The
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Thekkady, about 4 km from Kumili in Idukki district, central
Kerala
The
pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation,
the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake
- an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats
are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands.
Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs,
lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined Mangaladevi
temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady
forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph
wild elephants at close quarters.
Lake Palace and Aranya Nivas are two idyllic accommodation options set in the
sylvan lake side background. The romantic Lake Palace, formerly a summer retreat
of the Maharaja of Travancore, is built on a small island accessible only by
boat. Aranya Nivas(Jungle Retreat) a stone lodge with rubble masonry and colonial
style of architecture at the head of the lake is a premium property of the Kerala
Tourism Development Corporation.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 114 km
Nearest airports: Madurai (Tamilnadu) about 140 km; Cochin International
Airport, about 190 km.
Wildlife in Kerala › The
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary › The Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary › Begur Wildlife
Sanctuary › Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary
› Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
