Kerala

Alappuzha

India

<p>Pathiramanal Island is a small island in the <a href="https://www.travalour.com/locationcard/505-vembanad-lake">Vembanad Lake</a>, haven to more than 90 species of native and more than 50 species of migratory birds. The island is about 70 acres in area and presently uninhabited.</p><p>The island was under private ownership until the late seventies. After the land reforms bill of 1979, it went to the government as it was a surplus land that crossed the land ceiling allowed by the newly made law. The island was then handed over to the tourism department. Until the late 1970’s, 14 families lived on the island. They were later rehabilitated in the mainland.&nbsp;</p><h3>Legend behind the Island’s Creation and Meaning of the Name Pathiramanal</h3><p>The local legend here is that the island was created when a young Brahmin (a caste in Hinduism that performs religious rituals in temples) entered Vembanad Lake for the evening ablution. When he performed the rituals, water made way for the land to rise from below.&nbsp;</p><p>According to the legend, the name Pathiramanal means ‘sands of midnight’, is due to the time of its creation. The island also goes by the name ‘Anantha Padmanabhan Thoppu’ meaning ‘garden of Anantha Padmanabhan (the Hindu god Vishnu)’.</p><h3>Exploring Pathiramanal Island</h3><p>In order to get to the island, one needs to transverse through the Vembanad Lake which surrounds the island on all sides. The journey through the backwaters of Vembanad Lake with its scenic beauty is mesmerising. Houseboats slowly move across the lake, fisherman trying to get their catch, small boats scattered around - the journey comes with many views. It takes around 30 minutes to an hour depending on the location from where the visitor is approaching.&nbsp;</p><p>Pathiramanal island is so small that it is possible to walk from one side of it to another in half an hour. The island is covered in dense foliage and the waters around filled with floating lilies and hyacinths. Even though the journey towards the island and its surroundings takes one’s breath away, the island itself is rather a letdown. There are plenty of birds around but since they are mostly on canopy of the trees, the constant chirping and noises are all that can be detected of their presence. They are usually seen resting among dense bushes and since there are no watch towers or higher grounds, its pretty impossible to spot any.</p><p>The island is covered in thick untouched foliage. The only assured activity you will be able to do here is the half a kilometre walk through the dense cover of trees from one end of the island to the other. It is also said that the island has a temple which is hidden behind thick cover of bushes.</p><h3>Birdlife and eco system of the island</h3><p>Pathiramanal Island hosts numerous species of birds including pintail ducks, common teal, night heron, cormorant, darter, Indian shag, purple heron, gulls, terns, egrets, Indian pond heron, pheasant-tailed and bronze-winged jacanas, stork-billed kingfisher, watercock, whistling duck, cotton pygmy-goose, little cormorant and whiskered tern.</p><p>The island has several micro habitats. As a part of the conservation scheme, mangroves were planted in the island during 2007-2008. &nbsp;About 176 species of plants have been recorded here, including the rare vine species - Flagellaria indica and Mucuna Gigantea. The Kerala State Biodiversity Board has designated Pathiramanal as a Biodiversity Heritage Site in order to strengthen the biodiversity conservation and to prevent the sudden loss of biodiversity in the island.</p><h3>Reaching Pathiramanal and best time to visit</h3><p>Pathiramanal Island is accessible from the nearby boat jetties - Muhamma boat jetty (1.5 km), Alleppey Boat Jetty (13 km), Kumarakom Boat Jetty (4km) and Kayippuram Boat Jetty (1 km). While the first three are located at Alappuzha district, the last is in Kottayam district. The best way to get there is through Kumarakom Boat Jetty as there are plenty of boats available.</p><p>Kumarakom Boat Jetty is at Kumarakom Town which is located in Kottayam district of Kerala State in Southern India. Nearest city is Kottayam (16 km) from where there are direct buses to Kumarakom. Kottayam houses the nearest major railway station and it connects the city to most other parts of the country.&nbsp;</p><p>Although the island is open for visitors throughout the year, it is better to visit it from October to May. Between August to September is the wild and heavy monsoon season that turns the entire area violent.</p>

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Pathiramanal Island

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