PIRAVOM: Pazhoor, situated two and a half-km off the town with its rich heritage value, has put Piravom on the world tourism map.
Pazhoor is said to be one among the 64 villages formed by Parasuraman, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Architectures of the area embrace the brilliant touches of legendary carpenter Perumthachan. Advaita Acharya Adi Sankaran and astrologer Thalakulathu Bhattathiri are said to have lived here. Hundreds of people from all over the world head for Pazhoor Padippura every day as belief goes that the predictions made by the family here is accurate.
As per custom, before meeting the head of the Padippura family to enquire about one’s destiny, people visit Pazhoor Perumthrikkovil Siva Temple, a millenary monument which helped Pazhoor steal a spot on the heritage map of India.
Such features of Pazhoor spurred Piravom grama panchayat authorities into tapping its pilgrim tourism potential. According to Piravom grama panchayat president Sabu K Jacob, facilities are being made at Pazhoor for tourists. “As part of the initiative, the panchayat had built a hanging bridge and a rainbow bridge at Pazhoor. The hanging bridge helps people reach Pazhoor from Kakkad easily without touching the town. It also takes the people from Kakkad to Valiyaparambu-Nadakkavu highway. The 40-metre rainbow bridge connects the Pazhoor Temple and ‘Manapuram’, where people perform ‘Bali Tharpan’. We had been building a temporary bridge every year for ‘Bali Tharpan’. After the completion of the projects, the area is witnessing a steep increase in the number of visitors,” he said.
Now the panchayat has mooted another project as part of the same initiative. K K Biju, ward member of Pazhoor, said that a project, ‘Nakshatra Vanam’ will be introduced soon. “The project is planned in around eight acres of land situated by the Muvattupuzha river or Pazhoor river and near the temple. The trees corresponding to the birth stars will be planted and nurtured. A park and boating facilities will also be set up. Also, ‘balithara’, sites for performing ‘shraddha’ will be set up at the eastern side of the land. The total cost of the project is estimated at `3.5 lakh. We have already started the procedures to acquire environmental clearance for the project,” he said.
The future goals of the panchayat include building a dormitory for pilgrims near Pazhoor temple and the conversion of the ancient storage room of the temple into a museum. “The storage room should be conserved as it reflects the craft and skills of Perumthachan. We have been discussing the matter with the Archeological Department. Also, the spare land near the temple will be acquired soon for setting up the dormitory,” Biju said. But the opposition members are of the opinion that lack of road infrastructure was a blot on pilgrim tourism dreams of the panchayat.
P K Salim, leader of the opposition, said that the main roads in the area were narrow and in a dilapidated state. “The beautiful landscapes of Piravom and its heritage make Piravom a must-see place in the district. However, the narrow roads and dearth of private and KSRTC bus services were a roadblock for tourism development,” he said.
He suggested that tourists visiting Ernakulam should be lured to Piravom.
“Tourists who visit the district take a halt at Tripunithura Hill Palace. They are totally unaware about the significance of this area. Piravom must be made the next on the list of the tourism spots after Hill Palace. Also, boat services must be started immediately via Muvattupuzha river as it will attract more tourists to the area,” he said.
