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
