Kuttikkanam, is a hill station in Idukki district, Kerala, southern India. It is 3,500 feet (1,100 m) above sea level and surrounded by lush green tea plantations. It is within the territory of Peermade. Kanjirappally and Mundakayam are the nearest towns.

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Kuttikkanam
Hill station
Kuttikkanam on a foggy day
Kuttikkanam Location in Kerala, India Show map of Kerala Kuttikkanam Kuttikkanam (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 9°34′42″N 76°58′22″E
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Idukki
Named for	Steep slopes, Valleys and hairpin roads
Government
• Type	Panchayath
• Body	Peerumedu grama panchayath
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registration	KL-37
Nearest city	Kattappana, Kumily

History

In the 16th century the territory was under the rule of Changanacherry kings and was uninhabited. In 1756, the King of Travancore conquered Changanacherry, and brought the place under his supremacy. A Church Mission Society missionary, Henry Baker, started coffee plantations, and under the regency of Sri Moolam Thirunal these became tea plantations.

Under the British Raj in India, Kuttikkanam became an up-market resort. Since at first there was no road but only a pathway, the British started the Aerial Ropeway Ltd, Travancore state's first public limited company. The summer palace of the Travancore kings was located in Kuttikkanam.

During the British period and after, manpower was brought to Kuttikkanam from various parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The descendants of these migrant workers constitute the major part of the population of Kuttikkanam.

Surroundings

• Peeru Hills. About 1 km distance.
• Grampi. Commonly known as Parunthumpara, a rock sculpture about 150 ft (46 m) high and about 3,800 feet (1,200 m) above sea level.
• Thottapura. The place where the Travancore royal family stored weapons.
• Baker Hills (Commercially Named To Thrisangu Hills), Rolling hills with views.
• Panchalimedu, a viewpoint, according to legend one of the many hiding places of the Pandavas and Panchali. From a pond known as Panchalikkulam the "Makarajyothi", can be seen, the divine flame lit during the pilgrimage season in Sabarimala.
• Valanjanganam falls. A main attraction of Kuttikkanam, also known as Ninnumullippara. The waterfall is about 75 ft (23 m) in height and is usually covered in mist.
• Nallathanni viewpoint. On the Kottayam-Kumily National Highway.
• Artificial forest. A dense pine forest covering 100 acres (0.40 km²). Contains an estimated 30 species of birds, including rare endangered species. It is classified as a buffer zone by the Department of Forests and Wildlife, Kerala.
• Azhutha Diversion Project. A project constructed by the Kerala government on the Azhutha river, diverting water to Idukki Reservoir through a 987 m long tunnel.

Atrractions Josh Shiju John

Educational Institutions

• Marian International Institute of Management
• Marian College Kuttikkanam
• Mar Baselios Christian College of Engineering and Technology, Kuttikanam
• IHRD College Kuttikkanam
• St. Pius X English School Kuttikanam
• St. Joseph's Malayalam Lower Primary School, Kuttikanam
• Government Model Residential School (GMRS), Kuttikanam
• Sahyadri Institute of Ayurveda Nursing & Panchakarma
• Mariagiri English Medium Higher Secondary School, Kuttikanam

Gallery

References

Books

• The Story of Peermade by George Thengummoottil (ISBN 9788192888606) http://www.theindia.info/Peermade/

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kuttikkanam.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Idukki.

• Idukki Photo album
• About Kuttikkanam
• Kuttikkanam resort