Cheppara and Vazhalikkavu, unexplored charms of Thrissur

Cheppara is a beautiful place in Thrissur endowed with natural beauty and peppered with remnants of the past. This enchanting destination is located at Thekkumkara panchayat near Wadakkanchery, which is 16km away from Thrissur. The main attractions are a lake surrounded by rock formations, a panoramic view from atop the rocks and dolmens (muniyara). Wadakkanchery and Thrissur town could be seen from Cheppara and the view is breathtaking. 

As part of the village eco-tourism project, handles to help people in trekking, seats to relax, fencing around dolmens, electric lamps and toilets for differently-abled people have been put in place. 

Another charming location is Vazhalikkavu that reflects the pristine charm of Kerala. When you travel 28km on the Chelakkara route you reach Killimangalam Uduvadi and from there take a left turn and drive another 5km to arrive at the Ayyappan Ezhuthachanpadi centre. Another 2.5km drive on the Cheerakuzhi canal road will take you to the unbelievably picturesque Vazhalikkavu. The sweeping green paddy fields, age-old ‘koothumadam’, the weather-beaten banyan tree and the nearby Bharathapuzha river provide a feast for the eyes. 

Filmmakers since the days of actor Prem Nazir have been jostling for space to shoot the 400-year-old ‘koothumadam’, a rustic theatre where ‘Tholpavakoothu’, a kind of puppetry show, that is performed and its surrounding magnetism. It would be a great miss if you don’t visit Vazhalikkavu at least once.