Situated in Kerala, close to the Kerala - Tamil Nadu border town - Kumily, Thekkady 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 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest. The Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaiperiyar 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.
Places to See:
Chellarkovil
Chellarkovil is a small village that is famous for its splendid panoramic views like lush landscapes and gurgling waterfalls. The village is also well known for its vast coconut groves.
Kumily
Located just outside the Periyar sanctuary, Kumily is a famous plantation town. This lovely town has extensive plantations of various Indian spices.
Kurisumala
Located on a high altitude, this beautiful place offers lot of opportunities for trekking, mountain climbing and other kinds of adventure sports. It also offers a bird's eye view of the Periyar sanctuary and Kumily.
Mangala Devi Temple
Located at a height of 1337 meters above sea level in the dense thickets, is the beautiful Mangala Devi Temple. This temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. This temple allows visitors only on the day of Chitra Pournami festival.
Pullumedu
Located along the Periyar River, this beautiful hill town is a delightful place to spend your vacations. This lovely place offers a splendid view of diverse flora and fauna. The place is accessible only by a jeep. One can also see the famous Sri Ayyappa Temple and the Sabarimala hill from here.
Ramakalmedu
The place is marked by lush green hills and enchanting mist. This place offers a great view of nearby villages and the fresh mountain air works wonders for your health.
Vandanmedu
Vandanmedu is famous for its extensive cardamom plantations and is the world's largest auction center for cardamom. One should take a walk through these lovely plantations to get that heady feeling.
Vandiperiyar
This town is famous for its pepper, coffee and tea plantations. The mighty Periyar River flows right through the center of this town thus providing natural irrigation. Vandiperiyar is a major trade center and also has many factories. The place also has widespread nurseries of roses, orchids and other exotic flowering plants.
Murikkady
This place has spice in the aroma of its atmosphere what with plantations of coffee, pepper and cardamom strewn all over.
Pandikuzhi
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