Idukki means a place with a deep gorge. River Periyar flowed through a canyon between two rodky mountains. Kurava and Kurathy. The legend told from generation of the ancient Adivasi Muthuvan tribe here is that Sita, during her forest sojourn with Rama, bathed in th canyon, and on seeing an Adivasi couple - Kuravan and Kurathy watching her naked beauty, she cursed them into two rocky mountains. Modern technology has bridged them at the gorge to form the marvel of Idukki arch dam, the first of its kind in Asia. When a new district was carved out, it shared the place name of the arch dam. This beautiful High range district of Kerala is geographically known for its mountainous hills and dense forests. For the people of Kerala, Idukki is always associated with power generation. About 66% of the State's Power needs come from the Hydroelectric Power Projects in Idukki. Idukki accounts for 12.9 percent of the area of Kerala and only 3.7 percent of the population of Kerala. Idukki holds the key to solve the Kerala's energy problem. Incesant wind at Ramakalmedu and neighbouring places is estimated to yield above a 1000 MW, more than what the arch dam could yield. It is only waiting to be tapped.
Idukki district was formed on 26 January 1972.The district consists of Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermedu taluks of the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk (excluding two villages Manjallore and Kalloorkadu) of the erstwhile Ernakulam district. At the time of formation the district headquarters started functioning at Kottayam and from there it was shifted to Painavu in Thodupuzha taluk in June 1976.
Idukki district was formed on 26 January 1972.The district consists of Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermedu taluks of the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk (excluding two villages Manjallore and Kalloorkadu) of the erstwhile Ernakulam district. At the time of formation the district headquarters started functioning at Kottayam and from there it was shifted to Painavu in Thodupuzha taluk in June 1976.
