Thekkady

Thekkady[1](Idukki district) is a town near Periyar National Park, an important tourist attraction in the Kerala state of India.[2]

Thekkady
Town
Landscape at Thekkady
Thekkady
Location in Kerala, India
Thekkady
Thekkady (India)
Coordinates: 9.533°N 77.200°E / 9.533; 77.200
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictIdukki
Government
 • Typekerala
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English, Tamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationKL-37
Websitewww.idukki.nic.in
Rafting inThekkady
Elephants in Thekkady
Boating

Overview

Thekkady is located about 257 km (160 mi) from Trivandrum, 141 km from Madurai City and Madurai Airport, 145 km from Cochin International Airport and 114 km from Kottayam railway station. Thekkady is located near to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. 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. Due to the density of the forest sightings of elephants and in particular, tigers are highly unlikely.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 777 km2 (300 sq mi), of which 360 km2 (140 sq mi) is thick evergreen forest. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants, deer and bison that come down to drink in the lake. The sanctuary can be accessed by trekking, boating or jeep safari. [3]

Thekkady is considered a haven for natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, nutmace, ginger, and clove.

Nearby places of interest

Ottakathalamedu

One of the highest Mountain for trekking. Jeep trip is available from Kumily. Thekkady lake is vissible from the top of the mountain.

Murikady

This place consists of spices and coffee plantations. It is about 5 km from Thekkady.

Chellar Kovil

This is located about 15 km from Kumily en route to the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. This place has a lot of picturesque waterfalls and cascades.

Anakkara

Located at about 13 km from Kumily on the Kumily-Munnar road. A new airport is proposed at Anakkara and is under review by the Airports Authority of India. Anakkara is famous for spice garden. All variety of spices available.

Mangala Devi Temple

It is situated about 18 km from Thekkady at an altitude of 1341 m above sea level. It is surrounded by lush greenery and is closed throughout the year except during the Chitra Pournami festival. At other times tourists can still visit it by getting a special letter from the forest ranger. The view from the temple premises is spectacular and one can see part of Eastern Ghats and some villages from adjacent state of Tamil Nadu.[3]

Periyar National Park

It is spread across an area of 300 square miles, Periyar National Park is covered by lush evergreen and deciduous forests serving as home to various animals such as deer, elephants, sambar, Nilgiri Langurs, etc.

Pattumalay

Pattumalay literally means hills draped in silk. It is known for its lofty peaks, little streams, tea plantations and tea factories. This beautiful region in Idukki is 8 km from Peermade and 24 km from Thekkady. One of the major attractions of this region is The Velankanni Matha Church[4] situated atop a hill. This is a famous pilgrim center, and is built entirely from granite. Pattumalay is also home of the biggest names in the tea production sector - Harrisons Malayalam limited[5]Pattumalay Estate.

Pattumalay Tea Factory

Pattumalay Tea Factory is situated 24km from Thekkady. Pattumalay Tea Factory is a major producer of Orthodox tea and belongs to Harrisons Malayalam Limited. It is the oldest Orthodox factory and also owns central Travancore only Orthodox Tea Factory. Its capacity of 16000kg per day. The Pattumalay Estate was established in the year of 1931.

Boat tragedy
Further information: 2009 Thekkady boat disaster
  • The Thekkady lake as seen from Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • A boat cruise on Periyar river
  • Submerged trees in Periyar National Park
  • The misty mountain ranges of the Periyar region
  • Southern Western Ghats, Near Thekkady in Kerala
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References
  1. "Thekkady, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Destination, Idukki". Kerala Tourism. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  2. "Kerala Tourism".
  3. Tourist Guide to Kerala By Motilal (UK) Books of India, Various, V. Subburaj
  4. "pattumala matha church". Go Daddy. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  5. Harrisonsmalayalam.com. "Harrisons Malayalam Ltd : Rubber, Tea, Tissue Culture, Engineering - India". www.harrisonsmalayalam.com. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
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