<< More About Thatekkad

Bhoothathankettu:

Lying close to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad is  Bhoothathankettu A myth connected with the origin of this place says that this natural fortification of forests and hills was built by Bhoothams (spirits/ghosts) overnight. Hence the name Bhoothathankettu (fort of the spirits). Later, this natural topography helped in building a dam here.

Dam
Bhoothathankettu, a scenic damsite with boating facilities is situated in a vast virgin forest.Trekking through the forests here is an exhiliarating experience.The two main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district - the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar Irrigation Project are also located nearby.It is located 50 km north east of Ernakulam town in Ernakulam district of central Kerala.

Access through:
Rail: Ernakulam junction, about 50 km away.
Air: Kochi international airport, about 26 km from Ernakulam town.
 
Kumbalangi:

This beautiful island is under the Integrated Tourism Village project and is a unique initiative to transform the tiny island as a model fishing village and tourism spot. Here at the Kumbalangi Tourism Village , one can fully savour a variety of natural splendours, and paramount to a model tourist village, the outstanding ecological balance of the location. The village, the first of its kind in the country, is located near the port city of Kochi in Ernakulam District.

 

 

Model Tourist Village

The model village is a veritable treat to its visitors with the famous Chinese fishing nets and many other sights to savour. As art of the model village project at Kumbalangi, a nearby island near Palluruthy would also have plenty of interesting vistas and activities in the near future. This coastal hamlet without doubt provides a fascinating glimpse of the simple and prosperous livelihood of the villagers, and also unravels the age-old, magnificent culture and heritage of the place. This village has its own natural beauty.
 
Access through:
Rail: Ernakulam Junction, about 25 km away.
Air: Cochin International Airport , about 40 km away.
 
Athirapally Waterfalls:

The unending fall of water like a silver cascade near a greeny mountain is beautiful to watch, and the water which flows from the forest is medicinal too. This place, 80 km away from Ernakulam, is increasingly gaining importance as a major tourist spot.
 

 

 

Kodanad:

Kodanad, set on the southern banks of the Periyar river amid the beautiful high ranges near Perumbavoor, is one of the largest elephant training centres of Kerala. Earlier, elephants captured from the Malayattoor forests (the forests in the east and north of Kodanad) were trained here. Since the introduction of a ban to elephant capture, Kodanad has been reduced to a training centre. Kodanad is about 30 km from Ernakulam town and belongs to the highranges on the southern bank of the river Periyar.

 

Elephant centre:

Elephants are often referred to as the sons of the Sahya (the Western Ghats ). Elephants are an integral part of Indian mythology and culture. Once a part of every day life in Kerala, elephants are the most ornamental and auspicious animals here. No festival or celebration is complete without an elephant procession. Rows of majestically caparisoned elephants, replete with colourful silken parasols form the most spectacular part of any event here.The famous Malayattoor Church is near Kodanad.

Muthanga of Wayanad district and Konni of Pathanamthitta district are two other such centres. Another attraction for elephant lovers is Punnathur kotta, of the neighbouring Thrissur district, where some 40 elephants of the Guruvayoor temple are groomed.

Access through:
Rail: Ernakulam, about 30 km.
Air: Cochin International Airport , about 65 km.

Thani Illam:

This 100-year-old structure which was home to the famous Malayalam writer Malayattoor Ramakrishnan, is now owned and maintained by a couple who play hosts to visitors coming to the Illam. This heritage structure promoted by the Grahasthali Project and approved by the Department of Tourism, has preserved and maintained its traditional architecture, and way of life.

 

 
Heritage Home:

It is a house with a natural air and set up in the traditional way. Thani Illam (short form of Thannikkatt Illam)was the original home of a Brahmin family. At the Illam, visitors are served only vegetarian cuisine and no liquor is allowed inside the house.A  highly flexible approach to a visitors activity program, which depends entirely on the visitors interests and needs, makes Thanni Illam a home away from home.

The Illam currently offers two rooms for stay viz. Thekkini and Kulappura. Thekkini is located on the South side and hence the name Thekkini (Thekku means South). The second room, Kulappura, is situated on top of the car porch. Originally, it was the room above an internal pond specifically meant for the ladies of the house. Kulam means pond/pool and pura means room/ house.

Access through:
Rail: Aluva, about 26 km.
Air: Cochin International Airport , Nedumbassery, about 12 km away.