Every now and then, you come across a place that feels like it has been waiting quietly for you all your life. No big signboards. No commercial chaos. No loud crowds. Just nature, wind, stories, and silence. That’s exactly what Ramakkalmedu in Kerala is like: a hidden treasure sitting calmly in the Western Ghats. It’s loved by travellers, nature lovers, and yes, even Leonardo DiCaprio, who visited in 2002 and called it “one of the best places he had ever seen.”
Ramakkalmedu, The Windy Kerala Escape
Ramakkalmedu is a tiny hill hamlet in Idukki, located along the beautiful Munnar–Thekkady route. It sits at a height of 3,500 ft above sea level, which means cooler weather, gentle misty mornings, and sweeping views no matter where you stand. A scenic drive away from Munnar, it’s remote enough to feel special, yet easy enough to reach for a weekend getaway.
The very first thing you’ll notice the moment you step onto Ramakkalmedu’s hills is the wind.
It’s not a soft breeze or a momentary gust. It’s a strong, steady, powerful wind, blowing all day, all night, in every season. This area is known as one of Asia’s windiest places, with wind speeds touching 35 km/hr throughout the year. You literally need to brace yourself while standing – it’s that strong!. This natural strength is why you see huge windmills here, the massive, towering giants that generate over 10 MW of electricity and add an almost magical charm to the landscape.
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The Quiet Little Hilltop That Captures Every Heart
Ramakkalmedu doesn’t believe in giving you simple views. It believes in giving you cinematic ones. From the top, you can see rolling green hills, bamboo groves swaying in the wind, and the glowing villages of Tamil Nadu. It’s one of those sights you experience once and remember for years.
At the top of the hill, you’ll find something extraordinary: a huge statue of a tribal couple known as Kuravan and Kurathi. Created by artist C.B. Jinan in 2005, it’s the tallest twin statue in Kerala. They sit overlooking the mighty hills, almost as if they’re still watching over the land and its people today. The statue is simple, earthy, and incredibly moving.
Ramakkalmedu has several natural wonders scattered across the hills, each with a quirky charm of its own. You’ll find Turtle Rock, Frog Rock, Rama Rock, Soolapara Hill, and Hyderamala Hills. None of these places is crowded. You can walk around, sit peacefully, take pictures, or just enjoy the wind and quiet.
Many travellers say that Ramakkalmedu has a way of touching your emotions. Some feel peace. Some feel nostalgia. Some feel awe. But everyone feels something. No two people experience this place the same way, and that’s the beauty of it.
Ramakkalmedu is raw and untouched, with winds that carry stories and views even Leonardo DiCaprio couldn’t miss appreciating.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Arshad.ka5
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