Thangalpara — A Rock Between Two Districts

Did you know that the walking path visible through the middle of the long rock formation in this photo actually marks a boundary between two districts of Kerala? This is an aerial view of Thangalpara at Kolahalamedu, near Vagamon. Far from being just a rock, this granite formation carries geographical, historical, and spiritual significance. The ridge slants from southeast to northwest, and if divided lengthwise, its southern half lies in Koottickal panchayat, Kottayam district, while its northern half lies in Elappara panchayat, Idukki district. The stream that overflows from the check dam at the Vagamon Orchidarium — marking the origin of the Meenachil river, and destined to become the Vazhikkadavu river and later the Thekkoyi river — skirts the foot of Thangalpara on its way to the Vazhikkadavu check dam. Meanwhile, a separate stream rising from springs in the grasslands on the southern slope flows past several check dams, overflows, and passes the Koopu waterfall and the Kottathavalam waterfall before reaching Adivaram, giving birth to the Poonjar river — the southern branch of the Meenachil. Kolahalamedu, where Thangalpara stands, gets its curious name from Mavelivanadhiraya, one of two Bana-dynasty kings who ruled Madurai in the period between the Pandyas and the later rule of the Sultans and Thirumalai Nayak. It was the title "Kolahalan" from this Pandya king — Samarakolahalan Mavelivanadhirayar — that gave the local name its "Kolahalamedu." The title Samarakolahalan appears in a Tamil inscription beside the steps of the sanctum at the Kanjirappally Madurai Meenakshi Temple. It is quite possible that these very hill ranges are where Vanadhirayar once roamed, giving the hills their name. But the significance of this place doesn't end there. The western peak of Thangalpara is also a spiritual site where the renowned thirteenth-century Sufi saint Sheikh Fariduddin Auliya, who arrived from Afghanistan, spent long periods in meditation. There, in the shade of a massive boulder, one can find the Auliya's maqbara (tomb) — a pilgrimage site that draws thousands of devotees every day. Another notable feature is the westward continuation of Thangalpara into Murukan Mala and Kurishumala.