Thekkady
March 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under Hill Stations in Kerala, Thekkady
Tremendous Thekkady
Thekkady means ‘land rich with teak trees’. Thekkady’s greenery, its enchanting canopy of tropical ever-green and deciduous trees, the varied wildlife as well as its peaceful silence makes the destination a highly demanded tourist spot. Thekkady- the very name itself suggests the images of elephants, chains of small hills, massive mountains and aromatic smell of spice plantations. Getting to Thekkady is as sublime as the destination itself. Thekkady is a landlocked home for its myriad fauna and flora. A scenic journey rediscovering misty mountains, spice plantations and open grasslands punctuated with spectacular waterfall, the tropical rainforests which stands as one of the world’s most ancient and complex environments and courageous trekking trails forms access to your enthusiasing trip. Perched amidst of dense forest in the outskirts of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, one of the largest sanctuaries in India, you can perceive pleasant surprises like wild boars rushing across the road in front of you, as you near the sanctuary. Thekkady shares the border with Tamil Nadu.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River are like the gems of her crown. The greatest attraction of Periyar is that we can observe the herds of wild elephant that come down to play in the lake. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can catch the astonishing sight of the wildlife. It is a place that radiates the spirit and ethos of nature. Thekkady was the first destination in the State to promote environmental tourism.
The House of the Ferocious
This grassy land is the oldest and one of the twenty-seven reserves in India. Declared a protected area way back in 1933 by the Maharaja of Travancore, the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady flaunts to be the largest sanctuary in the state of Kerala. Located in the southern region of the Western Ghats, this rambling 777 sq kilometre of foliage is a habitat of the Asian elephants. A storehouse of rampant, rare and diminishing biota, this sanctuary is a major seminal point for two important rivers, Periyar and Pamba. This area is also renowned for the tow pilgrimage centers- Sabarimala and Mangala Devi Temple.
Periyar is a combination of tropical evergreen, semi-green, moist deciduous forests and grasslands. The statistics records prove that there are 62 species of mammals, 320 variety of colourful birds, 45 species of reptiles, 27 species of amphibians, 38 species of fish and 160 collections of butterflies and 1,966 varieties of flowers. ‘The Travancore Evening Brown’, one of the most valuable butterflies in the world was found here. Boat cruises are a trilling experience at dawn and dusk when the chances of viewing wildlife are bright. Certain paws marks of the Great Indian tiger are present everywhere, dotting the moist grounds of the terrain. It is here, that you can see spurting sambars, closely followed by a pack of wild dogs. Ride an elephant at the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and you will fail to resist yourself from falling in love with these sensitive and intelligent animals. Apart from elephants, one can also enjoy the rare lion-tailed macaque and the Nilgiri Langurs. It is not unusual to spot a few monitor lizards basking in the sun, on the rocks along the lakeshore or a python climbing the branches of trees.
Herds of gaur, sambar and wild boar can often be noticed in a distance grazing in the grasslands. Water birds like darters, grey herons, egrets and kingfishers can be sighted here. Some of the India’s most fascinating rain forests are found here, and there is an opportunity to observe not only rare birds like Paradise flycatcher, racket tailed drongo and pied hornbill but also other mammal species such as the sloth bear and the Nilgiri langur. The Periyar Valley, a great place for animal lovers, bird watchers and trekkers, is also a holiday option for families.
Flavour Your Taste buds with Zesty Spices
You will not only be enthralled by the aroma of cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, vanilla and coffee plantations, but you will also know how they are grown, harvested and processed, before they reach the supermarkets. Perhaps it suggests that you can have a cup of green cardamom- flavoured tea at any time of the day. Most of the hotels also grow a small garden with samples of these plantations to showcase their guests about this agriculture. Walk amidst the palette displaying variant shades of green, neatly arranged into stepped farms. A lazy zephyr curls through the hills tuning life into a rhythm, as you find yourself relinquish to this sensual enthusiasm. It is believed that the spice trade dates back three thousand years in Kerala. As for the many spices that find their home here, Pepper still remains the King of Spices. Nevertheless, the slanting slopes also caress a variety of clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves. Make a trip to the Sahyadri Organic tea factory in Peermade, a recent venture of the PDS.
If you wish, you will be taken to the distinctive grey thatched tribal hamlets and also to the Tribal Heritage Museum. You can see the traditional fishing gears, hunting gadgets and indigenous medicinal plants – an important part of their culture and more importantly, their life. Drive 12 km from Thekkady past dense forests to reach the Mangladevi Temple, situated on the northern boundary of the reserve. The ruins of this stone temple house the deity of Mangladevi or Kannagi.
A Village Beauty
Chellarkovil is a small, scenic village located at a distance of 15 km from Kumily, Idukki. Like most parts of Kerala, Chellarkovil too displays abundant natural beauty, with numerous waterfalls, lush green landscape and majestic mountain views. The village gradually slopes down to the neighbouring Tamil Nadu State’s. Chellarkovil covers the Aruvikuzhi Waterfalls and an old cave. Again you will find a vast garden full of vegetable plants, forest fruit trees and a refreshing stall managed by Unit Level Organization (ULO). This serene land is not yet explored.
Thus, Thekkady is a must-see destination of Kerala as Thekkady tantalizes the adventurous travellers.
Fact file:
Location: – 4 kms from Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Altitude: – 900metres to 2,019 metres above sea level.
Best Time to Visit: – December to May