The royal symbol of erstwhile Travancore Kingdom that stands on the junction welcomes one to this sleepy village. Except a wayside tea stall, there is no other building. However, as one moves ahead on the road that snails to a height some distance away, there appears buildings of the Raj era that are now being used to accommodate some offices.
The buildings were used as the headquarters and office of the first hydroelectric project in the State. Before that, it was the summer residence of the kings of erstwhile Travancore, hence the name.
Eight kilometres from here is the Pallivasal hydroelectric project, across the Muthirapuzha river, a major tributary of the Periyar.
Records available suggest that the Pallivasal hydroelectric project, commissioned in 1939, was constructed by the planters, the first migrants to the High Ranges.
The power generated was used for lighting the lamps at the offices and residential bungalows of the tea planters. It produced 21.25 MW power. The project was later taken over by the Kerala State Electricity Board.
After the Pallivasal project, many small and big hydroelectric projects were commissioned. However, the Pallivasal project remains in history as a landmark of power generation. “Till recently the electricity from Pallivasal powered the street lamps on the main road. However, it is in an abandoned state now,'' says Abdul Khan, a resident here for the past 35 years.
With the commissioning of many small and large hydroelectric projects, the Pallivasal project slowly faded into history. “However, a few tourists, especially from abroad, make enquiries about the Pallivasal project and its present condition,'' Mr. Khan said.
Chithirapuram is now known as an extended tourism destination of Munnar, which is 10 km away. Tourists who pass through the junction on Adimaly-Munnar route are largely unaware of the history of the first hydroelectric project as it is mostly unwritten.
The lush green landscape and a waterfall below the project area are attracting tourists to Chithirapuram these days.
