Sri Sorimuthu Iyanar Temple

Many families worship Sorimuthu Aiyanar as their family deity. Those facing litigations and court problems place their prayers to Sorimuthu Aaiyanar. The place also serves as a health resort as it is in pleasant environment. Those committing a visit to Sabarimala come here and wear the Mala (chain) in this temple. Their number alone counts high. People offer chappals to one deity here named Valai Pagadai, a strange custom followed here.Presiding deity - Sorimuthu Aiyanar

According to the Kundalini Yoga Sastra, the human body and places of divinity are linked with six Chakras each representing a particular part. This temple, Sorimuthu Aiyanar Temple is also connected with some reputed holy places. The Mooladhara (sitting portion) is connected with Thiruvarur Tiruparankundram Sorimuthu Iyanar, Swadishtanam (just above the sitting or Asana position) with Thiruvanaika, Tiruchendur and Achankoil, Vishuddhi (the neck area) with Kalathi, Kundruthoradal and Pandalam, Agna (between the eyebrows) Kasi, Pazhamudirsolai and Sabarimala and Brahmmarandram (the head) with Kailash, Kadirkamam and Kandamalai.

The place has some of the best water storage areas and a very good place to swim.

The temple has its origin with Aiyappan. With a view to do away with the evils of caste systems, Aiyappan came to this place in the form of a human and married the two daughters of Muthupattan belonging to backward community. People also pray to Sorimuthu Aiyanar to get more milk from their cows. People offer bronze bells to Boothathar in the temple. As the temple happens to be the first Aiyappan temple, people committing to Sabarimala begin their undertaking by wearing the Mala from here. A beautiful temple in the Pothigai hill surroundings.

PRICKLY PEAR cactus (Opuntia species known as `Chapathi kalli' in Tamil) is found in abundance near the Sorimuthu Iyanar koil. It is highly nutritious and is endowed with good medicinal properties.

It is of great economic value, and is extensively grown in Mexico, parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean region. "In Mexico, the flattened stems are eaten, and are very popular. Prickly pear cactus also gives a delicious fruit called tunas. The cactus can be dehydrated, pulverized and made into capsules.

It was mostly used in the 16th to 18th centuries for painting churches and convents and the smooth paint gave a shiny, silk-like finish if white of eggs were added to the mixture. This can be used to preparing wet paint which acts as against sun light for protection. The technology is widely used in Mexico. "If only somebody could identify this and make this region economically stong or somebody might be utilizing this already,...."

This is one another place, people spend a lot of time bathing and the water coming from hills has got lot of medicinal values.

                                             

                                             

Anayirankal Dam

Anayirankal lake and dam are very popular picnic spots. Herds of elephants visit the lake to quench their thirst and allow the visitors to feast upon the sight of them. The scenic beauty of the lake, the surrounding tea gardens and forests has made the place the favourite of resort owners. Several five star quality resorts have sprung up in the hill slopes over looking the lake.

It is a lush green carpet of tea plants. The Anayirankal Dam is surrounded by the Tata Tea Plantations and evergreen forests. It is an ideal picnic spot.

Munnar Trip

In both Malayalam and Tamil, the word ‘Munnar’ means three rivers, as it is merging place of three mountain streams. The Duke of Wellington was the first prominent person to visit Munnar. Munnar was once the summer capital of the British in southern India. Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants by British although it was first discovered by Scottish planters.

Munnar has an ancient history and prehistoric relics that can be dated back to Stone Age civilization. The written history begins only from 10th century. In the early 19th century, the headman of the villages of Anchanad, Kannan Thevar, held lands to the north of the high ranges, which belonged to the local Rajah of Poojar.

 According to record history, the first tea sapling was planted by A.H. Sharp at Parvathi, part of the present Sevenmullay estate, consisted of 50 acres of land in the surrounding jungle.

J D Munro, a British lawyer and tea planter leased close to 600 sq. km of land around Munnar, which was then covered with thick jungle, from the Poonjar chief, a subordinate of the Maharaja of Travancore. He then cleared the jungle for Tea plantations. This land was later known as Kannan Devan (Kannan Thevar) Concession Land.

Later in 1895, Messrs Finlay Muir & Company bought Munro’s land and in 1976 Tata-Finlay Ltd. purchased it. Then in 1983 James Finlay Group sold their remaining share holdings and the company became known as Tata Tea Ltd., the largest integrated tea company in the world.

With the lush greenness of flourishing foliage, rambling with tea plantations enshrouded in cool mist is the picturesque Munnar, which is just approximately 4.5 hours (135 km) drive from the hot and humid coastal seashore of Kochi. The roads leading to Munnar are less cluttered and enjoyable compared to the ones leading to other hill stations.

The Kochi - Munnar route is the easiest way of reaching Munnar for foreign and native tourists, with the nearest Airport, the Nedumbassery Airport and Aluva Railway station, both situated near Kochi. The route extends through Thripunithra, Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Neriamangalam, Adimali and Pallivasal.