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Bhoothathankettu

Bhoothathankettu dam is located just outside the village Pindimana in Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. The dam across River Periyar and the reservoir are tourist attractions and scores of tourist visit the place to enjoy many recreational activities.

The original natural dam has huge boulders on both sides of the Periyar River that partially block it and reduce the flow of the river. This old natural dam has now been enhanced by a modern dam which has created  Bhoothathankettu Reservoir or Thattekad Reservoir.

There is a myth surrounding the origin of the natural dam that has been in existence for centuries. It is believed that monsters or “bhoothams” have built the dam in a bid to submerge the Trikkariyoor temple that is in the vicinity. As the monsters started building the dam with the huge blocks of stones, the main deity of the temple; Lord Shiva usurped their devious plan by a smarter trick. He made sounds of the roosters crowing which fooled the demons into believing that it was dawn and soon there would be light. The monsters that feared light left the dam unfinished and ran away. The temple was thus saved and Periyar River was not fully dammed but only narrowed at that place.

Actually the creation of the natural dam has been credited to floods that ravaged the lands in the 4th and 14th century. The large scale landslides that were caused by these floods brought huge rocks from surrounding mountains to roll down and settle on the plains of the basin of the river, making the river very narrow at that point.

Purpose

The new Bhoothathankettu Dam was built to create a reservoir called Thattekaddu Reservoir that is used for irrigation and to encourage tourism by creating recreational facilities. Recreational facilities such as boating and trekking are available here that attract tourists from far and wide. The lush green forests amidst the southern ranges of the Western Ghats are home to hundreds of species of birds and animals and a paradise for bird watchers and nature photographers.

Get In

Village Pindimana on the outskirts of which Bhoothathankettu Dam is located is only 10 kms away from Kothamangalam town lying on the foothills of the Western Ghats is considered as the gateway to the higher ranges. The busy National Highway NH49 from Ernakulam to Madurai and Rameshwaram also passes through Kothamangalam making it and the surrounding areas greatly accessible by road.

Nearest Airports

The city of Kochi from where Cochin International Airport is 26 kms is about 50 kms from Bhoothathankettu Dam. This busy airport provides major domestic connections and international connections mainly to Middle East and Far East countries and also to some Western destinations. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is about 257 kms.

Nearest Railheads

Ernakulam and Kochi, the twin cities of the district in which Bhoothathankettu Dam is located are only 50 kms away. Ernakulam is a busy junction of Southern Railway and provides connectivity to all major cities of the country.

The nearest railhead is Aluva Railway Station at Aluva which is about 44kms away.

Road Connectivity

Bhoothathankettu Dam is easily accessible by road. Kothamangalam through which NH49 passes is only 10 kms away. Kerala State Transport Buses ply from Kothamangalam at regular intervals. It is also possible to hire taxis from nearby towns to come here.

Distance by Road from Bhoothathankettu Dam to Major Towns in Kerala

Kothamangalam 10 kms
Ernakulam 50 kms
Perumbavoor 30 kms
Thiruvananthapuram 229 kms
Thrissur 87 kms

See


Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary

Thattekkadu bird sanctuary now called Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary after the great Ornithologist Dr Salim Ali is only 8 kms away from the Bhoothathankettu Dam. Spread over an area of 25 sq km and about 500 metres above sea level, the sanctuary is home to more than 500 species of birds some of them rarely sighted elsewhere such as the Sunbird, Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Pariah Kite etc. Officially announced as a protected area for birds by Kerala Government, Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary came into being in the year of 1983. Apart from the birds, the sanctuary also protects the flora of the region which includes teak, mahogany etc. and also rare medicinal plants. There are many activities for tourists such as boating, trekking etc. The best time to visit this place is the period between the months of September and June.

Idamalayar Dam

Idamalayar Dam located only 15 kms away in the beautiful lush forests has many recreational facilities that can be enjoyed by tourists such as boating, trekking and bird watching. Idamalayar Dam is a concrete gravity dam built on the River Idamalayar, a tributary of Periyar River in Ernakulam district of Kerala. It is owned and operated by Kerala State Electricity Board and produces hydroelectric power.

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