The
Periyar National Park is situated amid high hills of the Western Ghat, near
Thekkady, in God’s Own Country, Kerela. Spanning over an area of about
5,500 hectares of land, it has a scenic Periyar lake, formed by the
construction of a dam on the Periyar River in 1895, at the heart of the
sanctuary. Known for its tigers, the Park is also one of the 16 Project
Tiger Reserves in India.
Best time to visit :
The best season to visit Periyar National Park is between October to June.
However, the month of March and April is the most appropriate time to visit,
as they constitute the driest part of the year. Due to this reason, many
animals spend ample time near the Periyar lake. Even the tiger can be
spotted approaching the waters in the Park through motorboat rides or from
watchtowers set up in the Periyar National Park.
How to get there ?
» By Road - Periyar National Park is well connected
by bus service from the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram (271 km), as
well as the cities of Cochin (200 km), Kottayam (117 km), and Madurai (140
km).
» By Rail - The nearest major rail junction is
Kottayam (117 km) on the Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram line.
» By Air - The nearest national airports are Cochin
(200 km) and Madurai (140 km).
Travelling in Periyar National Park :
The forest department arranges for an adventurous travelling experience for
tourists on a tamed elephant’s back. Tourists can also take a boat ride
on Periyar Lake and watch the elephants, deer and other animals on the
lake's edge, from nearby.
Major Attractions at Periyar National Park :
» Flora - The forests of Periyar are tropical and a
melange of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen ‘sholas’. The
evergreen ‘sholas’ occur in the moist valleys and is characterized
by tall trees and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive
patches of grasslands.
» Fauna - Periyar National Park is famous for its
pachydem population, which are about 800 in number and can be easily spotted
here. The park’s rich bird life consists of over 200 varieties of birds
including the Giant Hornbill, Cormorant, Darter, Osprey and Racket-tailed
Drongo. Large herds of Indian Elephant and the Nilgiri Langur can be easily
spotted. Among the park’s reptilian fauna the Indian Python and King
Cobra are the most common. Other animals like Gaur, Wild Pigs, Sambar,
Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dole or Indian Wild Dog can be spotted here.
Accommodation Facilities :
The available means of accommodation for tourists are Periyar House, Aranya
Niwas, in the tourist complex area, and Lake Palace at Edapalayam, besides
several forest rest houses.
Nearby Cities :
Nearby cities are Kottayam (117 km), Madurai (140 km), Cochin (200 km) and
Thiruvananthapuram (271 km).
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