Inchathotti Hanging Bridge

 I stopped counting the days when the lockdown entered the third month. I started counting the books I would love to read. I read them one by one. One book per week approximately. Books are good friends and entertainers: the best in that category perhaps. But I also love travelling to see places. When the lockdown that put an end to my travels completed eight months, an irresistible itch gripped me. When I suggested Inchathotti, a place 40 km from my home, Maggie didn't resist. She was aware of the restlessness that had gripped me for quite a while now. 

Inchathotti is just an ordinary village in Kerala on the shores of the mighty Periyar River. What attracts tourists there is only a suspension bridge, the longest of its kind in Kerala with a length of 181 metres. It was not built for tourists at all. When it was built nobody would have imagined that it would draw tourists one day. 

The Hanging Bridge (as it is known) was built for the people of Inchathotti village to cross the river. Schools, hospitals and other necessary services were not available this side of the river. Hence the bridge was a lifeline for the people who inhabited an area between the Periyar River and a reserved forest. 

Maggie and I drove through the forest in order to reach the bridge. That is the shortest route for us though that is not the official route to the place. There is a narrow road through the forest. 

Here are some pics from our travel. 

The Periyar: view from the bridge whose one cable is visible on left

A click from below the bridge

And one from above

Through the forest

In spite of the pandemic and its potential threat, there were many tourists at the spot. People are sick of staying home locked down. Boredom can and does kill a lot of people. Daring a pandemic is better than choosing death from boredom, I guess. 

Inchathotti is not recommended to tourists from far. There is nothing beyond this bridge to see unless you wish to see a sylvan village in Kerala. Kayaking has been stopped due to the pandemic. Even the boat rides in the Periyar are halted. 

Once we are back to normal and if you are interested in visiting this place, you can reach it easily by a hired vehicle from various cities/towns like Kochi, Munnar, Kothamangalam, Bhoothathankettu Dam, etc.