Annamalai Temple
A 14th-century temple built in a Tamil architectural style that is uncommon in central Kerala.
Gateway to the High Ranges
Thodupuzha
നമസ്കാരം തൊടുപുഴ.
The largest town in Kerala's Idukki district, and the gateway travellers pass through on the way to Munnar, Thekkady and the High Ranges. It sits on the Thodupuzha river, which runs through the year.
Idukki District, Kerala
0 Town area (km²)
0 To Kochi by road
0 Literacy rate (2011)
0 Taluk population (2011)
685584 Central pincode
Where it is
The town you cross to reach the hills
Thodupuzha is the transit point between the Kerala midlands and the Idukki high ranges. Roads to Munnar, Thekkady and the Idukki dam run through it, which is how the town earned its name as the gateway. The Thodupuzha river cuts through the municipality and, unlike many rivers in the region, carries water all year.
Muvattupuzha 21 km
Kottayam 49 km
Kochi 62 km
Idukki Dam 44 km
Munnar 86 km
Thekkady 96 km
By road, approximate.
The name
Thodu and puzha
The name joins two Malayalam words, thodu, a small stream, and puzha, a river, for the waterbody that grew into the river the town is built around. A second local reading takes it to mean a town that touches the river. Both point to the same thing: the place and its water are one idea.
History
Thousands of years, several kingdoms
- 300 BC Buddhist and Jain influence reaches the region. Relics later unearthed at Karikode point to this early presence.
- AD 100 Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha sit within the Keezhmalainadu province, governed from Karikode.
- to AD 1600 Keezhmalainadu endures until it loses a battle to Vadakkumkoor and is absorbed into it.
- 17th century The Vadakkumkoor kings rule from Karikode and build forts across the area.
- 18th century Marthanda Varma brings Vadakkumkoor into the Kingdom of Travancore.
Culture
A town of many communities
Thodupuzha's mix of communities comes from old migrations and royal alliances. Part of the local Muslim population traces back to soldiers of the Madurai Raja, and a section of the Hindu community descends from Vellala families who moved from Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu. That history shows up in the town's places of worship, which sit close together.
Ninnar Mosque, Karikode
Commissioned by a regional king for his Muslim soldiers, a marker of the town's shared history.
Muthalakodam Church
A Syrian Christian church with roots said to reach back to the 13th century.
Sri Krishna Temple
A town temple that draws large crowds during Hindu festivals.
On screen
The Hollywood of Kerala
The hills, riverbanks and old homesteads have made Thodupuzha a regular filming location for Malayalam cinema, and for some Tamil productions. Several well-known films were shot in and around the town.
Katha ParayumbolSwantham LekhakanVeruthe Oru Bharya
Nearby
Places to visit near Thodupuzha
Malankara
Malankara Dam is built across the Thodupuzha river about 7 km from town at Muttom. The reservoir stays open through the year and has boating, a children's park and walking tracks.
Thommankuthu
Thommankuthu is a seven-step waterfall about 18 km from Thodupuzha, part of a series of twelve falls over five kilometres. A 12 km guided trek runs through the forest, and it is one of Kerala's main ecotourism points.
Aanachadikuthu
Aanachadikuthu, also called Anayadikuthu, is a waterfall about 20 km from Thodupuzha and roughly a kilometre from Thommankuthu. It drops around 30 metres and is one of the safer falls in the district, a short walk from the parking area.
Ilaveezhapoonchira
Ilaveezhapoonchira is a viewpoint about 20 km from Thodupuzha, on the Kottayam border near Kanjar. Three hillocks rise to about 960 metres, and the final stretch is reachable only by four-wheel drive. The name refers to a valley where leaves are said not to fall.
Our town
This is where Boxall started
Boxall is Thodupuzha's own delivery service. We are on these roads every day, which is why this guide exists and why we can bring you anything the town has to offer.
നമസ്കാരം തൊടുപുഴ.
The guide
Find your way around Thodupuzha
Hospitals in Thodupuzha
Hospitals in town, with delivery to the ward.
Colleges in Thodupuzha
Colleges and campuses, with hostel delivery.
Restaurants in Thodupuzha
Places to eat in town, order food on Boxall.
Shops in Thodupuzha
Local shops on the app, plus pickup and drop.
Places to visit in Thodupuzha
Waterfalls, dams and viewpoints around town.
Questions answered in Thodupuzha
Straight answers about ordering in Thodupuzha.
Hotels in Thodupuzha
Where to stay, with delivery to the room.
Coming soonQuestions
About Thodupuzha
Which district is Thodupuzha in?
Thodupuzha is in the Idukki district of Kerala. It is the district's largest town and its own municipality.
What is Thodupuzha known for?
It is known as the Gateway to the High Ranges, the transit town on the way to Munnar, Thekkady and the Idukki hills. It sits on the Thodupuzha river and is a regular filming location for Malayalam cinema.
How far is Thodupuzha from Kochi?
Thodupuzha is about 62 km from Kochi by road.
What is the pincode of Thodupuzha?
The pincode of central Thodupuzha is 685584. Nearby areas use other 685xxx codes.
Which river flows through Thodupuzha?
The Thodupuzha river, or Thodupuzhayar, runs through the town and flows through the year.
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