On 24th, we checked out early morning from Tamilnadu Hotel, Kodaikanal and hit the road to Ramakkalmedu, Kerala. We had spent 4 days in the hotel. The descent was quite smooth except that it was chilling cold on the winding mountain road. When we reached the plain the climate was very pleasant.
The route suggested by Google map via Bodinayakanur proved to be a longer one compared to the short Theni-Kambam highway route that we would have taken. It took about 60 kilometers more. But the drive was quite enjoyable watching the green villages and installations of windmills along the way. We crossed the state border on the Cumbummettu road and reached Ramakkalmedu at around 2 PM. There was this clean ancient looking village hotel 'Shaseendran' in Balan Pilla City (a township along the way) where we had rice meal with thoran, sambar, pulissery, fish curry and fish fry. Rs.80/- for two! The food was genuine (I would say innocent) and delicious.
Next, we headed to Ramakkalmedu. There was an entry fee of Rs.5 per person. Ramakkalmedu is a hillstation on the border of Tamilnadu and Kerala from where one can view the entire Kambam Theni stretch. It is a well maintained picturesque location. More details on Ramakkalmedu is here.
The Kuravan and Kurathy statue was huge and awe-inspiring. The air was so fresh and clean. We took some pictures of the statue and hill views.
There was this knowledgeable guy with a telescope doing good business renting it. He talked about the history and importance of the place to his customers with authority. He went on explaining the inter-state conflicts regarding the Mullaperiyar dam and the erstwhile British presence in the place. The telescope provided a view of the entire region spanning far away places in Theni-Cumbum belt.
I have this gut feeling that eventually the magic of this place will fade away just as in the case of other tourist locations. We saw horse riding and other tourism businesses flourishing. Plastic and other entertainments related pollutants are creeping in.
From the hill we could see silhouettes of Kattadippadam windmills far away. Next day we would visit that place.
We wanted a place to stay overnight. My friend Pradyumnan had given me the contact details of a local. We contacted him. We were not interested in resorts or hotels as they were prohibitively expensive that day. We told this guy that we were interested in a clean room with fresh linens and a clean bathroom. It did not matter where. He took us to his sister's place where an outhouse was built with just one room with an attached bathroom. The room was on the slope of a small hill. It was newly built and the interiors were fresh. There was a garden around the house with lots of flowers.
His sister was the gardener. We liked the place immediately. They were very cordial people and the stay was very good. We ordered dinner from the same people who were also conducting the canteen on the hilltop.
After sunset we spent a few more hours on the hilltop. People had left and an eerie silence fell over the place, notwithstanding there was nothing to worry about.
At night, our house owner brought tapioca and chicken curry sufficient for at least 4 people. We returned half the food as we did not want to waste it. The food was excellent! Typical eastern Kerala cuisine.
The night was peaceful. There was no fan in the room and the pleasant climate did not warrant one. We slept uninterrupted.
Next day was Christmas. In the morning, we decided to visit a church and found one at Thookkupalam. St. Antony's church. The Mass and congregation were of typical Syro-Malabar rite. The back benchers always sat with their bum facing the altar, most of them sleeping.
After the Mass, there were cake sale and Christmas lottery. In Mumbai, I remembered, after the Christmas Mass in our San Jose Church at Wagle Estate, local politicians Eknath Shinde and Manoj Shinde used to gift us cakes of various flavors.
We left the church and went to visit Kattadippadam, a hilly place where lots of windmills were installed. Most shops were closed as it was Christmas day. We had our breakfast from a hotel at Thookupalam. Idiappam and egg curry, which was good.
At Kattadippadam, the windmills were stationary as there was no wind. This was strange as Ramakkalmedu is known to be one of Asia's largest wind blowing area throughout the year irrespective of the season and time. Near Kattadippadam, there was a long stretch of grassland on a small hill, where we saw no inhabitants.
A dog appeared from nowhere and he was determined to bite us, except that we literally stood our ground and that discouraged him.
Then we saw a local coming carrying a kid on his shoulder. We followed him to find out where he is heading, which seemed made him nervous. He proceeded to the valley and we abandoned the chase.
We left Ramakkalmedu for Cherthala at around 11 AM. From Kattappana BEVCO, we bought red and white wine of Sula brand, but later we found they had turned vinegar as BEVCO did not store them properly.
The scenery on the way to Cherthala, our hometown, through Idukki dam site and high range was splendid. Hairpin bends, dams and exquisite nature scenes made the journey a pleasure.
The route suggested by Google map via Bodinayakanur proved to be a longer one compared to the short Theni-Kambam highway route that we would have taken. It took about 60 kilometers more. But the drive was quite enjoyable watching the green villages and installations of windmills along the way. We crossed the state border on the Cumbummettu road and reached Ramakkalmedu at around 2 PM. There was this clean ancient looking village hotel 'Shaseendran' in Balan Pilla City (a township along the way) where we had rice meal with thoran, sambar, pulissery, fish curry and fish fry. Rs.80/- for two! The food was genuine (I would say innocent) and delicious.
Next, we headed to Ramakkalmedu. There was an entry fee of Rs.5 per person. Ramakkalmedu is a hillstation on the border of Tamilnadu and Kerala from where one can view the entire Kambam Theni stretch. It is a well maintained picturesque location. More details on Ramakkalmedu is here.
The Kuravan and Kurathy statue was huge and awe-inspiring. The air was so fresh and clean. We took some pictures of the statue and hill views.
There was this knowledgeable guy with a telescope doing good business renting it. He talked about the history and importance of the place to his customers with authority. He went on explaining the inter-state conflicts regarding the Mullaperiyar dam and the erstwhile British presence in the place. The telescope provided a view of the entire region spanning far away places in Theni-Cumbum belt.
I have this gut feeling that eventually the magic of this place will fade away just as in the case of other tourist locations. We saw horse riding and other tourism businesses flourishing. Plastic and other entertainments related pollutants are creeping in.
From the hill we could see silhouettes of Kattadippadam windmills far away. Next day we would visit that place.
We wanted a place to stay overnight. My friend Pradyumnan had given me the contact details of a local. We contacted him. We were not interested in resorts or hotels as they were prohibitively expensive that day. We told this guy that we were interested in a clean room with fresh linens and a clean bathroom. It did not matter where. He took us to his sister's place where an outhouse was built with just one room with an attached bathroom. The room was on the slope of a small hill. It was newly built and the interiors were fresh. There was a garden around the house with lots of flowers.
His sister was the gardener. We liked the place immediately. They were very cordial people and the stay was very good. We ordered dinner from the same people who were also conducting the canteen on the hilltop.
After sunset we spent a few more hours on the hilltop. People had left and an eerie silence fell over the place, notwithstanding there was nothing to worry about.
At night, our house owner brought tapioca and chicken curry sufficient for at least 4 people. We returned half the food as we did not want to waste it. The food was excellent! Typical eastern Kerala cuisine.
The night was peaceful. There was no fan in the room and the pleasant climate did not warrant one. We slept uninterrupted.
Next day was Christmas. In the morning, we decided to visit a church and found one at Thookkupalam. St. Antony's church. The Mass and congregation were of typical Syro-Malabar rite. The back benchers always sat with their bum facing the altar, most of them sleeping.
After the Mass, there were cake sale and Christmas lottery. In Mumbai, I remembered, after the Christmas Mass in our San Jose Church at Wagle Estate, local politicians Eknath Shinde and Manoj Shinde used to gift us cakes of various flavors.
We left the church and went to visit Kattadippadam, a hilly place where lots of windmills were installed. Most shops were closed as it was Christmas day. We had our breakfast from a hotel at Thookupalam. Idiappam and egg curry, which was good.
At Kattadippadam, the windmills were stationary as there was no wind. This was strange as Ramakkalmedu is known to be one of Asia's largest wind blowing area throughout the year irrespective of the season and time. Near Kattadippadam, there was a long stretch of grassland on a small hill, where we saw no inhabitants.
A dog appeared from nowhere and he was determined to bite us, except that we literally stood our ground and that discouraged him.
Then we saw a local coming carrying a kid on his shoulder. We followed him to find out where he is heading, which seemed made him nervous. He proceeded to the valley and we abandoned the chase.
We left Ramakkalmedu for Cherthala at around 11 AM. From Kattappana BEVCO, we bought red and white wine of Sula brand, but later we found they had turned vinegar as BEVCO did not store them properly.
The scenery on the way to Cherthala, our hometown, through Idukki dam site and high range was splendid. Hairpin bends, dams and exquisite nature scenes made the journey a pleasure.
Nice narration..super pics :)
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