Tuesday 12 November 2013

India - Kerala - Ramakkalmedu 13.11.2013

Ramakkalmedu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ramakkalmedu രാമക്കൽമേട്‌
Hill Station
Ramakkalmedu Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates: 9°47′59″N 77°14′14″ECoordinates: 9°47′59″N 77°14′14″E
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Idukki
Languages
• Official	Malayalam, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Ramakkalmedu( രാമക്കൽമേട്‌ ) is a hill station and a hamlet in Idukki district in theIndian state of Kerala. It is a Special Historic place with a Monument of Kuravar and Kurathi Statue, which depicts the Sangam Period and Sangam landscape of Kerala and Tamil Nadu . It provides a panoramic view of Tamil Nadu villages and towns. Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu and enchanting retreat. The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of Tamil Nadu towns of Cumbum, Theni, Kombe, Thevaram, Uthamapalayam, Bodinaykannor and Vaiga. The sight is even wonderful at dusk when all these towns lighted. Rama – kal – medu literally means “Land of Rama’s Stone” or “Land where rama kept his leg” (Rama the Hindu God and the epic Ramayana), as per many interpretations available. One story says that Lord Rama kept his feet at the tip of Ramakkalmedu to search Ravana the King of Lanka who abducted his wife Sita.

Ramakalmedu stands tall in the western ghats at a height of 3500 feet above sea level. The ecosystem of the area largely comprises of grass land Shola forest type which is laced by sporadic bamboo forests. Constant wind is another factor which makes Ramakkalmedu unique. Wind blows at a speed around 35 km per hour at Ramakkalmedu throughout the year irrespective of the season and time. Ramakkalmedu is the second place in Kerala where a wind energy farm is installed. Currently the capacity is at about 12.5 MW.

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Location[edit]

It is located about 15 km from Nedumkandam on the Munnar-Thekkady route.

Tourism[edit]

Although Ramakkalmedu has a good potential for it to become a fine tourist destination, not much is done for the improvement of basic facilities nearby.^{[citation needed]}

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".^{[citation needed]}