Idukki – Part 2
In the first part on Idukki, I stopped at Ramakkalmedu. From Ramakkalmedu, I travelled via Nedungandam, Elappara, taking the route to Kumily, Poopara, to Chathurangapparamedu near Udumbanchola. The natural beauty of Chathurangapparamedu is a feast for the eyes. The windmills and turfs give a feeling of exhilaration. Taking the Munnar route, after 5 km, I arrived at Rajapparamedu, the land of legendary grandeur, fogs and natural beauty. After visiting Rajapparamedu, I went to Santhanppara, Mathikettan Shola National Park, which is a place famous for trekking.
There are beautiful huts for staying here. Kazhkulammedu, a beautiful view point and the place where lots of Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes Kunthiana) blossoms, is situated near this place. From here, I took the turn to Poopara to reach Bodimettu mountain pass. What I saw here is the beauty of nature on a vast canvas. From Bodimettu, I travelled to Anayirangal Dam via Poopara. Here, there are facilities for boating.
After seeing the dam, enjoying the beauty of Chinnakanal and Suryanelli, I reached Kolukkumalai, the place considered to be heaven on earth. Kolukkumalai has the world’s highest organic tea estate and factory. It also offers dazzling scenes of sunrise. From Kolukkumalai, I travelled to Devikulam, the oldest base of British rule. The travel from Kolukkumalai through Devikulam gap road gifts us with great natural scenery. Old Devikulam lies at a distance of 7 km from Devikulam. Here, there is a beautiful lake, which has an extent of 2 acres, and there is a check dam near this place.
The lake here is named as Sita Devikulam. Here, we can find trout fish which survives only at a height of 5000 feet. After enjoying the scenes at Devikulam, I returned via Goodaalvila Estate to Silent Valley [this Silent Valley is different from the one in Palakkad].
I alighted at Palar ecopoint while going up the way to Meesapulimala, a heaven for trekkers. Here, I saw Kundala Dam, Top Station view point and went on to see Pampadum Shola National Park, a place where one can actually see and experience the wildness of the forest.
From here, I enjoyed seeing and experiencing life in villages with vegetations only, like Kovilloor, Vattavada and Kottakombur, then visited the regions of Kambakkal and Kadavari, which were earlier infamous for ganja; turned a little bit to see aboriginal regions like Kodallarkudi, Valsapettikudi and Swamiyarkudi; returned via Vattavada, Top Station way; took turning from Kundala Dam; travelling through Mathappu, Mannavan Shola way [entrance to this way is allowed only from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.]; and reached Kanthalloor, the Kashmir of Kerala.
Kanthalloor is a place of cool-season vegetables. From Kanthalloor, I travelled to Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary via Marayur, the land of sandalwood and jaggery. Kanthalloor, Kovilkadavu and Marayur are places of historic importance as well. The huts in the forest can be booked at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary beforehand for staying. Trekking a little bit from here takes us to Vashyappara, a place where there are white bison.
A number of animals like star tortoise, Hanuman monkey, grizzled giant squirrels, peacock, bison, etc live in Chinnar Forest area. I visited Karimutti Thoovanam Waterfalls [place ideal for trekking], and returned to Alampetti and enjoyed seeing the cave paintings inside the forest; reached Marayur again; travelled via Chattamunnar; saw Lakkam Waterfalls; then via Thalayar Estate, reached Eravikulam National Park, the place famous for Nilgiri Tahr, Neelakurinji and natural beauty.
From Eravikulam, I started for Munnar, a place as beautiful as Switzerland. Then, I visited Pallivaasal Attukal Waterfalls and via Anachal, I went to Kunjithanni. From here, I went to places of immense natural beauty, Bisonvalley, Rajakkad and Rajakumari; then, I returned above Rajakkkad Ponmudi Dam to Vellathooval.
After visiting the power house here, I reached Kallarkutty and enjoying the village life of Konnathadi, Muniyara, Thopramkudi and Murikkassery, I arrived at Kattappana, a beautiful easterly town.
From here, one reaches cool and foggy Kuttikanam via Anjururli, Marykulam, Chappathu and Elappara. Passing through the tourist places of Kuttikanam and Peerumedu and enjoying the Pullupara Valanjanganam Waterfalls; travelling via the land of rubber, Mundakayam and Kanjirapally, I travelled to Erattupetta and from there to Pala where I concluded my journey.
I have given a description of the places which I have visited at different times and which I know. I request tourists and the people of Idukki District to forgive me if there is any mistake in the names of places or if any place is missed out. I do not believe that I have travelled the whole of Idukki. There are more to see and know…so keep touring.
