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AN
ENCHANTING PLANTATION TOWN
Thekkady, located in central Kerala, is a popular hill station and a
wildlife centre. This town, which is an important plantation centre,
conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice
scented plantations.
In the Periyar
Forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves of India
and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill
towns that hold immense opportunities for treks and mountain walks. The
Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary offers a fairly good chance of seeing the great
Indian tiger in its natural habitat.
WILDLIFE
The
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Lying close to the plantations, in
the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most
fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest,
the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978.
Noted for its geo-morphological diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty,
the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world. 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 remains the large herds of
wild elephants that come down to the lake's edge. more...
Sanctuary
Watch Towers: There are three watch towers for observing wild life -
at Edappalayam and Manakkavala and Thannikudi. Reservations can be made at
the Forest Information Counter, Thekkady.
CITIES
Kumily: (4 km from Thekkady) This plantation town, closely
associated with Thekkady, is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar
Sanctuary. It is an important shopping centre and spice trade centre, the
main bus station and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar
region is in Kumily.
Murikkady: (5 km from Thekkady) Washed in fresh spice scented air,
Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations.
Pandikuzhi (5 km from Kumily): This picturesque place is cradled
between Chellarkovil and the
Tamil Nadu
State border is a popular picnic spot. Pandikuzhi offers great
opportunities for trekking and is a photographer's delight.
Pullumedu (43 km from Thekkady, 26 km from Periyar): The winding
journey to this hill town, along the Periyar river, offers a stunning view
of the rolling hills draped in lush greenery. Velvet lawns, rare flora and
fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu, which can be accessed from a jeep.
The famous Sree Ayyappa
temple at Sabarimala
and the Makara Joythi illuminations at the shrine are visible from here.
Since it is part of the restricted forest zone, special permission to
visit Pullumedu has to be obtained from the Wildlife Preservation Officer,
Thekkady or The Range Officer, Vallakkadavu.
TEMPLES
Mangala Devi Temple
(15 km from Thekkady): This ancient temple is hidden in the
dense woods at the top of a peak 1337 m above sea level. The temple is
built in the traditional Kerala Style of Architecture. Visitors are
allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day.
The peak commands a panoramic view of the other side of the ghats and the
vast plains of Tamil
Nadu. Permission to visit the area can be obtained from the Wildlife
Warden at Thekkady. more...
RIVERS
Vandiperiyar ( 18 km from Thekkady): The river Periyar flowing
through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper
plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number
of tea factories.
The Government Agriculture Farm and Flower Gardens have a delightful
array of rose plants, orchids and anthurium.
OTHERS
Chellarkovil (15 km from Kumily): This sleepy little village with
its spectacular view of the plains and cascading waterfalls during the
monsoons is a feast to the eyes. The village slopes down to the famous
coconut groves of Kumbam in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Vandanmedu (25 km from Kumily): This is one of the world's largest
auction centres for Cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom
plantaions of Vandanmedu is a pleasent experience.
CITIES
Munnar: One of
the most popular hill stations in India,
Munnar is situated at the
confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and
Kundala.
Located at 1600 m above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the
erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations,
picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make
Munnar a unique
experience.
Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the
Neelakurinji, a flower, which bathes the hills in blue colour once in
every twelve years. The Neelakurinji, will bloom next in 2006 AD.
Munnar also has the
highest peak in South India - Anamudi - which towers over 2695 m and is an
ideal spot for campers who like to do some trekking. more...
Peerumedu:
Peerumedu, the famous
plantation town, takes its name from Peer Mohammed, a Sufi saint and close
associate of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore.
Wide vistas of tea, cardamom, rubber and coffee plantations interspersed
with silver cascades, sculptural rocks, meadows and mist-cloaked hilltops
make Peermede an unforgettable experience.
The most delightful trekking trails complement the panoramic landscape.
Monuments like the Summer Palace and Summer Residence of the royal family
add to the splendour of the land.
The Summer Residence, now converted into a government guesthouse under
the Department of Tourism, offers comfortable accomodation. more...
Air: The nearby airports are at Madurai and
Kochi.
Rail: Teni, Kottayam, Madurai and
Changanaserry are the convenient railheads from Thekkady.
Road: There are frequent buses from Kumily (4 km away) to various
tourist centres.
Local transport: Tourist Cars, Taxi Jeeps, Mini Buses and Auto
Rickshaws.
Lake Palace (KTDC).
Spice Village.
Taj Garden Retreat.
Aranya Nivas (KTDC).
Periyar House (KTDC).
Leela Pankaj Resort (Cottages).
Cardamom County.
Ambady.
Post & Telegraph: Post & Telegraph Office,
Central Junction, Kumily.
Banks and Money Changers: State Bank Of Travancore, Kumily;
Central Bank Of India, Kumily.
Hospitals: Periyar Hospital, Central Hospital, St. Augustine
Hospital.
Handicrafts: Gram Shilpa, Kumily; Kairali Handicrafts.
Idukki (60 km)
Madurai (140 km)
Kochi (190 km)
Thiruvananthapuram
(Trivandrum) (265 km)
Latitude: 9°15' and 9°40' North.
Longitude: 76°55' and 77°25' East.
Altitude: 900-1800 m Above Sea Level.
Climate: Tropical.
Temperature: 15°C-30°C.
Rainfall: 2500 mm.
Clothing: Woollen and Cotton.