The district's name, 'Idukki' is supposed to be derived from the Malayalam word 'Idukku' which means a narrow gorge. That could be true, for narrow steep-sided valleys are not a strange phenomenon in this hilly district flanked by the Western Ghats in the East. Idukki district was formed on January 26, 1972 carving out Devikulam, Peermade and Udumbanchola taluks from the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk from the erstwhile Ernakulam district. This district lies between latitude 9 15' and 10 21' North and longitude 76 37' and 77 25' east.