Flower Power! Water Lilies Help Bloom a Sleepy Village

From June to October every year, Malarikkal roars into action, as tourists throng the picturesque village — revitalising the local economy

- ABHILASH CHANDRAN @Kottayam

As the road winds past the outskirts of Kottayam and crosses Kanjiram bridge, everything changes. The tranquillity of the lush paddy fields gives way to vibrant activity. Despite it being a rainy Sunday morning, an entire village has come alive, with residents running around, engaged in a slew of activity: some are busy guiding visitors interested in boating, others canvas vehicles towards paid parking slots, while a few are seen selling flowers.

It's that time of the year when this tiny village, on the banks of the backwaters, comes alive in a thousand hues. From June to October, the tranquil hamlet of Malarikkal in Thiruvarp grama panchayat, bordering Kottayam municipality, roars into action. The seasonal blooming of water lilies across nearly 3,000 acres of paddy fields has completely transformed the lives of residents, revitalising the local economy as thousands of visitors make it to this picturesque village near Kumarakom.

As the water lilies begin to bloom by June, a soothing country boat ride through scenic Upper Kuttanad, surrounded by the rustic beauty of paddy polders blanketed by water lilies, transforms into a major attraction. In addition to visitors from across the state, North Indian tourists have also started arriving at Malarikkal this year. The government organises a water lily festival (Ambal Fest) at the peak of every season to draw more visitors.