Bhoothathan Kettu

TRIP TO BHOOTHATHAN KETTU

Bhothathan kettu is a dam 30 kilometers away from Moovattupuzha and 10 kilometers from Kothamangalam. When we travel over the dam, we saw the flooded dam on the right side. Only two shutters were opened. One fellow said," Now we have water only in this dam. If we open this, then there will be no water to cater kerala. " On the opposite side we saw rocks and flowing water in between. " Whatelse is here to see",I asked the shop owner.
"Bhoothathan Kettu, you can go through that narrow lane",he said.
There we saw the forest office and a board saying Edamalayar forest division.
A grey haired black person came there and said," Sir,I am Thankappan, a tourist guide. Here we are two and we can explain you about this place. ". I looked on that energetic person and decided to take him with us. " The forest has elephants, Leoperd and King Cobra. There is a rock cave also. It has many bats and porcupines. We can't go there without torch light. Bats may beat us on our face and may injure. "
"Do you have torch?"
Yes sir, we have all paraphernalias."
" OK, then how much have we to pay?", I asked.
"After return, what ever you like to", he said
" Ok, can we take bath?"
Yes, of course"
"Oh! forgot to take towel?", brother Sajeev said
" I can give one sir," driver Radhakrishnan said
" Two more we can buy from this shop", Thankappan said
We purchased towels and started our trip.
" The total area of this forest is 1500 acres . see these trees, this is Nakkaril, the next is Karimaruthu, that is Incha", he began to explain. This one is very special, it is called Chela tree. Crow and other birds eat its fruit and through its fecus , the seeds will come out and stick to big trees. Then began the extension of big roots to the earth and round the trunk of the tree. It is just like wearing of saree or rounding off of python around its prey. Gradually it will kill the main tree and grow as a separate plant. We really shocked to see and hear about it. Really shocked !
We saw vellilavu, Chempoo and Chadachi. Elephants have fancy on the skin of Chadachi. We saw the palm prints of elephants. Kattamaram of fishermen are made from this wood, Cheeni maram. See, it is Mullan Valli, it's kattumunthiri and those are malamuriga. Last one is Arangili. If one sleeps on the skin of it, back pain will go ", he said. Karimkurinji is also good for back pain.
We walked and reach near a small canal. Earlier one hanging bridge was here. Man, elephant and calamities spoiled it. Now, Government plans it re-establish the same.
See this manimaruthui, when it flowers , look is very beautiful and its color is violet.

It is kattuthippali, good for tooth ache.
" Friends, don't touch this tree.It is Cheru. If we touch you will respond with high itching and be in big problem. Then the person should request Cheru and then Thanni for pardon. There are other trees also like Irumullu, Mayilellu, kariveedu and Ungu.This is Neerpezhu, its skin will kill fishes, if we put it in the pond or river , but we can eat them .
We went to the rock cave, big rocks and finally had an excellant bath. With good moments nin mind and pictures ,we returned after giving Rs.150/- to Thankappan.