Bhoothathankettu

Bhoothathankettu Dam
Night view of Bhooththankettu Dam
Location of Bhoothathankettu Dam in India Kerala
Coordinates
Status	Operational

Periyar Barrage, Bhoothathankettu.

Bhoothathankettu Dam

File:Bhoothathankettu Panorama.JPG

Panoramic view from meadows

File:Periyar River from Dam DSW.jpg

A view of Periyar River from Dam

A view of Bhoothathankettu Dam from Periyar river side.

Bhoothathankettu is a dam and tourist spot in Kerala, India. It is situated outside the village of Pindimana, about 10 km away from the town of Kothamangalam and 50 km away from the main city of Kochi. The original natural dam has been supplemented by a modern dam impounding the Bhoothathankettu Reservoir (Thattekad Reservoir). During the Malayatoor pilgrim season, travelers use the roads through the forest.

Point of Interest

Bhoothathankettu

Large blocks of unshaped stones are placed on both sides of the Periyar River to form the dam, making it look like a natural dam built by superhumans. The name Bhoothathan Kettu, means "monster fort"; past generations believed it was built by a Bhootham (monster).

1. Bhoothathankettu reservoir
2. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (Thattekad Bird Sanctuary)
3. The Idamalayar reservoir is about 12 km distance from the place

Myth

The reason behind the dam's name is that monsters(Malayalam: Bhootham) planned to submerge the Trikkariyoor temple, whose presiding deity is Lord Shiva by making a dam in the Periyar river and flooding the area. Suspecting trickery the omnipotent Lord Shiva, came up with a plan to deter them. He faked the approaching dawn by a rooster's sound. The demons fearing the arrival of light fled the place. To this day there is a visible proof of their effort where you can see the boulders which the demons were supposed to have rolled onto the riverbed, the Old Bhothathankettu. The Periyar flows on through the narrow space which the demons did not quite manage to dam up.

Reality

It has been attributed to two great floods – one in the 4th century and the other in 1341, which threw open the port of Kochi. The massive landslides during the flood are believed to have caused gigantic rocks to roll down from the mountain and become entrenched in the Old Bhoothathankettu.

Tippu's Lost Later in April 1790 Tipu decided to capture Travancorea and was able to break into the territory after making the way through the Nedumkotta. He destroyed the wall at Konoor kotaa or kottamuri and advanced further. He filled trenches for a few kilometres to enable his army to move forward.He destroyed many temples and churches and brought enormous harm to the people. He finally reached the Periyar river banks at Aluva and camped there. However, by this time a small group led by Vaikom Padmanabha Pillai and Kunjai Kutty Pillai went upstream and managed to break the walls of a dam at Bhoothathankettu causing heavy flash floods downstream Periyar river.

Incidents

On 20 February 2007, 18 people, including three teachers, nine boys and six girls of a school excursion group from St Antony’s UP School in Elavoor, Eranakulam district of Kerala drowned in Periyar Lake at Thattekkad. The tragedy occurred when water leaked into their boat, causing it to overturn. The boat which was the cause of the accident needed repair and was overloaded.

Pedal boats and speed boats are provided. The area around the boating facility is landscaped with tree houses and a children's play area. There is also a restaurant. Entrance fee is Rs-10/adult, for speed boat charge is Rs-500/ for 4 persons. There is a nature walk trail after the dam through thick growth to the old Boothathankettu which is very refreshing and return path is parallel to the river. However the water is very deep and with strong under currents. Edamalayar dam is 14 km drive through thick jungle from Boothathankettu dam. You can find many picnic spots along the way, elephant sightings though rare, are a possibility.

Transportation

• Railway station: Ernakulam junction (Kochi), about 50 km away.
• Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 26 km from Kochi city (Cochin).