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.