Emerging spots: Discover Kottayam’s hidden ‘golden hour’ spot

Bored of all the sunset viewpoints in the district already? Kerala’s Kottayam keeps amazing tourism enthusiasts with hidden gems that surface on social media, often. Anakallumala in Nedumbara at Kottayam’s Uzhavoor panchayat is one such escape. It offers visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of the quaint countryside. It also boasts a perfect visual mix, offering mind-blowing views of nature and sprawling rock structures where you can lie down, relax, or even enjoy a leisurely trek.

What to see
The 360-degree view of Uzhavoor town during sunrise and sunset is the highlight of Anakallumala. The rock structures in various shapes and sizes are an interesting sight. The huge rock at the end is the Anakallu, after which the hill is named. The short trek from the road to the hilltop is quite exciting. There is an iron staircase that the visitors could use. Moreover, the rocky hilltop is an excellent photo point that offers beautiful frames for photographs and reel videos.

Here's how to reach
1)Kottayam – Kuravilangad – Kurianad – Uzhavoor: 31 kilometres from Kottayam
2) Pala – Uzhavoor: 13 kilometres from Pala
3) Koothattukulam – Uzhavoor: 9.6 kilometres from Koothattukulam

The entry to Anakallumala is at the Uzhavoor Nedumbara route. From Uzhavoor town, reach the Capuchin monastery junction via Koothattukulam road. Take the Nedumbara – Anakallumala road from here. You need to trek a bit from the road to reach the summit. You could get the location of Anakallumala and Nedumbara on Google Maps.

Visitors please note
1)The best time to visit Anakallumala is at sunrise and sunset
2)Do not ignore the rain and lightning warnings
3)The rocks would be slippery during the rains. Besides, there are small gaps between the rocks.
4)Do not do dangerous stunts atop the rocky structures.
5)It is better not to go too close to the edge of the rock, as the gorge is very deep.