Top-Yard Heritage

Top-Yard Heritage Homestay

Top-Yard Heritage, is one of the finest lake resorts in Kerala and is situated on the evergreen banks of River Pampa. It is an excellent combination of modern and heritage Kerala architecture spread on over acres of excellently landscaped lagoon. The name Top-Yard came from our family name Meppuram. It means a place that is high land and is surrounded by water on all three sides. Top-Yard Heritage creates memories to share for a life time and is firmly rooted in unmatched Kerala tradition of warm hospitality in a lovely atmosphere.Top-Yard heritage is an elegant backwater resort amidst rice paddy fields and coconut palms. It is an ancient one storied wooden house that is still maintained in memory of the golden era of the Meppuram Family.It is now proudly presented to the world as an icon of age-old traditional fishing and hospitality.

History
The family history starts with the arrival of St.Thomas in India in 52 A.D. Four Brahmin families accepted the preaching of the gospel, of which two families Pakalomattom and Sankara Puri families were called for priesthood and also to perform religious rites.

Later the Europeans came with their version of Christianity winning the support of local rulers. This caused the two families to move to more tolerant areas like Angamali, Ettumanoor and also Kuravilangadu in order to escape the religious persecution. The Meppuram family was part of the Pakalomattom family. One of the forefathers from there moved to Champakulam Kanikatt family. From Champakulam Kanikatt we then moved to a place called Meppuram located in Vaishambhagom. At that time there wasn’t much land available in order to build a home. The property, in which Top-Yard Heritage is located, was the only visible land that a person travelling River Pampa, at that time, could see.

Top-Yard Heritage was built in 1933 which is the English year and the Malayalam year of Kolla Varsham, 1109. Our forefather Chacko Mappila was a friend of the king Chembakassery Raja, who had a religious outlook. So, he built a Christian Church in Kudamaloor, which is still preserved as a precious monument of interfaith collaboration and has existed in this part of Kerala for many generations. Chembakassery Raja appointed the Christians and also some Muslim families as the protectors of his Antharjanam (community). Meppurath Cherian worked as a writer under Chembakassery Raja. He was considered by the locals as a Kaaryasthan (manager). Meppurath Cherian was known by the name of Cherian Kariyakaran.

Lodged in the ideal setting of a rustic background, Top-Yard Heritage was passed over to its present 7th generation by its far-sighted visionary
M J Scaria , who was a great farmer and a an expert to use traditional methods of fishing. He was specialized in Vallam and Perum Koodu (Trap Fishing) His ability to swim under water for a prolonged period with only breath control was amazing and famous in those locality.

Now, we proudly present it to the world as an icon of age-old traditional fishing and hospitality!!!