The serene countryside of Kollad, which is just 5 kilometres away from Kottayam town, looks straight out of an impressionist painting these days. The Kizhakkupuram paddy field here has naturally turned into a ‘sea’ of bright pink. Tourists have been swarming this quaint village to enjoy the water lilies that sprawl in 200 acres. Even though this is not the first time that water lilies have bloomed here, the place began attracting attention ever since the breathtaking visuals from the water lily fields became viral on social media. People come here for photoshoots, enjoy the scenery or spend some quality time with their families amidst the beautiful nature. The area that was not known to the outside world has now become a major tourist spot in the district. Meanwhile, people of the locality have been demanding better infrastructure facilities to welcome visitors. The families and the farmers here are eager to offer a pleasant and unforgettable experience to the tourists.
The magic of water lilies
The fields are filled with water during May and June. The water lily seeds buried in mud on the bed begin to sprout and spread the leaves on the surface. Meanwhile, the water lilies begin to bloom in July, August and September. These flowers continue to lure visitors until October when they begin to wither. In October, the farmers will plough the fields, marking the beginning of the sowing season. Even though the flowers and leaves are destroyed, Mother Nature would secretly ‘hide’ the seeds in the mud, until the next blooming season.
A fully grown water lily seldom withers; instead, the stem droops slowly to finally fall into the water. The seeds of the water lilies have a black-coloured coating, which separates and gets buried in the muddy bed. The beautiful water lily has three layers of brightly coloured petals. Compared to lotus, their stems aren’t stronger. The stems that are bluish-green could grow up to three metres. Meanwhile, the flowers are seen at least a foot above the water's surface.
Here’s how to get there
From Kottayam town, reach Boat Jetty Kavala on the Kanjikuzhi – Kollad road. Turn left and reach Kollan Kavala junction. From here, again take a left to the panchayat road until Thrikkol temple. The water lily field is just beside the temple.
Keep these in mind if you are planning to visit Kollad:
1) The water lilies look scintillating from 6.30 am to 7.30 am. The flowers begin to droop when the sun is up.
2) Do not forget to carry drinking water and snacks as there aren’t too many shops in this small village.
3) Do not litter the place with plastic bottles or other waste materials.
