Thodupuzha is a beautiful town in Idukki district, Kerala, known for its natural surroundings, rich history, and cultural heritage. With the Thodupuzha River flowing through the town and several historic places around it, Thodupuzha has developed into an important town while still retaining its traditional charm. But behind the present-day town is a long history of names, kingdoms, legends, and changes that have shaped Thodupuzha over the years.
story about thodupuzha
The story of Thodupuzha goes back several centuries and is closely linked with the old settlements and political centres that once existed in this part of Kerala. Before the present town took shape, Karikode was an important centre in the region and later became the seat of the Vadakkumkur rulers. Over time, changes in political power, trade, administration, and settlement gradually shaped Thodupuzha into the town we know today.
Its past is also reflected in the traditions, historic structures, and stories that have remained part of local memory. The old royal connections of Karikode, the temples associated with earlier periods, and the legends surrounding the region all provide glimpses into how the area developed through different stages of history. Understanding this journey makes it easier to see Thodupuzha not simply as a modern town, but as a place whose present identity has been built over many generations.
The Origins of the Name
The River Connection
The name Thodupuzha is closely associated with the waterway that flows through the region. One commonly accepted explanation connects the Malayalam words “thodu,” meaning a stream or rivulet, and “puzha,” meaning river. Local accounts suggest that a stream in the area eventually developed into the Thodupuzha River, and the settlement that grew along its banks came to be known by the same name. Another interpretation understands “thodu” in the sense of “touch,” referring to a place that touches or lies beside the river.
The river remains an important part of Thodupuzha’s identity. The Thodupuzha River is a tributary of the Muvattupuzha River, and its presence has long influenced the settlement, landscape, and everyday life of the region.
The Sage Legend
The history of Thodupuzha is also surrounded by stories passed down through local tradition. One of the better-known sacred legends connected with the town concerns the Sree Krishna Swami Temple. According to the traditional account, a wandering Brahmin on pilgrimage reached the area and experienced a divine vision of Lord Krishna. He then purified himself in the nearby river and offered Nivedyam after lighting a lamp. The legend associates this event with the Chothi day in the Malayalam month of Meenam. Later, the Raja of Keezhmalanadu is said to have established a shrine and consecrated an idol at the site.
Such traditions should be understood as local religious legends rather than archaeological evidence. Together with the river-based origin of the name, however, they add another layer to the cultural story of Thodupuzha.
Ancient Roots and Kingdoms
The history of Thodupuzha reaches back many centuries. Traditional historical accounts associate the region with the early spread of Buddhism and Jainism in Kerala, placing their influence in the area around 300 BC. Relics reported from the Karikode area have often been cited in connection with this early religious influence.
During the medieval period, the region formed part of Keezhmalainadu, a political division whose headquarters was at Karikode. Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha were associated with Keezhmalainadu, which continued as a political entity until around 1600 AD, when it came under the control of Vadakkumkur.
Karikode later became closely associated with the Vadakkumkur rulers. By around 1100 AD, the earlier Vempolinad region had divided into Vadakkumkur and Thekkumkur, and Karikode in present-day Thodupuzha became the capital of the Vadakkumkur Rajas. The area also gained importance through the pepper trade, which connected the region with wider commercial networks.
The Vadakkumkur period continued into the early modern era. During the 17th century, Karikode remained an important centre of the Vadakkumkur kingdom. Its strategic and commercial importance can still be traced through the historical remains found in the area. The ruins of the old fort are among the reminders of this period.
Karikode is also home to the Annamalai Temple, known for architectural features associated with Tamil traditions. The temple is traditionally dated to the 14th century, and its stone and metal sculptures and lamps are regarded as part of the area’s historic heritage.
The political landscape changed significantly during the reign of Marthanda Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore. Vadakkumkur was annexed to Travancore in the 18th century, and the territory subsequently became part of the expanding Travancore kingdom. Marthanda Varma appointed Elasamprathi Narayana Varma as his representative to administer and develop the newly incorporated region. His period of administration is associated with important developments in the growth of modern Thodupuzha.
The transformation from the old royal centre at Karikode to the emerging town of Thodupuzha was an important stage in the area’s history. Government buildings, trading establishments, temples, and other structures developed as the settlement grew, gradually giving the town the character it has today.
Modern Evolution
Hollywood of Kerala
Thodupuzha’s history is not limited to ancient temples and royal remnants. In modern times, the town and its surrounding countryside have developed a distinctive connection with Malayalam cinema. The lush greenery, rivers, hills, rubber plantations, village roads, and rural landscapes around Thodupuzha have provided natural backdrops for numerous films.
This connection has earned Thodupuzha the popular nickname “Hollywood of Kerala.” The name is informal rather than an official designation, but it reflects the area’s longstanding popularity among filmmakers. Nearby locations such as Kudayathoor and Kanjar have also featured prominently in film shoots. Movies including Drishyam, Vellimoonga, Kathaparayumbol, Rasathanthram, and several others have used the landscapes around Thodupuzha and its neighbouring areas.
The cinematic appeal is easy to understand. The region can offer a combination of dense greenery, waterways, plantations, hills, and village settings within a relatively compact area. These natural features have helped Thodupuzha become a familiar visual setting in South Indian cinema.
District Shift
Another major change in Thodupuzha’s modern history came with the formation of Idukki district on 26 January 1972. The new district was created by bringing together Devikulam, Udumbanchola, and Peerumade taluks from the former Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk, with specified territorial exclusions, from the former Ernakulam district.
When Idukki district was first formed, its headquarters functioned at Kottayam. In June 1976, the district headquarters was shifted to Painavu, marking another important administrative stage in the development of Idukki. Thodupuzha continued as one of the district’s principal towns and became an important commercial and administrative centre in the western part of Idukki.
Today, Thodupuzha represents a meeting point between history and modern Kerala. The old heritage of Karikode exists alongside a growing town, while the river, surrounding countryside, and nearby hills continue to influence its identity.
About Exotiland Farmstay
For visitors who want to experience the quieter side of the region, Exotiland Farmstay offers a setting surrounded by greenery and a seasonal fruit farm in Kadavoor, close to the Thodupuzha–Ernakulam region. Its farm environment provides a more relaxed perspective of the landscape that makes this part of Kerala distinctive.
As a homestay in Thodupuzha, Exotiland combines a nature-oriented setting with modern comforts, including an infinity pool, indoor activities, a children’s play area, and an open-air home theatre. The property is designed for guests who want to slow down and enjoy the rural surroundings while remaining within reach of Thodupuzha and nearby destinations.
In that sense, a stay here can complement the story of Thodupuzha itself: a place where rivers, greenery, heritage, and contemporary life continue to exist side by side.