Ramakkalmedu
Ramakkalmedu is a hill station and a hamlet in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. The place is noted for its panoramic beauty and numerous windmills.
Ramakkalmedu | |
|---|---|
Hill Station | |
 Statue of Kuruvan & Kuruthi at Ramakkalmedu | |
| Coordinates: 9°47′59″N 77°14′14″E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Idukki |
| Government | |
| • Type | Panchayath |
| • Body | Karunapuram grama panchayath |
| Elevation | 981.07 m (3,218.73 ft) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Area code(s) | 04868 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-69, KL-37 |
Location
It is located about 15 km from Nedumkandam on the Munnar-Thekkady route. Nearby towns are Thookkupalam (5 km), Kattappana (25 km), and Kumily (40 km).
Geography
Ramakalmedu stands tall in the western ghats at a height of 3,500 ft (1,100 m) above sea level.
Flora and fauna
The ecosystem of the area consists largely of grass land Shola forest type which is laced by sporadic bamboo forests.
Climate
Constant wind is another factor which makes Ramakkalmedu unique. Wind blows at a speed around 35 km/ hour at Ramakkalmedu throughout the year irrespective of the season and time.
Wind Energy
Villages like Pushpakandam and Kuruvikanam near Ramakkalmedu is the second place in Kerala where wind energy farm is installed, though it is private holdings. Currently the capacity is at about 14.25 MW of NEG MICON Make Wind Mills. This electricity is distributed to Kerala State Electricity Board.even though Ramakkalmedu has potential to produce much electricity, as it is said to be one of Asia's largest wind blowing area.
Tourism
Although Ramakkalmedu has potential for it to become an international tourist destination, and already attracts more than 100,000 visitors. However, as of 2015 not much had been done for the improvement of basic facilities nearby. The government of Kerala has announced plans to develop this tourist station by improving transportation facilities with buses, upgrading of the Kerala police and other measures.
The scenic beauty of Ramakkalmedu has attracted thousands of people, including Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio has reportedly said about this place that "If there is a paradise on earth, it is here."
Kuravan and Kurathi
Ramakalmedu is a historic site with a Monument to Kuravan and Kurathi – a large statue that depicts the Sangam Period and Sangam landscape of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The monument provides a panoramic view of Tamil Nadu villages and towns, including Cumbum, Theni, Kombai, Thevaram, Uthamapalayam, Bodinaykannor and Vaiga. Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu an enchanting retreat. The view is striking at dusk when all these towns in Tamilnadu, are lighted.
Rama – kal – medu literally means "Land of Rama’s Stone" or "Land where Lord Ram set his holy foot" (Lord Ram is a Hindu God in the epic Ramayana). One story says that Lord Ram along with Lakshman (younger brother of Lord Ram who was accompanying him during his 14 years exile in the forest) kept his foot at the top of Ramakkalmedu in search of his wife Lady Sita, who was abducted by the Demon King of Lanka , Lord Ravan.
The Twin statue was sculpted by C.B Jinan and erected on the top of the hill in the year 2005. The statue depicts two historical characters who have some connection with the construction of the Idukki Dam. The Idukki Arch dam connects two massive rock hills named Kuravan Mala (Kuravan Hill) and Kurathi Mala(Kurathi Hill). .[1]
Gallery
view from ramakkalmedu
ramakkalmedu viewpoint
view of tamilnadu from ramakkalmedu viewpoint
view from ramakkalmedu viewpoint
kuravan kurathi statue, ramakkalmedu
Views from Ramakkalmade
Side view of Kuravan and Kurathi
Tourist at Ramakkalmedu viewpoint
an outcrop of rock jutting to tamilnadu scenery
View of Tamil Nadu from Ramakkalmedu
