The nearest town of Kothamangalam is at least 10 km from here. There’s an interesting tale behind the naming of Bhuthathankettu Dam. The story goes that ages ago demons planned to drown the Trikkariyoor temple, whose presiding deity is Lord Shiva. The plan was to dam river Periyar and flood the area with its water. Lord Shiva came up with an alternate plan to foil their plot. He imitated the sound of a rooster, like it seems at the crack of dawn. With this, it appeared that dawn was approaching by. Fearing the arrival of light, the demons ran away, leaving their task only half done.
It is believed that even today, there is proof of the demon’s half completed work. This proof comprises of the huge boulders the demons were supposed to have rolled down onto the riverbed, the Old Bhoothathan Kettu. Periyar River flows through the narrow space, which the demons did not quite manage to dam up. Hence, the name is Bhoothathankettu, meaning ‘Fort of the Spirits’. Once you’ve arrived at Bhoothathankettu, there are various activities you can indulge in. An upriver houseboat trip can accommodate upto 20 people easily. You can also opt for a ride on a speedboat, a tour of the jungle, rock climbing and fishing. This natural topography was much helpful in the building of the dam. Along with Bhoothathankettu, another place you can visit is the famous Salim Ali bird sanctuary, which is quite near from here.
General Information about Bhoothathankettu :
Location: Near Cochin / Near Kochi
State: Kerala
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
Language: Malayalam, English, Hindi
Temperature: Max 36˚C, Min 28˚C (summer), Max 28˚C, Min 18˚C (winter)
Best Season: October to March
How to Reach Bhoothathankettu :
A number of domestic and international flights operate from the Cochin / Kochi International Airport located at Nedumbassery. They connect the city with the other major cities not only within India, but also across the entire globe. The facilities provided to passengers at the Cochin International Airport are so good that it is counted among the best airports in India.
By Road:
Kochi or Cochin is situated at a distance of approximately 565 km from Bangalore, 223 km from Coimbatore, 848 km from Goa, 694 km from Chennai, 470 km from Mysore and 312 km form Ooty. Kochi’s proximity and excellent road connectivity with these and other major tourist destinations in India make it a much sought after tourist destination.
By Rail:
Trains running from the 3 railway stations in Cochin / Kochi, namely Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Cochin / Kochi Harbour Terminus, connect it to all small and big towns and cities of Kerala and other parts of India. If you wish to tour at a leisurely pace, befriend co-travellers and taste the real flavour of India, then travelling by train is the best option for you.
By Local Transport:
Taxis / Cabs:
You will find taxis pretty much all over the city. If you wish to tour Cochin / Kochi by this, you can either ask the hotel you are putting up at, to arrange a taxi for you or contact any travel agency to hire one for yourself. Depending upon your budget, you can choose from any of the most luxurious to the cheaper taxis available.
Auto Rickshaws:
Travelling within Cochin / Kochi by auto rickshaw is the next best option for you. They usually charge by the meter or else, you can fix a rate according to the number of tourist sites you plan to visit.
Bus:
If you are touring Cochin / Kochi on a tight budget, go for the local buses that ply all over Cochin / Kochi. Otherwise, you can also opt for the private luxury buses run by tour operators. Such buses are slightly expensive as they have comfy seat, are air-conditioned and accompanied by guides, who give you important information about all tourist sports.
Boats and Ships:
Cochin / Kochi have a coastline of about 48 km and is famous for its backwaters. The lush green lawns sloping down to the water’s edge proffer a breathtaking view. If you too wish to savour this magnificent view of Kochi’s backwaters, then boats are the best option for you.
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