Ramakkalmedu is a beautiful and potent tourist spot located towards the western side of Idukki district of Kerala. It stands tall in the western ghats at a height of 3500 feet above sea level. This place can make, well known suicide points of Kodai hills and Ooty run for their money owing to the scenic grass lands and abrupt ending of the mountain towards the western side. You can move upto the tip of the rock where you will feel yourself at the top of the world. The areal view of Tamilnadu towns namely Kumbum, Theni, Kombe, Thevaram, Uthamapalayam, Bodinaykannor and Vaiga from here on a clear day is really astounting. The sight is even wonderful if you could stay there till dusk and see all these towns lighted. You may think "Thare Zamin Par?"-stars in the ground!. The ecosystem of the area largely comprises of grass land -Shola forest type which is laced by sporadic bamboo forests.
Historical Aspects
Rama-kal-medu literally means "Land of Rama's Stone" or "Land where rama kept his leg",as per different interpretations available. Many stories suggests that the place have some connection with Rama the Hindu God and the epic Ramayana.One such story suggests that Lord Rama kept his feet at the tip of Ramakkalmedu to search Ravana the King of Lanka who abducted his wife Sita. To view larger picture click here.
Wind factor of Ramakkalmedu
Speciality of the wind flow is another factor which makes Ramakkalmedu unique. Wind blows at a speed around 35 km per hour at Ramakkalmedu throughout the year irrespective of the season and time. You will have to experiance it to understand how much it will rejuvenate you. Abundant in wind, Ramakkalmedu is the second place in Kerala where a wind energy farm is installed. Currently the capacity is at about 2.5 MW. It is being upgraded to 12.5 MW, which will make it the largest wind farm in Kerala.Wind farms are located mainly at two places namely Kuruvikkanam and Pushpakandam which are hills located adjascent to Ramakkalmedu.
Tourism
Although Ramakkalmedu has a good potential for it to become a fine tourist destination, not much is done for the improvement of basic facilities nearby.The scenic beauty of Ramakkalmedu has attracted thousands of people including Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio. Di Caprio has reportedly said about this place that "If there is a paradise on earth, it is here".
Ramakkalmedu village is not much developed and you can see only very few shops near the gateway towards the hills. Two hills you can visit at Ramakkalmedu are located very near. One is the hill with the Ramakkalmedu stone and the other is the hill where Kuravan-Kurathi statue is constructed.
Kuravan and Kurathi Statue
Another attraction of Ramakkalmedu is the recently constructed gigantic statue of "Kuravan and Kurathi with their child", representing the tribals who pioneered the area.Getting there:Click here to view the road map to reach Ramakkalmedu.(16 km from Nedumkandam, Thekkady-Munnar Road)
Distance: 45 km from Idukki, 40 km from Thekkady and 75 km from Munnar.
Nearest railway station: Kottayam and Changanacherry, about 93 km.
Nearest airport: Madurai (Tamil Nadu) about 140 km
Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, about 190 km
To view more pictures click the links below.
Punarjani Ayurvedic Resort Ramakkalmedu.
Tree Hut at Punarjani Resort.
With Kuravan and Kurathi.
Good work
ReplyDelete