Kothamangalam
Kothamangalam is a municipality in the eastern part of Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The town is in the foothills of the Western Ghats mountain ranges. The highway NH-85 Ernakulam – Madurai – Rameswaram passes through Kothamangalam. Kothamangalam is known as the Gateway of Highrange.
PLACES TO VISIT
THATTEKKAD BIRD SANCTUARY
Situated about 12 KMS from Kothamangalam, thattekka bird sanctuary is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in south India. Often described as 'one of the most important Bird sanctuaries in Peninsular india’, it covers an area of about 25Km2. Thattekkad means flat forest and is situated on the periyar river.
It is home to many endemic and migratory species and has a rich quality of other flora and fauna. The main species that are documented here are
- Orange-headed thrush
- Large-billed leaf-warbler
- Jerdon's nightjar
- Indian cuckoo
- Oriental darter
- Cormorants
- Whiskered terns
- Collared scops owl
- Ceylon frogmouth
BHOOTHATHANKETTU DAM
This is an important dam located about 10 KMs from Kothamangalam. It is a popular tourist attraction. Large blocks of rocks form either sides of the dam and lends a natural look of the Dam. It may also be the reason behind the MYTHS of the dam.
The MYTHS say that that monsters planned to submerge the Trikkariyoor temple, whose presiding deity is Lord Shiva by making a dam in the Periyar river and flooding the area. Suspecting trickery the omnipotent Lord Shiva, came up with a plan to deter them. He faked the approaching dawn by a rooster's sound. The demons fearing the arrival of light fled the place.
MUNNAR
Munnar is the most important tourist destination in Kerala. Munnar is located on the Western Ghats, situated in the Idukki district. The name Munnar is believed to be derived from the Malayalam/Tamil words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. The Munnar panchayat in the Devikulam block is the largest panchayat in the Idukki district having an area measuring nearly 557 km².
