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.

PALLOM BACKWATERS

Pallom backwaters is located to the South of Kottayam town in Nattakom Village Panchayath. The setting here is typical Kerala rural with quiet villages escorted by scenic backwaters and vivid green all along. Migratory birds come seeking this verdant landscape every summer and frolic in the natural splendors till the end of the season. A boat ride in this river Kodoorar to Kumarakom via Pallom backwaters is a great way to relax and enjoy nature’s bounties.

Another unique feature here is the century old light house put up at this site in 1813 A.D by the British Resident of Travancore, Col. Munroe. Considered as a wonder of architecture, the light house still stands intact facing the placid backwaters providing an excellent view of the lush green paddy fields and swaying coconut palms.



How to access:
Pallom is located 5km down town Kottayam and is easily accessible from the Main Central Road. Thus Kottayam is the nearest rail head for accessing this site. The light house site is located on the confluence of the water routes from Kumarakom, Alappuzha and Kodimatha. The site can be accessed by boat from these destinations. By road, the site can be approached by turning from the Main Central Road near Travancore Cements and crossing the canal and walking through the canal side.

AYYAMPARA – ON THE ESCAPE ROUTE

Well layered rocky plains. The scenic view from atop spans hundreds of square kilometers around. Blissful summer sunsets – all these factors attract visitors to Ayyampara a rarely known beauty spot in the district of Kottayam. Nature has built here a granite stadium on 20 acres of flat rock 2000 feet above sea level. A number of nearby towns like Erattupetta and Pala are clearly visible from here and so are the hills of Vagamaon. Ayyampara also serves as the foot station for the adventurous climbers of Illikkal hill. The visitor will be wonderstruck by the red hot sun sinking into the Arabian Sea and the cool breeze doing wonders on his mind and body.

According to the legends, the five Pandava brothers stayed here during their exile. The name of the rock is said to be a modified version of Anchupara (five pillar rocks). There is an ancient Ayyappa Temple here which has four pillars which support a flat piece of rock that forms the roof. On one side of the rock is a small cave.

How to access:
Ayyampara is located about 13km from Erattupetta and 43km from Kottayam. Buses ply up to Thalanadu, about one km away from here. Ayyampara sits atop high plains.

ILLIKKAL MALA - A TOWERING SURPRISE

Located 6000ft above sea level, numerous mountain streams in this peak flow down to form the serene Meenachil River. The solitude, the tranquility, the gentle breeze and the star spangled sky here are all enchanting beyond words. Tourists have to trek up three km to reach the top of the hill. And if you so wish, you could even spend the night on the heights.

Three hills, each rising to 4000 ft and above, together form this huge hill. Each of the hills has a peculiar shape. One of them resembles a mushroom owing to which it gets its name Kuda kallu – umbrella shaped rock. It is said that the medicinal herb Neela Koduveli, which bathes the hill sides in blue, grows here. This flower is also believed to possess supernatural powers which could increase wealth and ensure a rich harvest.

The second hill has a small hunch on the sides and is therefore referred to as Koonu kallu – hunch back rock which is located 4000ft above sea level. Across this rock is a half feet wide bridge called Narakapalam or bridge to hell. From the hill tops the Arabian Sea can be seen in the distant horizon as a thin blue line. The sun set on a full moon day is sensational, when the moon can be seen rising up like another sun, as the orange sun goes down. The place can be accessed after the torrential monsoon season.

How to access:
Illikkal Mala can be reached by trekking from Talanadu or Ayyampara. The nearest town is Erattupetta from where one can easily access Pala and Kottayam and thence to all major cities in Kerala.

VENNIMALA – THE HILL OF VICTORY

Vennimala is a serene and beautiful place located in the Puthuppalli village panchayath of Kottayam district. Vennimala in ancient days was a dense forest. It is believed that Lord Rama and Lakshmana during their period of exile visited this hillside. At that time numerous sages meditated in the caves of Vennimala. Upon the request of the sages Lakshmana killed many demons that were a threat and nuisance to the sages. Thus the place came to be called ‘Vijayadri’ in Sanskrit. The name means ‘hill of victory’ as Lakshmana won the battle with demons. Vijayadri in Malayalam became Vennimala. A detailed description of this place appears in the famous Malayalam work ‘Aitihyamala’ by Kottarathil Sankunni. Vennimala in medieval ages was inhabited by tribal communities especially Malayarayars. Cheraman Perumal, the illustrated emperor of ancient Kerala consecrated this ancient temple here. He was taken to the beauty of this place and stayed here and built a palace. He earmarked the hill as a sacred and protected place. Sadly, the palace doesn’t remain today.

The temple has two ‘kodimarams’ symbolically dedicated to the two brothers. The temple celebrates 28 days of annual festival every year. The people in the region and nearby places throng here to perform ‘Pithru Tharpanam’ held here on the day of Amavasi of Karkitaka month (July). This ‘Bali Karma’ is offered by people for the salvation of sins and to appease the dead souls.

The temple pond is located about 100m from the temple and it is said that the sacred channel of the temple opens to this pond. There is a huge cave on one side of the hill located barely one kilometer from the temple. It is said that the cave runs up to the banyan tree in front of the temple, but it is closed today by big boulders fallen in place. The cave can accommodate nearly ten people at a time. The inside of the cave is cool and moist and the spot offers a fine view of the undulating rubber plantations below.

The hill had more than sixty large and small ponds scattered throughout the forest. Even today about a dozen such ponds are remaining with sparkling fresh water even in hot summers. Vennimala offers numerous serene walks on the hill. Any visitor to the hillcan crisscross the entire hillside by walking through pleasant and shady ‘nattuvazhis’ (country walks). Flanked by shady rubber plantations they offer a unique charm.

Presently Vennimala has around eighty households on the hillside. Rubber abounds the vegetation of the hill. There are no commercial establishments on the hilltop and it remains silent and serene away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

How to access:
Any visitor can do this trip quite easily from Kottayam or Kumarakom. Take the K.K.Road from Kottayam via Manarkad and turn right at the 8th mile. A board of Vennimala Temple shows the way. The place is about 15 km from Kottayam.

Matrumala is located in Kooropada village in Kottayam. Matrumala is a hill top that offers stunning views of the entire surroundings for miles around. The place got its name as it has a small temple on its top dedicated to Goddess Annapoorna and is considered one among the 108 shrines of Kerala. The temple is believed to have been built by Parasurama, the legendary creator of Kerala who installed idols of the seven Goddesses (Saptamathas) here.

The trip to Matrumala from Kottayam can be combined with visits to the famous Manarkad Church and temples of Manarkad and Areepparambu. The St. Mary’s Church at Manarkad is one of the most important churches of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christians. The ettunompu (eight day fasting) is the main annual event when devotees from far and wide congregate to participate in the prayers and rituals. The church is located just 8 km from Kottayam town. Manarkad has a famous century old temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. Main events in the temple are Kalamezhuthumpattu, Kumbha bharani, Meena bharani, Patham udayam and Mandala chirappu. The Garudan parava display here is famous.

Another major temple here is Areepparambu located in between Manarkad and Kooroppada. The Lord Siva Temple here has two separate temples inside with separate kodimarams for each.


How to access:
From Kottayam follow the route: Kottayam – Manarkad (K.K.Road) – Oravakkal – Areepparambu – Kooroppada. The place is nearly 20 km from Kottayam and frequent buses are available. A muddy winding road leads to the hill top that can be approached by either vehicle of on foot about one km from Kooroppada. The Aruvikuzhi waterfall is located 4 km further from Kooroppada.

ARUVIKUZHI FALLS – BEAUTY COMES IN CASCADES

Located amidst shady rubber plantations, streams tinkle as they make their way through the rugged landscape and roars down cascading. Milky white sheet of water rushes down the blackened rocks forming a natural pool. A breathtaking sight! From there, the water finds its way through big and small rocks to become a bubbling stream. Here the chorus of birds can be barely heard over the crash of water as it cascades over the rocks. The water column falls from an impressive height of 100 feet. This tiered dance of water set against a backdrop of shady rubber plantations, is an arresting sight. And this is what you experience at Aruvikuzhi in Kottayam, Kerala.

Aruvikuzhi waterfalls have the unique distinction that it is easily accessible by road right up to the spot. Tourists don’t have to trek or walk a long distance to reach the waterfalls, since the falls is located right under the road bridge. The waterfall here is not perennial and will last for three to four months after the monsoon.

How to access:
The waterfall is located 25 km from Kottayam town on way to Pallickathodu. From Kottayam, one can reach Aruvikuzhi via Manarkad – Areepparambu – Kooroppada route. Otherwise, one can access the site through K.K.Road. From Pampadi on K.K.Road, turn right and reach the spot via Kooroppada junction. The fall is located 2 km from this junction. The falls due to its proximity to the District headquarters and the main road has thus easy linkages with the major tourist centres of Kumarakom and Thekkady.

Facilities:
Aruvikuzhi presently has little basic amenities for the tourists. Hence, the village panchayath has taken up the proposal for creating necessary facilities at the site owned by the panchayath. This project will result in the overall economic development of this village and will benefit the local people and community.