Sightseeing in Thattekad

Named after a mythical demon (bhootham) in local legend, the dam’s reservoir and rocky riverbanks offer a scenic stop combining easy access with the same forest habitat that makes the adjoining Thattekad sanctuary one of Kerala’s best birding destinations. Bhoothathankettu Dam is typically explored in about 2-3 hours. The best time to visit is October to March. Nearby points of interest include Periyar River Boating Point, Bhoothathankettu Dam View Point, and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. Other notable highlights include scenic boat ride across Periyar reservoir waters, spot Malabar grey hornbills near Thattekad edge, and walk the old stone dam spillway channel. It falls within Ernakulam district, India.

Set up in 1983 on land bordering the Periyar river, the sanctuary’s mix of evergreen and semi-evergreen forest supports well over 300 recorded bird species, drawing serious birders from across India and abroad, particularly during the dry-season months when sightings are easiest. Bird Sanctuary sits at an elevation of 303 m and is typically explored in about 1 day. The most favourable months to visit are December, January, February, and March, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include Thattekad Bird Sanctuary Main Trail, Nelliampathi Viewpoint, and Thattekad Nature Camp. Other notable highlights include malabar pied hornbills nesting in ancient trees, early morning boat ride on Vembanad Lake backwaters, and spotting migratory warblers from the watchtower. It falls within Thattekad, Ernakulam district, and Kerala.

Idamalayar Dam is a multipurpose concrete gravity dam located at Ennakkal between Ayyampuzha and Bhoothathankettu in Ernakulam district of Kerala on the Idamalayar, a tributary of the Periyar River in Kerala, South India. The dam however extends east as far as Malakkappara. Completed in 1985, with a length of 373 metres (1,224 ft) and a height of 102.8 metres (337 ft), the dam created a multipurpose reservoir covering 28.3 km2 (10.9 sq mi) in the scenic hills of the Anamalais. The reservoir storage is utilized by a hydroelectric power station which has an installed capacity of 75 MW with two units of 37.5 MW capacity, producing an annual energy output of 380 GW·h.