To Paradise

Journeys are golden keys to open the memories of every person. Among the dropped plans this was quite unexpected and that made its beauty. And we got some treasured moments on sunny days. The voyage to the cool land Idukki started from Ernakulam. The windows in the crawling bus started to tell stories for the newcomers. The sun overhead welcomed the land with cool warmth. The place is filled with dense forest, which lies in the western ghats of Kerala.

We were greeted by the aroma of cardamom and pepper from the lane of the Kattapana. We were settled in our friend’s home at Balagram. After we freshened up, we set off for our journey to Ramakalmedu, the place was 17 km away from Balagram. The little off-roading kind of journey through small road made confident to a vehicle up towards the hill where there was no specific route. We started to trek on the rutted path to seek the beginning of the rock. After each and every step, we feel a new breath of something special. Returning tourists are said, "you must climb the rock that's most beautiful”. It was my first adventurous attempt to climb a rock. The wind land forced me to go back. But I took the challenge and got the victory. The rock hides lots of myths and mysteries in their lap. Rama is the name of Hindu God and he is the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. The locals believe that Lord Ram was in this place when he was searching his wife Sitha who was abducted by Ravan the king of Lanka as illustrated in Ramayana. Lord Ram has set his foot on the tallest rock to search Sitha and the rock was named as Ramakkal and the place was later named as Ramakalmedu. Kal is Malayalam word for rock and medu means land with hills and rocks. We were standing at the hilltop which separates two states. The climate and culture on both sides of this hill differ a lot. Geographically speaking Kerala has a hilly landscape and is blessed with lots of rainfall. At least two or three townships are in our visible frame and the panoramic view of this site is offering is beyond description. It was very hard to take stills because of the winds. This kind of wind is making this place so unique. The wind blows at a speed around 35 km per hour at this place throughout the year irrespective of the season and time. First time in my life I am confronting such powerful wind. Suddenly we all started to feel like we could fly. On the opposite side, we were able to see the kuruvan, kuravathi statue is designed by C B Jinan in 2005. The hugeness of the structure is felt only when we were near. The statues sure had life in it. The couples are gazing at the Ramakkalmedu hill and Tamilnadu. We can also see the hill and the rock on top of it which is christened "Ramakalmedu". For the time being, let Ramakkkalmedu remain in the captured frames and it is better to have some motive left for planning another trip to this beautiful place. The specialty of this trip was we did not arrange food from outside. We prepared our own foods and start our journey. Yesterday's experience had followed in everyone's mind.

Then we were planned to experience another hill station Calvary mount. It is nestled in the high ranges of Idukki district and is located at a distance of about 12 kilometers away from Idukki and is a worth visiting tourist destination in God's own country. Calvary mount is not known to many until recently. The Forest Department of the Government of Kerala set up cottages that can be rented for a day or day/night basis. The verdant greenery and the cool refreshing air floating around the landscapes and surrounding touches the depth of heart. Trekking towards the top of the mount would be a unique experience and also an opportunity to explore the bird’s eye view of the Idukki district. It was very difficult to climb the mountain because the broken pieces of glasses in the ground injected to our legs. A small shelter made out of bamboo stem pillars and a thatched roof occupied the otherwise verdant viewpoint. It also gives the view of Kamakshi and Mariyapuram, the most prominent tribal villages in the region. We paid 25 rupees per head to entered into the mountain. We take the cameras and framed it to our memories. The rocking lunch at calvary mount gave the ever testable lunch in our life. I am speechless about what I have felt at this place. Then we say goodbye to the mountain ranges and turned the steering to Idukki dam.

It has 7.5 km distance from Calvary mount. The visitors are only allowed to certain months and times. We came at the time of offseason. First, we were not allowed to enter the dam. Two of my friends in Idukki went to KSEB and buy sanction letter to enter the dam. It was another walking experience but the path has a plane and feels less strain to our foot. The crystal clear water amazingly stopped with the garden walls. The dam is constructed between the two mountains

The idea of constructing a dam for power generation was first conceived in 1919 in a report submitted by Italian engineer Jacob to the Travancore government, which was rejected. As per history, Shri Chemban Kuruvaleyan Kolumban, the head of ‘oorali’ race during 1922, showed the way to the Malankara Estate Superintendent W.J. John and his friend A C Thomas Edattu, who were on a hunting spree in the forest, the spot of present Arch Dam. Idukki Dam is 554 feet tall. We were turned back from dam after the sun back to his home. The drive was an adventurous thing because the clouds open their shutters and we face difficulty in driving. But we enjoy the rain with ice creams. I take every chance that I get in my life because something only happens once. This was a chance like that. Every journey ends with the plan for another trip.