Kothapaara

Mountainous surroundings and snowy falls forming rhythmic combination thrill nature lovers at Kothapaara near Parappu in Idukki district. Locals have a lot of tales about the rivulet. Myth has it that Kothapaara aruvi was created by a saint who felt thirsty as he walked to nearby forest patch 'kilipothu' for conducting a life-long 'tapas'.

Finding no other way to quench his thirst, he created an aruvi. As it was created for a saintly purpose, its water remained clear during monsoon.

Though the aruvi becomes thin during summer, it never disappears. The best season to visit Kothapaara falls is just after the monsoon when the stream is full and flows on a single track. With water receding, flow is divided into three parts with the central one attaining a larger shape. The clean surroundings also allow clean water.

To reach Kothapaara, catch any bus from Kottayam to Kattappana, alight at Parappu and travel 7 km further. Taxis and a few buses conduct regular services from Parappu. Another route is from Thodupuzha via Idukki. Reach Kattappana, get into a bus o Kottayam or Changanassery and alight at Parappu. After reaching Kothapaara, keep some extra time to cross the aruvi and go deep into the reserved forest with rocky mountains, grasslands and waterlogged valleys. The tribal settlements Kannanpady and Muthanpady are just 5 km away from Kothapaara. There is a forest station on way to these tribal settlements, from where essential information can be collected. Carry food along and stay at Elappara or Kattappana.

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