = Nearest airport

| blank3_info_sec1 = Kochi

| website =

| footnotes =

| official_name =

}}

Vagamon ({{ipa|ml|ʋaːɡɐmɐɳ|lang}}) is an Indian hill station and a revenue village located in Peerumedu Taluk of Idukki district, and also Meenachil taluk and Kanjirappally taluk of Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Village_Directory/Population_data/Population_5000_and_Above.aspx |title=Census of India: Villages with population 5000 & above |others=Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=2008-12-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208044522/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Village_Directory/Population_data/Population_5000_and_Above.aspx |archive-date=2008-12-08 }}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-16 |title=Explore Vagamon |url=https://vagamon.org/,%20https://vagamon.org/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Vagamon Destination Maker |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Located in the Western Ghats {{Convert|25|km|mi}} east of Erattupetta on the border of Kottayam-Idukki districts, Vagamon is known for its natural environment.{{cite web |last=Pal |first=Pradip Kumar |date=21 January 2010 |title=Vagamon - Scotland of Asia Visit |url=http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/103305-Vagamon-Scotland-Asia.aspx |website=India Study Channel}} The Vagamon glass bridge is the longest cantilever glass bridge in India.{{Cite web |last=Valsalan |first=Anson |date=2023-08-25 |title=Enjoy a thrilling walk on India's longest glass bridge at Vagamon |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2023/08/24/vagamon-longest-cantilever-glass-bridge-kolahalamedu.html |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=OnManorama}}

History

Vagamon remained largely unexplored for centuries. Though the British had plantations here, it was only in 1926, when Walter Duncan and Company started their tea plantations, that it became well known. In the 1930s, more tea plantations were set up in the area. After 1940, people from Travancore, and Madras (Tamil Nadu), migrated to Vagamon. Later, after the formation of Kerala State, people from various parts of Kerala migrated there.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

In 1955, the Trappist monastery Kurisumala Ashram was founded in Vagamon.{{Cite web |last=Bose |first=Abhish |date=2017-04-22 |title=Kurisumala ashram at Vagamon rejuvenates the visitors |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/230417/kurisumala-ashram-at-vagamon-rejuvenates-the-visitors.html |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}

Geography

Vagamon is located in the Western Ghats at {{Convert|1100|m}} above sea level. It has a cool climate with summer temperatures reaching {{Convert|10-23|C|F}}10-23 °C at midday.{{Cite web |title=Vagamon Village Office |url=https://village.kerala.gov.in/Office_websites/about_village.php?nm=270270Vagamonvillageoffice#:~:text=Geography,1,100%20metres%20above%20sea%20level. |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Government of Kerala Revenue Department}}

style="margin:0;"

|+Neighbouring cities & towns

{{Geographic Location

|title = Destinations from Vagamon

|Northwest = Thodupuzha

|North = Idukki

|Northeast = Kattappana, Nedumkandam

|West = Erattupetta

|Centre = Vagamon

|East = Ayyappancoil

|Southwest = Kanjirapally

|South = Kuttikkanam

|Southeast = Kumily

}}

Demographics

As of 2011 Census, Vagamon had a population of 14,641 with 7,212 males and 7,429 females. Vagamon village has an area of {{cvt|78.3|km2}} with 3,816 families residing in it. The average sex ratio was 1030 lower than the state average of 1084. In Vagamon, 9% of the population was under 6 years of age. Vagamon had an average literacy of 90.9%. higher than the national average of 74%, and lower than the state average of 94%.{{cite book |last1=Kerala |first1=Directorate of Census Operations |title=District Census Handbook, Idukki |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala |location=Thiruvananthapuram |page=70,71 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3209_PART_B_IDUKKI.pdf |access-date=14 July 2020}}

Economy

The primary economy is ecotourism including hiking to explore the many waterfalls, rock climbing and paragliding. National Geographic Traveler has listed Vagamon in their directory of the "50 most attractive places to visit in India". In addition, many people work in as laborers in tea and coffee plantations.

Education

Vagamon has two colleges: DC School of Management and Technology (DCSMAT) and DC School Of Architecture And Design, both promoted by DC Kizhakemuri Foundation and co-promoted by DC Books. One of the leading management colleges in Kerala, DCSMAT has an additional campus in Thiruvananthapuram.{{cite web|url=http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/Indian-business-school-to-feature-at-Ghedex-from-April-20-to-22-3zl6|title=INDIAN BUSINESS SCHOOL TO FEATURE AT GHEDEX FROM APRIL 20 TO 22 – Muscat Daily}} DCSMAT offer programs such as Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor of Business Administrati (BBA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). DC School Of Architecture And Design provides courses such as Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design (BA Interior Design) and Bachelor of Architecture (BArch). The College of Dairy Sciences kolahalamedu Vagamon, offering courses for the B Tech Dairy Sciences, affiliated to Veterinary University.{{cite web |title=Vagamon Destination Residential Campus |url=https://dcschool.net/vagamon/ |publisher=DCSMAT Institutions}}

Issues

In August 2008, the Kerala Police began investigations into a training camp organized in December 2007 by the banned SIMI activists.{{cite web |title='SIMI's camp in Kerela, not ultra's training ground' |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Aug172008/national2008081785077.asp?section=updatenews |publisher=The Deccan herald}}{{dead link|date=September 2023}}

On 18 August 2014, two tourists from Kozhikode died in Vagamon, after lightning struck them. Others who were with them sustained minor injuries. The incident happened at around 4:30 PM when the tourists were hanging around the barren hilltops. Both fell after the lightning hit them and their clothes were burned. Though both were taken to hospital, they died by the time they arrived.{{cite web |title=മിന്നലേറ്റ് വാഗമണില്‍ രണ്ട് കോഴിക്കോട് സ്വദേശികള്‍ മരിച്ചു - Latest News - Mathrubhumi |trans-title=Two natives of Kozhikode died in Vagamon due to lightning |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/story.php?id=477741 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818210613/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/story.php?id=477741 |archive-date=2014-08-18 |website=www.mathrubhumi.com |language=ml}}

Biodiversity

Vagamon, due to its elevation and climate, has a unique ecosystem, leading to the emergence of rich natural vegetation, plant species, shola forests etc. From the early 20th century plantation grew crops like tea and coffee. Vagamon hills are home to less explored flora and fauna.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} A diversity study conducted by Dr Pratheesh Mathew recorded 112 species of moths from 16 families under eight superfamilies and has become the prominent faunal diversity study in this area. The author also recorded sightings of many species of insects, annelids, amphibians, lizards, snakes, birds and mammals. A wide variety of flowering and non-flowering plants, including rare Cycas species, has also been noted. The ongoing faunal and floral surveys are expected to shed light on the richness of biodiversity at this location. The flourishing tourism and related developments are predicted to have a negative impact on the flora and fauna of this region.{{cite web |last1=Mathew |first1=Pratheesh |last2=Anand |first2=Sekar |last3=Kuppusamy |first3=Sivasankaran |last4=Ignacimuthi |first4=Savarimuthu |date=2018-03-01 |title=The moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) of vagamon hills (Western Ghats), Idukki district, Kerala, India |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324194880 |access-date=2021-06-10 |website=researchgate.net}}

Culture

Vagamon has a rich history of religious diversity with Hindu, Christian and Muslim populations. There are several religious buildings to visit including:

Kurisumala Ashram, Vagamon, Indian-Catholic monastery
St Sebastian's RC Church Vagamon{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
St Antony's Church Vagamon{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Emmanuel CSI Church Vagamon{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Peniel Worship Center Vagamon
Zion worship centre BBA Church Paarakattu
Bible Believers Assembly Kottamala 3rd DIV
Thangal para, a Muslim pilgrimage center {{Convert|5|km|mi}} outside of Vagamon.{{Cite web |title=Thangalpara, Vagamon - Timings, History, Pooja & Aarti schedule |url=https://www.trawell.in/kerala/vagamon/thangalpara |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Trawell.in}}{{Cite web |date=2017-07-27 |title=A trek up the mythical Thangal Para |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2017/07/27/thangal-para-religion-vagamon.html |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=OnManorama}}
Sree Arundhathi Vasishta Temple, Vasishtagiry, Vagamon.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Sree Subramanya Swami Temple{{Cite web |title=Vagamon Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple |url=https://iprarthana.net/TempleSelect/68550301/#! |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=iPrarthana}}