Bhoothathankettu
Encyclopedia
Bhoothathankettu is a dam and tourist spot in Kerala
, India
. It is situated in the village of Pindimana, about 10 km away from the town of Kothamangalam
and 50 km away from the main city of Ernakulam
.
At the time of Malayatoor pilgrim season, travellers use the roads through the forest.
to form the dam, making it look like a natural dam built by superhumans. The name Bhoothathan Kettu, means "monster
dam"; past generations believed it was built by a Bhootham (monster).
and flooding the area. But, Lord Shiva, suspecting trickery, came up with a plan to deter them. He made it appear that dawn was approaching by making a sound like the crowing of the rooster. The demons fearing the arrival of light fled from their task. But there remains to this day the visible proof of their effort - the huge stones the demons were supposed to have rolled onto the riverbed, the Old Bhothathankettu. The Periyar flows on through the narrow space which the demons did not quite manage to dam up.
s, nine boys and six girls of an excursion
team from St Antony’s UP School in Elavoor, Eranakulam district of Kerala who drowned in Periyar Lake at Thattekkad. The tragedy occurred when water leaked into boat
, causing it to overturn. The boat which was the cause of the accident was under repair and was overloaded.
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is situated in the village of Pindimana, about 10 km away from the town of Kothamangalam
Kothamangalam
Kothamangalam is a town located in eastern part of Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala situated 45 km north east of Kochi City. It is located around 14 km north east to the town of Muvattupuzha. The town is situated in the foothills of the Western Ghats mountain ranges. It...
and 50 km away from the main city of Ernakulam
Ernakulam
Ernakulam refers to the downtown area or the western part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. The city is the most urban part of Kochi and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Ernakulam is called the commercial capital of the state of Kerala and is a main nerve of business in...
.
At the time of Malayatoor pilgrim season, travellers use the roads through the forest.
Old Bhoothathankettu
Large blocks of unshaped stones are placed on both sides of the Periyar RiverPeriyar River
Periyar is the longest river in the state of Kerala, India, with a length of 244 km. The Periyar is known as the lifeline of Kerala; it is one of the few perennial rivers in the region and provides drinking water for several major towns...
to form the dam, making it look like a natural dam built by superhumans. The name Bhoothathan Kettu, means "monster
Monster
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is somewhat hideous and may produce physical harm or mental fear by either its appearance or its actions...
dam"; past generations believed it was built by a Bhootham (monster).
- BhoothathankettuBhoothathankettuBhoothathankettu is a dam and tourist spot in Kerala, India. It is situated in the village of Pindimana, about 10 km away from the town of Kothamangalam and 50 km away from the main city of Ernakulam....
reservoirReservoirA reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to... - Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (Thattekkad bird sanctuary)
- The Idamalayar reservoir is about 12 km distance from the place
Myth
Some monsters planned to submerge the Trikkariyoor temple, whose presiding deity is Lord Shiva by making a dam in the Periyar riverPeriyar River
Periyar is the longest river in the state of Kerala, India, with a length of 244 km. The Periyar is known as the lifeline of Kerala; it is one of the few perennial rivers in the region and provides drinking water for several major towns...
and flooding the area. But, Lord Shiva, suspecting trickery, came up with a plan to deter them. He made it appear that dawn was approaching by making a sound like the crowing of the rooster. The demons fearing the arrival of light fled from their task. But there remains to this day the visible proof of their effort - the huge stones the demons were supposed to have rolled onto the riverbed, the Old Bhothathankettu. The Periyar flows on through the narrow space which the demons did not quite manage to dam up.
Reality
Its been attributed to two great floods - one in the 4th century and the other in 1341, which threw open the port of Kochi. The massive landslides during the flood is believed to have caused gigantic rocks to roll down from the mountain and become entrenched in the Old Bhoothathankettu.Incidents
On 20 February 2007, total 18 people, including three teacherTeacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
s, nine boys and six girls of an excursion
Excursion
An excursion is a trip by a group of people, usually made for leisure, education, or physical purposes. It is often an adjunct to a longer journey or visit to a place, sometimes for other purposes....
team from St Antony’s UP School in Elavoor, Eranakulam district of Kerala who drowned in Periyar Lake at Thattekkad. The tragedy occurred when water leaked into boat
Boat
A boat is a watercraft of any size designed to float or plane, to provide passage across water. Usually this water will be inland or in protected coastal areas. However, boats such as the whaleboat were designed to be operated from a ship in an offshore environment. In naval terms, a boat is a...
, causing it to overturn. The boat which was the cause of the accident was under repair and was overloaded.
Transportation
- Railway station: Ernakulam junction, about 50 km away.
- Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 26 km from Ernakulam town.