Kottathalachi Mala (Mount Kottathalachi) - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting
About Kottathalachi Mala (Mount Kottathalachi)
Located 900 meters above sea level, Mount Kottathalachi is accessible either by a 3 km hike or by off road vehicles. The peak is filled with tall green grasses which dances with the cool breeze, and amazing 360 degree views of thousands of Western Ghat Mountain peaks. This is also a local Christian pilgrim site.Kottathalachi Mala or Mount Kottathalachi is a 900 meter tall mountain peak in Kannur District of Kerala. It is a famous Christian pilgrimage of the local area and is called “Malayattoor of Malabar”. Malayattoor is another Christian Pilgrimage in Kerala which is well known throughout the state. On Good Friday of 1958, the holy cross was installed at Mount Kottathalachi by Fr. Mathew Mannuramparambil. Since then the first Sunday after Easter is being celebrated here by thousands of pilgrims every year.
Apart from religious importance for the locals, the mount is a famous local attraction since it is the tallest mountain visible from most of the towns nearby. Visitors with off road capability vehicles- either four wheelers or two wheelers can reach till the foot of the mountain and hike up for half a kilometer to the peak. If this is not possible, you will have to undergo a 3 km hike(one way) to reach the top.
The mountain and the surrounding area are home to many kinds of birds and butterflies. Many rare kinds of medicinal herbs are also found here. At the top of the mountain, there is a small chappel and toilet facilities for the visitors to use.
The mount from it's top offers breath-taking views of Western Ghat peaks from all sides. The weather changes quickly. Sometimes its cold and foggy, othertimes sunny and warm. The continuos flow of cool breeze help during a sunny afternoon though, especilly while watching the grasslands dancing to the wind patterns. It is incredible to see the mountain ridges as well as the small towns far below with their schools and churches and shops.
There are few ways to reach the base of the hill. Google Map pretty much helps to navigate till the general area but after that you must seek help from locals to know the correct directions. There are many shortcuts and small unpaved roads, it is possible to easily get confused. In general, there are routes to Mount Kottathalachi from these towns- Pulingome, Prapoyil, Thirumeni. All three small towns are nearby Cherupuzha, the larger town.