IDUKKI- The Upland of Sanctuaries and Spices

Click here to view idukki district Map

District Head Quarters  Painavu,    Area 5,019 Sq.Km,     Population  11,28,605

Geographical hints: - Idukki district was formed in 28 January 1972. Crowded with Sahya mountains. The largest area  for forest land in the State  is at Idukki district. Total forest land : 2,60,907 hectare

Nestled up in the mountains, Idukki extends an invitation to identify oneself with Nature. Here, where the mist plays hide and seek with the green mountains, the melody is set to the whistle of the crickets and the chirp of wild birds. Dark and deep forests with springs trickling down rocky crevices, falling steep into unfathomed chasms and rivulets flowing past rare flora and fauna, is indeed an idyllic setting to set oneself free of all fetters, understand, feel and perhaps realise, the beauty, power and glory of life.  Other than places like Valara, Thommankuthu, Palkulamedu and Munnar which are of indescribable natural beauty, there are five wild life sanctuaries in Idukki district which need special mention.

Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary

          Chinnar is a wild life sanctuary with an area of 90 sq.Km. The terrain here is undulating and rocky through out at an elevation ranging from 500 to 2400 metres above sea level. The thorny scrub jungle is the unique phenomenon of this sanctuary. The flora in this region consists of thorny scrub jungle, dry deciduous forests, sholas and grass lands.

          A wide range of wild life is housed in its sanctuary. Elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, tiger, panther, wild dog etc. inhabit in this sanctuary. The aviary includes jungle fowl, spotted dove, pea fowl, jungle crow, Kerala laughing thrush, red vented bulbul, Indian hornbill, small green bee eater, blue throated barbet and a host of other small birds.This sanctuary is situated on either side of the Marayoor - Udumalpet road and is hence accessible by road.

Eravikulam Wild Life Sanctuary

          Eravikulam is another wild life sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park since it supports the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr existing in the world now. Anamudi peak (2695 Metres), the highest point south of the Himalayas falls in the southern part of this park. The park is 135 k.m. from Kochi and is accessible by road.         Most of the park is either grassland or part of the shola ecosystem and the average altitude is 2000 metres above m.s.l. The temperature varies from (-)3 degrees Celsius in winter to 29 degrees Celsius in summer. Severe frost occurs between the months of December and January and the average rain fall is 4800 m.m. During the monsoon, lashing rains, high velocity winds and poor visibility makes the area practically inaccessible. A wide variety of plant life is present here. The famous Strobilanthus Kunthianus, popularly known as Neelakurinji is one of the rare and threatened species that grows here. The Nilgiri Tahr is seen in the highlands and rocky regions of this national park. Sambar, barking deer, gaur, giant Malabar squirrel, tiger, panther, wild dogs, civet cat, jungle cat, Nilgiri langur, giant squirrel, grass owl, black winged kite, wood pigeon, black bird, Eurasian kestrel, jungle crow etc. are seen here.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary 

 Thattekkad bird sanctuary in Devicolam Taluk of Idukki lies on the northern bank of the Periyar river. The area of the sanctuary is 25 sq.Km. The presence of more than 200 varieties of birds in this area attracted the renowned ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali and his efforts are also behind the formation of this sanctuary. This sanctuary is 80 Kms. from Cochin and 60 to 450 metres above sea level.  

          Important birds found here include large falcon, gray jungle fowl, white breasted water hen, hornbill, jungle bush-quail, etc. A study conducted by Bombay Natural History Society during 1985 identifies 253 species here.     The vegetation in this area consists of tropical evergreen, semi evergreen, moist deciduous forests and plantations of teak, rosewood, mahogany etc. Further, more than 28 varieties of animals and nine varieties of reptiles have accepted this area as their natural habitat.

Thekkady          

 With its matchless scenic beauty and the facilities offered by the Periyar lake, Thekkady attracts a large number of tourists. The sanctuary spreads over an area of 673 sq.km and is situated at a height of 900 to 1800 metres above mean sea level. Facilities are available for cruising in this lake.

Wild animals seen here include elephants, bisons, sambar, monkeys and wild bear. Fortunate visitors can have a glimpse of the tigers foraging in this area. However on sunny summer days one can see herds of wild elephants bathing in the lake. Bisons are a wary and hardy lot and usually never allow any intruder to approach them and the sound of the motor boats scare them away. But a keen animal lover can stay in one of the few observation towers for a couple of days and luck will surely come his way. 

Some of the famous tea gardens are located around this place. Further Peermede, 43 k.m. below Thekkady, has a golf course and offers excellent facilities for stay.

Idukki Wild life Sanctuary

          Idukki wild sanctuary is quite near the District Head Quarters at Kuyilimala near Painavu. The great reservoir formed by the construction of the Idukki Arch Dam and dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu offers beautiful sight to the casual visitor. Further the pristine forests and green hills around the area provide ample scope for trekking. In windy and rainy days elephants can be seen even on the road from Thodupuzha to the District Head Quarters. Unless offended these pachyderms wait on the road for a few minutes and give way to the vehicles. The Arch dam at Idukki, the highest of its kind in Asia, attracts a lot of tourists. Further, the area is easily accessible by road, by being just about 100 k.m. From Ernakulam. 

Thommankuthu 

 Thommankuthu is another centre of attraction in Idukki, and is just half an hour's drive from Thodupuzha, the nearest town where accommodation is available. It is a famous place for water fall but  is very dangerous to the school and college boys because of attractive slippery rokes and hidden ditch. It is due to heavy flow and frequecny of water we cannot get control in flowing water. It is saying that this water have medicinal value because number of valuable shrubs and herbs in this forest anciters says that this is one of forest which omit medicines in the form of water.

Moolamattom ;- The underground powerhouse of the Idukki Hydroelectric Project is located here. It is at the foot of the Nadukani hills

Munnar ;-Munnar was the summer resort of the British Government in the south. The town is situated on the confluence of three mountain streams, Muthirappuzha ( Kannimalayar), Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar has some of the biggest tea plantations in the world. This hill station more than 5000 feet above sea level with its mist and flowers, has very good potential to be developed into a tourist spot

Munnar Devikulam: This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air offers a rare experience to visitors,  The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral water springs and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot.  The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.

 Munnar Mattupetti: Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetti is famous for its highly specialized dairy farm the Indo Swiss Livestock Project. Over a 100 varieties of high yielding cattle care reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the 11 cattle sheds at the farm. Visit time: 0900 – 1100 hrs and 1400 – 1530 hrs.The Mattupetty lake and dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake are other attractions in the vicinity.

Munnar Rajamala: The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, Rajamala is 2695 m above sea level.  Half the world population of the rare mountain goat which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here.  The Nilgiri Tahrs are today reduced to small herds which are found in the . 

Marayur ;- This remote village on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats is in the outskirts of Munnar. The relics of new stone-age civilization has been unearthed here. The stone cabins, called 'Muniyaras', attract a lot of research scholars. It is the only place in Kerala having natural growth of sandal wood trees. 

 Peermade:- Peermade, another centre of tourist attraction has a history of its own. The summer palace of the erstwhile Rajas of Travancore is an important monument here

Vagamon:-Vagamon is about 18 km from Erattupetta, 60 km from Kottayam and  30 km from Pala situated on the Idukki-Kottayam border, at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level is a trekker’s paradise.The greatest attraction of the place is Kurishumala, a sky scraping mountain with a small church on its peak and the Kurishumala Ashramam, a monastery atop another hill. The Ashraman is a small community of ascetics who follow the Christian faith but combines with it the Indian spiritual traditions and Gandhian thought. People of all faith are welcome to visit the place. On Good Friday  thousands of people are visiting this place

Kattappana:-Kattappana is the spice city of Kerala,the centre of all type of spices and is the centre of cardamom and peper market. It is a nice place to stay and situated at the centre of Idukki. It is easy to go at any part of Idukki district as there good transport facilities are available. Idukki dam is just 25 km and Thekkedy is 38 km away from Kattappana. This is the commercial capital of Idukki.

KULAMAV:- Kulamavu Dam, which extends to 33 sq km, is one of the three dams of Idukki Reservoir project. St Mary's Church at a place of worship here. Idukki Arch Dam, moolamattom underground power Pothumattom is station and Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary are the nearby excursions.  for link

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.This temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. his temple allows visitors only on the day of Chitra Pournami festival.

Pandikuzhi:-This popular picnic spot is nestled between Tamil Nadu and Chellarkovil. One can try their hand trekking and mountain climbing over here. The picturesque location also provides the perfect gateway for an a valid photographer.

Pullumedu:-Located along the Periyar River, this beautiful hill town is a delightful place to spend  
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 exotics flowering plants.

Kumily:-Located just outside the Periyar sanctuary, Kumily is a famous plantation town. This lovely town has extensive plantations of various Indian spices. It is a famous border town of kerala and Tamilnadu and is also noted as spices market.  .     

Prepared by
MURICKENS GROUP
See our Website for ideal properties as your choice and Power saver electronic products                                :-         http://www.murickens.com
For quick response call - (91) 04829-283160, 282040, 09446822522
KOTTAYAM        PH: 0481- 2361026,2362026
ERNAKULAM        PH: 0484-2535060 ,09447366779
PANDALAM        PH: O4734- 254079,254979
KOLLAM        Mobile: 09447507069
Email: mg@murickens.com ,murickans@gmail.com