Thani Illam Homestay, Cochin, India

Thani Illam (short form of Thannikkatt Illam, our family name) means the original home of a Kerala Malayalee Brahmin family.

Thani Illam is trying to be more eco friendly .

This was the home of famous Malayalam writer Malayattoor Ramakrishnan, and we bought it from his nephew in 1994. The house is more than 100 years old and after the great flood of '99 (1921-22) it got renovated.

The first room, Thekkini, is a part of the house and located on the South side and hence the name Thekkini (Thekk means South).

The second room, Kulappura, is situated on top of the car porch and it is the one rebuilt from the ancestral house at Kottayam, which is more than 500 years old. Originally, it was the room above an internal pond specifically for ladies of the house. Kulam means pool and pura means room. The room is fully wooden.

Daily site seeing trips (pay for taxi will be extra),

Doctor on call. Optional services include - ayurveda treatments Yoga / meditation sessions , classes on various subjects, thanthric rituals etc.

Bird watch with the help of a manual on common birds that can be seen in the village.

Learn cooking from the hosts - Idly, Dosha, Puttu, Ada, Upma, (breakfast items) Poori, Chapathi and rice with various side dishes (meals / dinner).

Have an appointment with an Indian astrologer (jyothisha)

Do library based Research (or discussion with host) on Kerala culture, history etc. from the own Library.

Watch selected Malayalam / Other Indian Languages movies (VCD / DVD)

On request, cultural programme (Mohiniyattam / Bharathanatyam / Kuchupudy / etc.) by the girls from the village.

From Cochin - Aluva - Perumbavoor - Vallam Junction - turn right towards Kodanad road - Thottuva Junction - turn left 1 km - Thottuva Temple Junction - straight towards river, third house on the right.

From Cochin Airport - Kalady - Vallam Junction - turn left towards Kodanad road - Thottuva Junction - turn left 1 km - Thottuva Temple Junction - straight towards river, third house on the right.