One thousand places To visit in Kerala: Part II the hidden beauty of kerala by Prasanna Prabhu

Kottayam:

The beautiful town which has a stronghold of Christian community with many ancient Churches is only 76 km southeast of Cochin is a major trading place of natural rubber in India. With a tropical climate and with a average rainfall of around 1600 mm per year extensive cultivation of rubber trees is seen in vast areas of Kottayam District . One can see small and large plantations even in yards of many houses. Using the resource of rubber a number of small and medium sized companies in and around the town are engaged in the processing and manufacturing of rubber products Kottayam has the pride of being the first municipal town in India to achieved 100% literacy in the year 1989.
The first printing press in Kerala (C.M.S Press) was established here in the year 1821 by a British missionary named Rev. Benjamin Baily.Dates back to 1945 the city also holds the fame of having the first cooperative society of writers, authors and publishers. The city hosts a number of book exhibitions every year. Kottayam is the last rail stop for pilgrims heading to the Hindu holy site of Sabarimala. As Kotayam is near
to Sabarimala, pilgrims from all over India route via this place. Hence pouring a huge amount of revenue to the Southeern Railways and to the state.

Kumarakom :

A pollution free tourist spot which is rated among the top 15 beautiful sites in the world by the National Geographic channel Kumarakom is a cluster of small slands on the Vembanad Lake. The bird sanctuary, forms the main attraction which spreads over 14 acres where many migratory birds come all over the season. A boat trip round the island would be the best way to watch these wonderful birds in a close proximity. The monsoon starts early June and continues till Nov with an average rainfall of 1100 mm per year. The rich agricultural environment is mainly irrigated which is further enhanced with a perfectly balanced tropical climate and which is conductive to the growth of all plants and trees. Since this is a very familiar tourist place which attracts all the tourist in and around India who visits Kerala it had become a hub for resorts and hotels to build up their platform over here. Tourist can enjoy a variety of resorts, hotels houses Luxury Villas, heritage rooms, charming cottages, including the 123-year-old colonial bungalow and quaint houseboats, anchored in the private lagoon

Bay Island Driftwood Museum:

The Museum was built by Mrs. Raji Punnoose, which displays a unique driftwood sculptures carved by the roaring sea waves around the Andaman islands which is very old. The museum exhibits many sculptures of marvelous shapes and beauty With a burning desire to uncover the masterpieces of the Nature these sculptures are collected by a brave woman at great risk to her life

Thirunakkara Shiva Temple:

Thirunakkara Mahadeva temple dedicated to Lord Siva is located in the centre of Kottayan town is built in Kerala style architecture. The walls of the temple are painted with many interesting pictures from the epics. Three festivals are celebrated here in this temple namely Thulam (Oct-Nov) Mithunam (Jun-Jul) and Meenam (Mar-Apr) . The main festival Phalguna Utsavam is celebrated during March.Folk arts like Mayilattom, Velakali etc, are presented in the during the festival. Irrespective of the caste and creeds everybody participate in the festival.

Thazhathangadi:

Resting on the banks of the Meenachil river the Mosque was believed to be build by Malik Dinar about 1000 years ago. This is one of the old mosque in India and now it is an important pilgrim centre at Kottayam. The whole mosque is made up of teak wood in a peculiar keralite tradition. Inside the mosque, there is a square courtyard, carved wooden roof, a bathing area and beautiful latticed windows.

St Mary Church (Cheriyapally):

It was built by the Portuguese in the year 1579. Suspended with lamps in the halls and granite pillars with the Portuguese impression. The walls and the ceilings are painted and dyed with in the vegetable colours which depicts the life of Jesus Christ.

Mannanam:

The St. Joseph’s Monastery here is an old institution and an important Christian pilgrim centre situated 8 km west of Kottayyam. This church was built by Father Chavara Kuriakose Elias. The mortal remains of this saintly priest is preserved here. Thousands of devotees gather here to pay homage to the saint every day.

Bharananganam:

Bharananganam is 100-year-old church and an important Christian Pilgrimage centre, located 5 kms east of Kottayam The church here,dedicated to Sister.Alphonsa, the blessed saint of the Catholics, lived from 1916 AD to 1946 AD. The mortal remains of the saint are preserved in a chapel next to the St. Mary's Church.

Changanassery:

Situated 20 kms south of Kottayam town also known as the gateway to High Range(hill resorts) and Kuttanadu (backwaters). Changanassery is a small town with a equally distrubuted population of Hindus, Christians and Muslims There is a British market which was once very famous for spice and grain trade.Most trade were done through canals from Alappuzha and Kottayam in the olden days.

Erumeli :

Erumeli is a small town, 60 kms north east of Kottayam town. Erumeli is the gateway to the Sabarimala temple. Erumeli is a famous place for its Vavar mosque. Vavar was the friend and companion of Lord Ayyappa, the deity in Sabarimala temple. The pilgrims going this way to Sabarimala used to halt here and give offering to Vavar by way of breaking coconuts on a stone by throwing on it. Thousands of pilgrims will join the procession of P etta Thullal which is believed that the re-enactment of the annihilation of Mahishi by Lord Ayyappa. Pilgrims will paint their faces with colors and dance to the tune of drumbeats.

Mundakkayam :

Mundakkayam near Kanjirapilly on Idukki border was chosen as a plantation destination for the early rubber cultivation by the year 1900 itself from then the British set up rubber estate in Kerala. Here the main plantation is Natural rubber ,coffee ,pepper , vanilla , and tropical fruits.The high ranges start from here on the Kottayam-Kumary state highway.

Vaikom :

Vaikom the temple town is 40 kms from Kottayam. An ancient Shiva temple located here is very famous and it is believed that it was constructed by Lord Parasuram. It is here that Mahatma Gandhi and others undertook Satyagraha in 1924 against the foreign rule The economy, up until the 90's, here has been predominantly based on agriculture with Coconut and rice being the major crash crops. Fishing is also of importance to the economy here. More recently spices like Black Pepper, Latex have also caught the attention of farmers. The recent software revolution in India has had its impact on Vaikom too, with the establishment of numerous computer training instititues.

Ettumannoor:

It is located 17 km north of Kottayam town, The ancient Siva Temple built in 16 AD is a master piece of the Kerala style of temple architecture. The inner and outer walls of the temple are decoreated with exquisite sculptures and murals depicting scenes from Ramayana, Krishna Leela, Bhagawath Geetha and Sanathana Gopla which are beautifully carved round the shrine.. The annual festival is celebrated for 10 days during (February/March).

Cheruthoni:

The area surrounds Iddukki arch dam and Cheruthoni dam. The Idduki Arch Dam is the solitary Arch Dam in India. The area is scenic and greenic.

Moolamattom:

Moolamattom which is about 19 kms from Thodupuzha. Asia's biggest Arch Dam of 555 feet height proudly standing between the two mountains - 'Kuravanmala' (839 meters) and 'Kurathimala' (925 meters ) is just 43 kms from Idduki district. The underground power house of Idukki Hydro Electric Project is situated here. Visitors allowed to enter the Power Station with permission from Kerala State Electricity Board.

Perumedu:

Peermedu, a plantation town 75 km away from Kottayam. Peerumedu has various sorts of plantations, such as, tea, coffee, cardamom, vanilla and rubber. Peermedu and surrounding areas are ideal for trekking, cycling and horse riding. Summer Palace of the royal family, is located here. It is on the way to Periyar Wildelife Sanctuary.

Kuttikkanam:

Kuttikkanam, a land even unto this day not fully explored is situated near Peermedu. Kuttikkanam is also a plantation town where most of Resorts are located. Peermedu Development Society run Sahyadri Ayurvedic Pharamaceutical Factory and Treatment Centre. In and around Kuttikkanam, there are numerous tourist spots, which can match the wildest fantasies of the beauty seeking nature lover.

Vandanmedu:

Vandanmedu is located 25 km from Thekkady in Idukki district at an altitude of around 4000 ft, It is one of the largest producer and also one of its biggest auction centers of cardamom in the world.

Kumily:

Kumily is a hill town which forms the border between Kerala and Tamilnadu is just 4 km from Thekkady. This forms the entry point to Periyar Tiger Reserve. Kumily is a spice centre, almost all shops here stock spice . Many hotels and resorts are available with a resaonable price.

Thekkady:

Established in 1934 in an area of 777 sq km, Thekkady Wild Life Santuary is located in Idduki district. The Periyar Wild life Sanctuary is rated as one of the 18 hot spots in the world in bio-diversity. The man made Periyar lake is at a height of 615 m covers 10 Sq miles and was formed by the British in 1895 which also forms a source for tourism. The lake is an important source of water not only for human being but also for many wild animals that inhabit the sanctuary.The best chance of sighting occurs during the hot months of March to May when water holes have dries up and the animals are forced to visit the lake.

Boat curises on the lake which last for 2 hours and depart from the jetty early morning. This early trips usually providing the best chance of viewing animals since, animals come to the lake to drink water. Its tropical rainforests present world’s most ancient and complex environments. Home to elephants, tigers, leopards, deers, gaurs, antelopes, variety of reptiles and birds of numerous species. It is mandatory to have a guide. Most of the guides are poachers turned. The poachers were roped in as protectors as part of eco-tourism and rehabilitation. Periyar is also the paradise of bird watchers. Best quality of black, white and green pepper, fenugneek, nutmerg, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, coriander and cloves are avilable in a reasonable price over here.

Munnar:

Munnar literally means three rivers, is also know as “ The Scotland of India”. It is situated at the confluence of three mountatins streams. Stands at 6,000 ft it is the highest town in Kerala. It is sorrounded by Peaks of upto 8000 ft. Munnar is a commercial centre with one of the world's best tea estates The tea plantations here are the contributions of British. There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar Commercially it is completely dominated by the Tata tea company who now own all the plantations in the area.
Munnar produces most of the country’s tea. Tourists can witness the nurturing of tea in plantation to the process of manufacturing and packing.The main bus station is located in the town cenre, but all Munnar’s better hotels are found all the way. The weather is extremely cold during winter. Munnar is famous for its own NeelaKurinji Flower which spreads like a blue carpet once in twelve years.

Eravikulam National Park:

The famous sanctuary near Munnar is accessible by road, just 4 Km from the Munnar. The park is spread over 97 sq. km. Once it was British planters hunting preserve It is situated at the crest of Anaimalai range. It has the largest Population of Tahr existing in the wolrd now. Other animals which are normally seen are Sambar, Barking deer, Gaur, giant Malabar Sqyirel,lion tailed Monkeyetc. Tigers and Pather are among the rare seeing animal. It is known from a survey that only about 40 Bengal tigres are seen here.The rare species of flower which grows only after every 12 years named NeelaKurinji grows here.

Anamudi:

Anamudi at 2,695 meter is the highest peak in South India rises 15 miles north of Munnar. Standing on the peak, one could see the complete view of the Munnar very clearly. This is the peak of, tranquility & adventure. Very much liked by trekkers. January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December are considered to be the best months for trekking.

Devikulam:

The beautiful hill station filled with lake and tea plantations. It is located 16 Km from Mummar. It is bellived that Goddess Sita once bathed in this lake. Thus derived the name Devikulam

Tea Museum and Tea Processing:

The Tea Museum is run by the Kannan devan Hill Platntatino since 1880. The museum uncovers the history of tea industry in Munnar. The museum has several collections of artistic objects and historic photographs and furniture. Also one can see the tea processing and the delicate art of tea tasting.

Mattupetty:

Mauttupetty is just 13km from Munnar situated at a height of 1700m. Mattupetty is known for its highly specialised dairy farm. -The Indo Livestock Project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle can be seen here. Mattupetty has a beautiful rose garden. Visitors are allowed into three of the 11 cattle sheds at the farm. The Mattupetty lake and dam is a very beautiful picnic sport. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities in the Mattupetty dam. The famous Eco point is very near and this scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here