Thanks a lot. This was route no 2. I had seen this route, but was scared of taking it as I would also be having my parents (age around 65). Hence was not sure if this is a good road to take.
However one question - Thodupuzha ,koothattukalam route - Does that road have any major problem? the second route you have given via muvattupuzha seems to be a detour as per the maps.