KATTAPPANA: With the mercury rising, travellers opt for scenic places on the hills for a weekend trip. And Panchalimedu near Murinjapuzha in Kuttikkanam offers tourists a panoramic view of an unending stretch of valleys and hills. Though there are no official figures for the number of tourists visiting Panchalimedu, local traders attribute a rise in the number of tourists especially during the summer season to the cool climate and refreshing breeze which is a speciality here. Panchalimedu is 7 k.m. away from Murinjapuzha on the Kottayam-Kumily route and lies 2,500 ft above sea level. Legend has it that the Pandavas and Panchali took a break in the area while on exile and hence the name Panchalimedu. The Panchalikulam, where Panchali is believed to have taken a bath, still attracts visitors. The pond has water even during the dry summer months. Panchalimedu has an enchanting set of hills which refreshes the body and mind, says Suresh Kumar, a student from Kanjirappally who reached Panchalimedu with his friends for enjoying the surroundings. He said that during the monsoon season, the hills are a virtual canopy of green. According to shoppers in Murinjapuzha, Panchalimedu is less known among tourists and it should be promoted extensively. Sources in the District Tourism Promotion Council said that there are nearly 50 unknown tourism destinations in the district and a plan will be drawn up to select the most beautiful and accessible destinations. Some places are prone to accidents and protection walls should be constructed before they are opened to the public, they said. Panchalimedu has a wide area available for trekking. Moreover, there are no accident-prone areas, unlike in other hill destinations. It can be a halting point on the route to Thekkady from Kottayam. It is only by word of mouth that it is known and it has not been included in any tourist brochures so foreign tourists are not aware about it, sources said.

KATTAPPANA: With the mercury rising, travellers opt for scenic places on the hills for a weekend trip. And Panchalimedu near Murinjapuzha in Kuttikkanam offers tourists a panoramic view of an unending stretch of valleys and hills. Though there are no official figures for the number of tourists visiting Panchalimedu, local traders attribute a rise in the number of tourists especially during the summer season to the cool climate and refreshing breeze which is a speciality here. Panchalimedu is 7 k.m. away from Murinjapuzha on the Kottayam-Kumily route and lies 2,500 ft above sea level. Legend has it that the Pandavas and Panchali took a break in the area while on exile and hence the name Panchalimedu. The Panchalikulam, where Panchali is believed to have taken a bath, still attracts visitors. The pond has water even during the dry summer months. Panchalimedu has an enchanting set of hills which refreshes the body and mind, says Suresh Kumar, a student from Kanjirappally who reached Panchalimedu with his friends for enjoying the surroundings. He said that during the monsoon season, the hills are a virtual canopy of green. According to shoppers in Murinjapuzha, Panchalimedu is less known among tourists and it should be promoted extensively. Sources in the District Tourism Promotion Council said that there are nearly 50 unknown tourism destinations in the district and a plan will be drawn up to select the most beautiful and accessible destinations. Some places are prone to accidents and protection walls should be constructed before they are opened to the public, they said. Panchalimedu has a wide area available for trekking. Moreover, there are no accident-prone areas, unlike in other hill destinations. It can be a halting point on the route to Thekkady from Kottayam. It is only by word of mouth that it is known and it has not been included in any tourist brochures so foreign tourists are not aware about it, sources said.