Thodupuzha is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is 62 km from Ernakulam.

Thodupuzha is also the name of the river that flows through the town. It is the largest town in the district and is the commercial centre. The town is being modernised with the help of a programme sponsored by the World Bank which is financing the programme through the Government of Kerala. It was once part of the territory of the Travancore dynasty. It lies in central Kerala, southeast of Muvattupuzha. The Thodupuzha municipality area is characterised by hilly terrain with a lot of green vegetation.

The Main Eastern Highway (Muvattupuzha - Pathanamthitta - Punalur Road / SH - 08) passes through Thodupuzha and connects it to two of its neighboring towns, Muvattupuzha and Pala.

Syrian Christians, Hindus and Muslims co-exist in harmony adding to the diversity in faith and religion. The place has a large population of Syrian Catholic Achayans. The Muslim minority are mostly rawthers who were the warriors of Madurai Raja and migrated from Madurai and Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. As well as that, there are some converts from lower castes to Islam but these are only a few.

History

Thodupuzha is an ancient town with a history dating back to many centuries. The Buddhist and Jain religions which made their first inroads into Kerala in 300 BC have left their impact at Thodupuzha and neighbouring areas. The Buddhist religious relics found at Karicodu near Thodupuzha is ample proof of this surmise. In AD 100, Kerala was divided for administrative reasons into several provinces such as Venadu, Otanadu, Navishainadu, Munjunadu, Vempolinadu, and Keezhmalainadu. Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha were in Keezhmalainadu which had its headquarters at Karicodu. Keezhmalainadu was in existence till AD 1600. In that year it lost a battle with Vadakkumkoor and became a part of it. The Kings of Vadakkumkoor used to live at Karicodu for several years. At the time of King Marthanda Varma, Vadakkumkoor became part of the state of Travancore. The relics of the fort is still there at Karicodu. The Annamalai Temple, which carries the traits of Tamil Architecture is at Karicodu. At this temple one can see many statues and lamps made out of stone and metal believed to have been made in the 14th century. The church at Muthalakodam, a place situated 2 kilometres from Thodupuzha, is believed to have been constructed before 13th century. The Ninnar Mosque near Karicodu is said to have been constructed by the Vadakumkoor Raja for his Muslim soldiers.

At the formation of Kerala state in 1956, Thodupuzha was part of the Ernakulam district. In the year 1972, Idukki district was formed by joining Thodupuzha taluk along with Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermade taluks, which were part of the erstwhile Kottayam district.

Tourism

Thodupuzha is blessed with natural scenic beauty. Although Thodupuzha itself is not a major tourist destination, it is the gateway to top tourist destinations like Munnar, Thekkadi, Idukki Dam, Peermade etc. Thommankuthu which is 20 kilometres east of Thodupuzha is famous for its numerous waterfalls. The place is ideal for nature lovers. To enjoy the panoramic beauty the best way is to undertake a trek that takes one to the top of the mountain, a nearly 12-kilometre trek. Malankara Dam is a beautiful reservoir across the Thodupuzha river at 6 kilometres from Thodupuzha town. Elaveezhapoonchira is another trekking destination which offers a serene grassland at the top of a hill. Other major tourist spots include Nadu Kani Pavilion, Thumbichi Mount, Moolamattom power house, Uravappara, Kolani Kavu, Paramada echo point, Elappilly waterfalls etc. Thattakuzha is also a nice place in thodupuzha.

The natural scenic beauty of Thodupuzha has attracted many Malayalam movie makers. Of late Thodupuzha has become a hot spot for Malayalam movies. Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum, Kunjikoonan, Rasathanthram, Palunku, Veruthe Oru Bharya, Swantham Lekhakan, Kadha Parayumbol, Samastha Keralam PO, Pappy Appacha, Elsamma Enna Aankutty, Oridathoru Postman etc. are some of the movies shot at and around Thodupuzha.

Thodupuzha has a number of value for money hotels serving a variety of dishes as well as providing boarding and lodging facilities. Major hotels at Thodupuzha are, Hotel Edassery Towers, Riverbanks, Hotel Gemini Gardens, Maurya Monarch, Sicilia Hotels, Tee Cee tourist home, Aishwary Residency, Hotel Sofia and Hotel Woodlands.