Field Trip 🚐

In the realm of education, the significance of experiential learning cannot be overstated. The journey from theory to practice is a fundamental one for aspiring educators. To bridge this gap and enrich the educational experiences of  B.Ed students, GCTE,  Thycaud organized a field trip that not only provided a break from the traditional classroom setting but also allowed student teachers to explore real-world educational environments.

It serves as a testament to GCTE's commitment to holistic teacher training, where theoretical knowledge seamlessly intertwines with practical exposure. The journey embarked upon by B.Ed students was not just geographical; it was a journey of discovery.

We visited Neyyar dam and aquarium,  Kottur Elephant Rehabilitation Centre and Koyikkal palace. We were accompanied by Dr.Santhosh Kumar, Dr. Jaya krishna, Kumar sir and Ms.Shiba.

Neyyar Dam has a rich history that dates back to the mid-20th century.The construction of Neyyar Dam began in the year 1958 and was completed in 1961. The dam was built on the Neyyar River, primarily for the purpose of water storage and irrigation.Neyyar Dam was primarily constructed to cater to the water needs of the surrounding regions, especially for agricultural purposes. It plays a crucial role in providing water for irrigation in the Neyyattinkara taluk and other nearby areas.Besides its role in irrigation, Neyyar Dam also serves as a source of hydroelectric power generation. The dam has a power station that generates electricity from the flowing water, contributing to the region's energy needs.

As we approached Neyyar Dam, the first thing that struck us was its sheer natural beauty. The dam nestled amidst lush green hills created a picturesque backdrop that left us in awe.The pristine waters of Neyyar Lake were incredibly calming. The mirror-like surface of the lake reflected the surrounding greenery and the clear blue sky, creating a mesmerizing scene that invoked a sense of peace and serenity.The sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze provided a soothing auditory backdrop to our visit. It felt like nature was orchestrating a harmonious symphony just for us. We enjoyed a drizzle too amidst the scenic beauty.

Then we visited the Neyyar dam aquarium. The entry fee to the aquarium is Rs 30 with special concession for students. The main attractions at the aquarium include the red belly, the Ganges softshell turtle, the sword tail and tyre track eel. Due to the violent nature of the red belly, the fish is placed under surveillance. The costliest of the lot is a yellow-coloured arowana fish. They can cost above Rs 1 lakh.Other species of fish that captured the attention of viewers include the miss Kerala, an endangered species with red and black stripes on its body. Among 54 species, the flower horn is a children’s favourite with its speedy movements and distinctly shaped head. Endemic to Taiwan, Malaysia and Thailand, it can live up to a maximum of 12 years.

The adorable sight of an elephant cheekily drenching its mahout with water, the calming flow of Neyyar river and the serene Western Ghats in the backdrop — the elephant rehabilitation centre in Kottur offers a chance to reconnect with nature.

Home to 16 elephants, of which 10 are below the age of 10, the Elephant Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre at Kappukadu is part of the Agasthyavanam Biological Park range under the care of the forest department.

The Kottur Elephant Rehabilitation Centre is  a well-known facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and care of elephants. The center focuses on the welfare of elephants, providing them with a safe and natural environment while also conducting research and educational programs.

Most of the elephants at the centre were rescued after they strayed from their herd. The centre also rescues captive elephants that may have been abused by owners. The centre takes care of orphaned calves and injured elephants.

The rehabilitation centre is a great spot for nature lovers to watch elephants frolicking and interacting with their mahouts. A beautiful example of the human-animal bond can be seen during bathing time. Visitors can witness the elephants being bathed at 9 am and 3.30 pm.

The elephants are taken for feeding after that and visitors may have a chance to witness the majestic creatures guzzling their meal. The morning bathing time is longer so visitors are recommended to visit between 9-11.30 am to savour the experience.

Guests can stay in cottages attached to the rehabilitation centre. There are five cottages open to the public. Arrangements can be made for guests to trek in groups by informing the officials in charge in advance. The three-hour trekking trail goes through the surrounding forest region to the top of Kizhakkumala Para.

Guests can also go bamboo rafting. There is also a small children’s park near the rehabilitation centre entrance.

Our last destination , the Koyikkal Palace  offered us a treasure trove of history. A trip through the Koyikkal Palace  evoked the pride of royal times.

Koyikkal Palace is located in Nedumangad . The palace is believed to have been built during the reign of Umayamma Rani, the queen of the Venad dynasty from 1677 to 1684. During the reign of the queen, a Muslim warrior named Mukilan came to Manakad with a plan to attack Thiruvananthapuram and at that time the queen shifted her headquarters from Thiruvananthapuram to Nedumangad and settled there. It is believed that the Kozhikode Palace was built for Umayamma Rani at that time.

The palace is curved in the shape of a boat and has two floors. The Nadumuttam is paved with granite. There are beautifully carved granite pillars in the four sides of the veranda around the nadumuttam. There is a nilavara or strong room in one of the rooms on the ground floor of the palace, which is said to be connected with an underground passage to another palace at Karupur. But there is no archaeological evidence to prove this story. The palace is almost like a square. One of the rooms near the entrance of the palace was used as a puja room where a traditional deity known as Mallan Thampuran had been worshipped. Like many other palaces of the rulers of Venad this palace also has a temple attached to it, the entrance to which is blocked from the palace side.

A small pond is still preserved in the Palace compound. All auxiliary structures which are essential to a palace-like padippura, kitchen, oottupura, urappura, kulappura etc. are completely lost. The old type well in the palace compound is still in use. There is a wide gabled balcony on the first floor of the palace facing the east. The entrance to the palace is from the east through a narrow and simple gabled opening. A veranda enclosed with wooden railing is kept in all the four sides of the palace in the ground and first floor which control the air circulation inside the palace. There are no windows in the rooms. The thick walls are constructed with laterite blocks and plastered with lime mortars.

The palace is rich in treasures.The palace also houses a musical instrument called the Chandravalayam, which can be described as one of the most unique musical instruments used in Kerala at that time, as well as models of folk art, costumes of the artists, costumes and everyday items. Koyikkal Palace is the only place in Kerala where a musical instrument called Chandravalayam is on display. The Sarangi made of wood is one of the highlights of this Folklore Museum.

Koyikkal Palace is rich in antiquities. The Numismatics Museum also houses one of the oldest coins in Kerala, the Ottaputhan, Irattaputhan and the Kaliyugarayan money. The coin collection at the palace reveals the ancient trade relations of Kerala and the history of our coins.

The museum houses the 2500 - year - old coins of Harshan's, the smallest coin in the world known as the zodiac, coins used in the Roman Empire, and coins used to exchange ancient dynasties in India and the world's old empires. A rare coin presented to Jesus Christ himself, Amaida, also finds itself placed here. 2500-year-old Karsha coins, Rasi coins (the smallest in the world), coins belonging to the Roman Empire and those used by a wide variety of dynasties across India, can be seen here. It is a veritable treasure trove of history. The extent of our trade relations at that time can be understood only when we know that all these were received from Kerala. The palace was converted into a Folklore and Numismatics Museum in the year 992. Koyikkal Palace is now a protected historical monument under the Government of Kerala. It is located at a distance of 18 km from the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station.

Overall, the field trip was an engaging and enriching experience for all of us.