Karanchira
An Unravished Natural
Beauty
(by jakjaison)
If you are a serious traveller
crawling for places with a proven identity, I would suggest you to avoid this
virgin village. But, if you have some interest in giving your SLR lens some
amazing pictures of a well-written poem of nature, there should be no regret in
roaming the muddy pieces of land bordered by a rich flora. The place is ideal
for people who like to get interacted with some of the existing elements of a
typical Kerala village and related traditions.
What not to miss
The main attractions of the
place include Karanchirappuzha – the
local name for the famous Kanoli Canal (a
segment of Karuvannoor River) that
served as a major water-way for pre-independent dynasties of Kerala –, serene
panorama of paddy fields, and some spiritual centers. The best way to squeeze
the beauty of the place in your limited time is to have a consultation with any
local. It would be a better idea to hire a private boat from locals to have a sail
through the river, which is beautifully lined by a long queue of coconut palms
and exotic shrubs. The cruise may give you a rare chance to have a dive into cool
water (Have a swimming gear!) and to have a try on fishing with traditional
means. The place is known for some special genus of fish. A natural flavored Kallu – the local variant of alcoholic
product obtained from coconut tree – is available if you have some instincts
for a good mood; don’t worry, you can have some healthy Karikku – tender coconut fruit juice – if you are a known
no-party-maker. Other worthful routes for an awesome walk are Kappu, a local reservoir often crowned
with algal bloom, pieces of Kol – paddy fields – surrounding Kappu, and Nanthi , an artificial check dam built under
British rule. These areas provide you a
golden opportunity to see some exotic birds which find a temporary halt in the
vast stretches of wetland due to the rich sources of small fishes and other
favourable climatic factors .The places of interest include St Francis Xavier Church,
recently built with a fine mix of Italian and Indian styles of architecture.
The spiritual center, which is situated near the river, boasts divine articles
brought from Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa. The village is also known for various
Hindu temples built in traditional Kerala style. If you have some philanthropic
tastes you can have a visit to Karunalayam,
a home for people separated from main-stream social life for various reasons.
Local resources
You can’t spend a heavy
amount from your wallet to satisfy your luxury eating habits (take it as an
advantage if you have some ever-hungry wife!) as the place does not have any
star rated restaurants. If you are not satisfied with local, small-scale
eateries, you have to check in to nearby towns. The nearest state highways are
supplied with some 3-star rated resorts and lodging facilities where you can
stay and plan your further course of travel. The destinations close to
Karanchira that you can consider with your local stay include unravished beaches
of Kerala’s western coast (7 km), birthplace and home of St Euphrasiamma, the
second officially declared Catholic Saint from India (2km), Triprayar Temple (8
km), and Koodalmanikyam Temple (9 km). You cannot have a good shopping
experience in the area for which you have to access nearby temple towns. A well
appreciated multi-specialty hospital, BAH will serve your local emergency needs
during your trip.You will find local people a little bit reserved but they can
be friendly and useful once you reach them for any help. You can manage with
your English or Hindi as the majority of the locals are comfortable with these
languages though the area has Malayalam as a first preference.
Connectivity
The place is connected to
nearby towns Thrissur and Irinjalakuda by state highways and local roads. You need
a half an hour drive from Thrissur city to reach the place. The minimum
travelling time to reach the nearest airport, Cochin International Airport, is
90 minutes. You can get a decently frequented public transport facility from
the place. The place has the presence of
some national-level banking agencies including 24 hr ATM service. The area has
adequate network coverage of all major telecommunication service providers (so
that you stay connected to your favourite social media sites!). Wish you a
happy upload time with a good resolution
smartphone!
Pros:
Direct access to a nature
trip
No toll/entry charges
No traffic/parking
restrictions
Real, picturesque
experience of greenery
Best feast for you camera
(and to your profile pictures)
Cons:
Absence of luxury-class
stay and dining facilities
Limited options for
shopping
No official support or
package of sightseeing services
Best
visited: August to February
Contact
for local help
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