
Where is Kadamakkudy? How to get there? Kerala's suburb that is on Anand Mahindra's bucket list
In a post on X, the 70-year-old entrepreneur said, 'Kadamakkudy in Kerala. Often listed amongst the most beautiful villages on earth…'
Ahead of his business trip to Kochi in December this year, the business tycoon said that location in half hour drive away from the place he is scheduled to visit. He added, "On my bucket list for this December, since I'm scheduled to be on a business trip to Kochi, which is just a half hour away…
Kadamakkudy, a picturesque cluster of islands, lies scattered across the serene backwaters in the suburbs of Kochi, within Ernakulam district.
Here's all you need to know about the scenic location 'Kadamakkudy' with picturesque landscape and how to get there. According to Kerala Tourism, Kadamakkudy island is easily accessible and is linked by road to Varappuzha town on the National Highway-66.
Incredible India website states, 'Just a short 15 kilometers from the bustling city of Kochi in Kerala's Ernakulam district lies the cluster of islands known as Kadamakkudy.' The best time to visit this place is between October and March.
These fourteen islands in total feature backwaters, paddy fields, fish farming, toddy tapping and other rural activities, besides magnificent rustic village scenes. A perfect spot to escape from hustle and bustle of urban life, its best attractions are ancient Roman Catholic Church named 'St George's Forane Church,' historical site 'Vallarpadam Basilica' and 'Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary.'
Valiya Kadamakkudy is the primary island while other enticing locations are Murikkal and Palyam Thuruth.
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India Gazette
a day ago
- India Gazette
Kerala's gender-inclusive tourism policy will support new entrants: Tourism Minister Mohammed Riyas
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 8 (ANI): Kerala Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas on Tuesday said the state government will go ahead with its action plan to support newcomers, especially women, to the tourism sector, aligning with the vision of inclusive and sustainable development of tourism. The Minister was delivering the inaugural address to the state-level consultation workshop to bring out a Gender Inclusive and Women-Friendly Tourism Policy as part of the women-friendly tourism initiative here. The workshop was organised by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with Kerala Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission Society and UN Women India. The two major objectives of the gender-inclusive project that took off in 2022 were to create women-friendly tourism centres and create a network of women enterprises in the tourism sector, the Minister said. 'It is vital to extend support to the newcomers to the tourism sector, especially women, to ensure that they flourish in the competitive ecosystem,' Riyas said. 'Initially, around 17,631 women had joined the project with diverse enterprises and services. These included exclusive women tour units, homestays, souvenir units and services like community tour leaders and tour operators. After imparting training to them, tourism activities are being conducted in a coordinated manner,' he said. The government also has allotted funds for the women's ventures through RT's subsidy scheme, Riyas said. The Minister said Kerala Tourism's women-inclusive project was greatly appreciated by the UN Women India, which also extended technical support in areas like destination safety, gender audit and training programmes. Riyas said Kerala was the first state to conduct a gender audit in the country. This has been completed in six centres and will be held in another 14 tourism centres this financial year. Also, a safety audit has been completed in 68 tourism spots, and activities are in full swing to implement women-friendly initiatives there. Holding that the women-friendly initiative will help overcome the challenges in the sector, Riyas said post-COVID-19, the state clocked a record in domestic tourists' arrival while outpacing other states in the national average of foreign tourists' arrival. In her opening remarks, Kerala Tourism Director Sikha Surendran said the women-friendly initiative of the state has become a global model for others to emulate it. 'Apart from firming up Kerala's position on the global tourism map as an all-season experiential destination, our RT initiative has brought significant benefits to the local communities, especially women as its major stakeholders,' she noted. S K Sajeesh, Chairman, Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd (KTIL), presided over the function. A panel discussion followed the inaugural session. In her keynote address, Kanta Singh, Country Representative, UN Women, India, said Kerala has been showing the way for the country in many things, and it is a privilege to partner with the state government and the RT project to do more for women in the tourism sector. In his presentation of a framework for Gender Responsive Tourism Policy, K Rupeshkumar, CEO, Kerala RT Mission Society, said the upcoming policy will lay down guidelines for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of gender inclusive practices. 'The major objectives of the policy include fostering women's participation in the tourism industry, ensuring safety and security and women's empowerment,' he said. It will also address such issues as workplace practices, ensure safe work environments for employees and development of inclusive and accessible infrastructure and services in destinations. Rupeshkumar added an action plan for the implementation of each component of the policy will be worked out as a backup for the policy. The Gender Inclusive Tourism Policy will include stakeholders like tourism entrepreneurs, tour operators, hotels, local communities, tourists from diverse backgrounds, especially women. Mini Sukumar, Member, Kerala State Planning Board & Governing Body Member, The Gender Park, said a positive transformation has happened in the tourism sector after the implementation of a women-friendly initiative. S Swaminathan, Secretary, Kerala Travel Mart Society, and Jose Dominic, Founder, CGH Earth, also spoke. The speakers at the panel discussion included Veda Bharadwaja, Country Programme Manager, UN Women India and Dr Peeja Rajan, State Coordinator, UN Women India. (ANI)

The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Controversial YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra invited for promotion of Vande Bharat, seen travelling along with BJP leaders in Kerala
After Kerala Tourism courted a controversy over roping in YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested on May 16 by the Haryana Police on charges of spying for Pakistan, which invited sharp criticism from BJP national leaders, a video accessed by The Hindu reveals that the same YouTuber was invited by the Indian Railways when the second Vande Bharat was introduced in Kerala and she travelled along with invited guests, including BJP leader and the then Union Minister V. Muraleedharan and the then BJP State president K. Surendran. Soon after the itinerary of Ms. Malhotra on the invitation of Kerala Tourism came out, it spiralled into a political controversy with BJP leaders seeking the resignation of Kerala's Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas. BJP charge Seeking the ouster of Mr. Riyas and an investigation into the incident, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Jai Hind posted on X on Monday that 'RTI reveals Pakistani spy Jyoti Malhotra visited Kerala on Left government invite and was State guest in a sense courtesy Tourism Department. So Bharat Mata is blocked and Pak spies are given red carpet by Left? Tourism Minister Mohammad Riyas is son-in-law of (CM Pinarayi) Vijayan. He should be sacked and investigated,' the post said. In Kerala, Mr. Surendran said Ms. Malhotra's Kannur trip was sponsored by Kerala Tourism, run by son-in-law of Mr. Vijayan. He also wondered why Kerala was rolling out the red carpet for a Pakistan-linked spy. Minister's stand However, soon after the video of Ms. Malhotra's trip with the BJP leaders came out, the office of Mr. Riyas maintained that she was not charged with any cases during the time of her Vande Bharat trip in Kerala in 2024, but the outcry created by the BJP leaders revealed their double standards on the issue. In the video shared by Ms. Malhotra on her social media platform, she is seen interacting with the former Union Minister during the trip, although the face of Mr. Surendran was only partially visible in the video. 28,000 likes The video eulogising the Vande Bharat was liked by a whopping 28,000 viewers. Railway sources in Kerala maintained that she was part of the national media delegation invited by the Railway Board and she began her journey from Kasaragod. She was invited considering the reach of her videos and there was no case against her when she was invited. Ms. Malhotra also toured around for six days in January on an invitation extended by Kerala Tourism as part of promoting Kerala Tourism.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Anand Mahindra just added this unknown Kerala village to his bucket list calling it a must-visit destination - what makes it so special
On Sunday, Indian industrialist Anand Mahindra took to social media to share his desire to visit Kadamakkudy, a lesser-known yet breathtaking cluster of islands in Kerala. Mahindra mentioned that he hopes to explore the destination during his December visit to Kochi for a scheduled business trip. What began as a personal travel plan has now brought renewed attention to one of Kerala's most serene and naturally rich locations. Mahindra wrote that Kadamakkudy is now 'firmly on his bucket list,' reflecting a growing interest among urban travelers in India's quiet, unexplored landscapes. With growing interest from influential voices like Anand Mahindra and increasing digital visibility, Kadamakkudy stands on the cusp of transformation. Yet, its charm lies in its quietude and unspoiled landscapes. If sustainable tourism is prioritised, Kadamakkudy could soon become one of India's finest examples of rural and eco-tourism, offering the perfect balance of accessibility and authenticity. Anand Mahindra shares travel plans to explore Kadamakkudy, Ernakulam's hidden gem Kadamakkudy is located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, only about 10 to 15 kilometers from Kochi city. Despite being a stone's throw from one of Kerala's busiest commercial hubs, Kadamakkudy remains remarkably untouched by heavy tourism. Its proximity to Kochi makes it an accessible weekend getaway or a tranquil detour for business travelers, much like Mahindra himself. The region is a picturesque network of over a dozen islands, all interlinked by narrow bridges and surrounded by winding canals. What sets Kadamakkudy apart is its authentic Keralite village life, where daily scenes include: Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against the sky Local fishermen casting traditional nets in the backwaters Coconut palms gently swaying in the breeze Expansive paddy fields stretching toward the horizon The overall landscape offers a meditative stillness that modern cityscapes lack, making Kadamakkudy a magnet for photographers, nature lovers, and eco-tourists. Why sunrise and sunset in Kadamakkudy are called Kerala's most magical moments Source: Blog of Kadamakkudy Islands One of the most talked-about features of Kadamakkudy is its breathtaking light play during sunrise and sunset. At these times, the water acts like a mirror, reflecting the hues of the sky in brilliant golds, pinks, and purples. The stillness of the landscape during these hours offers visitors a rare chance to disconnect and immerse themselves in Kerala's natural rhythm. Whether you're on a canoe, standing by the bridge, or simply sitting on the banks, witnessing sunrise or sunset in Kadamakkudy is often described as a spiritual experience. Why Kadamakkudy is Kerala's best-kept secret for sustainable and quiet travel Source: Unlike Kerala's more commercial tourist spots like Munnar, Alleppey, or Varkala, Kadamakkudy has retained its low-key tourism model. There are no large resorts or bustling marketplaces—just a few homestays, local eateries, and endless natural beauty. This makes it perfect for travelers seeking quiet, meaningful travel experiences. Recently, Kadamakkudy has been gaining popularity as a hub for eco-tourism and cycling tours. Travelers can pedal through island paths, cross small wooden bridges, and interact with locals without disturbing the ecosystem. The region is also gaining traction for birdwatching, given its lush wetlands and slow-moving waters that attract migratory birds. Kadamakkudy winning hearts online as netizens call it 'heaven on earth' Anand Mahindra's post triggered an outpouring of love for Kadamakkudy on social media. Many users called the place 'heaven on earth', praising its untouched beauty and quiet charm. Comments poured in highlighting the uniqueness of the Kerala landscape and urging both the state and central governments to focus on promoting such lesser-known gems. Some users even compared Kerala's potential to global tourist hotspots, saying that destinations like Kadamakkudy deserve international attention and investment. What is the best time to visit Kadamakkudy Experienced travellers chimed in with practical travel advice, recommending the monsoon and cooler months (June to February) for visiting Kadamakkudy. During this time, the paddy fields are green, the skies are more dramatic, and the backwaters are fuller and clearer. Conversely, the summer heat can reduce visibility and dull the natural vibrance, making it less ideal for sightseeing or photography.