Pathiramanal

Pathiramanal is a small island located on the border of Kottayam - Alapuzha Districts in Kerala, India. The name 'Pathiramanal' means 'Sands of night'. The island is located in the Vembanad Lake. The island is an easily reachable location in the Kumarakom - Muhamma water route. It takes around 40 minutes from Kumarakom to reach Pathiramanal from Kumarakom. The journey through backwaters of Kottayam District is a marvellous experience. The scenic beauty of both sides of the lake as well as that of the island is mind blowing. it is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world.

Geography

The Pathiramanal Island is 28.505 ha. It is about 1.5 km from Muhamma boat jetty and about 13 km from Alapuzha. From the jetty close by Baker Bungalow the distance to the island is about 5 km and from Kumarakom 4 km towards northwest.

*Maximum length: 550m (SW to NE)
*Maximum width: 450m (SE to NW)
*Perimeter: 1800 m
*Estimated Area: 19.6 ha
*Distance to the nearest main land: 810m

History

The island (also known as Anantha Padmanabhan Thoppu) was purchased by Chevalier ACM Anthraper, from M/s Bheemji Devji Trust of Cochin and was under the private ownership until late seventies. In 1979 after land reforms acts were enforced in the state, the property came under government ownership. The island was returned to the government as a surplus land that crossed the land sealing. It was later transferred to the Tourism Department and the idea of leasing it out to private enterprises was under consideration. The island at present is uninhabited. Till late seventies of the 20th century 14 worker families resided in the island, which were later rehabilitated on the mainland in the Muhamma panchayath.