Thrikkakkara

This place is famous for the Vamanamoorthy Temple which is connected with Onam, a major festival of Kerala. Located 10 km east of Kochi city, between Alwaye and Kalamassery, Thrikkakara has beautiful landscape with its rural scenery of river, hills and paddy fields. The deity in the Vamanamoorthy temple is 'Trikkakara Appan' or 'Vamanamurthy' who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise. Inscriptions from the 10th to 13th century are found here.

Chendamangalam, North Paravoor

14 Kms from Cherai and 42 Kms from Kochi, Chendamangalam is well known for handloom weaving and coir making. The annual fair called "Mattachanda" (Barter System) is held here on the eve of the harvest festival Vishu in April. This place is also famous for its three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and vast expanses of green plains.

Ruins of the 15th century Vypeen Kotta Seminary built in 16th century by the Portuguese and the Kottayil Kovillakam palace are the other tourist attractions here. This land was once the abode of the Paliath Achans, the prime ministers of the Maharajas of Kochi. Their residence, the Paliam Palace represents the architectural splendour of Kerala. The Palace is over 450 years old and houses a collection of historic documents and relics. The hillocks at Kottayil Kovilakom present a view of a church, Krishna temple, mosque and a Jewish synagogue, an example of religious harmony that existed here. 

Pazhur

25km towards the southeast of Kochi, near Piravom, is the legendary Pazhur. It is believed that the Siva Temple here is nearly 1800 years old. The place is famous for astrologers who are believed to have been blessed with divine powers. 

Aluva 
21 Kms from Ernakulam (Kochi), Aluva (Alwaye) is located on the banks of the Periyar river. The Shivarathri festival celebrated here during March/April every year, is a colourful and crowded affair with vendors selling their wares and devotees staying awake the whole night in prayer to pay homage to their ancestors. One of the main attractions in Alwaye is the Alwaye Palace which is situated on the banks of the Periyar river. The old palace building, with beautiful circular verandas overlooking the river is now used as a Guest House.

Shiva Temple, Aluva

Aluva Shiva temple located at a distance of 22 kms from Kochi, is on the banks of the Periyar river. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva- facing the east. The specialty of this temple is that the Shiva Linga (the symbolic idol of Lord Shiva) is not enclosed in a shrine but is installed on the sand banks. It is believed that the Shivlinga has risen out from the sand on the bank of the river. During the monsoon season, the whole region gets flooded and the idol gets submerged in water. At that time, worship is done in a small shrine on the upper banks of the river.

The famous Aluva Shivaratri celebration is held in the temple premises. It is the main festival of the temple carried out every year in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (February-March) on the new moon day. It is more a ritual than a festival, during which one pay homage to their forefathers (pithrutharpanam). On this occasion known as 'Karkidaka vavu bali', thousands of devotees come to Aluva Manalpuram (river bank) from different parts of the state. They stay awake the whole night in prayer. A dip in the river at the 'Brahmamuhurtha' (3 am) after observing the rituals of Shivarathri is considered very sacred. A month long trade fair is also conducted along with the festival.

Munikkal Guhalayam

Located atop a hill at Chengamanad, 30 km north of Kochi, this is a place shrouded in mythology. The word "Munikkal Guhalayam" literally means sages rock cave. It is believed that sage Jangaman had lived here around 2000 years ago, and the place was initially known as Jangaman, which later changed to Chengamanad. A famous Lord Murugan Temple is located on the spot where the sage is said to have meditated which was later consecrated by Chattambi Swamikal in 1898. Another story goes that Lord Murugan also called as Guhalayam had made this place his abode and hence the name Guhalayam. 

Kaladi
Kaladi is a pilgrim centre 45 Kms away from Kochi, situated on the banks of the Periyar river. A tiny village cradled in green fields, it is famous as the birth place of Adi Shankaracharya, the great Indian Philosopher. There are two shrines dedicated to him.

Adi Sankara's Shrine, Kaladi

Adi Shankara shrine is located at Kaladi, 45 Kms away from Kochi. It is open to all pilgrims irrespective of religion or caste. The shrine run by the Sringeri Math is a large, partly open structure situated right on the banks of the river Periyar. Of the two shrines here, one is dedicated to Sri Sankaracharya and the other to Goddess Saradamba, guardian deity of Sringeri. The evening prayers are conducted with chanting accompanied with the rhythmic ringing of cymbals at the small temple of Vinayaka or Ganapati situated nearby.  

Sri Sankaracharya was born at Kaladi, as the only son of Sivaguru and Aryamba, a Kerala Brahmin couple. His early life was marked by several miraculous exploits that single him out for a divine role. Among the miraculous happenings associated with his life is one, when he is believed to have diverted the course of the river Poorna, then flowing one and a half kms away from the house, for his aged mother so that she could have her daily bath in the river without walking a long way. Even today one can see the river has taken an uncharacteristic turn towards the Sringeri Math shrine, believed to be the site of Sankara's house. The extra ordinary intelligent boy mastered the Vedas and completed his studies when he was merely 16 years of age.  He then spent many years of his life preaching the Vedic Dharma as well as its universality and superiority.  He established four 'Maths' at Sringeri, Dwaraka, Joshimath and Puri. At the age of 32, he attained 'mahasamadhi'. 

There is an 8 storey-high brilliantly painted memorial, Sri Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam here. The entrance to the memorial, is guarded by two elephant statues. Several large statues of Ganapati, Adi Sankara and others are also housed in this memorial.

Adishankara Janmabhoomi Temple, Kaladi
It is located quite near to the Keerthi Sthambam on the banks of river Periyar. The temple was built in the year 1910 by the 33rd swami of the Sringeri Ashram, Sachithanda Shivabhinava Narasimha Swamikal with the help of the Sree Moolam Thirunal. The Samadhi (tomb) of Shri Sankara's mother Aryamba and the Crocodile ghat where AdiSankara took his vows of renunciation is also seen here.

Brindavan of Aryamba, Kaladi
This is a holy spot in Kalady where Aryamba, the mother of Sri Adi Shankara was cremated. The lamp post made of black stone just near this samadhi was in existance from the time of Sri Shankara.

Crocodile Ghat, Kaladi
Crocodile Ghat or Muthala Kadavu is the place where Sree Shankara took 'Manasa Sanyasam' or his vows of renunciation. Even from a young age, Shankara was spiritually inclined and wanted to take up sanyasa much against his mothers wishes. Once while Shankara was taking bath in the Periyar river one day, he was caught by a crocodile. Shankara demanded his mother Aryamba to permit him to take up sanyasam so that the crocodile will leave him. His mother was forced to give permission and then the crocodile released him immediately, and the ghat came to be known as Crocodile Ghat.

Sri Sadvidya Sanjivini Rig Veda Patashala at Kalady is a unique institution that teaches Vedas and Sastras in the traditional method. The patashala established by Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal, is managed by the Sringeri Mutt.

Sri Krishna Temple, Kaladi
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, Sri Krishna Temple is located to the west of the Sringeri Mutt temple complex. The temple is under the Kalady Devaswom and the worship is conducted by Namboothiris.

Kodanad
Located 45 Kms north east of Kochi, it is one of the largest elephant training centres of South India. Set on the southern banks of the Periyar river, Kodanad is known for the Elephant Kraal; i.e the place where the newly captured elephants are kept till they are properly trained and disciplined. The elephant training center and the Malayattoor St. Thomas Parish Church or Thazathe Palli lies on the opposite banks of Periyar river.

The trained elephants are available for rides for the tourists. There is a small zoo sheltering wild animals which are unfit for survival in the forest. It is open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm on all days except Mondays.

For enquiries contact:
Divisional Forest Officer, 
Malayattur Forest Division, 
Kodanad, Ernakulam Dist.
Ph : 0484 2649052

Malayattur 47 Kms from Kochi, the place is famous for the catholic church of St. Thomas, on top of the 600 feet high Malayattur hill. Thousands of devotees visit the church between March - April when the annual Malayattur festival is conducted. It is the first pilgrim centre in India to be accorded international status by the Holy See, the official seat of the Vatican. It is also the largest pilgrim centre in the name of St. Thomas in India. Read More

Illithode
Illithode is an eco tourist spot located at a distance of about 10kms from Malayattoor and 62kms from Kochi. It is an apt location to spend one day leisurely. This charming and picturesque place is bordered by rolling mountains on one side and the beautiful Periyar river on the other. The main attraction here is the river flowing through the forest. It will take a few minutes walk through the forest to reach the river. While stepping into the river one must be very careful as there are strong undercurrents in certain areas. The deep forest and the river is a favourite location of  film makers.

Bhootathankettu
Bhoothathankettu, the scenic dam site, is situated in a vast virgin forest of the village of Pindimana at a distance of 50kms from Kochi. There is a legenat the forest and hills was built by the demonsd th or 'Bhoothams' and hence the name Bhoothathankettu, i.e fort of the spirits. The dam here is built by placing unshaped stones on both sides of the Periyar river and is one of the oldest existing European structures in Kochi. There is an artificial pond with pedal boating facility which can take a 20-minute boat ride to the nearby Thattekkad bird sanctuary. There is also a well-maintained Children’s Park.

Kallil Bhagavathy Temple

Kallil Bhagavathy temple or Kallil Kshetram, one among the famous cave temples in Kerala, is situated in Perumbavoor at a distance of 22kms from Kalady and 53 kms from Ernakulam respectively. Believed to be 1500 years old, this temple located on a 30 acre hillock is cut from a huge rock and can be reached by climbing 120 steps. A single rock acts as the roof of the temple and only an edge of the rock has touched the ground. The sanctum sanctorum (sreekovil) of the temple is under this rock.

Apart from the main deity Goddess Durgadevi, Lord Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu are also worshiped here. Daily rituals of the temple are completed before noon and it closes after the ucha (afternoon) pooja. Evening poojas are done only during the festival days. The Annual temple festival which lasts for eight days is celebrated in Vrischikam (November-December). During the festival days, a procession  carrying the idol of the main deity on a female elephant is held.

Another interesting feature of the Kallil Bhagavathy Temple is that it is also perceived as a Jain place of worship. A statue of Jain Seer Vardhamanamahavira can be seen carved out on the roof rock.

Thattekkadu

Salim Ali Bird sanctuary commonly known as Thattekkadu bird sanctuary in the village of Kuttambuzha in Kothamangalam Taluk on the northern banks of the Periyar river is at a distance of 58kms from Kochi. Established in 1983, the sanctuary is Kerala's first officially recognised bird sanctuary. Sprawling over an area of 25sq.km, the lush green sanctuary at an altitude of 35-523m above sea level, is home to 500 species of exotic birds including the rarest species like Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Pariah Kite etc. It also has extensive plantations of teak, rosewood, mahogany etc. There is a demonstration plot for medicinal plants, Bird research centre, Interpretation center and a refuge for deers towards the entrance of the sanctuary. One can go through the sancturary and can also enjoy the boating through Periyar. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from September to June.

Contact : 
The Assistant Wildlife Warden,
Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary, 
Njayapilli P.O. , Kothamangalam, Kerala 
Phone 0485-2588302

Kuttampuzha
Kuttampuzha (543.07sq. km) is a picturesque village situated a few kilometers away from Thattekkadu. The river with crystal clear water that flows touching the evergreen forest on its banks makes the place a much touted tourist destination. It is located at a distance of 63 kms from Kochi.

Pooyamkutty
Situated 73 km away from Kochi, Pooyamkutty is a remote village surrounded by dense rain forest of Western ghats. Also known as Elephant habitat, it is one of the major wildlife conservatory areas of South India. 

Edamalayar Dam
Edamalayar is a forested area near Boothathankeetu at a distance of about 70kms from Kochi. It is an ideal place for boating, bird watching and trekking. The people from far and near throng to this picturesque spot to enjoy the nature’s benevolence.