Located in Idukki district of Kerala state of India, and the location of the famous Periyar National Park is Thekkady. Thekkady is famous for it's evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, savannah grasslands, and deciduous forests. It is home to herds of elephants, deer, gaur and tigers. Thekkady is located close to the Kerala- Tamilnadu border. It is a hot spot for tourists, from all around the world.
Periyar National Park
The Periyar wild life sanctuary is spread across 300 sq miles, almost half of which is thick evergreen forests. It was declared as a tiger reserve in 1978. An artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar dam, in the Periyar river, adds beauty to this place. Several hundred species of plants, occupy the national park including several species of grass and orchids. The park also contains several kinds of trees such as teak, rosewoods, terminalias, sandalwoods, jacarandas, mangoes, jamun, tamarind and banyans. Several species of wild animals which include mammals like Bengal tigers, Indian elephant, Indian giant squirrel, Travancore flying squirrel, jungle cat, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Salim Ali's fruit bat, stripe-necked mongoose, and Nilgiri marten, birda like Malabar grey hornbill, Nilgiri wood pigeon, blue-winged parakeet, Nilgiri flycatcher, crimson-backed sunbird, and white-bellied blue flycatcher, and reptiles and amphibians like caecilians, frogs, king cobra and the Malabar pit viper also inhabit the national park.
Periyar lake
Periyar lake is a great tourist attraction, boating services are available to the tourist who visit this lake. Boating is a great opportunity to observe the wild animals and beautiful scenery surrounding the lake. The lake harbors within itself, a unique aquatic ecosystem. The lake is a place where the local wild life come to quench their thirst, sometimes predators such as tigers wait at the lake, for rey like deer that come to drink there.
Gavi
Gavi is a village , which is situated 28 km south-west of Vandiperiyar, atown in Idukki. It is situated inside the Ranni reserve forest. In Gavi's forest area, there are believed to be two gopher trees, that are the onlt two gopher trees in India. According to state Forest Department officials,there could be more of these trees, surviving deep with in the forest. Many wild animals such as leopards, bears, Indian gaur, sambar, barking and mouse deer, lion tailed macaque and more than 250 species of birds inhhabit the forest.
Murikkady
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| Elephant ride in Murikkudy |
Murikkady is located about 5 km from Thekkady, and is best known for it's tea and coffee plantations. It is an ideal place for family picnics. Plantation tours are conducted here, which attracts a good number of visitors. The aroma of spices in the air, surely could tickle one's excitement. It is a place of serene beauty, and people come here to relax and unwind. The local spice market, sells an array of spices that made Kerala, an world recognized placed in the business of trading.
Periyam dam is a gravity dam ,constructed on the Periyar river. It was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by John Pennycuick. It delivers water to Kerala, and also to the adjacent state of Tamil Nadu. It stands at a height of 176 feet. Its reservoir can withhold 443,230,000 m3 of water. The area surrounding the dam is protected, and is classified as a biodiversity hot spot by the Kerala Forest Research Institute.
Periyar dam
Periyam dam is a gravity dam ,constructed on the Periyar river. It was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by John Pennycuick. It delivers water to Kerala, and also to the adjacent state of Tamil Nadu. It stands at a height of 176 feet. Its reservoir can withhold 443,230,000 m3 of water. The area surrounding the dam is protected, and is classified as a biodiversity hot spot by the Kerala Forest Research Institute.
Chellar Kovil
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| Chellarkovil |
This place is located 15 km from Kumily. It is known for it's greenish mountains and cascading waterfalls. It is one of the best tourist destinations in the Idukki district. It is at a height of 1200 m from the sea level. This village stands unique with it's eco-tourism projects, which was started in 2008, by the village residents themselves, without much aid from the government. There is a watch tower with a telescope placed on it's balcony, a view from this place is breathtaking.
Anakkara
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| Anakkara waterfalls |
Situated about 18 km from Thekkady, Anakkara is a fast growing tourist destination. It is known for it's tea plantations and family picnic spots. It is a large village with close to 30000 people living in it. Ottakathalamedu is a peak in Anakkara that stands 1400 m above the sea level, tourists can see a panoramic view of Anakkara, from the top this hill. There are several home stay hotels here, that offer food and accommodation the tourists who visit this place. There are also developments in Ayurvedic resorts.
Mangaladevi Temple
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| Mangaladevi temple |
It is situated about 15 km from Thekkady. It was erected by the King Cheran Chenguttuvan, about 2000 years ago. It is closed throughout the year except during the Chitra Pournami festival. At other times tourists can still view it by getting a special letter from the forest ranger. It is surrounded by lush greenery. the view from this village is spectacular, and people can see part of the Eastern ghats, and some villages in the adjacent state of Tamil Nadu. It sits at a of 1337 km above the sea level.
Climate
Thekkady has a moderate climate, so it can can be visited throughout the year. It rains heavily in Thekkady. Summer season is from march to May, and during this time temperatures can be as high as 36 degree celsius. Rainy season is during June to September. During this period, Thekkady experiences heavy rainfall. Winter begins in October and temperature remains cool during this period, between 15- 21 degree celsius. For getting exciting offers on trips to Thekkady, click here.
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