Pullode: Rural Paradise in God’s Own Country!
Kerala or ‘God’s own country’ as we all know it used to be a fabulous state all over a couple of decades back. Now, due to rampant urbanization, deforestation and mass development, the locations in Kerala that fit the ‘Gods Own Country’ tagline are shrinking. Wider highways, concrete buildings, increasing traffic, un-scientific farming and road building and increasing pollution are to be blamed. Take Munnar, Kochi, Alappuzha, Wayanad, Sabarimala, Kumarakom or any of the popular tourist destinations of this state as examples. Each one of them are a shadow of their beautiful past. I am not saying that they are not beautiful any more. They are, but only in small pockets and hence I would not call them ‘Gods Own Country’.
However, not all of Kerala is changing like that. There are parts of India that are still as green, calm and beautiful as ‘Gods Own Country’ once was. One such place is a village called Pullode in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Located near the Nelliyampathy forest, I chanced upon this place when I visited my family friend’s home here. These family friends know me from the time I was born, but this was the first time that I visited their ancestral village and boy did I fall in love with the place!
Pullode is simple and authentic Kerala. It is lush green and it is absolutely laidback like most of rural Kerala. Each home has their own spice garden and plantation. Greenery is omnipresent and tranquillity is the norm. And the people are simple, happy and know how to enjoy life. While I was extremely happy to be meeting my family friends after so many years, I was over the moon to have discovered the beauty of their village. Just walking in their backyard amongst spices, herbs, palms and lotuses and listening to the chirping of birds made me feel alive. There is no noise pollution here whatsoever and such villages are a perfect way to get rid of all our urban clutter. I wish I could have stayed here a bit longer and I hope I can return to this rural paradise soon and this time for a bit longer!
How to reach here:
Pullode is about 5 kms from Alathur on the Thrissur – Palakkad highway. You can either drive from Kerala or Coimbatore depending on the direction. If you are traveling by bus, you can alight at Alathur and then take an auto rickshaw to Pullode.
The nearest railway station is Palakkad (15 kms away), while the nearest airport is Coimbatore (about 88 kms away).
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
1) Nelliyampathy forest reserve – for a hill station, view points and tea estates within the forest reserve
2) Peechi Vazhani wildlife sanctuary for elephants, gaurs and a wholesome wildlife experience
3) The temples of Thrissur
4) The cloud rainforest route between Chalakudy and Valparai
