PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The South Indian heaven, Kerala, often sobriquet as God's own country, is home to a myriad enticing features. Sun kissed beaches, placid backwaters, swaying palms, salubrious climate...the list is interminable. A lesser known but equally fascinating part of this amazing land is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which derives its name from the Periyar river that criss crosses the lush country providing a much needed perennial source of water for the survival of its wild residents.

The lore behind the establishment of the area is also quite intriguing. A few years back when a British officer killed a mighty tusker, the erstwhile ruler of Travancore was deeply affected and decided to transform the area into a protective habitat for the wild denizens. Since then, the park has continued to support a thriving floral and faunal population. The core area was declared a national park in 1982.

Wild Attractions in Periyar

The best time to spot animals is during the dry period of March and April when herds of giant pachyderms and other smaller animals can be seen romping around whatever little water bodies that remain. Sights of sambar, gaur and wild pigs are also frequent. Although the wild cats are rarely seen but suddenly coming across a mighty lord of the jungle turns out to be the best part of the escapade. A bit of luck and help from your expert guide is surely worthwhile.

The long list of other commonly spotted denizens entail the leopard, wild dog, barking deer and mouse deer, Nilgiri langur (a primate), bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar, and sloth bear. Reptiles are generally seen basking in the sun or in marshy areas around the lake, these include the monitor lizards, python, king cobra, flying lizard and the flying snake. These harmless creatures are blessed by nature and support colorful attires making an adorable and fascinating site.

Other Attractions

Mangla Devi Temple
Situated on the northern fringes of the sanctuary, at a distance of 12 km from the core area is the ancient stone temple of goddess Mangla Devi. The temple housing centuries old idol of the goddess is held in deep reverence by the local people.

Kumily
The quaint town of Kumily, famed as a spice trade centre, is situate at a distance of 4 km from the sanctuary. The entire area is covered with a blanket of tea, cardamom, pepper and coffee plantations that present a truly exotic and refreshing sight. Tours to the area and the Connemara Tea Factory are organised by the Kerala Tourism Information Centre located near the park entrance.

Safaris

Jeep safari, Elephant safari and boat cruise are the options available at Periyar. While elephant rides are preffered by most simply because it is much more thrilling and the elephants being a part of the animal kingdom can get much closer to the denizens without scaring them away, jeeps are much quicker and can penetrate deeper into the forests cutting easily past the beaten track.

It is recommended that you take a boat cruise which requires special permission from the park authorities. Moreover, it is your best shot at spotting the big cats, especially during the dry months when animals roam the area in search of water bodies.

Hot Getaways

Chellarkovil
Situated about 20 km from the park, this laid back village is a feast for the senses with its breathtaking views and the cool climate. To observe the villagers and their lifestyles draped in traditional Keralan culture is an enticing experience that you should not miss.

Vandiperiyar
This is a small town known for its lush tea, coffee and pepper plantations along with a number of tea factories. Situated 18 km from Thekkady, the town is a major trade centre with its major tourist magnets being the Government Agriculture Farm and Flower Garden.