Places of interest

Places of interest in Mala

Malakadavu

Malakadavu or Mala Kadavu ( kadavu means a type of localized boat jetty where small boat, vallam etc are starting their jouney or finishing journey and lying parked in the water for coming journies, in malayalam it is called “Kadavu “ like port for ships. In encient times it was the gateway for the people and merchats from abroad and nearby places. Now the ‘Kadavu’ became very less importance in the daily life of the people of Mala.
(Malakkadavu is in the town itself near KSRTC Bustand, this is now in ruins.)
Nedumkotta

Nedumkotta (means long fort in Malayalam language) - It was a militarily strategic Fort built by Thiruvithamkur Maharaja to prevent and guard against the invasion of Samoodiri Raja and Tippu Sultan of Mysore Kingdom. The length of the fort was about 60 Kms from the beginning of the coastal area of Arabian Sea, to the Western Khat. It was believed to be built by thousands of people within fortnight. Now we can not see the long fort any where in Mala. All the parts are demolished and people have converted this area in to their needs. 


Oxbow Lake Vynthala.

Oxbow Lake of "Kanichan thura" is at Vynthala a neighboring place of Mala. This, Oxbow lake which is a naturally formed lake adjacent to the river branch of Periyar and is in the shape ox-bow. So the lake is called like "Oxbow lake". It is a tourist attraction of many people residing near by.   
(It is near to ashtamichira  at a distance of 5 KM from Mala Town)                                                                                                                                                                                


Anchalppetty 

This is the anchal petty fixed in Karingachira in Puthenchira in Mala. This was the part of the anchal system of the period of maharaja and this box was for collecting the mails coming through Train at Kallettumkara and delivering the mails to Kochi and Thiruvathamkur areas..                                                                                                                                                                                  
(This place is in Puthenchira Panchayat at a distance of 3 KM from Mala Town on the route to Kodungallur)
Jewish Church Mala


This is one of the monument seen in India which will attract any tourists of aesthetic mind. This monument is now under Mala Panchayath. A large number of families were lived in Mala in ancient times and when Israel was formed, the Jews left this place and settled in their mother land. There is currently no Jewish community left in Mala. (This is in the town near to the shopping complex of Mala Panchayath near the place Mooppan's kada)


Jewish Cemetery

Jewish Cemetery located near the Mala police station used to be a thriving Jewish Community. The Jewish Cemetery is clearly built with a compound wall with name board in the entrance in English and Malayalam.  Early this place was used by the children nearby area for playing.  Now we can see three tomb stones in this Jewish cemetery. It is located in the residential area of Mala and is now protected by archeological survey of India. (Just half a km from town on the way to Govt. Hospital Mala) 

Pampum Mekkattu Mana

Serpent worship is very common in Kerala. In many of the temples serpents have shrines. In many homes too serpents are worshipped. Pampummekkatt Mana in central Kerala is famous for snake worship and for getting snake-related problems solved. The tradition is centuries old. The gate tower of the Mana is embedded with snake statues as a welcome posture. Normally the Manas are Nalukettu. But, the Mana here is Ettukettu – two Naluketts. 

There are five Kavus (abodes) of snakes (and snake gods). The sanctum sanctorum of Nagaraja (king of snakes) and Nagayakshi female devil of snakes) is in the Kizhakuni (eastern court) of a Nalukettu. There is no idol in the sanctum sanctorum. In its place there is all time burning oil-lamp. The Prasadam given to the devotees is the oil from the lamp. The oil Prasadam has the power to cure the diseases caused due to the curse of snakes. Vrischikam 1st (November 17) is a great day here. Noorum Palum (food and milk) offering to the snakes is on this day. To participate in this auspicious ceremony, thousands throng, even from far way places. 

There is a legend behind how Mekkatt Mana became Pampummekkatt Mana. Mekkatt Mana was facing acute poverty. To get some relief from the poverty the head of the family started praying at Thiruvanchikulam temple. He stayed there and continued his pray. On the completion of 12 years of pray one day he went to the temple pond to fetch some water where he s aw a man with extra-ordinary body structure, looking like a divine power, standing near the pond. He asked him of his identity. The strangerreplied in a vague manner. The Namboodiri however realised that he is a divine power and requested him to give the precise stone ring he is wearing to show to his friend and guide Kodungallur Thampuran. The ring so given to the Namboodiri was returned and immediately on receiving it back the man disappeared. 

As the identity of the man was still a mystery, the Namboodiri’s mind was unsettled. Next day as usual Namboodiri went for his early morning bath in the temple pond when he saw the mystery man again. He bowed down at his feet and requested to divulge his identity. The man said, I am Vasuki (Vasuki is serpent god as per Hindu mythology). Namboodiri thereupon requested him to prove it. Vasuki squeezed himself to a ring similar to the one Lord Parameswaran wore in his finger. Seeing this Namboodiri fainted and when returned to his original sense Vasuki asked him what sort of blessings he wants. Namboodiri said he wishes that Vasuki be present in his Illam (Mana) to have them prosperity. Vasuki agreed and disappeared. 

The relieved Namboodiri returned to his Illom soon. He placed his palm-leaf umbrella in the eastern court of the Nalukettu and went for bath. When he came back to take the umbrella a snake was there on the umbrella to greet him. The snake came down and took the form of a divine man and said, I am Vasuki and added a Nagayakshi will soonbe present in the Illam. At this moment the eldest Antharjanam (Antharjanam denotes Brahmin lady) of the Mana came on the scene. She put her palm-leaf umbrella (in the past, Brahmin ladies, as a custom, used to hold palm-leaf umbrellas, to cover up their face, which are unfoldable, while moving out their Illams) in the portico before stepping into the home. 

Soon a snake appeared on this umbrella and moved to the eastern court of the Nalukettu. On reachingthe eastern court the snake manifested into a beautiful lady and took position near Vasuki. Both of them ordered Namboodiri to install them in the as idols at the place where they stand and consider them as their family deities. Saying this much, they disappeared. Namboodiri strictly did what they said and continued daily rituals to appease them. After this incident Mekkatt Mana came to be known as Pampumekkatt Mana. Poverty vanished. Prosperity and glory of the Mana began sky-rocketing. Pampummekkatt Mana is in the forefront of snake related Thantric rituals and they do the rituals at many snake god centers, including famous Nagarcoil temple in Tamil Nadu. Besides Noorum Palum, the other main offering to the serpent gods is Kadali Pazham (Kadali plantain). In the centre court of the Mana there is shrine of Bhadrakali. Vasiyedam temple at Puthenchira, Sarangapani Sree Krishna temple and Kunnathunadu Mahadeva temple are owned and managed by Pampummekkatt Mana. 

How to reach -Devotees can hire taxi or auto  from Mala town or  can travel by regular buses plying in Mala. Actually this place is exactly north to Mala Town  at a distance of 2 Kms. 
Contacts

Head of the Pambummekkattu Mana: P.S Jadhadevan Namboodiri.

Postal Address: Pambummekkattu Mana, P O Vadama, Mala (Via), Thrissur District, Kerala, PIN - 680 736.

Phone: +91-480-2890453, +91-480-2890473, +91-480-2899495.

Athirappilly Water falls- The most beautiful water falls in India.

Athirappilly is a first grade Grama panchayat with 489.00 km² area in Mukundapuram Taluk, in Thrissur District  in Kerala,inIndia. It is located 60 km from Thrissur  city , 70 km fromKochi city, 55 km fromKochi International Air Port, and 30 km from ChalakudyTown.

The athirappilly waterfalls  is situated on the chalakudy river, which originates in the upper reaches of the western ghats . Many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna are found in the forests of the athirapilly-vazhachal area. This area is the only place in the western ghatswhere four endangered hornbill  species are seen. The lion tailed macaque and the nilgiri langur are also the endangered species. Thewestern ghats is one of the most important biodiversity hot spot in the world. This valuable natural world is already degraded by mining and hydro electric projects.

Athirappilly is popular among tourists.  Athirappilly Water falls is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Another popular waterfall to visit is the Vazhachal waterfalls. Athirappilly Falls is a part ofChalakkudy river (Branch of Periyar)  and it is approximately 80 feet in height. Athirappilly is easily reachable fromChalakudy  by taking a vehicle for rent or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal.

Proper precautions are taken on site to prevent mishaps while swimming and a police camp is always positioned there. Athirappilly is situated on SH-21 highway connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala, night driving is not advised. But you can enjoy the adventurous drive in the middle of jungle.

ROUTE THROUGH VALPARAI

Distance details are as follows:

Coimbatore-Pollachi 40 km-Valparai 65 km From Pollachi onwards, the road climbs up steeply thorugh tea estates to Valparai. From Valparai, the road goes through dense wild jungles after Malakkiparai. Route is as follows: Valparai-Malakkiparai 22 km-Sholayar 24-Peringalkuthu Dam 25-Vazhachal 5-Athirapalli 5-Chalakudy 33 km.

There is absolutely no human settlement between Malakkiparai and Peringalkuthu Dam. Wildlife - elephants and bison - spill over onto the road, and night driving is discouraged. Both Vazhachal and Athirapalli are on the same Chalakudy river.

Athirapalli falls is best visited during rains, rest of the year there is water flow but hardly the spectacle it is during Jun-Oct.

MANIRATNAM CONNECTION

Noted Tamil film director, Maniratnam, has a huge fascination for this spot that a lot of his movies are shot here. Ravan was almost fully shot in this location. The moviesDil se, Kanathil Muthamittal,Iruvar,  Guru .have songs shot here. This was also the location for most of the film directed by Kunjacko in early days.

Important to Note: Even though this is the most beautiful waterfalls in Kerala this is also very dangerous.  All are requested not togo to ehe moving water.  So many lost their lives in this child’s play.  So please tray away from water.  Simply watch and enjoy.