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ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Mystic beauty

Enjoy the sounds of nature

PHOTO: MANU REMAKANTH

REFRESHING The wives of the English planters in the locality used to come to Madammakkulam for a dip

From the moment you land in Peerumade, you will hear the word `Madammakkulam' buzzing in the air.

Locals insist that this is the one place that captures the mystic beauty of the land. They also add that only a few tourists dare make the tedious journey to the destination.

From Peerumade it is only a half-an-hour journey to Madammakkulam. The road winds through Ashley estate and the green carpet of tea estates shines greener in the morning sun. Twenty minutes later, we leave behind the tarred road and its comforts.

At each turning, I have to hold tight to a metal rod inside the jeep to remain seated in the vehicle. The jeep inches slowly on bridges made of loose stones.

After the tedious expedition, we reach a rocky mass. The driver halts the vehicle, revs up the engine and turns the switch off. "Where is Madammakkulam?" I ask. "Close by sir, but before visiting it, tourists come to this spot," replies the driver. This is Irumulachippara. A thick mist covers the area and there is a nip in the air. Trees are conspicuous by their absence.

Misty screen

Pretty soon, I see the misty screen lifting from one end of the landscape. The green valleys reveal their beauty in one great sweep. Irumulachippara emerges — two rocky mounds.

After spending some time savouring the panaromic vista, we start our trek towards Madammakkulam. Stay off this venture if you are not adventurous. Many a time you have to crawl on all fours, balancing on rocks, which threaten to endanger you.

Waterfall

As you reach the destination, you find that you are on level with the uppermost terrace of a waterfall, near the source from where the water tumbles down into a pool. Woods encircle the pond.

During the British rule the wives of the English planters reportedly used to visit the pond for a dip.

Thus the pond was termed by the locals as Madammakkulam.(Madama is the Malayalam slang for Madam).

You have to climb further down the slippery rocks to get under the waterfall. As I slither down I feel an excruciating pain on my shoulder. With the help of my driver, I pull out a striped leech from my skin. But the refreshing cold water erases the arduous journey to the pond. The only sound is the music of the cataract and the crickets.

Madammakkulam is a great place to just be.

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How to get there

Madammakkulam is seven kilometres from Peerumade. Get your lunch packets from Kuttikkanam.

MANU REMAKANTH

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