Konni Elephant Cage
Konni Elephnat cage is a popular training centre for elephants in Kerala. Located in the district of Pathanamthitta, it is a major centre of tourist attraction in Kerala, and attracts visitors in large numbers throughout the year. Situated about 11 km from Pathanamthitta, the main attraction at the elephant-training centre at Konni is the huge cages built of wood to house elephants. This massive wooden cage is locally known as Aanakoodu and can accommodate three to four elephants at a time. The chief task of the trainers here at Konni is to train baby elephants, which are brought to the training centre after getting separated from its herd, or found wounded and roaming lonely in the forest. Experienced trainers, who employ some of the time-tested methods to tame the baby elephants, follow systematic training methodologies. Some of the training programmes besides making the elephants to obey commands include, daily exercises in the morning, which also include a walk in the premises, followed by bath and feeding of a special diet. At Konni, visitors can get a close look at these trainee elephants and can observe and understand a lot about their behaviour, especially that of baby elephants, which are often mischievous and are focus of attention of majority of the visitors, especially children. One can also find bigger elephants at the centre, and a ride on these majestic animals is an exciting one. The bigger elephants are also some times used for works inside the forest land adjoining the training centre. It is obviously a training school with a difference; where size really doesn't matter.
Adavi
Coracle rafting or Bowl Boat riding is an innovative venture, which promises a never-before experience to travellers. Coracle is a round bamboo raft on which a group of four can row. At Adavi, one can row the coracle on paying Rs. 200 for an hour. The rafting begins from Mundommoozhy and goes through Thottikayam, Idikallu, Thattathikayam and finally would reach Irattayaar. Tickets for rafting can be obtained from the Konni Eco-tourism Centre. A slender bamboo variety locally known as kallanmula obtained from the Mannarappara forest region is used for the making of the coracles used at Adavi. A butterfly park, a rehabilitation centre for elephants, whitewater rafting, adventure trekking, tree-top huts, bamboo cottages, canopy walkways and eco-friendly tourist cottages are the other attractions that would soon come up at Adavi.
Getting there By road: Pathanamthitta is well connected by an excellent network of roads to all major towns in Kerala.
Pathanamthitta KSRTC Bus Station, Ph: 2229213
By rail: Nearest railway stations: Chengannur (36 km); Thiruvalla (42 km)
By air: Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram (119 km)
Location
The geographical location of the district of Pathanamthitta is at 9.27° N 76.78° E with an average elevation of 19 metres. As one of the fourteen districts of Kerala, it is surrounded by the two districts of Kottayam and Idukki on its northern part, the district of Alappuzha on its western side, district of Kollam to its southern part and has a border with Indian state of Tamil Nadu on its eastern side.
History
The historical importance of Pathanamthitta district lies in its evolution of an independent district from Pandalam reign to the British reign and finally the formation of the district in 1982. The district of Pathanamthitta has great contribution in the freedom movement of India where the strong protest took place in 1921 against the visit of the Prince of Wales. The freedom fighters like Elanthoor K.Kumar, Thadiyal Raghavan Pillai, Pandalam K.P and N.G. Chacko had played a significant role to liberate India from the clutches of the British Empire.
Climate:
The climate of Pathanamthitta district is conditioned by the natural divisions of the regions as the lowland, the midland and the highland. The district has more or less same climate as prevalent elsewhere in the state. The Winter Season starts from December to February and Summer Season takes place between the months of March to May.
Fairs and Festivals :
Some of the famous fairs and festivals of Pathanamthitta are mentioned below with brief description:
Aranmula Vallmakali (Boat Race) : This festival is celebrated during the month of September which originates from the Sree Parthasarathy Temple which is also marked by the snake boat race in the afternoon.
Maramadimatsaram (Ox Race) : This is the largest annual fair of Pathanamthitta based on agriculture and cattle celebrated during the month of August.
Maramon Convention :This festival is meant for the Christians with the convention of carrying the cadjan leaves and bamboo poles to erect a huge 'pandal' on the banks of the river Pamba.
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