 The pride
of Kerela and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation, the
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an
artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats
are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grass
lands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers,
gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.In addition to elephant rides,
cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined Mangala Devi temple - a beautiful
old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary
offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close
quarters.
The Periyar Widlife sanctuary is spread
across 777 sq km, of which 360 sq km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar
Wiild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its
geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts
visitors all over the world and is one of the world's most fascinating natural
wildlife reserves.Situated in kerala, close to the Kerala - Tamil Nadu border
town - Kumily, it is located about 257 km (160 miles) from Trivandrum, 114 km
from Madurai Airport, 185 km from Cochin International Airport and 114 km from
Kottayam railway station. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen,
semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands. It is home to
herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed Macaques and Nilgiri
Langurs.
The Periyar Wildlife sanctuary is spread
across 777 km² (300 sq. miles), of which 360 km² (139 sq. miles) is thick
evergreen forest. The Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978.
The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar
River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attraction of Periyar are the
herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.Thekkady is
considered a heaven for natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon
and clove.
Periyar wildlife sanctuary -The sanctuary
is spread over an area of about 777 sqkm and comprises a thick evergreen forest
with exotic wild life. The sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve sometime in
1978. It has an artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam, built across the
Periyar river. Murikkady -This place consists of spice and coffee plantations.
It is about 5 km from Thekkady.Chellar Kovil -This is located about 15 km
from Kumily and leads to the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. This place has a lot
of waterfalls and cascades. It is very beautiful and extremly serene.Mangala
Devi Temple -It is situated about 15 km from Thekkady and sits at an altitude of
1337 m above the sea level. It is only open during the Chitra Pournami festival.
The splendid artificial lake formed by the
Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. This is
the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing
wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest
attraction of Periyar, however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to
the play in the lake.
THINGS TO DO IN THEKKADY
- Plantation Tours
-Plantation Eco-Tours are arranged from the District Tourism Information
Office at Thekkady jn. in Kumily. Tours cover cardamom, pepper, coffee and tea
plantations, tea factories, tribal settlements and the surrounding hill
regions Tel. : 91-486-322620.
- Elephant rides -The
forest Department, Thekkady offers facilities for elephant rides through the
jungle. Time : 1000 to 1700 hrs. Duration of a trip : 30 minutes Fare : Rs. 30
per person. Tickets are available from the wildlife information Counter Tel. :
91-486-322028
- Trekking -Main trekking
areas in Thekkady : Kurisumala near Kumily, Pullumedu, Ottakathalamedu : 5 km
from Kumily, Grampi near Vandiperiyar. The Forest Department conducts daily
treks from the boat landing station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and
Manakkavala. Starting : 0700 hrs. Fare Rs. 10 + entrance fee. Booking can be
made with the Wildlife Preservation Officer, Thekkady Ph : 322027 322028.
- Boat cruises on the
Periyar Lake -0700, 0930, 1130, 1600 hrs. Fare : Lower deck : Rs 25 + 10 (
entrance fee) Upper deck : 50 + 10 (entrance fee). The forest Department
(Contact Ph : 322023) conducts boating trips from Thekkady. Entrance fee at
check post. Foreigners : Rs. 50 (valid for 3 days) Domestic tourists Rs. 2
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