Kalady and Malayattoor are declared as International Pilgrim Centres but require combined efforts to promote as a destination by including it in the itinerary of travellers. Such a combined effort is required from travel agents, hoteliers, Department of Tourism, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Kalady Area Development Authority (KADA), local governments of Kalady and surrounding panchayaths and other stake holders.
It is for this purpose, VisitKalady project is conceived. Primary objective is to create more awareness about the possible itinerary in and around Kalady among tour executives and travel agents. We have taken the initiative to promote an itinerary during Kerala Travel Mart using leaflets, posters and a web portal.
A full day itinerary includes visit to Kodanad Elephant Training Centre, a trip in a country boat ferry across River Periyar to visit Malayattoor Church, Kalady Sringeri Matt, Sree Krishna Temple, Kallil Temple, and Iringole Kaavu. There is also an opportunity to see and learn different classical dance forms from a dance school. There is a Yoga and meditation centre and the visitors can have a session with the Yogacharyan on different subjects related with Indology. Apart from these, the visitors can also visit an authentic and traditional ayurvedic centre.
The visitors can have their breakfast or lunch from a heritage homestay (grihasthali) project called Thani Illam, which is 150 year old house converted for heritage tourism purpose. The Sree Sankaracharya Univerisity of Sanskrit will replicate the model of Kerala Kalamdandalam to introduce a programme to attract visitors in line with “A Day with The Masters.”
There is also a branch of Sree Rama Krishna Ashram which has a beautiful meditation / prayer hall and bookshop. Other ashrams also have branches / centers in and around this holy place making it a truly spiritual destination.
Sree Krishna Temple at Kalady is also famous by its connection with the legendary story of Adi Sankara.
The name ‘Malayattoor’ is an amalgamation of three small words, Mala (Mountain), Arr (River) and Ooru (Place). This is to say, Malayattoor is a meeting place of mountain, river, and land.
St. Thomas, the Apostle prayed at Malayattoor upon his visit to India in AD 52. St. Thomas Parish Church Malayattoor was established in 900 A.D. on the banks of Holy River Periyar, 8 K.M. away from Kalady. The artistic work inside the church is very famous.
Sustainable Development of the destination
During the previous ministry in the centre, Government of India, funds were allocated for the development of Kalady and 13 surrounding panchayaths (local bodies) but still there are many projects that are in the pipeline requires approvals and implementation. The following suggestions may be used for the strategic development of the destination: Waste Management, as in any tourist destination, is the most important factor to be taken care of. Waste segregation into organic, plastic, bottles, papers and metals, recyclables and electronic waste has to be collected separately and treated.
Basic infrastructure – neat and clean toilets which are disable (wheelchair) friendly with international standards are required.
Eco friendly building practices – while structures are made, instead of making them concrete jungles, create eco friendly buildings which use natural and local products and using local architectural styles.
Renovations – many of the renovations of the ancient structures are made without any care for the archeological and aesthetic value attributed to them.
Traffic: Maximum number of people (pilgrims) arrives to Kalady during November – December (mandalam period) and to Malayattoor during April (Easter period).
Curio Shops – enough number of curio shops selling handcrafted souvenirs from Kerala also has to be present at the destination.
Food and accommodation – There is scope for more number of restaurants (especially Vegetarian) and rooms are required in the destination.
When there are pilgrims thronging to spiritual destinations, we should manage the flows using our professional expertise and experience from tourism management to give them more peace of mind. ••
www.visitkalady.org
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