A theme park that you've never seen!

When the pandemic hit hard a couple of years ago, it taught a lot of lessons to humans. It was a reminder of the long-lost family time when everyone where busy in their own world were forced under one roof for a lifetime! It taught that you can be at home and still get most of the things done and as time went, it taught how haunting can a locked-up life be, well...to the majority. It was also a testament to how such an event of global scale can tumble businesses over. Thus, when restrictions were lifted off, and life was walking back to something like the “normal” or rather, the “new normal”, people realized how important it is to maintain a balance between work and life. What it means to spend some quality time catching up with family and to explore the world, because as Master Oogway says "Tomorrow is a mystery".

Though I’ve spent most of my time at my home even before the pandemic, thanks to my job and all other educational institutions which were well within a 3hr journey, it was during this time that everyone wanted to go out so badly. I had started my biking journeys occasionally as soon as the restrictions were lifted just like anybody else but I wanted to take my family to a place for a good stay, amazing food and to spend some time doing some activities that they would find interesting. And this post is about such a place, where you can blindly take your family for a round (I’m sure that number is going to go up after your visit), to a place that won’t make them bored!

Set amidst the vast paddy fields in the small village of Kaduthuruthi in Kottayam district of Kerala, The Mango Meadows is a travel back in time, to our roots exploring the culture, way of life and greenery. Being the first agricultural theme park, the 30+ acre place is stuffed with all varieties of plants and tress that you may be hearing, let alone seeing them for the first time.

As one of the boards states while you enter, “You are at the wrong place, if you came in search of a water theme park!”. Yes, this not is your typical theme park. All the rides here are about nature. Its all about what we’ve forgotten in our journey through time. And if you are not an explorer, simply lay back in one of the cottages, take a dip in the swimming pool, and treat your taste buds with amazing food. And for kids, get them a cycle and let them explore the park. They have a long road inside the park (3km+) to ride through the thick vegetation.

Talking about the plant varieties, the place has bagged a few records including the Limca book of world records for growing maximum number of plants in a 30Acre land. And once you visit, you can see that it’s only expanding with many parts of the property still in their initial farming stages. A guided tour at the beginning of the packages (both day and overnight packages) is an overflow of knowledge and a much needed one so that you are not lost once you are on your own. To add to the attraction, there is a 90s tea stall with the “Akashavani” radio in the background and a variety of snacks, a 12D theatre, boating and coracle ride and a 30min cruise through the local canal amidst paddy fields in a shikara. If you are a “Balarama” fan, you should think of getting your money from the ATM inside the facility, the first themed ATM in India, where getting even a 100 rupee will bring in all horrors and funs of characters from the ever-favourite Mayavi.

The bird's eye view

Fish feeding bridge

Irrigation system of the past!

Try fitting your Re1/2 coins!

Growing tea at sea level!

For stay also, one has a variety of options to choose from including a paddy view cottage, lake side cottage and tree house. At the time of our visit, the cave cottages were under construction and hopefully they’ll be open soon. As a cherry on the top, if you are staying in the property, you get to use the park facilities till 9.30 at your own pace...peacefully. The facility also holds a lot of artistic creations including the largest Parashuram statue and the bible statue. Also, they have done a wonderful job in recreating a tea plantation at the sea level and an amazing man made “sarpakavu” or the abode of snakes.

The abode of the snakes!

The bible statue

How about a "nadan" cruise!

The director's hand

Adam and Eve @ eden garden

The godess of the forests!

A simple article cannot give a full picture of the park and it’s something to be experienced. Like any other tourism projects or rather more than the usual, Mango Meadows also has faced some hard time due the lockdowns in the pandemic since the park maintenance costs are way higher that of a normal tourist attraction and the lifted off restrictions has started pulling people back to the property.

This is for sure going to be a one of kind experience for all age groups and the best place for a family time. And if you are still wondering why the place has got its name, try counting the mango varieties here!

In a nutshell
Mango Meadows agricultural theme park
Best Theme Park -World's First Agricultural Theme Park - Mango Meadows

Nearest Airport: Kochi Airport
Nearest Railway station: Kottayam

Best time to visit: All around the year!

Note: Covid is still around. Breaking the chain is the important step in stopping it and travel responsibly. Follow all the government rules and guidelines for your safety and that of everyone around you!