Ayyapancoil Hanging Bridge, Periyar Lake and Surroundings, things to do, nearest tourist spots.

1. LONGEST HANGING BRIDGE OF KERALA

2. Ayyapancoil in Kerala is an ancient tribal village and an unexplored
tourist spot in South India, the name means Temple of God Ayyappan
got from the ancient Ayyappan Temple located near. The spot have
history back from 3000s of years and there are number of cultural and
historical artifacts existing as proud remains of this pristine village.
Kovilmala is the nearest location of Ayyappancoil and the center of the
only one Tribal King of entire Mannan Tribal in India. The village and
surroundings are blessed with serine greenish landscape, the longest
river in Kerala – Periyar making this virgin land wet and beautiful. The
attractions to visit in Ayyapancoil are hanging bridge across Periyar
river, 3000 more year old temple, ancient Neolithic dolmens, Idukki
arch dam, biggest soli bridge in Asia, Periyar wildlife sanctuary, tribal
village etc. Country boat riding, bamboo rafting, fishing, trekking, walk
through hanging bridge, jeep thrilling, visit to tribal village etc.

3. Hanging Bridge during
Summer Season, Ayyappancoil

4. Hanging Bridge, Ayyappancoil – One of the longest hanging
bridge in Kerala and the bridge get blessed with a lake
formed from flood of Idukki reservoir during monsoon
season of Kerala. 6 months we can enjoy this pristine view
and this lasts until the climate get hot during summer.

5. Hanging Bridge, Ayyappancoil – View from Nearest Hill Top

6. Hanging Bridge, Ayyappancoil – View from Nearest Hill Top

7. Hanging Bridge, Ayyappancoil –
View during Summer Season of
Kerala, this time the
Vellilamkandam river, that
carrying water to Idukki
Reservoir become dry and can
walk across the greenish dry land
here .

8. Hanging Bridge during Summer Season,
Ayyappancoil

9. The joining spot of Vellilamkandam River and Periyar

10. Periyar near Ayyappancoil during Summer Season in Kerala

11. The joining spot of Vellilamkandam River and Periyar

12. The meeting spot of Vellilamkandam River and Periyar

13. Vellilamkandam River and its banks during Summer : The
spot is dry and greenish as like a big international stadium
and the landscape become cricket pits and volleyball
courts for villagers here , best time for kids to enjoy their
summer vacation.

14. The dry land, but green carpeted nature around
Vellilamkandam River and a distant view to hanging bridge

15. The monsoon raining will make Vellilamkandam River rich
with flood water and rise in water level of Idukki reservoir
will create a big lake and gradually the green carpeted dry
land changing to a horizon of water body

16. Now the lake is ready for a leisure time. See the photo inset and know the change
happened to this beautiful village. Best time to visit the spot is just after the monsoon
season in Kerala. Especially Onam Festival Season is very good for a visit. So we can join
with the villagers in Onam celebrations too.

17. Take a country boat and do a ride under monsoon clouds, never forget it.

18. Bamboo Rafting

19. Bamboo Raft was the resort for the villagers to cross the lake
before the establishment of hanging bridge. Still keeping it for
some adventure geeks to enjoy a ride.

20. Bamboo Rafting across Periyar lake is an enjoyable activity here

21. This is the biggest soil bridge in Asia build across
Vellilamkandam River, the image taken during summer.
The top of the bridge is the Kattapana - Kottayam Road
and a main route to connect villages and nearest tourist
spots – Vagamon, Thekkady, Idukki Dam etc

22. See the soil bridge now filled with lake water from Idukki Reservoir during
monsoon. Inset image shoeing soil bridge during summer. Fishing is a main
activity here during raining season.

23. This is the bigger ring under the Soil Bridge to make passage for water from
other side, this flow leads to Periyar river and Idukki resrvoir. Origin of
Vellilamkandam river is from the distant cardamom hills and the river was rich
with water flow through out the year. But recently the river is dry during
summer, because of climate change and lose of forest in distant mountain
ranges.

24. The ring under the soil bridge is apt for adventure time and a different perspective of
view to other side landscape through this big ring will be unforgettable , because the
view from one side of ring to other end will feel as a look to 2D picture.

25. Ayyappancoil Lake : See the shore of lake got narrower and by
seeing this villagers can say Kerala got enough monsoon
raining in this year, but even in this time the water level in
Idukki Reservoir do not reached at its full capacity of water
storage. Because it is one of the highest Arch Dam and hydro
electric prohject in Asia.

26. Ayyappancoil Lake

27. Ayyappancoil Lake

28. The view from a top hill in Ayyappancoil Village

29. Raman Raja Mannan – The new Tribal King of Kovilmala : The tribal community in Ayyapancoil
is from Mannan Section. They migrated from Tamilnadu region and got special privileges from
Travancore Kings to rule this area. The King and his 12 ministers governing the tribe and they
are still following their ancient tradition and culture. This is the only one King for Mannan tribe
all over India.

30. The only one temple in the world that in the middle of water for 6 months and
another 6 months in normal land. During monsoon the Periayar lake will grow and
cover the temple yard, the devotees and temple priest have to ride in a boat to pay
homage. The temple is 3000 more years old and the deity here is of Ayyappa, and
may be the idol here is more older than Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. Now village
people trying to construct the floor level of temple to make above lake water , but
the spot is under the control of Government, so blocked the renovation works.

31. Ancient megalithic tombs around the Periyar river and Ayyapancoil are the
best artifacts, those lights up to the culture and life of people here 6000
years ago, is still not covered for a proper study and recording. The image
is a dolmen site appeared in a construction field in Idukki.

32. Caradmom plantation near Ayyapancoil. Ayyapancoil and around
villages are the part of famous cardamom mountain range of Kerala
and these spots are participating in spice export of India as a main
source of cardamom seeds. The mountains here is the mother land
of cardamom plant and very important to world trade map from
ancient time. The scent of cardamom and other spices like pepper,
cinnamon etc will act as an air freshener and during our journey
through these lands, this fragrance in air will be get marked as an
unforgettable experience in our memories.

33. This is the Biggest Arch Dam in Asia and the 20 min boat ride through Ayyapancoil
lake will get us to this pristine spot. But the boat ride through the lake is strictly
prohibited due to security issues, but if we have special permissions from
Government authorities, we can try it once. Country baot ride for tribal people not
prohibited in lake and angling also allowable. The Dam is open only during festival
seasons like Onam, Christmas, Easter etc. If we travel through road, there need a
30km ride from Ayyapancoil to Idukki Dam.

34. Vellilamkandam
river
Periyar Lake
Cardamom
mountain range :
Origin of
Vellilamkandam River

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