Ramakalmedu

Ramakkalmedu is a panoramic hill station in Idukki district of Kerala state. The place is noted for its panoramic beauty and numerous windmills. The place stands tall in the Western Ghats at a height of 3,500 ft (1,100 m) above sea level. The ecosystem of the area consists by sporadic bamboo forests and largely of grass land Shola forest type.

Wind blows at a speed around 35 km/ hour at here throughout the year irrespective of the season reportedly recorded as the maximum in Asia. This is one main reason which makes Ramakkalmedu unique. It is also said to be one of Asia's largest wind blowing area and has the potential to generate higher power generation.

Villages near Ramakkalmedu such as Pushpakandam and Kuruvikanam is the second place in Kerala where wind energy farm is installed through private equity where the electricity is distributed to Kerala State Electricity Board.

Rama – kal – medu literally means "Land where Lord Ram set his holy foot" (Lord Ram is a Hindu God in the epic Ramayana). It is believed that during his 14 years exile in the forest, Lord Ram along with Lakshman (younger brother of Lord Ram) kept his foot at the top of Ramakkalmedu in search of his wife Lady Sita, who was abducted by the Demon King of Lanka, Lord Ravan.

The highest twin-statue in Kerala Kuravan and Kurathi is home to Ramakalmedu. One enter the installation greeted by the recent installation of Malamushakki Vezhambal (Great Malabar Hornbill) the state bird of Kerala. The Twin statue was sculpted by C.B Jinan and installed on the top of the hill in the year 2005. The statue depicts two mythical characters of Kuravan & Kurathi who were bonded by the construction of the Idukki Dam. The Idukki Arch dam connects two massive rock hills named Kuravan Mala (Kuravan Hill) and Kurathi Mala(Kurathi Hill).

A tall, pillar-like rock structure, about 300 m high and facing east is another main attraction here. The view from here provides a panoramic view of Tamil Nadu villages and towns, including Cumbum, Theni, Kombai, Thevaram, Uthamapalayam, Bodinayakanur and Vaiga. Other attractions in-and-around Ramakkalmedu include places like Frog Rock, Turtle Rock, Wind mills farm. One can also camp under the windmills overlooking the hamlet and spend a calm night here. If you plan to spend more than a day here, a trip to nearby Grape Garden will be ideal.

According to Mr.Sabu of Ramakkalmedu who keeps a diary log on this place for the past 26 years, it was the main entry point from Tamil Nadu for rice transport from Cumbom Valley to Kerala. Men carried sacks of the grain on their heads passed through the area round the clock. It was from here that the grain was transhipped to other places in the State, says Mr Sabu. Somehow, over the years, Ramakkalmedu has lost the relevance as a transit point of rice. It is now known more as a tourism destination, with nearly 4,000 visitors seen on weekends. 

Pre planning:

• Best time to visit this place is October to May.
• This is destination en route Thekkady and Munnar. So, if you are planning to go to Thekkady, this is a must visit place!
• There are night stays of varied budgets here. One good place to stay is Tranquil Greens, which is located in the town itself.
• Entry fee to the Kuravan- Kurathy statue & installation of Malamushakki Vezhambal is only Rs.10/-. SUV off-roading to the Suicide Point/View point is a hair-raising experience with just Rs.1200/SUV which can accommodate 6-7 persons.
• If you are off-roading/trekking after 10 am, please wear liberal sunscreen as you may get sun-burned.
• As its very windy, and climbing the hill can get bit tough, but enjoyable. Hence equip yourself accordingly. Once you reach the top of the hill there are no safety nets or railings, so basically you are on our own, so exercise utmost caution. Not recommended with kids whom you find difficult to handle.
• Stock your trip with sufficient eatables and water to hydrate as you don’t get anything uphill and eating has to wait till you are back in town.

Things to Do:

• Trek to View/Suicide Point and enjoy the bird's eye view of Tamil Nadu with rice paddy and the villages are something really enchanting. Also walk through Bamboo forest & rock to rock jumping will definitely enthral you!
• Visit DTPC park and watch the highest twin-statue in Kerala Kuravan & Kurathy and a sculpture of Great Malabar Hornbill at close quarters.
• Off road ride to View/Suicide Point is superb, so don’t miss it out.
• On the way back from View point, explore the narrow between-the-rock-walk and explore the cave under the Tortoise rock.
• Watch the sun set with Windmills in the frame.
• Visit the windmill garden and night camp under it and enjoy the serene view.
• Visit the nearby Grape Garden.

How to reach

• By Road: Located about 15 km from Nedumkandam on the Munnar-Thekkady route. Nearby towns are Thookkupalam (5 km), Kattappana (25 km), and Kumily & Thekkady (40 km each). People who want to enjoy this place can drive down from Kochi or Kottayam by road.
• By Rail: Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 124 km.
• By Air: Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 129 km away

Other Info:

• Coordinates: 9°47′59″N 77°14′14″E
• Weather: Between 180C to 300C
• Elevation:1100 MSL

Trivia:

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio once remarked about Ramakalmedu that "If there is a paradise on earth, it is here”. It was on November 4, 2002, when the Hollywood star visited the hill station and was asked to write a note on Sabu Ramakkalmedu’s Diary about the place.