Kochi, Dec 9 (IANS): A Kerala family residing near the hugely popular tourist destination at Athirapally in Thrissur district on Wednesday morning had an unexpected visitor when a crocodile came calling to their home.

"It was my wife who first spotted the crocodile lying near the sofa set in the veranda," said the house owner who is yet to come out of the shock.

"She was startled and raised an alarm. Soon I also saw it when I came running hearing her cries. We immediately alerted the forest staff who rushed to our home, so did the locals. After almost a three hour duel, the crocodile was finally captured and taken to the Chalakudy river and released," he added.

Athirapally falls is the largest waterfall in Kerala and the house that the crocodile decided to visit was barely 100 metres from the river side.

The Athirapally falls is nicknamed "The Niagara of India" and is one of the most crowded tourist destination in the state.