‘If you walk just two kilometers from Kootummel Junction to Kaduukara, you can witness the entire history of Maravanthuruthu. The art street of the RT Mission is located in this stretch. Every wall is adorned with paintings depicting the history of Maravanthuruthu, created by talented artists,’ said Ambili Chechi.
Under the RT Mission, Ambili Chechi runs an ethnic cuisine outlet and a travel agency in Maravanthuruthu. This beautiful village holds a rich history spanning centuries. Once a prominent trade hub, it was known for its weaving centers and the spices that attracted traders from all over the world. Now a key tourist destination in Kerala, this village is also linked to fishing and agriculture.
The name ‘Maravanthuruthu ‘ is derived from two Malayalam words: ‘Maram ‘ (tree) and ‘ Thuruthu’ (island). It means ‘the island of trees,’ likely named for its location on a small island in the Muvattupuzha River.
‘Maravanthuruthu is where the Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission launched its first ‘Water Street’ project. Activities like kayaking, suspension bridges, and boat rides offer a unique experience for visitors,’ said Ambili Chechi. Revitalizing the 3-kilometer-long canal ‘Arival Thodu ‘ in the Muvattupuzha River made these initiatives possible.
The ‘Water Street’ project at Maravanthuruthu even won Kerala the Tourism Award at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, a prestigious global travel and tourism event.
‘It had been years since I stopped working. Looking after goats and chickens became my main task. My dreams of starting my own venture and earning an income became a reality when I joined the RT Mission. It has been two years since I started working with them. Now, I own a travel agency called Grassroots Journeys and an ethnic cuisine outlet. I am also planning to start a homestay, and the preparations are underway,’ Ambili Chechi said proudly.
Maravanthuruthu village is under the RT Mission. The Kerala government aims to showcase the natural beauty of villages like this to the world through local tourism, making the local community the beneficiaries of tourism activities.
‘There are many others like me here. People running homestays, kayaking tours, and ethnic cuisine outlets it’s all possible because of the RT Mission. What I prepare here is a traditional Kerala feast, showcasing the state’s unique flavors to the world. Most of the tourists who come here arrive through the RT Mission,’ said Ambili Chechi.
The handloom cooperative society in Maravanthuruthu also provides income to many women. When visiting the cooperative unit, Ambili Chechi added, ‘I started working here after finishing the 10th grade. It has been at least 40 years since then,’ said one of the women weavers. ‘Everyone here has been working for years, just like me. This is our only source of income,’ she added.
After talking to the women at the cooperative, we headed to see the suspension bridge and later, kayaking.
‘Don’t worry. Just paddle the way I tell you,’ instructed the kayaking guide. Kayaking starts from the canal and continues into the Muvattupuzha River. Although nervous at first, the tourists soon began to enjoy the experience, and we spent a while watching them from a distance.
‘It’s time to leave, shall we?’ asked Ambili Chechi, waking us from our reverie. We nodded and bid farewell to Maravanthuruthu, carrying countless beautiful memories.
Content Highlight: Paddling Through History in Maravanthuruth