BEEYEM KAYAL @ PONNANI – UNSEEN BACKWATERS

Beeyem Kayal is a spread of backwaters near Ponnani town, where a boat race is conducted annually, during Onam celebrations. A permanent pavilion is built for the spectators and nearly a dozen country boats, including some rowed by women participate.

Ponnani is the only port in Malappuram district and one of the oldest ones in Kerala. A tidal port at the mouth of Bharathappuzha, Ponnani is an important fishing center. Ponnani is a town of mosques and Khabaristans popular as the ’Mecca of Kerala’. Though described as a place of 23a mosques, there are nearly more than 50 mosques. Malik Ibnu Dinar, the first Islamic missionary who cam to Kerala, was believed to have visited Ponnani. The Huma Ath mosque, the biggest mosque in the town was built by Sheikh Zainuddin Makhodum in the 16th Century. Zainuddin was proficient in Arabic and he wrote books. Zainuddin Makhodum-II was another scholar who wrote the early history of Kerala Muslims. The religions established by the Makhodum-I, is renounced all over the country.

Trikavu in Ponnani was one among the seats of the Zamorin, from where he controlled the trade and commerce. The famous Trikavu Durga temple here, clebrates Navarathri festival.Ten km southeast of Ponnani, is the legendary Mookuthala Bhagavathi Temple, one of the ancient Durga temples of Kerala. It is believed that Sankaracharya is associated with founding of the temple. The Karthika Mahotsavam, celebrated in Vrischikam (November-December) attracts thousands of devotees. The Mookkuthala stone, believed to be growing from below the idol every day, is considered sacred. Sukapuram temple near Edappal, is another important Hindu temple.


Facilities available:
At present DTPC - Malappuram is running boating facilities at Beeyem kayal. DTPC has got a pavilion, comfort station, boat shed and a few boats. A detailed plan for its development is in the offing.

How to reach:
Beeyem Kayal is quite close to Ponnani town. Ponnani is connected by road from Kuttipputam railway station. National Highway – 17 passes through this town, which is divided by the Canolly Canal, adding to its beauty. The place is also easily accessed from Chavakkad and Guruvayur – the temple town.

VALLIKKUNNU – SWAYING PALMS

Vallikunnu is located at Tirurangadi taluk at Malappuram district. Vallikunnu and nearby Kadalundi is known for its mangrove areas and estuary which is a splendid and spectacular feast to the eyes. This is an ideal place for the public to enjoy the leisure time in the lap of pristine green nature and to observe them in close vicinity. The mangrove vegetation in this area attracts a lot of researchers and other visitors. Boat cruises across the backwaters at Kottakkadavu are a major attraction. The Vallikkunnu azhimukham and beach amidst coconut groves are other major attractions. It is an abode of over sixty varieties of migratory birds, which flock in on the vast stretch of water during February-April and is a bird sanctuary. A 200 m hillock provides splendid view of the river mouth and the sea. The place abounds in fish, mussels and crabs. Pooram festival in the Niramkaitha Kotta Bhagavati temple near Vallikkunnu lasts for a week, attracting thousands.

Facilities available:
At present DTPC - Malappuram is running boating facilities at Vallikunnu. DTPC has got a pavilion, comfort station, and a few very old boats. Eventhough the facility is very less, hundreds of visitors both domestic and foreign tourists visits the place. A detailed project is under consideration for developing the spot.

How to reach:
Kadalundi Nagarm is situated in the north western border of Malappuram district, where the Kadalundi River flows into the Arabian Sea. The place is merely an hour ride away from the city of Calicut. It is 10 km north of Parappanangadi. The nearest railway station is a Vallikkunnu. The Calicut airport is only one and a half hour ride away.

ALAPRA – TRADTION AND TRANQUILITY

A little known hamlet, tucked away in the south east corner of Kottayam district, Alapra is located 45 km from Kottayam.

The serene forest, pretty cascades, small streams, rocks offering stunning views add symphony to this village. The unique feature of Alapra is the small temple in the forest. The Thacharickal Bhagavathi Temple is the only place in Kottayam district where the folk art of Padayani is performed.

Attractions here include:
►Padayani Festival at Alapra – Alapra is the only place in Kottayam district where padayani is performed. Padayani Festival here falls in the month of March / April.
►Ponthanpuzha Forest – Alapra is a scenic place with forests all around. There is 2500 acre forest called Pontanpuzha kutti vanam in the vicinity. This forest spreads over the districts of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta. The forest harbors deer, wild boar, fox, pythons, other small creatures and a variety of avifauna. There are nearly twenty small streams in the forest.
►Waterfalls – The forest has innumerable small and pretty cascades which are in full flow during the monsoon. The Sankhupatalam waterfall nearly 4 km from Alapra is the biggest of them there is also another major waterfall called Kalluvapuzha inside the forest.
►Oottupara View Point – The forest also has ancient oottupara, a big rock inside the forest. The rock can be reached by trekking from the temple for three km. it is believed that Lord Rama visited this place and conducted a feast for saints at this place during his exile. The rock top offers stunning views for miles round. Behind this oottupara, there is a similar smaller rock face also.
►Caves and muniyaras – The forest has many small caves, muniyaras and kallaras. There are three kallaras (burial place of pre historic men) near Poochapara and caves at Kanjirampara in the vicinity.
►Manimala River – River Manimala is an important water way of Central Travancore. Rising in the hills of Kottayam – Iddukki ranges, the river flows through the midland plains and joins with Pampa and drains into the mighty Vembanad Lake. Alapra is located near Manimala junction. The river offers a beautiful view at this spot and flows swiftly striking against the many rocks in the river.

How to reach:

Alapra is located 45 km from Kottayam. It is located 5 km from Manimala junction and 10 km from the well known pilgrim destination of Erumeli

KOOTICKAL – UNWINDING IN NATURE’S LAP

The majesty of the mountain ranges combined with the beauty of the forest and the artificial lake created by the check dam of the Manimala River makes the spot linger in your mind. Amruthameda, famous for medicinal plants is nearby. The British gave the name Kootickal from 'kutikul estate' in UK.

The waterfall at Vadakkemala near Kootickal is another attraction. The natural reservoirs and waterfalls at Melaruvithodu near Kanjirappalli is yet another charming picnic spot in the vicinity.

Kootickal is the base camp for paragliders gliding from Kolahalamedu located near Vagamon which also falls in Kootickal panchayath. The paragliders land here. A base camp cum facilitation centre is being constructed by the panchayath for this.

How to reach:

This quaint hamlet situated in the Western Ghats is located 5 km north of Mundakkayam in Kottayam district. Kootickal is located only 12 km from the pilgrim centre of Erumeli.

RAMAPURAM – NATURE vs CULTURE

Ramapuram has carved its own niche in the cultural history of Kerala. This small village was the birth place of Ramapurathu Warrier, the profounder of ‘Vanchippattu’. It was here where, Lalithambika Antharjanam, the renowned Malayalam novelist lived. Ramapuram also is blessed with its old church and its famous missionaries - Paramekkal Thoma Kathanar and Daivadasan Thevarparambil Kunjachan. The word ‘Ramapuram’ means ‘the abode of Lord Rama’. True to its name the village has its chief deity Lord Sreerama. Ramapuram is unique in the sense that it houses the temples of Rama as well as his three brothers in its vicinity in a radius of just three kms – Lord Bharata at Amanakara, Lakshmana at Kedapulam and Sathrughna at Methiri. Located 5 km from Ramapuram is the circular hill of Kurinji Koomban which has abundant caves. Nearby this hill is the Vellamneekkippara waterfall. There is a motorable road to its foothills and it is an adventurer’s paradise. Situated to the East of Kurinji Koomban is Kuruvankunnu, which has water available even in dry summers. The place is prone to avalanches in the monsoon. Another attraction nearby is Mayiladumpara, located in Nedumala where two huge rocks are spread over four to five acres in area. Parunthanmala is the highest point in the region called Kozhimala located 4 km West of Ramapuram through rubber estates. From its zenith one can even see up to Arabian Sea. Another attraction nearby Ramapuram is Fathimagiri that is lesser in height but is a serene place and is an excellent picnic spot. How to reach: Ramapuram is located 15 km from Pala town on the main road to Koothattukaulam in Kottayam District. The place is well connected by buses from neighboring places.

KALLARA – UNIQUE RURAL TOURISM IN THE MAKING

Kallara and the neighboring villages of Kaduthutruthi and Thalayolapparambu has unending stretches of lush green paddy fields crisscrossed by numerous canals that drain into the backwaters of Ezhumanthuruth and fall into the mighty Vembanad Lake. In ancient days, large barge like country boats transported goods from Alappuzha to Thalayolapparambu and Kaduthuruthi through these intricate networks of waterways. The waterways also connect Kallara with Vaikom to the north and to Kumarakom in the south. The village provides unending scenic vistas. Ancient temples and churches lies scattered here. The backwaters of Ezhumanthuruth have many attractive small islands in them. The unique attraction here is the concentration of screw pine product making in this little village. Locally called ‘tazha’ the screw pine plants grow in abundance on the side of canals and waterways. The shaft of this plant is plucked, cut and seasoned. These are later woven into an array of beautiful and colorful products. Screw pine products range from table mats, purse, file holders, mirrors, chapels, waste box, cushions, hats, kitchen pouches and decoration items. Kallara also produces bamboo products, rubber wood items and wood products. Very soon Kallara will be a model tourism village, where the tourists can experience the art and process of screw pine product development and other such rural products enjoying scenic vistas staying in good home stay units in the village. How to reach: Kallara is located about 25 km North West of Kottayam town. The place can be easily accessed by good village roads leading from Kottayam – Ernakulam Road. The place is also connected by road from the tourist hub of Kumarakom.

ITHIPUZHA – SERENE WATERS

As you travel from Vaikom to Ernakulam by road you pass three bridges in succession. As you look out, you are greeted by lush green scenery on either side. It is the River Muvattupuzha and its numerous branches that drain into the Vembanad Lake at this spot creating picture post card scenery all around. And this village is called Ithipuzha.

Here there is little tourism. There are a few houseboats, resorts and hence charming and serene waterways all round the village. The various distributaries of the river create numerous beautiful islands in its course. There are ten ‘turuths’ or islands varying from four to forty acres of which three have no habitation. Here there are endless stretches of coconut palms and vast green paddy fields. You can relax yourself on a country canoe ride – floating on the gentle ripples of the river and watching the fishermen carrying their catch in small canoes. In fact, the 2 km stretch between Murinjapuzha and Ithipuzha is called as ‘Amazon of Kerala’.

How to access:
Ithipuzha is located on the Ernakulam – Vaikom Main Road and hence easily accessible. It is only 30km from Ernakulam and is 40km from Kottayam. The place is also well connected with the tourist centre of Kumarakom.