Exploring the Top Kothamangalam Tourist Places

A famous stop for those travelling between Cochin and Madurai is Kothamangalam, which is situated at the foot of the Western Ghats mountains. The town is well-known for trading spices and forest products and is famous for its old Christian churches. It is also the starting point to reach the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, which is just 13 km away from the city. There are numerous attractions and places to explore in Kothamangalam tourist place.

Let’s Discuss The Top 10 Kothamangalam Tourist Places:

#1. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is a renowned Kothamangalam tourist place in Kothamangalam, Kerala, India. Spread over 25 square kilometres, it boasts over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Ceylon Frogmouth. The sanctuary’s dense forests also harbour diverse wildlife. Visitors can enjoy nature trails, trekking routes, and guided birdwatching tours. Accommodation options are available in Kothamangalam town and nearby eco-lodges and resorts. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary offers a serene and memorable experience for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts.

Best time to visit: The ideal time to explore Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is from October to February. Throughout the winter months, it becomes effortless to observe the presence of migratory birds in the area.

#2. Bhoothathankettu Dam

Bhoothathankettu is one of the most beautiful dams in Kerala, and it is among the most beautiful Kothamangalam tourist places. People say that the hills and forests surrounding the place, which act as a natural barrier, were created by spirits. It is situated in the Ernakulam district and offers some of the best hiking trails in the State. Exploring the forests here while hiking is a thrilling experience. Taking a boat ride is a lovely way to appreciate the natural beauty. Additionally, the famous Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad is located nearby.

Close to Bhoothathankettu, you can find the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar, which are the two main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district. In these parts, you can also enjoy pedal boats and cruises. It is a fantastic place for a picnic and is around 10 km away from Kodamangalam.

Best time to visit: Throughout the year.

Timings: Monday to Sunday. From 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

#3. Malayattoor

Have you heard of a place called Malayattoor? The settlement is located in the Aluva Taluk. If we talk about where it is exactly, it is about 15 km northeast of Angamaly in the Ernakulam District, in the state of Kerala.

It is a beautiful place for religious pilgrimages, about 47 km away from Kochi. The Catholic church on top of Malayatoor Hill is especially noteworthy. It’s dedicated to St. Many people come here as pilgrims to celebrate the MalaytoorPerunnal, which takes place during the months of March and April. If you are looking for Kothamangalam tourist places then, must visit this place.

Best time to visit: Malayattoor offers a pleasant and balanced climate, making it an ideal place to visit throughout the year. However, if you wish to escape the intensity of the summer sun, the optimal time to explore would be from September until the conclusion of February.

#4. Idamalayar Dam

In Kerala, there are many dams that are used for both farming and attracting tourists. One of these dams is called Idamalayar Dam, which was built on the Idamalayar River. This river is a smaller river that flows into the Periyar River in the state. The dam is quite long, measuring 373 meters, and it’s made of concrete. It serves as a reservoir and is located in the beautiful hills of the Western Ghats in Southern India. It is also among the most beautiful and mesmerizing Kothamangalam tourist places. The water stored in the dam is used to generate hydroelectric power.

The dam is in a forested area near Boothathankeetu, about seventy kilometres away from Kochi. Many people visit this place to enjoy its natural beauty. Visitors can engage in activities like hiking, boating, and bird-watching. However, it’s important to be cautious as there are wild elephants in the nearby forests. There are also many different kinds of birds that can be seen perched on the trees.

Best time to visit: You can go there at any time during the year, but it’s best to avoid the very hot summer and heavy rainy season because the forest area can be very humid at that time. The ideal time to visit is in the late monsoon (around September) and during the winter season, which starts in October and lasts until March.

#5. Thommankuthu Waterfalls

Thommankuthu Waterfalls is a beautiful place that tourists should visit when they go to Idukki. It’s a lesser-known waterfall with seven steps, surrounded by amazing forests. It’s a great destination in Kerala with its stunning waterfalls and rivers. Thommankuthu is only 18 km away from Thodupuzha town, so it’s perfect for a day trip from Munnar.

Thommankuthu waterfalls consist of 12 falls spread across a 5 km area. These falls have different heights and flow through lush forests and tea plantations. The two most captivating falls at the bottom are Ezhunilakuthu and Thommankuthu.

Time to visit: Thommankuthu Waterfalls welcomes visitors from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day, and the great thing is, there is no charge to enjoy the splendour of this exquisite location.

#6. Kodanad Elephant Training Centre

Kodanad is a calm and beautiful area near Perumbavoor in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is well-known for being a place where elephants are trained. It is located about 45 km northeast of Kochi. In the past, elephants were caught in the Malayattoor forests and brought to Kodanad for training. However, capturing elephants is now prohibited, and Kodanad serves solely as a training centre. Visitors can enjoy pleasant walks along the river on various pathways. Additionally, there is a small wildlife park in the area that houses deer and other animals.

Time to visit: The visiting hours at the Kodanad Elephant Training Centre are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Monday. On Mondays, the centre is not open to visitors.

#7. Thattekkad Butterfly Park

The Butterfly Park is a popular place to visit within the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. It’s like a lovely garden, spread over 30 cents of land, where many different types of butterflies live. The garden is filled with special plants that these butterflies need to survive. When you go there, you can see the different stages of a butterfly’s life, starting from the egg and going through the larva and pupa stages until it becomes an adult butterfly. The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary’s Butterfly Park has identified over 200 species of butterflies through surveys, and on a regular basis, you can expect to see about 60 to 70 different species of butterflies.

Best time to visit: The onset of the winter begins in October, which coincides with the ideal time to visit Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. Moreover, the winter months provide opportunities for observing migratory birds in the sanctuary.

#8. MarThomaCheriapally

The St. Thomas Church in Kothamangalam, also known as Mar Thoma Cheriapally, is a well-known church in India. It is famous because it is the burial place of Saint Baselios Yeldho. Many people believe that certain Christian families from Paravur and Angamali founded the first church in Kothamangalam, known as Martha Mariam Valiyapally, in the fourth century AD. Over time, more Christians settled in the area, including some Syrian Knanaites who eventually mixed with the local Christian community.

Timings: Open 24 hours

Entry fee: Free for everyone

#9. Pooyamkutty

Looking for a break from your busy routine and long workdays? Pooyamkutty can be a great option. Going away for the weekend is the best way to spend quality time with your family and loved ones. Just imagine yourself sitting by the gentle stream in Pooyamkutty, a place that gained popularity after the movie “Pulimurugan” was released.

Pooyamkutty is a small town located 26 km away from Kothamangalam Thaluk in Ernakulam district. It is a beautiful place with natural wonders. If you’re in Ernakulam city and looking for a nearby spot for trekking, Pooyamkutty is the perfect choice.

This town is also known for a hydroelectric project by KSEB, but unfortunately, the project was abandoned due to environmental and financial problems as decided by the Government of India. The Peendimedu waterfall, hidden deep inside the forest, is the highlight of Pooyamkutty. To trek to this stunning waterfall, you need to obtain permission from the Kerala forest department.

Best time to visit: Pooyamkutty welcomes visitors with open arms throughout the year, embracing every season’s charm, except for the monsoon.

#10. Inchathotty Hanging Bridge

The Inchathotty Suspension Bridge is the longest hanging bridge in Kerala. It measures 183 meters in length and is 4 feet wide. The bridge is located in Inchathotty, a village near Neriamangalam, Thattekad, and Kothamangalam in the Ernakulam District of Kerala. To reach the hanging bridge, you can take a boat from BHOOTHATHANKETTU, which takes about an hour. Many tourists, even from faraway places, visit this bridge as it is a popular attraction. Tourists are permitted to ascend the hanging bridge, which has a boat jetty beneath it where boats can be moored. Walking on this swinging bridge is an incredible experience that evokes a mixture of slight fear and excitement. From the bridge, you can capture breathtaking aerial views of the THATTEKKAD Bird Sanctuary through photographs.

In addition to the boat journey, there is also a road that leads to the bridge, which is about 5 kilometres away from BHOOTHATHANKETTU. It is situated 60 kilometres from the famous hill station, Munnar, and 70 kilometres from Kochi.

Time to visit: If you love the lush greenery of nature and the flowing streams that originate from the forest, then the ideal time to plan your visit would be during the monsoon season, which spans from June to October.

Conclusion

So, here we have discussed some of the most beautiful and mesmerising Kothamangalam Tourist Places. Kothamangalam presents an enchanting blend of scenic landscapes, ancient sites, and cultural richness, making it an exquisite tourist destination. Whether you desire serenity in nature, an exploration of age-old temples and churches, or a deep dive into the diverse wildlife of the bird sanctuary, Kothamangalam caters to the interests of every traveller.

FAQs:

Q. What is Kothamangalam famous for?

Kothamangalam has emerged as a significant hub for pilgrimage in Kerala, housing numerous churches, temples, and mosques of great importance. The town is spiritually enriched by the presence of the revered Thrikariyoor Temple, St. George Cathedral, and several sacred mosques, among others.

Q. Which is the nearest railway station to Kothamangalam?

The closest railway stations to Kothamangalam are Aluva, situated 35 km away, and Ernakulam, which is 53 km away. From the Aluva bus station, conveniently located opposite the railway station, regular buses are available for travel to Kothamangalam. The bus journey typically takes around 40 to 50 minutes. The nearest airport to Kothamangalam is Nedumbasserry (Kochi), which is approximately 34 km away.

Q. How many days are enough for the Kerala tour?

For having a great exploration of Kerala’s top tourist destinations, a recommended duration of four days would be perfect. However, if you wish to have a delightful family vacation in Kerala, it is advisable to extend your stay to eight days and seven nights.

Q. Is Kothamangalam a good place to live?

Kothamangalam is renowned as a highly secure location within the state, where the occurrence of crimes is minimal. With an abundance of resources and a tranquil atmosphere, there is no need for any hesitation if you seek a serene and peaceful town to reside in.

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