Beautiful Tourist Places in Elappara, Idukki , Kerala, India

Beautiful Tourist Places in Elappara, Idukki , Kerala, India

Elappara is a village located in the Indian sub-continent of the district of Idukki in the state of Kerala. The coordinates of Elappara are 9⁰37’0” N and 76⁰58’0” E. The district spans over an area of 5019 km². Elappara is 1,100 meters above sea level. Temperatures in summer season range from 22 ⁰C to 40 ⁰C and in winter season the temperature varies from 20 ⁰C to 30 ⁰C. The district is one of the most favored destinations, in the state of Kerala, among the tourists.

The preferred period to visit Elappara is from October to February.

History of Elappara

Idukki district was formed on January 1972, with Elappara being a small village. The entire administration of the place was conducted from Kottayam. In the year 1976, center of administration of the village was shifted to Painavu in Thodupuzha taluk. Periyar is one of the biggest rivers in the state of Kerala and flows through the district Idukki.

There are temples and forts built in the district during the Chola dynasty rule. After them, came the Kulasekhara Empire who ruled the district of Idukki from 800 to 1102 A.D. There are historical findings that trading of ivory, sandalwood, teak, rosewood and other forest products were traded with foreign nations during ancient times.

When the British established their settlements in the state of Kerala, Europeans arrived to Idukki region and built their own plantation in and around the village Elappara.

People & Culture at Elappara

The people in around Elappara speak fluent English and Hindi although the local language is Malayalam. All kinds of festival are celebrated by the people of Elappara with Onam being the most important of them all.

People of various religions such as Christian, Hindu, and Muslim reside in and around Elappara.

Agriculture is one of the main occupations of the locals residing in and around Elappara.

Food and Shopping in Elappara

Traditionally cooked food are purely vegetarian in Elappara and consists of spices. There are shopping centers around the Idukki district. Some of the names of these shopping centers are mentioned below:

Mall of Mysore
Mariyil Shopping Complex
Joy Vettukattil Shopping Complex
Al Shifa Complex
Triveni Shopping Complex

Tourist Places in Elappara

There are plenty of natural locations with amazing landscape of interest in and around Elappara. Some of the prominent ones are mentioned below

Peermede

There are numerous plantations in Peermede making the place one of the most beautiful landscape scenes for photographers.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 105 km², this sanctuary is home to many animals, reptiles and birds.

Idukki Arch Dam

Created in the year 1961, the Dam offers a breath taking view of the nearby green hills. One can feel energized by the intake of fresh air.

Nadukani

Being a hill station, Nadukani is the most cherished picnic spot and is at a distance of 25 km from Elappara.

Ramakkalmedu

Being a hill station, this place has a lot of interesting monuments apart from providing a panoramic view of the nearby villages.

There are some other interesting tourist spots whose names are mentioned below

Painavu
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
Hill View Park
Mangala Devi Temple
Kurinjimala Sanctuary
Thumpachi Calveri Samuchayam
Kulamavu Dam
Cheruthoni Dam
Kalvari Mount
Malankara Reservoir
Palkulamedu
Thommankuthu Falls
Keezharkuthu Falls
Pothamadu
Nedumkandam Hill

A variety of exciting adventure sports like trekking, bamboo rafting, Elephant rides, rock climbing organized by tourism agencies.

Means of Commutation to Elappara

Elappara is well connected with the rest of the places in India through roadways, railways and airway. Elappara is 90 km from Idukki city.

The Cochin International airport is at a distance of about 87 km from Elappara.

The nearest railway station is located at Kottayam which is at a distance of 79 km.

Since the place lies at the Kerala- Tamil Nadu border, plenty of buses are available from Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Kumbam and various other places in the state of Kerala.

Accommodation Options at Elappara

To cater to the growing influx of tourists and their accommodation needs there are four star, three star hotels and resorts. The hotels and resorts have a 24 hour check in and out, and other amenities and the charge per room begins at Rs. 2500/- per day. There are also economy class hotels renting room on daily basis from Rs. 500/- onwards.