Periyar is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Kerala because of its deciduous forests, grasslands and evergreen forests. Periyar is located in the Western Ghats, in the Idukki District in Kerala. The Periyar National Park and Periyar Tiger Reserve are the chief attractions of this place.
The focal point of Periyar is the Periyar Lake, which was formed as the result of the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River in 1895. This formation of a lake led to the submersion of large areas of forest land and led to the formation of a lake, rich in its animal and plant life.
The Lake, which is at the heart of the wildlife sanctuary, provides water throughout the year. For the traveller, a two-hour cruise on the boat is an excellent opportunity for viewing the animals who wander near the lakeside such as elephant herds that come near the waterfront to play in the lake.
There are 260 species of birds at Periyar Park. These include darters, cormorants, ibises, gray herons, mynas, flycatchers, orioles, wood pigeons, kingfishers, kites, ospreys, thrushes, and an appreciable number of blue-winged parakeets. Other than the elephants, the traveller can also spot sambar, wild pigs and at times tigers, wild dogs, leopards, Nilgiri langur (a primate), bonnet macaque, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar, sloth bear, pythons and king cobras.
Another source of interest for the traveller is the tree-watchtower built by tribal people to prevent wild animals such as pigs or elephants from destroying their crops. The tribal people, who are good fishermen and farmers stay in these tree dwelling keeping an eye over their crops. The traveller will find the time between October and June as the best time to visit Periyar, rich in its sights of animal and plant life.
The focal point of Periyar is the Periyar Lake, which was formed as the result of the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River in 1895. This formation of a lake led to the submersion of large areas of forest land and led to the formation of a lake, rich in its animal and plant life.
The Lake, which is at the heart of the wildlife sanctuary, provides water throughout the year. For the traveller, a two-hour cruise on the boat is an excellent opportunity for viewing the animals who wander near the lakeside such as elephant herds that come near the waterfront to play in the lake.
There are 260 species of birds at Periyar Park. These include darters, cormorants, ibises, gray herons, mynas, flycatchers, orioles, wood pigeons, kingfishers, kites, ospreys, thrushes, and an appreciable number of blue-winged parakeets. Other than the elephants, the traveller can also spot sambar, wild pigs and at times tigers, wild dogs, leopards, Nilgiri langur (a primate), bonnet macaque, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar, sloth bear, pythons and king cobras.
Another source of interest for the traveller is the tree-watchtower built by tribal people to prevent wild animals such as pigs or elephants from destroying their crops. The tribal people, who are good fishermen and farmers stay in these tree dwelling keeping an eye over their crops. The traveller will find the time between October and June as the best time to visit Periyar, rich in its sights of animal and plant life.
