Manimala River has its origin on the Muthavara Hills near Peerumedu in Idukki District of Kerala. The river passes through the districts of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and finally joins the Pamba River at Muttar in Alappuzha District. The villages, which lie in the course of the river Manimala, are Manimala, Mallappally, Kaviyoor, Kalloppara, Thalavadi, Kozhimukku and Champakkulam respectively. It has a length of 91.73 Km and drainage area of 802.90 Km. The people are from several religions and castes.Manimala is a village on the banks of Manimala River. It is sort of divided into two with the Manimala River running between. Manimala is blessed with scenic beautyRiver Manimala is an important water way of Central Travancore. Rising in the hills of Kottayam- Idukki ranges, the river flows through the midland plains and joins with Pampa and Manimala Junction. The river offers a beautiful view at this spot and flows swiftly striking against the many rocks in the river.. The Holy River Pampa, River Achankovil and Manimala River, which are Kerala’s three largest rivers, flow through the district.
Location info:
Address: Manimala, Kottayam district, Kerala, India.
District: Kottayam district
Nearest City: Adackal, , Idukki, Kottayam, Thrickodithanam, Kottamuri, and Veroor.
Best time to visit: September to March
Climate/Weather:
The local spring season emerges from August and coincides with the harvest festival of Onam. The lowest and highest temperatures recorded are 16.10 C and 37.80 C.
History:
Interesting things to do:
Manimala is blessed with scenic beauty. Watch the pampa river nearby, and also visit the other visiting places in Manimala.
Interesting things to Visit:
Manimalkkavu Bhagavathi Temple:This is the Bharadevatha of Manimala’s native people. Once the temple owned the whole properties including Manimala and Vellavoor village areas. The Vanjippuzha Palace (Head Quarters situated in Chenganoor) dedicated this landed properties to the Manimalakkavu Devaswam (Temple).Kangzha MahaDevar Temple:The Kangazha Mahadevar Temple is one of the most important temples in this area. The main Deity is Lord Shiva. Kangazha Mahadevar is a very powerful Deity.Kadayanickadu Bhagavathy Temple:A Bhagavathy temple dedicated to Mother Goddess, it is about 5 km from Manimala Town.Kadayanickadu Dharmashastha Temple:The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and is located in a beautiful and peaceful place. It is about 4 km from Manimala Town.You can see the beautiful Idol of Lord Ayyappa.Forane Church:Forane Church perunal is very famous. It runs for a week and worshippers from all over the neighborhood from all casts attend the procession from Karikkattoor junction all the way to church which is about 4 kilometers.
Mobile range info:
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Changanacherry Railway Station
Nearest Airport:Cochin International Airport
Road Transport:Manimala is well connected with other parts of the district and state by road transport and the nearest railway station is Changanasserry. For inward travel, most depend on three wheelers or own two wheelers.
Nearest Visiting places:
Vazhikkadavu:This hill station of rocky terrains is on the outskirts of the district. On one side of the main rock are extremely tall and steep rocks and on the other is a valley of fearful depth. Bordering this crude landscape like a silver lace is the Meenachil River. During the months of December/January the landscape comes alive in a riot of colours with orchids and wild flowers.Kallara:This is a little village is located about 20 km northwest of Kottayam town. The place can be easily accessed from Kottayam by road as well as rail.Kallara and the neighboring villages of Kaduthuruthy and Thalayolaparambu has unending stretches of lush green paddy fields crisscrossed by numerous canals that drain into the backwaters of Ezhumanturuth and fall into the mighty Vembanad lake.These are later woven into an array of beautiful and colorful products. Screw pine Products range from table mats, purse, file holders, mirrors, chapels, waste box, cushions, hats, kitchen pouches, decoration items etc. Kallara also produces bamboo products, rubber wood items and wood products.Ithipuzha:As you travel form Vaikom to Ernakulam by road you pass three bridges in succession. As you look out, you are greeted by lush green scenery on either side. It is the river Muvattupuzha and its numerous branches that drain into the Vembanad Lake at this spot creating picture post card scenery all round. And this village is called Ithipuzha.You can relax yourself on a country canoe ride – floating on the gentle ripples of the rivers and watching the fishermen carrying their catch in small canoes. lthipuzha can easily be accessed from Kochi.Pallam Backwaters:Pallam is located to the south of Kottayam town and is accessible via the Main Central Road. The setting is typical Kerala rural with quiet villages escorted by scenic backwaters and vivid green all along. Migratory birds come seeking this verdant landscape every summer and frolic in the natural splendors till the end of the season. A boat ride in this river Kodoorar to Kumarakom via Pallom backwaters is a great way to relax and enjoy nature’s bounties.Elaveezhapoonchira – Walk in the rain clouds:Kottayam district are beautiful valleys of Elaveezhalpoonchira, spread over thousands of acres in Melukavu village. The pristine beauty of nature is preserved almost intact here in the imposing mountain ranges with rocky cliffs. The verdant landscape is punctuated by five gigantic hills viz. Vindhyan medu, Hidumbanmedu Mankallumudi, Kolanimudi and Mukalanthumudi each rising to around 3200 ft. Elaveezhapoonchira means valley where leaves don’t fall and is named so because the place has no trees.Kannadipara:As the name suggests, the valley of this rocky mountain reflects the morning sun with a mirror like perfection. This is also the highest point in Elaveezhapoonchira. Three km from here is the Pazhakakanam Plateau nourished by the Kadapuzha River. Bamboo groves, meadows and wild flowers make this place exotic. An added attraction here is the Kazhukankulimali Waterfalls that playfully cascade down the mountain and greet the river below with a magnificent splash.Mankallu Mudikal:The three hills in this region lie close to each other, their flat hilltops covered with lush grasslands. An aerial view of these resembles a traditional clay oven. With no trees around, the hilltops give you the feeling that you are walking in the clouds.Kootickal:This hamlet situated in the Western Ghats is located 5km north of Mundakkayam in Kottayam District. The majesty of the mountain ranges combined with the beauty of the forest and the artificial lake created by the check-dam of the Manimala River makes the spot linger in your mind. Amruthameda, famous for medicinal plants is nearby.Kurisumala:Three km from Vazhikkadavu is this renowned Christian pilgrim centre where hundreds of devotees from far and near converge during the holy week and after, to climb the hill in faith, carrying small wooden crosses. The peaceful Monastery at the top of the hill, the silence of the hills, the cool mountain air and the lush green landscape are all soothing to the soul. On the eastern side of the hill is Muruganmala housing a rock cut temple dedicated to Murugan (son of Lord Shiva).Bharananganam:Bharananganam is an important pilgrimage center for the Christians. It is located next to the St. Mary’s Church. The church is a thousand years old and has a well-carved cavern of Virgin Mary.Matrumala:Matrumala is located in Kooropada village and is about 8 km from Vennimala. The place can be accessed from Kottayam through Pampadi. Matrumala is a hill top that offers stunning views of the entire surroundings.The place got its name as it has a small temple on its top dedicated to Goddess. The temple is believed to have been built by Parasurama, the legendary creator of Kerala who installed idols of the seven Goddesses (Saptamathas) here.Champakara (Ayurvedic Centre):Champakara is just 18 kms from Kottayam is Champakara, which is an important Ayurvedic Centre for ‘Thirummuchikilsa’in Kerala. Sreerangam CVN Kalari Chikilsa Kendram attracts people from all over Indiaand abroad.Kesari WaterfallsThe Kesari waterfalls is also known as Valanjamkanam falls, it lies between Kuttikanam and Murinjapuzha on the Kottayam-Kumaly route. Valanjamkanam is a 3 hr journey from Kottayam by any bus to Kumaly.Mannanam:This place is about 8 km north of Kottayam is Mannanam, a small town but a great pilgrimage centre for Syrian Christians. Thousands of Syrian Christians gather each year at Mannanam to attend a religious convention that is one of the largest in Asia.Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:The Kumarakom Bird sanctuary is a favorite haunt of migratory birds. Spread across fourteen acres of land close to Kumarakom, this bird sanctuary is a paradise for ornithologists. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and several migratory birds like the Siberian stork are regular visitors.The Driftwood Museum:This museum is well stored with a huge collection of driftwood sculptures collected from the islands of Andaman and Nicobar. The museum is the only one of its kind in the country. One can find here a huge collection of root sculptures of various shapes and designs. The most attractive driftwood sculptures here includes a tribal Jarva women, a handicapped family, Monkey, Lion, and Elephant. There are even sculptures depicting the Kargil War, fought between India and Pakisthan.Pathiramanal:Located near Vembanad Lake, Pathiramanal is also called ‘Sands of Night’. It is a small island that is easily reachable using the water route. The journey to reach the island is an exhilarating one. Both sides of the lake have breath-taking beauty that would remain etched in the mind of the tourists. The island is home to some rare varieties of migratory birds, serving as a bird watcher’s paradise.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
Mallapally Petrol pump Kottayam, Kerala.Petrol Pump Kozhencherry, Pathanamthitta Kerala.Eraviperoor Petrol pump Pathanamthitta, Kerala.Indian Oil Petrol Pump Manarcadu Thenganal Road Puthuppally, Kottayam Kerala.
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Hotel Kumarakom Lake Resort Kumarakom North Kottayam, 686566 Tel: 0481 2524900.Hotel The Zuri Kumarakom V235, A1 to A54 Karottukayal Kottayam686563 Tel: 0481 2527272.Kumarakom Lagoon Ambika Market P.O Vechoor Kottayam, Kerala 686144 Tel: 09811165753.Hotel Vani SH 1, Changanassery Kottayam, Kerala.Bamboostix Alleppey backwater punnamada, alleppey Kerala 688006 Tel: 09995821014.Illikkalam Lake Resort Kumarakom PO Kottayam Kerala 686563 Tel: 0481 2524234.
Things to carry:
Tips & Suggestions:
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Ponkunnam Police Station NH 220, Ponkunnam Kottayam, KeralaKanjirapally Police Station NH 220, Kerala StatePolice station Pandalam, Pathanamthitta Kerala.Kidangoor Police Station Kidangoor, Kerala Tel: 04822 254195.
Nearest Hospital:Pushpagiri Medical College and Hospital Pushpagiri Buildings Pathanamthitta, Kerala Tel: 0469 2700755.Kanjirapally Taluk Hospital NH 220, Kottayam Tel: KeralaMind and Body Homoeopathic Clinic and Research centre Karrotukunnel plaza Kalathipady, vadavathoor po Kottayam 10, Kerala 686003 Tel: 09994088751.Government Hospital Kottayam, Kottayam Kerala State Tel: 0481 2462550.Kottayam Medical College Arpookara, Kottayam Kerala Tel: 0481 2597284.
