Rakshasanpara in Pathanamthitta to transform from conservation landmark to tourism spot

Three decades after inspiring a landmark conservation movement under the guidance of philosopher Nitya Chaitanya Yati, Rakshasanpara, a scenic rock formation on the forest fringes of Pathanamthitta, is set to feature on the district’s tourism map.

According to officials with the Department of Tourism, construction work on the tourism project will begin in February, with Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Co. Ltd (KEL) and Habitat entrusted with the execution. To mark the project’s initiation, a delegation led by Konni MLA K.U. Jenish Kumar and Pathanamthitta District Collector S. Prem Krishnan visited the site on Friday, accompanied by Tourism department officials.

“Habitat has been allocated ₹1 crore, while KEL will receive ₹1.763 crore for the construction. The project will include pathways, toilets, multiple viewpoints, a cafeteria, a memorial for Nitya Chaitanya, and a library, along with other tourist amenities,’’ the MLA said.

Property dispute

The District Collector, meanwhile, has noted that a property dispute with a private individual exists along the access path to Rakshasanpara. “The matter will be resolved through legal channels. Meanwhile, construction in unaffected areas should begin immediately, with the support of local residents,” he said.

Rakshasanpara has long been a focal point of a conservation movement in the region. Since the 1990s, the site has witnessed strong opposition to alleged encroachment attempts by quarry operators. Organised under the Jana Jagratha Mission, local activists staged a major demonstration here even last year, emphasising the hillock’s role in maintaining the groundwater table across Pathanapuram and Kalanjoor panchayats.

Steeped in mythological associations with Mahabharata, Rakshasanpara hosts two historic temples on either side, namely the Kalanjoor Mahadeva temple and the Koodal Sree Devi temple. Local legend holds that the rock is named after a demon king buried here by Shiva. Offering panoramic views of lush green landscapes, the formation has long been a popular local attraction.

The movement to protect the three massive rocks, which together span around 60 acres, was initiated in 1993 on the suggestion of Nitya Chaitanya Yati, who frequented Rakshasanpara during his school days.