Tracing The Seven faces of A River at Ezhattumugham

I sat on the rocks in the middle of the river, watching people make their way across the suspension bridge. The forces of water were divided by the rocks and created pools all over the area. For a while, I forgot about everything else. The picturesque surroundings, the sound of flowing water and the gentle rhythm of nature created a mystical feeling that was difficult to describe. It felt wonderful to simply sit there and be tranquil.

I was at Ezhattumukham Prakriti Gramam (Nature Village).

It had been almost eight months since my travel plans had come to a standstill. The pandemic had forced me to learn an entirely new way of living. By the middle of March, it had become increasingly clear that a lockdown was perhaps the only option to contain the spread of COVID-19. Fear and uncertainty had slowly become part of everyday life.

Except for the initial lockdown of nearly a month, I resumed my official duties on the last weekend of April. But my world had become limited to the familiar route between home and office. There were no weekend getaways, no spontaneous drives and no plans to explore somewhere new.

The only escape was to look back at the good old days through my previous travel blog posts. Each post brought back a familiar whiff of nostalgia and reminded me of the freedom of travelling.

A Sunday drive to Ezhattumukham

Months into the pandemic, I was happy to see tourism destinations gradually reopening with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. I started looking for places suitable for a one-day trip—somewhere close enough for a drive and, preferably, away from large crowds.

One sunny Sunday, we decided to take a drive to Ezhattumukham.

After breakfast, we set off from Kochi. Unlike our earlier travels, this time we packed our own lunch. After reaching Angamaly Junction, we took a right turn at Karayamparambu Junction. From there, Ezhattumukham Prakriti Gramam was only about 17 kilometres away.

Before reaching the destination, we stopped at a check post where the vehicle details were recorded. We were given a number to mention when returning. The road ahead became narrower as we drove through the lush oil-palm estates of the Plantation Corporation.

The drive itself was a pleasant change from the busy roads of the city.

Into the Nature Village

We parked the car in the designated parking area and walked towards the entrance. Tourists had already begun arriving, hoping to spend a few peaceful hours amid nature.

At the entrance, visitors underwent thermal screening and their details were collected. I had expected the place to be relatively quiet, considering the circumstances, but there was already a long queue waiting to enter the park.

Once inside, we found a children's park and a small outlet selling tea and snacks. We didn't spend much time there. Instead, we headed towards the river.

And that was when the real beauty of Ezhattumukham unfolded.

Seven faces of a river

Ezhattumukham literally means “seven faces.” The name comes from the way the Chalakudy River divides into seven streams around the numerous islets and boulders in its course.

The river here is not just a single flowing stretch of water. Rocks and small islands interrupt its journey, creating pools and multiple channels. Water rushes around the rocks, flows gently through the shallow stretches and gathers into little pools.

Standing there, surrounded by greenery and the sound of flowing water, it was easy to forget the world outside.

We spent some time by the river before walking towards the suspension bridge that connects Ezhattumukham in Ernakulam district with the Thumboormuzhi tourist area in Thrissur district.

A view from the bridge

The suspension bridge offered a completely different perspective of the river.

From above, I could see visitors carefully making their way across the rocks and islets through the shallow water. The river stretched beneath the bridge, divided into several channels by the boulders and patches of land.

The scene was beautiful.

I stood on the bridge for some time simply watching the river and the people moving through it. There was something wonderfully unhurried about the whole landscape.

The sound of water flowing around the rocks seemed to wash away the noise in my head. After months of restrictions, uncertainty and a routine confined largely to home and office, being there felt strangely liberating.

A place to unwind

Ezhattumukham is not necessarily a place you visit to tick off a list of attractions. Its charm lies in simply being there.

Sit beside the river. Walk across the rocks. Watch the water divide and reunite. Cross the suspension bridge and look at the landscape from above. Or just find a quiet spot and do nothing.

For people looking for the silence of the forest and the beauty of a river, Ezhattumukham offers both.

For me, this Sunday outing was more than just another day trip. After eight months of suspended travel plans, it felt like a small return to the world I had been missing.