KALASHAMALA

Date: 20th June 2010

No place has generated as much interest in me as Kalashamala. This is mainly due to the fact that the trip materialized after many cancellations for various reasons. Our source of information for this place happened to be an article in the supplement of a local daily newspaper viz. ‘Mathrubhumi’ which was published some months back. The day we finally undertook this journey turned out to be a sunny day in the midst of monsoon.

As there was a possibility of rain we decided that travelling by bus would be a better option rather than riding on a two wheeler. Accordingly friend Mr. Davis and I took a bus for Kunnamkulam from the Shakthan Bus Stand at about 10.30 a.m. While in the bus, we discussed the tour spots lying scattered and where exactly were they located. The time taken in covering all these places was important as we had only part of a day left at our disposal. We reached Kunnamkulam by 11 am. We made enquiries at the bus stand as to directions to reach Kalashamala. Though there was a bus going directly to Kallazhi Kunnu (another name for Kalashamalaa) scheduled for 12:45 p.m. we took an immediately available bus going to Chowannur on the Kunnamkulam-Vadakkanchery route and engaged an auto rickshaw to cover the further three kms. to Kalashamala. Narimada Kunnu where we reached at around 11:45 am is a small hill, offering a good view of the vast green expanse lying yonder. Just below the view point is the ‘narimada’ meaning tiger’s den. There was a bunch of boys also on picnic there who wondered whether we were from the press to publish an article on the site (what a wonderful thought!).

Atop the Narimada there is a tree precariously moored at the side of the hillock which looked so photogenic amidst the surroundings that I couldn’t resist taking a snap of it. There was nothing much to see around at that particular spot and the hot sun was making it difficult for us even to sit down and enjoy the scenery. The sunset view from this spot is said to be very much enjoyable and we decided to keep it for the next time for want of time. While wandering around we heard the calls of peacocks but could not locate them. The grass growing all along the hill was very much inviting. I could have rolled over it. But something restricted me from doing so. After lunch which we took at the hill top we came down the hill to take a narrow pathway leading to the ‘Chola Vanam’ lying close by. Very soon we found ourselves in the midst of a small forest. The small stream flowing along the thick bunch of bushes was so inviting that I removed my footwear to feel it caress them which was truly an invigorating experience. Just across the stream there is an old temple undergoing some renovation work. There is a ‘kutcha’ road leading to the junction where we had turned for Narimada. The short walk up the graveled and untarred path presented greenery both sides and while walking along this path we again heard the calls of the elusive peacock. Enquiries made at Chowannur junction revealed that there are a few more sites around worth visiting and having decided to cover them next time on a two-wheeler, we waited for the return bus to Kunnamkulam.


Getting There:
Bus Fare up to Kunnamkulam Rs. - 14 per head
Bus Fare up to Chowannur Rs. - 4 per head.
From Chowannur Auto charge Rs. - 20 one way.

Just a Reminder:
Kalashamala comprises several caves and burial grounds spread over a vast area. Ideally, riding on a bike is more convenient for covering all the locations. Rainy season is best as the greenery around is a treat to the eyes.

MANGALYAPAARA

MANGALYAPAARA


As it has been a regular feature of going on short trips after coming to Kerala, an article in a local daily was the source for my next hunt along with my friend for a new destination named Mangalyapaara in Thrissur Dist. The article appeared somewhere in October, 2009 when the rains were still very much active. When myself and friend Davis did finally give Mangalyapaara a visit on a pleasant Sunday morning in end January 2010, we found it very much to our liking.

We started from my friend’s house in Pudukkad at around 9:45 am. We went to Thrissur via Kuttanellur, Mission Hospital, Chembukavu and further traveled on to Viyyur about 3 kms. away from Thrissur.

As we did not know the exact location of the place, we checked out with an acquaintance of my friend at Kolazhy and got a rough idea from them about our destination. Although they had not been there ever, they knew of two routes going there. They informed us that a dam has been constructed at Poomala near the site we were heading to which was worth visiting. There were even home stay villas over there, they told us.

The first route was the one going to Athani on the Thrissur-Shornur road and a right turn from there to go to Poomala from where Mangalyapaara can be reached. The second one will lead to Poomala from Thiroor which is nearer than Athani. The dam had not been included in our original itinerary but nevertheless we decided to cover it as well.

It was 10:50 when we found ourselves on the right track with little bits of information collected from the locals who surprisingly did not know much about the place we aimed to visit. After nearly travelling 1.5 kms from Kolazhy, we found the right turn at Thiroor and taking the zigzag route, we reached Poomala which lay about 5 kms.away. We travelled some more distance and having drawn blank got the help of a local who seemed to recognize the location from the photo we had shown him. As per his direction, we finally reached Mangalyapaara at 11.30 a.m.

Though we had been forewarned that the place is barren and there is nothing worthwhile to see, we didn’t regret the visit. The site was once used for quarrying with the abundance of hard rock available there. The large pits thus formed now presented themselves as large and deep ponds giving the site a wonderful panoramic view from atop the hillock half encircling the area. The green vegetation on the other half side was a real treat to the eyes and the camera.

The other side of the road which cut across the hill, presented the pinnacle of the hill and we enjoyed the view from there which was enchanting. There is quarrying activity going on here also. As there was no shade in the entire area we returned to our earlier view point and had lunch over there. By around 12:30 pm we decided to return to the main road and resume our journey to Poomala Dam. While making our way to the spot, where we had parked our bike, we enquired with a local if this particular area was frequented by tourists to which he said that monsoon attracted more visitors than summer. There was another spot close by where lots of films had been shot. But visiting there was not worthwhile in this hot season and we decided to visit Poomala Dam keeping the shooting location pending for the rainy season.

Enroute to Poomala Dam, we passed by a rubber plantation where two machines were seen installed amidst which reminded me of the ones we see at Sugarcane juice stalls. The machines are used for making rubber sheets. Rubber milk collected from the tree in cup like structures is poured into trays and mixed with Formic acid and the resultant spongy like substance obtained is passed through this crushing machine which removes the liquid part and the sheets thus formed from the other side are collected and are left to dry by hanging them on a clothesline. This is a new interesting information for me. After half an hour journey from Mangalyapaara we reached Poomala Dam. This is a small dam and a recently constructed one too. We didn’t linger too much over there and around 1 pm we started our return journey and reached Thrissur by 2 pm. I returned home having seen a new place and learnt something new.