Munnar has been a favourite among honeymoon travellers for long. But now, the nearby Kanthallur village too is drawing newlyweds with its pristine environment. We visited Kanthallur Gardens, one among the numerous resorts and home-stays that have come up recently in the area, to feel at first-hand the Kanthallur experience.
The first sight that greeted us when stepped in was a couple capturing on camera the frolic of two ants on the premises. A dew drop fell gently from the leaf of an acacia tree; the ants, drenched all over, looked up from beneath a dry leaf on the ground. They scampered to the roots of a tree and climbed towards the top. Sitting on stone steps, the couple focused their camera on the ants, evidently a pair. The image fit perfectly for the place, we thought. Love blooms in Kanthallur Gardens between all creatures, big and small. The scene could be beautifully recreated in a story or film.
As summer rains in Kanthallur are not heavy, the mist and cold felt more intense. This proved beneficial to the sugarcane and fruit crops. But most happy were the couples enjoying honeymoon at the place. Keralites had begun rushing in as soon as the season started. A visit to Kanthallur Gardens proved that honeymoon tourism had now spread from Munnar to the hillocks of Marayoor too.
The Garden at Kanthallur
It has been only about a year since Kanthallur, a hamlet in the hills, became known as a honeymoon destination. “The area is not crowded like Munnar, but has more attractions,” said a local man.
Now there are around 200 resorts and home-stays in the locality, offering a wide choice to newlyweds. ‘Kanthallur Gardens’, which is built in the style of a traditional Kerala house, has turned out to be one among the most popular with its large rooms, verandas and corridors.
The route to the resort is along the Pius Road. A little ahead is the Keezhanthur School. To the right is the road that leads to Kanthallur Gardens. A large compound, prepared by dividing the land into steps, is on the left side of a vegetable garden. A visitor sitting on the long veranda of the resort can enjoy the beauty of the sunrise. The dining area is located to the left of the compound. It is a hall thoughtfully built with wood and thatched with grass and hay.
During dinner, traditional ranthal lamps provide illumination. Guests will be served the cuisine they demand – be it Israeli or Italian. For lunch there is rice, sambar, chicken curry, thoran, accompanying curry, pickle, curd and papad. The manager-cum-chef Vysakh prepares all these dishes with gusto. Breakfast and dinner have to be ordered in advance.
On the southern part of the resort is a group of acacia trees. The stone steps lead to an area set apart for campfires. Guests can keep the cold away by sitting on the benches around the fire. Those interested in breaking into a song or performing a musical instrument can do so. There is a gallery for the audience too.
Another attraction is the playground created by clearing the trees on the left side of the campfire. Exercise will keep away the cold at this place, where even the sun cannot provide warmth.
Kanthallur Gardens have eight rooms, each having a large bed, diwan, dining table and office table which are neatly arranged. It is a luxurious room indeed.
Honeymoon package
Kanthallur Gardens offers a two-day, two-night package for honeymooners at Rs 7,500. It includes breakfast and dinner and sightseeing at nearby tourist spots. The trip covers visit to the shooting point, watch tower, tribal village, vegetable garden, waterfall, jaggery making unit at Marayoor, the Muniyara at Anakottappara and the museum.
Some honeymooners visit the Karuppandavar temple at Ottamala. The temple, belonging to tribal folk, is located in the shade of a big banyan tree. It is believed to be over 500 years old. A peculiarity of the temple is that women do not visit it. Once a year, a unique festival is held here. Food is offered to the local people by slaughtering 50 goats and an equal number of poultry.
The hills of Kanthallur witness the blooming of Neelakurinji every 12 years as in Munnar. The latest season starts in July 2018. Even tourists visiting Munnar are not aware of this, however, travellers from Tamil Nadu reach the place in large numbers to enjoy the beauty of the blue blossoms.
Also read: Online ticket sales for Kurinji 2018 to start by June end
Nobody should be under the impression that Kanthallur Gardens is reserved exclusively for honeymoon travellers. During the cold season, groups of friends as well as families arrive. Most of them stay for just one day and spend their time sightseeing. The young crowd visiting the resort prefers to stay in the green tent, says Vysakh.
The populated places in Kanthallur include Edakkadavu, Peradikulam and Kovilkadavu which are surrounded by agricultural land and the forest. Kanthallur Gardens is situated in this green area. The resort offers visitors an opportunity to feel nature close by. Signs of rural innocence prevail all around.
