Discovering the Hidden Gem of Malarikkal: A Floral Extravaganza in Kerala’s Kottayam

&NewLine;<p>Kerala&comma; often referred to as &&num;8216&semi;God&&num;8217&semi;s Own Country&comma;&&num;8217&semi; is renowned for its enchanting landscapes and picturesque destinations&period; While popular spots like Kochi&comma; Alleppey&comma; Trivandrum&comma; and Munnar attract hordes of tourists&comma; there exists a lesser-known jewel waiting to be explored – Malarikkal&comma; a serene hamlet nestled in Kerala&&num;8217&semi;s Kottayam district&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p>Malarikkal may not boast the fame of its more prominent counterparts&comma; but what it lacks in recognition&comma; it compensates for with a unique and captivating charm&period; The village&comma; draped in tranquility&comma; unveils its hidden treasure every September and October when 650 acres of paddy fields burst into a riot of colors with the blooming of pink and white water lilies and lotus flowers&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p>Unlike the bustling tourist hubs&comma; Malarikkal offers a tranquil escape&comma; inviting travelers to embark on an offbeat sojourn through Kottayam&&num;8217&semi;s scenic byways&period; The flooded fields&comma; adorned with countless flowers during their peak season&comma; have been a local fascination for over a decade&period; However&comma; the hamlet has managed to stay under the radar of mainstream tourism&period; It even hosts its own Malarikkal Water Lily Fest&comma; a celebration of the breathtaking blooms&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p>For those seeking a closer encounter with nature&&num;8217&semi;s vibrant canvas&comma; small boats are available for a nominal fee of INR 100 per person&period; However&comma; it&&num;8217&semi;s essential to note that trespassing is strictly prohibited&comma; given that the fields are private property&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<figure class&equals;"wp-block-image size-large"><img src&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;wildhawk&period;in&sol;wp-content&sol;uploads&sol;2023&sol;11&sol;malarickal1-1024x768&period;jpg" alt&equals;"" class&equals;"wp-image-6425"&sol;><&sol;figure>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p>Social media played a pivotal role in unveiling the beauty of Malarikkal to the world&comma; drawing visitors from across the state&period; The mesmerizing landscapes provide an ideal backdrop for photography enthusiasts&comma; with the option to indulge in a photoshoot amidst the floral splendor&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p>The optimal time to witness this natural spectacle is during sunrise&comma; reminiscent of the vivid settings depicted in Arundhati Roy&&num;8217&semi;s &&num;8220&semi;The God of Small Things&period;&&num;8221&semi; The Booker-winning novel&comma; set against the lush backdrop of Kottayam&comma; captures the essence of the place&comma; making Malarikkal more than just a destination – it&&num;8217&semi;s an experience beyond imagination&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p>To fellow travelers who have explored Malarikkal&comma; share your experiences in the comments below and beckon others to embark on this hidden gem in Kerala&&num;8217&semi;s heartland&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;

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