A Sage Place - Vennimala

Legend has it that Vennimala was a thick canopy of forest where the sages had their abode and retired to meditate in the hill’s deep caves. But demons came and laid waste to their peace. Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana stopped by one day when in exile. Lakshmana alone proved a handful to the demons and Vennimala was free of their menace forever. The hill of victory got its new name Vijayadri in Sanskrit and Vennimala in the local Malayalam

Aeons later, Kerala’s emperor Cheraman Perumala dropped by and was so enchanted by its quiescent beauty that he declared the hill sacred. He built a temple consecrating Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana and a palace for his residence. The palace crumbled into the sands of time, the temple still stands

Its temple pond and cave of meditation is accessible though boulders block the path which is believed to stretch to the aged banyan tree ahead. But step in a bit to breathe in its cool interiors and get a glimpse of the rubber plantations way below

Take a walk in the coolness of the shady hillock passing by still ponds of fresh water and rubber plantations and soak in the serene lushness

Tip

There’s a 28 day ritual during July at the temple when crowds throng

Getting to Vennimala

Take the train to Kottayam

Take a local bus, it's 15 km from Kottayam town