Did you know that there are at least seven popular tourist spots within 30 km radius of Kanjirapally in Kottayam? Mundakayam, Kanjirapally, Erumeli, Ponkunnam, Peruvandhanam, Kokkayar boasts of quite a few popular tourist destinations nearby. We give you a guided tour.
The charm of Manikkal
If you take the National highway from Mundakayam town and turn to the Medical trust road, you can see a tiny village standing right in the middle of an estate. In the last 6 months, this village has undergone a makeover with a Gandhi statue standing right in the intersection between three roads. New shops can be seen on either side of the bridge, which was in bad shape previously. Right behind it, you can see their brand-new Lake and Park. There is a dam which was constructed as part of the Peruvanthanam Panchayath Employment Welfare scheme. Tourists often take boat rides and basket boat rides there.
The overlooked waterfalls
30 miles from the Kokkayar Vembly route is a charming waterfall sliding from the Urumbikkara mountains. Equally enchanting are the waterfalls in Pappani and Vellapara located right in the middle of the forests. It is situated in Idukki’s Kokkayar Panchayat. This tourist spot which is also a sporting area has been neglected by the authorities for years. Though Pappani and Vellapara were included in the Urumbikkara Tourism project they are yet to start on the revamps. There are no facilities allotted for the tourist’s safety. You can also reach the Kokkayar Vembly through the Koottikkal Chappathu route.
Oottupara
From Erumeli if you take the Ponthanpuzha Mele Kavala route, you have to get down and walk for 2 km to reach the Oottupara at the mountains. The scenery is beautiful! Equally enthralling is the view from the mountain top. You can also see the land at Cheruvally Estate which has been allotted to build an airport. There is a rush of tourists during the evenings. The tourism promotion council has started measures to provide better facilities to the tourists. and one way is to activate the trekking provision under the Forest department. During the return journey, if you drive 11 km from Erumeli, you will reach Perunthenaruvi. Electricity Generation and KSEB’s Dam are the main attractions along with various waterways. The Panamkudantha brook inside the Sabarimala forest is another tourist favourite.
Valakkayam
The Valakkayam Tourism project is another thing to look forward to. The Evening Park stands at Ponkunnam Chirakkadavu Ward 10 Panchayath’s Valakayathu.
The park is located at either side of the road leading to the shores of Manimalayar. They are planning to make boating available, especially near Karumbukayam Check Dam. During the next budget, the MLA is hoping to get some funds for the park. “The park is already open to the public post the pandemic and more schemes are in the offing for tourist destinations,” says Block Panchayat Member Shaji Pamboori.
