Ottapalam 2023

The town of Ottapalam is very special to me - this is where I was born and raised. This town is situated in the Palakkad District part of Kerala State. The famous Nila River or Bharatapuzha flows through this town. I spent 3 nights here staying in a historical bungalow that belonged to Shri. K.P.S. Menon, the first Indian Foreign Secretary in independent India. His house boasts of beautiful artifacts from his travels as well as traditional arts from Kerala. The bungalow reflects the traditional Kerala Tharavad home. As a kid, I used to live right across the street and my father was a good friend of Mr. Menon. I was not sure what to expect, after having moved out for many years. I must say, the 3 nights I spent is the best part of my Kerala trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the traditional Kerala hospitality, delicious food and caring services and lots of reading. I was able to visit with my college classmate after 47 years and she welcomed us with a wonderful, traditional feast!!!! It was very relaxing stay. I captured a few photographs of the bungalow, the small lane from the main road leading to the house where I used to live, Nila River and Ananganmala valley.

Ananganmala brings back wonderful memories of walking up the hill with my friends - no boots, no sticks! Ananganmala valley is now developed and maintained as a wonderful nature preserve. It is believed that Ananganmala is a piece of the hill that fell off Hanunman's hands as he carried the Sanjeevani herbs to revive Lakshmana. Hanuman was not able to recover the fallen piece of the hill - hence it is called Ananganmala (immovable hill).