How many of you have heard of this rare name “Cheruchakki Chola”? May be this is the first time you are hearing this place. Cheruchakki Chola is also known as Cheruchakki waterfalls. Cheruchakki Chola is in Chittanda village of Thrissur district and the place is famous for Karthyayani temple. The temple is one among the 108 Durga temples consecrated by lord Parashurama, the mythical founder of Kerala.
Cheruchakki Chola is not that commercialized like other waterfalls and can’t consider it as a big waterfall as such, however it can offer a calm and quite atmosphere which a traveler is looking for. Bharathappuzha (River Nila, Second longest river in Kerala) is the main contributor of the waterfalls.
Kerala forest department is having a pulp wood plantation here in Chittanda and ANERT, A Government of Kerala organization for renewable energy projects had considered Cheruchakki Chola as a potential place for small hydro projects.
Story behind Cherukchaki Chola
There is a very interesting mythological story exists about Cheruchakki Chola among the villagers. As per the story, Poongodan was the headman of the forest who knows all mantras and hymns. A community of tribes were following Poongodan and because of his skills and courage, they were living extravagantly.
However, Poongodan was not blessed with kids in his life and started praying to the goddess of forest. The goddess blessed Poongodan with a baby girl but with conditions. She shall not leave that forest at any circumstances which can lead to the destruction of the forest.
Poongodan named her “Chakki” and later it became “Cheru Chakki”. Poongodan was bit selfish in his decisions and never made her leave out of forest. This decision tempted her to leave the forest and see the villages out.
One day she decides to set out, but Poongodan imprisoned her for saving his forest land. She started crying from that day onward to see villages around that forest. Now at least in the form of tears she is able to reach the villages, on the other hand saving the forest too by not leaving that area. The story is fictional but quite interesting
Monsoon is the very best time to visit Cheruchakki Chola, preferably from June to October. Like other waterfalls, this place also have the leeches. So be ready with the precautions while visiting Cheruchakki Chola.
How to reach ?
As I mentioned, the place is unknown to most of the travelers and one will find it very difficult to reach the proper destination even with Google maps. One can see a small sign board kept on the roadside pointing to Cheruchakki Chola. Cheruchakki Chola is almost 3 kms from Varavoor,a lush green residential village in Thrissur,Kerala.
Nearest city is Kunnamakulam.
Nearest Railway Station will be Wadakkanchery, 14kms away.
Nearest Airport will be Cochin/Calicut International Airport, Almost 81kms away.