white water rafting

Bhoothathankettu, Ernakulam

Bhoothathankettu Ernakulam – Location : 50 km north east of Ernakulam town, Ernakulam district, central Kerala.

Bhoothathankettu, a scenic damsite with boating facilities is situated in a vast virgin forest. A myth associated with the place explains its name and how it came about. According to it Bhoothams (evil spirits/ghosts) wanted to destroy the temple at Thrikariyoor dedicated to Lord Shiva. They decided to flood the region by damming the river Periyar. To do this the Bhoothams rolled down massive stones from the surrounding hills into a narrow portion of the river. Lord Shiva, realizing their intention came up with an ingenious plan to deter them. Ghosts being scared of daylight, he tricked them into believing that morning had arrived. To do this Lord Shiva imitated a rooster’s crow, the most common announcement of dawn’s arrival, on hearing which the evil spirits fled, leaving the dam incomplete. Visitors can see the structure downstream from the present dam. Hence the name Bhoothathan Kettu (fort of the spirits).

Later, this natural topography helped in building a dam here. Lying close to Bhoothathankettu is the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad . Trekking through the forests here is an exhiliarating experience. The two main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district – the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar Irrigation Project are also located nearby.

WHITE WATER RAFTING – Transfer to Bhoothathankettu dam. Meet the guides and get briefed for the trip. The river takes us down through forests on either side. We will experience mild to medium rapids on the way. Lots of fun and frolic as we hit the Paneli rapids the most exciting rapid on the stretch. Pull out Paneli. Picnic -biriyani lunch served at the finish point.

Kalypso Adventures
G 340, Panampilly Nagar
Kochi – 682036,Kerala-India

http://www.kalypsoadventures.com/php/activity_itineraries.php?aid=3