Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is set high in
the ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala. The park has a picturesque lake at
the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir
meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source
of water for the local wildlife.
Animals found here include elephant,
sambar, gaur and wild boars. In March and April, during the driest period here,
the animals spend a lot of time near the lake and the elephants can be seen bathing
and swimming in the reservoir. You may even get a glimpse of the tiger during
this season.
Periyar is also home to leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse
deer, monitor lizards and a variety of snakes and birds.
The birds include
darter, cormorant, grey heron, ibis, great malabar hornbill and grey hornbill,
kingfishers, ospreys and kites as well as orioles, hill mynas, racket tailed drongos,
parakeets, including the unusual blue winged paraket and fly catchers.
The
animals are viewed from motor launches on the lake and from watch towers. A summer
palace of the former Maharaja of Travancore, set along the lake, is a hotel and
a fine place to stay.
General Information- Periyar
National Park and Tiger Reserve
Best time to visit :
October to April
Accommodation
:
Lake palace, Spice Village, Taj Garden Retreat
Nearest
Town :
Kumily (4 km)
How to get there
:
Air :- Kottayam (114 km) ;
Rail :- Cochin (200 km) or Madurai
(TN) (140 km) ;
