Peerumedu (Peermade) Hill Station ! The Plantation Town hill Tourist station in Idukki, Kerala

Peermade : Hill station in Kerala

Peermade or Peerumade is a tiny beautiful tea plantation town, located in the southern part of Idukki district of Kerlala in India. Peermade is a part of the Western Ghats standing at an altitude of about 1000 Meters above sea level amidst of lofty barren hills and valleys wrapped with tea plantations. Peermade is well known for its possibilities of eco-tourism and is a part of the big travel belt including Thekkady, Vagamon and Munnar. The annual Paragliding festival of Kerala is conducted at Vagamon, a town just 20 Kilometers away from Peermade.

The name Peerumade evolved from the name of a Sufi saint Peer Mohammad who spend his time at these hills. The word “medu” means hill in Malayalam, the local language of Kerala which says "Hill of Peer" as meaning of Peerumade. Another story behind the name is says that, the abundance of Guava trees in the hills gave the name Peramedu which evolved into Peermade slowly and Pera is the Malayalam word for Guava.

Location of Peermadu Hill Station

Peermade is located 60 Kilometers away from Kottayam (GPS 9.590,76.522), and 35 Kms away from Thekkady (9.57,77.17) along the Kottayam Kumily road, the new NH 220 - a very famous tourist stretch in Kerala.

The route to Peermade from either sides are beautiful ghat roads cut through the never ending tea plantations, presenting panoramic views of beautiful hills enriched with the fragrance of spices.

Public Buses service round the clock to Peermade via NH220 from Kottayam and Kumily. There are bus services from Munnar and Eranakulam too to Peermade.

Cochin and Madurai Airports are almost equidistant from Peermade (150 Kms) and the nearest Railway station is Kottayam.

History of Tea Plantation at Peermade

A few 100 years ago all these hills were dense forests and the clearing of the forests to convert into tea plantations was done by the workers from Tamilnadu under the English Men. The only indigenous people who lived here were the tribal groups such as Malaariyans who lived a life of primitive simplicity in harmony with the nature.

Clearing the dense forests deeply rooted inside the mountain slopes, ruled by the cruel animals of the wild was a nightmare for the workers. The construction of the first roads and the transport amenities to Peermade mush have been one of the massive works undertaken in the history of India.

The rope-ways and railway tracks laid down by the British at Peermade which have dissolved inside the History text books when washed down by the forces of nature.

The history of Peermade is more like an interesting adventurous story of the British men a partly the biography of a CSI Missionary, Henry Baker.

Books on Perumade

“Above the Herons pool : Short History of the Peermade/Vandiperiyar District of Travancore” Published by BACSA (British Association for the Cemeteries of South India), is an excellent book which speaks about the history of Peermade. The book was written by Heather Lovat

A few Tourist Attractions around Peermade Tourist Spot

Peermade : The most fascinating thing of Peermade is its plantation area having cash crops, such as tea, cardamom and other spices. No wonder if one gets enthralled with its rich greenery and natural beauty while passing through the aromatic path of these plantation area.

Pattumala : Famous For an old Church Entirely Made of Granite

Kuttikkanam : A well Known Adventure Sports Destination, near Peermade Including Trekking and Paragliding. Also Famous for View Points and Beautiful Hills

Adventure: The beautiful landscape of Peermade has plenty of hills offering finer opportunity of trekking. Popular hills like, Kalthotti, Vagamon, Karandakapara, Grampi, Paranthupara and Memala have excellent trekking routes.

Waterfalls: Waterfalls like Meloram, Nallathanni, Panchalimedu and Valanjamkanam, and its rich nearby natural surrounding are quite fascinating for nature lovers.

Palace : Once the summer residence of rulers of Tranvancore, The Palace is of great historical importance. Famous mausoleum of Peer Mohammed located on Peeru Hills is close to The Palace.