Lahai, Kerala

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Lahai
Gateway to Sabarimala poongavanam
Village
India Kerala location map.svg
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Lahai
Location in Kerala, India
India location map.svg
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Lahai
Lahai (India)
Coordinates: 9°22′7″N76°54′25″E / 9.36861°N 76.90694°E / 9.36861; 76.90694
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Kerala
District Pathanamthitta
Government
  Type Panchayath
  Body Perunad panchayath
Elevation
910 m (2,990 ft)
Languages
  Official Malayalam, English
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
689662
Area code 04735
Vehicle registration KL-62, KL-03

Lahai, also spelt Laha is a remote settlement located in the north eastern part of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India. This is the place from which the sacred grove (Poongavanam) of Lord Ayyappa begins.

Contents

Geography

Lahai lies about 3,000 ft (910 m) above mean sea level, predominantly a hilly region or Malanad. The place is covered by thick forests of Ranni division. [1]

Demographics

The average population is about 3000 people. The major revenue is from Lahai Rubber estate which was established by the British in the early 1900s with 10,000 acres (40 km2) of land.

Climate

Lahai experiences a tropical climate as in many parts of Kerala. Significant amount of rainfall occurs during the months of June, July and August. Humidity is comparatively less here with an average annual temperature of about 29.37°C. The average annual precipitation is 2407mm. The months of January and February receives low rainfall. Temperature falls in December and January to 20°C. March, April and May are the hottest months in the year.

Climate data for Lahai, Kerala
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)29.0
(84.2)
30.0
(86.0)
31.2
(88.2)
31.4
(88.5)
31.1
(88.0)
29.0
(84.2)
28.2
(82.8)
28.4
(83.1)
28.9
(84.0)
28.6
(83.5)
28.1
(82.6)
28.5
(83.3)
29.4
(84.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)20.2
(68.4)
21.0
(69.8)
22.3
(72.1)
23.3
(73.9)
23.5
(74.3)
22.5
(72.5)
22.0
(71.6)
22.1
(71.8)
22.0
(71.6)
21.9
(71.4)
21.5
(70.7)
20.5
(68.9)
21.9
(71.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)24
(0.9)
38
(1.5)
70
(2.8)
152
(6.0)
220
(8.7)
406
(16.0)
433
(17.0)
282
(11.1)
208
(8.2)
298
(11.7)
208
(8.2)
68
(2.7)
2,407
(94.8)
Source: Climate-Data.org [2]

Location

Lahai is blessed with naturally beautiful landscapes and with tropical rain forests of Ranni forest division. The Sabarimala forest (Poongavanam) begins from Lahai. Most important fact is that the uphill road to Sabarimala ends at Lahai and become level road all the way to Sabarimala.

The famous Sabarigiri Hydro electric Project in 1960s had built heavy equipment transportation road to Moozhiyar Power House. This road now exclusively used by pilgrims to Sabarimala.

Lahai is a historical place in many regards. The Sabarimala Thiruvabharanam procession comes to Lahai forest Bungalow, stays overnight and continues to Sabarimala temple. The famous St. Thomas Pilgrim Church at Nilakkal is 10 miles (16 km) away from Lahai Junction.

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References

  1. "Lahai Estate Manager'S Bungalow (Laha)" . Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  2. "CLIMATE: LAHA", Climate-Data.org. Web: .