A serene nature's bounty where history sleeps

NESTLED in the Western Ghats, some 40 kms away from the capital city, is a picturesque piece of land, part of the Agasthyar Biological Park.

- PUKHRAMBAM RINKU MEITI

Largely hidden from tourist glare until recently, the place is getting prominence of late for the elephant rehabilitation camp there and wonderful views that are verdant, pristine, and full of forest glory.

The area is on the fringes of the forest, and hence tourists are allowed just about 15 km into the region. But nature's bounty that treats visitors even within the small stretch is worth the walk, with relishing places such as Thottumpara, Kathirummundi, Pandipath, and Ponmudi showing up from here.

Kottur might seem set in a remote locale, but its historical connection is borne still by its name. A linguistic amalgamation, Kottur combines the term Kot (meaning Kot or Gad which in north Indian parlance means region or place). This 'Kot' became 'Kodu' in the south, and when locally suffixed with 'oor' (place or region) became Kottur.