Meenachil River is loacted about 6kms from Kottayam town, Kottaym District, Its made famous by Arundhati Roy in her masterpiece “God of Small Things”, originates near Vanilla County. The river or rather the stream is of ravenous beauty as it gushes and gurgles forth through the rocks and creates baby waterfalls and little pools on the way down. The Meenachil River flows through the center of the Kottayam district of Kerala. The river originates from the Western Ghats. The river is formed when several small streams merge together namely, as Kullathukadavaru, Thrikovilaru, Poonjarapuzha, Chittur and Payyaparathodu and the length of the river is 78 kilometers.The river finally surrenders itself in to the Vembanad Lake.The river has a total of thirty-eight tributaries including major and minor ones. The main tributaries of Meenachil are, the Teekoy River, which originates at Vazhikkadavu near Wagamon, Poonjar River, which rises from the southern valley of the Kurishumala hills, and the Chittar River.
Location info:
Address: Meenachil, near Kottaym town, Kottayam district, Kerala, India.
District: Kottayam district
Nearest City: Idukki, Cheeranchira, Kottayam.
Best time to visit: October to February.
Climate/Weather:
Temperature varies between a minimum of 20.8°C to a maximum of 34.1°C. C
History:
Interesting things to do:
Watch the Kurishumala hills, and the Chittar River and also other tourist destination in Meenachil.
Interesting things to Visit:
Vembanad Lake:The Vembanad Lake is located 16km from Kottayam town, is an enchanting picnic spot and a perfect back water tourist destination. The lake bordered by Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts is one of the longest and largest lake in Kerala having a length and width of 83.72km. and 14.48km respectively.Kumarakom:Kumarakom is situated about 10 kms. from Kottayam. This idyllic rich green, sleepy little sub-tropical paradise is located on the banks of the Vembanad lake and interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals. Th There are several resorts here which provides perfect accommodation and special entertainment opportunities like Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing and swimming. Kumarakom is also wellknown for its famous bird sanctuary.St. George Forane Church:St. George Forane Church is located in Edappally, about 10 kms from the city of Kochi. It is accessible by road from any part of India. Two national highways NH 47 and NH 17 join the bypass junction at Edappally which begins and continues up to Panvel, Maharashtra, in India.Pathiramanal:This is an tiny beautiful island is located at the Vembanad Lake. The island is home for hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The name Pathiramanal has the meaning ‘The Sand of Midnight’ and it lies in between Kumarakom and Thannermukkom. The place is accessible only by boat. The island Pathiramanal is an ideal location for poets, means tranquil lovers. 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.
Mobile range info:
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Kottaym Railway Station
Nearest Airport:Cochin International Airport
Road Transport:Meenachil 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 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. In ancient days, large barge like country boats transported goods from Alapuzha to Thalayolaparambu and Kaduthuruthy through these intricate networks of waterways.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.There are few houseboats, no resorts and hence charming and serene waterways all round the village. The various distributaries of the river create numerous beautiful islands in its course. Here there are endless stretches of coconut palms and vast green paddy fields. 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:Skirting the 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. The vast horizon gives a panoramic view of the surrounding five districts. During the monsoons when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils another beautiful slice of nature.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 quaint 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. Kootickal is located only 12km from the pilgrim centre of Erumeli.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 Waterfalls:The 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.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. The works displayed here shows the artistic excellence and mere hard work of past generations. One can find here a huge collection of root sculptures of various shapes and designs. There are even sculptures depicting the Kargil War, fought between India and Pakisthan. The museum also showcases an amazing collection of flowers and buds.Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple:This temple is Located in the heart of Kottayam, this temple is built in the typical Kerala style. The architecture and murals are stunningly beautiful.The murals on the walls are a major attraction here. The sanctum sanctorum is decorated with scenes from Hindu epics. In the month of March, on the occasion of the annual temple festival the temple pulls in a large number of pilgrims.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
Parangot Petrol Pump Kottayam, Kerala.Indian Oil Petrol Pump Manarcadu Thenganal Road Puthuppally, Kottayam Kerala.BP Petrol Pump Muttuchira, Kaduthuruthy Kottayam, Kerala.Indian Oil Petrol Pump Kottayam, Kerala.
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Coconut creek farm and Homestay Near nazreth church kumarakom south p.o kottayam, Kerala 686563 0481 2524203.Illikkalam Lake Resort Kumarakom PO Kottayam, Kerala 686563 Tel: 0481 2524234.Kumarakom Lagoon Ambika Market P.O, Vechoor Kottayam, Kerala 686144 Tel: 09811165753.Hotel The Zuri Kumarakom V235, A1 to A54, Karottukayal Kottayam, 686563 Tel: 0481 2527272.Aida Hotel Aida Junction, Near KSRTC Bus Stand Kottayam, Kerala Tel: 0481 2568391.
Things to carry:
Tips & Suggestions:
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:Police Station Kaduthuruthy, Kottayam Kerala.Ponkunnam Police Station NH 220, Ponkunnam Kottayam, Kerala.Perumbavoor Police Station Perumbavoor, Ernakulam Kerala.
Nearest Hospital:Bharath Hospital Azad Lane, Near Thirunakkara Temple Kottayam, Kerala 686001 Tel : 0481 2582947.Kottayam Medical College Arpookara, Kottayam Kerala Tel : 0481 2597284.Government Hospital Kottayam, Kottayam Kerala State Tel :0481 2462550.
