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.

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.