# Thodupuzha

Thodupuzha is a gateway town to the Idukki District, in Kerala, India. Even though Painavu is the official capital of Idukki district, Thodupuzha is the de facto capital of the district because Painavu refused to grow from its sleepy village status. The photo seen above is a view of Thodupuzha river

## Understand

Thodupuzha is the fastest growing city in the Central Kerala. The rapid development of Thodupuzha over the last 20 years is remarkable, when it was a small village junction with 2,3 Buses in the old bus stand waiting for passengers. It now doubles as a taxi-stand.The town was concentrated in the old pvt bus stand area. The present bus stand ia a large one, capable of housing at least 60 buses.
Situated on the Thodupuzha-Pala Road, it is also accessible from the KSRTC bus stand.

## Get in

Its 56 km away from Kochi. Well connected by roads to Kochi International Airport. KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) buses ply from Ernakulam. The journey takes approximately 1½ hours via Muvattupuzha.

## Get around

* To Pala Road (~26 km) via Karimkunnam, Kurinji, Antheenad, Choondacherry, Pizhag. KSRTC buses on the Thodupuzha-Kottayam sector ply every 30 minutes; private buses, every 10 minutes.
* To Koothattukulam Road (~19 km) via Kolani, parakadavu, nediyasala, vazhithala, marika, palakuzha.koothattukulam. KSRTC buses on the Thodupuzha-vaikom sector ply every 30 minutes; private buses.
* To Idukki Road (~60 km) via Mrala, Muttom, Moolamattom. KSRTC buses on the Thodupuzha-Idukki/Kattapana/Thopramkudi/Nedumkandom sector ply every 1 hour; private buses, every 30 minutes.
* To Eratupetta Road (~35 km) via Mrala, Muttom, Challav, Melukavumattom, Melukav, Edamarak & Kalathookadav. Private buses on the Thodupuzha-Eratupetta/Kanjirapally/Erumely/Pathanamthitta/Ranni sector ply every 30 minutes from the Private bus stand.
* To Kaliyar Road (~20 km) via Muthalakudom, Kunnam, Vandamattom, East Kodikulam, Kaliyar. Private buses on the Thodupuzha- Kaliyar/Vannapuram sector ply every 30 minutes from the Private bus stand.
* To Vannapuram Road (~20 km) via Muthalakudom, Kunnam, West Kodikulam, Padikkapadam, Thenathoor, Njarakad, Vannapuram. Private buses on the Thodupuzha- Thenathoor/Vannapuram sector ply every 30 minutes from the Private bus stand.
* To Neelur Road (~25 km) via Mrala, Muttom, Challav, Thudanganad (Thodanganad), Neelur. Private buses on the Thodupuzha- Neelur/Karimkunnam sector ply every 1 hour from the Private bus stand.
* To Adimali Road (~75 km) via Manakad, Kumarangalam, Kaloor, Ipe Memorial School, Paingotoor, Pareekanni, Antheenatt Kavala, Oonukal, Neriamangalam, Adimali. Private buses on the Thodupuzha-Oonukal/Adimali sectors ply every 1 hour from the Private bus stand.
* To Kaloorkad Road (~20 km) via Paara, Painkulam, Kaloorkad. Private buses on the Thodupuzha-Kaloorkad sectors ply every 30 minutes from the Private bus stand.
* To Muvatupuzha Road (~20 km) via Vazhakulam. KSRTC buses and private buses on the Thodupuzha-Trichur/Ernakulam/Muvatupuzha sectors ply every 10 minutes from the KSRTC Stand/Private bus stand.
* To Karimannoor Road (~11 km) via Muthalakudom, Kunnam, Karimanoor. Private buses on the Thodupuzha- Karimannoor/Cheenikuzhi sector ply every 10 minutes from the Private bus stand, every 10 minutes.
* To Vannapuram Road – via Thomanjuth (~25 km) via Muthalakudom, Kunnam, Karimanoor, Thomankuth, Vannapuram. Private buses on the Thodupuzha-Vannapuram sector ply every 1 hour from the Private bus stand.
* To Poomala (~20 km) - via Kummamkallu, Idavetty, Aalakkodu, Kalayanthani, Ilamdesham, Karukappalli Kavala, Pannimattom, Inchakkattu Kavala, Saamikkavala, Poomala. It will take around 1 hr. Private buses from Thodupuzha in each half an hour
* Thodupuzha-East Kaloor Road (~12 km)
* Thodupuzha-Ramamangalam Road (~25 km)
* Thodupuzha-Manakkadu-Arikuzha-Pandappilly-Arakkuzha-Muvattupuzha

## See

* Thommankuthu waterfalls, about 20 km from Thodupuzha
* Uravapara temple up a rock mountain
* Malamkara Dam 8 km from Thodupuzha - Idukki route
* Ilaveezhapunchira - hill top, very scenic, 25 km from Thodupuzha (20 km by car, 5 km by walk or jeep) - Idukki route
* Hanging bridges - many on the way to Moolamattam
* Naadukaani - view - 25 km from Thodupuzha - Idukki road
* Kuruvakkayam waterfalls -18 km in Poomala Route - get a Poomala bus from Thodupuzha
* Njandirukki waterfalls-19 km in Poomala Route - get a Poomala bus from Thodupuzha
* Kizharukuthu waterfall -20 km in Karimannoor rute get a Karimannoor bus from Thodupuzha
* Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
* Keezharkuthu, Kulamavu, Malankara Reservoir
* Nadukani, Painavu, Palkulamedu
* Thommankuthu, Thumpachi Calveri Samuchayam
* Illaveezhapunjira, District Agricultural Farm Arikuzha
* Amaravkavu, Kolani (From thodupuzha to pala route. from there way to manakkad). A devi temple with in the forest
* Peripheral Villages. Manakkadu, Perumpillichira, Kumaramangalam, Muthalakudom, Thekkumbhagom, West Kodikulam, East Kodikulam, Parapuzha, Padikkapadam, Thennathoor, Koduveli, Vannapuram, Pannimattom, Mrala, Muttom, Purapuzha, Kolani, Karinkunnam, Vandamattom, Olamattom and Udumbannore. (updated Jun 2015)

## Eat

There are numerous restaurants in Thodupuzha offering tasty meat and fish preparations.

## Drink

There is a good toddy shop known as Mundekkallu shap near the town in Manakkad road, there you will get tasty food and pure kallu.

## Sleep

* Hotel Maurya Monarch, Kanjiramattom Bye Pass. Right in the town, close to the Civil Station and the main river bridge. Moderately priced, quality seems to have declined. (updated Apr 2017)
* Hotel Cicilia, Puliyanmala Rd, ☏ +91 4862 222 117. ½ km from the town, board & lodge for the upscale and choosy traveller), close to the KSRTC Bus Stand, on the Thodupuzha-Muttom Road. Doubles ₹2,250. (updated Apr 2017)

## Connect
### Free WiFi

The KFI Project offers free and paid WiFi services near hot-spots in cities of Kerala, usually near the Akshaya-e centers. The free WiFi service is limited to 500Mb a day.
Places with free WiFi in Thodupuzha include:
* Mangattukava Bus Stand
* St. George's Forane Church, Muthalakodam

## Go next

* Vagamon - about 60 km from Thodupuzha is a beautiful hill station