Thodupuzha falls in the Idukki District of the state of Kerala in India. The place has its own history which can be traced to 1000 AD. A place of varied flora & fauna, Thodupuzha also has numerous ancient places of worship. Like all areas of Kerala, Thodupuzha also has temples, churches and mosques symbolising religious unity.

Thodupuzha is a little, picturesque town situated on the banks of the Thodupuzha river. The name Thodupuzha mightThodupuzha have been derived from of two Malayalam words, "Thodu" (which means canal) and "puzha" (which means river). The conjecture is that a canal eventually became a river and that this town is close to it. There is yet another version that the word "Thodu" also means "touching' and "puzha" means "river", which makes it a place that touches a river. It is an ancient town with a history dating back to many centuries ago. It is a neat, quiet town and the cradle of religious harmony and peaceful co-existence., Christian churches, Hindu temples and Muslim mosques abound in Thodupuzha and co-exist next to each other. The people of Thodupuzha are hard working in nature. By sheer dint of hard work, they have converted the hilly terrains into prosperous plantations of Cardamom,Rubber ,Ginger, Bananas, Coco, Tapioca, Pepper, etc. This has enabled them to live a prosperous and contended life. Which has also provided the momentum for their social and cultural attainments.

The Buddhist and Jain religions which made their first inroads into Kerala in 300 BC. have left their impact on Thodupuzha and neighbouring areas. The Buddhist religious relics found at Karikodu is ample proof of this surmise. In 100 AD. Kerala was divided for administrative reasons into several provinces such as Venad, Otanad, Nanvushainad, Munjunad, Vempolinad and Keezhmalainad. Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha were in Keezhmalainad which had its headquarters at Karikodu. Keezhmalainad was in existence till 1600 AD. In that year, it lost a battle with Vadakkumcoor and became part of it. The kings of Vadakkumcoor used to live at Karikodu for several years. At the time of king Marthandavarma, Vadakkumcoor became a part of the State of Travancore. The relics of a fort is still there at Karikodu. The Annamalai Temple which carries the traits of Tamil architecture is at Karikodu. At this temple, one can see many statues and lamps made out of stone and metals believed to have been made in the 14th century.

Agriculture

The areas around Thodupuzha town and the neighbouring villages are fertile, although much of it is hilly and sloppy. In this land, the hard working people of Thodupuzha sow their sweat along with the seeds. They raise a number of crops - rubber, coconuts, rice, pepper, Coco, arecanuts, nutmeg, cashew, topioca, bananas, ginger, pineapple, turmeric, etc. Teak and mangium trees are found universally in all homesteads. since the irrigation facilities available in Thodupuzha area are scanty, the farmers find it difficult to try other crops or to extend the present area under cultivation.

How to Reach

Its 56 Km away from Kochi. Well connected by roads to Kochi International Airport. KSRTC(Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) buses ply from Ernakulam. The journey takes approximately 1-1/2 hours via Muvattupuzha.

Thodupuzha is the fastest growing city in the Central Kerala. The rapid development of Thodupuzha over the last 20 years is remarkable, when it was a small village junction with 2,3 Buses in the old bus stand waiting for passengers. It now doubles as a taxi-stand.The town was concentrated in the old Pvt bus stand area. The present bus stand is a large one, capable of housing at least 60 buses. Situated on the Thodupuzha-Pala Road, it is also accessible from the KSRTC bus stand.