KAKKAYAM

We started out on a 2000 year model Mahindra Jeep from Chakkittapara after visiting one of our friend’s home at around 2.45pm. This is the vehicle best suited to kiss the roads over there. Don’t think of making your SUV climb up the road, as he may go on strike mid-way. Or if you are so particular then no comments.

En route to the dam site, the catchment area of Peruvannamoozhi irrigation project offers a feast to your eyes . If SLR is your close companion, then you will sure be gifted with a couple of mesmerizing snaps of nature romancing with meandering river down the mountain set against the beautiful sun. I was helpless then as I felt that my Sony DSC 10Mp 5X had a limit to which it can offer.

Now I ‘ll share something techy. The Kakkayam dam comes as part of the Kuttiyadi Hydro Electric Project & is located at a height of about 2450ft above MSL. It has a total installed capacity of 125MW. The penstock runs down from the dam site and goes through various tunnels and hills to the Kuttiyadi Tail race power house at Kakkayam. Water coming out of this power house joins a river and is utilized for Peruvannamoozhi Irrigation Project.

After a payment of Rs 10 per head at the base near the power house, it took us about 45 min to reach the dam site. When you climb up the winding road, you will not miss a giant old tree, ”Tholaranji” as it is called in Malayalam, standing proudly. It bears a name board which claims she is about 87years old. Her girth & majesty affirms it. Vehicle is permitted only upto the checkpost from where it is a 10 min walk to the dam site. It was written there that you are not allowed to carry cameras and that photography is strictly prohibited. But how could I, when nature is presenting its best before me? It is not just the dam but a gorgeous waterfall and a cliff that adds splendor to this place. This location is about 1.5km from the dam site. You feel the forest getting denser almost forming a canopy over you ,cutting off light by a certain amount as you walk to that spot. The sweet sound of water streams and beauty of forest keeps you calm. This spot is called “Urakkuzhi”, a perfect blend of beauty of the falls and majesty of the rocks. Unlike other falls, at Urakkuzhi viewpoint, a rope bridge stands over the rocks from where the water starts falling down. Literally you are hanging over a cliff. History has some stories claiming that the body of Rajan, REC student at the time of Emergency in the state was pushed down from here, after serious lock up injuries at Kakkayam Police camp. The forest guard had so many stories to tell about Rajan’s demise & he even showed the exact place where Rajan was thrown down. The spirit of Rajan must be making him tell his fate to all the visitors who comes there to enjoy nature’s gift.

I then enjoyed a bath in the nature’s bath tub nearby. No pool could ever give you the coolness and purity of water which this one offers. But I couldn’t swim there for long as it was getting darker and moreover this water body has small fishes and tadpoles and I had only a thin towels to cover me up!! We quenched our thirst from a pure stream of water running down the rocks which left us refreshed.The taste was so natural with a sweetness that reminded me of taking water after having a bunch of gooseberries.

The scheduled train at night and the dusk forced us to say good bye to Urakkuzhi then. The guard there didn’t forget to tell us that they had seen elephants having water from the spot where we had bath. It would have been a National geography channel snap, had some tuskers been there.

ROBIN